Life of a TEACHER..!!

I am writing this blog with my 5 years of teaching experience. However, I had started teaching while I was still schooling.

It so happened that our maid requested my mother to teach English to her nine year old Son, who was struggling with the language and was studying in a vernacular medium school. Since no one in her family could read or write English, helplessly she had to ask for help  and speak to my Mother - who was a seasoned Tution Teacher in Sangli at that time.

My mother decided to give that responsibility to me. Being an obedient daughter, I took up the responsibility and started making my teaching plans. The child was so dedicated and excited about learning this language that over and above the Home Work given by me, he even used to read further chapters and be prepared for the exercises beneath them.

The time passed and we where done with the syllabus. The child appeared the exams confidently and scored very well. Soon later, highly satisfied and overwhelmed mother came to our house with her child and handed over a 50 rupee note in my hand. The child touched my feet and expressed his happiness of scoring highest marks in the subject. I was stunned and flummoxed. My mother was standing besides but din utter a word. 

Looking at the discomfort from my side to accept the money, she requested me to accept the same so that her Son remembers the importance of the knowledge that he received from me. Both of us stared each other with damp eyes but a smile on our faces.

That was the time when I understood the reason why my mother gave me this responsibility. She wanted me to taste the sweetness of the feeling of achieving success by the act of giving without expecting anything in return.

The teacher in me never slept then. The child might have even forgotten me today. But, I still remember the smile on his face and the sparkle in his mothers eyes. For a teacher, the success of his/her student is the fruit well earned. 

I was fortunate enough to experience the beauty in this profession. This profession keeps you rejuvenated and alive. You have young minds looking forward to your advise and implementing them. When my students come back to me and share their success stories, I feel proud and feel complete. That is the moment to be cherished with pride.

Those thoughts do, and will always sustain in me, as long as I live.

The Secret Revealed..!!

The Secret is a best-selling 2006 self-help book written by Rhonda Byrne, based on the earlier film of the same name. It is based on the law of attraction and claims that positive thinking can create life-changing results such as increased wealth, health, and happiness.

I happened to watch the movie in the year 2009 while I was pursuing my Masters in Management from Lala Lajpat Rai Institute of Management Studies. Our HR faculty invited a guest speaker who referred to this movie during her speech.

I got attracted to the concept like a magnet and immediately bought the DVD of the movie the same day.  I stuck to the laptop and watched the movie thrice repeatedly. The concept struck me so hard that I started relating the incidents in my life that have taken place due to self belief.

Yes, this book is the best self book that I have ever read. For me the movie was much more powerful as the visuals and sound effects made the difference. It focuses on The Law of Attraction which is a natural law which determines the complete order of the universe and of our personal lives through the process of "like attracts like”.

The author claims that as we think and feel, a corresponding frequency is sent out into the universe that attracts back to us the events and circumstances on that same frequency. For example, if you think about getting agitated and feel angry, it is claimed that you will attract back events and circumstances that cause you to feel more anger. Conversely, if you think and feel positively, you will attract back positive events and circumstances. Proponents of the supposed law claim that desirable outcomes such as health, wealth, and happiness can be attracted simply by changing one's thoughts and feelings.

My Vision Board - Year 2012

Just have a look at the Vision Board that I made in the year 2012. I kept it as my wallpaper; I pasted it at the walls where I happen to have a look at least once in a day.

And yes, it worked positively.






I will link this principle with the ill effects of thinking negative. It is a sheer waste of time when we keep thinking about what we don’t wish should happen. Rather if we train our minds and utilize the same time and think and strategize on achieving what we wish to achieve would be fruitful.

For example, when in the movie Om Shanti Om Shahrukh Khan narrates the following dialog “Itni shiddat se maine tumhe paane ki koshish ki hai, ki har zarre ne mujhe tumse milane ki koshish ki hai. Kehte hain agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaaho, toh poori kaynath tumhein usse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai...” even he means the same. 

Shahrukh Khan's famous dialog from the Movie Om Shanti Om &
its relevance to "The Law of Attraction"

Following The Secret and keep believing will never help. Continuous actions should be taken to achieve the desired results.

