ATTITUDE

Each of us is fortunate to experience a variety of thoughts every moment, some happy, a few sad, sometimes positive, occasionally negative but what really matters is how those thoughts influence your actions and in turn your life. Our response to our thoughts and the consequences thereafter impact how we shape our life and our future. Our ATTITUDE largely mirrors the response we are prone to take and is therefore seen as A Thought That Immediately Turns Useful in Directing Effort. When ones thoughts are predominantly about failure, the chances of failure are very high, simply because the thought triggers a response largely designed to fail. On the other hand if success and positivity take center stage in our thoughts, then our actions and responses are focused on succeeding and we then enjoy the fruits of success.

There is emphasis on having a Positive Attitude because our thoughts are then directed towards all possibilities that will ensure we overcome any obstacle that impedes chances of success or happiness. In sports, many an upset victory by the underdog reflects the practical aspects of a positive attitude. There is also much truth about the effects of a Positive Attitude in the lines of H.W. Longfellow, in his poem The Ladder of Saint Augustine when he writes:

 

The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.

Unless those who toiled had a positive attitude, they would not have expended their energies in the fond hope of achieving success.

It is imperative that one train the mind to have the right attitude. This is made possible by associating with those who display the right attitude, preferably those who are always happy, confident, exuberant, extrovert and not too emotional. Obviously this means that we need to be cautious when interacting with those who are compulsive critics, those who are often sarcastic, those who avoid responsibility and those who keep whining about life in general. Equally important is our self perception about ourselves. Appreciate the strengths one is blessed with; work on overcoming our shortcomings, begin to be more proactive and decisive, exercise more self control and restrain be it on our own temper or bad habits and be grateful for all the blessings that one has been showered with.

Does this mean a Negative Attitude is completely undesirable? At times a negative attitude is a reflection of the harsh reality as is evident to the person experiencing it. It then acts as a self preservation mechanism and our actions are then directed with such an end in mind. Retreating in war when the odds are completely stacked against us can be viewed as a negative attitude but then tactically and strategically it may make better sense to preserve numbers for a better offensive latter. In boxing, ‘throwing in the towel’ is an honorable way to allow the loser to escape unnecessary punishment and hurt because of false bravado or foolhardiness. A negative attitude must be the exception rather than the norm for it to have value and appreciation.

To improve one’s attitude it is essential that we inculcate the following:

• Seek out positives in anything and everything that happens.
• Learn to be pragmatic without turning to be a defeatist.
• Reign in emotions so that decisions are not biased, impulsive or made out of compulsion.
• Be creative, innovative and unconventional in order to harness your thoughts to see possibilities in apparently hopeless and irreconcilable matters.
• Remember that ATTITUDE is not about Daring but Living, not about Avoiding but Attempting and definitely not about Winning or Losing but Trying whole heartedly.
• Finally never forget that ATTITUDE  is all about utilizing  A Thought That Immediately Turns Useful in Directing Effort.

Action Points:

How will you react in the following situations?

• You have not studied throughout the year. Suddenly one month before the exam you attempt to cram and burn the midnight oil to study. By the time the exam day arrives you are not at all confident about appearing for the exam. You then ________________________
• You are traveling in a long distance train.  At around midnight you hear a commotion and wake up to see a couple of ruffians harassing a lady commuter who is screaming for help. You would then____________________
• You go to a friend’s newly opened restaurant for a meal. He is delighted to see you and warmly welcomes you and instructs his staff to give you the best treatment. Unfortunately in their enthusiasm to serve you the waiter spills some hot soup over you. To compound the misery the specialty of the day turns out to be a very poor dish. On the way out your friend eagerly inquires with you about the food and service. How will you respond to him? ____________________________

Find something Positive in the following situation:

1. Despite studying hard and doing well in the exam, when the results come you are declared failed.
2. You have won the lottery for a million rupees but you have misplaced the ticket and cannot find it before the deadline for submission.
3. Your overseas vacation with the family is all well planned but unfortunately the day before leaving a family member who is also part of the trip takes seriously ill and is admitted to ICU and you are forced to cancel the trip incurring heavy losses on the tickets and hotel booking that are not refunded.
4. You have won a contest in which you are to have a dinner with your favorite actor/ sportsperson. You eagerly go for the vent all excited and upbeat but are rudely shocked to know that the personality has had an emergency and cannot attend the event.

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

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

LEARN

As man developed and evolved over the centuries, the key to the progress was the effort he/she made to adapt, adjust and advance which was made possible by the ability to LEARN. Learning was a mix of being enriched by experience, progressively experimenting, acquiring new skills and developing through analysis, thinking and creativity. What made the process smoother was the realization by each successive generation that through the process of learning each once was collectively and individually experiencing that Life gets Enriched As  Resources are Nourished.

