Career Archives — NIMBLE FOUNDATION BLOG

First-Time Job Hunter

Embarking on the journey of finding your first job can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to shape your future career. With proper planning and a clear strategy, you can navigate the job market effectively. Help you succeed as a first-time job hunter.

Self-Assessment: Know Your Strengths

Before you begin applying for jobs, take some time to assess your skills, interests, and values. Ask yourself questions like:
What subjects or activities do I enjoy the most?
What skills have I gained through education, internships, volunteering, or hobbies?
What type of work environment suits me best?
Self-assessment tools like personality tests, career quizzes, or speaking with a career counselor can provide insights into industries and roles that match your strengths and preferences.

Research the Job Market

Understanding the job market is crucial for targeting the right opportunities. Start by researching industries that interest you:

Identify in-demand skills and roles in those industries.
Look for entry-level positions that align with your skills and qualifications.
Explore growth prospects, salary ranges, and company cultures.
Websites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed are excellent platforms for job market research. Additionally, consider joining industry-specific forums or attending career fairs to gain firsthand knowledge.

Create a Winning Resume

Your resume is your first impression on potential employers, so it needs to stand out. Here are some tips:

Keep it concise: Limit your resume to one page. Highlight your most relevant experiences and skills.
Tailor your resume: Customize it for each job application by emphasizing the skills and experiences that match the job description.
Focus on achievements: Use action words and quantify accomplishments where possible. For example, instead of saying, “Organized events,” say, “Coordinated three successful community events with 100+ attendees each.”
Include sections for:

Contact Information
Summary or Objective
Education
Skills
Experience
Additional Information

Write a Strong Cover Letter

A well-written cover letter can set you apart from other applicants. Use it to:

Explain why you’re interested in the role and the company.
Highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements.
Show enthusiasm and willingness to contribute.
Keep the tone professional yet engaging, and tailor the letter for each job application.

Leverage Your Network

Networking can open doors to opportunities that aren’t advertised publicly. Start by reaching out to:

Friends, family, and acquaintances who might know of job openings.
Professors, mentors, or alumni from your school or college.
Professional connections on LinkedIn.
Attend industry events, workshops, or meetups to meet professionals in your field. Building relationships and expressing genuine interest can lead to referrals and valuable advice.

Prepare for Interviews

Once you’ve landed an interview, preparation is key to making a good impression:

Research the company: Learn about its mission, values, products, services, and recent achievements.
Practice common interview questions: Be ready to answer questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “Why should we hire you?”
Prepare your own questions: Show interest by asking about the role, team, or growth opportunities.
Dress appropriately: Choose professional attire suitable for the company culture.
Practice mock interviews: Rehearse with a friend, mentor, or through online tools to gain confidence.

Build an Online Presence

In today’s digital age, having a professional online presence is essential. Follow these steps:

Create a LinkedIn profile: Highlight your skills, experiences, and achievements. Connect with professionals in your field and join relevant groups.
Clean up your social media: Remove any content that may appear unprofessional or controversial. Employers often check candidates’ social media profiles.
Showcase your work: If applicable, create an online portfolio or blog to display your projects, writing samples, or creative work.

Develop Essential Soft Skills

Employers value soft skills as much as technical abilities. Focus on developing these key skills:

Communication: Practice clear and professional verbal and written communication.
Teamwork: Collaborate effectively with others in group settings.
Time Management: Prioritize tasks and meet deadlines consistently.
Adaptability: Be open to learning and embracing change.

Apply Strategically

When applying for jobs, avoid the “spray and pray” approach of sending generic applications to multiple employers. Instead:

Focus on roles that align with your skills and interests.
Apply early, as many employers fill positions on a rolling basis.
Follow the application instructions carefully, including all requested documents.
Track your applications using a spreadsheet to stay organized and follow up when appropriate.

Be Resilient and Learn from Rejections

Rejections are a natural part of the job hunt, especially for first-time job seekers. Instead of feeling discouraged:

Ask for feedback to understand areas for improvement.
Reflect on your performance and refine your approach.
Keep a positive mindset and stay persistent.
Remember, every rejection brings you closer to finding the right opportunity.

