Just created a new label called "HABITS"

I think this is very important in anyone's life. How many of the good things have you automated (read habit formation) in your life.
The growth happens when you have a net positive automated tasks in your life.
Exponential growth occurs when you have only positive automated tasks most of the times with minimal/nil negative automated thoughts.
The brain and the synaptic plasticity
Synaptic plasticity was one of the amazing feature that I read about in my post graduation days. Probably when I was reading about some CNS pharmacology. Will go and learn more about this in the coming days. Yeah will use it positively in the coming days ;)

Automate the habits

Automate the decision process: the default is "YES" 

• Get up early in the morning: YES 
• Do exercise: YES 
• Keep room tidy: YES

Only under exceptional circumstances, we need to change the "YES" to "NO". This saves a ton of energy on your decision making muscle.

I have been experimenting with these ideas for long. Let me see how these things turn on the long run.

As of now, I have excellent results in the short-medium run.
Highest distance covered in a week/month/year biking. Hopefully I adopt 20 kms (12.5 miles)/ day as default "YES" in the coming days.

 
 

Did this random thing in procreate ...

The learning from the audiobook I am listening to ...
Can I crack the illustration world.
The parrot that I wrote by seeing the chart...
I still remember that I loved my art a lot but none cared. Is it a creation bias ? Nah I had an unique talent. The following picture proves. Yes!!! I have become hilarious with age !!!

If you start enjoying the journey...

No I have not yet reached the absolute bliss phase yet. I still yearn for some destinations; but I have started enjoying the journey for sure.
Throwing the hat on cliff 
I still remember the day when I made this decision. I had written on a paper that I must quit to face my fears. Had to regret that decision multiple times. But what a journey after that. I saw the life, the utter despair, regret. Sometimes you live through them to emerge stronger.
The unexpected timing advantage
Things changed but rather slowly. May be I was not aggressive enough to catch that. But some things like Instagram marketing channel discovery occured at the exact pace.
Future: scaling the heights
I am at this juncture where I need to be more aggressive than ever. May be I need to be 100x aggressive. Let me see how things unfold from here...

Life = thinking is my blog's name !!!

I recently stumbled upon my own blog. I was amazed that I used to write a blog. Especially the politics related post. Off late, I have stopped posting any new things. But why not begin again?
I have come a long way now ...
The entrepreneur in me awaits a pen to share the exercise. Ahh !!! It could be only keystrokes !!!
And it could be amazing or boring too...
I was always shy of promoting my blog to my acquaintances/ friends. The primary reason was my blog did not address any particular niche. It was a scrambling of things that I was doing in tech/ reading about politics and many other things. Probably, one of my friend did question the intent of the blog.
I was more comfortable getting viewers from search sites. They would just get that piece of info and leave. There was no other incentive for them to come back. My only monetization was Adsense that I had set up.
So what did this blog achieve in my life. I received my first check from Google Adsense. Real money from internet. I have experimented with plenty of other things; some of them are hilariously spam kind of stuff too. And once tried to team up with a friend to create a ponzy scheme albiet an ethical one. Sounds confusing right? Yeah my journey is and always been confusing. And it will continue to do so.
P.S: Do not follow me in this blog. This blog will never have any niche. If you come here looking for something, do get that info and leave. I will continue with my tryst with destiny. (P.P.S: I wanted to say "I will continue with my confused and unrelated topics".
Signing off for now. Bye
Dr. Nishith R S
MBBS MD
Founder Scoopmed  

[Video]: Game theory in real life

Ever wondered how game theory works in real life? Here is an animation video that aptly demonstrates the application of game theory in real life.

Dear 9-5 future entrepreneurs: a gentle warning

Bored of your 9-5 job ? Want to throw yourself into your passion and be your own boss ? Well if you are ready to abandon your comfort zone, then that's just the beginning of your uncomfort zone. I bet you will feel many times that comfort zone would have been better.
Not easy as it looks
Being your own boss seems blissful. That's exactly because you are looking at other side and seeing the greener grass. No it isn't; being your own boss will give you more responsibilities than ever before. You will do the things that are not at all related to your passion. You are on your own; your HR, marketing, PR, sales, idea generation and iteration and umpteen other things are solely your headache.
Will freak you at the core
I bet most of the successful entrepreneurs have gone through this phase. You would most probably go through this phase.
"Everything that can go wrong will...."
Murphy's law
Yes and this applies to entrepreneurship. You have a great team, idea, product and initial traction. Can it go wrong now ? Yes it can because it can go wrong. And you can't even help it. You need to be persistent. That's called GRIT.

