Results Orientation: Improve and master this core skill

Results Orientation: Improve and master this core skill with these ideas

·        Set clear goals - Setting clear and accurate goals is the very first step you need to follow in meeting your targets. Your employer requires knowing the exact plan you have in achieving your goals. As you set these goals, you will get the help of the company who will make his expectations clear right from the beginning - only write down what you want to accomplish. If these expectations are not made clear from the outset, the employee is bound to experience confusion in mind wondering what plan will bring the required results. The laying down of expectations helps the employee perform well enough to meet or even exceed the expectations and respond to their goals.

·        Provide resources and tools - Proper technology is highly critical for all businesses whether big or small. Improving your productivity and efficiency asks for an adequate supply of the resources and tools. Furnishing your employees with the right tools and resources motivates them to work at their level best. As an employer, setting clear goals works for hand in hand with providing the right tools for the job if you require results. The desired results will trickle in without problems once the employees are duly provided for.

·        Improve communication - Unnecessary exchange in the workplace is only time wasted. Communication is highly effective in the workplace because it is how relevant information is passed on from one employee to another or from the management. Enhancing effective communication in the workplace calls for new systems put in place to monitor and allow easy passage of information from one party to the other. Effective communication results in growth and maturity of the employees as well profitability of the business as a whole. It also encourages results oriented work culture that is highly critical of any business. No one sets up a business with failure in mind!

·        Invest in rewarding as well as punishment - the most important aspect in motivating employees is using rewards. While rewarding works for the workers who are giving their level best, those that are not doing anything for the company requires some form of punishment. If an employee fails to complete the assigned work or strictly follow the measures out in place, then punishment to reprimand him should be used. Both the rewarding and punishment methods will set a clear example to the employees who work hard and those who waste time. Remember, nothing motivates employees more than a chance to earn a bonus for work well done.

·        Go for it - Taking one step at a time is ideal for your job but taking too long in accomplishing what you have planned might not be as active as you want. When implementing your business culture, you cannot take chances at all. The impact on the future of your business depends on a result oriented culture that you work on today without fear. If you want to develop a results oriented culture, go for it and do it all in one. Don't take half measures thinking it's minimizing any possible risks that could be associated with it.

 

Set SMART goals.

Set SMART goals.

You may have heard of these already, but it’s always useful to have a refresher. If you haven’t heard about this acronym, here’s what it stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Relevant
• Time bound

Specific. Your goals need to be as specific as possible,  because otherwise they won’t give you enough direction to follow through. According to  American Psychological Association, setting specific goals led to a higher performance 90 percent of the time for companies studied. Goals are like a lamp lighting the way-- the brighter the light, the clearer the road ahead.

If you don’t have clearly defined goals, you procrastinate. Think about the results you want to achieve -- what activities do you need to do for the results?”

Measurable. Give yourself realistic deadlines to finish the task at hand. Adding specific dates, amounts, etc., makes your progress quantifiable. For example, instead of saying “Reduce expenses,” say something like, “Reduce expenses by 10 percent in the next 12 months.” That gives you a fixed amount, a time frame to complete your goal and visualize a finish line.

Attainable. Be honest with yourself.  As  Justin McNally told , "'Increase marketing budget by 50 percent in three months’ sounds like a great goal, but not a very realistic one. If you’re a one-man shop or don’t have the resources to do that, you’ll only end up frustrated." Instead, he said, “Set realistic and manageable goals. Decide what you want to accomplish in a day and stop when you’re done.” 

Relevant. Align your goals with the direction you want your life and career to take. Balancing the alignment between long-term and short-term will give you the focus you’ll need.

Time-bound.  Having a finish line will mean you’ll get to celebrate when you accomplish your goal. Having set deadlines gives you a sense of urgency that is lacking when goals are open ended.

List of Previous Years UPSC Essays

List of Previous Years UPSC Essays

1.Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.

2.Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India

3.Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.

4.Joy is the simplest form of Gratitude

5.Fulfilment of 'new women' in India a myth.

6.We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws.

