The Mind Gym

There seem to be two different types of people in this world. On the one hand there are those who just seem to have ingenuity, creativity and presence and then there is everyone else. My inquisitive self saw the book "Mind Gym" in one of the Public Libraries and glance on the attractive cover & recommendation in Management Today was sufficient enough to persuade my otherwise skeptical soul to get this book issued right away.

The book starts with a Self Test that assesses the reader and based on the score one is supposed to read certain chapters of the book first. The book illustrates the working of mind, human psyche and offer numerous tips to increase one's concentration & memory levels. Now, this isn't like other self-help books that offer pearls of wisom of the effervescent human life, instead it is designed so that you can dip in and out and focus on the current challenge that is on your mind. By being fully present in the situation at hand and devoting 100 percent of energy in it - once can indeed do wonders - thats what the book claims.

The book is packed with techniques that can help one to:

• Achieve more by slowing down
• Make tiny investments that deliver massive returns
• Say 'no' and be loved for it
• Persuade other people to want to do your work for you
• Ensure you get time with people who haven't got time for you

Finally, some of my favorite lines from the book that I wish to share as a "Food for Thought":

* Being satisfied with our time is largely a matter of choice.
* Does your work time drag and your play time fly by? Think it over !
* Use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few.
* You can cherry pick only when your goal isn't volume
* Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.

See you with a special book review in our next blog post. Till then good bye & well here a new site for you to visit - Google Image Ripper

My Journey Back to Life

Back when I was in high school - when I had heard about the ace cyclist Lance Armstrong - all I did was mugged up his name for GK Exam. Upon being presented with realities of his personal life, his struggles, his revelation - my kinetic energy to learn more about the man or should I say a legend - was invoked.

I picked up "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life" -autobiography of cycling phenomenon - Lance Armstrong. The book essentially explains in length story of this a world-class athlete nearly struck down by cancer, only to recover and win the Tour de France, the multiday bicycle race famous for its grueling intensity. But what amazed me was the way Lance has put down minutest aspect of his journey in the game called life. Armstrong is honest and delightful on his relationship with fellow sportsmen his victories & defeats as well. As the title indicates, this book is much less about Armstrong's triumphs on two wheels than about his successful struggle with cancer and its aftermath. Armstrong sees cancer as a part of life that is meant to improve us by making us focus on our difficulties with courage and indominability of spirit. His writing style is vibrant and immediate whether he is detailing events from childhood, racing challenges, the demands of cancer treatment, the in vitro fertilization process, or the joy of becoming a father.

Everything should be investigated under the luminosity of logic & reason is what Lance accentuates time & again in his book. While he is bedridden - down with testicular Cancer - he realises that our everyday life is replete with trials & tribulations of varying degrees & magnitude; he wonders about the emotional high he experienced upon winning his first cycle race; he says afterall life is too short to grumble about things not working to our tune !!

In his battle against Cancer - he used the power of creative visualization and always perceived himself to be the ultimate winner. In a quick series of mental composition of strategy he would be adopting when in race - he used power of his thoughts to train his mind. He also learnt to appreciate small yet happy moments that life offers us everyday. Finally the line from the book that made indelible print in my mind:

"You've got to be so clear that everything you do should be long-lasting. And it should be there for everybody to see & judge."

Mind has the capacity to imagine - choice is yours - Chaos or Cosmos ;)