Hone Your Intellect for Creativity in Action

Hone Your Intellect For Creativity In Action

Jaya Row

We live in the age of creativity. Daniel Pink says there are four ages ­ the Agricultural Age, Industrial Age, Information Age and the modern Conceptual Age of creators. Creativity is a skill that can be learnt.

Creativity is the ability to perceive the world in new ways, find hidden patterns, and generate solutions, turning new ideas into reality. Creativity involves two processes ­ thinking and producing. If you have ideas but do not act you are imaginative, not creative.

Creativity comes from thinking. Your thinking can be dull, routine, unoriginal. Or you could have robust, but limited thinking. Very few are truly brilliant and effective. Thinking beyond is subtle, pure and transcendental.

To bring ideas to action you need to first identify your svadharma ­ your talent, gift, passion. Fix a higher goal that is unselfish, and work out a plan of action.

The intellect is of prime importance: The ability to think, question, discriminate, discern, weigh the options and arrive at a decision. Whether it was Newton who questioned when an apple fell on his head or Djokovic who thought of an innovative shot, it is intellect that does the job; so develop and sharpen it.

A calm mind is the other prerequisite in life. When the mind is disturbed, the intellect's thinking gets distorted and action is flawed. Become free from desire and ego which create a storm within. Have clear values and a vision of the larger picture beyond your selfish, self-centred interests. Life is not just about you, your spouse and children! When your thinking is limited to just `I, me, myself ' you perform routine, mechanical actions. When you have a powerful emotional motivation you breakthrough your limitations and come up with magical performance. Like a father who started running with a handicapped son on his back to give him the experience of running. He won races! When you have an intellectual ideal you achieve the impossible. The non-violent movement was a brilliant strategy which gave India independence from the British. And when you move to the spiritual realm you smash through all limitations.

The mind must be in worshipful mode ­`Thy will', not `my will'. Do your best but understand that the result depends on many factors beyond your control. Surrender calms the mind. Feel for your co workers and colleagues. Love brings success and happiness. In the Ramayana. Rama admired Ravana and even sent Lakshmana to learn from him. Krishna tells Arjuna in the Bhagwad Gita ­ love the Kauravas, but kill them if you have to. You may love a lion as much as you love your pet dog but the expression of love must be different. Similarly love must be universal but action depends on the nature of the person you are dealing with.

 

The body must work tirelessly , energetically , enthusiastically , but detachedly. You get detached from action when your thought is on the higher. Detachment from the lower is possible only when you get attached to the higher. This makes you objective. And objectivity enables you to enjoy .

Shraddha is the password to success. It enables you to translate talent to achievement. Shraddha is the capacity of the intellect to conceive a possibility, work out every detail and pursue with the idea till the last mile, until the mission is accomplished. Shraddha converts mediocrity to excellence. It transforms you from an ordinary mortal to an extraordinary immortal.

     

Spoken English (Grammar) and Personality Development Coaching

for students, professionals, institutions and corporate

Email: bryan27662@gmail.com

Phones: 9 2232 03 441

Twitter: bryan27662

+Brian

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31804&articlexml=the-speaking-tree-Hone-Your-Intellect-For-Creativity-25072015018037

13 Habits of Exceptionally likeable people

13 Habits of exceptionally likeable people

Dr Travis Bradberry

Too many people succumb to the mistaken belief that being likeable comes from natural, unteachable traits that belong only to a lucky few -the good looking, the fiercely social and the incredibly talented. It's easy to fall prey to this misconception. In reality, being likeable is under your control, and it's a matter of Emotional Intelligence (EQ). In a study, subjects rated over 500 adjectives based on their perceived significance to likeability. The top-rated adjectives had nothing to do with being gregarious, intelligent, or attractive (innate characteristics). Instead, the top adjectives were sincerity, transparency, and capacity for understanding (another person).

