Loud Thinking

Posts Tagged ‘My Views’

“Neither fire, nor moisture, nor wind can destroy the blessing of a good deed, and it will reform the world. ”

Buddha

Consider the Goal Before Giving a Presentation

We rarely think about whether presentations are the best way to express our ideas; we just blindly create and deliver them. But sometimes, a conversation is much more appropriate and effective. How do you know when that’s the case? Ask yourself what needs to be accomplished in the time you have with the group. Do you need to simultaneously inform, entertain, and persuade your audience to adopt a line of thinking or to take action? Or do you need to gather more information, have a discussion, and drive the group toward consensus on a goal? Generally, if your idea would be best served by more interaction with your audience, you should probably encourage discussion rather than deliver a presentation.

Adapted from “A Presentation Isn’t Always the Right Way to Communicate” by Nancy Duarte.

No body gets out of this world alive…

How to live your life and age gracefully..?

Many people feel unhappy, health wise and security wise after 60 years of age owing to the diminishing importance given to them and their opinions. But, it need not be so if only we understand the basic principles of life and follow them scrupulously.

Here are ten mantras to age gracefully, make life after retirement pleasant, enjoy and treasure the elder years of wisdom and intelligence at its best.

1. Never say ‘I am aged’: There are three ages, chronological, biological, and psychological.
The first is calculated based on our date of birth; the second is determined by the health conditions and the third is how old you feel you are. While we don’t have control over the first, we can take care of our health with good diet, exercise and a cheerful attitude. A positive attitude and optimistic thinking can reverse the third age.

2. Health is wealth:

If you really love your kids and kin, taking care of yourself and your
health should be your priority. Thus, you will not be a burden to them. Have an annual health check-up and take the prescribed medicines regularly. Take out a health care insurance coverage.

3. Money is important:

Money is essential for meeting the basic necessities of life, keeping good health and earning family respect and security. Don’t spend beyond your means even for your children. You have lived for them through out and it is time you enjoyed a harmonious life with your spouse. If your children are grateful they should take care of you. But never take it for granted.

4. Relaxation and recreation:
The most relaxing and recreating forces are healthy and religious attitudes, good sleep, music and laughter. Have faith in God, learn to sleep well, love good music, and see the fun side of life.

5. Time is precious:
It is almost like holding a horse’s reins. When they are in your hands, you can control them. Imagine that every day you are born again. Yesterday is a paid cheque. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is ready cash — use it profitably. Live this moment.

6. Change is the only permanent thing:

We should accept change — it is inevitable. The only way to make sense out of change is to join the dance. Change has brought about many pleasant things. We should be happy that our children are blessed.

7. Enlightened selfishness:
All of us are basically selfish. Whatever we do, we expect something in return. We should definitely be grateful to those who stood by us. But, our focus should be on the internal satisfaction and happiness we derive by doing good to others, without expecting anything in return.

8. Forget and forgive:
Don’t be bothered too much about others’ mistakes. We are not spiritual enough to show our other cheek when we are slapped on one cheek. But, for the sake of our own health and happiness, let us forgive and forget them. Otherwise, we will only be increasing our BP.

9. Everything has a reason; a purpose: Take life as it comes. Accept yourself as you are and also accept others for what they are. Everybody is unique and right in their own ways.

10. Overcome the fear of death:
We all know that one day we have to leave this world. Still we are afraid of death. We think that our spouse and children will be unable to withstand our loss. But, the truth is that no one is going to die for you; they may be depressed for some time. Time heals everything and they will carry on.

NOBODY GETS OUT OF THIS WORLD ALIVE!

Keep Well, Keep Smiling………….

“Instead of living your life on the edge of desperation and numbness, live your life in the center of inspiration and aliveness.

My letter published today by the daily “The Frontier Post”.

Street child football WC

Posted on 2014-03-27 05:35:36

If Brazil can hold street child foot ball World Cup, why can’t any Pakistani organisation go a step forward and hold a “Street Child Tape Ball Cricket World Cup?” for which we don’t need any approval from ICC or any other such body.

Believe me, if we can hold this innovative World Cup not only it will be a smashing success but the whole world will come to know about the soft image of Pakistan, as well; and Pakistan will emerge as a world sports power on the map of the Earth.

If we can hold different provincial sports and cultural festivals, by spending billions and billions of Rupees, what is the harm in spending a few billion Rupees, for marketing brand “Pakistan”?

One never knows this tape ball cricket may soon get such a large world following that it becomes an Olympic recognised sport, even before the T20 cricket, for which ICC is struggling for many decades.

Come on Pakistan….together we can do it..!

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
Lahore

“There is nothing more wonderful in life than seeing life as an adventure. We should all try things that we’re afraid of. We should all look very clearly into the unknown and enjoy it. Because when you come in contact with things that you really don’t know, that’s when you’re truly living.”

— Brian Molko

Determination is not giving up.

“You must bring every particle of your energy, unanswerable resolution, your best efforts, your persistent industry to your task or the best will not come out of you. You must back up your ambition by your whole nature, by unbounded enthusiasm and a determination to win which knows no failure. ”

Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924);
author, publisher

Sometimes You Have to Be the “Bad Guy”

The best way for mangers to be successful is to build a top-notch team. But when taking on new positions, they often hesitate to replace poorly performing incumbents. New team leaders don’t want to seem harsh, and they’re weary of offending key stakeholders who may have relationships with individuals on their team. In these situations, remember why you were given the reins – to lead your department to a higher level of performance. Assembling the strongest team as quickly as possible is the way to do that. If you have doubts about employees, test them quickly with an assignment, or do a rapid performance assessment by talking with their subordinates, peers, and partners. If you’re still not convinced that you have the best team, it may be time to make some tough calls.

Adapted by HBR from “If You’ve Just Taken Over a Team, Quickly Let Underperformers Go” by Ron Ashkenas.

Why can’t Pakistan hold the “Street Child Tape Ball Cricket World Cup?” : From the mean streets of Karachi to the Brazil World Cup

If Brazil can hold street child foot ball World Cup, why can’t any Pakistani organisation go a step forward and hold a “Street Child Tape Ball Cricket World Cup?” for which we don’t need any approval from ICC or any other such body.

Believe me, if we can hold this innovative World Cup not only it will be a smashing success but the whole world will come to know about the soft image of Pakistan, as well; and Pakistan will emerge as a world sports power on the map of the Earth.

If we can hold different provincial sports and cultural festivals, by spending billions and billions of Rupees, what is the harm in spending a few billion Rupees, for marketing brand “Pakistan”?

One never knows this tape ball cricket may soon get such a large world following that it becomes an Olympic recognised sport, even before the T20 cricket, for which ICC is struggling for many decades.

Come on Pakistan….together we can do it..!

From the mean streets of Karachi to the Brazil World Cup

KARACHI: Sixteen-year-old Mohammad Salman thought he was destined to live his life on the mean streets of Karachi, addicted to drugs, begging for survival and with no prospects for a better future.

Now he is set to represent Pakistan in the second edition of the Street Child World Cup which starts in Brazil this week.

“In my past life I was like a street urchin, using drugs, running away from school and studies. I was an addict,” said Salman, who left home at age 13 after fighting with his parents.

“We didn’t know what we were doing and what we should do. I was staying away from home.”

This photograph taken on March 17, 2014, shows Pakistani street children taking part in a football training camp in Karachi. -Photo by AFP
Salman’s salvation came after he was spotted by the non-profit Azad Foundation that rehabilitates street children in the sprawling Pakistani metropolis of 18 million.

“They helped develop my interest in football,” he said. “I’m excited to be part of the Street Child World Cup.”

The Amos Trust, a British non-profit organisation, convinced football’s governing body FIFA to initiate the Street Child World Cup in 2010.

The first edition was held in South Africa ahead of the 2010 World Cup and featured Brazil, South Africa, Nicaragua, Ukraine, India, the Philippines, Tanzania and a team from England.

India won the inaugural event, which proved so successful that it was decided to hold it ahead of every football World Cup.

The second edition will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro from Friday until April 6.

Rocks for goalposts
Owais Ali, another former street child, said football has earned him respect.

“When I was living in the street, no one treated me with respect; I did not know anything as I was illiterate,” said Owais, who like Salman comes from Karachi’s troubled Orangi town, a shanty settlement.

“I was confused once I left home and the city was full of problems for me. Then I found a way through Azad Foundation who supported me and helped me in studies.

“Now I am in the ninth grade. After I started football I found new friends and now people respect me.”The seven-a-side Street Child World Cup, to be held in football’s spiritual heartland, represents a far cry from roadside matches in Karachi with rocks used for goal posts.

Away from the pitch, organisers plan to host celebrity guests, a youth participation conference and exhibits featuring Brazilian artists.

Getting Pakistan a place in the tournament gave the children a tangible goal to work toward, said Iftan Maqbool of the Azad Foundation.

“It has turned out to a worthwhile exercise and now our goal is to earn recognition for Pakistan,” he said. According to the Foundation, Karachi is home to roughly 200,000 street children, many of whom fall into gangs linked to political parties engaged in a bloody battle for control over the city.

Coach Abdul Rasheed admitted the task of motivating children from such troubled backgrounds was sometimes challenging.

“It was tough when we first threw a football at them,” said Rasheed. “They were not consistent in their efforts but we kept our mission and regrouped these kids into a team,” he said.

“We have worked hard on these kids as others before going to Brazil and the aim is to fight for the trophy as well as for recognition.”