Partho and TAO: A Garden, A Wake-Up Call & 3 Steps to Reclaiming Your Power

Partho and TAO: A Garden, A Wake-Up Call & 3 Steps to Reclaiming Your Power

“Partho, you need to really up your game! These last 6 months have been really stressful for me—I can’t be saying this to a senior guy like you! C’mon, you’re the senior-most member of the organization and your performance has been way below expectations. I have to put you on a PIP.”

Those words from his boss, the CHRO of Cadillac Tech Pvt. Ltd. hit Partho like a punch to the gut. He had given 18 years of his life to this company. He had grown with it, nurtured teams, led sales with flair, and inspired new joiners as a mentor.

But now, after a structural shift had moved him from Sales to L&D—a space unfamiliar and unkind—he found himself flailing. He had ideas. He had wisdom. But he couldn’t speak them out loud. His voice faltered. His confidence sank.

And now—a Performance Improvement Plan?

Partho wasn’t just devastated. He was on the verge of giving up.

The Fall Before the Rise

It wasn’t that Partho didn’t try. He did. But deep inside, he was battling imposter syndrome. He would compare himself to colleagues who were suave, strategic, and outspoken. He missed his earlier role, where he thrived in Sales and was deeply respected.

Despite the internal resistance, he didn’t seek help. He kept whispering to himself: “I want to be Me. I want to be Fearless.” But courage without clarity is like trying to light a lamp with no oil.

One evening, overwhelmed and exhausted, he scribbled those very words—“I want to be Me. I want to be Fearless”—on his whiteboard. And then, something shifted. He closed his eyes… and saw him.

A tall, serene sage in white appeared in his vision, writing something cryptic yet clear on the whiteboard: “Look Within to Find The Real You. I shall meet you in the Garden of Labor of Love. See me by 8 today.”

Partho opened his eyes, confused and shaken. Was it real? A dream?

An Unexpected Guide: TAO

He left work early that evening, unsure of how to process the day’s events. Over dinner, he confided in his wife—something he rarely did when it came to work stress. She listened quietly, holding space for his vulnerability.

“Partho, I know you feel defeated right now,” she said gently. “But I believe in your ability to rise again. Maybe… just take a break for a day or two. You’ve been running on empty. You haven’t even looked at your Labor of Love lately.”

Partho frowned. Labor of Love?

“Your garden, Partho. The one on the terrace that you built plant by plant. You haven’t been up there in months. Why don’t you spend some time there? Meditate, reflect.”

That’s when it struck him—the Sage in his vision had spoken of the Garden of Labor of Love. Could it be that this was what he meant?

He thanked his wife with a tired but grateful smile. “I think I’ll meditate in the garden tonight,” he said. She nodded and let him be.

At 8 PM sharp, Partho stepped into the familiar wildness of his terrace garden. The plants had grown tall and unruly, but the place still pulsed with quiet energy. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and waited.

That’s when TAO appeared.

“Partho, I am TAO. I’ve been watching you. You want to be fearless, but you’re not ready to face your truth. You’re stuck in thoughts, not action. If you truly wish to transform, follow these three steps every day for 21 days. I’ll meet you again on Day 22.”

TAO’s 3 Steps to Transformation

1. Own Up To Your Life and Situations

Stop blaming the system, your role, or others. Acceptance is power. When you own your choices, your mistakes, and your current reality, you reclaim control. It’s not about guilt—it’s about responsibility.

Practice: Every morning, write down one thing you’re avoiding or blaming. Replace blame with ownership: What can I do about this today?

2. Define Your Intent and the Impact You Wish to Create

Wandering without direction drains energy. Begin each day by defining your intent—who do you want to be today, and what impact do you want to have? Be specific—whether it’s a meeting, a project, or a relationship.

Practice: Before every task, ask:

• Why am I doing this?
• How do I want to show up?
• What does success look like here?

3. Look for Solutions and Keep Taking Actions

Fear paralyzes. Action frees. Even imperfect steps can break inertia. Stop waiting for confidence to arrive before you act—confidence is built through action.

Practice: When stuck, don’t ask Why me? Ask What’s next? Make a small move: call someone, create a draft, make a plan. Then, do it again tomorrow.

The Journey Begins

Partho opened his eyes. No, he didn’t see the Sage again. But he didn’t need to. TAO had already taken root in his spirit.

That night, he had dinner with a smile for the first time in months.

21 days. 3 steps. One goal: Becoming Fearless.

Coming Soon: Partho and TAO # 2 – TAO Teaches Partho to Breathe Through Conflict