After I burned out, physics helped me understand what had happened to me – and to move on | Zahaan Bharmal
In a reflective piece, Zahaan Bharmal, a senior director at Google and author of *The Art of Physics*, shares his journey of reconciling the principles of physics with the unpredictable nature of life and career success. Drawing a parallel between Newton’s second law of motion—where force equals mass times acceleration—and his own experiences, Bharmal recounts how he once believed that hard work was the sole determinant of success. This belief, rooted in the structured and predictable world of physics, provided him comfort during his teenage years. However, after facing redundancy just nine months into his first job, he was confronted with a harsh reality: life does not always adhere to the same laws of predictability that govern the physical world.
Bharmal’s story serves as a poignant reminder that despite our best efforts and dedication, external factors often play a significant role in determining outcomes. He reflects on how his initial understanding of success was challenged by the unexpected twists and turns of his career. The experience of losing his job forced him to reassess his beliefs and recognize that hard work, while essential, is not the only ingredient for success. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating life’s uncertainties, illustrating that success is often a complex interplay of various factors, including timing, opportunity, and sometimes, sheer luck. Through his narrative, Bharmal encourages readers to embrace the unpredictability of life and to redefine their understanding of success beyond mere hard work.
I thought hard work equalled success. I had to realise that’s not always how it works, in science or in life
If the words “force equals mass times acceleration” are mildly triggering, I apologise. Newton’s
second law of motion
will be familiar to anyone who’s ever studied physics. For some who struggled with that course, it may bring back painful memories. But for me, as an awkward teenager, it was oddly comforting – proof of an ordered, structured universe where cause always led to predictable effect. I carried that belief into university, where I studied physics, and even into my career. If I just worked hard enough, success would be mine.
But nine months into my first job, I got made redundant. It turns out that life doesn’t always obey Newton’s laws.
Zahaan Bharmal is the author of
The Art of Physics
and a senior director at Google, writing in a personal capacity
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