How Do You Fail? Gracefully, Or Disgracefully?

‘The bigger they are, the harder they fall.’

How much of this is true? If you consider it as a test of physicality, size does matter when you multiply it by the physical laws (force, acceleration, magnitude, direction). Size times gravity = OUCH!

The OUCH Factor. How painful is it? From ‘I can live with it’ to ‘bearable’ to ‘excruciating pain’. When we make mistakes, how do we recover? How can we learn from our mistakes? How will we really know if we have learnt from our transgressions? How do you make amends? How do you seek forgiveness when you have betrayed somebody’s trust?

Somewhere down the relationship chain – us and another person – are a collection of values and beliefs. When we violate a value, whether it is a shared or unique one, we may create friction, doubt, and distrust. Values have value. Honesty may not be the best policy for single-minded, prejudicial and discriminating people. No amount of facts or affectations can easily shift a person to another perspective or paradigm unless he/she makes a deliberate choice and decision to step aside of themselves. To put it in grandiose terms, ‘time to get your head out of your backside!’

Love him, or hate him, triathlon professional and champion Macca articulates his approach to failure with distinction.

How do we stop ourselves form falling or failing? Perhaps, a better question would be: How do you bounce back when you fail and fall?

Nobody Reads Anymore

Do you still read?

In this day and age, we may have unlearnt how to suspend our need for instant gratification. We want it and we want it now. There’s no stopping the rebellious child in us. We disguise this impatience with the excuse called digital technology. We claim to be busy. What with? Our job? Our family? Our commitments? Reasons or excuses?

In the 1960’s, the conservationists’ slogan was ‘Save a tree, eat a beaver’. Then it devolved into the sorry statement ‘Why are you killing trees?’ as we flout the recycling rules. So much for paper-less, when many still fear the online ways to conduct business and commerce! Hypocrisy abounds, and in abundance. Perhaps, we have read less and become skillful in making sweeping statements about the global issues and the human condition.

As newsprint surrendered to the online versions, how many of us are truly more informed with the plethora of information? Do you wiki it up? Do you share your reads publicly? Do you discuss matters on the public forums, and behind closed doors? How much do you express yourself as a critical thinker?

Some people get depressed when reading dreaded headlines. Somehow, there is more bad news than good news. News is still news. Man bites dog. Dogs bite man. Even on a slow news day, there is always something to report within the community. If you believe in most of what you read, it may account for your sense of pessimism and hopelessness. Perhaps, it is time to direct our attention from reading newspapers to other sources of news and commentaries.

Reading can be a rewarding pastime, and discipline. It takes time to read. It requires strength and appreciation of language to comprehend good writing. Good writing is manifested through fiction, non-fiction, letters and commentaries. Reading is akin to an exploration of the landscape of our minds, and those of others. The writers before us propose their ideas, observations and perspectives in a myriad of ways. Writing is hard work. Not physically, yet the toll on the mind can fatigue your limbs and heart. Topics that writers tread on may not be for the faint of heart. Readers share the journey with their guides who prod minds into a beehive of activity. 

Reading works on an individual’s pace. Fast or slow, deliberate or casual – this intellectual activity requires brain-power. Vocabulary, grammar, opinions, perspectives – so many cognitive processes are in play – when we read. It can be very demanding work on our eyes and brain.

Will you still read?

Nine Perspectives Towards Balancing Your Views & Opinions

There is much talk about creating work-life balanced or life-work balance. How successful (or stressful) have you been in achieving that? Is this wishful thinking on our part, or something of luxury reserved for retirees, wealthy Internet marketers, and the monarchy?

Thinking: now, that is a thoughtful exercise. Mind what we say, and do. How do you build an opinion about something? How do you argue your points convincingly in a casual debate? How do you make yourself heard, felt and responded to? How do you form an incisive and informed decision?

1)    Build a wide knowledge base, comprising facts and factual accuracy.

2)    Never stop at the first right answer. Seek alternates.

3)    Listen to a variety of points of views.

4)    Ask questions. Ask: why? Also ask: why not?

5)    Challenge the thinking, not the person. Prejudice clouds judgement.

6)    Consider what you think and feel. Never divorce the two if you wish to build balanced viewpoints.

7)    Check your facts. Make sure that you are updated.

8)    Avoid being smug when you win an argument – you, probably, did not.

9)    Consider what you can learn from the other person.
10) Sharpen your saw, not your claws.

Head, heart and hands: IQ, EQ and AQ. How do you integrate all three when you intend to help, and effect changes in your family, community and organization? Think before we thought. [I know there are 10 points, but who is counting; and, you might just reject one. Just a thought.]