Thursday, December 5, 2013

Cowards do that and that ain't you.....

There are some awesome people around us who are so very inspirational.

 Sylvester Stallone and his Dog

 We think we know them. What we do know is how they look and maybe a few of their achievements. On knowing what they have been through, the kind of hurdles they have overcome, the kind of loneliness they have encountered, it sends deep shivers down our spine. Helplessly, we find ourselves saying, "Wow". 
Here is one such story. I am sure you have heard about him and seen his photographs. I am sure a few of us have made good fun of him too. After reading this "Life School Message" I am sure you will be amazed by his story.
Please allow me to share with you the incredible story of the travails and glory of Sylvester Stallone. I sincerely believe, every person should be told this story. 
Have you ever wondered why Stallone has a unique expression on his face? He seems like talking with a drawl right? It seems like he is talking out of one corner of his mouth, right? Right!!! He was born with the lower part of his face, paralyzed. As a result of this, his speech was always slurred. It left him with parts of his tongue, lips and chin, paralyzed. 
Can a person like this 'dare' to become an actor and that too as a hero? Impossible, isn't it? Wouldn't this inability sound the death knell for an acting career? For everyone else, yes! For Stallone, no! Read on...
Just imagine the ridicule he would have been subjected to his entire childhood. It would have been so difficult for him to clearly express his thoughts, his emotions, in words. The sounds he would make wouldn't come out properly. He was an outcast among the school kids. He often received suspensions, for his squabbles and poor grades.
The first five years of his life, Stallone lived in an area known as Hell's Kitchen. He moved from one foster home to another as his parents fought miserably and endlessly in a bad marriage.
Stallone wanted to pursue an acting career. He tried out for nearly each and every casting call he could, and contacted as many casting agents as he could find. The result of every effort was a 'thumbs down'.
One day Stallone was watching on TV, a fight between Weppner and Mohammad Ali. Weppner was getting absolutely butchered but kept standing. He was refusing to give up. It was as if Weppner was taunting Mohammad Ali to keep hitting him. And he kept on coming back for more. This underdog was really fighting for it despite the negligible chance of winning.
This inspired Stallone to begin writing. He could not sleep the whole weekend and wrote the script for 'Rocky' in about three days’ time. 
He began trying to sell the screenplay to many producers with enormous numbers of rejections. This went on for months. Then, he found himself broke. He slept at the New Jersey Bus terminal for three weeks as he had no money to take a room.
In an act of desperation he waited outside of a local liquor store asking people if they would buy his dog; his closest and best friend. In the end someone bought his dog for roughly $50. Stallone was extremely devastated that his life had come to that point. He says, this was the lowest point of his life.
He kept pursuing this story that he had written. Eventually someone liked it and they agreed to buy his script for $ 35,000/-. He wanted to play the part of the hero, Rocky.

They declined and insisted he sell the script to them. Stallone disagreed and told them he was the perfect actor for the hero's role. He declined their offer despite his current poverty.

A couple of weeks later they contacted him with an even higher offer and Stallone still insisted that he play Rocky. They once again declined. Can you believe this? The man was poor. He barely had money even for food.

The offer kept rising just so he would sell them the film without playing the part. The price eventually got to around $3, 00, 000 and still he declined. He was certain that he was the perfect person to play the role of the hero and that was it. There would be no possibility of a compromise.

Eventually they offered Stallone a measly $25000 for the script as well as acting. He accepted. Goodness gracious! Can you believe this? The first thing Stallone did was go back to the liquor store to buy back his dog.

He waited 3 days for the guy to come by and finally the guy came. He offered the guy $150 to buy back the dog, the man declined. Stallone was clear what he wanted.