I have stated believing that what we think affects our life. I hope this helps you. I would love to here from you on this. Do share your stories if any… Cheers..!!

In Seeking Happiness for Others, You Find it for Yourself

Let me share with you all a secret of happiness today.

Since childhood, my parents have ingrained into me the approach of gaining emotional reward through the act of giving. The joy of helping others is an inherent part of human nature. And may be that's why, " Man is called as a social animal."

Happiness is directly linked to human contentment which leads to intense joy. The famous beverage brand Coca-Cola came up with a simple definition of Happiness. They said, "Happiness to us is anything that can bring a smile on someone's face."

However, we keep striving hard every day to earn more money thinking there was a clear relationship between happiness and wealth. Just because since our school days we have been taught that long term stability could be achieved by making more money. And the country’s economy will boost up if we keep earning. But is it really so?

Consequently, some people realize that there is no direct relationship between wealth and happiness. 

If anything, it appears that there is a relationship between non-materialism and well-being. While possessing wealth and material goods doesn’t lead to happiness, giving them away actually does. 

Generosity is strongly associated with well-being. But does giving actually makes you happier? Have you ever experienced it?

Let me share one of my experience. I have been closely observing the performance of Ankit Rathod General Secretary, Engineering College of Atharva, Mumbai. I found that the secret behind his success in such a small age is his Attitude of Gratitude. 

His Instagram and Facebook accounts are full of appreciation for his team showcasing the efforts that they have taken for all the events that they work for under his leadership. I have seen him giving the credit to each and every contributor specifically. And that's what keeps him contended and happy. I have always seen him being courteous and patient without being annoyed or anxious. Always surrounded with friends who are cheering him up.

And I am sure - that's the definition of happiness for him. We can find many such examples in our own life's if we think in this perspective.

Which means giving gives you pleasure and makes you happy. So why don’t you give?

Give more frequently in smaller amounts, Give with no strings attached. Happiness cannot be bought, it comes out of your own actions. 

And yes, Let me tell you - this is a formula for a sound sleep. 

Please share with me in case you have any such experiences. I would love to read them. Cheers..!!

Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

The saying is thought to have originated with Saint Bernard of Clairvaux who wrote (c. 1150), "L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs" (hell is full of good wishes and desires)

A statement that we all might have come across, "My intentions were not wrong." However we forget that there in no merit to good intentions unless they are acted upon. We are nothing but what we do..!!

I come across many situations during my lectures where my students are late to the class or they give reasons for not submitting the assignments,  and give reasons that they didn't intend to come late or it was the heavy traffic on the Mumbai roads which made them late. I always answer them saying that if they didn't intend to be late they could have left early rather than blaming the Mumbai traffic. 

You tell yourself that you'll begin exercising tomorrow morning, but tomorrow comes and goes without exercise. Right?? I am sure this describes many of us. 

In a way this is a simple lesson of relationships. Any relationship to go stronger the actions will have a major stake. Action for each others happiness is the key. The language that you use, the emotions you portray. Its about understanding others needs and having our needs heard. We need to realize is that when it comes to people’s lives and identities, the impact of our actions can be highly profound and wide-reaching. And that’s far more important than the question of our intent.

We need to step back and ask our self this question if the impact of our action is in sync with our intention or its just a self perception. Its always said that, "we judge our self with our intentions and others by there actions." If we wish to leave behind a legacy in our family and workplace, then what we DO is far more important that what we INTEND to do..!! Its important to look at our ACTIONS and measure our INTEGRITY rather than INTENTIONS.

It is important that we take steps to close the Intention-Action Gap. Habit is the Key. 

We have to make the action we want part of our "routine," not something that requires a conscious choice each day. We need to cultivate the habit of implementing intentions by creating commitment devices. Yes, it works. You need to find out a way to create a device which would portray your commitment.

For Example, the only fact I am regular to the gym is because of the conversations that I have with my Gym Instructor entertains me. We wait to share our experiences while working out. Believe me it works..!!

