Happy New Year - 2013
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Handle stress at work!
Life today is full of stress. It does not matter whether you are a homemaker or a CEO, the stress levels would be as high in both occupations. Stress is so much part and parcel of our lives, that we fail to recognize it nowadays.
De-Stressing Yourself Involves Three Major Steps
- Recognizing the stress inducing points
- Seeking alternatives
- Taking action
1. How do you learn to recognize stress points in your life
Stress is the direct result of misplaced worry. There are many synonyms to the term 'stress' ? you have anxiety, pressure, strain, constant worry, nervous tension, mental trauma and so on. All these words depict one thing ? DANGER to your both mental and physical well being.
A simple way to check out whether stress dominates your life or not, is by comparing your 'logical self' with your 'anxious self'. Take the following test and find out.
Anxious Self (stress promoter)
Logical self (stress busting)
1. The need to be perfect.
Do you need to be the best there is all the time?
Do you feel terrible if your work is less than perfect?
Do you constantly feel that you could have done more?
Do you feel obsessed with your work and cannot relax till it is completed?
It is great to do your best. But you should recognize that you cannot be the best always. Not being so does not mean you are inferior to anyone. Everybody has its strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes we are up and sometimes we are down.
It is good to concentrate on the work at hand. However, if it is becoming an obsession, you have a problem.
2. The need to control and be in control
Do you feel everything is lost if you are not in control of the situation at all times?
Are you ashamed to look vulnerable to your peers and/or juniors?
Do you feel you loose the respect of your team/ superiors/ juniors if you do not look confident at all times?
Can you let go of work that is assigned to you if need be?
As a human being, you will have to handle situations that are out of your control. This does not mean that you are in way inferior.
You, as everyone, have your weak points. Accepting your vulnerability makes you a better leader and gains the respect of all you colleagues.
Delegation actually you can stay in control of the situation better. Let go of responsibility when it crowds you.
3. The need to be accepted
Do you reject yourself if you are not accepted by others?
Do you need the appreciation of your boss to feel good about an excellent assignment?
Do you put yourself always at the bottom of the rung?
Are you afraid to show you are hurt/ irritated/ displeased for fear of alienating others?
Be sure of what you are and maintain that image of self clear in mind. Failure is just a matter of opinion. It does not describe or qualify you.
Recognize your talents in isolation of other people's reactions. Learn to connect with your inner self, your values, your core strengths.
Respect your feelings and others will respect you. Do not suppress negative feelings when they come. Air them out and solve the issues then and there.
4. The need to value your self-worth
Do you always feel that your work is nothing to rave about ? even if it is praised sky-high by everybody?
Do you feel that you can never trust your own judgment or assessment of a situation?
Do you expect and even invite criticism to your work and opinion?
Do you feel uncomfortable when complimented on an excellent work?
You are good in your area. You need to recognize that. If you are not, you should seek another area (where you are good) and shift your career focus.
You should value your own self and give yourself the importance due to you. Self-respect is the first step to self-recognitions and self-realization.
You are special. Acknowledge that.
2. Seeking Alternatives
When you are faced with stress, you need to know and internalize the fact that you have choices. You are not stuck in a situation of no-return any time in your life. Let us see what can help de-stressing out minds ?
1. Exercise daily ? exercise promotes the production of feel-good pheromones which make you feel good about yourself both mentally and physically. Assign some just 15-30 minutes everyday for some physical activity ? even if it only walking.
2. Keep at least one day every fortnight for yourself and your family. You need to recognize your own needs and position vis-?-vis other important aspects in your life other than work/ career.
3. Develop and nurture a hobby to which you earmark some time every month. Do not let your work be the only focus in your life.
4. Recognize your peak hours and work most during that time. Allow yourself adequate rest daily. Lack of rest escalates stress.
5. Always finish the most troublesome work first. Do not procrastinate. Especially when you do not like the task at hand.
6. Keep in constant touch with your friends and relatives. You will draw strength from their appreciation and love for you. Otherwise you will develop the tendency of valuating yourself only on the basis of your job.
7. Learn to forgive yourself. Whenever you commit a mistake, put it behind you and start afresh.
8. Eat well. Do no neglect your meals. Lack of proper nutrition promotes stress.
9. Express you love for your family and accept their love without any reservations. Accept the fact that you are more than only a employee.
10. Accept that you are stressed when it is obvious ? and take a break from your work to recharge your batteries.
3. Taking Action
1. Say 'no' when you cannot do it. Learning to say 'no' is the greatest gift and tool in handling stress.
2. Delegate. You need not be everywhere all the time, not it is necessary for you to do everything yourself.
3. Prioritize your work. You cannot do everything at the same time. Check out which has to be the first and which the last. Inform those who need to know accordingly.
4. Plan the day in morning, every day. Do not start the day without a plan. List the tasks you have to accomplish and stick to the plan.
5. Take regular breaks. Your mind like the motor of machine cannot sustain itself at top speed continuously. A 5-10 minutes break (even a nap sometimes) can keep you going at top speed and performance throughout the day.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
ekla cholo re....
