Externalizing solution When we cannot grapple with a problem, we tend to unconsciously wait for someone outside to come and solve it for us. A recent experience in a group setting made me realize how eagerly we were expecting someone outside to do something for us. One reason for this was our unwillingness to call …
Externalizing solution | Need for likeability | Change equation DxVxF>R Read More »
Year end reflection At the end of each year, I reflect on how the year went by and derive new meanings from it. For reference, I use my journal, my timesheet, and my pictures. From these, I learn how I interpret events, what sort of person I have been, what kind of people I am …
Year end reflection | Present | Letter to your future self Read More »
A Solopreneur’s offsite I recently went for an offsite to reflect on how my journey as a coach has been over the last year. This was especially helpful as I returned with many learnings, clarity, and celebrations of small wins. Even though the initial idea of offsite seemed improbable, it evolved into a very important …
A Solopreneur’s offsite | Momentum is underestimated | Energy can be intimidating Read More »
Understanding Exile I attended a wonderful session by Aruna Gopakumar on Leadership and Exile where I realized how life may put us through situations which seem like exile only to learn about ourselves. One of my key takeaways was exile is indeed painful, yet it is not a punishment and it can be a gift …
Understanding Exile | Boundaries not walls | Coaching your star players Read More »
Time rules Time is both subjective as well as objective dimension. However, we have only understood the objective aspect of time which is usually measured as productivity. This makes us rigid about how think and use one of the important resources in our lives. An alternative is to look at time subjectively which would help …
Time rules | There are no small roles | Not anymore Read More »
HALT Our biological instincts are so strong that we sometimes underestimate their ability to overtake our judgment. Errors happen when we overestimate our willpower which gets depleted. Alcoholics Anonymous which helps people recover from addiction reminds their members of HALT. which is an acronym for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. These are the four common …
HALT | Reading literature | Swimmer body illusion Read More »
A note of gratitude Gratitude can be life changing. I have been recipient of many people’s kindness and generosity over the years. One fine day, I started to acknowledge and express my gratitude and appreciation over email. I learned something beautiful from the whole experience.1) I was reliving the joy of having received the kindness2) …
A note of gratitude | Trusting yourself | What is going well Read More »
Essence of education In a discussion with a seasoned educator, who passionately taught design thinking through arts, I learned that the focus of teaching is not on the subject but on the student who is becoming someone in the process of learning the subject. It reminded me of my Math teacher who took an interest …
Essence of education | When to quit a job | Safe experiments Read More »
Seeing beings It is human nature to notice and register the most distinguishing aspect of someone. This has its own drawbacks as we tend to make snap judgements about others. These are rapid automatic associations that are in a way unconscious and also isolating us from others. Neuroscientist Rick Hanson teaches a mindfulness practice called …
Reappraisal It is human nature to make our meaning and interpretations out of events. Our interpretation is not fact-based but based on assumptions and our habitual thinking. Sometimes, these can be self-limiting and self-defeating. Reappraisal is a way to break patterns of interpretation. It requires us to notice the self-defeating interpretations and replace them with …
Reappraisal | Personal branding 101 | Overcoming progress blindness Read More »
