Millionaire on What

If you tweet a million times does not guarantee you that you will be a millionaire neither does being a millionaire guarantee you a million subscribers on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. One has to decide on selecting and achieving the right ‘million’ first which can then potentially drive other figures if important.

Are you having fun at work?

Are you having fun at work? My answer to this question was ‘Yes’ because I get to work with a good team, I am working on exciting programs that will make a huge impact, I am passionate about what I do, and overall, I am having a good time doing it.

As I wanted to synthesise this further – which led me to Google and Twitter – I landed on this NY Times article by Catherine Price. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/23/well/mind/having-fun-suceeding-coronavirus-pandemic.html 

Catherine defines ‘true fun’ as when there is a confluence of three psychological states called playfulness, connection and flow.

This resonates with me as I can use this definition in all areas of my life. In light of the above definition – I am having fun at work as I have autonomy and creative license to bring playfulness in my work and team, I feel connected with my team and stakeholders and the time goes quickly (flow) as I find engaged and focused on driving outputs and helping my customers.

What’s your take on ‘fun’ at work?

Happy 75th Independence Day

Today’s is India’s 75th Independence Day. I have read 100’s of messages on social media and SMS from proud Indian’s celebrating in their own ways – proudly sharing the tri-color. This has got me thinking about the meaning of ‘independence’. This has me pondering about people beginning the revolt over 160 years towards an independent India!

They would have become independent over their fears first. They moved forward despite the fears.

What’s independence for you? What fears are you overcoming?

What is your act?

In every relationship and engagement we have, we have a role to play – an act. Having clarity to one’s act is important. It allows for one to focus on task at hand. When your act is of a listener, then focus on the act. If your act is to be a super-hero, be one. Don’t shy away from being the super-hero. Think and act like one.

Are the online reviews playing you?

Time and time again, I hear from friends that they bought a ‘thing’, selected a book, went to a place, went for a movie or have spent their hard-earned money and invested their time based on the online reviews. Many times they come disappointed.

Photo Credit – NY Times

In this day and age where we want quick answers and quick gratification, we want something and we want it now. This is even easier with the Internet. But before we take the plunge, some of us want to confirm if their decision is the right one and they go and check the reviews. They do that on Amazon, IMDB, shopping sites, financial products, builders, buying perfumes, restaurants, food items, buying cars, boats, checking online people references etc. Essentially we get reviews for nearly everything. Again, the connectivity comes handy and people are just one search and few clicks away before they can dive into reviews of their desired products or services.

Although this mechanism to make informed decision is great but has a big (but an easy) flaw! The reviews can be faked and relying on those reviews can cost someone tens to thousands or a lifetime of savings and agony. You will survive if you buy a book based on fake reviews or waste 3 hours of your life based on fake reviews but imagine investing thousands or millions based on star rating given by an rating company?

Fake Review on IMDB

When was the last time you identified some fake reviews?

So if it is too true to be true, check again! Just don’t blindly follow the star rating but open the bonnet to check further details! Fake reviews most times are easy to spot. Assess the risk of you making decisions based on the ratings. Don’t let the online reviews/ratings play you, dig deeper.

Who is (or should be) taking accountability for the fake (or inaccurate) reviews? In some countries there are laws which forces business/platforms to take ownership of checking on false reviews but who is checking on Businesses if they are following through? You won’t pick a life parter just based on online reviews then why not extend the same due diligence on some other things in your life!

Don’t rush through that book

Reading is a type of meditation. Don’t rush through the process.

Tejas Patel
Trust the Process

As a book reader, I often ask people as to what they are reading and sometimes the conversation becomes about what people have read and how long it took them. As times I sense that some people take pride in how quickly they are reading the book (or skipping through it)!

Read to learn, to understand and to connect the dots. The more you read (and understand), the better you will get at connecting the dots between different point of views, topics and your own experiences.

There are hardly any medals if you finish the book early unless you are taking part in the speed reading competition. So relax, let the words sink in, let your mind decide if you agree or disagree with what the author is saying and formulate your own perspective.