5 entrepreneurial lessons I learnt from my father: Prasad Shejale, Founder & CEO, Logicserve Digital
Looking at my 83-year-old father take a stroll in the terrace the other day, I was thinking of what gift I can give him for Father’s Day. That’s when I thought to myself, what can I give someone who has himself given so much to me and made me what I am today? This thought further made me look back at my life so far and how he has persistently kept teaching me things and imbibed all the values that make me the kind of a person I am today. So, here’s a quick summary for you all about the 5 entrepreneurial lessons my father has taught me.
1. Belief and Passion
Being born as the youngest member in a lower middle-class family in a developing country, I was always taught about the importance of hard work. My Dad (I call him Baba) being the eldest in the family, had to take care of not just the six of us (4 children, his wife and himself) but also of the extended family that includes his brothers and sisters. I always saw him work very hard without any complaints. He always spoke about his work with so much joy and passion. Of course, I never understood a lot that time, but I could always feel his passion for his work. And yes, it was infectious. That’s the first lesson I learnt from him and everyone should have it in them i.e. the belief and passion in the work we do.
2. Consistent Hard Work
Hard work is something that most people around me (during late 70s and early 80s) were used to and valued a lot. During my 12 th and JEE preparation, I used to get up early to study. Although Baba would come late after his overtime in the night, he always used to get up with me early. He ensured that I had my daily breakfast properly and could study without any interruptions. It was hard work for sure, but we did it together, every day, without skipping it a single day. He was surely my biggest support and the pillar of strength for me. Those times made me realise that one does not have to be the brightest, but they can be better with consistent hard work. I realised the importance of this during my final exam. I remember that I fell sick just a day before my organic chemistry exam and I couldn’t study on the last day. That’s when my Baba told me that I need not worry, I had worked for this for the last 364 days and I will surely do well. And yes, as he said, I did. That’s the second lesson my Baba has taught me, consistent hard work is very important, and it will always reap its benefits for you.
3. It is Okay to Fail
I remember an incidence during my 7 th grade, there was a very prestigious state level exam, and everyone had expected me to do well in that. I was under tremendous pressure, and, at some point, I crumbled. At such a tender age, one is not mature enough to deal with the pressure of such expectations. And (Un)expectedly, I failed in that exam. I was devastated and was ashamed of letting everyone down. I still remember I walked back home avoiding every person on my way. Baba used to return home late from work and hence, I only met him the next morning. At that time, I expected him to be angry but, all he said was “It’s ok. Don’t worry. Failure is normal and it is the first step to success. You will have many more chances in life to do well. Life is long and failures are short-lived.” That statement said so much and had a strong impact on me. To be honest, I still remember it whenever I face a failure.
4. Be a Great Human First and Help Others
After my Baba retired, he started doing social work full-time. He had realised that there is a huge need to support senior citizens and their concerns. So, he started helping the senior citizens. He is passionate and zealous to work for this cause. If you are blessed with the ability to help someone else, then you must exercise that selflessly. This helps not only to understand others’ needs but also to know yourself better. That’s another lesson I have been taught by my father.
5. Don’t Panic. Last Longer than the Tough Times
When I was in my third grade, we were travelling somewhere by local train, and while returning, I somehow managed to enter a crowded train and amidst this melee, Baba couldn’t board the train. I can never forget that moment when the train was catching speed and he realised that he could not get in now, he just looked in my eyes and told me not to panic. Drawing on his words, I got down at the next station and sat on a bench. I knew I had to just be safe there till the next train arrives. This incident is around 40 years back in Mumbai. That time, the frequency of trains on harbour line was not as much as it is now. It must have been at least 30 mins of waiting at that local station for a third grade boy who had never travelled by a local train alone. It can be scary, and dangerous too. Of course, I was panicking and felt like crying but that would have attracted the attention of unscrupulous people. So I kept remembering his reassuring gaze and stayed there patiently. I knew I just needed to hang in there till he comes by the next train. And he did.
This is where I got one of the most important life lessons to never panic in any difficult situations. The difficulties are always there just for a while. You need to be stronger and you will surely tackle any difficulties that come your way.
These are some of the key lessons I have learned from my father and have always helped me throughout various phases and made me the person I am today.
I am sure every dad plays a key role in their children’s lives and teaches us so many things. They teach us many lessons throughout our life and, these lessons are passed on to further generations.
