It is time to wake up..

I walked into a mall early morning wanting to buy a pair of socks.

As I walked in I saw a sweater with a price of $3000 a pair of jeans $6000 and $8000 for a pair of socks.

It fused the daylight out of me as this seemed outrageous.

I went searching for a Salesman, and found one at last in the jewelry section. She was selling someone a Rolex for $7 and looking through the glass case I saw a 24 carat diamond with a price tag of $4. And this was a shock.

I asked her how could it be that something as expensive as the 24 carat diamond is so cheaply priced and that for a socks so ridiculously high.

She said, someone snugged into the store last night and changed the price tags of everything. It's making all of us are confused, like having lost our senses and is driving us mental. They are all willing to pay enormous prices for utility and very little for those things that have great value. It's like they don't know what is the real value of valuable things and what's not.

I hope we will get the price tags back and right soon because it's going to be painful to see people pay far too little for expensive things and too much for things of little value.

(This is a story I read in the internet, and liked it).

Whoever wrote this was a super realist for imagining something like this.

May be life is a dream. May be life is showing us through scripts like this as to how lopsided things are now.

I was thinking about this and was hoping, how nice if someone snugged into us and changed the price tags in everything and show us the true value of things.

May be people have a marked up value of status, position, money, possessions, power, fame, popularity etc., and have put a huge discount on real values - truth, honesty, integrity, love, care, kindness, family and friends.

May be we are all in deep sleep and are dreaming.

I hope we wake up.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

The Best Shine from Within

There's an old Aesop's Fable of  The Man, The Wind and The Sun.

On a certain day, the wind and the sun were in a friendly conversation talking a whole lot of things and landed on the topic strengths, which became hot, and in that heat the wind challenged the sun saying let's see who among us is strong. The sun laughed, but the wind looking down saw a man walking with an overcoat on said, "Let's see who among us can get the man to remove the coat.

The sun said, "Go ahead," so the wind began to blow and blow fiercely too. The more it blew the tighter the man hugged to his coat."

It was now the turn of the sun. It shone, shone brightly and it started becoming warmer and warmer. The man began unbuttoning his overcoat and in a little while more he took off his coat and went under a tree, to rest."

The wind furious by now, asked the sun, "How did you make the man remove his coat without any force whatsoever?"

The sun replied, "I did it through brightness and gently."

It may on the surface seem this being just another fable, but, this fable has a lot to do with good people - they may be professionals, leaders or just ordinary ones.

Such people operate like the Sun.

- They shine when they help others weather the storm.

-They shine when they respect the others, whatever their status.

- They shine best when they encourage.

-They shine when they show they care.

-They shine when they listen intently to show their interest for the others.

-They shine when they acknowledge others.

When the sun is shining warmly on us we feel we can accomplish almost anything - no mountain is too high, no ocean is too deep, no wind is too strong, no obstacle is difficult to surmount.

The best people have the same effect - they shine from within, they're gentle, kind, warm and accessible always.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Humility

A trait everyone has, but, just that only a few display it continuously.

Humility is the hallmark of wise people, great people and inspirational leaders.

It takes a great deal for anyone not to get blinded by their position and accomplishments and to walk into the dark alleys of arrogance.

Being "humble"  being "firm," are not contradictory, as much as being "humble," and being "confident" aren't contradictory."

However, being "humble," and being "respected," are not complimentary.'

Being "humble," doesn't mean

- Being Weak

- Being less Assertive

- Being less Ambitious

- Being less Passionate

Humble people

- bring out the best out of those who work for them.

- make it easy for having difficult conversations with them, at ease, by empowering them to share their feelings, thoughts, ideas, without any reservations, without  interrupting and without being judgemental.

- they minimise whatever gaps that might exist.

Keys To Remain Humble.

Respect others by Admiring Diversity.

Being at ease with Self by not competing with anyone, but self

Focussing in Excelling through self awareness, self exploration, and confronting insecurities addressing vulnerabilities, of self.

Reflect, learn, unlearn, relearn continuously and evolving every moment.

Let's all be as humble, as we can and make our lives together better and better.