These adjectives, and others like them, describe people who are skilled in the social side of emotional intelligence. Research data from more than a million people shows that people who possess these skills aren't just highly likeable, they outperform those who don't by a large margin. We did some digging to uncover the key behaviours that emotionally intelligent people engage in that make them so likeable.Here are 13 of the best...

1 THEY ASK QUESTIONS

The biggest mistake people make when it comes to listening is they're so focused on what they're going to say next or what the other person is saying is going to affect them that they fail to hear what's being said. The words come through loud and clear, but the meaning is lost.People like to know you're listening and even a clarification question shows that not only are you listening, you also care about what they're saying.You'll be surprised how much respect and appreciation you gain just by asking questions.

2 THEY PUT AWAY THEIR PHONES

Nothing will turn someone off to you like a mid-conversation text message or even a quick glance at your phone. When you commit to a conversation, focus all of your energy on the conversation. You will find that conversations are more enjoyable and effective when you immerse yourself in them.

3 THEY ARE GENUINE

People gravitate toward those who are genuine and honest because they know they can trust them. It is difficult to like someone when you don't know who they really are and how they feel.Likeable people are confident enough to be comfortable in their own skin. By concentrating on what drives you and makes you happy , you become a much more interesting person than if you attempt to win people over by making choices that you think will make them like you.

4 THEY DON'T PASS JUDGMENT

Being open-minded makes you approachable and interesting to others. No one wants to have a conversation with someone who has already formed an opinion and is not willing to listen. To eliminate preconceived notions and judgment, you need to see the world through other people's eyes. This doesn't require you believe what they believe or condone their behaviour, it simply means you quit passing judgment long enough to truly understand what makes them tick. Only then can you let them be who they are.

5 THEY DON'T SEEK ATTENTION

You don't need to develop a big, extroverted personality to be likeable. Simply being friendly and considerate is enough. When you speak in a friendly , confident, and concise manner, you will notice that people are more attentive and persuadable than if you try to show them you're important. When you're being given attention, such as when you're being recognised for an accomplishment, shift the focus to the people who worked hard to help you get there. This may sound cliché, but if it's genuine, the fact that you appreciate their help will show that you're appreciative and humble -two adjectives that are closely tied to likeability.

6 THEY ARE CONSISTENT

Few things make you more unlikeable than when you're all over the place. When people approach you, they like to know whom they're dealing with and what sort of response they can expect. To be consistent you must be reliable, and ensure that even when your mood goes up and down it doesn't affect how you treat others.

7 THEY USE POSITIVE BODY LANGUAGE

Becoming cognisant of your gestures, expressions, and tone of voice will draw people to you. Using an enthusiastic tone, uncrossing your arms, maintaining eye contact and leaning towards the person who's speaking are all forms of positive body language that high-EQ people use to draw others in. Positive body language can make all the difference in a conversation.

8 THEY LEAVE A STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION

Research shows most people decide whether or not they like you within the first seven seconds of meeting you. They then spend the rest of the conversation internally justifying their initial reaction. This may sound terrifying, but by knowing this you can take advantage of it to make huge gains in your likeability . Strong posture, a firm handshake, smiling, and opening your shoulders to the person you are talking to will help ensure that your first impression is a good one.

9 THEY GREET PEOPLE BY NAME

Your name is an essential part of your identity, and it feels terrific when people use it.Likeable people make certain they use others' names every time they see them. You shouldn't use someone's name only when you greet him.Research shows that people feel validated when the person they're speaking with refers to them by name during a conversation. When you meet someone, don't be afraid to ask her name a second time if you forget it right after you hear it.

10 THEY SMILE A LOT

People naturally (and unconsciously) mirror the body language of the person they're talking to. If you want people to like you, smile at them during a conversation and they will unconsciously return the favour and feel good as a result.

11 THEY KNOW WHEN TO OPEN UP

Be careful to avoid sharing personal problems and confessions too quickly , as this will get you labeled a complainer. Likeable people let the other person guide when it's the right time for them to open up.

