The Journey of Life with a GOAL

Today I'm going to talk to you about the importance of Goal setting !

I meet a lot of youngsters and ask them "what is your goal?"
surprisingly , most of them answer either one of the following two statements

1. I want to get a good job

or

2. well, i don't have any such plans, I'm ready to face life as it comes!

the fact is that these two statements are the most harmful ones anyone can have ragarding their career or life !

The first statement cannot be considered as a GOAL because it is not SMART -Specific , Measurable , Achievable , Realistic and Timebound

The second statement shows a BIG lack of ATTITUDE !

Just consider this case- You are planning for a holiday tour. How do you proceed? First , you decide the time period of the tour , the destination and only then you proceed to make the arrangments like transport, tickets, stay and other things, right? Just for a small trip of say 1 or 2 days , You are planning every minute detail .you are planning each and every little things so that you don't face difficulties!

If you are planning so well for a journey of two days , then WHY DON"T YOU PLAN FOR A BIG JOURNEY Called LIFE ??
most of us just travel without any destination and without knowing the "route " in this life! And ultimately reach somewhere! and looking back say "If only I knew that I was coming here , i would have come in a different way!"

Just imagine the difference it would make , if only you knew where you are going !
If only you knew the destination! ..........

So , friends , if you have not given any thought about your destination in life ... then now is the time !
Start thinking, frame a Goal for your Career as well as life!

And Never stop until you reach your goal.
and yes, this doesn't mean that you stop your journey when you reach your goal. Through out our life , we may have to upgrade and set new goals so that our life will proceed as WE WANT IT TO ! And not accepting whathever comes!

Hope you will now start thinking about all what I said and set your SMART Goals for your journey of Life!

All the very best !
regs
CV

TOP 10 TRAITS of HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE -That You Can Learn!

These traits work together in combination, giving repeatedly successful people a huge advantage. Because they are insatiable learners, they can respond wisely to change. Because their personal relationships are strong, they have good advisors, and a reserve of goodwill when things go bad. And finally, none of these traits are genetic! They can be learned! They are free and they are skills you can use. Start now!

1. They work hard!

Yes, they play hard, too! They get up early, they rarely complain, they expect performance from others, but they expect extraordinary performance from themselves. Repeated, high-level success starts with a recognition that hard work pays off.


2. They are incredibly curious and eager to learn

They study, ask questions and read - constantly! An interesting point, however: While most of them did well in school, the difference is that they apply or take advantage of what they learn. Repeated success is not about memorizing facts, it’s about being able to take information and create, build, or apply it in new and important ways. Successful people want to learn everything about everything!

3. They network

They know lots of people, and they know lots of different kinds of people. They listen to friends, neighbors, co-workers and bartenders. They don’t have to be “the life of the party”, in fact many are quiet, even shy, but they value people and they value relationships. Successful people have a rolodex full of people who value their friendship and return their calls.

4. They work on themselves and never quit!

While the “over-night wonders” become arrogant and quickly disappear, really successful people work on their personality, their leadership skills, management skills, and every other detail of life. When a relationship or business deal goes sour, they assume they can learn from it and they expect to do better next time. Successful people don’t tolerate flaws; they fix them!


5. They are extraordinarily creative

They go around asking, “Why not?” They see new combinations, new possibilities, new opportunities and challenges where others see problems or limitations. They wake up in the middle of the night yelling, “I’ve got it!” They ask for advice, try things out, consult experts and amateurs, always looking for a better, faster, cheaper solution. Successful people create stuff!


6. They are self-reliant and take responsibility

Incredibly successful people don’t worry about blame, and they don’t waste time complaining. They make decisions and move on. Sometimes they are criticized for taking this to extremes - Jimmy Carter carried his own briefcase and a President “shouldn’t” do that! Extremely successful people take the initiative and accept the responsibilities of success.


7. They are usually relaxed and keep their perspective

Even in times of stress or turmoil, highly successful people keep their balance, they know the value of timing, humor, and patience. They rarely panic or make decisions on impulse. Unusually successful people breath easily, ask the right questions, and make sound decisions, even in a crisis.

8. Extremely successful people live in the present moment

They know that “Now” is the only time they can control. They have a “gift” for looking people in the eye, listening to what is being said, enjoying a meal or fine wine, music or playing with a child. They never seem rushed, and they get a lot done! They take full advantage of each day. Successful people don’t waste time, they use it!

