If you want to live a very comfortable and satisfying life, it is extremely important that you manage your personal finances very well – be it your earnings, expenditures, investments, and risks. This apart, you must also work on your knowledge management (learning orientation) and relationships (networking) skills. Develop a conducive eco-system which supports your personal and professional goals.
Here’s what Warren Buffet, American investor and business tycoon, has to say:
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Let me know in the comments section.
In this ongoing series #GreatMinds on my blog, I am shining a spotlight on the important ideas that some very successful people keep talking about in their public life.
In my roles as a visiting faculty and an adjunct professor in several management institutes for over a decade, I have been preaching my students, entrepreneurs, mentees, and young company executives to develop, among others, the following five essential attributes in their personality so that they can excel in furtherance of their personal and professional goals. I call them “magic wands” because, like in the Disney movie, where the godmother transforms Cinderella for the ball, these can transform you for your professional life.
I did not create these rules, nor did I find them in any book. When I was in my late 20s working as a Project Engineer in one of the large Indian public sector undertaking (PSU), I came across a circular letter from the Chairman of that PSU meant for wide circulation among all the employees across India. The letter aimed at empowering, engaging, and motivating all employees across all offices and operational units of that PSU across India. That day, I had picked these 5 golden rules from our Chairman’s letter and I have been adhering to these since then. Today, almost four decades later, I am sharing the same rules with my readers.
Let me introduce these 5 magic wands to you – these can catapult your life by several notches.
Effectiveness & Efficiency in Action
I have spoken about this before in a previous post. Being effective means that you know what is necessary and important for you to do at any time. However, being efficient means working in the right manner so that you complete the work using minimum resources. Effectiveness means doing the right things, but efficiency refers to doing things right.
Brevity in Expression
Brevity means being concise, using fewer words in speaking, reducing the duration of a speech, and bringing about compactness in expression. But the brevity in expression should not mean a loss of clarity. It is the art of presenting your viewpoint with due economy of words without missing important details. A man of few (impactful) words is perceived as a man of wisdom.
Firmness in Decisions
Whether a decision is taken in autocratic mode or participative mode, the decision-maker must consider all relevant aspects relating to the implementation of the decision(s) and the impact that the decision is going to have on the organization and its people. However, once the decision has been frozen, the decision maker should not be on the fence and/or get tempted by other distracting views. Unless there are compelling reasons to do so, do not review your decisions. A competent executive must learn to say ‘No’ sometimes.
Courtesy in Behaviour
I guess it goes without saying, but it is seldom practised. Hence, it remains valuable. One must be extremely courteous in our behaviour to our superiors, peers, and subordinates. We must understand, interpret, and regulate our own emotions as also the emotions of others to improve our behaviour as an individual (attitude and personality), as a team member, and as a team leader.
Tact in Handling Delicate Situations
I have written about an example from my life to demonstrate the importance of this value earlier. There are many situations in our personal as well as professional life that require extreme care and sensitivity in handling and managing them. These situations may relate to estranged family relationships, conflict among partners, an irate customer, your boss being unhappy with your performance, and so one. In all such situations, one must be very tactful, get into other person’s shoes, assess the environmental conditions very well and then only plan his/her move.
Believe me – these 5 attributes can work wonders and enhance chances of your success as also acceptance of your ideas, contentions, and suggestions by various stakeholders. These attributes could be applied to your daily life, in all personal and professional situations including various events, plans, programs, and projects undertaken by you.
I practice these values daily, and some of these attributes have become second nature to me! Which of these traits is difficult for you to imbibe and what comes easily to you? Let me know what you think!
Last week, I gave a mathematical equation that elaborated on a holistic approach to live life meaningfully and in a fulfilling way. In that post, I deliberately avoided talking about “success”.
Today I want to talk about success – what should be the meaning of success to us and to what extent we should sacrifice our other interests and priorities that make us happy in life.
We have discussed the recipe for success previously in this blog. You can review the various ingredients for success in the table on the right.
Let me be clear: I am not trying to define success for you.
I wish to draw your attention to certain aspects of your life which will change the meaning of success for you. It will magnify the way you enjoy your success.
Success Ingredients
Dedication, Hard work, Sincerity
Homework and Preparation
Learning from your mistakes/failures
Learning from others’ experiences
Finding your passion
Sticking to your commitments
Empathizing and helping others
Having a good education
Developing life-long learning orientation
Managing your finances effectively
Effective Time Management
Managing Knowledge, Technology
Managing Relationships, Networking
Surrounding yourself with people having positive attitudes
Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
Leaving your comfort zone to chase success.
