new

Happy new year. It’s the time of year when we make all promises to ourselves: giving up alcohol, cigarettes, or eating healthy. Whatever your plans are, make sure you pick one thing and be aware of it. Having a regular check-in will help.

At the same time, be grateful to be alive this far. Also, try to love yourself more before loving others or racing to find love.

Thanks

2021 is coming to an end. I don’t have much to share like others. I am just thankful to be alive so far along with my parents.

I feel lucky to have a few well-wishers. They stood by me all the time. Be it personal or professional front. I doubt I would have been here without them.

Lastly, I am not perfect and, I have also made mistakes. The learnings will ensure the coming year will be less painful.

Era

Are we living our life or outsourcing ourselves to the commons? How things have worked in the past or a defined spectrum for commons.

In sales, potential customers talk about our competitors. They won’t get fired buying it like IBM.

Are we living our life or outsourcing ourselves to the commons? How things have worked in the past or a defined spectrum for commons.

In sales, potential customers talk about our competitors. They won’t get fired buying it like IBM.

I used to get frustrated earlier, now I smile and ask if they are still living in the era of mainframes. Also, assure them about the new era and comfort it has bought for every stakeholder, most importantly the customers.

surrounding

As we age, we get more isolated from everyday movement and socializing. I had last few weeks where I spent time with some of my elderly relatives and now with my parents.

One thing that keeps them going is having a routine: waking up, praying, talking to loved ones. And other aspects like eating well on a defined period.

With the emergence of mass migration to metros for a better life, we have all become less connected to our parents. We will bring them to live with us. They will not enjoy it. We force them to change their routine and surroundings for us. In most instances, they will not complain. But will they be able to adjust to this change?

Can you imagine yourself airdropped in a different world in the ’70s of your age and taking away the daily rituals and connections? Will you be happy to make this sacrifice so that your son/daughter/grand kids live happily?

I will not enjoy aging like this. I would not like to see this happening to my parents.

Powerful

The book ‘Powerful” by Patty McCord talks about hiring and the overall culture at Netflix. Patty was an early recruiter there and these days consults startups by teaching how and what to hire. 

If you have read No Rule Rules by Reed Hastings, I don’t think you need to read this book. 

Building an initial team requires a clear vision, responsibility, and defined incentives and deliverables from every stakeholder. In short, as a leader, you have to hire adults and believe in them that they will deliver. 

Running an organization on principles matters like :

  1. Radical transparency
  2. Radical openness
  3.  Meritocracy and honesty

needs

Is there an end to our needs? How much do we need for a rational living? Has consumerism increased our unwanted needs? Or is this attributed to the progress of humanity?

Or all the mobile apps you have bought membership of from meat, grocery to food delivery for 10 mins delivery. Does it matter?

Are we living in a bubble where all these artificially created needs make us go bonkers and, we are in FOMO?

I don’t know. Ask yourself about the latest purchase and one before that. Are they used?

How Much Land Does a Man Need?

mercenaries

When building a startup for long-term success, the team should avoid mercenaries.

One simple reason for this is that mercenaries think for the short term and about themselves first. They want the best outcome for themselves and, when the ship is sinking, they will be the first to disappear.

If paid more, mercenaries will also fight against you in the battle by joining hands with your competitors and sharing internal secrets.

So make up your mind, decide and hire accordingly on the traits. Think for the long term and overall win-win for the organisation.

mutual tolerance

I am halfway through the book: How democracies die. One part of the book talks about mutual tolerance and its importance in keeping democracy alive. It means running the country together with some disagreement among the ruling and opposition. At the same time, the government and judiciary work together and keep democracy alive.

Once mutual tolerance is lost, democracy turns into anarchy and dictatorship. I found it fascinating.

If we relate mutual tolerance in our everyday life, it will fit in at many other instances in our daily lives as well.

daily

Our brain is a stupid beast. Either we tame it or get enslaved to it.

In the book power of habit, the author talks about how little incremental regulations can do wonders in the long run. At the same time, breaking the habit affects adversely.

Quitting a daily virtue is easy but getting back takes a lot of effort. The brain needs to be tamed, convinced, and politely told what’s not required.

I have been out from pranayam practice for a week and am a 24/7 zombie currently. The same goes with giving up on running cos of injury.