Opportunities - don't let them go

She is said to knock only once. Will knock twice if you are very lucky. Not many are but that is how she rolls. What do we do when we meet a great opportunity? We usually hesitate if we can take it right now or think if we can do a good job with this and so on. I want to encourage you today to take up every opportunity that comes across in your life and give it your best shot. Often opportunities come in disguised as problems, roadblocks or rejections. When we face these, we tend to lose hope on what we are doing and think this is a dead end of the road for us and turn back. Instead if we look at this as an opportunity and see how to overcome the problem, find a solution and surge ahead with double speed, we would be encashing a large bank of possibilities.

Let me give you an example. Take Elon Musk, one of the most admired entrepreneurs. He made a lot of money in Paypal, probably the biggest inventions of his time and used that money to invest in a couple of ideas he believed in. Unlike many others who use the money to live a lavish lifestyle, he chose to live a normal life while working with the ideas of future. Last week he launched the Model 3 of Tesla car which would probably go on to be one of the best Hybrid cars of all time and be a game changer. Elon is a leader who saw the problem and decided to tackle it head on as he made it an opportunity to grab. 

Take Bill Gates for example. When he was in business end of Microsoft, he was bullish, very competitive and used all his time and energy to build an empire where Office meant Microsoft. Now that he has retired, he joined his wife Melinda in their Melinda Gates foundation and is hell bent on doing charity work and rehabilitation programs all over the world. He could have donated to some charity and relaxed his retired life but despite being the richest man on the planet, he chose to be involved in a cause he believes is an opportunity to serve.

We all face problems on a daily basis, rejections often and failures too but if we look up to them and tell them that they cannot intimidate you despite being real and that you will not give up, there will be a door somewhere for you, open and ready to start off. Today I encourage you to take up a stand and challenge yourself that next time you see a problem you will smile and find a solution. Next time you see a challenge you will roll up your sleeves and win it. Next time you fail, you will pick yourself up, dust off and take a detour. Live gives you an opportunity to win, make sure you win it.

#PositivePsychologist
#ConsumerPsyche
#Failureisanopportunity
#AtoZChallenge
#MondayBlues

Negative attitude

This is a part of a series of articles I am writing for the self help techniques and positive psychology and here we are today with the topic of negative attitude. 

If there is one thing we can all do without is this quality - Negative attitude. Trust me when I say it can kill! Let me give you an example - a negative Shaguni could kill a 100 strong princes and a positive Krishna could lead five brothers to victory and beyond. A negative minded Bhijjala Deva in Bahubhali could lead a prosperous kingdom to doom and unhappiness to all. Hitler based his campaign on negativity to jews and other people and ended in destruction to others and himself. A positive Tippu Sultan dies defending a Hindu Temple and is worshiped as a legend even today. 

What do we do to avoid negative attitude and people. People you should avoid. Negative attitude is like cancer and creeps slowly into your brain and makes itself comfortable there spreading silently binging off the positive cells and thoughts. Self doubt is one such thing we need to avoid at any cost. Negative people and thoughts always come off as very decent, realistic, positive good meaning but never are so. Whenever you want to achieve something, plan something or start there would be someone who would caution you, listen to them and many more but take your own decision. There is no need to stop because there are risks, take calculative risks and listen to naysayers but use that to strengthen your resolve and take precautions. 

Never forget training, preparing, planning before execution of the idea or task. When given a task to cut a tree in eight hours, a smart guy would sharpen his axe for the first 7 hours and cut the tree in the next one hour. Plan, prepare and go on to execute. If you fail in the attempt, don't let people or failure pull you down, try again.

#PositivePsychology
#ConsumerPsyche
#NegativeAttitude
#AtoZChallenge

Measuring metrics

We are talking about the self help tips and positive psychology techniques to improve. One of the easiest ways to slip is when we do not measure our performance. When we have nothing to compare how do we even try to improve. Have a measuring method to see how you have performed yesterday and compare it with today. 

All great performers, athletes, managers... all of them push themselves harder to perform better than yesterday and ensure they have the right tools to help them to do so. Measure your time spent on mail, chatting, social media, making reports, tasks that you have to do, talking on phone and all other mundane tasks like coffee breaks and so on. Do it for a week and see how much time you can save when you were focused and how much time was lost in non productive things. Once you know the number, try to get more on the focused side this week and repeat next week till you know you are good enough and have productive time on your side.

