Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

THE NAVY IS NOT FOR JOB HOPPERS - A CAREER IN THE DEFENCE SERVICES IS A LIFELONG OBLIGATION AND A LONG TERM COMMITMENT

A MILITARY CAREER IN THE NAVY ARMY AIR FORCE

Part 2

A LIFELONG OBLIGATION AND A LONG TERM COMMITMENT

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. Please read this blog post only if you have a sense of humour.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

3. No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Part 2 - THE NAVY IS NOT FOR JOB HOPPERS

A CAREER IN THE DEFENCE SERVICES IS A LIFELONG OBLIGATION AND A LONG TERM COMMITMENT

Continued from Part 1 - ATTITUDE MATTERS MORE THAN APTITUDE

url link:

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/05/a-military-career-in-navy-attitude.html

THE NAVY IS A LIFELONG OBLIGATION AND A LONG TERM COMMITMENT

(Friends in the Army and Air Force told me that the same applies to the army and air force, so why was I mentioning only the Navy in my article? Well, what I have to say may indeed apply to the army and air force but I have first hand knowledge of the navy. However, like my friends say I also do feel that most aspects do apply to the sister services as well, so this may be worth reading even if you are thinking of joining the army or air force)

To recap, let us see the salient attributes of a Navy Career which makes the Navy a unique way of life and not just a mere job.

It is this distinctive “way of life” that makes a career in the armed forces different from a career in the civilian organisations, public sector and private sector industries, MNCs and IT Sectors and the business world.

If you have read Part 1 of this series, you may recall that there are seven unique characteristics that govern your career in the navy:

1. HOLISTIC ORIENTATION

2. LIFETIME EMPLOYMENT

3. SLOW CAREER PROGRESS, MODEST CAREER PROSPECTS AND MODERATE COMPENSATION PACKAGE

4. NON-SPECIALISED CAREER PATH DUE TO “JACK OF ALL TRADES” CAREER PLANNING APPROACH AND “BROAD-SPECTRUM” HUMAN RESOURCE (HR) MANAGEMENT POLICY

5. STRUCTURED REGIMENTATION AND EMPHASIS ON CONFORMANCE – RIGID RULE BASED ORTHODOX TRADITION GOVERNED CONFORMIST ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE

6. PERIPATETIC NOMADIC EXISTENCE – VARIABLE AND CHANGEABLE TYPE OF WORK AND UNSTABLE FAMILY LIFE

7. EARLY RETIREMENT AGE RESULTING IN UNDER-EXPLOITATION OF POTENTIAL AND WASTAGE OF PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY

In PART 1 we discussed the first attribute “HOLISTIC ORIENTATION” based on the HR Concept of “Total Inclusion” due to which in the Navy all the three aspects of your life (“Work Life”, “Social Life” and “Personal Life”) are integrated into a single whole.

Today, in Part 2, let us discuss the second point: “LIFETIME EMPLOYMENT”

Unlike most jobs in the “civvy street” whose time span may vary from short-term to medium-term, a career in the navy is a permanent job akin to lifetime employment and entails a lifelong obligation and a long term commitment.

It is similar for the army and air force too, and you need to understand this aspect very clearly before you think of joining the defence services.

In order to make this point of “Lifetime Employment” clear, let me tell you a few stories:

A few years ago, a smart young IT “Techie” told me that he wanted to quit his job.

He was thinking of joining the navy or army.

I was taken aback.

He was a B. Tech, in Computer Engineering from a premier institution and was working for over three years in a prestigious Software Firm.

“Why this sudden decision?” I asked.

“I am bored with my job. I want a change,” he said.

“But suppose you don’t like your job in the navy. Suppose you get bored over there as well?” I asked.

“Then I’ll quit the navy and look for something else,” he said.

“You won’t be able to,” I said.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

I explained to him that a career in the navy is a permanent job akin to lifetime employment and entails a lifelong obligation and a long term commitment.

I told him that the navy was an excellent career, but as compared to the civilian jobs, the defence services had some peculiar Human Resource (HR) Management policies which he must clearly understand before he joined the navy.

I told him that one salient feature of a career in the army, navy or air force was the unique concept of “LIFETIME EMPLOYMENT”.

“Once you join, you cannot quit easily. In fact, it is almost impossible to leave during the first few years of your naval career,” I told him.