Scripted especially for members of this group, in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Strive - be the best

There's hardly anyone

I know who doesn't want to be the best.

Those who want to, try their very best always.

Even if one tried hard it's sometimes not always possible to be on the top, but, surely would be close to it.

On the other hand, if one thinks that he/she can't do it, that he/she doesn't have the capabilities, then he/she will never accomplish anything.

Of course whatever one does is important, but, it is not as important as how one goes about it.

Ones attitude should be one of becoming the best on whatever one is doing.

Whether one was to be a businessman or business woman, an artist, scholar, sports person or an engineer, doctor, lawyer, management professional or whatever one has to strive hard to be on the top and to be the best.

Try and try your best continuously and you'll be rewarded.

Just sit down for a while to list out what you are good at and go out to do everything that's possible to become the best, of course with a time line. When you get there the others will acknowledge you, that's when you know you are the best.

Scripted especially for members of this group R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

The Way You Ask, Changes Perspective.

Yes, I mean it, the way you ask the question changes the perspective completely.

Let's see how :

- Why isn't it working for me?

This question shifts focus on to searching for a solution.

- Facing challenges in your workplace, your start-up or new venture?

Don't ask, "What will it not work for me? (Problem Centric).

Ask, "Why isn't it working for me?"

(Solution Centric).

- Started as a free lancer, not getting clients?"

Don't ask, "Why am I not getting clients?" (Problem Centric)

Ask, "Why isn't it working fore?"

(Solution Centric).

- Not able to change a bad habit?"

Don't ask, "Why am I not able to break the bad habit?"

(Problem Centric).

Ask, "Why isn't it working for me?"

(Solution Centric).

- Not growing in the career, having a difficulty learning new skills?"

Don't as "Why am I not growing?"

(Problem Centric).

Instead ask, "Why isn't it working for me?"

Problem Centric,

- You imagine, you are very good or not so very good. Hence your focus is on you.

Solution Centric

The focus is on the challenge, and what is the obstacle you wish to overcome the issue.

It is just one question always, Why isn't it working?"

Ask the right question, in a solution seeking mould.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Subtraction Too Adds Value

You may be wondering what am I saying.

Yes, you heard it right, subtraction, too can add value.

When we are innovating a product or iterating a service, we look to add value by introducing features and benefits.

Sometimes improvement and progress can be made by removing things that people wouldn't miss.

- It could be an age old process..

- It could be a reporting pattern..

- It could be a structure..

It could be anything.

Just sit down and think it over. See what could you subtraction or stop doing to improve your product, service or anything..

Scripted especially for members of this group, in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Weekend Challenge

MORE LISTENING

Have you ever considered, how bad it is to talk over someone?

We do it.

We all do it at sometime or the other.

May be it is our habit!

May be it is our excitement, we feel we know something more about something being discussed.

Ever cut off someone mid-sentence with...

"I don't mean to interrupt, but..."

"Sorry to interrupt..."

"Wait..."

Ever skip the lead-in and finish someone's sentence with your own "paragraph?"

May be it is because of poor listening, may be it is because you are trying to show off, or may be because of your ego too (Let me show you what I know, instead of learning from what you don't know!), or may be it is plain outright rudeness, too.

Here's a way to set that right...

Commit yourself to dropping a small gap of silence between what someone says...

and your response...

just an extra heart beat or two.

You'll be amazed at what else you learn and also the number of more interesting connections you add to your network.

If/When you catch yourself forgetting not to interrupt...stop and apologize...

"I'm sorry. I cut you off. What were you saying?" See and enjoy how it reinforces your future self-awareness.

MORE LISTENING.

A LEADING SIMPLY HABIT, WORTH ACQUIRING.

Scripted especially for the members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

If you want to soar in the sky, learn to FLY -> FIRST LOVE YOURSELF.

2 Cases 2 Lessons

It's a cool November, Sunday morning, the last one before the much awaited and anticipated "Festival of Lights - Deepavali." Family waiting for you to go out for Diwali Shopping of clothes, fire-crackers, sweets and savouries, vegetables and all. Happy shopping.

In the midst of all, this message. Read this in leisure, no hurry whatsoever.

