Saturday, July 2, 2011
Thursday, February 11, 2010
How to be Happy at Workplace?
Yet another job change for me!
This time the resignation had a two fold effect on my life.
1.I started writing blogs again.......(Say Cheers!)
2. I have seriously thought about how to be happy at workplace and came up with some interesting observations.
If there is a third effect, it could be that this time's resignation turned me significantly poor. The company's attempt to slap on the face of my resignation by imposing an obsolete company policy regarding penalty for the artificially created shortfall in notice period. Anyway, that doesn't matter much as I still am able to wear the "JD" brand of underwears (Italian Design), which the HR Manager who imposed this policy upon me will never be able to wear in her life! More on this issue later.
Standing exactly on the mid point of this volatile situation,I pondered as to why this kind of things are happening to "good people"(I know in Pakistan a terrorist is also considered to be a good man!) like me? Perhaps the root cause is that, I am not good in doing BBJ (Blow Job to Boss!). Whatever, I have realized that at the root of everything there lies a force of denial - a conflict, which when unresolved for long period of time takes the form of a resignation in me. Upon thinking further on it, I got a more realistic picture of the dual form of employment conflict. In an organizational set up there could be two different types of conflicts.
Case1: Conflict between employee and employer
Case2: Internal conflicts within the employee
Case1: This is often like King Hamlet's funeral and queen Gertrude's second wedding. Consider the following dialogue from Shakespear's classic drama "Hamlet" on morals.
Horatio: My lord, I came here to see your father's funeral
Hamlet(Prince): I Prithee do not mock me, fellow student
I assume it was to attend my mother's wedding
Horatio: My lord, indeed it followed hard upon
Even though Horatio came to attend King Hamlet's funeral, Prince Hamlet thinks that Horatio came for his mother's second wedding!! In one of the malayalam movies I watched as a school boy, the constable asks himself whether he is working in a tea shop or in a police station when the inspector asks the constable to get him a tea! This is the same what is happening in many prestigious organizations too. Employees come for the funeral, but their bosses invariably think that the they indeed came for seeing his mother's second wedding(What else to say, if not "Fuck Off"?).Over a period of time, the employee start to think that he infact is an "Organizational Horatio" or alternatively the "Corporate Horatio", whatever you may call it!!
This is where we need to onsider what kind of impact EMPATHY would have brought to our working culture. What if the managers are a bit more aware of other people and the shit they are going through? I indeed is looking for such a working atmosphere!
Case 2: When it comes to ideal jobs, there are three parameters that limit our choices. This is best explained by the Venn diagram of Budd Caddell.Imagine three venn circles representing work you like to do, work you are good at and work that pays good money. See the diagram below. This is a great way to reflect on your work and are you doing what you are actually doing in your life. And what should you do to be really happy in work / life.
[Courtesy : Bud Caddell]["Learn To Say No"....this is where the problems of many people are having their home].
I tried putting my own perspective on the venn diagram and the results were not positive. Also, I guess my last job was probably outside the Venn Diagram: I am not very good at it, I definitely don't like it much and it does not pay good money(they pay well though).
However, I am a practical person and am not afraid of doing whatever I feel the right thing to do, including resignation. I am sure my next job will at least find its place inside the Venn Diagram!!
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Siren's Song
In Greek mythology, the Sirens are creatures with the head of a female and the body of a bird. They lived on an island and with the irresistible charm of their song they lured mariners to their destruction on the rocks surrounding their island. The lure of their song was such that no man ever sailed through the island could listen to -- and still resist the temptation to go to Sirens. The beach was full of bones of people who got attracted to the Siren’s Song and eventually killed there.
