Interested or committed?

[The tone of this post might be a bit strong so you can choose to skip]

I love to hear people telling me that they love doing something but not finding time to do so. Things like I wanted to do that professional course, wanted to paint, lose weight, start playing violin again, paint, start blogging again and so on. The whole thing is discussed as if it is their life time dream and the evil dark forces are all against you to stop doing it! Not that these dreams are things that need a lot of pieces falling in place at the right time or need some 20 yrs of hard work and extremely good luck to achieve. Things which can be done if you spare an hour or two a day, things which can be done unless you are lazy. Shows why you are still there not doing what you love doing. What is the point of dreaming when you don't have the zeal or enthu to go and convert it to a reality? I know it is very difficult to do what you love with the responsibilities of work, home and other pressures pinning you down. But frankly speaking, are you not just giving an excuse? Nothing is worse than an excuse.

Dare to dream. But have the guts to go and convert it to reality. Too many dreams are lost when you don't even care. Make a commitment that you will achieve what you wanted to do. Then DO. It is a simple three step process: Dream, be ready to achieve it, Enjoy the fulfillment. Then dream again.

The difference between interest and commitment is your attitude. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something you FIND time to do it. More importantly there are no excuses, only results.

Excuses are for losers, people who never achieved anything in life. History doesn't remember excuses. List things which you are just interested or committed and prioritize. Did you achieve what you wanted to? Well, about your commitment, it shows.

Monday blues: Awaken the leader in you

An exceptional leader lies inside you. This leader is usually silent down playing the opportunities to convert a situation into a wow experience. Weaving leadership skills needs a lot of patience and positive outlook which comes with practice and enthusiasm to create an environment where the dormant leader in every person gets more active and steps out of the closet in to the limelight.

Far too many such opportunities are disguised in the form of hurdles which we choose to ignore as it takes an extra effort from us to attract that leadership quality and use this card. The other option is much easier when you let the inspiring level of leadership stay calm and let some tag or designation on your visiting card do the job. As a manager it is your responsibility to make sure your employees are transformed into exceptional leaders they can be. As a colleague you should encourage such behavior while exhibiting that yourself.

This applies to every role you play as an individual in your family, friends, at work and even in your personal life. Is the exceptional leader in you sulking or is proud? What have you changed today? Have a great week ahead.

Monday blues: Thought

Someone once asked me "why do you always insist on taking the hard road?" and I replied "why do you assume I see two roads"?

Monday blues: Monday and Time

Continuing with the Monday series, Robin Sharma speaks to us today.

Time is a beautiful commodity. It is part of the hardware of life. What you do with it shapes, in so many ways, what your life looks like. And yet, while almost every one of us wishes for more time, we misuse the time we have on hand.

I am no guru, you know that. But I have become pretty good at using my time well. Time wasted is time lost and the big idea on time is that once it is lost, it can never be regained.

I recently read that John Templeton, the celebrated financier, never went anywhere without a book in his briefcase. This way, if he found himself in a long line, he could use the downtime to read, learn and grow. I also read in the Rolling Stone magazine that Madonna hates wasting time. She used to bring a book with her when she would go out to a nightclub to use the time when she wasn't dancing, efficiently.

My coaching clients are like that. And they lead big lives as a result of that giant devotion to time management. I want to be clear: I am in no way suggesting that every minute of your days, weeks, months need to be scheduled. Be spontaneous. Be playful. Be free. I am a free spirit at heart. I just find that the people who have the most time for fun are those who know how to plan and use their time well.

In my experience, the people who feel stress the most and lead their lives like a five-alarm fire are those who leave life to chance and make no time to set schedules, articulate goals and follow well-thought-out plans.

"Anxiety is caused by a lack of control, organisation, preparation and action," observed thinker David Kekich. That's a powerful thought, isn't it?

--Robin Sharma is the author of The Greatness Guide (Jaico) [via DNA]

You cannot do

The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do, especially when you love doing it. Setting up goals that are difficult to achieve and striving to get there is always motivating and stimulating. This week go and do just that. Take up that thing you have been putting away because you didn't have time, some one said you cannot do but you always wanted to do. Might be a small thing but give it a shot.

Why me?

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983.

From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"?

To this Arthur Ashe replied: " The world over -- 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon , 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, when I was holding a cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?'.

And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?' "

Happiness keeps you Sweet,

Trials keep you Strong,

Sorrow keeps you Human,

Failure keeps you humble and Success keeps you glowing,

but only Faith & Attitude Keeps you going...

A good forward & pic

Monday blues: A very happy monday!

It pays to wake up to good music and greenery, always. Trust me it would help setting your mood and a good start for the day. This is the view outside my guest house window in Calicut, Kerala. Wonderful isn't it? You should see when it is raining and birds and butterflies flock under the leaves!

