pranav

THE POWER OF THANK YOU

In the spirit of Thanksgiving this week I’d love to share with you the benefits and power of two simple words. THANK YOU. They are two words that have the power to transform our health, happiness, performance and success.

Normally you will find that grateful people are happier and more likely to maintain good relationships . A state of gratitude also improves the heart’s rhythmic functioning, which helps us to reduce stress, think more clearly under pressure and heal physically. It’s actually physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. When you are grateful you flood your body and brain with emotions that uplift and energises you rather than the stress hormones that drain you.

Gratitude and appreciation are also essential for a healthy work environment. In fact, the number one reason why people leave their jobs is because they don’t feel appreciated. A simple thank you and a show of appreciation can make all the difference.

Gratitude is like muscle. The more we do with it the stronger it gets. Therefore be thankful for everything that happens in your life.

 Perseverance Pays
No life is devoid of problems and challenges. When you get knocked down in your life, what do you do? Do you give up easily or bounce back with greater determination strength?

A successful life often requires you to persist in the midst of setbacks. Perseverance is a skill that anyone can learn to not only survive, but thrive through life’s curves. When adversity strikes, it is not what happens to you but how you respond to what happens to you that has the greatest impact on your life.

Perseverance is the commitment you make to yourself to do whatever is necessary to accomplish your dreams and goals. Perseverance means you refuse to give up in spite of the difficulties that may surround you. It is the attitude that challenges you to say “why not?” instead of “why?”

Being persistent is the one thing which separates the winners from the losers. The world history is full of examples of people who succeeded as a result of their perseverance. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all,” reminds Dale Carnegie.

The key in developing perseverance is taking small steps that result in small achievements, ultimately resulting in success with your objective. It is like building a jigsaw puzzle, one piece is added at a time, and eventually you have the finished picture.

It always seems impossible until it is done.” “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

Remember You Are ONE Not Separate  

The One Truth is that everything in life is influenced by oneness and separateness. For example, a team that is divided is disconnected and powerless. A team that is united is connected and powerful. The same applies to you. When you feel a sense of oneness, connection and unity, you feel strong. When you feel separate from yourself, from others and spiritually you feel disconnected, negative and weak. It’s why all mental health disorders report feelings of being isolated, disconnected, alone and separate. The more connected you feel the more positive you will be.  

Appreciate To Elevate  
When you appreciate, you elevate. You elevate your state of mind, you elevate your mood, you elevate your performance, and you elevate the people around you.
Since you can’t be stressed and thankful at the same time, when you practice gratitude or the appreciations you counter the stress that drains you.

Instead of focusing on what you lack, you appreciate what you have. Instead of feeling small, you are thankful for it all. Instead of a scarcity mindset where you don’t feel like you are enough or don’t have enough, you develop an abundance mindset.

Abundance flows into your life when gratitude flows out of your heart. Where stress and entitlement cut off the flow of positivity energy into your life, gratitude for things big and small connects you to it all.

Develop an attitude of appreciation for everything that happens to you, it will certainly carry a step forward toward achieving something bigger and better than what you are presently experiencing . Appreciation is the open door to abundance

It’s true that showing appreciation is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other that can take us for better tomorrow.
Let’s start with the simplest things of appreciation as such thing will leave with a warm feeling to all around.

REJECT FEAR – CHOOSE LOVE
This is a popular refrain and wonderful advice. Many believe that there are only two primal emotions in the human being, love and fear, and that we cannot feel both at once. And, that in the same way that light removes darkness, love can remove fear.

Love is the ultimate way to live with a high state of mind. Love is more powerful than fear. Love casts out fear. Love is inside out. Fear is outside in. Love radiates from us. Fear tries to invade us. 

We create and live from the love inside of us to overcome the fear that tries to sabotage us. When you focus on love, fear dissipates. So, instead of worrying about the outcome, love the process. Instead of fearing what people think, focus on loving what you do.

Instead of fearing and making a mistake, love the moment and opportunity you have. Instead of living in fear, choose to live with love. You will be stronger and more powerful as you take on your daily struggles and the challenges in the world.

And once you start choosing love over fear, I bet your world will become infinitely more safe, loving, and open, so you can in fact, do what your heart most desires and grow more into your person. All it takes is an open heart, a willing mind, and the desire to feel more love.

LOOK WITHIN AND NOT OUTSIDE
When you look outside and worry about what people think, focus on the outcome, feel the expectations and pressure from others and believe you are a victim of your circumstances, this lowers your state of mind.
When you look inside and realize the truth, that you create your life from the inside out and that you have the power to transform your circumstances, this raises your state of mind.
So don’t look outside at your circumstances. Look within your heart, mind, soul and the power you possess to create a better circumstance.
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look within your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” Says Carl Jung.
It is not only the most difficult thing to know oneself, but the most inconvenient one too. Therefore, look within to find yourself. You get an opportunity to improve.

When You Experience Doubt, Choose to Trust  Higher Power

The answer to doubt is trust, and it’s only a thought away. When doubt comes in, choose to trust. Trust in yourself. Trust in the creator of the universe. Every addiction program believes in a higher power because it’s well known that you aren’t strong enough on your own. Your will isn’t powerful enough. But when you trust and connect with a higher power, you become more powerful than the forces and addictions that are sabotaging you.

The seeds of doubt will always come in, but you don’t have to let them take root in the garden of your mind. Each day you can weed the negative doubts to feed and nourish your garden with trust.

UNITY BRINGS STRENGTH 
When we are united, we can bring the change. So unity not only gives hope and courage but also brings a change. Unity Gives Motivation: When we work as a team, we get motivated by each other and are encouraged to work harder. With motivation and hard work, we can accomplish greater goal.We cannot get inspiration in isolation but when we are together, we get inspired by each other in personal and professional matters.

Building unity demands effective communication, mutual respect, and a shared purpose. It requires transcending individual interests for the greater good and embracing compromise and consensus building. In a world often divided, recognizing the strength that emerges from unity is paramount. The force of unity can bridge divisions, shape societies, and conquer challenges, cultivating a brighter and more harmonious future when harnessed in personal lives, communities, and on a global scale.

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER

This phrase just indicates towards the unity and teamwork. Its true that together we all are stronger than when we are alone. Together we all can win any battle by overcoming all obstacles because together we empower each other.

Unity is strength means staying united in all situations. It has great value in all walks of life. When we are united, we can surmount challenges and accomplish any goal. The development of our society and country depends on this spirit. 

We all know that India was not an independent country till 1947. The British had come to India as traders but ruled for 200 years. It was just because of a lack of mutual unity among the people of the country. The Britishers took the advantage and adopted divide and rule policy. When the Indians came together to fight for their freedom from the British, which was a must, they united and fought against the British. This example proves that when we work unified then we can bring success.

No one can grow alone. We need support from others. If we want to grow we need to work together. If we have to achieve big success , we need to work together towards that success.

Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results

“None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.” –Said Mother Teresa

Henry Ford’s quote, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself,” is one of my personal favourite quotes on teamwork. 

In short Together we accomplish even the most difficult tasks.

HAVE A POSITIVE MINDSET

To keep on growing in life you have to keep on learning from things that happen around you. Many people are of the opinion that learning stops after you complete your education. But it is not so .

You are learning and growing every moment. Learning is only effective when you start implementing the wisdom and knowledge you get, in lives.