In Bengali Romanization
Jodi tor đak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla chôlo re,
Êkla chôlo, êkla chôlo, êkla chôlo, êkla chôlo re.
Jodi keu kôtha na kôe, ore ore o ôbhaga,
Jodi shôbai thake mukh firaee shôbai kôre bhôe---
Tôbe pôran khule
O tui mukh fuţe tor moner kôtha êkla bôlo re.
Jodi shôbai fire jae, ore ore o ôbhaga,
Jodi gôhon pôthe jabar kale keu fire na chae---
Tôbe pôther kãţa
O tui rôktomakha chôrontôle êkla dôlo re.
Jodi alo na dhôre, ore ore o ôbhaga,
Jodi jhôŗ-badole ãdhar rate duar dêe ghôre---
Tôbe bojranôle
Apon buker pãjor jalie nie êkla jôlo re.
[edit] Tagore's English translation
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,
O thou unlucky one,
trample the thorns under thy tread,
and along the blood-lined track travel alone.
If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,
O thou unlucky one,
with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart
and let it burn alone.
* translation copied from wikipedia.com
Monday, May 05, 2008
"Today" == "Present"
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'
Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
'Today is a gift, that is why it
is called The Present .'
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'
Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
'Today is a gift, that is why it
is called The Present .'
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Message : from Steve Waugh to Youngsters
Finally, his message for youngsters
(Smiles) Those who’re looking to play for the country must first play before looking for the rewards… If you look for the rewards first, then your priorities just aren’t right. Work hard and follow the process instead of straightaway looking at the end goal… Ultimately, you’ll be judged on how you come out of adversity.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
A few nice brain teasers.
A few nice brain teasers.
1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?
2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wo nderful dinner together. How can this be?
3. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?
4. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out.
ANSWERS:
1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.
2. The woman is a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry.
3. Sure you can: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!
4. The letter "e" - the most common letter in the English language - is missing from the entire paragraph!
1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?
2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wo nderful dinner together. How can this be?
3. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?
4. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out.
ANSWERS:
1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.
2. The woman is a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry.
3. Sure you can: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!
4. The letter "e" - the most common letter in the English language - is missing from the entire paragraph!
who is responsible or whom to blame?
A boy was born to a couple after eleven years of marriage. They
were a loving couple and the boy was the gem of their eyes. When the boy
was around two years old, one morning the husband saw a medicine bottle
open. He was late for office so he asked his wife to cap the bottle and
keep it in the cupboard.His wife,preoccupied in the kitchen totally
forgot the matter.
The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to the bottle
fascinated by its color and drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous
medicine meant for adults in small dosages. When the child collapsed the
mother hurried him to the hospital, where he died. The mother was
stunned. She was terrified how to face her husband.
When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead
child,he looked at his wife and uttered just five words.
QUESTIONS
:
1. What were the five words ?
2. What is the implication of this story?
scroll down to read....
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ANSWER :
The husband just said "I am with you Darling"
The husband's totally unexpected reaction is a proactive behavior. The
child is dead. He can never be brought back to life. There is no point
in finding fault with the mother. Besides, if only he had taken time to
keep the bottle away, this would not have happened. No one is to be
blamed. She had also lost her only child. What she needed at that moment
was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her.
If everyone can look at life with this kind of perspective, there would
be much fewer problems in the world. " A journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step. Take off all your envies, jealousies,unforgiv
eness, selfishness, and fears.
And you will find things are actually not as difficult as you think.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
This story is really worth reading. ..... Sometimes we spend time in
asking who is responsible or whom to blame, whether in a relationship,
in a job or with the people we know.
were a loving couple and the boy was the gem of their eyes. When the boy
was around two years old, one morning the husband saw a medicine bottle
open. He was late for office so he asked his wife to cap the bottle and
keep it in the cupboard.His wife,preoccupied in the kitchen totally
forgot the matter.
The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to the bottle
fascinated by its color and drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous
medicine meant for adults in small dosages. When the child collapsed the
mother hurried him to the hospital, where he died. The mother was
stunned. She was terrified how to face her husband.
When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead
child,he looked at his wife and uttered just five words.
QUESTIONS
:
1. What were the five words ?
2. What is the implication of this story?
scroll down to read....
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
ANSWER :
The husband just said "I am with you Darling"
The husband's totally unexpected reaction is a proactive behavior. The
child is dead. He can never be brought back to life. There is no point
in finding fault with the mother. Besides, if only he had taken time to
keep the bottle away, this would not have happened. No one is to be
blamed. She had also lost her only child. What she needed at that moment
was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her.
If everyone can look at life with this kind of perspective, there would
be much fewer problems in the world. " A journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step. Take off all your envies, jealousies,unforgiv
eness, selfishness, and fears.
And you will find things are actually not as difficult as you think.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
This story is really worth reading. ..... Sometimes we spend time in
asking who is responsible or whom to blame, whether in a relationship,
in a job or with the people we know.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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