In “The Odyssey”, Homer’s epic poem (written in 800 B.C.E), the hero – Odysseus’s ship has to pass through this island. To save their life, Homer had all the six sailors put wax in their ears, so that they will not hear the song. Odysseus was not willing to put wax in his ears as he wanted to enjoy that beautiful songs. But at the same time he did not want to die. So what is the solution? He tied himself to the ship and asked the sailors not to release him, no matter how hard he begs, until they are at a safe distance from the island. The Sirens sang when they approached, their words even more enticing than the melody. They would give knowledge to every man who came to them, they said, ripe wisdom and a quickening of the spirit. Odysseys' heart ran with longing but the ropes held him and the ship quickly sailed to safer waters.
Do you know what your Siren’s Song is? In our daily life, we too are influenced by negative temptations – the Siren’s Songs. We all have negative behavior patterns of some size, shape or personality. For some it is gossip, while for others it is just wasting time. It could be food, the internet, sarcasm, or worthless jokes.
While in real life we do not have a constructive solution like Odysseus had, never forget that we are blessed with the power of choice, a super entity that separates the faculty of human beings from the kingdom of animals. Before you respond favorably to a negative trait, try to consider the alternatives too – or simply ask yourself “Is it possible for me to respond in a better way?”
Merry X’Mas & Happy New Year to All!
In “The Odyssey”, Homer’s epic poem (written in 800 B.C.E), the hero – Odysseus’s ship has to pass through this island. To save their life, Homer had all the six sailors put wax in their ears, so that they will not hear the song. Odysseus was not willing to put wax in his ears as he wanted to enjoy that beautiful songs. But at the same time he did not want to die. So what is the solution? He tied himself to the ship and asked the sailors not to release him, no matter how hard he begs, until they are at a safe distance from the island. The Sirens sang when they approached, their words even more enticing than the melody. They would give knowledge to every man who came to them, they said, ripe wisdom and a quickening of the spirit. Odysseys' heart ran with longing but the ropes held him and the ship quickly sailed to safer waters.
Do you know what your Siren’s Song is? In our daily life, we too are influenced by negative temptations – the Siren’s Songs. We all have negative behavior patterns of some size, shape or personality. For some it is gossip, while for others it is just wasting time. It could be food, the internet, sarcasm, or worthless jokes.
While in real life we do not have a constructive solution like Odysseus had, never forget that we are blessed with the power of choice, a super entity that separates the faculty of human beings from the kingdom of animals. Before you respond favorably to a negative trait, try to consider the alternatives too – or simply ask yourself “Is it possible for me to respond in a better way?”
Merry X’Mas & Happy New Year to All!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
What will u do with 500 rupees?
This will really be an unsettling video for almost any Indian. Every Indian should watch this
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=M0XTPSYdP08
After all, we do live in "two Indias", where:
where crossing the distance between a slum and a mall can be a stroll - or an arduous, but diginified, struggle
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=M0XTPSYdP08
After all, we do live in "two Indias", where:
where crossing the distance between a slum and a mall can be a stroll - or an arduous, but diginified, struggle
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Help Me Doctor, I am Rich!!
Rupees, Dollars, Euro, Won, Dirham....I have handled so many incarnations of money.....but it was without knowing what money really is!!
"Money is a neutral object, a tool that can be used positively or negatively," said Dr.Dennis Pearne -- a psychiatrist and specialist doctor for the emerging field of Wealth Counselling. "The power of receiving a lot of money is so great it can destroy someone's life or empower someone to have a much better life. It all depends on how you deal with it", he said.
It's damn hard, in fact nearly impossible, to think about money honestly.Having lots of money can be like a drug. It can make you feel powerful and giddy. It can convince you that everything's going to be okay. Years ago they asked the great fighter Joe Louis what he thought about money, and he said, "I don't like money very much, but it calms my nerves." Money makes us unjustifiably feel that we're better and more important than we really are. When money can make you feel humble, then I think it's really useful. But if it fattens your ego, which it often does, then....watch out.
Our misconceptions suddenly get dressed and hide their nakedness the moment we think about money. I read an interesting story about moeny which I would like to share with you here....because I geuss the story relates to each one of us.
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow-finned tuna. The banker complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied: "Only a little while." The banker then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.
The banker was puzzled and then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, swim a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, Señor."
