Wednesday 28 March 2012

Taking the First Step Towards the Unkown


Last two weeks, I was offered a chance to conduct my first training session to some of the management and production people from a small yet ambitious company. Initially, I was quite reluctant to conduct such training. Yes, I have been lecturing for almost 11 years now. But giving lectures and doing trainings are two different things. I believe training requires a higher level of experience and courage due to the increase in the expectations of the audiences. But then I thought, if I don't take this first step now, I will never know whether I am capable of doing it. If I let fear rule me, I will never be able to move forward. So, I did what I always do. I said 'yes' first and then think about the consequences of my decision after. By saying 'yes,' I have committed myself to this responsibility. By saying ‘yes,’ there is no looking back.

In a similar situation, a few of my students came to me this week to pour out their worries regarding their exam results. Half of them highlighted English to be the reason that deterred their performance. And so I told them this..if you always say that you are not good in English, then you are never going to be good in English. You need to take the first step. It always starts with an intention or niat. There are then three elements of intention that you will need to satisfy. First, there must be a very high motivation in you to change and you must know what you want to change. After that you have to say it to yourself. By saying it, you are indirectly making a promise to yourself. And the next step is for you to list down the things that you need to do in order for change to happen. Otherwise, your intention will remain an intention for years to come. That is when you get people saying that their new year's resolutions are still to accomplish last year’s resolutions.

Take the first step…venture into the unknown…that way, you are going to be able to expand your Open Area in the Johari Window.