Case 1 - BLACKBERRY

About a decade ago, the apple of the corporate eyes as the safest securely mobile device.

Why did it fall so precipitously?

- Sense of invincibility (Like the fable Hare & The Tortoise)

- Inability to move forward

- Inward group-think (sycophancy) and arrogance

- Failing to anticipate changing preferences for look and feel of iPhones and Androids

- Taking customer for granted

Result :

 Chasing the market with sub-par versions of competitors models.

The fall of KODAK, NOKIA etc., are similar.

Lesson 1

Making change as much as a part of your life as breathing, starting zero each day, carrying everyone with you.

Case 2 - JW Marriott

It is said Bill Marriott feet didn't touch the ground.

He never was at his desk. He was busy visiting properties, listening to guests, managers, chefs, waiters... learning what was or wasn't working, and changing all the time.

His was a culture of change, owned, run and driven forward by trusted, empowered employees.

Result :

JWM continuing to be the world's premier luxury hotel chain in 35 years.

The case of several tarditional companies like Tata, Birla, Amalgamations Group, Murgugappa Group, TVS, Kasturi & Sons etc., are similar..

Lesson 2

Being on the spot, feeling the pulse of the market (with a peripheral vision), and the people working for the organization, being next to them, seeing the future and riding on it all the way to the top.

This was inspired by a friend Soumya Kanti Roy and improvised. Trust it was a nice read.

Scripted especially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by Raman

Nothing is free we pay a price for everything.

Desmond Tutu once said, "When missionaries first came to Africa, they hand the Bible, we had the land."

They said, "Let's pray together."

We closed our eyes, and when we opened them, we had the Bible, they had the land. (The situation is true in Africa).

Likewise internet came in, apart from everything it has given us social networking - FB, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc., we were not distracted, we met a lot of friends and all would meet frequently. We also enjoyed a lot of freedom. These free social-networking sites came in.

We opened our eyes, we had FB, Twitter, WhatsApp and our freedom is out of the planet, not just us but for animals and birds too.

Iceberg Illusion

SUCCESS IS AN ICEBERG

When we succeed, what people see is success and the result of it.

What nobody gets to see, or what no one will know or bother to find out is what goes into succeeding.

The strong will of dedication.

Several hours of hard work burning the mid-night oil and the amount of sweat.

The strict discipline of following a process continuously.

The amount of disappointments one has to face and deal with.

The selfless sacrifices one makes in the journey - discomfort, distance from family, friends, time for self, money, food sleep..what not.

The number of failures and the persistence, to keep going on despite the set back by rising again after a fall.

People are used to analysing failures only. Best advise would be analyse successes too and examine what more can be done to improve the process to ensure we succeed again and again, until some other new challenge makes us re-examine our process. This is what the best champion sportsmen and women do.

Be assured, you are no less than a champ yourself.

Have a great day and a fun-filled work week, enjoying the "Festival of Lights."

Scripted especially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

Mistakes keep you humble...

Achievements make you arrogant..

Better to make Mistakes more and more of them, more often and remain humble all through life and be know to have been "Humble," than to have "Achieved," more and more many times and to become known and to be remembered as one who was "Arrogant."

Let's Look Around

From our birth, through school and higher education we keep thinking of ourselves only as our attention is only to be ahead of the rest. In short we become great "I" specialists.

We get to work and we are there with a lot of "I" specialists, and the institution, organization or company wants us to work together because the want the "I's" become "We's."

This can be possible if we stop looking at just

our progress

our excellence

our win etc.

And

other's mistakes

other's errors etc.,

We are guilty of such acts consciously and unconsciously, instead of looking at the many things around that are amazing and beautiful.

This day and all the other days that follow, let's make it a habit and make a conscious efforts every morning that we will only look for amazing things.

An object

An observation

A service taken

A friendly chat

Someone's performance

Alone time

Observations @ work

Good things in work

A kind gesture

The list can go on endlessly...

Let's

- Observe it

- Acknowledge it

- Recognise it

- Appreciate it

- Express gratitude

And feel a amazing.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

By Raman

Power of Because..

