REFLECTION AND ACTION

When we reflect on the path we have come through it only leads to proper action for the future.  I am now reflecting on a few things, my blog, my professional experience and 2016 in particular.

My blog is now 75 months old and I am now writing 275th piece of scribbling.  On an average I have scribbled atleast once every week and quite happy about it.  Along the way I have learnt lessons on what people like and what people reject.  I have had resounding success on Music and Entertainment though the expectation was that my motivational articles would be well received. On Reflection into this record I have now thought that the action going forward should be to sustain one article per week in this blog to inspire and encourage the younger generation.

My professional practice as a Strategy Advisor is now 63 months old I have handled 71 different assignments.  On an average I have landed on one new assignment each month and it has been a very challenging and very exciting period so far.  Some of the clients have paid well and some have paid moderately but overall it has been highly remunerative.  There are some assignments where I have not been financially remunerated but it has added great value to my experience.

I strongly believe in the three types of Reflection, viz., For Action; On Action and In Action.  I have personally practiced the three types of reflection in a very systematic way.  Probably this is what is helping me to improve in every facet of my life.

These reflections also helps in how we would like to shape our future and career.  Our aspirations and vision is driven by these reflections.  "What matters most is how you see yourself".

While it is important to reflect on how we see ourselves it is equally important not to forget the past at the origins.  I always vividly remember my early days in life when I used to go to far off places including my college in bicycle.  Those cycle rides are still green in memory after more than 30 years.

Perceptions keep changing and everything in this world is driven by perception.  Even a buying decision is made not on the basis of what is needed but rather on the perceived value being higher than the price at which the product or service is offered.  One can clearly see the shoreline in the below picture but at the same time you can also admire the picture as the outline shape is a formation of a perfect Guitar.  It is also possible to see the beautiful Sun Rise or Sun Set thus the perception is a view only focused on the Sun.

Reflection and Action helps in reaching the desired vision or desired goals in life.  We do use the idiom "fish out of water" in certain circumstances.  It has applied to me on several occasions but I have always achieved the desired results or reached my goals simply due to my perseverance and determination.  Look at the fish out of water and how he manages to reach the water ultimately by sheer determination to live.



2016 has been very eventful and challenging.  Professionally it was very exciting year with lot of new and good assignments.  I have also undergone a course on Business Valuation to upgrade my knowledge.  I have done 10 different workshops on IFRS during 2016 which is a very satisfying aspect of 2016.

As an active participant in the Excellence Programmes of the Government I am engaged in Dubai Quality Award; Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award; Taqdeer Award and Sharjah Economic Excellence Network.  These engagements provide a lot of learnings and insights into the best practices in different industries.  Engaging in four different excellence award programmes during 2016 has been a real highlight of the year.

On the personal front I lost my father on 18th August 2016.  He is the greatest inspiration for me in life and my character is influenced by my father to a large extent.  He continues to be my greatest hero though he has left this world.

On 21st August 2016 my mother-in-law passed away.  A very simple and kind hearted lady whom I admired a lot.  She was truly a role model and extraordinary lady.  I have never seen her angry or upset or shouting at anyone in life.  Her patience and self-less service is unforgettable.

These two set backs in personal life was followed by a good news on 19th October 2016 when I was blessed with a Grand Daughter.  She is the new addition in the family and has brought lot of joy in the family.

Overall it has been a quite exciting, challenging, eventful 2016.  I look forward to the New Year.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.


T.P.Anand
31st December 2016
Dubai, U.A.E.

CHO RAMASWAMY

Cho Ramaswamy left this world on 7th December 2016 after spending 82 glorious and fearless years. He was a great personality with abundant wealth of knowledge, wisdom, wit and humour.  As a child I enjoyed his portrayal of comedy scenes in Movies and enjoyed his Drama though many dialogues which were penned to attack the politicians could not be understood by me at that age.

I have seen many of his Stage Plays like Unmaye Unn Vilai Enna; Mohammed Bin Thuglak; Judgement Reserved; Nermai Urangum Neram; Yaarukkum Vetkam Illai and Endru Thaniyum Enda Sudandira Dhaagam.

