The acrid stench of burnt coffee assaulted Raj’s nostrils as he stumbled into the break room, his bleary eyes struggling to focus on the clock. 3:47 AM. The harsh fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a sickly pallor over his already pale skin. His fingers trembled as he reached for a clean mug, the ceramic clattering against the counter.
“Shit,” he muttered, fumbling to catch it before it could shatter on the floor. Success, but at what cost? Dark liquid sloshed over the rim, scalding his hand. Raj bit back a yelp, not wanting to draw attention from the few other poor souls burning the midnight oil.
The monitor’s glow cast eerie shadows across Raj’s gaunt face as he squinted at the spreadsheet before him. Numbers swam in his vision, refusing to coalesce into anything meaningful. He blinked hard, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms.
“Hey, new guy!” A voice boomed from behind, startling Raj so badly he nearly upended his coffee again. “Still here, huh? Good man!”
Raj turned to see Brad from Accounts looming over his cubicle wall, grinning like a shark that had scented blood in the water. “Just wrapping up some projections for tomorrow’s meeting,” Raj managed, forcing his lips into what he hoped resembled a smile.
“Tomorrow’s meeting?” Brad’s eyebrows shot up. “You mean this morning’s meeting. In…” He made a show of checking his watch. “Four hours and thirteen minutes. Better make those numbers sing, kid. You know how Singh gets when the quarterly reports aren’t perfect.”
With a wink and a chuckle that sounded more like a threat than camaraderie, Brad sauntered off. Raj’s shoulders slumped as he turned back to his computer, fingers flying across the keyboard with renewed desperation.
The first rays of dawn were creeping through the blinds when Raj finally hit ‘send’ on the email containing his report. He slumped back in his chair, every muscle screaming in protest. The office had come to life around him, the gentle hum of conversation and clacking of keyboards filling the air.
“Raj!” The sharp voice of his boss, Priya Singh, cut through the ambient noise like a knife. “My office, now.”
Raj scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping over his own chair in his haste. He smoothed down his rumpled shirt, running a hand over the stubble on his chin as he made his way to Priya’s office.
Priya sat ramrod straight behind an imposing glass desk, manicured nails tapping an impatient rhythm as Raj entered. “Sit,” she commanded, gesturing to the chair across from her.
Raj perched on the edge of the seat, his back rigid. Priya’s steely gaze bored into him. “I’ve reviewed your projections for the Zhang account.”
Raj’s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
“They’re… adequate,” Priya continued, her tone impossible to read. “But adequate isn’t what we strive for here at Pinnacle Solutions, is it, Raj?”
“N-no, of course not,” Raj stammered. “I’ll revise them right away, I just need-”
Priya held up a hand, silencing him. “What you need is to step up your game. I took a chance bringing you on board, fresh out of university. Don’t make me regret that decision.”
Raj nodded mutely, his throat constricting.
“Now,” Priya’s lips curved into what might have been a smile on anyone else, “go make yourself presentable. The client will be here in an hour, and I expect you to dazzle them.”
Dismissed, Raj stumbled out of the office in a daze. The fluorescent lights seemed to pulse in time with the pounding in his head as he made his way to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, the shock barely registering through his exhaustion.
A notification chimed on his phone. Raj pulled it out, squinting at the screen:
Weekly check-in with CPP Aisha: Today, 7 PM. Rate your current happiness (1-10).
Raj’s thumb hovered over the keypad for a moment before tapping a ‘3’.
With a sigh, he straightened his tie and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. The face staring back at him in the mirror looked more like a stranger than the bright-eyed graduate who had walked through these doors six months ago.
The conference room buzzed with nervous energy as Raj took his seat, clutching a folder of hastily revised projections. Mr. Zhang, an imposing figure in an impeccable suit, sat at the head of the table, flanked by his team of advisors. Priya sailed into the room moments later, her stride confident and purposeful.
“Mr. Zhang, always a pleasure,” she beamed, extending a hand. “I believe you’ve met our rising star, Raj? He’s been working tirelessly on some truly innovative strategies for expanding your market share in Southeast Asia.”
