Saturday, July 17, 2021

 

Whine Not

I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet. - Indian proverb

 

We take too many things for granted and most times complain about little things that do not work out as we thought they would. Complaining is one of the easiest things to do. There is so much to complain about. But there is also so much to be thankful for. Unfortunately, many of us prefer to focus on our mishaps and take our blessings for granted. This might be a good moment to consider changing our attitude in that regard.

 

Let's be grateful today. Grateful for all that we are. Grateful for all that we have. And grateful for all that we can be for others. We are fortunate to be here—to be able to read this, or hear it being read to us. We are fortunate for being part of the world—a miracle of its own. There are many who have less than we have. Let's try to find ways to help them and rejoice for the opportunity.

 

Speak less and Sparkle more

 

It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand.

~ Apache proverb

 

Assertive people often steal the show, they speak a lot and loud too. However, the big talkers are often the weakest doers. It will be good to observe people for a while before drawing a conclusion on their actual qualities. Those with thunder in the mouth usually have little lightning in the hand, and those with lightning in the hand often have little thunder in the mouth. Instead of talking all the time and not doing much, let's show the world who we are!  Let's lead by example, even if we aren't an official leader of anyone else but ourselves. Let's do those things that we have postponed for a while, and get organized where we weren't. Let's work systematically until the day is over, and then let's retreat with a sense of accomplishment.

 

Changes Your Thoughts and Yourself

You think you lost your horse? Who knows, he may bring a whole herd back to you someday.

- Chinese proverb

A Tale:

One day, the stallion of an old farmer broke its fence and ran away.

The neighbors said, “That’s so bad!”

The old farmer just said, “Maybe.”

The next day, the stallion returned with three wild fillies.

The neighbors said, “That’s great luck!”

The old farmer said, “Maybe.”

The farmer’s teenage son went out to break one

of the new horses. It bucked him, and he broke his leg. His neighbors said, “How unfortunate!”

The old farmer said, “Maybe.”

The army then came around, conscripting young men to fight in a war. Because of the broken leg, they didn’t take the farmer’s teenage son.

The neighbors said, “How fortunate!”

The old farmer said, “Maybe.”

Let's not allow material loss to daunt us. If we lose anything, let's consider it to be for a good reason. If you miss an opportunity feel for it and think about it, a better one will emerge, "may be."

 

Change is constant

"It is the greatest mistake to think that man is always one and the same. A man is never the same for long. He is continually changing. He seldom remains the same even for half an hour."

- George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff

 

Often, we do not realize that we’re constantly changing, because we are part of ourselves all the time! We erroneously expect others to remain the same, and get disappointed when we find out the opposite. It is important to be aware that we change through all the influences we encounter—books we read,

people we meet, circumstances we face, impressions from every place—our minds develop as a result of these encounters. Let's cherish the thought of continuous change, that we all are subject to change on a constant basis, and so are others. It would be shortsighted of us to think that anything or anyone is the same as last week or even yesterday. Let's embrace change, because it is part of living.

 

Walk the Talk

 

An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox. ~ Lao Tzu

 

A Tale: A Chinese teacher used to labor with his pupils even at the age of eighty, trimming the gardens, cleaning the grounds, and pruning the trees. The pupils felt sorry to see the old teacher working so hard, but they knew he would not listen to their advice to stop, so they hid away his tools. That day the master did not eat. The next day he did not eat, nor the next. “He may be angry because we have hidden his tools,” the pupils surmised. “We had better put them back.” The day they did, the teacher worked and ate the same as before. In the evening he instructed them, “No work, no food.”

Our actions speak louder than our words. We ought to perform to the best of our abilities and not get distracted by others who do not practice what they preach. Let's set a good example because it is for the betterment of everybody, as well as for our inner gratification.

 

Be my friend

Will you be my friend?

 

A friend is one before whom I may think aloud. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

How many of us are afraid to speak our mind anymore because someone may use our own words against us?

How often have we heard of or experienced cases where individuals distorted others’ statements with mean-spirited intentions?

Finding someone with whom we do not have to be on guard is a virtue. Being the one with whom others do not have to guard their words is nobility.

Let's try being a friend to those around us without expecting anything in return. Let's not abuse information that is shared with us in trust. Even if not confidentially shared, let's not use information from others for our own gratification or to

deliberately hurt them. Let's understand that we can only find real friends when when we choose one.

 

Will you be my friend..

Wishing you a relaxed and an enjoyable day my friend.

 

 

 

Defend not Judge Not

One must not attempt to justify neither the aspirations nor the judgments, but rather sense their nature simply and clearly. ~ Albert Einstein

 

A Tale:

Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion

that was drowning.

One monk immediately scooped it up and set it upon the bank. In the process he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. The other monk asked him, “Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know its nature is to sting?” “Because,” the monk replied, “to save it is my nature.”

(Adopted from John Suler, “Zen Stories to Tell Your Neighbors”).

 

We should remain true to our nature and respect that of others.

Instead of justifying others as if they are part of a different world, let's try to see the mirror of ourselves that is everyone around us. Let's seek to understand before wanting to be understood. Let's keep in mind that each of us has our own reality, and that such is what makes the world a beautiful place.

 

 

Uniquely You

Guiding Quote:

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

~ Epictetus

 

Your most important job is to be you. There are contributions you can make, and gifts you have to give, that no one else can duplicate.

 

You have a perspective that is unique and valuable.

Share the insights and energy that come from that perspective.

 

You have feelings and longings that flow from the core of who you are.

 

Express those feelings and fulfill those longings in your own special way.

 

There is great treasure in your authenticity. There are beautiful possibilities that spring from the genuine person you are.

 

Through you, life experiences itself in a way that is unique and special. Live true to the best of who you are.

 

Let your own bright and distinct light shine. Use this opportunity to make a difference in a way that only you can do.

 

Action:

Use your power by offering your assistance where it is not expected — helping out

a colleague, assisting a stranger, treating your loved ones to dinner tonight. By

making their day, you'll be making yours as well.

 

Wishing you a lovely day, friend.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

 

 

Balance in Life...

 

He lost his 20 year corporate job and was feeling devastated.

 

His spouse gave him all the support he needed and asked him to try out a new career with a skill of influencing he had.

 

He became a Speaker.

He started churning out speeches on YouTube, Podcasts, began to get sufficient viewers and listeners. He began to carve a niche for himself. He was being recognized as the fastest growing "influencer," and in his reflections he was regretting how he spent 90% of his time at work and neglected both his family and other hobbies.

 

He transformed his life completely, thanks to his spouse who sparked the idea in him and his close friends too for spreading the word.

 

He decided that he wouldn't repeat that mistake any more and like he had made good investments of the money he earned, he recast his investments on his personal life too and divided the 24 hours equally -

8 hours to earn money

8 hours for the family

8 hours for rest, relaxation, reading, hobby etc.

 

And this time he reconnected with some of the other things he used to indulge in and that was dramatics. Thus he began to create another avenue for an alternate living by which he could either act, direct or script stories, write lyrics for songs or write screen plays.

 

Everyone admired him for creating a new life opening up so many avenues using all the resources he had in him.

 

When we are focused, have self-belief and are confident, with hardwork, perseverance  and patience we can do wonders.

 

Let this story spark your imagination too. Don't wait for something to hit you hard and then struggle to restart life.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

 

Finding Yourself

 

In the recent happening around the world due to the pandemic, it seems most of us have forgotten ourselves. You may for a moment also think, "Yes, I have..., but, it doesn't work that way."

 

You aren't a currency note left in last years' winter coat pocket.

You aren't lost either.

Your true self is right their beneath your skin under  cultural conditioning, other people's opinions and inaccurate conclusions you drew while growing up as a kid, that became your beliefs about who you are.

 

Finding Yourself," is actually returning to yourself, an unlearning, an excavation, a remembering who you were, before the world got its hands on you.

 

Don't be impressed by money/titles/followers/degrees/appearances/social media/big words... instead be influenced by kindness/trustworthiness/authenticity/genuinity/generosity/integrity/honesty/sincerity/optimism...etc.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

 

We are all scared of the deadly virus that grips us physically now, but, there have been several other viruses that has been killing our Joy  happiness and progress for ages.

 

Rumors is one of them.

 

Rumours are carried by haters, spread by fools,  fanned by cynics who shoot from others' shoulders and all this is believed by "idiots," at the top, bottom, left, right, straight and center.

 

Be responsible - you can't stop rumors or rumor mongers, but you certainly can squash them by arresting it from spreading no further by not contributing to it anymore.

 

Just like breaking the chain so to control the virus doesn't spread, rumors also need to be arrested by breaking the chain and we maintain social distancing with "rumor" and  "gossip," mongers who can cause our psyche untold damage.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings, 

by

Raman

 

Shades not Shadows

 

When I gained enough confidence, the stage was gone.

When I was sure of losing the game, I won.

When I needed people the most, I found me alone.

When my tears dried, I found a shoulder to cry on.

When I mastered the skill of hating people, I found someone who loved me more than life.

I find telling others what to do and not to, but, when it comes to me, the same things hurt.

This is life...

 

I know if I have the courage to begin, I also have the courage to succeed, but, how do I measure success.

Someone tells me success isn't measured by where I've reached now as much as I have climbed over the many obstacles and from the depths to reach the top.

I know that the difference between success and failure is hard work and determination, yet, when someone else succeeds I think it is luck.

 

It is this flaw, as much as many more that makes me up I am trying to correct, because mistakes help me learn and the more I learn the better I become, as my awareness, leads me to curiosity.

The more and more I seek the more and more I gain. That is the difference between just knowing and become wise.

 

So sometime in life I need to run away from all not just to keep distance, but also to see who is following me.

 

If there's in light in front of me, what follows me is my "Shadow," which has not different "Shades," but one, and that's none but me.

I learnt all this because life, is much larger than me.

 

When I look at more and more people and  things outside me I realize what my life, is.

It is enlightenment that can make all the difference in life.

 

It is beautiful if I am willing to learn, to unlearn, to relearn, to adapt, to reinvent and to grow, else I am a statue - erected, unchangeable on which 

pigeon's and birds love dropping constantly.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

 

 

You have to...

 

We can share any amount of learning, but, we can't grow your knowledge, you have to.

 

We can have a lot of delicious things made, but, can't taste it for your approval, you have to.

 

We can create any number of offerings, but, can never compel experiences, you have to.

 

We can show you the path, but, can't travel for you, you have to.

 

We can create any number of invitations, but, we can never guarantee enjoyment, you have to.

 

We can only offer you bread and butter, you have to eat, bite chew, eat and digest it.

 

We can empathize with your pain, but, we can't endure it for you, you have to.

 

We will say, we are there for you and support you overcome obstacles I life, you have to work to overcome them.

 

Life is out there with everything, you have to choose what's good for you and everyone around you so you can make a life worth remembering and emulating.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

 

The Grammatic Family

 

Long long ago somewhere in England lived a couple Mr. Noun and Ms. Verb."

Mr. Noun, is handsome, but, generally an eavesdropper.

Ms. Verb, is very beautiful and is in action always.

 

They had three children - a son named Pronoun, and two beautiful daughters who the named Adverb and Adjective.

 

As usual the son Pronoun has to do all the work in case any one in the family is absent.

 

The two lovely daughters love each other but do have some differences.

Adjective loves everyone and always adds more value to whoever they are attached to in the family.

Adverb, too on the other hand loves everyone and enhances everyone's worth to show they are attached, as if to say, "I am there whenever you need me."

 

The family had two faithful servants Preposition and Conjunction, serving them all through.

Preposition, is the principle servant whi is principally only at the service of his master always, whereas, Conjunction, is the common servant for everyone in the family and serves them well/equally always.

 

In all this there's a visitor to the family, Interjection, who makes his appearance only in good times, bad times, surprise times, exciting shocking times etc.

 

Thus this family not just lived but, spread over the years. This family has presence in most parts of the world and is spoken officially too.

 

The family has influenced not just culture but, has dominated business, too.

 

Indeed the family has left an indelible - legacy for mankind, though there are other families too with their own language, grammar and style.

 

All families co-exist leaving people to choose whatever they like.

 

 

 

We all need People...

 

Don't we?

 

I believe yes, people do matter over everything else.

 

Let's imagine this pandemic happening 20+ years ago with very little technology support.

 

We may have been using our landlines not caring even for a moment what the bill could run into.

 

Despite technology it seems it has been people who have helped us a great deal.

 

Apart from medicines, food supplies and essentials that people helped us with, the connect, the feeling of being together, the assurance of we are together etc., have helped us tide over several difficult days now.

 

Looking at the pickle jar theory - the huge rocks represent spouse, children, family and health. The perceived importance for job, house, car, luxuries are all pebbles that fit into spaces after the rocks. Sand fills whatever space is left over and the story goes there's still some space more for water.

All this is only after taking care of the rocks.

 

One cannot understate the importance of money and the needs/wants, it fulfills, but, it all comes only after people.

 

Gratification in life comes only when one knows to gather (people)

keep and share (affection, love and respect),

build (relationships),

and

cherish (moments).

 

Love you people, everyone of you and thanks for being there helping me being here and saying all that I am with gratitude from the bottom of my heart. Be Blessed.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

 

History, Heritage and Hindsights,

...are powerful teachers, but we are too much in a hurry, to reach higher ground, to learn from them....

 

...don't be so busy to get from here to there, that you forget, how you got here from there...

 

If you want to connect the dots between all your yesterday's and hopeful tomorrow's, start with your back story...

 

Embracing and sharing your back-story...

 

01. Connects us to our purpose and vision - for life, career, business...

 

02. Allows us to celebrate our strengths by remembering, how we got from there to here...

 

03. Deepens our understanding of our unique value and what differentiates us from the rest of the world...

 

04. Reinforces our core values...

 

05. Helps us act in alignment and to make value-based decisions...

 

06. Encourages us to be responsive to people's needs rather than be reactive to people or situations...

 

07. Attracts people who want to support people who reflect and represent their values...

 

08. Builds an image that gives us a story to tell...

 

09. Attracts like minded people we want to be with...

 

10. Helps us stay motivated and continue to do the work we are proud of...

 

Rewind, Reflect, Reposition are characteristics of growth-minded people...

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

 

What "is in" is "what Spills"

 

You are standing with a "cup of coffee," in your hands and someone bumps into you to spill the coffee. This gets you become irritated and angry.

 

But, why did you spill coffee?

 

Because someone bumped into you.

 

Wrong answer.

 

Had there been tea in the cup, even would have spilled!

 

Whatever is in the cup spills.

 

Therefore when life comes along and shakes you (which will happen), then whatever is in comes out. You just can't fake when rattled.

 

So we need to ask ourselves what's in our cup?

 

When life gets tough what spills over?

Humility, joy, thankfulness, gratitude, peace forgiveness..

or

Anger, hatred, harsh words, bitterness abuse...

 

You have to choose, and all choices are yours...

yet, recommendation would be to choose - Affection, , Care, Cheerfullness, Compassion, Delight, Excitenent, Gracefulness, Happiness, Humility, Joy, Intimacy, Kindness, Love, Motivation, Nectar, Opportunities, Passion, Patience, Quality, Quiteness, Respect, Sweetness, Tranqulity, Uniqueness, Versatility, Wonder, Yearning and Zest...

 

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

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 09:17 - : Comfort Zone..

 

A king got a gift of two beautful Macau Parrots.

He would see them on the branch of a tree opposite the window of room he spent most time - reading, relaxing, writing or listening to music.

 

He was worried to see one of the parrots wasn't moving at all while the other was flying, so he sent word to the parrot trainer (it is believed there were people like that in those days), to take a look. The next day when the king saw both the Macau Parrots flying called the parrot trainer to reward him. Just after he have away the award, he asked the parrot trainer what did he do to make both birth take to their wings. The parrot Trainer replied, "I just chopped off the branch of the tree on which the Macau was

06/08/2020, 09:17 - : That's the comfort zone.

Taking this to our lives, most of us in the journey of life settle down on the branches of comfort zones till someone like a -mother, father, sister, brother, close friend, teacher, mentor, coach or anyone of influence comes over to nudge us out of our comfort-zones.

 

We all need this in out life. Keep looking out for anyone of them who can appear anytime and after that your life will not be the same. You will be flying too.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings, 

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 09:26 - : Being vs Doing

 

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but, where he stands in times of challenge and controversy." ~Martin Luther King

 

In any context or any given situation, being, is more crucial than doing.

 

Doing (Action/Execution), is achieved only when there's proper Being (Motivation/Drive).

 

Life happen by being in the moment, than doing, and most profound things occur not by doing but just by being.

 

Coaching, Mentoring, Leadership, or even Friendship, is all about Being, than Doing.

 

Doing is never going to be enough, if we aren't mindful of Being.

 

The highest levels of creativity is due to being than doing.

 

This seems to be so true in the present context.

 

The world around us is suddenly different, taking a huge shift throwing us out-of-balance.

 

It is equally amazing how we are able to face everything with confidence despite our day-to-day support dwindling and coming to a complete halt.

 

We will be lying if we say we aren't scared, but, it is also true that the confidence each of us has within is much greater than the challenge.

 

That is what human beings, are and that's what they will keep doing, - survive and fight till the last breath.

 

After all, how long can this storm âš¡ðŸŒ§ï¸ â›ˆï¸ âš¡last!

In the end it has to bring a 🌈 rainbow.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

bh

Raman

06/08/2020, 09:26 - : Personal Touch

 

Old and frail, losing sense of touch, smell, taste, sight and a bit of hearing, but when brought to touching distance smell is revived, when anything touches the tongue that tingles the taste buds, going close the sight gets better even without specs or using a magnifying glass.

 

Words are heard when spoken close, but, heard still better with the earphones. Now the point isn't all of these, but, the personal touch that is given by us to the others especially in tough times like we are going through.

 

It is even more when we touch base with our friends for years who've all been our colleagues and are retired now.

 

Occasional calls to them lights them up and when wished on special occasions of their life such as a birthday makes it even more joyful and happy.

 

We should therefore maintain these contacts and instead of exchanging cold emails or WhatsApp  which are virtual, just pick your mobile and dial the friends number just to hear him/her say "Hello.." would do a world of good to all.

 

In the space of this lockdown I have spoken to at least 80% of my personal contacts. That itself gives me immense satisfaction.

 

"An apple a day, keeps the doctor away," is an old saying, let's revive it this way, "A call a day, keeps the distance away."

 

Cheers!

 

Be Blessed.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 09:26 - : Emotions - Intelligence

We all believe we can understand well and particularly others...

We believe we know, what the others mean when they speak... particularly at work...

We also believe we know, what they mean even when they don't speak.. particularly at home...

We may see their faces, hear voices, may hear words, but, can we really understand...

the anticipation in their eyes,

the disappointment in their sighs,

the yearning in their pauses,

the apprehension in their bent heads,

the hope, for acceptance of their words,

the fear in their smiles,

the silences that speak so much more?

 

When we really begin to understand, we will see they aren't the others, but, they're just like us, waiting to be understood.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 Raman's Random Ramblings 

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 09:26 - : All of June... Sent

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : Times are Changing

 

I picked my ringing mobile, could identify it was our laundryman.

 

He asked, "Do you want vegetables?"

 

Being surprised I respondeded, "You and vegetables !!"

 

His reply was so refreshing and growth oriented, "Sir, what is that you don't know...in these days of WFH there aren't too many clothes for laundry and what if I say, flexibility and adaptability are my new friends. My basic skills will remain in tact, am serving needs for survival and found it lucrative."

 

Was very impressed indeed. He is our regular vegetable vendor now who keeps adding other essentials to his supply shelf.

 

Always we keep asking people the wrong questions to people.

 

Here is another example.

We often ask, "What do you want to become when you grow up?"

 

The answers usually are Doctor, Engineer, CA, Pilot, Lawyer, Photographer, Model, Fashion Designer...the list goes on...

 

The question actually should be "Who do you want to become when you grow up?"

 

The difference is "What" and "Who."

"What" is  an avocation a profession - you can be even more than one in combinations. One being your base profession, another an interest or a hobby becoming an added avocation - Engineer - Photographer - Musician - Singer - Sportsman and so on...

 

"Who," emphasises on you as a human with values, with character, with integrity...someone who people would love to follow, emulate, someone who will leave a legacy.

 

You may be an engineer but a corrupt one or be a doctor who only intends to make money doesn't care...

 

Now that's the difference between "What," and "Who."

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's, Random, Ramblings

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : How time changes things.

 

From being constantly worried about the future, we can't think anything beyond the present moment.

 

From being conscious of what to wear, we now are weary of wearing anything other than casuals.

 

From calling friends and relatives on video calls, we are now calling even our neighbours over video calls.

 

From longing for a salary hike, we are now waiting for whatever be the salary.

 

From longing for a promotion, to holding on to whatever the position now.

 

From trying to change our job, we are now holding on tightly to our current job.

 

From refusing to cayying the laptop home, we now have made our home the office.

 

From longing to go on a vacation, we are now longing to get back to our workstation.

 

From waiting for weekends, we are now waiting for all our fears to end.

 

From being enveloped in smoggy smokey environs we now have clear skies, we see bright stars in the night's, chirping birds in our neighbourhood and a lot more puree air to breath.

 

While all of this seems so magical and unbelievable, it seems surprising how an invisible thing could bring about so many changes.

 

Not surprisingly our faith on the invisible Almighty is so much more now..

 

Are we paying a big price for losing our innocence or nonchalance and arrogance, or what else?

 

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

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : A List of Alternatives To Winning

We are told and are trained from our childhood, we need to win, we need to be the best in our class, in competitions everything. It is human, it is natural that we grow up too with this habit and practice it even more harder. We want to be the best, we strive even more to be the best. We always want to win - the day, win every arguement, win every deal etc., winning is good, but there are alternatives too.

 

For instance failing too as it teaches us many things for our overall development and temperment too.

 

Else too the alternatives are

 

- Caring

- Helping

- Being human

- Growing wiser

- Inspiring others

- Righting wrongs

- Upholding values

- Giving generously

- Learning patience

- Prioritising values

- Practicing empathy

- Building community

- Leading thoughtfully

- Acting with integrity

- Exploring possibilities

- Encouraging progress

- Making a contribution

- Teaching perseverance

- Fostering collaboration

- Experiencing fulfilment

- Working towards mastery

- Changing how people feel

- Questioning the status quo

- Putting people before

  profits

- Creating the future you

   want to see

- Doing work you’re proud to

  have done

 

It turns out there are more ways to matter than just winning. We get to choose which boxes to tick.

 

Cheers! For a great day on hand.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : A very interesting story must-read.

 

One Sunday morning, a wealthy man sat in his balcony enjoying the  sunshine🌞 and his coffee ☕when a little ant 🠜caught his eye which was going from one side to the other side of the balcony carrying a big leafâ˜˜ï¸ several times more than its size.

 

The man watched it for more than an hour. He saw that the ant faced many obstacles during its journey, paused, took a diversion, and then continued towards the destination.

 

At one point the tiny creature came across a crack on the floor. It paused for a little while, analyzed,🤔 and then laid the huge leaf over the crack, walked over the leaf, picked the leaf on the other side then continued🤗 its journey.

 

The man was captivated by the cleverness 👌of the ant, one of God’s tiniest creatures. The incident left the man in awe 😱and forced him to contemplate the miracle of Creation. It showed the greatness💪 of the Creator. In front of his eyes,👀 there was this tiny creature of God, lacking in size yet equipped with a brain🧠 to analyze, contemplate, reason, explore, discover, and overcome.

 

A while later the man saw that the creature had reached its destination🎯 – a tiny hole in the floor which was the entrance to its underground dwelling.

 

 And it was at this point that the ant’s shortcoming that it shared with the man was revealed. How could the ant carry into the tiny hole the large leaf that it had managed to carefully bring to the destination? It simply couldn't! So the tiny creature, after all the painstaking and hard work and exercising great skills, overcoming all the difficulties along the way, just left behind the large leaf and went home empty-handed.

 

The ant had not thought about the end before it began its challenging journey and in the end, the large leaf was nothing more than a burden to it. The creature had no option, but to leave it behind to reach its destination. The man learned a great lesson that day. That is the truth about our lives too.

 

We worry 😨about our family👨†👩†👧†👦, we worry about our job🠢, we worry about how to earn more money💵💰, we worry about where we should live🠨, what kind of vehicle 🚘to buy, what kind of dresses🧥👚 to wear, what gadgetsâŒšðŸ“±ðŸ’»ðŸ–¥ï¸ to upgrade.only to abandon all these things when we reach our destination – We don’t realize in our life’s journey that these are just burdens that we are carrying with the utmost care and fear of losing them, only to find that at the end they are useless and we can’t take them with us.....

🙠🙠🠼😌

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : Hold your dreams

 

Take your first steps towards your passionate idea, which is burning inside you. Though you might not be able to see the entire road clearly now, as you take one step after another, you will see the path unfolding in all clarity.

 

Your long cherished dream might seem too much to handle from your circumstances today. Do not step back from it just because you feel that it might take too long to reach there.

 

Focus on one step, and the next and the next, one at a time. Believe in yourself. Trust your FAITH. Go on.

 

Be patient. It will take its time. Do not try to rush the process. Enjoy and relish, chewing the cud little by little. Experience the joy in every bit.

 

You will hold your dreams in your hand with all gratitude and pride.

 

Happy and Safe Weekend

 

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

By

Raman

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : Ducks Quack and Eagles Soar

 

Three decades ago while undergoing training of Train the Trainer and facilitating TQM, we were deconstructing a case study of a "Cabbie," who from an ordinary one turned out to be a "most preferred cabbie," and how he transformed the others too.

 

(In short the way the cabbie was dressed, the courtesy he showed, the hospitality he extended, the conveniences provided inside the car, his proactive thinking, spoke volumes of the great "customer service he provided," and how he got referred to become the most sought after cabbie).

 

He said, it all happened when one passenger during a drive narrated an impactful story and shared the secret of the "POWER OF CHOICE."

 

We live in a large world - five continents seven oceans, mountains, rivers, beings - humans, birds, animals, plants etc. All of it common to all. Power of choice is that we can be a duck or an eagle.

 

If we get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, we'll rarely disappoint ourselves.

 

Ducks quack, eagles soar.

 

It isn't about me, you or whoever. It is that we  always hear people quacking and complaining,

 

We need to resolve to change our attitude and become an eagle.

 

Let's look around.

We will find people of all varieties, categories, attitudes, character, disciple, and their behaviours at times nasty, unfriendly.

 

This happens even in business with some having unhappy  customers and doing nothing about it.

 

It is easy to get caught in such a negative web, so we to decide to make some changes, slowly ... a few at a time.

 

When we interact with the others, after we choose eagle way, we will experience that others respond well too.

 

Perhaps compananies can do the same with their customers who also might respond well.

 

The more we do the more happier we become.

 

The more companies do the more they make, the more they gain.

 

Overall it is transforming everything to good.

 

The whole point then is that we need to decide to stop quacking like a duck and start soaring like an eagle.

 

We need to start becoming an eagle today, from this very moment ...

 

We may fail because we tried. We can learn from the failure and get better.

The worst thing is not to have tried at all.

 

We don't die if we fall in water, we die only if we don't even beat our legs, swing our arms and shout for help, especially when we don't know how to swim.

 

Thats the Real Meaning of Life.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : YESTERDAY - TODAY - TOMORROW...

 

Kal..Aaj...aur Kal...

 

The Present (NOW) from The Past (THEN) to

The Future (COMING)...

 

Let me begin from Now..

(A connect wrote about his people and him WFH and his people failing in health because of lack of proper conditions to work, and suggesting that working spaces be made available even in rural areas of India thereby a new business opportunity...invites comments), and I respon👇

 

Pandemic - WFH - Privacy - LOC (Line of Coordination) - HOW (Hours of Work)  - WT/FT (Work Time/Family Time) - Health issue (Mainly improper infrastructure at home etc., are unexpected realities in action. WFH may become the normal in future too.

 

From the Past..

 

I remember a time long ago when Internet became widely available across the country and also a time - - - - - when we would find it difficult to get people to work

- when women used to go for confinement, someone getting injured etc.,

- we would find it difficult to get replacements of high quality, time consuming and so when the suggestion was made by me that people should be allowed the facility of WFH from wherever they were, there was a big hue and cry about security and all sorts of things. That was a bluff, people just didn't buy into a new thought and they were not willing to trust people.

Now all those alleged fears are allayed and the world is working from home.

What I foresaw is happening  - call it destiny or whatever, I can look back and only smile.

 

I wonder if that was taken seriously - am wondering what the scene might have been.

 

I believe it would have been very different and nice.

 

We wouldn't have had urban migration, so many concrete jungles, less crowded cities, more trees, adequate distribution of growth and resources etc.

 

All this restricted to technology companies.

 

The development would have been distributed too.

 

That's an unfulfilled dream.

Let the new normal make all of it a reality.

 

Wanted to continue my response with a QUOTE.

"The right time to plant trees was twenty or more years ago. The next right time is now, else we will regret. The generation yet to be born will curse us and all the generations before for they inherited nothing worthy of being proud."

 

Let's stop...

...the "analysis-paralysis."

...being judgemental

...being fixed mindsets

 

Let's be adventurous,

let's experiment,

let's become confident and let's develop more confidants by trusting and be able to share our thoughts and leverage our SEE -  Skills, Experience, Expertise.

 

Let's -

Revisit - Review - Reflect on past practices

and

let's make

Distribution - Diversity - Development

That I believe, is the key.

 

Thanks to my connect for triggering this thought.

 

Looking forward to your response.

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : What's the Story...this day!!!

Every decision we’ve ever made was influenced by a story—every single one. From the decision about whether to wear a mask during a pandemic,  to the charities you choose to support.

A story we heard, the story we believed or that story we told ourselves, had an impact on those choices.

 

If stories are our most persuasive technology, why don’t we do more to put them to work?

 

Why don’t we leverage the power of stories every day in our work and our lives?

 

Over many years now, we’ve come to believe that storytelling is a professional discipline.

A skill for the master storytellers at the Disney’s of the world.

We’ve stopped honing the story skills that came so naturally to our ancestors. We’ve forgotten how to tell small, powerful, everyday stories.

 

Let's try to change that and to help more people leverage the power of storytelling to become their most inspiring selves.

 

We don’t need an epic story to be a great storyteller.

We just need to adopt the posture of a storyteller and to practice the craft together.

 

Let's take this for a start:

 

What's it about life you love?

01. Family

02. Feel good to wake up saying, "I have another day in my hands...! And...I am...

03. Being able to take on the challenges, overcome hardships/obstacles and appreciate everything you have now instead of wanting more.

04. That you are someone who makes a difference in the world.

05. Being alive at the moment because that's what really is the thing that exists right now.

06. The sheer beauty of everything around you.

07. All the good people around you.

08. All the unexpected things.

09. Every moment in life is a new beginning.

10. Creating abundant joy for yourself and others.

11. The diversity that everyone brings to the table.

 

This list can go on and on depending on you.

 

Enjoy life.

 

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

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : This is a beautiful story that I have to share.  I hope you all will like it as much as I did

 

The black Telephone - What an awesome story!

 

The Black Telephone

 

When I was a young boy, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the Wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination

when my mother talked to it.

 

Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.

 

My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.

 

I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear.

 

"Information, please," I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.

 

A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.

 

"Information."

 

"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.

 

"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.

 

"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.

 

"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.

 

"No,"I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."

 

"Can you open the icebox?" she asked.

 

I said I could.

 

"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice..

 

After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my maths.

 

She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.

 

Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, "Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"

 

She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Wayne, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."

 

Somehow I felt better.

 

Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please."

 

"Information," said in the now familiar voice.

 

"How do I spell fix?" I asked.

 

All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much.

 

"Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me.

 

Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.

 

A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown

operator and said, "Information Please."

 

Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well.

 

"Information."

 

I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying,

 

"Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"

 

There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."

 

I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?"

 

"I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me.  I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."

 

I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.

 

"Please do," she said. "Just ask for Sally."

 

Three months later I was back in Seattle.

 

A different voice answered, "Information."

 

I asked for Sally.

 

"Are you a friend?" she said.

 

"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.

 

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this," She said. "Sally had been working part time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."

 

Before I could hang up, she said,

 

"Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne ?" "

 

"Yes." I answered.

 

Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. "Let me read it to you."

 

The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in. He'll know what I mean."

 

I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.

 

Never underestimate the impression you may make on others.

 

Whose life have you touched today?

 

Why not pass this on? I just did....

 

Lifting you on eagle's wings.

 

May you find the joy and peace you long for.

 

Life is a journey... NOT a guided tour.

I loved this story and just had to pass it on.

 

I hope you find it lovable too.

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our Deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are we not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking

so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously

give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fears,

our presence automatically liberates others.

 

- Nelson Mandela in his inaugural speech, 1994

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : Emerging Leader Qualities

 

My observations after lockdowns commenced.

 

Ability to collaborate

with others - even virtually. (WFH - Zoom Calls).

 

Self-assured confidence.

(Can work from anywhere, but, sure can't manufacture anything remotely too).

 

Consistent and constant learning and self-improvement.

(Re-booting, Up-skilling, Up-grading).

 

A propensity for fostering growth in others.

(Step back and make others conduct the on-line meetings, so as to groom them for higher responsibilities).

 

A strong capacity for clear communication.

(Most people during this time have become more expressive, more communicative, looking to network, attend webinars, learn not just more, but also improve their own communication skills).

 

This is the way forward, and also the reality, as I visualize.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random,

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : You may choose to call it by any name

Self Talk

Self Confidence

Self Encouraging

Self Empowerment

Self Motivation...

If it helps you...

 

Tell yourself:

- I'm allowed to feel what I feel and I'm capable of feeling how you feel too...

- I'm valued and I believe you are valued too...

- I have so much to offer and I'm aware you also have a lot to offer too..

- I'm loved more than I know and I know that you too are  loved more than you know..

- I'm capable of doing amazing things and I know that you can do amazing things too..

 

Come let's join together and widen this space with the same thoughts and get more into our circle

..there's a lot happening out there

...there's so much to do

...there are so many more to connect with...

 

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

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : We were all once children, and still have that child dwelling within us, there's no doubt about that. But, most adults are quite unaware of this.

 

And this lack of conscious relatedness to our own inner child is precisely where so many behavioural, emotional and relationship difficulties stem from.

 

Leads to unnecessary thinking, talking, being judgemental, being sarcastic, being critical that leads to conflicts, disorderliness and disobedience that leads to all the trouble

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : Take children in your school, they may or may not listen to their parents but listen to their teachers and are disciplined. The obey them too. Assuming the child in us listened to the appeal of social distancing and lockdown protocols, the pandemic would have been history by now.

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : The adults are totally responsible for everything we all are witnessing and experiencing in the world.

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : We all have experienced, at some point, that many of the so called adults aren’t adults at all – they have only gotten older in age physically but psychologically speaking that’s not adulthood.

 

True adulthood hinges on acknowledging, accepting and taking responsibility for loving and parenting one own’s inner child.

 

Instead they deny, neglect, abandon and rejected their inner child.

 

This come form societal conditioning of being asked to “grow up†and not behave ‘childishly†.

 

We are taught that in order to become adults we need to stifle and quarantine our inner child – thus losing out on its capacity for innocence, wonder, awe, joy, sensitivity and playfulness alongside.

 

The inner child comprises and potentiates these positive qualities.

 

But it also holds our accumulated childhood hurts, traumas, fears and angers.

 

"Grown-ups" are convinced they have successfully outgrown, jettisoned, and left this child--and its emotional baggage--long behind.

 

But this is far from the truth.

In fact, these so-called grown-ups or adults are unwittingly being constantly influenced or covertly controlled by this unconscious inner child.

 

For many, it is not an adult self-directing their lives, but rather an emotionally wounded inner child inhabiting an adult body.

 

A five-year-old running around in a forty-year-old frame. It is a hurt, angry, fearful little boy or girl calling the shots, making adult decisions.

 

A boy or girl being sent out into the world to do a man's or woman's job.

 

A five or ten-year old (or two of them!) trying to engage in grown-up relationships.

 

Can a child have a mature relationship?

AÂ career?

An independent life?

 

Yet this is precisely what's happening with us all every day to some degree or another.

 

And then we wonder why our relationships fall apart.

 

Why we feel so anxious.

Afraid.

Insecure.

Inferior.

Small.

Lost.Â

Lonely.

 

But think about it: How else would any child feel having to fend for themselves in an apparently adult world?

 

Without proper parental supervision, protection, structure or support?

 

As pseudo-adults, we futilely attempt to force others into fulfilling these infantile needs for us.

 

But this is doomed to failure.

 

What we didn't sufficiently receive in the past from our parents as children must be confronted in the present, painful though it may be.

 

The past traumas, sadness, disappointments and depression cannot be changed and must be accepted.

 

Becoming an adult means swallowing this "bitter pill," that, unfortunately for most of us, certain infantile needs were, maliciously or not, unmet by our imperfect parents or caretakers.

 

And they never will be, no matter how good or smart or attractive or spiritual or loving we become.

 

Those days are over. What was done cannot be undone. We should not as adults now expect others to meet all of these unfulfilled childhood needs. They cannot.

 

Authentic adulthood requires both accepting the painful past and the primary responsibility for taking care of that inner child's needs, for being a "good enough" parent to him or her now--and in the future.

 

It is pertinent that the adult part of the personality learns to relate to the inner child exactly as a good parent relates to a flesh-and-blood child, providing discipline, limits, boundaries and structure.

 

These are all - along with support, nurturance, and acceptance - indispensable elements of loving and living with any child, whether metaphorical or actual.

 

By initiating and maintaining an ongoing dialogue between the two, a reconciliation between inner child and mature adult can be reached.

 

A new, mutually beneficial, cooperative, symbiotic relationship can be created in which the sometimes conflicting needs of both the adult self and inner child can be creatively satisfied.

 

Has your adult self spent time with your inner child today?

 

(Source – Psychology Today & Dr. Diamond – Psychotherapist)

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : Tell yourself, today I am playful and free.

 

Answer these questions for yourself?

 

How can I tap into that childlike innocence and just be?

 

Where can I find play in my life?

 

How can I bring more play and that feeling of freedom into my life?

 

And then...

 

Find 3 things that are playful that you can do today.

06/08/2020, 15:57 - : Think it over...

 

I asked life, "Why are you so difficult?

Life smiled and said, "I am so simple, but, the problem is you people never appreciate simple things in life."

 

Where science ends, there imagination begins.

 

Here it goes..

 

We all have the potential to perform, if only we create the right  pathwithin ourselves.

 

Our life begins to change the moment we take complete responsibility for it and be totally accountable for it.

 

It's not important who is ahead of us in life.It's not important who is behind us too.What's important is who is with us.Who is walking along side us.

Â

Real leaders are sometimes in the front, at times alongside us and at time behind us, but, when bthings get accomplished people will all say we did it.

That's the essence.

 

Have a great day.

 

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

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 17:52 - : It begins, and brews before it spews, it's all in the mind...

 

After so many hundreds of years of intricacy the mystery of how a man's thought gets aroused is sorted out and confirms everything begins in the mind first...

It can be an arguement...

A quarrel...

A fight...

A murder...

A war...

Well not just that even discoveries and innovations...

 

Everything begins and ends with the mind.

 

How we manage it, how we mend it, how we control it, makes all the difference...

 

A small satire to explain this...

 

Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus are at the airport.

 

Brutus: “Which is our boarding gate Caesar?â€

Caesar: “A-2 Brutusâ€

 

Brutus: “And what time is the flight Caesar?â€

Caesar: “8:02 Brutusâ€

 

Brutus: “By the way, I have sandwiches. Do you want one Caesar?â€

Caesar: “Ate two Brutusâ€

 

Brutus: “This is an unusual paper size for a ticket. What size is it Caesar?â€

Caesar: “A2 Brutusâ€

 

Brutus (Thinking to himself): “This man is really beginning to get on my nerves. One of these days I’m going to have to kill him.â€

 

....thus the devil was aroused in Brutus and Ceasar ceased to be because he was done in by three trusted mates around him.

 

Something that needs serious consideration is our mental well-being, scripted exclusively for members of this group...

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 17:52 - : Simplest Success Mantra

 

Success just doesn't happen by chance. It can happen if we can adopt a process.

 

Let's understand fully that

it is our ability that makes things happens,

- by utilizing our best skills,

- believing in our

  capabilities,

- focussing solely on the

  things we have in front of

  us to accomplish,

- commiting to work hard

  enough,

- pushing ourselves to keep

- learning, improving  and

  innovating constantly,

- making mistakes,

- realizing  accepting we did,  - working again and again

  till it gets rectified

- gaining new experiences

- persistenting on and on,

- overcoming barriers,

- taking on all the challenges - to meet the ends that

  translate all our acts to

  fructify.

 

Success embrace those who embrace all these aspects and strive tirelessly.

 

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

by

Raman

06/08/2020, 17:52 - : Habits and Practices

The road from Transaction to Transformation.

 

Just to set the ball rolling let me begin by asking which hand is your preferred hand?

 

Right or left?

 

Let's assume  right.

 

Now if I ask you to write something you will immediately respond by beginning with your right, but, if I stop you and ask you to write with your left hand,  how does it feel?

 

Stange, awkward,  clumsy,  effort,  slow...... isn't it?

 

However if you practice, it becomes it may not sound as difficult, probably easier to who knows.

 

So lots of practice will make the left hand as good as the right hand and you become ambidextrous.

 

In short changing a habit requires lots of conscious practise. 

 

Great if you identify more things in yourself and become self-aware, which is the first act of Emotional Intelligence.

 

Now the next step is give yourself some signal that will tell you to take a pause,  then respond.

 

Journaling is also very helpful.  Don't be too hard on yourself.  Give yourself time.  Don't give up.

New habits will form.

All the best.

 

If everyone does this they and practice these principles they become Emotionally Intelligent too.

 

If all become aware of themselves and develop EI, the next step would then mean we need to understand each other too. That has then established an Emotional Quotient between each other.

 

When this transformation happens we will find that things become a lot easier to transact.

 

Think about this and make a beginning.

 

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

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:45] Raman Bharadwaj: We are in it together...

 

Everything and everyone is connected with each other. That's the way nature has created it all.

 

There are two ways of being united, by being frozen together or melting together.

It is always better to be belting our feelings and freezing our difference to really be united.

 

Every action has a consequence.

We get rewarded for the right action only, but, that's only relative, because many hues go into painting the colors of things we see on the planet, accepting black and white are colours too and is the reality.

 

We need to consider all this

else we will be billed as obsolete. We need to be flexible to change and nimble enough to adapt to the changes to be relevant.

Obstacles, challenges, difficulties, troubles make us

~ revise our thinking

~ re-visit our processes

~ re-think our goals/objectives

~ re-align our strategy

~ re-structure our execution, to

~ regain and retain our original position.

 

Nothing in life is permanent, so the storms that we encounter shouldn't alter our core values or core beliefs.

 

Institutions and organizations have to be, "Built to Last, but policies ought not to be built to last instead it is  to be "Built to Adapt."

 

Don't hold anything tight...learn to fail but never become called a failure.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 -  Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:45] Raman Bharadwaj: What's your UVP?

UVP -> is UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION, a thing that I coined just now taking taking cue from USP-> which is a marketing term that advertising urges company's to spell out features that stand out among competitors.

 

Strangely though every company has its USP it can be anything from features built into the product to even logistics such as quick doorstep delivery or within hours etc.

Quality of course is a default expectation.

 

UVP is somewhat like that, especially when you seek changes in job or position.

 

One shows Value Add, which can be quantified and translated to economic presentation of revenue, profit etc., which gives the edge.

 

For every role there are metrics to measure performance, but, when one speaks of value one addresses the perceptions and one has to experience.

 

For instance if someone claims to have improved the bottom line by big numbers to add to the turnover and the profit margins of the company, but, what one doesn't get to know whether such a person would have exercised power pushing people to excrutiating psin with his/her positional power and get results beyond expectations, as against someone else who may have contributed lesser revenue growth and lesser profits, but, facilitated the growth surging people to concentrate on the processes that could push up performance and profits.

That's tremendous value-add indeed.

 

Such people over a period of time will be able to influence people to become not just big time performers, but, may even create leaders for the future.

 

As you can make out, each person has an UVP.  What one must do is to sit down and assess one's UVP. It's always good.

 

People who are known to be value-add's are always in demand. They were, they are and will indeed always be.

 

What's you USP?

 

Do share, it will be interesting for other also to know.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random,

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:45] Raman Bharadwaj: Simplest Success Mantra

 

Success just doesn't happen by chance. It can happen if we can adopt a process.

 

Let's understand fully that

it is our ability that makes things happens,

- by utilizing our best skills,

- believing in our

  capabilities,

- focussing solely on the

  things we have in front of

  us to accomplish,

- commiting to work hard

  enough,

- pushing ourselves to keep

- learning, improving  and

  innovating constantly,

- making mistakes,

- realizing  accepting we did,  - working again and again

  till it gets rectified

- gaining new experiences

- persistenting on and on,

- overcoming barriers,

- taking on all the challenges - to meet the ends that

  translate all our acts to

  fructify.

 

Success embrace those who embrace all these aspects and strive tirelessly.

 

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

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:45] Raman Bharadwaj: Value and Worth

 

The whole world is going   through a rethink of not just the structures that sustain the global economy, but also life style and living essentials.

 

We will even address issues like “What does value  mean?” and “What is true worth?”

 

Today we think in terms of returns and value. We don’t think about worth.

 

For the past decade or two, many traditional businesses have had the least value allocated to them. But now we’ve seen that these sectors are the most worthy: healthcare, agriculture, food retail.

 

The current crisis has shown us that the greatest drivers of economic value creation are, in fact, the essentials, such as strong health and well-being.

 

Rich, poor, high, low, here there or anywhere in the world makes no difference whatsoever, it has been established beyond doubt that all of us in this world are vulnerable.

 

We have all been given enough lessons to learn what are the essentials for live, which really means what’s really important in life if one cannot get a cucumber or a tomato for making a sad to eat and survive?

 

If we can preserve live now, we can hope to recreate a new living by rewiring and mending our fences.

 

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

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:45] Raman Bharadwaj: Distant Yet Close

 

Many of us are no longer physically working together, but we still need to generate ideas collaboratively.

 

Fortunately, we can still lead/follow a productive remote brainstorm session.

 

First,  invite a diverse group of contributors. Because you’re working remotely, you don’t have to limit participants by geography. Identify the roles and expertise you want, and then invite people who fit those descriptions.

 

Make sure you clearly communicate the specific problem the group is trying to solve before the brainstorm begins. This step is especially important when you’re working in a remote environment, where communication is more likely to break down.

 

Finally, structure a process that can unfold over time.

In fact, a productive brainstorm doesn’t require everyone to be online at the same time:

People may generate better, more distinct ideas if they’re working independently.

So create a shared document where participants can add their ideas, and then ask them to collectively finalize the most promising ones at the end of the process.

 

Following these simple steps can make the remote work environment an advantage, not an obstacle.

 

Take aways :

Re-group

Re-align

Re-vist

Re-structure

Review

Respond

Relate

Reflect

Rebound

Resonate

Relax

Relish

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:45] Raman Bharadwaj: Habits and Practices

The road from Transaction to Transformation.

 

Just to set the ball rolling let me begin by asking which hand is your preferred hand?

 

Right or left?

 

Let's assume  right.

 

Now if I ask you to write something you will immediately respond by beginning with your right, but, if I stop you and ask you to write with your left hand,  how does it feel?

 

Stange, awkward,  clumsy,  effort,  slow...... isn't it?

 

However if you practice, it becomes it may not sound as difficult, probably easier to who knows.

 

So lots of practice will make the left hand as good as the right hand and you become ambidextrous.

 

In short changing a habit requires lots of conscious practise. 

 

Great if you identify more things in yourself and become self-aware, which is the first act of Emotional Intelligence.

 

Now the next step is give yourself some signal that will tell you to take a pause,  then respond.

 

Journaling is also very helpful.  Don't be too hard on yourself.  Give yourself time.  Don't give up.

New habits will form.

All the best.

 

If everyone does this they and practice these principles they become Emotionally Intelligent too.

 

If all become aware of themselves and develop EI, the next step would then mean we need to understand each other too. That has then established an Emotional Quotient between each other.

 

When this transformation happens we will find that things become a lot easier to transact.

 

Think about this and make a beginning.

 

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

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:45] Raman Bharadwaj: Be the Tallest Oak.

 

Knowledge is deep-rooted, Education springs-out and spreads.

 

If you need to conquer the world, begin with conquering

your pride,

your ego,

your arrogance,

your contempt,

by being aware of yourself first, don't just sit and think about it, get-in and get busy.

 

You'll feel Divinity in yourself. 

 

You will then begin to FLY - First Love Yourself,

and slowly,

like the wind spreads the fragrance of the flowers in the direction it flows,

Your  Love, and Respect,

for everyone and everything will spread too.

You just need to be connected to to the core like the deep-rooted, tree.

 

A pure heart is the place to worship. 

 

With the deepest love and respect for all of you this has been scripted exclusively for each you as members of the group in R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings, with best wishes for a great week ahead.

~ Raman

[10/08, 23:46] Raman Bharadwaj: Vacho Vegam  (WHEN TO BE SILENT - 21 practical tips):

 

1.  Be silent - in the heat of

     anger.

2.  Be silent - when you don't

     have all the facts.

3.  Be silent - when you

     haven't verified the story.

4.   Be silent - if your words

     will offend a weaker

     Person.

5.  Be silent - when it is time

     to listen.

6.  Be silent - when you are

     tempted to make light of

     holy things.

7.  Be silent - when you are

     tempted to joke about

     sin.

8.  Be silent - if you would be

     ashamed of your word

     later.

9.  Be silent - if your words

     would convey the wrong

     impression.

10. Be silent - if the issue is

      none of your business.

11. Be silent - when you are

      tempted to tell an

      outright lie.

12. Be silent - if your words

      will damage someone

      else's reputation.

13. Be silent - if your words

      will damage a friendship.

14. Be silent - when you are

      feeling critical.

15. Be silent - if you can't 

      say it without screaming.

16. Be silent - if your words

      will be a poor reflection

      of your friends and

      family.

17. Be silent - if you may  

       have to eat your words

       later.

18. Be silent - if you have

       already said it more

       than one time.

19. Be silent - when you are

      tempted to flatter a

      wicked person.

20. Be silent - when you are

      supposed to be working

      instead.

21. Be silent - when your

       words do not do any

       good to anyone   

        including yourself.

 

"WHOEVER GUARDS HIS TONGUE KEEPS SOUL AWAY FROM TROUBLES"

[10/08, 23:46] Raman Bharadwaj: One day, a young boy came into the monastery and asked the Chief Monk, to give him some work and also food.

 

The Chief Monk asked him: What have you read? What work can you do? What do you know?

 

The boy replied: I have not read in school. I have no proficiency in any work excepting some stray jobs like washing food plates,

cleaning up the cottage etc., I do not know anything else.

 

The Chief Monk asked Are you sure you do not know anything else?

 

The young boy replied: Oh, yes, Sir, now I remember.

I can play good Chess

 

The Chief Monk said: Oh that's good. Now I shall test you in your game.

He asked another monk to come with chess board and coins and asked a table to be placed so that the game could start.

 

Before start of the game, the Chief Monk said: Now see, I have a sword on my hand. If any one is defeated, his nose will be severed

 

The boy became nervous. However, without any other way to go, he agreed.

 

The game started. Initially, the boy made some mistakes in moves. His position on the board became almost hopeless.

 

He then concentrated completely on the game and improved the position to a winning level.

 

Then he looked at the monk sitting opposite and playing. He was not quite nervous but obviously disturbed a little.

 

The boy then thought,

"I am a useless fellow in life. Nothing will change the world if I lose the game and lose my nose.

 

But this monk, is well read person, doing meditation and is sure to attain Buddha Hood Why should he lose?

 

So the young boy deliberately made a wrong move, so that the monk sitting opposite could take advantage and win the game !

 

The Chief Monk suddenly flashed his sword on the table. All the coins flew into different directions.

 

He then said: The game is over. Oh boy you are IN. You will be with us in the monastery hereafter.

 

The boy did not understand.

 

The Chief Monk explained:

"I did not ask you to play chess to find out your caliber in the game. But I was looking for two essential qualities that are necessary for Self realization.

 

One is Maha Prajna. The Great Awareness. I found that in you. When your game became positionally bad, you put your entire concentration and attention on the game and improved your game.

This is Maha Prajna.

 

The second is Maha Karuna - The Great Compassion. I found that also in you. When your opponent was about to lose the game, you looked at him with great compassion and deliberately made a wrong mistake so that he could win.

 

These two qualities are adequate to do sadhana and make the life Meaningful.

YOU ARE IN.

 

Life isn’t about winning or losing there is nothing to win and nothing to lose.

[10/08, 23:46] Raman Bharadwaj: A masterpiece joke  !

 

A rat swallowed a diamond and the owner of the diamond contacted a man to kill the rat.

When the rat hunter arrived to kill the rat there were more than a thousand rats bunched up all together and one sitting by itself away from the pack.

He spotted and killed the one sitting by itself and to the owners surprise, that was the exact one that had swallowed the diamond!

 

The amazed diamond owner asked: "How did you know it was that rat?"

He responded: "Very easy,

When idiots get rich,  they don't mix with others!!!"

😏😜😂......

 

Superb 👍👍👍

Rather, its not a joke its a bitter reality

[10/08, 23:48] Raman Bharadwaj: Ibn Sina, also known as Abu Ali Sina, Pur Sina, and often known in the West as Avicenna was a Persian polymath who is regarded as one of the most significant physicians, astronomers, thinkers and writers of the Islamic Golden Age, and the father of early modern medicine.

 

Ibn Sina conducted an experiment in his times.

 

He put two identical lambs in two separate cages.

He put a wolf in another cage next to one of the lsmbs.

 

Only the one lamb which could see the wolf constantly died soon due to severe stressed caused due to fear, even though the wolf did nothing ever to the lamb.

 

It was obvious therefore that the other lamb was doing well for itself living in its world of ignorance.

 

In this experiment Ibn Sina observed the positive and the negative effects of the mental influence and environment on the health and the body.

 

Unnecessary fear, anxiety, stress does nothing but harm our body.

 

In times of the unprecedented pandemic that we are going through now we need to take care of our physical and mental health and not overstressed ourselves.

 

Physical distancing and emphasizing with an emotional connect is the best thing apart from observing the statutory protocols.

[10/08, 23:48] Raman Bharadwaj: How time changes things.

 

From being constantly worried about the future, we can't think anything beyond the present moment.

 

From being conscious of what to wear, we now are weary of wearing anything other than casuals.

 

From calling friends and relatives on video calls, we are now calling even our neighbours over video calls.

 

From longing for a salary hike, we are now waiting for whatever be the salary.

 

From longing for a promotion, to holding on to whatever the position now.

 

From trying to change our job, we are now holding on tightly to our current job.

 

From refusing to cayying the laptop home, we now have made our home the office.

 

From longing to go on a vacation, we are now longing to get back to our workstation.

 

From waiting for weekends, we are now waiting for all our fears to end.

 

From being enveloped in smoggy smokey environs we now have clear skies, we see bright stars in the night's, chirping birds in our neighbourhood and a lot more puree air to breath.

 

While all of this seems so magical and unbelievable, it seems surprising how an invisible thing could bring about so many changes.

 

Not surprisingly our faith on the invisible Almighty is so much more now..

 

Are we paying a big price for losing our innocence or nonchalance and arrogance, or what else?

 

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

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:48] Raman Bharadwaj: Times are Changing

 

I picked my ringing mobile, could identify it was our laundryman.

 

He asked, "Do you want vegetables?"

 

Being surprised I respondeded, "You and vegetables !!"

 

His reply was so refreshing and growth oriented, "Sir, what is that you don't know...in these days of WFH there aren't too many clothes for laundry and what if I say, flexibility and adaptability are my new friends. My basic skills will remain in tact, am serving needs for survival and found it lucrative."

 

Was very impressed indeed. He is our regular vegetable vendor now who keeps adding other essentials to his supply shelf.

 

Always we keep asking people the wrong questions to people.

 

Here is another example.

We often ask, "What do you want to become when you grow up?"

 

The answers usually are Doctor, Engineer, CA, Pilot, Lawyer, Photographer, Model, Fashion Designer...the list goes on...

 

The question actually should be "Who do you want to become when you grow up?"

 

The difference is "What" and "Who."

"What" is  an avocation a profession - you can be even more than one in combinations. One being your base profession, another an interest or a hobby becoming an added avocation - Engineer - Photographer - Musician - Singer - Sportsman and so on...

 

"Who," emphasises on you as a human with values, with character, with integrity...someone who people would love to follow, emulate, someone who will leave a legacy.

 

You may be an engineer but a corrupt one or be a doctor who only intends to make money doesn't care...

 

Now that's the difference between "What," and "Who."

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's, Random, Ramblings

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:48] Raman Bharadwaj: How to Deal with People Who Lack Empathy?

 

It is very difficult to deal with people who lack empathy when you are a sensitive and caring person.

 

When you try to express your feelings, instead of compassion and understanding, you get anger or judgment back.

 

It’s painful because sometimes you can get stuck in a vicious cycle where the more someone doesn’t understand you, the more you feel hurt, and the more you want them to understand your feelings.

 

It’s almost as if you are pleading for validation.

 

Here’s the thing:

 

Most of the times, talking with these people will lead you nowhere, and will leave you feeling completely depleted.

 

Here are some easy-to-follow steps, so you can deal with people who lack empathy:

 

1. Don’t Take Their Anger or Judgments Personally

By doing this you can get off the emotional roller coaster. It’s not about us. Remind yourself that they are the ones that have a problem connecting emotionally with others at a deeper level. There’s nothing wrong with you!

 

2. Don’t Try to Make Them Understand Your Feelings.

Trying to instill empathy or insights in them is a waste of your time and energy. This will only increase their anger and judgement.

 

3. Talk About Facts with Them

Instead of talking to them about how you feel, or how something they did or said made you feel, talk about facts and what you think. It’s easier to communicate this way because they won’t feel blamed or shamed.

 

4. If You Don’t Live with This Person, Try to Distance Yourself from Their Company

You don’t have to end the friendship or stop visiting your family member, but you need to set some boundaries and be mindful of your interaction with them. Keep the connection superficial to avoid arguments and don’t expect depth and understanding.

 

5. Cultivate or Nurture Relationships with People Who You Trust

Spend time with people who you trust and who make you feel safe so that you can feel comfortable sharing your inner world and your feelings with them. These are people who might have shown signs of empathy in the past.

 

6. Know That Your Value and Worth Does Not Depend on Their Validation and Opinion of You

Our self-worth should never be based on approval or validation from others.

 

7. Take Loving Actions Towards Yourself

Offer yourself kindness and practice doing things that reflect self-love – eat healthy, get enough rest, pursue your dreams, work on yourself, develop a spiritual life, surround yourself with loving and positive people.

 

8. If You Feel Too Overwhelmed, Get Professional Help

Find a caring and compassionate therapist or life coach who can be there for you and offer guidance during painful times.

 

Unfortunately, our friends and family can’t always provide all of the emotional support that we need at times.

 

If the person that you’re dealing with shows a willingness to be more open to change and become more empathetic and caring, then you have a real opportunity to strengthen your relationship with them.

 

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why some people lack empathy. Dealing with these people is not easy and may leave you feeling frustrated and disappointed. But with my advice, you’ll learn that you can’t change someone, however you can change your attitude towards them.

Remember that you can’t save everyone, but you can love yourself enough to not let people who lack empathy to overpower you. Set boundaries and do what makes you happy.

 

Ultimately, don’t be afraid to get professional help when you are overwhelmed

[10/08, 23:48] Raman Bharadwaj: What Is Empathy?

It's the ability to emotionally understand what other's feel. It is seeing things from their point of view, and imagining yourself in their place.

 

Essentially, it is putting yourself in someone else's position and feeling what they must be feeling.

 

When you see another person suffering, you might be able to instantly envision yourself in the other person's place and feel sympathy for what they are going through.

 

The ability to feel empathy allows people to "walk a mile in another's shoes," so to speak. It permits people to understand the emotions that others are feeling.

 

Signs

If you are good at listening to what others have to say.

 

People often tell you about their problems.

 

You are good at picking up on how other people are feeling.

 

You often think about how other people feel.

 

Other people come to you for advice.

 

You often feel overwhelmed by tragic events.

 

You try to help others who are suffering.

 

You are good at telling when people aren't being honest.

 

You sometimes feel drained or overwhelmed in social situations.

 

You care deeply about other people.

 

You find it difficult to set boundaries in your relationships with other people.

 

If you show any of all the above you are deemed to be empathetic.

 

Do we need be empathetic always?

 

We don't need to be emphatetic all the time.

When we borrow from the tragedy of others to make our empty days feel purposeful and high-stakes, we can become emotional parasites.

 

It becomes bad sometimes and at those times, we could be hurting ourselves even more.

 

Empathy

- can make us sad and broke

- can be dangerous and fatal

- can kill relationships faster - can exhaust and tire us out - can turn us become

   negative

- spewing emotion like being

  agressive, angry,

  argumentative arrogant,

  etc.

 

What does lack of empathy result in?

 

People who lack empathy can cause a lot of damage both to themselves and the others.

 

Here are some signs of  someone around you who lacks empathy:

 

They are fast at criticizing others without caring about feelings.

 

They are be cold beings should we say just out of touch with people suffering or those that are less fortunate.

 

They believe that only their ideas and/or beliefs are right and judge everyone who does not hold their beliefs as wrong, ignorant or stupid.

 

They have trouble feeling happy for others.

 

They have trouble

- making or keeping friends

- getting along with family

   members too

 

They feel entitled to receiving favors and use others to serve their needs without showing appreciation. They will even get offended if they don’t get their way.

 

In a group setting, they will talk a lot about themselves and their lives without really caring about what other people share.

 

They do or say something that hurts a friend or a loved one, and tend to blame his/her actions on them.

 

They truly believe that the fault is in the person receiving the hurt because they reacted poorly, were rude or were oversensitive.

 

The truth is that without empathy, it is hard to create deep emotional connections with others.

[10/08, 23:48] Raman Bharadwaj: What's the Story...this day!!!

Every decision we’ve ever made was influenced by a story—every single one. From the decision about whether to wear a mask during a pandemic,  to the charities you choose to support.

A story we heard, the story we believed or that story we told ourselves, had an impact on those choices.

 

If stories are our most persuasive technology, why don’t we do more to put them to work?

 

Why don’t we leverage the power of stories every day in our work and our lives?

 

Over many years now, we’ve come to believe that storytelling is a professional discipline.

A skill for the master storytellers at the Disney’s of the world.

We’ve stopped honing the story skills that came so naturally to our ancestors. We’ve forgotten how to tell small, powerful, everyday stories.

 

Let's try to change that and to help more people leverage the power of storytelling to become their most inspiring selves.

 

We don’t need an epic story to be a great storyteller.

We just need to adopt the posture of a storyteller and to practice the craft together.

 

Let's take this for a start:

 

What's it about life you love?

01. Family

02. Feel good to wake up saying, "I have another day in my hands...! And...I am...

03. Being able to take on the challenges, overcome hardships/obstacles and appreciate everything you have now instead of wanting more.

04. That you are someone who makes a difference in the world.

05. Being alive at the moment because that's what really is the thing that exists right now.

06. The sheer beauty of everything around you.

07. All the good people around you.

08. All the unexpected things.

09. Every moment in life is a new beginning.

10. Creating abundant joy for yourself and others.

11. The diversity that everyone brings to the table.

 

This list can go on and on depending on you.

 

Enjoy life.

 

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

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:48] Raman Bharadwaj: Emerging Leader Qualities

 

My observations after lockdowns commenced.

 

Ability to collaborate

with others - even virtually. (WFH - Zoom Calls).

 

Self-assured confidence.

(Can work from anywhere, but, sure can't manufacture anything remotely too).

 

Consistent and constant learning and self-improvement.

(Re-booting, Up-skilling, Up-grading).

 

A propensity for fostering growth in others.

(Step back and make others conduct the on-line meetings, so as to groom them for higher responsibilities).

 

A strong capacity for clear communication.

(Most people during this time have become more expressive, more communicative, looking to network, attend webinars, learn not just more, but also improve their own communication skills).

 

This is the way forward, and also the reality, as I visualize.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random,

by

Raman

[10/08, 23:50] Raman Bharadwaj: Cheers! and Hello! everyone on the group. It's been a pleasure connecting with Ms. Geethanjali Kapoor.

 

Being born more than 800 moons ago and brought up in Hyderabad I respond to the name - Raman Bharadwaj.

 

Professionally though am known as Raman TSK - including on LinkedIn, a  platform on which I am a very active participant - discussions and shares alike.

 

Am grateful to the Almighty for all the gifts given unto us and consider myself being fortunate to

have been in the

right places,

doing the

right things

with the

right people

at the

right time

for the

right purpose.

 

Am currently engaged as a Coach and am actively facilitating people who are pursuing their careers and want to take them to higher levels of achieving their dreams.

[10/08, 23:50] Raman Bharadwaj: Think it over...

 

I asked life, "Why are you so difficult?"

 

Life smiled and said, "I am so simple, but, the problem is you people never appreciate simple things in life."

 

Where science ends, there imagination begins.

 

Here it goes..

 

We all have the potential to perform, if only we create the right  path within ourselves.

 

Our life begins to change the moment we take complete responsibility for it and be totally accountable for it.

 

It's not important who is ahead of us in life.

 

It's not important who is behind us too.

 

What's important is who is with us. Who is walking along side us.

 

Real leaders

are sometimes

in the front,

at times

alongside us

and at times

behind us,

but,

when things

get accomplished, all the people will say we did it.

That's the essence, of Truly remarkable leadership.

 

Have a great day and a great week ahead

 

~ Raman

[11/08, 11:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Almighty created Originals

 

Purpose is to

knowing ourselves,

loving ourselves,

trusting ourselves to

be ourselves

to share the

"gifts" with the others to let them

know themselves,

love themselves,

trust themselves and to be themselves always.

Instead, we get Conditioned...

 

A legendary stage actor, once said, "The hardest thing you can do is walk as yourself."  The actor may have been speaking about acting when he said this, but I think his words carry wisdom we can use beyond the stage.

 

The school is the place, where our conditioning begins, asking us to fit in from a young age.

With every advancing year apart from the learning we get, every teacher subjects us to all sorts of conditioning, so much so that we are far from the original we were.

 

We get to higher studies and  intermingle with the others, grow up and then meet people in society, where norms are different.

 

We get labeled by what we do for a living by people who will judge us through a prism they're used to.

No one gives us an opportunity to explore things we want to, or to speak the language we wish to or what we feel and let us live the way we want.

According to all of them, the way to fit in is not to do anything out of the ordinary. If it does, we are good else not.

 

By definition, that means ignoring possibilities and opportunities to explore different path and progress, fulfilment, joy are a by-product of exploration.

 

Ironically, what the world that tries to make us conform needs, most from us fall in that trap, yet, it is for us to walk as ourselves.

To contribute as only we can, to find our voice to follow our path, then to shine a light for others as we go.

To do this effectively we need to find ourselves.

 

The game of life is not ever won by the one who is the most talented, but by the one, who does not loose his grip over the defining moments till the final whistle is blown! It is won by the one who refuse to give up.

 

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

by

Raman....

 

Cheers! And Wishes to you all for a Tranquil Tuesday.

[11/08, 13:31] Raman Bharadwaj: We grow up with a set of values and form certain beliefs, with which we conclude that, that's the rule, the only way things ought to be. It gets "fixed," in our mind.

 

When we rely too much on a pre-existing information or on the first information you receive. e.g., A buffet in a restaurant costs around Rs. 800/- per person. Another restaurant offers it at Rs. 150/- per person. The second restaurant will be perceived as low quality.

 

Such ways of thinking becomes our practice. It's at times like the changing times we are in , that we need to consider all perspectives, information, data to analyze and arrive at more than one possibility. With that done, we need to choose the best, given the time and the conditions.

 

What are the other anchors that impact our decisions?

[11/08, 22:39] Raman Bharadwaj: "Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Ask Questions. Usually a lot of them.."

Says Melody Wilding, ForbesWomen, and adds (I help sensitive high-achievers thrive in the workplace)

 

Great leaders are great communicators.

 

Namely, they have perfected the art of active listening, a component of emotional intelligence that requires you to be completely present with another person.

 

When you’re listening actively, you’re not in your head formulating what you’ll say next. Rather, your focus is 100% on the other person and how they are feeling.

 

This is one reason Sensitive Strivers make amazing leaders — their empathy and thoughtfulness translate into building deep relationships and trust.

 

But many of my coaching clients get tongue-tied when it comes to one crucial part of active listening: asking questions.

 

They overthink their responses and end up getting so trapped in their heads (trying to say the “right” thing or wondering how the other person is judging them), that they lose sight of the goal of the conversation, which is to connect.

 

Questions to Ask in Meetings and One-on-Ones..

 

To you help you, here is a list of questions I share with my clients.

 

Keep these saved somewhere so you can refer back to them and become the emotionally intelligent leader you are meant to be.

 

When you want someone’s reaction to information..

 

What do you make of what I’ve shared?

 

What do you think is best?

 

How does this look to you?

 

What would you add or change?

 

How do you feel about it?

 

What’s your impression of X?

 

How does this fit into your plans?

 

When you need clarification

 

What do you mean?

 

What does it feel like?

 

What is the part that is not yet clear?

 

What do you want?

 

What’s your desired outcome?

 

When you want them to elaborate

 

Can you tell me more?

 

What else?

 

What other ideas/thoughts/feelings do you have about it?

 

What is an example?

 

On a scale of 1 to 10 how urgent/serious is X?

 

What is the hardest/most challenging part for you?

 

When you want people to think outside the box..

 

What is here that we want to explore?

 

What part of the situation have we not yet explored?

 

What other angles can you think of?

 

What are our other options?

 

What assumptions can we let go of?

 

What’s the best outcome we can imagine?

 

When you want to understand why something happened...

 

What contributed/caused it?

 

What led up to it?

 

What have you tried so far?

 

What did we learn from X?

 

How could you turn this around next time?

 

When you want someone to implement and follow-through

 

What is the action plan?

 

What could be our first step?

 

What progress have you made so far?

 

What support do you need to accomplish it?

 

What could get in the way?

 

When someone is naysaying or resistant to your ideas

 

Before we get into drawbacks, can you share some reasons you think this will work?

 

What suggestions do you have for improvement?

 

What would you like to see change for the better?

 

What’s working right now?

 

Let’s operate from the assumption that we will be successful. How does that shift your perspective and ideas about what to do next?

[12/08, 09:26] Raman Bharadwaj: The Jubilee diamond ( at 245 carats is twice as large as  the Kohinoor) , Lady Tata and how it helped  TATA Steel..... a long read but a testimony of what the TATA Family value stood for.

 

 

The Jagersfontein Mine, located in South Africa, has been of the great diamond mines of the world. Discovered in 1870, it has yielded over 9.6 million carats of beautiful diamonds over its lifetime. Yet the unique stone that was discovered here in 1895 was particularly special, in more ways than one.

 

First and foremost, this magnificent large diamond, weighing 245.35 carats, turned out to be the sixth largest diamond in the world. This means it was twice as large as the legendary Kohinoor. Second, it was a diamond of exceptional purity and sparkle, and often described as the most perfectly cut of all large diamonds. But most importantly, as this interesting story will soon reveal to you, it went on to play a very important role for the Tata Group, well beyond the normal remit of diamonds and jewellery.

 

The large rough stone was sent to Amsterdam in 1896 for polishing, where it became clear that it was yielding a superb, colourless, cushion-cut diamond. A stone so perfect in cut, that it could be balanced on its narrow culet, less than 2 mm across. In 1897, it was named the “Jubilee” Diamond, to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria. Here is a rare instance of a diamond being named for a diamond jubilee, quite a literal commemoration ! Indeed, the consortium of three London merchants who owned it then may have even thought that this diamond would be best placed in Her Majesty’s royal crown.

 

However, destiny had other plans in store for the Jubilee Diamond. In 1900, it was displayed at the Paris Exposition, which was held to celebrate the achievements of the past hundred years, and also to welcome the new century. The diamond was a centre of attraction at this global fair, and received a lot of praise from experts. At that time, it must have caught the imagination of Sir Dorabji Tata, the elder son of Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata Group. Two years earlier - on Valentine’s Day of 1898 - Dorabji Tata had been married to Meherbai, and he was deeply in love with her. He now decided to gift her the Jubilee Diamond.

 

Dorabji bought the diamond from the London merchants for around UK £100,000. Lady Meherbai Tata had it set on a platinum claw, and it was then hung on a platinum chain which she could wear around her neck. She would wear it for special occasions, and it is quite possible that she may even have worn it while meeting the then US President Calvin Coolidge, or the King and Queen of England.

 

Lady Meherbai Tata was a pioneer of the women’s movement in India, and she was also very proud of her Indian roots, so she inevitably wore a saree to celebrate her Indian heritage, even while travelling abroad. The Jubilee Diamond must have been a perfect accessory, complementing her beautiful Parsee sarees. However, this was a very valuable diamond, and heavily insured too. Dinsi Gazdar, who was a well known jeweler of those days at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, remembered Sir Dorabji Tata stating that every time his wife took the diamond out of their safe deposit vault in London, he was "fined" £200 by the insurance company.

 

In the meanwhile, Sir Dorabji Tata had succeeded his father as Chairman of the Tata Group, and was busy managing the affairs of Tata Steel, Taj Mahal Hotel and other business ventures of the Group. Tata Steel, based in Jamshedpur, had undertaken an expansion programme, post the first World War, and the Company, which was still in its early years, now ran into a host of difficulties, ranging from price inflation to labour issues. Demand in Japan, a large market, came spiraling downwards because of an earthquake there. By 1923, there was a shortage of cash and liquidity, and the Tatas grasped for breath, making valiant efforts to raise funds.

 

In 1924, a telegram arrived from Jamshedpur, and it was bad news. It simply said that there was not enough money to pay wages to the employees of Tata Steel. Would the fledgling Company survive, or would it be forced to shut down ? Would the dreams and visions that guided the establishment of India’s first integrated steel plant come tumbling down ?

 

Sir Dorabji Tata did not hesitate for a moment. He had to save the Company, so that it could survive during these difficult times. His wife Meherbai and he decided to pledge their entire personal wealth, which came to around Rs. 1 crore (a huge amount in those days), to a bank, to raise funds for Tata Steel. Sir Dorabji pledged his family wealth to the Imperial Bank. This included all the jewellery owned by his wife, including the Jubilee Diamond.

 

The Imperial Bank provided the Tatas a loan of Rs. 1 crore, against this personal pledge. The money was used to fund Tata Steel. Soon, the Company’s expanded production facilities began producing returns, and the situation took a turn for the better. Not a single worker was retrenched during this period of intense struggle, though shareholders were not paid dividends for the next several years. The Company returned to profitability within a few years, and the pledge was repaid. By the late 1930s, Tata Steel began hugely prospering once again. By then, Sir Dorabji Tata had passed away, but the personal sacrifice made by his wife and by himself, in pledging their wealth and jewellery, had saved Tata Steel from extinction.

 

Lady Meherbai Tata died of leukemia, at the relatively young age of 50 years, in 1931. Sir Dorabji Tata passed away just a year later, in 1932. He willed his entire fortune to the Sir Dorabji Tata charitable Trust - including, of course, the Jubilee Diamond. The Jubilee Diamond was sold through Cartier in the year 1937, and the funds from this sale went to the Trust.

 

The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust used these funds that it was endowed with, to establish the Tata Memorial Hospital and many other Institutions, including the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. This surely makes the Jubilee Diamond unique – it is perhaps the only diamond in the history of mankind that has saved a steel company from collapse, and hence saved several livelihoods from being lost, and has then gone on to create a cancer hospital as well. No diamond has served worthier causes, and this was only possible because of two wonderful hearts of gold.

 

What happened to the Jubilee Diamond, thereafter ? It was acquired from Cartier by M. Paul-Louis Weiller, a French industrialist. It has since been bought by Robert Mouwad, of the House of Mouwad, reputed jewelers and watchmakers since 1890. There it rests today, its brilliance as splendid as ever, on the back of its eventful history. A beautiful, magnificent diamond with a Tata history.

 

When Sir Dorabji Tata died, the Times of India wrote, on 4th June 1932 –

 

“Sir Dorabji’s fame, however, will not rest on his great (industrial) achievements, splendid as they were, or on his wealth, but it will rest solidly on the use he has made of his possessions.”

 

Truly, what use we put our possessions to, is the real value that they serve. The story of the Jubilee Diamond stands testimony to this truth. (Harish Bhat, Brand Custodian, Tata Sons)

[12/08, 12:15] Raman Bharadwaj: The Evergreen Principle..

 

As sand eases down from the hour glass, suggesting time has lapsed, to emerge as something else, it's a reminder to everyone of us that time and tide, waits for none. 

 

What have we converted it to is the only thing counts in the end.

 

How what I have done in those moments, adds to my experience if I choose to.

 

If I was gazing, it was that I was existing in those moments  being alive to the occurring shift.

 

If I have seen things that emerged around me at that times it means I explored.

 

If I tried to apply the learning with something that I got curious with by my observing it means I  experimented. If I succeeded, it means that was elementary. If not, it says I gained experience to emerge with enlightment, that educates me

elevate, myself to higher levels rising up energetically.

 

If I have learnt that nothing is permanent and that I have to constantly engage myself in knowing more and being more with efficiency, that allows me to excel, in my attempt over the previous ones.

 

Going through this process without giving excuse I belief I will have evolved.

 

When I become aware of my being I begin to understand the others.

 

That's progressing elegantly and endlessly.

 

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

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: It begins, and brews before it spews, it's all in the mind...

 

After so many hundreds of years of intricacy the mystery of how a man's thought gets aroused is sorted out and confirms everything begins in the mind first...

It can be an arguement...

A quarrel...

A fight...

A murder...

A war...

Well not just that even discoveries and innovations...

 

Everything begins and ends with the mind.

 

How we manage it, how we mend it, how we control it, makes all the difference...

 

A small satire to explain this...

 

Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus are at the airport.

 

Brutus: “Which is our boarding gate Caesar?”

Caesar: “A-2 Brutus”

 

Brutus: “And what time is the flight Caesar?”

Caesar: “8:02 Brutus”

 

Brutus: “By the way, I have sandwiches. Do you want one Caesar?”

Caesar: “Ate two Brutus”

 

Brutus: “This is an unusual paper size for a ticket. What size is it Caesar?”

Caesar: “A2 Brutus”

 

Brutus (Thinking to himself): “This man is really beginning to get on my nerves. One of these days I’m going to have to kill him.”

 

....thus the devil was aroused in Brutus and Ceasar ceased to be because he was done in by three trusted mates around him.

 

Something that needs serious consideration is our mental well-being, scripted exclusively for members of this group...

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Think it over...

 

I asked life, "Why are you so difficult?

Life smiled and said, "I am so simple, but, the problem is you people never appreciate simple things in life."

 

Where science ends, there imagination begins.

 

Here it goes..

 

We all have the potential to perform, if only we create the right  pathwithin ourselves.

 

Our life begins to change the moment we take complete responsibility for it and be totally accountable for it.

 

It's not important who is ahead of us in life.It's not important who is behind us too.What's important is who is with us.Who is walking along side us.

 

Real leaders are sometimes in the front, at times alongside us and at time behind us, but, when bthings get accomplished people will all say we did it.

That's the essence.

 

Have a great day.

 

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

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: What's the Story...this day!!!

Every decision we’ve ever made was influenced by a story—every single one. From the decision about whether to wear a mask during a pandemic,  to the charities you choose to support.

A story we heard, the story we believed or that story we told ourselves, had an impact on those choices.

 

If stories are our most persuasive technology, why don’t we do more to put them to work?

 

Why don’t we leverage the power of stories every day in our work and our lives?

 

Over many years now, we’ve come to believe that storytelling is a professional discipline.

A skill for the master storytellers at the Disney’s of the world.

We’ve stopped honing the story skills that came so naturally to our ancestors. We’ve forgotten how to tell small, powerful, everyday stories.

 

Let's try to change that and to help more people leverage the power of storytelling to become their most inspiring selves.

 

We don’t need an epic story to be a great storyteller.

We just need to adopt the posture of a storyteller and to practice the craft together.

 

Let's take this for a start:

 

What's it about life you love?

01. Family

02. Feel good to wake up saying, "I have another day in my hands...! And...I am...

03. Being able to take on the challenges, overcome hardships/obstacles and appreciate everything you have now instead of wanting more.

04. That you are someone who makes a difference in the world.

05. Being alive at the moment because that's what really is the thing that exists right now.

06. The sheer beauty of everything around you.

07. All the good people around you.

08. All the unexpected things.

09. Every moment in life is a new beginning.

10. Creating abundant joy for yourself and others.

11. The diversity that everyone brings to the table.

 

This list can go on and on depending on you.

 

Enjoy life.

 

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

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Ducks Quack and Eagles Soar

 

Three decades ago while undergoing training of Train the Trainer and facilitating TQM, we were deconstructing a case study of a "Cabbie," who from an ordinary one turned out to be a "most preferred cabbie," and how he transformed the others too.

 

(In short the way the cabbie was dressed, the courtesy he showed, the hospitality he extended, the conveniences provided inside the car, his proactive thinking, spoke volumes of the great "customer service he provided," and how he got referred to become the most sought after cabbie).

 

He said, it all happened when one passenger during a drive narrated an impactful story and shared the secret of the "POWER OF CHOICE."

 

We live in a large world - five continents seven oceans, mountains, rivers, beings - humans, birds, animals, plants etc. All of it common to all. Power of choice is that we can be a duck or an eagle.

 

If we get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, we'll rarely disappoint ourselves.

 

Ducks quack, eagles soar.

 

It isn't about me, you or whoever. It is that we  always hear people quacking and complaining,

 

We need to resolve to change our attitude and become an eagle.

 

Let's look around.

We will find people of all varieties, categories, attitudes, character, disciple, and their behaviours at times nasty, unfriendly.

 

This happens even in business with some having unhappy  customers and doing nothing about it.

 

It is easy to get caught in such a negative web, so we to decide to make some changes, slowly ... a few at a time.

 

When we interact with the others, after we choose eagle way, we will experience that others respond well too.

 

Perhaps compananies can do the same with their customers who also might respond well.

 

The more we do the more happier we become.

 

The more companies do the more they make, the more they gain.

 

Overall it is transforming everything to good.

 

The whole point then is that we need to decide to stop quacking like a duck and start soaring like an eagle.

 

We need to start becoming an eagle today, from this very moment ...

 

We may fail because we tried. We can learn from the failure and get better.

The worst thing is not to have tried at all.

 

We don't die if we fall in water, we die only if we don't even beat our legs, swing our arms and shout for help, especially when we don't know how to swim.

 

Thats the Real Meaning of Life.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Times are Changing

 

I picked my ringing mobile, could identify it was our laundryman.

 

He asked, "Do you want vegetables?"

 

Being surprised I respondeded, "You and vegetables !!"

 

His reply was so refreshing and growth oriented, "Sir, what is that you don't know...in these days of WFH there aren't too many clothes for laundry and what if I say, flexibility and adaptability are my new friends. My basic skills will remain in tact, am serving needs for survival and found it lucrative."

 

Was very impressed indeed. He is our regular vegetable vendor now who keeps adding other essentials to his supply shelf.

 

Always we keep asking people the wrong questions to people.

 

Here is another example.

We often ask, "What do you want to become when you grow up?"

 

The answers usually are Doctor, Engineer, CA, Pilot, Lawyer, Photographer, Model, Fashion Designer...the list goes on...

 

The question actually should be "Who do you want to become when you grow up?"

 

The difference is "What" and "Who."

"What" is  an avocation a profession - you can be even more than one in combinations. One being your base profession, another an interest or a hobby becoming an added avocation - Engineer - Photographer - Musician - Singer - Sportsman and so on...

 

"Who," emphasises on you as a human with values, with character, with integrity...someone who people would love to follow, emulate, someone who will leave a legacy.

 

You may be an engineer but a corrupt one or be a doctor who only intends to make money doesn't care...

 

Now that's the difference between "What," and "Who."

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's, Random, Ramblings

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Emerging Leader Qualities

 

My observations after lockdowns commenced.

 

Ability to collaborate

with others - even virtually. (WFH - Zoom Calls).

 

Self-assured confidence.

(Can work from anywhere, but, sure can't manufacture anything remotely too).

 

Consistent and constant learning and self-improvement.

(Re-booting, Up-skilling, Up-grading).

 

A propensity for fostering growth in others.

(Step back and make others conduct the on-line meetings, so as to groom them for higher responsibilities).

 

A strong capacity for clear communication.

(Most people during this time have become more expressive, more communicative, looking to network, attend webinars, learn not just more, but also improve their own communication skills).

 

This is the way forward, and also the reality, as I visualize.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Think About it all the time and Atrract it  to you.

 

Ibn Sina, also known as Abu Ali Sina, Pur Sina, and often known in the West as Avicenna was a Persian polymath who is regarded as one of the most significant physicians, astronomers, thinkers and writers of the Islamic Golden Age, and the father of early modern medicine.

 

Ibn Sina conducted an experiment in his times.

 

He put two identical lambs in two separate cages.

 

He put a wolf in another cage next to one of the lambs.

 

Only the one lamb which could see the wolf constantly died soon due to severe stressed caused due to fear, even though the wolf did nothing ever to the lamb.

 

It was obvious therefore that the other lamb was doing well for itself living in its world of ignorance.

 

In this experiment Ibn Sina observed the positive and the negative effects of the mental influence and environment on the health and the body.

 

Unnecessary fear, anxiety, stress does nothing but harm our body.

 

In times of the unprecedented pandemic that we are going through now we need to take care of our physical and mental health and not overstressed ourselves.

 

Not just physical distancing and emphathizing with an emotional connect, cut yourself from the TV, news media the WhatsApp  Universities on any new about the pandemic.

 

This is the best thing to do apart from observing the statutory protocols.

 

Stay home, stay safe stay healthy.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Emotions - Intelligence

We all believe we can understand well and particularly others...

We believe we know, what the others mean when they speak... particularly at work...

We also believe we know, what they mean even when they don't speak.. particularly at home...

We may see their faces, hear voices, may hear words, but, can we really understand...

the anticipation in their eyes,

the disappointment in their sighs,

the yearning in their pauses,

the apprehension in their bent heads,

the hope, for acceptance of their words,

the fear in their smiles,

the silences that speak so much more?

 

When we really begin to understand, we will see they aren't the others, but, they're just like us, waiting to be understood.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 Raman's Random Ramblings 

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: YESTERDAY - TODAY - TOMORROW...

 

Kal..Aaj...aur Kal...

 

The Present (NOW) from The Past (THEN) to

The Future (COMING)...

 

Let me begin from Now..

(A connect wrote about his people and him WFH and his people failing in health because of lack of proper conditions to work, and suggesting that working spaces be made available even in rural areas of India thereby a new business opportunity...invites comments), and I respon👇

 

Pandemic - WFH - Privacy - LOC (Line of Coordination) - HOW (Hours of Work)  - WT/FT (Work Time/Family Time) - Health issue (Mainly improper infrastructure at home etc., are unexpected realities in action. WFH may become the normal in future too.

 

From the Past..

 

I remember a time long ago when Internet became widely available across the country and also a time - - - - - when we would find it difficult to get people to work

- when women used to go for confinement, someone getting injured etc.,

- we would find it difficult to get replacements of high quality, time consuming and so when the suggestion was made by me that people should be allowed the facility of WFH from wherever they were, there was a big hue and cry about security and all sorts of things. That was a bluff, people just didn't buy into a new thought and they were not willing to trust people.

Now all those alleged fears are allayed and the world is working from home.

What I foresaw is happening  - call it destiny or whatever, I can look back and only smile.

 

I wonder if that was taken seriously - am wondering what the scene might have been.

 

I believe it would have been very different and nice.

 

We wouldn't have had urban migration, so many concrete jungles, less crowded cities, more trees, adequate distribution of growth and resources etc.

 

All this restricted to technology companies.

 

The development would have been distributed too.

 

That's an unfulfilled dream.

Let the new normal make all of it a reality.

 

Wanted to continue my response with a QUOTE.

"The right time to plant trees was twenty or more years ago. The next right time is now, else we will regret. The generation yet to be born will curse us and all the generations before for they inherited nothing worthy of being proud."

 

Let's stop...

...the "analysis-paralysis."

...being judgemental

...being fixed mindsets

 

Let's be adventurous,

let's experiment,

let's become confident and let's develop more confidants by trusting and be able to share our thoughts and leverage our SEE -  Skills, Experience, Expertise.

 

Let's -

Revisit - Review - Reflect on past practices

and

let's make

Distribution - Diversity - Development

That I believe, is the key.

 

Thanks to my connect for triggering this thought.

 

Looking forward to your response.

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: The Personality Traits Necessary To Be An Army  Officer Are...

 

Effective Intelligence:

Most of the jobs in armed forces are practical rather than analytic and the main job of the officer is to follow the orders of his seniors’ orders. On the field, all it requires is to be practical, spontaneous and courageous.

 

Reasonability:

To be reasonable means to be able to ask the question, i.e why I am doing a particular job.

 

Organizing:

Use the resources to its maximum is one of the specialty of an armed force officer.

 

Power of Expression: Power of expression is a trait required for mobilizing people. Your orders mean to the difference of life and death in war so it is very important for an officer to have a clear set of vision.

 

Initiative:

An officer is always enthusiastic, lively and optimistic. He ahs the  courage to take reasonable risk ion the field.

 

Self Confidence:

Progressive

Learner

Confident of your abilities

 

Alert:

To be Spontaneous, speed to make a decision, and adaptive as you never know what will come across your way, so you always has to be prepared for any kind of situation.

 

Liveliness:

Energetic, optimist about the future, always active and cool and relaxed person always deal with a situation with a positive and an easy approach rather than a complex approach.

 

 

Influential:

The best quality of a leader is that he has a clear vision and he motivates his followers to move towards a bright future. He mobilize his team towards the objective and leave a positive impact on them.

 

Determination:

An officer is always clear in his mind of what he wants and how he will get it. An officer is always dedicated and determinant of his aim and he always put efforts to achieve his aims.

 

Courage:

Courage is not the strength to carry on, rather it’s carrying on when you don’t have the strength.

 

Stamina:

Physical and mental health combination are stamina and it is very much required in the war and on the field.

 

Social Adaptability

How will you connected with family, friends and society.

How well you are able to manage different situation so as to keep your surroundings stable.

 

Cooperation:

One should believe in give and take also with the law of nature.

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Personal Touch

 

Old and frail, losing sense of touch, smell, taste, sight and a bit of hearing, but when brought to touching distance smell is revived, when anything touches the tongue that tingles the taste buds, going close the sight gets better even without specs or using a magnifying glass.

 

Words are heard when spoken close, but, heard still better with the earphones. Now the point isn't all of these, but, the personal touch that is given by us to the others especially in tough times like we are going through.

 

It is even more when we touch base with our friends for years who've all been our colleagues and are retired now.

 

Occasional calls to them lights them up and when wished on special occasions of their life such as a birthday makes it even more joyful and happy.

 

We should therefore maintain these contacts and instead of exchanging cold emails or WhatsApp  which are virtual, just pick your mobile and dial the friends number just to hear him/her say "Hello.." would do a world of good to all.

 

In the space of this lockdown I have spoken to at least 80% of my personal contacts. That itself gives me immense satisfaction.

 

"An apple a day, keeps the doctor away," is an old saying, let's revive it this way, "A call a day, keeps the distance away."

 

Cheers!

 

Be Blessed.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

 

Shades not Shadows

 

When I gained enough confidence, the stage was gone.

When I was sure of losing the game, I won.

When I needed people the most, I found me alone.

When my tears dried, I found a shoulder to cry on.

When I mastered the skill of hating people, I found someone who loved me more than life.

I find telling others what to do and not to, but, when it comes to me, the same things hurt.

This is life...

 

I know if I have the courage to begin, I also have the courage to succeed, but, how do I measure success.

Someone tells me success isn't measured by where I've reached now as much as I have climbed over the many obstacles and from the depths to reach the top.

I know that the difference between success and failure is hardwork and determination, yet, when someone else succeeds I think it is luck.

 

It is this flaw, as much as many more that makes me up I am trying to correct, because mistakes help me learn and the more I learn the better I become, as my awarness, leads me to curiosity.

The more and more I seek the more and more I gain. That is the difference between just knowing and become wise.

 

So sometime in life I need to run away from all not just to keep distance, but also to see who is following me.

 

If there's in light in front of me, what follows me is my "Shadow," which has not different "Shades," but one, and that's none but me.

I learnt all this because life, is much larger than me.

 

When I look at more and more people and  things outside me I realize what my life, is.

It is enlightenment that can make all the difference in life.

 

It is beautiful if I am willing to learn, to unlearn, to relearn, to adapt, to reinvent and to grow, else I am a statue - erected, unchangeable on which 

pigeon's and birds love dropping constantly.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Comfort Zone..

 

A king got a gift of two beautiful Macau Parrots.

He would see them on the branch of a tree opposite the window of room he spent most time - reading, relaxing, writing or listening to music.

 

He was worried to see one of the parrots wasn't moving at all while the other was flying, so he sent word to the parrot trainer (it is believed there were people like that in those days), to take a look. The next day when the king saw both the Macau Parrots flying called the parrot trainer to reward him. Just after he have away the award, he asked the parrot trainer what did he do to make both birth take to their wings. The parrot Trainer replied, "I just chopped off the branch of the tree on which the Macau was

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: That's the comfort zone.

Taking this to our lives, most of us in the journey of life settle down on the branches of comfort zones till someone like a -mother, father, sister, brother, close friend, teacher, mentor, coach or anyone of influence comes over to nudge us out of our comfort-zones.

 

We all need this in out life. Keep looking out for anyone of them who can appear anytime and after that your life will not be the same. You will be flying too.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings, 

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Play into the Gaps

It's a leaf out of a great cricketer of our times, Ricky Ponting, fondly nick named "Punter," for his penchant to place bets on racing.

 

"Punter" Ponting grew to become what he eventually became was his "never-say-die," attitude.

 

When "Punter," became a prolific run getter, was asked by a journalist as to what was the secret of his  dominance and consistency. He said, "Every batsman  surveys the field before taking strike so that the fielders positions are imprinted in their minds.

I too this, but, the difference is I see not just the fielders, but I see more of the gaps between them." This art sped his cricketing ability exponentially and went on to become the player he eventually retired as.

 

If we take a leaf out of Ponting's ability and take the lesson :

- Focus on the opportunities gaps), not on the obstacles (fielders).

- Concentrate and be patient when on a task, taking each task by it merit.

- Focus on your ability to solve problems (score runs)

 

Life in many ways is like playing cricket. There will be people and challenges that'll  keep appearing very often as obstacles in the way of your achieving things you want. In addition there will be people around you who like the opponent captain will use every strategy to get you out (competitors and rivals, will often do this), and our business is to overcome the obstacles and go on to achieve the objectives (much like looking for the gaps to score the runs), and push forward.

 

In whatever you do there'll be fielders (obstacles) and

your job is to get past the fielders (obstacles) to get ahead, the "Ponting" way of looking at the gaps to score, no matter what the odds and obstacles are, including the present time during the pandemic. Stay within the crease, step out only if it is safe to play confidently otherwise occupy time in the middle and play safe  thinking year 2020 is the test match of your life not an ODI or 20:20.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: EGO.. is the ENEMY

 

There's one virus in all of us the is a permanent resident - and that is our EGO.

 

Whether we realize it, accept it, or not we all have it in us. Some have a little..

Some have a little more..

Some have a lot...lot more..

 

We will know about this if we reflect on it...

 

01. Wherever we are, whatever we do, our worst enemy - EGO - dwells in all of us...only the degree° varies.

 

02. People with ambitions, talents, drives, and potential are hampered, as EGO comes within their territory too..

 

03. Self-Confidence becomes arrogance, assertiveness becomes obstinacy and self-assurance becomes reckless abandon.

 

EGO is the ENEMY of all What you Want and What you Have.

 

It helps being a student all our life...by being...

 

HUMBLE in our ASPIRATIONS and AMBITIONS.

 

GRACIOUS in our SUCCESS and VICTORIES,

 

and

 

RESILENT In our FALL or FAILURES.

 

Just think of the little creatures like the ants, bees,  squirrels and the like of insects and animals...they never showed their "EGO" ever, but if the ever do, we all can imagine what the consequences can be...

 

If you can't believe what I say, just think of the invisible microcosmic virus called CARONA/COVID19 and the havoc it has caused making human go on their "knees," as if in surrender.

 

The world is at a standstill, reminding us probably it is time to shun our EGO.

 

Pause, Ponder and Position yourself for a better start beginning now...

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Learn, Unlearn, Relearn...

 

The "pandemic," as we all know wasn't just humanity's fight against nature for survival, it also revealed the "ugly face," of man's lust for power and supremacy.

 

The events that unfolded speaks of the hysteria, the backlash, the acceptance, the challenge - graduating to self-less action - humanity first.

 

The questions that come up are :

 

- Will this bring about a change in human behaviour?

 

- Will this bring about a change in our life style - particularly the work life style?

 

- Will it bring about a change in business too?

 

We all know tomorrow isn't going to be the same ever, as any of the by-gone of yesterdays or yesteryears.

 

New business opportunities will begin to emerge, new technologies will be adopted that will usher in a new work style...it is all a question of perspective.

 

The paradigm shift is happening.

It isn't about out-of-the-box thinking anymore.

It'll be a great opportunity for fixing all that broke, develop the existing and disrupt business for new creations.

 

A great maxim that gas stood the test of times "LEARN, UNLEARN, RELEARN," needs to be understood in the new context, because old ways can never address the new realities - the unforeseen and the unpredictable.

 

The "pandemic," was also a testament that the fittest companies were often the ones that were the quickest  to "LEARN, UNLEARN AND RELEARN," were the quickest to adapt and innovate too in challenging times.

 

Curious to know your thoughts on what the future holds - be it for business, life style, work style, education, travel etc.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: The "E" of Life!!!

"E" is the eminent of all!!!

 

The modern world introduced  us to eMails, eTickets, ePaper, eRecharge, eGovernance, eCommerce...but, let's not forget the first "E" we knew was "Eshwar" who makes everything easy for everyone, everywhere, everyday.

 

It is in...

men and women,

house and home,

bread and butter

power and peace...

it isn't there in war but is there twice in peace...

in the beginning of existence  and in the end of trouble.

 

"E" stands for emotions hence figures in all relationships - father, mother, daughter, beta, sister, wife, nephew, niece, friends...figures in foes too..

 

"E" figures in "Effort and Energy," hence for excellence it is better to be better than good, so we need the "E."

 

We are given eyes to see, nose to smell, teeth to bite, grind, chew, tongue to taste.. all this to keep the heart pumping and head thinking...and legs for action with fingers in the hands.

 

We would be so incomplete without the "E."

 

There'd be no life nor death without "e."

 

Everything is created or born with an expiry date as a practice or process.

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Finding Yourself

 

In the recent happening around the world due to the pandemic, it seems most of us have forgotten ourselves. You may for a moment also think, "Yes, I have..., but, it doesn't work that way."

 

You aren't a currency note left in last years' winter coat pocket.

You aren't lost either.

Your true self is right their beneath your skin under  cultural conditioning, other people's opinions and inaccurate conclusions you drew while growing up as a kid, that became your beliefs about who you are.

 

Finding Yourself," is actually returning to yourself, an unlearning, an excavation, a remembering who you were, before the world got its hands on you.

 

Don't be impressed by money/titles/followers/degrees/appearances/social media/big words... instead be influenced by kindness/trustworthiness/authenticity/genuinity/generosity/integrity/honesty/sincerity/optimism...etc.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: We are much more than....

 

Yes, we all are much more than we give credit for ourselves.

 

Any doubts?

If yes, let's explore...

 

If I were to ask you to explain your "value proposition," you'd probably  hesitate, at least for a few moments, then...say...

I....

I....

it will go on by putting you in a think mode.

 

But, if I were to ask you what your stakeholders will miss if you aren't there.

You are likely to have some thoughtful answers, as to why someone else needs what you do,

what you make,

what you serve,

what you offer/sell.

 

As you can see here it is the language used and the question that sent you on the - back foot, and the other made it possible to come on the front foot.

 

So one way to go about this is to have a picture of your "value creation," in your mind always, meaning what can or will happen...

Without us fewer people...

can.....

are......

feel....

have..

do......

become...

By filling these things up we will begging to tell better stories about our "value proposition."

 

Know your true value...

Sit back and script your list.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: What or Whom are you taking for granted !

 

A disciple of a Guru wasn't happy with the space in his house, so he went and complained to his Guru.

 

The Guru listened to his woes and asked him to also take his ten buffaloes too into his house.

 

The surprised disciple did this and found that the space was further cramped.

 

He went back to the Guru once again to complain.

Seeing his the Guru said, "I know you have five goats too, now take them too into your house !"

 

The suprised disciple did what the Guru told him and found there was no more room for anything else.

 

He ran to the Guru yet again.

 

On seeing him the Guru said, drive away the buffalos and the goats.

 

The disciple was at his wits end...first he was asked to admit all the buffaloes, then admit the goats and mow he was being asked to drive all those animals away.

 

Anyway, being an obedient disciple he went home and drove the buffaloes and the goats outside, and found there was so much of space in the house now.

 

Now that what happens when we aren't happy with what we have.

 

We look for more, something else happens and again something else happens.

 

When we sit back and think it over we realize we sweat for nothing.

 

By making tiny adjustments or alterations we can get more.

 

What we need to do is to take stock of what we have.

 

Are we taking things or people for granted and look for more?

 

That's when it begins to hurt!

 

Check back in your own life, with the pandemic in the back ground and look at the life style you were used to and also look at the work style. You may have been feeling inconvenienced a bit, perhaps a bit stressed too. But, now that it has been over forty days of the lockdown you've got adjusted to the new style be it for life or at work.

 

Perhaps it is appropriate to recalibrate and analyze things from a new perspective - what was and what is to redefine what will be...

 

Cheers!

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Thoughts to ponder over.

 

We all have two eyes but our opinions aren't the same ever. Our views differ.

 

We have two ears but even when we hear the same we don't decipher it the same. Our perceptions differ.

 

Humans are strange, they have egos because of their knowledge, but, have just no knowledge about the ego each one carries.

 

The letter "O" is the beginning of "Opportunity," but, "O" doesn't figure in Yesterday, once in Today and twice in Tomorrow.  What does that mean?

 

Pain is unavoidable, but, suffering in optional.

 

Never ignore the one who cares for you and loves you, for you never know you've lost the moon counting the stars.

 

Sometimes life doesn't give you what you want. It isn't because you don't deserve it, it is because you deserve it more and that sometimes isn't good for you.

 

People who matter don't judge and people who judge don't matter.

 

The most distinguished characteristic of successful people is that they are curious always wanting to learn. They know change is inevitable and are willing to change. They are flexible mind and swift in their action.

 

When the road is beautiful don't worry about the destination and when the destination is good don't worry about the road.

 

It isn't just our messages to influence people, but, our life should become a message for others. That's ultimate influencing.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: What will you do when the lockdown is lifted...?

 

Seriously... what will you do...put your hand on your heart..and be true to tell what you will do...

 

Will you hurry to a friends house for a drink?

Or will you watch sunsets as the sky turns ink...

 

Will you rush to shop in the largest mall?

Or will you still find music in the koyal's call..

 

Wilm you join in a wild party to celebrate?

Or you will read to your little one till late..

 

Will you ache to visit the restaurants and bars?

Or will you find wonder in the tiniest flower..

 

Will fumes and smoke again make you cough a d wheeze?

Or wilm you step aside to converse with the breeze...

 

Will your evenings be spent amidst the line of cars?

Or will your eyes paint the stars.

 

Will you stomp in to join the herd?

Or will you have found wings, to soar like a bird...

 

When the lockdown is over...what will you do?

 

The eyes of the children are focused on you..

 

Will you return to the nights of the pooping pills?

Or will you have learnt the "Art of Being and Living Fully," in a rejuvenated planet earth..

 

Zindagi mey na jaaney kaunsi baath aakhri hogee,

Na janee kaunsa din ya kaunsi raath aakhri hogee...

Miltehey julthey baathen karthe raho yaron...ek dusre sey...

Na janey kaunsi mulaquaat aakhri hogee...

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: The Lost Art of Storytelling

 

Our ancestors - great grandparents, grandparents all - couldn't script a Tweet or send WhatsApp text messages or update FB or Instagram page nor even send an eMail, but, they possessed a lot many life skills (DIY - Do it Yourself), and were the GOOGLE of our times. We don't think much of any of them or any of those things and also forget that we are here today because of them and the lessons they imparted through stories.

 

The generations of the past knew - how to build fire, knit clothes, grow and preserve food and many more things including the art of storytelling.

 

Each of them were such masters at the art that all of us put together would make just one.

 

They told stories to pass on skills, to make sense of their world and to share that understanding. They also did that to earn the trust and cooperation of all. That makes sense, doesn't it?

 

Yes!

 

We need these skills more than we realize.

 

We need stories and also skills of telling stories. Some have, many don't, but, the truth is all of us have stories and a lot of them.

 

Sit back and think.

 

What stories will you weave today and why will it matter to the people who hear them?

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: History, Heritage and Hindsights,

...are powerful teachers, but we are too much in a hurry, to reach higher ground, to learn from them....

 

...don't be so busy to get from here to there, that you forget, how you got here from there...

 

If you want to connect the dots between all your yesterday's and hopeful tomorrow's, start with your back story...

 

Embracing and sharing your back-story...

 

01. Connects us to our purpose and vision - for life, career, business...

 

02. Allows us to celebrate our strengths by remembering, how we got from there to here...

 

03. Deepens our understanding of our unique value and what differentiates us from the rest of the world...

 

04. Reinforces our core values...

 

05. Helps us act in alignment and to make value-based decisions...

 

06. Encourages us to be responsive to people's needs rather than be reactive to people or situations...

 

07. Attracts people who want to support people who reflect and represent their values...

 

08. Builds an image that gives us a story to tell...

 

09. Attracts like minded people we want to be with...

 

10. Helps us stay motivated and continue to do the work we are proud of...

 

Rewind, Reflect, Reposition are characteristics of growth-minded people...

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Hues hues, hues.

 

Colours have a massive impact on us.

 

It influences our thoughts, feelings, emotions, personality and a range of things in life.

 

Black and white are colours too. They can be stunning in contrast and make a great visual appeal.

 

In combination with other colours it becomes even better. Just imagine our life with just one single colour which ever it may be. Life would have been so boring. Deserts and ocean for instance can be tedious, yet in the vicinity of an oasis or an island the whole feeling changes.

 

Companies also use colour for their branding. That's the impact of colour in our life without which  our optical vision would have been so narrow.

 

Enjoy life enjoy colours.

 

Happy Holi

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: A Major Shift

 

The world is changing its perception at the speed of light.

 

The ways of life are changing, life styles are changing, working styles are changing.

 

How can we afford to be stuck in the past and try looking forward?

 

There is nothing from the past that anyone can tell us about what we are going through for the last month or so across the globe.

 

According to in-puts I receive :

 

People are listening a lot better.

 

Are seemingly more disciplined and more accountable.

 

Are able to build more trust now.

 

Are communicating much better now.

 

Are able to show more  presence and productive contributions  now.

 

Are able to establish better connections and are much more involved and engaged now.

 

Are more impeccable with their word now.

 

There are others who say most people are open to feedback now.

 

Only thing hoped is that

 

- people don't take it as personal and view it only as a feedback on out-put.

 

- people don't assume too many things and so ask a lot many questions to get clarity.

 

- people become more patient, as the pressure of WFH is a lot higher..

 

Summarily therefore, it seems the

 

Volatility has now moved to become Versatility

 

Uncertainity has now become a New Equity

 

Complexity has now become Creativity

 

and

 

Ambiguity has become the latest Agility.

 

The current VUCA has certainly boosted the Overall  Confidence of people.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: There's only one WHY!

 

I am a great fan of Simon Sinek the creator and the greatest practicing advocate of his concept and theory of WHY?

 

Someone asked him is there a professional WHY and a personal WHY?

 

He vehemently says NO, there can't be two WHY's because if there is then either one of the two whether it is Personal or Professional is a lie.

He adds that his WHY is to inspire others - friends, relatives, customers are all receivers of his products of inspiration in various forms through different messages.

 

The WHO is (him), the WHAT is his message and his HOW is through short video's, his books, his programmes etc.

 

I look back at my own self and ask what's my WHY? The answer is to inspire thoughts and share it with others.

 

WHO am I?

An influencer.

 

And WHAT am I saying?

Keep your mind focused on your WHY and make it big.

 

And HOW do I do it?

Being in circulation through scripts like this, my writings on social media, my audios and videos (coming soon).

 

If our WHO, WHAT and HOW, doesn't align properly   then our WHY, will not show up prominently.

 

And to repeat what Simon Sinek says, "If you don't know your WHY  then your WHAT and HOW doesn't matter WHO you are."

 

"If your intent is good, nothing else matters and if your intent isn't good nothing else matters. Be who you are and say what you feel, for those who know you will not mind and  those who mind don't matter to you."  This quote from ~ Dr. Suess, goes very well with my WHO, HOW, WHAT and WHY.

And so does this quote from ~ Maya Angelou, "For in the end people will not remember what you said or did, they will remember what you made them feel."

 

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

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Champions aren't made in the gymnasiums, instead what makes them is what they have deep inside them - a vision, a dream, a deep desire that drives them to seek everything that's needed to get what they yearn for dearly.

 

They are focused and put their steps one after the other firmly, steadily, continously, constantly, consistently inching towards their goal, even when there's a set back.

 

They know an arrow on a bow string will be pulled back before releasing it to the target. In fact, even a bullet from a gun or pistol in fired by pulling the trigger backwards.

 

So when life pulls you back, remember there's a setback but be also assured that you are being launched for something even better.

 

When faced with an obstacle like a rock or a hill climb over, walk over, dig through or circumvent it, keeping trying and keep moving on. That's progress.

Bash on regardless is to move on adventerously and courageously.

 

Scripted exclusively for members of this group

R3 - Raman's  Random Ramblings,

by Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: An Indelible Page.

 

Yes, we all are a part of an indelible page in the history of mankind....

And...

History will remember this war against a deadly virus, brought unto us involving all of mankind's survival.

 

It will go down as a war fought by doctors, healthcare staff, hygiene workers and people at large, not just soldiers who fight conventional wars.

 

History will also remember how scientists worked night and day for creating medicines that can contain, cure and eradicate this artificially created virus.

 

History will remember this war as one that was fought by soap, sanitizers and not by bullets, shells, rockets or bombs.

 

History will remember thst this battle was not fought on the battlegrounds, but by us in our homes along with everyone's prayer and support.

 

History will remember the sacrifices of the many poor innocents who lost their lives unsuspecting.

 

History will also remember with gratitude the survivors of this virus and their personal stories to enable us protectect ourselves adhering to the protocols.

 

History will also remember the leadership of the tallest leader of their country and the world will be willing to seek advise from.

 

History will not forgive anyone for brought this misery on humankind to gain supremacy by power or for economy or both.

 

Take cover, stay home, stay safe.

 

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R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Rama

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: One World...Different People

 

When we see the world from our eyes, we see the same.. but, how we feel or how we think. Then your world and mine looks completely different to my world, not because of economic or social factors, but, because of  our beliefs, as it shapes the way we see the world.

 

One is born in a 5-Star hospital, another in the hands of a mid-wife...both survived...

 

One woke up from a warm soft bed, another from the cold hard floor...both slept well..

 

One went to a modern private school another to a government school, but, both ended up from the same college..got the same education..only levels of knowledge and wisdom and how it shaped their life later differed..

 

One grew rich and arrogant, the other ordinary and humble...they lived in their worlds...

 

One wore expensive clothes, the other ordinary...bith clothed to converse their nakedness...

 

One ate rich food every meal, the other ate simple...both fulfilled their hunger.

 

One drove expensive cars the other used public transport, both got to work...

 

One might read this message from an expensive iPhone6+ and the other from an ordinary Smartphone, the message remains the same...

 

Just because my neighbor has amassed possessions, it doesn't mean we are failures if we don't...the point is how we have impacted another's life...

 

Happiness doesn't come from having everything but by having enough to live and putting those resources for maximum yield.

 

Happiness isn't having a lot of what we like, but, liking what we have and learning to make the most of it by giving and sharing!!!

 

It's about how we see ourselves!!! Happiness is a state of mind!!!

 

Lifestyle isn't a competition, whatever paths, lanes or roads we take the final destination we all reach is the same..

 

Change your thinking...

Own your beliefs

Mould your mind...

Process the inputs...

Renew yourself...

Rejuvenate yourself

Reboot

Rebuild

Review

Reward yourself...

 

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R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Pause Read Think

It's an eye-opener isn't it, we have been made to realize everything is equal - no rich, no poor, no young, no old, no male, no female, no beautiful or handsome no ugly, no dark no fair, no tall, no short...everyone is one the same thought...how do we protect ourselves, how do we save the others.

 

You amazing dream job is no longer anything like that. Your expensive branded clothes hanging in your expensive teak wood almirah have no meaning. No one cares a damn... Whether you have a Rolls Royace, Lamborgini or a Nano it is all the same - static - standing on it's 4 wheels.

Whether you live in a mansion on a cliff overlooking the ocean or a 8'x8' dingy single room it makes no difference.

 

We are seeing a few of them doing some very important jobs..there are just a few people out there taking care of us, serving our needs.

The shop keeper near by

The health worker

The NHS staff

The emergency staff

The doctors and the nurses

The lorry driver distributing essentials

The ambulance drivers

The leaders

The refuse workers

 

These are the people who are doing crucial jobs to us keep ticking over and helping us feel safe. This is not just during normal times but also during such trying times but always. They are people who often go absolutely unnoticed. These are the ones who we frown upon generally gloat that we earn much more than them.

 

But what worth is all of that?

 

For now let's take a bow and be grateful to all these people who make a difference in our life.

 

Next...

Let's step back and look at the reality we are staring at.

 

Some are skeptic about their future and are wondering if their job is secure?

 

Some are waiting to get back.

 

Some are thinking working from home may become the new normal.

 

Many of them at leadership positions are engaged in dialogues on strategies and that includes how to take every pandemic and/or lockdowns.

The other strategies might be think of alternatives to Annual Plans be abandoned and only work on Strategic Plans so define new methods of going about business.

 

It then means we need to reinvent a new us to take on the new realities.

 

It means we need to be open to many changes that will redefine our life.

 

It means we need to find newer attitude to cope up and to grow.

 

The need of the hour is humility, acceptability, curiosity, learnability.

 

New mantra

01. Start Up

02. Stand Up

03. Spruce Up

04. Steady Up

05. Scale Up

06. Size Up

07. Speed Up

08. Soar Up

09. Sail on..

 

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R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: It is all a mind game...

 

From WIIIFM to WIIIFO

 

WIIIFM -> WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME.

WIIIFO -> WHAT IS IN IT FOR OTHERS.

 

When the mind is weak, every situation becomes a problem...

which will make us believe it can't be overcome.

Even a pebble will seem like a mountain.

 

Everyone becomes our advisor. We are confused.

 

When the mind is balanced ever situation becomes a challenge...

which we believe we can overcome.

Even a mountain will seem like a hill.

 

We listen to what others tell us and use our own thinking to decide.

 

When the mind is strong, every situation will seem like an opportunity...

we will know how to use every resource

for the right purpose,

in the right ways,

in the right places,

for the right reasons,

that will benefit,

not just us

but

everyone around us.

 

We will ask for inputs, feedback, we will consider every aspect and firm up things according to our belief, confidence and experience. Winning is just another result and losing is another lesson to gain experience.

 

The differences we see here is being derailers (losers),  and influencers (winners).

 

In the game of life what is important is playing (participating, contributing, giving more than taking)   the game well.  

Winning or losing, is a by product.

 

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R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Inner Scorecard

We regularly measure our status and our progress, with what we see externally.

 

We have grown in the lap of comparison, when our mothers used to rant about our first tooth, then on it continues to school from day one into higher studies where it escalates to marks, percentage, distinction and what not.

 

We are by this time actually aware of all that is needed for external dressing up to make us feel smart in front of others. We want to feel remarkable in the eyes of the others. We have all learnt and work by what Warren Buffet, calls the ouuter score card often on the expense of what is right and what is right for us.

 

If what's on our inner score card grounds us, we must get into the act of prioritizing those things. Inner score cards are essential for individuals and organizations are alike.

 

Now the point is what are things you are proud of and makes you feel remarkable.

 

What's on your inner scorecard?

 

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R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Thought for today..

 

Thank you God, "I learnt that "Cost of living" is never expensive, but it is the "Cost of Life Style," that makes it exhorbitant.

 

I really don't have to spend too much even today for my basic living - Food, Clothes or for Shelter. It was the same decades ago in proportion to my income today it is almost the same.

 

Then what has been the change. The change has been our extravagance.

 

Top-end mobiles, expensive automobiles and/or motorbikes, increasing consumption of fuel, large screen TV's music systems, shopping for expensive clothes when there no place for storage, wasting cooked food by ordering on Zomato etc.

 

Am not saying one should indulge in fantasies like this at all.

 

The lockdown is an eye-opener.

 

What the future holds for us is so uncertain.

It is very difficult to predict how long it will take to restore the economy to steadiness.

One wonders what decisions would business take to reduce costs.

Am desperately praying it is not going to be giving the pink slips.

 

I will be looking for the figers that can wipe the tears of sadness in my bad times rather than ever remembering the hands that clapped for my success.

 

Also remember each and everyone of us goes through some pain or the other sometime in life.

 

Some get lessons early in life, some in middle age and some in the later stage. Exceptional are those who had  to face difficulties early and overcome it. Then again get to another unexpected difficulty and overcome that too. The early experinces come good to handle whatever comes in their old age, because they think every moment of their life is a bonus.

 

The tragedy of life is we get too old soon and wise too late.

 

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R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Your Ikigai

 

Whether we like it or not, we need to be all this

 

An electrician

who can mend connections between two who don't talk.

 

A painter

to paint a smile on faces that can last beyond our life time.

 

An optemeterist

who can, not just correct a vision but also perspective.

 

A gardener

who can plant seeds of good thoughts and values right from the roots.

 

A plumber

who can fix leaks and mend broken relationships.

 

A doctor

who can fix the problem of "ego" between people.

 

And last but not the least

 

A recruiter

who can get people on board which is not just talent  and a bundle of degrees and experience but good trustworthy human beings who can love and respect people.

 

 

Let's MARCH along. Have a great week and month ahead.

 

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Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Emptiness is useful.

 

Imagine a house. It has four walls, and a big cavity that gets a frame to be called a door and another set of cavities that get frames to be called windows. While the door allows entry, exit and safety windows give light and allows fresh air circulation.

 

Like wise in a hollow bamboo which has holes drilled on it is makes to be known as flute which produces melodious musical notes.

 

It is all from the emptiness.

We need to take a lesson from this.

 

Our life has become one of busy-ness, that we hardly have the time to create vacancies of time.

 

One doesn't realize working endlessly like this can cost us our health, mental peace and all of that.

 

We need to create some space for emptiness time daily.

 

We need to dump things that we don't need to carry, so that we can keep ourselves charged all the time.

 

Happy Sunday.

 

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by 

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Care for what comes free.

 

A 93 year old being discharged from the hospital after close observation, when the bill was handed over to him he began crying.

 

The doctor calmed him down and asked him the reason for crying because he thought the old man had a shortfall of money to pay.

 

The old man said it isn't that I can't pay the bill. I was looking at the charges fir the ventilator.

 

Realized it costs Rs. 6000.00 a day and have to pay Rs. 18,000.00. I was in tears and thanking God he have me free air for 93 years.

 

It is sad that we just don't care for what we get as s gift.

 

"Air," so far has been a free gift for all of us, for everything else we need to pay (includes water).

 

The love of our parents, siblings family and friends too comes free.

 

Let's us care for all of it snd share.

 

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R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

 

March 31, 2020 is the last day of our financial year. I thought I'd close my account with this also coming freely from within me.

 

Cheers!

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: "Cope" ing With Transitons Like A Butterfly...

 

Transitions, are usually changes that occur in predictable patterns, that we find comforting, but, are essential parts of learning, growing and getting ahead in life.

 

The transition that is happening now is unpredictable, but, the process and learning is the same.

 

THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

Nourish yourself with experiences. You can learn from anyone you meet. Challenging or easy ALL are important to you for your future form.

 

COCOONING

Retreat, rest and practice self-care. Enjoy the flow of creativity and inspiration that comes from a place of quiet contemplation.

 

METAMORPHOSIS

Outside appearance may appear unchanged, but, nourishment from those new experinces and the time to retreat and rest transforms us into a new being.

 

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY

Emerging from its cocoon, wings have formed leaving behind the old ways of being.

 

The old mindset of crawling is now transformed by a growth mindset of flying.

 

The butterfly is now ready to  wing it's way forward with courage sharing its hues and beauty with the world.

 

Hoping you all will be like the "butterfly," transitioning through the most difficult period mankind has ever known.

 

Rest, relax, stay at home, stay safe and enjoy your weekend.

 

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R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

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Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: GA-GA -> GET ATTENTION vs GIVE ATTENTION

 

Everything we do is to show up our talent to meet our purpose, we work with passion, using the skills we have acquired.

 

Don't we all know how difficult it is to do all this in "unison," so that we get someone's attention and recognition.

 

All of this is not easy, because talents is an "inborn gift," whereas skill is acquired, purpose and passion are defined is unique to each of us.

 

Attention like every other scarce resource on the planet is scarce. You get it for a while and is gone next moment if it isn't followed up well with another strategy.

 

It is hard to sustain anyone's attention for long. Not all succeed, but, some always do.

 

What instead of grabbing attention, we try giving attention to people to understand what they do. The more people we give our attention, the more we we get to pay attention to us too.

 

Wont they?

 

Giving yields a lot more results than getting.

 

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R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Past & Future

 

Over the last few days I have been reading and listening about this being the last "ten-year," of this century, in fact in it last few hours this day. Enjoy every moment this day and savour it.

 

Tick off another year into history and move on to welcome 2020 cheerfully, joyfully, happily, hoping for health, peace and prosperity.

 

Life is a dream within a dream. The past is nothing and the future an illusion.

In between the vastness of time-spaces our own existence is a microbial reality.

 

Unlike the human being no other living creature spends it's day brooding over their history of wrong doing or agonize over the vagueness surrounding their future.

Our preoccupation with the past and future often times causes us to fail to embrace the true joy of living each day, one minute at a time.

 

Some people are inclined to sabotage their present happiness by assigning disproportionate significance to their past. Other people escape meaningful engagement with reality by fantasising about their future.

 

As I sign off one good news I heard this morning is that India's forest cover has increased by 5188 sq. kms (2017-2019), which is the size of Goa + Delhi combine.  There's still a distance to go to reach our country's goal of having one third of our geographic area with forest.

We all have a role to play in this.

 

Delhi is reeling under s cold wave with temperatures at 5°C making it the the coldest day in a 100 years. Always know to be the coldest place in India, Saichen, the last point on which India has armed forces gaurding our borders, usually cold through the year has a temperature at 23°C now.

 

We also had fairly decent monsoon this year.

 

Net net everything around us is changing, so should we.

 

Am signing off with R-3 Raman's Random Ramblings, this day the last day of the "teen-years," which none of us will ever see.

 

Best wishes aplenty to all of you and your family.

 

Warm regards

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Spare a Moment

 

We all need a job to earn a living. The more we get paid, the better is the savings, the better we can afford a better and comfortable living. At least hoped.

 

We get to work and become experts at doing the same things over and over again. We add a few more things to the existing work and then keep doing it over and over again, to become experts again in a few more areas.

 

The big leap comes when we acquire more knowledge, contribute to more ideas, assume more responsibilities, become more accountable and add value.

 

All this can happen only if we can commit and dedicatedly work to enhance our knowledge, for instance by reading more or by taking online course and certifications or take a study leave to study full time.

 

Being eternally busy with work and giving excuses that work occupies all the time leaving one with anytime for self development is asking for trouble tantamounting to self sabotage.

 

The choice is yours to grow or remain happy whinning all the time that the employers exploited you by not promoting you enough.

 

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Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Seems Slow...but...!!!

 

I came across a quite recently.

"When passion goes away, it is the practice that sustains it." ~ Jeff Goins

 

I kept thinking about these simple but impactful words for over a few weeks and when I looked back I realized, when things went out of control, when we experienced setbacks as a part of growing, were a result of failing on promises or over-commiting.

What saved the day was, "the practice - which are a set of habits, rituals, processes and plans that are scheduled to support the goal."

 

It may make sense to you too.

Just look at this....

 

Focus on the habit, result will flow in by itself. With most things frequency is what matters.

 

Make the habit small and repeatable. Then make it difficult with consistent practice. Don't binge. Nibble.

 

Don't do something big and/or audacious. Do something small and right consistently.

 

The secret to breakthrough be it goals or even the change you want to make is doing it consistently bit by bit. It isn't the big things that change our lives our world, it's the small things that add up over time.

 

Drip by drip as Seth Godin likes to say.

 

It's not the passion, but the practice that usually sustains us.

 

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R3 - Raman's Random  Ramblings,

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Raman

 

Disclaimer Note :

The expressions here are purely personal and in no way, my intent to impose my thoughts or views on anyone. You have your choices.

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Reactive Thinking

 

Here's a sensible cohesive piece - an example of how we think in a particular moment and how we react immediately..read on

 

I am ugly.

So don't try to convince me that,

I am a beautiful person.

Because at the end of the day

I hate myself in every single way.

And am not going to lie to myself saying,

"There's beauty inside of me that matters,"

So rest assured, I'll remind myself

That I am a worthless, terrible person,

And nothing you'll say, will make me believe

I still deserve love

Because no matter what

I am not good enough to be loved

And am in no position to believe that

Beauty doesn't exist in me

Because, whenever look in the mirror, I always think

Am I as ugly as people think and say?

 

Now, instead of reacting, we were to step back and think about it, the perception changes completely.

 

Read this same piece again from the bottom to the top and see the difference.

 

Lesson - Respond, don't react.

 

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[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Big Question Indeed

 

Robin Sharma authored the book, "Who will cry when you die?"

 

In this he shared some very positive behaviours that'll enable you attain a position that people will remember you when gone.

 

But really and honestly how does it matter when you are dead?

 

Instead if we asked ourselves, "Who will be happy with our living?"

 

We will get answers to that question by those whom we lead, who we serve, those who derive strength by our being, those who are happy with our being.

 

We need to be at our best with our courtesy, respects, affection, time, language, words, action, promise, commitment, follow up, behaviour, attitude etc.

 

We can use all these in-puts to keep all those constituencies well served and also keep them happy.

 

Ask this question of yourself, "Who will be happy with your being?"

 

Make out a list and ensure everyone around you, everyone with you and even the ones who pass by you feel good about your being.

The answers will give you your progress report.

 

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Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Lions Are Never Bothered By Flies.

 

Flies are flies, the spare none be it the rich/poor, mighty/weak, whoever.

It bothers the King of the Jungke too, especially when sitting doing nothing.

 

Lions aren't bothered anyway. They might lift their tail once a while ti sawt the flies and forget about it.

 

Just image what'll happen if the lion tries to teach the fly a lesson. Obviously, first it has to give up being the lion (King of the Jungle), act like a monkey and catch the flies.

 

Sometimes this is exactly what happens in our life too. There are some many small (flies) things that happen in our life that bothers us.

 

And what do we do?

 

We forget the main things of life. We forget the aim and goals of our life, and spend time on trivial things.

 

And what do we do?

 

Just focus our attention and energy on the flies, as against the lion that doesn't bother about it. It knows it is bother when sitting idle, remain inactive, lying dormant.

 

The lesson the lion imparts is to be fully focused on the main things, goals (hunt), so that these small (flies) problems wilm stop troubling us.

Goals are attained this way.

 

When your moods are low, recalling this story may help you raise your spirits.

 

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Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Creatures ' Elevated Living Beings...

 

An ancient fable hich holds relevance even today for the message it has.

 

An ancient temple was the home for a flight of pigeons.

 

Nearing a festival and the temple needing a fresh coat of paint, the pigeons had to take shelter elsewhere, so they moved to a church.

 

They just about settled down and approaching Christmas the church was undergoing some repairs and repaint so the pigeons moved to a mosque.

 

They were happily settled till the mosque underwent a renovation before Ramzaan, so the pigeons moved to an old building near the market place.

 

One day a fight broke out among groups of people in the market place. People armed with sticks were fighting each other, stones were being hurled, people were getting hurt. There was commotion all around people were shouting, wailing and wooing, alm sorts of things were happening.

 

Among the pigeons perched nervously on top of the old building - a baby pigeon asked it's mother, "What's happen below us there, Mamma?"

 

The Mamma pigeon said, "These are human beings, who go to the Church and are called Christian's, those who go to the Mosque are called Muslims and those who go to the temple are called Hindus."

 

At this the baby pigeon interrupted and asked, "Why is it so Mamma? When we were in the temple we were called pigeons, we were called the same in the church and the mosques then why should they be called just humans as  human beings instead of..."

 

The Mamma pigeon broke in and said, "It is because we piegons have all realized God and we sit at elevated places like this. We get called 'Doves of Peace' too. It is a matter of pride for us as universal peace signs. These people are yet to find God and hence lost their peace everywhere in the world. Hence they are living below us, fighting and killing to prove their supremacy."

 

Seems a fairy tale, but, in reality the message is still so relevant isn't it?

 

It is "Bhoghi," today let's burn our differences.

Let's resolve and work towards saving the planet from an environmental breakdown of depleting resources.

 

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[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Priorities and Prioritisation

 

Most people I exchange notes with these days are all busy..

 

Being busy serves a natural belief the we are achieving and that we are becoming indispensable is a feeling that sets in unconsciously.

 

An inflated feeling really because busy-ness doesn't equal productvity, accomplishment or achievement.

 

Prioritizing requires one to think ahead, to know what's important, to know what's going to come next, to see how everything relates to the original story/vision/thought/idea.

 

Questions of ourself will help.

 

01. What is required? What can I do that nobody can do for me?

 

02. What gives the greatest return?

Work in your strength areas. Check if 80% can be done by others? If yes, delegate.

 

03. What brings the greatest reward?

 

Life is too short not to fo somethings you love. What energizes you and keeps you passionate?

 

Today and everyday after today, give your time only to those that pass the requirement, return and reward test.

 

After saying this let me quickly add, "do not forget to be a human being and care for people.

 

This piece today (the first double digit day of not just this day but the first in the decade),  has been inspired by several hundred thinkers and writers down the ages.

 

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Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Humpty Dumpty

This rhyme of old so relevant even today.

 

Philosophy and metaphors say:  Life is a...

- game of art - different forms

- quest, discovering self

- a game, you play different roles, one of them being career

- a battle, the effort to execute through conflicts, chaos etc

- school, a constant learning place.

 

In the midst of all this our life is running too trying hard..

 

- Who you are? (The Denial Trap acts as a roadblock which is of denial and unwillingness to examine ourselves deeply).

 

- Be yourself in this world. (The Approval Trap - a  roadblock which is that of seeking approval from others).

 

- Organize efforts for maximum results. (The Availability Trap - a roadblock which settles for things being available easily).

 

- Make changes necessary to make things happen. (Lack of Self-Confidence Trap - a roadblock which  tests our ability of patience when things go wrong, of learning etc.).

 

Everything seems a challenge and as an default addition of modern day life.

 

Efforts are to gain connections, recognition, rewards etc., to acquire and hold.

 

Efforts are always for more economic growth.

 

At the personal level - status, money, fame, recognition, admiration, knowledge for leveraging position etc.

 

All of it are real dreams that if we get enough of all these parts, it'll become a whole.

The biggest challenge for all is "time," as they spend all their energies in these pursuits and miss out on good things, good people, good happenings of the world.

 

But alas, all the king's horses and all the king's men can't put ole Humpty Dumpty back to gether again.

 

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[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Keep Calm in the Storm

 

It is said that deep inside the storm there's a zone of calm.

If we are open to it, your darkest days are when you get the best lessons.

Tough times don't last, tough people do. It is at those times we get to learn about life, leadership and people. That's when you'll love to come and work everyday.

It is true that most aren't comfortable with the demands of the jobs. It is true one can never ever feel relaxed in a demanding job  as they are when they have grip of the systems in place.

When we get into a role it is a new role obviously, and we try getting to know people, because we have known the systems and so we basically  get our feet under the desk. This takes time. Added to all this with technology in the forefront everything is visible out there. People can gauge what we do and some could judge too. So the stress increases. Over a space of time we get to know people and systems and also get our feet under the desk. It will be good to let it go there on. The problem comes when we try wearing a mask, instead of being authentic and our true self.

"If you want to be within yourself think and be like a microscope. If you want to go far think and be like the binoculars. If you want to go further than all of that think and be like a telescope."

You have all the choices.

Remember - great leaders see much farther than most.

 

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[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Have An Imperfect Plan

 

You must be thinking this is odd isn't it?

 

People plan for ideally perfect products and perfect  customers. This helps business grow.

 

However, in reality trying to be perfect or to have a perfect customer is difficult. We could have some days when things don't go exactly as expected.

 

Great companies work hard to delight their customers even during those disappointing moments.

 

They get busy trying to workout more on apologing and take a bow.

 

However great we may be, whatever good we might do, there could be just a small slip and one can falter. It is humility, regret and apology that makes them greater.

 

Arrogance and pride can never take anyone the distance one can actually go if they use their potential completely.

 

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[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: You are this...if

 

We say someone has integrity, whem one does the right thing always, even when no one is watching us.

 

Integrity can't be bought as it is never on sale.

 

People with Integrity are not just respected but, also trusted.

 

People with integrity are known to display abundance of humility with generousity in thought, word and deed.

 

People of Integrity also

have the Patience and Poise of a Monk.

The Courage and Conviction of a Warrior.

The Innocence and Imagination of a Child.

 

You are the judge of who you are..

 

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[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Cheerful Sunday Morning

 

This is the first Sunday not just of 2020 but of this decade too. The message for special people in my life  has to be special too...

 

Make your goal to be better than you were yesterday and not to be better than someone else.

 

99% of the battles we fight daily are in our minds.

 

When, what, where, why, who and how? To say, to go, to do, to be...

 

"Yesterday, I wanted to change the world, today am wiser, I want to change myself. Walk the path and the path appears." ~ Rumi

 

We have all the choices and the resources under our command. The point is how do we process all this in our mind and choose the best paths to take.

 

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[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: What if...

 

Two words that don't help us at all.

Instead instilling us this thing called...

FEAR

F alse

E vidence

A ppearing

R eal

 

And this...

Can make the following happen..

 

It can...

freeze us - make us feel numb and make us do nothing but sit tight with no action, whatsoever

or

fry us - make us feel uneasy and force us to act - leaving us with no options

 

When we act...

We can tend to makes the following things happen...

 

We may make mistakes which end up becoming a learning and add to our experience.

 

We might take the challenge and go all out to overcome obstacles and accomplish the desired result. Helps confidence, adds to experience.

 

One may even become an adventurous, non-hesitant, spontaneous, intuitive and bold risk taker too.

 

These are all possible. Whatever be it..

it helps growth,

it helps progress,

it helps advancement.

 

All of which helps us

want to know more,

learn more,

do more.

 

That paves the way for growing in our careers too.

 

All of this is better than doing the same thing over and over again being in the "comfort zone" and become static.

 

Choices are yours to

FLY

F iring on all cylinders

L everaging

Y our innate resources

for your SAKE

S kills

A bilities

K nowledge

E xperience

or

be in the shell of

F alse

E vidence

A ppearing

R eal.

 

What if... you dare and succeed...

 

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Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Whatever you do comes back to you.

 

A man walking next to the mango groove by a river side.

 

His eyes fell on the mango.

Eyes can't pick the mango, so his legs carried him to the mango tree.

 

Legs can't pluck the mango so he used his hands to pluck a mango.

 

The eyes can't eat the mango, the teeth in the mouth has to and the tongue tastes it.

 

The tongue can't keep it there all the time so the crushed mango is sent to the stomach.

 

The caretaker of the garden saw the man stealing the mango, so he comes running and whacks the man on his back.

 

Was it the fault of the back? No!

The eyes saw the mango, the legs carried him to the tree,

the hands plucked it,

the teeth in the mouth crushed it,

the tongue tastes it,

the stomach digested it,

but,

the back got the whack on its back for no fault of it at all.

The whack pained and automatically there were tears in his eyes.

 

All of it began with the eye, and came back in the end to the eye.

 

That's what it is in all aspects of life as well - what goes out comes back.

 

Send hate out, comes back as anger.

Send negativity out, it comes back as sadness. Send good wishes out, it comes back as joy and cheer.

Send happiness out, it comes back as smiles and happiness.

 

Always Be Blessed.

 

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

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Competition - Comparison - Confusion

 

"Zidh hai khudh jeethney ki, khudh sey haarneyki...

Mai bheed mey nahi hoon duniya ki..mere andhar hai mera guzrah hua kal, mera thajurbha ek zamana hai ache or burre ki... Shukr hai ham ke yeh sab thaleem bhan gaye hame jathe rahne ki..."

 

Translation : Am determined to win with me and also lose to myself. Am not in the crowd of the world, as withing me are the yesterdays and the days before, a generation of experience, good and bad. Thankfully all of it are lessons that keep me going."

 

As soon as we got into school, we were set up for a competition in life - by parents, teachers and all.

We didn't know what it meant because we didn't know what it turn out to become. When we began to know, we  put my best effort. Ahead sometime, behind sometime.

 

Because we weren't too sensitive we came out unscathed.

 

When we reach the workplace we realized the competition is just with ourselves.

 

We ought to better ourselves, become better and better, by competing with our own selves. We therefore become our own motivators.

 

Life goes on a brings you to a point where neither competition nor competence nor excellence means nothing more than maintaining yourself, your values and your standards.

 

This isn't a weakness, it is just a manifestation of strength...

 

No competition, no comparison, no confusion.

 

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

by Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Saturday Morning

Gratitude Prayer.

 

I always remember thank the Almighty for stitching some nice threads into the fabric of my life. The texture of each thread adds immense value to the whole. May God keep the threads happy and flowing always.

 

Life often doesn't introduce us to people whom we want to meet.

 

Life often puts us in touch with people

to meet and to help us,

to teach and to hurt us,

to love, to care, and to leave us become the strong person we were meant to be.

 

We are all humans and so we are all equally vulnerable.

 

Howard A Walter writes on Character...

 

I would be pure, for there are those who care.

I would be strong, for there are those who suffer.

 

I would brave, for there is much to dare.

 

I would be a friend to all - the foes, the friendless all.

 

I would be giving and forget the gift.

 

I would be humble for I know my weakness.

 

I would look up and laugh, and love, and lift.

 

Wishing you all an awesome weekend. Capture as much as peace as you want and relax leaving no weak-ends.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of the group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Share, Share, Share..

 

Grow, grow, grow....

the more you share,

the more you get,

the more you get,

the more you give...

this cycle goes on and on..

 

Share your knowledge, liberally

Share your thoughts, chosenly

Share your ideas, freely

Share your experience, willfully

Share your time, endlessly

Share your gifts, generously

Share your love, abundantly

Share your joy, relentlessly,

Show kindness, gracefully

Show grace, really,

Show patience, lovingly

Pay respects to all....forever..

 

All these and many more are lessons our teachers beginning from parents gave.

 

Am what I am because of being a beneficiary and recipient of all those love lessons.

 

Also what I am today is also because of my friends who make me feel who I am and liberally share with me their life.

 

Am what I am again because of my family - siblings, spouse, children,  extended families for all their love, affection and care. And last but not the least my lovely little grandson who not just teaches me but amazes me with everything he does.

 

Can't lift my hands to ask the Almighty for more as I offer my gratitude to him and everyone around me who make my living worthy, teaching me to be a good human being.

 

Happy Teacher Day.

 

Scripted exclusively for my dear friends of this group  R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

🙏

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Practice and Repetition helps your Reputaion.

 

Practice like you never won before.

 

Let's see this...

 

Monday - I practice, you don't

Tuesday - I practice, you practice too

Wednesday - I practice, you don't.

Thursday - I practice, you too practice.

Friday - I practice - you don't

Saturday - I practice, you practice too.

Sunday - I don't practice and you too don't.

 

So in a week am practicing and repeating it 6 times vs your 3.

 

In 2 weeks me vs you it is 12 - 6

In 3 weeks 18 - 9

In 4 weeks 24 - 12

In 12 weeks - 72 - 36

In 24 weeks - 144 - 72

In 52 weeks - 312 - 156

All through if one looks at it, that clearly say that I have practiced and repeated twice more than you which suggests I am twice better than you.

 

Take exercising, fitness, walking, jogging, swimming, reading, listening, singing,  meditating or whatever it is twice more because of repetition, repetition, repetition....

It helps your perform as if you never lost and that helps your reputation indeed.

 

Practice...Repeat...Perform...Enhance Your Reputation as beging a confident performer - winning or losing doesn't matter.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3  - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Big Question Indeed

 

Robin Sharma authored the book, "Who will cry when you die?"

 

In this he shared some very positive behaviours that'll enable you attain a position that people will remember you when gone.

 

But really and honestly how does it matter when you are dead?

 

Instead if we asked ourselves, "Who will be happy with our living?"

 

We will get answers to that question by those whom we lead, who we serve, those who derive strength by our being, those who are happy with our being.

 

We need to be at our best with our courtesy, respects, affection, time, language, words, action, promise, commitment, follow up, behaviour, attitude etc.

 

We can use all these in-puts to keep all those constituencies well served and also keep them happy.

 

Ask this question of yourself, "Who will be happy with your being?"

 

Make out a list and ensure everyone around you, everyone with you and even the ones who pass by you feel good about your being.

The answers will give you your progress report.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,"

by

Raman

[12/08, 15:02] Raman Bharadwaj: Run or Walk.

 

The earth spins on its axis  with the same speed from times we never knew, but, people on the planet are all running now. Call it speed, call it keeping with time or whatever. The reality is  people are running.

 

I too ran and asked, " Why are you running?"

 

The reply, "What a stupid question!" and the person began to run faster.

 

The next, the next after next the one after etc., said the same, till it changed to "I don't know, I saw someone running, and someone else running, so I began to run."

 

This too went on till I met someone who told me "I don't know why, but, am running and don't know where to."

 

I anyway ran too with all, doing what all I had to, being in tune with the world.

 

I stepped out of race.

Now, I only Walk  and mainly at my pace and choice.

I Walk The Talk.

I see one by one those who were running then beginning to Walk too.

Am not going to ask them "Why?"

 

I realize they also realize the speed at which things are changing and that every change isn't effecting us.

We need to step back to look at what change will affect us and just change to be relevant. Keep upgrading after that.

 

Wishing you all on the eve of the "Festival of Lights," a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali. May the light be enough to lead us one step to the other and then the other, forever, that'll do in darkness, because we have sunlight for everything else.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

by

Raman

[13/08, 08:01] Raman Bharadwaj: Step Back - Pause - Restart

 

Yes, things around us can go bad and beyond our hands, take a moment, and think about several things with us is still going good. We seek whatever we want from the outside, but, before that look inwards, you might find everything, we are seeking from the outside is within us already.

 

You are what you do and not what you say you'll do.

 

Find Your Ikigai

Whether we like it or not, we need to be all this

 

An electrician who can mend connections between two who don't talk.

 

A painter to paint a smile on faces that can last beyond our life time.

 

An optemeterist who can, not just correct a vision but also perspective.

 

A gardener who can plant seeds of good thoughts and values right from the roots.

 

A plumber who can fix leaks and mend broken relationships.

 

A doctor who can fix the problem of "ego" between people.

 

A recruiter who can get the right people on board which is not just a bundle talent  a bunch of degrees and loads of experience but good trustworthy human beings who can love and respect people, and share what they have.

 

Those who will not have to apologize for saying what is felt right. The affection we get from others is a gift of our character.

 

Never lose the sparkle in your eye, the fire in your belly and the steel in your character.

 

Cheers! Have a great day.

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group as

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings,

from

Raman

[13/08, 09:08] Raman Bharadwaj: 10 Steps to Achieve a Growth Mindset in Business

August 5, 2020 

 

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

 

We all take pleasure when our ideas come to fruition. We’re even more pleased when the ideas have an impact by improving motivation, innovation or productivity, among other areas. The spread of an idea can benefit many, but that popularity can also alter and distort the original.

 

I am a fan of Carol Dweck’s research. Dweck is a highly regarded professor of psychology at Stanford University and the author of several books, including Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. In Mindset, Dweck differentiates a “growth mindset” from a “fixed mindset.” According to Dweck: A growth mindset is “the belief that an individual’s most basic abilities and skills can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point.”

 

A fixed mindset is “the belief that an individual’s basic abilities and skills, their intelligence and their talents, are just fixed traits.”

 

Dweck concluded that individuals who believe they can develop their talents through hard work, good strategies and input from others have a growth mindset. These individuals are likelier to achieve more than those with fixed mindsets because they put more energy into learning and are less concerned about looking smart.

 

Adopting a growth mindset can supercharge your wellbeing and growth.

 

Here are ten ways to develop a growth mindset in business.

 

1. Be 100 percent accountable

To grow, you need to be accountable, or willing to accept responsibility. As an entrepreneur, you must start to be responsible and accountable to yourself.

As you grow, you will be demonstrating accountability and its value to your team; they will follow your lead, making accountability part of your company’s culture.

 

2. Do not be concerned with what others have..

Avoiding envy is fundamentally important when you’re trying to be focused, driven and leading. Focusing on what others have and what they are doing sets expectations that simply slow you down and take focus away from your purpose.

 

3. Become an expert in your field..

I meet so many so-called “headliners,” people who skim the surface. In a world fueled by fake news, Photoshop’ed social posts and other illusions, it’s critical to become an expert. Strive to become truly good at what you do—so good that everybody wants your services. Stand out based on your specialty.

 

4. Don’t focus on your failures..

When we learn that we should work on our weaknesses, we tend to think we need to hold on to our failures. But focusing on your failures gives detractors too much leverage against you. Instead, claim and learn from your failures and then focus on learning and growing from your mistakes.

 

5. Do the work and put in the time..

Greatness does not come when you put in just ten percent. Put in ten percent, and you’ll achieve only two percent of your potential. To achieve greatness, you’ve got to be at 100 percent, putting in the time and effort.

 

6. Do what you love for the people who love what you do..

One of my favorite sayings is, “You need to be purpose-driven doing what you love for those who love what you do.”

 

Discovering your purpose is as important as finding your niche. You will bring much more value and expertise to those that need you, and you will have so much more fun delivering your products and services.

 

7. Don’t focus on money..

Business leaders that focus solely on money are never fully satisfied, and often lose their customers. Instead, care about creating value. You want customers to say how proud they are about your products and services. You want employees to say how great it is to work for you and how much they learn from you. Focus on creating fans through value creation.

 

8. Achieve your outcomes quickly..

Do not be obsessed with perfection. Instead, be fast. Getting somewhere first has more value than being perfect but last. That first-mover advantage is very important for growth. Develop an appetite to fail often and quickly, developing your products and services quickly and better aligned with the needs of your customers.

 

9. Be grateful for what you have..

Be grateful for what you have now. Be grateful for what you’re going to achieve. Be grateful for what you don’t have. Gratitude is a gift and a core requirement for a growth mindset. The true expression of gratitude sets off energy that has the power of drawing people towards you. Explore and embrace it.

 

10. Become self-aware and understand your purpose..

If you want to succeed in life, you must know your purpose. If you want to have a business growth mindset, you must become self-aware and understand your purpose.

 

Self-awareness has the power to align your will and humility, which attracts people to you through your purpose.

 

Growth mindset is the belief that skills and abilities can be improved and that developing these is the purpose of your actions.

 

Build a culture whereby all employees are enabled and encouraged to develop growth mindsets for themselves—reward improvement.

 

Emphasize that failures are opportunities and not threats. Leaders need to encourage and challenge employees to be brave and courageous.

 

A growth mindset is a continuous belief that improvement is possible and that failures are opportunities to learn.

 

It is much larger than the limited objective of improving earnings.

 

Growth mindset is a frame of mind. Leaders can positively assist people in adopting growth mindsets by fostering a culture encouraging specific behaviors and practices. Individuals and organizations can have growth mindsets.

 

A growth mindset is not unbounded. Just because you put your mind to something doesn’t mean you can do anything. You have to work at it, so start by implementing these ten steps and begin to live with purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[13/08, 11:55] Raman Bharadwaj: Effective Leadership Development in the Workplace.

by Conni Todd on Wednesday, October 09, 2019

 

As we engage in conversations with executives about developing talent and leaders in the workplace, they often reply, “We already have leadership development covered” when in fact, they don’t.

 

Frequently, the lack of an effective leadership development and training program results from thinking only the “senior players” need to evolve in areas of leadership.

 

However, the best leadership development goals for any organization are an integral part of the strategic business plan which includes all employees and managers since that is where operational execution occurs at it’s core.

 

While the C-suite executive and senior executive are vital to business success, focusing on building leadership skills at all levels within an organization can build a culture of leaders ready to fill positions at a moment's notice. There are several areas for leadership development and training in the workplace and the opportunity for it isn’t always the most obvious.

 

Let’s take a look at 4 often overlooked areas of leadership development:

 

1. Team Intelligence

Building and leading teams impacts the outcome of organizational objectives and can support the emergence of leaders. It is incredibly beneficial for teams to understand and acknowledge the strengths and challenges of each member, as well as a mission and roadmap with agreed upon boundaries. In most cases, team members don’t automatically know how to effectively work together and create success and without training they are often less productive. Providing the opportunity for teams to give and receive feedback is vital to  creating a high-functioning successful team.

 

2. Managing Up and Down

In numerous conversations with high-potential employees, they consistently wished they had more knowledge and tools on how they were perceived and how to manage up (bosses) and down (subordinates). Often, these talented employees believe they are expected to perform management duties at a high level already. Therefore, it is imperative to equip them with the essential skills for leaders that maximizes their potential including leadership coaching skills, situational leadership, effective communication skills and knowing how to build smarter teams.

 

3. Succession Planning

Even beyond the executive level, middle management role fulfillment can be devastating to a company’s bottom line when left unfilled. Often organizations don’t place a high enough priority on middle management in key positions. Has your company identified high-potential employees and are you effectively training them in order to be promoted?

 

Professional leadership training and development for employees at all levels will reduce job transition time and save money by having a group of trained leaders in-house ready to move up the ladder at a moments notice.

 

4. Performance Problem Solving

This is an area of challenge for most mid and senior level managers.

 

Do they know how to get to the bottom of low performance?

 

At what point do they invoke consequences and what exactly is acceptable?

 

How do you have a difficult conversation and communicate consequences in a manner that promotes accountability and behavior change?

 

Without ongoing and effective programs in place to develop essential leadership skills, most managers will be ill-prepared to handle problems.

 

So, does your company truly have a comprehensive and effective leadership development plan?

 

If your business solely focuses on the senior executive ranks, then you’re ignoring several critical areas to develop leaders, create high-functioning teams and generate additional business success. 

[13/08, 12:00] Raman Bharadwaj: What's Your "Why," What's Your "Purpose?"

 

An attempt, a few thoughts that go into the purpose, factor.

 

We all take pleasure when our ideas come to fruition.

 

We’re even more pleased when the ideas have an impact by improving motivation, innovation or productivity, among other areas.

 

The spread of an idea can benefit many, but that popularity can also alter and distort the original.

 

Becoming accountable..

To grow, we need to be accountable, or willing to accept responsibility and be accountable to oneself.

 

Minding our own business, not being concerned with what others have.. Focusing on what others have and what they are doing sets expectations that simply slow us down and take focus away from our purpose.

 

Becoming passionate and an expert in the field our choice..

We all meet so many so-called “headliners,” people who skim the surface, that'll not be enough, it’s critical to become an expert. Strive to become truly good at what you do—so good that everybody wants your services. Stand out based on your specialty.

 

Removing attention from our failures..

When we learn that we should work on our weaknesses, we tend to think we need to hold on to our failures. And really failures teach us a lot many lessons.

 

Doing the work and put in the time..

Greatness does not come when you put in just ten percent. Put in ten percent, and you’ll achieve only two percent of your potential.

 

Doing what we love for the people who love what we do.. 

We need to be purpose-driven doing what you love for those who love what you do.

 

Discovering our purpose is as important as finding your niche..

We will bring much more value and expertise to those that need us.

 

Being grateful for all what we have.. being grateful for what we’re going to achieve, being grateful for what we don’t have.

 

Become self-aware and understand your purpose..

To succeed in life, we must know our purpose. If you want to grow we must become self-aware and understand our purpose.

 

Self-awareness has the power to align your will and humility, which attracts people to you through your purpose...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[13/08, 18:14] Raman Bharadwaj: COACHING

5 Types of Content You Should Create to Grow a High-End Coaching Business.

Start by shifting your audience's beliefs and expectations.

Margaret Olatunbosun

Content Strategist

August 12, 2020 5 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

 

Whether you just started your coaching business or have been running one for years, your business has two goals: revenue and impact. Building a successful coaching business requires that you have great client acquisition skills, and one way to make this happen is through content marketing.

 

Strategic content can build your brand reputation, create a community around your values and promote your services. But one thing most online entrepreneurs forget is that content is a conversion tool, not just a series of knowledge-based paragraphs.

 

Content marketing, when done exceptionally well, can convert cold prospects who are actively looking for solutions to problems they’re experiencing, into premium clients.

 

With that said, here are the five types of content to create to grow a high-end coaching business.

 

1. Create content that shifts your audience’s beliefs.

 

The number one mistake I see coaches make is starting their conversion process with features and benefits of their services. While this is great, your sales argument is likely to fall on deaf ears, because you haven’t shown your potential clients why staying in their current situation is detrimental to their goals.

Every content created to win clients must start from addressing your prospects’ beliefs about themselves and their ability to transform their lives. Before any investment can be made, prospects need to understand why a shift in their thinking is needed. Modeling the desired outcome for your clients is only possible if you stock of your audience’s current beliefs and how these beliefs are stalling their growth.

 

Basically, you cannot convert prospects into clients without addressing their current belief system, challenging them to leave old systems, and inspiring them to adopt a new way of thinking and behaving.

 

2. Create content that tells a story.

You need more than hard facts or data to move prospects from curiosity to the payment page. You need relevant stories that show that you understand their passion, goals, challenges, and frustration. Your brand needs to engage potential clients in a way that humanzies you and influences loyalty.

It isn’t enough to tell stories about how great your product is — you need stories that adapt to your audiences’ ever changing needs. Tell stories about how you’re evolving as a person and an entrepreneur, too. Not only do people get to see the face behind the brand, they feel a sense of camaraderie because you show that you understand their current reality.

 

Social media can help you build this "know, like and trust" factor for your brand. You don’t need to forgo all privacy. You just need to be transparent about your beliefs and values and give your audience a sneak peek into your life.

 

3. Create content that celebrates your clients’ success.

Have you successfully helped clients get results using your process and methodology?

Proudly share this fact. This is not bragging. Rather, it is acknowledging the fact that potential clients have unspoken questions about you and your high-end offers.

 

Research has shown that online reviews influence purchase decisions, especially when the item to be purchased is more expensive and risky in nature. To address these hesitation about investing, you need amazing case studies of people who have experienced the same “before” states your potential clients are currently experiencing.

 

You can’t depend on how awesome you are or how unique your service is. Your potential clients are weighing several options in their minds, debating who to work with to get phenomenal results. Displaying your clients’ successes convinces them that not only do you have a well-documented process to solve problems; your clients have also enjoyed great success from working with you.

 

4. Create content that documents your process.

It is not enough to display your accolades and proof of success on your website and social media platforms. Your clients’ successes alone will not make them shift into believers. What you need to do is show that you actually know what you are talking about.

 

Create content that walks prospects through your methodology or transformation process. Don’t hold anything back, and teach like you’ve been paid to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime seminar. The idea here is to plant the seeds that you have the keys to helping your prospects get to a desired solution faster than anyone else.

 

Yes, you may be hesitant about teaching your process, thinking that if you teach everything, you won’t have paying customers. But this is false. Not only do clients want proof of your expertise, they don’t want to spend their entire lives figuring it for themselves when they have someone who can collapse their learning time.

 

5. Create content that directly asks for the sale.

This is where all your work leads: asking your prospective client to invest in your services. While you may have worked extremely hard to position yourself as the expert, converting prospects into paying customers will falter if you fail to make the ask.

 

Selling should be natural, not seen as a way to trick prospects into making a decision to make unwanted purchases.

 

You have already provided value by creating content that displays your humanity and expertise. You have bridged the gap between being a stranger and a trusted ally. Stories of your clients’ success have increased their desire to experience the same transformation. Therefore, go ahead and for the sale.

Your content can do most of the selling for you, and if you have the right combination of messages, you can create a pipeline of prospects who are willing and able to invest in your high-end coaching services.

 

Copyright © 2020 Entrepreneur Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

[13/08, 22:00] Raman Bharadwaj: Ten Take Aways from the Trillion Dollar Coach, Bill Cambell.

Written by Will Kloefkorn | June 19, 2019

 

Editor's Note: This blog post has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness on May 28, 2020.

 

Our mission at the EcSell Institute is to create a world where everyone knows what great coaching feels like.

 

The individuals that were fortunate enough to know and interact with Bill Campbell experienced a world like this.

 

The Trillion Dollar Coach is a fantastic new book that focuses on the life and coaching secrets of Bill Campbell.

 

From his early days coaching football at Columbia, to his time spent at Google, through his later days mentoring and coaching some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley, for free I might add, Bill positively impacted the lives of thousands of individuals and helped them become better people and professionals than they could have without him in their lives.

 

“Because the world faces many challenges, and they can only be solved by teams.Those teams need coaches.” – "Trillion Dollar Coach"

 

 

 

1) Create an environment of psychological safety with the team.

Without trust you will not get candid communication and your team will not feel comfortable taking risks.

 

2) Don’t assume executive leaders don’t need coaches.

The need to coach and challenge executives needs just as much attention as any other position in the company.

 

3) Pay close attention to one-to-ones and staff meetings.

If you get these two things right so many of your other business challenges will fall into place.

 

4) Coaching is an individual game.

To be effective you must coach to the individual; no sort of cookie-cutter approach will work. More on this topic in my recent blog about managing to mindset vs. skill set.

 

5) Authenticity is key.

Bill Campbell led with love, was not afraid to give hugs and blow kisses, and was not afraid to curse. People can tell when you are not being yourself and this breeds distrust.

 

6) Ask questions and allow your team members to self discover.

A coach’s job is not to tell people what to do, but to help them figure out solutions on their own.

 

7) Recognize that hierarchy exists for a reason.

If teamwork and collaboration have not determined a solution or decision, it is the leader’s job to break the tie. They get paid to make tough decisions.

 

8) Care about your people as human beings not simply employees.

As validated by EcSell’s own research, when employees feel their manger cares about them as a person, not just an employee, performance significantly increases.

 

9) Tell stories.

If you want to influence behavior, don’t tell people what to do. Instead, tell them stories about why they are doing it!

 

10) Tension is necessary to cultivate success, but it takes a great coach to ensure that the tension is healthy.

Often times the path to growth is through discomfort. Bill Campbell was always challenging his teams, but he did it with love and trust which made all the difference.

 

Everyone indeed deserves to live in a world where they know what great coaching feels like. Bill Campbell proved that one coach can most definitely change the world – a trillion times over.

 

What is your coaching effect?

[13/08, 22:36] Raman Bharadwaj: Decoding the Secrets of Successful Billionairres.

- Manmeet Kaur on LinkedIn

 

Well this is a start of a mini effort to add value to all of those who are interested in reading but don't have enough time to do that.

 

What I am doing here is, picking up some landmark books and summarizing them in brief so that you can have an overview of what they are all about.

 

I am starting this series with one of my favorite by Brian Tracy: 'Success Secrets Of Self-Made Millionaires'

About Brian Tracy:

 

He is a motivational speaker and an author to more than seventy books that been translated to dozen languages.

 

He is a well respected figure in International markets and have worked with many famous businessmen and celebrities.

 

So, let's dive in to see what all this book cover:

 

Dream Big Dreams: Author urges his readers to dream big.

 

He asks them to practice 'back from future' thinking.

 

He believe a lot can be achieved only if we dare to dream big.

 

He asks us to think without the thought of failure.

 

Exercise:

Make a list of everything you would do or attempt if you were absolutely guaranteed of success.

 

Then decide upon one specific action and do it immediately.

 

2. Develop a Clear sense of Direction:

Dreaming alone with not take you anywhere till the time you back your intentions with directions.

 

Here author ask us to 'prepare our goals' and draw out actions to achieve them.

 

Here is list these 6 steps to give sense of direction to your goals.

 

- Decide what you want in each area of your life, especially financial life

 

- Write down your goals clearly and specifically.

 

- Set a deadline for each goal

 

- Make a list of everything you can think of that you will do to achieve your goal

 

- Organize your list into a plan of action

 

- Take action on your plan immediately

 

Do something every day that moves you at least one step closer to your goal

 

3. See yourself as Self- Employed:

An important which author mentions here is that even if you are working, consider yourself as self-employed.

 

Work on your skills everyday.

 

Prepare a list of things you believe will help you succeed in your work and start working on them immediately.

 

Exercise:

No matter what is holding you back accept full responsibility for your life and take action today!

 

4. Do What You Love to Do:

Well, its a no-brainier, you will naturally succeed in things which you love doing.

 

So, he says that it is our responsibility to discover and find what we love doing the most.

 

Exercise:

Identify the type of work that you enjoy the most.

 

What activities have been most responsible for your success in life to date? If you could do any job at all what will you do?

 

5. Commit to Excellence: Here author ask us to make a resolve to join top 10% of your field, no matter what it is.

 

He says, every person who is in top league today started small, so there is no reason why you can't make it big.

 

To do is, he ask us to identify, what is that one skill, if you develop will make a great impact on your life.

 

6. Work Longer and Harder:

There is no escape from hard work.

 

He believes that 40 hours work week is never going to give us the result that we want to achieve our dreams.

 

He says that all top people have spent in hours and hours on their work to make it shine the way it is today.

 

Exercise:

He says make a plan and see how you can devote more hours each day to your work to make it bigger and better.

 

7. Dedicate Yourself to Lifelong Learning: Mind is like a muscle, it develops only with use.

 

Here is a fact which the author wants us to work upon.

 

Keep learning and keep improving.

 

The more we learn the better we get with our thinking.

 

He says, instead of listening to music while going to office, we should try to listen to some meaningful podcast.

 

We should remove TV time with books to give our minds the exercise it deserves.

 

8. Pay yourself First: Saving is the key to financial independence.

 

The more we save when we are young the less we have to earn when we grow old.

 

He says the best way to start is by saving 10% of what we earn every month.

 

He says that the habit of saving alone will help you go places you have always dreamed of.

 

9. Learn Every Detail Of your Business:

Market praises and reward people who know every aspect of the trade.

 

So, no matter what you are doing, make sure you are up to date with all the trends.

 

Subscribe to all best resources of your field and read them everyday. It goes without saying the more you learn the better you will get.

 

See which trends are getting hotter and if they entice you, learn and implement them to your business.

 

10. Dedicate Yourself to Serving Others:

If you dedicate to serve others with utmost sincerity and responsibility then be assured you will go places.

 

All the big businesses have one thing in common, they offer great value to their customers.

 

So you need to identify the ways both inside and outside your business through which you can serve your customers better.

 

11. Be absolutely honest with yourself and others: Its a valuable skill.

If people can vouch for your honestly then there will no stopping you.

 

Customers, investors, co-workers and employees will all have great respect for you.

 

You will never face any problem in getting your work done.

 

So be true to your values and keep your honesty intact.

 

12. Determine Your Highest Priorities and Concentrate on them single mindedly:

Here is what author has to say to this: 'When you develop the habit of setting priorities and concentrating single-mindedly, you will be able to accomplish virtually anything in life.

 

So, set your priorities, keep asking yourself questions.

 

Make sure you have definite plans to reach where you want to reach.

 

Keep away from distractions and never compromise on your values.

 

13. Develop a reputation for speed and dependability:

Something which is very powerful yet most people take it easily.

 

People are getting more and more impatient.

They need things yesterday so if you as a brand can match their speed, you are in game.

 

This is what all top brands are working on using technology all kinds of gadgets to reach out to their customers as soon as possible.

 

So develop your reputation for speed and you will always be in need.

 

14. Be prepared to climb from peak to peak:

This perhaps is the most insightful chapter of all.

 

Here author ask us viewers to keep realistic expectations.

 

He explains that business is a series of highs and lows so it is imperative to manage our expectations accordingly.

 

He advices to keep reminding that everything moves in cycles and trends. He adds that the best way to stay focused on your path is to have a clear insight of your goal. Once you know where you have to reach you will not falter on your way.

 

15. Practice Self discipline:

This is the most unique quality is turning a mediocrity into a million dollar success.

 

If you can combine a long time perspective with an ability to delay gratification you will unstoppable.

 

Self discipline requires, self mastery, self-control and self-direction and the best part is everyone can develop this.

 

Authors sums this up by saying: 'Everyday, every hour and some time every minute is the test of our self mastery'.

 

Exercise:

Don't try to change yourself in one night. Change one thing at a time. Identify, one area of your life where lack of discipline is interfering with your success.

 

Conclusion:

We have all the resources , skills and knowledge that we need to succeed all we lack is clear focus goals. Anyone can achieve the success they want the only catch is they should know

WHY they want what they want.

[14/08, 12:21] Raman Bharadwaj: Regret and Guilt an unworthy Emotional Baggage

 

Let's admit, we humans are vulnerable to carrying an Emotional Baggage, of which these two emotions Regret and Guilt, are a big part.

 

Regret is of two kinds.

One is for something wrong we may have done.

 

The other is for something right we failed to do.

 

This kind of regret, can run even deeper than the first, sometimes - and that begins to haunt us life-long as Guilt.

 

 Being Guilty, we feel ashamed, of ourselves and that dents both our self-confidence, at one level and our self-esteem another.

 

This changes our behaviour, which manifests as - deep rooted agony, disillusionment,  frustration, anger and depression.

 

That's what an emotional baggage can do to us.

 

Needless to mention though, emotional baggage are the heaviest and the most expensive baggage to carry.

 

It costs us high not just mentally, but, also one that leads to physical illnesses. Many are known to have their genesis in trapped such emotions. Once these are let go, the healing is phenomenal.

 

A quick check on the

emotional baggage that weigh us down, can help.

 

We should ask ourselves.

 

1. What is the emotional baggage that we are carrying?

 

2. How is it impacting our emotional health and behaviour?

 

3. What would we like to do with and what actions can we take?

 

It is good to set the record straight once and for all, by being honest with ourselves.

 

We need to get all the answers, then setting deadlines, we need to work on them without  compromising on anything.

 

This will be the biggest test of our life to show our character and commitment, to get rid of our emotional baggage.

 

When we are committed  to something, we accept no excuses but only results.

 

Every act is sign of DISCIPLINE, and COMMITMENT.

Every silence is a sign of DETERMINATION and SOLIDITY.

Every smile is a sign of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and ATTACHMENT .

Every thought is a value of REVERANCE" and LOYALTY. 

 

This done consistently with

Purity of heart,

Clarity of mind

Gives you....The Surety of a Happy Journey in Life with no Emotional Baggage .

 

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

[14/08, 13:16] Raman Bharadwaj: Being with the subject of discussion Emotional Baggage brought out sk aptly earlier this day by Ms. Annapurna.

Taking it forward though Milindji's points about regret, I submit my thoughts to add to the discussion.

 

Regret and Guilt an unworthy Emotional Baggage

(Ref. Milindji and Ms. Annapurna).

 

Let's admit, we humans are vulnerable to carrying an Emotional Baggage, of which these two emotions Regret and Guilt, are a big part.

(Ref. Milindji and Ms. Annapurna)

 

Regret is of two kinds.

One is for something wrong we may have done.

 

The other is for something right we failed to do.

(Ref. Milindji)

 

This kind of regret, can run even deeper than the first, sometimes - and that begins to haunt us life-long as Guilt.

(Ref. Milindji, Sapna)

 

 Being Guilty, we feel ashamed, of ourselves and that dents both our self-confidence, at one level and our self-esteem another.

 

This changes our behaviour, which manifests as - deep rooted agony, disillusionment,  frustration, anger and depression.

(Ref.Arpita, Chai, Swetha)

 

That's what an emotional baggage can do to us.

 

Needless to mention though, emotional baggage are the heaviest and the most expensive baggage to carry.

 

It costs us high not just mentally, but, also one that leads to physical illnesses. Many are known to have their genesis in trapped such emotions. Once these are let go, the healing is phenomenal.

(Ref. Ms. Annapurna and Milindji)

 

A quick check on the

emotional baggage that weigh us down, can help.

 

We should ask ourselves.

 

1. What is the emotional baggage that we are carrying?

 

2. How is it impacting our emotional health and behaviour?

 

3. What would we like to do with and what actions can we take?

(Ref. Ms. Annapurna)

 

This 👇is my two cents, to the discussion.

 

It is good to set the record straight once and for all, by being honest with ourselves.

 

We need to get all the answers, then setting deadlines, we need to work on them without  compromising on anything.

 

This will be the biggest test of our life to show our character and commitment, to get rid of our emotional baggage.

 

When we are committed  to something, we accept no excuses but only results.

 

Every act is sign of DISCIPLINE, and COMMITMENT.

Every silence is a sign of DETERMINATION and SOLIDITY.

Every smile is a sign of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and ATTACHMENT .

Every thought is a value of REVERANCE" and LOYALTY. 

 

This done consistently with

Purity of heart,

Clarity of mind

Gives you....The Surety of a Happy Journey in Life with no Emotional Baggage.

 

It's time to

Re-boot, our mind

Re-think, our strategy

Refill, our mental tanks

Revive, our energy

Reconstruct, our being

Regenerate ourselves

Re-live, our life

Relish,  and Rejoice every moment here after.

[14/08, 16:57] Raman Bharadwaj: Want to Transform Your Life?

 

Discover your life’s purpose  and find ways to fulfill it.

 

Start today!

by Peyush Bhatia

August 14, 2020.

 

What is your purpose of life?

 

This one question can leave many of you speechless.

 

But why?

 

Have you seriously not found out your true purpose?

 

Or, you never tried to look for it?

 

Most of us have deliberately avoided this question all our lives. We never tried to look inside and find the true reason for our being here and alive.

 

This is because, finding an answer would mean taking the responsibility of our life’s purpose and jumping into action. It would mean being answerable to ourselves for what we have done so far or will do to make it come true.

 

But it is essential that we understand that our lives do have a purpose- one that is aligned with the ultimate purpose of the Divine.

 

It can be anything, one or many – from travelling the world to writing books or spreading humanity; our life’s purpose gives us a distinct sense of fulfilment that nothing else can.

 

Though, as we navigate through our daily lives, lost in its constant chatter, we often lose touch with

this purpose.

 

Just in case you too are lost and are unable to find your true purpose, these steps will not just help you to find them but also fulfil them and live better.

 

How to find your life’s purpose?

 

Admit it..

The first step is to admit that your life has a purpose. That, you are here for a reason. Giving yourself the permission to accept this fact will create a fire in your belly to explore more

about it.

 

Explore it..

Ask yourself these questions...–

 

- What did I want yourself to be as I was growing up?

 

- If I had limited time to live, what would I definitely want to achieve?

 

- If I had all the money in the world, what would I do with my time?

 

- What make me very happy?

 

- What do I hate most about life?

 

- Who is my role model and why?

 

- What engrosses me so much that I loose track of time?

 

- What do I want to be remembered as?

 

- What am I grateful for?

 

The answers to these questions will point out to things that are most important to you and

help you move closer to your life’s purpose.

 

Think from your heart..

While your head can help you take the most rational decisions, happiness is where the heart is.

 

When you try to look for your life’s purpose from your heart, you naturally look for things that evokes passion and joy and find a purpose that is worth living for.

 

Embrace life as it comes..

Purpose gives you a constant sense of fulfilment and achievement.

 

When you live purposefully, you live every single moment in absolute joy and give it your best, no matter what it brings.

 

This can only happen when you embrace life as it comes with all its risks, challenges and newness, and stop resisting anything about it.

 

When you feel connected with every aspect of life and are in complete alignment with it, your purpose gets fulfilled on its own.

 

Cultivate gratitude..

Researchers suggest that when we feel grateful for our blessings, we are able to observe how others are working to making our lives better.

 

In this way, we also tend to contribute to the world beyond us and live a life of purpose.

 

Cultivating gratitude is thus an excellent way to live a purposeful life.

 

Going inwards into self..

Bring this deep practice so that you are more conscious and connected with your inner-self.

 

This connection will help you to find answers to who you are, what is your purpose and the actions that you should take to fulfil this purpose.

 

Find your purpose live a meaningful and happier life.

 

Start today!

Want to Change Your Life?

© 2020 Peyush Bhatia

[14/08, 17:52] Raman Bharadwaj: Born Original but becoming a Copy...Build A Passion, Not A Proof of Concept.

 

The world is a beautiful place as there are different people with different mindsets, different skillsets, different beliefs adding up to the variety around us. Every person has a place of his/her own as their being is truly their own. No one can substitute or replace the existence of any individual. Why then, is there a constant anxiety to prove one’s worth?

Our systems are deep rooted in creating copies of someone else to be acknowledged or appreciated. When someone trying something new is seen, ridiculing is the first reaction, discouraging becomes the norm of caution, abnormal is the chosen nomenclature to clearly demark the boundaries of existence. This, has been a norm in all cultures, all societies during all the timelines of evolution starting from Socrates, Edison, Einstein to a Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or even to a child from a local community who doesn’t fit the definition of routine/normal.

As much as the larger community tried to shun these bright minds, they chose to shine on their own. They showed that their minds are bright, not because they are any different, but because, they chose their passion over the need to prove the same. They relied only in their quest, but not in providing an explanation or a justification to why they thought or believed in a certain way. They had nothing to lose, as they never identified with the larger acceptance. They never ceased to fire their quest in fear of not being awarded otherwise. That was their brilliance.

Having a passion is great. Not needing to prove it, is divine. When you are driven by your passion, your environment doesn’t affect you. You will not be bothered on who is aware of your work or not, of who acknowledges it or not, of who appreciates it or not. All of this blur out in oblivion when compared to the magnanimity of what you have set out to do. Be it about building a rocket or just simply cleaning your home. You will be so lost in the beauty of doing what you truly want or love, that it fulfills your soul from within. Pure passion oozes calmness and it is visible without an iota of effort.

Every time you focus on showing what you believe or do, you are moving an inch away from your true being. Imagine working only to show what you are doing, but not for the pure joy of the task, you wouldn’t have even scraped a bit of who you truly are! It is in this area where anxiety, tension, stress, judgement, expectation precede your very existence. Every action will just remain an act. An act to prove others wrong or an act to prove yourself right. An act to shun your subordinates or an act to please your superiors. An act which might even fade the line between right and wrong, true or false, acceptable or not. This shall reduce you even further, if not to the world immediately, to yourself every time. Every such belittling will fuel your need to prove that you are great.

This is precisely the reason why people with a passion and purpose are always calm. It is only those wannabe’s who complain, stress out, because, they don’t know how to pave their own path and brave their way out under any circumstances.

Take a moment, think for yourself, do you build on your passion or on the need to prove a point to someone? How far or how well can you hold what you truly want? Is it entirely necessary, maybe not. But will people with passion make the world a better place? Of course YES!

 

 

[14/08, 17:52] Raman Bharadwaj: Being truly happy?

August 14, 2020

 

Going by the dictionary or wikipedia, happiness is always described as a feeling of pleasure, content, positivity, or maybe it is a feeling when someone feels good, excited, relieved, satisfied about something.

But what is being truly happy?

 

There could be guides to give you a 10 step pointer list to do something in particular or to set up something of relevance. There are also many lists that help you in finding happiness.

 

Do these lists actually work? Can you follow 5-10 points and check if you are happy or not?

 

Asking again, what is being truly happy?

How would you know you are happy?

Will you be able to be happy whenever you want?

Is there a reason to be happy?

Is there a time to be happy?

 

If you ask me, Happiness needs to being present in the moment with whatever you are doing.

 

Enjoying your meal without any disturbance of watching tv, news in the background, answering your texts or emails, or having serious discussions.

 

When you are able to be with your food as you savor it every bit, you will truly be happy.

 

Even in case you don’t like that meal, being present in the moment and observing what you didn’t like about it, maybe tweaking it a bit as you like it or even keeping it aside so as to pick up something else you’d like eating, will give you a chance to be happy in that moment. But for something as simple as this to be done, you need to know how to switch off from everything else and indulge absolutely in having your meal without any disturbance.

 

Meal is just a small part of the day. But, the magic of being in the present is something that needs to be tried out in every aspect possible.

Are you talking to your child?

Keep the phone away, mute/pause the tv or music, check your emails later, cut your vegetables after you finish talking to your child.

 

See the difference of how your bond would be by doing all this.

 

When you meet a friend, be with them, not with your phone.

News can wait.

Forward messages can wait. But, relationships need that moment to be nurtured.

We live with people with emotions all around, but tend to function with emotionless objects as our priority.

Isn’t this a mismatch?

And Whenever there is a mismatch, there would be friction, there would be confusion, there would be arguments.

 

Imagine a situation where everyone is very happy and celebrating something very big.

 

If you are not in the right frame of mind, you will not be able to participate in that happiness around you.

Whereas, however the environment around you is, if you can find a reason to be happy, you will be.

 

So, happiness is not in what we do. Happiness lies in how we do anything that we do.  Focus on being happy in everything you do, because happiness is not  destination. It is a state of mind.

 

Being truly happy is finding your flow in anything that you do. It is finding your ground in any aspect you pick up. Work on the ‘How’ of anything that you do and see the magic of happiness around you at all times!

 

 

[14/08, 18:03] Raman Bharadwaj: As for me it began both accidentally and deliberately.

 

First deliberately because of being torn to shreds five times from school to worklife. Mental assaults can be much worse than physical one's.

I practiced hard.

 

Went into the ring and started punching for fun, but, knocked down a few. That dawned on me to keep the practice going.

 

Accidents :

Dale Carnegie's Books (Classics at that time).

How To Sell Yourself To the Others, by Elmer Wheeler.

In Search of Excellence,

In Pursuit of Excellence,

Thriving in Chos - books by Tom Peters.

How to Pull Your Own Strings

Your Erronous Zones by Dr. Wayne Dyer led me to many other of his books.

25 Secrets of Leadership Thomas Leonard.

Then

Books on Sales by Zig Ziglar

Dr. John Maxwells - Leadership Books.

Books of Subroto Bagchi, Gopalakrishnan R, Prakash Iyer, Rashmi Bansal, Simon Sinek, Josh Bersin and many more have all been very impactful fof my career and growth.

I have a library of about 200 bound books of 200 pages average roughly  extracted printed stuff, and hard copy printed books of authors mentioned here. In addition I have 3500 books in soft copy PDF formats.

That apart I have CD's of Management Lessons, and some on EHDD Drive that accounts for about 90 GB material on several management disciplines.

 

Share, Share, Share..

 

Grow, grow, grow....

the more you share,

the more you get,

the more you get,

the more you give...

this cycle goes on and on..

 

Share your knowledge, liberally

Share your thoughts, chosenly

Share your ideas, freely

Share your experience, willfully

Share your time, endlessly

Share your gifts, generously

Share your love, abundantly

Share your joy, relentlessly,

Show kindness, gracefully

Show grace, really,

Show patience, lovingly

Pay respects to all....forever..

 

All these and many more are lessons our teachers beginning from parents gave.

 

Am what I am because of being a beneficiary and recipient of all those love/hate/conflicting/confronting lessons.

 

Also what I am today is also because of my friends who make me feel who I am and liberally share with me their life.

 

Am what I am again because of my family - siblings, spouse, children,  extended families for all their love, affection and care. And last but not the least my lovely little grandson who not just teaches me but amazes me with everything he does.

 

Can't lift my hands to ask the Almighty for more as I offer my gratitude to him and everyone around me who make my living worthy, teaching me to be a good human being.

 

Don't please get overawed.

This was just my journey, a deliberately chosen one. 

 

I assure you that you can create one based on your strengths and experiences to call it your niche.

 

Practice and Repetition helps your Reputaion.

 

Practice like you never won before.

 

Let's see this example...

 

Monday - You practice, others don't

Tuesday - You practice, the others practice too

Wednesday - You practice,  the others don't.

Thursday - You practice, others too practice.

Friday - You practice - others don't

Saturday - You practice, others practice too.

Sunday - You don't practice and others too don't.

 

So in a week you're practicing and repeating it 6 times vs others' 3.

 

In 2 weeks You vs Others it is 12 - 6

In 3 weeks 18 - 9

In 4 weeks 24 - 12

In 12 weeks - 72 - 36

In 24 weeks - 144 - 72

In 52 weeks - 312 - 156

 

All through if one looks at it, that clearly say that you have practiced and repeated twice more than others which suggests you are twice better than others.

 

Take anything

exercising

fitness

walking

jogging

swimming

reading

listening

singing

writing

meditating

or

whatever,

it is twice more because of repetition, repetition, repetition....

It helps your perform as if you never lost and that helps your reputation indeed.

 

Practice...Repeat...Perform...Enhance Your Reputation as beging a confident performer - winning or losing doesn't matter.

 

It is as simple as that.

 

04/01/2021, 07:25 - Raman Bharadwaj: Cheers!

It is the first working day of the year 2021. Wishing that you have a beautiful day at work and a productive week on hand, my friend.

 

Respect All - Each their perspective.

 

Guiding Quote:

An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere.

The pessimist sees only the red light. But the truly wise person is color-blind.

~ Albert Schweitzer

 

Point to Ponder:

Acting color-blind is an interesting concept in today’s world. It is wise to apply it in our approaches to others and to circumstances, so that we do not taint our

perceptions with bias.

 

A traveller through the mountains came upon an elderly gentleman who was

busy planting a tiny almond tree. Knowing that almond trees take many years to

mature, he commented to the man, “It seems odd that a man of your advanced

age would plant such a slow-growing tree!” Th e man replied, “I like to live my life based on two principles. One is that I will live forever. The other is that this is my last day.”

 

Action:

Let's work on our wisdom and apply color-blindness toward events as well as people.

 

Let's see opportunities and take notice of warnings. We will realize that there are multiple perspectives, let's respect them all.

 

There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: What we do, How we look, What we say, and

How we say it. ~ Dale Carnegie

 

The four contacts, What we do, How we look, What we say, and How we say it, are

foundations upon which we are measured by our societies. Unfortunately, many societies lay too much emphasis on the appearance factor, and too little on the other aspects. While concern about how we look is indeed an important one, it is also the source of much pain and suff ering in the world. People discriminate on basis of looks, especially considering the fact that we only have limited influence

on that factor. We cannot change our race or gender, so how we look is a given

to a large extent. We should think on that.

 

Let's pay attention to all four contacts listed above, and each of us specifically focus on the following three today:

What we do, What we say, and How we say it.

Scripted exclusively for the members of this group

R3 - Raman's Random Ramblings

by

Raman

Notes for Ms. Lalitha Rajagopalan

Wednesday, July 28, 2004   - A higher level

 

When times are hectic, when your plans go awry, when frustrations mount and anxiety overtakes you, stop and remember. Remember who you are.

The troubles of the moment may seem big and imposing right now. Remember, though, that they are relatively minor when compared to the big picture.

You will get through the difficulties and frustrations. You'll get through them far more quickly and effectively when you can rise calmly and confidently above them.

Remember how very good life can be, and how very fortunate you are to be living it. Remember the things that truly matter, your most profound blessings, your most treasured dreams.

The frustrations and inconveniences, the disappointments and setbacks all exist on a certain level. And you can rise to a much higher level.

Remember that, when the world is hectic, noisy, and confusing. Put it in perspective, rise a little above it all, and move on ahead.

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - Slow down

Life is not a race. It is a journey.

Getting someplace first, before anyone else, has very little real and lasting meaning. Seek instead to encourage others to come along, and you'll find the journey much more fulfilling.

When you hurry through each moment, you miss out on the richness that could be yours. Take the time to live, to experience where you are, rather than being so obsessed with getting to the next checkpoint.

When you stop demanding to have it all now, you'll discover that you have plenty already. Learn to experience joy where you are, and you'll experience it in abundance.

Yes, it can be wonderfully exhilarating when life is moving quickly. But do not move so quickly that speed becomes your only experience, for there is so much more to enjoy.

The terrain of life is filled with wonderful and astounding detail. Slow down and take in its richness.

Monday, July 26, 2004 - Get it done

There is something you know you must do. Yet you're worried that it won't be perfect, that it will be difficult, uncomfortable and maybe even painful.

You wonder what others will think of you, whether they might silently disapprove, openly taunt you, or even work against you. You worry that it could be more challenging and more demanding than you anticipate.

Go ahead and do it anyway. The sooner you get started, the more confident and effective you'll be.

Sure there will be problems. And with solid commitment, you will find a way through every one of them. Of course there will be challenges. And from each one you'll build the strength to take on the next one.

Accomplishment is never easy, and rarely perfect, yet it sure beats sitting around worrying about how powerless you are. When you know you must, then get up, get going, and get it done.

Saturday, July 24, 2004 - More than enough

There is much to be gained by remembering and learning from the past. There is also much to be gained by remembering that the past does not have to control you.

Now is where you are. Now is when you are fully alive, fully able to make things happen.

Wishing that things had been different steals energy away from the positive actions you can take right now. Because now, instead of merely wishing, you can act to make it happen.

All the disappointments you've ever experienced are now behind you. Though their consequences may continue, those disappointments no longer must hold you back.

In fact, now in this moment you have the power to turn each disappointment completely around. You can, with your thoughts and actions, redirect your energy in whatever direction you choose.

When you break free of the chains that hold your thinking in the past, you'll discover something truly amazing. All that is now is much, much more than enough.

Friday, July 23, 2004  - The need to judge

Your ability to make judgments can serve you well. It can also cause a lot of needless trouble, anxiety, and pain.

Stop making judgments about the things that don't matter. And you'll free yourself to focus on the things that do.

Imagine a world in which there was nothing to annoy you. When you let go of the constant need to judge, the annoyances drop quickly away.

Many times judgment can be replaced with understanding. And by truly seeking to understand others, you will yourself be far better understood.

Certainly there are times when a judgment is necessary and appropriate. Your judgment at such times can be much more powerful and effective when you haven't wasted it on things that don't matter.

Use your judgment wisely. And just as wisely, give it a rest.

Thursday, July 22, 2004 - Must do

In each task that must be done, there is opportunity. See the task not as a burden, but as an encouragement to be fully alive and effective.

The real burden would be the inability to do anything. No task is a burden, but is instead the chance to express your own aliveness.

Does the work seem dreary, unimaginative, tedious or boring? That's mainly because your attitude makes it so.

See what happens when you start by being thankful for the opportunity to do it. Your genuine gratitude will help you to see the positive value.

When the things you must do become things you want to do, it can transform your life. Each moment takes on more meaning, each effort brings greater and greater reward.

Rather than fighting and forcing yourself to do what must be done, let go of your resistance and allow yourself to accomplish. Let what you must, become what you want, and watch yourself begin to soar.

Wednesday, July 21, 2004  - Joys remain

There is a place where the joys remain. There is a place where the golden days, the precious moments, live on and on.

No one can tell you how to get to that place. Yet you know exactly where it is and when you are there.

When you are truly in that place you know that the joys exist beyond all circumstances, impervious to harm or decay. You do not merely believe or hope, you know.

The fleeting moments, the shallow artifacts of the world, will come and go. And through it all, the joys remain, always with you, somewhere.

Give your energy not to the anger, not to the frustration, not to the petty disputes, not to the empty pleasures, for these all quickly fade. Give your energy to the joys, for they remain.

In your heart you know what they are and from whence they come. And in your heart, the joys remain.

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - Outdated assumptions

It can be useful and efficient to rely on assumptions. Remember, though, that most assumptions do not remain valid forever.

How many of the assumptions that you rely on have long since ceased to be true? It can be truly liberating to discard some of the old assumptions that do nothing now but hold you back.

Many of your assumptions have become so thoroughly ingrained in your thinking that you no longer realize they are even there. Each moment they influence what you see, think and do.

The net result is that the person you were ten, fifteen, twenty years ago is controlling the actions you take today. Though you have grown immensely in that time, much of that growth goes unrealized because you labor under outdated assumptions.

There's no need to throw out all your old assumptions. Yet it can be extremely worthwhile to question them, and to seek to go beyond them, on a regular basis.

Watch what you think, what you say, what you do, and regularly ask why. Free yourself from outdated assumptions, and you'll be amazed at the possibilities that open up to you.

Monday, July 19, 2004 - Let yourself be

Unburden yourself from the limitations you've borrowed from others. And let yourself be. Empty your mind of the fears, doubts, worries and distractions that have built upon each other. And let yourself be.

This moment is filled with every possibility. All that you need to live it fully is already yours.

Look past the noise and turmoil of your thoughts. Be at peace with what is now, and see that peace as it spreads far beyond you.

Let any resentment, anger or disappointment from the past dissolve into nothingness, never to return. Let any anxiety or worry about the future melt away.

Now is where you can make a positive difference. Now is when you can let yourself be.

Saturday, July 17, 2004 - One step away

If you were just one step away from reaching your goal, would you take that step? How do you know, right now, that you're not?

What a shame it would be to stop making the effort, when just a little bit more would make it all worthwhile. What a shame it would be to have taken all those steps, only to miss the very last one.

The next step you take may very well be the one that makes all the others count. You owe it to yourself, and the efforts you've made, to keep going.

No, the next step may not get you there. Yet what about the one after that? If you keep moving ahead, a little at a time, you will indeed arrive. When you take that final, triumphant step, you'll be so very thankful you persevered.

At some point success is just one step away. Keep going and you'll be there.

Friday, July 16, 2004 - The other side

When your skills are challenged, you can become far more capable. When your beliefs are challenged they can become immensely more compelling and persuasive.

When your intentions are challenged, it can make you more determined and committed. When your faith is challenged, it can grow even stronger.

The downside of challenge is that it can be difficult to go through. The upside of challenge is that it's great to have been through.

When you arrive at a challenge, take a moment to look at it from the other side. Imagine all that will be gained by working your way through it.

The bigger and more imposing it appears when you first encounter it, the more value you'll have gained when the challenge is behind you. And that will set you up to conquer even bigger challenges, and to enjoy even more substantial rewards.

Give your best to the challenges. And what you get will be even better.

Thursday, July 15, 2004 - Choose your path

The footprints you leave behind show clearly where you have been. Yet they do not dictate where you can now go.

Perhaps your life up to now has been difficult and filled with disappointment. Or perhaps it has been easy and filled with good fortune. None of that matters when it comes to the choices now available to you. At this moment in time, you can go in any direction you choose.

You can learn much by looking at how you arrived at where you are. Now that you're here, you can benefit from what you've learned and experienced.

Now that you've been through your past, you have a much better idea of where you truly want to go. Look back at the footprints you've left behind, and decide where the next footprints will lead.

At this very moment, your possibilities stretch out in countless directions, yet your next step must be in one specific direction. You have the choice to make right now, so choose the very best.

Wednesday, July 14, 2004  - Small success

At some point during this day you're sure to find a few minutes that would otherwise have been wasted. Today, take those few minutes and use them for productive, creative effort.

Don't be concerned with what you'll get from it. Just put your mind, your heart, your passion and full attention into the effort. Don't do it to impress anyone or to gain any kind of advantage. Just do it to give something of value to life.

Spend a few moments creating value where it did not exist before. Spend a few precious moments expressing yourself in a positive, unique way through the efforts you put forth.

Even the smallest positive accomplishment can improve the tone of your whole day. Once you establish a positive momentum, its energy will carry over into everything else you do.

Enjoy a small success today. It can lead to something grand.

Tuesday, July 13, 2004  - A golden day

This is a golden day. Open your eyes and see its richness.

Open your heart, live the beauty and value of this day. Accept it as it is, and the love you give to life will make it even better.

Whatever comes along, consider it a privilege that you're able to experience it. Look for the blessings in everything, and you'll surely find them.

Pay no attention to the false limitations that the world may put on joy. There is no need to acquire or to dominate in order to be happy.

Simply open yourself to the abundance that already surrounds you. And you'll be firmly connected to all you could ever desire.

This is a golden day. And the more you live its treasure, the more of it there will be.

Monday, July 12, 2004 - Respond to life

Respond with love to those who might otherwise annoy you, and suddenly the annoyance is gone. You'll both be better off.

Respond with patience to situations that might otherwise make you frustrated, and suddenly the frustration is gone. In its place will be energy for positive achievement.

Respond with understanding to things that might otherwise anger you, and the anger will dissolve. Instead of destructive rage, you'll see creative possibilities.

Respond with determination to events that might otherwise cause you dismay. You'll find yourself powerfully motivated to move positively forward.

Respond with enthusiasm to tasks you might otherwise find tedious. You'll find a way to create new and lasting value.

Respond to life as if each moment is a grand experience, filled with positive and unique possibilities. And that's just how it will be.

Saturday, July 10, 2004  - Get inside

Dive into your problems. Once inside, you'll find lots of things you can do to get through them.

If you run from them or just stare angrily at them, the problems can seem overwhelming. Yet the closer you get, the more clearly you'll know how to handle them.

If your day is not going so well, identify one clear, specific thing that would make it better. Then go to work and make it happen.

You won't get anywhere by moaning about how rough life is. Yet when you get inside the troubles, you'll find plenty of things you can do to change them for the better.

A big problem with problems is that they cloud your thinking by appearing more troublesome than they really are. Decide to look clearly and confidently at them, and you've already begun to triumph.

Get inside the problems, and there's plenty you can do. Get inside the problems, and you'll find them filled with opportunities.

Friday, July 9, 2004 - Falling ahead

Are you tired of falling behind? Then start falling ahead.

Falling behind begins when you neglect to take care of something that needs to be done. Then something else comes along and suddenly you're playing catch up.

All too soon, the problem builds upon itself and you find yourself so far behind that it's difficult to get anything done. Yet you can work yourself out, and work yourself ahead, the same way you fell behind, one task at a time.

Falling ahead happens when you can anticipate something that will need to be done, and then you go ahead and take care of it early. That frees you to anticipate the next necessary task, so you can address it early as well.

Before long, you're so far ahead that you're no longer burdened by what needs to be done. You can focus your energy on the valuable, productive and fulfilling activities that you choose to do.

Those who get ahead and those who fall behind use just about the same amount of effort. Those who get ahead just take each effort a little bit earlier than necessary, and that can make an enormous difference.

 

Thursday, July 8, 2004 - Inner voice

Sure, the task is difficult, the road is long, and the challenges are great. And yet, somewhere deep inside, you know you can do it.

Your outer thoughts and words may complain loudly about the trouble, frustration and annoyance. Yet your innermost thoughts know that what is best is to move ahead with it, despite all the trouble.

Listen to that inner voice, the one telling you that yes, you can. Listen to that inner voice, the one reminding you that yes, you must.

That inner voice can give you valuable perspective, for it is not distracted or dismayed by the events of the moment. Certainly it's useful to pay attention to the moment, and it's also important to keep the big picture in mind.

And when you measure the challenges of this moment against the big picture of your life, you'll know that you can handle those challenges. When you view the opportunities of this moment within the big picture, you'll know that your efforts will be richly rewarded.

Listen to that inner voice, the one that's saying yes to life.

Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - One to remember

Do you remember anything special that you did exactly one week ago, or one month ago today? What can you do today that will make today a day to fondly remember for a long time to come?

This day is an entire day of your life. You have the opportunity to live this day in such a way that it will make a positive difference for years to come.

You can express your love in a new and unique way. You can begin an ambitious project that you've been meaning to start for a long time.

You could take the time and make the effort to learn a new skill that will add value to every day of your life. You could visit a place you've never been to before, or re-connect with an old and dear friend.

You can thoughtfully re-commit yourself to your highest priorities. And then you can take real, effective action that will bring those priorities to life.

You can live this day in such a way that you'll be forever thankful for what you've made of it. Get started now, and make it one to remember.

Tuesday, July 6, 2004 - If you could choose

If you could choose the life you live, how would it be? If you could choose your surroundings, what would they look like?

If you could choose the people with whom you associate, who would they be? If you could choose your activities, what would you be doing?

If you could choose your thoughts, what would you think? If you could choose your feelings, how would you feel?

If you could choose your priorities, what would they be? If you could choose to commit your time, your energy and your skills to something, what would it be?

If you could choose how to spend the next moment, what would you do with it? What would you do if you knew that all your choices, in each moment, in each circumstance, would mold and shape the life you live?

The good news is, you can choose, now and in every moment to come, and those choices add up to the life you live. So remember each time to choose the best.

Monday, July 5, 2004 - Just go with it

Take this richly beautiful day and just go with it. Take this moment, though it may have flaws and imperfections, and live it.

Instead of worrying that there's not enough time, go ahead and fully live the time that is here now. Rather than being concerned that things are not perfect, enjoy and experience all that is, as it is.

There is no need to wait for the gratification of every desire. For that is not what will bring true happiness. There is no need to remain upset if events do not go your way. For even when things have not gone your way, you are always free to be your best in the moment that is now.

The majority of things that trouble, annoy or frustrate you, do so only because you've allowed them to. Imagine how peaceful and positive you can be simply by deciding to let it be.

This day, this life, is a precious, beautiful gift that you've received. Accept it with gratitude and never hold back the joy that can be yours.

Saturday, July 3, 2004 - Positive habits

To bring your thoughts to life, put them into words. To bring your words to life, put them into action. To bring your actions to life, make them into habits. What you make into a habit becomes a part of who you are.

Imagine having hundreds of people taking action on your behalf. Over time, the habits you develop can create that kind of leverage.

Habits give powerful focus to your actions by repeating them over and over again. So it pays to give great care and consideration to the habits you develop.

A negative, destructive habit can hold you back as surely as a steel chain around your ankle. A positive, productive habit can enable you to soar to heights that would otherwise be unreachable.

Work to make your most effective actions into habits, so they become a part of you. The effort will be rewarded over and over again.

Friday, July 2, 2004 - Joy no matter what

You don't have to ignore the difficulties in order to be joyful. You only have to decide that you won't let them get you down.

You can live this day with joy, even though there may be no objective reasons for being joyful. Joy is its own best reason.

Experience joy not as a result, but as a cause. Let your own joy be a driving force that spreads its light far and wide.

There is never any reason to feel guilty about being truly joyful. For by living with joy, you are giving far more than you receive.

Today is a day to be joyful. Live with joy no matter what the world may demand. And you'll be creating something of real value.

Thursday, July 1, 2004 - Many alternatives

There are millions of roads that lead to success and fulfillment. Yet far too many people push and shove just to get on a few of those roads, while leaving most of the other ones empty.

There is virtually no limit to the number of ways your dream can be reached. There's no need to give up on that dream just because one of the most obvious ways is blocked.

Instead of focusing on how you can't get there, consider all the other alternatives. For they are most certainly there.

With some creativity and commitment, you can put yourself in a place where there is no competition. You can put yourself on a sure and steady path that leads to the fulfillment of your most treasured dreams.

The biggest winners do not depend on making others lose, on gaining at the expense of another. The biggest winners are those who create real and lasting value where it did not exist before.

Stop fighting for your share of the existing pie, and start creating a new and even more enjoyable delicacy. It will bring you a level of success that cannot be denied.

Wednesday, June 30, 2004  - Wanting it

How do you get yourself to do what you know is best, what you know you must do? You find a way to truly want it.

Think of your favorite food. If you were hungry, and that food was sitting on the table in front of you, would you be able to bring yourself to eat it?

Of course you would. It would be no problem at all.

You wouldn't have to attend a seminar, or buy a book, or watch a video instructing you on what to do. You'd simply take the necessary steps, out of a desire to eat your favorite food.

No, not everything is as easy as reaching out and taking a bite of food. Yet the fact remains that the things you get done are the things you want to get done, whether they are easy or difficult, simple or complex.

You are completely capable of figuring out how, and finding the motivation to do something, when it is something you truly want to do. When you can make and maintain the connection between what you know you must do, and what you truly want, it will get done.

Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - Give it time

Some of your blessings you instantly recognize as such. Most of them, though, take some time to become fully apparent.

Often, a great blessing can come from what may at first seem to be a heavy burden. Reflect back on your experience and you'll see this is true.

Perhaps a relationship that got off to a rocky start ended up becoming a treasured friendship. Or perhaps a difficult challenge brought to the surface a valuable skill you didn't know you had.

Maybe you needed to solve a thorny problem and in doing so, discovered a golden opportunity. Or perhaps living through a time of immense frustration made you stronger, more confident, patient and resilient.

When life takes a distressing turn, give it time. And during that time, be on the lookout for the valuable and positive aspects of your situation.

Keep your eyes open for blessings in disguise. They are often the most profound and enduring ones.

Monday, June 28, 2004 - Someday you'll see

Someday, you keep telling yourself, you'll truly start to live. Someday you will take the very best of your possibilities and make them real.

Someday you'll escape from the meaningless distractions that only waste your moments. Someday you'll focus all your time and energy on what is really important.

Someday your longing to move vigorously forward will overcome the fears and insecurities that have caused you to hesitate. Someday you'll realize that you've always had the courage and the confidence to fully live, and wonder why you didn't start sooner.

Someday you'll laugh at the petty angers, frustrations, worries and annoyances that keep you from being all you can be. Someday you'll learn to let go and live.

Someday you'll decide that your life cannot wait any longer. Someday, you'll realize that living with richness and fulfillment is infinitely better than making endless excuses.

Someday you'll see that someday is here, that there's no reason to wait any longer. And there's every reason, here and now, to be fully alive.

Saturday, June 26, 2004 - Transformation

There are many things that can hold you back. Yet there's always a way to turn them around, into forces that move you forward.

If you ever find yourself feeling envious, take that envy and turn it into inspiration. The envy will do nothing for you, but the inspiration can make an enormous positive difference.

When despair comes upon you, transform it into strength. When you've experienced a defeat, redirect its energy into commitment.

Take the pain of humiliation and let it spur you to build a real, lasting confidence. When you've experienced disappointment, turn it into wisdom.

Transform your most irritating frustrations into rock solid discipline. Change your negative anger into positive determination.

There's never any need to be tossed around by the fickle winds of fate. For you can take what life gives you, and turn it in your favor.

 

Friday, June 25, 2004 - Keep on choosing

Success is not a secret. It is a choice, a choice that is made over and over again.

The choice that brings success and achievement is more than a one-time event. It is a choice that is integrated into every moment of life.

It's one thing to decide upon a course of action and then leave it at that. Such a strategy will leave you with nothing but empty wishes and good intentions.

Real achievement comes from choosing to achieve, again and again, moment after moment, until the goal is attained. Real achievement comes from choosing to achieve, and then continually reaffirming that choice with action.

Choosing success is really quite easy. To actually reach that success, just keep on choosing it.

Keep on choosing, and acting on that choice, for as long as necessary. And anything is within your reach.

Thursday, June 24, 2004  - Be of value

When you're always worried about what you can get out of the deal, you won't get very much. Yet when you focus on what you can give, a whole universe of positive possibilities will open up to you.

There is always work that needs to be done. There is always a way to make a positive contribution. There are countless ways to be of service, to be of value. And to be of value is the very best way to create value, in your own life and in the world around you.

You don't need anyone else's permission to make a positive contribution to life. All you need to do is open your eyes.

Look around you, with a genuine sense of caring for the needs of others. In every direction, you'll see countless opportunities for making a positive difference.

If you seek real confidence, richness and fulfillment, then step up, take the initiative, and be of real value. It will bring true, lasting and meaningful success.

Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - The beauty of this day

This is a beautiful day, a priceless gift never to be matched, filled with unique and wonderful possibilities. This is a beautiful day, and you can make it even more so simply by experiencing it.

Today's beauty may not be obvious at first. After all, the problems and injustices have a way of demanding your attention.

But they do not have to blind you to the beauty of this day. No matter how loudly the difficulties may shout, the beauty and positive possibilities are always there.

The beauty of this day has no need to shout or scream. For the more peaceful your spirit becomes, the more fully you will know and experience the beauty.

Many things, fortunate and unfortunate, will happen today in this busy, complicated world. And the beauty of this day remains a steadfast reality enveloping it all.

For the beauty of this day does not happen, and needs no push or promotion. It is always, and it is yours.

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - Remember why

If you could do anything, what would it be? And even more importantly, why would you choose to do it?

Just for a moment, imagine that there are no limitations, no obstacles to get in your way. If you could create something just by willing it into being, what would it be, and why?

You've probably complained to yourself or others about how hard it is to get ahead. Have you ever considered in detail how you would know when you got there, and what you would do with your good fortune?

Look beyond the daily onslaught of problems and concerns. Look ahead to where you'd like for it all to get you.

Remember why you've chosen the path that you are on. Remember why, and resolve anew to make it all worthwhile, to fully live the meaning that is certainly there.

Let your mind, your spirit rise above the clamor. You'll surely get where you choose to go when you regularly remember why.

Monday, June 21, 2004 - Higher thinking

As you move through this day, make it a point to replace troubled thoughts with thoughts of peace. Replace thoughts of weakness with thoughts of strength.

Replace thoughts of limitation with thoughts of possibility. Replace thoughts of anger with thoughts of compassion.

Let go of any thoughts of frustration and helplessness. In their place, put thoughts of creativity and empowerment.

Gather your various and scattered thoughts together, and point them all in a positive, productive direction. You'll be amazed at the power that's yours when each thought is working to enhance the others.

Your thoughts determine what you decide to do with all that you have. And you determine what your thoughts will be.

So put them to work in a positive way, moment by moment, day by day. Make them all thoughts that serve you well.

Saturday, June 19, 2004 - Do something about it

One of the best ways to change a bad feeling into a good one is to do something positive about it. Bad feelings have their purpose, after all, and that purpose is to spur you into action.

If you just sit there, wallowing in negativity without doing anything about it, that brings you down in two ways. Not only do you feel lousy, you also pass up the opportunity to be powerfully motivated by those lousy feelings.

Yet when you take a positive cue from a negative feeling, things almost immediately begin to change for the better. As soon as you start to do something about it, you are in control and you are moving forward.

Take a positive step, and you go from being a victim to being a beneficiary of your negative feeling. Keep on going, and you'll soon leave that negative feeling completely behind.

If you seem to be having a lousy day, it's not the day that's lousy. It's your lack of a positive response to it that makes it seem so bad.

So listen to what your bad feeling is attempting to tell you. Get busy, do something about it, and you'll turn it into a triumph.

Friday, June 18, 2004 - Appreciate the good things

The sunshine feels so very much warmer after weeks of rainy days. Your loved ones seem so much more precious whenever they've been away.

You truly appreciate and value your good health after recovering from a difficult and prolonged illness. You learn new respect for financial discipline after working your way out of a burdensome debt.

It's easy and natural to appreciate the good things after you've experienced life without them. Yet sadly, that can often be too late.

How very much better it is to appreciate the good things you have while you still have them. For then, not only can you appreciate them, you can put them to positive and productive use.

So begin each day by counting your many blessings. Pay particular attention to the ones so overwhelmingly a part of you that you might otherwise take them for granted.

True abundance and gratitude are solidly linked. The more you appreciate the good things, the more numerous they will be.

Thursday, June 17, 2004  - Get beyond

Get beyond the need to impress anyone, and you'll begin to truly impress everyone. Imagine the refreshing sense of fulfillment you'll then know.

Get beyond the need to possess and control, and your world will be filled with abundance. You'll see real value in every direction, ready to be joyfully lived.

Get beyond the need to worry, and you'll be filled with a positive, productive energy. By living fully in the moment of now, you'll build the confidence and strength to handle whatever the future may bring.

Get beyond the need to blame and to carry resentment from the past. Then you can put all your energy and focus into making your way successfully forward.

Get beyond those limitations you've imagined for yourself. And the other limitations will begin to fall away as well.

Get beyond the petty negativity that only serves to hold you down. And the positive possibilities will be truly endless.

Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - Imagine the future

You do not know for sure what will happen in the next hour, the next day, the next week or year. Yet you can imagine, and when you do, it pays to imagine the very best.

No, your imagination by itself does not make it so. But it can certainly line up many factors in your favor.

The more you imagine your most desired and treasured scenario, the more clearly you can visualize the actual details. And the details are important, for they provide specific goals upon which you can focus.

When you can clearly see yourself being there, you can see much more clearly how to get there. You can imagine the path to your dreams, then start to actually walk it.

Imagining a bright and shining future can serve to draw you toward such a state. So fill that imagined future with whatever you treasure most.

Play an active role in your own future. Imagine with passion and detail how you'd most like it to be.

Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - Enjoying it

You spend much of your day striving for more, and yet you already have so much. Spend some time enjoying it.

Enjoyment takes little or no effort, and doesn't have to detract from what you're doing. In fact, enjoyment will add real value to all your efforts.

Enjoyment takes no special skills or training. All you need is the intention to enjoy where you are, and suddenly you're doing it. Focus not on the problems. Focus on how fortunate you are to be here, able to make a positive contribution.

The next time you're in a situation that you normally would find annoying, frustrating, or dreary, decide that you will enjoy yourself. Put a smile on your face with a lightness in your spirit, and enjoy being you, simply because you've decided to do so.

A moment lived with enjoyment can bring hundreds of times more value than a moment spent in dismay. Enjoy life's richness and there will be so much more.

Monday, June 14, 2004  - Yours to use

You have just now arrived at this moment. Whatever may have brought you here is now yours to use in moving forward.

Perhaps the journey has been going well. If so, expand on what you've already found to work so well for you.

Or perhaps there have lately been more downs than ups. If so, then take that knowledge of what doesn't work and use it to find what does.

You cannot change what has already happened. Yet no matter what it may have been, you can take something positive and valuable from all of it.

Hold on to the love, the laughter and the lessons. Let go of the disappointments, setbacks and regrets.

Today is a new day, and that gives you the chance to make something new and positive out of whatever you already have. Make every reason a reason to move forward, and you'll find yourself doing just that.

 

 

Saturday, June 12, 2004 - Just one

When it seems that you're overwhelmed with problems, pick just one and go to work on it. Suddenly the momentum will shift in your favor.

When you feel helpless to make a difference, stand up and take just one small step forward. And you'll discover that you can indeed make a difference.

You're not going to solve all the problems of the world before bedtime. Yet you can take many positive, productive steps in that direction.

It sure beats sitting around worrying about how bad things are. All the worrying in the world cannot equal the power of just one positive step.

Once you take that one step forward, you'll find yourself wanting to do it again and again. Just one step can ignite your passion, and there's no telling how far that will take you.

When you feel that there's no use in making the effort, that's precisely the time when even the smallest effort can make an enormous positive difference. Commit to taking just one step, and feel how great it can be.

Friday, June 11, 2004 - Undeniably good

"I know in my heart that man is good.
That what is right will always eventually triumph.
And there's purpose and worth to each and every life."

          -- Ronald Reagan

Life is difficult, challenging and painful at times. Yet at its very core, life is undeniably good.

The world is ripe with injustice and tragedy. Yet goodness always finds a way to be where it is needed most.

What is wrong, what is false, can often seem powerful and compelling. Yet eventually each falsehood consumes itself, collapsing under the burden of its own lies and inconsistencies. And life's goodness not only endures. It grows stronger and more solidly entrenched as it survives each passing challenge.

Often life's purpose seems to get buried beneath the confusion and the complexities, the distractions and the pressing demands. And yet, through it all, that purpose patiently remains, ready at any moment to be lived and fulfilled.

Celebrate, respect, enjoy, give to and make the most of life. It is a gift more precious, more positively powerful than anyone can imagine.

Thursday, June 10, 2004 - Confident thoughts

What if a thousand people were to come up to you today and express serious doubts about what you are doing and your ability to get it done? Think of how much your confidence would be shaken.

Now imagine how stunningly different it would be if a thousand people today were to offer you a word of encouragement, and to express enthusiasm for what you're doing. You'd be so completely confident that nothing could stop you.

In fact, you will receive a thousand opinions today. But the vast majority of them won't come from strangers. They will come from someone you have believed and trusted all your life. They will come from you.

In every moment, in each thought you think, you have the opportunity to express confidence in yourself and in the value of what you're doing. The power of those thoughts can add up very quickly.

Every moment you are thinking something, and you can choose what those thoughts will be. So choose the ones that will lift you up and push you positively forward.

Wednesday, June 9, 2004 - Decide you will

Decide to live this day with positive purpose, and you'll figure out how to make it happen. Make a firm commitment to yourself that you'll make valuable and productive use of your precious time, and you'll find yourself doing just that.

Decide what you truly intend to achieve. Decide what your priorities will be. You have the wonderful ability to accomplish whatever you set your sights upon. But when you have no firm commitment, that powerful ability is wasted on trivial and meaningless diversions.

Imagine that you have an assistant whom you are paying one hundred dollars an hour. Think of how frustrated you would be if that well-paid assistant never got anything done because you could never decide what he should be doing.

You do in fact have an assistant whose time is far more precious than money. That assistant consists of your own ability to get things done, and that assistant is always anxious for positive direction.

So take a good look, today and every day, at your hopes, your desires, your vision for how life can be, and decide what to do with it all. Truly decide you will, and you will.

Tuesday, June 8, 2004 - There are those

There are those who say it can't be done, and are content to leave it at that. And then there are those who find a way.

There are those who see every setback as an excuse to give up. And then there are those who find the courage, the will, the commitment to persevere.

There are those who back away from challenge, and complain when it finds them anyway. And then there are those who eagerly welcome each opportunity to move the world forward.

There are those who prefer to do what is easy, comfortable and convenient. And then there are those who do what is best, what is right, as difficult as it may be.

There are those who bounce and skim along the noisy, confusing surface of life. And then there are those who dive deeply in, to where meaning, purpose, vision and truth are clear and unmistakable.

How fortunate we are that there are those who live like they mean it. How fortunate we are that we can too.

Monday, June 7, 2004 - Feeling good

It feels good to feel good, about yourself, about your world, about those around you. And feeling good, as simple as it sounds, can be a truly powerful and positive force.

Genuinely feeling good is more than just empty pleasure. It comes when you have the confidence and courage to be who you are, to live what you believe, with purpose, with meaning, with integrity.

In an attempt to appear sophisticated, some folks think they must be constantly critical, judgmental, and pessimistic. Yet true sophistication is the ability to bring out the best in yourself and in those around you, even though the challenges may be great.

In order to be your best, it helps tremendously when you can feel your best. Feeling good about what you're doing will greatly enhance your commitment and your ability to see it through. Feeling good is not a matter of ignoring the negative realities. It's a matter of overpowering those difficult challenges with a positive, purposeful spirit.

Go ahead and feel good. The world eagerly welcomes all the goodness you can give it.

Saturday, June 5, 2004 - Clarity

At its heart, achievement does not require more time, energy, money or resources than you already have. It is simply a matter of clearly focusing and directing what's already available to you.

The wealthiest person in the world got that way utilizing exactly the same number of hours in each day that are available to everyone else. Success depends not so much on what you have to work with, but on what you do with it.

Be clear, specific and precise about what you want to achieve. Fill in all the details, then fill in some more.

If you're too vague about where you're going, you can't possibly get there. Yet when you're completely clear about what you want, that will help to focus every aspect of your life in the direction of your goal.

Accomplishment comes to those who precisely define what accomplishment means, in each and every detail. What does accomplishment mean to you? Answer that question, with clarity and precision, and you're well on your way. Stay clear, stay focused, and you'll surely have what it takes.

Friday, June 4, 2004 - The magic of kindness

Kindness is almost always bigger when it is received than when it is given. What may be a small thing for you to offer can make a tremendous difference to those who receive it.

Kindness vastly increases the effectiveness of your efforts. Even a small kindness can bring a big result. And a truly ambitious kindness can change the world. Kindness multiplies itself in a way that seems almost magical.

Those whose lives are filled with richness are those who know and understand the value of genuine kindness. Kindness is not a difficult thing to grasp or to bring about, and is freely available to all who wish to practice it.

Every day you come across numerous opportunities for kindness. Each one of them is brimming with a value more precious than gold.

Avail yourself of those opportunities to spread kindness. And know the special magic that kindness brings.

Thursday, June 3, 2004 - Imagined problems

Are you fighting against obstacles that don't even exist? Often, the imagined problems can hold you back more firmly than the real problems.

For the imagined problems can prevent you from ever getting started in the first place. When you're certain that things are not going to work out, you have no incentive to move forward with them.

You never really know until you make the effort. The chances are very good that the obstacles are not nearly as difficult as you imagine them to be.

Every undertaking has its challenges, to be sure. Yet there's no reason for you to add to those real challenges with your own imaginary ones.

Go ahead, take action, and you'll likely discover that many of the obstacles you once imagined are not even there. And you'll find a way to handle those obstacles you do encounter.

Don't let the imagined problems stop you. Step confidently forward and move ahead with those things that need to be done.

Wednesday, June 2, 2004  - Momentum of achievement

Success comes most readily to those who are already successful. That's why the small successes are so important.

When you set a goal, however small it may be, and then work to achieve it, you put in motion a powerful positive momentum. That momentum can help you to reach toward higher and higher levels of achievement.

The small successes do matter, for they set that momentum in motion. No step is trivial, however small it may be, when it is leading in a positive direction.

Too many people wait and hope for, beg, plead and even fight for that one big break that will bring about instant success. Sadly, in so doing they overlook the small opportunities for success that come in every moment of every day.

You can easily make a little bit of progress in the next fifteen minutes. And you can make a little more progress in the next few hours. Create for yourself the momentum of achievement. And you can take it wherever you wish to go.

Tuesday, June 1, 2004 - What you choose

You are the sum total of the choices you have made. So who do you choose to be?

Experience will show which choices work for you, and which ones work against you. So how are you making use of your own special experience?

Success and achievement do not come as the result of blind luck or random chance. They are built on choices. The choices that matter are not just the big ones, but also the little, seemingly insignificant ones. For there are lots of little choices to be made, and their consequences can add up quickly.

Every choice will take you in a specific direction. So where exactly do you want to go? Every moment is a choice, and every choice will make itself felt in your life and in your world. So what kind of life do you choose, this day, this moment, to live?

Monday, May 31, 2004 - Always changing

In your weariness, find energy. In your disappointment, find encouragement. In the moments of despair, see the hope that is there. In the times of difficult challenge, take hold of the opportunities.

When all your options have been exhausted, focus on the positive possibilities. When you feel you just can't go any further, that's when it's most important to keep on going.

When you encounter anger, offer kindness in return. When you find yourself in darkness, be a shining light. When things are at their worst, that's the time to be your best. Take the raw energy that life deals out, whatever it may be, and turn it in a positive direction.

Make the most of the fact that life is always changing. Change it for the better.

Saturday, May 29, 2004 - Behold the beauty

Behold the beauty that is all around you. You'll find it in the vast expanses, in the smallest details, and everywhere in between.

There is beauty to behold amidst noise and confusion, as well as in the quietest moments of solitude. You'll find beauty in the simplest of things, and in the deepest depths of complexity.

Why is there beauty and why are you able to know it? Have you ever wondered?

Beauty exists for the purpose of filling your heart with joy. So take in the beauty that stretches out in every direction, and let it do just that.

Beauty's reason is pure delight. Take delight in true beauty, and it becomes even more beautiful. Behold the beauty that fills your life. It is a blessing that has no equal.

Friday, May 28, 2004 - Life's detours

Sometimes life will present you with an unexpected detour. Sometimes you'll spend a lot of time and effort, and end up right back where you started. Such times are no reason for despair. Rather, they provide an opportunity for renewed determination and commitment.

Sometimes, things will not go as you planned. When that happens, keep in mind that much of life's richness comes from its unpredictability.

Rather than cursing the detours that life throws your way, explore what they have to offer. Even though you're not moving in the direction you intended to go, you can still make positive progress.

No moment is wasted when you live it with passion and purpose. Every sincere effort brings a valuable reward, even though the result may not be exactly as you planned. Getting there the fastest is not nearly as important as making the most of every moment.

Value and enjoy the journey, even when there are detours along the way.

Thursday, May 27, 2004 - Power of focus

When there is much to be done, it can be tempting to try and work on it all at once. Yet rarely is anything ever gained by taking that approach.

The most effective effort is focused effort. Do one thing and do it well, with total focus, until the job is done. Let go of your thoughts and worries about what comes next. Give your attention to the task at hand.

Jumping back and forth from one thing to another can waste much of your time and seriously dilute your momentum. The more there is to be done, the more important it becomes to solidly focus your efforts.

Hurried and scattered actions will rarely get you there any faster. Be patient, stay focused on one task at a time, and you'll make the most progress.

Give your efforts the power of focus and momentum. And watch them bring spectacular results.

Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - Live joyfully

The joy connected with a particular experience does not really come from that experience. It comes from the part of yourself that you put into the experience. When the experience is over, the joy is not gone. As long as you care to live it, that joy is there.

You can carry it wherever you wish. You can nurture it, expand it, and spread it far beyond its original realm.

Joy does not depend on any particular set of outer circumstances. It comes from how you choose to live within those circumstances.

You can find joy wherever you want. Because it is wherever you bring it. Choose to live joyfully. The more you do, the more joy there is.

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - Motivating setbacks

No one likes to suffer setbacks. That's precisely what makes them so valuable.

Every setback is an opportunity for you to get your own personalized supply of a special energy that will propel you forward. That energy is known as motivation.

Think of how an illness can motivate you, like nothing else, to take better care of your health. Consider how a financial setback can provide the compelling motivation to be more financially responsible.

When a setback comes, the first priority is to deal with it and get beyond it. After that's done, and you've experienced it fully, you're blessed with an increased level of motivation and focus.

So use the energy of that motivation to deal with the underlying cause of the disappointment you've just experienced. In your highly motivated state, you can easily take steps to immunize yourself against similar setbacks in the future.

Certainly you would never seek out disappointment, but when the setbacks do come, they bring with them a valuable, compelling, personally meaningful motivation. It's something you can use to great advantage.

Monday, May 24, 2004 - Extra effort

How do you get enormous results from a relatively small effort? It happens when you make that effort an extra effort.

Once you've done the necessary work, do a little more. The extra payoff will be vastly larger than the additional effort expended. Why is that? Because the more your efforts can build on each other, the more valuable they become.

If you stop at the very earliest opportunity, you give up precious momentum. Instead, keep going a little longer, and watch as your efforts become increasingly effective.

Think of how much fuel you'd waste, not to mention the wear and tear on your car's engine, if you turned off that engine and then restarted it after every mile traveled. Once you're in motion, it's far more efficient to keep moving as long as possible.

When you've made the minimum necessary effort, do yourself a favor that will pay off in a big way. Go ahead and make the extra effort.

Saturday, May 22, 2004 - Bright future

The sooner you act, the bigger difference you can make. A slight change in course, early in the journey, will have a huge impact on the destination that is reached.

When you wait until the last minute, many things simply become impossible. Prepare far enough in advance, though, and just about anything is possible.

Time can provide you with enormous leverage if you will simply make wise use of it. So many things you could never hope to accomplish immediately can easily be yours over time.

If you are willing to take only one or two steps, there are very real limitations on how far you can go. When you are willing to take as many steps as necessary, you can go anywhere you wish.

If you insist on having it now, you can severely limit your options. Yet with patience and persistence, the limitations disappear.

Take action now, make full use of the time you have. And your future is bright indeed.

Friday, May 21, 2004 - Encourage you

Are there times when you don't feel like doing what you know must be done? What you need is a little encouragement.

When others give encouragement at such times, it usually comes across as nagging. However, when you encourage yourself, it can be truly energizing.

Picture yourself with the task already done. Feel how good and satisfying it is to have it behind you.

Experience the sense of satisfaction you know you'll gain when the work is completed. Visualize the sweet freedom of knowing it is behind you. Turn your reluctance about doing it into an excitement for having it done. When you think about it, that's really a very easy and natural step.

Then dive in with enthusiasm, encouraged by your own positive, meaningful thoughts. And soon enough, it is done.

Thursday, May 20, 2004 - Drop the negativity

You may indeed have every right to be angry. Yet you also have a compelling reason to let that anger go. You may be completely justified in seeking retribution. Yet focusing on positive pursuits is much more likely to be in your best interest.

You may have all sorts of totally understandable reasons to think negatively of someone else. Yet those negative thoughts, as reasonable and accurate as they may be, serve only to weigh you down.

Think for a moment about how easily you could lighten your load by dropping the negativity you carry around. Anger, blame, resentment and other such thoughts cost you much and bring you nothing of real value.

Every negative thought uses up time and attention that could be invested in more productive pursuits. Every negative thought pushes you back when you could just as easily be moving forward.

When you feel a negative thought rising to the surface, see it for the dead weight that it is. Then turn around, face forward, and set your sights on the abundance of positive possibilities.

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - Culmination

You've been preparing all your life for today. Now it is here to be lived.

The obstacles you encounter may seem formidable. Yet you are now fully ready to face them and to truly make a difference.

You are more experienced today than you've ever been. You are more knowledgeable, more capable, more thoughtful, refined and informed than ever before.

And that makes today an opportunity such as you've never known before. This day, this moment is a grand culmination of all that you've ever been through.

As you live this day, keep in mind what it has taken to get you here. Remember and appreciate all the dreams, efforts, hopes, frustrations, setbacks and victories that have carried you to this point.

And then make sure this day lives up to all you've done to get here by making it worthy of all you've put into it. Go out and make this day the greatest one yet.

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - Not easy

Life is not easy. That's what make's it so valuable.

If everything in life came easy, where would be the opportunity for fulfillment? If there were no real challenges, there could be no real rewards.

If pleasure, comfort and achievement were all you knew, what possible reason would you have to value and appreciate them? If life were easy, it would be unbearably tedious.

Consider how precious are the opportunities to give, to contribute, to make a difference. They're what create the possibilities for true enjoyment, satisfaction and fulfillment.

The life you envision can most certainly be achieved. For that to happen, you must first get past the wish that it be easy. You would not really want it to be. Never settle for easy when you can make it great.

Monday, May 17, 2004 - See the beauty

Much of the beauty you admire and enjoy is really your own beauty being reflected back to you. The beauty you nurture inside yourself is what enables you to see beauty in the world around you.

Beauty speaks in the language of the heart. It is powerful and wonderful because it touches something within you, and does so in a profound way.

Delight in the beauty you experience, and it increases the positive energy available to you. Look at life through thankful and loving eyes, and you'll find much of it to be beautiful.

There is beauty in every direction -- in your world, in your home, your family, the work you do, the things you love, your faith, and the people in your life. Appreciate and enjoy the beauty that is all around you, and you bring the abundance of that beauty to life.

When you find joy in beauty, it is because you are truly beautiful. Take delight in beauty, and you've made even more.

Saturday, May 15, 2004 - Forgive and be free

Carrying a grudge can be terribly difficult work that brings you nothing of value. Forgive, and be forever free of that burden. Remaining offended by the words or actions of another can be quite painful and terribly distracting. Forgive, and the pain is suddenly gone for good.

If someone hurts you, if someone wrongs you, do you really want to perpetuate and multiply that damage? Is it really in your best interest to give your time, energy and attention to keeping the pain alive? Forgive, and move on past it. Forgive, and put yourself back in positive control.

Forgiveness does not mean that you allow others to take advantage of you. It simply means that you allow yourself to move positively forward, regardless of what others say or do.

Even if the other person doesn't deserve it, you deserve the opportunity to leave the pain behind. Forgive, and be free.

Friday, May 14, 2004 - Live it all

Stop waiting for someday, or wishing that you could have it all. Simply step forward and live it all.

If all your fondest dreams were being fulfilled, how would you feel? Go ahead and feel that way now. If you had transcended every limitation, what would your highest priority be? Go ahead and make that your priority today.

If the problems that plague you were suddenly gone, to what would you devote your time, your attention, and your commitment? Even in this moment, in a very real way, you can devote yourself to those things that are truly important.

Let the richness that is your life flow out from you. And you'll experience even more flowing in.

There is never any need to have it all. For even now, where you are, with what you have, you can truly live it all.

Thursday, May 13, 2004 - Welcome what comes

Welcome this day with enthusiasm, with positive anticipation. And you'll find something great to do with it. Welcome the challenges with an eagerness to make a difference. And you'll transform the most difficult obstacles into the most magnificent achievements.

Welcome the complaints and criticisms. And you'll discover priceless avenues for improvement. Welcome the opinions of those with whom you disagree. And your own beliefs will become that much stronger and better defined.

Welcome the beauty, the joy, and the disappointments. Welcome the setbacks, the problems, and the pleasant surprises.

Welcome whatever comes, for that is what you have to work with. Welcome life, with its ups and downs, and you'll surely do great things with it.

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - Value of perspective

One reason why the problems of the moment can seem completely overwhelming is because you're so close to them. It is always helpful to put things in perspective. Your immediate frame of reference is based on the last few hours or days. Yet when you step back and put things in perspective, that time accounts for only a small fraction of your life.

Certainly the present moment is of vital importance, for it's the one in which you're living. Yet even as you live in the current moment, your life has an immense reservoir of value, knowledge, and experience.

When the challenges seem insurmountable, consider all the massive challenges you've already overcome. Compared with the totality of who you are and who you can be, most difficulties will pale by comparison.

It's easy to allow the problems of the moment to dominate your thinking, for they can certainly be compelling. To move successfully through the challenges, to think more clearly and act more effectively, take a step back from them.

Give yourself some perspective. And you'll see your way positively through.

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - Life's abundance

The more you fear failure, the more of it you'll get. Attempting to avoid all possibility of loss is the surest way to lose. Those things you try to hide and to hoard will quickly lose their value. The best way to safeguard what you have is to put it to effective and productive use.

Accomplishment requires that you put yourself on the line. Yes, that does introduce the possibility of failure, yet it also is what opens up the opportunity for success.

Life is yours to be lived, with richness, fullness, confidence and purpose. Your many blessings exist to be put to use, not to be smugly or fearfully hidden away. For what good is it to have anything if you're not willing to make use of it? Instead of worrying about what you might lose, consider all that you can accomplish.

The more you make of life's abundance, the more of it there will be.

Monday, May 10, 2004 - Nourishment of thought

The life you experience is nourished by the thoughts you think. What kind of nourishment are your current thoughts providing?

When your thoughts are filled with fear, with criticism, with anger, worry and selfishness, those are the things that will nourish you. You'll surely experience disappointment, anxiety and unhappiness as a result.

Instead, let thoughts of kindness, love, faith, hope and goodness fill your mind. You'll be nourished by those thoughts into the experience of joy, happiness, good health and achievement.

Imagine how lousy you would feel if you ate a diet of nothing but junk food. Giving your life a diet of nothing but negative, limiting thoughts can have the same effect.

Thinking does not make it so. Thinking provides you with the nourishment you need to make it so. Make that nourishment of positive thoughts the best it can be. And your life will benefit greatly.

Saturday, May 8, 2004 - Let peace come

Peace is perfectly natural. All it asks is that you let it fill your heart.

Yet peace can become so deeply buried that you might forget it's there. Take a moment, though, to dwell on peace, and it begins to rise within you.

The world may seem to be filled with strife, anxiety, violence and confusion. Yet peace endures, and is always close at hand.

Peace is ready to be lived at any moment. Let it be, and it is with you. Let peace be in you, and it will radiate out from you. Nourish peace within your heart, and that peace will spread beyond you.

Instead of being angry or resentful that others do not know peace, be thankful that you can give it. And then lovingly let peace come from you.

Friday, May 7, 2004 - Give your dream

What have you always wanted to do with your life? Today you can actually begin to make it happen. What is your most treasured dream? Now is the moment for bringing it to life.

But isn't it selfish to follow your dream, when there are so many problems, so many responsibilities to be met? No, it is not selfish at all. In fact, the selfish thing to do is to hide your dream away and deny it life. In the process of following your dream, you cannot help but add enormous value to the lives of others.

The things you deeply care about are there for a reason. They push you toward a level of achievement that will benefit not only you, but all those around you.

Somewhere deep within you is a dream, a vision for how life can be. Let this day be when you begin to give it to the world.

Thursday, May 6, 2004 - Firmly in control

If you could reverse the direction of time, it might be useful to assign blame. Because blame is all about the past. Yet time moves only forward. And no matter how precisely you analyze and reconstruct the past, you won't be able to change what has already happened.

When you truly desire to move forward, assigning blame won't do it. The way to move positively ahead is to take responsibility.

The situation in which you find yourself is yours, no matter how it came to be, no matter who may be to blame. Life moves forward, so let your thinking and your actions be focused in the same positive, productive direction.

From this point on, your best strategy is to embrace responsibility. After all, the person with the most vested interest in your future is you.

Take responsibility, and you put yourself firmly in control.

 

Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - Hold that thought

Many thoughts will cross your mind today. Which ones will you hold there?

The thoughts you hold most intensely are the ones that become real. The thoughts you visualize most completely and most consistently will work to determine the reality of your life.

As thousands of thoughts fly through your mind today, pick the very best ones and hold on to them. Give life to them, help them to grow stronger and more influential.

For you can choose which thoughts you hold, which thoughts you build upon, and which ones you leave behind. That choice can make an enormous difference.

There is a place where your thoughts live. It is the place where the rest of you will be living soon. Make that place the best you can imagine. For you're on your way there even now.

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - Your great fortune

You are so very fortunate. You are alive and free to create value with your thoughts and actions. You are aware, and able to adapt effectively when conditions change. You live in a world where even the most difficult circumstances can bring great opportunities.

Perhaps you don't feel so fortunate today. Perhaps events have not gone your way, maybe not for a long time.

Yet all that disappointment, including any disappointment with yourself, is now in the past. The minute you let it go, it is gone. And you are left with the opportunity to move forward, guided by the experience you've so dearly earned. What greater fortune than this could you ever have?

See your great fortune in this moment and run eagerly into its richness. Live fully the life with which you're so fortunately blessed.

Monday, May 3, 2004 - Peacefully on your way

Life can too often be hectic, confusing and painfully noisy. If you listen just to the noise, and focus only on the confusion, it can indeed be quite distressing.

It pays to remember, now and again, that the noise and confusion are not what life is all about. Sure they command your attention, but that doesn't make them particularly meaningful.