Over centuries our culture and traditions have taught us that everything we do is about finding an angle and our communication being creative with truth as the underlying necessarity - the "master of spin."

It doesn't have to be this way, at least when marketing or selling our services or while doing business.

We can choose to do things we are proud of.

What instead of trying to come up with an angle, we mastered truth telling instead.

We rediscover truth about our value proposition revisiting the reasons we originally showed up for people at this time.

...Our company exists, because...

...We make this, we do this because...

... People need this, because...

...We want to appeal to the customer, because...

...The right thing to do, because...

Truth is the most powerful personal and professional strategy of all. We become better people, by being honest with ourselves, first and foremost.

It is reasonable to consider yourself as an evolving person, if you haven't changed.

Scripted especially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman.

Anticipating the next move

Every successful business strategy is dependent upon making good decisions about the next move.

In a commercial world, we spend a lot of time planning to create growth. Often those plans rely on getting the customer to do what we want them to do - so we make our next move.

The businesses that not only survive but thrive are the ones that anticipate and obess about the customer's next move.

They intentionally create products and services that take the costomer where he/she wants to go. The brands like Netflix, Airbnb, Amazon and so on are masters of planning for our next move.

When our future is dependent on our customers, it's their likely next move that should prompt our next strategy.

Being in HR and your  customers (internal) redefining business what is your strategy - planning seeing their next move, or devising their moves that you want them to take.

Scripted especially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Seeing and Hearing vs Being Seen and Being Heard.

We learnt as children what motivates people around us, is the shortcut to gain attention.

As we grew we seem to have unlearnt this art, this ability to be emphatic communicators when being seen and being heard becomes our main driver.

We have a better chance of being heard when we understand what the people we're speaking to are open to hearing.

We do that by asking ourselves better questions.

Four Important Messaging Questions

01. Who is this information for?

02. What do we want them to know?

03. Why do they need to know this?

04. What do we want to know next?

Communication is not only about finding the right words but also the right reasons to say them.

Scripted especially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

An Aeroplane cleaner was cleaning the Pilot's cockpit, when he saw a book titled, "HOW TO FLY AN AEROPLANE FOR BEGINNERS.   (Volume 1)

He opened the first (1st) page which said: "To start the engine, press the red button...". He did so, and the airplane engine started...

He was happy and opened the next page...:           

"To get the  airplane moving, press the blue button... "He did so, and the plane started moving at an amazing speed...

He wanted to fly, so he opened the third (3rd) page which said: To let the airplane fly, please press the green button... "He did so and the plane started to fly...

He was excited...!!

After twenty (20) minutes of flying, he was satisfied, and wanted to land, so he decided to go to the fourth (4th) page... and page four (4) says; "To be able to know how to land a plane, please purchase Volume 2 at the nearest book shop!"

He will be buried tomorrow.

Moral Lesson

Never attempt anything without complete information

Half Education is not only dangerous but destructive!!!

Give your children good Education

Soft Skills Are Really The Hard Skills.

How have a few mastered them.

When we think about what gets in the way of great results, great relationships and more enjoyable days, it really boils down to soft skills. Our attitude towards work and the people around us. Imagine how much better things would be if everyone on your team could be described as someone and someone who is...

- Approachable

- Attentive

- Encouraging

- Humble

- Kind

- Resilient

- Resourceful

- Objective

When you are ready to push things and go beyond the common level of meeting expectations, inspire better attitudes and better action from everyone (not just yourself) with SMOVE - SMILE & MOVE as a reminder to happily serve.

SMILE would mean

- Wake Up

- Be Thankful

- Be Approachable

- Complain Less

- Smile more

MOVE would mean

- Start early and go along

- Go beyond expectations

- Have a sense of urgency

- Be resourceful and resilient.

SMOVE on through everyday.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

A parachute maker can only make a parachute for you to strap it to your back and leap from the sky. You can only hope it opens and at the right time too so that you touch the ground safely.

A Well Wisher, A Mentor, A Coach, is much like the parachute maker. The responsibility of taking lessons and leaping to overcome challenges or to remove obstacles from your way, is entirely yours.

