SHAPE

When we attempt to give a form or structure to anything we fancy be it a drawing, a sculpture, writing, communicating or even our thoughts and reflections we are in effect giving it a SHAPE which enables us to See How A Pattern Emerges. In order to ensure that we can shape our future and script our success it is important to understand how one should go about the process of shaping our dreams and turning them into reality.

Visualization holds the key to us being able to format a shape first in the mind, then on paper and finally in the end result. To visualize one needs to tap into all the senses, be vivid in our imagination, indulge in letting our mind run amok and rein in the diverse responses and collate it to get the first rough cut. The trick in visualization is to suspend judgment and not to filter our thoughts with any form of logical or so called rational filter. Instead just let your imagination run wild and explore all options, create magical moments and fantasies and capture and concoct the most improbable scenario. When there are numbers one can be choosy so the focus is on generating the quantity and then sort out and isolate what we truly believe in or hope to harness fully. Eg. Write down 10 social problems that you are deeply concerned about as a citizen.

Transcribing on paper is the perhaps the toughest part of the process of giving shape to our ideas, dreams, visualization and strategies. There are two possibilities at the time of transcribing on paper; the first is the plethora of ideas and the second is a complete lack of ideas. The latter leaves us with little option but to choose from the limited options. It is when we have plenty of options that we get caught between what to choose and what to leave out. Here we need to use a combination of filters to distill the best option. First is the filter of simple logic and screen for the option that is most likely to be a winner. The second filter is the filter of practicality and this could mean scanning resource availability, time constraints, criticality and acceptability. The third filter surprisingly is an antithesis because it works on the principal of gut feeling and instinct. Eg From the above 10 social problems that you have listed pick one concern and write a letter to the editor of the newspaper on the same. Whilst writing bear in mind the following questions.. What will your focus be on? Why should the letter b published by the newspaper? What is the impact your letter to should make on the reader?

Can you see a pattern emerging during the process of your efforts? Visualize a target board used in archery where there is a small bull’s eye circle with bigger and bigger circles around it. When you begin to transcribe on paper you begin with the biggest circle as your reference point and then you narrow it down slowly to reach the bulls eyes. However one hits the bulls eye only when attempts the shots. Similarly execution is the final step in shaping success. One will need to constantly rework and redraw until the bull’s eye is clearly visible and that is when one needs to take the plunge and execute the plans. It is when one commits that one can begin to give SHAPE to ones hopes, dreams, desires and passions and it is then that one can See How A Pattern Emerges triumphantly.

Action Points:

1. Draw a target board used in archery from memory. Color code it too. Next look up the net and view an image and compare it with your own effort. Do you experience a sense o pride in your effort? On need not be a skilled artist to do the exercise, yet one can easily get a sense of achievement on doing the exercise.
2. Attempt to solve the following. Let your imagination run riot and then rein it in if you want to solve it.

 (The first one is given as an example for you to understand.)
24 H in a D = 24 hours in a Day
2E and 1N on a F =
S is B (Hint it is a well known phrase) =
5 T on a F =
3 W on a T =
B B B S & T T L S =
(Answers will be given in the next post )

 

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/  is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/  

 

 

 

REST

Look around and you will find harried mothers, exasperated children, stressed out business executives, tired workers and many listless people moving around like zombies. Perhaps you are one of these too and you are aware that you are not at your optimum best. A short reflection will perhaps enlighten you to the reality that you may be working too hard and that what you really need is REST and Recoup Energy Smartly & Totally.

The trouble with trying to rest is that many of us feel guilty that we are whiling away our time whereas in reality it is a way to unwind and recoup our energy. If our mind is not willing to accept that not doing anything and lazing away is almost sinful, going through the motions of resting becomes even more stressful, for it saps our mind and body because of the constant tension created by our own lack of belief in resting. Our discomfort about resting would often be a sign of our workaholic nature or symptomatic of a troubled mind. When we have too many activities lined up, take on varied responsibilities and are poor in delegating tasks rest becomes the rust that corrodes our compulsive need to be busy bodies.

 

There are many who really get confused about how to rest. To a certain set of people rest is all about vacationing but wanting to extract every moment out of the available time. They invariably plan out vacations designed to encompass extensive travel, sightseeing and long days at the end of which each passing day becomes even more stressful than the previous day. They return from trips more tired and haggard but secretly relieved that they visited many places but blissfully unaware that they didn’t savor the beauty of the place. There are others who are more impulsive and go unplanned for long trips and then feel cheated when they encounter reservation and hotel booking problems and come back drained and disappointed. Nothing beats the people who go vacationing with their laptops and files for they end up annoying everyone including bosses by their tardy responses and the family by their insincere pretence of enjoying family time.

