New Year 2009 Special

Hi Friends, Here comes a New Year Special Edition 33 of Good to Great…

New Year's Eve is always a time for looking back at the past, and more importantly, look forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

A New Year's Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous

In this edition, I have focussed on the New year
– Good New Year resolutions borrowed from the web (supplemented with other thoughts), covering various aspects Health, relationships, acquiring new skills, mental feeling, Life, etc.,
– Tips for sustenance of YOUR resolutions

Remember the starting days of New Year are the most crucial in order to plan for the entire year. These are the days when people sketch a graph for the whole year. To materialize the things thought of is somewhat difficult but still some people manage to do so.New Year resolutions provide a sort of direction to people to lead the coming year.

Nothing big gets accomplished in one day. Resolutions are set in one day, but accomplished with a hundred tiny steps that happen throughout the year. New Year's resolutions should be nothing more than a starting point. You must develop a ritual or habit for revisiting your plan.

So go Ahead – make your resolutions and I am sure the Year ahead will be truly yours!!!

Read in Leisure and please continue to share your articles, jokes, puzzles, feedback to balajineela@gmail.com

Contents

1. Its all about YOU.. Follow the Path of Others to Success..B/f Murthy
2. Thought for this week…B/f Bala
3. Management quick tips...The Other Side...B/f Vijay
4. New Year resolutions – B/f Manoj
5. Jokes corner
6. Management thoughts…Attitude..B/f Murthy
7. Health.. Know your Vitamins…B/f Murthy
8. Cartoonz..
9. Closing thoughts

1. Its all about YOU..FOLLOW THE PATH OF OTHERS TO SUCCESS

You can learn from other people to make up for your lack of experience in any area of life.
Be open and receptive to people around you. They have things to teach you.

Take advantage of the people that have made the journey ahead of you. Try to pick the right role models. Don't look for people that make you feel good or entertain you. Look for people that can help you. Role models are more than people you like and admire.

The key is to look for people that will help you to be more successful. You can learn from the mistakes of others. You can learn different approaches to overcoming challenges.

Learning what not to do is as important as learning what to do. Success depends on using not opposing.

2. Thought for this week

If your actions inspire others
to dream more,
learn more,
do more and
become more,
you are a leader"

3. Management quick tips..The Other Side

A Father was reading a magazine and his little daughter every now and then distracted him. To keep her busy, he tore one page on which was printed the map of the world. He tore it into pieces and asked her to go to her room and put them together to make the map again. He was sure she would take the whole day to get it done.

But the little one came back within minutes with perfect map.. When he asked how she could do it so quickly, she said ,'Oh.. Dad, there is a man's face on the other side of the paper..
I made the face perfect to get the map right."" she ran outside to play leaving the father surprised.

MORAL
There is always the other side to whatever you experience in this world. This story indirectly teaches a lesson. That is, whenever we come across a challenge or a puzzling situation, look at the other side ..You will be surprised to see an easy way to tackle the problem...

4. New Year resolutions – Tips to make yours a success
Good Timely sharing Manoj – thanks for this

1. Write down specific goals: The key words in that statement are write down and specific. Here’s why - when you commit yourself to something in writing, you are more likely to refer to it, manage it, and make running changes to it. It works better than just “telling yourself” your goals. And, if your goals are not specific they are not as “concretized.” They’re less likely to be actionable.
2. Do a SWOT analysis on yourself:
Strengths - What you’ve got going for you & what makes you stand out in comparison to others.
Weaknesses - what you need to work on, things that can hold you back, or make you a more likely candidate for the next round of layoffs.
Opportunities - what you can use to your advantage to improve your situation.
Threats - what can derail your plans and aspirations.

With #1 & #2 in hand, you’ve got the makings of a sound career plan. And 2009 is a good time to have such a plan.

3. Ensure your loved ones are covered: You’ve got the career plan together. Now, noodle about those whom you want in your life over the long term. Many people are so consumed with the economy and their career that they are ignoring their friends and family. If you want to have a life with some balance, treat these people with importance. Make it worth their while to stay a part of your life.

4. Self promote: There’s no better way to stand out from the crowd. I don’t mean becoming a glory hog that nobody wants to be around; just helping those in a position of influence over your career to recognize that you’re a keeper and should be kept happy. This can be as simple as having a regular meeting with your boss to brief her/him on what you’ve accomplished, or sending a bi-weekly e-mail update to outline your current activity and plans. If the environment doesn’t accommodate that type of communication, use chance meetings to keep her updated e.g.: In the elevator ride leaving the office, if Boss asks “How are things?,” rather than talk about your health, try something like, “Great! The new software is running well and we’re hearing positive feedback from everyone.”

5. Jokes corner..The eager journalist

The scene is a newspaper office. The editor says to one of his reporters: There’s a fire raging out of control west of town and I want you to get out there fast. And above all, get some good shots. If that means you have to hire an airplane, just do it. Don’t worry about the expense.

So, the reporter calls the local FBO and orders a plane. He rushes out to the airport, spots a small aircraft with a young pilot in it, pulls open the door, jumps in and says to the pilot:
Let’s go, take off.

As directed, the pilot takes off, gets up to altitude, and the reporter then tells him, ‘See that fire raging to the west? I want you to fly over that and get down as close as you can.’

