Power of Thoughts

As trainers, coaches, catalysts and change agents, we find ourselves motivating our participants on this powerful quote quite often:

"Sow a thought and you reap an action,

 Sow an action and you reap a habit, 

 Sow a habit and you reap a character, 

 Sow a character and you reap a destiny."

As we pause, reflect and truly comprehend this causal relationship, the profundity of this quote truly sinks in. 

That thought is a powerful seed that germinates into one's attitude, choice of words and action is itself a powerful thought! Let me elaborate… 

How many times are we prepared to dig deep in the iceberg beyond the visible tip of an individual's observed behaviour, habits and accompanying results? Amidst the frenetic pace of today's existence, there is an inordinate focus on dissecting one's behaviour - what wrong did he do? what did he say? what is the pattern of results? You get the drift.... 

As trainers, we strive to accomplish change of behaviour of the participants. We find ourselves investing huge energy in not only training (hopefully, with engaging activities in the classroom or otherwise!) but also motivating them to surpass benchmarks and at times, do what perhaps, nobody has achieved. Motivational speakers seem to flirt with this tip of the iceberg in ample measure and leave their audience spell bound, seemingly ready for some dramatic action. Alas, this excitement is short lived with no tangible action or a behaviour change seeing the light of the day - in the long term. Memories of a 'feel good' experience are carried forward by the participants as a saving grace. 

Let us shift our attention to the 90% of the iceberg that is hidden. Therein lies the proverbial mass that comprises thoughts and feelings, beliefs and values and even underlying needs of the individual. How can we understand these? The challenge lies in the complexity of this mass with a multiplier effect due to variations on account of different individuals. One of the ways is to trigger their thought processes by asking questions that encourage learners to dig deep within and look for affinity and congruence to their feelings, set of values they hold dear, their belief system, and the needs they feel will be met. 

Therefore, some essential questions to consider can be:

·           what would you gain in this learning engagement?

·           how will you overcome the odds to keep yourself motivated during the training?

·           how would the learning help you back on the job?

·           what changes can you visualize for the better?

·           how does it relate to what is dear to you? 

·           how do you see yourself progressing hereafter? 

·           what will you lose if you were to miss out on this experience? Etc.

Time and effort need to be invested in these questions by the trainer both at the pre-training stage and prior to the start of actual training session as a minimum. These should be reiterated later during the training sessions and also at the conclusion to trigger the chain of thoughts of the participants. What would appeal to an individual is after all difficult to predict. 

My belief is that these questions check on and build the willingness of the learner towards the learning journey that lies ahead. This mental priming is essential and should not be missed or neglected. As the learners find their own answers, clarity of thought emerges clearing the cobwebs in the learners' minds. The learners then, are prepared to acquire new knowledge and skills and are ready to even slog it out. This is evidenced through the change in their body language, vocabulary and of course, 'willing' action - all to the delight of the trainer. The learner is now ready to take the plunge - with both his heart and mind in complete sync - into the realms of learning and emerge strongly influenced and motivated to ‘change’.  

We get credible evidence of this in sports and military training. In both, the trainer and the coach highlight the importance of winning the mind game to outwit the opponent or the enemy. The presumption is that winning thoughts clearly precede and determine the action on the ground. At the thinking and willingness level, enough lessons and time is invested so that the learner focuses on the action (to be performed and perfected) with an uncluttered mind. An adversary who hasn't prepared at commensurate levels of priming and preparing the 'thoughts' is clearly at a disadvantage!

Be a willing and ‘thinking’ learner yourself and create tribes of learners who are harnessed on the power of clear thoughts!!

Learning is not a Spectator Sport

Learning something new is always exciting! More so, if the motivation to learn comes from within. For example, an impatient teenager who wishes to learn driving a car or a bike before he moves out of his teens. He impresses his friends and family alike with his confident grip on the wheel and (near) deft handling of pedals and gear shifts. Has there been early signs of a behaviour change? Your guess is as good as mine! 

Training someone on a competence hitherto unknown is one of the ways to learn and effect a change of behaviour. In this effort, besides the learner herself, at least two more entities are involved. A trainer or a teacher, for sure. Often, the role of the third entity is missed out by both the other two. I am talking of the learner's sponsor or stakeholder if you will, who stands to benefit from the learner's learning. In my example, the learner's girlfriend or even his parents who will be better off than before with a new competence firming up - sooner than later. 

Let us examine the three entities one by one . 

First, a successful teacher or a trainer is one who leads by example and demonstrates what ought to be learnt. Preparing for the lessons,  tailoring his efforts to the needs of the learner in terms of instructional methodology are the hallmarks of a great instructor. Lack of initiative, effort or application of knowledge on his part will differentiate between chalk and cheese. With each participant or a set of learners, the teacher's own learning gets reaffirmed and strengthened. 

Second, the learner herself has to be most willing and motivated to see a bright light at the end of the 'learning' tunnel. The trainer steps in here to engage the learner in activities that help learn seamlessly. Dirtying one's hands in the learning arena is not left to the whims of inertia or self doubt. Hands on practice that helps solve problems or life tasks such as negotiating a deal or handling an irate client are the essentials. The confidence thus gained adds to the learner's  conviction that gradually builds up. This is a critical juncture when the learner steps into the 'real' world and is keen to put to test what she has learnt. A world that is dynamic and throws challenges at you each moment. 

