DESIRE

Notice that any self generated action is largely the result of compulsion or desire. While compulsion by its very meaning suggests that there is no alternative and is forceful, desire evokes in our mind a pleasant, willing and positive emotion within us suggesting that the action is something we eagerly look forward to. This is because DESIRE emits from our own ability to Develop Enthusiasm Sustained Interest Renewed Energy. Going to a movie, a party, a picnic gets us excited, enthusiastic and eager whereas attending a lecture or a routine office meeting triggers thoughts of an unpleasant, boring and disagreeable waste of time. Hence it is essential that one needs to generate DESIRE within to make life interesting, to enable you to be proactive and enjoy every moment.

You can generate DESIRE if you see life as an interesting GAME and make a conscious effort to play that game well.

Goal in mind - There must be an objective, a result, a goal that helps one focus. Without a goal we merely meander through life like sheep grazing in the pastures, merely going through the act of eating and sustaining. As human beings we are blessed with greater intellect, imagination and initiative that we need to make use of. This can be done by outlining our goals, visioning the big picture and purposefully striving to attain the goal using all the resources at our command. The goal is the beginning and the focus of any desire.

Attitude is positive – Without a positive attitude we cannot generate self belief. A positive attitude can be generated when one is able to align ones goal, thoughts and actions. The starting point of this is identifying and focusing on the right goal. Focus on what needs to be done and not on what should be avoided. The latter has a negative connotation to begin with and more importantly does not help us focus on one single objective. Then we need to outline the roadmap to reach the goal, the wherewithal required to sustain us in our quest and take a decisive steps to reach out goal. With the right attitude, we begin to subconsciously fill spirit with the desire to succeed.

Motivation is envisioned – Even if know our goal and start with the right attitude, the energy to continue our quest comes from the amount of motivation we can generate within us. The motivation is not merely attaining the goal but must be apportioned into smaller slices of achievements, must include a large dose of self satisfaction, tons of encouragement from the progress made and must include the pioneering path breaking success you have personally enjoyed along the way. Motivation is the oxygen that keeps the desire alive.

Excellence is targeted- Reaching a goal maybe relatively simple. The real achievement is doing it in style. Excellence is the outcome of careful detailing, planning and execution. Excellence is attained when one can improve the existing benchmarks; improvise the current methods and pioneer new techniques along the way. Rarely can one go about achieving a goal all alone. Excellence therefore also includes one’s ability to be a good team player, a dependable team member and a welcome team participant. Excellence make the desire even more personal and appealing.

Once you begin the GAME in dead earnest your will discover your DESIRE and your own ability to Develop Enthusiasm Sustained Interest Renewed Energy

Action Points

1. Think of the latent desires that you had during your school days. The numerous alternative professions you hoped to take upto. The various hobbies and passions that you wished you could indulge in. Do you still retain the DESIRE for it? If yes, what is stopping you from exploring those avenues? Once you have the desire time and money are no impediments; go for gold!
2. Choose from among the following art forms and determine your desire to explore one or more of it

• Painting
• Photography
• Cartooning
• Sculpting
• Dancing
• Classical music
• Doing card tricks
• Magic
• Haiku
• Exotic cooking

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Acronyms to kick start the New Year

Just thought that this set of acronyms would provide each one of us the perfect inspiration for the New Year and hence I have chosen to share the same here. It would be a very person or a very dumb person who would not accept the fact that he/ she did not face failure in the past and particularly in the year just gone by. Most times the failures could be attributed to incompetence, inefficiency, tardiness or carelessness. However often when we attempt something new we are not successful in the first attempt and we are dejected. Many times we refrain from attempting something new purely because we are afraid to fail. Yet when we reflect on all the progress we have made right from the time we clumsily held  a pencil in the hand and attempted to write the alphabets to the numerous times we feared drowning in the pool while learning to swim or the numerous bruises that  testified to the difficulty we had in learning to cycle we realize that failure did not hinder our resolve. This is because to FAIL was just an acronym for First Attempt In Learning.  Resolve to attempt something new each month and master it or make significant progress in it by the end of the month.

For sure, you would have committed blunders and felt that it is the end of the road as far as your future was concerned. Yet, despite the admonishments and embarrassment you faced you still got another chance to redeem yourself. Perhaps you failed an exam or did not honor a commitment. Possibly you did not clear a number of job interviews or worse still never got a call for a job interview despite applying in numerous places. Some of you may be stuck with a boss who is often critical and unappreciative of your work and threatens you with dismissal. The fact is that despite these very daunting circumstances you still live with hope, possibly you have even managed to be successful in your academics or career and you have expectations to a even better future. All this, despite you often feeling that it is the end of your dreams. This clearly demonstrates that the END is merely an acronym that reminds you the Effort Never Dies.

One word that hurts us most is the word No which to put it mildly is a point blank refusal our plea. As children we may have craved for the best toys and clothes only to be stonewalled with a firm NO. Maybe as teenager you were forbidden from attending late night parties or perhaps even encountered the pain of being rejected with a firm no by a person whom you had a crush on. It is equally possible that as a professional your subtle and not so subtle requests for a pay hike has been dismissed with a curt no. For sure every NO hurts but once we come to terms with it, we rationalize that there is always a Next Opportunity.  

So, as the poet Longfellow says in his poem ‘ The Psalm of Life’

Let us, then, be up and doing,

   With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

   Learn to labor and to wait

The First Attempt In Learning may not be successful but you must remember that Effort

Never Dies and  that life always gives us the Next Opportunity to be successful.

Action Points:

• During this week walk up to complete strangers and wish them for the New Year. ( it is not as difficult as it first seems). Also observe their reactions for it give you clues as to what you did right or wrong.
• Ask your best friend/ sibling/ parent/ colleague to tell you honestly about the one habit / aspect of your personality that they would like you to change / improve/ work on. Ensure that you make a fervent attempt to try to work on it during the year.

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FUN

There is no substitute to having FUN be it at work or play, when having company or when all alone, be it sunshine or rain and there is nothing as effective as a dose of fun when stressed for that is when each of us gets to Feel Upbeat Now no matter what.  The old adage ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ lay stress in a subtle way on the importance of having fun in life. Of course in today’s day and age more and more enlightened corporate and organizations are ensuring that fun is a key ingredient in the work environment. No one is more blessed than one who has fun doing his daily work and enjoys equal fun otherwise too. 

 

So how does one try to have fun and feel upbeat now? The quickest way is to stop reading this post anymore unless you are having fun reading it.  If you are still continuing to read this post let me suggest 3 ways to have fun no matter what the situation.

Refocus on positives. When feeling low and depressed or if caught in an apparent vicious circle, keep in mind this one phrase ‘ this too shall pass’. Now try to see the reality as to what could have been worse? E.g. If you are stuck in what you believe is the worst job in the world, be grateful that unlike the jobless at least you have a job. Also focus on some positives in the existing situation e.g. you are diagnosed with an incurable illness be grateful that you have time to prepare for the worst unlike someone who has a sudden heart attack an is no more. Note that by refocusing on positives you are not getting rid of the problem but instead making an attempt to Feel Upbeat Now

Attract fun.  Transform yourself into a magnetic personality that attracts positives vibes, exudes refreshing energy and conjures creative ways to enjoy the moment. Not for a moment am I suggesting that one takes a nip or two (which often provides a similar effect immediately) but the key here is ensuring that you are surrounded by dynamic energy, positive vibes and enthusiastic vigor. Simple techniques include reading jokes, sharing jokes, dressing well, partying, entertaining, indulging in a passion etc. You spark the FUN and be certain that you will enjoy the warmth of the bonfire you have lit.

Stay grounded. The essence of balance is to ensure one does not tilt to any side. This means that troubles should not be seen as calamities nor the joys that come one’s way as a perennial gift. Yet, one must be able to feel the real pain that accompanies any sorrow and relish the ecstasy of the fortuitous blessings. Not enjoying the moment robs one of the gift of bliss and by not grieving when one must, there will be an emptiness that can never be filled. Life thereafter will never be fun because, one will live with remorse. Being grounded merely ensures that effects of lightening are felt in all its intensity but without permanent damage to one’s self confidence and personality.  FUN then is Feeling Upbeat Now because you turn yourself into the lightening rod that keeps you grounded to reality.

Action Points:

1. Make a list of all the synonyms for the word FUN. Now carry that list with you and also paste it where you can see it often. You can attempt to try and quickly move into one of those moods/ feelings when you are stressed, feeling low, annoyed, irritated etc.
2. From the list of words given below, identify 3 words that closely replicate your most negative feelings. Make a practical plan to tackle these negative feelings and improve your fun quotient.

Quick temper/ impatience/ jealousy/ sarcasm / negative attitude/ fear / spiteful/ egoistic / acidic tongue/  

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SMART

What distinguishes something special and catches the eye is how SMART the appeal is to the beholder. This is true for inanimate objects as well as for people. While for inanimate objects the outward appearance plays a vital role in zooming on to something smart, ultimately it is not just the outward looks but the overall features that influences. In the case of people too, the grooming, the personality and the body language definitely influences ‘first impressions’. However it is the confidence, the knowledge and the ability to effectively communicate that ultimately determines how  a Stylish Modern Approach Radiates Tastes and conveys the SMART impression. 

Our focus here will be on how individuals can be SMART and reap the rewards. The key lies in aligning and balancing the key dimensions of an individual’s life and ensuring that one manages to be smart in each of these areas. 

Physical : Personal grooming, dressing, manners and body language would be the major sub components that make up this dimension of an individual. The taste in clothing and accessories, the style and panache with it is carried would of course depend on the occasion and the setting but in the end they matter the most for they form the ‘first impressions’. Manners and etiquette's accentuate the first impressions and the way one carries oneself in stature, posture and demeanor could reinforce the initial judgment. 