In his Drama - Yaarukkum Vetkamillai there is a dialogue " Confusion can come only to persons who are capable of thinking.  One who does not think will never get confused".  What a statement and how true it is in real life.  I get confused quite often and once the confusion is cleared I feel doubly happy - one for getting clarity and other for having been thinking.

I had the privilege of meeting him in Shri.T.T.Vasu's house and feel I was honoured to meet the man in close quarters and be part of a brief conversation.  Despite his age, position, stature he was so humble and simple in front of Shri.T.T.Vasu who was his ex-boss.  Cho has worked for 18 years in TTK Group as Legal Adviser and I am privileged to have worked for the same Group much later than him.

He says "everything has been happening to me" and narrates how he became a playwright; actor; publisher; etc.  Watch this interview which clearly shows the genius in this man:




He says everything that he has done is part of the profession and not any kind of a service to the nation.  He says his strength is he will not tell a lie.  "Whatever I feel as justified I will express those ideas or views" he says.



I have always admired him for his wit, satire, comedy, spontaneity, sarcasm, courage, wisdom, quick reflex and common sense approach.

Long Live Cho Ramaswamy through his great words and works.

T.P.Anand
29th December 2016
Dubai, U.A.E.

7 HABITS FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE

7 is a very powerful number.  

7 Colours in Rainbow; 7 hills in Rome; 7 hills in Istanbul; 7 hills in my hometown Tirupathi; 7 Heavens; 7 Seas; 7 days in the week; 7 Wonders in the Ancient World; 7 Classical Planets; 7 heavens; 7 Chakras; 7 Notes in Music and yes ofcourse 7 Habits.

Habits determine our lifestyle and Habits actually also decide our attitude to others.  I read recently in a quote which said “Bad Attitude is like a flat tyre in your Car.  Unless you change it you cannot move”.  Success in life is all about how you feel.  What you do.  Whom it impacts.  How it benefits you and the people around you.  The right positive Attitude and Discipline will lead to Success in life.  Do you know that the sum total of the numbers assigned in the alphabets to the words Attitude and Discipline adds to 100?  Don’t you think getting 100% in return in Success.

In order to achieve Success in life I just said Attitude and Discipline is important.  Success in life comes from developing good habits and research has proved that the 7 Habits make people highly effective in what they do.  High effectiveness would certainly lead to Success.  The 7 Habits as propounded by Stephen Covey are as follows:

First and foremost the basic habit to be cultivated is “being Proactive”.  In order to be pro-active you need to see the alternatives and not just the roadblocks.  Focus should be on what you can influence.

Second Habit - Begin with the end in mind – mental creation should precede the physical creation.  Define the practical outcomes and visualize the end result before setting out on action.

Third Habit – Put first things first – Focus on the most important things first and not necessarily on the urgent tasks.  You should have a weekly plan but you must have daily action.

These three Habits will help to manage yourself well.

Fourth Habit – Think Win Win – Win Lose is only in games and in real life when we deal with ourselves, our lives and that of others we cannot afford to play any games.  Hence our actions should always be thought in a Win-Win situation which in turn with foster better relationships.

Fifth Habit – Seek first to understand then to be understood – I got married in 1989 and for the first 20 years of my marriage I have had innumerable fights and disagreements with my wife.  It is after the 20 years of struggle that I realized that I should first understand her before allowing myself to be understood.  Last seven years have been less turbulent.   I have finally learnt the art of empathetic listening.  I have also learnt to give honest and accurate feedback.

Sixth Habit – Synergise – the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts.  Try to synergise to arrive at new and better alternatives.  Cultivate the habit of creative co-operation.  Look for synergies and collaborate with other professionals and businesses.

The three habits above helps us to lead others and stay in harmony.

Seventh Habit – Sharpen the Saw – it is important to renew ourselves in body, heart, mind and soul.  It is important to update and upgrade to stay in the race for excellence.  This is the 7^th habit which actually helps us to unleash the true potential that is hidden within.

So my friends Success is achieved by unleashing our true potential and I am sure you will agree with me that developing these good habits will help in the achievement of success in life.  The key to success is after all in our own hands.

I wish you all Season's Greetings, Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

with warm regards,

T.P.Anand

Dubai, U.A.E.

25th December 2016