7.'Social Media' is inherently a selfish medium.

8.Relevance of Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)

9.If Development is not engendered, it is endangered

10.Need Brings Greed , if need increases it spoils breed

11.Water Dispute Between States in Federal India

12.Innovation is the key determinant to Economic Growth and Social welfare

13.Co-operative Federalism –Myth or Reality

14.Cyberspace and Internet - Blessing or curse to the Human Civilization in the long run

15.Digital Economy- A leveler or a source of Economic Inequality

LIST OF IDEAS TO EXPLORE AT HOME DURING LOCKDOWN

LIST OF IDEAS TO EXPLORE AT HOME DURING LOCKDOWN

 you have an unprecedented 21-day lockdown staring at you, take it one day at a time. Instead of getting bogged down by the thought, take each of those days as an opportunity to build new skills, explore hobbies and do things you’ve always wanted to.

I have compiled a list of ideas for you to explore:

1. Give your house a makeover

Tired of seeing the same old seating/dining arrangements, day in, day out? With a lockdown in full progress, this may be a good time to rejig the decor and give your home a fresh new look. Change the curtains, move your tables, chairs and sofas around the house to try out new combinations. Besides burning good calories, who knows, this activity could help you hit the reset button and let you escape the drudgery of same-old.

2. Be a social butterfly—on the phone

There are at least half a dozen people, at any given point of time that you need to call back. An elderly aunt, that slightly touchy friend, or your former colleague—you really meant to call them back, but … you know how it is. This is a good time to find out how your friends and family are doing; if the seniors among them are coping well. Spread the warmth and stay bonded.

3. Read a book

This is a no-brainer to be honest. Besides being a great entertainer, this can be a great use of your me-time, simply because you will enhance your knowledge of people, society, history and culture. Also, research suggests that reading books keeps you smarter and more empathetic. Perhaps, the secret to getting through these times all in one piece is hidden in one of those books lying on your bookshelf unread for the longest time?

4. Show yourself some love

Your pet gripe has been that you never get any time for yourself? Over the next three weeks, indulge in some self-care. Ask your partner to give you a hair massage. Or, make a face pack using ingredients at home.

Here’s a simple hack: mix three tablespoons of lemon juice with a tablespoon of turmeric powder, apply it on your face, leave it for 15-20 minutes and then wash if off. This will leave your face moistened and glowing.

5. Try digital housekeeping

Your home may be spick and span, but your digital life is a mess: photos all scattered, the music is from god-knows-when, old text files that need to be cleaned up. Not to mention a systems backup and an updation of your operating system. Most important, you need to change your passwords and keep them safe.

6. Build a new body

You need to do an activity for 3 weeks for it to become a habit, they earlier said. Even though that has been disproved, fitness experts will vouch for the fact that you can see the effects of exercise in this time. If you have been thinking of getting fitter, take up yoga or Pilates, or join a functional workout class from home. Many yoga and fitness trainers are offering classes online at this time—follow them on their social media pages to find the best option. What’s more, the fitness and aerobics videos on YouTube can be real fun!

7. Simplify your life

With the supply of commodities shrinking up, this is a good time to re-evaluate what you should consider ‘essentials’. Most of us have acquired too many belongings that complicate our life. Trying to maintain them and keep track of them, we feel stressed and irritated. It sounds like extreme privilege, but it’s true. Try and figure out what you really need and what you don’t. This is a good time to do some trimming and lighten up.Rest assured, the experience will help you gain a completely different perspective on your life. You will realize the number of things you take for granted in your day-to-day life, and the few that you really need.

8. Connect with memories

Going through old photo albums—and arranging them in the process—can bring us unbidden joy. A study carried out by Peter Naish, Doctor of Psychology at The Open Psychology, found that flipping through photo albums makes you significantly happier than chocolate, music, watching TV or your favourite cocktail. The tests, carried out on three groups, compared their moods using the aforementioned mood improvers, with those looking at their favourite photographs being the happiest. Sit with your old pictures one of these days to travel back in time and connect with happier, simpler days.

9. Let the creativity flow

Is that guitar that you bought a few years ago gathering dust in your closet? Dust it off. Make it a habit to sit in front of your notes and practice. There are literally dozens of YouTube tutorials that you can access. Learn to dance or take to karaoke. Bring-out your inner Elvis.

Not musically inclined? You could learn a new language too. There are very decent language tutorials available online. You need to be disciplined if you are serious about this and carry on even after the lockdown.

10. Do an online course; skill up/re-skill

Several reputed universities are offering free online courses. They range from public speaking to blockchain technology and almost everything in between. Standford University’s online.stanford.edu and MIT’s openlearning.mit.edu are among the most popular.

TED-Ed (ed.ted.com) is another platform that has high-quality videos on various topics. There are many other online learning websites that charge you for the courses, but it may be worth the time and money. Check out sites like Udemy, Skillshare, Coursera, and others.Some human resource departments of companies are asking their employees to skill-up during the lockdown. Try to go back to your office with skill-sets that may serve you in the future.

11. Prepare better for the next crisis

You don’t have to be like Sheldon Cooper of The Big Bang Theory while preparing for the next emergency, but hey we need to stay alert. Consult your financial advisor on how can you respond to a crisis of this scale the next time. You need to understand how much money to put away as an emergency fund, should you have a relook at your medical insurance? Also, what about your bleeding equity portfolio, because of the stock market crash?

How well prepared are you at home? Look at your daily essentials, medicines, etc. You will avoid ‘panic-buying’ situations if you are generally well-stocked. We are not recommending hoarding, but having a stocked-up home pantry is always useful. Be prepared for the next emergency, while hoping that it never comes.

12. Learn to cook up a storm

Can’t tell the difference between a spatula and spaghetti? Got the neighbourhood dhaba on speed dial? Fret not, cooking isn’t rocket science and there’s no dearth to the online videos, recipes, and kitchen hacks that can help you navigate this unfamiliar terrain. Reach out to friends and family for cooking tips. You can also begin a book of family recipes.

Cooking need not be a solo endeavour—involve the kids, partner or roommate by splitting tasks or call a bunch of friends on a group video call. Even if you’re by yourself, put on some music, pour some wine and you’ve got a party!

13. Start a book club—online

This is a good time as any other to start an online club. Decide on a book or a theme your circle wants to explore and get cracking. In fact, a book club can be a great way to get to know more like-minded people and expand your circle. Set a couple of ground rules, such as ‘agree to disagree’, ‘let’s hear from everyone’, to help the book club be a space for a lively, enjoyable discussion and not descend into argumentative chaos.

Pick a date and time, get together on remote conferencing platforms such as zoom or Google Hangouts, crack open a bottle of wine (if you were lucky to go into the lockdown with liquor handy) and have yourselves an online book club party.

14. Join the conversation

This quarantine, make the most of your social media platforms. Don’t stick to keeping tabs on your extended network, or stalking an ex but truly engage with the medium. Participate in social media challenges and the tag-along games that are doing the rounds. Use your Instagram stories or your tweets to crowdsource movie recommendations, new music suggestions or start a discussion. This can help you reconnect with old friends, be part of larger ongoing conversations and could help alleviate the cabin fever you will soon be experiencing.

15. Quit a bad habit

If you’ve been dragging your feet, setting intentions but finding yourself lacking in will, this government-mandated lockdown can be the period you go cold turkey on that niggling bad habit you have always wanted to get rid of: smoking, sugar or caffeine dependence. The science behind breaking a bad habit: know your triggers, capitalize on life-altering changes (hello, quarantine) or replace your bad habit with a good one. Plus, the lockdown introduces a new barrier—the lack of access to your vice—which can finally be the push you needed all along.

16. Get organized

We’ve all got that one drawer (or more) chock-full of paperwork that we’ve never had time to sift through and organize. Whether its bills, receipts, doctor’s prescriptions, insurance or financial papers, use your lockdown time to turn that mountain into a molehill by sorting through.