“Really?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said, “it is like this. In the civilian industry, it is a two way street. You can be fired. But you can resign too, after giving due notice, as per your terms of employment or contract. Yes, they can fire you, but you too can quit if you want to. Isn’t it?”

“Yes,” he said.

“In the navy, it is a one-way street. They can fire you whenever they want. Yes, they can sack you anytime if they want to. But you cannot quit whenever you want to. You cannot just hand in your application and resign. Your resignation has to be formally approved and till then you have to keep serving the navy.”

“What if I just give my resignation and walk off?”

“You will marked ‘Run’ and declared Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL). They’ll catch you and severely punish you, maybe even lock you up.”

“What?” the young man looked at me, in bewilderment.

“Look here. I am not trying to dissuade you from joining the navy. The navy is a good career and by all means join the navy, but you must do so with your eyes open after considering all the pros and cons.”

“What about the other services, the army or air force?”

“Broadly speaking, it is similar – all follow the “lifetime employment” concept. Even if you opt for a short service commission you are obligated to serve the entire mandatory contract period of 7 or 10 years. You can’t leave in between.”

He did not seem to believe me, so I told him the story of a young girl from my neighbourhood who had joined the army as a short service commission (SSC) lady officer.

After two years, she got married to a civilian “Techie” working in Pune.

She was posted to a distant field area and wanted to quit and live with her husband in Pune.

She could not leave the army and had to serve out the remaining years of her SSC contract living separately from her husband – yes, a long distance marriage in the very first few years of her married life – a pity, isn’t it?

Because of all this turmoil they postponed having kids too till she finally managed to get out and settle down to matrimonial bliss.

I told him about my ex navy friend “D”, a bright service minded and highly competent ex-NDA officer, who was unexpectedly superseded for promotion for Captain.

He was very upset and disappointed at not being promoted.

But he took the setback in his stride and decided to explore opportunities in the “civvy street”.

He had completed 20 years of service, his future career in the navy looked quite bleak, so he wanted to quit the navy to commence a second innings in the civilian world.

Soon, he had got a very lucrative job offer. They wanted him to join as early as possible since the position was vacant.

So he had put up his papers for premature retirement and thought he would be relieved in a month or two, especially since he was passed over for promotion.

To his dismay, he was informed that he would be allowed to leave the navy only after being superseded three times and this would take two years more.

He realized that this delay would cost him the job offer and he spent the next few months under great stress trying his level best, pulling strings, making all out efforts to get out of the navy.

It was a harrowing time for him, but to his great relief he was allowed to leave after a few months of struggle.

Luckily for him, the job offer was still open, but he left the navy a bitter man since he felt that despite his exemplary service the navy had not treated him properly.

First, they did not give him the promotion he deserved, and then, they did not allow him to quit the navy smoothly and unnecessarily harassed him by delaying his resignation and made him run from pillar to post just to get out of the navy .

The “Techie” looked at me. He seemed perplexed, confused.

“Do one thing,” I told him.

“What?” he asked.

“Don’t listen to old fogies like me. Go and meet some young army, navy and air force officers of the technical branches and ask them. They will give you the right picture.”

That’s what the young man did. He went over to various army establishments in Pune and met young army and air force officers. He went down to Mumbai and met a few young naval officers.

Did he join the navy, or army?

Obviously not.

He did a bit of “job hopping” in the IT industry, each job better than the previous one.

The same young “Techie” came to meet me the other day to thank me for the advice I had given him a few years ago.

He had come to say good bye.

He had been recently promoted and was enjoying his job.

He was on his way to America for a rather lucrative and challenging “on site” assignment as project leader.

In today’s modern post-liberalization world, the concept of “lifetime employment” seems rather antiquated.

In the civilian world, especially in the IT industry, job-hopping (the practice of changing jobs frequently) is the norm, essentially as a means of quick financial gain or faster career advancement.

At a recent alumni meet I met an engineer working in the IT industry.

He said that his loyalty is towards making money, rather than to any one company.

He switched jobs frequently (six times in the last fifteen years) and he has gained a lot by virtue of job changes.

He told me that his salary has increased significantly compared to his colleagues who have stayed with the same company throughout their career

Today’s youngsters have a job-hopping mindset and job hopping is practically a way of life.

Nowadays, job hopping is the norm rather than an exception.

Someone told me that in the IT and finance, on the average, the number of years people stay in a given job is only 4 years, which allows them to do as many as 8 to 10 jobs in a lifetime.

Gone is the idea of spending four decades at one company till retirement on attaining the age of superannuation.

Young upwardly mobile youngsters refuse to get stuck in a job that they absolutely hate.

Job hopping has benefits.

Disappointment in one career field can pave the way to discovering a more meaningful and personally fulfilling direction.

Job hopping enables you to move up in position and in pay much faster and, most importantly, learn new things and acquire new skills.

Today’s employers are reluctant to hire people who have been at one place for several years, or for their whole work history.

It is felt that such “static” people are not ambitious enough or are so ingrained in a particular culture or way of thinking that they may not be able to adapt to a new environment.

Job hoppers are seen as go-getters and fast-trackers, whereas those who have worked in just one organisation for many years are considered sluggish losers, since such “static” people are not ambitious enough or are so ingrained in a particular culture or way of thinking that they won't be able to adapt to a new environment.

Maybe this is one reason why we ex-servicemen do not get the level of jobs we deserve commensurate with our qualifications, talent and experience.

For example, I have seen many M. Tech. qualified officers employed as Facility Managers, Trainers or in HR Departments whereas they deserved front-line top management positions, considering their abilities, qualifications and experience.

Yes, in the navy too you “hop” from job to job.

But this happens within the navy.

And this “job hopping” within the navy does not bring you quick financial gain or faster career advancement.

In the navy, and the army, career progress is slow and you patiently wait for your turn.

Your compensation package is moderate and does not depend on your performance.

Your salary is fixed and linked to your seniority and years of service.

The only thing which happens is that, in the navy, you become “a jack of all trades”.

Thus, a career in the navy entails slow career progress and a non-specialized career path.

We will discuss these two aspects of a career in the defence services in the next episode.

Meanwhile, before I end this part, let me tell you another apocryphal story, of unintended consequences of the “Lifetime Employment” policy followed by the defence services.

(Please note that this yarn is fiction, an apocryphal story, the characters are imaginary and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental)

Cadet “A” who was a trainee at NDA became acquainted with and started weekend dating “B” a smart girl studying in a premier college in Pune.

Three years later, “A” completed his NDA training and was off for sea training and “B” finished her graduation and joined the MBA course at an elite B- School in Pune.

They kept corresponding with each other and realized that they had fallen in love.

“A” opted for the Engineering Branch of the Navy so that he would be at the training ship at Lonavala (near Pune) for the next three years for his degree engineering course. This proximity to Pune would enable him to meet his lady-love frequently.

“B” finished her MBA in Finance and got a good job as an investment banker in Mumbai.

“A” too managed to get posted to Mumbai after his training.

“A” and “B” got married and enjoyed a few blissful years of married life.

Them, “A” was transferred out of Mumbai.

He wanted “B” to move with him to the new place.

But “B” was reluctant to move. She was doing well in her job and her career was just taking off. Besides, there was no scope for her in the new place where “A” was posted, which was a comparatively small town.

So, the long distance marriage of “A” and “B” began.

Though he tried desperately, “A” could not manage to come back to Mumbai ( a station in high demand) and so “A” and “B” spent the next few years living separately.

I told you that it was a “love marriage” so “A” and “B” could not bear the separation it any longer, and one day “A” rang up “B” and told her to quit her job.

“B” retorted that it was “A” who should quit the navy, since “B” was earning much more than “A” and her career prospects were much brighter.

She said, that even of she quit her present job, as an investment banker, job opportunities for her were in big cities, especially Mumbai. Besides, “A” would also be able to find a civilian job in Mumbai.

“A” felt that “B” had a point - she was earning much more than him, she had brighter career prospects and “A” would easily get a job in Mumbai once he quit the navy. In fact, he already had a prospective job offer.

So “A” put in an application to quit the navy.

Many years have passed, and he is still waiting – the stark realization of signing up for “Lifetime Employment” dawning upon him.

Meanwhile “A” and “B” have got used to living as “married bachelors”.

Earlier, once a girl married a defence officer, she used to go along with him wherever he was posted as a “memsahib”, playing second fiddle as a full time housewife (homemaker).

Nowadays, things have changed. Women are pursuing their professional careers very seriously and are not willing to “sacrifice” their careers. Modern women want to be financially independent and do not like to become “second fiddle” housewives dependent on their husbands. Working women do not want to give up their jobs and go to live with their “fauji” husbands to some back-of-beyond place.

