My Learnings…. My Transformations

 

Time management is not clock management

When we are young we think that money is the greatest resource in life. We study hard and later work hard to earn a lot of money. But as we grow more mature in life we realize that time is our greatest resource. It will take time to understand that.

All of us have only 24 hours. We need time to take off from work and travel, be with our family, learn a new art, develop a hobby, and we may not find time for any of these.

We should create time to do something close to our heart.

One of my friends is a writer, motivational speaker, documentary film-maker, actor, dancer, fitness coach, yoga specialist and entrepreneur. How does one do all of these and much more?

“Time management is not clock management, but life leadership.”- mahatria

When a student takes great pride in saying that he is very punctual or regular to school, it is to be appreciated. But, he should also know that what he does during school hours is what really matters. Is he utilizing every period to gain a better understanding and application of the different concepts, acquire skills, expand his knowledge, develop the right values and attitude, become physically fit and mentally sound, and thereby growing holistically?

Then he is making the right utilization of time by using it productively.

As teachers, what is our contribution towards the lives of our students? Even if we are regular to school, prompt in going to our classes, what really matters is, how many students benefit out of our classes. Are we making our students employable, or ready for life? Right utilization of time is life leadership.

Mere transference of knowledge without an impact is only clock management. I can say I was in class, nothing else.

If we are touching lives and making a difference, that is the best utilization of our time.

Whatever we do should translate into something significant. Mere action without direction will not serve any purpose.

So, remember, more than focusing on what we did during the day, on an hourly basis, or more than the work that we completed, how productive and purposeful we were, makes the time invested, worthwhile.

I understood this only after wasting a lot of time in the past. Prompt in everything, but not productive. Working for a larger Cause helped me to discover myself and is making my life meaningful and purposeful. Time well invested in preparing students for life.

“Time management is not clock management, but it is about managing time in the context of what you want to be in the future”- mahatria

Find time to do what you are passionate about, to use your potential and to be useful to the world.

Leave your footprints on the sands of time…

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting

The Land of Hellas

The alleys were bubbling,

With the energy of the youth.

The aroma of the coffee,

And the Feta cheese.

The cafes looked ethereal,

And tastefully designed,

Each one surpassing the other.

 

I could not believe,

That such places existed.

Each and every corner,

Beautiful and striking.

The ornate flowers,

That decorated the building,

The traditional clothes,

And the handcrafted jewellery.

 

I ran around excited

Like a little child

In a candy store.

All the time clicking,

And not having had enough.

Enjoying the food,

Of a different kind,

but relishing every morsel.

 

Stunning beaches and taverna,

At every step of my way,

Tourists in large numbers,

Gathered from all over,

Enjoying this unique land,

And the experience.

Soaked and drenched in the sun,

And in music and food.

 

Blue sea is what you see,

Everywhere you go.

The volcanic islands offer,

Nothing short of a breathtaking view.

Ships and catamarans are in plenty,

The place is a mesmerizing beauty,

That you feel,

It is surreal.

 

This magical land

Boasts of a great culture and history, 

Of philosophers, conquerors,

Mathematicians and sculptors.

The great ruins are a reminder,

Of the talented race.

It is a dreamland

One must visit!

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting

 

The Creators of My Life

Happily, I emerged

From your womb.

You nurtured me

With love and care.

I grew up as your child,

Feeling secure

In your lap.

You were my playmate

And then my confidante.

You alone understood me.

You were my strength.

Your face never revealed

Even if you were in pain.

Years went by,

And you became

My child, my mom.

From my childhood,

You were my toy.

The elephant rides

Are vivid still.

You gave me power

And pushed me

To be strong and confident.

I was reluctant

To cry in your presence 

As I wanted you

To be ever

Proud of me.

You had more ambitions

for me than I had.

A great life

You provided me, my dad.

School was home

As you were there

Every morn

With a smile

To receive me

And take me

Along with you.

Oh, my Guardian Angel!

How much I cherish

The days I spent

Learning and unlearning.

You kept repeating

The dos and don’ts in life

Till I mastered them.

You created me

And shaped my future, my teacher!

I always saw

Only the form,

Far away

Enshrined and untouched.

Sang Thy praises,

Chanted Thy name

In a thousand ways.

 

Spiritual evolution in life

Helped me to see Thee

Within me.

I realized that

You are nearer than the nearest.

You are me,

And I am You.

We are in unison

As I was, in my mother’s womb!

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting

 

My Learnings…. My Transformations

IOU- Importance Over Urgency 

“Discipline is the ability to focus on “What is important” before it becomes urgent.”

The by-product of what is urgent is stress and the by-product of what is Important is peace.

Procrastination takes us to a point where we cannot postpone anymore, and a sense of urgency sets in and we have to hurriedly do what must be done. This becomes stressful.

A student who wastes the entire year on gadgets, social media, friends, gossip gangs, games, etc, suddenly finds himself with very little time to prepare for his exams. What was in the beginning of the year, important, but was overlooked, has now become urgent.

This leads to undue stress, as he doesn’t know from where to begin, what to study, what to leave in choice, as everything is important. He loses his sleep and peace of mind. Now all that he can do is, regret for wasting his time. Does it serve any purpose?

There are students who are very focused. They set a goal first, and then make a plan. Attitude to win is important. But it has to be backed up by an attitude to prepare to win.

It is such a joy to see students who keep setting a target for every exam and then note down how much they scored. Whether they achieved their target, or surpassed their target, or fell short of their target. They then reset their axis and change the process if their earlier process had not helped them achieve their target.

Thus, their goal is to crack the exam. Champions are those who invest their time in Q2 of the time management quadrangle. They prioritize, plan, prepare and perform. This approach helps them to use their time effectively and achieve their goal by focusing on what is most important.

The same applies to our health as well. We prefer watching television, or social media, or chatting with friends, over daily exercise. The spontaneous answer I get from people for not exercising is, “I don’t find time.” Morning time is in your hands. Wake up half-an-hour earlier and gift it to your body, instead of waiting for hours at the doctor’s place.

If exercise is not given importance, it will become an urgency when we develop health issues. You cannot avoid your daily walks. It will one day become mandatory.

I don’t give my body a choice. After I come back from work, there are days I feel lazy, but my mind prevails over my body. I push my body beyond its limits. I don’t even listen to my body pleading with me. I hit the gym. Weight training is very essential to protect your bones.

I practice yoga in the morning. Waking up early has become seamless now. Again, it is mind over body. It took a lot of effort to reach here. Today, I am enjoying the benefits of all my hard work. I will never have to tell anyone, “I can’t do it.” Whether it is climbing six to seven floors, or squeezing myself into the back seat of the car, or walking twenty thousand steps a day while on a holiday, or trekking in the Himalayas, I have done it all. You will never feel your age.

So, begin today. Become proactive. Don’t wait for the doctor to decide your daily routine. Create your own schedule. Never tell you don’t have time. Create a time for yourself. Else, your body will create an urgency so that you pay attention to your body.  If you take care of your body, your body will take care of you.

Exercise should be an important part of your life. Don’t execute a choice. Make it a choiceless state.

If you neglect what is important, it will one day become urgent.

Judicious use of time is the key. I realized this the hard way.  Try it out one day at a time, and you will make your life a celebration.

This is one of my learnings. Celebrating my life!!!

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting