Welcoming Life

Reading it appears is the Best habit one can inculcate. Though, I am not an avid reader, but do not mind going through few pages to relax. Recently I heard about “The Secret” which talks about “Law of Attraction” and power of positive thoughts. I tried it and could not read it beyond 20 pages in the first trial (boredom loves me it seemsJ). Then something happened, which I do not even remember, and that somehow compelled me to pick up the book again. I read with perseverance, pages after pages (however, only apprx. 60 this timeJ) intellectuals talking about how it can change your life and all. And to my surprise it made sense, and it sounded interesting (if only you could remove the reiterations). This (reiteration) is the reason I do not like Books, and also most of them talk in circle. Anyways, “The Secret” says – continuously think about something that you want and it will come to you. Sounds like magic, but it is not that easy, yet there is a message. The message is – if you are PASSIONATE about something, you will surely think a lot about it, and since you think a lot about it, you will gradually do things to make it come true. Now that sounds logical.

Then I picked another book, this time “The 3 Mistakes of My Life” (you would have observed I pick up Bestsellers when they are not Bestsellers anymoreJ). More than the book, the author’s talent amazes me. He is an IITian and IIM-A graduate who is giving best of the authors a run for their money. Think of it, it’s like you are from a Vernacular medium and later in your life you become an English Prof., and that too a bloody damn good professor. I don’t know what he would have written if only he had chosen that vocation.

Anyways, the book is compelling and makes a good reading. This book also talks about Passion. However, I strongly believe Chetan should change his themes now. All the books that he has written have similar underlying theme.

Then there is this Book called “It’s Not About The Bike-My Journey Back To Life” by Lance Armstrong. Where he spoke about how his Passion for Cycling made him 2 times Olympic Champion and 5 Times Winner of “Tour de France”, and he happens to be a Cancer survivor. All this compelled me to think about what makes someone so successful? Is it only Passion? And the answer undoubtedly is “Only Passion”. Take any example; Michael Schumacher, Sergei Bubka, Sachin Tendulkar and beyond sports; Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Narayana Murthy, Richard Branson, Dhirubhai Ambani, Laxmi Mittal, Amitabh Bachchan…How did they achieve this feat? Hours of Practice (u can call it homework), incessant desire to Excel, concentrated Efforts, Patience to see the Results, sleepless nights…the list is long.

The question is what is so great about leaving “A Mark” behind? Not everyone wants to do so. There has to be something more than Passion for Work. In my opinion more than just the Passion for what you do, it is Passion for Life. Otherwise how else would you get up every morning with the determination to make it better? Life changes every moment, circumstances change, your ambition, dreams, lifestyle, thinking, and friends and of course the job changes with time. And since so many things are destined to be different next morning, you ought to have some underlying motive to make it better.

The end objective could be anything; making more money, getting more fame, enjoying the luxuries, impressing others…but the driving force, it seems, is one’s Passion or Love for Life. That’s why people like Swami Vivekanand, Gautam Buddha, Sir Issac Newton, Aristotle, Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Vasco Da Gama, Jesus Christ, Leonardo Da Vinci, Acharya Rajneesh (Osho) are still known as the Masters of their field. The motives must have been different but I am sure what drove them was Love for Life.

Ignite the Love, Enjoy the Life!!

Translating Clients

Sometimes we feel like expressing clueless comments to satisfy our egos. This expression is one such creation. It is inspired from another article that I read (Translating Women). Here is a corporate version:-)

Disclaimer: Comments have been picked from real life; however the translated version is solely the writer’s expression of humor. Strictly not meant to make mockery, nevertheless, laughter would be appreciated:-))

Translating Prospects / Clients(as in a business deal:-))

I THINK you have done a good job – are you kidding me!!

I want it tomorrow – I expected it day before yesterday!!

Will you be able to come down for discussions – You goofed up now bring your ass!!

Your products / services are good but…- Your products / services are really good but I m searching for a flaw to negotiate further.

Your products / services are unaffordable – You guys are minting money.

You guys are minting money – What’s your package?

What’s your package? – We have an offer.

We have an offer – Do you have any vacancy?

There is no professionalism in what you do – Actually we are not accustomed to such high professionalism.

I am neck-deep in work – Outsourcing is not helping much.

We need to fix this issue – You better fix it else your competitor gets the renewal.

How do you select people in your company – We have lots of ‘pain-in-the-ass” cases here.

Your proposition sounds interesting – How much do you charge?

How do you suggest we go about using your products / services? – How much do you charge?

Why don’t you submit a proposal – Interesting concept but too expensive.

This seems to be a new concept – You are talking alien here.

Call me later – don’t dare to bother me again.

Can you provide me some more information? – I have no clue on the topic…please help me!!!!!

I have no clue on the topic…please help me!!!!! – You should (at least) appreciate my honesty:-)

You talk like a consultant – I know more than you do.

I know more than u do – Lets change the topic, u seem to be more enlightened.

This is not acceptable – I want value for money.

You guys work hard – This needed hard work, that’s why we outsourced it to u.

I think you can do it – You better do it, you are being paid for that.

I would like to meet your boss – I know you don’t have authority to reduce price.

Your competitor is pretty affordable – Your competitor is worthless.

We are considering other proposals also – Give me a good offer and you got it.

Give me a good offer and you got it – We have already decided this is yours; no one is ready to pick this job at such a low cost.

We are considering other proposals also (another version) – We are still trying to understand the concept.

Let’s shake hands – You got it!! I dumped my job for a dirt cheap price.

Enjoy…

Prateek