This post is dedicated to all my workaholic friends who work like there is no tomorrow.

The problem is that in 21^st century – many of us – are so much out of touch of our own being that we do not know what makes us happy. If you do not know what makes you happy – go find your purpose in life first. My purpose is sort of figured out but there is a bit of a workaholic in me so “Mr. Pawar the message goes to you also. Stop for a moment”.

Some of you who are familiar with my writing may ask – when you are suggesting us to stop then why write “Just do it.” You are right. I wrote that. But I did not say that – do it, without ever stopping. It makes sense to stop. It helps you think, relax and be efficient. Let’s explore.

Why stop?

Because life mimics more a marathon than a sprint. I got this perspective while sitting next to a top insurance executive on a flight earlier this month. He was reading “Don’t Sprint the Marathon” by V. Raghunathan. Every day we work to stay ahead in the proverbial rat race. What do you think about it? Do you want to run the race longer or just burn out trying to outdo others in the short run? Rome was not built in a day and if you want to build something remarkable it will take time. Be in it for the long haul and when you do that it makes sense to stop once in a while.

Because life is a gift that needs to be cherish, enjoyed and not wasted. All of us have one life to live. It is too precious to be wasted. It needs to be enjoyed while we are in a vertical position; because there will be no chance when we go horizontal. If we keep on running mindlessly where will be the time to live our dreams?

As a kid each one of us had some wild dreams. Not all wild dreams are unattainable. You got to believe in those childhood dreams; take time to remove the haze from the screen of life and see those dreams clearly again. At one point some of you wanted to become an actor, musician, singer, writer, scientist, entrepreneur, social activist, or a change maker. Stop and take time to live these dreams. At the very least plan it. If today you are busy handling subsistence issues, carve a parallel path for yourself. It is totally possible.

Enjoy small victories – everyday triumphs – smile on the face of your loved ones; inches lost form your overfed belly, your idea that got implemented or the complement you received for the way you looked. When you really want to – you will find many little bundles of joy in your life.

Because it helps you to relax and be productive: When you stop, you can relax, recuperate and work better towards your goals. It is very difficult to think creatively and give your best when tired.

When you stop you give your body and brain a chance to stop, relax and recuperate. When relaxed your brain can function better, it is easy for you to focus and create work that you will be proud of. Many 21^st century professionals get to eat lunch when it is time for evening tea. What is the point in working like that? It is good as an exception but not as a rule.

Because it helps you to reflect: When you reflect, you ask questions.  Then you try to find answers to these questions. It is very important to ask right questions. You can also look and decide whether you are headed in the right direction. You also get a sense of what is right and what can be improved. It is good to reflect by choice than when old age or something similar forces you to reflect.

When you stop you also give yourself a chance to review and build on what you have done before. This is important for healthy growth – and to draw a bridge between past and future. Reviews are a great way to be efficient because they give you a chance to measure and optimize.

How to stop?

Break out your shell and do what your heart tells you to. I endeavor to do that regularly. I got into film school couple of years back to learn how to direct films. Back in 2009 I got trained as a disc-jockey (DJ) with one of the best in business and I am happy that I did that. My writing pursuits also started long back due to a heartfelt desire to express and share.

So go out and learn what you always wanted to. If you are in a job utilize your holidays to do something close to your heart. If your calling is adventure then go out – meet the mountains or the sea and you will be a happier person.

Do not wait for weekend or holiday season to stop. Even if it is a Monday or a weekday and you feel like you do not want to do what you are doing. Then do not do it. Take a walk – long one – if the need be. No need to be too philosophical about it – take a break if you think it is the right thing to do.

Do it every day. Take time everyday – I would say – every couple of hours to stop, reflect and breathe. Think about past couple of hours – and how you have spent these. It is OK if you have spent time – having fun; doing some productive work or talking to friends or family. But it may not be OK – if you spent these hours thinking of doing something and not actually doing it.

This will also help you get out of overwork mode. If you have been working for past many hours glued to a computer screen or working with a tool-box; then it may be a good idea to stop.

Do you think it is a good idea? Then why not stop for a moment to breathe.

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Some of you may ask – is this not important? Sure it is. All these profiles and how you look in public – online or offline – is important. It is part of your personal brand. In fact, it is our duty to try and look the best we can – in any social situation. So be happy, I have accepted the importance of keeping your public profiles in shape.

