As we push ourselves to do better and to achieve our potential, there comes a time when we lose balance, the sight of reality. This time typically comes in our ascending period when we try to control everything - beyond even what matters to us. We somehow tend to think that we, as we were earlier, are not fully equipped to handle this new reality, this challenge of being in control of everything. And so we change ourselves bit by bit. Smiles disappear, miles get added on, frowns appear, information is not shared, spontaneity is lost.
As we change ourselves to be that person in total control we lose control entirely, and we try to be more of the person we are not. We fail to understand that the person we were, we are really, is what brought us to this stage, what gave us this whiff of control. And in a classic paradox, we lose that very person who got us here and become someone else. We seek and seek to find that balance then, to find that sweet happiness, to find that ease we had with the world, not knowing that it is within us, that we just have to let go of this mask. We don't need to be anything more or anything different.
Control, the perfect balance, excellence, in the universe, is like water in the palm. You grab at it, you lose it. You let it be, it stays. It is you that you meed to control, not the water, or everything else and everyone else. And control of you is just letting your true self be as it is. Don't grab it, don't force it, don't change it and don't mould it. It is perfect just the way it is. It will evolve just as it has been, without your additional help.
To be the best you, just get out of the way and just be. Just flow as you were made to flow.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Gap Between Planning and Doing - How to Bridge It?
This is inspired by a question one student K. Siva Prasad Raju asked of me today. 'I plan, but I find it difficult to implement. Any suggestions?' I sent him off a mail on what I thought were things to watch out for and do. And then I thought it might be well worth sharing here as well. Do feel free to add your valuable nuggets to my thoughts!
Some reasons and things to be do or not do when implementing your plan:
1) First ensure that the plan has a time limit. Every broken down stage of the plan should also have time limits. Only when there is a deadline do we work, so set your time limits and stick to them. Put those deadlines in someplace where you can see it and feel the urgency.
2) Make sure that the plan is not too tough to implement in the initial stages. Make the transition gentle. Eg. If you are currently working for 2 hours everyday, the plan should make it 2.5 hours for a week, and then 3 hours the next week. (If you suddenly go up to 5 hours it will be difficult.) Make all plans grow incrementally, in small bites, so you can digest it easy. Just ensure that what you set for yourself is not too easy or too difficult. It should be just the right balance and make you stretch enough.
3) Don't give up for a long stretch of time if you really need to break from the routine. Many times we feel like giving up especially if something bigger comes up - illness, travel, exams etc. In such times make up for the lost time through extra hours later, or by slightly adjusting and reviewing your plan. But don't shift your end deadline! Do this within the smaller goals. If you planned 21 hours a week, make up the lost 10 hours in the other days by additional hours.
4) Normally starting trouble is a problem. Some days 3 hours will seem too big. On such days tell yourself to work for only 5 minutes (lazy days sepcial). On days that you feel like doing nothing - tell yourself "its okay if I dont do 3 hours today. I will do 10 minutes". Normally once you start, you will do much longer and feel much better. Slow down, but don't stop. Even 5 or 10 minutes everyday - one concept, one idea is good enough.
5) Get yourself a support group. Get yourself a group that has similar goals so each one pushes the other. This is a powerful and important step and can make you achieve more than you set out to. Initially everyone needs a group or some coach or mentor to keep pushing you. Find a supportive group that adds to your energy, motivates you when down and pushes you just that bit more.
6) Tell people who care about you about your plan. It helps because you now put more responsibility on yourself by telling them. These should also be people who support your ideas not people who do not support them. People who will encourage your ideas even in thought. They add to you.
7) Avoid people, things that take up too much of your time away from your goal - they draw away your energy. Do things that energise you and put you in a positive frame of mind. Be careful of things and people that make you feel less than, low and dull. They take away from you.
8) Take 100% responsibility for your plans and dreams and motivate yourself each day with positive talk and affirmations. It helps to see your plans, your little tags, quotes in your face. It is hard work and needs great mental strength. All this adds to your mental strength, just like going to a gym builds muscle.
9) Make a daily progress workbook and write down your everyday progress in that. When you look at the progress everyday, it shows what you did well and what you did not. Don't brood over it, do it.
10) Appreciate and give yourself a reward after each small victory or achievement. Celebrate with something nice for yourself. Put that up on your fb account and say YES, I did it!
Some reasons and things to be do or not do when implementing your plan:
1) First ensure that the plan has a time limit. Every broken down stage of the plan should also have time limits. Only when there is a deadline do we work, so set your time limits and stick to them. Put those deadlines in someplace where you can see it and feel the urgency.
2) Make sure that the plan is not too tough to implement in the initial stages. Make the transition gentle. Eg. If you are currently working for 2 hours everyday, the plan should make it 2.5 hours for a week, and then 3 hours the next week. (If you suddenly go up to 5 hours it will be difficult.) Make all plans grow incrementally, in small bites, so you can digest it easy. Just ensure that what you set for yourself is not too easy or too difficult. It should be just the right balance and make you stretch enough.
3) Don't give up for a long stretch of time if you really need to break from the routine. Many times we feel like giving up especially if something bigger comes up - illness, travel, exams etc. In such times make up for the lost time through extra hours later, or by slightly adjusting and reviewing your plan. But don't shift your end deadline! Do this within the smaller goals. If you planned 21 hours a week, make up the lost 10 hours in the other days by additional hours.
4) Normally starting trouble is a problem. Some days 3 hours will seem too big. On such days tell yourself to work for only 5 minutes (lazy days sepcial). On days that you feel like doing nothing - tell yourself "its okay if I dont do 3 hours today. I will do 10 minutes". Normally once you start, you will do much longer and feel much better. Slow down, but don't stop. Even 5 or 10 minutes everyday - one concept, one idea is good enough.
5) Get yourself a support group. Get yourself a group that has similar goals so each one pushes the other. This is a powerful and important step and can make you achieve more than you set out to. Initially everyone needs a group or some coach or mentor to keep pushing you. Find a supportive group that adds to your energy, motivates you when down and pushes you just that bit more.