Have you ever noticed that people who always feel the need to shout rarely have anything useful to say? On the other hand, those who whisper do so because what they're saying has great importance.

The events of each day are often the same way. The things that scream for your attention rarely deserve very much of it.

When you come face to face with something loud, urgent, insisting or demanding, get in the habit of asking yourself this question. Is it really all that important?

If it's not, then quickly dismiss it from your concerns. And go peacefully, purposefully, positively on your way.

 

Saturday, May 1, 2004 - Change forward

Sometimes, even when you give your best to the effort, the results are not what you intended. Other times, factors largely out of your control change the landscape in disappointing ways.

Every day the world changes. Some of those changes bring pleasant surprises, others bring unanticipated difficulties.

Fortunately, just as surely as the world changes from day to day, year to year, you have the ability to adapt. Change will always happen, and you will always have the option of making the best of it.

It can be frustrating when something beyond your control swoops down and ruins your plans. Yet you can turn the energy of that frustration in a positive direction.

You might be inclined to try to get even, to pay back an equal amount of damage and disappointment to whomever or whatever has disappointed you. But that will not bring you anything of value.

Instead of getting even, resolve to get even further ahead when the changes come, whatever they may be. See each change as the opportunity it is, and you'll find a way for them all to pull you forward.

Friday, April 30, 2004 - Savor life

As you do what you do, whatever it may be, enjoy the moment you're in. Whether the day is bright or gloomy, whether your surroundings are comfortable or coarse, there is always something to savor.

Rather than worrying too much about what is next, pay more attention to what is, here and now. Instead of agonizing too much about what you can't change, marvel at the possibilities of what you can do.

There is beauty and wonder in every direction, if you'll simply take the opportunity to see it. Every day, every situation, every person you encounter brings something that will add richness to life.

Each moment holds the prospect of a new experience. Eagerly drink in all of those experiences, for in them you will find the fertile substance of life.

The more earnestly you savor life, the more you will find to savor. In the spectacular times and in the ordinary moments, there is always plenty to add to the priceless treasure of experience.

Savor life as quickly as it comes. And experience for yourself its overwhelming abundance.

Thursday, April 29, 2004 - Behind desire

Behind every desire is a deeper desire. Behind the deepest of desires, you'll find the true identity of the person you are.

If you follow only the desires on the surface, without ever looking beneath them, you'll likely come up empty. For knowing why is a key part of accomplishment. If your desires are ever to be realized, you must question them. Know that beneath each and every desire is a more profound, more fundamental purpose.

Perhaps you are a slave to your desires, or perhaps you are shocked by your desires, and maybe you're even fearful of them. Have you ever considered stepping back and really examining them? They all exist for a reason. Knowing and following those reasons can lead you to an undeniable sense of real and lasting fulfillment.

Behind your desires you'll find something even more compelling -- purpose. The more often you bring that purpose to the surface, the more successfully your life will proceed.

Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - Momentum in your favor

Those who complain the most bring upon themselves the most things about which to complain. Those who praise and rejoice the most end up finding and experiencing the most things about which they can rejoice.

Experience is driven by expectations, and expectations are formed through experience. Once you're on a particular path, whether positive or negative, it can become largely self-perpetuating.

That's the power of momentum. You enjoy a small accomplishment, and the positive satisfaction it gives you sets you up for an even bigger and better accomplishment, which further increases the positive momentum.

Small things can make a big difference, because even the small things define the direction of your momentum. When you're thankful and joyous about the modest successes, they begin to build into bigger successes.

Because negative momentum can be just as strong, it often takes a lot of effort to make even the smallest move in a positive direction. Yet it is worth all the effort, because even with that small move you have effectively turned the power of momentum in your favor.

Once momentum is moving in your direction, you begin to get more and more positive results from each effort. Start small, get momentum working for you, and there's no limit to how far you can go.

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - Life's richness

Life's richness does not come as a result of acquiring what you don't have. True richness comes from fully living and making the most of the unique and valuable things you do have.

The outward signs of success are neither the causes nor the essence of that success. They are merely superficial, visible consequences. To see success only as a pile of material possessions is to miss out on success altogether. The substance of success and fulfillment can never be contained in mere artifacts.

You are already wealthy beyond all measure. Your challenge now is to make meaningful use of that immense good fortune. Let go of the illusion that fulfillment is in the getting, the acquiring, the possessing. Rather, seek fulfillment in the becoming and creating, in the living and giving.

True value is not something you can ever confiscate from others. The value that will bring richness to your life is the value you create.

Monday, April 26, 2004 - Give this day a purpose

Don't be content to let the moments of this day slip silently and uselessly away. Fill them with life and with meaning.

Give this day a purpose. And you'll transform it from a day merely to be endured into one that will always be cherished.

Give this day a purpose. And its richness, its value will stay with you long after its time has ended. Make something useful and meaningful of the moments. Live them in the service of a real and consequential purpose. This day is here and now, and yours to live. Give to it a purpose, a reason, a true measure of respect for the possibilities that come with it. Live this day by giving it a purpose. And the best of its possibilities will be yours.

Saturday, April 24, 2004 - Make room

There are times when it pays to be certain, to be decisive. Yet there are also times when certainty can hold you back.

When you're certain that you know all there is to know, it prevents you from exploring potentially valuable options. When you're certain of what does and does not work, you could fail to take advantage of useful and workable creative approaches.

It's important to be decisive and persistent when you are certain of the track you're on. It can be foolish, though, when you stubbornly stick to a position just to prop up your own ego.

When you can admit that you don't have all the answers, that makes you much more able to get the best answers. When you acknowledge that you don't know it all, it puts you in a position to learn much more.

Your experience is truly valuable and can be extremely useful. Even so, there are realities beyond your experience that can prove just as valuable, when you open yourself up to them.

No matter how much you've learned and experienced, there's always something valuable that you don't know about yet. Open your mind and make room for it.

Friday, April 23, 2004 - Positive initiative

A smile will give you something to smile about. Just try it and see. Offer an encouraging word and suddenly you'll have a reason to be encouraged. It works every time.

Be positive and you'll have something to be positive about. Rather than waiting and hoping that something good will come along, be the something good that comes along.

You always have the ability and the opportunity to change the world for the better in your own special way. Every moment that goes by is a moment you can use to move positively forward, when you choose to do so.

If the day seems too dark, fill it with the light of your love and laughter. If life seems too discouraging, give to it your positive energy.

The situation is always ripe for someone to step forward with a positive initiative. Be that someone, right here, right now, and see how great it can be.

Thursday, April 22, 2004  - Living integrity

Practice integrity with those things that don't really matter. And your integrity will shine brightly in the things that matter most.

Integrity, by very definition, cannot be turned on and off. True integrity is indivisible.

To be able to act with integrity in any area of life, you must live with integrity at all times, in all situations. Otherwise, you are merely attempting to imitate integrity, and that is an exercise in futility.

Practice integrity even when you're sure that no one else will ever know. That will build in you a true, living integrity that does not need to be announced. Be quick to forgive and slow to offend. For integrity has no use at all for holding grudges.

Live each moment with integrity, and make it who you always are. For a real, living integrity can take you places you otherwise could never go.

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - Thoughts to reality

Imagine for a moment how it would be if every time you thought of something it would suddenly become real. If that were the case, upon what things would you focus your thoughts?

If you knew for certain that thinking would instantly make it so, how would that change the nature of your thoughts? Would you focus your thoughts on worry, frustration, anger and resentment, or would those thoughts be more directed toward the positive possibilities?

Of course, you know that your thoughts do not instantly create your reality. Yet those thoughts do indeed have a powerful influence on where your life leads. For your actions are certainly guided by your thoughts. And the actions you take do indeed have a major impact on your life and your world.

In fact, the thoughts with which you most consistently fill your mind do eventually become real. It just takes some time. So keep in mind what would happen if your thoughts were to suddenly become real. Because one day, they will be.

Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - Ordinary magic

The ordinary moments are where life comes to life. What you do with the ordinary moments can play a major role in the way your life progresses.

If you wait for something spectacular to happen before you begin to truly live, you might be waiting a very long time. Instead, see the magic that is there in even the most ordinary moments.

In the ordinary moments you have the opportunity to fill life with substance and meaning. In the ordinary moments you can move, step by persistent step, toward whatever you wish to accomplish.

Most of the ordinary moments are not memorable. Yet when you make full use of them they will yield truly memorable results.

If it were not for the ordinary moments, life would just be an empty shell. The ordinary moments are where strength, resilience, integrity, persistence and other essential values are given room to grow.

Today you'll be richly blessed with some ordinary moments. Let their special magic fill your life.

Monday, April 19, 2004 - Truly best

It's easy to think that life is unfair, and to lower your expectations accordingly. It's easy to find someone or something to blame for your disappointments, and then to give up on moving forward.

It's easy to convince yourself that you can't, and to find plenty of perfectly valid reasons for hiding away from life. But what does that really accomplish? It's easy to settle for less than you know you can be. Yet doing so can often lead to a terribly difficult and disappointing life.

The easiest choices in the short term usually bring the most difficult consequences in the long run. So the more you seek a life of ease, the more uncomfortable, the more truly uneasy it becomes.

To choose what is best, for yourself, for your world, is not usually the easiest choice. To follow the path of what is best takes commitment, effort, some discomfort and sacrifice.

Rather than quickly jumping on the easiest choice, consider the long-term effects on your precious and irreplaceable life. Look at the big picture, and you'll find yourself choosing what is truly best.

Saturday, April 17, 2004 - Dividing moment

This is the moment that divides the past from the future. And this is the moment that you control. It's a powerful place to be. What you do right now will determine what you carry from your past into your future.

You can choose to hold on to all the good, empowering things such as your knowledge, your positive relationships, your wisdom and experience. And you can choose to move beyond those things that have held you back, such as negative habits and low expectations.

If you've dragged yourself down, if you've held yourself back, now is your opportunity to begin moving yourself forward. Now is the time when you can put all your past experience, whatever it has been, to positive and productive use.

The past does not equal the future, and right now is the moment that proves it. Right now is a doorway through which you can carry those things that will bring a brighter future.

See this moment for all it is, and live it fully for all you can be.

Friday, April 16, 2004 - Symptoms of happiness

When you are truly happy and fulfilled, it will show. Be careful, though, not to confuse the symptoms of happiness with happiness itself.

Happiness shows itself in many ways. Remember, however, that those outward manifestations are not the source of happiness.

The signs of happiness you see in others are the results, not the cause of their happiness. Chasing those same results in an attempt to bring happiness to your own life is an empty pursuit.

Instead, live each day with gratitude, with wonder, awe, love and kindness. Be happy, without first requiring a reason to be.

And the symptoms of happiness will begin to show in you. What's more, they'll be real and meaningful, not just empty tokens.

Rather than expecting happiness to come to you from the outside, let it come from you, pouring forth from the inside. And delight in the joy your happiness creates.

Thursday, April 15, 2004 - Give to this day

What can you give to this day? There are a million possibilities to be of service, to be of value, to make a difference.

Sure, you're as busy as can be. Of course, your world is filled with complex, complicated challenges. Yes, your time and resources are in short supply, and it may seem that there's nothing left to give. Give anyway, and you'll find that the very act of giving brings you even more with which to give.

Give a smile, give a moment of your time, give a word of encouragement. Give a hand, give a small bit of kindness, and watch it grow.

There is nothing that can energize you more than knowing you're making a real difference. Give of yourself, and there's suddenly even more of you to give.

Give to this day. And you can make it the best one yet.

Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - Pay the price

The sooner you pay the price, the lower that price will be, and the more you'll receive in return. The more willingly and gratefully you pay the price, the more quickly you'll realize the benefits.

When you attempt to gain value without paying the price, you'll end up paying even more. Each effort you make to get something for nothing will just put you that much farther behind.

What you hoard, hide and hold back from life will only serve to hold you back. Instead, be generous with your time, your spirit, your love and your efforts, and life will be full indeed.

It is truly a privilege to pay the price. For that is how value gets created. It is truly a blessing to make the effort. For that is where fulfillment begins.

Step forward with enthusiasm and pay the price. For you know how much value it will surely bring.

Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - Feelings flow

It's one thing to feel lousy. Yet it's even worse to feel lousy about the fact that you feel lousy.

However, when you can accept and welcome your feelings, both negative and positive, those feelings lose their power over you. Stop fighting against your feelings, simply let them flow, and all of those feelings can become more valuable.

Your feelings are yours for a reason. They can tell you much about yourself and the world around you. Yet when you become a hostage to your feelings, craving certain ones and dreading certain others, even the pleasant feelings lose their positive value. If you find yourself in that position, take a step back and remember that your feelings are there to enhance your life, not to dominate it.

If you try to fight against your feelings, you're merely giving them more power. Instead, simply allow them to flow in, experience what they offer, and then let those feelings flow on past.

Today you'll move past a whole range of different feelings. Let them come, let them go, and find real value in every one.

Monday, April 12, 2004 - Along the way

Dream your big, grand, glorious dreams, and follow them with all that you have. Yet take care not to let your dreams get in the way of your living.

For what good is it to reach your dreams if you do not fully live what you have, what is right here and now? This is the moment that you are in, and there is never any reason to postpone the richness of life.

The dreams you have are great objectives toward which you can reach. And the real value of them is in the process of reaching.

Now is when you give true value to your dreams by the way you live and work toward them. And now is when your dreams give value to you, with the inspiration and direction they provide.

That's why it is never too early and never too late to dream. It is never unrealistic and never presumptuous, whatever your dreams may be.

Let your most treasured dreams pull you forward. As you do, remember to experience the richness and value of every moment along the way.

Saturday, April 10, 2004 - What you make of it

The difference between a dreary day and a beautiful one is mainly in what you make of it. The difference between an impassable obstacle and a golden opportunity is primarily in what you make of it.

Each experience is largely raw and unformed until you actually experience it. Each circumstance, each encounter with life is yours to make of it what you will.

Your attitude is the filter through which the moments of your life are seen and known and valued. What gets through to you and what does not, is largely up to you.

Life can be filled with unfairness and misery, or it can be full of invigorating challenge and opportunities for achievement. So much depends on how you take it, on what you make of what comes your way.

Some have been blessed with every advantage, and end up with nothing to show for it all. Others have been saddled with unimaginable burdens, and yet have risen to magnificent heights.

As this day plays out, whatever the moments may bring, make the choice to look first for the positive possibilities. This day, this moment, this life is what you make of it.

Friday, April 9, 2004  - Determined action

Those who actually solve problems spend very little time complaining about them. Problems are turned into opportunities not by complaining or blaming or endless analysis, but by thoughtful and determined action.

When you're busy solving a problem you're working to transform it from a negative to a positive. When you merely complain, then you're investing yourself in perpetuating the negativity of that problem.

Complaining is easy, and it usually just worsens the situation. Taking positive action is indeed the more challenging course, for it involves effort and commitment.

Taking action requires you to make real-life decisions, to look at the tradeoffs and to weigh the value of different options. When you take action, you must be willing to put yourself on the line.

For the results are not going to be perfect, and there is always the possibility of failure. When that happens you learn from it and make another, more informed, more determined effort.

Commit to taking thoughtful, persistent action. And it will take you where you want to go.

 

Thursday, April 8, 2004 - Wind against your face

The faster you move forward, the more intensely you'll feel the wind against your face. The more progress you make, the more resistance you're likely to encounter.

When the challenges become more formidable, it's because you've become strong enough to handle them. Failure rarely meets much opposition. Success, on the other hand, is often challenged at every turn.

When you're meeting up with resistance, it's because you're having an effect. That's one of the strongest signals you could ever receive to keep on keeping on. Achievement does not come easy. That's why it is so celebrated and valuable.

Each challenge serves to further prove the value of your pursuit and the depth of your strength. Persist and endure, for the challenges confirm that you are already making it happen.

Wednesday, April 7, 2004 - Untapped value

Go a little bit beyond what you know you can do, and you'll discover you can do more. Go a little bit beyond what is comfortable for you, and your horizons will begin to expand.

Get away from the routine, and you'll start to see the world more clearly. Give more than what's expected, and you'll find you can expect more from yourself.

Stretch yourself, and feel yourself becoming more flexible, more capable, more confident and effective. Question yourself, challenge yourself, and become more aware of who you truly are.

Life can move quickly ahead when you decide to move ahead with it. Yet if you persist in standing still, you'll end up falling behind.

There is immense untapped value in your life that is eager to be unleashed. Give a little more, go a little beyond, rise to greater and greater challenges, and you'll bring that untapped value to the surface.

There is far more to you than you know. Let it all come to life.

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 - Annoyed no more

Life is too precious to spend it being annoyed. The sooner you move past being annoyed, the better each moment will be.

If you find something annoying and it's something you can change, then quickly take the necessary steps to make it better. Redirect the negative energy of your annoyance into making a useful and positive contribution to life.

When something annoys you that you cannot do anything about, let yourself rise above it. There's no point in wasting your time and energy being concerned with it.

You can choose to be annoyed by something, and you can just as easily choose not to let it get to you. Annoyance is nothing more than a reaction, one that is under your complete control.

When you become annoyed, it distracts you and can cast everything in a negative light. Once your annoyance has gotten your attention, there is no good reason for it to continue.

One way or another, quickly move whatever annoys you. Be free to focus on those good and valuable things that truly matter.

Monday, April 5, 2004 - Golden day

There will come a day when you'll finally decide that you're ready to live up to your full potential. There will come a moment when you will no longer settle for less than you know you're capable of achieving.

There will come a time when you'll no longer be satisfied with making excuses and rationalizations. There will come a time when your desire to move forward will outweigh your fear of the unknown.

There will come a time when the search for empty pleasures will seem silly compared to the pursuit of real achievement. One day you'll realize that everything you do makes a difference, and you'll put that incredible power to valuable use.

There is really no reason to put that golden day off any longer. There is every reason to go ahead and make it happen for you. You were born to do great things, to create much value, to make a real difference. The longing and frustration you feel is a constant reminder, so listen to what it has to say.

Your life can be as full as you are ready to make it. Now is the day to make it great.

Saturday, April 3, 2004 - Decisive

A decision is nothing more than a wish until you act on it. The more quickly you act on the decisions you make, the more powerful and effective those decisions will be.

Every moment you wait before taking action makes that action less and less likely. The moment you decide is the moment to start putting real substance behind your decision.

Give power to your choices by giving them your efforts. Even if the first step is small, take it right away. For your actions will create momentum. Once momentum is on your side, you greatly increase your success rate.

Being truly decisive means more than just making decisions. It means making a commitment to see them through. That takes action. And the sooner it starts, the more power it has.

Friday, April 2, 2004 - Letting go

Letting go of discouragement is no more difficult than holding on to it. And letting go is so much more empowering.

It takes an enormous amount of time, energy and attention to remain bitter or angry or disillusioned. Let it go and move on ahead. Whatever has happened is a matter of history. Whatever is to come is a matter of choice.

Now is when you make that choice. Now is when you can decide to stop giving your energy to what is past and start making the most of what will be.

Freedom is much, much closer than you might think. Imagine being free of the things that hold you back. It takes so little effort to let them fall gently away from you. And be free to truly live.

Thursday, April 1, 2004 - Positive outlook

The best time to put yourself in a positive frame of mind is when you don't feel like it. That's when it can make the biggest difference. But how do you do that? How do you get yourself up when circumstances have you down?

You simply decide that you're going to do what's best for you. And what's best for you is to move positively, confidently forward.

No, you may not feel like it at the moment, when things are not going your way. But ask yourself a simple question. Would you like to make things better or would you prefer to make things worse? If circumstances are not to your liking, why would you want to prolong them for even a single moment more?

The more negative you feel, the more reason you have to quickly get yourself into a positive frame of mind. It will truly and reliably work wonders.

Ambition

 

Ambition is a word that asks you to take inventory of your dreams and the goals that you set for yourself.

 

Ambition is the drive behind the dream, the action used to move you towards your goals. We often talk

ourselves out of our dreams. We insist that we are not "smart enough, talented enough, pretty enough, lucky enough etc." to do what we are truly passionate about doing.

 

Ambition must be powered by faith in both yourself and your higher power.  It must be fed with positive affirmations and with persistent action.  Cultivate habits that help you work towards your destiny.

For example, if you are an aspiring writer or artist, get in the habit of devoting at least 15 minutes a day to your craft.  This action keeps you motivated and keeps your goals within your grasp. No matter what your goal, use positive affirmations and daily action to keep you moving forward.

 

Today's exercise

 Make a list of positive affirmations to keep you motivated. Prepare an action plan that allows you to work towards your goals for at least a few minutes each day.

 

Blessings

 

Blessing is a Power Word that deals with learning to make the most of what we have been given.

Learn to focus on the Blessings you have right now at this moment.

Don't think about the "stuff" you don't have, or what you feel is lacking.

It is true that where thoughts go so does your energy.

Those who stay focused on their blessings make room for more of them to flow in.

By taking less for granted we enjoy the whole of our lives more.

Those who take the pessimists view receive more negativity in feelings of loss, lack, and fear because that is where their thoughts and energy are directed. Need some more blessings in your life?

Focus on the ones you already have.

 

Tomorrow's Exercise

Right now, before moving on further name 20 things you are blessed with right now at this very moment.

Write them down if you are able.

Focus on these 20 things for the rest of your day.

When your thoughts start to turn to what you don't have, pull them back to your 20 blessings, add to them as you are able.

See how deeply enriched you feel at the end of this day.

Repeat as necessary.

 

Calm

Calm is a word that speaks of finding our center, the place within our being where external conditions do not affect our true spirit.

 

We have all heard of the phrase "eye of the storm", the center of solitude and calm in the midst of the chaos of nature's furies.

Each of us also has a place of calm centered deep within our being,  the place at the heart of us that is always tranquil despite outer conditions.

 

Those who practice meditation/relaxation techniques work to access this place of peace.

 

Many struggle with life's upheavals and "storms" without knowing how to find that center which allows us

to make more informed decisions and choices, free from the whirlwinds of thoughts and emotion.

 

Today's word reminds us that mastering our world involves finding our place of peace, that silent center that is our connection to our source and to the Universe. True power lies in this silent center, and not in struggling against the forces of nature & external circumstance.

 

Day after tomorrows Exercise

 

Reflect on methods that you can use to help you find your center. Take up a new activity that is relaxing and grounding:  breathing techniques, meditations, journaling, gardening, walking in nature are

just a few practices that can help restore a sense of connection and inner peace.

 

We are close to ticking off  months of  and a year plus in the midst of the worst times humankind has witnessed in over  years. How many of us can really claim that we have fulfilled our purpose?

Mother Teresa quoted, Life is a promise; fulfil it.

Can we look at what we can do.

Let's fulfil our life’s promise by lending a smile to all those who may have a hard time finding one of their own.

Let's radiate our good intentions, show that we care. This way, we will enrich our own spirit and those we encounter.

Point to Ponder:

The promise of life can only be fulfilled through our own actions. That is the power we have. If we decide to give in to misery, mean-spiritedness, or tedium, we will dread our circumstances, and the fulfilment of life’s promise will be bleak.

If we decide to be courageous, loving, and mindful, we will enjoy every step of the journey, and the fulfilment of life’s promise will be grand!

We are the sculptors of our life, and we can create either a beautiful sculpture of togetherness by showing that we care, or a desolate monument filled with egotistical “I”-ness.

If we make the promise; we had better fulfil it.

When In Doubt, Risk It

A blind man had been waiting a while at a busy road for someone to offer to guide him across, when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

 "Excuse me," said the tapper, "I'm blind - would you mind guiding me across the road?"

The first blind man took the arm of the second blind man, and they both crossed the road.

Apparently, this is a true story.

The first blind man was the jazz pianist George Shearing.

He commented on this incidence "What could I do? I took him across and it was the biggest thrill of my life." 

Moral: There are times when we think we cannot do something and so do not stretch or take a risk.

Being forced to stretch and take a risk can often help us to reduce our dependencies (on others, or our own personal safety mechanisms), and to discover new excitement and capabilities.

It's the first day of the sixth month.

Let us Pray everything get well soon.

The Hero

In the wake of Chicago's worst ever winter, when all of the rooftops were loaded, many overloaded with snow, Mr. Robert McGrath saw his wife run out to the backyard garage to fetch some boxes.

 

Seconds later, he heard the crash. Looking out, he saw the roof of the garage had caved in. McGrath did not stop for his hat or coat; he immediately ran from the house, grabbed a snow shovel, and called out for the neighbours to help.

Yelling and digging, with sweat freezing on his face, throwing snow and pulling away boards, he heard her voice and then saw her  hand. He kept digging, throwing, and pulling. Within minutes, he had his wife in his arms and was sobbing "Are you all right? Are you all right? I thought you were hurt, I love you so much honey."

She was fine.

What Mr. McGrath did not know was this: 

Mrs. McGrath had gone into the garage through one door and out through another one. She was safe in the house when she looked

out and saw her husband digging, shouting orders, and throwing planks of wood feverishly trying to rescue her. She could not let her gallant rescuer down, so she put her coat on again and went outside and quietly entered the garage through the back door jumping over the wrecked planks of wood and allowed her husband to be her hero.

Coming to where we are and today...

In the wake of the pandemic, none of know exactly what's happening to whom, whose house is collapsing with the main pillar falling or the emotional  pillar crumpling.

Peoples lives are getting blown like plastic in strong winds. People are literally gasping for breath to be alive and to pay the debts back being alive. 

It is in times that try people that heroes are born.

There are many  for sure, some doing what they can very silently in every possible way, some publicly announce what they do, some more get noticed and they talk about them.

All in all, there's still so much more to be done. 

Be assured, this too shall pass

Golden Memories...

It's these days of June...!!!

This is that wonderful time when several years back, the most exciting things of our lives used to happen.

School used to re-open.

For a brief moment, just think of it all and try, if you can to visualize those days.

The excitement of new uniforms, new bag, new books.

The end of an exciting vacation, with a tinge of sadness.

A bit of anxiety on the first day of another academic school year.

The unforgettable smell from the pages of new books.

New subjects.

New teachers.

New sitting positions of a class.

And the most exciting was to welcome our best friends in the class.

The sight of our secret 'crush' after a long gap.

The pouring rains outside.

The shopping for raincoat.

Everything around us freshend up.

Lush green.

Cold and pleasant.

Wasn't it the most beautiful period of our lives.

It can never return...!!!

But you can always close your eyes for a moment, and try to relive it.

And don't forget to experience the same through the kidz heart.

Wishing everyone a 'nostalgic' June...!!! and praying that our children, grandchildren and the generations to come enjoy these things.

Proxemics is the study of the impact that distance has on human behaviour. Although subtle, it exrts a very powerful influence. So what's the distance that needs to be maintained? It all depends on the equations with person/s concerned. That choice is purely individual.

(Please see the graphic below).

Ever wondered why the police always want to squelch mob/s?

Members of a packed mob find themselves in an intimate space but in a n agitatated and/or negative state of mind, hence anger is whipped up and high.

Context makes a difference too. As a culture, the Japanese don't hug and yet easily put up with being packed together in a subway train. In New York is is directly opposite, they like hugging but dislike people standing close to each other, it's ditto with Londoners too.

So the next time you either feel comfortable or uncomfortable around somebody, just give this a thought and assess yourself.

The 212° Effort.

At 212° water boils,

At 212 ° it becomes steam. It becomes powerful enough to power a locomotive.

Just that 1° extra, makes the difference between static and motion.

What will adapting 212° aspects to our life?

 

What should/can/will you do?

Indulge your good side.

You see the opportunity.

You are aware.

But you're busy and will say,

“I need to be somewhere, doing something, otherwise I'd help.”

“Someone else will do it.”

“Someone else will pick it up.”

“Someone else can handle it.”

“It's not my responsibility.”

Giving up all these excuses and with just that ° more, adopting the ° Approach

A person struggles.

You help.

A door needs to be opened. You open it.

A piece of trash is in your path.

You pick it up and throw it away.

A child needs some extra attention.

You give it to them.

A job needs to be completed.

You do it.

Allowing one less opportunity of service or kindness to fall to the wayside each week due to laziness or indifference will add  acts of inspiration to your year.

Push it to two a week and you add more than . Imagine the possibilities.

° Commitment

Indulge your good side once more each week.

Mood Nudges for all...

In times like we are going through, I have found many people twitchy, reactive, shortfused and also people who choose to be silent, glum and immersed as if in deep thought.

We are all sailing through a storm in individual boats. Each one experiences it in their own way. Its a big variety out there. The prayer though is let's be sailing and safely too.

Here I share some simple mood nudges that we can choose to nourish ourselves abundantly :

 

• Think about three things you are grateful for or, even better, write them down.

• Remind yourself of something bigger which you  are a part of – a movement, a community, a team, a  family, a faith.

• Hugging is a thing of the past...alternatively....

• Speak to someone you love – it helps release oxytocin, a hormone that is reported to relieve stress, reduce social fears, relieve pain and promote trust, relaxation and compassion.

• Write down something about yourself that makes you proud.

• Tell someone else why you are proud of them.

• Exercise – get those endorphins moving.

• Get outdoors and stock up on Vitamin D when the sun is out.

• Listen to music that lifts your mood.

• Learn something new.

• Do something just for the fun of it – no targets, no achievement, just have fun.

• Give someone a compliment.

• Give yourself a compliment.

• Perform a random act of kindness.

• Give someone something – a gift, a lift, a smile,  your full attention.

• Eat well.

• Make an internal commitment to yourself and honour it. It could be something as simple as take the stairs, smile at someone, turn off your phone or go to bed early and well before midnight.

• Remind yourself you are enough.

 

Simple acts with terrific emotional impact.

Its magical...

The Dragonfly Model

(Focus + GET)

The dragonfly is the only insect which can propel itself in any direction-with tremendous speed and force-when its four wings are working in concert.

This ancient, exotic, and benign creature illuminates the importance of integrated effort.

It also demonstrates that small actions can create big movements.

Dragonfly Effect is the elegance and efficacy of people who, through the passionate pursuit of their goals, discover that they can make a positive impact disproportionate to their resources.

 

A dragonfly travels with speed and directionality only when all four  of its wings are moving in harmony.

Metaphorically, then, the central body of the dragonfly should embody the heart and soul of the concept or person you are aiming to help.

The Dragonfly Effect relies on four distinct wings; when working together, they achieve remarkable results.

Focus.

Identify a single concrete and measurable goal.

+

Grab Attention.

Make someone look. Cut through the noise of  social media with something personal, unexpected, visceral, and visual.

Engage.

Create a personal connection, accessing higher emotions through deep empathy, authenticity, and telling a story.

Engaging is about empowering the audience to care enough to want to do  something themselves.

Take Action.

Enable and empower others to take action. To make action easy, you must prototype, deploy, and continuously tweak

tools, templates, and programs designed to move audience members from being customers to becoming team members-in other words, furthering the cause and the change beyond themselves.

Today's students may not even know that the alphabet of Indian languages ​​is full of science.  Each letter of the alphabet is logical and placed sequentially with precise calculations.  Such a scientific view is not ingrained in the alphabet of other foreign languages.  E.g.  See: - This group of five is called kanthavya because the sound comes out of the throat while pronouncing this.  Try pronouncing.

  - These five are called palate because the tongue will feel palate while pronouncing this.  Try pronouncing.

  - These five are called Murdhanya because while pronouncing this the tongue will feel Murdhanya.  Try pronouncing.

- This group of five is called Dantavya because the tongue touches the teeth while pronouncing this.  Give it a try

  - This group of five is called Aushthavya because both the lips meet to pronounce this.  Give it a try

 

 Any other language in the world has such a scientific approach?  We need pride for our Indian languages but at the same time let us know why and let the world know.

Good News Or Bad?

Robert De Vincenzo, the great Argentine golfer, once won a tournament and, after receiving the check and smiling for the cameras, he went to the clubhouse and prepared to leave. Some time later, he walked alone to his car in the parking lot and was approached by a young woman.

She congratulated him on his victory and then told him that her child was seriously ill and near death. She did not know how she could pay the doctor's bills and hospital expenses.

De Vincenzo was touched by her story, and he took out a pen and endorsed his winning check for payment to the woman. "Make some good days for the baby," he said as he pressed the check into her hand.

The next week he was having lunch in a country club when a Professional Golf Association official came to his table. "Some of the boys in the parking lot last week told me you met a young woman there after you won that tournament." De Vincenzo nodded.

"Well," said the official, "I have news for you. She's a phony. She has no sick baby. She's not even married. She fleeced you, my friend."

"You mean there is no baby who is dying?" said De Vincenzo.

 "That's right," said the official.

 "That's the best news I've heard all week." De Vincenzo said and added, "She did what she knows best, I did what I do best, let's put the incident ti rest. Let this not deprive someone of their genuine need, for all aren't the same."

You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.

Grief and Pain are Inevitable.

Courage to overcome the loss in quick time is a challenge.

Lamenting and brooding over is not at all an option. Enduring the pain is maturity.

Allowing it to continue is a sickness.

We do have Grieving Incidents at work.

You could be a "Unicorn," at times or next best a "Stallion." Else you are a pony, not a zebra. Worst is when you become a donkey - beast of burden.

All are realities.

At times they're inevitable.

Good to be aware of them.

. Becoming a "small fish," in a large pond.

When a company gets acquired by a larger company, the employees of the smaller company are made to feel this in the name of process and culture.

Another example is an entrepreneur going back to work in an organization.

 

. Organization structure changes.

People and departments get constantly organized and reorganized. People and physical locations get shunted off to different buildings with poor conditions as their project ceases to matter. Everyone puts up s brave face and says, "We are fine, thank God we are there still, we can't ask for more." Their grief of lost opportunities lingers, their contributions are hardly ever recalled. They'd have been stars in the years gone by.

. Projects and people are ignored.

Business can move fast and break things, but, many of these abandoned projects shatter dreams and promises, changes trajectory of career paths. When people stop getting invited to meetings where once upon  time you were the first. At that time line makes up by saying, "Thank God, I have one less meeting to attend." This grief is often invisible until someone notices the feelings and tears of humiliation. The pain of being ignored and devalued is a part of every workplace and also in the walk of life, but the grief it generates is real.

. Victim of office politics.

People are promised rewards if the achieve stiff targets and goals or when the go ahead of expected levels, but, office politics, people equations deflects the reward to someone else (deserving, not deserving, highly connected etc.), has a hand.

When the CEO changes the power structure there's grief. When other departments are reviewed, except yours, there's hurt, humiliation and grief.

We grieve alone because we fear being seen as petty if we say, "It hurts."

This share this my personal experiences.

I have been through all these situations listed that has made me become, "A tough as nails, character and that has led me to become steely in my outlook.

At times like these, think of the seed. It gets buried in the soil, dark and alone, but never lets its self belief sink.

It endures it all despite being cramped and sprouts tearing open the earth's surface one day, to reach the skies, when it's time comes. This is the story of every banyan tree, neem tree, coconut palm, a pipal tree and a oak you see.

The foundation of my house have been strengthened by the bricks others have thrown at me. I have raised the walls of my house with the bricks others through at me. One day, one some day, I put a ceiling on it all. It became a house filled with joy and happiness that even those who threw stones and bricks at me want to come to for their mental peace is now scattered if not shattered.

Self-Esteem leads to Self-Belief and that leads to Self Confidence.

Learning - Growing - Applying Learning - Working Hard - Working Smartly, Grabbing Opportunities, Creating Opportunities and capitalizing on them is the way to go forward.

 

 

A MILE

Most Important Lesson Essayed

The following story is told by Anne Cutchings.

During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz.

I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely, this was some kind of joke. 

I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. 

Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

 "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'." 

I've never forgotten that lesson.

I also learned her name was Dorothy.

Moral: When you learn about big things in the world, don't forget to learn about the important little things as well.

Getting to know a person humanely and genuinely adds value to our life.

Story Telling

The moment we get up in the morning, our mind starts ticking. A dialogue happens, a story is narrated and the day is set into motion. Throughout the time we are awake we share thoughts, we seek information,  communicate to inform to influence. All this if one puts  it in context, the one who conveys well, the one who tells well, sells well - be it an idea or a product...

The secret is to Master the Narrative (Internally and Externally).

Stories are the vehicles that share information, communicate perspective, and accentuate influence.

They make things understandable, actionable, memorable, and engaging.

When stories connect, they invite investment in thought, feeling and performance.

They teach and shape performance.

Effective stories engage, entertain, educate, excite, and energize.

It can help you progress enormously in life.

They have purpose, pace, form, and structure.

Stories get better with detail.

Here's an exercise

) Think of  stories that have impacted you.

They’ve been formative and memorable.

Typically, these are in narratives friends have shared, films, books and/or music.

Why have these had such a significant effect?

a.

b.

c.

 

) Write your own story. Refer to the C’s.

 

Craft it purposefully and with feeling.

 

Focus on your struggles and victories.

 

Writing your narrative in terms of past, present and future serves to improve your empathy and self-awareness.

 

It is an exercise in self-expression and understanding.

 

Come back and edit it often.

 

Feel free to amplify.

 

Most heard words since April  -2020, 1000's of times everyday.

Pandemic COVID-; coronavirus;  -nCoV;

Zoom

novel coronavirus;

disruption;

creative innovation;

creative disruption; disruptive leadership;

disruptive leader;

digital leader;

digital leadership,

disruptive digital leader; disruptive innovation;

crisis leadership;

VUCA;

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digitalization;

digital transformation; digital transformation culture;

cognitive readiness;

critical thinking; next-generation leaders; next-gen leadership;

future leaders;

high potentials;

leadership pipeline;

leading for the future;

future of work

 

The Farmer - The Boy and the Pup.

A farmer was busy hammering a notice board on the edge of his fields that read "Pups For Sale."

A boy passing by asked the farmer pulling out from his pocket, if he would get to buy a pup to buy for that money.

The farmer shook his head as if in disgust said, "No."

The boy pleaded with the farmer that he at least shows him the pups.

The farmer consented as whistled - the furry little pups about  came running slowly out of which one was walking with a limp and falling, and rising, trying to run.

The boy showed that pup and asked the farmer if he would sell it to him.

The farmer laughed and said, "Why would you go and buy that limpy fragile dog which can hardly stand by itself or walk by itself?"

The boy pulled up his trousers and showed the farmer his legs (one of which was an artificial one made of steel). The boy went on to add "I can empathize, you know, what that little pup, can be going through and therefore I can look after it well too.

A farmer was busy hammering a notice board on the edge of his fields that read "Pups For Sale."

A boy passing by asked the farmer pulling out from his pocket, if he would get to buy a pup to buy for that money.

 

The farmer shook his head as if in disgust said, "No."

The boy pleaded with the farmer that he at least shows him the pups.

The farmer consented as whistled - the furry little pups about  came running slowly out of which one was walking with a limp and falling, and rising, trying to run.

The boy showed that pup and asked the farmer if he would sell it to him.

The farmer laughed and said, "Why would you go and buy that limpy fragile dog which can hardly stand by itself or walk by itself?"

The boy pulled up his trousers and showed the farmer his legs (one of which was an artificial one made of steel).

The farmer was choked to see what he saw - the boy had just one foot, yet he was  full of energy and full of life.

The boy went on to add "I can empathize, you know, what that little pup, can be going through and therefore I can look after it well too."

The farmer was moved beyond words. He turned  emotional and told the boy he could take the pup free under one condition and that was - the boy will visit him once in six months with the pup so that he could see both of them developing.

This story is a lesson on Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Quotient and Emphathy of the highest order.

Gratitude?

What it is...!

Gratitude is a personality trait, a mood, and an emotion. As an emotion,  gratitude is a feeling of happiness that comes from appreciation. While in a grateful mood,  grateful emotions are more likely be present. Those with a more grateful personality are more likely to experience grateful moods and emotions.

Gratitude is a spontaneous feeling but, increasingly, research demonstrates its value as a practice—that is, making conscious efforts to count one's blessings. Studies show that people can deliberately cultivate gratitude—and there are important social and personal benefits to doing so. It is possible to feel grateful for loved ones, colleagues, animals, nature, and life in general. The emotion generates a climate of positivity that both reaches inward and extends outward.

Imagine you have to attend a parent-teacher meeting at your child’s school. But your manager informs you that you have to meet a client for a sales pitch. Around the time when you start panicking, your colleague steps up to fill in for you. Their kindness will leave you with a feeling of appreciation.

You’re filled with gratitude when you’re thankful for someone’s help or just their presence in your life. This could be toward your employer who retained you even when the organization was suffering or a friend who sent you a care package when you were feeling lonely. 

 

In positive psychology, gratitude is well researched as a feeling of strong happiness. It’s a positive emotion that is derived from a healthy mindset. It makes you more resilient and motivates you to achieve your goals. It’s also what connects you with people in your life. We may not always say it explicitly, but there are many times when we’re thankful for something or someone.

Every time you say a sincere ‘thank you’ to someone, it’s a form of gratitude. It’s synonymous with appreciation, acknowledgment and respect.

Think about a time when someone helped you in a crisis, listened to you when you were feeling low or gave you a shoulder to cry on. You feel positive about people who help you and who are there for you. This can help you strengthen your relationships with the people you surround yourself with.

Gratitude can be expressed in multiple ways. You don’t always have to say you’re thankful. Sometimes a smile or a handshake can do the trick. For many people, praying is the highest form of gratitude and for others, it’s more tangible like receiving a present or a thoughtful letter.

Many times we are advised to “count our blessings”, which is a conscious method of appreciating the things you have. What we might have, someone else can only hope for or vice versa. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to live in this world. So, you have to acknowledge what you have and make the best of it.

Some of the things that are considered blessings are a roof over our head, food on our plate and clothes on our back; these are basic human needs. Being thankful for these necessities will make you happier and more satisfied in life. 

Why Is Gratitude Important?

Gratitude is important if you want to nurture relationships with your friends and family, cultivate a habit of saying thanks where it’s due and adopt a positive mindset.

Many of us think of a distant future and the ideal situation where we’ll be happy. We think “If I can have a bigger house, I’ll be happier” or “If I can move to another country, I’ll finally be happy”. But happiness can be found even in the present. It’s the little things like going out with friends, traveling or listening to your favourite music.

A feeling of gratitude helps you appreciate the things you have rather than focusing on what you don’t.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t be aspirational but it’s important to remember that the grass is always greener on the other side of the hill. If you can answer why you want something, you won’t struggle with how you’re going to achieve it.

The importance of gratitude in life is best understood with this quote by the ancient Greek philosopher, Epicurus, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

Sometimes when you want more, you forget to appreciate what you already have. It’s important to pause and acknowledge what you’ve achieved, give thanks and make a conscious effort to be happy. 

How To Develop Gratitude In Life

Gratitude isn’t always an innate feeling but a choice you make. This can be developed over time. There are many ways to develop gratitude in your daily life. Here are some ways to nudge you in the right direction:

Say ‘Thank You’

This is the most overlooked and the easiest way to express your gratitude. Say thank-you to your parents, your friends and everyone who helps you even in the smallest way. 

Acknowledging your co-workers is also important because it can help you build a strong rapport with your managers, peers and juniors. Send a thank-you note or an email at the end of a meeting or a conversation to appreciate their time. Make an effort to recognize what others do for you.

Acknowledge Other People’s Efforts

Sometimes when people do things for us, we tend to take it for granted. For instance, the people we overlook the most are our parents. Even when your mother hands you a glass of water, you should convey that you’re thankful for her effort.

At work, if a close colleague helps you with your tasks, expressing your appreciation will strengthen your relationship.

You should go out of your way to acknowledge their effort because if you don’t convey it in some way, they’ll never know that you are grateful for their help. 

Develop A Positive Mindset

Starting your morning on a positive note will change the course of your day. If you want to be happy, you have to make certain decisions that lead you on that path. You may think it’s easier said than done. But what if we start building ourselves up instead of putting ourselves down?

Many people turn to daily affirmations as a way to cultivate a positive mindset. Some of these affirmations are:

- There’s nothing I can’t do

- I am my own person

- The possibilities are

  endless

- I am enough

Tell yourself that you’re in a good place and you’ve got what it takes no matter the circumstances!

Accept Yourself

The moment you start building yourself up, you’ll learn to accept who you are. For your personal growth, you have to care for yourself and be grateful for the person you’ve become. Before you can start to appreciate others, you have to appreciate your own efforts. You’ve worked hard to get where you are and reminding yourself of that is just as important. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone but yourself. Only you need to know how hard you’ve worked!

Volunteer And Give Back

Give back to society to share your gratitude with others. Philanthropy is an empathetic way to help others and make their lives better. You should try to support a cause you believe in—whether it’s to protect the Amazon rainforest or a green initiative in India. Not only is this immensely satisfying but it also helps you realize that the world is much larger than you anticipated. Many business leaders like Azim Premji and Warren Buffett have dedicated a portion of their wealth to charity to give back to society.

Examples Of Gratitude

There are many examples of gratitude that you might feel in your everyday life. Here are a few:

- Being thankful to the

  person who cooked for you

- Being thankful for your

  good health

- Appreciating the person

  who cleans your house

- Acknowledging your junior

  at work for taking the

  initiative to ease your

  workload

- Being grateful to yourself

  for your financial

  independence

- Being thankful to your

  friends for a memorable

  birthday celebration

- Being thankful for the life

  lessons you’ve learned 

  from other people

- Being thankful for your

  teachers and mentors for

  their support and guidance

- Being thankful for having a

  reason to smile every day

- Being thankful for the

  luxury of choice and having

  the autonomy to make

  critical life decisions

Conclusion

If you’re here, you’ve taken the first step toward appreciating your life. You’re already on your way to success. It takes a deep sense of self to realize your place in the world without simply going through the motions. We could spend hours at work or while away time at home. But if you can take a moment to appreciate everything you have, you can approach life with a positive mindset. 

The Milo of Croton – Start Small and Never Give up.

Croton(e) is a small town in Southern Italy, which was also a Greek colony in the ancient times (th century BC).

The last big name of Croton was the best renowned wrestler in antiquity named Milo. Milo of Croton was an Olympic winner six times in a row.

He also won many other prestigious athletic titles, including  wrestling competitions, and achieved an important military triumph for his hometown.

He decided to carry a new born calf on his shoulders. Day by day, for more than four years, he carried an animal on his shoulders.

While people were laughing at him, the small calf slowly grew into an adult ox and Milo got stronger and stronger along the way.

What an awesome idea! Every day, when Milo woke up, he lifted the calf, put it on his shoulders and carried it around all day. After four years, Milo was lifting and carrying around an impressively big ox. By then, people stopped laughing a long time ago, when they saw Milo’s muscles and strength grow.

Whereas the other people were just laughing and tried to lift an adult ox. Ultimately, they failed and could never extend their strength.

The main lessons for us from his training:

 In the beginning, people will laugh at you, especially if you take innovative approaches.

Always start small and be consistent. Slowly progress to bigger challenges and make sure you never give up.

E-Bank Account

Am sure you are thinking it is an Elctronic Bank Account!

Am afraid it is not!

This is an account which begins with our parents who teach us how to make deposits into the account.

Later when we go to school, then higher and higher studies etc., apart from teaching, our teacher and all other around, teach us to make such deposits. Our friends do it too and expect we would help them as well.