A Note to Myself

None of us are going to get out of this planet alive, that's for sure, so stop treating yourself like an after thought.

- Eat delicious food.

- Walk inthe sunshine.

- Jump into the ocean.

- Climb a mountain

- Be silly.

- Be kind.

- Be humble

- Be honest

- Be wierd

- Be wise

- Be like a child and speak out all the truths that lay buried in your heart like a hidden treasure.

Remember there's no time for anything else, as time runs faster that you think.

So said Names Hoffman, and how true is all that she said.

Switch Off..Switch On..

Imagine this. You are in a terrific mood this day because of a great piece of news, you received. You're excited about it and tell it to your friend with joy. However, he/she listens to you disinterested as you gush away. And, before you know it, your happy feeling evaporates, to make you feel discouraged and dumped.

It happens, often for some, there's no surprise.

May be you, I AND everyone without exception, has faced a situation like this somewhere, sometime.

Here's an insightful story, I heard very long ago. I love it. Am never ever tired reading it, or listening to it.

Buddha, was well known for his ability to respond to evil with good.

There was a man who knew about this reputation and travelled several thousand miles to test Buddha.

When he arrived, he stood before Buddha abused him verbally, heaped unbearable insults and challenged him to the extent of getting physical. He did everything possible to offend Buddha, but, Buddha being Buddha, was absolutely unmoved.

He simply turned to the man and said, "May I ask you a question?"

The man replied, "Well what?

 Buddha said, "If someone gives you gifts and you refuse to accept them, then to whom does the gifts belong?"

The man replied, "Naturally to the one who offered it."

Buddha smiled, "That's correct! So when I decline to accept your abuse and insults, do they not belong to you?"

The man aplogized and walked away silently.

All of have an MCB (Main Circuit Board) embedded in our system, we ought to know when to Switch Off, and when to Switch On.

Have a great day at work and a well earned weekend full of rest.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Busy-Ness

We are all in a state of Busy-Ness isn't it?

Meet anyone anywhere, anytime these days and when you ask, "How are you?"

Reply would be, "Good, but I don't have any time, I'm very busy with work, client calls, etc., etc.,"

Oh ok, I can understand, but, let's make a deal, and a real one too.

Just imagine, someone (not me...surely), came up to you and said I'll give you a Million $ will you do what you'd like, (not what I would like ok), yeah you heard it right, what you'd like to do!!!

I bet you'll first go numb, then become flooded with joy, and when you start thinking back several fantasies and shelved ideas begging to flower in your mind.

Your perspective will change.

Suddenly you'll begin to find time for yourself, your near and dear, your ideas etc.

You'll stop flipping your mobile for WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, FB and other Social Media, then watching Amazon/Netflix, and you may even stop going to parties.

These are all things that rob away your time during a waking day. In fact, it's not the actual work that keeps us busy, it's these gadgets and connections.

You begin to realize how your valuable time gets chewed away by these rodent distractions.

The point is it is not about time, (all of us have the same 24 hours a day, not a minute extra, and in the same space several greats have made life), it is about priorities.

Chalk up your priorities and attend to them the way you sequence them. Onserve, to see how your Busy-Ness, melts and you begin to have a lotore time for better things in life.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Getting There

In our growing years, being with our parents, "getting there," meant completing education, getting a job, settling down, then alliances are entertained, suitable match found, settled down, having a home if our own and raising a family which we can afford to feed and look after.

Now, "there" is a now the exclusive place where accomplishments are  built ever higher, boxes are ticked and accolades rain down.

A transient state of worthiness, we achieve when we have proof that we've already done enough, achieved enough, been enough, have enough.

There is a metric that quickly loses its shining allure once it is met.

A journey we are encouraged we should be on and a destination which many of us feel we've never quite arrived.

The "truth," is we are "there," in the moment every moment when we live without comparison, or without competition, spending our time wisely. When we give off ourselves generously, we create ourselves intentionally. It is not some distant or better horizon, but, a grounded state we can give ourselves permission to inhabit.

You're already "there," only if you choose to be.

Are you there?"

