Mind Maps and Tony Buzan Certification

Singapore -24-27 March 2008

One of my key goals in 2008 was to get certified in Buzan's Mindmapping.   It gets me a step closer to my longer term goal to be a trainer and help people achieve their untapped potential.  And the sheer opportunity to do this is amazing.

I am currently undergoing the certification course to become a "Certified Trainer" and hope to start some level of training in the near future.  This also gets me the learning to a)officially and b) correctly train people in this fantastic technique.

Nevertheless, over the last 2 days we have had a series of thoroughly enjoyable training sessions which have taught me some new things about Mindmapping- which I had not practiced earlier.   Working with Henry and his team has been an interesting experience & I am looking forward to the rest of the 3 days to complete this.

I wanted to share this interesting output. I have absolutely no art background and when we were asked to draw a portrait it obviously had me running for cover.  But with some great ideas, and simple techniques I managed to generate the drawing below. The better looking one is the original ;-) (in case you are wondering).

 

I am obviously delighted.  The exercise to Juggle Balls was a completely different story!  Will get there as well in the near future :)

All said & done, I hope to complete this certification done by the end of this week. 

Wish me some luck ;-)

Innovation for your bread :)

 

I have been meaning to write this for the last couple of days. Could not come to it because I got busy with a training I am attending. (More on that later). During our weekend dinner outing to the Katong area, we came across this simple innovation that bowled me over! Whilst we (Indira & I) constantly think what might motivate my daughters to have their breakfast without their daily complaints (and grumbles)  - one never imagined that the solution could be in something this simple! So interesting, that it had ME interested in eating the bread with more interest!

It has to rate as one of the most innovative "tool" (I cant think of what else to call it).  This is a plastic unit that creates an imprint on the humble bread with a word that says "SMILE" - it had me say WOW looking at the bread.  I wonder why most hotels have not yet seen this or used this!  It would definitely impress their clientele. I know I would have been if I had seen this in any of the hotels I travel to.

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Innovation is still possible on small things that all of us take for granted....

Truly impressive!  In case you are interested, I bought this in Cold Storage. 

 

Wealth- What's it to you?

 

 

I saw this ad a couple of weeks back in Fortune.  I frankly did not know about Barclays Wealth, and I don't believe I am their target audience for this ad ;-)

That said, I was attracted to the message - and it got me thinking.  What exactly does Wealth mean to me?  I have been mulling over what it really means to me. 

Wealth is important - and for me, the primary goal for Wealth Creation is to ensure the well being of my family- wife & children and to ensure that all their basic needs are taken care of in case something happens to me.  Secondly - I want my daughters to have a financial safety net that I did not have as I started working and building my life - so that they are always free to test their limits in this world without having to worry about "what if..". Lastly, I look at wealth to give me a platform to do other things that matter to me in life - starting an orphanage (sometime in the future) and helping people in need - especially old people. 

Wealth, unfortunately is a necessity!  Without it, one cannot do many of the good that one may otherwise want to. 

This ad was great. I may never be a Barclay's Wealth customer- but then, this ad did touch me.  For that I will always remember this ad.

Dollar Droops!

Times are indeed bad.  I saw this on the Reuters when I was outside my office. Dollar "droops"? Sigh - the effect is being felt even more deeply  :)

 

Visit to Nepal

I was in Nepal last week for an important meeting that I had to attend with some important Government officials.  I love going to Katmandu & I like the people, the pace etc. It is slow paced, peaceful (to an outsider) and despite numerous problems they are facing, they don't complain as most other people in other countries are wont to do.  (There are numerous power cuts, long queues for Petrol etc.). I did not hear anyone complain against the government or make any other adverse kind of remarks.

Notwithstanding the beauty of its surroundings, I saw these 2 aircrafts - of all the places, in the airport.  Imagine the effect it has on ones confidence when you see these kind of aircrafts just off the runway.   Though this did not bother me too much, a couple of passengers near me got a bit worked up :)

Something that does not do wonders for the Tourism Industry there :)

 

All said & done, it was an effective trip & as usual I enjoyed it. Allen - my colleague in Nepal, took us (we had 3 friends from Intel there as well) to a great place for dinner.  We experienced some of the songs & dances of Nepal there. 

Weather was great - I believe it was around 10-12 degrees Celsius.

Here is another view of Kathmandu just as we took off from the airport.

Out of circulation for a few weeks

 

I have been out of circulation for a few weeks. Work obviously took a lot of time.

Of course, it is not fair to blame "lack of time" - after all if it is interesting enough, one does find time.  I have been in a lot of meetings, travel, and a bit of introspection - of what to do going forward in life.  I am curious to understand if people really spend so much time thinking of these things..

Will be updating my blog with some thoughts/ and recommit myself to keep it running smoothly :)