Right Place, Right Time

While I was walking out today morning to catch my office cab, I noticed the usual mendicant-young-boy. He doesn’t match with usual beggars or anything like that; he walks with some ingenuity, dignity, seldom talks, and mostly talks of either good doings and/or gods. I have seen him growing, have seen him visiting our streets several times.

What’s so special about it?

I didn’t noticed it much, but this guy doesn’t come along every now and then. He comes on specific days, only on days which hold some mythological values (in India) and when its “said” to be among good values to donate some eatables or household items on those days. This guy calls out importance of these days, and what all is generally guided to be donated on those specific days. He comes almost very early in the morning, I don’t think I have ever seen him around beyond 9 or 10AM.

Now, this guy’s chances of carrying full bags are way much higher than other’s (and he carries a large bag). And simple reason, he spends time to identify what’s the right day and time, and he is around at that time ! And his USP (unique selling proposition) is the information he repeatedly calls out at different common points in a street (and information is mostly re-validated to be always correct by the elder one’s in our family). He is prepared (like many other’s of his kind), but key differentiator is that he tries to be at right place at right time !

There are so many other cases where a person or product has reached great heights just for the reason that it hit right place at right time. There’s a book named Outliers which circumvent around similar idea (though at different intellectual levels obviously!). So, how would one know what’s the right time and right place ? Well, we are far from a formula (at least for now). Till then, follow your heart, be always prepared and look for patterns that you can make use of. Chances are that you too would know the right time and place which is right for your success !

2012 Resolutions

This time round, am a little late (by a day at the least) to put my resolutions to paper. But to me, that’s a sign that I want them to be realistic to the levels that I can commit to them.

Last year brought in lot many good changes. I switched company for first time in my career (after >7 yrs ! ), and boy, was that something ! Its surprising what all HR can expect out of you at times. But it was a good – game changing – learning experience. More than that, closing of the year couldn’t have been better. I secured my OCP 11g upgrade, achieved MCITP SQL Server 2008 Certification, ITIL v3 Foundation Certification – all in the last 2 months of the year 2011 !

But the real satisfaction came out from meeting up some of my past year’s resolutions end-to-end. So, here I am, geared up for my next lot all again ! I have the intent already, wishing for “be the force with me”.

1. Health and Exercise Regime:

This is the only aspect of my last year’s plan that actually let me down. I was happy to be keeping well most of the time, with still taking least number of sick-time-off’s in my time (I guess), but yet, am far from the age where I would start pumping my heart mad even at small brisk walks! I resolved for health to be my top priority, but slowly career & capital took over (and I didn’t even noticed till it was too late). This has to and will change this year. Talking specific, my target would be:

• Reducing weight to 70kgs
• At least 12kms of walk per week (ideally it should be 21, but let me start with it at least)

2. Quality of Life (new addition to my listing, inspired from my dearest Kapil)

I have always been a fond lover of Books. I read them online, and hard copies. Last year, I (and my wife) together spent around 8K on books alone, which is not bad at all. I would like to keep it going. Last day of 2011 made me learn another thing. I went out to India Gate with my wife, we spent like 4-5 hours together, had some quality time spent together, and it was good fun (and not that expensive). But there are more aspects I would like to add:

• Spend at least 2hrs daily in “my” room. If am there, am bound to do something substantial – just that I ditched it more than often last year.
• Plan out a trip within / around Delhi at least once every 2 months.

3. Socialize and Share

I like to be social (intellectually, not partying stuff!). I love every time I meet up a old pal of mine. And I love it even more when we together resolve some problem/s, in person or virtually. I love it to the levels that its not a task to me, but still mentioning it more to get myself more disciplined at it. So, here’s what I will be targeting for:

• To leverage my technical know-how (or lack of it), to resolve some online queries on online forums – at least three responses a week.
• Ask at least one interesting questions each month on the forums I respond to – can be on something new, or something I already work upon (and stuck with). To my surprise, though I love to discuss my problems, I haven’t published any query online in last 3 yrs – straight ! (Though I did blogged about some problems that we resolved)
• And, am up for that dreading “150 blog posts an year” again – I failed this target last year. Lets try again !

