Daily Archives: 30pm00k

>O2 LIFE > LISTEN TO YOUR THOUGHTS

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Illustration depicting thought.
Mapping your thoughts?
Focus on the silence – the gap between two sounds inside your head?

Hear your thoughts when you receive praises and how buoyant you feel.
Observe the sound and voice.
Is it your voice?
Or does it belong to the person from whom you expect some thing or at least want to be acknowledged?
It’s important to notice who is talking to you inside your head at different points of time.

Now step back into the meeting and identify the source of those voices inside your head. Ignoring them would result in recurrence, until you pay  due attention. Hence, acknowledge them clearly and then park them aside to be dealt with later. Now focus on the discussion by your fellow attendees. Listen to what they say without making any judgements or tagging them to different compartments. Accept it as a human tendency to draw conclusions immediately. Halt, resist jumping the gun…

by Nabomita Mazumdar

What you hear from your colleagues is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you allow yourself to be conditioned at an early stage, you will miss the development and the big picture. Your experience and maturity have been programmed to identify patterns and segregate them into compartments. Let that happen, still choose to remain unaffected by it. Observe complete objectivity, until you have every data that you would require for decision making. 99.99% of the times, the thought that struck you at the first moment will stand true. However, remaining objective will enable a conscious decision making. Here ‘conscious’ implies being aware of the other parties much more than what your presumption would have allowed you to. Thus, it would become a higher order execution. It would then enable the start of a non-argumentative discussion. Consequently it will cut down the drama from your life.
During a presentation, you must have seen it repeatedly, that few members tend to fall out of the group. Why does it happen? What are they listening to when you are presenting? Even without exchanging any words, did you hear the same questions inside your head, which is why you could identify them as the ones falling out and have an idea, as to why it happened? Let’s see how does this works in a stress situation. Here’s a question asked by R. Joshi to the article Survival Strategies; Sink or swim.
“I would like to ask one question. When you are continuously not been valued, you may motivate yourself for some time.  However, how would you sustain, when you run out of your inner motivation?”
Replacing an external reaction by focusing on inner growth, may initially seem to be a neutral stage. Ekhart Tolle, discussed that, a neutral state doesn’t mean that you don’t care. It only means that you refuse to react. You halt and focus internally to check how you can turn it in a better direction. Here’s my experience while working on this principle. I used to prepare Power Point Slides for a reporting manager, who would give odd and negative feed backs about my skills. He used to make fun of my skills in front of others. It used to run me down and rob my sense of self-efficacy which made me sulk a lot. Then, I decided to brush my skills and enrolled for Presentation skills grooming program. It did not give me, any reward or any special recognition. My boss remained apathetic to all my efforts. However, during a town hall, to my surprise, I found him presenting the Power Point Slides prepared by me. Eventually, as my career progressed, I graduated into different roles with other organizations. Today, even though, there are no professional bindings, he still keeps in touch with me. The choice to listen to my surrounding accentuated into a neutral response externally, followed by a personal development. This earned me respect, strengthening my relationship with peers and other superiors in that office. Today when I look back, I can only see rich takeaway with added certification for presentation skills and a respectable relationship with seniors.
We are barely silent, inside our heads.  Tense moments, attenuates to this sound getting louder and coarser. During such situations, we need to program ourselves to listen to our surroundings, to know what will work for us in the long term. There is a statement that goes in my mind, when I hear it during such time, “I think I can. I can. I can. I know I will. I will, I will!” Just as, in the scheme of things, what is unbearable at a particular point of time, will soon cease to have any meaning. Similarly, sounds seamlessly transform to abundant variants creating echelons of responses.
So what are you listening to now?

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>O2 LIFE > FIND OUT WHAT TRIGGERS YOUR BRAIN-POWER

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Brain Programming – Mind It!