Allow me to introduce the learner's sponsor at this stage. As an extremely important cog in the learner's learning wheel, he cannot afford to remain a spectator while the 'new' learner tests out what works and what doesn't. Vitamin EA - as in, Encouragement and Appreciation - in ample measures can do wonders. A helping hand (in form of wise counsel, a practical demonstration etc.) to kill the demon of hesitant starts and a public approbation of the learner is all what is needed to cement the learning of the latter. Sadly, in reality, more often than not, the learner is often left to her devices with no assurance of the stakeholder's help and support. As if to say that the latter chooses to remain a wilful spectator and be witness to an avoidable failure. What a pity!! 

What are the roles that you are playing at your workplace? What are you doing to ensure your own or your team member's learning is not illusory? What must be done to build that sweet spot at the intersection of ample confidence and unshakeable conviction? 

A resounding applause on a newly learned competence is a defining moment for the learner. This requires humongous effort and an indomitable will - both individually and collectively...as they say, it takes two to tango and a pair of hands to applaud!

Rajneesh Mathur

Make Hay When the Sun Shines

April this year has been a different one!

The sun that picks up its scorching heat seems to be ending up on the losing side – thanks to several cycles of western disturbances affecting large parts of North West India. Thunder squalls, cool winds and sharp showers seem to be an oddity at this time; nevertheless welcome for denizens who are otherwise preparing to brace the usually hot summer days. The seasonal regimen of starting the ACs and desert coolers and pressed into active service has taken a backseat and nobody seems to mind the pleasant turn of events – thanks due to the weather gods! A walk in the park or at the terrace – after the showers – is an invigorating one and you would wish that this lasts forever. It’s God’s AC in full ‘swing’ creating a very salubrious feel. After all, who wants to sweat it out unnecessarily before it becomes unavoidable?

While this makes it an April to remember, I wonder what is going through the mind of the diligent farmer. Poor chap who has slogged and sweated in the early months of winter to sow his crop and tended for a healthy produce looks up to expect clear skies and the early summer sun to give the crop its final touches before the harvest. Alas, that’s not to be and frequent showers, I am sure,  are being cursed with a prayer for an immediate let up. Such is the irony – what is a boon for some is a bane for the toiling farmer! Who is making hay when the sun decides to play hide and seek at its own sweet will?

Talking about rains, how can we miss talking about monsoons in India? Already predictions and speculations are rife with contrasting theories being proffered for its success and its extent of coverage. Regardless of the final outcome, the monsoon rain brings in its wake a bagful of emotions. Relief and happiness as the first drops hit the terra firma after relentless heat that washes away weeks of dust and grime. The frayed tempers seem to soothe and smiles run galore. There is immense satisfaction that rivers, ponds and lakes would now swell up and contribute to the verdant hues of the flora. Varieties of fauna too, seem to enjoy the prospect of abundant free showers.

A few souls, however, detest the prospect of dealing with accompanying humidity and thundershowers that play spoilsport and create havoc more often than not. Poor drainage, water logging and outbreak of diseases become evil necessities. Often incessant rains cause flash floods with large scale devastation with serious economic hardships. One is often left perplexed with this multitude of emotions; all unfolding at frenetic pace in different parts of the country. So when does one make hay when the sun is perpetually behind the thick and dark cover of pregnant clouds? Did you venture out in the season’s first rain and relished a hot cuppa with snacks prepared at the roadside kiosk or were your thoughts centered on protecting your branded apparel and expensive shoes?

The third season – winters – brings its own share of smiles and frowns. Soft rays of the sun, a virtual absence of heat and humidity coupled with fresh (and a variety too) farm produce of green vegetables add to the delight. Hot soups and rounds of tea and coffee become the norm. Mouth watering winter delicacies are cooked and savored with a distinct languid feel. While one samples these goodies, gradually the mercury dips and severity of winters gathers pace. The chill is felt in the bones….zzzzzz! Often, dense fog and near frost conditions test the tenacity of some hassled souls. Ask a frequent traveler whose flight gets delayed, the old and frail who long for and laze in the sun and the poor who believe it’s a divine curse that needs to be negotiated with pain and suffering. The sun rises lazily late in the day and often beats a hasty retreat in the late afternoon hours – leaving many a folk with a predicament when to make hay as it has hardly shone through the day!

Whether it is the fickle weather or changing seasons, festivals or gatherings, work or play, there is no better time to make hay when your ‘own sun’ shines – whenever that may be. Live life fully each day without regret or remorse. Capitalize on the pleasant sunny times that make you and your loved ones smile.

Spencer Johnson, very rightly, sums up and says,

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, enjoy today to the fullest – that’s why it is called a Present”.