Consider Internships and Volunteering

If finding a full-time job takes time, internships or volunteering can be great alternatives to gain experience, build your resume, and expand your network. Many internships lead to permanent positions or provide valuable references.

Set Realistic Expectations

Your first job may not be your dream role, but it’s an important stepping stone. Focus on:

Gaining practical experience.
Learning industry-specific skills.
Building professional relationships.
Use this opportunity as a foundation for future career growth.

Stay Informed and Updated

The job market evolves rapidly, so stay informed about trends in your industry. Subscribe to newsletters, read industry blogs, and participate in relevant workshops or courses to enhance your skills.

Finding your first job is a challenging but rewarding process. By understanding your strengths, tailoring your applications, and preparing thoroughly, you can increase your chances of success. Remember to stay patient and proactive, as every effort you make brings you closer to achieving your career goals. Good luck!

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/satish-kakri-17224417/

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Thanks for reading.

Challenges in the Career Growth in Corporate Environment

Challenges in Career Growth in the Corporate Environment, broken down into various sections to provide a comprehensive understanding:

Introduction

Career growth in the corporate environment is a journey filled with opportunities and challenges. While corporations provide platforms for professional development, they also pose hurdles that can impede progress. Understanding these challenges can help individuals navigate their careers more effectively and devise strategies for success.

Key Challenges

a. Lack of Clear Career Pathways
One of the most significant obstacles is the absence of well-defined career paths. Many organizations do not offer transparent growth plans, leaving employees uncertain about the steps required for advancement. This ambiguity can lead to frustration and disengagement.

b. Intense Competition
The corporate world is highly competitive. Employees often find themselves vying for limited promotions, key projects, or leadership roles. This competition can create a cutthroat environment, leading to stress and burnout.

c. Skill Gaps
As industries evolve, the skills required to excel in a corporate setting also change. Employees who fail to keep pace with emerging technologies and methodologies may find their growth opportunities limited.

d. Work-Life Imbalance
Pursuing career growth often requires putting in extra hours, which can disrupt work-life balance. Over time, this imbalance can affect mental and physical health, as well as personal relationships.

e. Organizational Politics
Corporate environments often involve complex interpersonal dynamics and politics. Favoritism, biases, and internal rivalries can hinder deserving employees from advancing in their careers.

f. Bias and Discrimination
Despite efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, biases based on gender, ethnicity, age, or other factors persist in many organizations. Such biases can limit opportunities for certain groups of employees.

g. Economic and Organizational Changes
Market downturns, mergers, and acquisitions can disrupt career trajectories. Layoffs, restructuring, and budget cuts often force employees to adapt to new roles or face career stagnation.

h. Lack of Mentorship and Guidance
Mentors play a crucial role in career development by providing advice, sharing experiences, and opening doors to new opportunities. The absence of mentorship can leave employees feeling unsupported and directionless.

i. Fear of Taking Risks
In a corporate setting, employees may hesitate to take on challenging projects or innovative roles due to fear of failure. This reluctance can prevent them from demonstrating their potential and seizing growth opportunities.

j. Inadequate Feedback
Constructive feedback is essential for improvement and growth. However, many organizations lack a culture of regular, meaningful feedback, leaving employees unsure about their performance and areas for development.

Impact of Challenges on Career Growth

a. Reduced Job Satisfaction
When employees face persistent obstacles without resolution, their motivation and satisfaction can decline. This disengagement can lead to poor performance and hinder career progress.

b. Increased Stress and Burnout
Constantly dealing with challenges such as competition, workload, and politics can take a toll on mental health. Stress and burnout not only impact productivity but also reduce overall well-being.

c. Stagnation and Turnover
Employees who feel their career is not progressing are more likely to stagnate or seek opportunities elsewhere. High turnover rates can disrupt both individual and organizational goals.

d. Missed Opportunities
When challenges remain unaddressed, employees may miss out on promotions, learning experiences, and networking opportunities that are crucial for career growth.

Strategies to Overcome Challenges

a. Set Clear Goals
Employees should define their career goals and develop a roadmap to achieve them. This clarity can help them navigate their path and stay focused, even amidst challenges.

b. Continuous Learning
Staying updated with industry trends and acquiring new skills is essential for career growth. Employees should invest in certifications, workshops, and online courses to remain competitive.

c. Seek Mentorship
Finding a mentor who can provide guidance and share insights can be transformative. Mentors can help employees navigate organizational dynamics and identify growth opportunities.

d. Build a Strong Network
Networking within and outside the organization can open doors to new opportunities. Building relationships with peers, managers, and industry professionals is critical for career advancement.

e. Enhance Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is essential for navigating workplace dynamics. Employees with high EQ can handle stress, build strong relationships, and effectively manage conflicts.

f. Maintain Work-Life Balance
Achieving a balance between personal and professional life is crucial. Employees should set boundaries, prioritize self-care, and seek flexible work arrangements when needed.

g. Document Achievements
Keeping track of accomplishments and contributions can help employees showcase their value during appraisals or interviews. A well-maintained portfolio can strengthen the case for promotions or new roles.

h. Be Proactive
Employees should take initiative, seek feedback, and volunteer for challenging projects. Demonstrating a proactive attitude can help them stand out and earn recognition.

i. Adapt to Change
Flexibility and adaptability are essential in a dynamic corporate environment. Employees should embrace change and view it as an opportunity for growth.

j. Leverage Organizational Resources
Many companies offer training programs, leadership development initiatives, and wellness resources. Employees should take full advantage of these offerings to enhance their skills and well-being.

Role of Organizations in Addressing Challenges

a. Transparent Growth Policies
Organizations should establish clear career progression frameworks to help employees understand the steps needed for advancement.

b. Inclusive Culture
Fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion ensures equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their background.

c. Feedback Mechanisms
Regular, constructive feedback should be a cornerstone of organizational culture. It helps employees identify their strengths and areas for improvement.

d. Supportive Leadership
Leaders play a critical role in nurturing talent. Managers should act as mentors and advocates, empowering employees to reach their potential.

e. Employee Well-Being Programs
Organizations should prioritize mental and physical health through wellness programs, flexible work options, and stress management initiatives.

f. Recognition and Rewards
Recognizing and rewarding employees’ contributions can boost morale and motivation. Acknowledging achievements fosters a sense of appreciation and loyalty.

Real-Life Examples of Overcoming Challenges

a. Skill Upgradation
Consider an employee in the IT sector who faces redundancy due to automation. By enrolling in a data science course and earning relevant certifications, they transition into a higher-paying, future-proof role.

b. Navigating Organizational Politics
An ambitious professional identifies a mentor within their organization to guide them. By learning to manage relationships and avoid political pitfalls, they secure a leadership role.

c. Balancing Work and Family
An employee struggling with work-life balance negotiates a hybrid work arrangement, allowing them to excel professionally while spending quality time with family.

Career growth in the corporate environment is a multifaceted journey. While challenges like competition, politics, and skill gaps are common, they can be overcome with strategic planning, continuous learning, and resilience. Organizations also play a vital role in supporting employees by fostering transparent, inclusive, and supportive work cultures. By addressing these challenges head-on, individuals can achieve meaningful and sustained career growth.

https://nimblefoundation.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/satish-kakri-17224417/

https://nimblefoundation.org/our-clients.html

https://www.facebook.com/nimblefoundation1

Thanks for reading.

10 Crucial aspects of Your Personality that will bring you Exceptional Success

Keep on enhancing your knowledge, behaviour and conduct.