6) Tell people who care about you about your plan. It helps because you now put more responsibility on yourself by telling them. These should also be people who support your ideas not people who do not support them. People who will encourage your ideas even in thought. They add to you.
7) Avoid people, things that take up too much of your time away from your goal - they draw away your energy. Do things that energise you and put you in a positive frame of mind. Be careful of things and people that make you feel less than, low and dull. They take away from you.
8) Take 100% responsibility for your plans and dreams and motivate yourself each day with positive talk and affirmations. It helps to see your plans, your little tags, quotes in your face. It is hard work and needs great mental strength. All this adds to your mental strength, just like going to a gym builds muscle.
9) Make a daily progress workbook and write down your everyday progress in that. When you look at the progress everyday, it shows what you did well and what you did not. Don't brood over it, do it.
10) Appreciate and give yourself a reward after each small victory or achievement. Celebrate with something nice for yourself. Put that up on your fb account and say YES, I did it!
Friday, September 9, 2011
90% Believe That Success Can be Achieved Ethically
It was a wonderful change from a very different and alarming statistic I got a few weeks ago. 90% of the freshers in the MBA class I spoke to yesterday at VJIM, Hyderabad, spontaneously raised their hands in support of their belief that success can be achieved and businesses could be run successfully by ethical means. This was probably the best response I got to this question in the past three years that I have been interacting with MBA students in colleges in terms of numbers.Fantastic and truly heart warming.
The very few hands that were sceptical of the idea also listened carefully when I expressed my opinions of how their inchoate beliefs could set the tone for their real experiences later. And that they could perhaps hold and nurture a different belief if they wanted to experience a different reality.
I think that up to their mid-teens most children are highly idealistic. Almost painfully idealistic - that you fear for their illusions almost. In the next few years their opinions change and harden - mainly reinforced by what is happening in the world around them.
I do wish these students had more debates on ethics and values so they can hear viewpoints from both sides because I do believe that these youth innately believe in goodness, in good values and ethics, but fear that it may set them back. Maybe the right examples, interactions with people who can speak with conviction, that it is perfectly fine to live a life of integrity and honesty and still achieve what they want. They are at an age when they make choices for the rest of their life and it could certainly help a bit to hear more successful people speak from personal experience.
But whatever it is that brought out this reaction, it was wonderful. I do hope and pray that they all nurture these beliefs and grow them. It ensures an ethical and fine world for all of us.
The very few hands that were sceptical of the idea also listened carefully when I expressed my opinions of how their inchoate beliefs could set the tone for their real experiences later. And that they could perhaps hold and nurture a different belief if they wanted to experience a different reality.
I think that up to their mid-teens most children are highly idealistic. Almost painfully idealistic - that you fear for their illusions almost. In the next few years their opinions change and harden - mainly reinforced by what is happening in the world around them.
I do wish these students had more debates on ethics and values so they can hear viewpoints from both sides because I do believe that these youth innately believe in goodness, in good values and ethics, but fear that it may set them back. Maybe the right examples, interactions with people who can speak with conviction, that it is perfectly fine to live a life of integrity and honesty and still achieve what they want. They are at an age when they make choices for the rest of their life and it could certainly help a bit to hear more successful people speak from personal experience.
But whatever it is that brought out this reaction, it was wonderful. I do hope and pray that they all nurture these beliefs and grow them. It ensures an ethical and fine world for all of us.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Driving On Indian Highways - A Bit Like Cricket
The Indian highways are always seen as the territory of the big boys. When the city driver first gets on to the highway you can instantly make out from the diffident way the vehicle approaches the traffic, the polite manner in which it shies away from the big boys and cautiously keeps away from the mainstream. After a while it realises that one has to assert oneself, know one's places in the scheme of things and more importantly understand the others' place. There is give and take, the small ones taking care of the big ones, the big ones looking out for the small ones, compassionate ones, rogue drivers, irresponsible ones, youthful ones, fearful ones and so on. It is a bit like cricket in many ways, batting more so, specially when one makes the transition from school cricket to the bigger boys.
The best players respect the game. Similarly, the Indian highways are a dangerous proposition for those who do not respect the road. This is so because most of the highways are merely two laned - traffic zooms by in opposite directions without the comfort of a divider in between for most parts, and without much margin on the other side either. There is no comfort guaranteed for the champion either.
As batsmen deal with different pitches, different conditions, bowlers etc and look for an error free stint at the wicket so do the good drivers. There is a lot of pedestrian traffic, children from villages running about, wobbly cyclists, aggressive motorcyclists, sleepy truck drivers, careening buses, speedy small cars, cattle, dogs, goats, even mongooses, snakes etc. And then there are potholes, road construction activities which leave material hanging about, sudden diversions, narrow bridges, vehicles stopping in the middle of the road due to breakdowns, accidents that cause your eyes to widen etc. There is enough happening on the Indian highway that will keep you awake and alert as any reality show would.
Having driven on the comfort and luxury of some of the best Indian roads - Delhi-Jaipur, Mumbai-Pune, Belgaum-Pune, Vizag-Vijayawada, Hyderabad-Bangalore - the first thing that struck me was that driving on the expressways is boring in a way. Stick to your lane, stick to your speed and hang on to the steering. The biggest challenge on these six to eight laned highways is that of sleeping off. The two laned highway is any day far more interesting with its drama, danger. It keeps me alive and alert.
But there are certain rules that one can follow if one is not used to long distance highway driving for safety and comfort. I will try and list them down here.
1) Just as batsmen plan out the length of their stints and prepare accordingly so must you prepare for the length you can put in. In my opinion, on Indian roads one can drive 500-700 kms a day which could take up to 15 hours or so with a solo driver (provided the driver has enough rest the previous day) though 400-500 kms is probably the best (8-10 hours).