Remember Success comes before work only in the dictionary!
Let me reproduce here a quote from Phil Knight, the CEO of Nike Inc.:
“There is an immutable conflict at work in life and business, a constant battle between peace and chaos. Neither can be mastered, but both can be influenced. How you go about that is the key to success.”
Phil Knight
Balancing your life, health, happiness, and success makes life sweeter.
Let us pause to think about what Knight has said. If a person believes that their job will lead them to success, then they may spend countless hours per day, and be engrossed with work well into the evening. However, this comes at the cost of their rest, their health and truly living an enjoyable life. Ultimately, they may burn out and cease to be successful at their job anyway.
In contrast, if they believe that success is derived from a strong social life with a good group of friends, they may overlook their duties and their work may suffer. They may lose their job, and eventually, they may be unable to afford going out with friends. In these ways, success, as Knight points out, is helped by balance. Think of it as a balance between work and play.
The balancing act
Passion
Love what you do till you discover what you love doing. Having discovered that – do only what you love – stick on and never detach. When you work on what you love – work is like joy and fun. Always strive for the best in whatever you do or plan to do.
Creative Ideas
Do not be afraid of introducing new ideas. If you have a new idea – cage it. Do not throw it away because it is new and different; instead, celebrate it. Your strange new idea might one day be the one that leads you to success.
Action
Be a Person of Action. Train yourself in performing and acting – rather than analysing and thinking (what we call analysis paralysis). In this world, there is no perfect time to start a business or a project – you must act and solve problems. Remember that action defeats all apprehensions and fears.
Relationships
Build Relationships – Get along with People. It is always a good idea to cultivate good relationships. You can never tell who will prove to become someone who will be able to help you in a big way or even be a good and supportive friend. As such, help people and they may help you; and be good to people, and they may be good for you.
Work & Wealth
Your salary and job title are important as they provide you with wealth and monetary satisfaction. Remember to not let it over-power you.
Health
Your physical and mental health both are very important for your success. A sick body or mind cannot achieve any success.
Emotional well-being
Find adequate free time for yourself and your family so that you can spend quality time with your family and friends.
Spirituality
Devote time for spiritual wellness to seek meaning and purpose in life. It can be achieved in a variety of ways including organized religion, prayer, meditation, yoga, as well as a careful assessment of your morals, values, and beliefs.
On a personal note, I also try to imbibe these habits in my life. Writing this blog is one of my passions, and I am chasing creative ideas every week and bringing them to life with a discipline. There is an emotional pay-off too, since readers and well-wishers send their love after reading my posts. I have a well-managed schedule between my lectures, my yoga classes, my time with my grand-children, and these creative endeavours. I feel blessed to have found this balance.
Do you already follow some of these habits? Let us know what aspects are you striving for to strike the necessary balance in your life in the comments below!
H&H = f (FM, SH, AS, E, BH, MCU, RS, PMA, R&R, RWSL, K)
The above equation is a mathematical expression. To me, this simple formula embodies the secret of health and happiness in your life. In this blog, I do not want to comment on the idea of “success” but I want to share my counsel on how to be healthy and happy. If you think about it, when you are healthy and happy, success follows organically!
The formula can be read as “H & H (Health and Happiness) is a function of FM, SH, AS, E, BH, MCU, RS, PMA, R&R, RWSL and K.” The meaning of all these symbols and acronyms have been explained hereunder.
H&H – Health and Happiness
Only a healthy and happy body can achieve success. Your health and wellbeing are most important – all else is secondary. Considering the importance of health and happiness in human life and any type of success – I am dedicating this post to all my young readers. This post comprises several prescriptions, suggestions, and tips to keep active, healthy, and happy.
FM – Eat food like your medicine so that you never take your medicines as your food.
Include as many fresh fruits and vegetables of different colours into your diet as possible. Go for proteins like poultry, fish, tofu, beans, and whole grains. Avoid overeating. Snack on fruits, vegetables, and nuts as and when you require – particularly mid-mornings and late afternoons.
Stay away or minimize processed foods that contain artificial sweeteners or colours, hidden sugars or excessive fats.