So start working on your commitment device. May be waiting friend at the Railway Station..!! or Achieving that Positive remark on your assignment. Act upon...So that we meet in Heaven..!! :) :) 

Atharva Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai Visiting South Korea in November 2015

The World is today a Global Village. Everyday we beome more and more interdependent and Management Students face opportunities and challenges that increasingly require a Global perspective.

AIMS,Mumbai

My Institute was amongst the earliest to recognize the importance of International exposure and realize that a firm understanding of the Global market place is imperative for greater understanding and awareness among  today’s management students. For this very reason we at Atharva are committed in providing students with a global perspective. The AIMS Students Study Tour of South Korea being undertaken in 2015 by us is a testimony to this commitment.

Atharva, Mumbai Goes Global

At the National level Atharva is ranked as one of the top 100 Business Schools for its Quality, Excellence, and Industry Connect & Pedagogy. It has also made steady progress with a good placement record in various sectors and its interface with Industries has been widely acknowledged.

During the last decade, South Korea has become a model for developing countries with its remarkable economic growth to become one of the world’s largest trading country.  Its economic performance has been attributed largely to good fundamentals, a high savings rate, strong human capital, sound institutions and prudent fiscal and monetary management.

The secondary objective is also bringing an international flavor to the classroom, which would facilitate a free flow of ideas and knowledge henceforth preparing the students for placements abroad. South Korea is a democracy, and one that has made tremendous progress with its infrastructure, technology, and economy, as well as one of the world’s oldest civilizations with a history of nearly 5,000 years. 

Its rich cultural heritage makes Korea an excellent location for studying Asian culture. It is also important to study how Korea made sustainable growth in its economy by managing to escape the clutches of poverty and making rapid and successful technological transformation.

I am sure that the study tour would evolve to be a great source of learning for the Students.

I will keep posting the details of our visit on my blog for all my readers. Enjoy..!!

Request you all to like the Facebook Page and encourage our students:

https://www.facebook.com/AIMS-International-Immersion-South-Korea-1671197976428138/timeline/?ref=hl

Difference that Makes a Difference

Comfort zone is the most relaxing zone for human beings. But you know what.. It is the most dangerous zone as far as growth is concerned.

We keep complaining that we are unable to achieve what we want but fail to ask ourselves this question… Are we doing something to achieve it?

Let me  take you through a  bedtime story that i grew up listening...The Fox & the Grapes Story..

One hot summer's day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. "Just the thing to quench my thirst," quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: "I am sure they are sour."

The above story helps us understand how easy it is to despise what you cannot get but very difficult to make a difference and achieve it. The only fact that you are not able to achieve some thing is because you are not doing anything different to get that extra.

For example my students keep asking and cribbing about the fact that why are we not able to crack the interviews at the large conglomerates? or Why am I unable to communicate confidently? or Why do I experience stage fear? My Boss fails to trust me for new assignments, Why?

I always answer the, saying...that just thinking over it is not enough. Their should be a serious self analysis done which reveals the necessary change or addition of some traits in self which could be important to achieve that something which we haven't achieved yet. One needs to strive hard to develop that USP…...that Competitive Edge…..!!!!!!

Also we should remember that small changes or step makes a lot of difference. it is never suggested by experts that you should be making big differences always. all the small changes that you make might add to the ocean of big change. Finally, the results would be counted and  you might not realise how the small stretches that you made helped you in making the difference. The way following healthy eating habits is essential to grow up as a fit person, it is equally important to develop each n every day so that the next day you are a better person.

Change for the good is the lifeline for survival for almost  all the organisations. May it be the change in the products,, the services or the strategy. The competitive advantage that these organisations pertain makes them sustain in the market. The difference that they implement makes the difference. And yes we should not forget that this difference is implemented by the people working in these organisation.

This is even applicable for your own life. If you change the way you behave with people whom you care for the relationship changes. You wish to improve relationship with your

Boss ……...do something different than what others do and gain his attention.