When one set about to learn, there were specific competencies that we sought to improve but interestingly the learning nurtured much more than just one aspect of life. When one sought to became a better hunter, it was not the mere hunting skills that developed but the tools of hunting evolved, the styles of hunting changed and even the approach to what was to be hunted was carefully discerned.  In school today, the array of subjects that a student is taught is focused on giving an opportunity to everyone to have a feel of the various hues of learning and in the process helps one to have basic skills in key areas of life be it mathematics, an idea of geography, grasp of language skills etc.

Sports as an area of learning was focused on nourishing the energy and enthusiasm that forms the core of youth. It helps one develop his/ her physique, stamina, flexibility and in addition helps one discover the hidden talent and potential as a sportsperson. That apart, team sports bring out the team spirit and cohesiveness required to succeed, the realization that there is a leader and subordinate relationship, that individual skills alone cannot guarantee success etc. The sports arena also highlights the importance of being very fit, the realization that there are off days when even the champion looks very ordinary and that competition will always be around to challenge and compete.

As one goes about living one’s daily life, the process of learning continues consciously and unconsciously. Bringing up a child, balancing a career and a home, coping with sudden changes and calamities etc. are all events that we are never formally trained in or taught about. However the learning in most cases happens unconsciously, occasionally painfully but always fruitfully. If one seeks to learn, one must have the right attitude, the willingness to pay a price for the learning and the courage to experience the learning even if there is risk and danger attached to the process. A learning attitude is all about nurturing the mindset to accept what comes our way and to hope that we get a benefit even obliquely. Every experience is an opportunity to learn and many a time the experience can be painful, distressing and demoralizing. Nevertheless the gain is in realizing that it is not the end of the road. The best learning comes from putting into action or practice what is absorbed. Despite the best attitude, the best preparation and extensive practice, the reality is always unpredictable. We then LEARN that when we are willing to be lifelong students Life gets Enriched As Resources are Nourished though our experiences, by our own experiments and our positive expectations.

Action Points:

1. Jot down the 3 new things you learned during the last one week. It could relate to your work, it could be something you gained from the TV/ neighbor/ children/ friend etc.
2. Outline some new things you would want to learn. This could relate to your passion/ profession/ whim / or as a challenge. How will you outline the way you plan to achieve this and put some clear deadlines to begin and allocate the time for it too.

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

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our Inspirational and Motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

MIRROR

Nothing can surpass a MIRROR for its faithful and unbiased feedback, candid and honest portrayal and dispassionate and calm countenance. What is equally important to note is that we often take it for granted despite liberally utilizing it to preen ourselves from the time we wake up till the time we hit the sack at night. Surprisingly, while many times we are not too pleased with the feedback, portrayal and countenance displayed, we nevertheless accept it as Meaningful Instant Reflection Revealing Original Reality. 

Feedback: Even our best friend would think twice about making disparaging comments about our looks, and our expressions but the mirror has no such compunctions. The good part is that because we get such a feedback we are able to make use of the very same mirror to goad us into making the changes required be it combing our hair, putting on a dash of make up or learning to smile more and frown less. 

Portrayal: How an attire looks on us, our physical features and our body language are loudly echoed back by the mirror allowing us the luxury of making adjustments without any overt or covert comment or disapproval. In fact when we seek to change based on the ungainly portrayal that is reflected in the mirror, it is the faithfulness of the mirror that we turn to seek confirmation that the changes we attempt suit us and reflect our personality. 

Countenance: When happy or sad, elated or depressed, when angry or cheerful, fearful or upbeat a peek at the mirror would quickly point out the reality without comment, suggestions or advice. When the feelings are negative, we are silently urged to focus on the positives whilst we are quietly injected with even more optimism and elation when the feeling is happy, positive and vibrant.

Nothing exemplifies the role of a mirror in one’s life as much as * the fact that in Kerala, in the shrine of Bhadrakali, the female element of energy- there is no idol. Within the shrine, the worshipper finds a great polished bronze mirror, a round mirror in which his/her face is reflected: it is a long journey into the within of nature and self. 

When we quietly reflect on the reflections of a mirror, we again come to the undeniable fact and inevitable truth that wonder of the mirror lies in its Meaningful Instant Reflection Revealing Original Reality.