Never skip your breakfast. A healthy breakfast in the morning is a very good habit as it sets you up so that you have energy and fuel for optimal mental and physical performance. Eating breakfast helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels and healthy weight because you are less likely to overindulge later in the day.
SH – Stay Hydrated.
Start your day with about a litre of water on an empty stomach. After fasting all night, this will provide you with much-needed hydration. Keep a water bottle with you all day, this will remind you to drink water. Monitor your water intake and make sure that you consume about 10 glasses of water every day. Drink water while sitting and sip it slowly. Consider drinking warm water against cold water – it has its benefits.
AS – Get adequate sleep.
Sleep is an important part of health and if you do not get enough of it, it can negatively impact your energy levels and motivation in several ways. Make sure you give adequate priority to your sleep and keep a consistent bedtime routine with your busy lifestyle to maintain good health and reach your goals. Seek suggestions from your family physician in case you require help.
E – Exercise, Walk, and Yoga.
You must give 45 minutes to 60 minutes daily to your body – doing yoga, exercise, morning walk, gym, or any other form of activity or workouts which fits well into your scheme of things. Regular morning walk, exercise, and yoga can help you boost your energy levels, improve your sleep and overall well-being. Also, try to include meditation and pranayama in your exercise regimen. You can resort to biking, swimming, or any other sustainable habit you enjoy. As far as possible avoid the use of lift or escalators – instead, opt for climbing through stairs. Prefer walking to standing, standing to sitting, and sitting to lying down. These are good tips for cutting down on calories.
BH – Get rid of your bad habits.
Stay away from smoking, drugs, and other unhealthy addictions. Some habits are not so bad but can easily become a problem if taken too far. These include alcohol, sugar, caffeine, and junk food. These things in moderation or on a “once-in-a-while” basis are OK but then remember – an excess of everything is bad.
MCU – Get regular medical check-ups.
Do visit your family doctor for the annual check-up to make sure everything is normal. It is always advisable to have health insurance cover. Get health check-ups regularly even if you are healthy so that if something is abnormal, you know about it and can act, in consultation with your doctor.
RS – Reduce Your Stress.
Stress can be a cause for several problems – from heart trouble to digestive problems. Exercise, meditation, doing what you love, appropriate boundaries, spirituality, being in nature, and enjoyable hobbies all help alleviate the harmful effects of stress on the body. Do not overwork. Take breaks (vacations, mini-vacations, days off) and surround yourself with people who support you. Unexpressed feelings can lead to depression, sleep problems, eating disorders, and even physical pain. Learn to talk about your feelings, or express them through some sort of art. Stroll through gardens or visit places of natural beauty, and listen to a variety of good music to experience a better quality of relaxation. Participate and be an audience/spectator of various sports, cultural programs, and live shows. Develop a taste for good art and paintings – enjoy both man-made and God-made colours!
PMA – Attitude towards family, friends, and all others.
Your happiness and well-being to a great extent will depend upon your attitudes towards everyone around you. You should stay positive and motivated all the times and should be spreading positivity through your positive mental attitude (PMA). Surround yourself with such friends and persons who have a constructive and positive impact on you.
Cut those from your circle of influence, who possess a negative mental attitude (NMA) and/or not supportive in furthering your initiatives. Do not keep friends and associates who do not add value to your eco-system. Depending upon your situation – build your ecosystem and socialize to the extent possible.
R&R – Do not react; give your structured response.
Do not react to various situations; instead, give your structured response. I can give an example. If you are apprehensive that it may rain today – do not curse the rain God (reaction), rather pack your umbrella before you go out (response).
RWSL – Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.
All young boys and girls must Invest at least 40 to 60 minutes of their precious time every day (for 5 to 6 days a week) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to something relevant yet interesting to them. It may be like listening to a favourite speech, talking to an individual or delivering a short talk to a group, reading some fiction or self-help book, or writing a blog – virtually anything of interest to them.
K– Demonstrate pure acts of Kindness.
Do not bargain with small vendors, donate generously whatever you can – money, energy, service, time, or even a genuine smile. Be kind to pets. Try to make this world a little better with your efforts!
I hope that reading this post will inspire you to make some fruitful changes in your life. If you have been practicing some of the tips already, let me know in the comments!
The list is at best indicative and not exhaustive – if you find more ideas for staying healthy and happy – please do share them in the comment section for the benefit of all.
