From Tokens to Abundance: A Journey of Gratitude

How Starting Small and Appreciating Growth Transformed My Career

This is a story about starting small and the importance of gratitude. When you start from humble beginnings and face adversities, there's immense opportunity for growth. The sky is the limit because starting from a challenging place means there's a vast expanse for improvement. As you grow, it's crucial to look back, remember where you started, and be thankful for the journey and the progress you've made. If you're spiritual, you might thank God. If not, you might simply be grateful for having the right set of genes. Personally, as a spiritual person, I am thankful to God for the achievements I've made. My accomplishments are far beyond what I ever dreamed of as a child, a testament to how God has worked in my life.

Now, let's talk about gratitude. I finished my mechanical engineering degree, not from a top college, but a decent one. After graduation, several companies came for recruitment, and I ended up with an offer from a manufacturing company. I joined and spent a year and a half there. The work environment was very basic; it was a factory setting. For lunch, we had to use tokens. There weren't abundant snacks or coffee machines. Even for tea or coffee, we had tokens and limited servings twice a day. It wasn't a place flowing with milk and honey, but it was a reputable firm. I made great friends there, and many of those friendships have lasted a lifetime. So, I am thankful to have worked in that place.

After about two years, I moved to an IT company. It was a B2B product company, and the difference in work environments was stark. The office was fully air-conditioned, with multiple coffee machines on every floor. I remember my first day there, asking how to get coffee and being surprised that I could just grab a cup and drink as much as I wanted, no tokens required. The freedom was incredible. The office had AC, laptops, flexible work hours, and abundant snacks. It felt like a land flowing with milk and honey compared to my previous job.

However, I noticed that people still found things to complain about. They grumbled about the coffee machine being too far from their seats or the AC being too cold or not cold enough. The food quality was criticized, despite the free breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The company had a five-day workweek, yet there were discussions about wanting a four-day workweek. This was back in 2008. It was then that I realized the importance of gratitude. Having experienced a more challenging environment, I had nothing to complain about and was extremely grateful for my new job's perks and opportunities. This gratitude motivated me to give my best to the company.

The lesson here is to cultivate gratitude for what we have. If you believe your company is treating you unfairly, it might be time to consider moving elsewhere. However, remember that every workplace has its imperfections. Gratitude helps you stay happy and motivated, focusing on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives. It encourages you to give your best effort and fosters a positive mindset. By appreciating the difference between where you started and where you are now, you can transform your outlook and find fulfillment in your journey. Always remember, while there may be other companies offering more, each place has its challenges. Until then, embrace where you are, and let gratitude drive you to excel in your work.

Thank you for reading. Hope you are enjoying my stories. If yes, please share it with your friends and subscribe.