Learning from Pencil

Would you agree that those who wish to learn can learn without someone teaching them? As  famous Socrates used to say, “I cannot teach anything to anyone. I can only make them think.” So, if we are capable of thinking, we can learn from anyone or anything. Can we learn something from pencil?

Yes. Though, pencil is just an ordinary object but if we observe closely it provides profound learning for life. It just depends on how you look at things. There are at least seven qualities which come to my mind. You are free to add or delete as per your thinking. If adopted, these qualities can certainly help us get more clarity and peace.

First: What really matters is inside you.

Exteriors have utility but most important matter is inside you. Pay attention to this inner dimension in you too. Is it your mind? What is that which is not changing with age, marital status and positions you hold in life? What is awake, when body is sleeping? Is it energy? Is it spirit? Is it subconscious? Is it nothing? I don’t want to answer this for you. Look within. As far as pencil is concerned, what really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside.

Second: It leaves an impression.

One day, we all will become memory in others life. The real question is what kind? Everything we say or do leaves an impression. Not just on us but also on our surroundings. The higher position you hold, the greater mark you create. So, one should be careful and grateful. So be conscious of what you say or do. 

Third: No one is perfect. Don’t be arrogant, use eraser.

In this journey of life one thing is sure that we all make mistakes. Don’t justify them; rather let the eraser do its job. These erasers are the help we get to rectify or compensate the damage we created. Always be humble enough to accept your mistakes gracefully and seek help. Are you willing to let an eraser help you? This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the right path.

Fourth: Now and then we need sharpening.

One thing sure about success is that it will fail. Our today’s strength may become tomorrow’s bottleneck. Therefore, one must keep sharpening his/her knowledge, skills and attitude. Sometimes, circumstances thrust upon us some changes which seem to be painful but actually they help us to become stronger and sharper. At times, some critics or competitors also act like sharpeners. They are our unpaid consultants who help us to challenge our limitations. So we must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make us a sharper person.

Fifth: Time is slipping away every second.  

Pencil gets shorter with usage, so is life. We must realise that we are paying through our life currency for all the experiences we are having. Be careful with what you do with your time as once it is gone it is gone. It does not matter whether you write poetry or just keep scribbling; pencil/time is getting consumed. So, are you creating something significant or just consuming is your choice.

Sixth: Be useful till the end.

Pencil writes till the very end and remains useful. So, we must also strive to remain useful and productive till the dying day. Do your best and keep learning.

Seventh: Don’t be arrogant. It is the hand that makes you write.

Always remember that we are just the instruments in the hands of God. I know some of us may not like this idea but even if it is an idea, it helps. All our achievements, if you look closely are not our individual achievements. There is always someone else who contributes in our success. So, don’t be naive to think that you have achieved anything without any support. Whether God or someone else but it is not because of you alone. For my atheist friends, coincidences or chances also contribute in our success. Think.

Be humble and remain a learner. Be grateful. So, a humble pencil can contribute so much in our learning if we pay attention and are willing to learn. Now, look around and share what else we can learn from other objects. 

Pearls of Wisdom

Today dated 29^th June 2021 I had a distinguished visitor at my office Dr. A.K Gupta (MD, Medicine & Physiology, Fellow- Cardiology Society of India). I discovered that he is my regular YouTube viewer and therefore, wanted to see me personally. I was pleasantly surprised to see his recalling of my almost all concepts, stories and jokes that he has heard over the period of time. It seems as if he had seen all of my videos completely. I was obviously flattered to see such great, accomplished man appreciating my work.

He is 71 years of age and his memory, articulation, spontaneity and keen desire for learning & sharing is really remarkable. I sat with him for almost an hour and he poured some of his pearls of wisdom, which quite frankly were really amazing.  Let me share these with all of you:

1.       Anything we don’t use, we loose: He explained this concept in his medical lingo by sharing about Disuse atrophy. He shared about this medical terminology for a disease where any unused limb stops functioning, if not used for a long period of time. Of course when you hear the physical scientific evidence and that too from an accomplished professional, your conviction on the idea and excitement becomes greater. He further expanded this idea to communicate that similarly if the brain is not used properly, it’s efficiency goes down. His advice for reading & writing and explaining it with Disuse Atrophy made it look more appealing. I may use it in my next seminars and impress others with this borrowed knowledge.