Brain Programming – Mind It!

by Nabomita Mazumdar

Imagine yourself, stepping inside your brain. Let it be like a large bright control room with a super computer, many monitors and speakers. There are cameras, mic and other receptors, that are constantly capturing information. Every single sound gets stored with a picture in your frame. There is a meaning which you may draw from each frame…

The super computer stores this and encodes that meaning into a definite trigger. For instance when you think of Santa Claus, you may instantly think of Christmas, fun and happiness.  You may even hear the jingling of bells or carols. You may not revisit this frame, yet this affects you sub consciously. You may notice that, when you are giving gifts or you happen to in a benevolent mood. You might even end up referring to yourself as Santa Claus! You may not say ‘Ho, Ho Ho’, yet you would be able to refer to that same happy feeling or that euphoric state.
We have repeatedly realized that we are the result of our convictions. We may create positive statements, use possibility thinking, yet fail to achieve the result the way we wanted it. What goes wrong is, we move too fast from one step of processing information to another. Chalking out major information into firm steps holds the key. Suppose you join a course for Leadership development. You may have set goals for yourself such as, being able to explain the vision to your fellow members and bring them along with you. We understand you have a huge pressure to perform. In addition to it, you keep running out of time. You may constantly want to know, how soon can you get back to your office and start working. This is where your development process would stagger. In spite of having clear goals, the inability to chalk out and navigate from one step to another, forces you to jump into the result. This is how in spite of the repeated time management training program that your team attended, there was no unambiguous conditioning of their behaviour.  They continued to miss the deadlines.•
The brain’s programming screens, even the most minuscule syntax, identifying the correlation between the information and its trigger. This entails how even a minuscule change in this coding, if made, can create a multiplier’s effect. Recently, I attended a training session on Nuero Linguistic Programming – Strategies. This session was facilitated by Dr. Dorris Greenwood. It focused on identifying these strategies. A little background to Neuro Linguistic programming, it helps identifying the neurological processes that necessitate our response thereby behavioral patterns. This includes in detail the study of each reflex our brain transcends. A systematic application of strategies as discussed here can help in identifying those reflexes, hence fine tune them towards a desired outcome in the future. It was designed to identify a negative trigger. There were two situations, which were taken, one was about learning curve correction, and the second was enhancing the emotional intelligence. On a similar note, let’s itemize this, with situations, that you come across at your work.•

  • Learning Curve: NLP strategies could be used to enhance the learning curve towards any concern. The issue that was brainstormed entailed, how to attune our responses to create a better learning curve and get the result we want. This interests me as each time I take up a new concept, it takes a long time to decipher them, correlate them and finally implement them. Mostly there are a series of trial and errors which I require before, I can get the concept right. I have been reading about thin slicing. This helps, you to identify each section of what you want to learn. Thereby, correlate them to what comes easily to you. Ultimately use this acquired intelligence to implement the new learning. In a competitive environment, the result often gets measured by comparative rankings and ratings. This robs the leeway to learn. Furthermore, it may completely circumvent, learning many new concepts in a shorter period of time. In the worst case scenario, the learning curve transforms into a loop of relearning and practicing endlessly.
  • Emotional intelligence: This was identified as those points where we are just about to lose a winning game. For e.g.: You have allocated work for the next one month. A day into the new workflow and two of your employees go absconding. You discuss leave plans and a change in the workflow management, with your team members. Just as you have explained every limitation to them, they end up opposing you. They reject the workflow management as undo-able due to resource crunch with unavoidable reason for leaves. Your first reaction would reason it out. After a prolonged discussion, when you have shared logic to validate your point, you suddenly find your team members just shoving off your suggestions. You may not want it to run out of your hand, consequently, force it on them. This kills the entire process which you had envisioned in the first place. You end up being autocratic rather than a smart leader. Your work may get delivered, but you live in a constant fear of losing more employees due to such stringent circumstances.

