My Life – Life is Beautiful

The Success Mantra – Distilled From My All Time Favourite Book Reads

“Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act up on must inevitably come to pass.” -Paul Meyer

The Success Mantra is a collection of time tested and proven principles, that I have attempted to summarise in this note, from some of my all time favourite books.

The following is a short brief on the 10 valuable Mantras of Success

1. Definiteness of Purpose

2. Mastering Self-Discipline

3. Positive Mental Attitude

4. Learning from Failure

5. Effective Communication

6. Building a Mastermind Group

7. Taking Action

8. Persistence and Determination

9. Continuous Learning and Growth

10. Giving Back and Serving Others

Applying these principles can help everyone unlock their true potential and achieve success in various facets of life.

1. Definiteness of Purpose:

The secret of success is constancy to purpose. – Benjamin Disraeli

Success begins with a clear and specific goal. Define your purpose and create a plan to achieve it. Without a definite purpose, you may drift aimlessly and struggle to find success.

2. Mastering Self-Discipline:

Discipline is Destiny. – Ryan Holiday

Self-discipline is crucial for success. Develop the ability to control your thoughts, emotions, and actions. By mastering self-discipline, you can stay focused, overcome obstacles, and persist in the face of challenges.

3. Positive Mental Attitude:

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. – Helen Keller

Cultivate a positive mindset. Your thoughts and beliefs shape your reality. Maintain a positive mental attitude, visualize success, and eliminate negative self-talk. A positive mindset attracts opportunities and helps you overcome setbacks.

4. Learning from Failure:

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. – Thomas A. Edison

Failure is not permanent unless you allow it to be. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity and stepping stone to success. Analyze your failures, learn from them, and adjust your approach. Persistence and resilience are key to achieving your goals.

5. Effective Communication:

Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success. – Paul J. Meyer

Develop strong communication skills. Learn to express yourself clearly, listen actively, and understand others. Effective communication builds relationships, inspires collaboration, and opens doors to new opportunities.

6. Building a Mastermind Group:

When a group of intelligent men work in the spirit of Harmony, they will provide much more thought energy than a that of one intelligent man. – Napoleon Hill

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support and challenge you. Create a mastermind group of individuals who share similar goals and values. Collaborate, exchange ideas, and leverage collective knowledge and resources.

7. Taking Action:

A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward its achievement – Bo Bennett

Success requires taking consistent and purposeful action. Avoid procrastination and indecision. Break down your goals into actionable steps and take immediate action. Progress comes from consistent effort and perseverance.

8. Persistence and Determination:

The most essential factor is persistence – the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come. – James Whitcomb Riley

Success rarely comes overnight. Develop persistence and determination to overcome obstacles and setbacks. Stay committed to your goals, even when faced with challenges. Success often comes to those who refuse to give up.

9. Continuous Learning and Growth:

Successful men, never stop acquiring specialized knowledge related to their major purpose, business, or profession. – Napoleon Hill

Commit to lifelong learning and personal growth. Acquire new knowledge, develop new skills, and stay updated with industry trends. Embrace a growth mindset and seek opportunities for self-improvement.

10. Giving Back and Serving Others:

When you’re in a position to have gotten so much, the gift at this point is giving back. – Paul Stanley

True success involves making a positive impact on others. Find ways to contribute to society and help others succeed. By serving others, you create a ripple effect of positivity and attract success into your own life.

What is the story of this site – Life is Beautiful ?

Hi Jayesh,
This site has several interesting posts by you that were worth reading. In addition, I saw that a lot of the blog entries were dated 2009. What is the story of this site ?

Kailash Khandelwal – Business Owner, Astrology Expert, based in Atlanta, USA.

————————–

I took up to serious writing around 2009. It’s then that I created a blog where I shared some personal experiences and learnings. I kept adding up articles whenever I could, but then there was long break from around early 2020 until 2023.

In January 2024, I decided to bring back this blog to life. It’s no longer limited to my experiences, it’s now about sharing the good things that I come across every day – typically books, articles, quotes – learnings that come in all forms.

When I started, the sole objective of writing this blog was to share with my children, Maahir who is turning 18 on 14th February, and Shourya, 14, what I learnt and experienced. It’s also my personal journal, notes to myself and allows me to look back, and at times relearn what may have been forgotten, the greatest beleif being that no matter what, Life is Beautiful.

Family — Mom, Dad, Me, Purvi, Shourya, Maahir

Jayesh Tekchandaney

tekchandaney@gmail.com

12th February, 2024

PS – The colorful and vibrant Life is Beautiful that’s right on top of the page was created by Maahir in 2009, when he was 3 years old and Shourya was just born. It’s been 15 years since the blog was born.

Talk to the Person in the Mirror

Life is not just about creating yourself. It is about finding your true self, each time you feel lost. It’s about learning to talk to the person in the mirror, and re-creating yourself every moment, through out this journey. Life is Beautiful. God Bless.

Finding Comfort In Friends

The reason why we all find comfort in our friends is because they accept us for who we are. Friends don’t judge. They may have a different opinion, which they would share – but with true friends, it just ends there. It’s a blessing to have a true friend in you, Happy Friendship Day

Take Care of Yourself

The experiences of life teach you more than anything else – about yourself, relationships, business, money, health, work, spirituality.

