Friday, January 30, 2009

Give Your 100%



A Small Story…
A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed.

The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised.

That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn't sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.

Some historic marblesImage via Wikipedia

Moral of the story: If you don't give your hundred percent in a relationship, you'll always keep doubting if the other person has given his/her hundred percent.. This is applicable for any relationship like love, employer-employee relationship,friendship etc., Give your hundred percent to everything you do and sleep peacefully...





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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

A letter from a father to his little son

Dear Pranav,

It's been 20 months since you set foot in the world. When I held you for the first time in my arms at the hospital, your tiny hands
Speaking Tree
A letter from a father to his little son. (Getty Images)
were twitching and your eyes were shut tight.


Your clenched fist reminded me of a science lesson that said to get an idea about the size of your heart, you should clench your fist. I could imagine the little heart throbbing inside you. The eternal miracle of birth. When it was my turn to witness it, I cried.

Before I married your mother, I used to debate one question endlessly with my friend. Which is, "Is it really worth bringing another life into this world?" Especially when terror has become an ugly leitmotif in the canvas of our lives?

When I switched on the TV that Wednesday night, the question of whether I was right in bringing you into this world haunted me again.

This is my attempt at an answer. Call it catharsis.

I feel there are two ways to raise you. One is to wean you on cynicism. Where you'll erect a sky-high wall in your mind and live your life pouring scorn on everything you see. Which is one way of insulating yourself from fear... A kind of indifferent machismo.

The other way is to prepare you to live in this world. I can't imagine the world for you, son. But i can certainly show you the way to live in an uncertain world. Make a pact with yourself. Understand the following early on.

Life is precious. And equally fragile. So every day is a gift. Get up early once in a while just to watch the sun rise. Stare at it intently and burn it in your memory. Be aware of every passing second. Look around you. There's a thin stalk of plant finding its place under the sun in a crevice on the wall of our apartment.

Appreciate mother's cooking. Praise it to heavens... Make it a habit to eat together as a family. No, make it a rule. Fall in love with books. Words will transport you to worlds far away. It will also keep you informed and prepared.

Follow your heart. The mind can waver but the heart seldom does. Respect your conscience. It's like a post-it note from God.

When you grow up, seek a job you love. As you enter the world of careers and cocktails, you'll get sucked into a vortex called rat race. Don't be overwhelmed. We're all human. But have the courage to step out of it. Nothing will be lost. Some illusions will shatter. Good riddance.

Money. It's important. But it has its place. Don't make the mistake of putting it right on top.

Find your love. Hold it dearly. Be a good husband. A patient father. Give your children space to make their mistakes. But hold them when they fall.

Speak up when you have to. Like this occasion. Whether we like it or not, we're living in a democracy. Sure it has its pitfalls. But don't forget the positives too. The real fight in a democracy is between remembering and forgetting. Go and vote. It's your chance to give shape to the kind of society you want to live in.

Be alert. But try not to live in a state of fear.

It you were to get caught in a situation similar to what happened and should we lose you, then you will have left us with enough lovely memories for the remaining years. That will only happen if you start living every day like it is the last day of your life. Though it can never compensate your loss, at least we'll find strength in your love for life.

Don't have regrets. They defeat the very purpose of life.

Immersed as I am in work most of the time, this letter is also a wake-up call for me.

Love, Dad

By Rajesh Mani

Read this article in Ahmedabad edition of TOI of Jan 20, 2009 & it touched my soul. So, am sharing it with you. Please do share your comments.


courtsey TOI http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lifestyle/Spirituality/Speaking_Tree/A_letter_from_a_father_to_his_little_son/articleshow/4002613.cms
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Sunday, January 25, 2009

SYNERGIZE ~ Creative Cooperation

Synergy means the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It catalyzes, unifies and unleashes the greatest powers within people. All the habits or principles we are discussing prepare us to create the miracle of synergy.

Synergy stems from the creative process we pursue and it is also the most terrifying part because we don't know exactly what's going to lead. We don't know what new challenges we will find. It takes an enormous amount of internal security to begin with the spirit of adventure, the spirit of adventure, the spirit of discovery, the spirit of creativity.

The challenge to follow this principle is to apply the principles of creative cooperation, which we often learn from nature, in our social interactions. Our family life is an excellent platform to observe and practice this mode of endeavor. The very way a man & woman bring a child into the world is synergistic.

As in life synergy is of much importance in the work-dom of business. When we incorporate this approach is our business the outcome is sheer excellence. It helps us to release an incredible creative enthusiasm.

And once we have experienced real synergy, we are never quite the same again; we know the possibility of having other such mind-expanding adventure in the future. We simply open our mind to new happenings.



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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Sharpen the Saw ~ Balanced Self Renewal

According to philosopher Herb Shepherd our healthy balanced life resolves around for values i.e. perspective (spiritual), autonomy (mental), connectedness (social) and tone (physical). Sound motivation and organization theory embrace these four dimensions or motivations-the economic (physical), how people are treated (social), how people are developed and used (mental), and the service, the job, the contribution, the organization gives (spiritual).

"Sharpen the saw" basically means expressing all four motivations. Exercising all these four dimensions of our nature regularly and consistently in wise and balanced ways. To do this we must be proactive. Most importantly, as it lies at the corner of circle of influence, no one else can do it for us. We must do it for ourselves.

The physical dimension involves caring effectively for our physical body. The spiritual dimension provides leadership qualities to our formal education and grooming patterns. The social / emotional dimension centered on the principles of interpersonal leadership, empathetic communication and creative cooperation.

All these dimension enhance our greatest asset we have-ourselves. The habit talk about taking time to sharpen to all these attributes for an enlightening living, joyous in every aspect.
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Friday, January 23, 2009

Never LIE ~ Truthfulness

DenialImage by Michelle Brea via FlickrTell what you believe, what you are aware of. Tell what you know, no more, no less. It sets you into a more when you don't have to think twice. Never lie. Under no circumstances do you lie. Once you have got a reputation as someone who never lies you won't ever be asked to cover up, or cover for anyone else.

If you decide to lie for a living you have too many choices and decisions. Where do you draw the line? Do you only tell little lies? Great big ones? Do you lie to save yourself? others? How developed your lies be?

Can you see some problems? If you have simple rule-never lie- you have a default setting that requires no thoughts, no choices, no decisions, no alternatives, no picking, no jeopardy and not sleeping nights.

Never lie is really the simplest, cleanest, most honest approach to our working life and career. It stems from our habit of truthfulness. When we know we are allowed to talk according to our own knowledge and comprehension. When we know we are allowed to take actions according to own experience. And what better way to live a dignified life that advocates peace and semblance.

Always go by your principle of truthfulness. Always invite straight and simple way of living. Experience life in the light of truth.


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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Think Win Win

We often talk about win-win situation or practices. But what it actual denotes to us? In broader perspective, it is a total philosophy of human interaction. It narrates about a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefits in all human interactions. With a win-win solution, all parties feel good about the decision and feel committed to the action plan. Win-win sees life as a co-operative, not a competitive area.

One alternative to win-win is win-lose, the authoritarian approach. Most of us are deeply influenced by this win-lose scripting.

Some of us programmed the other way lose-win. Lose-win is worse than win-lose because it has no standards, no demands, no expectations, no vision. People who think lose-win are usually work to please or applause.

Then there is another version of that provokes a condition of lose-lose. When two win-lose people get together-that is when two ego-invested individuals interact-the result will be lose-lose. Both will lose.

Another common alternative is simply to think win. People with win-win mentality don't necessarily want someone else to lose. So, when there is no sense of competition, win is probably the most common approach.

Of these five philosophies win-win, win-lose, lose-win, lose-lose, and win-which one you think most effective, the answer is -'it depends'. And it depends on reality. The challenge lies in to read the reality accurately and not to translate win-lose or other scripting into every situation.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Be Cheerful & Positive ~ Optimistic Paradigms

A girl smiling or laughing.Image via Wikipedia
Life is full of ups & downs. Some moments are there that bring sunshine, others battle the rain. But whatever life's moments have in store for us, we can redefine them according to our own paradigms that teach us to be optimistic in every situations. Because we know for sure, nothing is more powerful than our will, our hope, our positive attitude. Because we know the sun will come back; things will always get better.

Be cheerful at all times. At first you don't have to believe it-just do it. Act it. Pretend, but do it. After a little while you will find it is not an act, you are not pretending, you genuinely do feel cheerful.

Putting on a smile triggers hormones. These hormones will make you feel better. Once you feel better you will smile more and thus produce more hormones.

All it takes is the first few days smiling when you don't feel like it and you will start cycle going that will make you feel better all the time.

And it is known fact that everyone likes a cheerful person who is relaxed, confident, mature and dictates the positive vibes. People will want to hang out with that person more - there is nothing so attractive as a cheerful person.


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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Maintain GOOD Manners ~ Courteous Behavior

Good manners make one perfect. It makes them adorable to friend, colleagues, relative-whenever one goes. And if we don't know what good manners are all about, then we will face the trouble.