Owing to all this, it is no wonder, that an unintended consequence of the defence services policy of “Lifetime Employment” is that defence officers are no longer much sought after in the “marriage market’. Maybe it is the same for women officers of the defence services as well and, probably, that is why you see an increasing number of marriages between male and female defence officers within the service.

At the outset, I told you that “The Navy is not a job. The Navy is a way of life” and “Lifetime Employment” is the way of life in the navy.

Do you have the mental make-up, the mindset, the attitude for lifelong obligation and long term commitment towards the navy (or the army or air force)?

Like I said, for a career in the defence services, attitude matters more than aptitude.

End of Part 2 …

To be Continued in Part 3 …

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

NB:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Did you like this article?

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

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Thursday, May 30, 2013

WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 31 MAY 2013 - SELF HELP ARTICLE - HOW TO QUIT SMOKING

WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 31 MAY 2013

SELF HELP ARTICLE

VIKRAM KARVE

HOW TO QUIT SMOKING

DO YOU WANT TO STOP SMOKING

Today 31 May 2013 is World No Tobacco Day.

On this occasion, I felt that it would be apt to post, once again, this memoir which so many smokers found useful and helped them quit smoking.

It may be worthwhile to browse through it once again if you want to stop smoking permanently.

Even if you do not smoke, maybe you can pass on this blog post to someone who smokes and wants to quit.

Do you smoke?

Do you want to quit smoking?

I was a smoker once and it has been more than 10 years since I quit smoking.

Let me tell you how I quit smoking.

It was a three stage process.

1. First, I learned the art of smoking.

2. Then, I actually physically quit smoking.

3. Finally, I made sure that I did not start smoking again.

Read about it below and try it yourself.

This technique works - you can take my word for it.

Ever since I quit smoking more than ten years ago I have never even had the slightest desire to smoke a cigarette.

So if you are a smoker, why don't you quit smoking today, on World No Tobacco Day 2013

HOW TO QUIT SMOKING IN THREE STEPS

VIKRAM KARVE

Step 1 - Learn The Art of Smoking

Step 2 - Stop Smoking (How to avoid withdrawal symptoms and tackle the day after you quit smoking)

Step 3 - How to ensure you do not start smoking again.

Part 1 - LEARN THE ART OF SMOKING

Do you want to quit smoking forever?

Then first you will have to master The Art of Smoking.

The first step towards quitting smoking is to learn how to enjoy smoking.

And in order to learn how to derive supreme enjoyment from smoking one must first learn the art of smoking.

Seems absurd – a paradox – isn’t it?

I stopped smoking more than seven years ago and I know I shall never smoke again.

Let me tell you how I quit smoking.

If you are a smoker, maybe you can benefit from my experience, or maybe you can pass this on to a smoker friend who wants to quit.

I got my clue from an apocryphal teaching story I read somewhere. I reflected upon it, carrying it my mind for a long time, until I fathomed the story’s inner depth and meaning.

A seeker asks the master, “Can I smoke while meditating?”

“No!” scolds the master angrily.

Another seeker then asks, “Can I meditate while smoking?”

“Yes!” says the master knowingly realizing that this seeker is on the path to enlightenment.

This is the key, the first step – if you really want to stop smoking.

First learn to meditate while smoking.

Here’s how I did it.

One evening, I take one cigarette, just one, and walk down to Marine Drive and sit down on the parapet, at the southern tip near Nariman Point, in the cool sea breeze watching the sun being swallowed up by the Arabian Sea, crimson-yellow petals being thrown high up in the distant sky gradually devoured by the enveloping twilight.

Soon it is dark, quiet and tranquil, and I feel calm and relaxed.

I take out the cigarette from my pocket and hold it in front of me, look at it lovingly and close my eyes.

Yes, you must close your eyes – it accentuates your other senses, makes you more conscious of what’s going on inside you.

I hold the cigarette near my nose and breathe in the rich aroma of the tobacco, gently moving the cigarette as I take deep breaths, savoring the sweet fragrance of the tobacco tinged with the fresh scent of the paper and filter, until my olfactory system is truly and fully satiated.

I then put the filter between my lips, taste it and suck in air deeply through the unlighted cigarette.

It feels good.