All eyes turned to Raj, who felt beads of sweat forming on his brow. He stood, willing his voice not to shake as he launched into his presentation. The words flowed automatically as he clicked through slide after slide of graphs and projections.
It wasn’t until he reached the final forecast that disaster struck. The numbers on the screen swam before his eyes, refusing to come into focus.
Raj blinked hard, his heart sinking as he realized he’d transposed two crucial figures in his sleep-deprived haze.
“I… that is…” Raj stammered, his mind blank. The silence stretched, oppressive and suffocating.
Just as Raj was certain he would spontaneously combust from shame, a booming laugh cut through the tension. Mr. Zhang slapped the table, his whole body shaking with mirth.
“Oh, this takes me back!” he chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes. “Reminds me of my first big presentation, fresh out of business school. Nerves got the better of me, mixed up all my projections. Thought my career was over before it began!”
The room collectively exhaled, a ripple of nervous laughter spreading around the table. Raj’s shoulders sagged with relief.
“Now, young man,” Mr. Zhang continued, his eyes twinkling with amusement, “why don’t you take a deep breath and walk us through those numbers again? I have a feeling they’re quite impressive when they’re in the right order.”
Raj nodded gratefully, his fingers steady as he pulled up the correct spreadsheet. As he dove back into the presentation with renewed vigor, he caught Priya’s eye. To his amazement, the ghost of a smile played at the corners of her mouth.
The rest of the meeting passed in a blur of handshakes and congratulations. By the time the last of Mr. Zhang’s entourage had filed out, Raj felt as though he’d aged a decade.
“Well,” Priya said, sidling up beside him, “that was… unexpected.”
Raj braced himself, his muscles tensing.
Instead, Priya clapped him on the shoulder, her grip firm but not unkind.
“You handled that well, all things considered. Get some rest this weekend. I need you sharp for next week’s board meeting.”
As she strode away, Raj sagged against the wall, equal parts elated and exhausted. The adrenaline crash hit him like a freight train, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.
The crisp night air revived him slightly as he walked to the nearby park. As he approached their usual bench, he saw a familiar figure already waiting.
“Raj!” Aisha called, waving enthusiastically. “You look like you’ve been through the wringer, my friend.”
Raj managed a weak smile as he collapsed onto the bench beside her. Aisha, her curly hair tied back in a messy bun, peered at him with concern evident in her dark eyes.
“Rough day?” she asked, her voice gentle.
“Rough week,” Raj corrected, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up, Aisha. I feel like I’m drowning.”
Aisha nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Well, let’s start with the basics. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your happiness right now?”
Raj considered for a moment, his brow furrowed. “Maybe a 4? At least I didn’t get fired today.”
“Okay, that’s a start,” Aisha said encouragingly. “Now, tell me one good thing that happened this week. Just one tiny positive.”
Raj’s mind went blank. He cast about desperately, then his eyes lit up as he remembered. “I… I messed up a big presentation. But the client was really understanding about it. He even shared a story about his own early career mishaps.”
Aisha’s face brightened. “That’s fantastic, Raj! See, even in the midst of stress and mistakes, there are moments of human connection and grace. Let’s build on that feeling.”
For the next hour, Aisha guided Raj through a series of exercises. They practiced deep breathing techniques, their inhales and exhales syncing with the gentle rustle of leaves overhead. They role-played setting boundaries at work, with Aisha playing an overzealous colleague and Raj practicing firm but polite refusals.
As their session drew to a close, Aisha posed her final question. “So, Raj, where would you put your happiness level now?”
Raj’s lips curved into a genuine smile. “You know what? I’d say a solid 7. Thanks, Aisha. I needed this more than I realized.”
Monday morning found Raj striding into the office, a travel mug of homemade chai in hand. The familiar scent of cardamom and ginger wafted up, soothing his nerves.
“Attention, everyone!” Priya’s voice rang out across the open-plan office. “I need all department heads in the conference room, now. We have a situation.”
Raj watched a stream of grim-faced executives file into the room. Through the glass walls, he could see animated discussions and frantic gesturing at laptops.
An hour crawled by, then two. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Finally, the door opened, and Priya emerged, her face a mask of cool professionalism.