9. They “look over the horizon” to see the future

They observe trends, notice changes, see shifts, and hear the nuances that others miss. A basketball player wearing Nikes is trivial, the neighbor kid wearing them is interesting, your own teenager demanding them is an investment opportunity! Extremely successful people live in the present, with one eye on the future!

10. Repeatedly successful people respond instantly!

When an investment isn’t working out, they sell. When they see an opportunity, they make the call. If an important relationship is cooling down, they take time to renew it. When technology or a new competitor or a change in the economic situation requires an adjustment, they are the first and quickest to respond.

Concept Courtesy : Philip Humbert

Three things at Work which will make it a utopia!

Hii,

We all know that, everybody in this world is working hard in their lives so as to make money and survive. But how we work makes all the difference in our lives. For example, I meet many of my friends and when I ask them, “what really makes you happy about your work other than the salary?” The answer that I get is mostly that I’m not much happy with my work environment, but I have to work to support my family! I have met a very few lucky ones who are very happy and passionate about their work. For them, money and work satisfaction is different.
Well, today I’m going to help you think for sometime about how you can understand whether you are in your right job, a job in which you are very happy and passionate!

If you have the following three things at work, Work becomes Utopia

And those Three most important factors which decide the happiness in your work, the absence of all three means …You are in a Hell

First : You are learning and Growing
Second: You are having fun and making a difference in somebody’s life or making a valuable contribution
Third: You are being recognized and rewarded

If you have two of the three, you may continue until you find your dream job. If you have only one, then its time to fast forward your job search or make some other changes in your job profile

And if you have none, then why the hell are you here?

So, friends, think about the situations, analyze and have the GUTS to decide rather than sticking on like poster on a wall with “stick no bills”

All the Best in your analysis

Regs
CV
Concept courtesy: “The Corporate Sufi” by Azim Jalal

The Menace of Skipping Breakfast and Its Impact On Organizational Behavior

Introduction

Working till 9 pm , having dinner at 10 or 11 , late night partying , sleeping at 1 or 2 am … waking up at 8.30 , jumping from bed at 9 am … going to work at 9.30…..
Wait…. Wait.. have I missed something??
What about breakfast?

“Hey… If I stay for breakfast, I’ll be late for college”, says Anna , an MBA student. “I take breakfast on some days when I’m relaxed… but certainly not when I have important meetings or presentations”, says Soumya , marketing manager of a real estate company . “ You see , I’m on a diet , I cannot have more than two meals a day”, says Shalini , a fashion designer who runs a fashion boutique. “Hey , what if I don’t have breakfast or lunch , I have a heavy dinner everyday !”, John , a sales executive comments .

Well, the reasons are many, but the outcome is the same!
Skipping Breakfast (or for that matter, any meals) has become a great menace in today’s world.
Why did I use the word “menace” in this context?

The dictionary.com meaning of “menace” is as following
something that threatens to cause evil, harm, injury, etc.; a threat: (noun)
to serve as a probable threat to; imperil (verb)
YES, skipping breakfast is a probable threat to the well being of human beings as such.

The Importance of Breakfast

Breakfast literally means ‘breaking the fast’ after sleeping at night time. Most people do not eat for up to 12 hours between the time of their dinner and breakfast on the following day – during this time their energy levels fall. The first meal of the day is the most important because it supplies the body and brain with the necessary nutrients after a night’s sleep
Eating breakfast is beneficial for both the body and the mind in several ways:
· People who eat breakfast consume more essential nutrients which are necessary for a healthy body and lifestyle
· People who eat breakfast tend to be slimmer than those who skip breakfast
· Eating breakfast contributes to cognitive performance - it improves concentration
Several studies have been conducted all over the world to substantiate the above points.

SOME RESEARCH studies

1. The Study On Dietary Inadequacies

Several investigations have suggested that omission of breakfast contributes to dietary inadequacies in children. In this survey, conducted in the US, breakfast consumption patterns were assessed in 467 10-year-old Louisiana children (participants in the Bogulasa Heart Study) who completed 24-hour dietary recalls.
Sixteen percent of the children skipped breakfast; omission of breakfast was most common among black girls and least common among white boys. Among those who ate breakfast, this meal made a significant contribution to total daily nutrient intake. The average total energy intake was significantly lower for children who did not eat breakfast. Breakfast skippers were more likely than breakfast eaters to fail to meet two thirds of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for vitamins and minerals, especially calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, riboflavin, folate, and vitamins B12 and A.

