Ep 19 - Staying on the Bus

In Episode 19, Saurin realizes the importance of remaining committed to his chosen creative path. Drawing inspiration from Gita 9.22 and the Helsinki Bus station theory, he shares steps for staying on one's creative path: self-reflection, goal setting, prioritization, mentoring, efforts, and adaptability. The central message is the significance of dedication and focus for achieving creative mastery.

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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

Chapters

• 1:16 Main Segment
• 2:10 Shlok- 9:22
• 7:39 End credit

Transcript

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  SaurinDesai. 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.

00:00:21 Sundar

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 explore the timeless wisdom of the Gita.

00:00:47 Sheetal

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 19. Staying on the bus, and Saurin is figuring out why he always feels like he's at the starting block and how to overcome this challenge.

00:01:21 Saurin

I've always had this feeling that I keep coming back to the starting line no matter what I do.

00:01:27 Saurin

It's frustrating because how can I reap rewards if I keep starting a new?

00:01:32 Saurin

Now I have explored various roles over the past 2 decades.

00:01:37 Saurin

Including working for others and myself in sales, insurance, content writing, blogging, teaching and more.

00:01:45 Saurin

I have delivered results and have done reasonably well financially.

00:01:50 Saurin

But at some point I grew bored or things slowed down.

00:01:54 Saurin

And the grass was greener in another field.

00:01:57 Saurin

I jumped and found myself at yet another starting line.

00:02:01 Saurin

Invariably, I blamed my destiny for this unending cycle.

00:02:05 Saurin

It has taken this shlok to illuminate my blind spot.

00:02:16 Sheetal

Ananya Chintya, Anto mam, ye janaha paryo pasante desham, nitya bhutta, Nam Yogyakarta, limam mahamaham.

00:02:31 Sheetal

Chapter 9, verse 22. Those who constantly focus their thoughts on me.

00:02:40 Sheetal

Who worship me with unwavering dedication.

00:02:44 Sheetal

And are always on the path of devotion.

00:02:48 Sheetal

I protect and take care of them.

00:02:52 Saurin

As I contemplated the shlok.

00:02:55 Saurin

Serendipity guided me to an article by James Clear on the Helsinki bus station theory, a concept outlined by photographer Arno Minkkinen.

00:03:07 Saurin

The theory draws parallels between bus routes and creative journeys.

00:03:12 Saurin

Initially, all bus numbers departing from a bus platform follow an identical route before branching off.

00:03:20 Saurin

Similarly, in the early stages of a career or craft.

00:03:24 Saurin

It's essential to follow established paths.

00:03:27 Saurin

Uniqueness emerges if I remain committed to my chosen creative path. Continue with deliberate practice and constantly revise and rework.

00:03:38 Saurin

But if I keep stepping off the bus, every few stops, return to the bus station to try out newer routes, I will never achieve significant success.

00:03:48 Saurin

I must stay on the bus. That is. Must stay on my creative path, no matter the twists and dips.

00:03:55 Saurin

This is the key to achieving creative mastery.

00:03:59 Saurin

A question that needs answering now.

00:04:01 Saurin

Which bus number do I ride?

00:04:04 Saurin

In his unique style, James Clear responds.

00:04:08 Saurin

What story do you want to tell with your life?

00:04:11 Saurin

What craft do you want to spend your years revising and improving? How do you find the right answer? You don't. Nobody knows the best.

00:04:20 Saurin

Pass, but if you want to fulfil your potential, you must choose one. This is one of the central tensions of life. It's your choice, but you must choose.

00:04:31 Saurin

Now I struggle with imposter syndrome and shiny object syndrome. I've touched upon these 2 in previous episodes.

00:04:38 Saurin

And so.

00:04:39 Saurin

Even though I chose the root of fiction writing over a decade ago, I kept hopping off and on and off again.

00:04:47 Saurin

Reflecting on this, I can either regret the time wasted in not staying on the bus, or I can decide to commit to doing so from now on by following these steps.

00:04:59 Saurin

Self-reflection.

00:05:02 Saurin

Take the time for deep self-reflection.

00:05:05 Saurin

Consider what truly makes me come alive.

00:05:08 Saurin

Figure out my values and align my goals with them.

00:05:14 Saurin

Goal setting. Once I have my values aligned goals, I need to make them smart, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.

00:05:26 Saurin

Prioritization. The next step is prioritizing the above goals so that I am challenged but not overwhelmed.

00:05:35 Saurin

This means that I will have to necessarily park aside certain goals and tasks for the foreseeable future and not take up anything else, no matter how shiny, unless it is urgent and important.

00:05:50 Saurin

Mentoring. To stay on my chosen creative path, I must then seek guidance and accountability from those who are ahead of me.

00:06:00 Saurin

Efforts-Staying on the bus does not mean I can sit back and just enjoy the ride.

00:06:04 Saurin

The bus is fueled by the.

00:06:06 Saurin

Work I put in.

00:06:08 Saurin

Adaptability. I must embrace the unpredictable nature of creative journeys by cultivating resilience, allowing me to perceive here through challenges and setbacks. After all, uncertainty is inherent in the creative process and in life itself.

00:06:27 Saurin

As James Claire states near the end of the article.

00:06:31 Saurin

It's only by staying on board that mastery reveals itself show up enough times to get the average ideas out of the way, and every now and then genius will reveal itself.

00:06:44 Saurin

Ultimately, the essential message of this episode is the importance of staying focused, dedicated, and devoted to my chosen creative path.

00:06:54 Saurin

It is about staying on the bus, no matter the twists and tips to achieve creative mastery.

00:07:01 Saurin

Thank you for your time and attention. The greatest gift you can give me.

00:07:06 Saurin

I am Saurin Desai and each week I delve into the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

00:07:12 Saurin

Together, let's create a community of Creative Souls on this journey of self-discovery and grow.

00:07:20 Saurin

If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, reach me at Gitacreativesoul@gmail.com

00:07:29 Saurin

And from this moment onward I'm on a quest to stay on my creative path through all its twists and dips.

00:07:44 Sundar

You are listening to Bhagavad Gita for the creative soul.

00:07:47 Sundar

Produced by The Voice bank, conceptualized and written by Saurin Desai, voiced by Sheetal Sahani and Saurin Desai. Directed by Sundar Sethuraman. Executive producer Rashmi Sundaram.

00:08:02 Sundar

Special adviser Kushagra Singh, music by Sushant Sonawale and Dhirendra.

00:08:08 Sundar

Recorded by Tejas Jadhav and Agnel George, Sound designing and mixing by Sushant Sonawale recorded at Crescendo Studios Mumbai.

00:08:18 Sundar

Text copyright Saurin Desai.

00:08:21 Sundar

Sound recording copyright The voice bank.