Now let me ask you a question – do you behave in office the way you do at home? I know the answer -  at home you behave mostly as you are – less gap between feeling and expression; at work you project an image – to please, to assert or to get the work done. If there was no forced projection then there will be no unrest in the mind of youth and white-collar professionals today. This unrest emerges from the gap between what you really are and what you want to show you are.

Similarly there is a gap – between your real self and what your facebook or LinkedIn profile says about you. Even if you share the truth on these profiles – it does not list everything that exists and important in your life.

Have you ever thought about creating a private profile – only for yourself –which you can look at everyday or every month and review all the things that are important for you? A space – which will help you know – are you really happy, are you doing what you want to do in life; are you well connected to people who matter to you; are you on the right path.

This can be your personal Kaizen space; it can give your own readiness score for living life to the fullest. This, if you want, can help you do things that matter to you the most. It will be your everything, no-hold barred space - where you need not omit anything because somebody will see it.

A diary or journal do many of these thing for you; but there you record and do not ask many questions. Here you become one to one with yourself. You can ask some tough questions if the need be. The idea is not to be critical of your own self but to give a chance to reflect, improve and be happy.

For those who are still not sure about what all to include in your private profile. Write what is important to you. You actually need not exclude anything; because this is your private sanctuary – You and only You rule here. Start with a single page. Chances are – as you go on exploring – this page will convert into pages. You can think about as a mini-autobiography with a purpose of keeping you happy and sane.

Here are some ideas for starters. (Better if you let it be qualitative than quantitative; there should be no multiple choice questions here. First ask a question – that can be answered with a yes or no. Then see if you are happy with answer. If you are happy then it is cool. If you are not happy then ask yourself what will make your happy and do that. Keep your happiness at the core.)

Your duty to self: Ask yourself “How am I doing? Am I happy generally?”  Ask – are you being good to yourself – meaning are you stuffing your brain with right thoughts and body with right food. Are your giving yourself time to celebrate and relax. Same way ask about your duty for your loved ones and if you are keen – for the world.

You as an entrepreneur: Ask –what is your entrepreneurship motive? (You motive can be money, fame, power, serving the humanity – one or all of these) Are you fulfilling that motive? Are you doing it the right way? The way it ought to be done – with integrity, being transparent with your consumers. You know what I am talking about. If you are not sure please ask in comments and I will be happy to elaborate.

Your dharma or life’s purpose: Ask yourself – do you know what purpose of your life is? Are you living your life aligned with your purpose or on a different path? If your life is not aligned with your life’s purpose; you will have hard time being REALLY happy.

Are you giving life your best shot: Are you on a path of a well-lived life? As I write this – I recall reading following lines as a kid – from an interview of golfing great Nick Faldo. Nick said in that interview – not exact but something similar – I do not want to sit back one day and think that I could have done it better. You see childhood memories do stick. This reminds me of telling parents – be sure of what (information) you are feeding your kids.

What this private profile will do for you?

This will help you stay true to yourself. When you are true to yourself – you will come across to people as a real person and not a made up act. It will also help you stay sane and most importantly you will be happy from inside.

Do you already do something similar? Are you really happy, ask yourself now? I wish we all were.

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People started talking about their dreams and some of those unfilled because of compulsion of working for money. I suggested parallel path as a solution because of my conviction that in near future, it will be common for people to pursue two careers side by side.

How do you make success of two careers at one go. Simple establish yourself in first – it may take 2-5 years depending upon your field – and then move on to the second one.

What is the best parallel career?  There is no set answer to it but there is a simple path. If you already are doing what you like then get into something which is an extension of your current work. If you are just doing your current job – not liking it much – then you should do something which is close to your heart and try to make it your core work 2-4 years down the line.

Let us explore some examples, first as an extension of your current work.

Sales person to a professional speaker: Both roles are about influencing people – speakers influence a group and sales people mostly a single client. Both should know about the core benefit of their idea, service or product. Do you know that Anthony Robbins, one of world’s most famous motivational speakers started as a salesperson for Jim Rohn, the self-help pioneer?