It ended up costing him $15000 and a part in the movie to buy back his dog. The guy and the dog are in Rocky. The dog is credited as Butkus Stallone in the movie. Isn't that so cute? Imagine giving your pet, your name too. It makes my heart sing.
Rocky made about $200 million. Sequels followed. Till date Rocky has garnered over $1.25 billion.
Stallone lived by his statement in Rocky. 
Rocky Balboa: Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that.
It won 10 nominations for the academy awards. It famously won the Academy Award for best picture in 1976. At the awards ceremony he read out all the rejection slips from those who said the film fill fail badly and no one would watch it.
How is this for persistence? How is this for believing in your dreams? How is this for winning against odds?
Are you inspired? If yes, please share this story with as many people as possible. Let’s touch as many lives as possible.
With loads of love, prayers and exceptional wishes.

Source:
Narendra Goidani
As I Live...I Learn

Monday, September 23, 2013

ATTITUDE........

  
  A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and ask
  him for a Phone Call.


  Shop-owner replied Sweety this is no a STD, but you can do one call.


  The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation:


  The boy asked, "Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?


  The woman replied, "I already have someone to cut my lawn."


  "Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts
  your lawn now." replied boy.


  The woman responded that she was very satisfied with the person who was
  presently cutting her lawn..


  The little boy found more perseverance and offered, "Lady, I'll even
  sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the
  prettiest lawn in all of North-Palm beach, Florida."


  Again the woman answered in the negative.


  With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver.


  The store-owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy
  and said," Son... I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and
  would like to offer you a job."


  The little boy replied, "No thanks, I was just checking my performance
  with the job I already have.. I am the one who is working for that lady,
  I was talking to!"


Courtesy: Abdul Nabi Mansoor

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Developing Leadership Skills



"  He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander."
                                                    - Airstotle


Developing Leadership Skills:

No one is a born leader—everyone can develop leadership skills and everyone can benefit from using them.

First, take time to honestly analyze yourself.

Learn to understand yourself. It’s the first step to understanding others.

Consider these important questions:

1. What kind of leader am I?
    One who helps solve problems?
    A leader who helps people get along?
    How do others see me as a leader?

2. What are my goals, purposes, and expectations in working with this particular group?

Identify areas for improvement. Ask yourself these questions:

i. Do I try to be aware of how others think and feel?
ii. Do I try to help others perform to the best of their abilities?
iii. Am I willing to accept responsibility?
iv. Am I willing to try new ideas and new ways of doing things?
v. Am I able to communicate with others effectively?
vi. Am I a good problem solver?
vii. Do I accept and appreciate other perspectives and opinions?
viii. Am I aware of current issues and concerns on campus or in my community?

Then--after analyzing your strengths and weaknesses--take action.

Devise a strategy for upgrading your skills. Here are a few strategies to consider:


1) Communicate effectively.
   Effective communication is dialogue. Barriers are created by speaking down to people, asking closed  questions that elicit yes or no answers, using excessive authority, and promoting a culture that depends on unanimity. If your focus is winning the argument or if you react defensively to criticism, you’ll create fear of openness and hinder the organization’s growth.

Try these steps to effective communication:
· Listen actively-ask open questions. Be genuinely interested in what other’s say.
· Thank people for their openness--stress how much you value it--even if you don’t like specifically what is being said.
· Point to areas of agreement before jumping on areas of disagreement-this reduces defensiveness; members wont fear being “attacked.”
· Set aside your authority to create an atmosphere of partnership to reduce fear in group members.
· Promote a culture of constructive dissent-though not to the point of paralysis.
· Portray disagreement as simply a difference of opinion. Get rid of the “I’m right,you’re wrong” attitude.

2) Encourage enthusiasm and a sense of belonging.
   Show:
· Friendliness: others will be more willing to share ideas if you’re interested in them as people too.
· Understanding: everyone makes mistakes. Try to be constructive, tolerant and tactful when offering criticism.
· Fairness: equal treatment and equal opportunity lead to an equally good effort from all group members.
· Integrity: members will take tasks more seriously if you show that you’re more interested in group goals than your own personal gain.

