A Re-View

IDEA Cellular is coming up with a few ads, which are quite interesting and hilarious. As the election fiasco was on, they made some classy ads. In one of the ad, a politician is promising that he will get water in the city. A young guy browses the internet on his phone using 3G facility and shows to the public that this same politician had made the same promise five years ago too. The ad completes with a jingle – “No ullu banaving .. “ (don’t try to make a fool of us!)

But that’s the impression we have about most of our politicians, isn’t it? Work that has been pending for last 3 years gets completed suddenly, just before the elections. They claim various things they will do if they get elected. But once they get elected, nothing happens at all. In fact, they are hard even to trace. Our politicians just jabber things that need not be true. (Though our new PM Narendra Modi ushers a refreshingly new hope for all Indians!) We don’t really respect such people, do we?

I don’t wish to be in that category at all. So, as I write blogs the thought I have is – am I just jabbering because I have a thought and can express it through words? Or do I actually implement/ live by what I write. Just felt like ‘Re-Viewing’ how the blogs have helped me – 

Let’s do the GREAT thing –

The moment I had this experience about the Delta Airlines pilot, my whole attitude had a paradigm shift. Though I had always heard about there being ‘class’ in whatever I do, I didn’t really imbibe that in. But, ever since I witnessed this incident, the thought process has been – I will do it the best way I know or not do it at all. This has especially helped me at work. Thanks to this incident, lots of people have been appreciating us for the way we have displayed things at showroom, and our style of working. 

YES to things –

Waris Ahluwalia’s story has been brilliant for me. Every time there is something new to do (even if I haven’t ever done it before), earlier I would resist, especially if it were out of my comfort zone. But now, the moment there is a novel idea, I am more than excited to take it up. The thought process is – WOW! There is something interesting – let’s do it! 

Passing it on –

The moment I read this story of ‘A Cup of Coffee’, I was startled at the brilliant thought of it. It was an amazing example of being compassionate towards those who couldn’t afford a coffee in that ambience. As I wrote that article, it has made me more conscious of people around me. I continue to be a patient listener, and more understanding towards the way people react to certain situations even though I am not at fault. 

Learn to Train Solo –

This has been such an eye opener for me. Ever since I have heard about this concept from Malhar, things haven’t been the same. In any given situation, now I don’t wait for company. I have started to believe that I am my best company and don’t wait for anyone to start anything. If I feel it must be done, even though no one is with me, I don’t mind starting it.

Respecting People –

From quite a long time, I have been having this as a philosophy in life – I must treat them with respect sheerly because they too are human beings. Irrespective of how they behave in a few situations, I never ever disrespect people. That has helped me win a lot of people, without breaking off any relationship till date.

Because I said I would –

This is one article that I thought was my best. When I first read about Alex Sheen, the only word that came out was – WOW! I truly feel that if I have made a commitment, I must complete it, come what may. Not because of anything else, but because I said I would! I don’t want to fail in my own eyes! Alex’s story just ensured that I just don’t promise for the heck of it, but I mean it.

What’s my Button?

Ever since the meeting with Shripal, my alertness has been at the peak. I keep glancing at my inner self and reflect what I enjoy doing, and are there things that I do but not enjoy.  I have got more clarity on what I love doing and what I don’t. Though I still haven’t found my passion, I am ensuring I do things which I enjoy doing!

Ignorance is Bliss –

This blog made me more aware about how I treat people. Do I hold on to grudges? Or do I forgive them for one wrong they did, and focus on glorious moments we have shared. From the time I have written this article, I don’t hold any personal grudges in my heart for anyone. It has given me so much peace!

Consistency in Behaviour –

If you talk to anyone who knows me, they will tell you that this is my strength. Irrespective of the situation, I never lose my composure. If I don’t like what is happening, I would never revolt in any way. I will simply withdraw and wait for the right moment to communicate things. Hence, I think people don’t mind approaching me with their issues / questions.

Leaving Awesome Memories –

The thought that I will not ‘Die Rich’ but ‘Live Rich’ is engraved in my mind. Some people will have very funny expectations about the way I should live my life. But, I am the best judge of knowing what kind of lifestyle I can afford. There is no point in showing off. At the same time, I must ensure I am a smart buyer. Why should I buy things at my friend’s store, if it is available cheaper online? I'm 100% sure of one thing – I will leave behind awesome memories for my loved ones! 

As I complete writing the reviews, I am feeling so glad that I don’t belong to that category of people who just say, but need not necessarily mean what they say. Henceforth, in all my blogs I will include at least one paragraph where I will mention how I have implemented or will implement the blog.

Is there anything you would like to share about my blogs? Any thought process that changed? Was there anything about you that changed after reading any blog? Did some realization hit you? Was there any feeling that got kindled? Would you like to give me some feedback to improve?