Spread the message of fitness: You exercise and have a good body. You can start as an instructor working at a local gym in the evening. Want to go a step ahead. Start writing a book for fitness enthusiasts. You can also volunteer to teach underprivileged kids the importance of fitness.

Teacher to heritage guide: A history teacher can explore the option of becoming a heritage walk guide. Start by working part-time in evening with an established walk-organizer and later when your network increases start your own version. Such walks are a big hit worldwide.

If you want to experiment first before jumping the ship – take a group of your friends out in the evening and show them places of historical importance. Give them a perspective which only a lover of history and heritage can give. Start small and scale if that is your vision.

Different path from what you are doing currently

Designer to dancer: If you are sitting throughout the day as a web designer or game developer then in evenings you can explore learning dance first and becoming a dance instructor later. This will get you moving, give you a chance to release your nervous energy and will make your calmer; not to mention additional money that you will make as an instructor.

Find a dance studio which is midway between your office and home, better if it is close to your home. If you are in a job then you can learn before or after work. Entrepreneurs and self-employed can set their own time.

Housewife to VA: If you are a housewife then you can start working as a temp just for fun. There are many opportunities around – you just need to look for them. Housewives can explore the option of becoming a VA (virtual assistant).

Look for interesting mix. If your work now puts strain on body by travelling often then indulge in something that involves more of brain and less of body, and vice versa.

How to start and move ahead on parallel path?

Share knowledge: Simplest way to start on parallel path is to share with people what you already know. Write an email to your friends about your experiences with a new technology. See that it will be of some use to them. If you are into SEO (Search Engine Optimization) then share what it is and how it can benefit businesses that your friends are associated with as employees or owners. If people like what you have to say then volunteer to train them in person.

Good friends and people who appreciate a good deed will mostly likely share it with more people. Idea is to share it with people who can benefit from your knowledge. Do not think too much about it, just write and share with who you feel can use the information.

People, even with right intentions, may not share it; in such a situation just send them a request to share with their friends and colleagues.

If you are an economics graduate then analyze annual budget and share it with colleagues and friends who are not savvy like you. Help them plan their important purchases to benefit from budget.

You can also shoot some of your own videos and put them on a free video hosting service like YouTube. Start with sharing the link with some of your friends. Do not push too hard, if it is good it will go far.

Volunteer: Offer your services for free to a non-profit serving old age people who are alone at home. Devote some free hours at a local elementary school. If Olympics or Commonwealth games are coming to your city then apply to become a volunteer. If all slots are already full and you want to do it – what about writing to the CEO. It is not very hard these days to find the email id of a high level official. Don’t be spammy, just give the person a genuine reason to look at your mail or listen to what you have to say.

Start small and do the best you can: Parallel Path gives you a chance to live your dreams. You wanted to become an Olympian while you were a teenager. Now you have crossed 40. What to do? Simple, innovate. Think about creating a league of your favorite game for those over 40. Just create a contest name something like 40 but naughty – The Great *COMPANY NAME *GAME league. Send a communication through company intranet or send plain old email inviting colleagues and friends aged 40-50 to participate. Try doing this and you soul will be immensely satisfied.

Have your cake and eat it too: Want to travel but stuck in a dead-end job with long hours – start with a weeklong vacation to some unusual place. Better still, take photos, many of them –write about your experience.  Submit this article to some local and national travel publications. Small online publications may be your best bet. If you get no response which will be the likely case when you do it first time – just post it to a popular travel forum and interact with people there.

Repeat this with your next trip. Try writing good and then post on the forum. Share forum link with publications. May be this time you will taste success.

Keep on repeating after your every quarterly travel. Hopefully you will become a published travel writer before your first full year of traveling. Just make sure about uniqueness of the places you go – I said unusual not “run of the mill”.

Club your vacations with learning: You are serious about Yoga. Take a break once a year and learn Mysore Yoga. Learn for few years and become a certified teacher. This is a highly valued expertise and gets you started on a lucrative and satisfying career. You just need to practice Yoga for 2 hours a day during vacations.

For lovers of fast: You want to get started on parallel path really fast. There are some options – become a scuba diver or a DJ (Disc Jockey). Becoming a DJ can be a good choice for you if you have a thing for music but cannot sing to save your life. This you can do for fun or money. Both are important. Choice is yours.