The more you fail, the more you learn. The more you learn, the better you get. The operative word here is to learn. If you repeat the same mistake several times, you are not learning from it. You must learn from your own mistakes and from the mistakes of others before you. The ability to learn from mistakes has value not just in business but in all aspects of life. If you live to learn, then you will really learn to live.

“Look for the good in every situation, seek the valuable lesson in every setback, look for the solution to every problem. Think and talk continually about your goals.” – says Brian Tracy

TAKE A RISK IT’S WORTH
In life, there are no safe places or risk-free activities. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Everything in life brings risk. It’s true that you risk failure if you try something bold and new  because you might miss it. But you need to understand that you also risk failure if you stand still and don’t try anything new. The less you venture out, the greater your risk of failure.

Ironically, the more you risk failure and actually fail, the greater your chances of success.Remember that You will not able to fulfil your purpose in life without stepping outside your comfort zone and take a risk . You’ll never know what you are capable of if you give in to fear, uncertainty, and doubt. You won’t make the positive impact you want without taking risks.

Remember, . “Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Says Helen Keller

PRACTICE IS THE KEY TO GREATNESS
Since our childhood we were taught that “hard work pays off if you wish to be good. You need to Practice, practice, practice “. Practice can make everything possible for any one and make them perfect. We must know the importance of practice in our daily life

Experts are not people with natural abilities or talents in a particular domain but ordinary individuals who attain and maintain a high level of consistency in terms of practice. So, as the old adage goes, “Practice makes perfect!”

Think about how you became good at something – be it some sport, dancing, writing, talking or whatever else you’re currently proficient in – at which you were once a novice or thought it impossible.

There is no substitute for practice, the only ‘magic formula’ that is capable of giving you the results you’re after. Practice empowers and enables you to cross boundaries,

Practice is the beginning of beautiful miracles waiting to happen. Therefore, whatever your goals, your desirable skills, your artistic aspirations and dreams of creativity, work towards building a steady and unshakable practice schedule around it. Having inserted yourself into that schedule, you will find yourself willing to entertain no compromise in exchange for your path to success and greatness!

Yes, it true “Without continuous practice, one cannot achieve great heights in life.”
DON’T PRACTICE UNTIL YOU GET IT RIGHT , PRACTICE UNTIL YOU CAN’T GET IT WRONG!!

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Congenital heart diseases (CHD) account for as much as 28 per cent of all birth defects. The incidence of CHD is around 8-12 per 1000 live births. In India, every year, approximately 240,000 children are born with CHD, of which one-fifth need early intervention to survive the first year of life. These estimates are based on regional hospital-based data and the actual numbers may be higher considering the high rates of maternal infections during pregnancy and a significant percentage of unsupervised home deliveries where critical CHD may escape detection.

The magnitude of the problem is further compounded by a large pool of older infants and children who may have survived, despite no intervention.

Taking the prevalence of CHD into consideration, there are an estimated 25 million (2.5 crore) children, adolescents and adults with untreated CHD in India, which poses a huge challenge and burden on the patients, their families and on society.

If access to screening, early diagnosis and treatment is available, the baby has a 95% chance of survival with good long-term outcome.

Such advanced care is practically unavailable to over 90% of babies born in developing countries, including India.

A number of cardiac centers have been developed over the last 10 years. However, most are in the private sector, and are not geographically well-distributed.

Challenges to pediatric cardiac care include financial constraints, health-seeking behavior of community, and lack of awareness. Government of India is taking a number of steps for improving health of children through its various program and schemes that are likely to benefit children with congenital heart disease, especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized.

It will not be out of place here to mention that the number of children born with CHD in Asia have no or minimal access to healthcare, which ultimately results in a much higher child mortality rate compared with the rest of the world.Hence Rotary has to play a pivoted role in addressing this issue.

In Mumbai, Rotary District 3140 now 3141/3142  started Pediatric Heart Surgery programme in 2012-13 named as “Touching Little Hearts”. Initially limited to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH) at Andheri, District 3141 and 3142 are now undertaking such surgeries in many hospitals. Currently, apart from KDAH, Pediatric Heart Surgery programme is going on in SRCC Hospital, Haji Ali; Wadia Hospital, Parel; Fortis Hospital. Mulund and Jupiter Hospital, Thane and some more hospitals. Starting with just 50 surgeries in 2012-13, the programme has gone from strength to strength in subsequent years.

It is estimated that annually, Rotary Districts 3141 and 3142 supports about 1500 surgeries in all these hospitals costing more than Rs.30 Crores – undoubtedly the largest philanthropic activity of Rotary in this part of the Rotary World.

India is a country with more than a billion population and a crude birth rate of 27.2/1000 population. This would amount to about 28 million live births every year. Going by an
incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) of 8/1000 live births, we could expect about
180,000 children born with an abnormal heart from these, nearly 60,000–90,000 suffer from critical CHD requiring early intervention.

Apart from Rotary District 3141/42 there are some more Districts in the county which are involved in this activity under Gift of Life or Save the little angels. We do appreciate the support Rotary is receiving from some of the corporates under ÇSR and the support from the Rotary Foundation. All the same we must realise that there are very few Charitable organisations in India which are working for the children born with this disease.
Let Rotary promote this project whole heartedly and save the children. Let’s support and help Rotary to heal little hearts and give a chance of life to children born with Congenital Heart Defects.

UNITY IS STRENGTH

Everyone has their unique definition of unity is strength, but all definitions could be summed up as one word: solidarity. The proverb unity is strength means stronger together.

“United we stand, divided we fall” is a popular proverb we have been taught since our childhood . It indicates the necessity of unity and collaboration. It implies that when people are ready to stand together and work together, they are able to accomplish great things while divisions and dissensions result in downfall. In a family, group , society or nation, when the members are ready to stand together, it is not going to be easy to defeat them. But, if they are divided it is easy for others to do so.

There are many benefits of staying united in tough times, as it helps to face challenging situations with courage. The importance of staying united has struck a chord among many people throughout history.

Where there is selfishness and narrow-mindedness there’s greater tendency to fight and stay apart from each other. Where there is generosity and large-heartedness, people know how to stay happily together. Wherever we are, do we have an earnest desire to stay together and work together? Or do we, at times, or may be often, remain as agents of division and disharmony.

Yes , . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.

Positivity is the Competitive Advantage 

Love is the difference!

BEING YOUNG IS ALL ABOUT BELIEVING YOU CAN!

The key ingredient of youth is self-belief that you can. The foundational belief of the young should be that you can always become better. It is this belief which propels one to try new things even when one feels uncertain.

If you don’t believe that it’s possible to make new things work or to make things work differently, then it’s hard to make any progress. However good the idea be, if you don’t believe in it and in yourself, nothing will work for you. 

People who do not believe in themselves run the risk of being filled with self-doubt, low self-esteem and failure. Low self-esteem can be the root cause of some mental health problems and can set in motion a vicious circle. 

You feel bad about yourself, so you get depressed, which makes you feel even worse about yourself, so you get more depressed and on it goes, being ever so difficult to break! Only positive thinking and belief in yourself will help improve your youthfulness.

Many young people have talents they’ve never benefited from because they have never “tried” to do something new with those talents. Maybe you should give it a try. After all, nothing ventured nothing gained!