12 THEY KNOW WHEN AND WHO TO TOUCH

When you touch someone during a conversation, you release oxytocin in their brain, a neurotransmitter that makes their brain associate you with trust and a slew of other positive feelings.A simple touch on the shoulder, a hug or a friendly handshake is all it takes to release oxytocin. Of course, you have to touch the right person in the right way to release oxytocin, as unwanted or inappropriate touching has the opposite effect.

13 THEY BALANCE PASSION AND FUN

People gravitate toward those who are passionate. That said, it's easy for passionate people to come across as too serious or uninterested because they tend to get absorbed in their work. Likeable people balance their passion with the ability to have fun. They get things done because they are socially effective in short amounts of time and capitalise on valuable social moments. They minimise small talk and gossip and instead focus on having meaningful interactions with their co-workers. They remember what you said to them yesterday or last week, which shows that you're just as important to them as their work.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
Likeable people are invaluable and unique. They network with ease, promote harmony in the workplace, bring out the best in everyone around them, and generally seem to have the most fun. Add these skills to your repertoire and watch your likeability soar!

   

Reposted by Bryan T.,

Spoken English (Grammar) and Personality Development Coaching

for students, professionals, institutions and corporate

Email: bryan27662@gmail.com

Phones: 77100 27 6 62 / 9 2232 03 441

Twitter: bryan27662

+Brian

Founder and Chief English Educator – The Common Sense School

Trustee – Serenity Foundation

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31804&articlexml=13-Habits-of-exceptionally-likeable-people-21072015105005

 
 

Exam planner – 2015-2016

Exam planner – 2015-2016
IITs	Engineering & Others	IIT Joint Entrance Exam (Main); IIT- JEE (Advanced)	April 4, 2015 (offline), April 10,11 2015 (online); May 25, 2015	jeemain.nic.in jeeadv.iitb.ac.in
CBSE	MBBS	All India Pre-Medical / Pre-Dental Entrance Test	May 3, 2015	aipmt.nic.in
UPSC	Civil Services	Civil Services Exam	August 23, 2015 (preliminary); December 18-23 (main)	upsc.gov.in
Jawaharlal Nehru University	UG and PG Courses	JNU entrance test	May 16-19, 2015. From September 1, 2015-October 15, 2015 (direct admission to PhD)	jnu.ac.in
University of Delhi	UG and PG Courses		June 2015	du.ac.in
Indian Institutes of Management and others	Management	CAT	November 2015	catiim.in
Admissions Abroad
US / UK / Australia / Canada / NZ / France / Germany	Most disciplines	Foreign	Jan-June for Aug-Sept intake
Other Admissions
Faculty of Mgt Studies, DU	MBA	FMS entrance test	December 2015	fms.edu
PG seats in medical colleges - under AIIMS	Medical Science	All India PG Dental Entrance Exam	January 24, 2015	aiims.edu
All India Management Association	Management	Management Aptitude Test	May 3, 2015 (offline), May 9, 2015 (online)	aima.in
PG courses	Engineering	Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering	January 31,2015 February 1,7,8, 2015	gate.iitk.ac.in
IIT (Mum / Del / Guwahati / Kanpur) and IISC	Design	Common Entrance Exam for Design - CEED	December 2015	iitb.ac.in/gate
Indian Military / Navy / Air Force Academies	Defence	Comb. Defence Services Exam - C.D.S.	February15, 2015	upsc.gov.in
IGNOU	Management	IGNOU OPEN MAT	February 2015, August 2015	ignou.ac.in
Jamia Millia Islamia	UG and PG courses	Jamia Entrance	June 2015	jmi.ac.in
GGS Indraprastha University	UG and PG courses	Common Entrance Test	March - May 2015	ipu.ac.in
National Defence & Naval Academy	Defence	NDA Exam	April 19, 2015	upsc.gov.in
National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Tech	Hotel Management	Joint Entrance Exam	April 25, 2015	nchm.nic.in
Veterinary Council of India	Veterinary Science	All India Pre - Veterinary Test	May 2015	vci.nic.in
Indian Council of Agricultural Research	Agriculture and allied subjects	All India Entrance Exam	UG - April 11, PG - April 12	icar.org.in
Indian Institute of Mass Communication	Mass Communication	IIMC entrance test; PG diploma courses	May 31, 2015; June 1, 2015	iimc.nic.in
AIIMS	MBBS	Entrance test	June 1, 2015	aiims.edu
Faculty of Law, DU	Law	Entrance test for LLB and LLM	June, 2015	du.ac.in
National Law University Delhi	Law	Entrance for Law School	May 3, 2015	nludelhi.ac.in
Indian forest service, Govt. of India	Forest service	Indian Forest Service test	August 23, 2015 (prelims); November 21, 2015 (final)	upsc.gov.in
School of Planning & Architecture	Architecture (UG)	Entrance test	May 2015	spa.ac.in
Jr. Research Fellowship and NET	Education	Joint UGC-CSIR	June 21, 2015	csirhrdg.res.in
Symbiosis Institutes	PG professional courses	Symbiosis National Apt. PG Test – SNAP	December 2015	siu.edu.in
Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management	Travel and tourism	IITTM Aptitude Test	May 24, 2015	iittm.org
Indicative list  http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Gallery.aspx?id=20_07_2015_151_008_002&type=P&artUrl=PORTAL-UPDATE-20072015151008&eid=31804   