2) Preferably drive during the day unless absolutely necessary. Night driving has the hazards of drivers sleeping off which is the most common cause of accidents on the highways. Even if you do not sleep there are many overworked truck, bus and taxi drivers who have been driving non-stop for days and who fall asleep at the wheel at high speeds in the comfort of the night. They might head towards you in the dark of the night as if they are seduced by your vehicle and you may have big trouble warding them off.
3) Having good partners is important to keep you focused on your game and help you play longer innings. Similarly, is night driving, get some good company who will also stay awake with you, keep you alert, someone to talk, listen to music. If everyone else falls asleep roll down the window so the cold air keeps you awake - don't get too snug else you will nod off. And if you ever, even get a hint that your eyes are closing STOP IMMEDIATELY. Wash your face, walk around, get to the chai joint and ward off sleep right then with some physical exercise or go to sleep for a short nap. Don't even think of making it to the next 20 kms in that state because you could just nod off soon. Most cricketers call for gloves, make a change when they know they are tiring and are making mistakes.
4) Get to the ground early - so you are mentally and physically prepared when the game starts. Similarly start your journey early because you will save at least an hour in terms of the city traffic. I start at 5, some start at 430 even. By the time you get past the city limits it is about 30 minutes to an hour which would otherwise take almost two hours if regular city traffic starts from 7 a.m. on. The slow start saps you a bit.
5) They say Sachin Tendulkar checks every part of his kit bag every evening before the next day's game. Your gear must be in good shape. Always get your tyre pressure checked before you hit the highway, get the spare tyre looked at. If the front tyres (normally where the engine is) are worn out or bald, change them. Especially when on the expressway or on highways where you are likely to speed, bald tyres in the front are another common reason for accidents since they tend to burst at high speeds and there is nothing one can do if a tyre bursts at high speed on a highway. Except pray.
6) Most top players get a good night's rest before the big game for obvious reasons. It is best that the driver gets a good night's sleep and wakes up all fresh and refreshed. Many drivers work till 12 in the night or later and then report to work at 4 in the morning for another full day's work. Driving on the highway needs much concentration.
7) Get all protective gear in place - helmet, pads, abdomen guard, thigh guard, elbow guard. Use it when it is there. Similarly use the seat belts for all concerned, in the front seats, and if available in the back seats.
8) Good batting is all about keeping the head still and keeping the eye on the ball all the time. Refrain from too much activity in the driver area. Many times drivers themselves are doing too many things while driving eating, talking, looking back, picking up stuff, on the phone, and their co passengers are moving about and falling over - all things that could distract the driver. Keep the driver free. And keep children in the back seat and not hold them in the front for the view. They have no seat belts nor special seats here, so they are best at the back.
9) No good batsman slogs blindly because the percentage of getting out is high. On the road never overtake on curves or any place blindly. Many accidents occur because drivers tend to get chancy and overtake on curves blindly leaving no space for anyone if a heavy vehicle comes from the opposite side.
11) The best batsmen control their mind and don't give in to urges to play rash strokes. Similarly, never overtake unless there is a clear and comfortable gap between you and any opposite vehicle speeding towards you. Many small cars take chances thinking they can pull off the gap. It is not like city driving where you can squeeze in because this is all happening at high speeds and with heavy vehicles that cannot stop or maneuver themselves so easily and you may get into sticky situations i.e. sticking to the heavy vehicles bumpers or something like that.
12) Always look at the field, know the field before taking off for a run or playing a aerial shot. When overtaking also make sure that the road ahead is also clear and under control. Some of the trailers are extra long, some are in a convoy, so keep all that in mind before you start overtaking else you will be in for a nasty surprise.
13) Good batsmen always keep a sharp eye out to ensure they don't get any surprises - extra swing, spin or bounce - is taken into account by them. Similarly good drivers always keep a sharp eye out for people who could stray on the road especially near villages, settlements. Also for cattle, dogs that sashay across the roads. If the roads are narrow, specially more so because there is no space.
14) The best batsmen are extra careful when they face a part time bowler because they know that they will lose their wicket if they underestimate the bowler and relax. Slow down every time you reach a village or a town to as low as possible. It may look okay to course through at the 50 or 60 but one small scratch, one nudge and you are stuck there for the day or more sitting in the police station (if the locals don't send you to the hospital first).
13) Good batsmen are careful when dealing with maverick fielders who can pull of brilliant catches or run outs unpredictably. Watch out for youngsters on motorcycles who make U turns, sharp curves etc when near villages.
14) Keep comfortable distances from vehicles in front, at the side because you need time to react if they stop suddenly.
15) Keep comfortable margins on the side of the road as well. Keep track of the sides of the road in case you need to maneuver. Sometimes the sides disappear leaving you no space.
16) Good batsmen are wary of tiring and aggressive bowlers and fielders and keep out of their way. Similarly be aware of buses that carry passengers especially when they are closer to their destinations. Unlike the truckers, these guys have some deadlines and step on the gas and take some unnecessary risks. Don't be in their way as they overtake and take up all the space on the road. You may need to get off the road when they approach sometimes, so keep that space.
17) Don't assume anything about the wicket until and unless you have studied it well. Be specially careful of roads under construction because they cut off the sides of the road and leave gaping holes, drops of 10 feet or more with almost little or no protection. Any miscalculation and you could end up having a drop of 10 feet.
18) Good batsmen don't get distracted by sledging or any other side plays. Don't turn around and examine accidents because at 70 or 80 kmph you have little time too react to vehicles coming from the front. I find myself doing that every once in a while and realised how dangerous it can be. I should guess most accidents happen while stopping or looking at other accidents.
19) Good batsmen try to keep their eyes on the ball until it hits the bat - all the time. Keep your eyes on the road ALL THE TIME. It could be the difference between being alive or dead.
2O) Cricket is all about partnerships and when there are partners or team mates who share the load it is much easier. It helps if there are two drivers or if any other person also knows how to drive. Else take it nice and easy and don't push yourself beyond your limits.