Creativity is not the ultimatum
So this is a fairly common misconception; my present field is not encouraging me to be creative and you jump on startup bandwagon to create something. You are definitely in with a bit wrongly placed notation. Your creativity can take a massive hit and mundane things may fill up your free time many times. Creativity is just a part of entrepreneurship. There is lot many things important in entrepreneurship; learning, managing, persistence, intuition. And they all are not as glamorous as being creative with a paint and brush.
I am not being negative about entrepreneurship. I am just being practical. But still you can jump, because at the end, "It will be all worth it"

[Book Review] Go suck a lemon: Strategies to improve your emotional intelligence

"It will take a force of will to do that"

The book begins with and ends with this statement. Right emphasis though because it takes a force of will to improve our emotional intelligence.
Michael Cornwall nails it perfectly in this book about how to handle emotions. The strategies described can be easily adopted in our lifestyle. The real life counseling conversations provides a great value to the readers.
I would say it a must read; buy it on amazon and become the Sherlock and investigate and alter your emotions at the core.

• Nice book describing how to analyze and control your emotions
• Various practical tips that are extremely helpful in real life
• A must read for all who are struggling with emotions that is affecting their wellbeing.

The most important ingredient for success

FAILURE !!!
And yes you heard it right it is failure.

"Success is the ability to move from one failure to another without loss of enthusiasm"
-Winston Churchill  

 
Looks so paradoxical but that is the truth. You fail and you improvise from there into the path for success. The only thing that acts as an obstacle is quitting.

Phubbing: The root is the addiction

Phubbing or “phone snubbing” is engaging with your phone in the company of others. 

I have seen it, done it, used it, offended by it and what not all. It's part of our life now. 

But why do we do it...? Isn't it harmful to sacrifice real life communications? Are we causing self inflicting injuries as seen in some addictions? 

Beating the addiction with the same weapon ;) 

That low tone calling from your smartphone demanding your attention; 

Will you oblige or will you let it go off. 

Will you lose focus and get into it. 

Will you ever be able to come out of this loop ? 

Try dealing with it; make peace with it. Have focus sessions. Use apps in your smartphones to schedule focus sessions. Beat the smartphones in it's own game. 

Try resisting it and it gets more intense on you and it will make mad out of you. 

Focus keeper for iOS is one such app that I use in my smartphone to beat my somewhat ill defined smartphone addiction ;) Try it out if you're addicted... 

Failing to learn from failure

You must learn from failures; success is going from failure to failure without losing the hope.

But what if someone fails to learn from failure. Is it not a failure again. So, if some point of time if that person realizes his failure to learn from failure.

Failing to learn from a failure is not the biggest obstacle; failing to identify that failure is. 

If you have failed to learn something and apply course correction from your failures; go back and learn. Do not give it up; get something from failure. Isn't it true that you have tried and that is the reason you are a failure; not many of them have the guts to even try. 

The intelligent dolphin Kelly and the smart human workforce

“All the dolphins at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Mississippi are trained to hold onto any litter that falls into their pools until they see a trainer, when they can trade the litter for fish. In this way, the dolphins help to keep their pools clean.
Kelly, one of the dolphins has taken this task one step further. When people drop paper into the water she hides it under a rock at the bottom of the pool. The next time a trainer passes, she goes down to the rock and tears off a piece of paper to give to the trainer. After a fish reward, she goes back down, tears off another piece of paper, gets another fish, and so on.
This behaviour is interesting because it shows that Kelly has a sense of the future and delays gratification. She has realised that a big piece of paper gets the same reward as a small piece and so delivers only small pieces to keep the extra food coming.
Isn’t it the same that happens in many big organizations and in bureaucracy? The behavior might stem from two entirely different reasons; It could be an inherent trait of the individual to work less for getting more and adopts the Kelly mechanism as above. The other case is the red tape associated with the big institutions where they are pushed to apply Kelly’s approach. 

The pendulum and our mind

Human mind is like a pendulum. It's very cunning and dangerous. And to all those who claim that they can control it; I have only one word "bullshit". You can never control it; that's why it's called as mind. That's why it creates some temporary things like emotions. How can you ever control a temporary thing? Can you ever control whose core actually is based on unpredictability. If you are controlling it; then you are living in a foolish world. It's going to take shape in something else. And it's dangerous; very dangerous. Don't try to control it. It's like sitting on a silent volcano. It can burst up anytime. Become an observer of your mind. Just observe how it oscillates like a pendulum. Finally it will settle down. Allow for that to happen by itself. If you try to control the pendulum, you are building a tremendous momentum inside the pendulum. Once you reach the tipping point; the pendulum oscillates with much more force. At that point, you can't even observe that will be it's speed. You have all these days given power to it. You think someone else has stirred up your emotions; but basically it's you who has given the ultimate force to pendulum. Become aware of yourself. Live in the moment; observe the cunning, pendulum like mind; allow it to settle. By doing so you are choosing happiness over other emotions that you are mind creates. You are choosing ecstasy over other feeling. By doing so the whole perspective of life changes. Try it; if you fail try it again; failed a thousand times? Try it again. Because at the end "it's worth it"

"Not everyone wants to lead and it's fine"

My dear exciting opportunity,

Listen to me first!!!

Imagine a situation where 100 individuals are there in an island and all are leaders. Then what will they do? Will they be able to lead anyone? If yes, whom? If everyone leads then will it be in 100 directions? If so, it will be an absolute mess!!!

At time the mighty human brain thinks in one direction. I feel it’s so called thinking inside a box, within the boundaries, because it sounds logical and possible. But reality is different. If somebody tries to think outside the box, he or she may find zillions of directions. But will these directions be the “right directions/ways” There are many right ways. What is not right might not be wrong. In fact there are no right or wrong ways. It's all about the perspectives.

In past few days things changed around me. It was drastic change. As usual, I thought “only change is permanent” so it's ok, and was spending one day at a time, by pausing thoughts, relaxing, and letting go the complications. But those two ears of mine heard some news. The drastic change had brought golden opportunities, those who grab it, will be lucky. People around me considered I may be the one “among the lucky ones”. The news had created a mini 3rd world war in my mind. What I was, what I am, What I want to be, What is happening? The answers became questions, and the questions gave birth to new questions. With very difficulties, I controlled the mind that was running like crazy horse. What world wants from me was different from what my mind wanted. The feeble voice inside me strengthened. It started shouting out loud. No I don't want to become a leader. I don't want to lead. Was it a drawback or a negative feeling or a wrong way? I don't think so. Because there are many right ways. Long back I had decided to design my career, and not to go in the direction of leading people. I was happy with the opportunities I was getting throughout, was proceeding in my own path, by pausing at times to savor the flavors of life. I was not in competition with anyone else, but wanted to be the better than the person I was yesterday. All of sudden, I was instructed to lead. People around me thought it was a good suggestion, and very helpful for my professional growth. People around me thought, it was the right time to grab the opportunity and transform. As I was not interested, I did not respond. I did not have the guts to deny publicly, due to the lessons I learnt from past ((i.e. people in general won't appreciate someone pointing out their mistakes and rejecting their ideas openly). I preferred to be in silent mode with blank expressions. The story did not end here. People failed to recognize my lack of interest in leadership and failed to start their hunt for suitable candidate. On the other hand, the pressure started building up around me. At times, people become so adamant, to get the things done, and they unknowingly crossed the finest and delicate line of “limits”. When things cross the limits, they tend to go out of control.

Again and again time has proved that, I am not a good performer when i sit on fire. No, the pressure won't create some magic to take best out of me. But the “on fire” situation strengthened my decision, cleared doubts and helped in defining me. Self-realization always helps me to clear my visions. The message was very clear. “If that is your way, well and good. But that is not my way. I am not a mirror to reflect you. I reflect myself, not someone else. To get the things done, if you expect me to metamorphose, I’ am so sorry, you knocked wrong door. Find the right key first, to open right door. I don't want to be a leader, and I am proud of it. By not wanting to become a leader i am not moving backwards, but moving in an alternative way towards excellence. I repeat again, there are many right ways, and I would love to go, where my heart and soul drives me to go. I don't want to be accountable for others work, does not mean I am selfish or incompetent. Yes, I do like the company of softwares, applications gadgets more than the company of homosepians. I will go and take accountability of the things that I like to take. Guide me, if you want to, but don't take the decisions on my behalf, as i have not appointed anyone to take decisions of my life.

You cannot reach to me when i wish you not to reach me, and I do not think too much about getting the things done. As someone told, autonomy, mastery and purpose are my real motivators. Where there is pressure, ideas to fix things will not evolve, as the new ideas need relaxing and encouraging environment to sprout. All the best for your treasure hunt, hope you realize you are wasting your time and energy on wrong one. And last but not a least, Go get A life. Pause, breathe, and continue, you will assess the things better!!!