Ambition is the first step to success. The second step is action.
Ambition is when you have the desire and determination to achieve great things. Ambitious people channel their hard work and focus to find success in their work and personal lives. They have an inner drive that helps them stay motivated when working toward their goals.
Clearly, some amount of ambition is good for your motivation. Without any ambition, you would not start your own business, set, or achieve goals and get very far in life. But an excess of ambition can also be dangerous, putting you at risk of burnout, stubbornness and even a shorter life. So, strike a balance!
Six Habits of Ambitious People
FOCUS & PROTECT: They set goals but do not share them.
BE BRAVE: They are willing to take risks.
LEARN: They expose themselves to new ways of thinking.
DO IT: They are focused on execution.
STAY ON PATH: They do not compete with other people.
MOTIVATE YOURSELF: They surround themselves with other ambitious people.
The Twinkle in your Eyes & Spirit
Ambition drives them to advance and accomplish their goals. Well-aimed and supported by values, ambition reflects a healthy self-esteem and higher power of perception and visualization of the future. Ambitious people have a gleam in their eyes as they approach their goals.
So now let me ask you, dear entrepreneurs:
What is your ambition? And, what are you doing about it?
Recently, I wrote a post (link to the original post) about my boss and how he trusted me and trained me to take a leadership role to resolve a crisis.
I loved watching your comments, reactions and disagreements to the story. Engaging with any case study at this level brings a deeper understanding. I want to take this opportunity to highlight this comment I received on email.
SP is a ‘senior professional’ whose opinion I really respect. As you will read further, SP disagrees with my boss’ (referred to as “PC” in the post) method. Other readers have also reached out to me and discussed their thoughts about this anecdote. As a teacher, I am thrilled that the story invoked such a strong reaction. I also completely understand where SP and other readers are coming from, but I also wanted to clarify PC’s stance.
Here is an excerpt from my conversation with SP on email:
SP: In handling issues of routine crisis, I would have appreciated PC’s approach. However, in the present case, you were dealing with a chemical plant where any failure on your part could have led to dangerous life and death consequences for many. The Bhopal gas tragedy immediately comes to mind. A boss could not have taken the stand that PC did, i.e., hope that you would find a solution. He was playing with the lives of people. I am sorry to disagree with this example since I’ve been both, a post-graduate with an MSc in Chemistry who knows the hazards of chemicals, and an IPS officer who has faced many life and death critical situations!
KAPIL: Thank you very much SP Sir! You have really taken interest and gone through the story considering all issues within and around the story. Your opinion and apprehensions are absolutely in place. In fact, two of my close associates also brought up the question of the hazards and the risk to the lives of people. I now realise that I should have added a paragraph to clarify that this project had no such risks.
Anyway, let me take a moment to explain this to you, sir… This story is related to a chemical plant where there are no such risks about high-pressure reactions, poisonous gas leaks etc. The worst scenario could have been huge spillage and loss of slurry from filter pans (the big circus-like equipment that occupied an entire floor) which were open to the sky. It could have resulted only in huge financial loss and there was no danger to human lives at all.
Both PC and I were well aware of this, and it was true for everyone working in the plant. The only risk was from handling of concentrated sulfuric acid which was stored in closed tanks and brought to the reactor after adequate dilution. Another occupational hazard of this plant is the exposure to fluorine gas which can cause harm to human bones in the long run.
Sir, as I write this to you, I got to brush up on my chemistry and chemical engineering which I have almost forgotten. It was nostalgic! For over the last 30 years, I have been largely a business and management professional. But, I do hope that my reply clarified any apprehension you had. As an author, I should have touched upon this aspect of the story!
This was a part of a longer discussion we had. It goes to show how a good case study can open itself to so many learning moments.
If you recall the story, PC himself called me within an hour to check on me, without knowing if I had solved the situation or not! When I told him that I was successful, his few words of confidence (“I knew it!”) motivated me. It kept ringing in my ears for years to come!
As a writer, while communicating the stakes of the situation, I might have caused an unintentional misunderstanding where some of you imagined a tragic alternate ending! Rest assured, the stakes were only financial!
Let me know your thoughts on such anecdotes that I will continue to share, and let’s keep the conversation going.
This story is a true event, but I have changed the real names and places in the story for the sake of the characters’ privacy.
In 1975, I was working as a young chemical engineer in chemical process plants. My then- Project Chief deploys a somewhat unpleasant strategy to train me— one of his favourite engineers. In hindsight, I see it as practical training in leadership and troubleshooting!
I was a part of a project team of 20 engineers from various functional disciplines. We were handling a turn-key chemical project in western India. There were also around 30 plant operators, 20 office staff, and approximately 80 contract workmen. The entire project team consisted of 150 people who were being headed by our Project Chief. I shall address him as PC for the story.
PC was a renowned professional with over 4 decades of rich experience in project execution, plant operations, troubleshooting, and general management. His general management and administrative skills were extraordinary, and he was often a sought-after person for counsel and advice by many. Although he loved all his team members immensely, he was a hard taskmaster at the same time! He knew the art of practising a creative fusion of aggression and affection – or practising “tough love” if I may say so.
On this particular night, I was on project duty managing a 12-hour shift (from 8 PM to 8 AM) as a Shift In-Charge. Undoubtedly, it was a big responsibility but then I was well trained and had several years of experience in similar roles.
Everything was running smoothly from 8 PM to 12.30 AM but then suddenly after 12.40 AM or so, we noticed some abnormality in the plant. Certain operating conditions and control parameters were showing abnormal deviations. We felt as if the entire plant was getting out of our control! We experienced abnormal vibrations and sounds coming out from the Control Room floor. You could say it was similar to what one would hear during a bumpy ride or turbulent flight. Clearly, it was indicative of some major issues brewing that needed to be identified. I felt anxious, worried, and somewhat helpless! I was handling dangerous chemicals, for god sake!
I consulted my team members, pooled their opinions but I could sense that everyone was looking at me for help and advice. They were right in doing so. After all, I was their boss, and it was my responsibility to ensure that the plant gives an optimal performance during my shift. At a personal level too, I tried to analyse the problem and thought of several turn-around strategies but then I was not able to pinpoint the problem; forget finding the solution!
Frustrated and perplexed, I dialled the residential number of PC, my boss. It was the last step to take. I was hoping that he would give me an instant solution. But then the way our conversation unfolded compounded my problem!
These conversations are etched in my mind because of the night unravelled. I will list the series of brief conversations we had.
THE FIRST CALL AT 1:10 AM:
Anxiously, I called him and despite the unusual hour, he was typically calm.
PC – Hello! Tell me, Tandon… What I can do for you?
KT – Sir, there is a serious problem in the plant! (I narrate the problem to him.) I am not able to fix the same… What do you suggest we do, Sir?
PC – Sorry Tandon…I cannot help you! This is your job!
To my shock, he did not even let me protest. He had abruptly disconnected the call. I went back to work trying to work out something to report!
THE SECOND CALL AT 1.30 AM
After a few futile efforts to set right the plant’s condition, I again called PC with growing anxiety. But this time his tone had changed. He was mildly annoyed.
PC – Hello, PC speaking.
KT – Sir, I am not able to fix the problem!
I am sure he could read the desperation in my voice, but before I could say anything more, he cut me off…
PC – I was under the impression that you were a first-class Chemical Engineer!
He disconnected the call again. I kept wondering about how he could reprimand me at such a crucial juncture! I needed a solution urgently!
THE THIRD CALL AT 1:45 am.
You could imagine how totally helpless I was to keep calling him for within the hour. I swallowed my pride and called PC again. Hoping to get through him, before the problem worsened.
PC – Sorry Tandon! I have no help to give you.
And before I could put in a word, he disconnected the call again.
I was at my wit’s end! This was not training! This was a real-life problem with real consequences! How could he take the matter so lightly! How much longer should I play along with being insulted and ridiculed? I was looking up to him for help, and he kept refusing me so callously!
For the very first time, I was feeling terribly annoyed at PC. I was seething with rage but then there was nothing I could do! I thought of this popular quip: “The boss may not always be right, but he always is the boss.”
PUSHED TO A “DO OR DIE” SITUATION
It was 2.10 am and the problem stared at me. I decided not to call PC again and thought of the predicament before me. It seemed like it was a do or die situation.
I called my Assistant and told him to get me a large cup of steaming hot coffee and requested him to leave me alone in my cabin. He promptly obeyed my instructions, closed the glass door behind him and left.
For a few minutes, I closed my eyes, tried to analyse the situation with a cool mind, and gave full focus to the problem as if I were an Einstein or a Newton! Soon, before the coffee cup was empty, I had clearly thought of 3 specific remedial actions.
