Striving towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

I've started looking at life as this enormous tapestry being woven together, with my thread running through it in ways I can't always see in the moment.

I'm starting to see how all these seemingly random events are actually inviting me to participate in something bigger. Like when my contract ended last year—at the time it felt devastating, but it pushed me to finally take that Scrum Master course, which led to my current job that I love so much more. I couldn't see the pattern then, but looking back, it's all connected.

Sometimes I get caught up trying to control everything or understand exactly why things are happening. I'm learning that I don't need to see the whole picture to trust that things are unfolding in a way that makes sense.

It reminds me of hiking a new trail. I can't see what's around each bend, but I trust that the path leads somewhere worthwhile. Even when I hit that steep section that makes my legs burn, or have to cross that unexpected stream, it's all part of the journey.

What helps me is remembering that I belong here, just as much as the trees outside my window or the stars in the sky. I don't have to justify my existence or constantly prove my worth. Just by being here, I'm already part of this beautiful pattern. I don't have to fight so hard to prove I belong here or understand everything. Sometimes just showing up and being present is enough.

So today, even though I have no idea what challenges or opportunities might pop up, I'm heading out with confidence. There's something comforting about knowing that even the unexpected detours are somehow part of the map. Whatever happens today—whether it's something amazing or something difficult—it's moving me exactly where I need to go.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

It is totally fine to admire what a person achieves in science, business, or in sports, but it is not smart to turn them into a hero unless they are the kind of person you want your child to grow up to be. Sports people were portrayed role models were very appropriate because the media only reported their redeeming qualities. Tiger Woods might have succeeded as a golfer but he is not a great role model.Some great football players beat their girlfriends. What we can learn from Roger Federer/ Sachin Tendulkar is their dedication to excellence.  Here's the challenge- separating the message from the messenger.

There is also lot of confusion between being great at something and being famous. If you are famous, then you are admired. You can be famous for good, for being notorious, or just for being famous (Kardashian, Justin Bieber). If you are famous, people will flock to be near you, to have their picture made with you, and many of them will want to be just like you.

How many people choose a Teacher or Professor or a Mother doing whatever it takes to provide for the kids as a role model? Not many. More often we admire and adore singers, movie personalities and anyone who gets media attention.

We need to look at more than what they do, what they have and how they look. We must look at who they are and how they live.It is our responsibility to determine what we plan to achieve and then, find a role model who has succeeded in that area, using their standard of performance to motivate us in a specific aspect.

Just as we all have fallen short and failed in our endeavors, we have to realize that our heroes do not need to be all encompassing examples of inspiration. I have many role models. My dad, mom, many of my teachers/Professors /Cousins/Uncles/Aunts/ Friends. I doubt you have heard of any of them.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

You know, it's fascinating how some parents think their kids just automatically know they're loved without being told. But here's the thing - children actually need constant reassurance of their parents' love. It's not enough to just feel it; kids need to see it in how their parents talk, smile, and act around them.

Think about it - kids don't have the emotional wisdom we adults do. When they get scolded or punished, they often see it as a sign that they're not loved, rather than understanding it might be coming from a place of care. That's why it's super important for parents to actively show their love, even in small ways.

What's really interesting is how showing love changes as kids grow up. With babies and toddlers, it's all about those hugs, cuddles, and kisses - they literally need that physical touch to develop properly. But as kids get older, the way we show love needs to evolve too. While an occasional hug is still great, they need different kinds of support.

For older kids, love shows up in different ways - like taking genuine interest in their homework, reading together, going for walks, or getting involved in their hobbies. Sometimes it's just about having a patient ear or sharing a laugh together. These little moments of attention? They're like love notes to a child's heart.

The impact of parental love is pretty amazing when you think about it. Kids who grow up feeling loved tend to be more confident and resilient. They're generally happier, calmer, and have more energy for life. Plus, they're better equipped to handle life's disappointments - which we all know are inevitable. On the flip side, when kids don't feel that parental love, their world can feel pretty empty, and they might act out just to get some attention.