Usain bolt, Roger Frederer, Saching Tendulkar and all the other winners have something in common. They measure their work everyday. Work on their techniques, strategy, performance every day and train everyday. They have professional teams to look up their numbers, crunch them for trends, ensure they are ahead. When you see these leaders and masters of their game, it is these hours and hours of training and hard work they put in that pays. This is possible only when you measure constantly and improve on that.

When you do this regularly you tend to me more satisfied with yourself as you can see continuous improvement, feel less tired and learn to prioritize your tasks easily. What is the point of going to work everyday if you do the same things again and again and end up with a boring schedule? Time to change that. Make improvements, implement measuring metrics, change your daily schedule to better than yesterday and make your today get you more.

#AtoZChallenge

#PositivePsychologist

#ConsumerPsyche
#MeasuringMetrics

Love what you do

Love what you do. You might have heard this before. What is new in this post then?

Do what you love is what most of us believe in and try to do but not everyone has the opportunity to do what they love for a living. There is a very high probability that you might be stuck in a job or profile doing what you may not be necessarily liking or in some cases hating what you do. In such situations your performance and happiness levels are at the southern most point. How can you change it and push your ratings north? Here are some tips.

1. Appreciate what you have for a job and understand its importance in your financial, family, social status. Be thankful for what you have.
   
2. Be the best you can be. Do not give a half hearted attempt at what you are doing but give your full attention to the work. Spend time to learn how to do it better, seek advice from seniors, learn the art of perfecting it over time and see how much fun you can have at the same boring stuff. You never know.
   
3. Remember the work you do, regardless of where you are working involves a product or service that would go out and eventually effect the people at some point. Remember that your contribution is very important for them to be able to use this product/service. Try and add more value to that.
   
4. Make a good team of people friends at work who wouldn't bother about complaining but contribute positively to your psyche.
   
5. Get involved in a cause or support one from your savings. Doesn't matter how small, it would go a long way in bringing in manifold happiness.
   
6. Aspire to do better, learn how to climb up the ladder at work by being efficient, learning the art and managerial skills.
   
7. Have a personal cave for relaxation - like running, walking, gardening, spending time reading, with children, pets and what not. Have your cave. 

Loving what you do is an art you got to learn quick so you can make your days brighter and better. Once you love what you do, nothing else matters.

#AtoZChallenge
#ConsumerPsyche
#PositivePsychologist
#LoveWhatYouDo

Being Kind

One of the things that is going extinct is the art of being kind. We are less kinder than our parents and they were less kinder than theirs. I don't expect this to change due to several reasons. Technology has helped us to successfully mask ourselves from the everyday so called mundane emotions and push to remain normal, well behaved droids who just go about their business and seek efficiency. 

Being kind is not an option. It is a compulsion. With the amount of things going around us, all of us are under tremendous pressure to perform, to out run, to over achieve, to be ahead, we tend to fall into the conundrum of expectations and become ruthless soulless beings that dwell on incessant things to fulfill our insatiable desires. In such a situation the only thing that can re-humanize us would be to have the simple joy of sharing things and being merciful and kind. 

While I would like to say be forgiving, it need not always be forgiving. You can be kind to a pet, to a stranger, to a child, to your bus driver, to your local vegetable vendor, to the guy who opens the door for you and to the guy who serves your coffee. A simple smile, a kind gesture or a heartfelt thank you would make the day for many and we have nothing to lose but gain a lot when we do that. Not many are blessed like you and me and have to face tough situations all through their day!

Teach yourself to be a kinder human being, your children to grow up as individuals who are kind and be an example to others by being nice. What about yourself? Be kind to yourself too. When you miss a deadline, fail to match up to your high set pedestal or performance, it is okay to fail once in a while, just forgive yourself and move on to try again. 

Inculcate a culture of being kind, nice and pleasant and your day will change. We all need a bit of kindness everyday. Don't we?

#PositivePsychologist

#ConsumerPsyche
#AtoZChallenge

J for Just do it!

Just do it! 

I have seen many people and myself sometimes stay at one point where we are waiting for the best idea to emerge, best design to come up while we sit there and wait till the last minute and then rush into doing things that we are not proud of. You know what I mean don't you?

Most of the work is tiresome and non interesting but we got to get through that to get to the interesting stuff. So it is better to start off early and finish the mundane tasks that make our routine and then have time for the creative, productive stuff.