4. Finance

Finance is going on the last spot this year. And am open to say I am happy with it that ways. Last year allowed me enough opportunities to handle my finances well. I think I now have a firm system in place and much of my concentration would be towards keeping the system oiled and running smoothly (though quite much of studies went into it). For this year, I would be targeting for:

• Closely work with my CA to have clear understanding on Tax liabilities and tax saving instruments (not policies, but otherwise – I have some in place already, but I can learn to do better). Not this Fiscal year, but next year I should be able to calculate and submit my Tax myself (obviously after a review from our CA).
• Learn to read financial statement of a company/group of companies! Its one thing that has fancied me more than anything else when talking of finances, and this is high time to get it addressed.

2011 Resolution’s Scorecard

Before I start day dreaming on eve of 31st December for “what’s next”, I thought its pivotal to first validate if I made any progress on my “this” year’s resolutions. Though I have tried to do such checks almost every quarter, but think its the time to openly write about it.

Here’s what I resolved for exactly an year ago and my respective status on them:

1. Health and Exercise Regime.

This was at the top for some reason. Because I wanted to give it most attention. Though it didn’t garnered my best attention but it at least got me started. I have some hold on what I eat at the least. BUT. Its still afar from being ideal. I started off with gym, but it got unattended for most of the time. Score: 50%.

2. Financial Stability.

I earlier mentioned I am not very comfortable writing up the details in public. That hitch continues, but scoring is exclusive from that. Score: 100%.

3. At least 150 blog posts.

I was confident of meeting it up, but wasn’t up to it. And even when they came they were generally in clusters, rather than being equi-spaced and consistent. I feel the issue was it being given less priority and even less time to think on the topics. I cant really match some of the real bright minds I admire, who blogged almost everyday. But I also missed the fact that their bread & butter is heavily dependent on blogging and social PR, while mine is not (as yet). Score: 30%.

4. Paperless Task Management.

I think I was able to hit down my 2nd resolution mostly because I was able to set up my calendar with absolute conviction for inline milestones. Same goes for my technical readings and work space. Score: 100%.

On the book reading part, focus shifted a little from “just anything good” to “really good OR technical”. I would like to keep it that ways with a few more strategic readings included.

In end, I think there is no life with zero deviations. On some grounds, I achieved way much more than I had targeted for. On other occasions, I missed a few resolutions. But I think this year has ended with an higher note. Ice on the topping, I was able to shoot down ALL my planned assignments by 28th December itself, which resulted in a “surprising” off for rest of week till the New Year ! ;-D

Library vs Shopping Mall

They both are kind-a stress busters – but to completely opposite set of audiences.
How they match up to each other? Read on, and decide on where you should be going next.

Library…	Shopping Mall…
Increases your intellectual assets.	Decreases your financial assets.
Doesn’t try to sell you something.	Sell & Sell – whole idea for mere existence.
Gives you some silent time – a rare thing in today’s world !	Malls and Silence, forget it ! A Mall will haunt you if its silent !
Has a Librarian who isnt bothered about your presence – no mutual interest.	Has many Sales people all-around-and-over-you.
Getting advanced to facilitate your quest, better and efficiently.	Getting advanced to get more money out of your pockets, surely and efficiently!
Inspires you to get immersed into a topic, a chapter or a page. And that’s for you, only meant to you.	Only lets you to see-it-from-far. You can try the outfit, but yet to try to know if its looking pleasant to others.
Should be the place to visit when you feeling low, but generally isnt.	Shouldn’t be the place to visit when feeling low, but generally is.
Is a result of a sharing nature, intended to support the poor more.	Is a result of monopolistic business nature, intended to take out more of everyone.
Are needed more, but getting extinct.	Are needed less, but mushrooming along.
Generally, have no Parking issues !	Says: Parking at owner’s risk ! (if you at all get a slot)

On Wishes…

Wishes are nothing but like Mirage.. you think they will do something.. but they seldom do so.. Its all about calculating things, deciding and marching ahead…
And then, see your decision as a wish and work with all energies to make it work..!! Remember, you have it in your will to make or break it !

