“I WIN...THAT'S WHAT I DO"
Whenever I hear these words, it immediately reminds me of my inspiration, a person whom I admire the most. Everyone in life needs to have an inspiration in order to be one. It might be a legend’s life, Mother Nature, one’s parents, a friend....in short anything and everything under the sun can be perceived as an inspiration and I am no different to have one. Interestingly, unlike others, my inspiration is a work of fiction. This is not out of fascination but appreciation and admiration.
Let me introduce him to you. His name is ‘Harvey Reginald Specter’ popularly known as ‘The Harvey Specter’ synonymous with ‘The best closer in New York’. He is a corporate lawyer and a senior patner from the fictional law firm of New York-‘Pearson Hardman’ in the critically acclaimed law drama on the USA network-Suits. The wonderful character is created by Aaron Korsch and is aptly played by Gabriel Macht.
Harvey is known for his lavish yet balanced lifestyle. His winning mentality along with witty responses and corporate brilliance allows no one to level up to him. Though his personality might appear quite idealistic in today’s world but he is yet another shark in a pool of sharks; it’s just that his vision is not only about hunting. In ‘Suits’, almost everyone possesses a-“I wanna win attitude”, which makes the show smart, thrilling and more than entertaining. But its Harvey’s over the top ‘unrelenting competitive attitude’, that knocks down all others.
The above description was quite superficial. Now let’s dig a bit deeper to understand this magnanimous character till its core. And for this I’ll be mentioning few of his life’s ideologies and his fantastic dialogues that leave the viewers speechless.
The foremost thing that I respect about him is his take on life. At every instance, he cares about his life as if it is his beloved wife. He maintains a dynamic aura around him and earns everyone’s respect merely by walking his talk. He confidently says, “I don’t have dreams, I have goals.”
As I am a literature lover, more appropriately an admirer, I like people who know how to craft people just by their command. And this character, just tops the table. While he is an effective manipulator, he even masters the art of reading people which is very much visible when he is working on a case. He believes, “Learn to predict what others are going to do before they actually do it. You always have to be way ahead, if you desire to win”. He beautifully perceives life as a game of chess where you have to be sure of your future ten moves.
“Play the man. Not the odds.” It is a smart one liner, but its meaning is even deeper. While saying this Harvey means every Tom, Dick and Harry can play the odds. But when someone takes 'The Road Not Taken' in times of crisis, he surely emerges out as a better player. Practically nothing comes on a silver platter in life, but if you go by Harvey’s ideology, ‘you can surely have it on one-just by serving it to you ’.
“Never waste time trying to explain the problem, try to fix it” adding to this, he even suggests, “Be the part of the solution and not the problem”. Such ideologies should be the base for anyone to excel in any field.
It might sound strange but this man just loves, rather enjoys, pressure. “Diamond was yet another coal, which performed well under pressure.” Keeping cool in stressful situations, is one of his forte. Keeping your composure during difficult times allows others to have confidence in you. With this viewpoint, he tries to settle most of his cases outside the court, negotiating on good grounds. “Win your battles before they’re even been fought. Because if you don’t you certainly go to war.”Garnishing this he mentions, “Be the exception to every rule and the moment you are done , set better ones”. This doesn't mean you go crazy and break every goddamn rule. But by following the rules every single time, you’re only letting your competition get ahead by being naive enough to believe that they won’t be doing the same. Exploit every resource, opportunity and thought to win the game, because if you don’t someone else will do it.
His mantra for success is –“Reach for the stars”. Learn from the best and eventually you’ll surpass them. This is what he instructs his associate-“Just because you’re a rookie, doesn't mean you have to think like one. Think like a child and you’ll be treated like one... Or think like a boss and you will be respected like one.” In simple words, never let your lack of experience hold you back. Harvey’s favorite one comes like this-“Don’t try to loose small, try to win big”. Be a risk taker based upon calculative amount of risk.
All these qualities are somewhat expected from him at this kind of workplace but Harvey shines well in his ethical scrutiny also. His stand on lying is just an eye-opener for many-“Lying for me doesn't protect me; it betrays me”. He hates perjury. He knows to what extent he has to exploit any relationship or emotion for his corporate gains. Sometimes he says-“I am against having emotions, but not using them.” On reading this you might have formed an opinion about this man that all he cares about is- winning. Well let me correct you- 'He is not against emotions. He just doesn't like to display them. Because their exhibition makes you weak and Harvey hates weaknesses'.
Harvey’s life comes around with a combo of practical learning. And not just social ones, but even those that will definitely enhance an individual’s personality. In spite having such a hectic life, he has his interests and hobbies outside work like boxing, playing poker, listening to vinyl while drinking Scotch, and watching movies.
Dear Reader, they say that the greatest things in this world happened in the mind and this very character teaches us to play from and with the mind. But wherever heart is required, give it its due honor.There's so much to learn from him. I might not have absorbed each one of the above qualities in my life but am trying my level best to be one and then surpass. Every tinge of his personality and every minute aspect of his life is captivating and worth incorporating in one’s life to the fullest. I hope after reading so much about this man you would surely Google about him.Go ahead you'll certainly enjoy a lot. But before I finish let me mention my favorite Harvey Specter quote that will be my show-stopper-
“The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