2. The Effect On Overall Health And Body Weight

Scientists and dieticians all over the world reiterate the factor skipping the breakfast actually makes you hungrier and ultimately end up eating more than that is required by you, thus adding up the calories which will be accumulated as fat. Another “menace” is having a chocolate bar or a pack of junk food so that you get immediate gratification of hunger, which again is harmful for the system as it raises the glucose level to a very high level for a short period of time after which the levels come to below normal. This fluctuation is not good for the body and frequent such fluctuations can lead to digestive and hormonal disorders in the long run. In fact, the rising number of patients with lifestyle disorders like diabetes, blood pressure and high cholesterol can be attributed to a great extent to the untimely and irregular food habits that this generation follows.
Similarly, our Brain requires the highest level of energy after the long hours of rest and sleep .Only a nutritious breakfast provides the energy and nutrients necessary to put our brain into an active state.
Studies show that breakfast, especially a cereal breakfast, helps in weight control. Eating breakfast even helps you be slimmer. Most importantly, breakfast eaters eat fewer calories, less saturated fat and cholesterol. So, they consume better overall nutritional values than breakfast skippers.
Even survey findings show that women who ate breakfast(a balanced one) on a regular basis weighed about 4.5 Kgs less than those who ate breakfast rarely or not at all. They also found that men who ate breakfast weighed about 3 kg less than men who didn’t eat breakfast.

3. The Study On Effects On Cognitive Performance

In a study conducted in a poor area on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, 279 school-aged children (including normal, wasted, and stunted individuals) completed three cognitive tasks after an overnight fast or after receiving a standard breakfast. The tests were administered at the children's schools and were received with enthusiasm by the children (because they involved the use of computers). The consumption or omission of breakfast had no consistent effect on any of the cognitive tests. However, stunted children did not perform as well as the others on a test of attention.
Interestingly, this inconsistency effect could probably be attributed to the same effect as those in the Hawthorne studies 1, where the subjects when put under special routine, in a separate room had a feeling that they are “special” which actually motivated them to give more productivity. The noteworthy point is that those who consumed breakfast were those consistently bright students in the class.
Eating breakfast improves concentration, problem solving ability, mental performance, memory, and mood. This does not apply to children alone. Even adults benefit greatly from eating a healthy breakfast. Breakfast skippers are at a disadvantage compared to those who have eaten breakfast. On an average, breakfast eaters think faster and clearer, and have better recall. School children who skip breakfast tend to be hyperactive, irritable, anxious, and display disruptive classroom behaviour.
Eating breakfast also reduces fatigue and sleepiness in the mid-morning hours and is a great mood elevator. Academic performance and decision-making ability is generally better when breakfast is eaten.
In another study (a report in the archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine), Dr J Michael Murphy of the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and his co-authors assessed the effects of eating school breakfast on the academic and emotional functioning of more than 100 children in inner-city elementary schools in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
When school breakfast was made available to all children of family income, the number of youngsters who ate it doubled, giving the researchers an opportunity to measure the results before and after. They found that those who often ate school breakfast, got higher grades in math, and were less likely to be described as depressed, anxious or hyperactive by parents or teachers.
In addition to improving in these psychological dimensions, those youngsters who started eating breakfast under the universal feeding program improved their math grades, school attendance and punctuality. Children who regularly eat breakfast think faster and clearer, solve problems more easily and are likely to be fidgety and irritable early in the day.

IMPACT OF SKIPPING MEALS ON ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

Ok. Those were studies which dealt with the bodily as well as mental aspects related to skipping breakfast. Now, coming to the personality and organizational point of view…

Does consumption or non-consumption of breakfast (or any meals) affect the personality or organization in any manner?

Well, detailed research studies are yet to be conducted in this regard to substantiate or reject the following ideas or viewpoints I put across below.

· People who are particular about having breakfast and other meals at the right time usually may have better time management skills. :- People who find time for having their breakfast, obviously rise up sufficiently early so that they can get ready for their work, read newspaper and have breakfast before leaving. These people will also be usually punctual to their workplace or college and thus usually have a sense of time and have more planning skills too.

· People who do not skip a meal may foster a balanced personality who is not ready to set aside their needs just because of external factors or pressure. They may have better stress management skills: - These people are not bothered about much about the external pressure like exam, presentation, meeting etc to affect their daily routine. This shows that they are better in coping up with the pressure and stressful environment that they are in.

