Is the job of an IAS officer impactful? Can an officer bring about change for the better?
When we think of transformative change, we often envision a rapid and dramatic impact during an officer’s tenure. We all aspire to make a significant, positive difference in our domain, but it’s essential to recognise that immediate results are not the norm.
Think of the last time you wanted to change some aspect of yourself for the better. It might be exercising every day or eating healthy or cutting down on social media use. How difficult was it? We try to inculcate good habits, but we often relapse. And then we try again. It’s a long struggle against ourselves.
Now imagine how difficult it would be to change a set of populace for the better. It is possible, but it is often slow, painful, and difficult.
Throughout history, meaningful and lasting change has always taken time. We have not eliminated polio in one day or one year. It took the relentless effort of countless health workers across the country to reach that milestone. No one invented the iPhone from nothing. It was a yearly refinement of ideas that led to Steve Jobs unveiling the smartphone.
It’s the same in the government. Radical changes and cult personalities happen only in the movies. If you enter the service and think you can transform everything overnight, you are going to be disillusioned. To be an effective public servant is to understand the limits of one’s power.
Rather on a day-to-day basis, what you need to work on are the small wins. It can be about solving a chronic land acquisition problem that’s been pending for years. Or ensuring 100% safe, institutional deliveries in a Gram Panchayat. Or it’s about providing a digital classroom for a remote school that improves the learning outcomes of 50 children. That’s 50 lives transformed.
It’s about notching these small victories along the way. I have immense respect for the countless and invisible officers who are working their way towards these improvements. Like a river that cuts through a mountain, it’s the collective push over years that results in meaningful change.
You may not be able to overhaul the entire system, but you can transform the lives of people in your limited sphere of influence. The impact might not be felt by everyone, but for those lives you touch through your work, it’s deep.
Personally, I keep a running note of all my accomplishments that I am proud of, no matter how small or insignificant. Every now and then, I go through the list and it inspires me. It’s these little successes that make the job of an IAS officer impactful and fulfiling.
Absolutely relatable sir , sometimes we tried to do a solve all the problems and then in the end of the day we may not be able to achieve a single one , small little things definitely makes a big difference, day by day , one by one ,little and small makes the things large one day , our little contribution in the system is enough , 🙏 thanks for inspirational lines
Your blog is really helpful sir. And it is absolutely true that if we know how to swim, we should not worry about the depth of the water.
Keep writing and keep motivating us on a regular basis Sir
This was great 💯 Thanks
👍
Keep Inspiring us sir
Great job, Anudeep Garu! I’ve been a follower of your profile since 2018, and you’ve been a tremendous source of inspiration. Today, I came across your Instagram post where you mentioned completing the second season of Aspirants. It led me to reflect on the challenges faced by civil servants, including you, Aiswarya rastogi Sir, Smitha ma’am , Bala latha ma’am, Akshay sir, Tarun Reddy sir, and Sonal Goyal ma’am etc… etc…..as portrayed in the series. It truly highlights the demanding and challenging life of a civil servant.
I remember in one event one young ips officer is very happy to see you when you hosted that event as a cheif guest… I guess you both might be friends before becoming civil servants or either met in LBSNAA. Anyway Good blog Sir
Thanks sir🙏
Learning through experiences..making awful moments… inspiring from self’s accomplishments…gives a lot motivation n depicts the right picture ….
The idea of maintaining running notes for the small/insignificant wins. ……👏👏👏👏🙌 Awesome Sir…that’s why u Set a record of AIR1@AD
Sir, one small request,,,,,let me consider a case ,,,,a married working woman who is brutally cheated by her husband n she in a helpless situation surviving to look after her infant baby girl …wants to achieve high ,,,,but she couldn’t able to overcome her mental trauma…..her highest support in her situation is her parents….
Requested tips for her to concentrate on her goal to achieve high ( her dream is to become civil servant)…🙏
How to write a such simple and meaning content. Hats off to your writing skills
As all always it’s touched this time as well..
Sir As u mentioned above that u keep writing small or big achievements of yours so as to feel inspired..
So I would request u to kindly put down all your little achievements here itself so that we also can take inspiration from your practical experiences.
In addition to achievements I would request u to mention the hurdles coming out in the way so that we don’t only see the roses but also the challenges in the blooming of those roses..
Thank you sir .
Thank you sir for good impermession
I’m not fond of reading but your writings always inspires me to do so.
Fine
Sir, it takes immense courage to accept human limitation without losing hope to bring the smallest possible change. Keep inspiring us!
Hello sir, thankyou… For being inspiration.. As aspirant.. I always admire you.. When ever I feel low.. I listen your that 14 min speech.. Which make me feel.. It’s ok to commit mistake,, but keep accepting those mistake and correct them. Thankyou
Sir, that’s my personal experience as well. It feels euphoric when l accomplish something small or big, be it pulling through debate competition, or getting my things done in time.
Good one!
🙏🙏 thanks sir. I was disillusioned because of some irrational thoughts in my mind but now I’m in a great mindset and put more efforts than before
It’s Magnanimous Sir.
🥂 for the greatful life
Great diplomatic answer. Still didn’t say anything definitely 😁.
Sir, Thank you for making time to write these articles. As you said, you keep a running note of all your accomplishments irrespective of how small and insignificant they are, I’ll take your advice and follow the same. I consider this habit as a “small win.”
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Sir.
Waiting for your 2023 books list article, would like to share my books list also.
Keep inspiring.. <3
Sir, Thank you for making time to write these articles. As you said, you keep a running note of all your accomplishments irrespective of how small and insignificant they are, I’ll take your advice and follow the same. I consider this habit as a “small win.”
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Sir.
Waiting for your 2023 books list article, would like to share my books list also.
Keep inspiring.. <3
Hi sir, such great diplomatic answer ..
Thank you sir.
Much helpful insight, Sir ! Thank you.
After a long time but inspiring as always.
Thank you Sir for sharing your thoughts.
First of all thank you sir for sharing your experience of service. It gives us the real perspective about the civil services challenges and opportunities.
You wrote the blog after a long time.
I am big fan of your writing sir.
You said rightly that small wins, small changes culminate into big ones.
Rapid transformation in small period of time is not possible. It need relentless efforts.
But, this small achievements matter a lot. This gives us impetus for keep working towards larger goals.
I request you to keep sharing your experience of service so that we aspirants can get real viewpoint and get inspired.
will wait for next write up.
Thank you 🙏
सर बहुत बढ़िया लेख है।🪔🪔🌹🌹