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

I counted my years and realised that I have already spent 0ver 75% of my life and now have less time to live than the time I have lived so far.

I have more past than future…

I remember the story of that  young boy who had a a bowl of cherries . At first he grabbed them hurriedly , but when he noticed there were only a few left, he began to taste passionately.

I no longer have time to deal with people with negative attitudes .

I have no desire to sit with egoistic people .

I have no time to find myself amongst those who are occupied  with meaningless discussions about the lives of others who are irrelevant to me…

I am no longer interested in spending my precious time managing the sensitivities of those who , despite their chronological age , are immature …

I hate to confront those who are selfish and interested for themselves.

My time has become scarce to debate labels.  I can understand the inner essence in this world now ….

My life is in a hurry …
Only few cherries are left in my bowl …

I want to live close to people who are “ Human “ – Humans who laugh at their own weakness, and away from those filled with self importance…

For me , the  essentials are more than enough !

Yes ! I am in hurry …

I am in a hurry to live with the intensity and passionately that only maturity can give …

I just can not afford to waste any of the remaining cherries …

I am sure they will be exquisite, more than those eaten so far. …

I strongly believe the golden words spoken by someone  “ We have two lives . The second begins when you realise you only have one.” …

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

On this special day, we want to take a moment to express our love and gratitude for everything you have done for us. You are the one who gave us life, who nurtured us and supported us through all the ups and downs of our lives. You are the one who taught us how to walk, how to talk, and how to be a good human being.

You have been our constant companion, out confidante and out rock in times of need. Your unconditional love and support have given us the strength to face any challenge that comes our way. Your sacrifices and selflessness have taught us the true meaning of love and compassion.

We cannot imagine where we would be without you and we are so grateful for all that you have done for us .You are an amazing mother, and we are so proud to be your children. You inspire us to be a better person every day and we hope to make you proud.

On this Mother’s Day, we want to say thank you for everything. Thank you for your love, your guidance, and your unwavering support. We love you more than words could ever express. You might have left us but the memories will never die within us

Happy Mother’s Day.

With unending love and gratitude to you all our lives.

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

1. You are here for a reason and the most important thing you can do in life is to find, live and share your purpose. It’s the one thing in life that truly matters and if you don’t pursue it, everything else is meaningless.

2. Follow your passion. It so often leads you to your purpose. You may not know what your passion is right now. That’s ok. The important thing is to make it your life mission to find it, live it and share it. To help find your passion, seek out jobs and experiences that allow you to use your strengths and gifts. Do what energizes you. 

3. Beware of hobbies. Just because you love spending time on Facebook doesn’t mean you would enjoy working for the company. And just because you love to cook doesn’t mean you would enjoy owning a restaurant. 

4. Quit for the right reasons. Don’t quit because work is hard or you’re experiencing challenges. Quit because in your heart you know there is something else for you to do. Quit because you are not benefitting yourself or the organization you work for. Quit because you are absolutely certain you are no longer supposed to be there.

5. Learn from every job and experience. Every job, good or bad, prepares you for the work you were ultimately born to do.

6.Your current job may not be your ultimate purpose but it can serve as a vehicle to live and share your purpose.

7. Whatever job(s) you take after graduation simply decide to serve. When you serve in small ways you’ll get more opportunities to serve in bigger ways.

8. Your dream job is likely not the one you dreamed about. So often we end up in amazing careers that have nothing to do with our college degree or childhood dreams.

9. The quest for your purpose is not a straight line. It is filled with mystery, signs, obstacles, victories, dead ends, delays and detours. Your job is to stay optimistic and faithful on your quest. 

10. Don’t rush the future. There is a process that seeds must go through in order to become all they are destined to become, and you must go through this same process to become the person you are meant to be and do the work you are meant to do. You may want things to happen NOW but more than likely if you got what you wanted NOW you wouldn’t be ready for it. The purpose process prepares you, strengthens you, shapes you and grows you to be successful, not in your time, but in the right time.

11. Be the Seed. Seeds surrender themselves to the ground so they can be used for a greater purpose. Wherever you work, decide to plant yourself where you are and allow yourself to be used for a greater purpose. When you plant yourself and make a difference you grow into the person you were born to be and produce a harvest that will benefit others and change the world.

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

1. You are here for a reason and the most important thing you can do in life is to find, live and share your purpose. It’s the one thing in life that truly matters and if you don’t pursue it, everything else is meaningless.

2. Follow your passion. It so often leads you to your purpose. You may not know what your passion is right now. The important thing is to make it your life mission to find it, live it and share it. To help find your passion, seek out jobs and experiences that allow you to use your strengths and gifts. Do what energizes you. 

3. Quit for the right reasons. Don’t quit because work is hard or you’re experiencing challenges. Quit because in your heart you know there is something else for you to do. Quit because you are not benefitting yourself or the organization you work for. Quit because you are absolutely certain you are no longer supposed to be there.

4.  Don’t rush the future. There is a process that seeds must go through in order to become all they are destined to become, and you must go through this same process to become the person you are meant to be and do the work you are meant to do. You may want things to happen NOW but more than likely if you got what you wanted NOW you wouldn’t be ready for it. The purpose process prepares you, strengthens you, shapes you and grows you to be successful, not in your time, but in the right time.

5.!Be the Seed. Seeds surrender themselves to the ground so they can be used for a greater purpose. Wherever you work, decide to plant yourself where you are and allow yourself to be used for a greater purpose. When you plant yourself and make a difference you grow into the person you were born to be and produce a harvest that will benefit others and change the world.

The best is yet to come!

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

“What we think, we become” says the Buddha. The ability to think and thank is something that makes humans unique and different. Psychology tells us that whatever you wish to accomplish in life you must first fix in your subconscious mind. So impress your subconscious mind with thinking and thanking.

Always think of something positive. Every dawn has something to look forward to. As soon as you get out of bed, think of something positive and make the day productive .

Watch your negative thinking. If thoughts of being helpless and hopeless continue to enter your mind, you might just need to take a nap and overcome such thoughts. Give a thought to what Norman Vincent Peale has said  “Change your thoughts and you change your world”. So start thinking of yourself as the person you want to be.

Grateful people live great lives. Learn to thank God for what you are and what you have . You will be much happier if you focus on what you are and what you have. Be thankful for the opportunities that are everywhere around you, the things you enjoy doing, the place you live in, the friends you have and so on. Gratitude also turns your negatives into positives. Appreciate what life gives you every day and you’ll be happy.

And finally “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.” – Buddha

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

Does not your heart burst with happiness when someone speaks to you words such as “You’re so wonderful,” “I love you,” etc.? Yes, they give you a high; they sure make your day! You feel positive, encouraged, motivated and loved. How about when someone’s words hurt you? Suppose they call you “stupid,” or “ugly” . You probably would feel like someone piercing your heart with a sharp double-edged sword.

True , the right words spoken at the right time can make all the difference in building people up. Right words delivered at the right moment have tremendous power and enormous weight.

You need to be mindful of the words you speak.It means thinking well before speaking. Give a thought to how your words could make or mar others in a given situation. Be aware of what you say at any given moment. Your words can make a big difference in someone’s life.

When you know the power your words can have you’ll do well in choosing the right words. Do not take your words for granted.

