Year end musings and welcoming 2010!

Every year end, some go through the blues of new year resolutions. I definitely fall in that category - doing some serious introspection and trying to think of what should be done differently. There are a few items that I have carried forward without any action taken for quite a few years now like learning guitar / music. There have been a few that I did take action on and saw results too like getting fit, weight loss - but I missed the rhythm somewhere along the way. I need to sustain few things on a daily basis without getting bored. Gaining control over mind seems the overarching goal in any of these resolutions.

On other ambitions, there are a few items I should have done differently in retrospect. But the important thing is to keep pushing oneself do new things, get out of comfort zone to get to new learnings and more important than that is to move on.

Time is onething that moves on without any need for anyone to track. 2009 has been a drag, but an interesting one that challenged the status quo and provided a lot of food (or fodder many times) for pensive thoughts. I am glad to see the end of it.

I am sure 2010 will be a milestone year for me in the journey towards excellence that I would strive to achieve in all walks of life. Definitely thats an optimistic note to end 2009 with.

Wish you all a very happy, prosperous, healthy, safe 2010!

Ramesh Sriraman

Learning from Kids (LFK) Series

Many learning organizations are trying to understand Gen Y behaviour and their needs. Hence there is intense focus on "Learning from Kids". I am just trying to blog my thoughts on this topic (not in the context of business though) based on my observations of my kids and their world.

As part of family time around entertainment, I was showing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmdAF4ihedM Indian remix versions of nursery rhyme "Twinkle Star" song at home. My soon-to-be 3 year old son (Adhithya) immediately shot back almost screaming at the top of his lungs - "Hey, it is MY song"! It was as though others trespassed in an area that belongs to his world.

I don't think any grown up can so emphatically say the same statement with the same passion, ownership claim along with the same innocence. As grown ups, I think we tend to deny ourselves freedom in our thinking on our own account. Environment around us (depending on the company we keep) makes it harder to make one feel successful and might slight or undermine even genuine achievements leading to "Prick the balloon" effect.

I think this is a key attribute (boundaryless enthusiasm based on (un)limited wisdom) we need to learn from our kids.

Will try and grow this LFK series...