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What are your large stones in the jar of life?

Probably the best illustration about time management I've ever read.

Time is money, and of course, like the little drops of water that make the mighty ocean - even the small change all adds up. This neat experiment is about getting your priorities in order - and the rest will follow.

A professor from the School of Public Management in France was invited to lecture on the topic of “Efficient Time Management” to a group of managers representing the largest, most successful companies in America.

Standing in front of this group of elite managers, who were willing to write down every word that would come out of the famous professor’s mouth, the professor slowly met eyes with each manager, one by one, and finally said, “we are going to conduct an experiment”.

The professor pulled out a big glass jar from under the table and gently placed it in front of him. Next, he pulled out from under the table a bag of stones, each the size of a tennis ball, and placed the stones one by one in the jar. He did so until there was no room to add another stone in the jar. The professor then asked the managers, “Is the jar full?” The managers replied, “Yes”.

Smiling, the prof reached under the table and pulled out a bag full of pebbles, poured them into the jar and slightly rattled the jar, allowing the pebbles to slip through the larger stones, until they settled at the bottom. Again, the professor asked, “Is the jar full?” At this point, the managers began to understand his intentions. One replied, “apparently not!” “Correct”, replied the old professor, now pulling out a bag of sand from under the table.

Cautiously, the professor poured the sand into the jar. The sand filled up the spaces between the stones and the pebbles. Yet again, the professor asked, “Is the jar full?” Without hesitation, the entire group of students replied in unison, “NO!” “Correct”, replied the professor.

And as was expected by the students, the professor reached for the pitcher of water that was on the table, and poured water in the jar until it was absolutely full.

The professor now lifted his gaze once again and asked, “What great truth can we surmise from this experiment?” With his thoughts on the lecture topic, one manager quickly replied, “We learn that as full as our schedules may appear, if we only increase our effort, it is always possible to add more meetings and tasks.”

“No”, replied the professor. The great truth that we can conclude from this experiment is: If we don’t put all the larger stones in the jar first, we will never be able to fit all of them later.

The auditorium fell silent, as every manager processed the significance of the professor’s words in their entirety.

The old professor continued, “What are the large stones in your life? Health? Family? Friends? Your goals? Doing what you love? Fighting for a Cause? Taking time for yourself?”

What we must remember is that it is most important to include the lager stones in our lives, because if we don’t do so, we are likely to miss out on life altogether. If we give priority to the smaller things in life (pebbles & sand), our lives will be filled up with less important things, leaving little or no time for the things in our lives that are most important to us.

Because of this, never forget to ask yourself,

What are the Large Stones in your Life?

And once you identify them, be sure to put them first in your “Jar of Life”.

With a warm wave of his hand, the professor bid farewell to the managers, and slowly walked out of the room.

Moral of the story:

Take care of the large stones first - the things that REALLY matter. Set your priorities. The rest are just pebbles and sand. If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there will be no room left for the stones.

The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for things that are truly most important.

Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. Take time to play with your children. Take your partner out for dinner. Take time to have a chat with your loved ones. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house and give a dinner party.

Sometimes the less important things in life can distract us, filling up our time and keeping us away from what really matters. I encourage you to take a moment and ask yourself, is your jar of life full of sand & pebbles or is it filled with large stones?

Michael Jackson Lives

Image via Wikipedia

Michael Joseph Jackson.
The King Of Pop, The Thriller.
The Gloved One. 100% entertainer.
Michael Jackson will live on,
because his music is immortal.
Known for the famous moonwalk.

Sadly, the end of an era.

Shares with Carlos Santana and Norah Jones the record for most Grammys won in one year, with eight in 1984.

First solo artist to generate four top ten hits on the Billboard charts on one album with "Off the Wall."

First artist to generate seven top ten hits (USA) on one album with "Thriller."

Only artist in history to generate five #1 hits (USA) from one album with "Bad."

His 1982 album "Thriller" is the biggest selling album of all time, with confirmed sales of over 47 million copies worldwide.

His 1991 album "Dangerous" is second to "Thriller" as the biggest selling album of all time, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide.

His 1987 album "BAD" is third to "Thriller" as the biggest selling album of all time, with 20 million copies sold worldwide.