Anyone who wants to enjoy the best rest must be prepared to switch off completely from their present activities. This includes switching off cell phones, laptops and any form of communication that is work related. The tougher part is switching of mentally from the work mode to a chill mode for we invariably end up worrying about frivolous matters that should be ideally left to the boss or subordinate to handle. While a good sound sleep is a wonderful way to rest, one can also indulge in ones passions like music, movies and reading to get the ideal rest. Learn to indulge in what you crave (in moderation if there are medical restrictions) be it wining, dining and dancing or being an occasional couch potato. Vacationing is a highly recommended too because it can also help broadens ones horizons and possibly promote bonding and self discovery too. If you have a group with you be it family or friends, ensure that you strike a balance with the plans of all those accompanying you. It is pointless ending up arguing and disagreeing when you plan to rest. Soak in the freedom, enjoy the bliss and peace, catch up on sleep and never forget to plug in to the ‘moment’ for that is when you really REST and Recoup Energy Smartly & Totally.

 

Action Points:

• Name your 3 favorite leisure activities. When was the last time you indulged in any of them and soaked in the pleasure of it completely? Is there something that you wished you could indulge in but held back because of circumstances? Do you think you can work towards making that a reality in the next 2 years? Start planning for it and experience the joy of planning and notice how relaxing that is too. 
• Given a choice between the following holiday spots which one of them would be your choice and why?

- A beach resort
- A trek up the mountains
- An idyllic locale in the country side
- A five star hotel located in an A grade city

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/  is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/    

DECIDE

To make up ones mind means to DECIDE but the process is not as simple as is sounds because one need to Develop Extra Clear Insight to Discern Emphatically. To get an idea of the problems one faces in taking a decision, recollect the story of the man who was asked to sort out potatoes. This is an apocryphal story about a man who was searching for a job and who managed to get a job of chopping wood, which he did with great alacrity and impressed his farmer boss. He was then asked to sort out the potatoes into 3 piles small, medium and big. At the end of the day, the boss was stunned to see the man barely having a few potatoes in each pile. On inquiry the helper confessed that he was having a very tough time deciding in which pile each potato should go. Clarity in decision making is tough especially when the facts are subject to varied interpretations.

If there are law suits that are growing in geometric proportions worldwide, a large part of the problem lies in the reality that deciding who is right and who is wrong or deciding on an equitable solution is extremely tough. In fact world over more and more people are tempted to believe in using the legal system to address their domestic issues which in normal course could be amicably settled. This trend of increased litigation is partly due to the complex nature of the decision making process for each party to a dispute believes that he/ she is right and decisions of mediators are rarely accepted for fear of bias. This throws up another angle about the decision making process; it must never be influenced by personal preferences or bias or the end results could be disastrous. 

The ability to discern becomes another critical skill for anyone who needs to exercise judgment and decide. Experience is often a reasonable ally of anyone having to make a decision. However our past experience must not close our minds to the possibilities of other alternatives. As Mark Twain puts it ‘One must not be like a cat who once having sat on a hot stove refuses to sit on a cold stove’. Equally important is firm faith in our chosen decision. Many a time we attempt to change boats midstream and in the process end up falling overboard and drowning. The classic story of Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez who when he landed in Mexico on the shores of the Yucatan by ship ordered his men to burn the ships so that there was no turning back on the decision made to conquer or perish.

Finally it must be borne in mind that not all decisions we take bear fruit. Sometimes we go wrong in executing the decisions, other times the decision is right but the anticipated outcome is not got. Timing is just as critical for the decision to bear fruit. What is important however is that we develop the habit of taking decisions for only then can truly Develop Extra Clear Insight to Discern Emphatically.

Action Points

1. Read up on one of the great decisions taken by King Solomon http://www.kingsolomonlegend.com/the-judgment-of-solomon.html 
2. List out all the things that you need to do during the day. Now prioritize it and begin executing. Do you need to reprioritize the list more than once? Were you forced to reprioritize because you missed out on some crucial assumptions or you made the wrong assumptions to begin with?
3. Here are the answers to the scrambled words challenge posted on 13 July 2010 in our blog http://actspot.wordpress.com/2010/07/13/expect-nothing/ 1. ALONE 2. HAVOC 3. GRAZE 4. NASAL 5. STAMP ( Did you underestimate the time because you were overconfident or were you undermine your abilities and overestimated the time)

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

MANAGE

When one has to deliver results the key is to MANAGE. Be it people or other resources, the trick lies in  ensuring Meticulous Aim Nagging Accuracy & Good Execution. The challenge of managing has been there since time immemorial. Right from the time Noah had to build his ark things have just got more complex today. Fortunately management as a discipline has evolved in leaps and bounds and technology has aided in making the process more rigorous and systematic. Yet at the heart of the whole business of life is a simple edict, deliver results.

In business, when judged by the yardstick of delivering results, irrespective of the scale of operations, the size of the activity or the complexities involved, we need to simply manage all our resources in order to get the results. Classical management theories have an acronym for the key management functions ‘PODSCROB” which when expanded reads as  P-lanning O-organizing D-directing S-staffing C-controlling R-reporting  and B-budgeting . When we examine each of these we realize that for the functions to work in harmony and tandem what is needed is simply someone to manage to each area. Yet if one has to manage each of these functions there has to be a clear understanding of the role of each function and the interplay between them.

Ironically the real challenge is for us to manage our own life. We are often caught up in the rat race and our goals more often than not, are decided not by us but by our bosses and customers. These professional goals often subvert our own personal goals realting to family life, social life and personal time. It is not that we do not have goals in life but compulsions of daily living have molded us to be subversive to the demands of our career. The conflict between our own ambitions and the demands of a career create tensions and makes our life even more challenging and demanding. If we objectively ask ourselves why we have so much of tension and worry in our life, we make the painful realization that it is because we are not able to manage our life.

Apart from the fact that we are subject to demands of work, society and the challenges of living, another important factor that we need to manage is our own goals. Unfortunately many of us have very vague goals and these goals are rarely tangible but often expressed as adjectives which are hard to crystallize in any manner. A good job, lots of money, a posh house, fame and recognition etc. are terms we use to describe our goals. Notice that none of these terms will mean the same to any two people. If there is lack of objectivity in the goal itself, how can one ever come to know that he/ she has attained that goal. Even more problematic is the fact that we can never manage a vague goal.

Instead of chasing imaginary happiness illusionary riches or perceived success, what we need to focus on is, identifying tangible goals for ourselves personally, professionally and socially and systematically MANAGE it through Meticulous Aim Nagging Accuracy & Good Execution.

Action Points:

1. List out goals under the following heads: personal, professional, financial and social. Under each head there must be at least 5 tangible / actionable / progressive points.
2. If married attempt a role interchange between your spouse and you for 2 days a week to better understand the challenges of each other’s role. If single ask a close friend or family member (parents/ siblings/ cousins) to tabulate a list of goals that they would set for you. Now compare your list and realign your goals if needed. Focus on goals that are extremely tough for you to achieve but something that you really want to.eg. You want to improve your grades by 5% in the next exam but you either hate  a subject or are weak in a couple of subjects. You will have to now double your efforts or get extra coaching for the subjects.

 Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

CHOICE

One of the ironies of daily living is that we crave to have choices but when given a CHOICE we are confused and indecisive because although we Can Have Options Including Candid Evaluation all alternatives look attractive and sacrificing one for another is anathema to our rational. Perhaps emotions have a big part to play in us being unsure of the right choice or it is possible that we suffer from the ‘grass is greener on the other side’ syndrome.

 

The beauty of choice is in the fact that we have alternatives from which we can choose. This is critical because each of us has our own unique tastes, thought process and yardsticks to come to a conclusion and make a decision. The mobile hand set boom for example has triggered a revolution simply because it incorporates style and features that can be customized to be as distinctive as the individual who owns it. Choices also ensure that there is no monopoly, control or domination and at the same time ensures that there is vigorous competition that ups the quality antennae, expands the range and keeps the price competitive.

However too much of choice poses a new dilemma; one of selection rationale. To commit to a choice implies that one has made an informed decision but as is often seen in the market place regarding investment choices for example, we have to seek professional help and hope the advice is without any vested interest. This however is a minor price to pay for we can attempt to educate ourselves and at the same time give deep thought and have greater clarity about our end goals. The real benefit of choices is the freedom that we as individuals enjoy for we are free to choose and also free not to choose. There are times though when we are left only with a Hobson’s choice where the alternatives are equally poor and yet we have to make a decision. If there is no choice then we would be forced to make a half hearted commitment as we do for example when we cast our vote at election time. Yet one would agree that the imperfections of choice provided by democracy are far superior to the tyranny and suppression by a tinpot dictatorship.

Choices enable us to exercise our personal power and express our individuality. While many a decision we take are often unduly influenced by our emotions and feelings, if we have a focused goal and clarity of purpose we Can Have Options Including Candid Evaluation. We can then be proud of our decisions when they turn out perfect and we will have to manfully accept our error of judgment if we exercise a wrong choice. Remember the series ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire or the Indian version of it Kaun Banega Crorepati’!