I jotted these points of action on a piece of paper, called the main plant operator and handed over these directives to him. I told him to initiate the action plan. After that, there was nothing left to do but the whole team to wait and watch. In the next ten minutes, he did exactly what I told him to.
It took 30 more minutes, and to our utter surprise, the plant was returning to normalcy. Indeed, it was a great moment for all of us! We cheered!
Around this time, my phone began to ring. It was none other than PC calling me back!
THE FOURTH CALL AT 2.50 am:
I received the call with confidence and joy.
PC – How is the plant now, Mr Tandon?
KT – Plant is perfectly normal, Sir!
PC – I knew it!
He spoke these three words, and he cut the call again. But this time, my fury had melted. Clearly, PC had been awake at this hour and worried too! He trusted me and pushed me so that I could rise to the occasion!
CASE ANALYSIS: LEADERSHIP PIPELINE
Let us look back and pick out important learnings from this experience.
While I was feeling furious on him for not helping (spoon-feeding) me – he was looking at a much bigger picture! He was busy thinking as to how to use the crisis at hand to create another competent leader and problem solver in his team.
All the drama he played during those three telephonic chats was an intentional act on his part to pull me out of my comfort zone and position me as the smart leader/manager who leads from the front and sets an example to his team members.
Second, IT was “leAding by example”:
He was not acting out in anger as I initially thought. While I was tensed under pressure, struggling to solve the plant problem, PC was also not sleeping!
The stakes were high! If I had failed the chemical slurry would have to be thrown out and the plant would have suffered a colossal loss in both production material and costs!
He still did not buckle under the pressure and resort to micro-managing my actions. He put faith in my intelligence and was ready to check-in with me within an hour. His appreciation in the end, not only made me forget my anger but I also gained respect for him as he unlocked my inner potential!
A TRIBUTE TO MY LEADER!
PC is no more with us. He died long back. But his memories are all fresh in my mind even today. I have been narrating this story to my students for the last 10 years in my classroom sessions.
Today, I thought of publishing this story in my blog as a tribute to him!
People are important. They constitute the most important resource – the human resource. Organizations, events, and/or projects succeed or fail because of the people involved. So, for an entrepreneur, connecting with the right people becomes crucial!
Then, how can you become a better judge of people? Of course, the obvious values are those of intelligence and sharp judgement. You need people who can anticipate, to see around corners and make sharp decisions. In a partner and employee, it is also ideal to find someone who demonstrates loyalty, integrity, and a high energy drive. You can bank upon someone to get things done and who has a balanced ego.
Giving connects two people, the giver and the receiver, and this connection gives birth to a new sense of belonging.
Deepak Chopra
Of course, it is easier said than done. Let me share what I have learned about people, and these can be applied in life. Every management lesson, in the end, is also a life value.
YOU’LL DO BETTER IN GOOD COMPANY
Make a list of people you like, and you want to emulate – also the people who create positivity in you, motivate you to do better and bigger things in life. Create an eco-system of such people and personalities and spend time with them – both work time and playtime. There is no point wasting your time in a suffocating environment filled with persons with a negative mental attitude (NMA). This will, for sure, never help you grow into the person you want to be.
CHOOSE THOSE WHO IMPROVE YOUR MOOD
Surround yourself with such friends and persons who have a constructive and positive impact on you. Cut those from your circle of influence, who possess a negative mental attitude (NMA) and/or not supportive in furthering your initiatives. Do not keep friends and associates who do not add value to your eco-system or, for that reason act or behave like an autocrat who does not care for the opinions and suggestions of others.
BE HONEST IN YOUR DEALINGS
Always present yourself to others as you are. Let others see you – who you are. When you are being original, everyone will accept you at your face value and there are fair chances that others will enjoy your company. At the same time do not worry as to what other persons talk about you. What matters is the presence of supportive people in your life. The naysayers simply do not matter. They do not think they can do so they hate seeing other people succeed. But remember, it is your life.
Welcome, all kinds of suggestions and feedback from wherever it comes. Be an active listener (as opposed to being a selective listener) – especially when it comes to listening opposite or confronting perspectives and/or criticism or any kind of negative feedback. This is the acid test to know – whether you are on the right track or not. Never be so happy with the status quo that you always, as a rule, resist changes. Embrace changes if the situation so demands. Sometimes the change may introduce you to a better way, a better person, or a better lifestyle.
