Prof K S Chandrasekar
You are responsible for your own success and failure. Any growth or slump is basically due to your own deeds and efforts. It is said that you are the master of your thought, moulder of your own world, creator of your own destiny and the maker and shaper of the conditions and environment. Remember that the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your thoughts. The more positive you think the more positive your future will be. You should realise that thoughts are power. Train yourself to see the positive side of every situation. With practice you can achieve almost anything. Breathe-in the fire of passion into everything you do.
Keep the promises you make to others – and to yourself. For that you should first develop will power. For that do the thing that you are till now reluctant to do, of course the positive things only. For example, if you feel like watching a program when there are so much work pending to do, yet you feel too lazy to switch off the program, force yourself to do just that. Likewise if you decide to walk back home and at the last minute you are making any silly excuses try to persuade your mind to do what you have decided earlier which is good for you physically and mentally. You feel more confident if you do something to improve your will power. As it is said “Do the thing you fear to achieve what you dream to achieve”. Remember the project that most scares you is the project you need to do first and will benefit you the most. The brave does not run away from problems. When you go to your limit your limit expands. Always try to step out of your comfort zone, because life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Small daily improvements are the key to staggering long-term results. You can decide on doing something simple and a small step at a time can lead to a big achievement of a life time. But the most important point is to be persistent in whatever you are doing. And of course don’t try to find any excuses for not doing.
Do as the popular saying “Take time to smell the flowers”. Enjoy the present, for this may not exist tomorrow as the popular film title “Kal Ho Na Ho”. So live and cherish the present moment. Treat and enjoy every day as a new beginning. Don’t ever be too busy to enjoy the little pleasures of your life. Stop being busy without even time to look after your loved ones. Please remember that no job is worth losing your loved ones. It is ultimately their trust and love that we have. Now onwards invest more time for your family and deliberately try to improve relations. Evaluate what would the child that I once was, think of the adult that I am now. In a world where technology is causing some of us to forget how to act human, become the politest person you know. Give your teammates, customers and family one of the greatest gifts of all, the gift of your attention (and presence).Every morning ask yourself: “How can I best serve the most people?”
Every night ask yourself: “What 5 good things happened to me this day?” Try to leave your ego at the door every morning and remember the best ever idea for happy living is living a life of simplicity. Be the first one to say “Hello”. Try to communicate using people’s names. Say “please” and “thank you”. Reward people for the good work they are doing. Encourage creativity and authenticity. Become a brilliant listener. Help the people around you to realize their potential and grow. Take time to discipline yourself first, including the discipline to wake up early, giving up that thing you think is not beneficial to you even though you enjoy it very much. Be known as a person of Integrity.
Try to start something new every day. It is said that the greatest failure is the failure to try. Remember that all great ideas were first ridiculed. If it is of any help, try to remember that critics are dreamers gone scared. It is said that the harder you work the luckier you get. Take 60 minutes every weekend to craft a blueprint for the coming seven days. Make an action plan for the coming week, if not in detail, just outlines. Don’t expect everyone to like you. You can’t be a visionary if you long to be liked. You have to decide and act for the benefit of the majority. Only thing that matters is that you have to be true to yourself first, then only you can be to the world. Leave every project you touch at work better than you found it. Be prepared to give more than anybody expects you to deliver. Your job is not just to work; your job is to leave a trail of leaders behind you. A job is not ‘just a job’. Every job is a gorgeous vehicle to express your gifts and talents – and to model exceptionalism for all around you. Being a leader is not about being liked, it is about doing what is right. Do more than you’re paid to do and do work that leaves your teammates breathless. Remember the secret to happiness is doing work that matters and being an instrument of service. Don’t let fears unfaced become your limits?
Now the most important thing. You should remember that a healthy mind can reside in a healthy body only. The popular saying “Health is wealth” is one hundred percent right. Get up at 5 am and take 60 minutes to prepare your mind, body, emotions and spirit to be remarkable during the hours that follow. Being a superstar is not the domain of only the gifted but the prepared. Try to meditate. In this fast paced life we might often feel out of control. It is in these times that meditation helps by de-cluttering your mind. It helps you understand yourself better allowing more space for self-introspection. It is great health booster. By doing meditation you will get more energy and there is less chance of falling ill, and your memory will certainly improve along with more concentration. You will have more restful sleep and a better start to the next day. Drink more water. Eat fresh vegetables fruits. Trust the two doctors that you have with you, your left leg and your right leg. Make full use of their service. Try to walk up your life. Walking helps to solve almost all the lifestyle diseases. Try to think while you are walking, “I am more powerful than I appear to be, the power of the whole universe reside inside me”. Or you could just repeat “I am confident and smart” or whatever you want to be like. You will certainly feel more confident and enthusiastic after a walk. And of course enjoy your walk. Set 5 daily goals every morning. These small wins will lead to nearly 2000 little victories by the end of the year. Embrace all that good in your life. Don’t be the richest person in the graveyard. Life’s short. The greatest risk is risk-less livingand settling for average. Always enjoy your life as it comes and try that with your family in total. “Success doesn’t come to you? You go to it.” Was the quote by Marva Collins which inspires every one and students are no exception.
(The author is Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu)