Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
4 Types of Problem
4 Types of Problem
According to Drucker, there’s four types of problems:
Truly Generic (individual occurrence is a symptom; Two Different Kinds of Compromises)
Generic, but Unique for the individual institution
Truly exceptional, truly unique
Early manifestation of a new generic problem
sometimes it is good to re read the classics to refresh ourselves.
According to Drucker, there’s four types of problems:
Truly Generic (individual occurrence is a symptom; Two Different Kinds of Compromises)
Generic, but Unique for the individual institution
Truly exceptional, truly unique
Early manifestation of a new generic problem
sometimes it is good to re read the classics to refresh ourselves.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Highlights from the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness
Highlights from the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness
Dimensions and Perspectives of Gratitude
Co-Investigators: Robert A. Emmons, University of California, Davis
Michael E. McCullough, University of Miami
This is a recent study by University of California on the nature of gratitude, its causes, and its consequences. I would like to highlight some of the findings that I thought will be interesting to smart heart people.
In an experimental comparison, those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).
• A related benefit was observed in the realm of personal goal attainment: Participants who kept gratitude lists were more likely to have made progress toward important personal goals (academic, interpersonal and health-based) over a two-month period compared to subjects in the other experimental conditions.
• A daily gratitude intervention (self-guided exercises) with young adults resulted in higher reported levels of the positive states of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness and energy compared to a focus on hassles or a downward social comparison (ways in which participants thought they were better off than others). There was no difference in levels of unpleasant emotions reported in the three groups.
• Participants in the daily gratitude condition were more likely to report having helped someone with a personal problem or having offered emotional support to another, relative to the hassles or social comparison condition.
• In a sample of adults with neuromuscular disease, a 21-day gratitude intervention resulted in greater amounts of high energy positive moods, a greater sense of feeling connected to others, more optimistic ratings of one’s life, and better sleep duration and sleep quality, relative to a control group.
• Children who practice grateful thinking have more positive attitudes toward school and their families (Froh, Sefick, & Emmons, 2008).
Dimensions and Perspectives of Gratitude
Co-Investigators: Robert A. Emmons, University of California, Davis
Michael E. McCullough, University of Miami
This is a recent study by University of California on the nature of gratitude, its causes, and its consequences. I would like to highlight some of the findings that I thought will be interesting to smart heart people.
In an experimental comparison, those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).
• A related benefit was observed in the realm of personal goal attainment: Participants who kept gratitude lists were more likely to have made progress toward important personal goals (academic, interpersonal and health-based) over a two-month period compared to subjects in the other experimental conditions.
• A daily gratitude intervention (self-guided exercises) with young adults resulted in higher reported levels of the positive states of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness and energy compared to a focus on hassles or a downward social comparison (ways in which participants thought they were better off than others). There was no difference in levels of unpleasant emotions reported in the three groups.
• Participants in the daily gratitude condition were more likely to report having helped someone with a personal problem or having offered emotional support to another, relative to the hassles or social comparison condition.
• In a sample of adults with neuromuscular disease, a 21-day gratitude intervention resulted in greater amounts of high energy positive moods, a greater sense of feeling connected to others, more optimistic ratings of one’s life, and better sleep duration and sleep quality, relative to a control group.
• Children who practice grateful thinking have more positive attitudes toward school and their families (Froh, Sefick, & Emmons, 2008).
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Have a compassionate mind.
Having a critical mind does not mean being harsh on yourself. The true secret to successful people is that they are compassionate to themselves.
.
People who are always criticising themselves do not realise they are in a judgemental mode all the time. It is fashionable now in our society to be critical to those people who we know and most of the times on people who we do not even know . [ Look at how society lap up the news of celebrities floundering and have a field time making nasty comments on them.]
The fact is people who are on permanent judgemental mode will ultimately ruin friendship by fostering unhappiness and resentment When they are judgemental of themselves they will deprive themselves of cheerfulness and distinction .
