RESOLVE TO LAUGH MORE OFTEN

Dear Readers,

New year is the time of the year when we all make resolutions. While most of you might be setting your eyes and ambitious plans and goals for the year, let me request you to add, “I will laugh more this year”, as one of your New Year resolutions.

Why Laughter? Because laughter is a healthy proposition, that will help you combat stress, in your pursuit of your ambitious goals.

So here are some facts. The average child laughs 300 to 500 times a day while the average adult laughs only about 15 times a day. So, we are laugh deprived indeed.

Laughter is a God given gift, only to human beings. Animals don’t laugh. But man is created as a social animal, who can connect with people, share his joys and laugh out whole heartedly. But what we find today is a serious bunch of people, busy with their day to day chores, who don’t even find the time to laugh. If so, aren’t we denying a wonderful gift of God?

We have often heard, “Laughter is the best medicine”, but we don’t take aid of this free medicine. Probably because, we don’t trust anything that doesn’t have a scientific proof.

I too was quite sceptical about this, until I attended a Laughter Yoga session. The experience of the laugher yoga session was so exhilarating. I could personally experience, how much better I was feeling and how active my mind became at the end of the session. This motivated me to sign up for a 5 day Laughter Yoga Trainer workshop at Bangalore, under the tutorship of the founder of the laughter yoga movement, Dr. Madan Kataria, himself.Laughter Yoga is gaining popularity and wider acceptance across the globe and is now being practiced in more than 100 countries.

I found the benefits of laughter are too huge to ignore. There are umpteen numbers of benefits, but here is the TOP 5:

   1. Laughter enhances energy levels, due to the increased supply of fresh oxygen that is made available while laughing

   

    2.  Laughter makes us feel good, as endorphins are released by our brain, when we laugh

     3.     Laughter relives stress and helps in relaxation

     4.     Laughter boosts our immunity and prevents many diseases.

     5.      It also relieves pain, by producing natural pain killers

While the benefits are so obvious, why not put it to practice. The best part is, it doesn’t cost you any money and is not a strain on yourself, physically or mentally.

In order to get the scientifically proven health benefits of laughter, we need to laugh continuously for at least for 10 to 15 minutes. The laughter has to be loud and deep, coming from the diaphragm. It should be a belly laugh. This type of laughter is possible, only when you can laugh without any reason. So, the point to remember is not to search for a reason to laugh, rather laugh just for the sake of laughing. Our brain doesn’t distinguish between real laughter and fake laughter and therefore the effects are the same. Therefore, never wait for someone to tell a joke, or do something silly to initiate laughter. Just laugh for no reason and soon you would see that you are becoming more healthy and happy.

Another good thing about laughter is that, it is contagious. So the moment we start laughing everyone around us will start to laugh too. This will create a higher vibration of laughter benefitting everyone involved.

May be you should consider having a sign board at your desk or at your bed head, which says “Did you LAUGH today?”.  This can ensure you have had your daily dose of laughter.

So, this new year, resolve to laugh more often and live a happier life than ever.

Happy Reading,

D. Senthil Kannan

Article date January 2017

ZERO IS HERO

Dear Readers,

“Zero is Hero” may sound like a contradictory phrase, as we always have the highest regard for a hero, whereas we have the lowest regard for a Zero. But I look at Zero as a real Hero, when it comes to the success of any mission. Let me try to explain my viewpoint.

We all know the number Zero is considered as one of the important inventions. Without the invention of the number zero, mathematics wouldn’t have evolved so far. Not so many mathematical theories and calculations would have been possible. Even in computers, the software programme is coded in binary language which is a combination of 0s and 1s. So Zero, is a significant digit, in spite of the fact that it does not have a value on its own.

While we all agree that zero has no value, we also know that the digit zero added to any number increases its value manifold. For instance, the No: 1 has very minimal value, of its own, but when we add zero to it, it becomes 10. When you add one more zero it becomes 100 and one more zero it becomes 1000. So, unless the Number One is supported by many Zeros its value doesn’t increase exponentially.