Learn to market yourself: Are you a technology junkie with a heart for writing songs? What is the way for you to start the journey on parallel path? Just engage a good singer, record in a local professional sound studio and put it online on YouTube and also host on a web-based radio station. If you yourself can sing than do not miss a chance to sing at a family function. At least your soul will be satiated.

Who knows, your musical career may launch sooner than expected. You will have good success if you be persistent with promotion. Even if it does not work you will be richer in experience.

Hope I have given you many ides to start with. You may share your own ideas and thoughts in comments or ask questions if you have any?

Wishing your success on a parallel path.

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The ideas shared here are good for students, start-up entrepreneurs or people who are staying away from family for extended period of time for work on some long-term assignment.

Find a house that you will be happy calling your home: When you are with family, love fills the gap for everything. You may be living in an old house but when you go home you will know that there are people who care for you. But when you are way then your house will be your friend. Look for a place that you are comfortable in. Check out for neighborhoods that you like and house that have amenities that you are used to. If you are leasing it is good to check with property owner for basic guidelines. Look out for any restrictions on time or bringing friends home. Do not look for perfection but see that most of the facilities that you need are provided.

Find friends: It is good if you already have a friend living in the place that you are moving to. If that is not the case then find friends who have some common interests. During my stay away period I made many good friends.  One of those friend and I recently worked on organizing a local TEDx.

Have fun and live your dreams: Many a times when we are living close to our families, we are fully immersed into social obligations. Take time away to do what you always wanted to do. You enjoy dancing and want to take professional training. Go ahead and do that. I did exactly the same. I loved the mornings that use to start in the dance studio with the sound of ‘Aicha Aicha’. Live your dreams and not somebody else’s – but just do it, this is the best time.

Focus and step towards success: if you want to create, solitude is a necessity. No need for 24 hours of solitude but it is good to have couple of hours in a day to create. When you are staying alone there is nobody to bother you. Of course you will have errands to run; but you can batch those and set your own schedule. In a way you will have more control on how you choose to spend your time. So enjoy your time and work on something that you always wanted to do. My times away from roots gave me an opportunity to write more, speak to diverse audiences in different settings. You can use this time to focus and do your thing. Steve Jobs created Apple in similar situations and many more heroes big and small made their success using focus and solitude.

Work to a schedule: When you are living your life on your own there is also risk of going overboard. Because nobody is around to talk to you about things – right or wrong. So get connected with your conscience and do what you feel is the right thing to do. It will develop your ability to take decisions. If you observe outcome of your decisions and learn from it then over a period of time you will learn to take decisions that work.

Also when you are working or having fun – know when it is time to stop. Of course no point stopping when you are – in the zone – and going with the flow while writing, hacking, painting or designing. But keep some time aside to eat well, exercise and sleep when you feel sleepy.

Learn to cook: It has two benefits. One is that you will save money; second that you will eat healthy. With a diet of pizzas and burgers it is really to put of extra inches around your waist. Not healthy and does not do anything good for the way you look.

Become involved in community: By doing so you open your mind to new experiences through which new opportunities emerge. This also helps you hone your leadership skills and you get to know right people.

In a similar situation, I founded a group of existing and wannabe bootstrap entrepreneurs. The effect was two-prong. I got to know the community; people appreciated what I was doing and opened their homes and hearts for me. I learned new things and also got opportunity to share ideas and thoughts. There were many ideas that we discussed in those days. One of my good friends and I used to meet over lunch regularly then and talk about doing things together. Later we went on to do our own things but those discussions shaped our current lives in some way. So go out, start a movement, meet with people on the same path and see if you can move on the journey together. Two better than one – is true most of the times.

Stay connected to your roots: When you are away make an effort to stay connected to your roots. Once in a while say hi to your old friends; because it is always good to stay in touch with your childhood friends. These are people who knew you since you were without worldly masks. They know at least a part of who you really are. When we will grow old, it will be good to sit with these friends and talk about good old days.

I am sure you have some experiences to share. Take a chance and share your thoughts in comments. Your simple experience may be profound for others.

Bonne Chance.

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Take time to know yourself: This act alone will make your life easier and better at many fronts. You will be at ease with yourself and in such situation people around you will be happy being with you. When you know your talent and truth then you can help people better and provide genuine value.

Simple, if you do not have money how can you give it to somebody else. Also to share knowledge you first need to have some activated grey cells. Take time to know what is special about you and create your value offering around that.

If you are full of love then you will be able to give it other people. If you are full of hatred or negative energy then first realize this. Get a dose of love yourself from somebody who is flowing with it – a child or your guru. Then go out and change the world the way you want.

Do not make false promises: Deliver what you say you will. If you tell your friend that you will help him prepare the paper that you are good at then do it. Do not just walk back on your offer thinking that with your help his paper will become better than yours. You are right in thinking practically but there is no harm in finishing your paper first and then help your friend.

If you are making false promises on a regular basis then you are closing doors. What is the use of knowledge if you can’t share and spread it? Give joy and you get it back, same is true of love. Try it and your life will be never be the same, of course in a positive way.

Be a man of word if you want to be happy personally or grow professionally. Take your wife out on weekend on 15^th if you said so on 1^st. Email the presentation to your boss even if the meeting is postponed.

Only say that you will do it when you are 100% sure that you will be able to deliver. If you are too tired on weekend then share it with your friends who offered you to come and watch weekend movie. You can tell them this weekend you want to relax and be with family. You have no right to rob them of the joy they could have experienced if you were with them.

Be willing to help genuinely: If you have less time and want to help a lot of people them become a preacher or write a book. If what you have to offer is good then your words and ideas will and should reach out to a lot of people. Take time to gather your thoughts in an email, blog, PDF or create a video and send across to people who you think will appreciate getting it and will benefit from it.

Schedule time to give: In your day, week or month put set number of hours to help people and enrich their lives. Do not be overly sacrificing. Just keep a commonsensical number.

Secure your basic needs first: If you really want to give genuine value then you need to first secure you base. Do for your family first and think about the world later. It is not being self-centered but being responsible to people who rely on you for certain things.

Later when you have fulfilled your one major dream then go out on a mission to help.  Bill Gates did this. For close to 3 decades Microsoft was the main cause of his life. Having done his bit there he is now devoted to the cause of public service through “Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation”.

This is not to suggest that you need to wait 30 years to show your philanthropic side to the world or you need to have the level of wealth Bill Gates has. But having secured your own and your family’s daily bread, you can focus better on causes that enrich soul.

Invest time in understanding human behavior and reach out: Before you can provide any value to a person you need to understand the real need. There are people out there who need help but do not ask. You need to reach out and share what can add value to their lives.

I am sure you will be able to find some workable ideas here and experience the REAL joy that comes from giving.

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For a different work profile make slight changes. For example a person in a sales role – put daytime for making sales calls and presentation at client locations; for a housewife – taking care of household chores, taking care of kids etc. Whatever the work or role – routine remains the same for most – get up, get ready, engage in some sort of activity – for pay or without, end workday, eat, watch TV, gossip and sleep. Over a period, add some intermittent outings, movies, parties, picnics, social dos, weekend siestas and you have the life plotted for a 21^st century human being.

Now where is the problem with this lifestyle? The basic problem is mindless engagement in various activities and little or no time figured out for self and for those who matter to you.

Now the important part – is there a solution? Yes of course.

The solution is not – in – getting up at 5 am everyday; making a long to-do list and finish everything on it before end of the day. It is not about having a presence on every social network there is. Though nothing of these will hurt when done sensibly; but it is about something more grounded. It is about stopping to live like a zombie and living every moment. Coming back to what one needs to do in order to live life to the fullest. As you read further, you will find a mix of big ideas and simple tips to help you live a fuller life.

Live with a purpose: A life without purpose is no life. Some of you may ask what purpose is. To put it simply, it is the end result you see for the action you take, over a period of time. In most cases the end result should be something significant. Living without thinking about the end result is living without purpose. Many of us keep on living and continue taking action without thinking about why you are doing – what you are doing. That is all fine; but till the time you have a purpose in life, it is like trying to find a needle in a dark room. You know it is almost impossible.

When you are young there are many ideas about what you want to become but as the time passes you tend to get into the hustle and bustle of the world and left with little time to ponder over such thoughts. But start dreaming and thinking about your life’s purpose before it is too late.

If you have spent your life so far without even thinking about it then better think now than never.