Incredulous, the pilot says, ‘You want me to fly over that fire?’

‘Sure,’ the reporter says, ‘I am a photojournalist and that’s why I am here–to take dramatic shots of the fire!’

The pilot looks over with a quizzical look on his face and says,
‘You’re not the flight instructor?’

6. Management thoughts…Attitude

Once there was an old and very wise man. Every day he would sit outside a gas station in his rocking chair and wait to greet motorists as they passed through his small town. On this day, his granddaughter knelt down at the foot of his chair and slowly passed the time with him.

As they sat and watched the people come and go, a tall man who surely had to be a tourist -- since they knew everyone in the town -- began looking around as if he were checking out the area for a place to live.

The stranger walked up and asked,"So what kind of town is this that we're in?"

The older gentleman slowly turned to the man and replied," Well, what kind of town are you from?"

The tourist said,"In the town I'm from everyone is very critical of each other. The neighbours all gossip about everyone, and it's a real negative place to live. I'm sure glad to be leaving. It is not a very cheerful place. "

The man in the chair looked at the stranger and said," You know, that's just how this town is."

An hour or so later a family that was also passing through stopped for gas. The car slowly turned in and rolled to a stop in front of where the older gentleman and his granddaughter were sitting. The mother jumped out with two small children and asked where the restrooms were. The man in the chair pointed to a small, bent-up sign that was barely hanging by one nail on the side of the door.

The father stepped out of the car and also asked the man,"Is this town a pretty good place to live?"

The man in the chair replied," What about the town you are from? How is it?"

The father looked at him and said,"Well, in the town I'm from everyone is very close and always willing to lend their neighbour a helping hand. There's always a hello and thank you everywhere you go. I really hate to leave. I feel almost like we are leaving family. "

The older gentlemen turned to the father and gave him a warm smile. "You know, that's a lot like this small town."

Then the family returned to the car, said their thank yous, waved goodbye and drove away.

After the family was in the distance, the granddaughter looked up at her grandfather and asked,"Grandpa, how come when the first man came into our town you told him it was a terrible place to live and when the family came in to town you told them it was a wonderful place to live? "

The grandfather lovingly looked down at this granddaughter's wondering blue eyes and said,"No matter where you move, you take your own attitude with you and that's what makes it terrible or wonderful. "

It's your attitude, not your aptitude that determines your altitude
Happiness is not something you find, it's something you create

7. Health..Know your Vitamins

8. Cartoons..

9. Closing thoughts…

From the web…the most popular New Year resolutions

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends: Work shouldn't always come first!

2. Fit in Fitness: The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape

3. Tame the Bulge: Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program

4. Quit Smoking

5. Enjoy Life More: Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles, It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! bring balance to your body, mind and soul. Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at a new sport. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.

6. Quit Drinking

7. Get Out of Debt: It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

"Here is a collage of new year resolutions - YOU can make a similar one for yourself and stick at your desk or keep it in your purse - to review periodically and re-energise yourself!!"

8. Learn Something New: Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions.

9. Help Others: A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, donate furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need…

10. Get Organized: Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.

Other Popular Resolutions
Lose Weight or Get Fit or Eat Right
Manage Debt, or Save Money
Get a Better Education
Reduce Stress Overall
Take a Trip
Volunteer to Help Others
Be More cheerful

And finally... Remain Flexible

Expect that your plan can and will change. Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected things at us, and flexibility is required to complete anything but the simplest goal. Sometimes the goal itself will even change. Most of all, recognize partial successes at every step along the way. Just as a resolution isn't accomplished the day it's stated, neither is it accomplished the day you reach your goal. Rather, it's accomplished in many small increments along the way. Acknowledge these incremental successes as they come.

As strong as my legs are, it is my mind that has made me a champion
- Michael Johnson

Hi Friends,

As the Year 2008 comes to an end, my sincere thanks to each of you for the encouragement / support that YOU have provided in making this Good to Great blog possible. As I share the best articles from other people with the larger group, it has really encouraged me to read a lot more and think a lot more…

So, Here comes a Special Edition 32 of Good to Great…This weeks credits are to Anand, Mohit, Assif, Uma, Kala, Christy, Rajesh, Jyoti, Sandhya Harish, etc., Please read in Leisure and please continue to share your articles, jokes, puzzles, feedback to balajineela@gmail.com

Contents

1. Its all about YOU..
2. Thought for this week…B/f Murthy
3. Health..B/f Gavas
4. Management quick tips... Being Professional @ Work
5. Jokes corner....
6. Management thoughts…the 90/10 rule..B/f Sandhya Harish
7. Cartoonz.. Ultimate Managers…B/f Angelenaa
8. Lean....Amazingly lean
9. SMS Fun…b/f Karthi
10. Closing thoughts

1. Its all about YOU - Seven Secrets ("Home made" ) Of Success !!

Roof said : Aim high !
Fan said : Be cool !
Clock said : Every minute precious !
Mirror said : Reflect before you act !
Window said : See the world !
Calender said : Be upto date !
Door said : Push hard (the oportunity door) to achieve your goal !

All the best !!

2. Thought for this week

Iron rusts from disuse;

stagnant water loses its purity and
in cold weather becomes frozen;
Even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.

Leonardo Da Vinci

3. Health…. From a Doctor's Son(!!)

- Don’t take medicine with Cold water
- Don’t have huge meals after 7 PM
- Drink more water in the mornings and less at evening / night
- Don’t lie down immediately after taking medicine.

4. Management quick tips.. Being Professional @ Work

Tip 1: Get to work on time and not just when the company sends out a memo on late-comers.

It’s a precious quiet period to plan, schedule and strategize before the office becomes a beehive of activity. Simply put, it’s professional to get to work on time.

The same goes for meetings – get there on time, and decide beforehand how long you’ll stay. It brings a sharper focus to meeting agendas.

5. Jokes corner..

This is a true account as recorded in the Police Log of Sarasota, Florida…

An elderly Florida lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle. She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her voice, "I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!"

The four men didn't wait for a second invitation. They got out and ran like mad.

The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and got into the driver's seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition. She tried and tried, and then it dawned on her why… For the same reason she did not understand why there was a football, a Frisbee and two 12 packs of beer in the front seat!

A few minutes later, she found her own car parked four or five spaces farther down. She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police station to report her mistake.

The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing. He pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale men were reporting a car jacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun.

No charges were filed.

6. Management thoughts - Discover the 90/10 Principle – Stephen Covey

Superb article…one of the best!!! We should read this article again and again to reinforce / inculcate this habit into us….

It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations).

What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.

What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us.
We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic.

We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.

How? …….By your reaction.

You cannot control a red light. but you can control your reaction.
Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.
Let's use an example.

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened.
What happens next will be determined by how you react.
You curse.
You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus.

Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home.

When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? …. Because of how you reacted in the morning.
Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D".
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.
Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.
Notice the difference?

Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why?

Because of how you REACTED.
You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you!
React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them?
WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?
Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job.

Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take outpour frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.
Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.
The result?

Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.

It CAN change your life!!!

7. Cartoons..

8. Lean....Amazingly lean

A "Mantra" which has got lot of new attention recently is the concept of lean – Run your process lean, make your Thin….well you might be hearing these terms more often these days of Financial crisis, but this one takes the cake….

Have been amazed by things I have seen in Thailand – the creativity, the packaging, the tourist focus, etc., but can you imagine a train that runs through a Market.

This is in Bangkok, Thailand.

http://funzu.com/index.php/crazy-video/a-train-runs-through-a-market-06102008.html

Relax and enjoy!!

9. SMS fun

Exams….Attitude of students in different age groups…

1st – 3rd Std – Hey ! I studied everything for the exam

4th – 6th Std – Hey – that question was very hard, so I did not read it

7th – 10th Std – Hey, Studied only important questions

11th -12th Std – I think 4 chapters are enough according to Blue print

College student – Maachi, which exam da??

10. Closing thoughts…

It is New Year and time to start a lot of NEW ……new resolutions, New initiatives, new cheer, re-new relationships and most importantly re-affirm our Faith and love for our dear ones – Parents, spouse, children, friends, etc.,

Talking on New Resolutions….are these really effective or is it just another new year?

Well – I tried writing up some resolutions the last few years and Oh Boy!! it gave me lot of focus and direction….and I am sure I achieved much more because of this….also you might want to review your previous objectives to get focus back again or set higher
Targets for yourself…………..

I am sure with this – YOU would be able to achieve / meet much higher goals in Life….

Trust me for this.

Why don’t you try it out and see the results for yourself!!!

Good to Great

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.”
- H. Jackson Brown

Get the message….plan your time and use it as productively you can…Identify the Non value adds and stay focussed (Target driven meetings with end times…) & see the amount of time that you seem to be creating…You will be Amazed!!!

Hi Friends, So here comes a Special Edition # 31 of Good to Great… Special credits and thanks for this week are to Sridhar, Srinath, Kamakshi, Sai (Extra special thanks), Kala, Ashwin & Ramya.
Read in Leisure and please continue to share your articles, jokes, puzzles, feedback to balajineela@gmail.com

Contents

1. Its all about YOU.. Life's Balance Sheet..B/f Kala
2. Thought for this week…B/f Ram
3. Health..Staying young..B/f Narayana
4. Jokes corner....B/f the Crest
5. Management thoughts…B/f Murthy
6. Cartoonz..
7. Useful and useless trivia…B/f Assif
8. Green Tip of the Day -- By Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam....B/f Rajan & Dev
9. Closing thoughts
10. Financial Scenario…

1. Its all about YOU… Life's Balance Sheet

Our Birth is our Opening Balance!
Our Death is our Closing Balance!
Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities.
Our Creative Ideas are our Assets.
Heart is our Current Asset.
Soul is our Fixed Asset.
Brain is our Fixed Deposit.
Thinking is our Current Account.
Achievements are our Capital.

Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade.
Friends are our General Reserves.
Values & Behaviour are our Goodwill.
Love is our Dividend.
Children are our Bonus Issues..
Education is Brands / Patents.
Knowledge is our Investment.
Experience is our Premium Account.
The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately.
The Goal is to get the Best Presented Accounts Award

Chinese Proverb: (IN English)
'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it,
you have a moral obligation to share it with others'..

