Archive for 2007
As we are on the ebb of 2007, I wish to thank you all for your kind support and encouragement throughout. If I had to qualify this year, it’s been a blogging year for me. Reluctant at first, I threw myself in the water. I managed to remain afloat, against all odds.
It’s not a happy-go-lucky thing when you have a full time job, a family commitment and especially when you are the only bread winner. Sorry, I’m not whining. I know I’m not the only one in this situation. Bloggers are what they are, confident, perseverant, consistent, forward-looking…
When I started this blog in March I had little idea how it would fare. The idea of blogging was churning in my mind since long. But I hadn’t really planned for it. I just started out of the blue. I was wondering whether I’d be able to sustain it. I was indeed a novice and understood very little about this thing.
At first I’d write anything, trying to keep a daily schedule. Whether it was at work, home or shopping I had only one thing in my mind: what will be my next post? It was like an obsession until I realized the blood in my veins was rushing for nothing. Why should I kill myself for something that doesn’t bring any material reward? One day during a short break in my office I tried to figure out the whole issue. I resolved that I couldn’t write just for the sake of writing. So I set myself to write when I have something worth to say and to share with the world. This proved to be a positive choice.
Of course in any undertaking you have ups and downs. I was no exception; the more so as I am not an expert in the IT thing. But I didn’t let this weakness dominate my spirit to achieve. As long as my webmaster (Hi – he’ll recognize himself) is behind my back I know that I can rely upon him. I am very thankful to him for having been constantly by my side, assisting me in setting up Alfa King Memories and Le Journal d’Alfa King encouraging me all along. He would look after the technical issues while I had to concentrate more on my contents.
Le Journal d’Alfa King is my french blog and is dormant at the moment. I take a resolution to reactivate it next year.
Blogging has been a very fascinating experience. I’ve made lots of friends, albeit virtual; met quite a few established bloggers and writers. I’ve learnt a lot and still have a long way to go. Can you imagine how gratifying it is to be able to share your experiences, knowledge and skills with the world? I have every reason to be satisfied and I look forward to improve upon what I’ve acquired during this period of running in.
I am aware that many people out there make money from or through their blogs; and they encourage fellow bloggers to get into it. Some even say they’ve left their day job to concentrate full time on their online occupation. I am still wondering whether this is an area I can focus on during the coming year and whether it is really achievable in my case with the limited resources at hand. I need not mention the financial implications here, you know about them already.
To be honest, I haven’t given it any serious thought till now. I have no reason not to believe what others say. Perhaps, like me, they started from scrap. When I was setting up my blog I had in mind to hone my writing skills through sharing of knowledge and experiences in areas I am conversant. Making money was not on the agenda. Well, this could be another resolution for the coming year; if not from my blog, through it.
As we creep into the New Year I wish to extend all my best wishes to you and your dear ones for a safe and healthy year 2008. May the New Year bring lots of happiness, prosperity and success in whatever you are planning to achieve.
Just a couple of links you might be interested in before I pen off:
(i) The Top 10 Blogs for Writers
(ii) Top 10 Blog Posts for Writers
(iii) 5 Ways To Keep Your Writing Resolutions This New Year
(iv) 50 Tips to Unclutter Your Blog
Cheers!
Alfa King MemoriesInspired by some well-established bloggers I’m tempted to make a list of the “Best of 2007”. I started in March on a day that means a lot to my country. It was the 39th Independence Day, which reminds us of the struggle for freedom from colonial rule.
For me it was a moment of great inspiration to take up the challenge as blogger. The journey has been very passionate, enriching and indeed challenging. Two posts have particularly marked me. And they are the ones which I’d list as the best for the year.
First, it’s the INTERVIEW with freelance writer, editor and coach, Nick Daws, which was a real test case for me.
Secondly, from a sentimental point of view, I’m very much attached to Tribute to my beloved Dad.
