Tag Archives: world

The Inside Truth About Success

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Visionaries are a myth. The epithet is associated after the fact. Historically, and in the contemporary world, none of those who have succeeded set out with a vision to make an earth shaking impact with their success. They all started with a fire in the belly, to do something unique; some to make a difference, some to make something of their life, others for the fame and money, and yet others, just for the challenge and adventure of it.

The universal truth is that everyone that set out to succeed stumbled upon their success by following a passion or simply, by pursuing what they were fascinated with or got good at. However, not all of them set out on a pre-conceived chartered path. Some did not have the wildest idea of where their journey would lead them. There are several that started out on a certain path but eventually ended on one they did not, initially have the slightest idea about.

What is common among all of them is that they had a dream, a desire to excel themselves and for others, to make a difference and that passion, a strong will to endure all that crossed their path, a resilience and unwavering commitment to see it through; that sheer dominance of spirit is what turned their dreams into reality, their passion into their engagement, their commitment into their reward and today, they stand in the annals of our history as visionaries.

The current generation has a lot of young men and women, out to change the world. It’s a different time we live in where the wherewithal is in abundance; probably more than in any period of history to make this happen for those that seek to. However, the passion, the commitment and the dream need to be the same and start the same way, to change one’s own destiny to eventually change the world.

Now, where does your passion lie? What are you set out to do? How do you plan to change your world and ours?

Image Courtesy of flickr.com

Season’s Greetings & a Happy New Year, 2013!

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2013

2012, a year fast-fleeting by, has been one of mixed emotions. Personally, it has been a year of new beginnings, definite trials & tribulations, modest success but one that has filled my heart with the warmth of hope and soaring expectations of the future. That is what you can term as a year well expensed for it has kept me steadfast on the growth path and my hopes lit up with the expectations of a brighter future.

The world has seen a mixed bag in 2012 as well. There were those that believed the world would end on 21st Dec, 2012. I am here and writing this a day later. Rest assured, the world is still in its place and hasn’t been knocked off its orbit around the sun. There are also those that expressed their vision of making the place better for future generations and that continues to be so. However, we have had our share of difficult situations as well during 2012; the economic uncertainty continues and the recent school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut are dark blotches on an otherwise regular year. The indomitable human spirit was showcased once again in the London Olympics this year.

As generations of us look forward to a new year, new beginnings & a better future, it’s the duty of every elder to the ones younger that we strive to make this world more secure, one filled with hope and better prospects, a better quality of life for the generations to come. Let us work together, not only to innovate and build what was once not available but also to safeguard what Mother Nature has given us and meant us to have. Innovation at the cost of what has been endowed by Mother Nature has to retrogress and slow down. Else, Dec 21st is not far off in any year.
With this word of caution, I wish you a very happy holiday season and a new year with best prospects!

Who’s Got Your Back?

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You got my back and I got yours!

Individuals, Teams & Organizations the world over seem to have taken this adage to heart as they strike deals and alliances, a few in writing, more in word & much more as an untold principle while they work feverishly to be successful. In order to embrace this principle, you do not necessarily have to be on the same side; rivals are known to have leveraged this undercurrent as well. 

Glance at the world of business and politics around you. You will find examples galore. It is just that those who are outside such an alliance are not too pleased. Well, if you are the one left out of a party, how would you feel? 

In every realm of society, be it corporate, social or political, forming such alliances and moving forward has become a norm. I don’t have anything against them. In order to progress and make better, it is important to have, know and work toward these unpublished agendas. But, on the contrary, as we have often seen, these alliances can be exploited to get more than a fairly deserved share. But, that’s another discussion for a different day. 

Today, let’s look at the positivity of these totally present, some visible but mostly invisible relationships. Together, as a team, one can grow and help others in the team grow as well. There are so many corporate examples of executives & their teams built over years of working together, and the end result, all of them growing together. You can see that kind of symbiotic relationship in government as well. Further, there are several family businesses that have grown and flourished so long as the family remained united and stood together. Once they break up and try growing their individual shares, they have discovered how difficult and slow a process it can be. Besides, the vultures waiting to nibble away at their pie take flight and there are none but just them guarding their pie. 

There is an interesting observation that comes to mind. Frogs in a well; when one of them tries to climb up, the others pull the one down by moving from beneath him. In the case of ants, in order to reach up to anything, they form a chain and help each other by walking over other ants. That’s the spirit of winning as a team first, and then as individuals of the team. 

As an old saying goes, “Unity is Strength”. As an individual, there is only so much you can do to influence your own progress. Find people who can complement your skills, find true partners and well-wishers in your friends, peers and mentors and form your team. Work together, work with and work through them to reach your goals and at the same time help them reach theirs. It could be an active partnership or one of those in principle, where you have their back and they have yours. Together, you form a formidable team and will succeed beyond your wildest imagination.

I have a stupid question…..

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You are in the conference room attending an office meeting. There is a pretty animated discussion in progress about some of the ongoing projects. Part of the stuff discussed just made it over your head. You want to ask a question but restrain while evaluating if it would make you look stupid or ignorant.

Here’s another one. You are participating in a discussion and have something to say that would add value to the conversation and perhaps, throw some new light on it. As you play it in your head before you react, the discussion has moved on or someone else has an opinion. Now, you have second thoughts about your input and decide to leave it at that.

And here’s yet another one. You are participating in a conference call. Something one of the executives said is not completely true. You believe the executive is mis-informed. You know the facts and can back them up but are contemplating whether to interject or not.

If the person in any of the above scenarios is you, you have just pushed yourself into oblivion yet again. You have unknowingly lost an opportunity to rise to the occasion and further, moved into a more obscure existence in the corporate world.

Dear friend, a majority of us have to work for a living. That’s the universal truth. Then, why not choose the work of your liking and further, perform it to its justifiable purpose and your satisfaction. Why not make it provide the best of opportunities for you while you enjoy the journey and leverage the relationships you make along the way. The most important person to please in this endeavor  is you;  the one who can make a difference in paving your professional path is you and the one who can play a role in your success or not is again, you!

So, in your own interest, never hesitate for a moment in what you believe is right. If you have input in a conversation, share. If you hear something that you do not believe matches up to facts that you can vouch for, voice your opinion. If you haven’t followed a dialogue and have a question, no matter how silly it may be, ask. Remember, when in ignorance, nothing is ever silly or stupid. You just didn’t know.

Confidence is a key player in the office arena. Not just confidence in relating what you know, but questioning what you didn’t know or do not agree with. The people you relate to are just the same as you. As long as you are respectful of your surroundings & the people that you work with, everything is game and welcome.

Frequent active communication and interaction are key, even in today’s hi-tech world.

A little self-restraint can save you some precious “Ahs” and “Ohs”!

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One would think that one can be a free soul in certain scenarios; be yourself in the midst of your loved ones, primarily your family. Well, sure. But, every situation has its own rules and tenets. After all, we are humans. How did you ever think there would be a situation or scenario where all rules could just be blown away?

In any case, what we are discussing today is about self-restraint. Every person has a unique temperament. I know “spur of the moment; say it on your face” folks as well as “duh, were you talking to me?” folks. There are those that just absorb a situation and do not react to it at all versus those that absorb, analyze and then, come out with a self validated reaction based on their experience. And, then there are those that first react and then, go on to analyze what just happened.

There are several situations you tackle every day, be it at home, at work, in a social circle or even, in your virtual world, you know what I mean, social networks on the web, your e-mail etc. With the rapid exchanges these days and a horrendous influx of information to assimilate and analyze, it somehow seems that impromptu reactions are the best way to keep on top of such daunting interactions. As tempting as it might seem, it is in your best interest to exercise some self-restraint. If an interaction is important to you, take a moment, pause, think and store your reaction away to come back to later. That “later” might be a few minutes away, a few hours away or if possible, a few days away depending on the urgency of the matter at hand. When you come back to react at this later time, you will be amazed at your self and the vast difference in your reaction then, and now. Time is a great healer and brings about the balance in your reactions, the right balance that just probably saved you a job, a relationship, a life.

I am not saying that there should not be instant reactions at all. There are situations that definitely need these to save the day or cherish a moment, but judge those and react accordingly. But, if you feel hurried before reacting or feel that your urge has gotten the better of you, STOP! And follow the wait and react approach. You will never have to cry over spilt milk!

Have you smiled at yourself lately?

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It’s a tough world out there, getting up to fight the everyday battles of life, at work and at home. Sometimes, you may even feel that you are all alone in your daily battles. This is the time to take a step back and smile at you.

Smiles are magical. They can lift your spirits in a jiffy. I come back home every night after a tiring day and, there is my little 3-year-old rushing to the door as she hears the click of the lock, all smiles and wanting to hug. That just melts away the trials and tribulations of the entire day! For some of us that are far from family or caught up in the tussle and bustle of life, it’s important to find a smile. It’s as close as you looking into a mirror and giving yourself one. Seriously, how many of you actually smile at yourself each morning when you look in the mirror. If you do not, try it.  It can mean the difference between dredging through a tough day versus having a spring in your step and your heart.

A smile relaxes your muscles, the frown on the forehead just disappears and the face is at its best. Smiles are infectious. You smile and look at someone, they smile back. It’s the easiest way to pass some happiness around.

You might say, my situation just doesn’t let me even try to smile. Well, you remember that plastered smile you have seen before where you doubted the genuineness behind it. That will do. It may sound funny but that is a good start. Try it and keep at it. Before you know, you will have a genuine one on your face and this will be there to stay as you work through your issues, but now with a smile on your face! Moreover, now you are spreading it too.

Smiles helps activate the “happiness” biochemical in our bodies, a very vital ingredient for sustained happiness and a healthy and long life. Now, isn’t that a treasure to pass around to friend and foe!