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Embrace Life’s Full Spectrum: How to Live Wide, Not Just Long”

Posted by in Attitude, Motivation, Personal Brand

The quote by Dianne Ackerman beautifully encapsulates the desire to live a full and rich life, not just a long one. And got me thinking if I am really doing things which gives me a bit more depth. Here are three ways by which you could start expanding your life to make it fuller and richer:

1. Seek Variety: Life is a rich mix of experiences, so dip into as many different activities both professional and personal, as you can. Put up your hand for completely new rules, which no one else wants to pick up, try new hobbies, travel to unfamiliar places, and taste foods from different cultures. Each new experience adds a thread to the weave of your life.

2. Cultivate Relationships: The people we meet and the relationships we nurture add depth and color to our existence. Invest time in family, friends, and meeting new people. The shared experiences and memories are the milestones of a life well-lived. Start living your life by giving rather than taking. You’ll be amazed at how many doors open because of that single behaviour.

3. Learn Continuously: Knowledge and skills are the expansion packs of life. Never stop learning, whether it’s through books, courses, or simply by being curious about the world around you. Learning keeps the mind broad and open to new possibilities.

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Don’t wait for the opportunity. Go create it

Posted by in Attitude, Leadership, Personal Branding

How many people do you know who have great skills, but are wasting their career, and life- by waiting for the right chance to come along?

Creating opportunities instead of waiting for them is a proactive approach to personal and professional growth. Here are three ways for you to build this skillset – and then start sailing.

  1. Cultivate Skills: Continuously improve and adapt your skills. Like the person drawing the ladder, use your abilities to create stepping stones towards your goals. How many of you know about ChatGPT or some of the new evolutions taking place? It is not about complaining that AI will take our future away, but to see how you can adapt to it and make it your friend.
  2. Embrace Creativity: Think outside the box. The ladder doesn’t have to follow a conventional pattern if a more creative route better serves your ascent. Creativity does not need a creative person. Just a curious one. Become curious. Find out why. Then ask why not? You will be on the way.
  3. Take Action: Start climbing now. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity. Build it yourself with each step you take, and you’ll find yourself rising to heights you once only imagined. Just start moving. Just do it (Nike style). Especially when you come across those difficult steps. Keep stepping up. One more!

By applying these three principles, you turn the abstract concept of ‘creating opportunities’ into actionable steps, just like drawing your ladder one rung at a time. Have a great journey. And pass it forward to others who need this advise as well. You will be surprised just how many smart people need this.

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You did not come so far to play small. Living an Asymmetric Life!

Posted by in Attitude, Personal Branding, Think Big

Graham Weaver is founder and managing partner of Alpine Investors, a people-driven private equity firm that invests in software and services businesses. With over 20 years of experience in private equity, Graham founded Alpine based on the belief that exceptional people create exceptional businesses, a PeopleFirst philosophy that guides the firm’s choices today. When he’s not inspiring growth at Alpine, Graham teaches a top-rated strategic management course at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (GSB).

This message stood out for me.

You did not come so far to play small. You came this far to move the world. Now is the time; now is your time.

4 key elements of leading an Asymmetric life:

  1. Do hard things
  2. Do your thing
  3. Do it for decades
  4. Write your story

And overcome fear-

“The four things that we talked about are ways that you can tangibly and tactically throughout your lives look fear in the eye and say to fear, not today, today I’m going to play big, today I’m going to play this asymmetric life. Now is the time to do hard things. There’s something that you fear right now, that’s exactly where you should go. You should be doing that thing.”

Every single point will make a difference. Take the time to listen to this. And then start practicing this.

You did not come so far to play small! You came this far to move the world. Now is your time!

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When was the last time you did something original?

Posted by in Attitude, Innovation, Personal Branding

The way the world is operating now, it’s easy to fall into routines and habits that stifle our creativity and originality—just to maintain the status quo. The number of people who are worried about their jobs does the last thing they should at these times: stay safe and avoid anything original.

Really, think about it. When was the last time you did something truly original—something that made you stand out or brought a fresh perspective to your life? If it’s been a while, it might be time to reignite that spark of creativity within you, drawing inspiration from Adam Grant’s insightful book, “Originals.”

This book is a celebration of those who dare to do things differently. It highlights the importance of originality in driving progress and innovation. Originals are the individuals who break free from the constraints of convention, pushing boundaries and reshaping our world in the process. They show us that doing something original isn’t just about being different; it’s about making a meaningful impact.

Three Suggestions to Rediscover Your Originality, inspired by “Originals”:

  1. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: One of the recurring themes in “Originals” is the concept of stepping out of your comfort zone. To truly innovate and bring original ideas to life, we must be willing to take risks. We often stick to what we know because it feels safe and comfortable, but we should build the muscle to explore the unknown. Try something new, whether it’s a hobby, a cuisine, or a social event. Embrace the discomfort of the unfamiliar, as it can lead to incredible personal growth and originality.
  2. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. There is no shame in failure. No one really cares. We cannot underscore the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. The fear of failure can paralyze us and prevent us from trying new things. Failure is not the end, but a valuable learning experience. Every misstep is a chance to refine your approach and grow more resilient. Don’t let the fear of making mistakes hold you back from pursuing your original ideas.
  3. Seek Inspiration from Unusual Sources: To reignite your originality, step outside your usual bubble. Read books outside your typical genre, engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, or explore different cultures and their traditions. Exposure to new ideas and perspectives can ignite your creativity and inspire you to think in original ways. Talk to people you think are non-conformists!

Take a leap of faith. Step out of your comfort zone, embrace the possibility of failure, and seek inspiration from the world around you. You might be surprised at the incredible and unique contributions you can make to your own life and to the world.

Remember George Bernard Shaw’s words:

Here is to a great 2024—where you really step out and do something original! Tell me more.

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Breaking Down Barriers: The Power of Perspective

Posted by in Attitude, Motivation

The way we perceive our world shapes our reality. Our mindset is a powerful tool that can transform the impossible into the possible. Here are three ways we can shift our perspective to change everything:

  1. Believe in Possibilities: When we approach a situation with the belief that it will work out, our mind naturally focuses on solutions rather than problems. This positive outlook acts as a beacon, highlighting opportunities and paths forward that may otherwise be overlooked.
  2. Challenge the Obstacles: Obstacles are often not as insurmountable as they appear. By challenging the very notion of an obstacle, we begin to break it down into manageable parts.
  3. Embrace the Power of ‘Yet’: If we find ourselves doubting, add the word ‘yet’ to our thoughts. “It’s not possible yet,” instantly opens the door to future possibilities.

Our beliefs set the stage for our actions. By fostering a mindset that looks for opportunities, challenges obstacles, and embraces potential, the word ‘impossible’ begins to lose its power, and we can start to make meaningful progress in our lives.

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