Daily Musings
Loved this image.
Sometimes in life, you might think all is lost, and it’s game over.
But all it takes to get back on your feet is a helping hand and some reassurance from someone who believes in you.
Maybe we should all strive to be that kind of tree for a fallen branch.
#motivation #inspiration #leadership
Date: 03-08-2021
Good habits can take you a long way. But what we don’t realise is that one bad habit can set us back.
Eliminating that, stopping yourself from doing the wrong thing is often the key to success.
So what’s one bad habit you are working to eliminate?
Date: 27-07-2021
Has it happened to you that it’s a friend’s birthday – and you miss wishing her or him?
Well it happened with me the other day. And here’s the lesson I learned.
#lesson #procrastination #badhabits
Date: 30-01-2021
Good habits can take you a long way. But what we don’t realise is that one bad habit can set us back.
Eliminating that, stopping yourself from doing the wrong thing is often the key to success.
So what’s one bad habit you are working to eliminate?
Date: 27-07-2021
Has it happened to you that it’s a friend’s birthday – and you miss wishing her or him?
Well it happened with me the other day. And here’s the lesson I learned.
#lesson #procrastination #badhabits
Date: 30-01-2021
Good habits can take you a long way. But what we don’t realise is that one bad habit can set us back.
Eliminating that, stopping yourself from doing the wrong thing is often the key to success.
So what’s one bad habit you are working to eliminate?
Date: 27-07-2021
Has it happened to you that it’s a friend’s birthday – and you miss wishing her or him?
Well it happened with me the other day. And here’s the lesson I learned.
#lesson #procrastination #badhabits
Date: 30-01-2021
Ever wondered how you could live a happier, more fulfilling life?
Turns out we all have two buckets in our lives. And the secret to happiness lies in knowing which bucket to fill.
Here’s what I have learned.
Date: 29-01-2021
Making decisions is tough.
We delay making decisions. We avoid making them. And we worry whether we are getting it right. Sounds familiar?
Here’s what you could do instead. To make decisions work.
#decisions #tips #productivity
Date: 28-01-2021
Date: 27-01-2021
I grew up in Jaipur. And have some rather fond memories of the place.
Of bicycle rides. My school bag. Growing up. A guy called “Chhotu”.
And a life lesson that’s stayed with me.
Here it is.
#dailypost #lessons #memories
Date: 26-01-2021
Have you seen that lovely photo of the ‘Champion’ Indian team? What struck me was the number of support staff in the pic. Even hardcore cricket fans might struggle to recognise many among the support staff.
They are the backroom boys. The unseen heroes. And here’s my take.
#dailyposts #stories #heroes
Date: 21-01-2021
Date: 20-01-2021
Know of a colleague at work who is fiercely competitive? Someone who sees everyone as an adversary? And who nobody enjoys working with?
We may not always realize it, but often, that colleague is us.
It happens. More often than we like.
And here’s what we can do about it.
#competition #solutions #teamwork
Date: 18-01-2021
Change is hard.
I loved my coffee. Filter kaapi. With freshly made decoction. A dash of milk. And one teaspoon of sugar.
And then it happened. A year ago, I switched to black coffee.
Here’s my story. With a lesson on how to drive change.
#lessons #change #dailypost
Date: 15-01-2021
We all have those beliefs that turn into truths in our heads. We are convinced we are right. We’ve experienced it ourselves. And we are quick to challenge – and dismiss – anyone who disagrees with that long-held belief.
Maybe we should think again.
Date: 14-01-2021
Date: 13-01-2021
Date: 12-01-2021
Date: 11-01-2021
So what are your resolutions for the new year? What do you want to do differently next year? And are you worried that those resolutions won’t last too long?
Well, here’s a plan that can help make it happen.
1. Put down five things you would like to do on a regular basis to make 2021 your best year yet. Share them here!
2. Do those five things tomorrow, the 31st of December.
3. And on the 1st of Jan, review your list of 5 and see how many of these did you manage to do on the last day of 2020. Share your score.