Do something every day to take you closer to your dreams: Don’t tell me that you don’t have a dream. If you are like any normal human being then you got to have a dream. If you are looking in disbelief try to go back to the time when you were a kid. When somebody asked you what will you become when you grew up – you said that you will become a pilot, an actor, a musician, a scientist, an astronaut or was it something else? You know better. If you have really forgotten go ask your parents they should be able to help.

At one extreme there are people who have forgotten what there dreams were. At the other extreme there are people who always keep dreaming what they will become. But the best approach is being in touch with your core, realizing your true potential and work consciously to achieve your dreams. When you do that you get closer to living your dream sooner than later.

Stop multitasking, get to single-tasking: We are living in an age where we tweet, listen to music, chat, surf web and look at incoming email, drink cola and say hi to a colleague at work – all seemingly at same time. Has it happened to you that in such a situation you don’t even realize who passed by you or who you said hi to?

But if you are really interested in living fully, you need to change that. What about going on a social media fast for a week? If this is unfathomable to some of you who eat, breathe and live on a social media diet then restrict it to not more than an hour a day.

Focus on one task at a time. If your work involves creation – like writing, making movies or art then you need to set aside good chunks of time without any interruption. If you are a sales person your clients will feel connected when you only talk to them without engaging in anything else. This will finally show in results – of course you will need some sales skills for bagging the deal or closing the sale.

Single-tasking also works well for your relationships. When you actively listen to a person and give your undivided attention you create a special connection.

Same is true when you eat mindfully. You feel full even when you eat less. It is simply good for your body as you go by on less food and feel equally good.

Plan for next day before you sleep: People tend to be confused as to what to do first when they begin with day’s business. They delve into the 1^st thing that they come across, like replying to the seemingly important email or calling somebody back whom could not be replied to the night before. If you are of the group that is at its freshest best in the morning then you better spend your time working on something significant – it can be a project plan or may be working on your book.

You will do best by planning you next day before you go to bed. Just think about your life’s goal and also look at any looming urgency. Work out a plan for next day that balances both. If you feel stressed by thinking about next day then you may also think about how you are going to pamper yourself the next day. It may be going out with family for a movie or enrolling into music lessons that you have been thinking about for long. It will surely make you look forward to the next morning.

Give time to both work and life: Though many of us feel that boundaries between personal and professional life have blurred. But it is good if you put a start and end time to your work day. This will keep you sane and make sure that you don’t go overboard. Your workday need not be 9 to 5. These are the hours set by corporate world. If you are an entrepreneur or a housewife then you sure don’t need these hours.

If you look closely at a 9 to 5 situation, you have time for water-cooler talk, coffee break, facebook, twitter, and also time for staring at your email inbox – thinking about mail that needs to be replied to – not doing anything about it; and also time for lunch. You can possibly take out all time spent on these tasks. In such a scenario you will be left with around 4 hours of real work hours. Then why not try working from 9am to 2pm, figuring around 1 hour for couple of breaks. Here also you work 4 hours with likelihood of working with more energy and freshness.

Try doing this and be happy with results as you will have at least 3 hours free for yourself and your loved ones.

Do not get driven by to-do lists: In today’s world driven so much by notion of “Getting Things Done” and where the success of a cubicle jock (white collar worker) is measured by how much she is able to finish in a day. But living fully is not about this. Even if you are a compulsive list-maker then do not make a list with more than 3 items on it. When you do this you will end up accomplishing more over a period of time and also be more fulfilled.

Take care of your loved ones: If you want to be happy and feel fulfilled you need to spread good vibes around. When you take care of your loved ones well they will feel happy. Later when you look at their smiling faces you will also be happy. You can be a stay at home dad taking care of a kid or a house wife making meals for the family or a son or daughter serving parents in old page – each one of us has opportunity to spread good vibes.

Help those who you can do without but for whom your help can make or break it: It is important to help those who need your help. You possibly will be fine without these people being in your life; but their life will be a lot better with a little time that you give them or little help you extend. Think about it? Why this is important. When you do good, good things come to you. Practically speaking – you name and fame spread. Spiritually you collect good karma.

Live with gratitude: All of those who are successful to some extent owe it something or some people. One needs to be thankful to the nature which gave you birth in certain family, atmosphere, and times. For example, I feel all of us born in today’s world are fortunate with so much opportunity for so many of us around – only if some of us don’t abuse it by going overboard.