Remember: It’s not just what you say that matters, but also how and when you say it. A right word spoken at the right time can actually be life-changing and life-giving.

Avoid making unkind remarks and statements. Be empathetic. Let your well-chosen words be comforting and soothing in moments of pain. Let them bring about a change in someone’s life!

Always remember, Those sweet souls who speak kind words when they could rightly criticize are the most influential beings in all the world.

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity,” thus health is defined by World Health Organisation. 

Being healthy is not merely the absence of disease but a combination of sound body, mind and spirit. It is quite natural for all of us to aspire to be healthy physically as well as mentally, emotionally, morally and spiritually though it is not always attainable.

 
Studies have shown that our thinking and our state of being are interlinked. We are able to think better when we are physically healthy and fit. So pay attention to your physical appearance and feel good about your physique. Nourish your body with healthy food, regular exercise and sound sleep every night.

Our ability to function well will also depend on what we choose to think . If we choose to think positive of ourselves and carefully watch our thoughts and thinking pattern, we will be healthy. So one needs to strive to have an optimistic mindset.

Spiritual and mental health is something we often ignore and we don’t even consider it to be part of our overall health. It is, in fact, in this realm that we discover the purpose and meaning of our lives. It gives us peace and harmony within us as well as outside. 
Hence the importance of maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle which willl help you to think positive thoughts and live a truly healthy life.

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

Based on your unique priorities and goals, measuring success in your personal and professional life can be a subjective and complex process.

 However, here are some general tips:

Identify your goals: The first step in measuring success is to identify your goals, both personal and professional. Make a list of what you want to achieve in different areas of your life, and be specific and realistic about what you hope to accomplish.

Set measurable targets: Once you have identified your goals, set measurable targets to help you track your progress. 

Review your progress regularly: Review your progress regularly to determine if you are on track to achieve your goals. This will help you identify areas where you need to adjust your approach or set new targets.

Celebrate your achievements: Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may be. Acknowledging your accomplishments can help you stay motivated and inspired to continue striving towards your goals.

Seek feedback: Seek feedback from trusted friends, colleagues, mentors, and coaches to help you assess your progress objectively. This can help you identify blind spots and make adjustments as needed.

Remember that the key to measuring success is to focus on specific, measurable goals that are relevant to your own unique personal and professional aspirations.

By tracking your progress and adjusting your approach as needed, you can stay motivated and achieve the success you desire.

Finally, always remember,

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” “Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success.” “That should be the measure of success for everyone. It’s not money, it’s not fame, it’s not celebrity; my index of success is happiness.”

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Sent from my iPhone

Life is a consequence of the times we live in. Life is the real thing. Many people spend their life worrying about everything. Even the smallest obstacle is branded as a problem. If problems can be solved, why worry? If problems cannot be solved, then worrying will do no good. If you consider your life as a blessing enjoy it and do what interests you, at least one person will be happy.

Have a Guru (teacher) in your life. A good coach can change a game. A great Guru can change a life. In this life, Rotary has become a guru to many of us in more ways than one. It has taught us, guided us and helped us to do good to others even when you know that they cannot return your kindness except to say, “Thank you,” from some corner of the world. Rotary has enriched our life by making us realise that even the smallest act of caring for others is like a drop of water – it can make ripples throughout the entire pond.

In this life, Rotary has shown us that it is much more than a movement that has given a space for us to gather and share some fun-filled moments. It has given us an opportunity to heal the wounds of people, create jobs, develop economic activities, eradicate diseases, hunger, illiteracy and more importantly sow the seeds of love and peace in the community. Rotary has shown that for our projects to be successful, the activity must not be just for the community, it must be built in partnership with the community. That is why day after day, life has to be a constant process of learning and Rotary gives us the opportunity to hear from people about their hopes for a better life and what they expect from Rotarians. 

One of the secrets of fruitful living is to understand that life is the most beautiful and gratuitous gift. We have to work hand-in-hand with our neighbours to ensure that our life goes on without much hiccups. We must use Rotary as an economic engine to bring hope to thousands of people during these trying times. This will make your life beautiful.

If you are looking for a source of inspiration lately, for a reason to be optimistic about the direction in which your life should move forward, look within yourself. Spend time today, tomorrow and every day visualizing good life for millions of people in this planet. You will be inspired and this is the promise of nature. This will make your life beautiful.

You will wake up every morning with a happy thought of life and will be motivated to engage with your community. You will see a recurring tension between your own ambitions and your duties to your family and society around you. But, it is a tension that anyone working for the welfare of the community and change needed knows very well. This is the beauty of life.

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

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Success is important. We definitely need to be achievers but we also need to enjoy the path we take to achieve our goals. At certain times in our lives, we need to be daring enough to take a path not trodden, or to befriend a person whose relationship with us is not likely to bring any economic or emotional benefits. Happiness and joy can be found not only in the destination but also in the journey.
We might choose the wrong way, might fall for the wrong person, occupy the wrong chair or board the wrong train, but remember, life is not all about well calculated moves. Although well made plans can help you reach your goal easily by minimizing hurdles and maximizing profit, allow yourself room for the occasional fall or the unexpected encounter with a perfect stranger in times of struggle. These too will give you as much or even more joy than merely reaching your goal without encountering trouble.

Always remember At each stage of life you can plan all you want, but learn to expect the unexpected because whether you want it or not, the unexpected will be a part of your life

Ashok Mahajan
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It takes a lot of work to create a world-class organization. It’s hard to develop a successful team. It’s not easy to build a great culture. It’s challenging to work toward a vision and create a positive future. It’s difficult to change the world.

As a leader, you will face all kinds of tests, challenges, adversity and negativity. There will be times when it seems as if everything is conspiring against you. There will be moments you’ll want to give up. There will be days when your vision seems more like a fantasy than a reality. That’s why positive leadership and building a positive team is so essential.

Ashok Mahajan
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Your vision is always greater than your circumstances and your purpose is always greater than your challenges.
Stop looking backwards. You can’t change the past, but you can find focus, optimism and peace in the present to create your future. Stop looking at the negativity on the screen and look up to the heavens. Then look out into your future and think about what you truly want to create. If you can see it you can create it. If you have a vision you also have the power to make it.
Remember to encourage and put courage into yourself and others each day. Don’t worry about the future, Just encourage yourself daily and give your soul the oxygen it needs to be fully alive and thrive.
Always Stay Positive,

Ashok Mahajan
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“It’s easy to find the talent. The key is to find out what’s inside them.”

While talent is easy to spot, it’s a more investigative process to attempt to decide if a person has the mindset, character, attitude, work ethic, grit and resilience to overcome adversity and failure in order to succeed at the highest level .

The interesting thing about trying to decide what’s inside someone is that I believe everyone has greatness inside them. I believe deep down every one has the potential qualities that every organisation is looking for. I believe everyone is born with grit. If you were a child learning to walk and kept getting up after falling down, you had and have grit. If you kept your promises or admitted when you didn’t, then you have lived with integrity. If you loved the game, before it felt like a job to live up to the expectations you and others have placed on you, then you’ve had a love for the game.

So, I think the deeper question is, ” Id there anyone who has discovered the power inside them?”

Is there someone who realizes that there is greatness within hin/her? Do they know they are more powerful than their circumstances? Have they tapped into the love, joy and goodness within them? Do they feed the positive or negative inside them? Do they allow fear to inhibit them or love to propel them?