Did them all? Congratulations! You are all set to make 2021 a terrific year.
Did 2 or fewer? Ah, well. Ask yourself why did you miss. Good chance the year ahead will be no different from the ones gone by.
Maybe you need to change your list, to make it something that you really, really want to do. Make it more realistic.
Or change your resolve. Tell yourself you must, absolutely must, do them. Failure is not an option.
Good luck. And here’s wishing you a wonderfully different 2021.
Make it count.
#resolutions #2021goals #motivation
Date: 30-12-2020
Comebacks are always fascinating.
You think it’s all over. Done and dusted.
And then the team that is down, shakes itself up. Rises from the ashes, slowly. Believes. Finds strength from God knows where. And emerges victorious.
Just the kind of story you want to be telling yourself and your team. As a tough year comes to an end. And a new year begins. Remind yourself that ain’t over till it’s over. That if they could do it, you too can.
There are many stories of great sporting comebacks.
Like Eden Gardens 2001, when India following on, beat Australia by 177 runs. And then the Laxman-Dravid-Harbhajan show. That ended Australia’s 16 match winning streak.
Or the 2005 Champions League Final. Liverpool down 0-3 at half-time versus the favourites Milan. And then scoring three goals, levelling scores and then winning the penalty shoot-out. What a game. What a story.
So what’s your favourite comeback story?
#newyear #bouncingback #stories
Date: 24-12-2020
A tough, challenging year is coming to an end. A year that taught us to never take anything for granted.
Nothing. Ever.
And if you’ve learned that lesson, here’s something you should do. Pick up your phone. Make that call.
To a friend you haven’t spoken to in years.
A boss who made such a difference to your life – and is now in the winter of her life.
An aunt or uncle who gave you childhood memories that have stayed with you.
A former colleague.
Whoever.
You’ll make their day. They will be glad you called. And so will another person.
You.
Do it. Today. And maybe everyday.
A call a day can put a smile on a face. Or two.
So who are you calling today?
#year2020 #reflect #lessonslearnt
Date: 21-12-2020
Date: 18-12-2020
Problem-solving is a prized skill in the corporate world.
We all like to have people around us who are good at getting us out of a tight situation. We are all quick to hail those problem-solvers as heroes. Organizations jostle to hire those problem-solvers. Those clever people.
I think it was Einstein who once said “A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.”
And that made me wonder. Do we under-appreciate the wise people around us – while making heroes of the clever people?
When a wise person helps avoid the problem, we don’t pause to think of what might have been. We don’t talk about the pain and loss that could have been upon us. But once a problem hits us, and the challenge and suffering become real, then someone who can help solve the problem becomes an angel. A life-saver. Star of the month.
So which one are you? Clever? Or wise?
Maybe we should all try and be wise. Not just clever.
Grandma was right after all. Prevention is indeed better than cure.
#quotes #problemsolving #wisdom
Date: 15-12-2020
Relentless. It’s such a powerful word.
To be relentless is to be unceasingly intense. Constantly focused. Never letting go. Never giving up. Always switched on.
Are you relentless?
If you have defined a goal for yourself, good idea to get relentless about it.
It can be magical. You could put Amazon’s success down to their relentlessness. The focus on winning with every customer every day. Getting every transaction right. No matter what. In fact, Relentless was apparently one of the first names that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos had thought of for his online ‘everything store’.
And for a bit of Monday fun, type relentless.com into your browser. And see what happens!
#goals #relentlessness #amazon
Date: 7-12-2020
People often reach out to me for advice. On jobs and careers. Education. Relationships. Success and happiness. Life’s purpose. The works.
And before I respond with my views or start to offer any advice, there’s an old saying that I remind myself. It’s this:
“In business, and in life, people can take different roads to achieve success. There are many different roads that lead to happiness. Just because they have chosen not to be on your road doesn’t mean they are lost.”
It’s a powerful thought. One that’s helped me understand and appreciate other people’s views. And their journeys.
