Do a Fantastic job!

In today's message, I am about to urge you to do a fantastic job at your work. Be the best you can be and ensure that your commitment levels are very high. Unless you set a goal for yourself, who would be able to convince you to be the best? 

If you have been to a doctor for your child, wouldn't you expect a 100% commitment from her in treating your child. Why shouldn't your customers expect the same from you? In other words, would you accept anything below par service and commitment from anyone else. Then why set a low standard for yourself. We should set a really high goal today and set out to achieve that today. Let us deliver our fantastic work today, tomorrow and every day thereafter.

#A2Z Challenge #ConsumerPsyche 

Consumers... Behave!

You might say the service is bad, or the waiter should be more responsive or they should anticipate. I only agree on the word - anticipate. This is a beautiful contrast int he last 10 years that we didn't see seeping through. Wonderful read and some of us might be more considerate with what we do and how we behave as a customer in the shop. This is taken from The Meta Picture.

Monday Blues: Have fun

Walt Disney said - It's kind of fun to do the impossible. Would you find anything better than that? Every time naysayers and pessimists say it is impossible, you must find it challenging and worth fighting for.

The truth always wins. Go set out your targets on the highest peak and you are sure to achieve the impossible. Have fun this Monday, by doing the impossible.

Monday Blues: Speed away

Speed away! Speed away on your mission of light,

To the lands that are lying in darkness and night;

'Tis the Master's command; go ye forth in His Name,

The wonderful Gospel of Jesus proclaim!

                                                                    (Julia Sterling)

How to elevate our consciousness

My friend Pooja posted this on her facebook profile and it makes a lot of sense. Read on...

What would help to elevate our consciousness and deepen our connection?

Here are a few basic and effective pointers:

1. A proper diet. Our food influences our mind. The Jain tradition has done much research on the effect of food on the mind. Ayurveda and Chinese systems and many other native systems the world over have recognized the effect of food on the psyche. Modern science confirms that food can have a direct bearing on our emotions. Emotionally disturbed children tend to eat more and suffer from obesity. A properly balanced diet has a positive impact on our emotions and thereby on our consciousness.
2. Light to moderate exercise
3. Panchakarma. In the ancient medical system of Ayurveda, there is a process of internal cleansing called panchakarma that involves massages, a prescribed diet and cleansing. This has helped thousands of people to come out of stress and behavioral disorders and is also a curative for many illnesses
4. Yoga, Pranayama and meditation. These are extremely vital to induce a sense of respect for one’s own body and the environment. They help to maintain a toxin-free system and thereby reduce the occurrence of emotional disturbances
5. Music and dance. These can bring rhythm and harmony in the body-mind complex; especially music that is not too loud and violent. Music that is soothing and creates a gentle sway and rhythm in one’s system, like folk and classical music
6. Nature. Spending time in nature, observing silence and engaging in prayer is very congenial for helping us to reflect on our own mind
7. Service to the less fortunate

Why Society Still Needs Feminism

My friend Niyati shared this post by Soraya Chemaly and it is brilliant. Read on.

"Because to men, a key is a device to open something. For women, it’s a weapon we hold between our fingers when we’re walking alone at night.
Because the biggest insult for a guy is to be called a “pussy,” a “little bitch” or a “girl.” From here on out, being called a “pussy” is an effing badge of honor.
Because last month, my politics professor asked the class if women should have equal representation in the Supreme Court, and only three out of 42 people raised their hands.
Because rape jokes are still a thing.
Because despite being equally broke college kids, guys are still expected to pay for dates, drinks and flowers.
Because as a legit student group, Campus Fellowship does not allow women to lead anything involving men. Look, I know Eve was dumb about the whole apple and snake thing, but I think we can agree having a vagina does not directly impact your ability to lead a
college organization.
Because it’s assumed that if you are nice to a girl, she owes you sex — therefore, if she turns you down, she’s a bitch who’s put you in the “friend zone.” Sorry, bro, women are not machines you put kindness coins into until sex falls out.
Because only 29 percent of American women identify as feminist, and in the words of author Caitlin Moran, “What part of ‘liberation for women’ is not for you? Is it freedom to vote? The right not to be owned by the man you marry? The campaign for equal pay? Did all that good shit get on your nerves? Or were you just drunk at the time
of the survey?”
Because when people hear the term feminist, they honestly think of women burning bras. Dude, have you ever bought a bra? No one would burn them because they’re freaking
expensive.
Because Rush Limbaugh.
Because we now have a record number of women in the Senate … which is a measly 20 out of 100. Congrats, USA, we’ve gone up to 78th place for women’s political representation, still below China, Rwanda and Iraq.
Because recently I had a discussion with a couple of well-meaning Drake University guys, and they literally could not fathom how catcalling a woman walking down University Avenue is creepy and sexist.
Could. Not. Fathom.
Because on average, the tenured male professors at Drake make more than the tenured female professors.
Because more people on campus complain about chalked statistics regarding sexual assault than complain about the existence of sexual assault. Priorities? Have them.
Because 138 House Republicans voted against the Violence Against Women Act. All 138 felt it shouldn’t provide support for Native women, LGBT people or immigrant women. I’m kind of confused by this, because I thought LGBT people and women of color were also human beings.
Weird, right?
Because a girl was roofied last semester at a local campus bar, and I heard someone say they think she should have been more careful. Being drugged is her fault, not the fault of the person who put drugs in her drink?
Because Chris Brown beat Rihanna so badly she was hospitalized, yet he still has fans and bestselling songs and a tattoo of an abused woman on his neck.
Because out of 7 billion people on the planet, more than 1 billion women will be raped or beaten in their lifetimes. Women and girls have their clitorises cut out, acid thrown on them and broken bottles shoved up them as an act of war. Every second of every day. Every corner of the Earth.
Because the other day, another friend of mine told me she was raped, and I can no longer count on both my hands the number of friends who have told me they’ve been sexually assaulted. Words can’t express how scared I am that I’m getting used to this.
Because a brief survey of reality will tell you that we do not live in a world that values all people equally and that sucks in real, very scary ways. Because you know we live in a sexist world when an awesome thing with the name “feminism” has a weird connotation. Because if I have kids someday, I want my son to be able to have emotions and play dress up, and I want my daughter to climb trees and care more about what’s in her head than what’s on it. Because I don’t want her to carry keys between her fingers at night to
protect herself.
Because feminism is for everybody, and this is your official invitation.”

Clean the soap!

I am forced to watch(secondary exposure) some of the soaps on TV these days and the content makes me sad! Let me tell you why.

Almost all the channels have a serial where men don't talk and women are portrayed as selfish, cunning, irritating, jobless, cussing and ignorant! I am surprised that every family has some twist, at least one unruly member, an idiot, a genius, a hardworking, a kid who is never shown studying and what not.

Do you actually watch this stuff? I mean everyday? What can I say? Is my understanding right or am I thinking it wrong? There are hundreds of subtle and sometimes direct annotations and references to illegitimate affairs, sexual undertones and what not. You might argue that some exposure is good at home for children, I want to see you face to face and have a serious talk. I am shocked as most of this is shared without a warning and suddenly is shown! I saw my friend's daughter so attracted to these soaps that she eats only when they are on.

I think it is time to clean the soap. I wish people behind them see that kids might be watching them too. Why can't you add more humour and fun to it? After all not all families in reality are fighting all the time. Shouldn't parents watch out?

Messengers or Leaders?

What is your leadership style? Do you want to create messengers or leaders?
You already know the answer!

Let me list the differences for you here and then you decide what you want to be.

Messengers:

• Do the job
• Are dull and boring
• Are slow
• Not closers
• Are easy to handle
• Don't ask questions
• Agree with you always
• Think what you want them to
• Are easy to mould
• Obey
• Stick to pattern
• Are submissive
• Cannot think outside the box
• Cannot bring you new business
• Cannot bring you revenue
• Are a dumber, older version of you!
• Are mediocre at best
• Don't give their best shot
• Are afraid
• Are dime a dozen

Leaders are the opposite!

So what kind of a manager are you? Are you creating messengers or leaders?
You know the answer.

What should you be doing?
You know the answer.

Pic is from MKG media

Don't ask me what you know already

Often I have been asked by people the same things. Again and again. Usually this is when you are in the nick of closing something. I try and control my agitated mind which is perplexed as I would have shared the same data, excel file or numbers time and again. Can you send me again is the next question! I am short of an expression here. Why would I send you the same thing again? I would share it hadn't I given you that last week/month and sometimes in the last hour.

What is my takeaway from this? Well, here it goes...

Either you are too dull or slow or lazy to keep asking for the same thing again and again or you are too smart and keep asking things to show that because you didn't have that and didn't have this you are allowed to delay the delivery.

I have on solution for this. Create or move on.

Know-ember!

I love November or Know-ember! You are almost at the end of the year and lots of celebration for Christmas and new year. This know-ember at Consumer Psyche, we look at learning a lot of things, at least 30 things which are new and can help you and me to be better human beings. The first is a post by Niyati which speaks about the joy sharing your knowledge can bring to your life. I love the concept of blackboard and how simple it is to transform someone's life just by showing some care , compassion, love and extra-time. These kids might not grow and become a pilot or a doctor as they aspire but definitely they can be better than destined because of Niyati. YOU can make a change in someone's life too and guess what it will make you better and happier.

If you think you know something that would fit in here, feel free to mail or add. Keep reading, watching, learning or stay stale!

Monday Blues: Choose well

Few days back Sarah sent me this for Monday Blues.

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In those choices lie our growth and our happiness." – Stephen Covey, The 8th Habit

You must have read this already, spoke about it too. The best part is no one waits at choice. The choice is a chasm, a very deep one at that. People just skip the chasm & jump to response. It makes a lot of difference to lot of people. I won't tell you to meditate on your choice and wait before you make it, as I expect you to do it by default. I want you to be responsible and stay committed to your response and its outcome. Leaders make sure their choice is well thought of and ensure it ends well. These choices make your future, make you a better person, make you happy and earn your respect. This Monday, choose well!

Pic courtesy: Stumble upon.

Monday Blues: The deliberate no-ball!

In keeping the Monday Blues thoughts on, today let's see 'The deliberate no-ball!'

If you aren't familiar to the universe of cricket, Sehwag was denied a well deserved century by the Lankans when they had a no-ball bowled deliberately and stranded him on 99 when India won the match. The best part is Sehwag raised it in the press conference and pointed it as a repeat mistake inviting the public ire and discontent towards the team and cricket as a whole. Everyone acted as if this is quite new to the gentleman's game!

It happens all the while in life and at work. Yes, you would find such people in your area of work too. What makes someone do that?

When you ought to be promoted and someone doesn't do that. When your file needs to move but doesn't. When an appreciation is due but never comes. When there is a mistake and it is definitely mentioned. When the world wakes up to your achievement but your boss chooses to ignore or vice versa. When you don't do the needed and delay.

The list can go on but I hope you got my point. When you delay things don't ever feel they are not going to happen. You cant stop a star from shining by closing your eyes or holding a palm against the light.

This Monday, don't bowl the deliberate no-ball. Don't be a Randiv. Be a proactive leader. You don't need appreciation or title or designation to be one. Lead not push back. Go do the extra bit to make things happen.

Can an eclipse stop the sun from shining?

Worth defending

Got this as a forward...

From the Congressional Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, April 17, 1969, regarding the justification for funding the then unbuilt Fermilab:

Senator John Pastore: Is there anything connected with the hopes of this accelerator that in any way involves the security of the country?

Robert Wilson: No sir, I don't believe so.

Pastore: Nothing at all?

Wilson: Nothing at all.

Pastore: It has no value in that respect?

Wilson: It has only to do with the respect with which we regard one another, the dignity of men, our love of culture. It has to do with: Are we good painters, good sculptors, great poets? I mean all the things we really venerate in our country and are patriotic about. It has nothing to do directly with defending our country except to make it worth defending.

Are you worth defending? Make your country proud.

The misuse of presentations

Well decked formatted presentations have become a fashion these days. Every meeting, discussion you are at people expect you to carry a presentation and sit through hours of rigorous task of looking at bland slides that are designed in a tasteless way to convince you that the plan they have sketched on the screen is going to work. People even wince when I ask them to skip a slide because I hardly take little over 15 seconds to get what is written on the slide and all they want is an appreciation for the design on the slide.

The worst part is that these presentations require hours and hours of man power to type, edit and format the content. Sitting inside darkened rooms with all eyes focused on the lit up screen listening to the voice is old fashion. Come on now, you got to agree that the time is very less and I don't want to sit down and waste my time with some PowerPoint slides.

I recently saw a presentation created by a designing graduate which had her signature written all over. I couldn't but compliment for the effort put-in in designing the slides but had to tell that the content was poor and if half the effort was devoted to the content, it would have made wonders.

Let me ask you a question here. Do we need long presentations? Let me refine the question. Do we need presentations at all? If you insist, how about a two slider? A crisp one with just the summary. For the background and design, how about a plain subtle one that accentuates the content and theme rather than dominating the whole scenario? If you want to spend hours and show me your creativity, spend it on the content for I am there to see the content and not the design.

Seriously, think about it. Do we need presentations?

Toyota's integrity move

Sorry. We goofed up. But we are ready to stop what we are doing and set things right for you because we care.

What else would you expect a company to do more than this? Toyota teaches us an important lesson. Integrity and transparency will rule our world. Relationships based on TRUST have future. And trust pays!

Not my own

Though much exalted in the Lord,
My strength is not my own;
Then let me tremble at His word,
And none shall cast me down.

--- William Cowper

Removing the bug

Harsha sent me this. I am sure you must have seen this many times.

Remove this bug from code................

##########################################################
#include < stdio.h >
#define LAST 10

int main()
{
int i, sum = 0;

for ( i = 1; i < = LAST; i++ ) { sum += i; } /*-for-*/ printf("sum = %d\n", sum); return 0; }

And the developer fixes it this way

#include stdio.h;
#define LAST 10

int main()
{
int i, sum = 0;
/*
*/
for ( i = 1; i < = LAST; i++ ) { sum += i; } /*-for-*/ printf("sum = %d\n", sum); return 0; }


Mere isolation of the problem doesn't help. It should be removed completely. Make sure that it never returns. If your business has a problem, find out what causes it and then rework on the whole thing to eradicate the root cause completely. Just solving the problem for the time being wouldn't help. Better management not about not making mistakes but about learning from them. Ensuring that the same mistake is never repeated. The worst part is people are happy with isolating the error and move on. That is lazy psyche working. NMJ or Not my job attitude. It is short term. Leaders work for long term and root out the problem. What are you doing then? Still finding those '/* */' handy?

Your call

Its your call

Lessons from a Pencil

Praveen Reddy sends me this...

Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil. "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

"1 : You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."

"2 : You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."

"3 : You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."

"4 : The most important part of you will always be what's inside."

"And 5 : On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

1 : You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

2 : You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

3 : You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

4 : The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And 5 : On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

How true!

Change to where?

What do you want? From 1 to 4 or 4 to 1 ?

Change for Good not Worse.

Pic