Interestingly, most of us believe we have good manners already. However in reality, the more we hurry and the more we are stressed, the more manners are likely to slip. If we are honest, will admit to properly express gratitude for something when frazzled by life, or feeling a huge temptation to push in front of somebody doddery when rushing to catch train.

We should remember our own rules of manners, however rushed and fraught we feel. We should always make the effort to show these good manners.

  • Queuing without jostling
  • Complementing people when we need to
  • Not sticking our nose in where it is not wanted
  • Keeping a promise
  • Not shouting at people who get in our way
  • Apologizing when we get in someone else's
  • Being courteous & charming
  • Opening the door ahead of people
  • Being Civil
  • Answering when spoken to
  • Being hospitable
No matter how small interactions with people we have each day, don't let the manners slip. They cost nothing and yet can generate so much good will and make everyone's life that much more pleasant.


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Monday, January 19, 2009

SET PERSONAL STANDARDS ~ Code of Conduct

There are state-of-the-standard rules and dictum's. Then there are state-of-the-individual norms that we set according to our own ethos and envision. These norms are the state-of-the-individual reflection of our own being and remains our guiding force all through. Just jot down your own set of rules that you will try to abide by.

  • I will not knowingly hurt or hinder another human being in the pursuit of my career.
  • I will not knowingly break any law in the furtherance of my career.
  • I will have a moral code that I will follow no matter what.
  • I will endeavor to provide a positive contribution to society by what I do for a living.
  • I will not do anything that I could be ashamed to talk to my children about.
  • I will put my family first at all times.
  • I will play by the rules at all times.
The above code of conducts are some examples we need to follow for a harmonious and respectful life. Not necessarily, all these above rules will suit our own course of actions. We may need or have a better set for our personal conduct, it should bracket superior traits that comprise positive and proactive elements we need to network and nurture. We must endeavor to be the very, very best we can at all times.
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Sunday, January 18, 2009

Seek First to UNDERSTAND, then to be UNDERSTOOD ~ E Communication

Communication is one of the most important skill in life. We spend most of our waking hours communicating. If we want to interact effectively with others, to influence others, we first need to understand them. 'Seek first to understand' involves a very deep shift in paradigm. We often seek first to be understood. Most of us do not listen with the intent to understand, we listen with the intent to reply.
When another person speaks, we are usually 'listening' at one of four levels. We may be ignoring another person, not really listening at all. We may practice pretending. We may practice selective listening. Or we may practice alternative listening. But very few of us practice the highest form of listening, 'empathic listening'. By empathic listening, mean listening with intent to understand. According to communication experts in empathic listening, we listen with our eyes and with our heart. We listen for feeling, for meaning.

This habit is powerful because it exists right in the middle of our circle of influence. Many factors in independent situations are in our Circle of concern-problems, disagreements, circumstances, other people's behavior. And if we focus our energies out there, we deplete them with little positive results.

We can always seek first to understand. That's something within our control. And as we do that, as we can focus on our circle of influence, we really, deeply understand other people. We get to the heart, of matters. We talk with each other quickly. We give people the psychological air, they need so we can work together effectively.

  • Educators take something simple and make it complicated. Communicators take something complicated and make it simple. ~ John C Maxwell

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

HAVE A PLAN ~ Systematic Endeavor

Most of us don't practice concrete planning methodologies for our works, and that is why we fail. To write success in our life or business, we must follow a definite course of actions - long terms or short terms.

Long term plans can be easy to narrate, they are sensible and workable. For example, if we intend having a career, it is wise to work out a long term game plan for our respective industry or profession. And only then it is possible for us to foresee the progression, needed to make it to the position we aspire to hold. Work out what it takes to make those objectives. Work out what we seek in each step-gaining experience, handling responsibility, learning new skills, acquiring people management, understanding that sort of things. Work out how we can materialize each step, it doesn't take much to work out what we need to acquire that how. Finally, we have to have an end game - the final goal. But it should be realistic and in tune with our capabilities, no more no less.

On the other hand, Short term plan vary according to our time span and urgency. For example we have short term plans of this month, this year, five years etc. Our one month short term plan includes our current work projects, our one year plan schedules, projects which are being formulated, our five years plan lists, our dreams, ideas, wishes goals etc.

All these plans should be devised in the light of our own practical cognition, so that we can proceed to put this into action and make them happen.


