Why I wrote this book!
I came into this world when there were complete darkness and hopelessness in my family. Somehow, barely meeting basic needs to survive used to be the biggest success and achievement for my parents during that period. In fact, as such, there was no hope to progress beyond meeting basic needs like food, shelter and getting educated to such an extent so that one can read and write a letter if required. And as per that dream, I was admitted to a government primary school situated in my native village by my parents for getting educated up to 5th class. Then, life took a turn when the headmaster of the school, seeing potential talent hidden in me, decided to act as a coach—free of cost—for my family and me. Although he was not well educated in terms of academic qualification (was educated only up to the 5th class), he was a visionary with a noble heart, working for a just cause. He created hope not only in my tender mind but also in the mind of my entire family—hope that there was a way beyond my current realities and to break the vicious circle of poverty. He coached and mentored my family and me to succeed in getting me an admission in a government-sponsored school (Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya) to study from 6th to 12th. It paved the way to write the further story of my life. Though he was not well-educated and polished like the internationally-renowned stakeholder-centred coach Mr Marshal Goldsmith, the impact he created in my mind was not lesser than any internationally-renowned stakeholder-centred coach. He inspired me to build history not only for myself but also for my family, community, organization, nation, society and humanity as a whole, through his selfless act. Though he is no more in this world, he is still alive within my heart, inspiring me to keep working for the just cause without giving up! The story is yet to unfold; a long way to go; you have just done for yourself and for your family! What about others? In response to this calling, I want to reach out to other people and be a catalyst in helping people to learn, grow and build beautiful legacy over a period irrespective of their current situation. The book which you have in your hand is just a beginning: – The story is yet to unfold. Let us see how far we succeed together!
The world is full of diversity. Everybody may not be equally blessed in terms of material legacy. However, everyone is blessed with the same legacy at the time of birth in terms of human potential. If one can channelize internal resources effectively, external hardships can be overcome over a period. There are many people across the world who could not do great not because they do not have enough external resources or material resources, but because of non-availability of a true coach who can guide in their lonely journey:- How they think and what decisions they take in their day-to-day life in real-life situations, especially when there is no precedence. It is my firm belief, based on my life experiences that every moment is an opportunity, and how you capitalize on these opportunities is dependent on what decision you take and what kind of inner coach (First me or Second Me) you hire and nurture before you hire and nurture an outer one! Even an ordinary man can be extraordinary if inner resources are channelized, and opportunities thrown open are capitalized effectively! Everyone has his/her own unique situations, and customized ways forward are needed instead of copy-paste solutions. This book is an outcome of endeavour to help people in their life’s journey. This book will prove to be a guide, friend, philosopher, and coach in one’s lonely journey irrespective of who you are! You may be a common man, student, working professional, entrepreneur, business leader, social or spiritual leader etc. Irrespective of who you are, It will help you in achieving the extraordinary results in life through a simple yet profound, “7 Steps ESCAPE Velocity Model to design the life you love to live! Also, if you are a professional coach or trainer, or someone who wishes to help other people around you at home or workplace to design the life they wish to live, it will provide you with a comprehensive framework to do the same—Driving Seat Model to Design the World You Love to Live.”
Every human being is one of the most advanced creations of nature. We all have a beautiful heart to feel; we all have a wonderful body as a vehicle to respond in a given situation. We can do whatever we want to do. And, we all have an amazing mind to dream big, think big. We all have been gifted with the immense possibilities to evolve as a human being over a period. Each one is just like a seed of a banyan tree having the possibility to become a big banyan tree giving shelter and oxygen to others in its surrounding over a period.
Therefore, everyone in this world is a ray of hope for self, family, organization, society, nation and humanity as a whole. But in order to convert this ray of hope a reality, one needs to have the inner fire to make a difference in the world without giving up! Those who are having the inner fire to do something for their self, family, community, organization, society, nation and humanity may be termed as “Navodayans” (Rising Sun/New Rays of hope). The purpose of life for a “Navodayans” is to create a better world wherever they are through dedication and perseverance without giving up in odd situations. The better world could be for “self and family”, it could be for an organization which they belong to, it could be for society, it could be for the nation, and it could be for entire humanity depending upon the context. But the ultimate purpose is to make a positive difference in the world around and serve the entire humanity over a period in life and be at peace with the self.
“Navodayans” is an ideology and way of life based on the belief that every individual has a potential to evolve into a better human being over a period with dedication, perseverance and not giving up attitude in an odd situation, come what may! And, the goal in life is to make a positive difference in the world around and serve humanity. Navodayans across the globe can be grouped into three broad categories depending upon their current level of existence and life situations as given below:
- If you and your family are inside the vicious circle of poverty and you are committed to fighting the war against poverty for creating a better world for self and family members, then you are “Navodayans” for yourself and your family.
- If you are outside the vicious circle of poverty and you are committed to making a positive difference in the life of other people/institutions by partnering in their vision and mission, then you are “Navodayans” for those people/institutions which exist.
- If you are making a difference in the life of other people/institutions through institution building, nurturing and leading in your community, society and nation for a noble cause, then you are “Navodayans” for entire humanity especially to those who are outside your community, society and nation through your commitment and endeavour to expand your reach globally to serve entire humanity.
Irrespective of your current situation, there is a possibility to achieve more provided you never ever give up while passing through the transition. Your proactive preparation and readiness for the next role even before you take over the current one will act as an escape velocity to push you in a higher level of the growth trajectory. If you are someone trapped in a vicious circle of poverty: – There is hope! You can break it and join the league of working professional. If you are working professional and want to create a difference through leading and building institution, possibilities are there provided you capitalized on same to be great institution builder and leader for the just cause and join the league of spiritual leaders who serve the humanity. If you are someone who serves the community and society at the local level, there is a possibility to make the geography boundary meaningless and serve globally and inspire the present and future generation to build beautiful legacy across the world.
Let us embark on the journey to design the life which we love to live to design the world which we love to live with a life long companion- “Being in the driving seat: What makes the ordinary extraordinary”!
With Love and Care,
( Ram Raj )
August 15, 2020
Mathura, UP, India
About The Author