 2.       Blessing in disguise: We all have heard this sentence so often. Dr Gupta gave a wonderful example, again from his own field. He shared that Dementia in North America and Europe has drastically come down in last two decades which was earlier rapidly growing at scary pace. Surprisingly, it is coming down due to increase in cardio vascular diseases. Due to cardio issues people have changed their sedentary habits and started living an active life and eating healthy. These changes have helped decrease dementia drastically. So, brain without active life also starts getting rusted. So, if alone, rather than watching phone all the time, play physical games, solve puzzles so that you have convenient old age too.

 

3.       Every Instrument Needs Tuning: He gave a wonderful example of musicians. Before starting the show, all musicians tune their instruments for occasion and all instruments like tabla, guitar, sitar need tuning before actual show starts. Not just that they also change tuning as per music song. He connected this tuning with morning ritual. One must tune himself/herself every morning for the show of the day. So, that you are in sync with the occasion. SAVERS morning ritual is a fine example of tuning. Those of you are new to SAVERS morning routine, might look for a video on my Youtube Channel.  

 

4.       No Pain, No Gain:  Learn to bear pain of “Injury & Insult”. He shared that no man of substance has ever achieved success without bearing the pain of injury & insult. One who is fearful of these two pains will generally live a mediocre life. No pain, no gain. Every worthwhile journey has these two factors that need to be handled else we will never reach to the destinations of choice.  

 

5.       Look for positive in everyone: Even a dead watch is right twice a day. Isn’t it true? Similarly, every person has some positive quality and one must not ignore that. To emphasize on this point he shared an incident of Maitheli Sharan Gupt. This famous hindi poet was writing something in which he had to write only positive qualities of all the characters in Ramayan. He got stuck to write something positive for Kaikeyi, as in India nobody thinks anything positive about Kaikeyi and I have heard no one keeping this name anywhere in India. After lot of thinking, he wrote next day,” Sau Baar Dhanya Hai Who Laal Ki Mata, Jisne Bharat Jaise Laal Ko Janam Diya”. Hail, that mother who gave birth to a son like Bharat. So, if you are hell bent on finding positive, you can always find.

So, such a short courtesy visit became an enlightening visit for me. In this brief meeting he bestowed me with his wisdom and blessings as well. Thank you Dr. Gupta for your kind visit and sharing your wisdom in such an interesting way. Look forward to see him in near future too.

 

Sustenance is Underrated Yet More Important

 I am sure you know that Facebook has more members than total population of USA.

There are some corporations which look like greater than anything and everything around them. However, success can indeed be fleeting as they say, so one must wonder if today’s successful companies will become not so successful in distant future and loose their charisma. I don’t need to give examples of how giants have fallen in the past. So, is current profitability, employee strength, culture or turnover is the right or only criteria to measure the success of a good company? Is longevity also a criterion? Well, to my mind, it does. For me, becoming successful can also be a fluke, but to remain successful in long run requires lot more than just one good business idea. Sustenance requires more effort than creation.

I have seen many bubbles getting created and getting busted too. We see it all around us in almost all fields. Whether, it is in sports, movies, politics, business or spirituality; many enter but few stay. Even in relationships, forming is the easiest part but maintaining cordial relationships is the hardest job to do. Isn’t it?

Speaking of time and staying in power, there is a company that has been around for quite some time. It has been in existence for over 1,400 years. Surprised? Well, google it. Kongo Gumi Construction is a Japanese Buddhist temple construction company that was founded in 578.  Its founder was a Korean who came over to Japan and started his own company.

What makes this company unique is it is family owned and run. Keeping family harmony and the desire to move forward must have been some feat. The company has experienced great events in the history of Japan. Buddhism was introduced less than 50 years before the company started, many ruling dynasties came and went, the ninjas, the samurais, two world wars, and Japan reign of being a global economic power. This company saw it all. Among the company’s traits is its flexibility, the company head need not be the eldest son, it can even be a daughter or a son-in-law. It’s just not about blood but also about leadership capability.  The company stayed focused on temple construction though it made coffins during World War II and has gone into apartment and other building constructions.

