Performance Consulting

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Lavanya's Birthday

Many Many Happy Returns of the Day!!!

The more I talk about it, the more I am convinced about the three step change process. During one of my Real Time Learning (RTL) sessions, (this happened in-the-moment without much preparation) I came out with three 'A's for successful habit formation:
1. Awareness
2. Acknowledgement
3. Action

If we need to bring about change 'collectively', we need to follow this 3 step method. i.e. create as much Awareness around that subject (the pros and cons) - generate enough 'data' from the system and validate with group every now and then before proceeding to the next step.

The next step is acknowledgement. i.e. gain acknowledgement from the group that in order to move from 'Current' to 'Desired' state, what are the things that we should 'Start', 'Stop' and 'Continue' doing? Again a series of validations from the group helps (sometimes individual leaders may play an important role here).

The final step is taking 'Action'. This calls for commitment from the top leaders and everyone in the system to make that desired change happen.

Then the set of questions,
1. "What support you may need to make this change happen?"
2. "What risks you foresee in this journey?"

3. "What investments are you are prepared and willing to make to see this happen?"

4. "By when you would accomplish this change?"

5. "What are your measures for successful completion of this journey?"

Thus a new successful habit is formed. I started liking the sound of this logic.

The more I elaborated on this, the more I am convinced. Maybe I would have read this somewhere in a different form.

Stonehenge

STONEHENGE

We were staying in a hotel near Euston, London. Changing couple of trains (underground) and buses, we reached Salisbury. From Salisbury, we took a tour bus. This is the place where if you turn left, you will find yourself next to this world heritage site called, Stonehenge. You can see that even from distance. This picture was taken from the bus we were travelling, from the top deck.

History about this place (Source: various websites)
Mystery surrounds this 5,000 year old World Heritage Site. As old as the pyramids in Egypt, was Stonehenge designed as a place of sun worship, or as part of a huge astronomical calendar?

Each monument was a circular structure, aligned with the rising sun at the solstice. Erected between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC, the stones were carried hundreds of miles over land and sea, while antlers and bones were used to dig the pits that hold the stones. An awe-inspiring family visit, Stonehenge is a powerful reminder of the once-great Stone and Bronze Ages.

If you look closer you will find that only a part of the structure is still standing. The audio tour and the museum tour would reveal that many people believed tales around these structured and took stone peieces along with them to build their homes, hence this view. I have attached an artists' view of the full temple (?). Each stone is weighing many tonnes and in those days without cranes and heavy machines how did they manage to lift and bury them under the ground is still a mystery? Yes, what you see is only two third of the length. What on earth these guys were building, it beats me till date!!

To tell you the truth, I was a bit dissapointed at the sight of this monument. It could have been better protected, the kind of hype that it created in my mind about the mystery is short lived after I saw this structure for the first time. In the village side of my country (India, South India in specific), you will find such structures. ofcourse in small sizes and many by the road side. The purpose of such structures is to offload your luggage on the wayside to take rest and continue the journey when ready. Those days there were no vehicles to move around. Most of the people walked long distances and those who carried heavy luggage found these stone structures extremly helpful. But the mystery surrounding these structures haunts you too!

However, I would like to admit that this place grows on you, the more you see this place it brings in that feeling of magic and takes you to a different place. I went around this place wearing just my sweater, in the biting cold... I did'nt carry my windsheeter and found it extremely difficult to bear the cold wind. It affected me very heavily, I was suffering from running nose till I landed in Delhi airport. Travel tip: Pls carry warm clothes in case you are travelling in the month of October /November.

THANKS TO K7, without her, I wonder if I would have ever ventured out of London, this far. She is the one who braved the little detour and helped me understand that touring around alone can be fun. I always thought, sight seeing can be fun as long as you have good company. A good companion is all I need to enjoy my trip. She infact subtly made me understand both sides of it. Next time around, I would venture out on my own to far off places and test myself.

In case you are wondering what did we have there for food, half a slice of bread. Yes, I am not kidding, by the time we ordered some soup and bread the bus arrived. That was the last bus and we need to pay heavily to get back to the railway station, so I dropped the idea of waiting for the hot soup and instead grabbed the bread piece to catch the bus in time.

Tip: Please buy your snacks while visiting such places in UK, esp, if you are a Veggie lover.

London Bridge

What we call 'London Bridge' is actually not the real 'London Bridge'. Did you know about this?

Fortunate to see the bridge open to give way for a ferry.. the traffic on both sides stopped, there was a whistle, slowly the boat crossed the space between the two pillars and then the bridge closed for the traffic to return normal. what a wonderful sight?

Sunset

The most enjoyable moment for me in life is to watch Sunrise / Sunset. Which ever part of the world you go these two are amazing sights to cherish.

This is a picture (not taken by me) that inspired me to write this post and it tells a lot of stories for its viewers.

Hope you too enjoyed this!

Manasvini's Family Tree & Shelter

Manasvini's first school assignments

I am not sure if Lavanya found it tedious, but I did. I was wondering, if the school teacher can outsource the creation of 'Teaching Material' then why we are paying so much of tution fee for a 'Play School and end up spending a good fortune in buying all the chart papers, feviqwick, water colours, spending time (esp. my precious Sunday).

Then I understood from Lavanya that she enjoyed the whole activity and helped her to unleash her drawing skills (which she actually did!.... see these picutures). I am thrilled to see the creative side of my wife. In the last 8 years I know her, this is one special moment I saw her with colors. She did some research on the 'Family Tree' over internet. She found out some sites where they posted samples to inspire creativity.

Lavanya was more interested in entering the competition for Manasvini and willing to go the extra mile for her anyday.... I can imagine how Manasvini would grow up to beat her mom in her own terrain.

This is just the begining!!!

Mannu's First day @ School

Manasvini's first day at School. She goes to Chirec Public School, Jubliee Hills, Hyderabad.

I was just remembering my first day at school and how my Aunt struggled to drag me to school, while i howled all the way, crying.... ha ha ha... times have changed. Lavanya has prepared her for almost 6 months for this day. Parenting is an art.

tuesdays with Morrie

I am currently reading this true story by Mitch Albom (a successful sports reporter writes about his teacher).

Living Funeral: When you know that you have a terminal illness (Morrie had ALS- Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis) and your days are numbered, what will you do? You have options, says Morrie, “when all this started, I asked myself, ‘Am I going to withdraw from the world, like most people do, or Am I going to Live?’ I decided I am going to live- or atleast try to live – the way I want, with dignity, with courage , with humor, with composure.”

When asked, “What do you dread the most about this slow, insidious decay?’. Morrie looked into straight into the eyes of the most famous interviewer in America. “Well, Ted, one day soon someone’s gonna have to wipe my ass.”

This book moved me beyond words can explain.

Currently I am reading this book. Interesting to note how early imprints on our mind create lasting impressions about day-to-day things. Read on to know further!

I liked this...

MY WAGE

I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store;

For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.

I worked for a menial's hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have paid.

--J.B. Rittenhouse

Lavanya is a Chartered Accountant

Lavanya is now a Chartered Accountant (CA). It is very difficult to clear this certification requirement in India. I am extremely happy for her. She finally realized her dream to become a CA after these many years.

Pongal in Peoria

This year Pongal @ Peoria...

My Second Trip to US!

Time moves on... before I could realise I am here again for my second visit. This time it is Peoria, a small industrial town with Victorian style houses, large spaces between houses, big broad roads, icy wind (yes, it is freezing out here!) and friendly people all around!!!


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I kinda like this place... It is already third day today and I have explored this place with my colleagues. I shall get used to Burritos (one ad reads like this, "Burritos, Larger than you head!"... I thought it is funny!!!)

I shall keep posting about my adventure here!