“Raj,” she called, crooking a finger. “A word.”
Heart pounding, Raj followed her to a quiet corner of the office. Priya’s eyes bored into him, unreadable.
“How much do you know about blockchain technology?” she asked without preamble.
Raj blinked, thrown off balance. “I… took a course on cryptocurrency in university? And I’ve been following some of the developments in smart contracts, but-”
“Good enough,” Priya cut him off. “Our biggest competitor just announced a major pivot into blockchain-based supply chain management. We need to respond, fast. I’m putting you in charge of developing our strategy.”
Raj’s jaw dropped. “Me? But I’m not… I mean, shouldn’t one of the senior managers-”
“The senior managers are all set in their ways,” Priya said dismissively. “We need fresh eyes on this, someone who can think outside the box. You’ve got two weeks to put together a proposal that will blow the board away. Think you can handle it?”
It wasn’t really a question. Raj nodded mutely, his mind already racing with the enormity of the task ahead.
“Good,” Priya said, the ghost of a smile playing at her lips. “Don’t let me down, Raj. This could be your make-or-break moment.”
As she walked away, Raj slumped against the wall, his earlier optimism evaporating like mist in the morning sun.
The next two weeks passed in a blur of caffeine-fueled research binges and frantic brainstorming sessions. Raj’s desk became a nest of crumpled papers and empty energy drink cans, his eyes perpetually bloodshot from staring at screens late into the night.
During one particularly fraught meeting with Aisha, she produced a small set of finger cymbals. “Close your eyes,” she instructed. “Focus on the sound and nothing else.”
The gentle tinkling filled the air, and Raj felt the tension in his shoulders begin to ease. By the time the last vibration faded, his breathing had slowed, and the constant whirl of anxious thoughts had quieted to a manageable hum.
“How do you feel now?” Aisha asked softly.
Raj opened his eyes, blinking in the warm afternoon sunlight. “Like… like I can breathe again,” he said wonderingly. “Thank you, Aisha. I think I’m ready to face this challenge head-on now.”
The morning of the board meeting dawned bright and clear. Raj stood before the mirror, adjusting his tie with trembling fingers. The face that looked back at him was pale but determined, a far cry from the haggard wreck he’d been just weeks ago.
As he gathered his materials and headed for the conference room, a familiar figure fell into step beside him.
“Fancy meeting you here, new guy,” Brad from Accounts grinned, slapping Raj on the back with unnecessary force. “Heard you’ve been burning the candle at both ends lately. Hope you’re ready for the big leagues.”
Raj took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. “You know what, Brad? I think I am.”
The board meeting was a blur of PowerPoint slides and probing questions. Raj presented his vision for a blockchain-based system that would revolutionize not just their supply chain management, but their entire approach to data security and transparency.
As he wrapped up his presentation, a hush fell over the room. Raj held his breath, acutely aware of the rapid pounding of his heart.
Finally, the CEO leaned forward, a glint in his eye. “I’ve got to hand it to you, Singh,” he said, addressing Priya. “When you said you had someone working on an innovative solution, I was skeptical. But this… this could change everything.”
A ripple of excited murmurs spread around the table. Priya caught Raj’s eye, giving him a subtle nod of approval.
“Of course,” the CEO continued, “there’s still a lot of work to be done. Raj, I want you to head up a task force to flesh out the details and begin implementation. Think you’re up for it?”
Raj felt a surge of confidence he hadn’t experienced in months. “Absolutely, sir. I won’t let you down.”
As the meeting adjourned and executives filed out, offering congratulations and handshakes, Raj felt as though he were floating.
Priya approached, a rare smile gracing her features. “Well done, Raj. I knew you had it in you.”
“Thank you for believing in me,” Raj said, meaning every word. “I couldn’t have done it without your support.”
Priya’s eyebrow quirked. “Oh, I think you could have. But I’m glad I got to witness it. Now, go celebrate. You’ve earned it.”
As Raj stepped out of the office building, the warm afternoon sun kissed his face. He pulled out his phone, fingers flying over the screen as he typed out a message to Aisha:
You’ll never believe what just happened. Can we meet?