It’s tempting to think that if they are not thinking like you – and not acting like you – they are doing it wrong. That’s seldom true.
Maybe something for all of us to think about before we tell young folks – or other people – what they should be doing.
#careers #guidance #success
Date: 1-12-2020
2020 has been a year like no other.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned this year? What’s that one learning that’s altered the way you think, the way you lead your life?
Keen to hear.
#2020 #lessons #newnormal
Date: 30-11-2020
Has someone said something harsh about you that’s got you upset? Someone saying nasty things behind your back?
Here’s terrific advice for you.
If someone says something unkind about you, live your life so that no one will believe it.
Date: 26-11-2020
Date: 25-11-2020
The world is changing.
Skills are becoming obsolete.
Roles redundant.
Businesses are being disrupted.
Everything you took for granted is now up in the air.
It’s easy to feel the end is near.
Remember this.
A turn in the road is not the end of the road – unless you fail to make the turn.
All you need to do is be willing to change. And learn. And adapt.
Do yourself a favour. Make that turn.
#newnormal #change #adaptability
Date: 24-11-2020
Yesterday, I heard a friend talk about what he called Life’s great trade-off. It’s this.
Getting it Right
Vs
Getting it Done
There’s a part of us that says if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. So we aim to get it right. Make sure it is perfect. We go looking for expert advice. Look up resources. Spend time thinking. Looking for best practices. Reading. Watching videos. Consulting experts. And more. We do everything – except getting it done.
There is of course another option. Just get it done.
It doesn’t have to be all right. It doesn’t have to be perfect. No, people won’t laugh at you. It’s ok to make mistakes. Once you get started, you have a chance of improving on it. Getting it done sets you up to get it right.
Which camp do you find yourself in most often?
Maybe a good idea to stop procrastinating. Stop waiting for perfection. Just begin. Get it done.
That old line is still true. You don’t have to be great to get started. But you have to get started to be great!
Date: 23-11-2020
The Magic of Compounding. The Power of Consistency. They both point to the rewards waiting for you if you just stay the course.
Flashes of brilliance might look good. But it’s consistency that triumphs in the long run.
Good thing to remember. Sometimes, the race is not won by the fastest runner but by the one who just keeps running.
#quotes #motivation #consistency
Date: 22-11-2020
Charlie McCarthy, the former CEO of Tetley, USA once famously remarked “Don’t build me a watch, just tell me the time.”
So much to think about in that one line, no?
Too often, businesses and people falter and fail because they waste too much time and money trying to build a fancy watch. When all they needed to know was the time.
Been guilty of doing that in your life? Are there times when you have thought of setting up a dairy because you needed some milk?
#quotes #business #resources
Date: 21-11-2020
Interesting quip from Don Marquis, the American Humorist:
When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask him: ‘Whose?’
Makes me think. Is that the thought that often marks the start of entrepreneurial journeys?
#quotes #success #hardwork
Date: 18-11-2020
How happy are you? How often do you feel happy – or unhappy – about things that happen in your life?
As I have grown older, I have learned that happiness is a simple equation. Happiness equals Outcomes minus Expectations.
H = O – E
The greater the difference between the outcomes and the expectations in our lives, the happier we tend to be.
And here’s the catch. In our desire to maximise happiness, we make the mistake of focusing on increasing the outcomes. We want great results. Super-normal returns. And that seldom happens.
What we should do instead is focus on reducing expectations. Do that. And you’ll be a happier person.
Hit the Reset button on your expectations. Expect less. And say hello to simple joys and little delights. And to more happiness.
#happiness #tips #expectations
Date: 16-11-2020
It’s ok to fail. Once you understand that, you would have given yourself your best chance to succeed.
Fail often. Fail fast.
As the former Chairman and CEO of IBM put it: “If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate.”
Date: 15-11-2020
It’s the festival of lights. The festival of joy.
As good a time as any to let go of anger.
And ill-will.
Shed hatred.
Forgive.
Give people a second chance.
Let go of those hard feelings.
