Category: Everything else

Success is not a dirty word.

‘Setting goals, aligning your schedule for realizing your goals, being the best in what you do, and striving to be amazingly successful to make a difference – many people think these are all boring stuff; they think these go-getters are very tedious, taking life very seriously; they think these go-getters are incompatible with being compassionate, socially conscious and a good person! Utter nonsense.

Setting goals makes one stay focused and promotes personal growth; Aligning the schedule shows they never betray themselves; And realizing a goal gives an immense sense of achievement; being the best in what you do gives the pleasure of personal satisfaction, a job well done; and being amazingly successful awakens joy, makes us feel that we have not walked the planet in vain. Of course, not everyone knows that these go-getters get goofy and play most of the time!

Settling for mediocrity has its own sad costs and success is not a dirty word!’

—
Excerpt from ‘The Greatness Guide’ by Robin Sharma.

Reminded of this thanks to EB’s learning.

Everybody is a venture capitalist. Yes, you too.

The term ‘VC‘ or ‘Venture Capitalist‘ is a person who invests millions/billions into small start-up businesses that require capital to scale up.

It sounds like a job for the rich and wealthy but my argument is that every one of us is a venture capitalist. Because to me, the core of what a venture does is promote an idea.

So, a VC’s situation works like this –

Approached by: Start ups/ Entrepreneurs that require capital
who require: Money

In our lives, we are –

Approached by: People with dreams and ideas
who require: Emotional support, lots of encouragement and often, push.

In 1998, the Google due of Brin and Page had asked the founders of Ask.com if they were interested in buying their idea for 800,000 dollars. And, a long story cut short, they said no. And what’s more, they were probably not the only ones.

It’s easy to laugh at them but the big question we should be asking ourselves is –

Are we doing well as VCs in our lives?
Are we identifying and promoting big ideas?
Are we encouraging talent junior that is on the look out for support?

We have a big responsibility because it is the talent and the ideas that we promote that WILL change the world in the years to come. So, go out and invest – we have more capital than we think.

No point screaming, ranting or raving..

Calm down…

Figure out whether you control the outcome in any way.

Do what you can.

Be patient and wait.

The only hope is that ‘All things work out in the end’

Of course, the ‘end‘ is subjective.

Calm down anyway – ranting and raving doesn’t help. It only means you are getting worked up and worried. And as we know,

‘Worry, like a rocking chair, will give you something to do but won’t take you anywhere’

Calm down. Get on with it.

3 Things that will save you when all else seems to be going wrong

I decided to make this list thanks to an intense couple of weeks. It’s been fabulous learning simply because I’ve realized more and more that as we grow change around us is triggered thanks to circumstances beyond our control. That’s not to say nothing is within our circle of influence, but that there is a high probability that we experience repercussions to actions made above us in hierarchy.

Just because we don’t control it doesn’t take away the fact that the period is bound to be difficult. And here are 3 things that have helped me a great deal –

1. Routine. Routine has been a life saver and by this, I mean routine beyond work. Examples of daily routine activities are exercise, book reading, blogging etc that recharge us mentally. Just keep non-work routine going has been a boon as it greatly helps steady the mental ship and remind it that there IS life beyond work.

2. Keeping emotional connection with loved ones. Even if you are stuck in timbuctoo, there is a high probability that there will be an internet connection (albeit a slow one) and that’s a great start – email close ones, tell them you love them, give them an e-hug etc. Or simply speak to someone who generally brightens up your day! Again, helps remind us why we are going through difficulties – so we can have more quality time with loved ones.

3. A GREAT sense of humor and an even better attitude. Attitude is king – and that’s a fact. After a rough day yesterday, I’d written to a loved one yesterday night and today when I did speak to the person, we both were in splits recalling yesterday and in general about the situation. All of a sudden, the ‘tough’/‘rough’ situation had just become a BIG joke. The quote that inspired me here was – ‘Don’t forget to laugh at yourself, who knows, you may be missing out on the joke of the century.’ And I was.

As Timon says, ‘…the way I see it. You can run from it, or learn from it’.

Well, I say, you can also blog about it and share your experiences with others. And that’s what I chose to do.