2. Thought for this week

If your temper is aroused and you tell others a thing or two,

you will have a fine time in unloading your feelings.

But just think about the feelings of other person.

During time of great stress and adversity, it is always best to keep busy,
plough all your anger and your energy into something positive.

That’s what Mr M K Gandhi did, after he was thrown out of the train by a railway official. Later on, he became Mahatma Gandhi.

3. Health HOW TO STAY YOUNG

a) Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,

spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

b) The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.

LIVE while you are alive.

c) Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Your home is your refuge.

d) Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

e) Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

f). Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity

4. Jokes corner..

Planning your time…..a very good forward, I have enjoyed reading this each time it was forwarded…a small joke, but tons of lessons to be learnt…

I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car I forgot to put in the garage last night, and decide the car really needs washing. As I pull the hose around the house to the driveway, I notice that there is mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full. So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only 1 check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go to my desk where I find the cup of coffee that I had been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the coffee aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. I realize I left my computer running, answering emails on gardening, when I take a sip of the coffee, it's cold, so I decide I should put it in the microwave to warm it up again.

As I head toward the kitchen with the cup of coffee, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered. I set the coffee down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses laying on the counter, I've been searching for them all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll add some fresh water to the vase of flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:

----the garden didn't get any water,
----the car isn't washed,
----the bills aren't paid,
----the garden emails havn't been answered,
----there is a cold cup of coffee sitting on the counter,
----the flowers in the vase still don't have enough water,
----there is only 1 check left in my check book,
----I can't find the remote,
----now I can't find my glasses again,
----and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired. I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mails.

Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!

5. Management thoughts…Be careful of what you plant!!

The story goes that some time ago a man punished his 5-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became even more upset when the child pasted the gold paper so as to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." The father was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty.

He spoke to her in a harsh manner, "Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?"

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into it until it was full."

The father was crushed. He fell on his knees and put his arms around his little girl, and he begged her to forgive him for his unnecessary anger. An accident took the life of the child only a short time later and it is told that the father kept that gold box by his bed for all the years of his life.

And whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems he would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us as human beings have been given a Golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

6. Cartoons..

7. Useful and useless trivia

a) People say "Bless you" when you sneeze because when you Sneeze, your heart stops for a millisecond.#
If you sneeze too hard, you can fracture a rib. If you try to Suppress a sneeze; you can rupture a blood vessel in your head or neck and die.

b) Each king in a deck of playing cards represents great king from History.
"Spades" - King David; "Clubs" - Alexander the Great; " Hearts" - Charlemagne; "Diamonds" - Julius Caesar.

c) Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times.

8. Tip for this week…. Ctrl+ Alt+ Del - By Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

To all those who do not TURN OFF their PC’s & Lights before Leaving OFFICE

Most of us in the IT field, used to do one thing before leaving for the day from office, Press Ctrl+Alt+ Del and leave to home happily. That means your PC is still on..

One normal PC in the sleeping mode (Hibernation) will consume 35 watts/hr.
Based on this we will do a small calculation.
For one week 24 * 7 = 168 Hrs, Of this if we consider that we are working for 68 hours, then the PC is in sleeping mode for 100 Hrs a week.

For one month 4 * 100 = 400 Hrs, In a normal IT office, if we assume approximately 250 PCs are there, 250 * 400 = 1,00,000 Hrs (Sleeping Mode), So power wasted / month is 100000 * 35 = 3500 KWH or units. If the charge per unit is Rs. 6, then wastage value is Rs. 21,000. (Approx.)
Here the sad thing is not the money loss to the company but the power loss to the country.

Apart from the loss to the country we need to think of the efforts people are putting for producing the power in the Mines, Thermal Stations, Hydro electric Stations, etc. If this is to continue, the cost of unit power will go up & at one stage we will not get power even if we are ready to pay any cost.

So before leaving to home take some time to shut down the PC and do some favour to the country and the organisation.

9. Closing thoughts…

Indian Cricket did an amazing comeback to win the 1st test match – after being on the back foot for close to 3.5 days, the Indian team turned the match around…through some aggressive batting,(Viru, Yuvaraj) extraordinary commitment ( Tendulkar)…& of course the brilliant captaincy of Dhoni

Clearly Kevin Peterson was found wanting on ideas and the negative line that he asked his bowlers to bowl backfired and finally India
Won the match comfortably…..

So what sort of a captain are you while you Marshall your resources?

10. Financial Scenario…Getting lean to survive the downturn - Bernie Thompson
A fantastic article…please take time to read this as it has many practical ideas..

Promising start-ups are exciting. But during a downturn, they can also feel a little too exciting.

Funded start-ups are always on the clock: Time till the next funding round. Time till cash flow positive. Time till a public offering.

In a severe downturn the clock keeps ticking, but it becomes harder to bet on closing that next big sale or funding round. Financial visibility declines. Management must aggressively take action to steer the corporate ship to account for the increased external risk and uncertainty:

1. Re-prioritize to focus on the highest probability, nearest term revenue opportunities
2. Cut spending to preserve cash
3. Look carefully for unique opportunities in the surrounding turmoil

The more severe the downturn, the more aggressively these actions should be taken. Yet traditional organizations are poorly equipped to handle this change:

§ Forward-looking plans and budgets that were carefully set in stone, now break rather than bend.