· People who work in organizations which give strict meal breaks and provide lunch at a nominal cost show a better productivity than organizations where meal break are not strictly adhered to or meals are not provided. (here meals include coffee/tea break as well as breakfast or lunch break) :- Well , the implication of providing food/drink for the employees free of cost has two fold effect: one , the feel good factor of the employees (the fact that they are being cared by the organization they work for ) , two , the organization can ensure that all the employees have their food and also have a social forum for interaction whereby developing an organization culture which is supportive. Recent studies on school children show that children who skip breakfast are not as adept at selecting the information they need to solve problems. Ability to recall and use new information, verbal fluency and attentiveness are hurt by hunger. Earlier studies showed similar effects of skipping breakfast among teenagers and adults. Over all, breakfast skippers were less productive and handled tasks less efficiently than those who ate breakfast. Among both young and elderly adults, skipping breakfast impaired memory and mental performance. Thus those organizations whose output is based on the mental capabilities of the employees (like the software sector), may think about providing the employees a nutritious meal before they get on to work.

· If People who skip meals are forced to work under pressure, they may become more aggressive in their interpersonal as well as group behavior and have more emotional break downs than those who have their food at right time. Thus those who have meals regularly may have better emotional quotient than those who don’t. :- This can be understood better if we consider the fact that when we try to snatch food (say, an ice-cream) from small children they may become violent and go on a temper tantrum in order to get it back. Similarly the people who skip breakfast /lunch due to work pressure often become very much frustrated and irritated about the work, which adversely affects the productivity and the interpersonal relations.

· People who take time to have a relaxed breakfast or lunch tend to have better planning and managing skills : The fact that they can manage their time effectively and they can foresee and plan their activities so that their having lunch doesn’t affect their work, means that they are “smart workers” and they are good at planning resources

These assumptions have to be tested for its validity among various groups and organizations.

CONCLUSION
Breakfast is an important meal for those people who lead a very active lifestyle. Not just breakfast, but skipping any meal is very bad for the physical and mental health of people. It also adversely affects the productivity and the behaviour of people apart from the fact that it affects the body functions.
So, Anna , Soumya , John and all you youngsters out there , ensure that you have your breakfast as well as your other foods regularly . Ensure the nutritional value of the food and the time of taking food is adequate for your physical and mental development. Otherwise, the world may soon become a junkyard of highly skilled but unhealthy youngsters!
At least in this case if you listen to what your mother says , you can be a better citizen of the world. “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.”

Action Plan To Help You Have All The Meals At The Right Time:

1. Decide that you will get ready at least 15 mins earlier than the time that you want to get out of the house, so that you can have your breakfast in a relaxed manner.
2. Plan well what you are going to do that day and in your plan make sure you have given time for taking food.
3. Do not make any excuse to avoid breakfast like “I don’t like this, so I don’t want breakfast” .Instead, have something which you like rather than avoiding the breakfast as such.
4. Make a habit of eating together with your family at breakfast. You can also talk and discuss with your family members about the day ahead during the breakfast. This way you can develop better relationship with your parents and children and also have fun while having breakfast
5. Learn to say “No” if somebody asks for a work or favor while you are just getting ready for your food. You can better tell them to wait for 5 mins till you finish your food rather than avoiding food. “Put yourself first” when it comes to food.

6. Have your food , even if there is noone to accompany you . There are some people (common among girls) who always need company to have food. They ignore food if they do not have a companion . this is a very bad tendency . Remember, for the company sake , you are putting your health at stake.

Reference

1. Hawthorne studies- ref : Luthans,Fred - Organisational behaviour

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0887/is_n1_v13/ai_14832842

www.dictionary.com

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/09/15/stories/2007091550720200.htm

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2003/02/02/stories/2003020200440700.htm
http://www.indiadiets.com/Health_flash/News%20details/skipping_breakfast.htm







© CV, Oct 2007 cvadhana@yahoo.com

A Goal without action is just a day dream !

Dear friends,

Its just one day since I opened up this site, I received a mail from a visitor .I felt really happy and at the same time astonished that there are infact many people out there , who are in need of some direction and motivation in their life , that they are ready to seek for help the moment they find some ears to listen to them! if i am able to do that i consider myself as blessed!

So, here is my unknown friend who came up with a vision of getting into a creative field and who is just bored out of his present job in the construction field!
I think many of us are in jobs about which we are not much passionate about ,but end up doing it for the money. And with a dream of getting out someday .. but do not know how!

