If you are a simple person, life is simple. But if you are fairly complicated, as all urban people are, then life becomes equally difficult to decipher. In our materialistic aspirations we usually forget to find meaning and lead empty lives. To decipher true meaning in your life, you have to read between the lines and address several levels of behavior, cognition and affect simultaneously. Always keep the reality and truth in mind. This will make you strong and secure.  

A guy approaches you at office. He looks great, would perhaps turn out to be the best person in your life, but have you considered the truth behind his actions? He could be looking at you as a rival. He could also be cleverly distracting you from your goals for the day. So every opportunity that comes your way needn’t necessarily translate into positive behavior.

If you are smart, you will push aside such mis-opportunities. Take for instance, work. Your boss comes to talk to you; it could be for some insights he has to gain, if you look at his approach and his body language you will come to know a lot more. Perhaps he’s there to upstage you for the hot newcomer in office. Perhaps he’s there just to test how deep the waters you tread in are. So, don’t assume people at their face value. Think about why a person approaches you and what the subtle clues he’s emitting are. 

Take a girl friend; she’s been calling a lot lately. You think it is an innocent case of getting chatty, but if you think a little deeper, it could be because you have the best boyfriend in town and she wants a part of the pie. She could also be starting a fight over the same person. So, especially after you’ve reached a particular level in your playing field, be careful of all the messages you are picking up. Treating people at face value is OK for beginners, but as you progress in your field of endeavor, consider the fact that things are going to get complicated. People are going to fight you for you have. People are going to grab away all your hard work and innovations that you’ve made. People are going to test your knowledge, skills and integrity. People are going to test your identity, are you up to face the challenges?  

The corporate world is not an easy place to survive. You have to have reasonable knowledge not only about your subject, but also study human behavior and actions. You have to determine right from wrong and go with what you think is right. Are you ready for the challenge? It’s best to keep the truth in a person and a situation in mind and proceed from there. As you advance, you will gain valuable insights into the nature of this world, the people and relationships. It could be a rewarding journey of revelations and interpretations. But you have to be strong enough to face the music, because all truths are not palatable. Are you ready to begin? 

Neha Singh