I do not follow NORMS. I set Them. [changed title]

Seems like everyday some part of us or well most part of us including our behavior follows some kind of norm and this definetly includes a repetitive task. From wearing business casual to work and of course the early morning coffee drink seems to be some normal examples of this. On the same note I was watching CNN-IBN the other day, where the program was show casing “InfoSys” and of course their top level management including Narayan Murthy was there to answer questions and make statements about the company, entrepreneurship and other topics. What really amazed me is that this concept of “norm” has crept into the questions we ask as well. Questions such as “Sir, I want to be an entrepreneur – What do you think I should do?” or something like “Sir, I want to do this sort of business – how do you think I should go about it?”. These questions of course get the same replies – “Well you should apply yourself, work hard, have creative ideas and of course sacrifice”. I doubt Mr.Murthy is going to sit down and explain to any youngster like me how I should do my business so whats the point in asking him. I respect him for he achieved something that is unique – worked very hard for it but the biggest factor is – he did it HIS WAY.

The other day I was having a chat with a mate and he was comparing me to another individual and made a statement that I was happy he made. He said “Thanesh I am not trying to be rude, but when you look at “so and so” – they seem to be more mature than you”. WOW define maturity. The best norm of all. Am I immature? Well maybe in certain people’s context and definition but definetly not in mine. I work hard, play hard, do things my way and if someone wants to label it as different or lets say “immature” -thats fine – I am doing things my way. This even applied to my recent “hair duo” when I came to Chennai. People either looked at it weirdly or had to say something about it. All this fine and understandable and I am not taking it in the wrong way for again – I am not following norms and usual conventions. Please don’t confuse this with rules and regulations. I am firm believer in those for those are needed to mould a society so that tyranny doesnt take over. Well if you want to break those go ahead and be my guest. I havent started to think about breaking them but well that might be something in the future.

Cheers

P.S. define:norm A way of behaving or believing that is normal for a group or culture. {Courtesy of Google}