Her response came almost instantly: “Absolutely! Same bench, 30 minutes?”
The park was alive with the sounds of children playing and dogs barking as Raj approached their usual meeting spot. Aisha was already there, a bright yellow scarf fluttering in the breeze as she waved him over.
“Raj!” she exclaimed as he drew near. “Your message sounded exciting. Spill!”
He collapsed onto the bench beside her, a grin spreading across his face as he recounted the events of the morning. Aisha listened intently, her eyes widening as he described his presentation and the board’s reaction.
“That’s incredible!” she beamed when he finished. “I’m so proud of you, Raj. You’ve come such a long way.”
Raj nodded, feeling a lump form in his throat. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Aisha. Our sessions… they’ve been a lifeline.”
Aisha’s smile softened. “I just gave you the tools, Raj. You did the hard work yourself.”
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, watching a group of pigeons squabble over a discarded sandwich crust.
“So,” Aisha said finally, “on a scale of 1 to 10, where would you put your happiness level right now?”
Raj didn’t hesitate. “A solid 9.5,” he laughed. “Maybe even a 10.”
“That’s what I like to hear!” Aisha cheered, offering her hand for a high-five. Raj obliged, the satisfying smack echoing in the air between them.
As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the park, Raj leaned back on the bench, his posture relaxed for the first time in months.
“You know,” he mused, turning to Aisha, “when I first started this job, I thought success meant working myself to the bone, never saying no, always pushing for more. But now…”
“Now?” Aisha prompted gently.
Raj’s gaze drifted to a nearby family, a young couple pushing a laughing toddler on a swing. “Now I think true success is finding balance. It’s about doing work that challenges and fulfills you, but not at the expense of your well-being or happiness.”
Aisha nodded approvingly. “That’s a powerful realization, Raj. So what’s next for you?”
Raj leaned back, gazing up at the sky as it shifted from blue to a soft pink. “I’m going to give this new project my all,” he said decisively. “But I’m also going to set boundaries. Make time for things that matter outside of work. Maybe even take a vacation.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Aisha grinned. “Just don’t forget about our sessions. I have a feeling you’re going to have some great stories to share.”
As they said their goodbyes and Raj began the walk home, his steps were light, almost bouncy. The city bustled around him, the evening air filled with the scent of street food and the distant wail of sirens. But for once, Raj didn’t feel swept along by the frantic pace. He moved at his own rhythm, savoring each moment.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Raj pulled it out, seeing an email notification from Priya outlining next steps for the blockchain project. He smiled, tucking the phone away without opening the message. It could wait until morning.
As he rounded the corner to his apartment building, Raj paused, pulling out his phone again. His thumb hovered over his parents’ contact for a moment before tapping “Call.”
The phone rang twice before his mother’s warm voice filled his ear. “Raj! What a lovely surprise. How are you, beta?”
Raj’s smile widened as he stepped into his building’s lobby. “I’m good, Ma. Really good. I just wanted to say thank you.”
“Thank you?” His mother’s confusion was evident. “For what?”
“For everything,” Raj said softly. “For your support, for believing in me. And for suggesting that positivity partnership program. It’s… it’s made a big difference.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then his mother’s voice came back, thick with emotion. “Oh, Raj. We’re so proud of you. You know that, right?”
“I know, Ma,” Raj said, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. “Listen, I was thinking… maybe I could come home for a visit soon? It’s been too long.”
His mother’s delighted exclamation brought a chuckle to his lips. As they chatted, making plans, Raj unlocked his apartment door and stepped inside. The familiar scent of home enveloped him – a mix of the incense his mother had gifted him and the curry he’d cooked the night before.
Raj paused in the entryway, keys still in hand, and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes for a moment, centering himself in the present.
Then, with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, Raj stepped further into his apartment. He had dinner to make, a trip to plan, and a bright future to look forward to. Whatever challenges tomorrow might bring, he felt ready to face them head-on.
Overcome burnout. A Certified Positivity Partner can help you rebalance. Learn more: https://www.yourdailydoseofhappy.com/overwhelm/
Leave a Reply