Be the Choice, not the Alternate

Dont settle down to be just-yet-another-one. Dont be the backup. Dont be second.
Dont be the Alternate!

Be kind, respectful and yet energetic – As even mightiest needed guards and support.
But, choose to Be the Choice !
Be “The One”. And you would be sure of what you are doing and what you would do next. And, remain in touch with the one elderly & wise – those who are “the choice” themselves.

Why – “be the choice” ?
Because that’s fun. 
Because only that can give best results.
Because that would make you fearless of what other “Alternates” have to say about you.
You want to help others, help yourself. But do that taking “be the choice” route.
DO what you do best. And let others Choose You to get even more done for themselves.

Finally, something which makes sense, on Presenting well…

I have always admired Arup Nanda (Oracle fame) as a Public Speaker and Technology person. He has huge experience to support himself. Recently he said few things about what makes a great presentation. It makes lot of sense; I can relate quite well to it.

Jokes and entertainment helps, but its the core message or content that matters. Audience, specially tech people, arent there to admire how complicated and mesmerizing your “speech” can get, they are there with an objective, and you better stick to it. Give them what they dont have or what they dont know, that’s the core principle of liking something. And that applies to Public Speaking as well…

How about being Intelligent, Emotionally :-)

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a full fledged stream of study and considered as part for Psychological Studies.

EI is about deciphering emotions, using emotions (knowing and motives) correctly, understanding others emotions, and above all managing emotions. It has great applications, though what interests me most is that it can help in understanding self, your goals, intentions, sensing other’s unsaid words & intuitions, responses and behavior towards a situation. And more importantly that it lets you understand it for others too, about their feelings and driver (knowing is winning, as its said in Management). There is a common interpretation which is hugely wrong, EI is not about manipulating things / people in your advantage, its about understanding all aspects so as to be better aware and reaching right decisions.

There are some great resources which can be referenced, specifically:

- Wikipedia

- EI: What it is and why it matters

How EI can help in:

Management: Imagine all your team members and clients seeing you as a tough yet empathetic leader. All knowing that they can do everything and will go out of their ways to resolve issues at hand, and also knowing that they can approach you if they are failing, and you have some way or other to find the answers (doesn’t matter if you know that mostly you find answers from their own used words when explaining the problem). There is a thin line of difference being a manager and a leader, and I think that difference is indeed brought in by EI.

Decision Making: Not only for yourself, but for others as well. How about interpreting facial expressions of your parents and deciding that you actually have to take some time off and spend quality time with them, or with your wife and kids. How about realizing yourself, proactively, when your team is exhausted from all those mundane tasks, and need a refresher or breather. How about you realizing when your team is already swamped, and that though they are delivering alongside all constraints, but taking up anything new is not going to work. How about deciding that team structure of that critical project, putting right and driven people in right spots. Yes, EI can and does help with all of it.

Relationships: People don’t care for people who can speak a lot, they wish for people who are hearing them. Being a manager, and hearing someone’s (client, peer, family) concern – is something that anyone can do. It’s the steps you take after this stage which decides what rapport you will build with that person and whether the other person will be all game for anything you expect from them in future. Its about being good listener and being a cautious observer, to know scale of the concern and reciprocating at the levels so best resolution is reached, and being honest throughout the process (and if you are the one having the concern, you can ensure that you are honest and same time decide whether your manager is going to do something about it at all, and take your relationship to the fate it deserves).

Tasks Management: A closely knit team gives out best results. It’s a popular saying from my college group, “We will succeed as a group or we will fail as a group”. We used to say that just to convey out strength to each other, and weren’t much aware what truth it holds, till date. Imagine being able to build a team which stands with each other, who learn alongside, and deliver without a fail, who understands client requirements (explicit, and more importantly, implicit) and delivers on the same – no more, no less. No finger is same size in your hand, same goes for your team, all attain different heights – some needing help, and some extending help. Its all about understanding what gets them ticking, and delivering.