§ Severe bottlenecks appear throughout the organization as the ratios between dependent teams and specialists get thrown off by hiring freezes or layoffs (“We were counting on that team to deliver their part of the project, but they’re all laid off!” or “How can we hit the same schedule with half the test team?”)

§ An organization that isn’t practiced at delivering value on short cycles and dynamically re-prioritizing, will find their plans churned and capacity to deliver shredded.

The reason why lean thinking is so powerful is it embraces change. When the market is in turmoil, change is legion and organizations that apply lean thinking stand the best chance of surviving, or even thriving. To best satisfy the 3 goals above, take steps in the lean direction to:

1. Get closer to the customer. Listen to their priorities. Tighten the feedback loop.
2. Break projects into smaller pieces and deliver them on shorter cycles.
3. Drive the organization with clear but dynamic priorities, rather than long-term dates, deliverables, and deadlines.
4. Break dependencies between projects and between specialists. Give small teams everything they need to deliver on their own faster schedule.
5. As change churns the organization, regularly ask “where is our bottleneck now?” and do what it takes to resolve it.
6. Break the “union mindset” of specialization. Ask everyone to attack the bottleneck wherever it is. Retain generalists who can thrive in an environment of change.
7. Don’t let people and organizations be spread thin. Focus on the highest value deliverables. Do less, but get those priorities done faster.

These are all great practices for any company, especially a creative start-up. Lean thinking gives an organization the tools to think about opportunities and capacity in a highly dynamic, scalable way. In a downturn, nothing could be more critical or valuable. The urgency of a downturn may, in fact, be the best opportunity to adopt changes that will pay off even more when things turn up again.

In a nasty downturn, do not ask for whom the bell tolls. Embrace change, get lean, and make darn sure the bell does not toll for thee.

good to great

"If we treat people as they are, We make them worse

but if we treat them as they ought to be,

We help them become what they are capable of becoming"

Johann Wolfanf Van Goethe

How true!!! So how are you treating your colleagues, bosses, employees to push them to show their full potential and grow beyonf theie boundaries!!!

Hi Friends, Here comes a Special Edition # 30 of Good to Great…

Read in Leisure and please continue to share your articles, jokes, puzzles, feedback to balajineela@gmail.com

Contents

1.Its all about YOU.. Thoughts as Actions!!!
2.Thought for this week…B/f Ram
3.India Proud.. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan…B/f Anusha, Gavas
4.Health..Staying Young..B/f Narayana
5.Management quick tips......B/f
6.Jokes corner....B/f
7.Management thoughts…B/f
8.Cartoonz..
9.Tip for this week.... PNR status on the Mobile..B/f Rajan
10.Closing thoughts

1. Its all about YOU …Your Thoughts are YOUR actions!!!

You may believe that you are responsible for what you do, but not for what you think.

The truth is that you are responsible for what you think,
because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice.

What you do comes from what you think.
-From 'A Course In Miracles'

2. Thought for this week

At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done,
then they begin to think it can’t be done.
Then they see it can be done.
Then it was done and
all the world wonders why it was not done before.
– Arindham choudary

3. India Proud.. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan

Meet our Hero, friendly neighbourhood - Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan (7, Bihar Regiment), he gave his life just to let us breathe in terror-free air. We all pray to almighty to give peace to his holy soul.

Sandeep Unnikrishnan (March 17, 1977 – November 28, 2008) was a Major in the Indian Army serving in the elite National Security Guards (NSG) -

Being in the forefront of the National Security Guards operations at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan not only waged a valiant battle against the terrorists but also did his best to save his injured colleagues and in the bargain lost his life. He showed the real warrior in him before laying down his life.

Thirty-one-year- old Major Sandeep is the only son of retired ISRO officer K. Unnikrishnan, who is settled in Bangalore

His Photo Album on Orkut, of his Jul-08 Hampi trip








4. Health…Staying Young

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Try everything twice. On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph:
"Tried everything twice...loved it both times! "

2. Keep only cheerful friends.?
The grouches pull you down. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle.

'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.










5. Management quick tips..

According to scientists a bumblebee cannot fly.
This is because of its size, weight of the body in relation to its wings makes flying impossible.

But bumblebee flies and makes a little honey everyday.

Do you know how?

Because the bumblebee is ignorant of these scientific facts. When you don’t know your limitations you go out surprise yourself. In the hindsight you wonder whether you had any limitations.

Only limitations a person has are those that are self-imposed.

6. Jokes corner..

Kadi Corner

Fan-ukkum rekkai irukku.
Paravai-kkum rekkai irukku.

Fan-ala parakka mudiyaathu.
Paravai-ala sutha mudiyaathu.

Aaanaa...
Fan-a amukina suthum.
Paravai-a amukina kathum... :))

Enna than 500 Km speedula puyal kathu adhichalum,
cycleluku pump vachi than kathu adikanum....
enna ulagam idhu...

7. Management thoughts

WHEN A LIZARD CAN, WHY CAN'T WE?? Plz read this...very interesting...

In order to renovate the house, a person in Japan breaks open the wall.
Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls.
When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet.

He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built.
What happened?

The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years!!!!!!!!!! In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind-boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years! without moving a single step--since its foot was nailed!

So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating.

Later, not knowing from where it came, appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.

Ah! He was stunned and touched deeply. For the lizard that was stuck by nail, another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...

Imagine? it has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.

Think, will u do that to your partner?

Think that will you do it to your Mom, Who brought you after a big struggle of Nine long months ?

Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't.

As information and communication technology advances, our access to information becomes faster and faster.

But the distance between human beings . . . is it getting closer as well?

Please never abandon your loved ones -
Never Say U R Busy When They Really Need You ...

8. Cartoons..
Oh oh!!! think we need more trees....or else, we might end up like this...

Plant more trees...










9. Tip for this week…. PNR status on the Mobile

Indian Railway in collaboration with Google is now providing a 10 digit mobile number. Just SMS your PNR number on this mobile number and instantaneously you will get your ticket's current status along with all other journey related details. The number is 9773300000. No need to prefix 0 or +91. Best of all, you don't pay a premium charge for any of this, just the price of a standard SMS.For more details: http://www.google.co.in/mobile/default/sms/#

10. Closing thoughts…

Cricket – Overcoming security concerns, the English cricket team is back in India for the test matches. Looking forward to some cool cricket – Should be an interesting contest, given Viru' s current form and Yuvaraj desperate for a Test place.

Cricket + Chennai = RAINS ; well that is a proven formula….this time around it was proved again….the moment the England tour for Test matches was announced, there was even a storm threat..luckily the past 2 days have been sunny, giving hope for a great series ahead.

Financial Scenario – Some positive moves by various govts across the world…VAT rate cuts in Europe, RBI / Banks reducing interest rates, Temporary bridge loan sanctioned in the US…are all but some small steps taken to come out of the crisis…but we have miles to go before we can be rest assured that the economy is safe and back on track.

Hi Friends, Here comes a Sleek Edition 29 of Good to Great…Let us start with a simple Success mantra,

This weeks credits & special thanks are to Ram, Sundu, BC, Sundar,

Read in Leisure and please continue to share your articles, jokes, puzzles, feedback to balajineela@gmail.com

Contents

1.Its all about YOU.. Forgive and Forget…B/f Sundararajan
2.Thought for this week…B/f Bala
3.December Babies…B/f Rajesh
4.Health..Yoga for Gas control….B/f Rajesh
5.Management quick tips......B/f Ram
6.Jokes corner....B/f Arvind
7.Management thoughts… Drop the glass now itself ..B/f Shuba
8.Cartoonz..
9.Tip for this week.... Using mobiles..B/F Thanuja, Gavaskar
10.Closing thoughts

1. Its all about YOU … Commandments for Peace of Mind!!

Tip # 1: Forgive And Forget.

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances.

This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it.

Get over this bad habit. Believe in the justice of God and the doctrine of Karma. Let Him judge the act of the one who insulted you. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, Forget, and
march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

2. Thought for this week

Never break four things in your life –

Trust, Promise, Relation & Heart
because when they break they don't make noise
but pain a lot"

3. December babies

This straight-up means your the most good-looking person possible... better than all of these other months! Loyal and generous. Patriotic. Competitive in everything.

Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to, though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know.

Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best.

Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Has that someone always on his/her mind. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. One guy/girl kind of person . Loveable. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. loves music

4. Health… Yoga for Gas control

Wind Relieving Pose (Pavanamuktasana)
The term Pavanamuktasana comes from the Sanskrit word 'pavana' which means air or wind and 'mukta'
which means freedom or release.

The Wind Relieving Pose works mainly on the digestive system. specifically, it helps in eliminating excess gas in the stomach.

Try it out!!

5. Management quick tips..

For no matter how much you know or how hard you try, you will have to face the periodic setbacks. So be prepared for them and taking them on our stride keep climbing like the snail in this story:

One cold windy day in the spring, one snail started climbing the cherry tree. The sparrow laughed at him and teased him saying ‘ you sap, don’t you know there no cherries on this tree.

The tiny snail didn’t pause, but replied as he kept on climbing, ‘There will be one when I get there’.

To succeed at anything we must keep on climbing even though we cannot see the prize at the top.

6. Jokes corner.. இன்றைய தத்துவம் #2983

பில் கேட்ஸோட பையனா இருந்தாலும்,

கழித்தல் கணக்கு போடும்போது,

கடன் வாங்கித்தான் ஆகனும்.

7. Management thoughts… Drop the glass now itself

One of the best ones....take time to read this!!!

Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students "How much do you think this glass weighs?" '50gms!'..... '100gms!' ......'125gms' ...the students answered.

"I really don't know unless I weigh it," said the professor, "but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?"

'Nothing' …..the students said.

'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked. Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the student

"You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?" "Your arm could go numb; you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis & have to go to hospital for sure!" ….. ventured another student & all the students laughed

"Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?" Asked the professor. 'No'…. Was the answer. "Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?"

The students were puzzled. "What should I do now to come out of pain?" asked professor again. "Put the glass down!" said one of the students "Exactly!" said the professor.

Life's problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK. Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache. Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you.

You will not be able to do anything. It's important to think of the challenges or problems in your life, But EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to 'PUT THEM DOWN' at the end of every day before you go to sleep... That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh &strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!

So, when you leave office today, Remember to 'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY! '

8. Cartoons..

Friends...Watch out!!!

The Male - Female ratio is fast detoriating...there would not be adequate women to marry!!!

Spread the Awareness and let us protect the girl child!!

9. Tip for this week…. Using mobiles

Don't put your mobile closer to your ears until the recipient answers,

because directly after dialling, the mobile phone would use it's maximum

signalling power, Approx. 2watts = 33dbi.

Also, Please use the left ear while using cell phone, because if you

use the right one it may affect brain directly.

10. Closing thoughts…

Mumbai : Last weeks terror attacks on Mumbai left many Indians

Proud - that we stayed united to fight the terrorists, the way the NSG operated, the technology and Non stop TV coverage
Frustrated – That this happens again and again in India (Benchmark: NO terrorist attacks in US after 9/11), the delay in closing this operation, infrastructure of the special forces, Intelligence failures, etc.,
Angry - the continuing politics behind the incident, etc.

But it is now time to move on…no blame games, but catching the lessons from the attack and putting in the Preventive actions to ensure a Safe India / World.

The media also needs to come with its own regulations and guidelines on TV coverage – commanding Field action live is exciting, but indirectly giving info to the Terrorists on this is nothing short of breach of security act…the media needs to wake up to it role and play a more responsible role.

Any lessons for us in office….Apart from the need to be vigilant and putting in preventive security measures..
- We might often be hit by Surprises / escalations / problems, we need to foresee and ensure that these surprises do not happen.

In the extremene situation where it still does occur , face it and close it – but don’t forget to learn the lesson and put in those actions that would prevent the situation from arising again.

Financial Crisis
The power vaccum in the US, because of the Presidential change is hurting the economy beyond repair – If one of the bigger Auto companies collapse, it could have a huge cascading effect on the Industry, the suppliers, dealers & other downstream industries….

and definitely a bigger impact on the whole world.

Right people need to see the bigger picture and get things rolling and getting in appropriate actions to resolve and ensure that the economy moves forward – in the RIGHT direction…

"A ship is safe in the harbour, but that is not ships are built for"

This is a thought that I first read in 2000….simple yet powerful thought on going out of your comfort zone and exploring new areas of your mind, your work, your interests….YOU would be amazed by the results that you achieve…

So Friends, Here comes a Special Edition 28 of Good to Great… Read in Leisure and please continue to share your articles, jokes, puzzles, feedback to balajineela@gmail.com

Contents

1. Its all about YOU.. B/f Murthy
2. Thought for this week…B/f Bala
3. Puzzles..Test Your IQ..B/f Juliette
4. Health..Heart…B/f Vijay
5. Management quick tips...Taking risks...B/f Ram
6. Jokes corner....B/f Angelenaa
7. Management thoughts…Think out of the Box…B/f Yogeetha, Assif, Srivats
8. Cartoonz..
9. Tip for this week....Internet ticket booking..B/f Arvind
10. Closing thoughts

1. Its all about YOU Be Positive Always

It is very important to remain positive always……here is a small inspiration!!

If you thought our transport system was BAD….how about these people

Stay positive always and solutions would seem to appear out of now where!!!

2. Thought for this week

The error of youth is to believe expertise is a substitute for experience.
The error of age is to believe experience is a substitute for expertise"

3. Puzzles..Smart or Stoopid

Are you Smarter or Stoopider than the average Person…take this iQ test and find out how you compare

Amazing test….
http://www.flashbynight.com/test/

Answers to last weeks intriguing Puzzle
Fernando sendt the messages in code to a school master in Holland(refer the story).The school master was a British spy. During World War people do not belive anyone inlcuding thier close friends.

4. Health ..Your Heart…

A chat with Dr.Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) – Excepts Part 1

Q: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?

Ans:
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar

Q: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?
Ans: No

Q: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?
Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.

Q: Are heart diseases hereditary?
Ans: Yes

Q: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?
Ans: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.

Qn: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?
Ans: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints

5. Management quick tips..

Success involves taking risks. Risk taking doesn’t mean gambling foolishly and behaving irresponsibly. A person who never does anything never makes mistakes. However, he doesn’t realize that doing nothing is his biggest mistake. Risk-takes go with their eyes open. Gamblers shoot in the dark. Take risk but don’t gamble.

Once a farmer was asked ‘did you plant wheat for this season?”
The farmer replied ‘No, I was afraid that it wouldn’t rain.’

The man asked ‘then did you plant corn for this season?”
The farmer replied ‘No, I was afraid of insects eating the corn.’

The man asked ‘Then what did you plant?’
The farmer replied ‘I played it safe.’ – Shiva Khera

6. Jokes corner.."Mr. Moony"

Ok….Here are a New class of jokes that I am initiating….Now that our Satellite has reached the moon - we would have a Jokes on the Imaginary Man from the Moon - Called "Moony" (or should we re-title this as "Sardar Sparred")

Jokes from Angelenaa…
A teacher told all students in a class to write an essay on a cricket match. All were busy writing except Our Moony. He wrote 'DUE TO RAIN, NO MATCH!'

