How to do things well - The MasterChef Australia Validation

To 'do' things well, one needs to declutter the mind and stick to the main idea. Action needs some coherence, some organisation, to be effective. Let's say we want to write a novel, score a hundred or take five wickets. If one is writing, write with the clear idea of following the main idea. If one is batting, bat with the idea of playing the next ball - one ball at a time. If one is bowling - bowl with the idea of merely having the thought of where and what you want to bowl your next ball. That is it. Come down to the one thought. Pen to paper, one word at a time. Bat to ball, one ball at a time. Ball on spot, one ball at a time.

Much theory can go around it to figure out how champions do it but in the end it is this - do it, one basic thing at a time. One clear idea. Organising the mind. And - do it intensely in that moment.

Great validation for this thought came from the Masterchef Australia Chef who summed up the process of good cooking today - (1) Be clear about the core idea (2) be true to the core idea even if you want to improvise and (3) organise your thoughts and processes to arrive at the core idea as best as you can.

Simple huh. You can use that formula for anything - writing a book, batting and bowling well, cooking, team selection - anything. Thanks Chef!

Thought for the Day - Hard work is simple

Hard work is really simple. All we need to do is to just do it right 'now' with full awareness. Hard work gets harder when we think of it too much - and do nothing or less about it. But the more we do it, the more intensely we do it, the less harder it gets.

Literary Day at Oakridge International, Bachupally

I was invited to be Chief Guest at the Oakridge International School, Bachupally campus today and I fell in love with the lovely environs - away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. The function started a bit late owing to my getting delayed in the traffic and the cab breaking down as well. But the children, intelligent and inquisitive,  listened patiently as I shared my writing journey, asked me many questions, and we ended up having a fine interaction. I was given a walk around the place by the Vice Principal Mr. Venkat Suresh and Ms. Suneetha who coordinated the event and we shared a few more thoughts over salad. The children gifted me a wonderful hand painting that exhorts us to 'Save Energy' and I was truly impressed by the huge paper figurine they made that represented the Olympic spirit I think. It was wonderful.

Thanks everyone, Pavan specially. I enjoyed being there.

Laudable Initiative from the AP Chief Minister

The new initiative by the Andhra Pradesh State Government to make Physical education compulsory in schools is indeed laudable. In a state where the perspective to a child's growth has taken a rather weird turn with extreme focus on academics and marks orientation, this move was necessary to restore parity and give hope to children and their real growth.

It's now well known that all children need not display the same intelligence in academics alone. Some display intelligence in sports and games, some in dance, some in music, some in other forms and all of these are recognised forms of intelligence. The child discovers himself and develops a healthy self-esteem through the intelligence that he or she expresses most or finds it easy to express through the most.

Sports comes naturally to some and I have seen in my own life that those who have played sports and games develop a healthy attitude to life through their work in teams, to leadership, to winning and losing - and thereby build a higher resilience to the vagaries of life. It also enables them to look at life with more 'empowerment' as they constantly seek to find a way to better their performance - and the only way is through more effort!

If nothing at all, sports is a time for laughter and physical activity, to release oneself by just running free and enjoying life as all children must do. The next initiative Chief Minister, would be to ensure that all schools also have access to grounds so they can express themselves freely. Well done!

Thought for the Day - Change Happens When You Are True To Yourself and Your Belief

Most times we accept things as they are because we are afraid of disturbing the status quo. In many situations where certain processes, thoughts are ingrained over years of similar and perhaps stale thought, it appears seemingly difficult to bring in a new approach. The air hangs around you like a miasma, people appear distrusting, conspiracies are seen everywhere - but its just the old insecurity. It is easy to get drawn into it and fear it and do nothing about it. For example when you enter a government office, you may accept status quo and leave it at that. After all its the culture you'd say. Or any organisation like a start up too.

But change does not happen when one accepts without trying. One must be true to oneself and one's convictions and beliefs irrespective of what is going on. If everyone believes that everyone is a crook, one can still speak to the good in the other person. It exists after all in everyone and if we speak to that part, that part will respond. All one needs is just enough momentum, one tweak and things could change forever.

This is something that Gandhiji did in his most stunning demonstrations of his faith in human goodness. it is something that can change the way societies can function. It is certainly something that can change the way organisations function.

Creative Writing Workshop Coming Up at Oakridge International School

I have an interesting assignment on hand - of conducting a Creative Writing workshop at Oakridge International School, for children aged between 11 and 16, starting this Saturday. The workshop is for six weeks, each an hour and a half every Saturday morning. It is the first time I am conducting a workshop of this kind but I took up the assignment because it is something I always wanted to do - share the writing process as I have experienced it - with aspiring writers. Doing the same with such fertile, young and creative minds is an absolutely delicious challenge and I am looking forward to it. The Oakridge School calls it 'The Future Authors Workshop' and it is one among the many workshops that are being offered to students as part of the 'Weekend Voyagers' journey!

Last weekend we had a 'Meet the Interested Parents and children' session at Oakridge where I was thrust into a rather forgotten role of sitting in a stall and explaining what  would do. I really did not bargain for that when I okayed the workshop for Pavan, my participant from an earlier 'Champion's Mindset' workshop, but I do enjoy putting myself into situations that are uncomfortable and also knock some of my ego out. I met a lot of young children, parents and some friends as well. I also met a young lad Rohit who is aspiring to be a surgeon and is currently studying in Ireland, who is teaching Mandarin as his workshop, and also wants to write a novel!

Though the school wanted children from the age bracket of 9 -16, I felt that the age difference would be too vast to address them as one (even now I hope that the 11 year olds can cope) and restricted it to 11-16. Several 9 year olds came up with their parents and it was rather distressing to see them so disappointed at not being able to join. But as I told their parents and the children - it was just that I was not prepared for them. They have such flexible and fertile minds that I better be absolutely sure of what I want to take them through in the workshop. I promised to take the learning from this workshop and devise one for the 9-11 age exclusively which I would do after these six weeks. Meanwhile I told them, please write and write and write. I saw some writing samples too and they were brilliant.

I am looking at two outcomes to this workshop. One, that the children write without fear of being wrong (language, spelling, grammar) and feel the exhilaration of writing, feel it flow out of their system and enjoy that process. Another outcome is to tell that of the laws of construction and structure that can help in writing creatively - which is not some God given gift - but pure simple work. One of the greatest insights into creative writing came from my elderly friend who is no more, a man who was highly learned, one of India's best cricket journalists and a wonderful writer, the late Rajan Bala, who said simply when I sent him my first novel that 'good writing is all about good organisation of thought'. And frankly all creative process is just that - clarity and organisation of thought. I hope to get these two outcomes across in the six weeks, share the process and set them on the path. I also expect to learn much - perhaps more than they will learn from me. I realise that 25 students of a slightly wide age group might be difficult to handle and requested my friend Rasana Atreya, who is herself a published writer and an editor at that, to help and she has consented to do that.Thanks Rasana.

Another interesting outcome of meeting the parents was that a few parents expressed the desire to attend a Creative Writing workshop. I found that interesting and promised them that I would be delighted to do one for them after these six weeks were done. All in all it is rather exciting and I am looking forward to the first session this weekend.

A New Role, A New Responsibility

In a totally unexpected development over the past few days I have been assigned a new role with the Hyderabad Cricket Association - one that promises to be an exciting and responsible one. I have been asked to be the Chairman of the Senior State Selection Committee, or in simpler terms the Ranji Trophy and other senior side selections for Hyderabad. It is a wonderful opportunity that is coming at the right time what with the team doing well in the last one year and showing signs of bringing Hyderabad back into the reckoning as one of the premier sides in the country.

There is enough talent around and our job is as simple of getting the best team to play for Hyderabad. Exciting times and I am looking forward to really doing a good job on it with my colleagues Riaz, Pawan and Jai. Go Hyderabad!