Plan your day and make good use of the plan. Have complete attention in the time you can. Like have on hour of your best time, morning coffee time in my case, to answer your mails and set out the tasks for the day. In that one hour, don't have anything open on your laptop, have your phone on emergency calls only and focus on completing the task. I also would encourage you to pick up the toughest task you have for the day and handle it as the first thing you would do for today. Answering that query, completing the presentation, replying to the client or making that report. Whatever you usually put off till the last minute, handle that first. Once you do that, you take taken up the strongest enemy on the table and then you are practically blazing through the rest of the day.

Having a coffee break or a simple stroll during the day also helps. Try it for a week and see how easy your day becomes. So don't keep it pending till the n'th hour. Just do it and finish it off.

#AtoZChallenge
#ConsumerPsyche
#PositivePsychologist

I is for Ignore Haters - Monday Blues

I have written about it before and here is the topic again. Ignoring is an art and leaving without getting hurt is another. While we live in a beautiful world, it is also important that we understand how it works to maintain the balance. For every negative thing that happens here there are many more positive that happen too. For every negative person you encounter, who want to put you down, berate you and demotivate you, we also will find more positive and encouraging people who would help us stay alive.

So when you find hates, remember haters gonna hate anyways. So why bother. If you do not have enough enemies already and people who make it a point to tell you how bad you can be, then you seems to be doing things in conformity and probably mediocre way. Stop right now. Up the ante and beat the Monday blues away!

You got to take a stance and say you are not going to compromise or hide based on what others might think. Stay strong and firm on your decision to improve. You know how you can get ahead of these haters? By being successful in what you are doing, by zipping ahead of what you set yourself up to. Stay positive, focused and remember you can burn these people by winning. 

Interestingly enough the most successful people have surged through a load of negativity to win and oddly enough it seemed to motivate them to succeed all the more. Can we use this negative fuel and perform better? After all we are human machines running for cheers. Let us convert these boos to cheers and then stunning silence when we succeed.

#AtoZChallenge
#ConsumerPsyche
#MondayBlues
#PositivePsychologist

H is for How happy you are!

Happiness is relative. Happiness is what you need to measure according to yourself. Happiness is not determined by what we have what we don't or what we can do and what we cannot. Happiness should never depend on an external factor. While it is very easy to give gyan, this is a realistic statement. Happiness is a state of the mind and is what matters most to you. 

We all experience moments of happiness all through like a win in a match, scoring good marks in an exam, going on a vacation, eating what we like but these are just fleeting moments that we encounter everyday. What determines how happy you are is a combination of all these things and few more important characteristics. 

Have you ever tried being thankful for what you have? Try being kind. Giveaway something you love to someone who needs it more thank you. Connect to someone who had wronged you and forgive them for no reason. Be normal and get the friend back. Help someone in need without expecting anything in return. You know where I am going with this.

Whenever I go to have breakfast outside I see lot of people waiting for people to give alms as they walk out. Some of them might be actors who don't need money at all but most of them are people who are genuinely hungry. I always used to buy them food but not I see lot of people doing that too! I am very happy that this trend is catching on. You won't mind leaving a 10%+ tip in your hotel bill but hesitate to give some 20 rupees to this guy to have breakfast. When you share your meal, isn't it sharing happiness? I came across this wonderful post about being grateful and thankful. 

While you should never let an external event change how you feel, always have control on creating happiness for yourself and people around you and then no one would question how happy you are! Because if there is one thing money cannot buy, that is happiness. 

#AtoZChallenge
#ConsumerPsyche
#PositivePsychologist

G for Grab those opportunities

Everyone knows that they have to grab those opportunities. What is different in this post? Well how do you recognize the opportunities. Some of them are quite visible and are easily caught while some of them disguise themselves in the form of pain, rejection, challenges, failures and hesitation. Whoever said opportunity is going to be easy was just kidding. It is going to be a monumental task to seek, make them work out in your favor and to conquer them. 

Most of the times we are held back by doubt, fear and thoughts about failure. May be we will fail or lose but the important fact is that we keep on trying. Make an effort, take a step and make it count. Put your full willpower, brain and strategy behind it. Seek help and advise, listen to everyone but follow your heart. 