Mental:  Knowledge and intelligence are two major components that make up this aspect of an individual. Being well read, updated and sharing opinions and views would enable one to display the knowledge that one has. Using the knowledge and experience efficiently and creatively at work and in everyday living could focus attention on intelligence. Judgment, discretion and decisiveness are other traits that would have a bearing on how mentally smart a person is perceived to be. 

Emotional: Feelings are a good barometer of emotions. Feeling trigger emotions of anger, hope, jealously, happiness, fear, frustration etc. Managing emotions, particularly negative emotions present both a challenge and an opportunity that in the long run determines how others perceive an individual. Being optimistic, having a positive attitude, being bold and daring are traits that are much valued in an individual. At the same time display of anger, bitterness, rudeness, fear and frustration are emotions that deflect attention from the core strengths and mars another wise smart personality. 

Holistic: Since no one can live in isolation, the holistic perception is ultimately formed by observing the social dimensions of the individual. The ability to gel well with others, the capacity to have strong interpersonal relationships,  the seamless way one can strongly disagree without being disagreeable etc. ultimately provide the inflection point that determines how others judge  an individual’s personality. A smart personality indicates that the reality is evident and that the potential is available.

In the ultimate analysis, it is obvious that all the dimensions pertaining to an individual must be well aligned and in ample measure if one qualifies to be viewed as SMART. It is then that an individual’s Stylish Modern Approach Radiates Tastes and is acknowledged by the world at large. 

Action Points:

1. Identify one smart individual preferably known to you, in each of the following categories. Identify their  2 strongest qualities.

• A teacher
• A colleague
• A competitor
• A former classmate
• A person of the opposite sex

1. As an individual identify 2 specifics in each of the following dimensions that you would need to work on and improve so that you can project an even more smart personality.

• Physical
• Mental
• Emotional
• Holistic

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SPIRIT

The true worth of a person is revealed in the SPIRIT that he/ she displays when the going is tough and the chips are down. It is in picking up ones self when one stumbles and falls on the highway of life that we See Passion Ignite Response In Time. For many of us setbacks and failures sap our energies, weaken our resolve and tempt us to throw in the towel. At this low ebb in life, we need to review our emotions, regain our confidence and pick up ourselves to fight a fresh battle. It is the SPIRIT within us that will ensure that we can focus on accepting the challenges posed by life and march on with a song on our lips and a prayer in our heart to forge ahead with renewed vigor.

When we are passionate we crave incessantly and it is this craving that acts as the fuel that fodders our desire to succeed. Passion also helps us remain focused on our goals and provides us the motivation to overcome all obstacles and impediments that prevent us from smoothly attaining our goal. In the process it is possible that we try in vain but fail to succeed in our mission and we get disturbed and disheartened. We may also be tempted to give up and pursue some things else in which our heart is really not in. It is at these inflection points that our spirit, powers us with a renewed energy and the spark to gather our wits, recoup our resources and relaunch our efforts to attain our goals.

In pursuing our goals, we are often required to respond appropriately to all situations be it encouraging or demotivating. When the going is good, we need to scale up our efforts in order to ensure that we go with the momentum and give the right thrust to our plans and efforts. If we slacken and hope that things will turn out right, we might overtaken by events or competition and our efforts could be in vain. It is our spirit that will ensure that we are always charged up and fired up to step up the pace. When faced with differences, difficulties and desperation, we need to respond calmly and coolly without giving into the temptation to rave and rant or pass on the buck. This is not easy because when the going is tough, it gets tougher to face the heat. It is the person who let his/ her spirit ignite the urge to respond positively and decisively who will triumph.

When we look around and see the numerous people who have overcome personal, financial and social odds and make a success of their lives, we see it as a triumph of their SPIRIT. The contribution of social reformers, freedom fighters and social activists is a classic case of the SPIRIT coming to the fore to sustain them in their agenda of acting as change agents for the welfare and development of society in general and the people in particular.  Believe in yourself and let your SPIRIT guide you to See your Passion Ignite Response In Time and help you succeed in your mission in life.

Action Points:

1. Make a list of activities that excite you and a list of those tasks that you hate to do but have to because you can’t avoid it. The challenge is for you to find some motivation in those routine / boring/ disliked tasks so that you might have some passion injected into it. E.g. There are many men who hate to shave every day. If they saw the task of shaving as a key component of their enhanced features or if they can visualize themselves as exceptionally likable after shaving they would have a new impetus to look forward to shaving every day.
2. Be aware of disruptive and useless passions that make you unpopular and / or make you ineffective. Make an effort to cut out those passions lest they become more of a handicap than an asset. E.g. Some people are passionate about forwarding every SMS message or emails that they feel must be shared. Or there could be others who are so passionate about their philosophical ideologue or sport or political views that they cannot help but inflict it on any and every audience.

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

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

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