*Quoted from Pupul Jayakar’s Welcome Address at the January 1987 seminar held by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust on the theme’ Towards New Beginnings’

Action Points:

1. Not all mirrors reflect the images as a normal mirror would. If you can do make it a point to visit the crazy mirror rooms where the mirrors reflect a grossly distorted image of you. The experience would be both fun and an eye opener, for it will portray you in a manner that you can never ever imagine. Pause and ask yourself if you like any of the images portrayed or that you prefer the original image that stares back at you from your mirror at home?
2. To appreciate the power and fun that mirrors can provide, procure a Kaleidoscope or better still make one and enjoy seeing the varied patterns that emerge. Here is a link that shows how to make a kaleidoscope (the mirrors are substituted by glazed plastic) http://tinyurl.com/4ypfgzm
3. Do read the post in the following link to know how and why your closest friend is the best mirror in which to see yourself  http://tinyurl.com/3puqx3e      
4. Stand in front of your mirror at home and do the following

• Comb your hair in a completely different way and see how you look
• Take another smaller mirror and hold it behind your head in such a way that the image is reflected on the larger mirror. Take a good look at the back of your head. Balding men in particular can now have a completely different view of what they perceive to be a full mop of hair on their crown.
• Puff your cheeks/  wink at the mirror/ try out various facial expressions like anger/ surprise/ frown/ pain/joy/ sadness etc.

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

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

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

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

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

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

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

RUSH

In most urban areas people always seem to be in a RUSH. They are always moving at a fast pace, seemingly with a deadline to meet and irrespective of the mode of transportation seem to resent anyone or anything that slows them down. Analyze their behavior and one can immediately understand what RUSH implies for it is exhibited in the form of Rapid Urgent Speedy Haste.

Rush hour traffic is an euphemism extensively used to denote the chockablock  and suffocating experience that one endures early mornings and late evenings on working days. The experience is uniform be it travelling by road, rail or foot. Some interesting sidelights to this rush syndrome can be noticed as under. 

Urgency seems to goad all those in a rush. Every person seems to have an agenda and a deadline to meet. The problem is compounded when there are linkages between the deadlines as would be the case when a person has to catch a variety of transport to reach ones destination. Sadly the urgency that spurs the rush is often stone walled in the humdrum of bureaucratic tangles, the lethargy of unmotivated individuals and the knots weaved by redtapism.

The speed at which others travel unconsciously propel us to keep the same pace. This has partly to do with the physical need to keep pace to avoid being stem rolled or run over. However it is the psychological compulsions of the mind, seemingly nudged by the pace of others around. that triggers alarm bells of tardiness and inefficiency. As a result breasting the tape takes precedence  over smelling the flowers or enjoying the view. 

The value of time suddenly becomes the focal point. The classic case are the train and bus timings around which a large number of peoples life revolves.  Going a step further, even indicating chunks of time be it for pizza delivery or for catching up with someone is now fine tuned to near precision levels. Even appointments are scheduled taking into consideration the RUSH factor.

In a fast paced world, one needs to match the pace around. However, it is equally important that one understand the dangers of being in a rush all the time. It will take a toll on health and relationships, affect the quality of output if continuously churned out in a rush and one would miss the small pleasures of life that simply whizz past us while we are meeting deadlines,  targets and collecting bonuses along the way. Yet in the frenzy that grips the lifestyle and work style we are wedded to, we cannot eliminate the RUSH, for mantra that spells success is Rapid Urgent Speedy Haste.

Action Points:

1. Make a list of 5 things that you always wanted to attempt/ do but never got around to doing. Examine the reasons for not starting them. In how many cases did lack of time become the major excuse?
2. To make use of RUSH positively here are a few things to attempt

-          Pay of all your bills immediately on receipt of the same

-          When going out for a walk as part of your exercise routine focus on increasing the distance covered rather than merely increasing the time you walk.

-          Attempt to delegate more work so that you are not rushed when doing your work and you can focus on that work that is important to your job and responsibilities

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

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

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

NEAT

If asked each one of us would want to do a NEAT job no matter what the work is. From the most mundane to the most complicated work, the adjective NEAT if it precedes the effort, would show case the ultimate result a notch higher. The difference between good work and great work is often just the way the ultimate result is perceived and a NEAT job ultimately gets noticed as a Nice Elegant Appreciative Try. 

Neatness is a mix of order, symmetry, balance, elegance and visual ecstasy. Invariably those getting good marks in exams have a slight edge if they have a neat handwriting because the end result gets highlighted and catches the eye of the examiner. Similarly, people who excel in art and drawing have the ability to conjure up a balanced and visually appealing product be it a painting or flower arrangement or merely the overall setting in which they operate be it at home or work. Ironically many a talented and artistically inclined thrive in chaotic and messy surroundings and perhaps they are so obsessed with the neatness of the end product that everything else is ignored. 