Do you know what is different between leaders and followers? Leaders take a new step into an un-ventured territory without hesitation and make a way out. Leaders and winners are not exceptional people but normal please who grabbed that opportunity to excel and grow, to surge ahead of the bunch and take life in a more exciting way. Whenever you have a chance do that. Always remember that every failure is just another opportunity to take a detour. Your destination has not changed, the route might have changed. At every detour, take a deep breath and move on, forward. Grab that chance to accelerate your career, relationship and life. Cheers!

#AtoZChallenge
#ConsumerPsyche
#PositivePsychologist

F for Friends

My five year old nephew speaks to me about his huge friends circle and how they are bonding over football, jokes, technology and stuff. Every time I meet him he tells me about a new friend and how big his network is. Anyone he talks to for a few minutes becomes he friend. As children we tend to be more receptive and more willing to accept as things are. But as we grow up, we change the rules and apply these filters which ruin everything for us in relationships. 

Today I want to encourage you to explore, expand and increase your circle of friends. Don't expect but explore. As you tend to be more neutral and more receptive, you would find more peace and joy in your relationships. 

Having a circle of friends who can be your support system is excellent and helps a lot in your life. While positive friends bring you more hope, passion and encouragement, slightly harsher friends bring you more realistic view of life and so both are needed. 

Build a support system so strong that it can hold you up when you need it. Also be a part of the support system for your friends so they can trust you, believe in your capabilities and seek help. Build on your strengths that others can rely. Work on your weaknesses so you can rely on yourself too. The biggest help you can get is self help. 

Family is usually the first circle of friends we have and stay that way till the end. So don't ignore the family and be there. Make friends with people, situations and things you would have never imagined. Stop being finicky and bother about their personal preferences like food, color, taste and things like that as it wouldn't matter anyways. Focus on what is positive and improve on that. Ignore the negative. Life is too short to live in a shell and worry about all that is negative. Move forward, move ahead and be at peace.

#AtoZChallenge
#ConsumerPsyche
#TalktoTiger
#positivePsychologist

E for Everybody

Let me state it at the outset. You cannot please everybody... period. Now having out that out, let me explain. 

We all have influencers, idols, bosses, friends, partners and colleagues we continue to live with, look up to and plan to help them, work with them or have a partnership with them. But you never know when you are going to be dissed at. While trying to please everyone you might actually lose being yourself. Am I not right in saying so? If you are lucky enough to find a partner who would be willing to go that extra step to make you comfortable and you are really comfortable then the matter is different. But if you are not, then it is time to stop struggling and killing yourself over how to please that particular person. 

I am coming to you from a painful standpoint. I have just read about a suicide of a celebrity in India and have also read a couple of news items on my timeline about someone in my friend's circle who attempted suicide. Most of the these cases I have heard are based on what happened in that person's life. All they needed to do is get help!

Now suicide can be a tougher and stronger step of extreme measure but there are many among us who kill ourselves a tiny bit everyday trying to live up to someone else's expectations and it is really annoying that we continue to do so even after the other person giving two bits about it. So today's self help tip is that we accept this fact and move on. You were not brought to this beautiful world to live for somebody or their dream. Make a life of your own and live it to the fullest potential.

This is also the time for exams and if you are a student appearing in one, chill. These marks don't define who you are and you needn't be bothered about those three hours you spend in tension writing down some nonsense on your paper and feel as if they are your Mensa scores. Relax. If you are a parent, you need to relax too. We need to take this message out there and spread it.

So now that you have accepted that you can't please everyone, let us see what is important for us to excel in and move forward in that direction. Have a great day!

#AtoZChallenge

#ConsumerPsyche
#positivePsychologist

D for Dressing up @ Bangalore Fashion Week

Models getting prepped up before walking the ramp for Bangalore Fashion Week. Backdoor access is not for everyone and I got to see some exclusive candid shots.

It is a tough world when you have to get dressed up and walk out in under 180 secs and a thousand cameras, eyes, lights, high resolution super zoom cameras are aimed at you and even a small smirk, blemish is blown up and seen in a magnifying glass. There was noise, there was chaos, shouting, calling, dusting, foundation, changing, smiling, chattering, texting, eating, drinking, napping and snapping yet there was some sense of peace when professionals went about doing their jobs in calm fluid like motion where they were delivering with excellence and perfection and while the model walked out to the ramp in full glowing bulb lit six feet wide ramp and enjoyed the glory of 30 seconds the team just moved on to another model, washing, wiping, removing, adding, prepping and continued the rhythm. It shouldn't stop, it shouldn't pause; you cannot rest, you cannot fail as the show... must go on. There is so much pressure, so much tension but there is professionalism, so much positive psyche in the room as well.