I then open my eyes, light the cigarette, close my eyes, get ready and take a deep drag, focusing on my breath as I inhale, allowing the smoke to permeate deep within me, infusing a sensation I cannot describe, and watching carefully with my inner eye as I exhale – slow, long and relaxing.

Is my system being energized or depleted – I do not know – but I continue my unhurried meditative smoking, eyes gently closed, my inner senses fully conscious, aware, observing attentively, till the cigarette is over.

I open my eyes, come out of my trance and instinctively I gulp in a huge amount of the fresh sea breeze and rinse my lungs and system.

As I walk back I decide that this is how I shall smoke each and every cigarette from now on – meditative mindful smoking – the only way I shall smoke.

Most “smokers” haven’t learnt how to enjoy a smoke.

We keep puffing away every waking moment of their lives without even noticing it.

You grab a quick smoke in a hurry, you smoke when you are bored, you smoke while talking, while working, while doing something - smoking and multitasking - that is the problem - smoking and multitasking.

You smoke unconsciously, cigarette after cigarette, without even realizing it.

Is it worth it ... ?

Why smoke if you don’t enjoy it ... ?

I decide.

Whenever I feel like smoking I shall stop everything and prepare myself for a meditative smoke.

I will go to some quiet place where I can sit undisturbed, alone.

Yes I must be alone.

Meditative smoking is a solitary activity.

When I smoke, I shall only smoke – no multitasking.

No more smoking with friends, with tea or coffee, no more smoking in the office feeling a guilt conscience that non-smokers don’t like it or at home with my wife nagging me, no more hurried puffs, no more mindless unconscious smoking – only meditative, mindful, conscious smoking in glorious solitude, maintaining inner calm and tranquility, and total awareness.

I follow this religiously, and soon I discover that the number of cigarettes required to satisfy me have drastically reduced and soon I am smoking only one cigarette a day – every evening, at sunset, just as I described it.

For me smoking is a special occasion requiring solitude and a congenial ambience, and if I cannot create the right atmosphere, both internally and externally, I shall not smoke.

When you have mastered something it’s time to let go and move on.

One day I feel I have mastered the art of smoking, derived all the enjoyment I wanted to from this activity, and reached a state of contentment and satiety.

It’s time to let go.

At sunset I go to my favourite place on Marine Drive, enjoy my final meditative smoke and toss the cigarette butt into the sea.

It’s been more than seven years now and I haven’t had a smoke since nor have I ever felt the urge or craving to smoke.

I know I will never smoke again.

I have quit smoking forever.

Quitting smoking is easy.

You must ensure you don’t start smoking again.

You have to break the habit forever.

For this it’s best to use an NLP technique like Anchoring combined with Force Field Analysis which I have described in Part 2 below.

And don’t worry about withdrawal symptoms – it’s a myth.

There are no such things as withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking.

I am writing all about it in Part 2 below: THE DAY AFTER I QUIT SMOKING

Part 2 - THE DAY AFTER I QUIT SMOKING

Here is the story of the day after I quit smoking.

One of the things that deters smokers from quitting decisively in one go is the fear of withdrawal symptoms.

This results in smokers resorting to half-baked remedies like gradual reduction, nicotine patches, low tar cigarettes, electric cigarettes and various other futile therapies.

In my opinion this exaggerated importance given to withdrawal symptoms is just a big myth, a ploy, an excuse by addicts to avoid giving up smoking.

The so-called withdrawal symptoms are nothing but craving.

The best and most effective way of quitting smoking is to just stop smoking, totally, in one go, and then never to smoke again.

Don’t be afraid of the so-called “withdrawal symptoms” – you can easily tackle the craving.

You can take my word for it – I successfully did it and conquered the craving for smoking once and for all.

I have written earlier and described how I quit smoking.

I’m sure you must have read it right here in my blog.

Now let me describe to you the day after I quit smoking. [and banish the fear of "withdrawal symptoms" from your minds once and for all!].

I woke up early, at five-thirty as usual, made a cup of tea, and the moment I took a sip of the piping hot delicious tea, I felt the familiar crave for my first cigarette of the day.

I kept down the cup of tea, made a note of the craving in my diary, had a glass of hot water (quickly heated in the microwave oven), completed my ablutions, and stepped out of my house, crossed the Maharshi Karve Road, and began a brisk walk-cum-jog around the verdant tranquil Oval Maidan, deeply rinsing my lungs with the pure refreshing morning air, which made me feel on top of the world.