Have a splendid sizzling Sunday being and enjoying with your family and friends. Take care.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Fights on hand

01. Fear of VUCA {VOLATILITY, UNCERTAINTY, COMPLEXITY, AMBIGUITY}

02. Fight fear of fear.

03. Fight fear of insecurity.

04. Fight ignorance.

05. Fight assumptions.

06. Fight complacency.

07. Fight competition.

08. Fight diffusion.

Only results matter, that's the effort we need to make. That's the story, we need to build on to be practical.

Change and Choices

Am sure no one will argue that change is a constant, and is as inevitable as death is.

We have choices though, that we can make.

How can we make choices?

Let's appreciate the fact that when choosing actions there are somethings within and some outside our control.

Of those we can't control we can keep resisting and keep fighting, at the cost of time, money, energy and mental strength, or accept things as they are and work out means of going around them.

That leaves us with things we can change - those in our control - we can either change them determinedly by leveraging our capabilities or give up to them.

Then there are alternatives that come our way at a time and stage we aren't looking for, or those that don't fit into the scheme of things - the options left for us then is either reject or keep 'em open.

The wisdom while making choices, lies in:

- Knowing what we can or cannot change and then taking action.

- Knowing it can make a difference, make the choice, when you know that acted upon, it'll make an impact.

- Being open to alternative choices too, though they may not have been on our originally chalked list of wants to change, but may prove to be better when executed.

Finally, once the choice/s are made, we need to stretch ourselves to the max and toil hard in executing them with rigour with smarts and with smartness.

Happy Changes to all with a variety of Choices.

Scripted specially for the members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Content isn't enough, Confidence is essential too.

A teacher called one of her students to stand up and recite a poem in front of the class.

The boy started. No sooner he did she shouted "NO."

Boy became nervous. Looked at the teacher sheepishly, but, gathering a little courage he began his recitation again. This time too she yelled "NO.

The boy was confused. He gave up recitation and sat down.

The teacher asked another boy to recite.

He began and this time too she shouted "NO." This boy just went on to finish his recitation despite all the shouts of "NO, from the teacher.

When he finished, the reached appreciated it and praised him to the skies while everyone applauded.

At the same time the boy who started reciting first got miffed and asked the teacher why was he stopped when he was reciting the poem in the same manner.

The teacher responded son, "It's not enough if you have a content, you must wear confidence, too.

There are people out there in the world who will invent a thousand way of interfering, intervening or interrupting you while doing a particular thing. If you buckle under them, you'll never be able to complete anything you start. When the do that, you must have the confidence to translate the interrupting "NO's" with "YES." Those who test you, tease you, rag you, bully you or pull you down must become your supporters, your cheerleaders."

Just think it over. How many of us face things like this in our daily life, be it at work, family or society.

Our perception has to be to respond with stronger confidence with an aim which should enable us complete and showcase, the results.

"YES!!!"

"JUST DO IT."

IT SHOULD BE YES I CAN, ALWAYS.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

10 Commandments

01. Smart people - plan in decades, think in years, act and work in months, live in days, cherish, celebrate and  enjoy moments.

02. Language of inspired people -

Thank you.

I trust you.

What do you think and feel?

How can I help?

Am proud of you.

03. Hard work - Inspire people, Learning continuously, teach others what you learnt, trusting people, empowering people.

04. Things that define us:

Our patience when we have nothing or lost everything and our attitude when we have everything.

05. Don't be impressed by - money, attire, degrees, fancy titles.

06. Be vary of - people who show generosity, honesty beyond measure and humility beyond a level.

07. Don't chase - education, meaningful work, ways to help, happiness. They will come automatically when the time arrives.

08. Don't run after - money, titles, fame, short-cuts, imitation and compliments.

09. Happy are those who are intellectually curious, have a heartful gratitude, open-minded, humble, kind, modest and optimistic.

10. Easy work - complain, pretend, blame everyone and circumstances, resent, procrastinate.

21/11/2018, 08:37 - Raman Bharadwaj: A Flawless Story

A fisherman netted a beautiful pearl with his day's catch. He looked at it and though there was a tiny flaw in it, he was proud of his possession.