However I consider it appropriate to list the best selections by month. Here they are:
March:
(i) Sweet is thy beauty, sweet is thy fragrance, O motherland of mine
(ii) Studying the Poles to unveil global impacts
(iii) When angels break…
(iv) Survivor of the gallows
April:
(i) Climate and weather impacts on human health
(ii) Volcanic gases – Is Mauritius under threat?
(iii) The racing season is back
(iv) Hepatitis Awareness
(v) Reading… and writing… for pleasure
(vi) May Day
May:
(i) INTERVIEW with freelance writer, editor and coach, Nick Daws
(ii) Trade Union Outcry
(iii) Eight missing after tidal waves hit the Mascarenes
(iv) Habits of daily, scheduled writing vs good writing habits
(v) Is a writing qualification essential?
(vi) Mother’s Day or Business’ Day?
(vii) Smoke-free environments
June:
(i) Self-publishing v traditional publishing
(ii) Women bashing?
(iii) Is there something like a strong password?
(iv) When the media hurts
(v) Getting started writing a book
July:
(i) Sweet and Sour
(ii) Released… after 114 days of living nightmare
(iii) Childhood Asthma Probe
(iv) Grammar, punctuation and spelling – Do they really matter?
(v) Mineral wells in Mauritian waters
August:
(i) Tribute to my beloved Dad
(ii) NRPT – the agony of taxpayers
(iii) Independent Mauritius: A brief historical perspective
(iv) Writers’ questions answered
(v) A glimpse of the evolution of Health & Safety Legislation in Mauritius
September:
(i) Employee Rights and Employee Relations: new laws in pipeline
(ii) Father Laval’s Day
(iii) Muslims in purge
(iv) Tsunami alert
October:
(i) Trade Unions maintain pressure over ERB
(ii) Long weekend amidst sadness and joy
November:
(i) Indians celebrate Divali
(ii) Labor and industrial relations reforms to be reconsidered
(iii) Information Sheet on Diabetes
(iv) Media and trade unions under scrutiny?
(v) Writing for free?
(vi) Beginner or professional?
(vii) Check out Wakish Wonderz
December:
(i) About success
(ii) You do not need a college degree to be a writer
(iii) A few more things about success
(iv) Most valuable commenter
(v) Do you value value-packed content?
(vi) No more hope from Celina – 7 things you can do
(vii) Duping children with the myth of Santa Claus
If you didn’t have the opportunity to read them, it’s time you visit Alfa King Memories. And if you are new here, you might consider subscribing via RSS, or spread the word.
Thank you. All the best.
Childhood memories
While it’s about time for the Christmas presents I am reminded of my own childhood deception about this event. I have always been intrigued by the traditional tale about a mythical figure coming from a remote place in the North Pole, more precisely from Finland.
Clad in red coat and trousers with white cuffs and collar, and black leather belt and boots he is depicted as the magical figure bringing gifts at Christmas for children who have behaved well during the year. This attire fits well to the figure in the land of perpetual snow; not so much though in the hot equatorial and tropical zones where he can get roasted at this time of the year. But that’s another issue.
Behave yourselves
I still remember when I was a child some decades ago. I always wondered why my brothers and I didn’t receive any gifts, while my cousins got plenty of them: dolls, toy cars and jets, flutes, balls and the rest. Like any children our age we starved for these. Had we been so bad during the year? We have been attending schools regularly, getting good marks, feeding the younger ones, helping mom with the kitchen chores and well, obeying our parents throughout.
Polish your shoes
As much naughty as we were, my cousins would proudly say that they’d polish their shoes to shine on the eve of Christmas and place them under their bed before going to sleep early. Father Christmas, as Santa Claus is often referred to, would come at around midnight and lay the gifts in the shoes. Very early the next morning they’d get up to collect their presents and rejoice.
Sandals would do
But during those times my parents were less fortunate. We didn’t even have shoes; all we had to content ourselves with was a pair of wooden sandals which we’d wear on special occasions. Better off than us, my cousins would arrogantly add to our naivety: “it doesn’t matter if you don’t have shoes, the sandals would do. But do take care to keep them clean.”
