LET’S MAKE IT SIMPLE By – Gaurav Mundra Thursday, 24th April 2008 (A good speech has a good beginning and a good ending both of which are kept very close together)

Expectation from the Session This is a session with the intention to discuss on generic topics related to us. The session would be in question and answer format with question dealing with the common things around us There would not be attempt to answer those questions but the focus would be on diving DEEP into the questions and understanding them. At most places quotations are used for quick and complete understanding.

Let’s get interactive (Individual Level) If 1=5, 2=25, 3=125 and 4=625, then 5=? The answer is simple, if 1=5 then 5=1. Do we also make our sometime unnecessarily complicated? If yes then we need to be attentive from next time. Simplicity is indeed often the sign of truth and a criterion of beauty. Can we recall five good things and five bad things which happened with us for the year 2007? If yes, then its really great but if no then it means that out of 365 days we have not lived even 10 days worth remembering. A long life may not be a good enough but a good life is long enough.

Let’s contd… - (Individual Level) How often do we communicate our true feelings? We have seen the Airtel advertisement about communication and have read dozen of emails about the importance of communication in personal relationships Why we all appreciate a simple thing like a smile on kids face? The smile that is worth the praises of the Earth is the one that shines through tears. Some people feel the rain, others just get wet. A lie may fool someone else but it tells you the truth that you are weak. Do we communicate with ourselves? It will help in understanding what we are, what we like and more importantly what we don’t like. What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters as compared to what lies within us.

Let’s contd… - (Individual Level) Are all our relationships going on the right track? Are we able to give enough time for our personal lives or just rushing through? Relations involve interaction with your near and dear ones. These can be blood relationship, love, friendship, etc. In friendship one plus one is three. In love one plus one is one. Heart has its own reason of which reason knows nothing. Have we found out a BIGger purpose of our life? God has created each one of us for a particular purpose – are we able to find out that? Our identification of purpose would be very helpful in living a satisfied life as we would the be doing what we like the most. There is no end to what we can achieve – provided we don’t mind who gets the credit.

Let’s contd… - (Individual Level) Are we happy with our lives? Over-expectation might leads to failures and in such cases reactions (sudden) are always extreme. Almost all our suffering is caused by our not having the power of detachment. So along with the development of concentration, we must develop the power of detachment Our inability to rise above the sense-life – the striving for physical pleasures is the cause of all the horrors and miseries in the world. Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen. Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. To know nothing is the happiest life

Let’s continue… (Professional Level) Are we able to give and take respect at the workplace? Can we think of five names whom we respect the most? We can get respect at workplace only by giving respect. As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others. Are we a ‘leader’ or ‘boss’ at the workplace? The boss drives his men; the leader inspires him The boss depends on authority; the leader depends on goodwill The boss evokes fear; the leader radiates love The boss says ‘I’; the leader says ‘we’ The boss says who is wrong; the leader says what is wrong The boss knows how its done; the leader knows how to do it The boss demands respects; the leader commands respect So be a leader and not a boss.

Let’s continue… (Professional Level) Are we successful at your workplace? We need to set our parameters of defining success and then need to achieve them and then again re-define them. Success is getting what you want and happiness is wanting what you get The only job you start at the top is when you dig a hole. Are we able to manage the conflicts of priorities in personal life with expectation from professional life? We need to draw a line somewhere between our personal and professional life We need to set our priorities for the tasks. We need to focus on Time Management Stephen’s Covey concept of setting priorities can help in both the above mentioned things.

Let’s continue… (Professional Level) Have you made any contribution to improve the work environment? Are we part of the solution or the problem? Sometimes we complain of something “wrong” which goes at the workplace but did we tried improving it anytime? Do we really worry about the things which impacts other and not us? Had we done any value addition or “innovation” at the work place? Even a small act of kindness can bring a wave of change.

THANK YOU (If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'thank you', it will be enough.)