Reached Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday.. Arrived at the airport with a 1.5 hour delay.. we'll it didnt matter to me much, but then it was my colleague John who was waiting @ the airport from 10 pm. and we reached my place by midnight.
These flights from India to anywhere in the US.. are always a test of your endurance.. especially when you know you have the all important meeting just the next day.. and youre not sure whether you will be able to raise your 10 ton eyelids during those afternoon discussions.. what to talk about being the presenter yourself in most of the cases... its always 35 hours.. and cramped seats.. and cabin baggage fights.. and squeaking children.. and lost Asian Vegetarian meals.. By the end of the flight.. you wish you were back home already.. and wish you wouldnt have to face the return flight back home..
Completed re-reading the book The Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas Friedman during this time... I have got one more book.. The Memoirs of a Geisha .. to finish on my way back.. but then thats about 15-20 days from now.. This was a big book to get completed in one go.. but anyways.. one generally doesnt have much to do.. apart from waiting in airport lounges.. for 3-4 hours.. and braving the glare of the transit immigration official or the security guard .. It also amazes me.. how even though I always have just my clothes.. and maybe a 6 pack of Maggi for emergency sakes.. its always the case that I always find the white slip inside my luggage ... at the end of the journey. which says.. "Your luggage was selected for random checking .. and blah and blah of US Immigration rules.. ". In my next life.. I am going to be an Indian immigration official.. and anyways.. as one is already starting to see the reversal of the exodus.. so who knows.. I might settle scores with this disparity of probablity... by doling some 10-12 Indian law white slips myself for the American endeavorer to ponder about beside his suitcase..
As the dialogue goes in "Jhankar Beats"
"Duniya gol hai , aur har paap ka ek double role hai... "
Anyways.. I really like all the people here.. my team members I mean... both Americans and the ppl from other nationalities.. they are all very warm and cordial .. and always go the extra step in helping you out.. and caring for you... maybe because.. I am even younger then their youngest children.. John got my stay reservations done.. close to his apartments.. This means.. I dont have to hire a cab everytime.. since i dont have a car this time.. even groceries and other things.. will be comfortably acquired..
The flat I have got is a riot... It makes me feel like a king.. Its a 3 bedroom , 2 bathroom 1400 sq ft mansion.. !! and I took 10-12 minutes yesterday to chart out on which days I would use Bedroom 1 , BedRoom2 and on which Bedroom 3.. ... the Baths are alternate obviously... But just in case you get me wrong.. the loo and the tub of any bath room are not to be used on the same day..
Clear bowels in one.. and lather yourself in the other.. :) so there.
Waise, Kabhie kabhie hi to khuda chappad phaad kar deta hai.. never had my hand on the controls of such a huge plasma screen.. sleek furnishings.. not a speck of dust.. .even the motor drive is huge... Well .. there can be a more detailed planning .. like iron my pants in one room , and the shirt in the other.. keep my formals in one closet and the casuals in the other.. (for the third one therez always the undergarbs.. and the night wears... ) but then I sound more like acting akin to the every canine having his day proverb..
Naah people... I am not the VP .. of my company.. and no my dad is not the CEO... its just that providence wills some unforeseen luxuries on you some times.. ones that both amaze you and make you realize the irony of it all at the same time.. and you think.. I can play cricket in this place.. on the third floor.. for free... and I have just a room and my bed in Bangalore... for 5K.. Aint fair...
Raleigh is as pleasant as it is when i left it. .The roads and lakes have the same stunning beauty as when I last saw it.. the climate is a bit damp tho.. but atleast far better then the - 4 at Minneapolis that I sat through for 6 hours.
Rest is fine.. Its war time at the work front.. Some critical decisions are to be taken .. I hope they go my way.. Have had 2 months of back breaking work, I hope this culminates in sucess..
Touch wood.. so they say..
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Monday, February 14, 2005
The 90/10 Principle
Wish everyone a Very Happy Valentine's Day.
Here is a lovely article By Steven Covey ...
"Have you read this before? Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.
How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.
Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You haveno control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is D. You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need,to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves.You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.
Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, nd do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.
The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. There never seem to be a success in life. Bad days follow bad days. Terrible things seem to be constantly happening. There is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time. Anger breaks friendships and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest. Friends are lost. Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you? If so, do not be discouraged
You can be different! Understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It will change your life."
Here is a lovely article By Steven Covey ...
"Have you read this before? Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.
How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.
Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You haveno control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is D. You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need,to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves.You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.
Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, nd do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.
The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. There never seem to be a success in life. Bad days follow bad days. Terrible things seem to be constantly happening. There is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time. Anger breaks friendships and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest. Friends are lost. Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you? If so, do not be discouraged
You can be different! Understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It will change your life."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
