Effort-Less says Lizard Brain

Excuses by Lizard Brain

Do you know the power of Lizard brain? Or better way to start is to know what a lizard brain is? Lizard Brain (Seth Godin's definition) is the resistance  in the back of our head telling us to back off, be careful, go slow, compromise.. Most of often we do not realize the effects of this resistance.


Lets take some live examples:


Imagine you are going through crash diet regimen.. Barely living on vegetables and fruits with a determination to lose 20 pounds in 20 days.. With great difficulty you manage to cross 5 days and manage to lose 5 pounds. When the going is good,lizard brain nags you to compromise and convinces you to eat a super heavy meal.You succumb to it. This indulgence will not show immediate results ( weight gain) so the lizard brain further encourages you to indulge in a couple of more heavy meal. But all of a sudden, you end up in a guilt trip and start your crash diet again. Much to your disappointment you will notice a weight gain. To make matters worse,the lizard brain will convince you that the heavy meal did not lead to weight gain. On the other hand you might end up thinking that crash diet did not work. 


What the mind fails to realize is that there is a phase lag between efforts and results. You do some work today you will see results tomorrow. It is important for you to realize that you have to do the same effort tomorrow to get results the day after and not to relax...


I am sure you can relate this to your daily work as well. You might be doing some great work. You see results after a phase lag. The lizard brain says " Take it easy". Work less to get the same results.. When you listen to it and do so you might not see the effects of the reduced efforts immediately. The mind thinks all is well. But there will be a point when you will realize that disastrous effects of your lackadaisical attitude.


There is a phase lag between efforts and results. The best way to stay ahead is continue to do good work and reap the benefits.To do so, pay heed to this simple advice. Ask you lizard brain to " Shut up!!".

Management theories by Gandhi

Walk the Talk - Management Theory by Gandhi

On the eve of the 64th Independence Day of India, my heart couldn't resist but think about one of the greatest architects for India's freedom, Mahatma Gandhi. In his book " My experiments with Truth" Gandhi highlighted many of his experiments and struggles. 


Just wanted to take 2 such instances and explain how Gandhi, greatest embodiment of truth and Ahmisa, truly practiced many of today's management theories


Instance 1:  Gandhi realized that people at the bottom of the pyramid were in need of freedom more than anybody. In order to understand  that, Third class travel was the mirror to the plight of Indians. Gandhi's train travel was only in III class..
Managment Theory:Jack Trout & Al Ries in their book Bottom Up Marketing highlight " Your desk is the most dangerous place to watch the world". To know your consumers,go to field and understand their real needs & wants.


Instance 2:Gandhi's first major struggle in the country was stagged on the soil of Champaran district in Bihar in 1917 in connection with indigo plantation.The planters resorted to inhuman and illegal methods in order to get indigo cultivated at the lowest cost. Rajkumar Shuka approached Gandhi to resolve this issue. Gandhi's reaction " I can give no opinion unless I see it myself".  Gandhi described his presence as a genuine searcher of the down-to-earth facts. He along with his friends went to the place of action to collect objective information before they came to a conclusion
Management Theory: Go to the market to seek information and not to seek confirmation of your thoughts. Any preconceived notions could color your thoughts which could adversely affect the inferences you can draw from the market.


 Gandhi lived in strict accordance with Satya and Ahmisa no matter what the situation was.... It is worthwhile  to look at Gandhi's actions at different compelling situations. Am sure we  infer many such management theories that are in vogue..


As management experts say "Walk the Talk"..