Would love to read from you! 

Love,
Amit Kothari
…… always upgrading!

Consistency in Behaviour

Weekend breakfasts are always great fun in my home. Saturday and Sunday the entire family sits together. There is no early morning pressure of reaching somewhere or a meeting etc. Whenever we are together, we have lot of laughter, sharings and updates. Add to it, the mouth-watering items that are made. Hence the joy of being home for breakfast every weekend is multiple!

Yesterday it was Saturday, and we were having a gala time. Juhi, my sister was at her best – blabbering away to glory with that brilliant smile of hers and the confused naughty look as we pulled her leg. Oh! It’s such a sight to see her face in that moment. She was getting ready to leave for office. She is working as an Instructional Designer at ‘Epiphany Learning’. She creates creative presentations for various MNC’s. It’s been three months she has joined, and she has already got salary hike twice. She is someone who gives attention to details. Infact her boss commented, “Attention to details is not a skill that can be developed, but a value! Juhi, I am so glad you have this as a value!”

Juhi has one limitation though, which we have been working on for some time now. She is someone who has lot of mood swings. In a moment she will be absolutely excited; and in the next she will be upset on me for a comment I made on her. She has got herself a T-Shirt which says – ‘Prone to mood swings!’ Infact, the funny part is that she also writes a blog, which she has titled as – moodsings.blogspot.in.

As she finished her breakfast, out of nowhere, I commented, “Juhi, can we have this pepped up and excited behaviour from you consistently?” She is smart and talented. She immediately knew what I meant. She smiled and said, ‘Yes I want to (you see, she was in a good mood that time)!’ Spontaneously, I told her that if you keep consistency in behaviour for next six months, I will give you whatever you want. She demanded a trip to South Africa! Both of us agreed instantaneously.

Though the conversation with Juhi ended there, my mind kept thinking (as always). Isn’t it so essential that my behaviour is consistent? Imagine how difficult it will be for people around me to keep guessing how I will respond in a situation.

• An employee has to ask for a 5-day leave for a genuine reason. Though he knows his reason is genuine, does he have to check my mood to ask me? Or can he be assured that my boss will understand my situation?
• My wife has to tell me about a limitation that I have developed. Does she have to wait until she finds me all excited and singing? Or she can be confident that I will take it in the right spirit irrespective of when I share it?
• Let’s say, I am struggling in life. Anything I am doing, is not working out the way I want it to. My friend cares for me and wants to help me. Can he be confident that when he talks to me, I will understand his concern and be grateful? Or will he have to wait for right mood, which might never happen?
• My associate at office has created a design, which he thinks is absolutely out of the box. He is excited to show it to me, the principal architect. The way I behave, can he show that design to me in that same thrilling moment? Or does he have to bury his excitement in that moment until I look approachable? Rather, do I even look like someone who is open to crazy ideas?
• My daughter has got less marks in her exams. Usually she is a great student, but she couldn’t perform this time. Can she come to me without thinking a second time that I will understand her and motivate her for the next exam? Or will she be scared that I might scold her.

Behaving consistently can be such an awesome asset! If I can behave consistently, it gives so much ease to people around me. They know that I will understand them no matter what. I will help people be themselves and hence get the best out of them. I will suddenly seem to be more approachable. I will find myself surrounded with lot of well-wishers. If I am going through a challenging phase, there will be enough people who will hug me and say – You are capable and will come out with flying colours! Consistency in behaviour has humungous advantages, which I can’t even think of!

There will be enough reasons for me to have variety of moods and behaviours in various circumstances. I can easily justify myself. Infact the world will say, ‘It is OK to behave like this. I can understand what you are going through.’ But heart of heart I know that I could have behaved better. Why else would I say ‘Sorry’ to my child after scolding her? Why else would I go back to my friend the next day and apologise for the way I spoke to her yesterday? Why else will I get a rose for my wife after we have fought?

Today onwards, I am going to watch myself and be alert in the way I behave with others. Every time there is a situation, which is making me go bonkers, I will be extra careful. For that is the time, when I tend to behave erratically.

As far as Juhi is concerned, I believe that once she makes a decision, she would go all out and achieve it. She has done it in past. It’s not just about the reward of South Africa trip. But, once she practices consistency in behaviour for six months, this automatically will become a way of life for her. In the same way, if I have been someone who hasn’t behaved consistently, it might take time to reach there. It won’t happen overnight; but it will become a part of me if I work on it consistently!

Here is my commitment from me – Feel free to approach me irrespective of the situation; for I promise to straight away implement “CONSISTENCY IN BEHAVIOUR!”

Love,
Amit Kothari
…… always upgrading!