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Friday, January 16, 2009

PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST ~ Personal Management

Whatever endeavor we take, first flashes in our mind frame. We see the possibility of it's potential in the light of our own conscience. It is called mental creation, that we cautiously integrate in our brain. It also reflects our own uniqueness and the personal, moral and ethical guidelines that persuade to fulfill our desires most happily.

Then there is second creation, the physical creation. It is the actualization, the natural emergence of our habits. It is the exercise of independent will towards becoming principle centered. We are in a habit to put first things first by practicing effective self-management. Self-management that is the breaking down, the time-bound left brain aspect of effective self-government.

How you can attain this power of self-management? It is not so difficult to attain this power. Switch on the wheel of your self awareness system that will ignite your conscience. Finally it will energize your independent will and make effective self-management possible.

The human will is an amazing thing. Time after time, it has triumphed against unbelievable odds. So be enthusiastic, give your will a trust.
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BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND ~ Personal Leadership

Being a rational and disciplined being we plan everything at before hand. Because it gives us the edge to fulfill objectives according to our own pace and purpose. It gives us a sense of relaxed feelings when we can take the initiative and plan the infrastructure for establishing our movements in right direction.

We able to establish contact with our inner guidance system at the heart of our circle of influence. And thus starts the habit -
to begin with the end in mind. Simply put it is to begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of our life as our frame of reference or the criterion by which everything else is examined.

To begin with the end in mind is to start with a clear understanding of our destination. It gives us the knowledge where we are going so that we better understand where we are now and so that the steps we take are always in tune with right perspective.

This habit is revolved around the principle of personal leadership, which means that leadership is the first creation and it is very much important to lead our own notion and actions ahead. This habit also demands to approach to our principle roles in the family, or in the business as well as our other roles in life, with our values and directions clear. So that the paradigms from which our thinking and attitude flow are congruent with our deepest values and in harmony with correct principles.

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

BE PROACTIVE ~ Personal Vision

It all starts with our self awareness that enables us to stand tall in the crowd and examine the way we 'see' ourselves. It leads us to see beyond, listen beyond and act beyond in any environment. It makes us understand that we are responsible for our lives. It denotes the most basic habits of a successful people, the habit of pro activity.

How will you develop this self awareness? One excellent way to become more proactive is to look at where we focus our time and energy. We each have a wide range of concerns - our health, our career, our children, our social condition etc. We could separate those from things in which we have no particular or mental or emotional involvement by creating a circle of concern.

As we start focus our attention at those things within our circle of concern, it becomes apparent that there are some things over which we have no real control and others that we own do something about. And as soon as we begin working on the things, we can do something about , the nature of our energy will flow in more positive way, enlarging, magnifying, causing our circle of influence to increase.

Being proactive means you should take care to put all your efforts in the circle of influence. You should nurture your energy towards fulfilling your own ability. Your proactive approach that teaches you to see things in new light helps you to break the shackle of all your problems within the circle of influence.
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Monday, January 5, 2009

Know More about your CELL

My mobile phonesImage by toyohara via FlickrEmergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for
**Mobile** is 112
If you find
yourself out of coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.
Have you locked your keys in the car? Does you car have remote keys?
This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone:

If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call
someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone.

Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock.

Saves someone fro having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

Hidden battery power
Imagine your cell battery is
very low , you are expecting an important call and you don't have a charger. Nokia instrument comes with a reserve battery. To activate, press the keys *3370#
Your cell will restart with
this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time AND...
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone:
* # 0 6 #
A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. when your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.

You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either.

Caution!

When you try to call someone through mobile phone,don't put your mobile closer to your ears until the recipient answers. Because directly after dialing, the mobile phone would use it's maximum signaling power, which is: 2 watts = 33dbi, please Be Careful, Message as received (Save your brain) Please use left ear while using cell (mobile), because if you use the right one it will affect brain directly. This is a true fact from Apollo medical team
.
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Sunday, January 4, 2009

Perspective 2009! OUR TIME IN HISTORY

free texture . heart bokehImage by ishkamina via FlickrThe paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;

Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but less solutions; more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We have higher incomes, but lower morals.

We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.
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Saturday, January 3, 2009

Welcome 2009!

Boat-rocking graffitiImage by Toban Black via Flickr
  • You need some thing when you are incomplete! you do not need anything when you are complete! "No desires" is the sign of all Attainments!!!

  • If you keep waiting for just the right time, you will never begin. Begin from where you are, with what you have. It's life.

  • A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with bricks that other throws at him.

  • Out of the same piece of paper, you can make a book, ticket, boat or plane! Your destiny is not what you get, but what you make out of what you have.
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