Everyone has this power inside them. Everyone has the power to work hard, be resilient and gritty, live with character and integrity, stay positive and be an overcomer.

The ones who thrive are those who tap into it and unleash it.

Ashok Mahajan
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When the RI President for 2023-2024, Gordon R Mclnally, who belongs to Scotland, gave the theme, Create Hope In The World’ he gave all of us, especially leaders such as yourselves, the role to be Creators.

So, if you are going to be the Creator, what should you do? You have to cause something new to happen or exist. What is that you need to create urgently now? You have to create the atmosphere for bringing the world into an orderly existence.

In Rotary, like in any other field, when you want to be the Creator, you have to sharpen your skills, imaginations and ability to move with people. As a Creator you have to invent, produce, bring out new concepts, and achieve goals,

Today, with chaos and turmoil going on in many parts of the world, one can easily say, “The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose.”

But that is exactly why Rotary’s theme is Create Hope In The World.

We have to create the desire and hope to live peacefully within people in every part of the world and show how it can be done.

The thrill that can go through the human heart of the Creator as he sees some of his creation of the brain unfolding to success is an unmatched happiness. Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, and everything.

When Rotary created the hope that Polio can be eradicated and all of you worked tirelessly, every year the results we saw made us believe more in our ability to bring hope to millions of children, especially to their parents, that we can conquer the crippling disease.

When India was declared Polio Free in 2014, the happiness that unfolded in the country within every one of over 1 billion citizens is a case you should remember.

For Rotarians who worked it was a momentous occasion and I can recall that I could not sleep for days and I went about thanking God, The Creator, for blessing our country.

Many of the leaders in the Rotary World have attributed the creation of the Ulema Committee by me as the major reason why Polio was eradicated sooner here.

I am humbled by your confidence in me and I again recall the many trips organised by the INPPC to remote areas in UP, Bihar , Malegaon and few other States which needed more messages of hope and confidence that the polio vaccine will work.

It did work and this was the reason why the Governments across India tied up with Rotary to fight Covid 19.

The Government knew that Rotarians can Create Hope within people that Covid can also be contained and as the Chairman of Rotary india’s Covid Vaccination Task Force, I was able to get all your support and we took the message of hope to millions who were unwilling to get vaccinated.

Be the Creator of such hopes. Any authentic creation will be your gift to the future of mankind. The richest source of creation is the feeling, followed by a vision of its meaning.

But first understand this. Life in Rotary is not about finding yourself. Life in rotary is about creating yourself.

You are God’s highest form of creation. You are a living and breathing magnet. You have the ability to control what you attract into your life. So, if you attract love and peace, you can create more love and peace elsewhere and create hope in the world that Peace is Possible.

It is said that before commencing creation of this universe and all that is here, Lord Brahma performed yagnas since anything created has to be maintained only through sacrifice.

This is what this DTTS and AGTS aims to do. If you want to be the creator, you should also put into action our sacred Motto, Service Above Self.

If you understand that Creativity is also about connecting things, you will not wait for inspiration. You will have to go after it with a hammer.

As our RI President-elect has said, you have to come up with creative solutions to develop the mental health of people. This is the basis for peace. So, what can you create new in the years to come?

First, you have to create confidence amongst your Rotary club members that the organisation they have joined is capable of solving mega issues the world faces now.

For this to happen you have to create a harmonious atmosphere within the members of the clubs and district. If there are bickerings about elections, posts, procedures, accounts and such matters in the club and in the district then DTTS and AGTS would not have served any purpose.

Only when you are able to look beyond yourself and see the Rotary organisation as an entity that was created to do good in this world, can you aim to create hope in the world.

Paul Harris created Rotary to constantly inspire the next of leaders to create the change they want to see in this world. The leadership programmes such as DTTS and AGTS were launched over the years by Rotary leaders to connect emerging changemakers and equip them with tools and support they need to create hope in the lives of millions of people.

You can say that these seminars are a way helping Rotarians to explore a career in public service.

As we wrap up this year and get ready for the next one, it’s worth taking a look back at how far we’ve come. By any measure, 2022 – 2023 is a historic year. We have a lady Jennnifer Jone as our world leader for the first time.

We were able to control the unchecked spread of disinformation about the spread of Covid and we also saw the growing number of Rotary District leaders who refused to stand up for any move that threatened to scuttle our democratic function.

What gave me hope this year was seeing so many Rotarians around the world fighting back, especially the young leaders that Rotary is grooming to change the world.

Our network of leaders in India are already starting to have an impact on different issues and in different communities. And the more activists, organizers, and entrepreneurs I meet, the more I believe in their potential to create hope in the years to come.

Your training here must empower emerging leaders, the young people committed to making their communities better through a values-based approach.

Let’s address issues of systemic racism and gender discrimination in order to build a more diverse and representative generation of leaders in Rotary.

As the calendar turns to a new year in July 2023 with new possibilities and opportunities to inspire positive change around the world, I hope you’ll celebrate by making a strong decision today to put an end to all negative energies that are preventing the growth of many clubs.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

The challenges we face are too great for any one person to solve. It will take sustained effort from brave leaders, organizations, and committed supporters like you willing to work together to make progress possible.

This is what you learn here today and you have to share this knowledge with your club members. A post in the District Administration is not what counts in your life. You have to put life into Rotary, your life. There is no time to waste.

Rotary is expanding its work to train young people across this country with the DTTS and AGTS program that will allow more people to be a part of our growing network of leaders from around the world.

And while these young people are working on the front lines of a range of issues, one thing that has become obvious is that progress on so many of them is linked to a broader commitment to democratic values of Rotary.

Right now, democratic ideas are under assault around the world and also to some extent in service organisations and NGOs. This has nothing to do with traditional partisan lines or policy preferences. What’s being challenged are the foundational principles of the movement itself.

That’s why such training seminars aim to bring together some of the remarkable young leaders in our network with some of the top thinkers and practitioners in the field so we can protect, improve and develop Rotary clubs.

It’s fair to say that we won’t solve this in 24 hours. The reasons for democratic backsliding are complicated and varied, but leaders have identified a few issues where we can start digging deeper.

Stalwarts of Rotary explored ways to create a more inclusive and sustainable model of Rotary leadership, so that members feel they’ve got real leadership opportunity.

You must reimagine both our traditional and social media platforms to curb toxic disinformation and encourage a healthier exchange of ideas, strengthen the forces of pluralism in an increasingly diverse world by looking at the story we’re telling about our culture, values and identity – because for any genuine service organisation to function, all people need a seat at the table.

Making progress on many issues is a project that will take decades, not years. But it will be driven by the ideas and insights of a new generation of leaders who are better attuned to the changes that are taking place around the world. We want you to be those leaders.

So, what will you create? Create jobs, create healthcare facilities, create educational institutions, create confidence, create happiness for all these are the ways in which you can create hope in the world.

From the beginning, we’ve set out to be a different kind of organization, and that extends to the way we talk about our work. Rotary club’s annual report isn’t just a place to share financial data or metrics—the kinds of things you’d usually expect from a yearly readout.

You must see it as an opportunity to tell our story, the story of Rotary in every part of the country. Your voice will help shape this organization and by sharing it with your members, you must create hope that nothing is too difficult for Rotary to do.

