One Success Tip - Daily

Today, Shut The $&*# up!

2015-02-16T08:00:00.000+05:30

Today, Shut Up!

Truly, no one cares. No one. Let me say it one more time, just in case you did not get that.

SHUT UP!

People are not really interested in what the hell you are going through, feeling, managing, etc etc. They want to know what is in it for them?

Talk about them, or if you want to talk about yourself, talk about things that pique their interest, their aspirations, their desires. Making them feel that they have to listen to you just because they happened to be there or ask you how you are doing, is just plain stupid.

No one cares.

Oh, don't act as if you do. You don't either. Just yesterday, you were dying to tell someone 'SHUT Up!' So today, do it before someone tells you to!

Today, Give In not Up

2015-02-13T08:00:00.000+05:30

There is a difference.

Giving In, you are making a decision to agree with someone, or do something or maybe not do something because you agree to the person making the demand / request. You may want to do this for love, or just to shut the other person up, but still you want to do it is a nice thing.

Giving Up, on the other hand is defeatist. When you give up, you essentially tell yourself that it is not worth it. That feeling will not go away, not ever.

Today, Commit

2015-02-12T17:44:00.000+05:30

I have decided to Commit. A very public way to do it, but I am doing it nevertheless.

Today, Commit, to the goal you want to accomplish, the life you want to live, the people you want to love, the causes you want to work for, the dreams you repeatedly have, the desires that just wont go away.

Commit, fully, then?

Keep walking!

Today, Re-Imagine

2015-02-01T08:00:00.000+05:30

Yes, sure, why not?

Today, R-Imagine your world.

What could be different? Change one little thing and see how it all changes in a beautiful inter-connected way.

What if.....such power in that question!

Today, unleash your imagination!

Today, Get Something (the one thing you have been putting off) Done!

2015-01-31T08:00:00.000+05:30

I got my Aadhar Card done today.

If you haven't, then I suggest you do too. Not that it is a herculean task, its just that, its been pending on my plate for over a year.

Yes, thats right, one whole year, maybe more, but who's counting :)

So, my mom (yes, I still live with my mother), has been after my life to get it done, and me being me, have been putting it off.

Well, no longer!

I am finally enrolled.

Its not the Aadhar card that is making me smile, its the feeling of getting something that I have been procrastinating for so long done!

Today, pick that one thing, that one small/big/gigantic irritator of a thing and just do it.

Nike it.

Today, Admire A Quality

2015-01-30T08:00:00.000+05:30

I am in awe of anybody who can do the right thing, irrespective of their personal mood.

I admire these people. People who constantly have their true north to guide them and it does not let them deviate for their path nor does it let them fall to the level of us lesser mortals, ruled by feelings/insecurities/hurt/anger.

Today, admire a quality, not an individual per se.

It shouldn't matter who that person is, whether you like him/her, whether they have achieved something that society holds praise-worthy. What should matter is that they have a quality that you admire and maybe desire.

Personally, I am admire the ability to follow one's true north, irrespective of whatever is going on around you. That is the quality I want to emulate.

What will you admire today?

Today, Find Relevance

2015-01-29T08:00:00.000+05:30

Imagine meeting an old uncle who starts telling you how to tend horses and how to ensure that the horse carriage works well all the time!

I feel like that a lot.

I hear people who for no reason and no relevance waste my time and tell me things that just do not even appear in my circle of concern, let alone, circle of influence.

I beg you to not be like that, to anyone.

Today, before you share, talk, send an email, write a paper, forward a message, think of the relevance. If it isn't relevant don't do it.

"I was fired" | Today, Find Fault With Yourself

2015-01-25T08:00:00.000+05:30

I was fired today. My first consulting assignment from which we were booted out. Hence the image. I really found the image funny.

My first reaction was, I knew this was going to happen. The client was wrong for us to begin with. Our culture, our way of working, approaching the assignment was completely at odds with who they were, are. But you know how it is, you are excited about a new opportunity, to refuse to see the obvious signs, you feel that is why they brought us in, to change all that etc etc. Well, they thought they wanted to change, maybe they do, but they are not ready for it.

That was my first reaction.

My second one, though was completely different. ( I had a one&half reaction also, but that is more funny that learny, and if you are interested, you can call me +919872000604 and I will share it with you )

My second reaction was to ask myself what I could have done to ensure the two possible outcomes:

1. We say no to the assignment

2. We make it happen

Its not that we (eclat hospitality) have not said no in the past, we have. Sometimes for price, sometimes for people, sometimes for what was required of us, but we dont really have a system in place to assess incoming assignments. The process is me and that is too subjective.

So, I will work on that. Create a questionnaire maybe that anyone in my team can run to assess and determine whether we are suited for the assignment/gig.

And if I really wanted to make it happen, what would I have done? That I am afraid is too long to answer here and now, but I will.

So, here is the tip of the day - Find Fault With Yourself.

It is too easy to blame everyone else. Do the difficult bit, that and that alone will make you stronger.

Today, Be Dependable By Being Punctual

2015-01-24T08:00:00.000+05:30

You are going get these tips everyday at a particular time. I just realised not everyone's day starts when mine does!

That got me thinking about punctuality and dependability. We all like to work with people who we can depend upon, but it is not a quality we can judge merely by talking to someone. It is one of those qualities that is a trait and needs to be demonstrated for others to take it seriously or bank on it.

How do demonstrate dependability? Well, the short answer is by saying what you will do, when and then doing it, as you had said you would.

But punctuality can be a calling card to demonstrate this trait. Start a meeting on time a few times and you will gather a reputation; arrive for a meeting on time a couple of times and you will see the perception forming.

I am going to send out these tips every morning at 8 am.

What are you going to do today to let everyone know you are dependable?

Today, Learn Something New

2015-01-22T15:02:00.000+05:30

I spent sometime learning some shortcuts to my macbook and then some more to the chrome apps. Loved it. Using it, feeling happy about it.

You do the same. Not necessarily technology, it could be anything. Learning new stuff gets me excited, makes me think about new stuff and even sometimes inspires solutions!

Today, Learn Something New

Today, Tell Yourself You Are Wrong

2015-01-20T21:16:00.001+05:30

photo credit : watsapp group message

I am right, a lot, and most often, I wish I was wrong.

Let me explain. Lets say I start wondering if something is wrong in a particular situation, person, material, thought, relationship etc. I then start looking at signs that tell me I am right. If the signs dont turn up easily, I start digging and sometimes even imagining how I will definitely find them.

All I had to do was to tell myself that the particular thing was not wrong but me. All that heart ache could have been avoided.

I am not saying, be blind to an obvious wrong, not at all. Do not ignore something that walks up to you and shows itself, but dont go looking, hunting, digging. It is not worth the dirt.

Today, tell yourself you are wrong.

You are wrong when you think someone does not love you enough.
You are wrong when you think a team member does not work enough.
You are wrong when you think a product you just bought in a discount must have a defect.

Today, Come Back To Reality

2015-01-19T21:30:00.001+05:30

photo credit : 'castle on the ground' by nisha

I have been away.

You may not have noticed, but I did. I was so away, that I did not find the time or the motivation to update this simple blog with a simple message.

Today, I am back, and as soon as I landed in Chandigarh, not just the cold air, but reality hit me too.

It becomes so easy to lose oneself in the middle of a break. Maybe breaks are meant to be taken for that purpose.

I dont even need to travel for breaks. Sometimes, it will be a whole day spent reading or watching shows on tv, sometimes, it is in the middle of a meeting, when I have just for a few seconds left the room in my mind. But every time, every time, I come back to reality, even when I dont want to, I have to.

This time, I wanted to and I am choosing to. Reality can be made amazing to and Today, I chose to love it, I chose to live it.

Today, come back to reality!

Today, Visit A Local Market

2015-01-14T14:37:00.001+05:30

This is from Sec 22, Chandigarh.

Another of my attempts this year is to use my own photographs on this blog. This was taken by me when I went for Lohri shopping.

So, why is this a success tip?

I got a real vibe for the place. The excitement and the joy of celebration was in the air. The customers trying out everything, negotiating on price, thinking about how much to buy; the shop owners creating special stalls to handle increased visitors, special prices/offers to induce buyers to buy more and counting cash as fast as possible.

