Greetings to you this Monday morning!! ________
There was an old farmer who had an old horse for tilling his fields. One day the horse escaped into the hills and, when all the farmer's neighbours sympathised with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, 'Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?'
A week later the horse returned with a herd of wild horses from the hills and this time the neighbours congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, 'Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?'
Then, when the farmer's son was attempted to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, 'Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?'
Some weeks later the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg they let him off. Now the farmer again said 'Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?'
So do not judge circumstances just like that....there may be something good in store for you. Look out for the good things during this week...and...
_____make it a great week ahead _____
Sunday, August 29, 2010
MANTRA 13/08/2010
__ Greetings to you this Monday morning!! _______
"Bang!"
The snap went off and the marathon began and five of them started hurtling towards the finish line. They had been friends since school, but also arch-rivals when it came to marathons. Now, coincidentally, four of them worked together at the same company. The fifth friend, however, had been out of touch for a while, but rejoined the group to compete in the marathon. Competing in the marathon brought back the friendly rivalry from school days. They wanted to show each other that they were still the fittest and the best runners among themselves. While they ran, each of them was also watching the others from the corner of his eyes. The tussle was close; they were just a couple of steps away from each other.
All of a sudden, they heard a groan from somewhere around. They didn't want to lose concentration. After all, they wanted to prove themselves the best among the lot. So they ran. Suddenly, four of them realized that the fifth friend was nowhere to be seen. They wondered why, but didn't stop to look for him.
The finishing line arrived. One of them was a clear winner. Exhilarated, he accepted congratulations and friendly pats on the back from his friends. Once the euphoria was over, they looked for the fifth friend.
Why did he lag behind? What was he up to?
After a while, they saw the friend helping a hobbling runner to the finish line.
"Who is he?" the friends asked in unison.
"He is one of my former colleagues," the fifth friend said.
"Which company did you work together for?" the friends asked.
"The Indian Army. We both fought in Kargil together. Unfortunately, he lost his leg while saving others. Now he has an artificial leg." the fifth friend explained.
The others were too taken aback to react.
"Guys, one thing that my colleagues have taught me: it is not just about winning alone, but winning over the adversity and taking your team along to the finish line." the fifth friend said.
The tears in the eyes of his team told him how touched they were.
So, who are you taking along to the finishing line this time?
Ponder on this and...
_____make it a great week ahead _____
"Bang!"
The snap went off and the marathon began and five of them started hurtling towards the finish line. They had been friends since school, but also arch-rivals when it came to marathons. Now, coincidentally, four of them worked together at the same company. The fifth friend, however, had been out of touch for a while, but rejoined the group to compete in the marathon. Competing in the marathon brought back the friendly rivalry from school days. They wanted to show each other that they were still the fittest and the best runners among themselves. While they ran, each of them was also watching the others from the corner of his eyes. The tussle was close; they were just a couple of steps away from each other.
All of a sudden, they heard a groan from somewhere around. They didn't want to lose concentration. After all, they wanted to prove themselves the best among the lot. So they ran. Suddenly, four of them realized that the fifth friend was nowhere to be seen. They wondered why, but didn't stop to look for him.
The finishing line arrived. One of them was a clear winner. Exhilarated, he accepted congratulations and friendly pats on the back from his friends. Once the euphoria was over, they looked for the fifth friend.
Why did he lag behind? What was he up to?
After a while, they saw the friend helping a hobbling runner to the finish line.
"Who is he?" the friends asked in unison.
"He is one of my former colleagues," the fifth friend said.
"Which company did you work together for?" the friends asked.
"The Indian Army. We both fought in Kargil together. Unfortunately, he lost his leg while saving others. Now he has an artificial leg." the fifth friend explained.
The others were too taken aback to react.
"Guys, one thing that my colleagues have taught me: it is not just about winning alone, but winning over the adversity and taking your team along to the finish line." the fifth friend said.
The tears in the eyes of his team told him how touched they were.
So, who are you taking along to the finishing line this time?
Ponder on this and...
_____make it a great week ahead _____
MANTRA 21/08/2010
_______ Greetings to you this Monday morning!! ________
Once Buddha was walking from one town to another town with a few of his followers.. This was in the initial days. While they were traveling, they happened to pass a lake. They stopped there and Buddha told one of his disciples, "I am thirsty. Do get me some water from that lake there."
The disciple walked up to the lake. When he reached it, he noticed that right at that moment, a bullock cart started crossing through the lake. As a result, the water became very muddy, very turbid. The disciple thought, "How can I give this muddy water to Buddha to drink!"
So he came back and told Buddha, "The water in there is very muddy. I don't think it is fit to drink." After about half an hour, again Buddha asked the same disciple to go back to the lake and get him some water to drink. The disciple obediently went back to the lake.
This time too he found that the lake was muddy. He returned and informed Buddha about the same. After sometime, again Buddha asked the same disciple to go back. The disciple reached the lake to find the lake absolutely clean and clear with pure water in it. The mud had settled down and the water above it looked fit to be had. So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to Buddha.
Buddha looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said," See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be.... and the mud settled down on its own - and you got clear water. Your mind is also like that! When it is disturbed, sometimes all it needs is to just let it be. Give it a little time to filter out the mud and welcome to this Monday with a clear head....and...