Action Points:

1. Clarity of our end goals is the key to choosing the right options. Attempt to write down your goals for the following aspects of your life. Long term financial goals at retirement. Short term goals to pursue an interest or passion. The kind of assets you want to create over the next 10 years.
2. Based on your goals work out the action plan with specific timelines and milestone activities clearly identified. Keep reviewing your goals and also your choices made from the various options available to you to attain those goals. 

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

 

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

CLASSY

One of the buzz words that marketing thrives on is CLASSY. Most products experiences and style trends are projected as Cool Latest Aesthetic Stylish Stunning & Youthful and the world laps it up for they are sold on that idea. There is no doubt that what is classy is open to debate for tastes vary as do affordability and suitability. While the younger generation prefers glitz, glamour colorfulness and techwiz, the older generation is more clued into functionality, sobriety and value for money.

Many a time classy products are perceived as something very special because they are priced high and have exclusivity because very few can afford it. No doubt these products have a major qualitative superiority and possibly very exclusive features and so appeal to a certain class of people who can both appreciate the exclusivity and have the financial wherewithal to afford these products. Classy products and services set benchmarks and could also spark of fashion trends. Style statements are often made by a classy display and fusion of fashion and personalities that are highlighted by the media and reinforced by a mass fan following.

Technology is a key trigger that is at the heart of the new age classy products. Where once we just worse canvas shoes to run with, today’s running shoes are equipped with little chips that capture and analyze data and give real time updates about the users health and vital parameters. Telecommunication has provided ample scope to innovate and the classy equipment and features that are prominently highlighted tempt even the most astute individual to fall for its lure and invest in it. In modern times the interplay between technology, personalization and exclusivity provides the perfect platform for marketers to pitch a classy product for each person. This ramps up sales, sets cash registers ringing and sets of mass hysteria among the gullible public.

The new age economy is now being transformed by the new mantra of creating needs out of luxuries. In effect we are attempting to bridge the generation gap and make every potential customer see everything as Cool Latest Aesthetic Stylish Stunning & Youthful; for the youth a shaven head is a CLASSY style statement while for the aging generation hair transplantation and silicon implants provide them the with the CLASSY image.

Action Points:

1. 
   
   Jot down 3 exclusive features that you would definitely want in your new mobile phone which are not there in your current mobile phone. Now rationally analyze if there are better alternatives to these features and how did you mange without these features so far?
2. 
   
   Assuming you had the money what will be the three items on which you will splurge on. Now examine if the 3 choices are because it helps to make life easier for you or is it for your personal pleasure or is it for you to make a CLASSY style statement in your social circle.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

POWER

The craze for POWER is perhaps at the center of Machiavellian activities espoused by ruthless leaders in general and politicians in particular. However real power is all about commanding respect and not demanding obedience, as is commonly understood by those, who are power hungry. One automatically gets POWER when one takes on Personal Ownership With Empowered Rights 

In the first place any with who has the power takes on command and responsibility. There can never be any power without responsibility. In taking ownership of not just the activities but the team and the output of the team a person gains the respect and the support of all those whom he/ she interacts with. Consequentially people follow orders, take on challenges and place their implicit trust in the leader for they also know that the leader will stand by them and give them the freedom to operate. By and large they are also sure that the person having power will also give credit where it is due, correct and rectify mistakes and if need be punish mistakes and penalize the guilty. 

No one can just usurp power and think they are in charge. Real power comes from being empowered with rights by those who anoint a person with power. Empowerment emphasizes legitimizing the role, action and consequences of those who are given the power. Both success and failure will then be the full responsibility of those assuming power. E.g. In a coalition government the party who heads the coalition takes on ownership of the actions of the coalition partners and is also empowered to act on behalf of the coalition. In most dictatorships the problem starts with those usurping power holding on to Personal agendas and worse still, lacking the empowerment required from the majority who are under their power.

To differentiate between real power and usurped power do this litmus test – check if POWER means 

Pulverize Opposition Withhold Every Right or it reflects Personal Ownership With Empowered Rights

 Action Points:

1. Look back at those who were your class monitors/ leaders in school and college. Were they elected or chosen by a fair process. Did they use their power judiciously? How could they have done a better job?
2. List out 5 leaders whom you have come across in your life whom you respect very much. Ensure that at least one politician and one industrialist figures in that list. Enumerate those qualities or action demonstrated by them that endear them to you as a leader. Do you think you can emulate them?

 Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com