The Clock on Mumbai University’s Rajabai Tower silhouetted against the calm bluish gray sky, was striking six, and I felt invigorated by the fresh cool air cleansing my lungs.

I had overcome my craving and not smoked what used to be my first cigarette of the day.

I then went on my daily morning walk on Marine Drive to Chowpatty and on my way back I spotted my friends ‘N’ and ‘S’ across the road beckoning me for our customary post-exercise tea and cigarette at the stall opposite Mantralaya.

I felt tempted, but my resolve firm, I waved out to them, looked away and ran towards my house.

They must have thought I’d gone crazy, but it didn’t matter – I had avoided what used to be my second cigarette of the day.

I made a note of it my diary, as I would do the entire day of all the stimuli that triggered in me the urge to smoke – what I would call my “smoking anchors” which could be anything, internal and external, tangible or intangible – people, situations, events, feelings, smells, emotions, tendencies, moods, foods, social or organizational trends, practices, norms, peer pressure; and most importantly how I tackled and triumphed over these stimuli.

After breakfast, I did not drink my usual cup of coffee – a strong “smoking anchor” which triggered in me a desperate desire to smoke, and drank a glass of bland milk instead, thereby averting what used to be my third cigarette of the day.

It was nine, as I walked to work, and I hadn’t smoked a single cigarette.

It was a long day ahead and I had to be cognizant, observe myself inwardly and devise strategies to tackle situations that elicited craving for smoking – recognize and neutralize my “smoking anchors”, so to speak.

Anchoring is a naturally occurring phenomenon, a natural process that usually occurs without our awareness.

An anchor is any representation in the human nervous system that triggers any other representation.

Anchors can operate in any representational system (sight, sound, feeling, sensation, smell, taste).

You create an anchor when you unconsciously set up a stimulus response pattern.

Response (smoking) becomes associated with (anchored to) some stimulus; in such a way that perception of the stimulus (the anchor) leads by reflex to the anchored response (smoking) occurring.

Repeated stimulus–response action, reinforces anchors and this is a vicious circle, especially in the context of “smoking anchors”.

The trick is to identify your “smoking anchors”, become conscious of these anchors and ensure you do not activate them.

The moment I reached office I saw my colleague ‘B’ eagerly waiting for me, as he did every day.

Actually he was eagerly waiting to bum a cigarette from me for his first smoke of the day

(“I smoke only other’s cigarettes” was his motto!).

I politely told him I had quit smoking and told him to look elsewhere. He looked at me in disbelief; taunted, jeered and badgered me a bit, but when I stood firm, he disappeared.

I had avoided what would have been my fourth cigarette of the day!

I removed my ashtray from my office, declared the entire place a "no-smoking zone" and put up signs to that effect. The working day began. It was a tough and stressful working day.

I was tired, when my boss called me across and offered me a cigarette. I looked at the cigarette pack yearningly, tempted, overcome by a strong craving, desperate to have just that “one” cigarette.

Nothing like a “refreshing” smoke to drive my blues away and revitalize me – the “panacea” to my “stressed-out” state! It was now or never!

I politely excused myself on the pretext of going to the toilet, but rushed out into the open and took a brisk walk rinsing my lungs with fresh air, and by the time I returned I had lost the craving to smoke and realized, like in the Oval early in the morning, that physical exercise is probably the best antidote.

Also, I had avoided what would have been my fifth cigarette of the day.

Now I am going to stop counting...!

People may think I’m crazy, but even now I rush out of my office once in a while to take a brisk walk in the open and not only do I lose the craving for a smoke but I feel distressed and invigorated as well.

Conversely, once I rushed into a “no-smoking” cinema when I desperately felt like a smoke while strolling in the evening.

Often, after dinner, when I used to feel like a smoke, I rushed into the Oxford Bookstore next door, for a long leisurely browse till my craving dissipated.

And, of course, one has to change his lifestyle, activities, and, maybe, even friends.

Always try to be with likeminded people who you would like to emulate – if you want to quit smoking try to be in the company of non-smokers.

It was simple after that, but my diary for that defining day makes interesting reading of smoking anchors – saunf or supari after lunch, afternoon tea, the company of smokers, paan, coffee, work stress et al.

But the crucial test came in the evening.