With lots of concern,

Most irritated soul (in Do-not-disturb mode)

5 Zen teachings that can influence the way you do things.

1. Drop the effort
Try to make something perfect and it will remain imperfect. Drop the effort and make it as naturally as possible. Doing too much is akin to destroying.
2. Drop the ego
By dropping ego, you are dropping all failure, frustrations, defeat. Carry it and you are doomed for all the negative consequences. Ego is just a false consciousness of the self. Remove the falseness and you become divine.
3. Be spontaneous
Be spontaneous and live with intensity. There is no meaning living for the past nor for the future. It's the present moment that counts a lot. Live for it and savour everything the present provides.
4. Embrace the uncertainty
Life is more than logic; if it was logically predictable then there would be no fun. Life is a paradox with many uncertain mysterious moments. Embrace them and enjoy it.
5. Creativity is a being
Creativity doesn't mean that you are creating something and becoming a great artist. Creativity can occur in all the minute things you do in your life. It's a continuous activity.

The complexity of life

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" 

Mark Twain 

Being simple or making simple things are never an easy task. Simplicity doesn't arise by itself, it arises when you understand the complexities; and when those complexities can be overcome. 

In the similar way, courage is not having absence of fear. It's the understanding of the fear and having the attitude to overcome the fears. So is the trust that occurs after you have understood the neurosis of doubts and then cracked it. 

Living in the moment

The only thing you are responsible is for this moment, this second and that's all. Don't worry about the future, past. They are all obsolete concepts. Only reality is that of the present and that is the only thing that needs to be addressed. 

Can you be in this moment and enjoy it completely? 

Can you shrug off the fears of future and burdens of past for this thing to happen? 

Live in this moment for experiencing the life completely ... 

Courage: The ability to take that plunge

"Courage is a love affair with the unknown" 

- Osho

Can you take the plunge into something unknown risking the known? The essence of courage lies in taking that leap of faith. The plunge where the thrill is known only by the one who takes it. The whole affair is a gambling but the gambler knows the true meaning of life.

5 things Kane and Abel novel will teach us about life

Jeffrey Archer's Kane and Abel, a thrilling story of two men born in different parts of the world only to comfort each other to save each other and finally destroy each other. The tale had many lessons for our life. Here are the five important of them.

Prisons inside mind are much more dangerous and difficult to deal
Abel comes out of many prisons in his life time including a concentration camp but fails to come out of the prison inside his mind until the end. The moral is simple here, physical prisons are much easier to overcome than the imaginary ones. 

Never burn bridges 
I always think of this quote "Never burn bridges, you will never know how many times you have to cross the same". The story gives ample fodder for these lines as the two proponents in the story save each other and finally destroy each other unknowing of the earlier deeds.

Move with a direction and you will achieve it 
The story of the Polish immigrant becoming successful by working with conviction makes a splendid story for moving with an intent until we achieve our goals.

Never assume things
The actions we take on others should not be based on assumptions. The assumptions made by the two protagonists in the story fuels the hatred till the end.

Hard work interposed with smartness creates opportunities 
The story of Polish immigrant becoming successful with working hard and also with a strategy suggests the importance of smartness along with hard work for being successful.

Shooting the imaginary snakes inside your brain

The human nervous system has undergone evolutionary changes over thousands of years to reach the present stage. But the basic tenets remains the same in many aspects. The "fight or flight" response that was responsible for saving oneself from the real dangers of the stone age world is still present in our body today. The same response is being operated in our body excessively leading to many harmful effects in this modern society. 

"Fight or flight" response
Now imagine a man thousands of years ago, coming across a poisonous snakes while waking bare foot in the forests. It is at this type of real dangerous situation, the fight or flight response is activated. Also called as sympathetic activation in medical terms, the changes in the body prepares a man to either fight or fly away from that situation.  

"Fight or flight": Changes in the body 

• Pupils dilate
• A more larger view of the surroundings 
• Heart starts beating more ferociously 
• More blood to the running legs or fighting arms
• Respiratory system is overactivated 
• Breathing in more oxygen for nourishing blood 
• Fat from cells and glucose from liver are mobilised 
• Instant energy to the cells 
• Blood vessels to stomach, kidney and skin is constricted 
• To divert blood to essential organs like muscles, heart

 Modern society inserts imaginary snakes inside the brain
Imagine the same response occurring perpetually but without the presence of a real snake. The imaginary snakes the society inserts into the brain is enough to activate such response in many individuals. The continuous activation of this stress response has a long term effect on immunity and well being. Hans Selye explains the steps in which our body adapts to such chronic stress levels in a concept called general adaptation syndrome.

Kill the imaginary snakes inside your brain for a healthy life
The society introduces a lot of such snakes in disguise of names like religion, God, job security, relationships, duties, responsibilities, countries. So do not fall in these traps. Just kill all of those snakes inside your brain.