Same is the case with any organisation. Every organisation exists to fulfil a purpose, and the purpose can be achieved only by its people. Now let us assume that the purpose is No: 1 and the people who work for the purpose are No: 0. The purpose by itself finds little value, unless it is supported by people. Now, when we add the No: 0 to the purpose, its value increases. When we add more people to the purpose, it increases even further.

Let me illustrate, with an example. Gandhi was an ordinary man, but he grew up to so much of significance because he aligned himself to a purpose - the purpose of getting freedom for his countrymen. In the process, there were so many other people who supported him and laid their lives for the cause. There were so many martyrs of freedom, whose name are not popular. They lost their lives but in the process attained freedom for the country. To them, the purpose was more important than fame, family or even their life. According to me, these insignificant people, who lost their lives for the cause they believed in, are the real heroes. Such types of leaders are truly exemplary.

 When the purpose is bigger than the person, the person may not be significant but without the person the purpose cannot be achieved.

Also Zero implies an egoless state. An egoless state is what it takes to be a great leader. When it comes to an organisational vision or mission, the person should subdue his ego to the cause, so that the purpose of the organisation is achieved. When it comes to an argument between two people, the deciding criteria shouldn’t be “who is right?” but “what is right?” When people of a team, work with such a mindset, then the purpose becomes more easily achievable. A beautiful quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, goes like this: “There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it doesn't matter who gets the credit.”

This is not the case today, in many social organisations,  that are meant to function to serve a purpose. They have lost its focus on the purpose as the leaders are too concerned about developing their personal identity rather than subordinate themselves to the purpose. Such types of organisations don’t serve the purpose, nor grow in value. They soon find a dooms day, with too many leaders and no followers. Without the Zeros, there is no big accomplishment.

So, let us learn to respect the “Zeroes as Heroes”

Happy Reading

D. Senthil Kannan

Article date December 2016

BE RIGHT, KINDLY

Dear Readers,

I often come across this phrase, “It is better to be kind, than to be right”. Though on a human relationship aspect this sounds correct, I have somehow not been able to come to terms with it. Does it mean, that no matter how wrong or stupid, someone behaves we don’t have the right to correct then and just remain kind?

Nowadays, the whole idea of what is wrong and what is right, has become debatable. People jump in to say, “What may be wrong for you, is right for someone else and vice versa. It is just a matter of perception or value system.” Well, all this perception stuff is fine, but still we know there are times, people are doing thing that is going to hurt them in the long run. In such a situation, is it not wise to step in and offer counsel, instead of just sitting back, in the name of being kind.? Ofcourse, inspite of all the advice if the person is still going on the wrong track, nothing can be done and he has to face the consequences of his decisions. But that should not stop us from intervening and suggesting corrective measures, especially when it is our spouse, child, parent, sibling or friend.

So, how do we give corrective feedback to someone without straining the relationship?  No one likes to hear unsolicited advice, and specially giving a corrective feedback can cause bitterness in a relationship and make the person distance himself from us.  So, how do we do it?

I listened to a youtube video by Swamiji Gaur Gopal Das, through which he shared a 4 question mechanism, of doing it in a way that we give corrective feedback to the person, without sounding offensive. So here are the 4 questions, to ask before giving a corrective feedback. Let us explore it, one by one

1. Am I the right person?:  So, how do we know, if we are the right person. We are the right person if the individual is a relative or friend. We would also be the right person, if we are an authority in that field.

2. Do I have the right motive? The motive behind trying to correct someone should be an authentic effort, which will genuinely benefit the individual and not just to satisfy our ego or to find fault on someone.

3. Do I know the right way? Many a time, the intention is good, but the way it is communicated can sound so harsh or abusive, that the person immediately tends to switch off from listening to you. So, we need to mind the tone of our voice. The issue may not be so big to flare it up so loud. What is spoken gently is often listened better than what is shouted upon. So, it is not about expressing our emotion, but explaining our intention.