And that feeling of wanting to get even.
This Diwali, good idea to remind yourself of that old line from the Buddha: “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else. You are the one who gets burned.”
Happy Diwali. And here’s wishing you a safe, happy and prosperous year ahead.
#happydiwali #lights #happiness #goodtimes
Date: 14-11-2020
I like to read. Books. Articles. Newsletters. Even the instructions on product packaging.
And here’s what I read on a pack of ID Filter Coffee this morning: “For an even flavour, and to show off, pour back & forth between 2 tumblers!”
Nice, no? A brand’s character is often revealed in the little things they say about themselves.
And maybe there’s a lesson for all of us too. What does your label say about you? Don’t take yourself too seriously. When introducing yourself, what’s something funny, whacky or self-deprecating that you can say about yourself? Say it. It will make you more likable. And unforgettable too.
Ah, and must add, I quite love the ID filter coffee decoction!
#everydaythings #branding #interesting
Date: 12-11-2020
Don’t worry, be happy.
Those were the opening words of a popular song in the 80’s. Words that became a life mantra for many of us. And made the singer Bobby McFerrin an overnight sensation.
And then came the news that he had committed suicide. The irony was hard to miss. Imagine the man who tells you “don’t worry be happy” goes on to commit suicide.
You’ve heard the story, haven’t you?
But hold on. Turns out the news of his suicide was untrue. It was just another urban legend, with people happily soaking in the irony. He is still around. Alive and kicking.
What is it about news like this that it spreads rapidly and we all lap it up without checking the facts?
And yes, is there another urban legend you know of – that needs to be called out?
#dontworrybehappy #fakenews #legend
Date: 11-11-2020
Absolutely loved The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. Just as the sub-title promises, the book delivers ‘Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed and Happiness.’ If there’s one book I would want my (grown up) kids to read this year, this is it. Read it. Highly recommended.
#bookrecommendations #habits #books
Date: 10-11-2020
Date: 09-11-2020
My wife and I step out for a walk every morning. And in the past few months, it’s been obvious that there are more people out there. Walking. Running. Cycling. Just doing something to stay fit. And as my wife and I talked about it, I said it’s testimony to the growing awareness around fitness and health.
And the wife said it could also be that with Work From Home, people have a couple of extra hours available to themselves – thanks to not having to commute to work. And those extra hours are helping them devote time for exercise. Something they wanted to do, but didn’t have the time for. Good point, no?
What have you been doing with those extra hours every day? Learning something new? Doing something you always wanted to? Or has the realisation not dawned on you that you have those extra hours? Hopefully, you haven’t spent those hours on another work-related Zoom call. Keen to hear how you’ve put that extra hour (or two) to use.
And for the rest of us, never too late to realise that amidst the doom and gloom of the pandemic, we are lucky to have a couple of extra hours each day, every day. What you choose to do with those extra hours today could make a difference to your life tomorrow.
Choose wisely.
#workfromhome #choices #pandemic
Date: 04-11-2020
You love travelling. Seeing new places. And for eight months now you have been stuck at home. Longing for the sights of the big wide world out there. Missing those magical views.
If that sounds like you, worry not. Hop across to https://window-swap.com. A website I discovered quite by chance.
It’s a place where at the click of a button you get to see the view from a window in some corner of the world. Complete with the sounds.
And the sights of people walking by. And another click and you get transported to another city. Far far away. What a lovely, addictive idea. Great way to see the world. Sitting at home. And then it struck me it’s not just about a website with beautiful views. It’s about us. We all need to be like that. Swapping the view from our windows in life. Sharing our views. Opening our hearts and our minds to let other people share in our experiences. Time then to open up. Help other people see things they may be missing. Share the lessons you have learnt. Come, open your window.
Posted by : Prakash Iyer
Date : 30-10-2020
A visit to a farm house. Two Plants. And a lesson for us all.
On feeling like you are unlucky. On bringing up kids. And on the ways of the world.
Here’s the story.
#stories #lessons #dailypost