Seeing an opportunity in the booming Japanese real estate sector in the 80s, it borrowed heavily and got caught when the bubble burst in the 90s. Saddled with heavy debt and with less demand in temple building, the company was forced to become a subsidiary of Takamatsu Construction Group in 2006. Takamatsu was founded in 1917. Will this company have its own 1,400 year run? I don’t know.

I have a very special regard for TATA Group of my country India, who has been doing ethical business successfully for the last 150 years and getting stronger day by day. The promoters may not be featuring in Top 10-20 richest men in world or flaunting their wealth but they definitely hold a high regard in the hearts of billion Indians at least. One of most trusted and respected brand in India and worldwide.

 Would you rather build a company that looms large then disappears or a relatively obscure one that lasts for a long time? I’d go for the latter, as sustenance require more efforts than creativity. How about you?

“Sustenance requires more effort than creating.” Suresh Mohan Semwal 

Sustenance is Underrated Yet More Important.

How to Control Ego & Anger?

One day I shared with my mentor the inability to control anger, arrogance or ego especially when I feel I am right and the other person is at fault. (This is almost all the times.  Though, it is my convenient assumption with my fabricated logics.)

I said, “I am unable to resist using harsh words or wrong language with others. I do feel bad sometimes after the behavior but still find some justifications to it.”

My mentor looked at me surprisingly and said, “But I have never seen you abusing or using bad or harsh words. Maybe you are too critical on yourself unnecessarily. Don't be so hard on yourself.” I answered, “No sir, in front of you or to you, I think many times before I speak and take lot of care of my tone, words / language so that I don’t offend you or anyone in your presence”

He smiled and said, “Then it is very simple. Whenever you are talking to people, assume you are talking with me.”  What a profound suggestion. Isn’t it?

I realized 'Isn’t it true that we take lot of precautions in communication when we are with someone whom we respect or is at a powerful position than us? 

We only become casual & callous when we don’t treat others as equal or don’t respect them. Think about it. ?

If the basic premise of our dealing with people is; I am superior, what does he know etc., then rude language and arrogant behavior is an obvious consequence.

If we put this belief in our mind that everyone irrespective of age, status deserves to be treated with respect, until they prove otherwise, we will communicate with them as equals, with respect and courtesy.

I decided to follow this and told him of my commitment. And then came the bomb. He further suggested that, “Controlling anger and staying humble needs very sincere efforts, you will fail many times. Next time when you behave arrogantly or lose your cool unjustifiably and realize your mistake, within 24 hours go back and touch the feet of the person who you have wronged or hurt.  Say sorry, with folded hands, clearly stating about what but, without giving your reasons or justification, plain admission and apology. If you follow this, the chances of you repeating this luxurious mistake will drastically reduce.” He further added, “I can assure you, if done seriously & sincerely your EGO, the very reason of anger will stop you to get angry. BUT your sincerity is a prerequisite.”

These two profound suggestions have really helped me a lot.  Lot has improved, yet at times old patterns do take over.

Yesterday in the Covid stress I yelled at my wife, for nothing really.

Now, I need to honor the apology drill with my wife today. I am thinking of doing it after finishing this article. Test time. Will I do it finally or not? I leave it to your guessing.

See if you would like to practice the above and see its impact on you.  

Think about it.

Rejections:

Anyone with a little bit of success in life will tell you that rejections are unpleasant part of the process of achieving anything significant in life. Not just for achievement but after being successful too one has to handle rejections continuously. Does anyone like being rejected? I seriously doubt that. But, can we bypass this process? Yes, if we kill our dreams and are willing to live with unfulfilling life.

Admission in great schools/colleges, job in great companies, getting in relationship with a person of your dreams, more social media appreciation, promotion, more customers, whatever you need you will have to take the chances with rejection. Isn’t it? So, what do we do? Learn, how to handle it. I have following suggestions, which may work for you:

1. Understand and accept it as part of process. Don’t take it as a judgment of your character or a person. Most of the times vacancies are limited and they can’t accommodate all deserving people. So, don’t take it personally.
2. Understand the reason of rejection. Is it lack of knowledge, skill or something else? Have you done enough to work on these? If no, work hard on yourself so that you don’t get rejected again for same reason.
3. Look at the credentials of person who rejected you. Sometimes people with no credibility or substance may also pass comments. Don’t take them seriously. If the person has substance, take it as feedback, learning and work on it.
4. Think of all those who love you unconditionally. Talk to them.
5. Remember, nothing is permanent, try again after preparation.
6. Suppose you will not get any other chances at the same position now, realise that something better may come up due to this rejection. History is full of such blessings in disguise.