Life is actually so fast and things happen so fast. If you are not ready to keep up, it will crush you, demolish you and discard you like a banana peel under a truck tire. So there should be enough practice, enough momentum and learn to adapt as quickly as possible. 

Let me connect you from the world of fashion to the workplace, train yourself in your field and keep learning even after you have been at work for a few years. Learn to be ahead of your game. Whenever there is a recession, downsizing guess who will stay and who will go! There is no excuse for being lazy or recluse. Learn the skills of the game. In today's momentary blink and miss it world, every second counts.

Also be a great team player. You need to learn to work with others, be helpful and be nice and charming in your work. Dress up to the occasion and you never know how things can turn out to be. A prepared, dressed up, planned model is more classy and relaxed. Time to get ready. So dress up!

#AtoZChallenge
#ConsumerPsyche
#DressingUp
#PositivePsychologist

Monday Blues: Champion like attitude

I am hooked to this song from last night and after watching an emotional team celebrations and the speech by the captain, I am stunned and excited. The team didn't have the money, resources to even get their jerseys in time for the tournament and yet have come to be victorious. The adversities have brought the team together and made them champions. The song by DJ Bravo has also helped and the team embraced the challenges and conquered them.

Here is what the Windies captain said at the awards ceremony.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy: "Firstly I want to thank the almighty. We have a pastor in the team in Andre Fletcher, we keep on praying. Really happy for this win, it's something we'll cherish for a long time. We have a few matchwinners, nobody give us a chance, every game somebody stepped up - good to see Carlos play like that in his debut World Cup. Shows the T20 depth we have in the Caribbean, hopefully we will continue to improve. People were wondering if we would play this tournament, we had issues with the board, Mark Nicholas called us players with no brain. But all of us came together, these 15 men put adversity aside, play this type of cricket in front of such passionate fans. It was tremendous. I want to thank the coaching team, Phil Simmons. We had a new manager in this tournament. Got to give credit to the entire team here. This is for all the fans in the Caribbean... I don't know when I'm going to be playing for West Indies again, I want to thank my team, thank my coaching staff. This is for the CHAMPIONS!"

Check out the song.

C is for Coffee, chocolate and caring for yourself

What is so special about coffee that I choose to write about it? Almost all my regular readers know that I love coffee and that it forms a way I indulge myself in. Coffee, chocolate and ice cream in that order. If I get a coffee with chocolate ice cream on the top, nothing like it. Now you might be thinking. Well wait a minute. Didn't you say you are writing about positive psychology and what is coffee doing here? Read on how to beat Monday Blues everyday!

Today we are going to talk about indulging yourself. When I mean indulge it doesn't just mean eating something but it is about taking good care of yourself. It may be your favorite food, drink, dressing up well, grooming yourself, going for a walk, run, swim, shopping, participating in a charity, helping someone, reading a book, writing a blog post, going on a trek, diving, cooking, practically anything. Anything that you do for yourself.

In the hum drum off life, we tend to ignore the most important person in our life - YOU!. If you don't take care of yourself, who will? So taking good care of oneself is as important as taking care of your children, parents and everyone else. How would you do that? Here are some tips for you to do that. Hope you follow them and be happy by doing so.

1. Watch your health - take good care of your health, sugar levels, signs of cholesterol, what you eat, drink. Go for a run, have some exercise routine fit in to your daily schedule.
2. Get your health checkup done once you cross significant milestones like 35, 40, 45 and so on. You might want to start early if you have someone in your family with heart problems, cancer and stuff like that.
3. Read a lot: I love reading and I am sure you should be liking it too. Whatever genre you might like, do make a point to have a book on your table or bedside and read it. Books are windows to a different world that runs on your own imagination.
4. Drink enough water: One of the simplest things we forget is hydrating ourselves. Usually we are already thirsty when we seek water which means we are late. Water forms over 70% of our body and needs to be hydrated all the time.
5. Write awesome stuff: Well you need to be kidding me when you think you will
   l be remembered when you don't even write? Leave enough paper trail and notes for people to find out more about you. A thousand years later somewhere someone would be reading this on his eyeball and thinking, wow!
6. Take up a cause: It can be anything. Don't seek anything in return from that but take up a cause. It can be recycling, helping out an ngo, volunteering or donating. Spend your time and yourself.
7. De-clutter: Take time to sort your sh*t out! Well you need to do that and do that regularly. We spend too much time on unnecessary things like searching for stuff all around the house. Same thing with your laptop, work desk and life!
8. Family time: Spend time with your family but you be the one who is served. Once in a while change the game and demand to be taken care of.
9. Gift yourself something! Isn't it too long since you bought something for yourself? Do it today. Buy that dress, bag or whatever you wanted to buy but kept it pending. Go indulge.