The banker scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you'll have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middle man, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually to New York City where you will run your expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, Señor,(Sir) how long will this all take?"
To which the banker replied, "Five to ten years."
"But what then, Señor?"
The banker laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company's stock to the public and become very rich. You would be worth millions!"
"Millions, Señor? Then what?"
The banker said, "Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village, take siesta with your wife, play with your kids, stroll to the village in the evenings where you would sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.
How remarkable. The very things that the fisherman could look forward to at the end of a long and arduous process that would require him to put his life on hold are those all-important parts of life he already enjoys in his semi-poverty.
What would having more do for him? Prevent him from presently enjoying family and friends, laughing and living, being independent and free of the worries associated with major financial investments. And of course we all realize that the five to ten years the banker estimated would be all the time needed will stretch out far longer as greed for more as well as unexpected difficulties turn the project into a lifelong journey. How much smarter to remember the advice of the first-century Roman philosopher, Juvenal: "It is sheer madness to live in want in order to be wealthy when you die
Dealing with moeny is another important topic which I will share with you another day, when I am damn drunk and prefer not to sleep.....now its almost 12 am here in Seoul, my dear reader!!
"Money is a neutral object, a tool that can be used positively or negatively," said Dr.Dennis Pearne -- a psychiatrist and specialist doctor for the emerging field of Wealth Counselling. "The power of receiving a lot of money is so great it can destroy someone's life or empower someone to have a much better life. It all depends on how you deal with it", he said.
It's damn hard, in fact nearly impossible, to think about money honestly.Having lots of money can be like a drug. It can make you feel powerful and giddy. It can convince you that everything's going to be okay. Years ago they asked the great fighter Joe Louis what he thought about money, and he said, "I don't like money very much, but it calms my nerves." Money makes us unjustifiably feel that we're better and more important than we really are. When money can make you feel humble, then I think it's really useful. But if it fattens your ego, which it often does, then....watch out.
Our misconceptions suddenly get dressed and hide their nakedness the moment we think about money. I read an interesting story about moeny which I would like to share with you here....because I geuss the story relates to each one of us.
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow-finned tuna. The banker complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied: "Only a little while." The banker then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.
The banker was puzzled and then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, swim a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, Señor."
The banker scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you'll have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middle man, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually to New York City where you will run your expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, Señor,(Sir) how long will this all take?"
To which the banker replied, "Five to ten years."
"But what then, Señor?"
The banker laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company's stock to the public and become very rich. You would be worth millions!"
"Millions, Señor? Then what?"
The banker said, "Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village, take siesta with your wife, play with your kids, stroll to the village in the evenings where you would sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.
How remarkable. The very things that the fisherman could look forward to at the end of a long and arduous process that would require him to put his life on hold are those all-important parts of life he already enjoys in his semi-poverty.
What would having more do for him? Prevent him from presently enjoying family and friends, laughing and living, being independent and free of the worries associated with major financial investments. And of course we all realize that the five to ten years the banker estimated would be all the time needed will stretch out far longer as greed for more as well as unexpected difficulties turn the project into a lifelong journey. How much smarter to remember the advice of the first-century Roman philosopher, Juvenal: "It is sheer madness to live in want in order to be wealthy when you die
Dealing with moeny is another important topic which I will share with you another day, when I am damn drunk and prefer not to sleep.....now its almost 12 am here in Seoul, my dear reader!!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
challenge
If eternity is to challenge transcendence
and life is to challenge death,
If good is to challenge evil
and truth is to challenge lie,
If love is to challenge hatred
and kindness is to challenge cruelty,
If morality is to challenge reality
and duality is to challenge oneness,
If boldness is to challenge cowardice
and freedom is to challenge restraint,
If desire is to challenge aversion
and smile is to challenge gloom,
If happiness is to challenge sadness,
and high is to challenge low,
If faith is to challenge reason
and light is to challenge darkness,
If trust is to challenge distrust
and passion is to challenge indifference,
If marriage is to challenge singlehood,
and prosperity is to challenge poverty
If shopping is to challenge wallet,
hoping is to challenge despair
If adulthood is to challenge childhood,
and wise is to challenge fool
If hunger is to challenge satisfaction
and refersh is to challenge tire
If hot is to challenge cold
and tranquility is to challenge turmoil,
If day is to challenge night
dusk is to challenge dawn,
If still is to challenge move
and fake is to challenge real,
If rude is to challenge polite
and nice is to challenge wise,
If rise is to challenge fall
and success is to challenge failure,
If clean is to challenge dirt
and safe is to challenge risk,
If silence is to challenge noise
and patience is to challenge frustration,
If craze is to challenge balance
and daze is to challenge expect,
If beauty is to challenge ugly
and naughty is to challenge obedient
If make is to challenge loose
and create is to challenge destroy........(sorry the list is endless!)