From the mall experience that one is so used to now, this was a wonderful departure. I had tons of ideas swimming around - from display, to layout, to customer service, to service experience and more.

Try it.

Today, Make It In Time

2015-01-13T23:52:00.003+05:30

It is almost midnight and in the last dying minutes of the day, I am writing this post.

Thank god!

I really want to make sure that I have a post everyday for this year and the resolution was going to be over in the first fortnight! It isnt't, and that makes me feel great!

So, today, whatever it is that you promised yourself, make sure you do it, even if it is last minute!

Today, Have Brunch With An Old Friend

2015-01-12T13:44:00.001+05:30

Or coffee, tea, oatmeal, lunch, dinner, etc etc.

Make sure the meal is yum. A shitty meal will take something away from the meet-up and if your tastebuds light up and your tummy says yummy, then the reunion is all the more fun!

I did it this morning.

It was fun, invigorating, stimulating. It was something I told myself I should do more often, knowing fully well I wont. It will be another 3 years till I do this again, with the same person, but you shouldn't wait that long.

Do it asap! Have brunch with an old friend.

p.s. I had pancakes with blueberries and cream! yum!

Today, Stay Warm

2015-01-11T11:33:00.002+05:30

It is so cold. c..o...l..d!

Now, I know its probably not cold where you are, but it is where I am, so my tip for the day is Stay Warm. That is all I can think about today.

For the lot of you, where the weather is not nippy, take this tip to the next level.

Is there a relationship you would like to thaw? Is there an old friendship that went cold? Is there a project/ dream/ desire that you have put in cold storage? Are you just cold to human suffering in general?

Get Warm.

Light a fire if required, but melt all that icyness and make someone's life warm and pleasant!

Today, Deal With A Loss

2015-01-10T11:12:00.001+05:30

It takes a lot out of us, doesn't it? Losing something, it just hurts and losing someone precious, well that can feel like death itself.

But we dont die and letting yourself live with that loss is not really living either.

Yes it was precious, yes you thought you would have it for the rest of your life, yes you thought it would become or worse was your life, but now it is gone. No amount of rumination is going to bring it back.

Today, deal with a loss.

Sulk, wallow, shut the world out, weep, laugh, get drunk, get high, eat, binge, walk, run, exercise, surf the net for stupid things people do, refuse to get up, do whatever it takes, but deal with it. Lay the burden to rest.

Today, Go Slow

2015-01-09T11:12:00.000+05:30

I am lazy.

Whenever I say this to people, the reaction is one of surprise. How can someone actually say that, worse confess that, in today's competitive environment. People told me not to say it when I was an employee and now as a entrepreneur I am told it will be the death of me.

On the contrary, I think, not going slow will be the death of me.

When I say lazy, I mean the ability to automate, delegate, reduce, refuse, shorten, prepare, plan, execute everything in a way that makes it easier for me. Sometimes, I need to work really hard to be lazy!

Today, Go Slow.

There are many benefits and a simple google search (click here to see research ) will reveal that intuitively what you know is confirmed by science.

Breathe slower.
Eat slower.
Talk slower.
Run slower.
Reach to conclusions slower.
React slower (except while driving!)
Judge slower.
Scream slower.
Anger slower.
Hate slower.
and so on and so forth.

Happy slowing down!

Today, Cleanse

2015-01-08T12:03:00.001+05:30

I am doing a Juice Day today!

Nothing but juice today. No solid food; processed, refined, raw, nothing!.

Why?

First I saw this video - Fat Sick and Nearly Dead (linked below), then I decided I should do something too, not as drastic, but maybe a day to begin with and see where this leads.

But this post is not a dietary one.

I am cleansing the body today, you can choose to cleanse the mind, a relationship, your office, home, car, finances, etc. Use the day today to consciously do something towards a cleaner/healthier you!

The Video

A thank you to Pawan Sharma, a dear friend for telling me about this.

Today, Be Exacting

2015-01-07T15:51:00.002+05:30

I really like the word.

Exacting!

I love what they way it makes me want to ensure that everything is absolutely perfect.