4. Is it the right time?  It is human nature that we are generally spontaneous in our criticism, but slow in appreciation. It should be the other way round. When you are going to communicate something unpleasant, we need to choose the right time, which is definitely not immediately after the flaw took place, but when we are cool and the other person is cool too. This will help us to express the issue better and for the other person to take it with a better attitude.

Following this 4 question approach, I guess we can be right and kind, to a person at the same time. Give it a try, the next time you are faced with such a situation.

Happy Reading

D. Senthil Kannan

Article date November 2016

STOP CRIBBING! START LIVING

Dear Readers,

The roads are bad! The govt doesn’t function efficiently!  All politicians are corrupt! All bureaucrats are crooks! All businessmen are cheats! There is no justice available in this country! Is it not common to hear this sort of comments every day?  Are in that case, how many of us are really free from this sickness called “Cribbing”. Not many of us. Isn’t it?

So, what is the end result of all this cribbing? Does it make our life better or create a better world. No!  It just drains our energy and creates a negative environment not only for us, but also for the people around us. But, for some reason or other this habit of cribbing has been deeply engrained in our life. While we very well know that it does no good, we still continue doing it as a habit.

My question is if we are going to continue cribbing about all these things and feel unhappy, when are we going to start living our life and find happiness?  Cribbing is just a gross waste of time. It doesn’t get us anywhere.

I know people, who are always cribbing. They can never find the good in anything. All they can see is the negative things, that they magnify a 100 times and make a mountain of a mole hill.  For example, if it is raining, they exclaim “Oh my God, this rain spoiling my day?” and if it is a sunny day, they again exclaim, “Oh my God, it is so hot today, that I don’t feel like going out”. It is These people can be called “perpetual cribbers”. This type of people can never be changed, unless they decide to change themselves. Even if something nice is there to appreciate, they mind focuses on what is not good. Cribbing is a defensive mechanism, people have to justify the world, why they are unhappy and I am sure they cannot find happiness.

My concern is not about those people, who fail to see the brighter things of life, but those of us, who are unconsciously falling prey to this habit of cribbing, as a part of the social acceptance.

So next time, somebody cribs, ask them so what? What are you going to do about it? By doing so, you will be slowly cutting down negative thoughts that are draining your energy.

When we encounter with an issue that is not in accordance to our liking there are just 3 things we should ideally do:  1. Accept it, 2. Find a solution or 3. Ignore it. Let us not make cribbing the 4^th option, which we normally do.

When we learn to appreciate the good things in our life, our life seems to become instantly better. So instead of searching for a fault, start searching for the good. Just a small change in this attitude can change your life.

Stephen Covey, in his book, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” talks about, “Circle of Concern” Vs “Circle of Influence”.  There are many things in our daily life that disturbs us, such as news of a disease outbreak, a murder, a suicide, a terrorist act, a road accident, a earthquake so on and so forth. These are just example of things, over which we are concerned about, but have no control. So, literally there is nothing much we could do about it. Whereas, there are also things like our town is not clean, there is noise pollution in our street, children are lacking moral values and so on. These are things which are within the circle of our influence, which means we can do something about it. So, instead of cribbing over things, which are not within our control ( circle of concern)  let us focus our time and effort over the things on which we have control ( circle of influence). By doing so, we can make this world a little better place and do our part to reduce hearing this unpleasant  noise of cribbing.

Happy Reading,

D. Senthil Kannan

Article date October 2016

50:50

Dear Readers,

Marriage is a perfect example of a 50:50 relationship, because each of the spouses is dependent on their better half to make it a complete home. So, coming to the way, how responsibilities are shared, there are 2 approaches:

Traditional approach: Husband is the bread earner of the family and the wife is the care taker of the family. In this case the husband and wife share 50% of the work, of two different functions.

Modern approach: Husband and Wife both work and earn for the family and both the husband and wife take care of the family. In this case too, the husband and wife share 50% work, but 50% of each function.