So, ...with your permission , my unknown friend, I;m pasting your mail and my reply for the benefit of all others who are in a similar position!
Regs
CV
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
The mail

Hai CV,It was really interesting to read ur blog.My name is S*, now im working in ksa with a construction based company, I am a post graduate in commerce and diploma holder in public relations and ads, actually I get a good opening from the academy, but I ignore it my intention was to becoming nri and earn money, now I earn as much I can, but as a person with some creative skills this job in ksa is not satisfying me, now I am planning to come back to kerala and start live as I like. I want ur kind advises for how I can start a career in any creative fields. -- with regards Mr.S
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
The reply

hi Mr. S

thanx for your mail. Infact this mail is encouraging for me since my first effort on the net is becoming fruitful .. and i am getting an oppurtunity to be of help to somebody.

Well, as far as your case is concerned , If getting into creative field is your vision , you have to first identify your core area of interest ."Creative area" is a very broad term.You must become more specific about your field..whether u want to get into the media , film industry , ad industry , print media , animation etc..
then you have to first answer the following questions to yourself
1. Why do I really want to get into that creative field? is it for money or is it for my soul? (if it is for my soul , is there an alternate source of income for my family?)
2. what's my experience level in that creative field (any )?
3. How can I convince my future employer( if I want to work for somebody) or convince myself( if u want to own a business) that my skills in the creative field are up-to-date ?
(You can try to answer the above questions for each field or sub sector ,a and do the analysis )
Try to find answers to the above , you can arive at a decision better

One point to note is that you will risk your career if u jump into it all of a sudden .So make necessary preparations while you are in your present job itself. I mean , you can do some additional courses in your field , collect as much information as possible about your particular skills and capabilities and how u can fit into your field of activity.
A Goal without action is just a day dream !
SO GET SET and ACT NOW, TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL!

hope i was able to give u some direction
tell me abt your experience in your thought process.
regs
CV

TEN TIPS TO BECOME EMPLOYABLE WHILE YOU ARE STILL IN YOUR CAMPUS!

1. “The biggest problem that we face today is not UNEMPLOYMENT but UNEMPLOYABILITY”
   
   What do employers look for in a candidate? What are those skills which make you employable? Apart from the technical skills and subject knowledge, employers expect their employees to have the following skills and attitude
   · Language skills
   · Communication skills
   · Social and interpersonal skills
   · Leadership and motivation
   · Positive Attitude
   In this scenario, I'm going to give you the secrets for becoming employable ! By practicing these tips while you are in the Campus, You are sure to be grabbed by the Best employers
   
   TEN TIPS TO BECOME EMPLOYABLE WHILE YOU ARE STILL IN YOUR CAMPUS!

1. Set GOALS– Goals must be SMART (Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and Time bound) Dream about your Goal everyday!
2. Read ENGLISH newspapers daily
3. TALK in English to your classmates and to your faculty (don’t bother about your grammar and fluency
4. WATCH quiz, news and informative programs in English media. Also watch how great people have become GREAT!
5. PARTICIPATE in Extra curricular activities and management fests. (Just participate , don’t bother about the results)
6. GIVE & GET Feedback about your performance and your personality from your peer group .Take Criticisms as a chance to improve. Ask for feedback immediately after any performance lest they may forget. Put in additional efforts to correct your mistakes
7. Do Not COMPARE yourself with anybody else in the world! YOU ARE UNIQUE and You have to develop a unique identity of your Own
8. STOP COMPLAINING about the external factors and Count your Blessings. This will help you develop a POSITIVE Attitude (instead start analyzing your internal factors- your capabilities , your weakness etc)
9. Have a MENTOR who will guide you in difficult times and also motivate you in all aspects of your career and life (The difference between a role model and a mentor is that you aspire to be like your role model , and your mentor helps you in the process
10. Use Positive SELF AFFIRMATION statements like “Yes, I Can Do it!”, “I am confident “,” I will be Successful”. Shed all negative thoughts and egos. Ignore unproductive negative comments and criticisms. Positive criticism gives you the platform for improvement whereas negative criticism pulls your legs down so that you will fall!
    
    
    
    © CV, 2007 cvadhana@yahoo.com

Welcome to Personality Service Center

Dear friend!
Welcome to Personality Service Center - Your own service center on the net for all your needs regarding personality development. Here we can discuss about anything that may help each other understand more about their personality and in the process ,develop a charismatic personality.
And I'm CV, your Technician for servicing your engine of your personality! My specialisation atpresent is softskills deveopment
Atpresent , I myself am the technician ,the maintenance supervisor and ofcourse the owner ofthis service center! Hopefully ,infuture ,many expert technicians might join us!
For now, I'll keep posting articles and other topics of interest very often.
Keep visiting and give me your comments for development!

Regs
CV