We had no reason not to believe. My uncles would confirm what they said. Better, they’d convince us that all Santa Claus needed was a pair of shoes or in default anything that could identify you at midnight; and you should behave well, be obedient to your parents. We did whatever they said.
The next morning surprise
Our heart pounded as we woke up the next morning. What could Father Christmas have left for us? We rushed to our respective sandals. They were intact, exactly in the same position as we left them the previous evening. Tears rolled off our eyes, my elder brother squeezing me against his chest; grabbing me firmly he murmured: “Don’t be disheartened Alfa, I think Santa Claus did not pass by. May be next time.”
Children don’t realize. Their parents buy those gifts and place them at the appropriate spot; and they pretend otherwise. We thought we’ve been naughty, or Father Christmas doesn’t love us, or he discriminates bringing gifts only to the more fortunate ones, not to the poor people like us.
You see, our thoughts went to the extent of nourishing all sorts of worries: why we didn’t have Father Christmas’ favour. Our parents suffered in silence, for not being able to afford even a symbolic item. How could they, with a big family, a casual job, a meager income just enough to feed the mouth?
How many children have been and are still being duped this way? Can you imagine? Children believe in everything you tell them, naïve as they are. We shouldn’t lose sight of the era we are living in. Information is accessible at the tips of our fingers. Instead of cheering them up during this period of rejoicing, we indulge in telling them lies, so much that not only do they lose their self-esteem, they develop a feeling of mistrust towards us.
Tell the truth - save the blame
If we want to put Christmas time in its true perspective with the religious significance it is associated with, if we want to be trustful to our children, and if we want them to be more respectful to this event, if we want to avoid stooping too low in their eyes, we need to re-visit our stories and adapt them to the realities of the day. Children can no longer be fooled; they know very well that there’s no such thing as the legendary figure we call Father Christmas. He is not a magician; he doesn’t manufacture toys; he doesn’t travel the world in a sleigh pulled by a reindeer. What are planes for after all?
The sad experience I encountered in my childhood has taught me lessons. I cannot fool my children. I told them the plain truth and offered them gifts at daylight, not necessarily at Christmas time. Better, I brought them to choose their own gifts at the shopping malls so that they experience the joy of a real-life event. Not one where everything seems to depend on the so-called imaginary evaluation of the mythical figure bringing toys according to his own judgement, toys they might not like at all.
With hindsight I can say that our parents were taken up in the spiral of the myth. They had no other choice than to perpetuate the story. It’s time we thought about this issue in a more realistic manner. How long are we going to maintain this false belief?
I’d be interested to know what you think about this pertinent issue at a time when we are celebrating Christmas and New Year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. May God bless.
On Tuesday the world will be celebrating Christmas Day; and exactly a week after it’ll be New Year’s Day. It’s the festive season and there’s a lot of movement from shopping to visits to the dear ones.
Well, today we met at our cousin’s place. All the Kings were there, well almost. We were invited for a family lunch. On every such occasion it’s real fun. After lunch it’s time for the latest news, views, stories, jokes, riddles … Romeo is eldest of all and he is specially fond of riddles and is always teasing the others. The grown-ups, especially the males, get on easily with him; not the younger ones and the girls. They are easily offended and this is when Romeo enjoys the most of his sarcastic and ironical tales.
Today Romeo exposed a riddle. It was geared towards Ilalika who is a shop attendant; he is one of those who haven’t completed his schooling as others among us. So Romeo asked Ilalika: “Which comes first, Christmas or New Year?”
“What a silly question!” retorted Ilalika.
“You think I’m fooling you?” pursued Romeo.
“I think you are losing your head as you are growing old,” insisted Ilalika.
“OK, but why don’t you give me the answer?”
“Even the children know that Christmas comes before the New Year. What’s your point in asking such a silly question?” Ilalika was becoming furious. “Is it because I’m not educated as you are?”
Romeo is known for his ‘silly” questions. And whenever he has such questions you should know he is coming at something else. What that could be in this case, I wondered. I was silently brainstorming and I knew there was a catching point out there. Romeo is clever and likes to make fun. I was right. I was amused by Ilalika’s responses.
