What is your Plan B ?

Have you ever thought of a Plan B? Like, what other than your current successful profession would you excel at? I got this dream that I wake up one fine morning  with Amnesia, with no recollection of my profession. Other than the fact that it pays me a lot of money, pretty much don’t remember anything else. And the Doc says, “don’t you worry, whatever skill you have will remain with you”. And, after some time, it starts freaking me out …What is my skill?? Do I even have one? How is it possible that I don’t really have any skill…Tried singing to playing tennis. There was no trace of Beyonce or Sanya in me!

Coming back to reality, I start pondering ..what skill do I know which will provide me a living??? Read somewhere that find your calling and passion would follow. I start looking all around, even wrote down my new year resolution; “Find your calling” ..but Mr. Calling, where are you ??

And then one day, “Uber” arrives!!! Yayy, this is one thing I could do. Well, am a pretty good (looking) driver, with 10+ yrs experience. Chalo , now that’s a big relief. Sounds like a plan. (Passion ko maro goli) Hopefully  car loan will gets over next year, which means have to worry only about the mileage. Now with a clear goal in mind, started interviewing every “Uber” driver who came my way. Each one of them gave me an update of their rags to riches story.

The guy who drove me to the Airport owns 3 houses in Bangalore! He even offered me some investment tips and made me realise that his networth far exceeds mine. Imagine even after working for  over a decade, my only wordly possession is a flat which is also on mortgage. How is it possible that his skill is far better in terms of ROI than my management degree from none other than the IIM??? (Ivy League)   I usually sleep through the flight, but not that night. Did a thorough analysis on his business model i.e funding, working capital, cash flow fund flow, break even period etc. All those management theories should be put to use somewhere in real life, at least to make me feel better if not anything else. My ego was at stake.

Like they say, the journey continues. I was getting ready to return home from an exhausting business trip. Was too engrossed in some email war with my irritating colleagues when the message popped on the phone:”Your uber has arrived”. I drag the suitcase till the car and continue waging the corporate war, typing out to glory when I hear a sweet voice. “Please put the bag in the backseat, Honey “. I looked up, a nice old lady at the driver seat. Now this was interesting. I am used to a chauffeur opening the door and taking care of my luggage. She looked so sweet in her bright green smile. “Come in front,  quick quick..it might rain”.

Am I daydreaming ?…Is that me 20 yrs from now ??  God, this cannot be true . And I get in shaking with excitement. She is a retired school teacher, one daughter and 2 grandchildren. Enjoys driving and ferrying passengers. Is it safe ??? “Well, I have completed around 1500 trips, there has never been a bad incidence. At 62 life is taking me places instead of being in an assisted living facility” She said with that everlasting smile.

You know what.. back in India, Children are the retirement fund, parents fund for college and children take care of aging parents. No Student loan ..no retirement fund either. And we don’t even have a Plan B  …Time to think ….

 

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