Self Development is a very important aspect of the human being.
In today’s life the modern man finds himself trapped in a concrete jungle, living a rat race. This is a life full of stress, tensions and anxieties to be the star performer at the workplace, and to be perceived as an ideal son, husband and father at home.
In this continuing run, one tends to loose one’s sense of self. He finds himself loosing control over his live, powerless as he is to take corrective and remedial action. Such inability to do what is right and bring things back on track is largely caused by the lack of realization of what is wrong and what needs to be done.
The answer to this problem is Self Development.
But what is self development? As the term suggested it is bringing about all round improvement in one’s own self. A plain dictionary meaning of the term by itself would bring cold comfort to someone who really needs self development.
We therefore need to understand what self-development is by understanding what it implies. Self development can be best understood by examining its components. These are enumerated one by one:

Self awareness
Self knowledge
Communication
Career
Self potential
Health – physical and psychological
Social status
Social relations
Personality
Self belief

1. Self awareness: What is self awareness?

Self awareness is the understanding of where one finds himself. What does he considers as his duty every moment of the day? How is he supposed to utilize each waking moment of his time? What should he say? How and to whom? A high sense of self awareness is seen in person who is proactive in thought, alert in mind and body and energetic in action. Such is person stays ahead in every situation.

2. Self knowledge:

Self knowledge flows from self awareness. Self knowledge enables a person to truly understand himself – his role and contribution to society. Self knowledge is also a self appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the personality and character on an ongoing basis. Self knowledge is also the knowledge of the inner universe of an individual – the knowledge of which is vital to successfully navigate the outer universe.

3. Communication:

Communication is the vehicle for building social relations. This was true in the days when technology and internet did not exist; but is has become even more true today when we are living in a deeply interconnected world. Communication has various aspects these are:

a). Thoughts and Ideas:Communication originates in the mind in the form of a thought which is translated into an idea to be expressed. A creative mind is fertile ground for positive expression, whereas a negative mind is minefield of hate filled negative communication.

b). Voice & Speech:The voice represents the emotion and the level of self confidence of the individual. The speech represents the spoken words manifested by the eloquence or lack of it in expressing the ideas of the mind.

4. Morale, Self-confidence & Self Esteem:

What is morale? A high morale refers to a very positive state of mind of a person which is ever challenged into seeking increasing difficult tasks to achieve. Low morale represents the opposite where all round pessimism pervades; and where procrastination and dreariness are the norm.
An individual’s morale depends upon his self-confidence. The self-confidence in turn depends upon the self-esteem of the individual. A person with low sense of self esteem has little self-confidence to do the simplest of tasks, while claiming both ownership and responsibility for the same. On the other hand a person with a high sense of self esteem always lunges forward, taking bold and calculated risks. Such a person always stretches himself in a quest to continuously improve his productivity, and sense of self fulfillment in his life and in his work.

5. Career:

Gone are the days when a person could take up a secure career in a government job and work until his retirement doing pretty much the same work. Today, career development has become very important in today’s very fast changing and dynamic world. This implies staying relevant with the changing times by adapting one’s skills and abilities to meet the changing requirements of society and the work place.

6. Potential:

Each one of us has a latent, immense and untapped potential which sadly few of us achieve. The main reason for remaining underachievers is equally to lack of self belief in our potential as also the knowledge that such a potential even exists. Self development really starts where we become aware of our immense potential and start taking positive steps to tap it and creatively utilize it.

7. Health:

Health has two aspects – physical and psychological. Good health commonly is commonly understood only as a state where the body remain free from ailments. There is general ignorance about the impact of an healthy mind (free of negative thoughts and emotions) on the physical health of an individual. It is often said a fit mind in a fit body. However, the reverse is equally true – a fit mind ensures that the body remains fit and free from many ‘lifestyle’ diseases.

8. Social Status:

Development of the social status refers to the upward move of individual on the social ladder. The craving for a high social status is considered the highest of the famous Manslow’s personal self actualization hierarchy. A high social status represents his desire for self actualization. Maslow describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be.

9. Social Relations:

Social relations determine the social status of a person. At the same time the person’s social status also determines his social relations. Development of the ability to develop social relations gives an individual the power to increase his ever widening circle of social contacts. This in turn enhances his power, his prestige, sense of self worth and most importantly his social status.
Personality :
Personality Development seems to be the buzz word these days. While everyone likes to talk about it, few seem to truly understand. Development of one’s personality is more than adherence to a mere set of guidelines to be followed in terms of dos and don’ts. Personality has several important components that need to be understood and developed. These include:Posture: An erect posture signifies confidence, a positive forthright attitude, and a fit body that consciously receives large amount s of life giving oxygen into the lungs.

a). Body Language: This represents the non verbal communication that translates and conveys more than 80% of the message and is often more important than the spoken words.

b). Thoughts and self belief: Each individual creates his own universe through self-belief about himself and thoughts about others. Such thoughts and self beliefs either fashion a mind full of prejudice, hate and envy at the negative level or love, empathy and positivity on the other.

c). Attitude: It is said our attitude determines our altitude. Development of the attitude involves moving away from being negative about persons, and events and seeing some good in everything perceived as bad.

The above stated aspects of self development are by no means an exhaustive list of what one must do for oneself. At the same, these are not water tight compartments that need to be looked in isolation. Often development of a single area can have greater than proportionate effect in other areas. So what one essentially needs to do it to focus and try to better understand each and consciously inculcate the habit to bring about self improvements howsoever small for the overall objective of self development.

Implementing your goals

Why do you set your goals? Let’s consider this basic question. The simple answer is that you are not happy with your present status and you want to improve. Now let’s consider who is responsible for your present status? Your circumstances, influence of your parents, teachers, friends, relatives, neighbor and all those who have been interacting with you. They have influenced you mind which in turn has influenced your actions and behavior. Over the years you have formed some habits. Triggered by your habits, you continue to do the same things over and over again. Your relationships with others remain the same. Nothing changes. Therefore you don’t own what you want; you don’t garner respect from others. Life is drudgery. Nothing to look forward to. You accept that this reality and you have to live with it. And then, you write down your goals. These could be about health, career, finance, family, hobby and even spirituality.
Once we understand that you background and habits have brought you to a situation which you are not happy with, you need to do whatever it takes to change these influences and most importantly change your habits. You may not be able to change company of everyone around you, but you can choose to divide your time according to your choice.

10. Self-Belief

To be connected with earlier chapter.
In life it is necessary to have some beliefs. That does not mean that you need to follow any dogma or belief forced on you. You can pick your own beliefs with discretion. First, let us understand what is self-belief. What are the qualities that it inherits? Self belief is an invaluable virtue which brings great possibilities in your life. Its indications are that you:

Stop making any excuses for any reason what-so-ever.
Do not indulge in any negative thought.
Stop thinking that difficulties surround you alone. You do not jump to conclusion and take hasty actions. You express your fears to others without any hesitation, because you keep in mind that everyone has some fears.
You stop procrastinating because that is indicative of your lack of confidence.
Stop pursing perfection. Perfection is never achieved. It only stops you from moving ahead.

Once you develop self belief and you observe that you confirm to all what has been said above, you will find the following eight advantages coming to you smoothly and seamlessly.

a). Self-belief enables you to hold strong conviction. All things do not happen the way you have planned or the way you expect. But strong conviction will help you to move ahead without fear of failure.

b). Self belief also helps you develop optimistic attitude which is necessary today in the wake of fast changing world. Life is becoming extremely competitive. Any opportunity missed once may never come back again. But if you have a negative attitude you will not be able to catch the fleeting possibilities.

c). Your self-belief also makes you more reliable to others.Thus you tend to build up better relations with others. Your credibility is not question. Since people can trust you they vie for good relations with you. Needless to say that for any significant project you need help from others.

d). Self-belief also helps you to be focused and self motivated. You no longer take life as it comes. You don’t depend on unknown sources to bring you luck. You carve your own destiny. Self motivation helps you to maintain enthusiasm and interest in life.

e). Your risk taking ability improves if you start relying on yourself. It is said that there are no gains if there are no risks. Your conviction helps you to take calculated risks in meeting the challenges of life. The tendency to avoid and escape facing challenging situation reduces substantially. You start realizing that difficulties form a necessary part of life.

f). Further, self-belief enables you to give and receive constructive criticism with an open mind. In the current scenario exchange of ideas and views are extremely important. The autocratic leader is not acceptable any more. So if you want to progress you have to collaborate with others from your own organization or outside outfits.

g). Self-belief helps you to be more assertive. You start caring for yourself more than pleasing others. Someone said that he doesn’t know any formula of how to succeed. The sure short formula for success has never been discovered. But there is a firm unbeatable formula for failure and that is trying to please everyone. Your self-belief will not allow you to embark on the journey of securing approvals where these are not mandatory.

h). Last but not the least, you start working on improving your self respect.You realize that if you do not respect yourself, others will follow suit. When you’re in need to raise self esteem, you become more effective and you become more productive. Now, you start managing your time very effectively as any improper or inadequate use of your time will hurt your self-esteem.

