Knowledge - Practice - Excellence
Narendra Goidani
Dearest Darling Friends,
Recently I addressed an international seminar (for Asia Pacific region) of IRSHA as the Keynote speaker. People from various nationalities across continents were present. Since this was the first time I was addressing an international seminar, I was a little unsure how to begin. I began with a game.
I asked all of them to take a blank piece of paper and any writing instrument. I then asked them to look carefully at their neighbour. With a huge smile on my face, I now asked them to sketch their neighbour. Suddenly the hall, that was silent earlier, was filled with buzzing voices and animated gestures. There were giggles, nervous laughters as well as thoughtful expressions. Some faces said 'wow' while a few also betrayed 'Oh no!'.
To my wonderful surprise, all of them gamely began. It was beautiful and so ironical. All of them who were sketching were also being sketched. Every one was an artist and a model at the same time.
The time given to them was two minutes. It was pure unadulterated fun. I began the final countdown. 5.........4.........3........2......1. "Please keep your writing instruments down" my voice boomed in the auditorium. All sportingly complied. I requested all of them to hand over the master pieces to the 'models'. This brought a lot of laughter and some incredulous looks too. All in all it was loads of joy.
I asked all the participants, "How was your experience?" Again a few laughters and one strong voice said, 'I should have paid more attention to my drawing classes'. A few more comments came. I moved on to the most important question. I asked , "Why did we play this small game?"
Thoughtful faces and shrugged shoulders dominated the audience. Various answers came. 'To break the ice', 'To observe better', 'To know our neighbours' etc. Looking straight at the audience, with my voice becoming very purposeful, I asked all of them "What if I say this game was played for us to understand that between knowing and doing there is always a gap !" There was a stunned pin drop silence in the hall.
I allowed these words to enter and settle well in the minds of all participants. It had the desired effect. I could see clarity and excitement on most faces. This is interesting, said many faces. What else can you teach us, said a few other faces. All of them now looked involved and eager.
"All of you knew the faces of your neighbour" I continued. "All of you saw the faces carefully. If I had shown their photographs and asked who they were, you would have easily pointed out the person to me. You KNEW the face. YET, when you had to DO (draw), you could not do it properly. This proves that in the beginning, between knowing and doing there is always a gap."
Having knowledge gives us a false sense of security. Implemented knowledge actually is our true base, is our actual strength, is our real foundation. The more the implementation the more is self-belief. The converse is also true.
Most of us already know whatever I have written till now (as insights). However, the interesting thing is what then keeps us away from implementation? I believe it is the need to get it right the first time.
This small game teaches us, right in the beginning, between knowing and doing there is bound to be a gap. There is only one way to eliminate this gap - PRACTICE. Practice till you get it the way you want it.
Sports is played like this. Music is learnt like this. Fitness is gained like this. Relationships and business empires are created like this. Everything in life follows this same pattern. First there is knowledge. Then comes practice. Then comes excellence. In the process we learn so much about ourselves and about people. This is indeed what life is all about.
When you live life this way, whenever you look back, you will be able to see quite a few masterpieces.
So, do not hesitate any more. Whether it is to learn music, take part in karaoke singing, steal a break from work, participate in a competition, climb a mountain, going down a valley, going back to college at the age of 50+, developing a hobby like learning to paint...you have the knowledge what your heart desires. Now translate it into action. Decide how much practice to do. Mastery will come with time.
Create your life around your dreams. Practice your knowledge. That is OUR responsibility.
Dearest darling friends, by the way, I am waiting to know what have you started practicing. Sometimes in the future we will also hear about your 'mastery'. Till then....
With loads of love, prayers and best wishes,
naren
As I live...I learn
na...@lifeschool.co.in
Life School announces its Business Excellence Program for businessmen who are ambitious, key decision makers and someone who can implement the learnings in their business. Starting from 3rd December 2010, the program will be spread over 4 months consisting of 9 full day sessions - Every 1st and 3rd Friday. The complete schedule is given below.
The role of Business Excellence will be to challenge YOU and your TEAM with POSSIBILITIES. We aspire to take you outside your comfort zones into unchartered areas of uncertainty. When you do so, you learn, you grow, you know so much more about your people & yourself.
- Do YOU believe "Better is Possible" ?
- Are YOU making "Important and Better Choices" that drive COMMITMENTS ?
- Does your organization have “A CULTURE OF SUCCESS” ?
- How do YOU shape & nurture an ELITE TEAM ?
- Do your SYSTEMS & PROCESSES create for you competitive advantage ?
- Are your customers ready to WAIT for you ?
- Will your CHILDREN join your organisation, even if it was not yours ?
- Do you have MASTERY over the financial needs (Present & Future) of your organisation ?
- Are your assets producing PEAK EFFICIENCY ?
For the first time ever, “Business Excellence” will be spread over four months involving 9 complete days of training as per the following schedule:
| Date | Venue | |
| 1 | Friday, 3rd December 2010 | Le Meridien, Pune |
| 2 | Friday, 17th December 2010 | Four Points - Sheraton, Nagar Road, Pune |
| 3 | Friday, 7th January 2011 | Four Points - Sheraton, Nagar Road, Pune |
| 4 | Friday, 21st January 2011 | Four Points - Sheraton, Nagar Road, Pune |
| 5 | Friday, 4th February 2011 | Four Points - Sheraton, Nagar Road, Pune |
| 6 | Friday, 18th February 2011 | Four Points - Sheraton, Nagar Road, Pune |
| 7 | Friday, 4th March 2011 | Four Points - Sheraton, Nagar Road, Pune |
| 8 | Friday, 18th March 2011 | Four Points - Sheraton, Nagar Road, Pune |
| 9 | Friday, 1st April 2011 | Four Points - Sheraton, Nagar Road, Pune |
Program timing for all the above mentioned days will be from 10 am to 6 pm. |
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2nd Floor, Krsna Chambers, 11, Galaxy Gardens, North Main Road,
Koregaon Park, Pune - 411001. Tel: 020-6601 30 02 / 3.
Email:con...@lifeschool.co.in Website: www.lifeschool.co.in
