Book Review

I was already quite excited when I began my journey with “Perfectly Imperfect”. I did not know much about the concept it was dealing with, but I had received some inputs from Kiran about the experience which led to its birth.   My chats with him had led me to realise that ADHD can create big ripples in life once it is identified. With this background, I dived into the details of his story.  (I must disclose that I also had the honour of working with him for some supporting references in the book. It was a truly learning experience!)

As I began to get the taste of Kiran’s odyssey, I found it fascinating, and in less than a week, I found myself plunging deeper.  It was at this point that I realised how important it was for me to approach the book in a composed and calm mood. Only then would I be able to properly process the message Kiran was conveying.   

So let me share some of my observations:

•  At the outset, ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ gives an elaborate background of the challenges that Kiran experienced when he was first diagnosed with ADHD. This not only sets a solid base for the reader to delve deeper into Kiran’s odyssey, but it also introduces a number of interesting new analogies and characters. As I read on, the feeling was like – Wow- NEW!  I just had to continue reading. 

• Subsequent sections of the book were equally captivating! They made for a wonderful read, taking the reader through Kiran’s early and formative years in India. Many of the details he narrates will resonate with those who spent their childhood in India (like growing up in a big family). It was also so familiar and repeatedly brought smiles to my face as I got further immersed in this enthralling tale.   The characters from, and references to Corp World experiences in many ways reflected what I had seen during my working life – the stress, the lechers and so many other types of interesting people one regularly meets in that sphere.  (By now I was so hooked by Kiran’s story that I decided to keep my own log where I would scribble notes – who my miners are or what cool moves I could use and so on…) 

• Throughout the book one comes across many new characters and concepts. Each of them is introduced in such a smooth and seamless way and with fascinating descriptions in each case. Before I even realised, I had my mirror versions of each from my own life and it helped me relate even more to Kiran’s own story.  In my mind’s eye, I started visualising these graphically – at times resembling a multi-starrer film, an overcrowded family get-together or even an extended network of friends and communities.  

• The language used in the book is certainly rich and classic and I really liked it.   It is not very often one comes across a well-painted word picture, especially when a complex journey like this is being shared.

Concepts and ideas I found truly great:

• Enjoy – > Truth -> Trust -> Guts -> Love -> Relationships  
• The OH Algorithm 
• Nut Worth and some characters like Mrs Bolt, and all women characters who showed empathy and motherly love and acted as a coach when needed
• Language and the way the story is shared 
• My Cool Moves Log and Vulnerability Log 
• Miners and Millers – Everyone of us will surely have them, and so easy to relate and start using in our daily lives 
• Pickle Street 
• The characterization and templates. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH Kiran for sharing your life’s experience with me!   I am sure the book will set out to accomplish its mission to bring loads of smiles to the faces of people around us! Your passion to share your story with the broader world and the infectious smile that never left your face as you kept at it, are truly commendable.  I certainly enjoyed reading this story and several reflections on it keep haunting me till date! 😊