Now where is my coffee.

#AtoZChallenge

#ConsumerPsyche
#IloveCoffee

B for Build It Up

There is no reason necessary for you should not build it up! No reason why you shouldn't stop breaking things down. By things I mean relationships, projects, people, confidence, trust, faith and everything else. Let me explain.

As children we all try and make things. We are very creative and constructive. As we grow up we start to realize the joy in destroying as a part of play, stories and things around us and as negativity creeps in us, it starts making us destructive in life too. With too many negative things around we are subconsciously made to believe it is normal to destroy and it creeps into our daily life. While this is usually a phase and many of us grow out of this brat phase, some still stick around there and refuse to grow up. 

We all encounter negative people in life. People who are selfish, downright destructive and so self obsessed that they refuse to see merit in anything other than what suits them. Even if there is a small win in their life they project it as the biggest achievement possible but at the same time don't think twice to strike down others. I really don't know what they get out of it. I am sure you would have encountered these kinds of people in your family, at workplace and society. 

Another species of people are those who look at every possible chance to be negative. If there is a chance to ruin anything, trust them they will definitely ruin it. For some reason these people carry a lot of negative energy in them. I know quite a few people of this kind. One of the top executives in a CMM Level V company screams at his team mates in front of all the staff for the smallest of mistakes and slip ups. Another well educated guy shouted at his wife for not taking care of the child in a party full of friends and family. A guy I know passes such sarcastic sexist remarks for everything in front of his colleagues and family but because of his age people don't say anything to him. Why are some of us so negative? We speak from what our hearts are filled with.

We need to be positive. Be constructive. Be helpful. Be kind. Be the one who spreads the joy and comfort. Be the builder. Be the one who helps others grow not hurtful, sadistic, irritating, arrogant and downright bad. When you encounter such a person, remember to stand up. Make it a point that you discuss this either in person or as a group. But speak up and clarify that you don't appreciate this kind of behaviour. If they persist, chose to ignore and move on if not complain to the respective authorities. Many of the organizations have strict policies against harassment. Use them. If it still persists, seek help.

If you are one of those people who find negativity in everything, it is time to change. Time to grow up. Time to turn your life around. There is still hope. Seek help or just stop behaving the bully you can be and see how much more people will love you and bring positivism to your life. Let us be people who build it up!

#AtoZChallenge
#ConsumerPsyche

A for Ask

This is a series of articles about positive psychology and human psyche and how we can improve our performances and deal with depression, anxiety and negativity. These might just be the tips you are looking at to succeed at the workplace and life!

Today we are talking about the alphabet A and A for me is about Asking!

While it may sound very simple to say, it can be really difficult to ask something. Most of us usually pass on without asking. Ask for help, ask for a explanation, question, learn and try to see what the other person, situation wants from you. If you are unclear about what is to be done, then how would you come up with the solution to it? Some of the most complex situations can be helped with a simple question and that begins with you asking more information about it. 

Never think you would be losing out on your stature or be kindled by asking. It is never so. As kids we all have this curiosity bug that makes us continuously ask questions but as we grow up we stop doing that and lose our focus. Most leaders ask relevant questions, questions that make you change the chaos to order, that make sense out of nonsense. 

Have an attitude of learning. You need not always ask questions to others, you have Google! Ask Google anything and everything that you don't know. Seek answers to questions that bug you, that irritate you and make you feel less knowledgeable. Make sure you have a positive attitude for learning and that you learn one thing new every day. It can be anything, can be simple and yet learn. 

The beauty of positive psychology is that it begins from you and grow out of you so much that it starts effecting the environment around you in a positive way. You opinions change, your relationships would be better and when you set the expectations right about what you ought to be doing, you tend to do them better and all of that begins from a simple action of asking! So let us learn to ask the right questions, seek solutions, answers and make life most energetic and meaningful. Keep that curiosity bug in you alive. What will you ask today?