Implementation of strategies
Cues are clubbed under different groups, including the visual, audio and kinesthetic. Kinesthetic includes the motor skills, which paces up the information processing. Each information stored as syntax coupled with the cues, creating positive and negative response. The loop is made by repeating this syntax. This results in a trigger. It is either positive or negative which saps the energy making you un-resourceful. The key to implement the strategy is to identify this negative trigger and replace it with a positive one. It proceeds with each visual, audio and kinesthetic concerning level for each cue. This means even the smallest information that you have probably ignored has been coded by your brain in such a way, that it attenuates a bull-whip effect on your learning cycle. The steps to implement the strategies include the following:

  • Test – Set your strategies into a script and test them.
  • Operate – In case the strategies set doesn’t show the result, creating a new metaphor and anchoring them to the script is essential. This includes re framing to an extent.
  • Test – Rehearsing the new script to find the perfect fit.
  • Exit – The goal to the process needs to be seen clearly. Dissociating at the point where the goal is achieved is essential to mark an end to the process.

Winning script for learning curve

  • Suppose you are learning something very difficult. What is the first thing that happens to you?
  • Most of the time it is nervousness and thoughts of when did you do something like this.
  • Now take a minute and try to hear or see when you are nervous.
  • Let’s take a case, where you don’t see or hear anything, you just get the feeling.
  • Just take another minute and step into a situation where you are about to learn something challenging.
  • Let yourself feel nervous. Just concentrate on what you see or hear.
  • You might hear a noise may be a constant noise and see objects such as stars.
  • Listen deeply, to what the noise is all about. Does the noise scare you?
  • Listen intently, how does it sound? Let’s assume it’s a constant beep.
  • Change that beep sound with chirping of birds or music- it could even be your favorite song
  • Listen to it for a while. If you need a positive statement, include it.
  • Just as you see the stars replace it with flowers- daisy and lilies
  • What is your favorite flower? If its rose, choose to replace the stars with roses
  • Now take a minute and move ahead, through each step to the end of the learning cycle. See yourself going through every chapter with confidence and added intelligence. Finally see yourself at the end of the course, with the desired outcome. It can be the merit grades you wanted or even an implementation of what you have learnt.
  • Picture yourself there, with the knowledge and wisdom you set for yourself.
  • See that you have gained and learnt all you could and are rightly capable of implementing it.
  • Look at the values that you are generating from what you have learnt take a minute and let this feeling completely seep into you, revisit this feeling, each time you decide to learn something.   Now choose anything, in the recent future that you will have to learn.
  • Repeat the process all over again.

Winning script for higher emotional intelligence
Similarly, use this script with a variation to increase your emotional intelligence. Step into a situation where your best intentions are being drawn out of proportion. Suppose you have just distributed appraisal letters. You distributed the best raise judiciously among the value creator and productive team members. However, just as they see their new salaries, they are indifferent. Their expectation was way more than what has been offered to them. They come to you and share their dissent.

  • Now take a breath and pause for a while. Picture yourself as Santa Claus or any other visual where you are happy with your employees. It can be the last team party you had or the sudden pizza party you declared. Visualize this. Add your favorite music and see yourself smiling. If you need a positive statement , include it.
  • Now return to your present state, where you have your employees speaking angrily. Look at them and see them as the human beings you have always valued. When you do this, observe what you say. The chances are that, you would remain calm and finally share the reason. They may or may not buy what you say, yet they would calm down as they listen to you.
  • Remember you cannot change other’s behavior. You can fine-tune yours. They may have situations forcing them to take up a role with a higher pay or move into their preferred location. Even if, the reasons are beyond your control, you will establish yourself as a leader of repute in their minds. If they see it more often, they would realize the benefits of working with a leader as smart as you
  • Try this now, in your mind. Imagine a future challenge and see yourself responding intelligently to it. Repeat the process until, every feeling of letting situations run out of your hands vanish. This practice, e.g. mindfulness would build your natural capabilities to respond in those situations.

Let us know, did it work for you? We are waiting, we have a mind to hear your experience!

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>O2 LIFE > Professional Career Choices – How to make them?

