You have to believe it, to see it.

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
"Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity."

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Extreme Achievements - My Unusual Obsessions!

Wishing all of you for the best year yet 2013!


The Window is open so i smell the fresh air of forest and Fireplace is on So i am enjoying and feeling the warmth of winter in Bangalore.

And I write. And I write.

I’m away from the world. I needed it.

Which brings me to you. And my devotion to helping me and all my associates to do the best work we’ve ever done. And create a life that is no less than epic. And iconic. And uncommonly excellent.

One of the best ideas I’ve learned in a long time is this one:

WE GET THE BRAINS WE’VE EARNED

I know that’s an unusual line. Maybe it irritates you a little (good–I’m here to disrupt your normal beliefs and behaviors so you make the changes that will change your world). Perhaps it scares you (even better–our greatest fears deliver our finest growth). Or maybe you totally get what I mean.

What I’m suggesting to you–with that line–(and with the awesome respect I have for you as a reader of my blog) is that the brains we currently have are far less the result of genetics and luck and FAR more the result of our daily habits and the routine influences we expose our minds to.

Brain scientists have been making large leaps in their understanding of the concept of neuroplasticity. They’ve realized that–contrary to common belief–the brains we’re born with are not the brains we’re stuck with for life. No. Our brains are plastic. They can be shaped, grown and sculpted into things of beauty (that serve our excellence brilliantly). By the way we use them.

Which brings me to Darwin. And Picasso. And Michelangelo.

Not one of these people were born into genius. The whole idea of natural born talent is mostly a lie we sell ourselves so we don’t have to rise up and feel the fear of doing something great in our work and with our lives. In truth, you can walk with the giants and play amongst the gifted–if you start making the different choices that will yield different results.

These people were pure ordinary-ness (ok–so I made up a word). But here’s what they did to make themselves "special". They followed their "inclinations". In other words, they pursued the work that made their hearts sing rather than doing the things others wanted them to do. And they had the audacity to become the people they wanted to be versus the people others wished they’d become.

BONUS TIP: one of the biggest ways we limit our potential and deny our genius is following The Herd and modeling The Crowd. If you want to win in 2013 and transform the way you work + live, you absolutely MUST break free of The Cult of Mediocrity. You absolutely must stop listening to the chattering voices of the cynics around you. You absolutely must trust yourself–and your instincts.

And that’s what EVERY Master does. They trust their gut. They follow their "inclinations"–those things that when they do them, their work doesn’t feel like work. Instead, it’s joy. Bliss. And LOVE.

And because it feels so good when you have the guts to pursue these activities, you do them a lot. You "work" really really hard at your "work". You no longer see your job as a job but as your craft and your calling and your devotion.

And because of this, your devotion eventually becomes your BEAUTIFUL OBSESSION.
You practice it daily. Constantly. Consistently.

You have no time for TV and Call of Duty video games and Twitter or gossip. You need and hunger to do that thing that fills you. That inspires you. That gives you precious glimpses of your greatest self.

And as you do this, you stop living society’s life. You step into YOUR life. The life meant for you. The days of your destiny. This is how genius unfolds. No magic. Just trusting your passion. And putting in the work.

I so hope I’m not boring you. These words just poured out of me. As the cold wind cascade. As the mountain air moves. As this fireplace flickers.

So please allow me to finish this post with A STATEMENT OF MY 6 UNUSUAL OBSESSIONS. These are the unusual commitments that govern my life. They are not so popular in this world we live in but they mean a lot to me. And my guess is they mean a lot to you.

MY 6 UNUSUAL OBSESSIONS

#1. THE MASTERY OBSESSION.
Commit–TODAY–to becoming a master. Ask yourself what are you best at? What things do you do that when you do them you feel happy + at peace–and sense your creativity and gifts pouring out of you. We get the life we’ve settled for. We get the brains we’ve earned. Start looking for those things in your work (and life) that you can become a Picasso at. Life shifts once you do.

#2. THE PROGRESS OBSESSION.
Yes, I’m obsessed with progress. With making every day better than yesterday. With making this year 1000X better than last year. Drives my team crazy. Sometimes irritates the people around me. But I fiercely believe we are built for growth (not stagnation). For expansion (not contraction). Good enough just isn’t very good as far as I can tell. The whole nature of the game is to see how far we can go–and to express our potential so we create the lives of our dreams. And elevate the world in the process. (Failing to realize your gifts makes the world less of a great place to be, no?).

#3. THE EXCELLENCE OBSESSION.
My Guru Mr. Robin has made this word even more famous in the circles we work in. But here’s my take on it: leave everything you touch better than you find it. Surround yourself with excellent people. Use excellent words. Drink excellent coffee. Read excellent books. Wear excellent shoes. Create excellent projects. Be an excellent parent. Think excellent thoughts. You deserve no less.

#4. THE HAPPINESS OBSESSION.
Yes, I’m obsessed with being happy. No, I’m not happy all the time (I’m human after all). Sometimes people tell me "you don’t live in the real world". My reply: "Who wants to live in the real world?" A world with negativity and wars and greed and chaos. I want to create a world of my own making–while living in this very real world. I want to do work that matters and live with the people I love and pursue my highest ideals and live the life I have envisioned. I want to be happy–and so I block out the noise. So I can do so.