#AtoZchallenge
#positivepsychology
#TalktoTiger

Richard Turere: My invention that made peace with lions

30 must have qualities for marketers

Tips every social media professional should have from Social Samosa! Or things you should have to be a good professional.

Where most interesting things happen

Where most interesting things happen. Where it is okay to spice up, where it is okay to shut up, where it is okay to slurp, where it is okay to lick, dunk and use the knife. Where it is okay to listen to the same story again, where it is okay to munch, to skip answering a question. Where it is okay to show your report card when mom serves dad's favorite dish. Where it is okay to ask for more and be served. Where it is okay to look forward to another round just after you are done. 

Where a family shares food, love, pleasure, memories, recipes, cuisines, things beyond human expression. Where care is shown through the smiles and extra dollops of ghee on your dal roti, where appreciation is a clean plate asking for more, where satisfaction is a loud burp and an 'excuse me' among giggles. Where manners are taught, values are learnt, caring and sharing is a way of life. Where you learn to love, live, learn, unlearn, decisions are taken, discussions are heard, where coffee and tea are things that keep you awake till the ones you care for share their thoughts. 

Where cleaning the last session is the beginning of a new meal, a new adventure, a new conversation and a fresh recipe for a family to bond. That is the most common discussion table, conference table, sports arena, laboratory of your mom's and brother's culinary adventures. That is your dining room. 

Every dining room has a story. A story that is unique, real, lively, scary, welcoming and warm. Just because we don't get angry over food and talk a lot, we can disclose most annoying things and get away. Like a progress card, like an affair, a break up, a transfer, a confession, a fight and many more. We all have been there and yet not been there recently. When was the last time you did something outstanding at your dining table? What is your dining room story? 

When you build your home, make your dining a pleasant experience, without the boring TV with a lot of light, air, ventilation and space for your loved ones. For food is an amazing bond between families and you will never forget your home food and your place at dining table where the seat still exists, for you, waiting....

Top 5 things to consider while planning to study in Ireland - Guest post by Rebecca Heins

View of Liffey River on O’Connell Street

It is good to be back home in Namma Ooru Bengaluru, but the last 2 years in Ireland, especially Dublin will always be special in my life.

“A place is only as good as the people you know in it. It's the people that make the place.” ― Pittacus Lore

The above saying holds true to Ireland. This was perhaps the top most deciding factor for me when I decided to leave a thriving career with HP and move to a place where I did not know a soul.   Studying in an international environment is something that I will recommend to everyone; not just for the experience and exposure it offers, but also for the development of your overall personality. 

Though I was initially looking at Europe and was offered admission in couple of Universities in UK, I finally chose Ireland after talking to a friend who had been working in UK for really long time.  While discussing with her about studying in EU, it was the friendlier nature of Irish is what caught my attention and that was the deciding factor for me finally ending up in Dublin.  Though I have traveled before, but I’ve never lived in another place other than Bangalore.  It was quite challenging for me to transition from a sheltered Indian family setting to an unknown place I had to stumble and figure my way out.    That is when I decided that I will try and put all those information together more from an international student perspective, so other students might be better prepared and have an easier time than me.  So here are all the information I have put together a page for potential students interested to Study in Ireland and facebook group to answer queries.  My time in Dublin of course was not a cake walk like any other part of life, but I believe those experiences is what makes it special.

Based on my experience here are the Top 5 things you need to keep in mind while planning to study in Ireland:

My University UCD Michael Smurfit College

Research Research!

Think long term before you decide on any Masters or specialization after their undergrad.  I get asked the same kind of questions from students on Quora all the time about studying & career.  It is important to think through your long term goals before you invest in any area of specialization.  Speak to career counselors, analyse your personality, Volunteer/intern to gain additional skills,  work in the area that interests you, gain couple of years' experience before you embark on any Masters course.  One of the top most reasons for many students to study abroad is to gain working experience in that region. If that is your top most reason, research on the job market - do you find enough opportunities for internationals in that area? Connect with University alumni or student groups.  This is an investment that you are making that will set you up in a specific career path, therefore it is important to spend time talking to former students and also professionals in that area. 

Being part of HR, one thing that I would like to stress on is that, if you can afford it study in highly ranked and accredited Universities, Do it! It is worth the investment personally and professionally as it will be well recognized by global companies wherever you go.