COLLABORATION OVER FORCE
It may prove useful at times to organize people in non-hierarchical settings to inform, share, discuss and agree on items of importance to the company. Do not ridicule people, do not insult them either. As a basic rule of life, be friendly with people, and help them as much as you can. This is a great strategy to build rapport and to create an environment of trust and comfort. At your workplace, create an atmosphere where people (both as individuals and in teams) demonstrate the spirit of cooperation and collaboration and keep workplace conflicts at a minimum. People work on the dictum – consent and collaborate rather than following the traditional dictum – command and control. Treat everybody with due courtesy and respect – after all people will remember you for as to how you treated them.
All my family members and close friends call me a people-person. That is entirely true. I love to operate as a senior colleague and friend to all my teammates – attaching the highest importance to employee engagement, job enrichment, and enduring motivation. I strongly believe that you take care of your people and your people will take care of the business.
I see that you are working hard. I know you have been dreaming of a successful future. Your eyes, gleaming with hope and passion, motivate me every day!
Right now, you are studying and striving to build the desired skill-set in you. You may complete your graduation soon, and thereafter may pursue a post-graduation or a business management course or some other short-term or long-term professional program.
You are young and restless! It is clear to me that you cannot wait to embark upon the actual journey of life – pursuing a job or business, making a decent living, and striving for good health, happiness, and satisfaction in life! Becoming rich and purchasing all the things you have your eyes set on, rising high, accumulating wealth, buying properties, and achieving all the milestones that you have scribbled in your diary or pinned in your inspiration-board…
I wish you all the best! May you achieve all that you deserve!
But let me do you one good more, and tell you how to go about your dream encapsulated above…
First and foremost, don’t postpone your dreams! Start working on your dream project right from the last semester of your college.
Identify a good business opportunity and give your 100% to it.
Then, be prepared to struggle for about a year and a half to develop your business in small modules – relying fully on your equity and not taking any loans.
Once you take a good grip on your business – expand using the concept of financial leveraging.
Frequently, do a cost-benefit analysis to support/reject your decisions.
Use the risk log method to do risk assessment and management. You must have a mentor to back you. It could be a family member with experience of the business world or a professional consultant or a trusted guide.
All this will help you to steer your business and life journey smoothly – and help you reach your eventual goal.
I hope that you take the leap of faith and bet on you dreams! The rest will follow!
Lots of Love, Kapil Tandon
P.S.: If this excites you, drop me a mail at kapilsirofficial@gmail.com – and we shall take it forward from there. Please do not forget to mention your mobile number in your email.
It is not just the young who feel bogged down by peer pressure. Adults too are constantly trying to fit into societal expectations of them. Most of the times, we tend to exist in a default setting that we continue working on until we become unrecognizable to ourselves.
However, the best part of you is you!
You are unique, and a masterful creation of the Almighty. The sooner you realize this truth, the better.
To find the true purpose of your life or your true calling is your duty towards yourself. Pull out a paper and pen, and confront these questions:
Why have I come to this world? What is the purpose of my existence?
What do I want to accomplish? What objective drives me?
Who do I want to be? What do I refuse to be?
The thought process and self-introspection communicated in by these questions will help you rediscover yourself. You will at least be in a better position to give some definite meaning to your life. By extension, you will be living your life according to your personality, beliefs, and value system – rather than being under the constant influence of the external environment around you. You have few things that are non-negotiable for you.
Here, I am not trying to suggest that you lead an isolated and disconnected life. I simply mean that you will know the reason for why you adjust when you do give in. You will be able to stand up for yourself. I am also not suggesting that you do self-aggrandizement and always play on a false bloated ego. Such acts will certainly jeopardize your good intentions, plans, and aspirations.
“One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.“
Shannon L. Alder
The larger aim of these questions is that you find and maintain your originality. You must always remember as to which way you are heading and where you, eventually, want to reach. There must be a focus on your long-term vision for both your personal and professional life. The absence of such a tunnel vision may find you distracted and confused when you meet challenges. Also, you may discover that all you do may not fit in with your life vision. With self-discovery, you can work on building knowledge and skills which will increase your chances of success in the job you do or the profession you pursue.
Blend right proportions of empathy, self-confidence, and self-awareness into your personality so that the new version of you is original and magnetic!