Your Rotary story must be about how diversity and inclusion are core to our calling and our conduct.

For Rotary International, expansion is important as It will enable this organization to encourage and affect change locally, while showcasing the Internationality to the rest of the world.

Rotary’s plans have been collaborative from day one, built in partnership with thousands of people who have offered their ideas and feedback in person and online.

We’ve been building this hope together from the start. Let’s carry this over the finish line for that alone strengthens the hope that ‘We can do it together.’

As we look to the year 2023-2024, I could not be prouder of the work we’re doing and the change our young leaders are making in their communities. I hope you’re just as excited as I am for the year ahead. From my family to yours, I hope you have another joyful Rotary New Year.

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

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The millennium women – she is strong, yet gentle. Courageous, yet kind. She knows she can fly. She is the woman who is expanding her horizons. She is rooted in human values. She keeps in step with evolving hopes and aspirations of the Indian woman – ever changing, yet never changing.

She has the courage to dream and strive to make it happen. She is not content to drift along but has a definite goal and purpose in life. She plans to make a difference.

I applaud and recognise both the very essence of her femininity as well as the evolution that takes her bravely into the new millennium. A tribute that will make her proud, inspire and energize her to move on to new achievement.

As I salute the dynamic achievers, the women of tomorrow, I see them everywhere. She is there in your home, in your office, in the battlefield, in the sports arena and in every technologically advanced field. She is what makes the world go round. Yesterday. Today, in the new millennium and for eternity.

Please accept my greetings on the day that recognizes the contributions that women have made to make this world a better place.

Ashok Mahajan
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This RI theme given during 1988-1989 by the then RI President Royce Abbey from Australia is still relevant while talking about how to take our movement to greater heights, especially after a charged training seminar like this.

Rotary members are the true pillars of the Rotary movement in spreading the divine message of Service Above Self to one and all . And now you will be the source of communication and motivation to Rotarians in 3053 as the true representative of your Governor PAWAN .

This privilege of Rotary membership to bring about a change in the lives of people worldwide will be a doorway to the liberation from disease, hunger, illiteracy and such things which hinder the peace process.

Rotary clubs must be considered as a powerfully consecrated space which helps to hasten our inner growth with disciplined , spiritual and ethical practices.

To understand the beauty of life in Rotary you have to dissolve and see how you become as a human being.

If you have to dissolve in the life of Service in Rotary, you have to realise that something here is more significant than yourself.

That realisation will make things happen. You will become an extension of Rotary, not an individual existence. You will see that being an extension is not an idea but a reality.

But somehow many people got the silly idea that they are an entity by themselves in Rotary.

When you become an extension of creation, in this case an extension of Rotary itself, you become a Rotarian in its real sense . This means you have become a limb of the ultimate creation, in this case the Rotary movement itself.

When you become the limb of the ultimate Rotary philosophy, whether you become a President, DG, Director, Trustee, District Officer or club President and when you act, you will do only that which works for everybody.

Everything you do will support the ecology and environmental process in society and more specifically within Rotary.

This programme was designed to remind you of the importance of value-based leadership. You were made to know your role , the importance of membership, the value of our Foundation and many more important issues which will make things happen in 2023-24 .

Rotary’s history was shaped by how we were led and the future will depend on how you lead.

Rotary leadership programmes are dedicated to make you committed and empowered leaders who can change the world for the better.

Remember that Club Champions programme is an opportunity to take your efforts to the next level! I am asking you to launch of Club Champions programme in every club.

Make it a platform for celebrating the unsung heroes of your clubs .

Make it an award program to identify, recognise and reward members who are tirelessly working towards building a better future for the community and for your clubs .

The Club Champions awards will amplify their desire to continue in Rotary and give the members an access to a vibrant network to grow their ripples into waves of change.

I would like end by saying

May the road rise to meet you

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May the wind be always at your back .

May the sunshine warm upon your face .

May the rain fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again…

May God hold you in the palm of his hands .

Good luck ..

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

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Whether you are a leader of a business, team, or Rotary Club I hope you’ll be encouraged to be a better leader.

1. People follow the leader first and the leader’s vision second. – It doesn’t matter if the leader shares a powerful vision, if the leader is not someone who people will follow the vision will never be realized. As a leader, who you are makes a difference. The most important message you can share is yourself.
2. Trust is the force that connects people to the leader and his/her vision. – Without trust there is a huge gap between the leader and the vision. Without trust people will stay off the bus. However if people trust the leader they will hop on the bus with the leader and help move the bus forward towards the vision.
3. Leadership is not just about what you do but what you can inspire, encourage and empower others to do.
4. A leader brings out the best within others by sharing the best within themselves.
5. Just because you’re driving the bus doesn’t mean you have the right to run people over. – Abraham Lincoln said “Most anyone can stand adversity, but to test a man’s character give him power.” The more power you are granted the more it is your responsibility to serve, develop and empower others. When you help them grow they’ll help you grow.
6. “Rules without Relationship Leads to Rebellion” – Andy Stanley said this. As a leader you can have all the rules you want but if you don’t invest in your people and develop a relationship with them they will rebel.
7. Lead with optimism, enthusiasm and positive energy, guard against pessimism and weed out negativity.
8. Great Leaders know they don’t have all the answers. – Rather they build a team of people who either know the answers or will find them.
9. Leaders inspire and teach their people to focus on solutions, not complaints.
10. Great leaders know that success is a process not a destination. – Remember that winning is the by product of great leadership, teamwork, focus, commitment and execution of the fundamentals. As a leader focus on your people and process, not the outcome

Ashok Mahajan
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March 8 is celebrated every year, as International Women’s Day .  On this day, we specially honour, and recognise women and express our deep gratitude to them for what they do and sincere appreciation for what they are. It also reminds us of our duty to come together to create a world where women and men are respected, valued and treated as equals, free from various kinds of prejudices and discriminations. 

Women Empowerment means making women strong enough to stand on their feet and make their own decisions. Women have been the victims of male domination and exploitation throughout the human history and even today, they’re deprived of many of their basic human rights. Nowadays, a great awakening is taking place all over the world for women empowerment. Rotary Clubs all over india honour snd felicitate women throughout the month of March.

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform,” says Diane Mariechild, the famous author of Mother Wit. It’s enough that we encourage and support women to recognize and realise their real strength. Women’s empowerment has to be one of the top priorities in our country. Are we ready to make it one of th one of the top priorities in our lives . 

Ashok Mahajan
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“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford

In spite of all our differences, we need one another to grow as social beings. But the sad fact is that individualism has been raised almost to a religion. Success justifies greed and greed justifies indifference to fellow human beings. 

The fact is that we truly do complement one another. We share the commonality called humanity. Though our differences vary, our basic needs remain same. There is no true life and happiness for us in the absence of our fellow-humans. It is the feeling of getting accepted and being loved that acts as a driving force in our lives. We will experience the real joy of living only when we realize that each of us is a piece of a puzzle, and that without one another, we would make the picture incomplete. 

Our differences should make us reach out to one another. They should bring us closer together in order to learn from and about one another. That’s how we grow. We need to celebrate difference until it doesn’t t make a difference. 

Finally, togetherness brings about progress. What cannot be achieved by a single soul, can be achieved by the combined efforts of many. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Says Helen Keller . Remember the age-old saying, “United we stand, divided we fall . 