Personal Productivity and its review constitute are essential ingriedients in the implementation and achievement of personal goals. But what is personal productivity? Does it mean how we manage our time? The answer is yes and no. Yes, time is an important aspect of personal productivity. Rather, it could be so provided your activities are aligned with your goals. And yet it is a lot more. Does it mean one’s achievement towards realization of personal goals? Not just that! Personal goals may change. Personal vision may change. And if one may say so personal mission statement if one ever cares to establish that – that also may change.
When we talk of mission statement or vision or an organization, that hardly ever changes. But when we are talking of an individual, the factors that affect a person’s likes and dislikes, desires, drastically change with changing circumstances, or even without these.
The most important factor for a person’s success is his/her personal productivity. As we growwe realize that it is not just money, not just health, not just family, or your social status, hobbies etc., that bring you happiness, but it is a combination of all these in varying proportions. So what we need to do is to align all our activities to achieve whatever we want in the aforesaid different fields.
Therefore a daily review of what you do becomes very important. In the highly competitive world we have today, the targets that the organizations set for you are hard ones. These sap your energy and rob you of the power and ability to think what you must do. You only start following sometimes even unachievable targets. In the process, you totally destroy you concept of personal productivity.
Hence, what is really needed is to have the right balance and proper perspective towards life. It is only such a healthy attitude that strikes a right balance between family and friends, home and work, health and money that will lead to a truly happy and successful life.

Thanks for reading.

7 Steps for Self Development!

Why Self-Development is so important today?

In the competitive environment of modern times it’s necessary to continuously enhance your skill. In today’s life the modern man finds himself trapped in a concrete jungle, living a rat race. This is a life full of stress, tensions and anxieties to be the star performer at the workplace, and to be perceived as an ideal son, husband and father at home.
In this continuing madness, he tends to loose his sense of self and finds himself loosing control over his live, powerless as he is to take corrective and remedial action. Such inability to do what is right and bring things back on track is largely caused by the lack of realization of what is wrong and what needs to be done.
The answer to this problem is Self Development.
But what is self-development? As the term suggested it is bringing about all round improvement in one’s own self. A plain dictionary meaning of the term by itself would bring cold comfort to someone who really needs self-development.
We therefore need to understand what self-development is by understanding what it implies. Self-development can be best understood by examining its components. These are enumerated one by one:

Self-awareness
Self-knowledge
Communication
Self potential
Health – physical and psychological
Social status
Social relations
Personality

1. Self-awareness: What is self-awareness?
Self awareness is the understanding of where one finds himself. What does he considers as his duty every moment of the day? How is he supposed to utilize each waking moment of his time? What should he say? How and to whom? A high sense of self awareness is seen in person who is proactive in thought, alert in mind and body and energetic in action. Such is person stays ahead in every situation. It’s necessary to improve self-awareness to meet the daily challenges.

2. Self-knowledge:
Self-knowledge flows from self-awareness. Improving self-knowledge should be a continuous activity. It enables a person to truly understand himself – his role and contribution to society. Self-knowledge is also a self-appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the personality and character on an ongoing basis. Self-knowledge is also the knowledge of the inner universe of an individual – the knowledge of which is vital to successfully navigate your life in the society.

3. Communication is of critical importance.
Communication is the vehicle for building social relations. This was true in the days when technology and internet did not exist; but is has become even more true today when we are living in a deeply interconnected world. Communication has various aspects these are:

Thoughts and Ideas: Communication originates in the mind in the form of a thought which is translated into an idea to be expressed. A creative mind is fertile ground for positive expression, whereas a negative mind is minefield of hate filled negative communication.

Voice & Speech: The voice represents the emotion and the level of self-confidence of the individual. The speech represents the spoken words manifested by the eloquence or lack of it in expressing the ideas of the mind.

Morale, Self-confidence & Self Esteem, These have an impact on your communication.
What is morale? A high morale refers to a very positive state of mind of a person which is ever challenged into seeking increasing difficult tasks to achieve. Low morale represents the opposite where all round pessimism pervades; and where procrastination and dreariness are the norm.
An individual’s morale depends upon his self-confidence. The self-confidence in turn depends upon the self-esteem of the individual. A person with low sense of self-esteem has little self-confidence to do the simplest of tasks, while claiming both ownership and responsibility for the same. On the other hand a person with a high sense of self-esteem always lunges forward, taking bold and calculated risks. Such a person always stretches himself in a quest to continuously improve his productivity, and sense of self-fulfillment in his life and in his work. Building or renewing identity is very important, today.

4. Potential needs to be fully explored. That is the first step for fulfilling aspirations.
Each one of us has a latent, immense and untapped potential which sadly few of us achieve. The main reason for remaining underachievers is equally to lack of self-belief in our potential as also the knowledge that such a potential even exists. Self-development really starts where we become aware of our immense potential and start taking positive steps to tap it and creatively utilize it.

5. Good Health plays an important role in all aspects of life.
Health has two aspects – physical and psychological. Good health commonly is commonly understood only as a state where the body remains free from ailments. There is general ignorance about the impact of an healthy mind (free of negative thoughts and emotions) on the physical health of an individual. It is often said a fit mind in a fit body. However, the reverse is equally true – a fit mind ensures that the body remains fit and free from many ‘lifestyle’ diseases.

6. Social Status and Social Relation:
Development of the social status refers to the upward move of individual on the social ladder. The craving for a high social status is considered the highest of the famous Manslow’s personal self actualization hierarchy. A high social status represents his desire for self actualization. Maslow describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be.
Social relations determine the social status of a person. At the same time the person’s social status also determines his social relations. Development of the ability to develop social relations gives an individual the power to increase his ever widening circle of social contacts. This in turn enhances his power, his prestige, sense of self worth and most importantly his social status.

7. Create a Power Packed Personality:
Personality Development seems to be the buzz word these days. While everyone likes to talk about it, few seem to truly understand. Development of one’s personality is more than adherence to a mere set of guidelines to be followed in terms of dos and don’ts. Personality has several important components that need to be understood and developed. These include:

Posture: An erect posture signifies confidence, a positive forthright attitude, and a fit body that consciously receives large amount s of life giving oxygen into the lungs.

Body Language: This represents the non verbal communication that translates and conveys more than 80% of the message and is often more important than the spoken words.

Thoughts and self-belief: Each individual creates his own universe through self-belief about himself and thoughts about others. Such thoughts and self beliefs either fashion a mind full of prejudice, hate and envy at the negative level or love, empathy and positivity on the other.

Attitude: It is said our attitude determines our altitude. Development of the attitude involves moving away from being negative about persons, and events and seeing some good in everything perceived as bad.

Thanks for reading.

Self Development

Self Development:
Self Development is a very important aspect of the human being.
In today’s life the modern man finds himself trapped in a concrete jungle, living a rat race. This is a life full of stress, tensions and anxieties to be the star performer at the workplace, and to be perceived as an ideal son, husband and father at home.
In this continuing madness, he tends to loose his sense of self and finds himsel loosing control over his live, powerless as he is to take corrective and remedial action. Such inability to do what is right and bring things back on track is largely caused by the lack of realization of what is wrong and what needs to be done.
The answer to this problem is Self Development.
But what is self development? As the term suggested it is bringing about all round improvement in one’s own self. A plain dictionary meaning of the term by itself would bring cold comfort to someone who really needs self development.
We therefore need to understand what self-development is by understanding what it implies. Self development can be best understood by examining its components. These are enumerated one by one:

Self awareness
Self knowledge
Communication
Career
Self potential
Health – physical and psychological
Social status
Social relations
Personality

Let us look at each of these aspects in greater detail:

Self awareness: What is self awareness?
Self awareness is the understanding of where one finds himself. What does he considers as his duty every moment of the day? How is he supposed to utilize each waking moment of his time? What should he say? How and to whom? A high sense of self awareness is seen in person who is proactive in thought, alert in mind and body and energetic in action. Such is person stays ahead in every situation.
Self knowledge:
Self knowledge flows from self awareness. Self knowledge enables a person to truly understand himself – his role and contribution to society. Self knowledge is also a self appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the personality and character on an ongoing basis. Self knowledge is also the knowledge of the inner universe of an individual – the knowledge of which is vital to successfully navigate the outer universe.
Communication:
Communication is the vehicle for building social relations. This was true in the days when technology and internet did not exist; but is has become even more true today when we are living in a deeply interconnected world. Communication has various aspects these are:

Thoughts and Ideas:Communication originates in the mind in the form of a thought which is translated into an idea to be expressed. A creative mind is fertile ground for positive expression, whereas a negative mind is minefield of hate filled negative communication.
Voice & Speech:The voice represents the emotion and the level of self confidence of the individual. The speech represents the spoken words manifested by the eloquence or lack of it in expressing the ideas of the mind.

Morale, Self-confidence & Self Esteem:
What is morale? A high morale refers to a very positive state of mind of a person which is ever challenged into seeking increasing difficult tasks to achieve. Low morale represents the opposite where all round pessimism pervades; and where procrastination and dreariness are the norm.
An individual’s morale depends upon his self-confidence. The self-confidence in turn depends upon the self-esteem of the individual. A person with low sense of self esteem has little self-confidence to do the simplest of tasks, while claiming both ownership and responsibility for the same. On the other hand a person with a high sense of self esteem always lunges forward, taking bold and calculated risks. Such a person always stretches himself in a quest to continuously improve his productivity, and sense of self fulfillment in his life and in his work.
Career:
Gone are the days when a person could take up a secure career in a government job and work until his retirement doing pretty much the same work. Today, career development has become very important in today’s very fast changing and dynamic world. This implies staying relevant with the changing times by adapting one’s skills and abilities to meet the changing requirements of society and the work place.
Potential:
Each one of us has a latent, immense and untapped potential which sadly few of us achieve. The main reason for remaining underachievers is equally to lack of self belief in our potential as also the knowledge that such a potential even exists. Self development really starts where we become aware of our immense potential and start taking positive steps to tap it and creatively utilize it.
Health:
Health has two aspects – physical and psychological. Good health commonly is commonly understood only as a state where the body remain free from ailments. There is general ignorance about the impact of an healthy mind (free of negative thoughts and emotions) on the physical health of an individual. It is often said a fit mind in a fit body. However, the reverse is equally true – a fit mind ensures that the body remains fit and free from many ‘lifestyle’ diseases.
Social Status:
Development of the social status refers to the upward move of individual on the social ladder. The craving for a high social status is considered the highest of the famous Manslow’s personal self actualization hierarchy. A high social status represents his desire for self actualization. Maslow describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be.
Social Relations:
Social relations determine the social status of a person. At the same time the person’s social status also determines his social relations. Development of the ability to develop social relations gives an individual the power to increase his ever widening circle of social contacts. This in turn enhances his power, his prestige, sense of self worth and most importantly his social status.
Personality :
Personality Development seems to be the buzz word these days. While everyone likes to talk about it, few seem to truly understand. Development of one’s personality is more than adherence to a mere set of guidelines to be followed in terms of dos and don’ts. Personality has several important components that need to be understood and developed. These include:

Posture: An erect posture signifies confidence, a positive forthright attitude, and a fit body that consciously receives large amount s of life giving oxygen into the lungs.
Body Language: This represents the non verbal communication that translates and conveys more than 80% of the message and is often more important than the spoken words.
Thoughts and self belief: Each individual creates his own universe through self-belief about himself and thoughts about others. Such thoughts and self beliefs either fashion a mind full of prejudice, hate and envy at the negative level or love, empathy and positivity on the other.
Attitude: It is said our attitude determines our altitude. Development of the attitude involves moving away from being negative about persons, and events and seeing some good in everything perceived as bad.