Perfection

A few weeks ago, actress Madhuri Dixit who is a judge on the dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa' had the week's episodes dedicated to her. As the contestants performed to her songs, many actors, actresses, directors and friends gave her glowing tributes. At the end of it, she was asked how she felt receiving the compliments. She said....A compliment is a compliment. Whether you hear it for the first time or over and over again, it always feels good. She is right....We all love receiving compliments....even those of us who won't openly admit to it. I think human beings thrive on compliments. One compliment I love to receive is from the people at work....my bosses....every time they say....Good job....Another job well done....Perfect....It takes me back many years ago when I received a very important lesson on perfection.

I was 19 years old and in my last year of college, when I landed my first job at a life insurance company. I was young, over-confident and out to change the world....the classic attributes of any teenager. One of the things I had to do at work was to process policy claims....which included writing the checks associated with the policy payouts. In those days, nothing was computerized and so the checks had to be handwritten. One such check that I wrote....I made a mistake....the amount in words did not match up to the amount in figures. The check went to the supervisor who was the first signatory....he did not catch the mistake. Neither did the manager who was the second signatory. The check....for a huge amount too....was mailed to the policy holder whose bank refused to accept it. He was furious, landed up at the office with the check and met the Director. It did not take long for the Director to figure out who had written the check and I was summoned into his office. Once I got there, right in front of the policyholder, the Director proceeded to give me the scolding of my life. I had never been more humiliated in my life before and my reaction....which I am now very embarrassed to say....was to promptly burst into tears. You see, I had never faced failure in my life before....I was a model student throughout school and college and I had no idea what 'constructive criticism' meant. Seeing my reaction, the policyholder softened up almost immediately saying....Let it go....Just give me another check and I will be on my way. But the Director sternly said....She is going to apologize to you first and then she personally is going to make sure that you get a new check right now. I was upset but did say sorry and as I processed the new check, my frustration turned into indignation thinking....Who does he think he is? Why do I need this job anyway?....Yes, very angry thoughts.

That afternoon, after the policyholder left and after I had calmed down a bit, the Director summoned me into his office again. Once I got there, he said....I know you are angry but hear me out....You are young....This is your first job and you have a long way to go. Sloppy work will not get you anywhere....and you need to hold yourself to higher standards. If you decide to do something, give it your best regardless of whether you are being paid for it or not. Remember, perfection is not achieved easily....you have to consciously work very hard towards it...And regarding today's scolding....think of it as a Dad reprimanding his daughter and you will be able to put it in the right perspective.

I learnt a very valuable lesson that day. Yes, you have to work very hard to attain perfection. That morning changed my attitude towards anything I did....I always try to give it my best....whether it is work or my personal life...and yes, even today when I write personal checks to pay bills....I always check to ensure that the amount in words and figures match.

It's not like I never make mistakes....sometimes I do....it happens....after all, I am a human being and nowhere close to being perfect....but they never happen because I did not give my 100 percent to whatever it is that I was doing.

Signing off constantly striving to attain perfection in spite of knowing that no human being can be absolutely perfect and this quote by Lord Chesterfield

'Aim at perfection in everything though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.'