He was voted the 35th Greatest Artist of all time in Rock 'n' Roll by Rolling Stone.

His album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future - Book I" has sold 16 million copies worldwide since its release in 1995, making it the biggest selling multiple-disc album of all time.

November - 2006 Accepted Guinness World Record award for Greatest Album of all time, at London's Earls Court.

The list goes on and on....May his soul rest in peace.

Here's one of my all-time favorites: Man In The Mirror - live performance at the 1988 Grammy Awards with a Gospel Choir.

Monday Movie - "Dosti"

"Dosti" (Friendship) is easily one of the best movies I've ever seen. Made in 1964 by Rajshri Productions (reputed for making fabulous family movies), this unusual movie is about friendship between two boys: one blind and one crippled. Circumstances bring them together and throughout the movie, we are moved and touched by the simplicity of these two souls who look after each other, no matter what. It is a movie about selfless love, faith, willpower and respect - and proves that a mega-hit does not need top stars.

Of course I cried buckets, and so did Vidur and Mom. Sury was stronger.

Dosti received the National Award for the Best Hindi Film of the Year (1964) and also won 6 Filmfare Awards. Even today, I am enchanted by this movie - packed with fantastic songs by Mohammed Rafi. We keep listening to these songs very often - but watching the movie together with the family with all of us openly quite emotional - was a lovely experience. Fun.

Absolute Must-See Movie.

Songs are here: (click to play)

1. Chahoonga Main Tujhe Shaam Savere - sung by Mohammed Rafi
2. Mera To Jo Bhi Karam Hai - Sung by Mohammed Rafi
3. Jaane Walon Zara - Sung by Mohammed Rafi
4. Rahi Manwa Dukh Ki Chinta - Sung by Mohammed Rafi
5. Meri Dosti Mera Pyar - Sung by Mohammed Rafi

Get More Done In Less Time

I came across this excellent article that could be relevant to all of us.

Read and enjoy. I hope it makes a difference to you, as it did to me.

How Long Can You Concentrate?

Imagine this: You're sitting in front of your computer, working on a project. Perhaps it's a book, an e-mail, or an article. Or you're doing research.

• The phone rings. Do you answer it?
• A new e-mail chimes. Do you immediately read it?
• A text message arrives. Do you look at it and reply?
• Your spouse or child enters the room. Do you stop what you are doing to see what they want?

The question is: How easily are you distracted?

The other day, I was reading that the average person can concentrate on one thing for only about five minutes. He's got so many gadgets and gizmos that he can never rest or relax mentally. The cellphone or blackberry is always with him. He sleeps with it at his side. Cannot go for a walk without it. Or attend a movie or concert. Can't eat a meal with his family without looking at his gadget.

I am NOT saying you should get rid of all your gadgets. I'm not saying to stop using technology.

What I'm saying is that peace of mind, happiness, and the ability to achieve your goals has a lot to do with how long you can concentrate on one thing. And if you can't go for a walk, watch a movie, or have dinner with family or friends without constantly checking your tweets and text messages - if you can't leave all your gadgets at home or away from your reach for extended periods of time - then you most likely have a lot of trouble finishing projects that require deep concentration and focus.

Here are some things I do that you may find helpful:

1. I put my gadgets in another room when I go to bed at night.
2. I do not bring my gadgets with me when I go for a walk.
3. I do not bring my gadgets with me when I am eating with family or friends - and if I do bring them, I do not use them when we're talking.
4. If I am working on a project (like this very article), I do not respond to pings, pongs, pangs, or anything else. Everything can wait until I am finished with what I set out to do.
5. If I am talking to someone who allows himself to be continually interrupted by pings, calls, and tweets - I end the encounter. Because that person is letting me know that he values his gadgets more than me.

Now if you're the type of person who likes his gadgets more than accomplishing something worthwhile - well, you'll get no argument from me.

On the other hand, if you're willing to try turning off your gadgets - or letting them ring or chime, unanswered, for extended periods of time - you'll be amazed at how you will have eliminated a great deal of the unwanted resistance you may have to success.

In fact, if you really want to get more things done in less time - with next to no interruptions - then you'd better learn to do nothing more than concentrate on what you want in such a way that you feel as if nothing is blocking you whatsoever.

• No resistance.
• No turbulence.
• No sandpaper rubbing against you as you go through life.

Instead, a resistance-free feeling flowing against your skin and through your veins.

You get up in the morning with things to do - and you get them done. Day after day. Week after week. Year after year.

Thousands upon thousands of days in which you git 'er done because you know the power of a focused mind.

[This article was written by Matt Furey who is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of self-development, fitness, and martial arts, and is the president of the Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation, Inc. If you're nodding your head in agreement about the need to focus and concentrate - without resistance - you should check out Matt's world-famous Zero Resistance Living Course. This is what the super-successful use to get more things done in less time.]

(Image credit: http://mihaskerlavaj.net/2008/05/08/time-management-roadshow/)

Paying Tribute - Guru Dutt

It has become standard practice during weekends to watch a couple of movies at home – nice quality family time and entertainment. Since our circumstances do not permit us to go out often, we’ve bought quite a lot of our favorite movies and movies we’d like to see.

Last weekend was Guru Dutt weekend for us. We watched Aar Paar, Mr & Mrs 55 and Pyaasa. And of course, we just continued to listen to the songs in an almost obsessed way. All of us love old songs at home – even Vidur loves them and sings them - and these, in particular are somewhat all-time favorites. Not just the songs – but the memories of the first time we heard them, the joy of watching these movies in 70 mm theater after standing in queue with friends,(those were the days when cable TV had yet to make an impact in our lives), the company we went with – and so many little things that make up that wonderful sense of nostalgia we like to bask in.

So – I decided to share a song from one of the greatest and most profound movies of all time – “Pyaasa” (1957) (Thirsty). But a little background about the outstanding Guru Dutt, first.

Guru Dutt is an acknowledged “great”. Born (in Bangalore) way ahead of his time (July 9, 1925 - October 10, 1964) he is an amazingly sensitive and talented director, producer, actor and storyteller. His movies are brilliantly artistic with beautiful songs and lyrics. His movies went full house even when re-released – even in Germany, France and Japan! In fact, we cannot talk of world cinema without talking about of Guru Dutt.

Pyaasa is Guru Dutt's real masterpiece. It tells of the thirst for love, for recognition, for spiritual fulfillment. Superb performances by all the artists in the movie are combined with a story that you can identify with, in today’s world. Story synopsis is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyaasa

Here’s one of my favorite songs in the movie: “Yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye” – Mohammed Rafi, as usual is a treat with his fabulous voice range. Sit back, listen, feel – and ENJOY.

Close Encounters Of The Best Kind - True Story

In life, very rarely do we get to hear of inspiring stories that go straight to the heart.

Here is a true story about a Mumbai autorickshaw driver, Mr Sandeep  Bachhe, auto rickshaw no.: MH-02-Z-8508. If you ever travel in it, feel blessed.

The following was a friend's experience - his wife, his kid as they traveled from Andheri to Bandra. They waved at a passing auto, little realizing that this was going to be an unforgettable experience.

  
They set off and the friend noticed a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. He looked  in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel.

Friend and wife looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of them was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines. This was enough for them to realise that they were in  a special vehicle. Then they looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths - from Islam and Christianity to  Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. There were also pictures of  the  heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan. It was obvious that not only the autorickshaw but also the driver were special. 

They began  chatting with him and the initial sense of  ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished. Mr Bachche had been driving an auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job  when his employer's plastic company was shut down. He had two  school-going children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night. No break unless he was unwell.  "Sahab, ghar mein baith ke  TV  dekh kar kya  faida? Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega."

The friend realised that he had come across a man who represents  Mumbai – the spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of  excelling in life. He asked him whether he did anything else considering that he did not have too much spare time. He said that he goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where he donates tooth  brushes, toothpastes, soap,  hair oil, and other items of daily use. He pointed out to a painted message below  the meter that read: "25 per cent  discount on metered fare for the  handicapped. Free rides for blind passengers up to  Rs. 50"

WOW!

The friend was struck with awe, naturally. The man was a HERO! A hero who deserves all our respect. The journey came to an end; 45 minutes of a lesson in humility, selflessness, and of a hero-worshipping Mumbai. 

I hope, one day, we too have a chance to meet Mr Sandeep  Bachhe in his auto rickshaw: MH-02-Z-8508.

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