Today is Monday, which happens to be my favorite day of the week. I set some personal goals to achieve this week like diet, reading, posting blogs and catching up on things I have been neglecting the whole week. On the work front too I have certain goals lined up and targets I personally want to achieve. This helps in knowing where I am, what needs to be done by when. I recently picked up a Blackberry curve 8520 using which I took the above pic which helps me to be in touch and in control about what needs to be done when. Among the various reviews that are pending here are my new mobile, Blackberry and a wonderful book titled My Story by Arti Honrao which would be done this week.

This works for me and should work for you too. Try setting your goals, time lines, prioritize and achieve them. 2009 is zooming towards the finish line, what have you achieved this year? Think...

Happy successful Monday and have a great week ahead.

Monday blues: Mundane monday

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier."

Mother Teresa

What a gem of a weapon! This is easily as cool as the lightsaber! Applies to HR, sales and just to every relationship you can define.

As a HR your job is to keep your employees focused and happy. Solve problems, mend egos and as my HR friends tell me sell smiles. As a manager you should ensure your team is in its full emotional capability. Confidence, trust and support works wonders to boost an individual's performance. This is more than what a good package, high sounding profile can do. Build trust, confidence in your team.

As a sales person your job is more clearer. You are not there to sell the products or provide services but to help the customer solve his/her problems. This goes a long way in building a relationship and repeat walk-ins if not repeat sales. So what if you were not able to sell a product that the customer wanted?

"Sorry! We don't have the natural insect repellent patches. Want to try a vaporizer?" is a shut-the-door statement.

"I am afraid we have run out of stock on Don't Bite Me! patches, I guess you can find them at the store a couple of blocks away. Let me guide you reaching there!" is an excellent way of ensuring the customer would walk in next time.

As a member of a team, be proactive, help, problem solve, educate, learn and be the best. Once you add value to people who interact with you on a daily basis, you are the SPOC.

So ready to be armed with a lightsaber? Go add value!

Monday blues: Mundane Monday

Another Monday! What an opportunity to crib, complain and curse!

My work sucks, I hate going to office, no body cares what I do, my potential is not being utilized, I am not getting paid enough, my team doesn't perform!

You can go on like this or get out there with a smile on your face, be a performer and motivator to others. You needn't be a motivator to a hundred people. Just motivating one might make all the difference. Do these and you might feel the difference... dress your best, sing your favorite song,eat your favorite food, start early and exercise. Do whatever it takes to make you feel the adrenalin rush.

Winners never crib, they go and change what is there. Rewrite records by their performance and establish new standards. Are you a winner? Well SHOW ME!

Monday blues: Mundane monday

Is it a mundane Monday? Or is it a making Monday? Why are Mondays so boring? Why can't HRs make Mondays exciting and turn them to something people look forward to? Or is it just fine or strategically important for Mondays to be so bad and Fridays so good to yearn for?

Well I think people rejoice being able to curse Mondays as that reminds them or a lot of work and pressure. It also reminds them of not being able to stay free like Sundays. This leads to double impact and worsens the situation even more.

I have seen people who look at Mondays like a gunshot that lets them zip off towards their goal ahead of others. These are the same people who party and enjoy their weekend like there is no tomorrow. But these people get up on a weekday planning and yearning to go out and do what they do. Guess what they are very good performers, some of the best.

Important elements like trust, morale, satisfaction and sense of achievement and pride are what drives employee's zeal to perform. Try building that in your team. As an individual, do great things at work. Party hard but work harder. Good luck.

Monday blues: Contribute

A quick thought for this monday...

• Try something new... a new dish, hair style, tie, hum a diff song...
• Try being kind to unexpected people
• CONTRIBUTE
• Create
• Enjoy work
• Finish what you set out to do
• Thank someone who actually helps
  

Monday blues: Make it a great day

After almost 3 offs this is a great Monday to change. To deal with piled up mail, lots of work and dust to clear up. Some are happy to go out to work today while some feel sour and sick. Some of my friends are traveling from home back to offices from much needed break. I have a simple message for all. Do something different, something extra, something innovative. Start something.

Get out there and MAKE it a great day.

Monday blues: Do good

Hi all,

Its Monday again. Monday is my favorite day. I like meeting schedules, challenges, deadlines and opportunities. Just a thought for today. At your office try this.

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can,
In all the ways you can, in all the places you can,
At all times you can, to all the people you can,
As long as you can!
--- (John Wesley, 1703-1791)

What is bad in doing good? Just a little to start with...

Monday blues: Happy Monday!

Good morning!

Today is the last Monday of the month!

People think Mondays suck, boring and dull as they have the week full of work ahead of them and it reflects in the way they talk, work and behave.

I think its the other way around. I think Mondays are fun and represent a week full of opportunities, to contribute, to work, to spread cheer, happiness and most of all to WIN!

So start today it were the last Saturday of the month! Pick your favorite dress, perfume, eat your favorite dish, listen to your favorite track and so on. Bring in more energy, more passion and spring to your life, both at work, home and in relationships and see how it works. Its not about Mondays, its about every day. Wake up expecting the day to be bad and it will be. Wake up determined and with belief to do something great. Actually try doing that and you will find the difference.

Happy Monday! What do you think?

Monday blues: Monday + School