CORPORATE TIPS - DRESS PERFECT

CORPORATE TIPS - DRESS PERFECT

Swatim Soni

IN KEEPING WITH THE CHANGING TIMES, A NUMBER OF COMPANIES ARE NOW INTRODUCING THE CASUAL DRESSING POLICY AT WORK

In a fast developing corporate world, comfort dressing has replaced classic dressing. “Most of India's IT companies are now encouraging casual dressing through the week. Most other sectors are now following this practice.

“The decision of encouraging casual dressing at work is welcomed by most companies since work output, dedication and efficiency are now, no more linked to formal wear only. However, this transformation also factors in comfort and style apart from reducing stress levels among employees. Professionals must, however avoid the usual faux pas and ensure that they wear good shoes to match the casual attire,“ says Umesh Modi, managing director, Jupiter Infomedia.

A decade ago, most professionals were required to dress formally while presenting a project or pitching to a client. However, in today's times, a mix between casual and formal dressing is welcomed by most sectors.

Narrating one of her experiences, Nirali Turakhia, a freelancer retailer says, “It was when I met a CEO of a start-up in the US that I realised how well informal clothing was accepted globally. Dressed in shorts, he was there to discuss a business deal. That is when I realised that the shift from formals to casuals is welcomed overseas.“

THE PARALLEL OPINION

Whether the shift from formals to casuals is a positive thing is topic of debate among seasoned corporate professionals and budding entrepreneurs.

“Dressing at work has a lot to do with one's work profile. Historically, formal suits have been an integral part of business deals, and casuals, back then, were symbolic of a laid-back attitude. However, this has changed now,“ explains fashion stylist Manika Jain. “As long as the attire is appropriate for the work profile and is in sync with the work setup, casual clothing is okay to adopt,“ she adds.

Another reason for a shift in attire is attributed to young bosses taking the reins of large

scale companies across sectors. A number of young CEOs are now spotted in denims and casual tees at official conferences and events.

“My style is to go completely casual. I prefer wearing bright coloured shirts or tshirts with denims and boots,“ says Shankar Ganesh, managing director, Nyka Events, Private Ltd.

There has been a significant shift in women's dressing preferences as well. “At work as well as at home, women now prefer wearing clothes that are functional and comfortable to maintain, keeping them feeling fresh through the day,“ shares Pranal Modani, Chief, Business Development, Channel Nine and ED, Sangam (India) Ltd.

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
While casual dressing is now being adopted by most industries, a number of companies still follow a formal dress code. While employees can give a skip to business suits, they are however required to dress in shirts and trousers. The freedom to wear casuals to work is a good policy, provided, decent dressing guidelines are put in place.

