SILENCE

‘Speak through Action’ –Rajan Babu, 2006 National President JCI India.

Last weekend, my close friend and creative trainer, Vividh Pawaskar and yours truly went to Kholapur. We had gone there at the invitation of my friend, Anirudh Borkar who leads the Rotaract District 3170. Ani had persuaded me (as only he can) to conduct an early morning outbound as well as a hall based session at his Conference.

On Sunday morning, as breakfast was delayed, we moved to the main Hall. Some eager delegates were getting themselves clicked against the imposing backdrop. Save for one who asked Vividh to click a few photographs, the others moved around in stunning silence. It took us a while to realise that we were in midst of 25 extraordinary persons who had moved beyond the constraints of being deaf and mute.

We learnt much in our interactions with them. While delegates with cars were yet to reach the venue, these chaps had walked a sizeable distance so that they could be there before time. They displayed high self esteem and were making the most of the conference experience. Their awesome attitude was seen in their expressive gestures as well as in their actions aligned with discipline, dedication and togetherness.

Now we had to be better at effectively connecting to our 25 new friends and others like us. We had to be better at communicating concurrently in words as well as silence. After all, it is only in silence that we become better at empathetic listening and critical observing. After all, it is only in silence that we truly become focussed and effective in our expression. After all, it is said so well that silence is golden!

The world of silence is truly empowering

to BE BETTER at simple communicating!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

PROCRASTINATION

Procrastination is an attitude to put off intentionally and habitually the doing of something that needs to be done. The term ‘procrastination comes from the Latin word ‘procrastinatus’, which itself evolved from the prefix ‘pro’ meaning ‘forward’ and ‘crastinus’ meaning ‘of tomorrow.’ Popularly it implies blameworthy delay due to laziness or apathy.

However, this Monday Muse looks at the procrastination habit that seizes non-lazy, proactive people as well. In fact it is positive qualities of well intentioned persons that can result in them finding themselves in a position of procrastination. These qualities include perfectionism, being analytical, saying ‘Yes’ to every task and being ‘busy’.

For instance while perfectionism can be a good thing, making every task hang at its altar results in immobility. Similarly, excessive analysis creates paralysis of action. Not being able to say ‘No’ results in overburdening and hence forces the door open for procrastination. And of course, when one is busy with a single task, other tasks go for a toss.

Procrastination is a result of mixed up priorities and excessive tactics. We must look at the larger picture and identify important and urgent tasks. If the task can be delegated, do it! We must be better at sifting and prioritising all our commitments, our responsibilities as well as things we really enjoy doing… lest procrastination pulls down the proactive person in us as well!

To BE BETTER at overcoming the pulls of procrastination
Let’s prioritise responsibilities & commit to timely action!

- Pravin K. Sabnis
Mysore, India.

RECCE

This year, a few of us have formed a forum of trainers and resource persons. The intent was to provide an opportunity for the trainers to learn and share. The structure of such a platform was deliberated upon for many months by many minds. Eventually I suggested that we have a ‘recce’ meeting which helped crystallize the sublime thoughts and paved the way for everyone to realise exactly what we were thinking about.

Recce was a word that we learned in trekking and mountaineering. Every time we planned a new trail, a few of us would undertake an exploratory ecursion to confirm the best possible route. We would identify spots to visit as well as do time budgeting. Invariably the recce ensured a successful trek with a larger group of participants.

The term derived from ‘reconnaissance’ refers to an exploration conducted to get information. Also known as scouting, it is a military idiom for a preliminary survey to gain facts. A recce is more than a survey and analysis. It is about pre-experiencing the proposed plan to be better in responding to the challenges of the situation.

So often we plan to do embark on certain paths or projects. Quite often we do not start for lack of knowledge and experience. Whether it is a mission or an initiative or an endeavour, the path becomes familiar when we embark on a recce. Larger dreams are better realised by exploring the recce experience that helps us understand the situation.

To BE BETTER prepared use the right tactic

To know the path, the recce will do the trick!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

CHANGE

‘Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’ – Albert Einstein

Einstein’s famous quote is so very true that if we keep on doing the same things, taking the same actions and thinking the same thoughts, guess what we are going to get? The same results that we been getting! Wherever we are right now in our life is the direct result of the actions and thoughts that we have been taking. When we look around, what do we see?

If we like what we see; if we see an organized, clean space; if feel strong and confident; then we been taking positive actions and thinking positive, strong thoughts. If on the other hand we are unhappy with the way we have shaped up or we feel low about the situation that surrounds us, then obviously we have to introspect on our approach and change our actions.

We must take responsibility and own the fact that the results we see are because of the choices we made. We must not pose as a victim of outside circumstances. To be better at changing the results, we must choose to be in control of every desirable change in thinking, habits and actions.

Let’s BE BETTER at making every necessary change

In thoughts and actions to enhance the result range!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

RESOLUTION

‘Be the change you want to see in the world’ - Mahatma Gandhi

On the threshold of New Year, at our family gets together, the children arranged the activities. One activity was for everyone to pen down, at the stroke of midnight, personal statements on two charts. One was a Wish-List; the other was a list of Resolutions. A few seniors questioned the distinction between the two, but the children had got it right!

One may wish to be healthier and fitter, but it would be better to resolve to make the lifestyle changes necessary for the transformation. One may wish for peace, harmony, friendships, relationships, success, worthy causes… but it would be better to resolve to create and participate in processes to make the wish happen.

What we wish for and what we resolve to do are as different as just craving for a desired destination and creating a road map to get there.

A wish is just a thought, a dream. A resolve is a commitment, a mission to actualise the dream. A wish is an imagination. A resolve has to be real. A resolve is about making the necessary choices and backing them with earnest resoluteness.

Hence, while we put together wish lists for ourselves, our families and our communities, let’s be better at moving beyond desire. Let’s resolve to make the wish happen by our commitment, determination and persistence. May our wishes be well meaning and backed by the resolve to be the change that we want to see in our world!

Let’s BE BETTER at making resolutions for action

Wishes fly only with wings of steadfast dedication!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.