For some – a friend or a teacher may be a catalyst. For somebody from a lesser background a person’s father may have contributed by sacrificing his present for his son’s future. So be sure that you did not do it alone. Nobody does it alone. Thank those who helped you. If a person became a scientist then the authors whose work scientist read as a student need to be thanked. The doctor, who prescribed medicine when you were growing up and had fallen ill, needs to be thanked. If you look close enough, there are many people who need to be appreciated for one or another reason with a sense of gratitude. This will keep your feet grounded and make you feel blessed.

Give and learn to share: Don’t keep everything to yourself – money, ideas, good thoughts, knowledge and feelings – share these with people around. Be practical – in case of money you need some for yourself too but most of us will be fine with giving a little bit to those in need. Same is true of time. On the face of it money and time look like limited resources; but can be multiplied to a great extent if applied thoughtfully. Piece of writing that you reading right now took couple of hours of writing time but it has the potential to reach millions over a period of time. This obviously is a better solution than writing emails to a million people or talking to all of them over phone.

If you look at it living life to the fullest is not that difficult. You are a living being who eats, breathes, sleeps and talks. You just need to thank Mother Nature for brining all good things to your life. Sure there are not only ups in one’s life but some downs as well but one needs to take all these things as a learning lesson. Attempt to live consciously, put aside constant interruptions and engage in work that is meaningful and that is close to your heart.

Last but not the least; do not take life too seriously. Chill out, do not blame yourself if you were just passing time or even after reading this you continue to live like you were doing it earlier. You would be happy, satisfied and most likely a better man being for having tried.

For a happy, fuller life for all of you.

Photo Credits

Just reflecting on the years that have gone by.

2005 was the year of opportunity, making connections, gaining new ground, getting help and growing.

2006 was the year of coming back to roots.

2007 was the year of renewal and moving ahead.

2008 was for donning different hats.

2009 was the year of clarity, being on the centre stage, learning new skills, enterprise, and work-life balance.

Coming back to of 2010. The theme this year is to conserve, focus, returning to basics, living with less, loving more, reaching out and genuinely helping those around.

This will also be the year of discovery, revival, innovation, action and organization.

This is for a great 2010 for the entire planet and for you.

But before the communication begins, it is my responsibility to create content that is worthy of a conversation, of getting comments by you or being converted into a book. I will try to do this by synthesizing the best practices in the field of personal development and share the same with you. It is likely that some stuff I write here will overlap with what other credible writers have written. At the same time you will find unique thoughts also.

Hopefully through this blog I will be able to touch the lives of millions of people and share thoughts which can create a positive change in their lives. My intention is to provide you with principles, ideas and tips which will help you in embracing change one step at a time and take you closer to your ultimate aim.

Hopefully in our life time, each one of us will start living a purpose driven life and hence live it to the fullest. I dream of a world where there will be no crime, no wrong doing, where rightful means of livelihood will be available for all of us, where nobody will die of hunger.

You see the intention is grand. So my task is cut out in terms of writing content which will convert intentions into reality. I will need your help along the way. You can help me by telling what is that you like, what it is that needs to be improved, what it is that you would like to read about. You can also share some real-life experience which had a profound impact on your life. While you share all this with me, I will write about the topics which create the core of personal development like values, character, integrity, truth, self-esteem, determination, perseverance, hard work, time management etc.

Time to time you will also find ideas which are meant for short term gains but are aligned to your ultimate aim. One such idea is having your last meal of the day before 8:30 pm. As a result, you will be able to get up easily the next morning and will feel light throughout next day. These are the short term gains. Long term benefits are better assimilation of food, less toxins in your body and better health throughout.

Here health is not the end. It is the means to an end. The end is to know your purpose and devoting your energies to this purpose. This needs your mind and body to be in good health. Hence the small idea of eating your last meal of the day early is aligned with finding your purpose.

Let me know your views on this approach.

Going back, this blog is also an experiment for me. I work in a day job. I want to find out the secret to succeed as a professional blogger while working at a full-time job. A few bloggers have already done that but nothing like checking it out myself.

The main website will serve as the gateway to this web log and other ongoing projects in my life. So now you know about my intentions?  I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Peace.