- Rajneesh

A Tale Of Two Ts

The high seas offer myriad opportunities to the explorers for discovery of virgin lands, to the fishermen for their daily bread and to the daring souls for adventure.  The blue expanse of the sea, often, signifies life and life’s challenges manifested through a multitude of forms. Serene and placid that provides solace to the weary; rough and tumultuous that puts a crease on the face of the brave. The seas allow luxury cruise liners to skirt their bosom allowing hundreds to live their dreams of fantasy and celebration in a splendor that is unparalleled. This has intrigued mankind through generations, captivating the imagination of poets and writers alike. Numerous pieces describing the charm and wonder of the seas have been written, admired and enjoyed by one and many. So how different can this one be?

Tides – low and high are associated with sea and an experience to narrate about low tides on the eastern end of the Andaman Sea. Ravi and I, decided to take a break from the frenetic dancing and jarring music across the beach front at Phuket on a pleasant August evening of 2001. Away from the razzmatazz of this tiny Thai island, we realized very soon how refreshing the lap of nature could be. Cool breeze made our stroll delightful on wet sand and the soft lapping of the waves added melody to the pleasant thoughts that crossed our mind. Ravi was humming a soulful Kishore Kumar number and we wondered why did it take us so long to break away from the din of the beachside discotheque but were quickly reminded of the compulsions of an official jaunt. We regaled ourselves with an occasional sharing of an anecdote as we ambled on the shore lit beautifully by the near full moon.

                   As the waves kissed the shore, gently advancing and receding, our attention was drawn to a heavy object lying on the shore, which we could not identify immediately due to the prevailing darkness. A little strain on the eye set aside our misgivings on what we had stumbled upon. A log of wood, a little more than two feet in diameter and about eight feet long, lay on the shore with sea waves hitting and missing it in the same vein. With no curious eyes to pass a judgement on us, Ravi and I decided to try our hands in lifting the log. As much strength as we could muster, in the spirit of adventure, we were surprised that we could not displace the log from its firmly ensconced ‘throne’ on the seashore. We gave ourselves the benefit of doubt and proffered excuses to each other that the log was too slippery, didn’t have the right grip or perhaps obeyed instructions to Thais only!

                   We decided to step aside and rest for a while close to the log and very soon, Ravi drew my attention to the gentle tossing and turning of the log each time a gentle wave hit the shore. Reflecting on this, rather philosophically, I mentioned to Ravi that this log turned – on its either side - very gently like an infant who misses the warm embrace of her mother occasionally in deep sleep. Not before long, we concurred that despite the low tides, the waves were potent enough to disturb the log which two of us could not budge an inch! I mentioned about the potential of harnessing the latent power of tidal waves for a variety of uses.

We bade good-bye to the beach and marveled at the fantastic detour we had away from our colleagues who by now had become a boisterous lot. Together, we had seen before our very eyes the might of nature and wondered how gigantic ships such as – The Titanic – made out of tonnes of steel get tossed and thrown over in the high seas before they, unfortunately, meet their watery graves.

About three and a quarter years later, a day after Christmas, the killer Tsunami in the Indian Ocean and the adjoining seas startled the brave fishermen and the tourists alike and before an eyelid blinked, it wreaked havoc and devastation. Save for exceptionally high sea waves that rushed in at apparently innocuous pace, the Tsunami hardly revealed its intention to the unsuspecting souls. A poignant story of an IAF personnel stationed at Andaman Isles who witnessed how cruelly, one by one the killer waves snatched away his two very young children sent shivers down my spine and wondered what wrong had the two siblings committed that nature unleashed its unrelenting fury on them!

Loss of thousands of lives, damage and destruction to property worth millions of rupees were reported from at least half a dozen countries. Besides India, reports came in from Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand and this natural disaster caught worldwide attention and humanitarian relief started pouring in from all quarters.

                  During those days when I caught up with amazing video clips of the Tsunami,  read newspapers and magazines quoting eye witness’ accounts, I felt much safer ‘surfing’ the Net rather than surfing the choppy waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean! I was aghast to read about the destruction that was caused in Phuket and other areas where portions of coastline were engulfed by the marauding waves and were simply consumed in the ocean’s vast belly that seemed to have an insatiable appetite.

                  I wondered what would have become of the beautiful beach of Phuket and was reminded of the extremely pleasant evening that I had enjoyed in the company of my friend, Ravi. I reminiscenced that log of wood that withstood a genuine human intervention to its firm sitting that August evening. In all likelihood, that log would have been mercilessly thrown into the Andaman Sea by the gigantic waves and who knows it may have withstood the fury of the sea and even saved a life or two!

                  Such are the varying forms of the high seas; one wonders whether Mother Nature issues blunt reminders – such as the Tsunamis - to the mankind to continue to have a harmonious coexistence with itself when more often than not, natural resources are  exploited ruthlesslyand abused in the name of fast paced development and globalization.

                  As I make conscious efforts not to get caught up in the vicious cycle of crass materialism and the constant lure of consumerism, I am reminded of the words of Mahatma Gandhi who very aptly captured mankind’s relationship with Mother Nature thus: 

                  “There is enough in this world to fulfill each man’s need, but there isn’t enough in this world to fulfill one man’s greed.”

                    -- Rajneesh