_____make it a great week ahead _____
Once Buddha was walking from one town to another town with a few of his followers.. This was in the initial days. While they were traveling, they happened to pass a lake. They stopped there and Buddha told one of his disciples, "I am thirsty. Do get me some water from that lake there."
The disciple walked up to the lake. When he reached it, he noticed that right at that moment, a bullock cart started crossing through the lake. As a result, the water became very muddy, very turbid. The disciple thought, "How can I give this muddy water to Buddha to drink!"
So he came back and told Buddha, "The water in there is very muddy. I don't think it is fit to drink." After about half an hour, again Buddha asked the same disciple to go back to the lake and get him some water to drink. The disciple obediently went back to the lake.
This time too he found that the lake was muddy. He returned and informed Buddha about the same. After sometime, again Buddha asked the same disciple to go back. The disciple reached the lake to find the lake absolutely clean and clear with pure water in it. The mud had settled down and the water above it looked fit to be had. So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to Buddha.
Buddha looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said," See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be.... and the mud settled down on its own - and you got clear water. Your mind is also like that! When it is disturbed, sometimes all it needs is to just let it be. Give it a little time to filter out the mud and welcome to this Monday with a clear head....and...
_____make it a great week ahead _____
Sunday, August 15, 2010
10/10/2009
Greetings to you this Monday morning!!
Imagine you're at the airport. While you're waiting for your flight, you buy a box, put them in your travelling bag and then you find a seat next to a gentleman and sit down and enjoy your cookies. You reach down into your travelling bag and pull out your box of cookies. As you do so, you notice that the gentleman starts watching you intensely.
He stares as you open the box and his eyes follow your hand as you pick up the cookie and bring it to your mouth. Just then he reaches over and takes one of your cookies from the box, and eats it! You're more than a little surprised at this. Actually, you're at a loss for words. Not only does he take one cookie, but he alternates with you. For every one cookie you take, he takes one.
Now, what's your immediate impression of this guy? Crazy? Greedy? He's got some nerve?! Can you imagine the words you might use to describe this man to your associates back at the office? Meanwhile, you both continue eating the cookies until there's just one left. To your surprise, the man reaches over and takes it. But then he does something unexpected. He breaks it in half, and gives half to you. After he's finished with his half he gets up, and without a word, he leaves.
You think to yourself, "Did this really happen?" You're left sitting there dumbfounded and still hungry. So you go back to the kiosk and buy another box of cookies. You then return to your seat and begin opening your new box of cookies when you glance down into your travelling bag. Sitting there in your bag is your original box of Cookies -- still unopened.
Only then do you realize that when you reached down earlier, you had reached into the other man's bag, and grabbed his box of cookies by mistake. Now what do you think of the man? Generous? Tolerant?
You've just experienced a profound paradigm shift. You're seeing things from a new point of view. Is it time to change your point of view?
Now, think of this story as it relates to your life . Seeing things from a new point of view can be very enlightening. Think outside the box. Don't settle for the status quo. Be open to suggestions. Things may not be what they seem. This week try questioning ONE paradigm you have been holding onto for years and see the difference......and.......
.....make it a great week ahead!
Imagine you're at the airport. While you're waiting for your flight, you buy a box, put them in your travelling bag and then you find a seat next to a gentleman and sit down and enjoy your cookies. You reach down into your travelling bag and pull out your box of cookies. As you do so, you notice that the gentleman starts watching you intensely.
He stares as you open the box and his eyes follow your hand as you pick up the cookie and bring it to your mouth. Just then he reaches over and takes one of your cookies from the box, and eats it! You're more than a little surprised at this. Actually, you're at a loss for words. Not only does he take one cookie, but he alternates with you. For every one cookie you take, he takes one.
Now, what's your immediate impression of this guy? Crazy? Greedy? He's got some nerve?! Can you imagine the words you might use to describe this man to your associates back at the office? Meanwhile, you both continue eating the cookies until there's just one left. To your surprise, the man reaches over and takes it. But then he does something unexpected. He breaks it in half, and gives half to you. After he's finished with his half he gets up, and without a word, he leaves.
You think to yourself, "Did this really happen?" You're left sitting there dumbfounded and still hungry. So you go back to the kiosk and buy another box of cookies. You then return to your seat and begin opening your new box of cookies when you glance down into your travelling bag. Sitting there in your bag is your original box of Cookies -- still unopened.
Only then do you realize that when you reached down earlier, you had reached into the other man's bag, and grabbed his box of cookies by mistake. Now what do you think of the man? Generous? Tolerant?
You've just experienced a profound paradigm shift. You're seeing things from a new point of view. Is it time to change your point of view?
Now, think of this story as it relates to your life . Seeing things from a new point of view can be very enlightening. Think outside the box. Don't settle for the status quo. Be open to suggestions. Things may not be what they seem. This week try questioning ONE paradigm you have been holding onto for years and see the difference......and.......
.....make it a great week ahead!
16/10/2009
Greetings to you this Monday Morning !!
