Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul

Ep 11 - Accepting Unpleasant Work Tasks

• The Voice Bank • Season 1 • Episode 11

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In Episode 11, Saurin explores Chapter 18, Verse 48 of the Bhagavad Gita, grappling with the fact that not all aspects of his creative work are enjoyable. He discusses strategies for embracing less glamorous tasks, such as focusing on the bigger picture, celebrating achievements, and seeking opportunities for growth. Join him as he navigates the challenges of creative work and learns to appreciate every part of his journey.



We welcome you to join us in building a community of creative souls on this journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Reach out to us at gitacreativesoul@gmail.com or find us on:

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Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul

  • Produced by The Voice Bank
  • Concept & Writing: Saurin Desai
  • Executive Producer: Rashmi Sundaram
  • Director: Sundar Sethuraman
  • Voice Artists: Sheetal Sawhney & Saurin Desai
  • Special Advisor: Kushagra Singh (Writer, Spiritual Speaker & Yoga Teacher)
  • Sound Designer: Sushant Sonawale
  • Music Composition: Sushant Sonawale & Ameen
  • Recordist: Agnel & Sushant Sonawale
  • Recorded at Crescendo Studio, Mumbai

00:00:00 Sundar

The Voice Bank presents Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul. Conceived and written by Saurin Desai, narrated by Sheetal Sawhney and Saurin Desai. 

This interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita is not scholarly or literal, but personal and creative, with no intent to hurt the sentiments of any individual, community, or religion?

00:00:26 Sheetal

It is said that the Bhagavad Gita has answers for all and all the answers. Join writer and seeker Saurin Desai, as each week he grapples with thoughts and challenges related to life, work, and creativity, then explores the timeless wisdom of the Gita to discover how to harness creativity with grace, understanding, empathy and timelessness.

00:00:59 Sheetal

Welcome to Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul. This is episode eleven, titled 'accepting unpleasant work tasks.' Saurin is struggling to accept that certain parts of his work will inevitably be tedious and unenjoyable.

00:01:19 Saurin

In episode 9 spoke about completing and releasing creative work.

00:01:25 Saurin

I shared my challenge in knowing when my work was complete enough to be released.

00:01:30 Saurin

Now let's suppose I accept that the end results will never be flawless.

00:01:36 Saurin

The assumption is that because I love what I do, I'll keep working and embrace the imperfections.

00:01:43 Saurin

But that assumption itself is flawed, because every project includes aspects I find unpleasant or exhausting.

00:01:50 Saurin

For instance, I'm still deeply troubled by negative feedback, and my lack of focus is frustrating.

00:01:57 Saurin

However, the absence of purpose is a mere inconvenience, as it leads me to explore new ideas and possibilities.

00:02:06 Saurin

This is because of a condition known as shiny object syndrome, which I thoroughly enjoy every moment of.

00:02:12 Saurin

Fortunately, the following verse keeps coming to my rescue.

00:02:24 Sheetal

Sahajaṁ karma kaunteya sadoṣamapi na tyajet 
Sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnirivāvṛtāḥ

00:02:42 Sheetal

Chapter 18, verse 45.

00:02:48 Sheetal

O Kaunteya, one should not abandon required actions, even if they are flawed.
Every endeavour is enveloped in faults, just as fire is covered by smoke.

00:03:05 Saurin

The analogy of fire and smoke is truly apt. Fire is purifying by nature but is often shrouded by a troubling veil of smoke.

00:03:15 Saurin

And can I enjoy its heat and light while avoiding the smoke and ash?

00:03:19 Saurin

So, here's what I'm working upon.

00:03:22 Saurin

Focusing on the bigger picture: I must keep reminding myself of the ultimate purpose of my work and how every project contributes to my larger goals. By keeping an eye on the bigger picture, I can stay motivated and persistent even during mundane tasks.

00:03:40 Saurin

Wanting the fire, accepting the smoke: Not every aspect of my work can be interesting or useful, and some projects and tasks are unavoidable to accomplish certain larger goals. Accepting this will make it easier to deal with it.

00:03:56 Saurin

Celebrating accomplishment of tasks: I can reward myself on the completion of monotonous tasks, which will make it easier to deal with them.

00:04:07 Saurin

Finding the learning: Every task, no matter how ordinary, offers valuable insights, skills, or experience. By being open to growth, I can turn the heaviness into a stepping-stone.

00:04:21 Saurin

Automating what I can, delegating what I can't: As management guru Peter Drucker would say, “do what you do best and outsource the rest!”.

Thanks to a few persistent well-wishers I have started putting in processes to automate and delegate.

00:04:37 Saurin

Last but not least, I must keep reminding myself that embracing the tediousness in my work and connecting them to my higher purpose will allow me to achieve my larger goals and that I must be grateful to the universe for the opportunity to gain experience and contribute to something greater than myself.

00:04:54 Saurin

Well, thank you for your time and attention. The greatest gift you can give me. I am Saurin Desai. And each week, I delve into the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Together, let's create a community of creative souls on this journey of self-discovery and growth. If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, reach me at gitacreativesoul@gmail.com 

00:05:21 Saurin

And from this moment onwards, I'm on a quest to accept the inevitability that certain aspects of my work will be tedious and unpleasant.

00:05:37 Sundar

You were listening to Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul.

Produced by The Voice Bank. Conceptualized & written by Saurin Desai. Voiced by Sheetal Sawhney & Saurin Desai. Directed by Sundar Sethuraman. Executive producer: Rashmi Sundaram. Special advisor: Kushagra Singh. Music by Sushant Sonawale & Dhirendra. Recorded by Tejas Jadhav and Agnel George. Sound Designing & mixing by Sushant Sonawale. Recorded at Crescendo Studios, Mumbai. Text copyright Saurin Desai. Sound recording copyright: The Voice Bank.