Is doing the right job makes all the difference? Or, doing the job rightly does?

These are the two paradigms one often comes across. And interestingly we mostly hear from wise that how one does the job is all that matters. I can only speak for myself here, rarely have I come across people who are content with the job they are doing, leave aside the point of approaching it in an upright manner. I too at times find myself caught in this dilemma - Am I doing the right job? I don’t remember myself enquiring – Am I doing the job rightly? Yet, the popular notion is to do the job rightly than vice-versa.

It was heartening to listen to a sexagenarian Rickshaw puller on this subject the other day. This gentleman called Shyam has been carrying me to the bus stop in the morning and on the way sometimes we speak about him. On my request he talked about his approach towards his job and I found out that this person has been trying to do his job rightly for the last 32 years. And I think he is doing his job superbly well.

One could find pulling a rickshaw a curse and it truly is in many ways. Rickshaw pullers are usually subject to wrath by pillions – always accused of overpricing. They lead a dilapidated life, further antagonized by those sitting in air-conditioned cars and driving alongside. The kind of abuse these guys go through can drive any so-called civilized nuts.

Shyam carries a small frame of four feet something and has a deep hair line with a cluster of white hair at the centre and around his head. He also sports a white beard, wears a lungi and shirt, and his skin is shining dark brown. His voice is sharp and loud – unfettered and reflects content and cool in his head.

That day in his response Shyam spoke of goodwill, trust and more importantly routine. He sleeps at 1 am in the night because he has two regular passengers, brothers who own a shop in the market, at midnight. He drops them off at their residence and gets Rs. 40 (Rs. 20 from each brother). And this Rs. 40 that he earns in one go takes care of his daily Rickshaw rent.

Shyam lives in a single occupancy room because he fears theft and unruly roommates. He wakes up at 5am because water goes off at 7am; he likes to take proper bath before he starts for work. He has breakfast and is stationed at a point he takes me from by 7am. His daily expenses are around Rs. 250/- including Rickshaw rent, room rent and food – he eats only at hotels (read dhabas). He sleeps for three hours from 2pm to 5pm in one of the streets. Surprisingly, residents of that street guard him from theft as he by that point has about Rs. 200/- or more in his upper pocket. 

He has been ferrying rickshaw in a given radius for last three decades and that has earned him Goodwill and Trust, these are the exact words he used, of local shop owners and residents. He is entrusted by them to transfer valuables and receive payment on their behalf. He gets premium when he executes such jobs. Similarly, he has set of regular passengers whom he ferries day in day out. 

Shyam turned what could be the biggest setback of his life into an opportunity and developed an enterprising nature. A hard to keep routine of 32 years and patience has resulted in continuous income and that ‘eluding respect’ for him. He saves a modest amount of Rs.10,000/- every month after taking care of his own expenses that count up to Rs. 7,500/- per month. 

May be Shyam knew just too well how to go about his job rightly!