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Professional Career Choices – How to make them?Professional Career Choices – How to make them?

by V S Rama Rao


Job seekers today have more job options than ever before – thanks to super specialization, the service sector recognition and the growing acceptance of non-traditional careers.
While the power to make career choices can be empowering it can also be a source of much confusion and discomfort. Youngsters looking to take up their first jobs are often, unable to make up their minds, while others may chronically switch jobs due to their own indecision.


Most candidates fresh out of college or B-school are alarmed by the long term impact of taking a career decision. Let me take the example of Mr. R who was only 20 years old when he graduated from college and was suddenly faced with this career decision. He was confused because there was this finality associated with it. He was deciding or had to decide what he would do for the rest of his life.  Now he is a senior manager, human resources at a major FMCG company. Career indecision is usually a fear of the unknown.  Unless the individual can deal with the root of this issue, it will repeatedly crop up at various stages of his/her career. Additionally the individual holds back from giving their best at work because his /her commitment levels are not up to the mark. Finally, an indecisive and confused   individual will never be confident at work and with himself affecting his performance and contribution to the employer.
An excellent solution for career indecision is to take up internships. An internship allows you to understand the practical aspects of the job, the working of the organization and whether the profile matches your skills and interests.
For example, a media student had several options before him but the confusion he had in his mind resulted in indecision. So, he consulted his mentor and seniors and took up internships every vacation – advertising, print journalism, public relations and television broadcasting. This helped him to make up his mind to a great extent and  enabled him to completely cancel out some career avenues which he thought were not suitable for him. Since it was a short internship, there really was nothing to lose.
Career assessment testing is another option, especially for those who are completely undecided. Career testing helps putting things into perspective. It is especially useful for those who have not narrowed down to a general area. Interestingly enough there are also a growing number of individuals with work experience enrolling in for career assessment testing. Many working professionals have been pushed into careers when they were younger and are now contemplating a career switch. Career assessment   testing helps them discover new career options especially ones that take into account their interest and passion.
Unfortunately, passions and hobbies don’t always translate into the best jobs. There is often a conflict between what you want to do and what you should do (for salary, growth, opportunities, social respectability, stability).
Others find a difference between what they are qualified for and what they are passionate about leading to indecision. Mr. E is an engineer by qualification but a part of him always wanted to pursue a career in music. After much debate he decided to do a part time course in music besides his engineering job. Now, he plays for a band as well. Essentially he feels that he played safe and chose both instead of picking one over the other. His idea is to quit his job if his band ever makes it big.
Combining your passion and professional qualification is another option. Now I am illustrating the case of RG who did her MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. She had her heart set on a career in graphic design and artwork. Today, she runs her own business, which specializes in customized graphic solutions. She manages the business and creative aspects. It is financially as well as emotionally rewarding because she says she enjoys her work and yet can pay her bills. Think differently to explore new and upcoming careers.
Sometimes a decision simply has to be made. In such a scenario the importance of research should not be underestimated. Quantifiable data will give you numbers to crunch upon.
How much is the industry expected to grow? Speaking to industry insiders will also give you the right insight. Making a decision is much easier when you have adequate information to base it on. However, make sure that the decision is truly your own.  Understand what you want, your motivations and priorities. Once you have made a decision act accordingly to give your self a successful career.

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>O2 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT > CEO TIPS Effective Marketing Business Strategies

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ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS >>> KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST >>> ENJOY IT!

>O2 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT > CEO TIPS on Creative Business Strategies

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Chuck Porter, Crispin Porter, ARF Presentation
28 min
Getting to Powerfully Creative Ads Through Creative Business Strategies Chuck Porter – Chairman, Crispin Porter + Bogusky Gain …
metacafe.com

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>O2 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT > CEO TIPS on Growth through Partnerships

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ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS >>> KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST >>> ENJOY IT!

>O2 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT > CEO TIPS on Growth & Long-Term Strategy

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Informatica CEO on Growth, Long-Term Strategy – Fox …
Informatica CEO Sohaib Abbasi on how the company’s data integration software benefits other businesses.
video.foxbusiness.com

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