So, literally speaking there is no actual difference, in the share of responsibility.

However, I find that there is an increasing trend amidst women to feel it a shame to be called a housewife or homemaker and a pride to be called a career women. In fact, the Government is encouraging more women to take up careers and improve the GDP of the country. Women taking up careers are a great way to build a nation, but does it make it possible for them to create perfect homes?

A career woman might argue that she is able to balance both the roles effectively.  It is quite true with the level of domestic mechanisation available today, a lot more can be handled in less time, giving women the freedom to pursue careers. But I personally feel it is like chasing two rabbits at the same time; you try too hard, but end up missing both.

So the question is what are they trading off for what? Can money buy happiness? Can parenting be outsourced? It is unfortunate that children of today spend more time in the crèche, day care centres, under the care of elderly grandparents or servant maids. And at the end of the day, a beautiful phase of life called ‘Parenting’ gets diluted, which can have unfavourable consequences, in the long run. So, it is time to rethink on one’s priorities before setting out on a career.

Couples, who are highly independent of each other, lose out on a beautiful component of a marriage called interdependence. Wouldn’t it be better if marriage operates in the true spirit of interdependence?  Interdependence is a beautiful thing and when a couple learn to understand, appreciate and respect the concept, family life would be happier. For a marriage to be successful there should be some good extent of interdependence, without which the marriage doesn’t serve the purpose. If both men and women can be fully independent in their own ways, what is the purpose of marriage? Is it not the give and take in a relationship that makes it more satisfying? Where there is good understanding between couples, there is no question of who earns the money. The money earned is there to serve the common purpose of keeping the family happy.

I recently saw a Hindi movie called, “Ki & Ka”, in which there is a role reversal between husband and wife, where the women is the bread earner and the husband is the homemaker. It is a bit controversial movie to the current times, but could be the inevitable future, for those wanting to balance work and family, perfectly. If only couples can learn to look at work and family as 50:50 responsibility and don’t really bother who does which 50%, families would be happier.

When it is a dilemma between family Vs career, wouldn’t it be wise to choose family. It is because, while someone can replace you in your career, no one can replace you in your family.

Happy Reading

D. Senthil Kannan

Article date September 2016

Realist – The third alternative

Dear Readers,

We generally tend to classify people into two types: “Optimist” and “Pessimist”. Some of the traits we associate with Optimists are:- Positive thinkers, possibility thinkers, focussing on favourable outcomes, filled with hope and confidence, etc. Whereas the traits we associate with Pessimists are:- Negative thinkers, Skeptics, Doubters, Fault finders, Idea dampeners, Mood spoilers etc.

One of the most common quote we hear is “An pessimist sees a problem in every opportunity, whereas an optimist sees an opportunity in every problem”.

It is often believed, that being an Optimist, is the best way to be, because they always tend to look at the positive side of life and events expecting the most favorable outcome. On the other side, a pessimist is often viewed as a negative person, who is not willing to take any risks or chances and someone who is constantly finding fault and dampens our spirits.

Optimism sometimes sounds overrated. It gives a feel that being Pessimist is wrong. But we need to understand that in order to take a good decision, we should weigh the pros and cons, before making a decision.

For instance, while it comes to decision making Optimists, because of their upbeat mindset and their trust in gut instincts, are more gullible and naive. Therefore some of their decisions, have landed them in deep trouble.  Whereas, a pessimistic person is someone who needs proof before he jumps on board. Whenever they hear something new, they are the first to scrutinize it before they will accept it. So, they are highly cautious people and therefore greatly delay in making decisions. This in turn, many times make them lose out on a quick opportunity. 

I heard this somewhere, “While it was an optimist who invented the plane, it was a  pessimist who invented the parachute”. Is it not true, that  both are important? It is difficult to imagine a high speed car without brakes. While accelerator is necessary for speed, brakes are needed for safety.