then......isn't everything in life is fragile???
So isnt it better not to worry about anything and enjoy life??
Remember, to START IS JUST TO CHALLENGE WAIT!!
and life is to challenge death,
If good is to challenge evil
and truth is to challenge lie,
If love is to challenge hatred
and kindness is to challenge cruelty,
If morality is to challenge reality
and duality is to challenge oneness,
If boldness is to challenge cowardice
and freedom is to challenge restraint,
If desire is to challenge aversion
and smile is to challenge gloom,
If happiness is to challenge sadness,
and high is to challenge low,
If faith is to challenge reason
and light is to challenge darkness,
If trust is to challenge distrust
and passion is to challenge indifference,
If marriage is to challenge singlehood,
and prosperity is to challenge poverty
If shopping is to challenge wallet,
hoping is to challenge despair
If adulthood is to challenge childhood,
and wise is to challenge fool
If hunger is to challenge satisfaction
and refersh is to challenge tire
If hot is to challenge cold
and tranquility is to challenge turmoil,
If day is to challenge night
dusk is to challenge dawn,
If still is to challenge move
and fake is to challenge real,
If rude is to challenge polite
and nice is to challenge wise,
If rise is to challenge fall
and success is to challenge failure,
If clean is to challenge dirt
and safe is to challenge risk,
If silence is to challenge noise
and patience is to challenge frustration,
If craze is to challenge balance
and daze is to challenge expect,
If beauty is to challenge ugly
and naughty is to challenge obedient
If make is to challenge loose
and create is to challenge destroy........(sorry the list is endless!)
then......isn't everything in life is fragile???
So isnt it better not to worry about anything and enjoy life??
Remember, to START IS JUST TO CHALLENGE WAIT!!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Green Eyed Monster
Old one.....somehow it resurface to my mind today
I never thought this would happen to me
And this was not how things were meant to be
I was so green with jealousy
to see you with him, so happy
I should be happy for you, a voice inside me says
But then I remember all those long-forgotten days
When we were together,albeit for a brief time
And another voice tells me You should be mine.
I am sorry for feeling this way
But the green eyed monster refuses to fade away
I have become obsessive about you
believing we could make a fabulous two
I think you are made only for me
and so I get so angry, as to why cant you see
That I will keep you happy as well,
And I can even hear the ringing wedding bells.
The world would then be a much better place to live in
And whatever we might have to face, we would win
My only hope is that you will soon realize it too
That there is only one truth : I love you.
I never thought this would happen to me
And this was not how things were meant to be
I was so green with jealousy
to see you with him, so happy
I should be happy for you, a voice inside me says
But then I remember all those long-forgotten days
When we were together,albeit for a brief time
And another voice tells me You should be mine.
I am sorry for feeling this way
But the green eyed monster refuses to fade away
I have become obsessive about you
believing we could make a fabulous two
I think you are made only for me
and so I get so angry, as to why cant you see
That I will keep you happy as well,
And I can even hear the ringing wedding bells.
The world would then be a much better place to live in
And whatever we might have to face, we would win
My only hope is that you will soon realize it too
That there is only one truth : I love you.
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