Motivation Starts With You

TSK. Raman

"Fear does not have any special power unless you empower it by submitting to it."

Les Brown, Author and Speaker

. . .Why are you continuing to be in your job? 
Why are you continuing to be involved in the day-to-day activities that fill your life? 
The honest answer to the question Why? is also the answer to your personal motivation. 
This is not motivation that has been imposed upon you by anyone else; it's your personal motivation. One of the early success writers suggested that we take the word motivation and make a slash between the v and the a--and if you've got just a little bit of imagination, you can see two words. The word on the left is motive, and the word on the right is action. People who are motivated have a motive: they have a reason, a purpose, or a cause. And then they take action on that reason, purpose or cause. 

I wonder if you can recall the story of Ekkalavya who wanted to learn the art of archery and he went to the universal Guru Dronacharya. Coming from very poor stocks and for want of any decent background, Ekalavya was rejected. Despite this he was so charged and motivated that he made a statue of Guru Dronacharya and practiced the art relentlessy. Eventually he mastered it to such an extent that he silenced a barking do with a flurry of arrows without spilling a drop of blood. The dog incidentally was accompanying the Pandava princes and their Guru. Amazed by such a feat they went to see who the performer was. No one reconized him, and it was Ekkalavya who reminded the Guru of his meeting and subsequent rejection. The Guru was moved beyond words. Though, Ekklavya paid a price for his mastery and his honesty, the lesson we can take from this is his self motivation.

Question: Have you given it any thought at all? 

If we want to motivate other people, we have got to find out what their reason, purpose, or cause is. People are not going to be motivated for your reasons. They are going to be motivated for their own reasons. We must understand that everyone listens to the same radio station. It's called WII-FM and the call letters stand for What's In It For Me? If you want to motivate others, this is the information you need to share. You've got to find out their motive, reason and cause, and then encourage them to take action. But before you do that check to see how motivated you are yourself.

How Would You Like To Be Remembered When You Are Gone ?

TSK. Raman

Are you startled by this question?

Have you ever given this a little thought ?

If you haven’t, I would be serious when I suggest that you should give this a hard good look and cast this statement in your mind. “When I am gone I would like people to remember me as…..”

About a 100+ years ago, a man looked at the morning newspaper and to his dismay and horror, he read his name in the front page …”Dynamite Kind Dies..” This was cast in a square grey tinted box with a thick black line on the borders.”

His first response was awesomely shocking. “Am I there or here?

When he regained his composure after a while, his next thought was to actually find out what people said of him, what people thought of him

The obituary news read as follows:

“He was the merchant of death. This man was the inventor of the dynamite. One most cruel invention that could kill people while it was being made, and even many more when it was used. A substance of mass killing, and a deadly weapon in the hands of those who wishes to create terror and rule the scene…. The story continued with several curses added to it.

He asked himself, “Is this how people view me?

Is this the way they will think of me?

Is this the way they will remember me?

He decided then and there that he would change the situation made a firm resolve to clear the stigma that was being associated with his name.

From that day on he started working towards peace, and sure enough he left an indelible mark on this planet.

He is remembered even this day as Alfred Noble.

He gave his entire earnings to establish a foundation that would work for peace in the world, and today too it awards prizes for achievers all over the world for their unique contributions to the welfare of mankind. He lives on even today through this mission and the Noble prizes are awarded in his honor.

Just as Alfred Noble redefined his values, I believe all of us should step back and do the same taking a leaf out of this man’s true story.

What will be your legacy?

How would you like to be remembered?

Will you be spoken off well?

Will you be remembered with love and respect?

Will you be missed? 

Self-Esteem is our self concept

 - TSK. Raman

There is a story about a farmer who was growing pumpkins on his land. Just for now reason he put a small pumpkin hanging by the vine into a glass jar. At harvest time, he saw that the pumpkin had grown, equivalent only to the size and took the shape of the jar. Just as the pumpkin could not grow beyond the boundaries restricting it, you cannot perform beyond your imaginary mental boundaries of your self-concept, whatever those boundaries may be.

There is a direct relationship between people’s feelings and their productivity. High self-esteem is evident in respect for one’s self, others, property, law, parents and in several other aspects. The reverse is also true. Low self-esteem could lead to extremes of behavior.

What a man thinks of himself: that is what determines, or rather indicates, his fate. – Henry David Thoreau

A beggar was sitting at a train station with a bowl full of pencils. A young executive passed by and dropped a dollar into the bowl, but didn't take any pencils. He then boarded the train. Just before the doors of the train was to be closed the executive rushed out of the train and ran to the beggar. He grabbed a bunch of pencils and said, “I will take some. I've picked the right quantity for the dollar I gave and I know it is priced right. After all you are a businessman now and so am I,” saying this he dashed off once again to the train.

Several months later, this executive was attending a party. The beggar was there too, dressed in a suit and tie. The beggar recognized went up to him and said, You probably do not recognize me, but I remember you.” 

He then narrated the incident that had happened six months ago at the railway station.

The executive said, “ Now that you remind me, I do recall the incident vividly, and that you were begging. What are you doing here now, in a suit and tie?”

The beggar replied, “You probably do not know what you did with my dignity with your act that day six months ago. Instead of giving me charity, you treated me like a businessman and gave me a price for what you took. You parted by saying the price was right for what you picked and gave a parting shot – after all you are a businessman and so am I. 

 After you left, I thought to myself – what am I and what was I doing here? 

Why am I begging? 

Quickly I decided to do something constructive with my life. I packed my bag, started working here and there, made some money, saved some money, started a business and today I own a number of mobile stationery shops, and so here I am today proud of my accomplishments, sharing the floor with several other businessmen. I just want to thank you for giving me the dignity, that incident changed my life. That was a magic moment, and from then on nothing is the same.”

What is it that changed the beggar’s life?

The answer is pretty simple it was his self-esteem. This is the magic of self-esteem in our lives. This is the most crucial component in determining whether we are a success or a failure.   

Did it ever strike you, that you reflect what you are, 

if you can’t believe it this is a story from a - Japanese Folktale

The House of 1000 Mirrors

Long ago in a small, far away village, there was a place known as the House of 1000 Mirrors. 

A small, happy little dog learned of this place and decided to visit. 

When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house. 

He looked through the doorway with his ears lifted high and his tail wagging as fast as it could. 

To his great surprise, he found himself staring at 1000 other happy little dogs with their tails wagging just as fast as his. 

He smiled a great smile, and was answered with 1000 great smiles just as warm and friendly. 

As he left the house, he thought to himself, “This is a wonderful place. I will come back and visit it often.”

In this same village, another little dog, who was not quite as happy as the first one, decided to visit the house. He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked into the door. When he saw the 1000 unfriendly looking dogs staring back at him, he growled at them and was horrified to see 1000 little dogs growling back at him. As he left, he thought to himself, “That is a horrible place, and I will never go back there again.”

All the faces in the world are mirrors. 

What kind of reflections do you see in the faces of the people you meet? 

Stop Whining Start Winning

I am reminded of a Donkey story which you too would have read donkey number of times, yet, that deserves re-telling.

So here goes.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally he decided the animal was very old and the well needed to be covered up anyway. And since it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey, he invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.

They all grabbed shovels and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.

With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over he edge of the well and trotted off!

Hmmm !!!!!!.

Let me ask you a question...

Today are you likely to get some dirt thrown on you?

How about tomorrow?

And the next day?

Well, that realization will either get you depressed, or you'll feel like you just got the everlasting key to happiness.

Gosh, I hope you choose the second reaction.

Because I'll let you in on a little secret...

There is a solution to every problem. And as each one is on the way to getting fixed, it may be painful.

As soon as that donkey stopped bellyaching, he realized what his answer was.

There is no way, when we are upset, that we can think clearly enough to come up with the answers to the challenges we are faced with.

And why do people get upset when they have oh-so-predictable challenges?

Because most folks refuse to believe the basic tenet of life, which is...

EVERYBODY HAS PROBLEMS, EVERYDAY!!!

The Meaning of Peace
There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace.  
Many artists tried. 

The King looked at all the  pictures, but there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them. 

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. 

The second picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest.... a picture of a perfect peace.

Which of the pictures won the prize? 

The King chose the second picture. 
Do you know why?

"Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

You are taught something by someone is one side of the story

You learn something, if not all of what is taught, is the other side of the story.

When you sit and review what was taught and what you learned, you will get to know about the gap that exists between what was taught and what you picked.

This gap will reveal whether it was your poor listening or poor understanding, apart for the teaching methods adopted, which were simple or complex.

There are very few teachers who would try to simplify teaching, but research and several studies will reveal our inability to listen properly and of course our understanding.

The simple thing therefore would be to increase our listening skills, and as far as the teachers are concerned they need to  make their teaching simple, which means they should break complex subject material and to simplify it  augment it by interesting stories or anecdotes that will enhance not only the learning but retention of what is taught. Recalling what is learned is the ultimate result of the whole process. The formula to firm up this learning would be to transmit the learning to more people who would want to learn something as well. So, from being a learner you too become a teacher. The more you learn, the more you teach the better you become.

Learn to make this a habit, if possible learn something new every day and teach that learning to somebody every day, to become a ‘Master.’

When your ignorance is lifted with learning, you reach another level of ignorance, so your curiosity to learn something more again will keep you razor sharp. This way learning ability increases on a daily basis and over a period of time the amount of learning and the amount of teaching you do will make you a wise person, an interesting person too.

20 Tips to Stay Organized
Spend 15 minutes twice a day clearing out your in-box.
By Odette Pollar

No matter how large your organizing project may seem, it is manageable and it will move along more quickly than you think. Start slowly. Do not plan to complete it at one sitting or on the same day. To keep your energy up and your enthusiasm in place, stop when you get tired. Return to the task when you are refreshed.

This is better than forcing yourself into a marathon sorting job. The task will be less overwhelming if you break the project into small chunks of time. Maintenance is the key to success. Getting items back to their home quickly will ensure that you don't face another overwhelming organizing project next year.