The focus here is to create and maintain momentum by stretching yourself or making that extraordinary effort and making the difference every moment..every day so that you keep getting your Ripe..Juicy Bunch of Grapes All Your Life..!!

Happy Living…!! Keep Making the Difference..!!

The Servant as a Leader

This one is long pending blog.... Wanted it to be the best since I read the book "The Servant" written by James C. Hunter and got immensely inspired by the theory. The term Servant-leadership was first proposed by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970. The book is quick read and the story is quiet engaging.

Let me take you though the take away's from the book....

The concept of "Servant Leadership" is not widely known by large number of individuals but its a belief that has been embraced by large number of successful leaders. The leader assumes his position that of a servant during his/her interactions with followers.

This theory of Servant Leadership gave me a pause for thought to challenge the crux of any leader - follower relationship in an organisation. These two seemingly contradictory terms when juxtaposed it brought forward the holistic approach to work. The approach which creates authenticate and long lasting leader-follower relationship. It could be only built when leadership arises not from the exercise of power or self-interested actions, but the desire to first help others.

The book even mentions the ability of the leader to encourage the greatness in others where the purpose should be to achieve organisational goals. I have started believing that it could be flawlessly achieved by applying the concept of servant-leadership.

I always tell my students that it is very important to Listen so that the implementation is efficient. Surprisingly, the author, has described the first core personal characteristic one should possess to follow this theory as the ability of LISTENING. When you implement this you even respect the person by devoting your attention and time.

The second trait that is focused is the ability to mentally project ones own consciousness into that of another individual. In simple words it means, to put your self in others shoes. Its EMPATHY..!! More you think with others perspective in mind.. the more effective are the decisions that you take. Such decisions that you take will end up building up a rock solid relationship always. The successful servant leaders are those who are skilled empathetic listeners.

The author next introduces the trait of HEALING.. The healing of relationships addresses more to the spiritual side of leadership. Learning to heal is a powerful force for transformation and integration. If an individual develops the potential to heal one's self and others he would be able to overcome the problem by understanding the root cause using spiritual means.

Next comes the key to make the best out of the leadership role. Developing the softer skills - an "AWARENESS" of self and the people around helps the leader leverage previously untapped personal qualities. It is important for the leader to develop the ability to read the room and the ability to read his/her effect on the people in the room. Awareness also helps the leader understand the issues involving ethics, values and power.

The next characteristic of servant leaders mentioned in the book is the reliance in PERSUASION, rather than on power which comes from the position. Power can be given or taken, bought or sold. Authority is about who you are as a person, your character and the influence you have built with people. The servant leader seeks to convince others rather than coerce compliance.

A leader is bound to achieve the short term as well as long term operational goals. The perspective of CONCEPTUALIZATION helps the leaders to see the big picture and also make the people visualize it. It would also mean that the leader should possess the ability to see beyond the day to day reality. Every decision or move taken should somewhere affect the set Long Term Goals. Making the team take strategic baby steps towards achieving these goals everyday could also be described as the ability to conceptualize.

Lessons learnt from the past and the realities of the present if analyzed will lead to foresee future. A leader should possess an intuitive mind to develop the characteristic of being FORESIGHT.

The author next focuses on STEWARDSHIP as a trait. It is an ethic that demands responsible planning of resources. The way the armor and weapons played an important role defining the strength of the army in addition to their skills and motivation level, the same way the resources that the leader makes available for the people around him/her would make the difference. It may include the work environment, the information flow etc.

The personal as well as professional growth of people is always at the stake of leaders commitment. A servant leader is deeply COMMITTED TO THE GROWTH OF EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL in the organisation. In practice this might include the efforts taken by the leader to develop managerial skills so that an individual could be promoted or developing policies which encourage worker involvement in decision making. Finding our ways to support people in the available bandwidth is the trait that a leader should possess.

Finally the author speaks about the ability to CREATE A COMMUNITY among those who work in businesses and other institutions together and share the common objective.

Interest in the meaning and practice of this concept remains alive after understanding the above traits of Servant Leadership. I would like to conclude with the note that the role of a leader is not to rule over other people, but to serve them.