So, let us get out of the idea that pessimist people are negative people. It is just that, the way the optimist sees the world and the way a pessimist sees the world is lot different. But the fact is thay they are not against each other, but complement each other.

While an optimist can take quick decisions that could fail and a pessimist can be stuck up not taking any decision, as he doesn’t want to fail, we find both of them limiting in their own way. So, is there a third alternative? Is there a possibility of having the best of both?  I guess, YES. A person who can find a balance between these seeming opposite poles, is called a “Realist.”

A Realist is someone who tends to view or present things as they really are at this moment. A realist tries to see things as they are not as he would like them to be.  Realists have a firm grip on reality and can see things for what they are, not what they are told they are and therefore do not fall victim to propaganda, misconception, or titles. Realists, are the ones who can see, the bigger, clearer picture without any preconceptions and therefore make more sensible decisions.

So, to make, it simpler:

“ An optimist see a glass half full.

A pessimist sees a glass as half empty.

A realist sees it as just a half glass”

What the word needs today is this new breed of people called, “The Realists” who could make a positive and sustainable contribution to mankind. Don’t you think so?

Happy Reading,

D. Senthil Kannan
Article date August 2016

The South Korean Growth Story

Dear Readers,

Last month, I had the opportunity to visit South Korea, as a part of the CII Business Delegation. We were a team of 10 members, representing different companies in India. We visited the Capital City, Seoul and one of the important port cities of the world, Busan. A trade meeting was organised by the Busan Foundation of International Activities, to enhance the scope of trade relation between the 2 countries. This visit served as an opportunity for me to learn more about Korea. We had a series of meetings with many Govt bodies and trade bodies and this gave me some insights into the growth story of Korea, which I would like to share.

The economy of South Korea is the fourth largest economy in Asia and the 11th largest in the world. South Korea is famous for its spectacular rise from one of the poorest countries in the world to an advanced, high-income country in just one generation. This country has witnessed its biggest growth between 1960 and 1980, and still remains one of the fastest growing developed countries. It has been a head turner for many countries, as to how Korea has been able to achive this. These are the few pointers, I found that could be the possible reason for their quick growth.

One of the notable point is to know that Korea gained from its adversity. Korea was ruled by the Japanese till 1945. It is only after the 2^nd world war, when Japan lost to America, South Korea became a separate country with the support of America. As Korea was located in close proximity to Japan, it gained the American foot hold strength, which was the starting point of their growth story.

It is a well known fact that, Koreans are skilled in Ship Building & Ship Repairs. And this is a very big business, by itself. This has to a great extent helped them to be globally recognised, as a technologically advanced country. Some of their other strong areas include automobile manufacturing (Hyundai), Electronics (Samsung & LG), Armaments and Cosmetics. Today all the brands have become global and found in every household.

Another strength of South Korea, is that  they are constantly innovating. They are always looking for better way of doing things. They are not happy with  status quo. The principle of Kaizen (consistent performace, continuous improvement), seems to be in action everywhere in Korea. It is not surprising to note that  South Korea ranks No.1 in the world in 2015 Bloomberg Innovation Index.

South Korea is also considered a  safe place, to do business, as there has not been many incidents of frauds and cheating. This gives Korea a good image and makes it a safe country to do business with.

Every country has a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to make itself marketable to the other countries in the world. The Korean USP, is quiet interesting. The USP of Korea is “Quality of  Japan @ Prices of China”. We all know that Japanese quality is highly commendable, but bit expensive, whereas the Chinese products are very cheap, whereas not highly reliable on quality. The Koreans seem to have understood this and the result have come out with an unique promise which appeals to all the other countries, who are looking at a better alternative.

On the whole, the Korean growth story is characterised by their resilience, reliability,  innovation, competitive focus on their core areas and strategical positioning of their product in the global market.

Korea’s growth story is undoubtedly an inspirational one, especially for the fast developing countries of this millennium.

Happy Reading

D. Senthil Kannan

Article date July 2016