In the nutshell, rejections are part of life. Take it on chin and move on but don’t live with guilt that you did not even try. Guilt is more painful than rejection. Think about it.

Happy New Year

Bye Bye 2020 (Finally you are going…)

Welcome 2021 !!

This 20-20 was quite a disruptive year in many aspects for most of us unless you happen to be manufacturing sanitizers, PPE Kit, Masks, pharmaceuticals or immunity enhancing products or working with Republic TV, Netflix, Amazon, Reliance, Whitehat Jr like companies.

For most of us ending of this year itself is a happy news. I guess, this year was unique in many ways:

1. ‘Alcohol’ word has been able to shed its negative image and has become a life saver. There was more alcohol in hands than guts this year.
2. Unsmiling and poker face people were benefitted because smiling & joyful people also had their faces covered.
3. We got so much time with our loved ones that they will not miss us anymore in whole life.
4. School going children have started missing the class room, teachers and punishments.
5. Teachers and parents are encouraging kids to use internet and phone.
6. All students are passing the exams with flying grades (suddenly every student has
7. Become intelligent)
8. Now you can mute the teacher by choice and disappear from class by choice.
9. In Delhi (unless you are agitating on something or you are a part of election rally) you have to pay 2000 for mooh Dikhai…(not wearing mask)
10. First time we were paid to be at home (salaried class)

However, nothing in this world is Good or bad, everything is Good & Bad (quantity may vary). This 20-20 was no exception and has brought the following +ve in our lives:

1. We have realized the importance of Health.
2. There was lot of savings in terms of cosmetics, shoes and clothes purchase.
3. We have realized the importance of Saving.
4. Now we know, who cares for us and how much.
5. Seeing -23% GDP, every year will feel good now economically.
6. Every year other than 2020 now hopefully will be a happy year.
7. We shall be enjoying our work life more than ever.
8. We don’t have the excuses of no time to pursue our hobbies or clear our pending tasks.

May this 2020 become a strong base for us to bounce back with more strength, wisdom and strategies to make 2021 a fabulously successful year. I wish you all a very rocking new year 2021. Let us make it POSSIBLE.

 

The Buck Stops with Leader

If you are at a significant leadership position tell me how familiar you are with the thoughts like:

• Why some people do not do their work diligently?
• Why some people need to be told ‘what to do’?
• Why some people do not take initiative and ownership?
• How can some people be so incompetent and not even realise it?
• How can some people be so casual about even their own future?
• How can some people be so shameless about being mediocre?

Not familiar with these thoughts, please don’t read any further. You are a great leader with a great team and rest of my assertions are no good for you. Thanks.

Since you have decided to read further I am sure  the above mentioned thoughts do cross your mind or you still are curious to know my thoughts. In that case, I want you to please ponder upon the following questions:

• Who is responsible for hiring right people for job?
• Who is responsible for grooming or training people for job?
• Who is responsible for tolerating the incompetence?
• Who is responsible to create a productive work environment?
• Who is responsible for listening to whispers?
• Who is responsible for clearing the doubts or insecurities?
• Who is responsible for status quo or deterioration?
• Who is responsible to get rid of excess baggage or dead wood?

 Well, as a reasonable leader I assume you pretty well know the painful answers to all above. Where does the buck stops? Stop sulking, whining, complaining and start creating the organisation you always dreamt about. Nobody else can be held responsible for your failure as a leader. Take charge, this is what leaders do. Take responsibility for action (specially to make hard decisions and remember hard means difficult for you, not necessarily for others). An organisation is a large shadow of its leader and if you do not like the shadow, you know what you need to work upon. Go, own the game! If you need any assistance in it, contact POSSIBLERS.