The Illiterate of 21st Century by Alvin Toffler

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

THERMOMETERS AND THERMOSTATS

Do you know the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat?

A thermometer simply measures the temperature. It doesn't do anything about it. A thermostat measures the temperature and then responds.

If the temperature is too high, a thermostat may shut off the heat. If the temperature is too low, a thermostat may trigger heat to turn on. It measures temperature and it does something about it. While a thermometer is a passive tool, a thermostat is an active tool. They both experience the temperature, but a thermostat responds. Some people are like thermometers - they passively allow what may harm them to just happen. They have problems and difficulties and they believe there isn't anything that can be done about it. They feel helpless as they watch life happen. They feel as if they have no power. Others are more like thermostats. When they are faced with difficulty, they kick into action. They believe that something can be done; a solution can be found; a hurt can be healed. They respond; they make decisions; they go into motion. Columnist Ann Landers said, "If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity, it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life. When it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye, and say, 'I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.'" In other words, respond courageously and creatively. Do you know that you can be bigger than any trouble that comes your way? If you have become stuck because you feel frightened or helpless, it is time to respond. It is time to go into motion. It is time to activate your faith. When you become bigger than your problem, it cannot defeat you.

Today - will you be a thermometer or a thermostat?

This reading is found in Steve Goodier's popular book JOY ALONG THE WAY [Newly Reprinted!]

Ten Commandments" by Bertrand Russel

1. Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.

2. Do not think it worthwhile to proceed by concealing evidence, for evidence is sure to come to light.

3. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed.

4. When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your spouse or your children, endeavour to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.

5. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.

6. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.

7. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.

8. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the later.

9. Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.

10.Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise, for only a fool will think it is happiness.

Life Routine

Weekend is a good opportunity for all of us to brood over as to how much our life routines are meaningful. If "low", how can we attempt enhancing it. If "high", how can we further build upon.Here is an interesting article by Dr. Doreen Lehavi, which I hope, all of us will like reading over the weekend :

Today many of us live like goldfish, swimming in the same orbit day in and day out feeling uninspired, tired, bored and sometimes worse. Life is much too precious to waste that way. Every person has a unique purpose in life. I implore you not to waste your days berating yourself for what you don't know and don't do well. Instead, discover your strengths, passions, purpose and build your life on those.

Here are 10 ideas about living a meaningful life, as I understand them. Embracing even a few of these will help you begin the exciting journey of self discovery :

1)We are all here for a purpose. Your being here makes a difference. Your purpose may be obscure to you and a challenge to discover. Start now. There are many resources, coaches and books to help you with this endeavor.

2)The secret to fulfillment is self knowledge. Start the exciting journey of discovery.

3)The second part of the secret to fulfillment is to apply your self knowledge to what you do and how you live. The more you know, the more you can actively pursue your true purpose.

4)Don't waste time lamenting what you don't do well. Concentrate on your strengths and reflect who you are. Leave the other things to people who do them well.

5)Build on your strengths. Do more of them and give yourself recognition for doing the things you do well.

6)Pay attention to the small details that you enjoy in your everyday life. Do more of them.

7)Pay attention to the small details you don't enjoy. Find ways (such as delegation) to eliminate as many of them as possible.

8)Keep a journal and put particular emphasis on the things about yourself and events in your life for which you are grateful.

9)Make an effort to release the negative aspects of your past. Try not be imprisoned by your past. Do not define yourself by your past.

10)Jumpstart your self-esteem by giving back to the community. Volunteer in a meaningful way that suits who you are and your interests.

Enjoy the journey. You will get to know and like yourself in a whole new way. Work with a friend, hire a coach, and use the resources out there, to help you with objectivity.Have someone point out the good things about you that you have a tendency to overlook.As soon as you stop doing what you hate and start doing what you love, you may find your life more meaningful and fulfilling.

Key to Engineering and Management Success

1. The new graduate makes his mark within the first couple of years of work within the Corporation.

2. For a maximum of success in a Corporation, somebody up there has to love you.

3. The leader or manager is the first man on the job in the morning and the last to leave at night.

4. Projects that are most likely to succeed have support from top management.

5. It does no good to gripe to the man next door about your dissatisfaction.

6. Always do “completed staff work”.

7. Communication is two-way process.

8. Do not let your problems sit on the side and hope that they will go away, they never do.

9. Always be willing to go the other half mile.

10. Develop a reputation for honesty and integrity.

11. Understand the boss.

12. Never let your boss be caught by surprise.

13. Be a listening ear for your employees.

14. Don’t be blame your boss for policies.

15. Develop empathy (Try to see things as your subordinate, peers see)

16. Develop a reputation for reliability.

17. Develop your power of judgment.

18. Develop your power of enthusiasm.

19. Develop your power of oral and written communication.

20. Learn to roll with the punches because there will be many.

21. Develop an insensitivity to criticism.

22. Learn to challenge and inspire your employees.

23. Establish your goals.

24. Keep up your old school ties.

25. Develop the ability to look beyond things as they are to what they can be.

26. You will only be as successful as you think you will be.

27. Don’t try to get four significant figure results out of an input of one significant figure data.

28. Never be afraid to accept other people’s ideas or solicit their help.

29. Learn to accept the idea that not all projects will succeed

30. It does not matter how good you think you are.

This article 'Key to Engineering and Management Success' is by Bernard R. Sarchet.

Team work

In the fall when you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in the "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF A TEAM AND SHARE A COMMON DIRECTION GET WHERE THEY ARE GOING QUICKER AND EASIER, BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAVELLING ON THE TRUST OF ONE ANOTHER.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go through it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the power of the flock. IF WE HAVE AS MUCH SENSE AS A GOOSE, WE WILL SHARE INFORMATION WITH THOSE WHO ARE HEADED THE SAME WAY WE ARE GOING.

When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose takes over. IT PAYS TO SHARE LEADERSHIP AND TAKE TURNS DOING HARD JOBS.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep their speed. WORDS OF SUPPORT AND INSPIRATION HELP ENERGIZE THOSE ON THE FRONT LINE, HELPING THEM TO KEEP PACE IN SPITE OF THE DAY-TO-DAY PRESSURES AND FATIGUE.

Finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by a gunshot and falls out, two geese fall out of the formation and follow the injured one down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out with another formation to catch up with their group.IF WE HAVE THE SENSE OF A GOOSE, WE WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER WHEN THINGS GET ROUGH.

The next time you see a formation of geese, remember...IT IS A REWARD, A CHALLENGE AND A PRIVILEGE to be a contributing member of a TEAM!.