Rena Venugopal - Sulk or Seize

Notion Press Media Pvt Ltd

No. 50, Chettiyar Agaram Main Road,

Vanagaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 095

First Published by Notion Press 2021

Copyright Rena Venugopal 2021

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN 978-1-68494-172-8

This book has been published with all efforts taken to make the material error-free after the consent of the author. However, the author and the publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

While every effort has been made to avoid any mistake or omission, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that neither the author nor the publishers or printers would be liable in any manner to any person by reason of any mistake or omission in this publication or for any action taken or omitted to be taken or advice rendered or accepted on the basis of this work. For any defect in printing or binding the publishers will be liable only to replace the defective copy by another copy of this work then available.

To the four ladies who have played pivotal roles in various phases of my life: my mother, Neelambal, whose love, affection, and faith in me guided me through tough times; my wife, Vasugi, whose love, belief, and faith in me gave me the strength to persevere; and my daughters, Sankaree and Kavithaa, whose love, concern, and faith strengthened my resilience.

Thank you.

For my grandkids Sajiv, Kirthi & Sidharth

The best way to predict your future is to create it.

Abraham Lincoln

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude and love to my creator for giving me the guidance and flow of thoughts to put this book together.

Second, I would like to thank all the great leaders, achievers, visionaries, teachers, authors, and speakers whose thoughts by way of speeches and books motivated me to produce this contribution of mine.

Third, I would like to thank my daughter Kavithaa for reading the chapters and giving me her honest feedback. That boosted my confidence to stay focused and continue.

Fourth, I would like to thank Namasivayam Muniandy, retired high school principal and passionate reader, who combed through my materials to correct the language and contents. His great contribution as an exemplary professional teacher earned him the prestigious and distinguished Tokoh Guru Negeri Melaka award from the education department in the state of Malacca, Malaysia, in 2013.

Finally, I would like to thank the team at Notion Publication that worked closely with me to ensure a quality book reaches the reader, you .

The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled

Plutarch

INTRODUCTION

As a seeker, I felt deeply disturbed when I was not happy with my life. I wanted change but wasnt sure how to seek it. I needed new tools for success and happiness. I did not know what to do.

I found I had neglected a habit I loved very much: reading. I decided to pursue this habit daily for thirty minutes. I got back to this habit by getting up thirty minutes earlier every morning. After a few weeks, I realized I was feeling better. I decided to get up earlier by sixty minutes every morning. I started the day by expressing gratitude for the abundance in my life, visualizing, deep breathing, meditating, affirming, motivating, reading, and journaling of my thoughts. After a couple of more weeks, I decided to get up ninety minutes earlier than I once had to add exercise and spend time with nature. Now, every morning, I spend close to 120 minutes a day on the development of my mind, body, and spirit to get me ready for the day without the disturbance of phone calls. My productivity has increased, and one of the end results is this book.

We are all seekers. It does not matter whether we realize it. We are all seeking something with or without awareness. When we seek without awareness, well have difficulty getting the desired change or result. But when we seek with awareness, we get the desired change or result fast and with ease. Awareness precedes change, which, in turn, predetermines success. So when we meet somebody successful, let us not assume the person is lucky. Success is actually premeditated and does not happen by luck or chance. When we accept this truth, we are destined to live a bountiful life. Mankind has developed phenomenally in the last two hundred years due to awareness. In the next one hundred years, mankind may develop in mind-boggling ways due to awareness.

We are blessed with the most powerful tool: the mind. Whatever we seek is within us. We have to tap into the unlimited potential within us to enjoy the bountiful waiting for us. I am confident this book will give you insight into this unlimited potential. We have to examine who we are, where we are going, and who we can be. We must have clarity about our purpose for being on this planet. Purpose creates passion. When we are passionate, we will take action, move towards our destiny, and live our dream life.

We do not have to reinvent the wheel. The people who came before us did what needed to be done. We just have to learn the secret to our potential from these great leaders, achievers, and visionaries. In this book, I have incorporated some of these leaders, achievers, and visionaries thoughts to establish clarity and proof for readers. These people have laid out the key principles for us to follow. Our job is to identify these principles and follow them. It is in our hands will we enjoy lifes abundance with a teaspoon, a dipper, or a bucket?

After saying all this, I must admit I am like most of you, a work in progress. Every day, I struggle with my own limitations and fears. To fulfil my expectations, I have to challenge myself to take action while remaining motivated and excited. From when I started on this new journey, my belief in myself has multiplied many folds. I have discovered I have many choices to choose from. I have clarity when I make choices. One of the choices I made was to write this self-development book.

Thank you for choosing this book. To get the best results, I suggest you read through the book in its entirety the first time. Then highlight the pertinent points during the second reading for easy reference. If your interest persists and time permits, you should make a summary after each chapter during your third reading.

I started as a seeker. I hope and wish that you discover what you seek.

Rena.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

Aristotle

CHAPTER 1

DREAMS

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Lao Tzu

CHAPTER 1

DREAMS

Pushing The Envelope

In the airline industry, pushing the envelope describes the mindset of a pilot who seeks to test the upper and lower limits of safety to fly at a certain speed, engine power, manoeuvrability, wind speed, or altitude. Its a personal challenge designed to determine just how far it is safe to go.

You have the choice of making things happen or letting things happen; you have the choice of setting goals to realize your dreams or letting things happen as they come. Isnt it best to commit, take your best shot, and let life do the rest? Are you ready to push the envelope to begin your journey?