Learn to cultivate a compassionate mind . Give yourself the highest praise for even the smallest efforts and achievements. Be kind and cheerful. When you start with yourself you will progress then to be compassionate with others too and soon will pave a path to respectable friendships and successful collaborations.
Start every day to be kind to yourself and watch miracles happen in your life.
.
People who are always criticising themselves do not realise they are in a judgemental mode all the time. It is fashionable now in our society to be critical to those people who we know and most of the times on people who we do not even know . [ Look at how society lap up the news of celebrities floundering and have a field time making nasty comments on them.]
The fact is people who are on permanent judgemental mode will ultimately ruin friendship by fostering unhappiness and resentment When they are judgemental of themselves they will deprive themselves of cheerfulness and distinction .
Learn to cultivate a compassionate mind . Give yourself the highest praise for even the smallest efforts and achievements. Be kind and cheerful. When you start with yourself you will progress then to be compassionate with others too and soon will pave a path to respectable friendships and successful collaborations.
Start every day to be kind to yourself and watch miracles happen in your life.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Be DIFFERENT
When you wake up in the morning, do you have a dream, maybe not as grandeur as Dr. Martin Luther King but at least a dream to achieve something or do something great or be part of something great for the country or world or humanity at large. OR you just want to go back to bed and hate the dreading day ahead?
Quickly in a few lines can you tell someone your goal with passion? Why does all this matter?
Ninety percent of people are just dreading the day ahead. When you read all the shout out of people you realise they are plodding ahead and not marching ahead to a cherished destination.
Be DIFFERENT. Have a goal to strive for. Get orderliness in your daily routine. At the end of the day be proud of your achievements for that day.
Each day is a block of brick for you to build a magnificent reality for your self based on the blueprint of your dreams.
Quickly in a few lines can you tell someone your goal with passion? Why does all this matter?
Ninety percent of people are just dreading the day ahead. When you read all the shout out of people you realise they are plodding ahead and not marching ahead to a cherished destination.
Be DIFFERENT. Have a goal to strive for. Get orderliness in your daily routine. At the end of the day be proud of your achievements for that day.
Each day is a block of brick for you to build a magnificent reality for your self based on the blueprint of your dreams.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The magic of 48 mins...
Don Crowther in his presentation at the NSA Summer Symposium, told the audience that 48 minutes is the magic number. Here’s how it works… Set a timer for 48 minutes. Close out all distractions and work continuously for 48 minutes. When the timer goes off, get up and stretch, get coffee, use the restroom etc, in the following 12 minutes. Repeat as necessary.
Don reports that this technique repeated four times a day allowed him to write a 200 page book in just two weeks. The ability to focus on one task for 48 minutes straight was the key.
Using this simple technique you may help streamline your daily activities and complete projects big or small that you have started.
What I have realised is that any technique this or any other can be successful only if you used it with discipline . So go ahead and try this method for a month and note your progress.
“Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.” - Spanish Proverb
Don reports that this technique repeated four times a day allowed him to write a 200 page book in just two weeks. The ability to focus on one task for 48 minutes straight was the key.
Using this simple technique you may help streamline your daily activities and complete projects big or small that you have started.
What I have realised is that any technique this or any other can be successful only if you used it with discipline . So go ahead and try this method for a month and note your progress.
“Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.” - Spanish Proverb
Monday, December 7, 2009
Resilient people shared three traits
Diane Coutu wrote in the Harvard Business Review that resilient people shared three traits –
a resolute acceptance of reality,
a sense that life is meaningful, and
an exceptional ability to improvise.
ask yourself if you were to look back at the whole of 2009 , would your life reflect those three traits... be honest with your self.
“Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days… What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1749-1832, Poet, Novelist and Scientist
Friday, December 4, 2009
Answer the questions below as best you can...
Answer the questions below as best you can...
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five winners of the Miss Universe.
3. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
4. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
5. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners ...
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Why not live in a way that your name is inscribed on people's hearts...its a lot more meaningful than on marble.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five winners of the Miss Universe.
3. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
4. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
5. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners ...
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Why not live in a way that your name is inscribed on people's hearts...its a lot more meaningful than on marble.
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