3) Keep everyone working toward agreed upon goals:
· Remind everyone of the group’s purposes from time to time. It’s easy to become too narrowly focused and lose sight of the larger goals.
· Provide encouragement and motivation, by showing your appreciation for good ideas and extra effort.
· Harmonize differences and disagreements between group members by stressing compromise and cooperation.
· Involve everyone in discussions and decisions, even if asking for opinions and ideas means a longer discussion.

4) Get to know the people around you
Everyone has different abilities, wants, needs, and purpose in life. To get along with others and get results, you need to get to know them.
· Interact with group members as often as possible. The only way to get to know someone is through direct personal contact.
· Become familiar with every member of your group. Take note of each person’s unique qualities and characteristics.

5) Treat others as individuals
Put your knowledge and understanding of each group member to work!
· Be aware of expectations. Everyone expects something different: recognition, a chance to learn, a chance to work with other people, etc.
· Be creative. A repetitious routine can cause boredom. A successful leader thinks of new and better approaches to old ways of doing things.
· Provide rewards. Recognition by the group is a source of personal satisfaction and positive reinforcement for a job well done.
· Delegate responsibilities. If everyone shares the work, everyone can share pride in the group’s accomplishments. Let each member know what’s expected of him/her, available resources, deadlines, etc.

6) Accept responsibility for getting things done
· Take the initiative. Why stand around and wait for someone else to get things started? Set an example.
· Offer help and information. Your unique knowledge and skills may be just what’s needed.
· Seek help and information. Ask for advice if you need it. This will encourage group
involvement and help accomplish group goals.
· Make things happen. By being decisive, energetic, and enthusiastic, you can and will help get things done!
· Know when and how to say “no.” If your time and resources are already committed, turn down extra tasks, but do it nicely.

7) Problem solve in a step-by-step way
Whether you are faced with a decision to make or a conflict to resolve, following a logical approach will help.
1. State the problem as simply and clearly as possible.
2. Gather all relevant information and available resources.
3. Brainstorm as many ideas or solutions as you can think of (with others if possible).
4. Evaluate each idea or solution and choose the best one.
5. Design a plan for using your idea or solution. Include a timetable, assigned roles, and resources to be used.
6. Follow up on your plan by asking if your idea worked and why or why not.


Courtesy : Internet and Books on Leadership Lessons

Saturday, August 4, 2012

A Story on Relationship and Trust



Little Girl and her Father were crossing a Bridge.

The Father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter , " Sweet heart , please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river".

The little girl said.

" No, Dad, You hold my Hand ."

With Puzzled mind Dad asks  " What's the difference ?

" There's a big Difference , " replied the Little Girl.

"If I Hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go.
 But if you hold my hand , I know for sure that no matter what happens , you will never let my hand go."

Moral of the Story:

" In any relationship , the essence of trust in not in its bind , but in its bond.So hold the hand of the person whom you love rather than expecting them to hold yours"







Sunday, July 8, 2012

Hanuman : The Power within.......2

" Conceptually , Hanuman is the mind.Rama is the soul;it is the surrender of mind to soul;matter to spirit.
Hanuman is power personified. The Hanuman is us is fearlessness and doing what comes naturally to us,maintaining a balanced and steady approach.Identify your latent potential, realise the Hanuman in you.''
--Swami Akshara.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Hanuman : The Power within.......1

" Hanuman overcame difficulties with courage, patience & spirit.In time of danger he exhibited courage & presence of mind.He was unselfish,steady & firm in his actions.He would not submit to failures.All his actions were offerings to Rama.Hanuman exemplified Dasya Bhava.He was a rare jewel among devotees, the supreme head among pundits, the king among celibates & the commander among heroes & warriors "

----Swami Sivananda.   