Everybody was watching in utter surprise. They knew Ilalika’s answer was obvious but couldn’t figure out the real issue: Christmas is celebrated on 25 December and New Year on 1 January. So Ilalika should be right. Isn’t it?
As the suspense was growing I intervened in an endeavour to try to resolve it in another way. “Wait a minute,” I shouted. “New Year comes first.” Everybody stared at me. I knew I owed an explanation.
Let’s take this year 2007. When was New Year in 2007? On 1 January. When will Christmas be celebrated in 2007? 25 December. January comes before December. Right? So New Year comes before Christmas. As simple as that.
Romeo smiled. “It’s just like the question: which came first, the chick or the egg?”
If you have any other “silly” questions, riddles or jokes I’d be interested to hear from you. Use my comment box or contact me if you’d like it posted here. Let’s get into the festive mood.
Enjoy the parties. But take care not to walk with too much money in your pockets. My son just came in to tell me from what he saw on the TV news there’s been a hold up in Quatre Bornes (a town in the centre of the island). There was bloodshed from gunshots.
Drought conditions seem to worsen
Drought conditions prevailing, I have to dedicate another post about the weather situation here. This is the third consecutive post to tell you that hopes are fading; we are indeed in or very close to the red zone. With less than 50% capacity our reservoirs are significantly depleting day by day; and if we do not act responsibly we cannot put the blame too much on nature.
At times you badly need an adverse weather, if not for the wind, for the amount of water it may pour; more than the reservoirs can hold. Water is becoming indeed scarce. If it doesn’t rain within the next few days we are doomed. Our tiny island has been spared and it’s the sea which has ingurgitated all the water.
Celina passes by… with a bye-bye
Celina passed off the eastern coasts today. It is now nearly to the south of Mauritius. At 4.00 pm today the tropical storm was about 190 km to the south east. Still of moderate intensity it is moving at about 12 km/h in a south westerly direction. On this trajectory Celina doesn’t seem to represent any threat to our island. It won’t bless us with its rain either; it didn’t last night; not even today as forecast. The weather is however dull and hazy; hardly any significant drops of rain. We’ll have to wait some more. That’s nature anyway.
The authorities give the alarm
The local weather service doesn’t forecast any rain for the coming days. Rainfall recorded to date hasn’t exceeded 25 millimeters this month, which represents only about 15% of the normal. The Central Water Authority has warned against drastic water cuts, especially in the north and the west which are particularly affected by the drought. Government has announced bans on watering and pressure washing until we are blessed with sufficient rainfall.
7 things you can do to preserve water
Less than 50% of water in store is not much, especially if we take into consideration the amount of daily evaporation. The sun is over our head all day. I have pondered over this issue and come up with some tips to help manage the little amount of water that’s left. It calls for a collective action. Each of us has a crucial role; a sacrosanct duty to preserve this precious commodity. Here’s in seven points what we can do:
(i) Do not waste water. This cannot be stressed enough. Use water judiciously. When taking your bath or washing utensils in the sink don’t let the water go when you are applying soap.
(ii) Check for any leaks in your water system.
(iii) Keep enough water in storage tanks or containers for use in times of emergency.
(iv) Do not forget to close the taps; pay special attention when they are dry and they can waste all the water away when the water is restored by the authorities in your absence.
(v) Avoid watering your flower pots or your garden.
(vi) Avoid washing (pressure washing) your car or your house during this period.
(vii) Although it might appear a bit awkward, avoid multiple flushing after wee.
Alternatively you can make use of water from the rivers in the vicinity if there’s one.
Do you have any other tips? Have you experienced such conditions? How did you manage? I’d like to hear from you. Shout – as loud as you can – in my comment box.
The so-much-awaited rain hasn’t arrived yet. It is now expected tonight and tomorrow with moderate intensity with the approach of the depression which has been named Celina this morning. There’s still some hope for the reservoirs and agriculture as well. However some fine drops have moistened the ground a little bit. But it’s still hot and dry.
Celina is now a moderate tropical depression. It passed over Rodrigues today and brought considerable amount of rainfall there: more than 100 mm. At 4.00 pm it was centred at about 350 kms to the east of our island and is moving in a general south westerly direction at about 15 kilometres per hour.
The associated cloud bands are influencing the weather without significant rainfall. The winds blowing from the south are of the order of 25 to 30 km/h with peaks expected around 60 km/h.
Celina is the third depression of the season which is expected to be less active.
The summer season has crept in somewhat late this year. It seems to be dry. We haven’t had significant drops for more than a month. The reservoirs are far below their capacity. Mare aux Vacoas, the main reservoir supplying the country, is drying up steadily. The Central Water Authority has already announced severe water interruptions if there’s no rainfall in the days to come. Mauritians will remember the riots at isolated places last year during this period due to drastic water cuts. Let’s hope this year we don’t reach that stage.
The heavy rainfalls associated usually with tropical storm activity in summer are the only hope for replenishing our reservoirs. There’s every reason to believe that rain will start falling very shortly. The Mauritius Meteorological Services is keeping a watch on a tropical depression about 800 kilometers to the north east. “The first cloud bands associated with the tropical depression will influence the local weather tomorrow,” says today’s evening forecast.
The cyclone activity this year is expected to be slightly below normal with some 7 to 9 named tropical storms according to the seasonal outlook released some time ago by the local weather service.
It’s a real festival of the carnivals. Quite a few posts of Alfa King Memories have been featured in various carnivals as listed hereunder:
The Writers’ Block Carnival
Happiness Carnival
Resource for Bloggers Carnival (Edition 3)
Just Write Blogcarnival (Edition 3)
Carnival of struggling bumbling newbies
Personal Development & Happiness Carnival (Issue 21)
See you at the next festival.
I’ll again revert to Skelliewag where Skellie answers a very interesting question: “How to Avoid Fool’s Gold and Create Value-packed Content?” This post is packed with great tips and ideas on how to go about fostering audience fidelity.
If you want to go professional there’s no other way than providing quality stuff, ‘value-packed content’. But what is value for one may not be value for the other. There will always be a certain amount of bias.
Skellie mentioned about creating a wish list. Although I’d agree with it, I wonder if it really works. Already with the information overload era where time is precious there’s much fuss about the question of priorities. I am a bit sceptical about an overburdened audience responding to your queries about what they’d like you to give them. I guess it might also be a question of ego and mastery.
An audience will either comment or not all. Either they’ll appreciate or they won’t; they’ll not necessarily voice out. Now this reminds me of a famous lecturer who at the end of his presentation asked his audience whether they had any questions they’d like answered. He was surprised there was none. So he said: “Either I’ve done it so brilliantly and everything was crystal clear and you understood so well that you don’t have any queries, or it was so boring and confusing that you haven’t understood at all and you dare not ask any question.” There was a complete silence again. Then he added: “I only hope it’s the first one, otherwise I’ll have to go back to the books.” Everybody laughed as if to break the monotony.
No comments, however, doesn’t meant they are not interested with your stuff or they don’t appreciate. Very often they don’t want to spend time thinking about what they’ll write as comments or answers to your questions, unless they are regular and loyal. Now if at all they comment they’ll do so for any of the three following reasons:
(i) comment to give a make a valuable contribution to the discussion – positive approach;
(ii) comment to say nothing constructive; or just to mark their presence as regular or loyal visitors lest your forget them; and
(iii) comment to annoy you – negative criticism.
But all this boils down to what mission you’ve set yourself for your blog. And this is wide ranging: from pleasure of writing on an open platform to giving advice through just gossip. Have you come across some (many) blogs which look very popular with loads of comments with no real value elements; there’s nothing more than gossip, although nicely written? But there are many out there for commercial purpose.
That’s why I’d rather say value depends on who you are, what you do and for whom you are doing it. Value goes hand in hand with ethics. But that’s another issue.
Anyway, it was an interesting “value-packed” piece out there loaded with interesting tips for anybody still thinking about how to optimize their site; and I can only commend it.