Postman: - I Have To Come 5 Miles to Deliver U This Packet Moony: - why did U come so far. Instead U could Have posted it....

7. Management thoughts …Think out of the Box…

Employee "A" in a company walked up to his manager and asked what my job is for the day?
The manager took "A" to the bank of a river and asked him to cross the river and reach the other side of the bank.
"A" completed this task successfully and reported back to the manager about the completion of the task assigned. The manager smiled and said "GOOD JOB"
Next day Employee "B" reported to the same manager and asked him the job for the day. The manager assigned the same task as above to this person also.
· The Employee "B' before starting the task saw Employee "C" struggling in the river to reach the other side of the bank. He realized "C" has the same task.
· Now "B" not only crossed the river but also helped "C" to cross the river.
· "B" reported back to the manager and the manager smiled and said "VERY GOOD JOB"

The following day Employee "Q" reported to the same manager and asked him the job for the day. The manager assigned the same task again. Employee "Q" before starting the work did some home work and realized "A", "B" & "C" all has done this task before. He met them and understood how they performed. He realized that there is a need for a guide and training for doing this task.
He sat first and wrote down the procedure for crossing the river, he documented the common mistakes people made, and tricks to do the task efficiently and effortlessly.
Using the methodology he had written down he crossed the river and reported back to the manager along with documented procedure and training material.
The manger said "Q" you have done an "EXCELLENT JOB".

The following day Employee "O' reported to the manager and asked him the job for the day. The manager assigned the same task again."O" studied the procedure written down by "Q" and sat and thought about the whole task.He realized company is spending lot of money in getting this task completed. He decided not to cross the river, but sat and designed and implemented a bridge across the river and went back to his manager and said, "You no longer need to assign this task to any one".The manager smiled and said "Outstanding job 'O'. I am very proud of you."

What is the difference between A, B, Q & O????????Many a times in life we get tasks to be done at home, at office, at play….,Most of us end up doing what is expected out of us. Do we feel happy? Most probably yes. We would be often disappointed when the recognition is not meeting our expectation..Let us compare ourselves with "B".

Helping some one else the problem often improves our own skills. There is an old proverb (I do not know the author) "learn to teach and teach to learn". From a company point of view "B" has demonstrated much better skills than "A" since one more task for the company is completed."Q" created knowledge base for the team. More often than not, we do the task assigned to us without checking history. Learning from other's mistake is the best way to improve efficiency. This knowledge creation for the team is of immense help. Re-usability reduces cost there by increases productivity of the team. "Q" demonstrated good "team-player" skills,Now to the outstanding person, "O" made the task irrelevant; he created a Permanent Asset to the team.
If you notice B, Q and O all have demonstrated "team performance" over an above individual performance; also they have demonstrated a very invaluable characteristic known as "INITIATIVE".Initiative pays of every where whether at work or at personal life. If you put initiative you will succeed. Initiative is a continual process and it never ends. This is because this year's achievement is next year's task. You cannot use the same success story every year.

The story provides an instance of performance, where as measurement needs to be spread across at least 6-12 months. Consequently performance should be consistent and evenly spread.
Out-of-Box thinkers are always premium and that is what every one constantly looks out for. Initiative, Out-of-Box thinking and commitment are the stepping stone to success.Initiative should be life long. Think of out of the box !!!

8. Cartoons.. Don't be too romantic

Don't be too romantic

else it might end, like this only :)

9. Tip for this week…. Train tickets

Here is a small, but very useful tip while booking train tickets through internet

See the pattern …Enjoy the simple maths behind it
LB, MB, UB – Just add 3, then 5 and repeat….
SL, SU….Just keep adding 8….

LB – Lower Berth ; Seat Nos – 1, 4, 9, 12, 17, 20, 25, 28, 33, 36,41,44, 49,52,57, 60, 65, 68

MB – Middle berth ; Seat Nos – 2, 5, 10,13, 18,21,26, 29,34,37,42, 45,50,53,58,61,66,69

UB – Upper Berth ; Seat Nos – 3,6,11,14,19,22,27,30,35, 38,43, 46, 51,54,59,62,67,70

SL – Side Lower ; Seat Nos – 7,15,23,31,39,47,55,63,71

SU – Side upper ; Seat Nos – 8,16,24,32,40, 48, 56, 64,72

10. Closing thoughts…

Financial Scenario – A financial analyst attached to a leading American news channel, reported that on an average the depression lasts for about 16 months – based on the 2 previous depressions which hit us (post the Great depression of the 1930's)

Given that Obama is developing plans to generate approx 2.5 million jobs in the USA, let us hope that the economy steadies faster and with the help of other actions by various governments, we can hope that the recession might not hit us for that long…

At this time, the magic words in every Corporate is "CASH" – Save your cash, scrutinize all expenditures, no more commitments, etc.,

So how different are we ? not too far off – so Each of us need to Focus on our Savings, Our Cash and ensure that we are adequately liquid….no NEW Investments in Land, real estate or major projects, business, house articles
(like expensive TV's, etc.,)

Even if you are not majorly impacted (NOW), by doing these small measures, you would be in a stronger position to face the world once the Depression recedes and the Boom starts…right!!!