Result

Every time the results are out, be it academic examinations, sports contests or talent shows, there are fewer smiles and many upset faces, including those of parents. The table toppers celebrate victory and the second place onwards concede defeat. 

Whither sense of achievement? Whither sense of acknowledgement to the efforts? In an increasingly competitive world, in the quest to be better, too many of us are insisting on nothing but the best. When we frown upon even second best positions, imagine our disdain for those that come last! 

 

A result is the final consequence of a sequence of efforts. However, besides efforts, other factors influence eventual outcomes. These could be intrinsic like capacities, conditioning and beliefs. They could be extrinsic like environment, competition and other challenges.

A real sense of achievement has to flow from the satisfaction of sincere endeavours and not from the vagaries of results. The very act of taking on a challenge has to be, by itself, a cause for celebration. 

More important than winning is to have a winner’s attitude that comes from celebrating efforts and sportsmanship. The score should not be allowed to douse passion. Eventually, even failure is a stepping stone to success. 

Let not results lead to despair & misery
Let’s choose to celebrate efforts truly!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

 

#mondaymuse21stYear #pravinsabnis #since2004 #motivation #blogging #MondayMuse

Procrastination

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

Procrastination seizes non-lazy, proactive people as well. Even positive qualities of well-intentioned persons can result in a situation of procrastination. Such ‘positive’ qualities include perfectionism, being analytical, saying ‘Yes’ to every thing and being ‘busy’.

Perfectionism is good but making every task hang at its altar results in immobility. Excessive analysis creates paralysis of action. Not being able to say ‘No’ results in overburdening and results in procrastination. And of course, when one is busy with a single task, other tasks go for a toss.

We must look at the larger picture and identify important and urgent tasks. If the task can be delegated, do so! We prioritise our commitments as well as the things we really enjoy doing. Otherwise procrastination will pull down the proactive person in us as well!

Overcome the pulls of procrastination
Prioritise tasks & ensure timely action!

 

- Pravin K. Sabnis

 

#mondaymuse21stYear #pravinsabnis #since2004 #motivation #blogging #MondayMuse

Not Crooked

Pedro received a photo on social media abiut the hammering of a straight nail into the woodwork, leaving aside a line of crooked nails (that got bent with the first blow of the hammer). The caption spelled out the lesson: ‘The crooked ones will be left alone; the straight ones will get hammered!’ 

Pedro responded with a diagonally different interpretation: Those that are crooked will be discarded in the scrap heap. Those that are straight will end up being useful! 

So often, the nice ones, who walk the upright path, are sure that they are going to face the brunt of being ‘straight’. They may continue to align with their values, yet they are convinced that the crooked cheats will get the better returns. 

The choice to be ‘not crooked’ may result in tough outcomes, but it is the best thing to do. It empowers trust and enhances our trustworthiness. People rely on the ‘straight’ ones and stay away from the ‘crooked’ ones. Mankind has found use of those who are ‘not crooked’. 

Believing in the usefulness of being ‘not crooked’ is important to being happy with the choice that one has made. Just being ‘straight’ is not enough. We have to also believe that we are doing the right thing. We must rejoice that we have chosen to be ‘not crooked’!

The ‘crooked’ may seem to instantly benefit… 
Into worthiness, the ‘not crooked’ will truly fit! 

- Pravin K. Sabnis

 

#mondaymuse21stYear #pravinsabnis #since2004 #motivation #blogging #MondayMuse

 

 

Be Happy

At our home, the bathroom mirror would double up as a writing board. Birthday wishes, ‘welcome back’ messages, ‘things to do’ would be penned using colourful markers. Wishes and important messages would be seen at the right time… at the start of the day! 

One morning, the mirror had a line written by my then 12-year old daughter: ‘Make today better than yesterday!’ She told me that she had read the words in a children’s magazine. I asked her as to how could one make today better than yesterday. Her reply was simple: ‘by being happy!’

 

Surely, it as uncomplicated! It is said so well that life is less about how we make it and more about how we take it. Never mind the mishaps, never find the hurdles and never mind the regrets; it all boils downs to how we respond to the stimuli and the situation. 

 

Nevertheless, an affirmative attitude cannot be a postscript reaction. We have start every day with a resolve to make it a better. A better day is a matter of choice. We can choose a make a better day or we can choose to make it worse. 

 

We can opt to be happy and proactive or we can opt to be unhappy and inactive. It does not mean being oblivious of or indifferent to the situation. It is about taking every challenge and situation head on with a positive willingness that is reinforced with an attitude of tolerance and contentment.

 

Make the choice to be happy every day

Make today better than yesterday! 

 

- Pravin K. Sabnis

  

#mondaymuse21stYear #pravinsabnis #since2004 #motivation #blogging #MondayMuse