Ashok Mahajan
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Have you ever observed that it only takes a spark to light a fire , and soon all those around are warmed up in its flame ? If so , how much good you can do to others by living a significant life . 

A life of significance requires nothing external. You can be significant with or without material landmarks . A life of significance is far more concerned with what you give to others, than what you gather for yourself. People may forget what you say and do to them , but they will always remember how you made them feel. Your true significance calls for an answer “Am I making a difference in the lives of others “. 

Remember that it does not take more than a spark in you that can inspire hundreds and thousands to face the challenging world with enthusiasm, hope and courage. It’s always good to make a conscious effort to inspire the people around you. if your words and actions inspire others to dream more , learn more , do more and become better person, you are not less than any great and significant people in the history.

“I expect to pass through this world but once , any good thing therefore that I can do to any fellow creature, let me do it now , let me not neglect it , for I shall not pass this way again “ let this be your motto in your life .

May your life spark be tiny glimpses of a larger flame .

Ashok Mahajan
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At a time when membership in voluntary service organisation is under threat worldwide, what gives me hope is the promise and potential of the next generation of leaders.

These young people are deeply engaged in revitalizing the institutions that support a healthy democratic service opportunity and modeling the values that have always defined Rotary at our best. That’s why I am requesting all Rotarians to invest very much in young leaders.  I am excited to see Rotary Leaders around the globe convening forums that are focused on the ideas that are essential to our growth. This is what makes us great.

Your journey towards greatness begins when you humbly accept your weaknesses and try to improve upon them to convert your weaknesses into your strength. Humility is the prime quality that makes you great. True greatness makes you humble.

We must explore a range of issues, from strengthening our institutions and fighting disinformation, to promoting inclusive leadership and expanding pluralism that will shape Rotary for generations to come. We must showcase Rotary in action around the world and approaches that are working. We must discuss and debate ideas for how we can adapt our organisation for a new age. 

We hope that such a debate will  give everyone who believes in service the confidence that they can help make Rotary stronger. Because if we want Rotary to flourish, we will have to fight for it, we will have to nurture it, and we will have to demonstrate its value, again and again.

Every great action is always taxing when it is undertaken and every great venture is daunting when embarked upon. Your greatness gets reflected when you make use of all the opportunities and resources available. To achieve greatness, you must put extra efforts in doing ordinary things in an extraordinary manner.

Great people don’t spend their lives in doing small things but they spend their lives for doing something great, something that outlasts their own life. Rotary is such a great organisation which expects great things to happen to make the community know the importance of this fine organisation which is involved in the noble act of service.

Once we realise that the way we exist right now is not enough, that there is something more, your journey towards greatness has already begun.

Service through Rotary has immeasurable transformative power. Selfless service aligns your entire system so that your body, mind, emotions and energies function in harmony. This, in turn, establishes a chemistry of blissfulness within you and empowers you to create your life the way you want it. 

Ashok Mahajan
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Communication, communing, communion and community are essential tools for health, happiness, relationships, families and life. Our existence was never meant to live in isolation and alone. We were made for intimacy, friendship, connection and relationships. We are meant to grow and thrive in community. 

So as you think about your family, friends, and your near and dear think about how you can communicate in such a way that builds community. Communicate to connect and unite, not divide, and connect in such a way that you build a community that supports and nourishes each other, making each individual feel more whole and the collective whole stronger. 

With effective , honest and improved communication we communicate “with” each other, enhance our relationships and build stronger, “united” families ,communities and nations “together.”

Let’s communicate and Build a Stronger, More United and Connected Communities.

Ashok Mahajan
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Philanthropist and businesswoman Rajashree ji , through her group, Aditya Birla Group, has just in the past made yet another gift of USS1 million to Rotary to help eradicate polio.

The gift brings her total contributions to the Rotary’s  effort to more than US $16 Million .

This gift will be matched two-for-one by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, resulting in $3 million in new funding for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Rotary is a leading partner in the GPEI, especially in advocating government and donor support, fundraising, and building awareness.

RajashreeJi’s generous gift is deeply appreciated and could not have come at a more opportune time in our fight to end polio once and for all. Her generosity no doubt will inspire other private donors to step up and help Rotary take full advantage of our innovative partnership with the Gates Foundation.

Birla’s gift underscores India’s commitment to remain polio free. India –which some experts believed would be the last nation to beat polio – hasn’t recorded a case of the disease since January 2011.

“Now we owe it to humanity to see that Afghanistan, and Pakistan also become polio free in near future,” says RajashreeJi.

Life is a mystery that unfolds gradually. There are times we are confused and puzzled. All the same there are also definite moments of brightness and enlightenment. The mystery of life cannot be fully understood in isolation. Hence each of us needs to be assisted by those around us to understand and appreciate the mystery of life .

Living your life to the fullest doesn’t mean to be reckless, insanely courageous, or on the edge of existing.

Endowed with unique features and talents every one of us has a definite role to play in the lives of others. Each of us definitely make a difference in the world with our uniqueness. Comparisons and unhealthy competition may fill people with the feelings of worthlessness. But all the same when we rise above these unhealthy traits one will be able to recognise one’s own uniqueness and the distinct role that he/she can play in the lives of people around.

Life gives us a lot of opportunities to be the change that we want to be in our lives . The problem is that these opportunities are often disguised. Many miss the opportunity to be good friend just because he/she has failed to notice a drop of tear in the eyes of another or has failed to give a nod of appreciation when the other needed it most. These things do make a difference in the lives of others. Act as if these things make a difference. They do . 

Life is a one time gift. Use it in the best possible manner. So love, laugh, live, be yourself, be happy and have trust in those who love you most .

You only live when you fulfil your purpose in life and you only live when you achieve greatness. Anything short of that is simply a wasted life, an unproductive life, and a dead life.

Great people are the ones who have maximised their potential by their sheer hard work and dedication. They were not born with a silver or golden  spoon in their mouth but transformed the world by their humongous contribution. They could make lasting contribution to the lives of others because they were willing to put in hours of toil transforming their dreams into realities.

you have the potential to keep building on your progress. Never stop challenging your limits so that you will never cease the process of laying the foundation for your best self. 

Even if you’ve already achieved some of your goals, you can always challenge yourself to do more and better. Believe strongly that the best

is yet to come. Have a complete detour

in your life to maximise your potential, because fully actualise individuals are needed for a transformed world.

You only live when you maximise your potentials, you only live when you fulfil your purpose and you only live when you achieve greatness. Anything short of that is simply a wasted life, an unproductive life, and a dead life.

Start maximising what you have, instead of worrying what you don’t have.

I’ve been very fortunate over the last five decades to work with many of the best leaders and organizations in business, service. and education. I’ve found that the best in these different fields implement the same principle.

They have clarity that drives their actions. When you are on a mission with a vision you won’t give up when faced with challenges. It’s essential that everyone in the organization is clear on the vision and mission and knows how they can contribute to it.

Their Culture drives expectations and beliefs. Expectation and beliefs drive behaviors. Behaviors drive habits. Habits create the future. If you want the fruit you must invest in the root. Culture is the root. Culture creates sustained success.

They do ordinary things better than everyone else. Success is all about the fundamentals. 

They are mentally stronger. Through  adversity their belief is greater than their circumstance. They take the actions necessary to create positive results.

They overcome their fear of failure. Everyone has fear but the best thing is to overcome it. They don’t allow it to control, limit or paralyse them from taking action. The greatest success strategy is to focus on the love of what you are doing instead of fearing the outcome.

They  build great relationships and teams. No one creates success alone. We all need a team to accomplish something great. The best leaders and team utilise the 4 Cs . They communicate, connect, commit and care.

They transform negativity . They feed positive and weed the negative. One person can’t make a team but one person can break a team.

They think like rookies and overcome the curse of experience. They don’t expect a bad outcome because it happened before. They don’t long for the good ole days. They work hard, believe anything is possible and create the good old days right now. They innovate, adapt and turn challenges into growth opportunities.

They  care more. In a world where most don’t care those who care stand out and perform better. They put more time and energy into their product, design, service, and/or craft. 

Let’s make the organisation we represent as one of the best and enjoy its positive results.

Kindness is an interior disposition that makes a person place others before self. It is not a fancy luxury we allow ourselves to have but a fundamental responsibility as humans. In a world torn apart due to conflicts of various nature and intensity, an act of kindness that you can show to others can make a world of difference because there is no tranquilizer in the world more effective than a few kind words and deeds. You may not be able to make a difference to the whole world in your lifetime; but an act of kindness can definitely make a difference to the person it is shown.

One of the strange things about kindness is that it compels the beneficiary to show forth kindness in his/her life!  Its true that Nothing multiplies so much as kindness, Therefore, it is up to you to make a decision that no one ever comes to you without getting away better and happier. Always remember that the best portion of a good life is little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.Be kinder and make the world a better place to live in.

Marathon runners are rugged athletes. But usually they are not leaders; they compete alone. 

Leadership is a team work . It means getting everyone involved in reaching the goal. 

Leaders do more than direct individuals. They build a team. They gather the separate strengths and abilities of individuals and incorporate them into a working unit. 

Leaders have both personal goals and the organisational goals. They strive to excel individually, but their greatest delight is helping the whole team achieve. 

Leaders understand the importance of good communication. They know that the purpose of the team is mere paper until the team members objectify  it. They know that without the team members’ interaction, communication  the work will be disjointed and the team mates will be divided. 

Leaders build morale and create community. They keep the mood positive. They never discourage the teammates. They complement and praise individual and team efforts. They celebrate victories and share setbacks. Good leaders take a little more than their share of the blame, a little less than their share of the credit. They recognize outstanding achievements because they know that propelling one of the team members forward will push the rest of the team to achieve more.

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say we did it ourselves. 

Leadership is 1% of leader and 99% of team work .

Ashok Mahajan

Director, Rotary international (2007-09) 

Trustee, The Rotary Foundation (2009-13) 

SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Rotary claims to stand upright for HONESTY. Do we? It is ironic that in the age of great advances, we are traveling the other way as far as ETHICS are concerned. No development can survive if HONESTY starts disappearing. Rotary works for PEACE and PEACE is at stake as we tend to overlook HONESTY. Why is it so difficult ? Because HONESTY begins with us. ETHICS depend on us. Individuals can only promise ETHICS. There is no path to HONESTY. HONESTY is the path.

“Honesty is a very expensive gift. Don’t expect it from cheap people.” Warren Buffett

Ashok Mahajan 

SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

To achieve some thing extraordinary you have to have the company of right people . Surround yourself with ambitious people When you surround yourself with ambitious people, you may feel more inspired to be motivated yourself. Seek support by finding a mentor. When choosing a mentor, find someone who is where you want to be. They can help you start working toward this place. Surrounding with mediocre or mean minded people will never allow you to get where you wish to be . They will always there to misguide and discourage you .
Always remember an average person with average talents and ambition and average education, can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society, if that person has clear, focused goal .
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO: Empower you Believe in you Support you Uplift you Motivate you Appreciate you

Ashok Mahajan
SMILE- SERVE-SACRIFICE-SATISFY

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Being hopeful means that you believe there will be an end to your adversity, and you will see better days. 

Sometimes we face difficulty in many fronts  of our life. These challenging times in life can be very distressing, and that too if they are coupled with huge losses. It may appear as an end of everything, but we must remember everything that begins also ends. We must never give up hope. 

You must remember that you are not here merely to make a living, you are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.

If you are feeling hopeless, hold on to your faith and don’t lose trust in life. Try your best to do what you can and if you don’t feel things are under your control, just wait for the new season, it may take time, but will surely come. There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope .

Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future. 

Love Yourself 

Enjoy Every Movement Of Life…

Life Is Beautiful.

Ashok Mahajan 

SMILE- SERVE – SACRIFICE -SATISFY

To achieve some thing extraordinary you have to have the company of right people . Surround yourself with ambitious people. When you surround yourself with ambitious people, you may feel more inspired to be motivated yourself. Seek support by finding a mentor. When choosing a mentor, find someone who is where you want to be. They can help you start working toward this place. Surrounding with mediocre or mean minded or failure people will never allow you to get where you wish to be . They will always there to misguide , discourage and disheartened you . 

Always remember an average person with average talents and ambition and average education, can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society, if that person has clear, focused goal.

Ashok 

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It is so easy to get caught in our busy lives. Life moves quickly with the seasons. it is on our birthdays that we get the time to pause and be thankful for the blessings and wishes we receive in our lives from friends . How could I achieve my desire to do all what I was able to do? You, my friends, helped me to unlock my full potential. Your friendship is valuable to me and when I started to count the blessings, my whole life turned around.  Thank you for your wonderful wishes on my birthday on July 23rd . I know that this thank you is never meant to be for one single day. I realise that the true measure of me saying thank you for your wishes is how I use it to lead a more purposeful and fulfilling life.

Regards.
Ashok.

SMILE- SERVE – SACRIFICE-SATISFY

Always remember that Life is a gift, not an obligation.

Three things you control every day are your ATTITUDE, your EFFORT and your ACTIONS. It doesn’t matter what others are doing or who you think is being unfair. Every day you can focus on being positive, working hard and making others around you better.

SUCCESS is often measured by comparison to others. EXCELLENCE, on the other hand, is all about being the best we can be and maximizing our gifts, talents and abilities to perform at our highest potential. Pursue excellence today.

 Failure is not meant to define you. It’s meant to refine you to be all you are meant to be. Don’t let your failures be a part of your identity. Move forward and create your future.

Don’t let negativity win today. Remember it starts with you. If you are complaining you’re not leading. If you are leading you’re not complaining. One person can’t make a team but one person can break a team. Stay positive! No energy vampires allowed.

One person in pursuit of excellence raises the standards of everyone around them. And as they strive for greatness they bring out the greatness in others. Be that one person today.

If they praise you, show up and do the work. If they criticize you, show up and do the work. If no one even notices you, just show up and do the work. Just keep showing up, doing the work, and leading the way.

Where there is a void, Negativity will fill it. Fill the void with positive, proactive communication and you’ll help neutralize the negativity before it starts. This applies at home, at work and every relationship in your life.

Expect to Win Today. Champions expect success and their positive beliefs often lead to positive actions and outcomes. They win in their mind first.

Remember Your WHY! We don’t get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it.  

Let your unique awesomeness and positive energy inspire confidence in others.

Ashok Mahajan 

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