21) A steady pace is always best and shows control to everyone including the team mates in the pavilion. A steady 80 kmph is best even on clear roads and covers for bad roads, quick changes and allows enough reaction time. Even on the expressway 80 kmph is recommended. With new cars it is easy to get carried away and I know drivers who do in excess of 140 kmph which leaves no room for getting out of sticky situations. Not only is it unsafe but all the others in the car feel unsafe and cannot relax.
22) The best batsmen stick to the old fashioned playing in the V because it is safer. Stick to the known roads, the bigger national highways, especially if you are with the family because you are likely to get some help there in terms of a breakdown. State highways have long stretches where you find no help.
23) The best batsmen play out the best bowlers and don't chance them. Similarly on the road, always respect the heavy traffic and give them way. It is always heartwarming to see truck drivers guiding you when you want to overtake - forbidding overtaking when there is opposite traffic or a curve ahead. Highways are about give and take. Same with the team.
24) The best batsmen know that they have to be at the wicket to score runs - safety comes first. So with drivers. Safety is most important so keep that top of priority. Speed and time comes later. Always be within yourself, keep the vehicle and the road under control. Never reach out or take chances, not even the smallest chance. It is like batting, one mistake is all it needs to send you back to the pavilion.
25) Enjoy the road, stop and enjoy the scenery. Go off the road. Smell the roses. Buy the village produce. Don't always look to go point A to B. Life is more than that especially if you are in your own car. The best cricketers also enjoy the game, the journey and do not see it as hard work.
Just as in cricket. As in life. One needs discipline, patience and control. With experience one realises when to give in, when to hold on and when to press forward the advantage. But mostly it is not about getting from A to B at the earliest only - it is about the journey as well and that is important to know. Happy driving.
The best players respect the game. Similarly, the Indian highways are a dangerous proposition for those who do not respect the road. This is so because most of the highways are merely two laned - traffic zooms by in opposite directions without the comfort of a divider in between for most parts, and without much margin on the other side either. There is no comfort guaranteed for the champion either.
As batsmen deal with different pitches, different conditions, bowlers etc and look for an error free stint at the wicket so do the good drivers. There is a lot of pedestrian traffic, children from villages running about, wobbly cyclists, aggressive motorcyclists, sleepy truck drivers, careening buses, speedy small cars, cattle, dogs, goats, even mongooses, snakes etc. And then there are potholes, road construction activities which leave material hanging about, sudden diversions, narrow bridges, vehicles stopping in the middle of the road due to breakdowns, accidents that cause your eyes to widen etc. There is enough happening on the Indian highway that will keep you awake and alert as any reality show would.
Having driven on the comfort and luxury of some of the best Indian roads - Delhi-Jaipur, Mumbai-Pune, Belgaum-Pune, Vizag-Vijayawada, Hyderabad-Bangalore - the first thing that struck me was that driving on the expressways is boring in a way. Stick to your lane, stick to your speed and hang on to the steering. The biggest challenge on these six to eight laned highways is that of sleeping off. The two laned highway is any day far more interesting with its drama, danger. It keeps me alive and alert.
But there are certain rules that one can follow if one is not used to long distance highway driving for safety and comfort. I will try and list them down here.
1) Just as batsmen plan out the length of their stints and prepare accordingly so must you prepare for the length you can put in. In my opinion, on Indian roads one can drive 500-700 kms a day which could take up to 15 hours or so with a solo driver (provided the driver has enough rest the previous day) though 400-500 kms is probably the best (8-10 hours).
2) Preferably drive during the day unless absolutely necessary. Night driving has the hazards of drivers sleeping off which is the most common cause of accidents on the highways. Even if you do not sleep there are many overworked truck, bus and taxi drivers who have been driving non-stop for days and who fall asleep at the wheel at high speeds in the comfort of the night. They might head towards you in the dark of the night as if they are seduced by your vehicle and you may have big trouble warding them off.
3) Having good partners is important to keep you focused on your game and help you play longer innings. Similarly, is night driving, get some good company who will also stay awake with you, keep you alert, someone to talk, listen to music. If everyone else falls asleep roll down the window so the cold air keeps you awake - don't get too snug else you will nod off. And if you ever, even get a hint that your eyes are closing STOP IMMEDIATELY. Wash your face, walk around, get to the chai joint and ward off sleep right then with some physical exercise or go to sleep for a short nap. Don't even think of making it to the next 20 kms in that state because you could just nod off soon. Most cricketers call for gloves, make a change when they know they are tiring and are making mistakes.
4) Get to the ground early - so you are mentally and physically prepared when the game starts. Similarly start your journey early because you will save at least an hour in terms of the city traffic. I start at 5, some start at 430 even. By the time you get past the city limits it is about 30 minutes to an hour which would otherwise take almost two hours if regular city traffic starts from 7 a.m. on. The slow start saps you a bit.
5) They say Sachin Tendulkar checks every part of his kit bag every evening before the next day's game. Your gear must be in good shape. Always get your tyre pressure checked before you hit the highway, get the spare tyre looked at. If the front tyres (normally where the engine is) are worn out or bald, change them. Especially when on the expressway or on highways where you are likely to speed, bald tyres in the front are another common reason for accidents since they tend to burst at high speeds and there is nothing one can do if a tyre bursts at high speed on a highway. Except pray.
6) Most top players get a good night's rest before the big game for obvious reasons. It is best that the driver gets a good night's sleep and wakes up all fresh and refreshed. Many drivers work till 12 in the night or later and then report to work at 4 in the morning for another full day's work. Driving on the highway needs much concentration.
7) Get all protective gear in place - helmet, pads, abdomen guard, thigh guard, elbow guard. Use it when it is there. Similarly use the seat belts for all concerned, in the front seats, and if available in the back seats.
8) Good batting is all about keeping the head still and keeping the eye on the ball all the time. Refrain from too much activity in the driver area. Many times drivers themselves are doing too many things while driving eating, talking, looking back, picking up stuff, on the phone, and their co passengers are moving about and falling over - all things that could distract the driver. Keep the driver free. And keep children in the back seat and not hold them in the front for the view. They have no seat belts nor special seats here, so they are best at the back.
