Sunday, December 16, 2012

VISION

Trendsetters and path breakers are often labeled as visionaries and the reason is that they have demonstrated their VISION by displaying and implementing Vital Insight Supporting Innovative Original Niche. The invention of the wheel is often regarded as the first innovation by man that sowed the seeds of mans quest for liberation from the clutches of the elements that for long confined, restricted and enslaved the free spirit of man. Of course prior to that early man could have also used his / her vision in creating fire by rubbing stones but with the invention of the wheel literally and figuratively the wheels of progress were set in motion.

It was the vision of the Wright brothers to fly that enabled them to etch their names for posterity as the first humans to take off and land an aero plane. It was a similar vision that enabled Louis Pasteur to suggest pasteurization as the simple process to ensure that milk was fit for consumption without risk of illness. Notice that what the Wright brothers set out to do was invent something that didn’t exist while Louis Pasteur through study and experimentations discovered the utility of boiling milk. What is common though is that both of them had the vision to achieve what they set out to do. These examples could perhaps give a mistaken notion that vision is all that scientists and intellectuals set out to achieve. Look around and observe the small and insignificant stop gap arrangements you may have done yourself to meet an urgent need. It could be as trivial as using visiting cards as bookmarks or folding paper and inserting it under a door to keep it from banging shut when the wind blows. These are inspired solutions called creativity and is the seed of vision.

To be a visionary requires 3 steps – think different, see long term, have the courage of conviction to do it. Far too often our vision is a result of a problem needing a solution spurring us on. The essence of vision though, is seeing what does not exist, creating something that never existed and / or letting imagination run wild and then harnessing its power scientifically. The Fosbury flop the most widely used technique in high jump today is tribute to the man who dared to be radically different and succeeded so well, that he ensured that his vision became synonyms with his name and made it a part of athletics folklore. Similarly Henri Fayol’s Principles of management espouse the vision that he had in outlining and distilling the essentials of management.

At heart each of us has a visionary streak for we are blessed with the power of imagination, the ability to think independently and differently and the common sense to discern, prioritize and implement our ideas. The sum total of this is our VISION which translates into Vital Insight Supporting Innovative Original Niche.

Try this:
  1. How can you cut a round ( circle shaped) cake into 8 equal pieces using only 3 cuts?
  2. List out 5 New Year Resolutions that you have never succeeded in achieving in the past. Can you visualize a different approach to ensure that you can implement at least 3 of the resolutions successful this year.
  3. Outline 10 points that would be key to the vision you have for your country.
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

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

DARE





Most of us have noble intentions, are idealist by upbringing and would love to be seen as heroic when the chips are down. In reality though, notwithstanding our most utopian concept of our self, we falter when we have to stand up to be counted for we do not DARE and go ahead and Display Action Risking Everything. We fear the consequences, we are terrified of being the odd man out and refuse to take risks that could disturb the tranquilly that comes out of adherence to the norm.

We do not dare because we are by and large creatures of habit and we would prefer to traverse the known path, rather than explore possibilities that could be tougher, riskier and possibly life threatening. Other times we do not dare because we do not want to move out of our comfort zone. Those who fear public speaking are classic examples of individuals who prefer to be passive audiences than active participants. There are many who do not dare because they do not see a value proposition in pursuing that path. Remember the time in school when you knew the culprit but did not dare to tell it to the teacher because you did not see how you would benefit from being a tale tattler whilst the risk of being ostracized by the rest of the class was very probable.

Almost all of us enjoy giving a dare to others but could possibly shy away from attempting the same dare, Remember the dares we gave people when playing passing the parcel ?  True some of those dares seem pretty silly and childish on hindsight but all the same they were still challenging then. However there are many who enjoy the thrill of taking on a dare. They would be the first to take on a challenge, find the tallest tree to climb or the attempt to lift the heaviest rock that he/ she can grasp. Ironically it is perhaps this very quality that could be their undoing for false bravado often results in misplaced confidence and taking on very risky dares. This might explain the number of people who get swept away when they go swimming in the beaches despite warnings not to or ending up in fatal car crashes when speeding and losing control.

Then there are the professionals who take on some terribly risky dares. The various circus artistes are a prime example of professionals taking on dares. The care and motorcycle racing drivers are another set of professionals who flirt with danger by daring to race on treacherous tracks and in dangerous weather conditions. The most revered daredevils are the ones who sacrifice their life in the taking on dangerous missions. The policemen, the fire fighters and the soldiers all deserve a special salute for the very nature of their job involves being daring. However, what is significant to the readers is the knowledge that each of us has it in us to DARE; begin by  following the law, the path of righteousness and by championing the cause of the oppressed, the down trodden and the marginalized; all it requires us to do is Display Action Risking Everything.

Action Points:


  1. Make a list of interesting dares that can be used whilst playing some party games.
  2. If you haven’t attempted any of these, go on DARE to try any or all of them

  • Hold a snake / white mice in your hand for 5 minutes at least.
  • Sing a song using a karaoke in front of an audience of at least 5 people (your family of 5 counts as audience)
  • Go scuba diving / go on a fishing trawler into the sea/
  • Wear a traditional attire of a region that is completely alien to you
  • Go for a classical music / dance program that you have never ever attended before.
  • Try to play some musical instrument that you have never attempted before. (eg. Try to play the saxophone / play the western drums )


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

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

BRAVE




Being BRAVE is often associated with risky daring exploits, the types immortalized by war heroes and over hyped by the movies; be it a James Bond genre or a Rocky series. More subtle variations of Bravery are displayed in spy thrillers and select war movies. The classical view of bravery depicts Bold Responsible Action Valued Everywhere and that is the epicenter of most of the exploits highlighted.

Far too often bravery is portrayed or understood to mean undertaking death defying challenges ostensibly for a just cause. The ultimate act of bravery is epitomized and lauded when a person dies in the line of duty whilst battling evil or enemies. Whilst there is no two opinions that flirting with death and succumbing to it at times is the pinnacle of bravery, one should not mistake that to be the only act of bravery. In daily life each of us is provided with a variety of opportunities to display our bravery. Unfortunately most times we prefer to choose soft options rationalizing that it is better to go with the flow than stand up and be in the eye of a storm. Standing up to resist any form of corruption would perhaps rank very high in the list of opportunities to be brave. This could be closely followed by opportunities to speak up against injustice, taking a principled stand on matters that need self regulation (eg. Following traffic discipline or refusing to allow another to copy from you in an exam) or being brave enough to own up ones mistakes.

Overcoming our fears and anxieties would be best tackled by finding ones reserve of bravery from deep within. Public speaking for example is widely accepted fear for most people and it takes a lot of courage to bravely volunteer to face an audience. You need to be doubly brave to repeat the performance in case you messed up the first time. Where power equations are dominant, as in seniors and juniors in academic institutions or in professional life where there is a boss subordinate relationship, those on the lower echelons would have to have display extraordinary bravery to resist the tyranny of those higher up in the hierarchy, Similarly treading an offbeat path be it in a career choice, pursuing a passion or dreaming big requires tremendous self belief and an even bigger slice of bravery.

To be BRAVE is not simply daring. It is daring coupled with caution; calculated risk taking transcribed into action and pushing the envelope when it matters most. That explains why one is seen as brave when it is an outcome of a Bold Responsible Action Valued Everywhere.

Action Points:

  • Outline 3-5 areas of concern within your immediate personal, social, professional or physical environment that irks you or irritates you. Now outline a proactive plan of action that you will implement to ensure that you take steps to address the issue.
  • Have you ever tried to learn juggling/ magic/ card tricks/ cartooning/ singing/ cartooning? Pick  2 from the list that you have never attempted and bravely announce to your immediate family and friends that you will regale them with those new talents before the year end.


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

Saturday, September 29, 2012

REST




There is nothing as refreshing as taking REST for it is the perfect antidote to work, stress and tiredness. With the hectic pace of life in a fast paced world, everyone gets caught up in the rat race and opting out to rest is often viewed as a luxury one cannot afford. Yet just as a woodcutter pauses to sharpen his axe in order to do a more productive work, each of us is obligated to ensure one takes adequate rest for that is the perfect way to Recoup Energy & Stave off Troubles.

Recouping energy is critical in order to remain in peak fitness, prolong one’s efficiency and to cope with the fresh demands made each day. While we often focus on physical energy when we think of taking rest, it is the mental energy that we need to regain which plays a more vital role in an individual’s life. Mental fatigue could be an outcome of excessive focus (preparation for exams is a good case in point), a result of worry and stress (an impending visit to a doctor especially a dentist is a fine example) and / or a byproduct of lack of sleep and excessive physical work (organizing a family wedding of an immediate family member is perhaps a very apt example). Taking rest ensures that we let our mind/ thoughts/ feelings/ body hibernate and recharge.

Lack of rest often results in unpleasant outcomes physically and mentally. These troubles could be in the nature of anxiety disorders, exhaustion, ailments, distraction and disorientation and could culminate in serious illness. By ensuring one takes adequate rest we can stave off these troubles. One of the great miracles of life is the healing process that nature has bestowed on us. You would realize that the healing process is a function of time and supportive care. Rest is the underlying prescription for all troubles.

An unfortunate myth about rest is that it only involves distancing one’s self from regular work. An offshoot of this myth is that one ends up being couch potatoes, plonking for hours in front of the TV or computer or mobile phone. What one does not realize is that by being addicted to these gadgets subconsciously we are prone to anxiety disorders thereby adding to stress and completely negating the concept of rest. It is essential that we be aware of our urge/ addiction/ cravings of this nature for they pose the biggest challenge to genuine rest. Sleep is perhaps the best form of rest, for then one is in a state of bliss cut off from all distractions. Being in the midst of nature soaking in the wonders that abound could come a very close second as an ideal form of rest. Spending time with near and dear ones particularly in the form of a holiday could be another outlet to soak in the wonders of rest. Indulging in ones passion, hobby and spending time with ones pet could also provide us opportunities to rest.

The best way to getting rest is an individual choice. However whatever be the best source of REST there is disputing the fact that it is the perfect way to improving ones quality and length of life, for at the end of the day it enables one to Recoup Energy & Stave off Troubles.

Action Points:

Honestly answer the following questions to get an idea of the various stress busters that suit you and enable you to get some rest.

  • When you are stressed or upset what is the activity that helps you calm down?
  • How do you cope with bad news?
  • How do you face a sudden crisis?
  • What is the one indulgence you never tire of?

Which of these activities meet your idea of a good way to rest?

  • Reading a book
  • Watching a comedy serial
  • Doing some social service activity
  • Participating in or organizing a drama/ dance/ party
  • Your gifted something you longed for and trying to make the best of it.

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