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Sun comes down: Solar Power is becoming reality soon


The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has finally concluded the bids for the second batch of Solar Photovoltaic power project under the ambitious JNNSM program.
The process was handled by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN), the power trading arm of NTPC, which has been nominated by the Government to handle the Phase-I of the Solar Mission.
The curiosity on the allocations for projects with very low bids by developers made this allocation one of the fiercest to date and brought solar power much closer to wind as well as biomass sources.
Boom has started just like IT and Telecom has done earlier in the 90’s .Now only wait and watch is how soon the global decreasing module prices will bring down to grid parity soon.
According to the sources the cost of generating 1 MW of solar power has come down from Rs 25 Cr to Rs 11 Cr , this Batch II bidding has created Rs 4,000 Cr business in India.
There’s still lot to come in this sector like how India can meet its power deficit through Innovative solutions for the end user through a Captive Power.
The NVVN bidding results are now out with the lowest bid for 5 MW starting at a mind numbing Rs. 7.49 per ($0.15) KWh submitted by Solaire Direct who have in the past shown interest in using an all equity style of funding. The band was between Rs. 7.49 at the lowest and Rs. 9.44 ($0.19) for the highest bidding Green Infra.
The full list of bidding organizations and their quoted rates are as below:

All prices above are for a KiloWatt Hour Unit
*This info is validated by sources in the Government but errors are possible