9) No good batsman slogs blindly because the percentage of getting out is high. On the road never overtake on curves or any place blindly. Many accidents occur because drivers tend to get chancy and overtake on curves blindly leaving no space for anyone if a heavy vehicle comes from the opposite side.
11) The best batsmen control their mind and don't give in to urges to play rash strokes. Similarly, never overtake unless there is a clear and comfortable gap between you and any opposite vehicle speeding towards you. Many small cars take chances thinking they can pull off the gap. It is not like city driving where you can squeeze in because this is all happening at high speeds and with heavy vehicles that cannot stop or maneuver themselves so easily and you may get into sticky situations i.e. sticking to the heavy vehicles bumpers or something like that.
12) Always look at the field, know the field before taking off for a run or playing a aerial shot. When overtaking also make sure that the road ahead is also clear and under control. Some of the trailers are extra long, some are in a convoy, so keep all that in mind before you start overtaking else you will be in for a nasty surprise.
13) Good batsmen always keep a sharp eye out to ensure they don't get any surprises - extra swing, spin or bounce - is taken into account by them. Similarly good drivers always keep a sharp eye out for people who could stray on the road especially near villages, settlements. Also for cattle, dogs that sashay across the roads. If the roads are narrow, specially more so because there is no space.
14) The best batsmen are extra careful when they face a part time bowler because they know that they will lose their wicket if they underestimate the bowler and relax. Slow down every time you reach a village or a town to as low as possible. It may look okay to course through at the 50 or 60 but one small scratch, one nudge and you are stuck there for the day or more sitting in the police station (if the locals don't send you to the hospital first).
13) Good batsmen are careful when dealing with maverick fielders who can pull of brilliant catches or run outs unpredictably. Watch out for youngsters on motorcycles who make U turns, sharp curves etc when near villages.
14) Keep comfortable distances from vehicles in front, at the side because you need time to react if they stop suddenly.
15) Keep comfortable margins on the side of the road as well. Keep track of the sides of the road in case you need to maneuver. Sometimes the sides disappear leaving you no space.
16) Good batsmen are wary of tiring and aggressive bowlers and fielders and keep out of their way. Similarly be aware of buses that carry passengers especially when they are closer to their destinations. Unlike the truckers, these guys have some deadlines and step on the gas and take some unnecessary risks. Don't be in their way as they overtake and take up all the space on the road. You may need to get off the road when they approach sometimes, so keep that space.
17) Don't assume anything about the wicket until and unless you have studied it well. Be specially careful of roads under construction because they cut off the sides of the road and leave gaping holes, drops of 10 feet or more with almost little or no protection. Any miscalculation and you could end up having a drop of 10 feet.
18) Good batsmen don't get distracted by sledging or any other side plays. Don't turn around and examine accidents because at 70 or 80 kmph you have little time too react to vehicles coming from the front. I find myself doing that every once in a while and realised how dangerous it can be. I should guess most accidents happen while stopping or looking at other accidents.
19) Good batsmen try to keep their eyes on the ball until it hits the bat - all the time. Keep your eyes on the road ALL THE TIME. It could be the difference between being alive or dead.
2O) Cricket is all about partnerships and when there are partners or team mates who share the load it is much easier. It helps if there are two drivers or if any other person also knows how to drive. Else take it nice and easy and don't push yourself beyond your limits.
21) A steady pace is always best and shows control to everyone including the team mates in the pavilion. A steady 80 kmph is best even on clear roads and covers for bad roads, quick changes and allows enough reaction time. Even on the expressway 80 kmph is recommended. With new cars it is easy to get carried away and I know drivers who do in excess of 140 kmph which leaves no room for getting out of sticky situations. Not only is it unsafe but all the others in the car feel unsafe and cannot relax.
22) The best batsmen stick to the old fashioned playing in the V because it is safer. Stick to the known roads, the bigger national highways, especially if you are with the family because you are likely to get some help there in terms of a breakdown. State highways have long stretches where you find no help.
23) The best batsmen play out the best bowlers and don't chance them. Similarly on the road, always respect the heavy traffic and give them way. It is always heartwarming to see truck drivers guiding you when you want to overtake - forbidding overtaking when there is opposite traffic or a curve ahead. Highways are about give and take. Same with the team.
24) The best batsmen know that they have to be at the wicket to score runs - safety comes first. So with drivers. Safety is most important so keep that top of priority. Speed and time comes later. Always be within yourself, keep the vehicle and the road under control. Never reach out or take chances, not even the smallest chance. It is like batting, one mistake is all it needs to send you back to the pavilion.
25) Enjoy the road, stop and enjoy the scenery. Go off the road. Smell the roses. Buy the village produce. Don't always look to go point A to B. Life is more than that especially if you are in your own car. The best cricketers also enjoy the game, the journey and do not see it as hard work.
Just as in cricket. As in life. One needs discipline, patience and control. With experience one realises when to give in, when to hold on and when to press forward the advantage. But mostly it is not about getting from A to B at the earliest only - it is about the journey as well and that is important to know. Happy driving.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Pune to Solapur - The September 4, 2011 Update
I was back on the road, despite wondering if it was worth it, doing Hyderabad and Pune in my Santro. The journey to Pune from Hyderabad was last Sunday, August 29, 2011, which was eventless - no traffic jams, no heavy traffic and I sailed through all the bottlenecks on the road pretty smoothly. The road was as good as it an get in the rains - Hyderabad to Solapur was in five hours - started at 530 am and reached Solapur by 1030 at a steady clip. No major bumps, and at 80 kmph, a very smooth ride.
I broke journey at Nisarg, a new restaurant that comes up 15 kms after crossing Solapur, on the right side of the road. He has some hot tiffins that include idli, vada, sabudana kichdi, sabudana vada, a heavy plate of puri and bhaji which is a solid meal in itself, shira and some other stuff which he makes well. The service is good and fast, there is ample parking, a loo as well and is generally among the better ones I found in these parts. The other joint is Athithi which is very clean though the service and range is rather limited and this comes near Tembhurni. Solapur to Pune took me 5 and a half hours or let's say five because I travelled right across Pune. I was at Hadapsar at 4 p.m. which is good going on this road.
The whole week it rained madly in Pune, so bad that I feared the roads would get washed away. The sky was as dark as anything I had seen, the rain incessant as it can only rain in the western ghats. So when I was planning to head back from Pune to Hyderabad I was really apprehensive. I checked out all alternative routes and the best seemed to be the Saswad-Jejuri-Nira-Lonand- Phaltan-Pandharpur-Mohol-Solapur. But after much debating I decided to stick to the highway.
Started off at 545 am which was maybe half an hour later than I would have liked. But it was a Sunday morning and thankfully the heavy traffic was missing. But the rain slowed me down considerably for the first hour or more. The toll road just outside Pune is a good way to get off on a long journey and those 30 kms were a breeze and an indicator of how wonderful life can get once the four laning gets done. The next part is when the four laning has begun but only one side of the road is usable - so you keep shifting from one stretch of the road to another after every few kilometres. These roads are in good condition, wide, and have enough space and those few kilometres can be done swiftly, though one needs to be careful at the diversions. But comfortable. After that stretch is when the road narrows up and you can get held up in jams. I held my breath for bad roads, traffic jams but went through comfortably again. The first railway crossing was open, free, no jam. The narrow bridge that comes someplace after Bhigwan was empty and I just sailed past. The narrow roads were empty. The last railway crossing on the other site of Tembhurni was open and there were no traffic pile ups there as well. I was at Solapur by 1030 a.m. which is as good as it can get on a rainy day, on a road that is under construction.
The road from Solapur to Omerga is decent and one can do a pretty good pace here. The Karnataka roads are wide but the rains have taken a toll and there are a few potholes which slow down the pace. The Andhra Pradesh road which was in brilliant condition also has suffered a bit with the rains and has some potholes but nothing that is bad. It is all very very motorable, no bad stretches that warrant a second think. If one gets past the narrow roads between Bhigwan and Tembhurni, one is pretty assured of making it in 9.5 to 10 hours doing a decent speed of 70-80 kmph. If there are two factors that helped I would say one was the Sunday morning which probably accounted for lesser heavy traffic and the early start which allows one an easy getaway from the town.
Anyone who is thinking of a road trip on this route and is worried about it can be assured that it is mostly in good condition and perfectly motorable. I have sen some comments on team bhp and to answer a few (1) the distance of 550 kms can be done by a solo driver easily especially if one has done it before (a good night's sleep and an early start should do) (2) it is not really the death trap that it is made out to be if one drives sensibly and does not drive at high speeds, overtake blindly, driver is properly rested etc which I think are bigger causes of accidents than anything especially since the road conditions do not allow for excessive speeding. There are enough joints to stop by for a tea and a bite and it is pretty comfortable. I do it alone, and never had a problem. If there is one thing I would advise it would be to drive during the day because the roads in the Maharasthra section are narrow and winding, many parts are under construction, and there are a few sharp curves one needs to watch out for. If night driving is a must, be sure that there are two drivers at least and take it slow and careful. Happy driving!
I broke journey at Nisarg, a new restaurant that comes up 15 kms after crossing Solapur, on the right side of the road. He has some hot tiffins that include idli, vada, sabudana kichdi, sabudana vada, a heavy plate of puri and bhaji which is a solid meal in itself, shira and some other stuff which he makes well. The service is good and fast, there is ample parking, a loo as well and is generally among the better ones I found in these parts. The other joint is Athithi which is very clean though the service and range is rather limited and this comes near Tembhurni. Solapur to Pune took me 5 and a half hours or let's say five because I travelled right across Pune. I was at Hadapsar at 4 p.m. which is good going on this road.
The whole week it rained madly in Pune, so bad that I feared the roads would get washed away. The sky was as dark as anything I had seen, the rain incessant as it can only rain in the western ghats. So when I was planning to head back from Pune to Hyderabad I was really apprehensive. I checked out all alternative routes and the best seemed to be the Saswad-Jejuri-Nira-Lonand- Phaltan-Pandharpur-Mohol-Solapur. But after much debating I decided to stick to the highway.
Started off at 545 am which was maybe half an hour later than I would have liked. But it was a Sunday morning and thankfully the heavy traffic was missing. But the rain slowed me down considerably for the first hour or more. The toll road just outside Pune is a good way to get off on a long journey and those 30 kms were a breeze and an indicator of how wonderful life can get once the four laning gets done. The next part is when the four laning has begun but only one side of the road is usable - so you keep shifting from one stretch of the road to another after every few kilometres. These roads are in good condition, wide, and have enough space and those few kilometres can be done swiftly, though one needs to be careful at the diversions. But comfortable. After that stretch is when the road narrows up and you can get held up in jams. I held my breath for bad roads, traffic jams but went through comfortably again. The first railway crossing was open, free, no jam. The narrow bridge that comes someplace after Bhigwan was empty and I just sailed past. The narrow roads were empty. The last railway crossing on the other site of Tembhurni was open and there were no traffic pile ups there as well. I was at Solapur by 1030 a.m. which is as good as it can get on a rainy day, on a road that is under construction.
The road from Solapur to Omerga is decent and one can do a pretty good pace here. The Karnataka roads are wide but the rains have taken a toll and there are a few potholes which slow down the pace. The Andhra Pradesh road which was in brilliant condition also has suffered a bit with the rains and has some potholes but nothing that is bad. It is all very very motorable, no bad stretches that warrant a second think. If one gets past the narrow roads between Bhigwan and Tembhurni, one is pretty assured of making it in 9.5 to 10 hours doing a decent speed of 70-80 kmph. If there are two factors that helped I would say one was the Sunday morning which probably accounted for lesser heavy traffic and the early start which allows one an easy getaway from the town.
Anyone who is thinking of a road trip on this route and is worried about it can be assured that it is mostly in good condition and perfectly motorable. I have sen some comments on team bhp and to answer a few (1) the distance of 550 kms can be done by a solo driver easily especially if one has done it before (a good night's sleep and an early start should do) (2) it is not really the death trap that it is made out to be if one drives sensibly and does not drive at high speeds, overtake blindly, driver is properly rested etc which I think are bigger causes of accidents than anything especially since the road conditions do not allow for excessive speeding. There are enough joints to stop by for a tea and a bite and it is pretty comfortable. I do it alone, and never had a problem. If there is one thing I would advise it would be to drive during the day because the roads in the Maharasthra section are narrow and winding, many parts are under construction, and there are a few sharp curves one needs to watch out for. If night driving is a must, be sure that there are two drivers at least and take it slow and careful. Happy driving!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Cell Phone Etiquette
I have not yet seen any formal lessons in cell phone etiquette yet but I am sure there are some developed already. If there can be an etiquette for how to write on Facebook (which is followed diligently by many) cell phone etiquette could be praticed. Let me then add my two pence to this topic, one that could soon become a billion dollar training opportunity. Most of them are what-not-to-do's with a few to-do's added in to make it sound authentic.
1) Don't get up and walk off when the cell phone rings when in the middle of a conversation...makes the others feel completely stupid
2) Don't completely ignore the fact that there are many people around you and start hollering at the top of your voice...they have a reputation to protect and may disappear from your company
3) Don't show off your importance and the importance of your business deals by yelling in the middle of a restaurant or in a party...those people who are puking are not doing it because of bad food
4) Don't lie that you are somewhere else when you are in a theatre and 400 other people can hear you...there could be a law to arrest people like you soon
5) Don't act like you are actually making love to the cell phone and keep a respectable distance from it...get a life, a real partner, and let the poor cell phone go
6) Don't keep switching the phone from mouth to ear as if you are on a primitive walkie talkie because these phones are capable of doing both taking and hearing from one place...it looks really stupid and not like what you think is your Bond impression
7) Don't sit in a meeting and keep sms ing all the time or just admiring your phone because it is really irritating to the others and everyone knows you are not so busy anyway...some countries have passed a law that such phones can be thrown out of the window
8) Don't keep loud ring tones that frighten little children, cause temporary deafness or cause heart attacks in old people...get a hearing aid instead
9) Don't use ring tones of babies crying, people in orgasms, dogs yelping and so on which could be in bad taste...it's best to keep your private fantasies private else you could get arrested on suspicion
10) Don't use cell phones to scratch, fondle and other such stuff because they are meant for other uses...go see a doctor
11) Don't use the cell phone to show off your extremely bad language, your accent by shouting loudly in the middle of a party. During these times, please go away and save the others from puking
12) Don't keep looking at your cell phone like it is going to explode any moment...get a life, read Dale Carnegie's book on getting friends
13) Don't put on an I-am-s0-important tone soon as you get a business call and go giving gaalis in a posh manner to all and sundry while at the table with many others....everyone knows, these times go away please
14) Don't show off your perversions by taking off on the poor tele marketers and showing them your mastery over English and over the business of loans etc
15) Don't behave like your telephone conversation is the most important and that no one else is allowed to speak..it's a free country, if you can, so can anyone else
16) Don't pick up phones of your friends and check out all the features including their sms'es and calls made and received...it is personal yousee...and also you could find some information you cannot digest such as most of the calls and smses coming from your partner
17) As for spouses and partners who insist on checking their partner's phones and smses, they should be told that it is an invasion of privacy and abuse... should be added to the IPC at the earliest as a cognisable crime under domestic violence or infringement of privacy...the number of people who are being harassed by cell phone abuse is just not funny
18) Don't use your cell phone on the road or in other unsafe places if you cannot stop yourself from getting too involved because you could get run over.. spare the one who is on the other end of the line
19) Don't use the phone on the bike, in the car if you have no head phones because one can make out by the way you are driving that you are talking on a cell phone...you normally drive like someone who is a cross between a drunk and a retard
20) Don't pick up every single call even if you don't know who is calling...it is not necessary nor is it a rule...again get a life pal
21) Keep the cell phone in silent in movies, concerts, meetings, when meeting new people
22) Do switch off your phone in air planes when asked to instead of telling the poor air hostesses that you know that the waves don't interfere with the plane communication...we know you are smart and savvy but please don't also show that you are extremely donkey like
23) Don't keep looking at your phone every two moments...get a life
24) Don't play music on your cell phone loudly in public places to entertain yourself...others maybe looking for a bit of peace and may not really want to listen to your awful taste in music...get some headphones
25) Don't keep calling people up without warning and thrusting the phone to the others to speak...they may not really want to speak to your best friends, wife, girlfriend etc
These are some that I could think of. It does appear that it has much more scope than this. 'Use while driving' is one whole chapter, 'use and consequences when lying publicly', 'abuse cases' are separate and need serious consideration, 'psychologically addicted cases', 'compulsive show offs', 'compulsive rule breakers'...well there is enough here for a book. I somehow get the feeling that I missed some of the most important ones...like switching it off when on a television interview, while receiving state awards, while making love etc.
1) Don't get up and walk off when the cell phone rings when in the middle of a conversation...makes the others feel completely stupid
2) Don't completely ignore the fact that there are many people around you and start hollering at the top of your voice...they have a reputation to protect and may disappear from your company
3) Don't show off your importance and the importance of your business deals by yelling in the middle of a restaurant or in a party...those people who are puking are not doing it because of bad food
4) Don't lie that you are somewhere else when you are in a theatre and 400 other people can hear you...there could be a law to arrest people like you soon
5) Don't act like you are actually making love to the cell phone and keep a respectable distance from it...get a life, a real partner, and let the poor cell phone go
6) Don't keep switching the phone from mouth to ear as if you are on a primitive walkie talkie because these phones are capable of doing both taking and hearing from one place...it looks really stupid and not like what you think is your Bond impression
7) Don't sit in a meeting and keep sms ing all the time or just admiring your phone because it is really irritating to the others and everyone knows you are not so busy anyway...some countries have passed a law that such phones can be thrown out of the window
8) Don't keep loud ring tones that frighten little children, cause temporary deafness or cause heart attacks in old people...get a hearing aid instead
9) Don't use ring tones of babies crying, people in orgasms, dogs yelping and so on which could be in bad taste...it's best to keep your private fantasies private else you could get arrested on suspicion
10) Don't use cell phones to scratch, fondle and other such stuff because they are meant for other uses...go see a doctor
11) Don't use the cell phone to show off your extremely bad language, your accent by shouting loudly in the middle of a party. During these times, please go away and save the others from puking
12) Don't keep looking at your cell phone like it is going to explode any moment...get a life, read Dale Carnegie's book on getting friends
13) Don't put on an I-am-s0-important tone soon as you get a business call and go giving gaalis in a posh manner to all and sundry while at the table with many others....everyone knows, these times go away please
14) Don't show off your perversions by taking off on the poor tele marketers and showing them your mastery over English and over the business of loans etc
15) Don't behave like your telephone conversation is the most important and that no one else is allowed to speak..it's a free country, if you can, so can anyone else
16) Don't pick up phones of your friends and check out all the features including their sms'es and calls made and received...it is personal yousee...and also you could find some information you cannot digest such as most of the calls and smses coming from your partner
17) As for spouses and partners who insist on checking their partner's phones and smses, they should be told that it is an invasion of privacy and abuse... should be added to the IPC at the earliest as a cognisable crime under domestic violence or infringement of privacy...the number of people who are being harassed by cell phone abuse is just not funny
18) Don't use your cell phone on the road or in other unsafe places if you cannot stop yourself from getting too involved because you could get run over.. spare the one who is on the other end of the line
19) Don't use the phone on the bike, in the car if you have no head phones because one can make out by the way you are driving that you are talking on a cell phone...you normally drive like someone who is a cross between a drunk and a retard
20) Don't pick up every single call even if you don't know who is calling...it is not necessary nor is it a rule...again get a life pal
21) Keep the cell phone in silent in movies, concerts, meetings, when meeting new people
22) Do switch off your phone in air planes when asked to instead of telling the poor air hostesses that you know that the waves don't interfere with the plane communication...we know you are smart and savvy but please don't also show that you are extremely donkey like
23) Don't keep looking at your phone every two moments...get a life
24) Don't play music on your cell phone loudly in public places to entertain yourself...others maybe looking for a bit of peace and may not really want to listen to your awful taste in music...get some headphones
25) Don't keep calling people up without warning and thrusting the phone to the others to speak...they may not really want to speak to your best friends, wife, girlfriend etc
These are some that I could think of. It does appear that it has much more scope than this. 'Use while driving' is one whole chapter, 'use and consequences when lying publicly', 'abuse cases' are separate and need serious consideration, 'psychologically addicted cases', 'compulsive show offs', 'compulsive rule breakers'...well there is enough here for a book. I somehow get the feeling that I missed some of the most important ones...like switching it off when on a television interview, while receiving state awards, while making love etc.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thought For the Day - Action Is All that There Is, Just Do It
Many times we get caught in the dilemma about not doing certain things that we really like to do but we stop ourselves form doing it because people may not approve of them. (Or we do things that we do not like because people approve of them). Since people's reactions matter more than our own liking or disliking what we are doing, we end up doing or not doing things, and that itself can make us feel out of integrity with ourselves. It is the thought, of what others may think, what their reaction will be, and how it affects us, that makes us do things against our nature, or against our liking. This in turn could be a big drain on our energy and saps us completely.
We are better off doing the action, irrespective of what people feel and not worrying so much about it. There is a certain way to how action flows that opens up doors and provides solutions. All we need to do is do, get on with the action, and let things flow. Most importantly during this process we must keep our overactive thinking brain in neutral i.e. not expect too many things, analyse too many things, second guess too many things. Just pick the act you wish to do, do it, and keep your neutrality. Things work out best in this manner. All else is your illusion. And that includes what others are thinking, sating and reacting. There is a finality to your act which closes out certain things and opens up others.
On the other hand too much analyses, thought, etc in such situations can stop all action. It can make you do things against your nature. It can just sap you. When it comes to any such dilemma, where it is what you like to do versus other people's approval, I'd say go ahead and do it. Thinking can only take you shut doors. Action can open doors.
The only thing is that one must act on things one wants to do (and not act on things one does not). This conviction of the self is good enough for you. All else be damned. It makes things happen, keeps you happy, keeps people with you who like to see you happy with you and distances people who like to see you unhappy from you. Perfect situation. So next time, don't think so much, just do it. And stick to it. The others can sort themselves out. You have done it already and are feeling good about it! That is living, that is growing.
We are better off doing the action, irrespective of what people feel and not worrying so much about it. There is a certain way to how action flows that opens up doors and provides solutions. All we need to do is do, get on with the action, and let things flow. Most importantly during this process we must keep our overactive thinking brain in neutral i.e. not expect too many things, analyse too many things, second guess too many things. Just pick the act you wish to do, do it, and keep your neutrality. Things work out best in this manner. All else is your illusion. And that includes what others are thinking, sating and reacting. There is a finality to your act which closes out certain things and opens up others.
On the other hand too much analyses, thought, etc in such situations can stop all action. It can make you do things against your nature. It can just sap you. When it comes to any such dilemma, where it is what you like to do versus other people's approval, I'd say go ahead and do it. Thinking can only take you shut doors. Action can open doors.
The only thing is that one must act on things one wants to do (and not act on things one does not). This conviction of the self is good enough for you. All else be damned. It makes things happen, keeps you happy, keeps people with you who like to see you happy with you and distances people who like to see you unhappy from you. Perfect situation. So next time, don't think so much, just do it. And stick to it. The others can sort themselves out. You have done it already and are feeling good about it! That is living, that is growing.
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