Self-improvement must remain a lifelong quest. Any change that one expects must find that change within oneself. While in pursuit of improving, it must be clear that the quest is for improvement, not perfection, because that cannot happen. There is a saying: formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.

Self-improvement involves seeking new and fresh information that must relate to the then obtaining circumstances. Knowledge of the past doesn’t help in keeping pace with the changing environment. There has to be a cautious updating in the knowledge base. With so much happening in the tech universe, special care has to be exercised in letting raw information creep into the body of knowledge, for it must first pass through critical evaluation/tests of validation.

The poetic composition of H. W. Longfellow is an impelling plea for us to learn from others. He wrote: “Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time.” Indeed, history’s pages are soaked with people of outstanding intellect and wisdom. A continuous indulgence in reading biographies and autobiographies, including a lot of history books, will instil qualities required to lead, influence and manage people and events. It is one singular aspect that I vehemently focus upon when in conversation with younger colleagues… exhort them to read… just read, from current affairs to romance........

© The Nation