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Missing Thursday & what I learnt from it: Thursdays with Tushar
By Tushar Panchal on Apr 24, 2008 in Ask Questions, Indian PR industry
I am touched. To be very honest, I never expected this to happen. But, you know what when I wrote about the Invisible Force prior to the missing Thursday, I never expected to realise it so early. I received so many calls, so many text messages to enquire about why I didn’t write last Thursday and how much they missed me! I was to miss today’s Thursday as well, but my wife insisted that I shouldn’t be missing two Thursdays – it will be quite disturbing for her and many all those who missed me last Thursday. Well, I have never been loved like this before. Thank you!
This entire missing Thursday episode made me realise the very important lesson I learnt at IIM-A, when I went there for few wonderful days of my life. It is a very important lesson every marketer should remember. And yes, we PR wallahs are the superstars of marketing. So, what’s the lesson I am talking about? The lesson is… wait – let me share a nice little story with you before we go and talk about serious gyan.
I used to go to a small temple in a village – I kind of enjoyed going there on a particular time and ring the bell in a particular rhythm. I was trying to become A R Rahman during those days!
Well, some people found it funny, some people thought I was mad but I enjoyed it and continued by routine of everyday. After sometime I got some company, people started gathering and they brought in drums and other instruments. We started playing together and in sometime it became a daily routine for 30-40 people to come together and play some really nice music.
One day, I left that place. The bell did not ring. People missed it. Everybody missed it. There was no music. But, few years ago when I went back there and saw a huge temple in place of the small tiny temple where I was ringing bell, I asked someone how did this happen and he replied that it was all because of my ringing the bell on daily basis.
To coming back to the marketing jargons and gyan which we learn at B-Schools, it was about persuasion and passion with which I was ringing the bell. I enjoyed doing it. People joined in and manjhile miltee gayeen caravan banta gaya…
So, what I learnt is that when you start something good, never leave it half way. Take it to a next level and put in those extra efforts to deliver the promises you have made to the people who love you. And, I promise you my friends that I will be with you every Thursday of my life and share my force with you.
We will meet next Thursday till then, take care and miss me! I will miss you too!
God Bless!
On Apr 24, 2008, Bhawna said:
Hey Tushar,
A touching post! Enjoyed reading it and wondered how we sometimes make a difference in other people’s life without even realizing it.
On Apr 24, 2008, Vaishali Shah said:
This is really touchy and wonderful lesson on marketing..Do keep writing so that we can read more such stuff..
vaishali
On Apr 24, 2008, Tushar said:
Thanks Bhawna & Vaishali.
Yes, sometimes in the rat race of survival, we miss so many good moments in life. I think once in a while we need to look around us and realise that there are many people who are with us in our journey and we need to be with them once in a while and learn from them too. My wife taught me so many important lessons in my life. So, I hope people who are reading my post, get inspired and take one day off from their busy schedule to be with their loved ones and revise and refresh those promises made few years, minutes or months ago! And if this happens, I think my job is well done!
Thank you. Take care.
On Apr 24, 2008, himanshu kapadia said:
true, promise is a promise, going on a holiday to fufill one of the many. will check your next thrusday on top on a mountain hope they have a net connection
On Apr 24, 2008, Shashank Jaitely said:
Your post has strummed a special chord. The thing that you have started should not be left unfinished. Especially the things that you always wanted to do. It is always a great kick when you are finally able to start what you always cherished and it pains the most when you have to leave it midway due to any reason.
Like after years of thinking and struggle, I started learning and playing guitar and then left practicing due to the paucity of time. But I will start again soon, I think will play today only! Watch out Santana, I am coming…
On Apr 24, 2008, Tushar said:
Dear Himanshu:
Yes, there will be a net connection there… you cant miss my Thursday friend!
take care and enjoy moutains - get some dew for me too!
On Apr 24, 2008, Tushar said:
Dear Shashank:
Make a promise that you will play that special song for me, which you played in your heart before you played it on your guitar! All the best and I will wait to hear from you… the song!
And this time, dont leave it.
Take care.
On Apr 25, 2008, Shashank Jaitely said:
I promise from the bottom of my heart…
I will podcast it for you very soon!
Take care.
On Apr 25, 2008, Shweta said:
Hi Tushar..This is the first time i read ur blog and its very interestin i must say..I shall look forward to your thursday blogs and hope u keep writing them!! This one was very touching and a very imporatant message to all!! Never give up…Cheers!!
On Apr 25, 2008, Tushar said:
Dear Shweta:
Thank you for reading and sparing few moments to share your views. Yes, I would love to see you back next Thursday and as promised, I will be there - always.
Take care and be happy.
Tushar
On Apr 25, 2008, Tushar said:
Hey, Shashank…thanks bud! look forward to that.
On Apr 27, 2008, Palin Ningthoujam said:
Thursdays with Tushar is becoming an inseparable part of thursday reading.
On Apr 28, 2008, Tushar said:
Dear Palin:
Thank you so much for saying this and you know what - I thought why can’t be every day a Thursday. As they say in McDonald’s ads…I am loving it!
Take care
Tushar