RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT - RETURN ON EMOTIONAL INVESTMENT (ROEI)

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT 

RETURN ON EMOTIONAL INVESTMENT (ROEI)

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Are you a result oriented person?

Yes?

Are you obsessed with the “return” you get on your “investments”?

Now I am talking about your investment in relationships - your emotional investments, rather than your money and material investments.

Do you expect a Return on Investment (ROI)?

If your answer is yes, then why don’t you try to adopt a philosophical approach to life. 

Here is a saying from Lao-tzu from Tao Te Ching:

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill.

Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.

Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench.

Care about other people's approval and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.

The only path to serenity.

--Lao-tzu, Tao Te Ching, ch. 9

Yes, that is the key - Do your work, then step back.

Or better still, let Chapter 2 Verse 47 of The Bhagavad Gita be your guide:

karmany evadhikarass te maphalesu kadachana ma karma-phala-hetur bur ma te sango stv akarmani 

(Seek to perform your duty; but lay not claim to its fruits. You have a right to perform your prescribed action, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results your activities, but neither should you avoid doing your duty).

So that’s the moral of the story: Always do your best without expecting results and you will be happy.

In today’s materialistic world, when you invest your money you expect a return on your investment (ROI). 

Some persons apply this ROI theory to other domains of their lives as well. 

For example, they feel that if they invest in a relationship, especially marriage, they must get returns (ROI). 

As far as any relationship is concerned, especially marriage, it is best to adopt the following philosophy: No Expectations, No Disappointments, Happy Marriage. 

Apply this philosophy in your career, work life too - Do your job to the best of your ability and then step back and forget about results, rewards etc - have no expectation, expect no “return” and you will not be disappointed.

So, Dear Reader, forget about Quid Pro Quo. 

Just do what you want to do and step back. 

Do not expect anything in return. 

Just do something for the sake of doing that something – do it because you want to do it, do it because you enjoy doing it, and forget about the results. 

Remember, if you have no expectations you will have no disappointments.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013

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

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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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. 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 short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, 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 research papers in journals and edited in-house journals 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. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

    

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.