Career Growth: Well, what do you expect when you are able to achieve all four points above. I leave it to you to ponder upon and conclude…

2011 Resolutions

No, am not going to resolve 2011 items this year, if thats what you interpreted

One thing I really liked from last year was I kept on with reading a lot of books. Nonetheless, I think I have had targeted for some vague targets last year. I indeed made some progress on some of them, but think its time to correct my approach and be more specific and exercise clarity. To recapture, I have always kept clarity as my foremost objective, and I would continue to be striving for it.

Below is what I will target for in 2011, in order of precedence.

1. Health and exercise Regime

Last few week’s eating regime has left me feeling good. Plus I have started off with exercising a bit. I intend every bit to be kicking in year 2011. Am a bit far from my jogging shoes, wish to have them inhaling soon. I would be starting with 3hrs per week for exercising – its nothing am sure, but it will have to grow slowly.

2. Financial Stability

There are certain financial items that I have to take care of this year. These are very specific, but not something am comfortable with writing in open. They are three bullets, and I will constantly be visiting them for constant traction.

3. At least 150 blog posts (actual target: 228)
Year 2011, I would be targeting at least 150 blog posts. In reality its 240 to be exact, but I have kept an huge buffer in case I really get hung with a string. I have numbers calculated and breakdown for specific topics I would target for. Watch this space and you (as a friend who care for me) have all the right to question me if I dont seems to be doing well on this.

4. Paperless Task Management

No more scratchpads and papers and stationary. Waste of money and time! You write and then you rewrite it and the vicious wastage carries on like that. I have had used Google Docs in past, and I enjoyed it (still remember Saumya feeling good about it). Though, Outlook has some inbuilt functions which I have been enjoying alongside, but more. One thing that has kept hushing me off Outlook is not so well managed tasks lists – which I intend to manage and do well at this year.

Year 2011, I would be sticking more closely with Outlook Calendar and Taskpad views. My high level task map is laid out already. I might stumble with it, but I will deliberately keep attempting it for one full year – month after month. I honestly feel I can make it happen, and I will try my best at it. And if it falls behind, I would be looking for resolve it internally rather than switching to anything else (atleast for one year).

Switch Off !

Tonight is last night of year 2010. First decade of 21st Century closes tonight.

Oh Boy, what a journey so far !

Year 2000 I had stepped into college. This last decade, got me out of my family business, got me on a job which I love more than ever. Gave me friends which I care and crave for, gave me peers which I respect, gave me few adversaries which turned out to be my best contributors. It entrusted time and again that trust is important. It made me see good part of my health, and taught me a lesson when I ignored it (lesson, which I have swear to keep for life). It lead me to have love of my life, it shifted me towards passion of my life, it decided what I would probably be doing for rest of my life. It gave me right opportunities, responsibilities and good reasons to take breather, ponder and move on. I failed, I succeeded, but didn’t stopped, something just didn’t let me stop – journey itself had been so eventful now I realize. And, indeed it was cheerful enough for me to decide and write about it !

But tonight is no other night. It is the time to be patient and enjoy for what I have received so far. To love myself and my family, my country even more, and to decide and do more for them. Am no more the un-directed beam of shear strength and energy (as were the words of my first ever feedback I received at work – still remember AVS for that). I can feel and sense my direction – the beam is more narrow now, with more power, light and life in it. More importantly, I know I dont have to keep it on all the time – focus is best used when brought right at the moment of capturing the shot. Take it or leave it, but never regret it. What’s the point if I dont enjoy what I do, if am not playful, if am not up for the game.

Time to switch off 2010 now, indeed. 2010 and this decade has lighten up my life already, I feel to have it absorbed in my thoughts. Tomorrow I will say Hello to the new Decade, 2011. Which I am sure will be equally exciting. It will bring fun rides-and-tides for sure, and I will sail as I have so far. Now I have even more people besides me, who care for me, and who I love. Next decade, will all be for them, and for more & more smiles!

Good Bye 2010, good and thanks, that you came !