Sometimes you may not have the time or the resources or even the inclination to do everything exactly the way it should be done or the way you would like it to be, but just sometimes, and make that sometimes today, just for today, pick one activity, one task, one goal and do it to the exacting standards that you would like to.

Don't worry about the time, effort or the cost. Don't even worry whether anyone will appreciate the detail you went to. Just do it, because it will make you feel so good!

Take a look at this beautiful info graphic on men's suits.

Today, Be Crystal Clear

2015-01-06T12:23:00.001+05:30

It takes a lot of courage, honesty and clarity to be upfront and straight forward. Sometimes the battle between what we want to say and what we land up saying is so painful, it leaves your mentally wounded.

Today, be crystal clear.

Tell it like it is.

Specify exactly what you want.

Make sure the other person knows, in no uncertain terms what is in your mind.

Some people might be taken aback, some others might refuse whatever it is you wanted, but some others and just the right ones will admire you for it and maybe even reward you by doing/delivering/being exactly what you wanted.

Today Wish Someone Good Luck

2015-01-05T12:12:00.000+05:30

I love getting wished. In fact I like it so much that I ask people in my life to wish me good luck all the time. I am shameless about stuff I like, I always tell.

But there are many who dont tell and still would love to be wished goodluck.

this is for them.

Today, wish someone good luck. Not for any particular reason, not because your happiness hinges on their success, not because it is a social custom, not because you are expected to, do it, just coz it might bring someone good fortune.

And for people like me who might have asked you to wish them good luck whenever they venture out on an undertaking, please call them as soon as you read this.

p.s. Please dont do this for any good karma - like if you wish someone then the universe will give you a thousand wishes. Nope, that may not happen. Still, do it.

p.p.s - If you can do it to and for strangers, that would be just amazing!

And hey, Wish you, yes you, a fabulously great day and loads of luck!

Today, Read The Book, Not Just The Cover

2015-01-04T13:35:00.002+05:30

This post is deep, but that you will realize at the end of it. Read the full thing.

I thought the book, Shikhandi and Other Tales..(cover featured above) is a children's book.

I was soooo wrong!

I bought the book in a sale online and along with Grandma's Tales, Old Folk Lore, etc etc, I put this book in the pile I would gift my 10 year old daughter. Yes, I have one of my own, dont look surprised!

Then, one day, the Chandigarh administration decided I did not need electricity all day. I fished out this book, telling myself I will read it and pass it on.

I read it. It is so inappropriate for a 10 year old girl. Wait, it is inappropriate for any child!

I know you want to know what it is about, you should read the book, but I will tell you: its about same sex relationships and the references thereof in mythology. I can see you shaking your head. OMG, Prabhjot, you thought it was a children's book! Yes I did, please see the cover again.

While the stories were fun to read and the references an eye/mind/can of worms opener, I assure you, it is a book for mature adults, not even all adults!

Hence this post.

Today, read the book, not just the cover.

Why is this deep? Think about this concept on a many levels: people, ideas, thoughts, critique, opinion, desires, fears, faults, and even dreams.

What lies within will astonish you.

Today, Put The Internet To Work

2015-01-03T22:21:00.001+05:30

I am using IFTTT to ensure this post goes to twitter(@prabhjotbedi), fb(facebook.com/prabhjotbedi) and Linkedin(linkedin.com/in/prabhjotbedi) as soon as I post it on Blogger.

Just a small way to make the internet work.

There are tons of such services and are all free.

In the same spirit, try out the following too:

- Pocket

- Evernote

- Dropbox

- Flipboard

- Trello

Let me know if there is something you use that I just must!

- Prabhjot

mail@prabhjotbedi.com

Today, Review Your Week

2015-01-02T23:36:00.000+05:30

I have just started a weekly review concept, for me and my team. What is a weekly review? In essence, we look at the work done in the week, put some numbers to our productivity and also ensure all loops are closed or carried forward.

I also will start doing this for my personal life. I am hoping it will bring clarity and a sense of achievement when I do things and a sense of purpose when I dont.

If you would like to see a simple format that we use, write to me at mail@prabhjotbedi.com

Today, Review Your Week and start doing it every week!