Saturday, October 14, 2017

Going though bad days or rough patch? Things I do to overcome the feeling of negativity


























I
t all depends on state of the mind how you look at a particular event that has happened.

You had a terrible argument with your spouse. Your presentation at work did not go the way it was expected and you got a negative feedback from your boss or client. You did not get a raise, when your colleague got it. Your business is not doing as well as you would like it to do. You got stuck in a job or assignment you do not like. Someone trolled you on social media or you had faced a worst traffic and got scratch on your new car. For most of us any if these are more than enough to lose our piece of mind and feel low for many days or even longer and we often complain that we are going through bad days or rough patch.

We cannot change a negative situation with bad feelings. If we keep reacting negatively, this will magnify and multiply the negativity. If we control ourselves, we can control any situation.

These are the 7 things I normally do to overcome this feeling of negativity and manage my life when things do not go the way I expected:

Make a list of the things I am grateful for

This works like magic. This is so simple … you cannot be grateful and sad at the same time. We sometimes, needed to remind ourselves that how blessed we are. We all have so many things in our lives which many people on this planet can only dream of. 

Read a book

I normally read books which teach me something and motivate me. Books on Meta physics, Self-Developments, Biographies, Business Fables and sometimes a good Fiction.

Have you ever read ‘Man’s search for meaning’ by Viktor Frankl. A story of his struggle for survival in Nazi concentration camp. Please read, if you are looking for some motivation especially when you are in pain.

Go for walk or run

This is the simplest way to elevate the mood and several research have proved that walking everyday can help a lot in fighting even severe depression.

Watch to a TED talk or listen to a Podcast

I started doing this recently, rather than watching the TV, I watch a talk or presentation or a listen a podcast which add something to my learning. 

I also started listening podcasts while I am driving rather than some random music on FM radio.

Make a list of my goals

Living in the past is a failure method. When I list my goals (both short and long term) or review and update my earlier list and prepare a plan to achieve those, I am taking the first step towards better future for myself and that brings optimism and elevate the mood.

Write

Writing is therapeutic. A blog post like this or a journal or a poem.  I feel so good when I finish writing a Poem or an Article.

Do a random act of kindness

It would sound weird to some of you, however, many times when I feel low, I do few crazy things. Few examples:

  • I write a best possible appreciation email to one of my team members who is doing an excellent job or a nicest recommendation to an ex colleague or a friend.
  • I give a nice tip (an amount which he would have never expected) to a rickshaw puller on the top of the fare amount if I use the service.
  • I buy whatever I could from the children selling at the traffic signals and give double or triple of the amount they have asked

 and many other things like these. Sounds Crazy?? The idea is to ‘Give’. Give whatever you can. Give your money, Give your knowledge, Give the appreciation etc. and in return receive ‘the joy of giving’ and that is what would help you.

What do you do to overcome a feeling of negativity when things do not go the way you expected? Please, do hit the comments and share.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Top 10 Quotes from Chanakya still relevant to modern day Management and Leadership



C
hanakya was an Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist and royal advisor. Chanakya was the teacher of Chandragupta Maurya and he assisted Chandragupta in his rise to power. He played an important role in the establishment of the Maurya Empire.  “Artha Shastra “is one of his master piece – a bible for Business strategy and Management in ancient India.


Even after 2300 years his teaching relevant to all walk of life. Here are few of his quotes which are relevant to even modern day of management and leadership:

Risk Management


“As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it”

Clarity of Objective and then Planning


“Before you start your work, always ask yourself three questions –Why I am doing this, what the result might be and will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead”

Stick to the Plan and Goal

 

“Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest”

People Management and Communication

 

“An egoist can be won over by being respected, a crazy person can be won over by allowing him to behave in an insane manner and a wise person can be won over by truth”



“All the creatures are pleased by loving words; and therefore we should address words that are pleasing to all, for there is no lack of sweet words”



“We should always speak what would please the man of whom we expect a favor,like the hunter who sings sweetly when he desires to shoot a deer”

Leading by example

 

“If a king is energetic, his subjects will be equally energetic. If he is reckless, they will not only be reckless likewise, but also eat into his works”

Selection of Employees


“A ‘trainable’ person is one who has following qualities:


  1. Desire to learn
  2. Effective Listening ability
  3. Ability to reflect (Things from all the angles)
  4. Ability to reject false views
  5. Intentness on truth not on any person”

SWOT Analysis

 

“After ascertaining the relative strength or weakness of powers, place, time, revolts in rear, losses, expenses, gains and troubles, of himself and of the enemy, the conqueror should march”

Managing Opportunities

 

“The king shall lose no time when the opportunity waited for arrives”