Prepare to weather the Irish weather:

Ireland has the awesome summers! Winters are the hardest when it is grey and it becomes dark by 3PM. Someone coming from India where you take the sun for granted, you will end up craving for some Vitamin D in that season. Until Ireland, I had never heard about 'cold beaches', the view of the sea is wonderful, but just don't dare step in it other than summers! Your legs  will freeze! It can also get quite windy there! You will find out the true meaning of resistance walking or resistance biking in the windy season.  The heavens may also open up and pour on you anytime of the year! You need to be constantly prepared with a jacket that can protect you from wind, cold and rain (Oh if you are lucky light snow too)! I gave up on buying new umbrellas as any of the strong one does not seem to hold against the strong winds.  With all that, I can say one thing! Ireland is beautiful!  Over a period, rain will not stop you from looking forward to taking those walks around town to explore and start clicking photos of the lovely landscape.

Get your living arrangements sorted early:

Getting accommodation during the University starting season can be really challenging. Campus accommodation is limited and expensive, so only a few can manage to get them.  Arrive early or make connections who can help you with the finding an accommodation.  Connect with your other students who are perhaps in the same batch or from the same University to tentatively get a place together as housemates or roommates; It is easier to decide on a 2 or 3 BHK's sharing when you know how many are going to be sharing with you.  Never book long term accommodation without arriving and actually looking at the house as there number of scam that happens at that time. It is recommended to arrive in Ireland before the semester starts to find a place off campus.  The places get filled pretty quickly during the viewings set up by the landlords. So it is best to decide and book as soon as you find an appropriate place.  The intensity of the race to find rented places perhaps is a little lesser in smaller towns than in Dublin.

Gain skills outside your academic life:

Unlike in India preference is not just given to topping academics alone, but an overall personality development in Universities abroad.  So while you are thinking of studying in Ireland, acquire some skills through volunteering, sports, arts, leading programs alongside your academics or through some internships.  Not only will these things add value when you apply for the courses and for scholarships/bursaries, but continuing to participate in the various societies arts or sports during your Education in Ireland will help you stand apart; with your job applications to employers in Ireland.  Being an active participant in-class and outside leading programs during your course here will help you teach many dynamics of working in a team, leading an initiative and giving you confidence while you begin your career.

The Irish Pub

Get out of your comfort zone:

Here is an opportunity for you to live in a different country & experience their culture, so don’t waste it. Ireland is part of the EU, so you will find a number of mainland Europeans visiting or studying in Ireland. Get out from your comfort group mingle with other international students. It is easier to get tied to familiar nationalities due to the comfort of knowing them. While you tend to be fonder of your own nationalities particularly away from home, don’t lose the opportunity to learn about other nationalities.  You can learn a lot about each other’s cultures, values and enjoy diverse opinions. I have made some really close friends from France to New Zealand during my time in Ireland. Irish are friendly people; you will find them returning your smiles or chatting up randomly on the bus. There are a number of times I have got lost and have had someone walk with me half way as I did not know which direction I was heading.  Good and evil acts exists everywhere, one warning to students visiting Dublin city centre – Mobile/bicycle thefts are rampant; do not wave around your phone to click your picture while you are in the city.

Wicklow, Ireland – The county famous for movie PS, I love you.

When you have an opportunity of living and studying in a beautiful scenic country, make the most of it.  Walk or Bike and explore places around Ireland whenever you can, you will learn a lot of its ancient history.  Share the enthusiasm of the locals and it will be returned.  Irish are friendlier :) when they are especially high on life, beer and Gaelic football.  You might still never get used to some of the accents from other counties, but before long I am sure you will not mind the ‘Shite’ or  perhaps join in on their ‘Craic’ slangs!

  

The famous Temple Bar Area

If you have any questions about Studying in Ireland, connect with me on this fb group and me or the former students will try and answer them.

About the author: Rebecca is a good friend and she just got back from Ireland where she graduated in International business. I caught her to get this post. Hope it helps you if you are looking do study in one of the most beautiful landscapes of the world. Born among the hills of Coorg, a true Bangalorean by heart, Rebecca loves all things Arts and likes to keep up with the pulse of Business & Brands. After spending more than a decade of working in corporates in the field of Marcom and Branding, she decided to take a sabbatical to pursue a Masters in Dublin, Ireland. Her love for writing finally took shape during this break through  www.bizlifebytes.com. 

Being alone in a different country and trying to figure things out can be quite difficult as she found out. So to help students, she has put together information to help students who are looking forward to study in Ireland.