That very moment his thoughts transformed to what it might turn his life into if he could eliminate the tiny flaw, because of the price it could command being big and rare.

He began to scrape it and peeled one layer. The flaw remained. He went on vigorously scraping and peeling layer after layer, till the flaw was gone and so was the pearl gone too.

I'm real life too, everyone we know or meet has some flaw or the other. No one is perfect. And if we go scraping or peeling them to correct the flaw, we will end up losing every one of them completely.

Let's therefore learn to change our mental make up and accept people with flaws irrespective of the size, mass, colour, creed, background etc., and be happy to see everything and everyone around you as beautiful only.

Scripted specially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Stories like relationships is not like finding gold, silver or even copper. It's accepting it as coal and wait till it turns into a diamond.

Truth's : Diamond is a piece of coal in the raw form. And when nicely shined copper is more attractive than gold. Pure silver turns black over a period of time being exposed.

Another truth, this from Darren John Maxwell.

"The sad truth is some will be there with you only as long as they need you. When you no longer serve their need they'll forsake you."

"The good news is, if you are patient enough to rough it out, you'll eventually be able to weed them out of your life, to be left with some great one's you can count on."

"We find them scarcely, and when we do, we will never lose them, because we have figured out the real from the fake."

Appeal to All

This is what I stand for..

I have transcribed it to We..

We all should stand to help each other grow.

Stand up for humanity, stand up with courage, for all the right causes and say so, even if our voice shakes.

Let's express ourselves without witholding our emotions being authentic in what we say or wish to say.

Let's have more empathy, love and affection not just for ourselves but all those we come across.

Let's allow our softer emotions help bind people with the kind of work we do.

Let's not hesitate to share our knowledge for others will benefit immensely from it.

Let's do things that give meaning to feel the pain of fellow human beings and make our stay of this planet worthwhile.

To be remembered even after we are gone,

by helping each other realize our full potential and to do the same with others, so as to let the world know that

we aren't numbers,

we aren't just census statistics,

that we have a heart

that pumps to help blood flow through our veins giving life to all the other organs in our body, and that we are alive and kicking for a purpose.

What the Mirror is?

Show me one person, just one person, who passes a mirror, and doesn't glance passing by.

That's what is so fascinating about the mirror.

It shows us up, doesn't hold us up. It doesn't cling on to its reflections.

It isn't selfish because it doesn't take but only give.

It ain't possessive.

We can confidently in it, as it doesn't give out any identity of it reflections.

It doesn't show distinction of any kind - class, colour, creed, size, shape, status, likes, dislikes.

It doesn't have moods, it's not tempermental because it is consistent.

There are such classy qualities in a mirror...

...if only we could be one, we would be the most evolved human being for sure....

Let's just reflect and move on.

So, let's not get stuck on anything material, physical or otherwise.

Let's reflect "what is," and not "what is not," while we remain blank, because the mirror reflects whatever in front.

Let's empty ourselves of our endless desires, likes, dislikes, possessiveness, and see the world as "it is," and not as "what it should be."

We as humans live in disharmony, because of the crowd within each of us - emotions, thoughts, words, anger, love, hate, sadness... the list goes on endlessly.

These thoughts collide with each other creating a "chaos," making the world within us "chaotic," and showing us up badly.

Everyone out here on the planet contributes to the "chaos," prevailing in the "world outside."

This situation makes it absolutely impossible to control.

What we can do though, is that, each of us reflects within ourselves and negotiate through the twists and turns to control the "chaos," being true like a mirror.

The mirror is true, because it reflects everything despite things on it like, dust, smoke, droplets, stains, cracks, scratches etc.

Even when it is shattered to pieces, each of those pieces will reflect the truth of what it sees.

I have mirrored by thoughts. Believe me it ain't difficult. You just need to persevere.

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

It's your turn now. Deliberately stand in front of the mirror and proclaim, "I too can be like you."

Regards

Raman

Insights, about Relationships.

In the last few weeks, some people got connected with me. We had a few conversations too, with my role being that of a listener, and that of asking more and more questions to know more. They were in pain so they kept pouring out.

Here are some insights which may be worth knowing about relationships.