1.. Commit yourself to making decisions now about what to do with each piece of paper. Handle paper only once. Ask yourself, "Do I really need it?" If so, file the document at once in the broadcast category to which it refers.

2.. Keep close to you only the things you use frequently.

3.. Store little-used items farther away. Even on a shelf, keep the least-used items in the back. Keep those items you use frequently in the front, for easy retrieval.

4.. When clearing the top of surfaces, start with one stack of papers and sort from the top down. When finished with each stack, you will see a clear workspace, and your progress will be easy to monitor. This forces you to decide on each piece of paper and when finished, you will see the top of your desk again.

5.. Spend 15 minutes twice a day clearing out your in-box. Don't let it turn into a holding, aging or procrastinating tray. Sort incoming mail into categories by priority or by action.

6.. Break the habit of writing things down on numerous scraps of paper. Write notes in the appropriate place the first time; in the client file, onto the calendar or on your to/do list.

7.. Be realistic about the amount of information you can read and absorb. Limit the number of subscriptions you take, and copy articles as soon as you read them. Pass the periodical along to someone else, throw it away or recycle it.

8.. Make lists regularly. Daily To-Do lists, as well as larger project lists help you get and stay organized. Use checklists to help do routine things more easily and quickly.

9.. Say "No" more often. The best way to get off-track is to say "Yes" to every request. Every time you agree to a new demand, you say no to a previous commitment.

10.. Don't buy anything unless you have a place to put it. To keep excess at bay, if you add an item, you must remove an item.

11.. Label everything that contains things: binders, folders, suitcases, etc.

12.. Organize bookcases by placing similar materials together.

13.. Schedule multiple appointments for the same day instead of spreading them throughout the week. This reduces your travel time and parking hassles. 

14.. Buy enough greeting cards for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, get-well and thank-you at one time so that you need not make special trips to the store.

15.. Keep two files, one for instruction manuals and one for guarantees. Staple the receipt to the guarantee or warranty page. Then when you need to return an item, all the information is handy. Purge periodically for appliances that have worn out, broken, or been sent to charity.

16.. Label photos with the date and people's names as soon as they are developed.

17.. Keep a pair of scissors near where you read newspapers and magazines. You can easily clip those articles you wish to save.

18.. Keep only one project or file open on your desk at any time. This reduces the likelihood of stray papers becoming attached to the incorrect document and misfiled.

19.. When unsure about a what to do with a document, ask yourself, "What would I do if it were one week before vacation?" Act accordingly.

20.. Clear the top of your desk at the end of each day. It completes the day's work, makes a clean space for you to see the next morning and stops paper buildup.

Civility At Work: 

20 Ways to Build a Kinder Workplace 

- by Tom Terez

It's not always easy being nice. There are deadlines to meet, conflicts to settle, resources to share, promotions to snag - all of which can pit people against each other. What to do? Here are 20 practical ideas. If you believe that workplaces work better when people get along, scan this list and start living it. 

1.Say what you mean, and mean what you say. There's no substitute for authentic communication.

2.Be less inclined to give advice - and more inclined to seek it.

3.Resist the urge to jump to conclusions about people and their motives. Go to the source, get the facts, and then decide.

4.Identify the biggest redeeming quality of that person who's always driving you crazy. Keep it in mind the next time the two of you interact. 

5.When greeting a colleague, skip the mindless how-ya-doin'. Ask a question that shows genuine interest.

6.Go out of your way to say thank you. Sincere appreciation is powerful stuff - it's feedback, recognition, and respect all wrapped in one. 

7.If you're overdue in showing gratitude, make up for lost time. Contact everyone who's owed thanks from you, and let them know how much you appreciate their help.

8.When credit and compliments come your way, spread them around to all who helped. And if you think you're solely responsible for that honored achievement, think again.

9.Promise only what you can deliver. If what you deliver falls short, explain why.

10.When things go wrong, resist the urge to assign blame. It's the system that usually fails, so fix the system, not the people.

11.Widen your social circle. If you always go to lunch with the same group, invite someone new.

12.Give a gift for no reason. If you work with nature lovers, order some plants or flowers. If the group has a chronic sweet tooth, get a few candy dishes and keep them full.

13.When a rumor reaches your ear, let it go out the other.

14.Step down from the treadmill of daily tasks and have an inefficient chat with a colleague. If it's someone you rarely engage in conversation, all the better. 

15.Show interest in someone else's interests. Okay, maybe you're not dying to hear about Pat's passion for stamp collecting, but Pat will be thrilled you asked.

16.When you take a stand and later realize it's the wrong stand, be honest enough to say so.

17.Involve more people in weighing options and making decisions. There's incredible brainpower all around you, so why not put it to work? 

18.If you tend to send e-mails to colleagues who are an easy walk away, give the computer a rest. Get up, walk over, and have a no-tech conversation.

19.Try going a whole day without making judgments about people. Good luck - it's tough! 

20.Don't wait for kindness to come your way. Gandhi had it right: We must be the change we wish to see in the world.