The trade unions have called off their strike action scheduled for yesterday. They had planned to demonstrate against the introduction of the new Employee Rights and Employment Relations Bills. They justified their stand to postpone the action as the Government has decided to bring them at a later stage. You’d remember the bills have been referred for reconsideration by a high powered committee following a critical report from the ILO.
On the other hand the trade unions have alerted the ILO on the recent “arrest” and seizure of passport of two of their leaders, which they consider as repressive action against their freedom of association and right to defend the interests of aggrieved workers. They are now on bail.
In the meantime sugar sector trade unions are satisfied with the deal agreed upon between the Government and the Mauritius Sugar Producers’ Association. These relate to the release of 2000 acres of land, the implementation of the Voluntary Retirement Scheme for redundant workers and the percentage in share capital participation. This agreement will ensue in the release of fund compensation from the European Union towards the materialization of the sugar sector reform initiatives in the wake of the end of the Sugar Protocol.
I am very much honored and pleased to have been chosen as the “most valuable commenter” of the week at Skelliewag’s blog.
Here’s what Skellie has to say on the comments I made in her ‘Ask the Readers’ section about success (and which I posted here also for your attention): “Though we disagreed in our ideas about success, this week’s most valuable commenter is Alfa King, who blogs about writing. He provided thoughtful answers in the thread and expanded them on his own blog. I particularly liked his blueprint of what we need to do in order to be successful.” And she reproduces the ten vital elements I listed for the accomplishment of our goals that will eventually bring the success we want.
Each week’s favorite commenter is eligible to participate in the running “to win a one-month featured spot in the sidebar at Skelliewag”. I am the third contestant on the list so far. Skellie says she’ll “be judging that winner at the end of December, depending on their continued participation in the ‘Ask the Readers’ discussions”.
If you’d like to be featured in a post at Skelliewag (or go into the running to win a sidebar link) just participate in the weekly discussion. This week’s question is: “Where are the Holes in Your Leaky Bucket?” “For the sake of illustration,” explains Skellie “try to think of yourself as a leaky bucket (hopefully something you don’t do too often). The little holes in the bucket are flaws, mistakes, areas in need of improvement. The water represents lost opportunities.”
Good luck to all.
I want to add just a few other things about success which I discussed previously. It’s been a fruitful exchange of views at Skelliewag where most, if not all, commenters have highlighted their goals and ventured into giving a definition of success as they perceive it. We can see the linkage of success to goals. Linkage there definitely is.
We may all legitimately have goals. They are pathways to success. But it’s not enough just to have goals and let things happen; they may never happen. WE should make them happen. In other words we’ve got to work towards the accomplishment of the goals we’ve set ourselves. There are some vital elements for the accomplishment of our goals that will eventually bring the success we want. I’d summarize these as follows:
We need to:
(i) have an intense desire to work towards the goal(s);
(ii) have conviction in what we are doing;
(iii) have commitment and enthusiasm to achieve the goal(s);
(iv) be dedicated in our action;
(v) indulge in hard work to make things happen; (don’t wait for things to happen)
(vi) be persistent;
(vii) be consistent;
(viii) be responsible;
(ix) have positive belief; (have inspiration not desperation); and last but not least,
(x) be prepared to give more than we expect to get.
You may add on other characteristics to these. But remember, we will achieve success only when we want it badly. Don’t rely on others to say you’ve achieved success. YOU should feel it.
So whatever the goals you’ve set for your blogs, do remember that you have to “earn” your success.
Some time back I posted an article about some doubt still flickering in the minds of many would-be writers. I asked the question to know whether a writing qualification is essential for anyone willing to become a writer. I suggested that although you may have a good academic qualification you’d need to master some basic writing skills.
I just came across a similar query on the discussion board of Writers and Editors, which I thought might be of interest to whoever is still hesitant to embrace the writing world. A student submitted the following question: “Do I need a college degree to be a writer?” And the given answer, which is somewhat blunt, seems to converge on the thoughts expressed in my post: “No, you do not need a college degree to be a writer, although you might need one to get some of the jobs that sustain writers who can’t make a living selling their material freelance.” You may read the rest here.
“Writers and Editors” is packed with resources for writers. There are a number of other interesting questions and answers. Some are listed below if you’d like to take a peek:
- How to approach an editor an agent has recommended
- How can I get started writing the story of my life?
- Stop typing two spaces after the period!
- What’s the difference between a query and a proposal?
- How can I avoid being sued for libel?
Whether you have a degree or not, if you enjoy writing go ahead.
You remember in a previous post I mentioned about discussion topics at Skelliewag blog? This week Skellie’s query is about the definition of success. The question she poses is in three parts:
(i) What’s your definition of success?
(ii) Set out a concrete definition of success for your blog or website.
(iii) What are the goals you’re working towards?
I have already posted a comment on her blog, which I want to share with my readers here. I hope we can further the discussion independently here and try to come up with some interesting ideas.
I would wish to answer these three queries as they are posed. But before that, let me make it clear that I’m not a success guru, nor do I pretend to be one. I just want to bring my contribution from whatever I’ve learnt in order to further the discussion for mutual benefit.
The first question is of a general nature and I’ll adopt a general approach in an endeavour to come up with my definition of success. Then I’ll signal the goal I’m working towards and try to weave up a concrete definition of success for my blog. I’ll be somewhat elaborate so as to make the definition unfold itself as we move forward. Sorry for that. So let’s take each at a time.
(i) It’s a very interesting discussion where nobody would necessarily be right or wrong. If at the end of the day, we come up with a good synthesis of all the significant views of commenters, we might arrive at a workable definition.
We all talk about success; hardly do we understand what it really means. It’s a vague concept; and subjective. Different people attribute different meanings to success. If to some it might mean wealth or having a nice bungalow or villa or the latest BMW (which I’d refer to as material fulfillment), to others it could be good health, recognition, happiness, satisfaction, good family relationship or promotion in their job (which may be referred to as a state of mental fulfillment).
Whatever be it, success results from our attitude. Success doesn’t manifest itself as a result of accident or chance; it has to do with the choice we make to achieve that fulfillment which we call success. It is a feeling inside you, not outside, and is not an end in itself. If we want to achieve success we need to set realistic goals. We cannot say we’ve achieved what we wanted and we stop there, seal everything and say we’ve achieved success. For the day we do so, it’ll be our downfall – a good recipe for failure.
Success is not a destination; it’s a journey. Otherwise all the big successful multinationals wouldn’t have been where they are today; and they are constantly developing new ideas and techniques and looking for … success. So what is success? My view is that it’s an ongoing fulfillment process towards realizing something we value (not anything that we want to achieve). It’s a journey where we are continuously progressing from one goal to the next and the next.
I believe success is the extent to which you feel you have done something well and have achieved the set objective and want to go forward, higher and further. It’s a sense of fulfillment of having accomplished something we so cherished. And it doesn’t stop there. Once one goal is fulfilled we want to go another level up in quest of more success (fulfillment) and the journey continues. So to sum it all, my definition of success would be “a feeling of knowing you are progressively and consistently reaching the materialization of a goal (or goals) that you value much”.
(ii) Now let’s see what my goal is. I cherish to be able to progressively and consistently share reliable, authoritative and quality information, knowledge and experience on the internet highway. As you can see I have no material motives at the moment. May be as I go along this might become another goal and add up to my journey of success.
(iii) Having defined what I mean by success, and what goal I’m working towards, you should be able to decipher what success concretely means for my blog. Let me put it this way: “My concrete definition of success for my blog would be the extent of feeling of satisfaction and recognition I derive in the step-by-step realization of the goal I’ve set. It’s a passionate journey on which I’ve embarked myself and each day is a fulfillment in itself, a success for my blog.”
That’s it folks. Over to you for any comments. I want to learn more from you.
Honourable mention for Alfa King Memories which has been chosen as one of the Red Hot Blogs of the Day at RedOrbit.
This award goes first to you folks for your continued support.
Thanks RedOrbit.
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