01. Two people can look at exactly the same situations and see it differently.

02. We always see life as we are, not what it is.

03. People change.

04. People come into our lives for an hour, a few hours, a day, a week a month, a year or longer too. Whatever be it they teach us something.

05. You are allowed to close doors to protect your privacy and yourself, may even say, "goodbye," but, just remember they all leave us with some lesson taught.

06. You may be willing to more for the others than they do it for you, It's ok, Just move on."

07. Choose your inner circle wisely, not everyone fits in exactly.

08. Actions speak louder than words.

09. People are always fighting battles within them, which we can't see, or may just know, nothing about it. Just listen.... that's the least you and I can do, irrespective of what you hear is true, how good we may listen to them matters.

10. From your side, minimize your drama.

11. It is ok to gently generaly to move away from people.

12.  Not every one is going to be like you, nor like your choices, be it so. 13. Relationship, friendship, partnership etc., They don't work unless we make them work.

It amazes me to see how quickly some can become strangers after showing they are going to be deeply connected. It is equally amazing as to how some strangers becomes close and become a 'treasured,' friend.

Scripted especially for members of this group, in  R3 -Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

Confidence  vs Overconfidence

I'll call Confidence C" and Over Confidence "OC."

READ ON...

C: "I can do it."

OC "Only I can do it."

C "I know this subject well."

OC "I know this subject better than everyone else."

C "I'll strive to give my best shot."

OC "I'll always beat everyone everytime."

C "My hardwork will help me reachy goals."

OC "I'll reach my goals regardless of my efforts."

These are not things people will speak out loudly, there may be some instances, though. These can be made out by the body language people display.

A fine line divides the two. While confidence is associated with success, on the other hand over-confident, is associated can cause or lead  to a downfall

Understanding the difference is like a ship sailing and another sinking.

Things that can help :

01. Self Awareness

-> Emotional Self Awareness.

02. Emotional Self Management

-> Emotional Self Control

-> Attitude

-> Adaptability

-> Achievement Orientation

-> Humility

03. Social Awareness

-> Empathy

-> Environment Awareness - meaning organization, societal, home etc.

We seriously have no idea of what people are going through in their personal lives and what all are the challenges they've got to deal with. The least we can do is to be simple, kind, nice and helpful.

04. Relationship Management

-> Influence

-> Conflict Management

When it hurts, just ask them to observe and remember to tell them life is trying to impart them a lesson. But before you do that remember this lesson is for you too.

Scripted especially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

"You'll continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that's said to you. True power is sitting back and observe things with logic. True power is restraint. If words can control you, it means everyone can. Breathe and allow things to pass."

~ Warren Buffett

In the Art of Dreaming Don Juan tells Carlos, "... most of our energy goes into upholding our importance... if we were capable of losing some of that importance, two extraordinary things would happen to us. One, we would free our energy from trying to maintain the illusory idea of our grandeur; and two we would provide ourselves with enough energy to ... catch a glimpse of the actual grandeur of the universe."

C's of C

Credibility - Context - Content are very important aspects of any Communication.

Whenever we communicate to convince people to either support us, who we service or outside them to buy a product or any idea, we often provide information with context and conviction. While we do this we assume that people would need a lot of information to help take a decision that they will need willing to act on.

We don't realize how false can this assumption be?

Facts and figures alone aren't enough to pursuade us to take action.

Gifted communicators are powerful storytellers  know that people need more than just be convincing arguments, endless details of facts and figures in order to help them decide.

Three things your audience would want to know.

01. Can I trust the message and the messenger.  (CREDIBILITY)

02. Does the message make sense? (CONTEXT)

03. Does the message and the values of the messenger align with values.

(CONTENT)

Persuasion is both an "art," and a "science."

A compelling argument, communicated with emotion by a source we can trust and believe in.

Always remember

COMMUNICATION should be

CREDIBLE,

and has to be in CONTEXT,

with the right CONTENT

that has to have CLARITY,

be

CARESSED

with the right words that is delivered with CONFIDENCE

and CONVICTION

to

CONVINCE

people to take action.

Scripted especially for members of this group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman