Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Power of Declaration

Of what use is a New Year’s wish list if it is stored in one’s inside without revelation to the outside world. This was the chatter happening within me when I was contemplating writing the New Year’s wish list.

Here is the wish list for 2009 …
On the professional front:
# Invest in coaching eight people for one and half hours per person per week for twelve weeks
# Invest in a big way in ’Change Management’ in the organization
# Invest heavily on training subordinates in Labour Laws and Industrial Relations
# Increase professional networking
On the personal front:
# Start a charitable trust in the memory of my late father
# Publish a book in remembrance of my father
# Learn Reiki and Numerology
# Attain proficiency in Tarot Card reading
# Go abroad on a visit

Of course, the objective of the wish list is to make life interesting and fulfilling. I guess, with advancing age, I am seeing the urgency of doing things. The other aspect of publishing the wish list is all about ‘DECLARATION’, and in this context shouting from the roof tops and declaring to the world becomes the first step. Generally, a lot of promises are made to the self, but how many of them are honoured is the million dollar question. Declare it to the world after the mental chatter is over, and one will see that the world has a way of reminding us about our commitments.

Mind you it’s just not about ‘declaration’ but also about the ‘power of declaration’. Great revolutions have happened across the globe through the power of declaration. Back home, Mahatma Gandhi declared ‘India will be free’. People rallied around and made sure that the declaration became a reality. Declaration becomes infectious, pieces fall in place and resources start pouring in.

In the final analysis, declaration is all about staying in integrity, owning responsibility and keeping a conversation for possibility present for oneself. It is a context in which one chooses to live. The beauty is: it begins with the willingness to be a cause in the matter of one’s life.

Let me make a humble beginning.

13 comments:

Giri Vasan Guinness said...

First of all My best wishes.

Secondly you have made your life exciting by showing interest in new areas of learning.

Thirdly your COMMITMENT by making it loud and clear is admirable. Definitely many of your admirers would be closely follwing you.

Fourthly your decision to invest time on grooming your associates / colleagues makes you a thorough professional and a mentor for your lucky colleagues.

May be fortune would knock at my door in future to be your pro·té·gé

Kavi said...

What can i say..!! The list is out, and now the contest begins. It takes courage to share the list...and the power of declaration works really well.

At the same time, its going to take an effort to get this to completion.

This declaration
is enough traction
for action &
of course completion !!

Congratulations and best wishes !

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. I need to dare to come out in the open.
Very powerful thought. I love your writing.

Dewdrop said...

Sirji, the best way to remain motivated and focused in your resolutions is to declare it in public space 'coz after that, the public (here bloggers) will ensure you stick to it...

I'd like to add to your resolutions... I think you should publish a book consolidating all that you know (which is VAST) on Labour Law, Unions, negotiations, collective bargaining etc - a practical guide and not textual.

Giri Vasan Guinness said...

Mr.Dewdrop!!! Mr.Iyer has yet another talent. During my limited interactions with him, I found him to be very good in parenting. I suggest he writes a book on that too.

Ganesh said...

Dear Sir,

Great list to make your life interesting in the coming 52 weeks. I hope you get to achieve most of them.

Ganesh

nsiyer said...

Giri,thanks for your nice words well written.

Kavi, I understand it is going to be tough. People like you can be depended for help.

Thanks, Anonymous for the encouragement.

Dewdrop - you are putting me under pressure.

Giri - I owe good parenting to my good children.

Ganesh, thanks a lot for the encouragement.

nsiyer said...

Giri,thanks for your nice words well written.

Kavi, I understand it is going to be tough. People like you can be depended for help.

Thanks, Anonymous for the encouragement.

Dewdrop - you are putting me under pressure.

Giri - I owe good parenting to my good children.

Ganesh, thanks a lot for the encouragement.

Sucharita Sarkar said...

Congrats on having such a specific and well-determined list. For a haphazard person like me, this post was inspirational. Thanks and best of luck.

The Comic Project said...

Best wishes so you can get to ALL on the professional and personal front. It made me wonder if I should make a list myself, not just a to-do list that says "Buy milk", "Post letter" but something that is goal-setting. I agree with your point that declaration is about owning responsibility, keeping us honest

@Kavi: nice little limerick (?) Yes, it does take courage. because the trend (and smart thing to do) is to set lower expectations and pat ourselves on the back on exceeding them

priya said...

Nice post, Sir.

It's so nice to see how your list includes both aspects of knowledge - teaching and learning.

Willingness to learn newer things in some way or the other is a reflection of one's humility. You've set an example for me, Sir!

All the very best with your declarations for the year.

nsiyer said...

Thanks Sucharita for your comments and coming to my blog. It's encouraging for small beings like me.

Hi! Comic Project. You have got the distinction between strategies and activities/ actions. Keep posting.

Thanks Priya. When I wrote the post, I did not look at it the way you saw it. Yes. its both - learning and teaching.

Sridhar said...

Iyer, Just read the Declaration. Excellent.
sridhar