             

Reposted by Bryan T.,

Spoken English (Grammar) and Personality Development Coaching

for students, professionals, institutions and corporate

Email: bryan27662@gmail.com

Phones: 77100 27 6 62 / 9 2232 03 441

Twitter: bryan27662

+Brian

Founder and Chief English Educator – The Common Sense School

Trustee – Serenity Foundation

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31821&articlexml=CORPORATE-TIPS-DRESS-PERFECT-20072015028004

 

 

 

 

 

 

Develop Your Powers of Concentration & Retention

Develop Your Powers of Concentration & Retention

Anup Taneja                                                          

The one who has developed his powers of concentration can read in minutes what another person could read in eight hours. According to Swami Sivananda, “There is no limit to the power of the human mind. The more concentrated it is, the more power is brought to bear on one point“.

When Swami Vivekananda was living in Chicago, he used to go to the library , borrow a large number of books, take them home and return them the next day . This aroused the curiosity of the librarian, so much so that one day she asked him, “Why do you take out so many books when you can't possibly read them all in one day?“ Swamiji replied that he read each and every word of the books he borrowed with full concentration. Seeing the librarian not being convinced by his reply , Swamiji asked her to test him. She opened a book, randomly selected a page and paragraph, and asked him to tell her what was written there. Swamiji repeated the sentence verbatim, without looking at the book. Seeing the wonderful powers of concentration and retention of Vivekananda, the librarian was left completely dumbfounded.

Students these days often complain that despite having studied copious notes a number of times, their confidence gets shattered at examination time as they are unable to remember what they studied. They often wonder how to develop their powers of concentration and retention.To achieve concentration power, three yogic techniques are suggested.

Oxygenate the brain:

For those who are required to sit for long hours at a stretch, their blood tends to get accumulated in the lower half of their bodies w in the lower half of their bodies which means that sufficient quantity of oxygen is not pushed to their brain. This in turn negatively impacts their power of concentration. To oxygenate the brain, practise `sirshasana' (stand on your head with legs upward) for 5-10 minutes daily . The brain draws plenty of blood through this which contributes to sharpening of memory and concentration power. Also, avoid sitting for long hours at a stretch; take a five minute brisk walk at regular intervals.

Combine meditation with chanting:

While meditating, mentally repeat your chosen mantra ­ Aum, So'ham, Satnam or any other.Then mingle the mantra with the incoming and outgoing breaths. The powerful vibrations of the mantra will permeate each and every cell of your body, bringing the breath under your control.This in turn will improve blood-circulation in your body , reduce stress levels, and increase your power of concentration. Practise this technique for about 20 minutes daily , preferably in early morning hours.

`Trataka' and visualisation: This technique involves steady gazing. Light a candle and place it so that the flame is at the level of your eye. Look straight at the flame without blinking the eyes for half a minute or for as long as you are able to keep your eyes open. Concentrate on the flame with eyes open till tears come. When your eyes get tired, close them and visualise the after-image of the flame in front of your (closed) eyes. Then open your eyes and again gaze at the flame without blinking the eyes. Do this for five minutes before going to sleep and before you begin your studies. This will do wonders to your power of concentration.

Swami Sivananda says, “When you study a book, focus your whole mind on the subject in hand. Do not allow the mind to see any external object or hear any sound. Collect all the dissipated rays of the mind. When the mental rays are concentrated, illumination begins.“

                                                       
  
Reposted by Bryan T.,

Spoken English (Grammar) and Personality Development Coaching

for students, professionals, institutions and corporate

Email: bryan27662@gmail.com

Phones: 77100 27 6 62 / 9 2232 03 441

Twitter: bryan27662

+Brian

Founder and Chief English Educator – The Common Sense School

Trustee – Serenity Foundation

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31804&articlexml=the-speaking-tree-Develop-Your-Powers-Of-Concentration-14072015014066