Vijender Chauhan Deep Dives in Career Choices, Exams & Value of Friendships | TRS हिंदी
This episode of The Ranveer Show features Dr. Vijender Singh Chauhan, a well-known UPSC coach, who shares his insights on maturity, confidence, and the importance of friendships. Dr. Chauhan discusses how stepping out of our comfort zones and avoiding judgment are key to making good life decisions. He also touches upon the impact of privileges and deprivations on our lives and how to overcome them, emphasizing that success in tough exams like UPSC requires not just hard work but also the right mindset and maturity.
The Importance of Maturity and Non-Judgment
Dr. Chauhan stresses that maturity is a significant factor in personal and professional growth. He explains that judging others, especially in the age of social media, is often a result of intellectual laziness. Instead of relying on stereotypes, we should strive to understand individuals beyond their superficial traits. This requires conscious effort to challenge our own biases and step out of our comfort zones. By interacting with diverse groups of people, we can broaden our perspectives and develop a more nuanced understanding of the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace Discomfort: Stepping out of your comfort zone and interacting with people different from you is crucial for personal growth and developing maturity.
- Challenge Biases: Be aware of your own prejudices and make a conscious effort to be non-judgmental.
- Learn from Everyone: Every individual has something to teach you, regardless of their background or status.
- Maturity Takes Time: Maturity is a gift that comes with experience and conscious effort, not just age.
Understanding Privileges and Deprivations
Dr. Chauhan introduces an interesting exercise for self-reflection: identifying personal privileges and deprivations. He suggests listing ten identity markers and categorizing them as either privileged or deprived. This exercise helps in understanding how societal structures and circumstances shape our lives. While privileges can provide advantages, it's important to work towards transcending them. Similarly, deprivations, though not chosen, need to be acknowledged and worked upon to overcome their limitations.
He uses the analogy of tree rings to explain how life experiences, both good and bad, contribute to our growth and maturity. Just as tree rings record a year's events, our life experiences shape our personality. Understanding these 'rings' allows us to learn from others' journeys without having to endure similar hardships ourselves.
The Role of Street Smarts and Self-Awareness
In a competitive world, Dr. Chauhan highlights the need for street smarts and self-awareness for career advancement. He suggests that while hard work and individual traits are important, they are often not enough. The ability to navigate complex social dynamics, understand human behavior, and make strategic decisions plays a significant role. He also touches upon the concept of 'ethical cunning,' which involves being smart and assertive without causing harm to others. This is particularly relevant for individuals coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, where a degree of cleverness might be necessary to overcome systemic barriers.
The Value of Friendships
Dr. Chauhan emphasizes the profound importance of genuine friendships, especially those that offer constructive criticism. He shares his personal experiences of losing friends and the pain associated with it, highlighting that true friends are those who challenge us to grow and remain supportive even when we make mistakes. He advises cherishing these relationships and not letting pride or ego damage them. The quality of friendships, rather than the quantity, is what truly matters for personal development and navigating life's complexities.
He also points out that as we grow, it's important to maintain a balance in our social circles, including spending time with people older than us who can offer valuable life lessons. True friendships are a treasure that should be nurtured, providing a support system that helps us stay grounded and self-aware.
