Time is the essence of life. Decisions, therefore, have to be taken when they need to be taken. Else, the pitfalls are many. Opportunities lost are unlikely to be regained. One of the most critical decisions in life is the choice of career. Sadly, the majority of students in India delays in planning. So are their parents. Lack of guidance based on scientific analysis is the primary cause for such a poor state of affairs. Apart from the individual, such kind of casualness adversely impacts Indian society. It results in huge waste of talent, which could be utilized possibly to solve India’s myriad problems.

Since the liberalization of India’s economy in 1991, the opportunities have grown in multiples. But to utilize those avenues of immense possibilities and fulfillment, two things are vital—knowledge and skill. These two attributes, over a period of time, help nurture and develop expertise in an individual. Expertise, therefore, is the key element that helps not only an individual but society at large. It raises the quality of human resources available in the country and elevates their performance, which in turn, improves the standard of living of its citizens.

Hard work is essential. Confidence is a virtue but it is not competence. What is needed is smarter management. Such an approach has become necessary as advancement in technology in the past three decades has brought in measureable as well as immeasurable changes in lives.

The right approach is to seek help from an expert who has a broad view of life and understands society as a composite place which requires various sets of skills and knowledge to run it efficiently.

Investment on scientific analysis of one’s aptitude, therefore, is critical in today’s competitive world. The rewards are long-term and benefits immense.