#5. THE CREATIVITY OBSESSION.
We are designed to create. We are all Artists. Each of us is a Creative (not just the people in advertising and design). Accountants and firefighters, math teachers and breakfast servers. We are all meant to innovate + ideate and use our brains to birth our best ideas into the world. I write and record ideas everywhere. On flight sickness bags on airplanes. On paper napkins in restaurants. In my journal that follows me much of where I go. Yes, I’m obsessed with creativity. And that’s my encouragement for you too.

#6. THE CONTRIBUTION OBSESSION.
This one’s my oxygen. I’m revealing it to you here. My Dad instilled this value in me. Deeply. As I grew up, he spoke of Gandhi. And Mandela. And Martin Luther King Jr. And Mother Teresa. And other Saints of Humanity who on my best days I acutely remember. My father told me that the real purpose of life is to serve. To be of use. To uplift those around us. To be helpful. And for this ideal–I owe my Dad the greatest debt of gratitude. Yes, I run a organization. Yes I want to win. But above all else, I want to serve. It’s my obsession. And I make zero apologies for it. Ever.

I really hope this post has moved something within you. To stop playing small with your gifts, talents and Dreams. Think about what I’ve shared. Talk about this post with your team + friends + family. Share it with every one. And then go out and change the world. Please.

Your Trually,
RK.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Why It Is So Hard To Let Go

Why It Is So Hard To Let Go

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

 

"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A rupees ninety-five.  If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp rupee bill from Grandma."

 

As soon as Rubi got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. Harry if she could pick dandelions for ten rupees.

On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new rupee bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Rubi loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere - Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

 

Rubi had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Rubi, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite." "That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

 

About a week later, after the story time, Rubi's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper." "That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you" And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

 

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Rubi was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed American-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Rubi? What's the matter?" Rubi didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."

 

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Rubi's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Rubi. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.

 

So it is with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasure. Isn't God good?

 

Are you holding onto things which God wants you to let go of. Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities which you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing.............

 

God will never take away something without giving you something better in 

 

Author - Rajeev Kumar


Solid Teamwork For Success

The greatest day in your own life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the way we truly grow up --

 

Can you imagine what is daily motivation really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about daily motivation--info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.

 

It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of daily motivation. What you learn may extremely give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.

 

One day, The God created the air, sun, plant, water, ground, and herbivore. Unfortunately, all of them were too proud of themselves. Each of them declared that it was the best of all until all of them were in hostility. In order to determine who the best was, they then asked their God to get the answer.

 

The God answered their question wisely, There is no need to self-state to be the best. All of you are great. You all are created to help each other, not to knock each other down. You are created to cooperate so you can live harmoniously and each of you needs help from others, you cannot live alone. The air was produce by the plant, so without the help of plant, there will be no air. If there is no air on the earth, the herbivore will die quickly in just minutes. The plant needs the water and herbivore dirt as fertilizer to grow up and also need the sun to run the process of photosynthesis to produce air. The herbivore must need the plant to eat and water to drink for living and surviving. The plants and herbivore need the ground as the place to stand and grow. The ground cannot be fertile without the help of water and fertilizer from herbivore dirt. So each of you are so useful to others. From now on, live peacefully and help each other. Then The God disappeared. Listening to the wise answer, they were aware the benefits of helping each other and live harmoniously.

 

Message for readers:

 

The story above is telling you about the power of building solid teamwork. You must have known that the power of a solid teamwork is much stronger and powerful than that of an individual and the most important is that working in a team can achieve the best expected results for the entire member of a team.

 

Do you ever see a flock of birds flying in the sky that form the V-shape formation? Do you think that it is accidental? No, its not accidental. They form that shape because of the benefits they can get. By flying in the formation, they can fly 70% further than the distance of one bird flying alone. In this formation, the leader of the birds is in the front. When the leader is tired, another bird will take the place in the front to be a leader. And if it is tired, it will be replaced by another bird. The bird that flies in the front is tired more quickly than those who fly behind.

 

Another example is to take an experiment. Take a sheet of paper and then tear it off. It is easy thing to do, isnt it? Then take 30 sheets of paper and tear them off. It will become more difficult. Then take 100 sheets of paper and then do the same. I think you cannot do that. What about you are hit on your head by a sheet of paper? It will not be absolutely painful. But if you are hit strongly on the head by 500 sheets of paper, you must be painful and dizzy.

 

So the conclusion we can make is that the effort of teamwork can defeat the single effort. Successful people realize that the teamwork can increase their power tremendously. Each of members in a team has the same goals and visions like you do. They can support and help you achieving your goals and together everyone achieves great results. They not only can motivate you, but also fill your weakness.

 

Tips: find people that have the same visions and can cooperate or collaborate with you to achieve bigger success.

 

Now you can understand why there's a growing interest in daily motivation. When people really begin to start looking for more valuable information about daily motivation, you'll be in a position to meet their needs.

 

If you enjoy my content, find more excellent motivational articles at

Read more at http://changeforgrowth.blogspot.com/


Lets Win Together!

From Rajeev Kumar.