*
Reg. No
Company
State
Size MW
Discount Offered
Tariff
522
Solardirect SA
Rajasthan
5
790
7.49
517
Welspun Solar AP
Rajasthan
20
742
7.97
517
Welspun Solar AP
Rajasthan
15
734
8.05
517
Welspun Solar AP
Rajasthan
15
725
8.14
596
Azure Power India  Ltd.
Rajasthan
20
718
8.21
596
Azure Power India  Ltd.
Rajasthan
15
718
8.21
554
Sai Sudhir Energy
AP
20
717
8.22
549
V S Lignite Power
Rajasthan
10
711
8.28
610
Jakson Power
Rajasthan
10
695
8.44
556
Symphony Vyapar (P) Ltd
Rajasthan
10
691
8.48
557
Lexicon Vanijya
Rajasthan
10
670
8.69
515
Shree Sulbaba Sugars
Rajasthan
5
666
8.73
610
Jakson Power
Rajasthan
10
665
8.74
617
LEPL Projects Ltd
Rajasthan
10
648
8.91
526
Sunborn Energy Services
Rajasthan
5
640
8.99
632
Sujana Towers Ltd.
TN
10
630
9.09
652
Fonroche Energy S.A
Rajasthan
20
629
9.1
642
NVR Infrastructure
Rajasthan
10
623
9.16
644
Enfield Infrastructure
Rajasthan
10
623
9.16
574
Essel Infraprojects Ltd.
Maharastra
20
612
9.27
587
SEI Solar Power
Rajasthan
20
611
9.28
503
GAIL
Rajasthan
5
607
9.32
524
Mahindra
Rajasthan
20
605
9.34
524
Mahindra
Rajasthan
10
605
9.34
523
Kiran Energy
Rajasthan
20
605
9.34
646
Green Infrastructure Solar
Rajasthan
20
600
9.39
647
Green Infra Solar Projects Ltd
Rajasthan
20
595
9.44
592
SEW Infrastructure Ltd
Rajasthan
20
594
9.45
631
Omega Solar Projects Pvt Ltd.
Rajasthan
20
591
9.48
631
Omega Solar Projects Pvt Ltd.
Rajasthan
15
591
9.48
631
Omega Solar Projects Pvt Ltd.
Rajasthan
15
591
9.48
509
Hexagon Renewable Energy
Maharastra
5
590
9.48
568
BMD
Rajasthan
10
590
9.49
579
Managalam Energy Development
Karnataka
5
590
9.49
589
Suyra Green Power
MP
10
582
9.57
621
Deepak Cables (India ) Ltd
Rajasthan
20
571
9.68
615
Bhgyanagar Industries
AP
5
570
9.69
621
Deepak Cables (India ) Ltd
Rajasthan
15
565
9.74
551
Raj Ratna Energy
Odisa
5
564
9.75
594
Acme Tele Power
Rajasthan
10
560
9.79
621
Deepak Cables (India ) Ltd
Rajasthan
15
556
9.83
508
Voyager Renewable Energy Resources
Maharastra
5
555
9.84
545
EMCO Power Ltd.
Rajasthan
20
552
9.87
501
Shyam Energy
Rajasthan
5
549
9.9
627
HCC Power Ltd
Rajasthan
10
547
9.92
612
Neel Metals Products Ltd
Rajasthan
15
542
9.97
597
Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Ltd
Rajasthan
10
541
9.98
541
Numeric Power
TN
10
540
9.99
518
GKC Projects
Rajasthan
20
540
9.99
582
CCCL Infra Ltd
TN
5
534
10.05
627
HCC Power Ltd
Rajasthan
10
525
10.14
548
BVSR Construction
AP
5
524
10.15
611
Surana Ventures
Rajasthan
5
524
10.21
615
Simplex Infrastructure
Rajasthan
10
518
10.22
560
Sarda Energy
Rajasthan
10
517
10.25
614
MaaDurga termal power
Odisa
5
514
10.25
614
MaaDurga termal power
Odisa
5
514
10.25
614
MaaDurga termal power
Odisa
5
514
10.25
525
Oswal Wollen Mills
Rajasthan
5
514
10.25
562
NAPC Properties Ltd
TN
10
512
10.27
570
ARL Infratech Ltd
Rajasthan
5
512
10.27
506
Chemtrols Industries
Maharastra
5
504
10.35
612
Neel Metals Products Ltd
Rajasthan
20
502
10.37
613
Era Infra Engineering
Rajasthan
5
502
10.37
588
VA Friendship Solar Park
Rajasthan
10
497
10.42
616
Tip Top General
Rajasthan
5
495
10.44
511
Geecee Ventures
Rajasthan
10
492
10.47
608
Gardenia Technologies
Rajasthan
5
490
10.49
521
Sai Energy
Rajasthan
10
489
10.5
639
Steller Energies Technologies
AP
20
489
10.5
625
HCC Infrastructure
Rajasthan
10
471
10.68
593
Amrit Green Powers
Rajasthan
5
469
10.7
593
Amrit Green Powers
Rajasthan
5
469
10.7
588
VA Friendship Solar Park
Rajasthan
20
458
10.81
561
Amtey
TN
5
453
10.86
612
Neel Metals Products Ltd
Rajasthan
15
450
10.89
531
M.S. Power Gen Lab
Maharastra
10
450
10.89
601
Surya Vidyut
Rajasthan
10
449
10.9
520
APPGGL
AP
20
441
10.98
520
APPGGL
AP
5
441