Apart from freeing up space and de-cluttering your storage, you’ll get the added benefit of having all critical documents filed in one place so you’re not turning the house upside down when you really need them. Got an important document that you don’t need a physical copy of? Digitize them! Take a picture or scan them using free apps like Adobe Scan to convert them into PDFs. Store these on cloud-based storage platforms, so you have 24/7 access.

17. Bring home the outside

With all the time spent at home, it’s a good idea to bring the outside into your living spaces, and the easiest way to do that is by growing a home garden. Not only do plants make your home more aesthetic, they purify the air, give you a fun way to stay fit and add to your meals as well.

Vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins, chillis, bell peppers, onions, gourd and okra are all fairly easy to grow at home as are herbs such as mint, lemongrass, basil, mustard, coriander, garlic, ginger, or even greens, such as spinach and lettuce. You’ll need a place that gets at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight, a water source close by and any container that is around 12 inches in diameter and height. You can be less stringent with house plants such as ficus, arrowheads, or money plants. Repurpose old bottles, cans, utensils or crockery and use them as planters instead.

18. Plan your next vacay

What better time than a lockdown to think of all the places you always wanted to travel! Make a bucket list (if you don’t have one), and start working on your next trip. If you have zeroed in on a country/city, research on the must-see and the hidden gems, places where you want to eat, where you want to shop. Get that itinerary ready. The pleasure of arm-chair travel is unique!

19. Relive your childhood

As children, most of us loved playing board games, be it Ludo, snakes-and-ladder or Scrabble. Some of these games must still be lying in some corner of the house, gathering dust. It’s time to brush the dust off and get playing with the family. Once you are done with your work-from-home, you can sit with the family every evening for a round or two. Relive your childhood as you play with your children.

20. It’s spring—time for spring cleaning

You have a closet that is bursting at the seams. You know that you won’t wear half of the clothes ever and yet you continue to hoard. Put away the woolens, clean your closet and make a pile of clothes that you can give away. In fact, you can do this for the entire house.

21. Make your wish list for life post-lockdown

Three weeks is a long time, but know that this too shall pass. Make a list of all the things you want to do once the lockdown is lifted—selling your old car, visiting the dentist, meeting your best friend over coffee and giving her a hug, playing football, taking your elderly aunt out for dinner, or just going back to walking in the park!

problem-solving process.

Here are seven-steps for an effective problem-solving process.

1. Identify the issues.

• Be clear about what the problem is.
• Remember that different people might have different views of what the issues are.
• Separate the listing of issues from the identification of interests (that's the next step!).

2. Understand everyone's interests.

• This is a critical step that is usually missing.
• Interests are the needs that you want satisfied by any given solution. We often ignore our true interests as we become attached to one particular solution.
• The best solution is the one that satisfies everyone's interests.
• This is the time for active listening. Put down your differences for awhile and listen to each other with the intention to understand.
• Separate the naming of interests from the listing of solutions.

3. List the possible solutions (options)

• This is the time to do some brainstorming. There may be lots of room for creativity.
• Separate the listing of options from the evaluation of the options.

4. Evaluate the options.

• What are the pluses and minuses? Honestly!
• Separate the evaluation of options from the selection of options.

5. Select an option or options.

• What's the best option, in the balance?
• Is there a way to "bundle" a number of options together for a more satisfactory solution?

6. Document the agreement(s).

• Don't rely on memory.
• Writing it down will help you think through all the details and implications.

7. Agree on contingencies, monitoring, and evaluation.

• Conditions may change. Make contingency agreements about foreseeable future circumstances (If-then!).
• How will you monitor compliance and follow-through?
• Create opportunities to evaluate the agreements and their implementation. ("Let's try it this way for three months and then look at it.")

Effective problem solving does take some time and attention more of the latter than the former. But less time and attention than is required by a problem not well solved. What it really takes is a willingness to slow down. A problem is like a curve in the road. Take it right and you'll find yourself in good shape for the straightaway that follows. Take it too fast and you may not be in as good shape.