If one wants to be NEAT it is imperative that one prunes the junk. This means all that is superfluous and unwanted must be ruthlessly eliminated. The difficulty here is that we are often obsessed by the tendency to hoard and that is why we tend to store, stock and showcase the good, the bad, the useful and the useless. The next is to develop a sense of balance, order and symmetry. If one lacks this innate ability then it is essential that we get someone else with this ability to help us. The spurt in using the service of architects, interior decorators and landscape designers reflects the move to seek professional help. Finally if one wants to be NEAT at all times, one must be prepared to take a lot of effort. The effort involves maintaining a high personal standard of excellence and this could mean not compromising on even the most insignificant detail. Continuity is the key and the one big stumbling block is the constant care, maintenance and cleanliness that taken together forms the axis around which neatness revolves.

Finally it is essential that we examine our own beliefs, attitudes and actions to determine how committed we are to being neat. Simple things like how much importance we attach to personal grooming, the seriousness with which we approach a given task, the extend of detailing we would go into with respect to any activity etc. would indicate to us our ability to meet the rigors of being neat. Perhaps we can make a good beginning by just examining our own setting at this point in time and determine if we are in a NEAT setting and tell ourselves that it is Nice Elegant Appreciative Try. 

Action Points:

1.  Every month make 2 major changes in your living room and bedroom to give you a feeling of change, newness and neatness.
2. Attempt at least 2 of the following:

• Visit an art gallery and observe the style, shades, strokes that are reflected in the paintings on display.
• Visit a car showroom of a high end brand of cars and appreciate the subtle differences that make the car so special and expensive.
• Go to the major vegetable market in your city and examine reasons for dirt, squalor and untidiness there. Are there solutions to redeem the situation?
• Visit the local zoo or a dairy farm that maintains its own milking cows. Ask yourself 3 reasons that ensure the place is relatively very neat.

 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 www.actspot.wordpress.com

WORK

The one feature that acts as a great leveler for the human race is the undeniable fact that every individual has to WORK not just to earn a living but to also make the living worthwhile. There would be many who would say that the billionaires and the mystics are exceptions, but the truth is that even they have to put in that effort to keep themselves occupied and engaged for it is that WORK which is the Worlds Original Rewards Key that gives physical, moral, financial, psychological, intrinsic and extrinsic sustenance.

For the vast majority of people, the notion of work conjures and image of hard physical labor which was the true nature of work in the beginning of time. However, with the dynamic progress of the human race, the introduction of technology, the concept of leisure as a business and the with the dynamics conjured up by imagination and creativity the ambit of WORK embraces every sphere of human activity. For the spectators, watching a professional sport may be leisure as also for an audience enjoying a movie or a TV sitcom, the experience would be relaxation but for those professionals who entertain us, they have to WORK hard to earn a living. Ironically for the sports commentators and movie critics who in our myopic view  get to enjoy the sport or movie free, they see themselves as professionals engaged in WORK.

It is equally true that almost everyone views work as a unavoidable evil and given a choice would dream of being a billionaire imagining that they would just sit back and do nothing. A close look at the life and style of billionaires would reveal that they work much harder to increase wealth, maintain power, maintain a work life balance and protect their turf from competition. Each of these accomplishments is seen by them as reward for their effort. Similarly, the time and effort you are taking to read the post is part of the WORK you do and the learning, the new thinking, the motivation and euphoric revelations if any that you will experience, would be the Worlds Original Rewards Key that opens up your life to varied possibilities.

The question that everyone is seeking an answer to is ‘Can I find a WORK that I never tire of and eagerly look forward to everyday?’ In this context it is worthwhile recalling the saying that’ if you chose a job that you love, you will never have to work a day in your life’. A few fortunate people manage to identify what they love and get doubly fortunate in finding their calling in that sphere. Many mystics, priests and religious leaders would often fall in this category. For the rest the alternative is to ‘try and love the job you do so that you are not burdened with work’. Be assured that no one can escape WORK in some form and so why not use WORK to be the one single key that rewards us in direct proportion to the effort and eureka you realize that WORK is Worlds Original Rewards Key to lifetime happiness.

Action Points:

While every job has dignity, due to personal bias and lack of appreciation of the job we all have our personal dislikes of some professions. To help you get a better feel of some of these jobs you have to decide which ONE of these jobs you would choose if you were forced to by circumstances and fate and how would you get to like it.

• Garbage collector
• Undertaker (one who makes funeral arrangements)
• Butcher
• Coroner (someone who investigates deaths)
• Helper at a mental asylum

(Also spend 5 minutes reflecting on what would happen if someone was not available to do each of the above jobs)

What are the things you dislike in your current job/ work. (Here is a list to help you get started)

• It is too monotonous
• It is very stressful
• I dislike the job
• I hate the work environment

(Now make a list of things that you appreciate in your current job. (Here is a list to help you make a beginning)

• I have a job which gives me an income
• I have a great set of colleagues to work with
• The job is interesting and yet not stressful
• My education and talent is being used optimally

 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/