The Pontiac Division of General Motors received the following complaint: "This is the second time I have written to you, and I don't blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy. We have a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies. So, every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. I've recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem.You see, every time I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know that I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds "What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?"
The Pontiac President was understandably sceptical about the letter, but sent an Engineer to check it out anyway.The Engineer was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well-educated man in a fine neighbourhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn't start. The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started! The second night, he got strawberry. The car started!!The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start!!! Now, the engineer being a logical man, refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And towards this end, he began to take notes. He jotted down all sorts of data: time of day,type of gas used, time to drive back and forth etc. In a short time, he had a clue: the man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavour. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavour, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavours were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavour. Eureka - Time was now the problem - not the vanilla ice cream!!!! Now, the question for the Engineer was, why the car wouldn't start when it took less time. The engineer quickly came up with the answer: "vapour lock'. It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavours allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapour lock to dissipate and hence the engine would not start!
Central to our franchise's success is the customer - external as well as internal. Never underestimate your clients' complaints, no matter how ridiculous they might seem! Even the most crazy-looking problems are sometimes real.
Every problem has a solution. You need to first understand what the 'real' problem is. For this, listen to your customers with an open mind.
Lets remind ourselves that our attitude towards our customers is what will differentiate us in this fiercely competitive and challenging times !
and ....... Make it a great week ahead!!
The Pontiac Division of General Motors received the following complaint: "This is the second time I have written to you, and I don't blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy. We have a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies. So, every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. I've recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem.You see, every time I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know that I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds "What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?"
The Pontiac President was understandably sceptical about the letter, but sent an Engineer to check it out anyway.The Engineer was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well-educated man in a fine neighbourhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn't start. The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started! The second night, he got strawberry. The car started!!The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start!!! Now, the engineer being a logical man, refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And towards this end, he began to take notes. He jotted down all sorts of data: time of day,type of gas used, time to drive back and forth etc. In a short time, he had a clue: the man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavour. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavour, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavours were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavour. Eureka - Time was now the problem - not the vanilla ice cream!!!! Now, the question for the Engineer was, why the car wouldn't start when it took less time. The engineer quickly came up with the answer: "vapour lock'. It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavours allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapour lock to dissipate and hence the engine would not start!
Central to our franchise's success is the customer - external as well as internal. Never underestimate your clients' complaints, no matter how ridiculous they might seem! Even the most crazy-looking problems are sometimes real.
Every problem has a solution. You need to first understand what the 'real' problem is. For this, listen to your customers with an open mind.
Lets remind ourselves that our attitude towards our customers is what will differentiate us in this fiercely competitive and challenging times !
and ....... Make it a great week ahead!!
10/24/2009
________ Greetings to you this Monday morning!! _________
In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York and Long Island. But, bridge-building experts the world over thought that this was an impossible feat. 'It just could not be done.' 'It was not practical.' 'It had never been done before.'
Roebling could not ignore the vision he had of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion, he convinced his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built. Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.
The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway John Roebling was involved in a a tragic accident at the site which caused his death. The story goes that Washington was also injured and his brain damaged, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.
"We told them so." "Crazy men and their crazy dreams." "It's foolish to chase wild visions." Repeated the bridge-building pundits. Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who professed to know how the bridge could be built.
In spite of his handicap, Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever. As he lay on his bed suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife. He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again. For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed.
Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in their leader and his vision. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realised with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are. So, when you feel daunted, unsure of your ability to make your vision a reality - think of the Brooklyn Bridge and the lessons in persistence, team-work and vision it continues to teach us......and.....
_____ make it a great week ahead! _____
In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York and Long Island. But, bridge-building experts the world over thought that this was an impossible feat. 'It just could not be done.' 'It was not practical.' 'It had never been done before.'
Roebling could not ignore the vision he had of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion, he convinced his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built. Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.
The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway John Roebling was involved in a a tragic accident at the site which caused his death. The story goes that Washington was also injured and his brain damaged, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.
"We told them so." "Crazy men and their crazy dreams." "It's foolish to chase wild visions." Repeated the bridge-building pundits. Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who professed to know how the bridge could be built.
In spite of his handicap, Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever. As he lay on his bed suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife. He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again. For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed.
Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in their leader and his vision. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realised with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are. So, when you feel daunted, unsure of your ability to make your vision a reality - think of the Brooklyn Bridge and the lessons in persistence, team-work and vision it continues to teach us......and.....
_____ make it a great week ahead! _____
31/10/2009
___________ Greetings to you this Monday morning!! _________________
This is the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue." Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion!
On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defence for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm." The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength! None of us is immune from one weakness or the other.
Every organisation may, alongside its strengths, have a few weaknesses. The winner is the one, who understands these weaknesses and converts them into strengths!Instead of cribbing at our weaknesses, lets find ways of making them our strengths and....
______ Make it a great week ahead!! ______
This is the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue." Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion!
On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defence for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm." The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength! None of us is immune from one weakness or the other.
Every organisation may, alongside its strengths, have a few weaknesses. The winner is the one, who understands these weaknesses and converts them into strengths!Instead of cribbing at our weaknesses, lets find ways of making them our strengths and....
______ Make it a great week ahead!! ______
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