Here's something cool: when kids feel loved, it creates this positive ripple effect. They become more loving themselves, they're usually more cheerful, and they build better relationships with others. They're also more likely to listen to their parents and follow guidance with enthusiasm rather than resistance. It's like love creates this foundation of trust that makes everything else work better.

My dad actively took me to cricket coaching and constantly monitored my progress while I was young.  It's a perfect example of how parental love isn't just about affection - it's about actively investing in your child's growth and believing in their potential.

Bottom line? Parental love is this incredibly powerful force that shapes who children become. It influences everything from their personality and attitude to their confidence and outlook on life. It's like this natural superpower that parents have - one that can help transform their kids into happy, healthy, and confident adults.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

• The humility to admit when you're wrong (ouch!)
• The courage to face your not-so-great qualities
• The ability to sit with your thoughts without reaching for your phone every five minutes

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about two baseball legends and a lesson that goes far beyond the diamond. Picture this: It's the World Series, Yankees versus Milwaukee Braves. Behind home plate is Yogi Berra, famous for his witty remarks and endless chatter, facing off against the mighty Hank Aaron.

Now, Yogi was doing what Yogi did best - trying to get into the batter's head. "Hey Henry," he called out to Aaron, "you're holding that bat wrong. You need to hold it so you can read the trademark!" Aaron didn't say a word. Instead, he just waited for the pitch, and CRACK! The ball soared into the left-field bleachers. After his victory lap around the bases, Aaron looked at Yogi and simply said, "I didn't come up here to read."

Isn't that just perfect? Aaron knew exactly why he was there - to hit home runs, not to read bat labels. But here's the crazy thing: in today's business world, less than half of employees know their company's mission or values. It's like having a team of players who don't know which game they're playing!

Think about Sarah, a leader I once knew at a struggling tech company. She inherited a team that was talented but directionless. They were like a ship with a skilled crew but no compass. Sarah realized three things that turned everything around:

First, she dug into the company's history, sharing stories of how they started in a tiny garage and grew through innovation. "We need to know where we've been," she told her team, "to understand where we're going."

Second, she made sure everyone understood their current mission - not just as words on a wall, but as a living, breathing purpose. Like Hank Aaron at the plate, her team learned to tune out the distractions and focus on what really mattered.

Finally, she showed them how their present actions were building their future. "Every line of code you write," she'd say, "every customer you help, is laying the foundation for tomorrow."

The transformation was remarkable. Within a year, her team wasn't just meeting goals - they were knocking them out of the park, just like Aaron with that World Series pitch.

The moral of our story? Whether you're at home plate facing a 90-mph fastball or in a conference room facing quarterly targets, knowing your purpose is like having a superpower. It's not enough to just show up - you need to know why you're there.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

You know what blew my mind? Being a mentor! I thought it'd be just another work thing, but man, was I wrong. Sure, I've seen my share of projects go down in flames, but what really sticks with me is helping people get back on their feet when they've hit rock bottom. It's wild - one day you're just giving advice, and before you know it, you're their go-to person for pretty much everything!

So what makes a real mentor? They're like that friend who knows all your embarrassing stories but still thinks you're awesome. They see past your "Instagram-perfect" self to the real you - messy parts and all!

Sometimes they're your personal cheerleader, giving you that little nudge (or maybe a good kick in the pants!) when you need it. Other times, they're like your life GPS, helping you figure out where you're headed when you're totally lost.

The cool thing about a great mentor is they let you be your weird, wonderful self. They're not trying to turn you into some perfect robot - they just want to help you be a better version of you. When you're stuck in your comfort zone (you know, that cozy rut we all fall into), they're the ones poking you with a stick saying, "Hey, there's cooler stuff out there!"

And get this - they're not just thinking about your current job. They're playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers, helping you see where you could be in five years. When everything's falling apart and you're ready to throw in the towel, they're the voice of reason saying, "You've got this!"

Looking back, if I could tell my younger self one thing, it wouldn't be "chase the money" or "get that fancy title." It'd be "find someone who actually gives a damn about your growth." That's the real gold right there!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Wishing you and your family very Happy Prosperous, Productive New Year 2015.