My dear friend ‘A’ landed up for a drink.

Now ‘A’ is a guy who does not smoke in front of his kids and wife.

I am sure she knows as a husband cannot keep secrets from his wife - especially "minor" vices...

So since he does not smoke in his own home, he makes up in other people’s houses.

But mind you, he does not bum cigarettes – in fact he gets a pack and generously leaves the remaining behind for the host.

We poured out a rum–paani each, clinked our glasses, said cheers, and sipped.

My friend ‘A’ lit a cigarette and offered the pack to me.

At the end of a hot, humid and tiring day, the fortifying beverage induced a heavenly ambrosial sensation which permeated throughout the body and what better way to synergise the enjoyment than to smoke a cigarette along with the drink and enhance the pleasure to sheer bliss.

Till that moment, for me, drinking and smoking were inextricably intertwined – they complemented, accentuated each other and accorded me the ultimate supreme pleasure.

I enjoyed my smoke the most along with a drink.

I realized that drinking was my strongest “smoking anchor” and if I had to quit smoking permanently I would have to give up drinking forever.

So that’s what I did.

At this defining moment of my life, I quit drinking forever.

It’s been more than seven years now and I do not smoke and I do not drink.

I will never smoke again – I have quit smoking forever.

I may be tempted, but I know I can overcome the urge, for I have mastered the art of taking charge of my “smoking anchors”.

And from time to time, I shall look at my old diary to remember and cherish that cardinal day of my life – ‘the day after I quit smoking’.

Dear Reader, I did not experience any withdrawal symptoms. I am sure you won't too.

So just Quit Smoking today and make it a day to remember.

But what will you do if you get the urge to smoke again?

How will you avoid the desire, the craving, to have a smoke?

Simple.

Use FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS.

Read Part 3 and make sure you give up smoking forever and never start smoking again.

Part 3 - HOW TO NEVER START SMOKING AGAIN

Force Field Analysis provides a framework for looking at the factors or forces that influence a situation or activity.

Restraining Forces are those which inhibit or discourage the occurrence of a particular activity and Driving Forces are those which promote, facilitate and encourage the occurrence of the same activity.

Let’s say Driving Forces are positive anchors and Restraining Forces are negative anchors (similar to the anchors in NLP which we saw in Part 2 above).

Let’s take the case of smoking.

Sit down, close your eyes, and introspect.

Can you identify the stimuli, the triggers, and the situations, the driving forces, which create in you the desire and give rise to the urge to smoke?

These driving forces that create in you a desire to smoke can be anything, internal or external, tangible or intangible – people, situations, events, parties, tendencies, moods, alcohol, foods, social or organizational trends, practices, norms.

Now, make a list of restraining forces that discourage or inhibit you from smoking.

Compare the two lists. Now all you have to do is to make sure the restraining forces that discourage you from smoking overpower the the driving forces that create in you the desire to smoke.

Yes, all you have to do to quit smoking is to:

1. Strengthen the restraining forces

2. Mitigate and weaken the driving forces

and most importantly, where possible,

3. Change direction of some driving forces and convert them into restraining forces by using techniques from concepts like NLP, 4T etc or, best of all, your own improvised techniques.

Learn how to tactfully and effectively avoid smoking.

Suppose your friends try to force you, taunt you saying you are a sissy, spoil sport, killjoy etc simply say, "I really must go," and leave the place.

Always be with likeminded people whom you want to emulate.

Remember what Epictetus said:

If you want to do something, make a habit of it

If you do not want to do something, refrain from doing it

I have also read somewhere:

If want to be happily married, remain in the company of happily married people

Similarly:

If you want to stop smoking try to be in the company of non-smokers

Avoid situations which elicit craving.

Substitute healthy activities like physical exercise, recreation and creative hobbies instead of smoking.

Change your lifestyle, your friends, and your activities.

Identify your stimuli, triggers, situations, people and anchors, internal and external, tangible and intangible – the driving forces that create in you the urge to have a smoke and facilitate smoking.

Mitigate these smoking triggers by improvising force field analysis as it suits you best.

Try to be in places where smoking is not allowed.

Force Field Analysis works for me. I am sure it will work for you too.

If you are a smoker I hope this blog post of mine will help you quit smoking.

If you are not a smoker but know a smoker, please send the link of this article to him or her and help them quit smoking.

VIKRAM KARVE

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

NB:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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