10.98
643
IL&FS Renewable Energy
Rajasthan
15
439
11
686
Zuberi Solar Power
Rajasthan
5
431
11.08
637
Asara Energy Ventures
AP
10
419
11.2
566
Indus Projects
Gujarat
5
385
11.54
606
Goppsons Paper Ltd
TN
5
369
11.7
564
Vandan Power Ventures
Rajasthan
20
360
11.79
583
PMP  Auto Components
Rajasthan
5
359
11.8
528
Sumari Holdings P Ltd
Rajasthan
5
349
11.9
559
Dahanu Solar Power
Rajasthan
20
348
11.91
618
M.S. Power Gen Lab
Maharastra
20
343
11.96
594
M.S. Power Gen Lab
Maharastra
20
343
11.96
559
Dahanu Solar Power
Rajasthan
10
342
11.97
618
BLP Solar Energy (P) Ltd
Rajasthan
20
329
12.1
594
Acme Tele Power
Rajasthan
20
328
12.11
513
Jain Solar Energy
Rajasthan
10
314
12.25
502
PLR Projects P Ltd
AP
5
297
12.42
530
GPCL
Gujarat
5
294
12.45
585
HPCL
AP
5
288
12.51
585
HPCL
Rajasthan
5
288
12.51
538
Megha Energy & Infra
AP
10
285
12.54
538 A
Megha Energy & Infra
AP
20
285
12.54
559
Dahanu Solar Power
Rajasthan
20
279
12.6
600
Soma Enterprise Ltd
Rajasthan
20
245
12.94
602
Cresent Power
Rajasthan
10
231
13.08
574
Optimus Infracom Ltd
Rajasthan
20
164
13.75
629
TCI Infra Developers
Rajasthan
5
144
13.95
595
DB Energy & Food Pvt Ltd
Rajasthan
5
139
14
504
NMDC
AP
5
100
14.39
624
Newton Energy
Rajasthan
5
2
15.37
514
Jain Energy Ltd
Rajasthan
10
0
15.39
619
Varalli Power
Rajasthan
45
0
15.39
604
Cargo Solar Power
Gujarat
10
0
15.39
653
Kriti Credit & Holding
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
603
Cargo Solar Power
Gujarat
10
0
15.39
635
Kriti Credit & Holding
Rajasthan
20
0
15.39
649
Cargo Power
Rajasthan
30
0
15.39
605
Aurum Ventures P Ltd
Gujarat
20
0
15.39
628
Glo Dyne
Rajasthan
30
0
15.39
645
Helios Green Energy P Ltd
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
628
Punj Lyodd Delta
Rajasthan
50
0
15.39
645
Green Infra Corporate Solar
Rajasthan
10
0
15.39
620
Chloris Properties
Rajasthan
50
0
15.39
641
Top Worth Energy (P) Ltd
Rajasthan
20
0
15.39
580
Refex Energy (Rajasthan ) P Ltd
Rajasthan
10
0
15.39
640
Top Worth Urja & Metals Ltd
Rajasthan
20
0
15.39
626
Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
568
MKC Infrastructure
Gujarat
5
0
15.39
638
Kaviti Power (P) Ltd
AP
20
0
15.39
563
Dundee Power (P) Ltd
Rajasthan
20
0
15.39
588
Solar - gen Power Gujarat (P) Ltd
Gujarat
20
0
15.39
630
Wadhawan Solar (P) Ltd
Rajasthan
20
0
15.39
547
BVSR Construction
MP
5
0
15.39
648
Synergy
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
571
Sembar Solutions
TN
20
0
15.39
555
Pancharan Merchants
Rajasthan
10
0
15.39
507
Filestone
Maharastra
5
0
15.39
650
SDP Services
Rajasthan
50
0
15.39
512
Associated Stone Industries (Kotah) Ltd
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
575
Icomm Tele
AP
20
0
15.39
656
WAA Solar
Gujarat
5
0
15.39
510
IST Ltd
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
546
Bhoruka Power
Karnataka
5
0
15.39
599
Juwi Photo
Rajasthan
10
0
15.39
598
Juwi Solar Power
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
540
Millenium Automation
Punjab
5
0
15.39
543
Enfield Ispat
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
542
Restore Machine Industries
Rajasthan
15
0
15.39
633
BG Power & Gas (P) Ltd
Rajasthan
20
0
15.39
519
Essel Minings & Industries
Rajasthan
20
0
15.39
634
Facor Alloys
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
567
Dholu Contructions & Projects
Gujarat
5
0
15.39
581
Bhilwara Energy Ltd
Rajasthan
10
0
15.39
651
Newbury Holdings Two Ltd
Rajasthan
50
0
15.39
636
Inspira Entreprises India Ltd
Rajasthan
5
0
15.39
550
Piyush Buildwell India Ltd
Karnataka
5
0
15.39
609
Inspira Sun System


Disqualified

584
Alex Spectrum Radiation
Rajasthan
15
Disqualified