 

We all have this account, only a few are - consciously aware, though. Only those who are aware make deposits, hardly withdraw ever.

This is the concept that our interactions with others make deposits, or take withdrawals.

 

Unlike a bank where you may only have one or two accounts, we have an emotional bank account with each person we come in contact with, especially those that we have a relationship with.

 

We  make deposits in each other’s Emotional Bank Accounts, the following ways:

 

Keeping Promises

– Keeping small promises and commitments is vital to building trust.

 

Do Small Acts of Kindness

– Sometimes the smallest things can make a big difference.

 

Be Loyal

– Avoid gossip, stick up for others and do not betray confidences.

 

Listen

– Listening to someone helps them feel heard and valued.

 

Say You’re Sorry

– Don’t let your pride or lack of courage stand in the way of saying you’re sorry.

 

Set Clear Expectations

– So many withdrawals are made because one party assumes one thing and the other assumes something else.

 

When our trust level is high, because we’ve made lots of deposits, communication is almost effortless. We can be yourself, and others understand and appreciate us. Then, when we make

mistakes or offend someone unexpectedly, we draw on that reserve and the relationship still maintains a solid level of trust.

 

Conversely,

when we

- are discourteous,

- disrespect others,

- interrupt others,

- speak sarcastically or

- ignore others,

our emotional bank account becomes overdrawn because you have jeopardized the trust level.

 

When the trust level is low, we have to be very careful of what we say; we tend sound artificial and/or more potical.

 

Deposit-Deposit-Deposit, more and more into your EBA.

 

Cheers !

Enjoy a beautiful Sunday.

 

 

R - 's Random Ramblings,

 

Yours gratefully

 

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: The last I said this was in March ...

My doubt now is will we ever...

Praying we can...

//, : - EI EA Dr. Uma Warrier: Well said ji 👍

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: P - Pause, Ponder, Probe...

 

Pause for a moment, step back and imagine a life without time-keeping...

 

You probably can't.

You know the month, the year, the day of the week, the day and the exact time too..

there's the wall clock, the table top time piece, the wrist watch, the mobile, the iPad, the laptop, the dashboard of your car.

You have a schedule, a calendar, a time for dinner a time for movie, a time for work, this and that, a whole lot of activities...

Yet, with all these things around us, we are late for our appointments, our meetings, our calls, family time etc.

 

Birds aren't late, dogs don't check watches, deer doesn't fret over passing birthdays..

We humans alone have a concept of time, we keep checking it constantly, we chime the hour...we know it's morning, afternoon, evening and night..yet...

And because of this, we humans alone suffer from a paralyzing fear that no other creature endures...

A fear of time running out...

A FOMO a FEAR of MISSING OUT...

A FEAR an IMAGINED ONE that grips our present....a FEAR that doesn't let us go forward...TIME...and we all know well it isn't something we can CONTROL..

We just need to utilize it and get the best out of it for everything in the world.

 

Cheers! Have a good week ahead.

 

 

R - 's Random Ramblings,

by

 

//, : -  Bharadwaj: This too shall pass...

 

If I've learned anything in life  in + moons, is that sometimes, the darkest moments takes us to the brightest places... India's history has many incidents to cite reference

 

I've learned the most toxic people can teach you the most important lessons in life...I have personal experiences, but for those people I would have gone the distance in life as I have done.

 

I've learned that our painful struggles can grant us the necessary growth...personal experiences..and story of Caterpillar to butterfly...

 

I've learned that the most heart-breaking losses of friendship and love can make room for the most wonderful people.

 

I've learned that what seems like a curse in the moment can actually be a blessing and that what seems like the end of the road is an actual discovery that we are meant to travel down a different path.

 

I've learned that no matter how difficult things can be there's always hope.

 

And I've learned that no matter how powerless we may feel or how horrible things may seem  we can't give up. We have to keep going. Even when it's scary, even when all of our strength seems to have gone, we have to keep powering and pressing ourselves forward. There's no Option B because what ever we're battling in this moment now will surely pass and we'll make it through. We have made it this far am hopeful we will make it through. We can make it through whatever comes next.

 

 

R - 's Random Ramblings,

by

 

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: Key learnings from the #Eriksen saga in #Eurocup yesterday.

 

Christian Eriksen:  As Denmark's midfield superstar Christian Eriksen collapses on the field, the football world stops breathing #Eriksen saga in #Eurocup yesterday.

 

#Leadership

- We speak regularly about leadership and in the midst of the distressing and numbing scenes following the sudden chilling collapse of Christian Eriksen, it’s worth noting the actions of Denmark captain Simon Kjaer:

 

. He went immediately to the player, put him in a recovery position and prevented him from swallowing his tongue.

 

. He then signalled for additional medical staff after the first responders arrived on the scene.

 

. Noting the TV cameras watching on for the entire world to see, he organized his players to hem around and create a barrier around the succumbed player, giving him and the staff working to save his life the respect they deserve.

 

. When Eriksen's girlfriend arrived pitch side, he immediately ran to her and comforted her.

 

#self-discipline :

Only playing  and medical team were near Eriksen.

No one else including coach, bench players, family members, fans rushed near.

 

#social #discipline :

All spectators were at there seat and no chaos.

 

#media #disciplines :

Hardly did any media try a close up video coverage of the sensitive activities going on. Even on sports channels, replays were not shown.

 

#patience :

No updates coming to anyone, even after Eriksen taken out for hospital. Still all were calmly waited in the stadium for official announcement.

 

#sense of duty :

As the news came that Eriksen was stable in hospital, though the game was suspended, the players decided to play keeping behind the trauma they went through few minutes back.

 

#humanity :

When clothes fell short to cover around Eriksen on the field, a large national flag of opposite team was used as curtain. No one made a fuss out of this.

 

This was not only an exemplary situation for sports fraternity but for all of us.

Long live the beautiful game of .

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: If we meet and I say, "Hello,"

That's a situation.

 

If you ask me, "How are you or how do you feel?"

That's a consideration.

 

If we stop for awhile and just talk

That's a conversation.

 

If we understand each other it is an emotionally intelligent communication.

 

If we oppose each other, argue, disagree, scream/fight/quarrel

That's an altercation

 

If later we regret and apologise

That's reconciliation

 

We look up to the skies in the night

That's when we see the stars and the constellations

 

If we work together for a common cause

That's collaboration

 

If many of us meet together at a common place

That's a congregation

 

If one entity absorbs another entity into it completely

That's amalgamation

 

If we help each other without any expectation

That's cooperation

 

If we try something before it works

That's experimentation

 

If we improve upon the efficiency of a working system

That's innovation

 

If we do it many times over

That's repetition and replication

 

If we have all these going on regularly

That means we are a part of today's civilisation.

 

All that I have scripted now is neither an imagination nor an exaggeration it is what happens in every situation.

//, : -  Bharadwaj: <Media omitted>

//, : -  Bharadwaj: One Vital thing...

 

👉 A bit longer than usual, yet, worthy of investing your time to read this.

 

As we all know we're confronted with the severest test mankind has known in recent times. While a solid skillset is a great place to start our journey to bounce back, it’s a knack for adapting that differentiates shapers from the crowd.

 

To thrive in the future we need to become fluid–moving quickly with dexterity amid constant threats and change. It’s this trait more than anything else that makes shapers

indispensable.

 

A marked departure from the rigid ways of the past, the new mode of work is much more fluid. It allows us to handle more ambiguity and complexity. With the modern ways of working we consistently tap into our cognitive powers, creative energy, and collective genius so we can soar. It’s this fluidity, a learned practice that ebbs and flows, which is the hallmark modality of the new world of work.

 

Fluidity: the ability to move quickly and with dexterity amid constant change.

 

Being fluid is a sign of strength in times of uncertainty. We move like water; flowing in harmony with everything we encounter.

 

Those that shine in the workplace move with similar ease. Cultivating fluidity means seeking change, continuously improving, all

the while expertly navigating towards a future that’s only coming at us faster.

 

Are you FLUID?

 

- Flexible with

- Learnability as your

- Untitiring

- Interest, that too with

- Dedicatation

then the chances of your succeeding in the future are high.

 

The followin are the vital INGREDIENTS that help shapers become FLUID:

 

Intuiting:

Sometimes working things out by intuition and learning to trust our gut.

 

Noting: Bear witness, observe, pause, respond, refuse, and choose from a place of wisdom. Practise self-awareness so that we can direct our focus to those things that makes our minds soar and our hearts sing.

 

Remain cognisant of our teammates and the entire organisation.

 

Giving:

Commit to something greater than ourselves. Dedication can’t be faked and companies can smell it from miles away. Let the care we have and the quality of our work do the talking.

 

Relating:

Connect with others for depth not breadth. Building meaningful relationships is enlightened self-interest at work. It helps us build a

safety net that provides the confidence to create our personal flywheel for doing our best and deepest work.

 

Expanding:

See the world with wide eyes and remain open to possibilities, understand situations from another’s point of view, and let go of

our egos to curiously engage with the unknown.

 

Discerning:

Time is finite. The trick is to be ruthless in managing our

energy, so that it can expand and become boundless.

 

Integrating:

Give life to a myriad of projects that we are valued for and that fuel our inner working lives. Combine and recombine as needed.

 

Expressing:

Be a good steward to our unique gifts. Create, experiment, and serve ourselves and others with gumption.

 

Navigating:

The tenacity to engage with the unknown and constantly

stretch our capabilities through training, novel experiences, high contrast conversations, experimentation, and feedback. Showing courage

to step out of our comfort zones and never rest on our laurels.

 

Trusting:

Nothing fruitful in the long term comes without integrity. Trust is earned with courage, over time, and by reputation. There is no quick hack.

 

Sensing:

At the individual, collective and global level appreciating what’s

needed in any given moment–and then having the audacity to show

up wholeheartedly.

 

Now that you've got the ingredients that can help,

keep checking your FLUIDITY, constantly.

Best wishes to you for all your future endeavours.

 

Source: SHAPERS

REINVENT THE WAY YOU WORK AND CHANGE THE FUTURE by JONAS ALTMAN.

 

Be You...

...The Original Almighty Created and Intended you to be...

 

You can't change how people treat you nor can you stop them from saying things about you.

 

All you can do is to change the way you react.

 

Best would be respond with care.

 

Become ok with being liked, with not being liked. If you are being liked or not being chances that things change over a period of time - liked becomes not so liked, and not liked becomes liked. It is like the night after the day and the day after the night.

 

No matter how loving or kind you are, never people please your way into collective acceptance.

 

You could be could be a whole ray of sunshine and people may dislike you because they are used to rain. Be ok with shining regardless and be the rainbow.

 

Be happy being who you are. 

You don't have to wear the opinions of others to make you look and sound good.

 

 

Weekend Reflection!

 

 "Pack your drawers!"

 

 I once read something about a girl who asked her grandmother to solve a serious problem.  The grandmother always said: "go upstairs, tidy up your drawers and after doing this you will have the solution".

 

 I tried to ask older people if there really is a connection between the problems and the drawers... So I once asked my grandmother what had the drawer with the problems to do with?  She wisely told me: that the messy drawer is the mirror of life!

 So every time you have something messed up, some area of ​​your life manifests messed up.  Every time you have something materially disorganized, that disorganization is reflected in your life.

 

Remember: you are a reflection of God, a reflection of the universe.  You have a world inside you.  Your home is a reflection of your emotional states.  If you have a reflection of the world within you, when you are disorganized inwardly, manifest it outwardly.

 

The universe works like this: what is inside is outside.  What is above is below.  What is on one side is on the other.  So if you always remember that you can influence the inside with the outside and vice versa, you have the key to total organization.

 

The moment you clean your drawer and throw away what is no longer useful, you are symbolically reprogramming your interior.  It is one of the best keys to achieving serenity and answers to difficult problems.

 

Enjoy and tidy up your drawers.  It will definitely help you find a solution to many of your problems.

 

REFLECTION: "Pack your drawers" in the figurative sense, it doesn't mean that it's just the drawers.  You have to get rid of everything that is negative, including the people around you who do not contribute anything to your evolution in this lifetime.  Your wallet with messed up money, messy purse, your car glove compartment full of things that don't make sense to be there, your car dirty and full of advertising papers, empty plastic bottles of mineral water lying on the floor of the vehicle.  Your workplace turned upside down.  Objects you no longer use indoors...

 

Unknown author

 

There's a lesson quite like this.

 

During a commencement speech at the University of Texas, the commander of the forces that organized the raid to kill Osama bin Laden delivered some key advice on success. "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed,'' U.S. Navy Adm. William H. McCraven told the graduates of his alma mater on May , .

 

Navy SEAL's advice to grads: Make your bed every morning

By Scott Stump

 

McCraven, the commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, relayed several lessons he has learned in  years as a Navy SEAL, starting with some advice that was music to the ears of exasperated mothers everywhere. "If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day,'' he said.

 

"It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. 

 

"Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you'll never be able to do the big things right. And if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made — that you made. And a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better." 

 

"That's what I always tell my son — make the bed first thing in the morning!" Natalie Morales said.

 

McCraven's  lessons also included accepting the help of others, measuring a person by the size of his or her heart, fighting through adversity, not being afraid of failure, and charging into difficult situations head-on. He also encouraged graduates to "be your very best in the darkest moment" by finding inner strength and to never lose hope or give up. 

 

If you want to change the world:

 

Start your day with a completed task.

 

Don’t go it alone.

 

Grit and determination trump talent.

 

Life is not fair; get over it.

 

Don’t fear failure; embrace it.

 

Take calculated risks.

 

Stand up to bullies.

 

Rise to the occasion when life gets hard.

 

Give people hope when times are tough.

 

Never quit.

 

Should anyone want an elaboration of this, then  visit: https://www.ricklindquist.com/notes/make-your-bed

 

Where to start

 

One day a person climbed a mountain where a hermit woman was meditating.

 

She was asked :-

"What are you doing here alone in such a solitude place?"

She replied:- "I have lots of work."

"How can u hv so much work? I don't see anything around you here?"

 

"I have to train  hawks,  eagles, assure  rabbits, discipline  snake, motivate a donkey and tame a lion."

 

"And where have they gone that I don't see them?"

 

"I have them all here within me!"

 

"The hawks stare on everything that is presented to me, good or bad, I hv to work on them to see only good things.

They are my eyes".

 

"The  eagles with their claws, hurt n destroy, I hv to train them not to hurt.

They are my hands."

 

 "Rabbits want to go where, at the same time they do not want to face difficult situations. I teach them to be calm even if there is suffering or stumbling. 

They are my feet."

 

"The donkey is always tired, stubborn n does not want to carry the load each time I walk.

That is my body."

 

"The most difficult to tame is the Snake . Although it is locked in a strong cage with  bars, it is always ready to sting, bite n poison anyone nearby. I have to discipline it.

That is my Tongue."

 

"I also have a Lion . Oh, how proud n vain. He thinks,  he is the king. I have to tame him.

That is my EGO."

 

"So you see, my friend, I have lots of work to do."

 

Think & Reflect !

We all may have the same. Lots to work on ourselves!

Let's learn to nurture ourselves. Begin by

not criticising, evaluating and judging others!

 

Let’s First work on ourselves.

 

Play at the best you can ...always.

 

In football or hockey, in  basketball or a volleyball match, the duration is fixed and the match ceases to be when the match is over. After that nothing counts, but, in that space of time we and everyone on our team stives to win - it doesn't play to stave a loss. It is only "play to win."

 

Two things emerge out of this - the concept time and not losing.

 

While none of us know

the time each of us have on our hand, but, yes there's soneone above all of us who referee's our time. Yet, what we can really do is to take like moment by moment valuing every next moment as percious - as if our life depends on it, so we make it count.

 

Like tiny drops of water make an ocean, every moment goes on to knit a life-time of moments.

 

To then make our life-time worthy - all we need to do is to manage the moment we have in our hand.  

 

When the play is on, each one of us watches, relates and reacts in many different ways. When the curtains fall, all stand up. Only one in

slumber remains as he was. Everyone else, even those who did not enjoy

the play, stand up and acknowledge that it is over. It would be fantastic if every act of the play was appreciated or at least looked upon with respect.

So the point is we will not win always or lose always. We will win/succeed sometimes and will lose/fail sometime.

 

We need to take lessons from those experiences - many when we fail/lose to strengthen our weaknesses and some even when we win so that we strengthen our strengths.

 

Also irrespective of winning/losing/failing/succeeding if we play and put out the best we have to offer that in itself is a great achievement.

Hence put your best foot forward to make every moment of life to count.

 

 

 

Be Interesting not just Interested about self...

 

Don't be Beautiful or Handsome!

 

They keep saying that beautiful is something a girls or a woman needs to be and a man needs to be handsome.

But, honestly - just forget that.

Don't be beautiful or handsome!

Be angry, intelligent, interesting, witty, klutzy, funny, adventurous, crazy, talented - there are an eternity of other things to be better than beautiful handsome.

 

And what is beautiful or handsome anyway but a set of letters strung together to make a word that makes you feel an assumption - not sure if it is true.

 

Be your own definition of amazing always, that is so much more important than anything - beautiful or handsome.

 

GRATITUDE

 

It takes a warm slice of bread to soak in the butter put on it. It doesn't matter how much butter we put, but if the bread is cold the butter will stay on the surface only. If we bite into the cold toast with butter, we will experience a different taste as compared to the warm bread! It is the same bread and same butter but a world of difference in taste.

 

And so is the case with the 'blessings' in our life. It doesn't matter how abundantly God blesses us but if we are not gracious in our acceptance, how can those blessings ever make a change in our lives?

 

Pretty much like the layer of butter on cold bread, blessings not graciously and whole heartedly embraced, continue to remain on the periphery and fail to make any positive change in life.

 

Acknowledge your blessings....

'Accept' with gratitude.

Keep your bread warm.

Let the butter soak in.

Bathed in the richness of this butter, every bite, every morsel then is bound to taste divine.

 

If we list our blessings we will realise that we have a lot to be thankful for!

 

Cover the roads with leather

 

Somewhere in ancient India, there was a king whose feet were very sensitive. He complained constantly about the kingdom’s roads, which were rough and rocky. Finally, the king decided he would have all the roads covered with leather, so that he could walk on leather anywhere he wanted to go and his feet would be comfortable.

 

He invited the best craftsmen in the land to bid on this formidable project. One replied, “I can do the job, but it will cost all that is in the kingdom’s treasury.” Another said, “I can cover the roads with leather for half of what is in the treasury.”

 

Then an old woman came to the king and said, “I can do the job for ten rupees. I’ll just strap a piece of leather

under each of your feet, and you’ll be walking on leather wherever you go.”

 

When things aren’t the way we’d like them to be, there’s a tendency to complain.

 

Just for example this is certainly true for  golfers, “It’s windy.”

“It’s cold.”

“The greens are too bumpy.” “The rough is too deep.”

“The fairways are too narrow.”

“There aren’t enough parking spaces.”

 

And on and on.....

 

The yester years champion golfer Jack Nicklaus said that at many tournaments he felt he only had to beat a few of his fellow competitors. When he’d hear players complain about conditions, he’d check them one by one, thinking to himself, “There’s a guy who won’t be in contention.”

“There’s another one I don’t have to worry about.” By the time the tournament started, not many were left.

 

Complaining, wanting all the conditions to be just the way we’d like them, doesn’t get us anywhere. In fact, we’re just distracting ourselves from the task at hand. Instead of complaining, let's recognize that everyone has to play the same course.

Let's learn to play a variety of conditions.

Let's adapt ourselves and our state of mind to whatever we encounter. Let's cover our feet with

leather, and we’ll be walking comfortably no matter how rough the road.

 

Ösel Tendzin, (born Thomas Frederick Rich Jr., was an American Buddhist and was the principal student of Chögyam Trungpa),

gave one of his students this very powerful instruction about complaining.

 

It has three parts:

- Don’t Complain

- About Anything

- Not Even to Yourself.

 

The Second Offer

 

A plumber was helping fix a leaking tap...

I asked him for a cup of tea..

He said, "No thanks."

A bit later I asked him again,

He said, "Yes, thank you, a small cup."

 

A colleague of mine was down and upset.

I asked him if he would like to talk to me about it.

He said, "It's ok."

A bit later, walking along with my arm on his shoulders I asked, "Is everything ok," he broke down and poured his heart out. Was wondering how much of sadness he was carrying in him alone.

 

In my experiences, the first is seen as mere courtesy or lip service, whereas the second offer is from a warm heart a genuine one.

 

I have narrated just two instances, there may be many like this in your life too.

 

How can we make it "First Time Right - Yes?"

 

Fable version:

Partners in Crime.

An Ass and a Lion hunted together. Ass went into the forest and brayed to scare timid animals like the goat which became easy prey to the Lion. The lion had it's fill, and when the donkey asked how he fared, the Lion said, "Had we not partnered and if  I heard your bray, I too would have run away."

The lion while it put up modesty and humility, which usually happens in partnership, actually hid its sarcasm, "Don’t think too much of yourself !"

 

Today's version.

 

"Smart Ass" - just for fun

 

The Lion who acquired knowledge and hunting skill online, got stuck up in the reality.

 

The smart ass standing nearby the left over bones, flaunted that he only hunted that animal and escaped becoming the prey.

//, : -  Bharadwaj: Cheers to a Serene Saturday Morning...

 

Please invest  minutes reading this. You will realize your investment paid off.

 

Being Tossed Up

 

Happened several years ago on a morning while driving to work.

 

A light plastic bag went rolling from the left to the right across the road. While just about crossing the road, another car passing by tossed it back this side, and as my car passed by the plastic bag was tossed to the other side.

 

It triggered my senses - poor plastic, is helpless and is being tossed from this side to that and back and so on.

 

Poor plastic.

Not its fault for being tossed back and forth..

-           Is the wind then tossing..?

-           Is it the one who

  discarded it to be

  blamed...?

-           Is it the fault of the one

  who made it...?

 

It is no one's fault I guess.

It was made for a purpose.

 

Once the purpose is met it gets discarded, and so it will be till another finds it to serve another purpose and then discard. It is a curse though that it is indestructible being a pollutant. It just lingers on to languish disgustingly

 

I begin to wonder if we also get tossed like this in our professional career and real life.

 

Immediately the questions that come to mind are....

- Are we in control of anything happening out there?

- Can we control anyone's temper or behaviour out there?

- Are we in complete control of events and situations out there?

- Are we in control of all the inputs that need to go into all tasks out there?

- Are we responsible for all the outputs out there?

- Are we taking the flak for someone else?

- Are we cowards that we can't stand up for ourselves?

- What are the compulsions, drawback, the pressures?

- Why are we so submissive?

- Why do we succumb?

Really a lot many things like these can bother us. Pity is we can't speak to anyone to share or to lighten our feelings. We can do this with only the ones we can trust.

Point is who can we really trust.

Anyway, do this at your convenience, but, do it surely.

Sit down relaxed somewhere.

All answers are within you.

Ponder deeply and ask questions of yourself.

 Search for uncompromisingly hard truths.

You will find

- things that annoy you,

- people who irritate you,

- obstacles you might

  encounter that  block your

  progress,

- things that you lack,

- things you are ducking,

- things you are running

  away from

- things that you fear..

All these are your plastics  and you are being tossed up just like the plastic pouch. It is only sad that you don't think so.

You could be the boss, the assistant, or even the CEO, there's no escape.

Some get tossed

- by words on the face,

or

- on a call,

or

- by a video chat,

or

- by a mail,

or

- by a letter

or whatever other medium..

 

All these things can cause you a worry because it puts you down badly,

crushes your ego,

questions your ability...

The "truth," is there's no difference in the "tossing up."

The point is do we let this happen to us even after knowing that we are?

 

Redundant Process...

 

An army veteran took over command at a station went on a round to familiarize himself with the people, surroundings etc.

 

Going around he noticed two sentries standing attention either side of an empty bench.

 

He asked the soldiers what they were doing.

They replied, "Guarding Sir."

The officer, "'An empty bench?"

The soldiers kept mum for a while and on being pressed for an answer.

They eventually said, "It's the order of the superior, Sir!"

The officer on reaching the office, summoned his senior officers and asked them why two sentries were there guarding an empty chair?

No one knew anything about it and the standard reply was it was practice when they came in they continued.

It became even more intriguing so this officer decided to go deeper into it  talked to the  earlier commanding officers and the earlier ones before that too, some still in service and some retired. This went on backwards till the information got confirmed that it was Col. James' who was the British Officer stationed there in , who had ordered that sentries be placed there.

 

Feeling a bit more confident now this officer went over to meet  the happily retired Col. James in the woods.

The officer introduced himself and asked Col. James, "Col. Sir, am intrigued at the two sentries stationed either side guarding the bench. No one seems to know why. Finally I heard this was started during your stint there!"

 

Col. James responded, "Whaaaat????? Hasn't the paint dried yet?"

 

The veteran officer is stunned.

 

Story ends.....

 

Getting back to today's times...there are several procedures and processes (especially gate pass system for people and the inward-outward materials gate-pass system), that organizations and people follow without asking why in changing times.

 

Check if there are any processes you go through that don't add value. Review and if you find it redundant discard it.

 

I often ask, "what value-addition is it for the business when a security guard outside super bazars check the bill and punch it without checking bought times being taken out."

I get no answer to this wasteful process.

 

Just a point to ponder over.

IQ + EQ + SQ + AQ

 

According to psychologists, there are four types of intelligence:

 

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

Emotional  Quotient (EQ)

Social Quotient (SQ)

Adversity Quotient (AQ)

 

. Intelligence Quotient (IQ):

A measure of our comprehension ability eg.,

- to solve maths;

- to memorize things 

-to recall subject matters.

 

. Emotional Quotient (EQ):

A measure of our ability to maintain peace with others eg;

- to keep to appointments

- to be punctual on time;

- to be responsible;

- to be honest;

- to respect boundaries;

- to be humble,

- to genuine and

- to be considerate.

 

. Social Quotient (SQ):

 

A measure of our ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time.

 

People who have a higher EQ and SQ tend to go farther in life than those with high IQ but low EQ and SQ.

Most schools capitalize in improving IQ level while EQ and SQ are played down.

 

A man of high IQ can end up being employed by a man of high EQ and SQ even though he has an average IQ.

 

Our EQ represents your character; your SQ represents our charisma. Give in to habits that will improve these three Qs but more especially your EQ and SQ.

 

EQ and SQ make one manage better than the other.

 

Let's not teach children only to have higher IQ , but let's each also to have higher EQ and SQ.

 

Now there is this one :

A new paradigm

. The Adversity Quotient (AQ):

A measure of our ability to  go through a rough patch in life and come out without losing your mind.

 

AQ determines who will give up in face of troubles and may abandon their families.

In the current context of Corona, many professionally successful people are going thru bouts of Depression. Because they haven't seen and thus are unprepared for Adversity.

 

To parents:

Expose children to other areas of life than academic. They should adore manual work, sport and art .

 

Develop their EQ, SQ and AQ. They should become multifaceted human beings able to do things independently of the parents.

 

Finally, let's not prepare the road for the children. Let's prepare the children for the road.

 

Micro short stories, with depth in their meaning!

 

Those who had coins, enjoyed the rain. Those who had notes, were busy looking for shelter.

 

Man and God both met somewhere. Both exclaimed, "My master creator!" "My inspiring creation!"

 

He asked, "Are you a Hindu or Muslim or z Christian?" The response came, "I am hungry!".

 

The fool didn't know it was impossible. So he did it.

 

 "Wrong number," said a familiar voice.

 

What if God asks you after you die, "So how was heaven?"

 

We don't make friends anymore: We just add them nowadays!

 

I struck an idea...seems a "rich vein.." pleasure to share...

 

Reviewing the week that went by...

 

I spent time looking for gaps to be filled in my effort to be able to apply learning to practice and share with others.

 

Assessment - not to boast, but, fairly satisfied, miles to go though:

 

My basic Framework

 

- Spot opportunities that others don’t see

 

- Manage speed by focusing  on the horizon

 

- Be in the OODDAA loop:-

  Observe, Orient, Develop Decide, Act, Apply

 

- Fail wisely:- Set a failure  ratio and hone resilience

 

- Network minds:- Harness cognitive diversity to build on each other’s ideas

 

- Gift:- Unleash generosity to help others in their progress and development.

Your's humbly

 

From Failure to Success

Defeat to Victory

 

Failure/Defeat

- happens in  ways

 

Ignorance - When we can't see it

 

Arrogance - When we see it but don't do anything

 

Attempt - When we see it and try to do something about it

 

Routine - We do it because we have to, we don't know why it is done and don't know how to do it completely either

 

We Succeed/Win when we change ourselves, meticulously follow a  process, change our thinking become curious and changing our response to situations, being % present in the present time.

 

 

Mindless Practicing

We need to constantly keep asking ourselves "Why."

 

The legend goes that a Beer Distribution got a new CEO. As a part of settling in, he went about visiting various departments to understand the work and processes followed.

 

With his mind focussed on increasing the bottom-line, he was prospecting the how of how he could ramp up sales.

 

He noticed a peculiarity, that the liquor distribution to the country and outside the state used to be on Monday through Wednesday, with Thursday as a holiday and again Friday and Saturday distribution would happen locally.

 

He couldn't just understand this and was just not able to "crack the code."

 

None of them around him too had no idea. He went to meet his predecessor to find out the reason for this.

 

The former CEO said he didn't know anything about it

and suggested, "Let's go to meet the CEO prior to me, he will know!"

 

At the former CEO's house, after paying their respects and exchanging pleasantries they got down to  serious business.

 

One of them gathered courage and asked the  year old CEO, "Sir we will be obliged if you can throw light on the distribution of our beer, why is it staggered in this way that it goes to the  distant places the first three days - then a day's rest - and - two days of local supply another day's rest."

 

The elderly man smiled and narrated, "Supplies in those days were by horse drawn carts. Since the horses and the men will feel tired a days rested was ordered. The next two days they go to distribute stocks in the neighbourhood and enjoy the Sunday at home, sufficiently rejuvenated for their next consignment drop off. It went on smoothly."

 

It was only then it dawned of the newer CEO's that their stocks today were distributed by lorries and not horses, hence there needs to be a revamp.

 

So as you can see, there are several such things that need to be reasoned out and whatever processes practices exist have to be revisited for content and apply only those that fit in the present moment and time.

 

Review your policies and processes. Check for redundancy and get rid of it.

 

 

 

We’re not all skilled at the same things, each talented in his/her own way and we don’t fully understand their range of abilities. Experts recommend starting with the theory of multiple intelligences. First introduced in his  book “Frames of Mind,” Howard Gardner, a psychologist and professor at Harvard University, states that there are eight types of human intelligence — each representing different ways of how a person best processes information.

Understand and build upon your strengths.

Emotional Intelligence – often referred to as “EI” or “EQ” (for “Emotional Quotient”). The researchers defined EQ as the ability to monitor one’s own and other’s emotions; discriminate between different emotions and label them appropriately; and use emotional information to guide thinking and behaviour.

From

Failure to Sucess

Defeat to Victory

Failure/Defeat

- happens in  ways

Ignorance - When we can't see it

Arrogance - When we see it but don't do anything

Attempt - When we see it and try to do something about it

Routine - We do it because we have to, we don't know why it is done and don't know how to do it completely either

We Succeed/Win when we change ourselves, meticulously follow a  process, change our thinking become curious and changing our response to situations, being % present in the present time.

 

Mindless Practicing

We need to constantly keep asking ourselves "Why."

The legend goes that a Beer Distribution got a new CEO. As a part of settling in, he went about visiting various departments to understand the work and processes followed.

With his mind focussed on increasing the bottom-line, he was prospecting the how of how he could ramp up sales.

He noticed a peculiarity, that the liquor distribution to the country and outside the state used to be on Monday through Wednesday, with Thursday as a holiday and again Friday and Saturday distribution would happen locally.

He couldn't just understand this and was just not able to "crack the code."

None of them around him too had no idea. He went to meet his predecessor to find out the reason for this.

The former CEO said he didn't know anything about it

and suggested, "Let's go to meet the CEO prior to me, he will know!"

 

At the former CEO's house, after paying their respects and exchanging pleasantries they got down to  serious business.

One of them gathered courage and asked the  year old CEO, "Sir we will be obliged if you can throw light on the distribution of our beer, why is it staggered in this way that it goes to the  distant places the first three days - then a day's rest - and - two days of local supply another day's rest."

The elderly man smiled and narrated, "Supplies in those days were by horse drawn carts. Since the horses and the men will feel tired a days rested was ordered. The next two days they go to distribute stocks in the neighbourhood and enjoy the Sunday at home, suffiently rejuvenated for their next consignment drop off. It went on smoothly."

It was only then it dawned of the newer CEO's that their stocks today were distributed by lorries and not horses, hence there needs to be a revamp.

So as you can see, there are several such things that need to be reseasoned out and whatever processes pratices exist have to be revisted for conent and apply only those that fit in the present moment and time.

Review your policies and processes. Check for redundancy and get rid of it.

 

You do this...and be at the top...

 

Strengthen this No # skill for professional sucess - the ability to influence.

 

The Influencing and Persuasion Principle.

I learnt this  decades ago as I began my career. All this through observation, through conversations and listening to advise with care to apply. It just kept adding in as I matured and gained pratical experience. I got to know, to get people to go somewhere with us, we need to meet them where they are... and not just pretend that they are already where we want them to be.

Instead, go to their bus stop and from their bus stop, invite them on the bus.

Most people, particularly successful people, use the same strategy with others that they used to convince themselves to believe or do something, but.... other people are different!

Remember whatever we do we are in the business of selling

our idea,

our skill,

our thought,

our act,

our intent

our services...

that means we need to influence and persuade others..

And how?

How is:

It is about how to be  successful in thjngs we do.

· First Step : Diagnose - Identify the need, the pain, the gap, before we dispense the medicine

· The second step identify - what we are trying to influence/persuade/sell.

· The third step - identify who our stakeholders/ consumers/customers are.

· The fourth step identify - how many prospective stakeholders/consumers/customers we know.

· The fifth step - identify why exactly we you doing what  we are doing

· The sixth step identify our CQ - Credibility Quotient and find ways of building it

· The seventh step build our brand before we demand your price

· The eighth step power positioning

· The ninth step seven Golden rules of Marketing...

   - Start small, dream big.

   - Every huge business has started small. ...

   - Go step by step. Never stand still in the business world. ...

   - Invest less, but get more. ...

   - Be everywhere. ...

   - Never lie. ...

   - Turn negative into positive. ...

   - Never give up.

· The tenth step how to influence/persuade/sell like a Champ

· The eleventh step following up and manage.

 

When we can easily identify what is motivating people, how they think and how they make decisions, we'll be able to:

. Establish a deep level of rapport and communicate effectively with anyone

. Reduce conflicts and misunderstandings

. Take the pain out of implementing organizational change

. Shorten sales cycle and guarantee customer satisfaction

. Design powerful marketing and advertising campaigns

 

. Recruit the right people who fit and perform

. Dramatically improve results in negotiations and presentations

. Create learning programs to satisfy diverse needs, increase self-knowledge and competence

. Learn a whole new way to advance coaching skills, and the coaching business

. Lead high performance teams by managing peoples' strengths, instead of suffering from their weaknesses

See you at the top...

 

Summary of "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl

Man's Search for Meaning is a  book by Viktor Frankl chronicling his experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II, and describing his psychotherapeutic method, which involved identifying a purpose in life to feel positive about, and then immersively imagining that outcome.

Author: Viktor E. Frankl

Purposeful Themes from Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frank

. Life asks you the meaning of life by questioning you; you don’t ask life. It’s not what you expect from life, but what life expects from you.

. Love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which you can aspire.

. Self-actualization is possible only as a side-effect of self-transcendence.

. Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue as a side-effect of a reason to be happy.

. The meaning of life is unique to each moment; no situation repeats itself.

. The meaning of life is unique to each individual; no one can be replaced.

. Humans are self-determining; meaning is your responsibility to actualize.

. No matter the circumstance, you always have the last of the human freedoms: to choose your attitude.

. Tension, striving, and struggling for a worthwhile goal are positive; trying to close the gap between what one is and what one should become.

. Life never ceases to have meaning; even suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning.

In Viktor Frankl reconstructed and revised the book that was destroyed when he was first deported (The Doctor and the Soul), and that same year in only nine days—he wrote Man’s Search for Meaning. He hoped to cure through his writings the personal alienation and cultural malaise that plagued many individuals who felt an ‘inner emptiness’ or a ‘void within themselves.’ Perhaps this flurry of professional activity helped Frankl to restore meaning to his own life.”

First published in German in  as A Psychologist Experiences the Concentration Camp and later called Say Yes to Life in Spite of Everything, subsequent editions were supplemented by an introduction to logotherapy and a postscript on tragic optimism, or how to remain optimistic in the face of pain, guilt, and death. The English translation, first published in , was called Man’s Search for Meaning.” About Viktor Frankl (from the Afterword by William J. Winslade):

Viktor Frankl’s life spanned nearly all of the twentieth century, from his birth in  to his death in . At the age of three he decided to become a physician. In his autobiographical reflections, he recalls that as a youth he would ‘think for some minutes about the meaning of life. Particularly about the meaning of the coming day and its meaning for me.'”

“At age sixteen, Frankl attended an adult-education workshop on philosophy. The instructor, recognizing Frankl’s precocious intellect, invited him to give a lecture on the meaning of life. Frankl told the audience that “It is we ourselves who must answer the questions that life asks of us, and to these questions we can respond only by being responsible for our existence.” This belief became the cornerstone of Frankl’s personal life and professional identity.”

“He joked that in contrast to Freud’s and Adler’s ‘depth psychology,’ which emphasizes delving into an individual’s past and his or her unconscious instincts and desires, he practiced ‘height psychology,’ which focuses on a person’s future and his or her conscious decisions and actions. His approach to psychotherapy stressed the importance of helping people to reach new heights of personal meaning through self-transcendence: the application of positive effort, technique, acceptance of limitations, and wise decisions. His goal was to provoke people into realizing that they could and should exercise their capacity for choice to achieve their own goals. Writing about tragic optimism, he cautioned us that ‘the world is in a bad state, but everything will become still worse unless each of us does his best.'”

Viktor Frankl’s Personal Meaning:

(During camp life) “Let me recall that which was perhaps the deepest experience I had in the concentration camp. The odds of surviving the camp were no more than one in twenty-eight, as can easily be verified by exact statistics. It did not even seem possible, let alone probable, that the manuscript of my first book, which I had hidden in my coat when I arrived at Auschwitz, would ever be rescued. Thus, I had to undergo and to overcome the loss of my mental child. And now it seemed as if nothing and no one would survive me; neither a physical nor a mental child of my own! So I found myself confronted with the question whether under such circumstances my life was ultimately void of any meaning.”

“Frankl was once asked to express in one sentence the meaning of his own life. He wrote the response on paper and asked his students to guess what he had written. After some moments of quiet reflection, a student surprised Frankl by saying, ‘The meaning of your life is to help others find the meaning of theirs.’ ‘That was it, exactly,’ Frankl said. ‘Those are the very words I had written.'” — William J. Winslade

Short Book Summary of Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

The Foreward (written by Harold S. Kushner) and Afterword (written by William J. Winslade) provide great summaries of the book.

“Frankl offers readers who are searching for answers to life’s dilemmas a critical mandate: he does not tell people what to do, but why they must do it.” — William J. Winslade (Afterword)

“It is important to note that Frankl’s imprisonment was not the only impetus for Man’s Search for Meaning. Before his deportation, he had already begun to formulate an argument that the quest for meaning is the key to mental health and human flourishing. As a prisoner, he was suddenly forced to assess whether his own life still had any meaning. His survival was a combined result of his will to live, his instinct for self-preservation, some generous acts of human decency, and shrewdness; of course, it also depended on blind luck, such as where he happened to be imprisoned, the whims of the guards, and arbitrary decisions about where to line up and who to trust or believe. However, something more was needed to overcome the deprivations and degradations of the camps. Frankl drew constantly upon uniquely human capacities such as inborn optimism, humor, psychological detachment, brief moments of solitude, inner freedom, and a steely resolve not to give up or commit suicide. He realized that he must try to live for the future, and he drew strength from loving thoughts of his wife and his deep desire to finish his book on logotherapy. He also found meaning in glimpses of beauty in nature and art. Most important, he realized that, no matter what happened, he retained the freedom to choose how to respond to his suffering. He saw this not merely as an option but as his and every person’s responsibility to choose ‘the way in which he bears his burden.’” — William J. Winslade (Afterword)

“Several times in the course of the book, Frankl approvingly quotes the words of Nietzsche: ‘He who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How.’ He describes poignantly those prisoners who gave up on life, who had lost all hope for a future and were inevitably the first to die. They died less from lack of food or medicine than from lack of hope, lack of something to live for. By contrast, Frankl kept himself alive and kept hope alive by summoning up thoughts of his wife and the prospect of seeing her again, and by dreaming at one point of lecturing after the war about the psychological lessons to be learned from the Auschwitz experience.” — Harold Kushner (Foreward)

Who are you when everything is taken away?

“The majority of prisoners suffered from a kind of inferiority complex. We all had once been or had fancied ourselves to be ‘somebody.’ Now we were treated like complete nonentities. (The consciousness of one’s inner value is anchored in higher, more spiritual things, and cannot be shaken by camp life. But how many free men, let alone prisoners, possess it?) Without consciously thinking about it, the average prisoner felt himself utterly degraded.” — Viktor Frankl

In the concentration camps, a human being was reduced to a number. Viktor Frankl was number ,. Upon arrival at his first camp, he estimates that about % of his transport was killed in the first few hours.

Yet, he was still able to find meaning.

In the book, Frankl mentions a couple statistical surveys of college students:

In one survey of , students at  colleges conducted by Johns Hopkins University,  percent said their first goal was “finding a purpose and meaning to my life.”

Another survey showed that  percent of Frankl’s American students showed a marked degree of existential vacuum (feeling of total and ultimate meaninglessness, inner emptiness, a void within themselves).

So, everyone wants meaning/purpose, yet few have found it:

“These are the dry facts, and they may well be the reason why reporters of American newspapers and particularly of American TV stations more often than not start their interviews, after listing these facts, by exclaiming: ‘Dr. Frankl, your book has become a true bestseller—how do you feel about such a success?’ Whereupon I react by reporting that in the first place I do not at all see in the bestseller status of my book an achievement and accomplishment on my part but rather an expression of the misery of our time: if hundreds of thousands of people reach out for a book whose very title promises to deal with the question of a meaning to life, it must be a question that burns under their fingernails.”

Why?

“As to the causation of the feeling of meaninglessness, one may say, albeit in an oversimplifying vein, that people have enough to live by but nothing to live for; they have the means but no meaning.”

We all have an individual responsibility today:

“That is the glorious responsibility of such a time, that we know how many difficulties we have to bear, and yet at the same time how many opportunities we hold in our hands! ‘He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how,’ Nietzsche once said. The consciousness of our unprecedented responsibility, which encompasses the future of one’s own life, or that of a family, of a work, of a larger society, or of a people, a state even, of humanity, this true ‘historical’ consciousness of responsibility will allow the man of today to bear the ‘how’ of his difficult life circumstances, to shape them, to surmount them. In our struggle full of duties and responsibility.”

 

Time

Time is the same.×× =, seconds x = ,, seconds is the same for all of us,  Einstein, Edison to every achiver today has had the same time to work with yet, accomplished so much.

We can find all the time in the world if we...

Accepted that we are a lot more distracted and so distressed this day than any time before, we need to admit we fall into traps, we set for ourselves.

Let's examine a few:-

Analysis Paralysis - most of us operate in a zone of diminishing returns...if % effort gets us % accurately most times, we may need to work % of our time to get % accuracy, we tend to stop instead of going for that last % and this too after pursuing a % that always eludes us...we sit and analyse what went wrong instead of relooking at our process.

We get stuck in activity trap - doing this, that and something else after that to tick of our to-do list. Activities keeps us busy, else occupied or engaged, but, it doesn't create any impact.

We "churn the ocean," to arrive as the same conclusion. That's because we work with the same knowledge we started with. We work one day and repeat the same thing everyday of the month and the year. We claim that as experience but I'd say it is x or x days. Attending training, upgrading ourselves, reading relevant material all expand our knowledge and horizon. We can make reasonably more assumptions, try more approximations in several situations.

We do what the others have to do. We don't need tk carry others' monkeys on our backs. We need to make the others accountable for what they're supposed to do.

We need to understand the core of issues/challenges/problems quickly through uncluttered thinking.

STRATEGY VS TACTIC

 

Most Stanford students fail this challenge. Here's what we can learn from their mistakes.

You are a student in a Stanford class on entrepreneurship.

Your professor walks into the room, breaks the class into different teams, and gives each team five dollars in funding. Your goal is to make as much money as possible within two hours and then give a three-minute presentation to the class about what you achieved.

If you are a student in the class, what would you do?

Typical answers range from using the five dollars to buy start-up materials for a makeshift car wash or lemonade stand, to buying a lottery ticket or putting the five dollars on red at the roulette table. But the teams that follow these typical paths tend to bring up the rear in the class.

The teams that make the most money don’t use the five dollars at all. They realize the five dollars is a distracting, and essentially worthless, resource.  So they ignore it. Instead, they go back to first principles and start from scratch. They reframe the problem more broadly as “What can we do to make money if we start with absolutely nothing?” One particularly successful team ended up making reservations at popular local restaurants and then selling the reservation times to those who wanted to skip the wait. These students generated an impressive few hundred dollars in just two hours.

But the team that made the most money approached the problem differently. They realized that both the $ funding and the -hour period weren’t the most valuable assets at their disposal. Rather, the most valuable resource was the three-minute presentation time they had in front of a captivated Stanford class. They sold their three-minute slot to a company interested in recruiting Stanford students and walked away with $.

The five-dollar challenge illustrates the difference between tactics and strategy. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different concepts. A strategy is a plan for achieving an objective. Tactics, in contrast, are the actions you undertake to implement the strategy.

The Stanford students who bombed the $ challenge fixated on a tactic—how to use the five dollars—and lost sight of the strategy. If we focus too closely on the tactic, we become dependent on it. “Tactics without strategy,” as Sun Tzu wrote in the Art of War, “are the noise before defeat.”

Just because a $ bill is sitting in front of you doesn’t mean it’s the right tool for the job. Tools, as Neil Gaiman reminds us, “can be the subtlest of traps.” When we’re blinded by tools, we stop seeing other possibilities in the peripheries. It’s only when you zoom out and determine the broader strategy that you can walk away from a flawed tactic.

What is the $ tactic in your own life? How can you ignore it and find the -hour window? Or even better, how do you find the most valuable three minutes in your arsenal?

Once you move from the “what” to the “why”—once you frame the problem broadly in terms of what you’re trying to do instead of your favored solution—you’ll discover other possibilities lurking in plain sight.

From the Roots to Fruits...       

You need a lot many Hands + Emotional Intelligence + Behavioural Intelligence + Conversational Intelligence to reach all your goals.

The Noble - Nobel Story

It’s easy to get carried away by the work we do, but, who knows it might build a negative story, about you and you aren't aware about it. But, belive me you can build a positive one for sure? 

Assumptions drive a ridiculous amount of human behavior.  Meanwhile, the “Fundamental Attribution Error” shows that we are inclined to attribute people’s behavior to their character, without giving enough credence to context.

The "Nobel Story," is one touches a human heart being a real one.  It makes us see where people’s behavior is rooted in a combination of their core values and unique circumstances. It lets us release the negative story and replace it with a more holistic and positive one. 

The "Nobel Story."

Alfred Nobel had the unpleasant surprise of reading his own obituary published which was titled, "The merchant of death  is dead."  It was Alfred's brother Ludwig who acutally died in ,  French newspaper mistakenly published Alfred's obituary.  Reading his own obituary Nobel was disgusted to find out his  public image.

Early story..

Alfred Nobel, invented one of the first Dynamite in the early 's for commercial use in mining. However, when he witnessed people misused his creation with the intention to foolishly kill, he regretted his greatest invention. ...

Moved severely by guilt, he used his enormous fortune from  patents to institute the Nobel Prizes  started the Nobel Peace Prize.

The award achieved a status that's unparalleled even to this day, for it's recognition which recipients carry with pride. First instituted in , as of  the Nobel Prize has been awarded to  individuals and  organizations. Seventeen women have won the Nobel Peace Prize and  among the recipients, there are  Indians (five Indian citizens and eight of Indian ancestry or residency).

May the creator of the virus that caused the pandemic COVID, be inspired and do something to recreate a world that'll be free of misery.

Have a Thoughtful Thursday.

Suggested easy practices to track on your habit calendar

Physical Health

.  minutes of movement

.  servings of fruits and veggies

. , steps

.  push-ups (or your exercise of choice)

. Pack gym clothes for tomorrow

. Drink  glasses of water (you can write the number of glasses you drank in the square instead of a checkmark)

. Pack your lunch

. Screen-free meals

. Go for a walk

. Stretch

. Explore one new hiking trail per month

. Walk to destinations under a mile away

. Weekly meal prep

. Floss

. Take medications

. Eat a mindful meal

. Monthly breast exam

. Moisturize

Mental Health

. Journal one sentence

. Acknowledge how you’re feeling

. Play with your pet

. Rate stress level on a - scale

Spiritual Health

. Read  page of a spiritual text 

. Pray or meditate

. Write in a gratitude journal

. Tell someone you love them

. Take a deep breath

. Spend  minutes outside

. Volunteer weekly

. Repeat a mantra or affirmation

. Remember that we are all connected

Social Health (relationships / community)

. Spend time with the kids in your life

. Call or text a friend

. Host a friend hangout monthly (craft night, book club, etc.)

. Weekly date night

. Send one thank-you note per week

. Read to kids

. Check in on neighbors/elderly

. Make something (food or otherwise) to share with a neighbor or friend

Technology

. Keep your phone on Do Not Disturb

. Social media-free weekend

. Under  hour of screen time

. No screens after pm

. Less than  minutes of social media per day

. No texting while driving

. Less than an hour of television

Work

. Choose your day’s priority (aka highlight)

. Inbox zero

. Create tomorrow’s to-do list

. Review and prepare for tomorrow’s meetings

. Call  prospects / write  words / fill  orders (or whatever your most important metric of work is)

. One hour of focused work

. Tidy your work space

. Lunch or coffee with coworkers

. Choose your week’s priority

. Create monthly goals

. Meet with your mentor monthly

. Share daily or weekly goals with an accountability partner

Finance

. Day of no spending

. Pay in cash for purchases under $ (this has been proven to decrease spending!)

. Save % of paycheck

. Put money into retirement monthly

. Label all business/work expenses monthly (saves you time during tax season!)

Home 

. Work in your garden

. No plastic bags

. Set up coffee maker for tomorrow

. Clean your home weekly

. Choose tomorrow’s outfit

. Wash dishes

. Put clothes and shoes away

. Clean bag every week

. Laundry

. Make your bed

. Water plants

. Sort mail

. Tidy house

. Turn the compost pile

. Do a deep clean of all countertops/surfaces 

. Declutter and reorganize your closet

. Clean up and reset hubs for pets (clean food bowls, wipe down litter box, etc.)

. File away the week’s papers

. Reorganize your pantry & toss anything expired

. Establish “ in/ out” zone – set aside a place to discard/donate  item in your house for every new item that comes in

Sleep

. In bed by pm

. Read before bed

. No coffee after pm

. Complete your “wind-down” routine nightly

. No phone/screen time in bed

. Reset kitchen and workspace before bed

Creativity

. Practice your hobby (piano, coloring, puzzles, collage-- whatever!)

. Watch a TED talk

. Work on a crossword puzzle

. Watch a new movie

. Listen to a new album

. Take a photo 

. Explore a new place monthly

. Draw your daily diary

. Cook a new-to-you recipe

. Make a monthly moodboard of inspiration

. Practice learning a new language

 

A billionaire will not teach you all the tricks to become one, but, a poor man can teach you everything that you should do to become like him.

A lesson which give us this formula

IQ + EQ + AQ + AQ = HQ

Intelligence Quotient + Emotional Quotient + Adaptability Quotient + Adversity Quotient = Happiness Quotient

IQ -> Intelligence Quotient:-

. The intellect gathers knowledge enabling a professional and personal life possible.

We adjust our intelligence according to situations and people. We have different quotients for different people.

We wouldn't be able to live just with intellect - mind, hence to balance that we need emotions - the heart.

. EQ -> Emotional Quotient:-

Expression of feelings - anger, sadness, disgust etc., tells others what we are in a given moment. Hence emotions are critical.

We all have the same emotions, the variable is the degree to which each of us show emotions. This again depends on situations, people, time and place and varies in degrees, for all people.

We strike a balance with people, that becomes the emotional quotient.

At times emotions just don't match. We hit discordant notes and go on tangents too. Therefore living just with either - mind or the heart doesn't help living.

. AQ -> Adversity Quotient

We need both (IQ and EQ) to handle adverse conditions. The intellect helps in identifying obstacles and to strategize overcoming them. Emotions help build resilience so we begin to adapt to situations, conditions and events.

This then is the Adversity Quotient, which varies with people. Some like Phoneix rise from the ashes, others perish under the weight of trying and challenging conditions.

In effect we learn to adapt to new environments, conditions, situations. It is a determined effort to go ahead despite odds. It is to leave our comfort zone and venture out. It makes us future ready because of the growth mindset we develop.

We become a lot more self-aware and confident. We run a race with ourselves and not with anyone else outside. Being upset doesn't help. We need to be steady, calm and composed, like a duck - no exaggerated movement on the outside but a terrific stir below the surface of the water.

This is AQ -> Adaptability Quotient.

All these add up to make us feel good. For some this is Happiness. For other it could be this + something else + something else...

Happiness has many definitions and dimensions.

Peace of mind stands high on that list.

Remember

IQ + EQ + AQ + AQ = HQ

Above all this is SQ - Spirituality Quotient - without which there is neither peace nor contentment.

Please read this and let me have your views.

Paradoxes and Emotional Intelligence

We year to connect with people, yet, isolate ourselves.

We seek to love, yet, fear betrayal.

We seek adventure, yet, fear a loss.

We dream of some day, yet, we forget today instead.

We want others to change, yet, we will not want to change.

We overstock, yet, complain there's no place to store.

We want innovation, yet, we won't create.

We love the ocean, yet, buy plastic.

We advocate for education, yet, deprive our daughters be as educated as our son's.

We want health, yet, abuse it with junk food, less sleep and no exercise.

We believe in equality, yet, we will not yield even one inch of our space so we let inequality prevail.

We arouse our ego to feel superior, yet, will advocate attempting narrowing the gap, without giving up our status even a bit.

We want health, yet, think others owd it to us free.

We ask for better leaders, yet, we don't want to be one.

We ask for a better world, yet, not at our cost of comfort and convenience.

There's a massive disconnect, we blame everyone for it, yet, think we are not to be blamed.

The world is made up of both beauty and brokenness.

Most time we believe our heart is in the right place, only that we've displaced our innocent head with unwanted logic, over-informed garbage and dismantled traditions.

 

The challenges of maintaining ourselves in a world with different ideologies and culture becomes overwhelming as it all seems.

We let ourselves drift, like ostriches that keep shoving their heads in sand to escape the heat.

We seek to change only when it hurts us, forgetting that it is the small moments we need to think of changing in our life time.

Change happens we we see someone who seems upset, and ask how can we support them.

Change happens when we want to show off that we are the go-to people.

Change happens when we pretend we have all the answers and when we think we are empowered to ask uncomfortable questions.

The truth is, if we know the story, behind everyone actions, we would see why they are the way they are, and it doesn't excuse it, because compassion is the birthplace of change.

This is emotional intelligence at its best.

VIBRATE HIGHER

The Spiritually inclined will understand:

For humans with a higher vibration, infection is a minor irritant that is soon eliminated!

The reasons for having low vibration could be:

Fear, Phobia, Suspicion

Anxiety, Stress, Tension.

Jealousy, Anger, Rage

Hate, Greed

Attachment or Pain

And so......we have to understand to vibrate higher, so that the lower frequency does not weaken our immune system.

The frequency of the earth today is .hz. but there are places that vibrate very low like:

Hospitals

Assistance Centers.

Jails

Underground etc.

It is where the vibration drops to hz, or less.

For humans with low vibration, the virus becomes dangerous.

Pain . to hz.

Fear . to .hz.

Irritation . to .hz.

Noise . to .hz.

Pride . hz.

Superiority . hz.

A higher vibration on the other hand is the outcome of the following behaviour :-

Generosity hz

Gratitude  hz

Compassion  hz or more.

The frequency of Love and compassion for all living beings is  Hz and more.

Unconditional and universal love from hz

So...Come on ...

Vibrate Higher!!!

What helps us vibrate high?

Loving, Smiling, Blessing, Thanking, Playing, Painting, Singing, Dancing, Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditating,  Walking in the Sun, Exercising, Enjoying nature, etc.

 Foods that the Earth gives us: seeds-grains-cereals-legumes-fruits and vegetables-

Drinking water: help us vibrate higher ..... !!!

The vibration of prayer alone goes from  to hz

So sing, laugh, love, meditate, play, give thanks and live !

Let's vibrate high ...!!!

This information is  compiled & edited by Naturotherapist Dr.  Harshal Sancheti, Nasik but

the original source of this information is from the book Power Vs Force

Based on David R Hawkins' Doctoral Thesis.

 

A Catalyst...

Ships are meant to sail in the high seas and also face storms that come in it's way.

We all have heard this many times from many, "It has been one of the most difficult  months of my life," and truly yes. Whether it is said or not it is felt by everyone. In this period many have lost their income losing jobs, have lost family members, encountered more losses than gains.

We have learnt everything is a temporary moments, feelings and still believe so despite the long treacherous months.

We have all learned love is about giving everything we have and letting it hurt.

We have heard vulnerability is always the right choice because it's easy to be cold in a world that makes it so difficult to remain soft.

Life isn't fair..

No matter what life throws at us, no matter how unfair it may seem, let's refuse to play a victim, let's refuse to be ruled by fear, pessimism and negativity, let's refuse to quit.

We have learned all things in life come in two's - rain-sunshine, night-day, adventure-fear, pain-pleasure, salt-sugar, we-they. It is the balance of universe. It has been a year+  of hurting so badly, yet living so good making friends out of strangers, has been fun. It is true some have been making strangers out of friends to keep themselves positive. There are several other little things that makes us focus on warm energy always, for if we can't learn to be kinder to each other in torrid  times like these how will we learn to be kinder to the most desperate parts of ourselves.

Let's become warriors and work through life whatever life throws in our path our way, with courage, love, hope and positivity. Let's push forward.

Difficult times will always come to an end and the wisdom and strength, wd gain from all of this will make us stronger and be with us much longer as ours.

We are survivors of the unfairness of life. We are stronger than we think we are and we are capable of achieving far more than we believe we can. Joy is never tomorrow, it is always now.

Praying is talking silently to the Universe through the heart and mind.

 

Meditation is listening intently to the Universe with the mind and heart.

A Catalyst..

No one was spared anywhere - it has been one of the most difficult months of our life.

We were mute witnesses to all the misery around us, yet, we did what best we could to survive and help survive.

We have been taught everything is a temporary - events, happenings, situations, moments, feelings.

We still believe it is true despite the long treacherous months and continuing.

We have seen everything - frontline worker serving unselfishly and tirelessly day and night. Donors pouring in with everything possible to help suffering people survive. We've also seen the dark side of hoarding essentials, selling medicines and oxygen at exorbitant prices resorting to exploitation. The unaffordable poor succumbing, yet, helplessly every one of us were watching a handful of them practising evil. We didn't come out to the streets with candles to pray for those who left us, we didn't squat on the roads in protest against evil, for reasons of social norms. There were people who congregated in large number for religious practices, people attended rallies of speeches to elect the ones who would govern them for the next years. The others witnessed all this again helplessly and silently to bear the brunt of an even more severe hit by the next wave.

We have heard vulnerability is always the right choice because it's easy to be cold in a world that makes it so difficult to remain soft.

Life isn't fair..

No matter what life throws at us, no matter how unfair it may seem, let's refuse to play a victim, let's refuse to be ruled by fear, pessimism and negativity, let's refuse to quit.

 

We have learned all things in life come in two's - rain-sunshine, night-day, adventure-fear, pain-pleasure, salt-sugar, we-they. It is the balance of universe.

It has been a year and more of hurting us badly, yet living so good making friends out of strangers, has been fun.

It is also  true some have been making strangers out of friends to keep themselves positive. There are several other little things that makes us focus on warm energy always, for if we can't learn to be kinder to each other in torrid  times like these how will we learn to be kinder to the most desperate parts of ourselves.

Let's become warriors and work through life whatever life throws in our path our way, with courage, love, hope and positivity. Let's push forward.

Difficult times will always come to an end and the wisdom and strength, wd gain from all of this will make us stronger and be with us much longer as ours.

We are survivors of the unfairness of life. We are stronger than we think we are and we are capable of achieving far more than we believe we can.

Joy is never tomorrow, it is always now.

Take care to protect yourself and the other, stay home, stay safe.

Above all these - please shut yourself up and don't get caught by anything the newspapers or news channels say...who knows what's the truth...who knows who is whipping up this unwanted passion...who knows whose greed is being satisfied by creating a panic in the minds of people so that they are in business...

I end this with the Serenity Prayer...

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

Almighty, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other."

A Tale of Pure Emotions...

On an island - there lived long ago - all the feelings - Happiness, Sadness Knowedge and several others including Love.

One morning it was announced that the island will be sinking, so all feelings fled the island making their boats except Love.

Love stayed back helplessly wanting to stay till the last breath possible.

While the island sunk rapidly  leaving just a small bit, Love decided to seek help.

Love asked Richness, "Can you rescue me?"

Richness answered with overflowing arrogance, "No, I can't, because I have no place as I am overloaded with diamonds, pearls,gold and silver. With this I can find Love everywhere in the world the way I want."

Vanity was leaving in a beautiful boat and Love asked for help.

 

Vanity was quick to respond, "Sorry Love, you are wet completely and if I allow you my boat will get spoilt, so I can't."

Sadness was close to Love so Love asked Sadness, "Please let me go with you.."

Sadness replied, "Oh Love! Am so sad, I want time by myself."

Happiness was so happy that it couldn't hear the call for rescue, so happiness also went by.

Suddenly an elderly voice came, " Come Love, I'll take you."

Love was thrilled hearing this Blessed voice and they went.

When the two arrived at a safe space on the dry land the elder went it's own way. Realizing how much gratitude Love owed to the elderly rescuer Love asked Knowledge another elderly, "Who helped me?"

"It was Time," Knowledge answered.

"Time!?" asked Love with a wonder, "but why?"

Knowledge showing a lot of humility and deep wisdom answered, "Because only Time has the capability of understanding how valuable Love is."

So am here to learn more about emotion, being with emotions and sharing my emotions so that we all become Emotionally Intelligent and make the world around us the same.

This is for you, me and all of us...there's nothing wrong..

We need to learn to do somethings continuously and well too.

We need to stop..

- Complaining

- Comparing ourselves with

  others.

- Judging

- Over-estimating and/or

  Under-estimating ourselves  and others.

We need to know our  capacity so we work to the best of our ability and capability.

We should have ambitions  and but we keep focus on both our short and long terms goals.

We need to keep building on our skills regularly to be  skillful, competitive and relevant always.

There'll be times which we will say

"I can.... I can't,"

or

feel we succeeded....we failed...,

or were wrong.... were right

or

experience a pleasure or a pain.

 

Come what may let's keep our ambition and remember to enjoy our long distance drive in life and let time take the wheel and believe we'll all get there on time.

This or That

We have the choices.

Stop trying to be liked by everybody. We have a tendency to try pleasing everyone. We don't want to upset anyone. We don't want to rffle feathers.

We need to end this....Because, we don't like everybody, do we?

Then why do we want to like everyone?

Else..

Love all.

or

Respect everyone for whoever they are.

But...remember

Trust just a few....

(People are over the world have a tendency to exaggerate, hype and or sensationalize events or things. We don't have to believe all of them).

Everything that happens is real, (The pandemic, people suffering, shortage of hospital beds, of oxygen cylinders, of medicines, etc. Media shows it up and newspapers write about it, for us to see).

But..

Not everything is true.

Not everyone is speaking the truth.

No one ever grew wise by chance. It was by learnt through experience.

Let's take no chances with our life. Let's maintain prescribed protocols. Let's not be driven by the crazy outside world, let's drive ourselves from within.

We all are Ambitious...

We all are filled with Self-Pride...

We all have a bloated Ego..

We all have Self-Esteem high for some, low for some.

This is true for you, me and all of us...there's nothing wrong..

We need to learn to do somethings continously and well too.

 

We need to be grateful that we have an opportunity to live a life worthy of emulating by being and example.

We need to realize our purpose of being and play our part.

We need to stop..

- Complaining

- Comparing ourselves with

  others.

- Judging

- Over-estimating and/or

  Under-estimating ourselves

  and others.

We need to know our  capacity so we work to the best of our ability and capability.

We should have ambitions  and but we keep focus on both our short and long terms goals.

We need to keep building on our skills regularly to be  skillful, competitive and relevant always.

There'll be times which we will say

"I can.... I can't,"

or

feel we succeeded....we failed...,

or were wrong.... were right

or

experience a pleasure or a pain.

Come what may let's keep our ambition and remember to enjoy our long distance drive in life and let time take the wheel and believe we'll all get there on time.

. Acknowledge and embrace imperfections. Hiding from your weaknesses means you’ll never overcome them.

. View challenges as opportunities. Having a growth mindset means relishing opportunities for self-improvement. Learn more about how to fail well.

. Try different learning tactics. There’s no one-size-fits-all model for learning. What works for one person may not work for you. Learn about learning strategies.

. Follow the research on brain plasticity. The brain isn’t fixed; the mind shouldn’t be either.

. Replace the word “failing” with the word “learning.”

. Stop seeking approval.

. Value the process over the end result.

. Cultivate a sense of purpose.

. Celebrate growth with others.

. Emphasise growth over speed.

. Reward actions, not traits.

. Redefine “genius.”

. Portray criticism as positive.

. Disassociate improvement from failure.

. Provide regular opportunities for reflection.

. Place effort before talent.

. Highlight the relationship between learning and “brain training.”

. Cultivate grit.

. Abandon the image.

. Use the word “yet.”

. Learn from yours and other people’s mistakes.

. Make a new goal for every goal accomplished.

. Take risks in the company of others.

. Think realistically about time and effort.

. Take ownership over your attitude.

 

Are we judgemental?

A young man joined a monastery wanting to learn and to become something worthwhile in life.

On the day he was inducted he was shown to his room, the facilities and all of that and told - you are allowed only two words in five years.

The first five passed the young man was asked to speak his two words.

"Hopeless Bed."

Then on completion of another five years was asked to say two words.

"Poor Food."

It was fifteen years and time for his two words.

"Wasted Time."

The chief then said, "In the last fifteen years all that you were breeding on is negativity and complaining.

The lessons drawn out of this is how seniors, leaders and higher up's become defensive when the employee begins to narrate his/her real experience.

 

Taking this story - fifteen years - six words, negative comments difficult to digest. Just imagine during our years at work meeting and talking to people how many things we will get to hear off.

The key is we all need to work together listening to the said and unsaid words and without getting defensive we need to create a great employee experience to call it a GPTW - Great Place To Work, where the systems and process are in place to serve as a "compass" and the way we look after our employees should be "True North."

Mental Toughness.

Having unshakable confidence in your ability to achieve our goals.

Knowing that we possess unique qualities and abilities that make us better than our peers.

Having an insatiable desire to succeed.

Being resilient and able to quickly recover from adversity, disappointment, set-backs, etc.

Thriving on the pressure of high-stakes events.

Accepting that fear and anxiety are inevitable and knowing that we can overcome both.

Able to remain fully focused on the mission.

Remaining fully focused on the task at hand in the face of life-threatening situations.

Being able to cope with high levels of physical and emotional pain, while still maintaining the ability to execute skills and tasks required to accomplish the mission.

Quickly regaining psychological control following unexpected, uncontrollable events.

 

Where do you stop?

A young lady with baggage in her hand and a baby in a pram was making her way to the parking lot where she had her car parked saw an An elderly man was waving his hand for help.

She stopped.

The elderly man came close to her and showed her his phone asking her to open his phone to show him the picture of his first grandchild born in a far off city to which he can't travel now because of the travel ban.

The young lady tried her best but couldn't open the picture as there wasn't a supporting software on the mobile being an older generation mobile.

She suggested to the elderly man two things :

. She could try forwarding the picture to her phone from his to see if it opens, else..

. He could ask his daughter to call her number and have a video call.

The elderly man said she should do both.

She could open the picture sent to her phone which she showed to the elderly man - a rosy pink chubby baby with thick curly hairs busily sucking the first three fingers.

 

The beauty was irresistible. The elderly man looked at the oicture as his eyes swelled with tears of joy. He just had no mood to stio seeing it.

The young lady asked the elderly man to spare her phone. She walked into a photo studio in the adjacent building - got a print of the baby's picture framed and handed it over to the elderly man, who was thrilled seeing that.

In the meanwhile she called the elderly man's daughter on her phone via a video call and got her to speak to her father. It was a double bonus all in less than a hour.

The young lady did everything she could to make the elderly man happy.

If you've decide to do good there's no end point.

Now I have a question on the Empathy the lady showed to the elderly man. If you were in her place where would you have stopped showing empathy to tge elderly man.

 

The Four Horsemen Apocalypse

The four horsemen of the apocalypse are four biblical figures who appear in the Book of Revelation. They are revealed by the unsealing of the first four of the seven seals. Each of the horsemen represents a different facet of the apocalypse: conquest, war, famine, and death.

The White Horse

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come and see!" I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. (Revelation :-)

The Red Horse

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come and see!" Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword. (Revelation :-)

The Black Horse

When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!" (Revelation :-)

The Pale Horse

When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come and see!" I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine, and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. (Revelation :-)

We use this metaphor to describe communication styles that according to research can predict end of relationships. Bringing the Four Horsemen in our Conflict Resolution discussions is the necessary first step to eliminating them, yet, this knowledge isn't enough. To eliminate conflict patterns, we must replace them with healthy productive ones.

 

Keep it Simple yet Significant!

If it is not simple, majority will not get it.

If it is not significant, majority won’t read it!

How about looking at life this way?

Life is not complicated, we make it seem complicated, we have forgotten simplicity and adopted complexity.

I bet, we all want a life that is uncomplicated and simple, isn't it.

So how do we do that?

Let's get clarity on what is most vital for us in life and eliminate the rest.

This suggestion may not help unless we get to know how… so here we go.

 

It's OK  to - Let go.

It is okay to not to feel okay. It is okay to feel exhausted, It is okay to feel angry.

It is okay to cry.

It is okay to feel lonely.

It is okay to feel no one understands us.

It is okay to feel stuck.

It is okay to feel disabled.

It is sometimes to feel that we are failing, struggling to cope up with the pace of things, the pressures of life etc., we learn and then move on.

 

Stop berating Ourselves

– The truth is every high and low moments in life have led us to the moment we are now in right now.

Let's believe in the ‘Power of Now.’

No complaints

- If we are not helping to make things right, then let's stop complaining about it being wrong

Let's not cheat ourselves by claiming to be busy, let's try becoming productive with least time invested.

Time is the only main thing

- Let's spend time with right people. Let's not waste time on unwanted non-value adding activities like information, apps/platforms, social media etc.

 

Just a few things but actually very little is needed to make a happy life

The Habits of Highly Effective People was a hit on introduction and continues to be a hit even now.

The good news is that there is a definite link between the Habits and Emotional Intelligence.

The first three habits are all about self-awareness and self-regulation.

The fourth and fifth habits are about empathy.

The sixth is about social skills.

The seventh habit comes back full circle to self-awareness.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life," says Melodie Beattie and continues..

"It can turn

what we have into enough, and more....

denial into acceptance...

chaos to order...

confusion to clarity....

a meal into a feast...

a house into a home..

a stranger into a friend."

And I would add this thought too - that without gratitude, we can turn any paradise into hell.

Without gratitude:

we will always walk away from the table still starving - no matter what measure of abundance has been laid before us.

Without gratitude,

every job is the worst one the planet

every spouse is deficient

every friend lets us down

every home is on the wrong street

every gift is the wrong size

every novel is full of typos, every mattress is uncomfortable

every cup of coffee is too weak.

Without gratitude..

every choice we ever made will always feel like the wrong choice.

 

Without gratitude..

summers will always be too hot, winters will always be too cold...

The music will always be too loud...

the movie will always suck...

the teenagers will always be too rude....

Without gratitude..

people who vote or worship differently from we will always be monsters in our eyes....

Without gratitude..

we will always feel we were born into the wrong family.

Without gratitude..

the waitress will always be too slow and we will always get the worst seat on the bus.

Without gratitude, every driver on the road except you is an idiot...

Without gratitude, life is a misery.

The alchemy of all alchemies - is gratitude.

Even if we learn nothing else, we must learn how to say THANK YOU and Stay blessed forever

Ever heard about Quartet of Quotients?

The Quartet of Quotients deals with

Intelligence Quotient, Emotional Quotient, Adaptability Quotient and Adversity Quotient.

This realm is such that  sheer knowledge helps us strengthen the brain and application which makes life easy. Be it personal or professional.

We all would have been able to live well simply by garnering our intellect and we know the importance of Intelligence Quotient.

But what use is intellect sans emotions? and hence Emotional Quotient is critical.

Adversity Quotient also called the Science of Resilience is about our ability to manage adversities in life.

It works on the LEAD model.

Looking for signs of obstacles

Exploring options and or people to help you tide over

Analysing the best way out

Doing it

and

th one, Adaptability Quotient.

 

Adaptation to issues around us is nothing but evolving differently.

Adaptation isn't masking.

It's only being more ready for a situation.

Lastly, all these Quotients mean nothing if we aren't able to thrive on happiness from within and striving towards the sole goal.

And hence Happiness Quotient is the most critical one.

Be happy in the state you are and what you are.

Comparisons do not help and nor will being grumpy of the life one has.

Which quotient are you working on currently?

Cognitive Biases, Heuristics, and Logical Fallacies.

These are components of our mind, like organs in our body, which under the

best conditions serve us well. Life, unfortunately, isn’t always lived under the best conditions. Their predictability and dependability have kept confident men, magicians,

advertisers, psychics, and peddlers of all manner of pseudoscientific remedies in business for centuries. It wasn’t until psychology applied rigorous scientific method to human behavior that these self-deceptions became categorized and quantified.

Cognitive biases are predicable patterns of thought and behavior that lead us to draw incorrect conclusions.

We and everyone else come into the world preloaded with these pesky and completely wrong ways of seeing things, and we rarely notice them.

Many of them serve to keep us confident in our own perceptions or to inhibit you from seeing ourselves as a buffoon.

The maintenance of a positive self-image seems to be so important to the human mind we have evolved mental mechanisms designed to make us feel awesome about yourself.

Cognitive biases lead to poor choices, bad judgments and wacky insights that are often totally incorrect. For example, we tend to look for information that confirms our beliefs and ignore information that challenges them. This is called confirmation bias. The contents of our bookshelf and the bookmarks in our Web browser are a direct result of it.

Heuristics are mental shortcuts we use to

solve common problems. They speed up processing in the brain, but sometimes make us think so fast we miss what is important.

Instead of taking the long way around and deeply contemplating the best course of action or the most logical train of thought, we

use heuristics to arrive at a conclusion in record time. Some heuristics are learned, and others come free with every copy of the human brain. When they work, they help our mind stay frugal. When they don’t, we see

the world as a much simpler place than it really is. For example, if we notice a rise in reports about shark attacks on the news, we

start to believe sharks are out of control, when the only thing you know for sure is the news is delivering more stories about sharks than usual.

Logical fallacies are like math problems involving language, in which we skip a step or get turned around without realizing it. They

are arguments in our mind where we reach a conclusion without all the facts because we don’t care to hear them or have no idea how limited our information is. We become a bumbling detective. Logical fallacies can also be the result of wishful thinking. Sometimes we apply good logic to false premises; at other times we apply bad logic to the

truth. For instance, if we hear Albert Einstein refused to eat scrambled eggs, we

might assume scrambled eggs are probably bad for us. This is called the argument from authority. We assume if someone is super-smart, then all of that person’s decisions must be good ones, but maybe Einstein just had peculiar taste.

With each of us getting to know this in a new angle we

will start to see ourselves in a new way. We will soon realize we are not so smart, and thanks to a plethora of cognitive biases, faulty heuristics, and common fallacies of thought, we are probably deluding ourselves minute by minute just to cope with reality. Don’t fret. This will be fun.

Willingness to listen

Viktor Frankl, one of the great psychiatrists of the twentieth century, survived the death camps of Nazi Germany.

His little book, Man’s Search for Meaning, is one of those life-changing books that everyone should read.

Frankl once told the story of a woman who called him in the middle of the night to calmly inform him she was about to commit suicide.

Frankl kept her on the phone and talked her through her depression, giving her reason after reason to carry on living. Finally she promised she would not take her life, and she kept her word.

When they later met, Frankl asked which reason had persuaded her to live? 

"None of them, she told him.

What then influenced her to go on living, he pressed? 

Her answer was simple, it was "Frankl’s willingness to listen to her in the middle of the night". 'A world in which there was someone ready to listen to another's pain seemed to her a world in which it was worthwhile to live'.

Often, it is not the brilliant argument that makes the difference. Sometimes the small act of listening is the greatest gift we can give.

We are not on Earth to see how important we can become. We are on Earth to see how much difference we can make to the life of others.

Everyone in the family tested positive. Convalescing and recovering slowly and steadily praying to the Almighty.

 

An Empty Boat

A monk decides to meditate alone, away from his monastery.

He takes his boat out to the middle of the lake, moors it there, closes his eyes and begins his meditation.

After a few hours of undisturbed silence, he suddenly feels the bump of another boat colliding with his own. With his eyes still closed, he senses his anger rising, and by the time he opens his eyes, he is ready to scream at the boatman who dared disturb his meditation.

But when he opens his eyes, he sees it’s an empty boat that had probably got untethered and floated to the middle of the lake.

At that moment, the monk achieves self-realization, and understands that the anger is within him; it merely needs the bump of an external object to provoke it out of him.

From then on, whenever he comes across someone who irritates him or provokes him to anger, he reminds himself, “The other person is merely an empty boat. The anger is within me.”

Take time for introspection & search for answer:

Empty boat is a famous & fabulous metaphor. Its value lies in its implementation.

The sound of the bell is said to disengage mind from ongoing thoughts thus making the mind more receptive. Bell ringing during prayer is said to help in controlling the ever wandering mind and focusing on the deity.

Bells or ghanta made up of metals and different alloys are created to make sounds of different frequencies..

Different frequencies have different effects on human mind and body and even to the surrounding of it ..

Due to day day task our balanced frequencies of body get imbalanced and due to which we get away from our true spiritual nature..

The ringing of bells creates that balanced frequencies and make our body to attain the stability needed to attain to gaze into self..

Hence ringing of this metallic bells or bowls also helps in keeping our body healthy..

WHAT MAKES A LEADER?

GOLEMAN - IDEA IN PRACTICE - UNDERSTANDING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMPONENTS.

THE  COMPONENTS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AT WORK

LEAD

Why Emotionally Intelligent People Embrace the BYAF Rule

 Especially when they need a favor.

BY JEFF HADEN, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, INC.@JEFFHADEN

You need help.

You need a little cooperation.

You need a favor.

So you stiffen your spine, sum up your courage, and ask.

And get turned down.

Even though you stressed the importance of the request.

Even though you described the difference the other person could make for you.

Even though you showed, verbally and nonverbally, the critical importance of your request. 

Shoot: You basically begged. 

Which, according to a  review of more than  studies published in Communication Studies, is where you went wrong.

How BYAF works?

If you're like most people, you don't like to feel put on the spot. 

When that happens, you naturally get defensive.

Your walls go up.

The more you feel like you can't say no? 

The less you focus on evaluating the actual request, and the more you focus on figuring out some way to say no.

The "but you are free" (BYAF) rule avoids that problem by instantly giving the other person an out.

All you have to do, the researchers write, is "weaken the target's perception that her or his freedom to say no is being threatened."

Or in non-researcher-speak, always give the other person an explicit out by including some version of "but you are free to say no":

"We're looking for  volunteers, but you are free to say no."

"Could you give me a hand? I know you're busy, so please don't feel like you have to."

"I completely understand if you don't have time, but could you ... ?"

According to the researchers, simply include a statement that lessens the possibility the other person feels like they don't have a choice and that person is more than twice as likely to say yes to your request.

How to apply the BYAF rule?

First, recognize that your wants or needs are important.

But only to you. (As plenty of coffee mugs say, "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency for me.")

The severity of your problems and challenges -- or, on the flip side, the extent of your goals and dreams -- does not mean other people should be feel more obligated or willing to help you. 

 

Because everyone has problems. And everyone has dreams.

Be emotionally intelligent enough to realize that.

Then be emotionally intelligent enough to realize that other people are more likely to offer help when they feel personally compelled rather than obligated.

We all like to feel generous. We all like to feel helpful. We all like to feel we make a difference.

Especially when it feels like we decided to step in, step up, and lend a helping hand.

By giving the other person an out by including a sincere version of "but you are free," you let the other person decide.

The more you make it easier for the person to say no, the more likely they will be to say yes -- and, more important, the better they will feel about saying yes.

Because we all like to feel our time and effort has made a difference.

Which makes the BYAF rule a definite win-win.

COPYRIGHT  MANSUETO VENTURES

Die empty

The most beautiful book to read is "Die Empty" by Todd Henry.

The author was inspired and got this idea of writing ​​this book while attending a business meeting.

When the director asked the audience: "Where is the richest land in the world?"

One of the audience answered: "Oil-rich Gulf states."

Another added: "Diamond mines in Africa."

Then the director said: "No it is the cemetery. Yes, it is the richest land in the world, because millions of people have departed/died and they carried many valuable ideas that did not come to light nor benefit others. It is all in the cemetery where they are buried."

Inspired by this answer, Todd Henry wrote his book, "Die empty .

The most beautiful of what he said in his book is: "Do not go to your grave and carry inside you the best that you have. Always choose to die empty.

The TRUE meaning of this  expression, is to die empty of all the goodness that is within you. Deliver it to the world, before you leave.

If you have an idea perform it.

If you have knowledge give it out.

If you have a goal achieve it.

Love, share and distribute, do not keep it inside.

Let’s begin to give. Remove and spread every atom of goodness inside us.

Start the race.

 

Let us Die Empty.

Go to the Woods

When we go into the woods - we find different trees and all kinds of them too with their shapes different from the other - no two trees are alike. Some are straight, some bent, some with big branches and green some thin and whatever. Some big ones bear fruits and smaller ones bear flowers. We look at them and allow it.

You do that.

Do you know why?

You will make assumptions that tree grows in height and size depending on water availabilty from the bottom and or sunlight from tge sides or tops. We don't get emotional about it. We just allow it be that way.

The minute we get to humans we lost all the sense we got from the woods - we immediately start saying, "You are too this, you are tok that.I am this...I am not that, I am too this.." The judgement mind comes in.

And so to keep me away from judging people I turn to the woods ehere people are for me like trees - that they are and the way they are... Automatically appreciation arrives and fills me with up with freshness in thiughts and abundantly too.

PAUSE and RESET

 ways to stay calm when facing negative emotions.

PAUSE ->

P ATIENTLY

A CCEPT

U NDERCURRENTS OF

S TRESSFUL

E MOTIONS

RESET->

R ESPOND

E MPHATETICALLY and

S ENSITIVELY to

E MOTIONS and

T HOUGHTS

 

The next time you experience negative emotions, press the PAUSE and RESET buttons to manage yourself calmly so you can manage negative emotions.

Who you could be  years from now...

If you don't know exactly who you want to be and what you want to be doing in  years, you're already doing it.

Let it sink in.

If you don't know who you are growing into, you're already who you're going to be in  years.

I don't know about you, but, who I am today isn't good enough for me in  years from now.

I don't want to be a time-teller or a time-keeper. I want to be a clock maker.

I don't want to be caught up with too many things of today. I will want to see further into a long term future and begin creating something today.

I want to be a sharer and not a hoarder of information.

I don't want to be seen as a great leader as much as I want to be seen as one who creates leaders for the future.

Be like the Pencil

The seven qualities of a pencil🖍️ explained as a guiding philosophy for our life.

A young boy🙇 watching his grandmother writing in a book, asked her what she was writing.

His grandmother stopped writing and said, "I am writing a story, but more important than the words it is the pencil I’m using that this story is all about. I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up."

Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil which to him didn’t seem very special. It was a pencol so it was just like any other pencil he had seen!

The grandmother said, "It has seven qualities which, if you manage to adopt them, will make you a happy person who is always at peace with the world."

️ "First Quality: You must never forget that there is a hand guiding you. We call that hand God, and He always Guides us according to His Will."

️ "Second quality:  Now and then, I have to stop writing and use a sharpener. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but afterwards, it is much sharper.  So you, too, must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person."

️ "Third quality: The pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes.  This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the right path.

️ "Fourth quality: what really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside.  So always pay attention to what is happening inside you."

️ "Fifth quality: It always leaves a mark. In just the same way, you should know that everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in  every action of yours."

️ "Sixth quality: It gets shorter and shorter with use.... so also life. Make the most while it lasts."

 

️ "Seventh quality: It writes till the very end. Be useful and productive till your end."

Calm Your Mind - Manage Your Mind...

🌺 "Let Be.." 🌺

Ask yourself, "What do I need to 🌺 'Let Be' 🌺 to accept that which I have been resisting?"

🦋 "Let Go..." 🦋

Ask yourself, "What do I need to 🦋 'Let Go,' 🦋 that which is no longer serving me or that which is weighing me down?"

📙 "Let In.." 📙

Ask yourself, "What do I need to 📙 'Let In'  📙 to absorb, to appreciate.

So to Calm Your Mind

🌺 "Let Be.." 🌺

🦋 "Let Go..." 🦋

📙 "Let In.." 📙

And so you Manage Your Mind

Managing energy, not time, is the fundamental currency of high performance.

Performance is grounded in the skilful management of energy.

Great leaders are stewards of organizational energy. They begin by effectively managing their own energy. As leaders, they must mobilize, focus, invest, channel, renew and expand the energy of others.

Full engagement is the energy state that best serves performance.

Principle : Full engagement requires drawing on four separate but related sources of energy: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

Principle : Because energy diminishes both with overuse and with underuse, we must balance energy expenditure with intermittent energy renewal.

Principle : To build capacity we must push beyond our normal limits, training in the same systematic way that elite athletes do.

Principle : Positive energy rituals—highly specific routines for managing energy—arc the key to full engagement and sustained high performance.

Making change that lasts requires a -step process:

Define Purpose

Face the Truth and

Take Action.

Fully engaged energy, not time, is our most precious resource.

 

Energy, not time, is the fundamental currency of high performance.

Performance, health and happiness are grounded in the skillful management of energy.

Old Paradigm - New Paradigm

Manage time - Manage Energy

Avoid stress - Seek stress

Life is a marathon - Life is a series of short quick sprints

Downtime is wasted time - Downtime is productive time

Rewards fuel performance - Purpose fuels performance.

Self-discipline rules - Rituals rule

The power of positive thinking - The power of full engagement.

The challenge of great performance is to manage your energy more effectively in all dimensions to achieve your goals.

Four key energy management principles drive this process. They lie at the heart of the change process that we will describe in the pages ahead, and they are critical for building the capacity to live a productive, fully engaged life.

PRINCIPLE :

Full engagement requires drawing on four separate but related sources of energy: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

PRINCIPLE :

Because energy capacity diminishes both with overuse and with underuse, we must balance energy expenditure with intermittent energy renewal.

To maintain a powerful pulse in our lives, we must learn how to rhythmically spend and renew energy.

PRINCIPLE :

To build capacity, we must push beyond our normal limits, training in the same systematic way that elite athletes do.

We build emotional, mental and spiritual capacity in precisely the same way that we build physical capacity.

PRINCIPLE :

Positive energy rituals—highly specific routines for managing energy—are the key to full engagement and sustained high performance.

A positive ritual is a behavior that becomes automatic over time—fueled by some deeply held value.

THE MIND AND BODY ARE ONE

The primary markers of physical capacity are strength, endurance, flexibility and resilience.

 

These are precisely the same markers of capacity emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Flexibility at the physical level, for example, means that the muscle has a broad range of motion. Stretching increases flexibility.

The same is true emotionally.

Emotional flexibility reflects the capacity to move freely and appropriately along a wide spectrum of emotions rather than responding rigidly or defensively.

Emotional resilience is the ability to bounce back from experiences of disappointment, frustration and even loss.

Mental endurance is a measure of the ability to sustain focus and concentration over time, while mental flexibility is marked by the capacity to move between the rational and the intuitive and to embrace multiple points of view.

Spiritual strength is reflected in the commitment to one's deepest values, regardless of circumstance and even when adhering to them involves personal sacrifice.

Spiritual flexibility, by contrast, reflects the tolerance for values and beliefs that are different than one's own, so long as those values and beliefs don't bring harm to others.

In short, to be fully engaged requires strength, endurance, flexibility  and resilience in all dimensions.

EI - Emotional Inelligence

(Basics and Beyond)

Daniel Goleman published the first book on Emotional Intelligence in  and I procured one copy in .

From then to now, apart from being a student of this subject, I must confess, I have not stopped feeling the need to know more and more yet try making it even simpler so more can understand the subject better and easier.

Trying to be non-clinical and in a way to understand Emotional Intelligence like soft skills.

I try being as simple as simple can be, yet a complex concept/subject like this one isn't easy.

I try doing nothing but interpreting that which I have understood on the subject.

A simple definition of Emotional Intelligence

- Our ability to recognize and

  understand emotions in

  ourselves and others and

  the ability to use that

  awareness to manage our

  behaviour and our

  relationships.

Emotional Intelligence Basics and Beyond

 

. EQ (Emotional Quotient) affects the functioning of our IQ (Intelligence Quotient).

. EI - Emotional Intelligence has an escape velocity that is faster than speed of light and sound.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence is an excellent way of self-learning

. EI - Emotional Intelligence comes into play when you finally know the what and the why of things.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence tells you how to think, not, what to think.

. EI - Emotional

Intelligence is the differentiator between humans and machines - things like AI - Artificial Intelligence, ML - Machine Learning, IoT - Internet of Things and other Digital Technologies.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence teaches us not just to manage our emotions but also successes and failures in life as well.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence is about understanding ourselves well - Self Awareness.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence forms our psychological safety network.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence affects and effects our competencies.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence is a powerful way of up-skilling our mental and physical faculties.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence makes us inclusive to our environment.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence helps us simplify our thoughts, feelings and actions.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence leads to self-identification and forms our personality and character.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence is about extrospection. It is about the empathy and the well-being of others.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence is influenced by our environment, customs and social values.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence leads directly to self-worth and self-esteem which are essential components for the successes we attain in life.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence will soon be a huge disruptor in education as we see it now.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence is enhanced by experiential learning which isn't possible with our current learning modes at schools and even higher education, which follows a textual approach.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence develops the empathy neurons in our mind and releases vital chemicals to heighten the awareness of our emotions.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence is the foundation for our behaviours, thoughts and action.

. IQ vs EQ!

The two have to co-exist.

Both are important but there's no doubt that EQ precails.

 

. EQ evaluation and assessment is essential in behavior management by educationists, psychotherapists or in HR.

. EI - Emotional Intelligence transforms lives, relationships, beliefs and values.

Recommendations:

EI - Emotional Intelligence must be made an essential part of our education curriculum in all academic studies.

EI - Emotional Intelligence is also essential for parents in managing mental health relationship and  behavioural issues with children, hence parents tok should have a basic certification in Emotional Intelligence.

Examples of Emotions :

High Positive -

Challenged

Cheerful

Confident

Connected

Joyful

 

Low Positive

Calm

Composed

Mellow

Peaceful

Relaxed

Serene

Tranquil

 

High Negative

Angry

Anxious

Defensive

Fearful

Resentful

 

Low Negative

Burnt out

Defeated

Depressed

Exhausted

Hopeless

Levels of Learning

. Unconscious Incompetence. -

Explanation: "I don't know that I know."

Inference: Complacency.

Solution : Awakening would help.

. Conscious Incompetence.

Explanation : "I know that I don't know. (And I want to improve."

Inference: Aware and honest.

Solution : Can be taught.

. Unconscious Competence.

Explanation : "I can do it with ease and habitually.

Inference: Confident and Overconfident too.

Solution : Keep Them Engaged.

. Conscious Unconscious Competence

Explanation: I can explain to the others how to do it with ease.

Inference: Confident workman. Great fit for assembly line work.

Solution: Encourage and make him head the line function.

Perpetual Positions

Position - Seeing through my own eyes.

Position - Seeing by standing in your shoes.

Position - Taking the perspective of an observer.

Position - Observing the observer.

Evolving Leaderhip.

When leadership is not a role but a behaviour that people practice across the organisation, then the organisations are better placed to navigate complexities surrounding us.

 

This involves having the right leadership mindsets (and helping people build them), to navigate ambiguity, create customer value, developing people, building strong working relationships (network) and learning through combination of curiosity and experimentation.

Organizations need to completely rethink what they are about and what it means to lead. It's not about one person or even those residing at the top anymore. In today's world, everyone has to adopt a leadership mindset. We have to think of ourselves as members of a leadership community.

Psychological Effects That  Explain our Brains

. The Pratfall Effect:

Your likability will increase if you aren't perfect.

. The Pygmalion Effect

Greater expectations drive greater performances.

. The Paradox of  Choice

The more choices we have the less likely we are to be content with our decision.

. The Bystander Effect:

The more people who see someone in need, the less likely is that person going to receive help.

. The Spotlight Effect

Your mistakes are not noticed as much as you think.

. The Focusing Effect :

Place too much importance on one aspect of an event and fail to recognize other factors.

 

 

 

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