I have always believed that, Life is Beautiful and have realized that no one but you, yourself are responsible for bringing happiness to your life. Happy times may not be always, but you have to be patient and positive, and keep doing your part. At times, you have to let the storm pass by, and just lay low. Don’t try to brave the storm, but don’t give up either. Think with your head, but do not stop following your heart. The important thing is to learn to accept, because not everything is in your control.Circumstances change, people change. Nothing is constant.

You don’t need to be honest with anyone, but yourself. Define your own philosophy, values and principles – and live by them, without bothering or being worried about what others think, because we tend to be judgmental when it comes to others. We have our own perspectives, which are hard to change. Nobody is perfect. We are human, and make mistakes. We are not completely rational, or think only with the mind; we are largely ruled by our emotions. And while true happiness will always lie within, our emotions, feelings and consequently our behaviors are largely influenced and controlled by others – our near and dear ones. Do your part, on the responsibilities towards the family and society, work – because that is the role were chosen to play.

The only person who will be with you all your life, is you, and, you have to take care of yourself.

Visit to Boeing Factory, Seattle

Visited the Boeing Factory in Seattle on 14th May, 2018 with Maahir, Shourya and Purvi.
Boeing started in 1916, in Seattle
The Boeing factory where they produce the commercial passenger aircrafts is the largest closed enclosure in the world – the factory shed is 98 acres, the size of 75 football fields.
At this factory they produce, the 747, 767, 777 and the 787. The factory has a production capacity of 170 aircrafts a year; one 747 every month, and 14 nos of 787s each month. They could produce more, if the engines, which are manufactured by GE and Rolls-Royce are delivered to them faster.
How do they number the different models. Say – 747
- The first 7 stands for the series of commercial passenger aircrafts. The 6 series is for Defence aircrafts, the 5 series for Helicopters, the 1 series for Propeller Aircrafts.
- The second digit, 4, stands for the model no. As of now, the latest model no. is 8, that corresponds to the 787
- The third digit is 7… Why? Just because it sounds cool.
- For the 787, and the 777, they also have 787-7, 787-8, 787-9, and likewise, passenger capacity increasing in the ascending order.
The 747 is the largest aircraft, capable of accommodating up to 600 passengers. It’s made up of an aluminum body. The wings hold up to 80,000 liters of fuel, giving it a non stop flying time of 14 hours.
The 787, also called as the DreamLiner, is manufactured using a carbon composite fibre, which is lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel. This carbon composite fibre, is more than 50% of the aircraft weight.
One 787 can be turned around each day. The components of the 787, are manufactured from countries around the globe, and brought to the Seattle factory, using an aircraft which is called as the DreamLifter. Boeing has 4 DreamLifters.
The beauty about how they build the 787, is that everything comes to the factory is modules, which get assembled in to the aircraft is quick time.
The 777, is still under testing and has not been delivered to any customer as yet, but Boeing still has many orders and many aircrafts under production. They follow, lean manufacturing techniques, while building this aircraft, which is made up of Aluminum body, and composite fibre. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2020.
Once the aircraft is manufactured, Boeing generally does just one internal test flight, before inviting the customer to take one, before the aircraft is delivered.
A 747, is typical sold at USD 400 million, without the engines. Engines cost extra.

Watch this video of how the aircrafts are manufactured at the Boeing factory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vZXgApsPCQ

Pappu Kaka

Pappu Kaka, that’s what he was to our generation – ever cheerful, jovial and generous. The youngest of the four brothers, everyone else in the family affectionately called him Pappu. At work, he was respectfully called as Balraj Sir – never a boss, he was everyone’s best friend, a true mentor who would endlessly keep sharing his experiences; but a tough and loud task master when work demanded. To Evelyn aunty, he was Raj; for Micky and Avi he was a loving Papa, always there for them.

As a kid, I would always count on him to help me with drawings. He had a good hand – in drawing and handwriting. When Grandma was diagnosed with cancer, he took upon him to accompany her for all the treatments. With his witty humor and hearty smile, he had the remarkable ability to quickly make friends and make an ever lasting impression. His, was the first love marraige in our family – clearing the way for the rest of us. A complete family man, who put the wishes of others before his own.

A mechanical engineer by qualification, from the prestigious Birla Vishwakarma Mahavidyalaya (BVM), Anand, he started his professional career at the Mazgaon Dock. For the rest of his life, he was the pillar of strength at Unique Mixers, our manufacturing business. He was the man on the floor – leading, managing and controlling the factory operations. His favourite subjects were engineering drawing and geometry, putting them to good use at all times. He was a master, when it came to matters pertaining to central excise. He was very popular amongst our customers, who found him approachable. Vendors called him Pappu Seth.

To me, he was my first mentor, when I joined the factory in 2003 – while Dad was recovering from his cardiac ailment. He remained one for the rest of his life, always lending a ear to my challenges and doing the best he could to help me.

Pappukaka was emotional. He listened with empathy. He was somebody, who would not think twice, before lending a helping hand – at his own cost and risk. It was only after he was gone, that we learned from the people he helped, about his many good deeds. With people and work, he always had a sixth sense – more often than not, he was right in his judgment. Yet, there were many who also took advantage of his goodness – only to be forgiven. He never took things seriously.

It’s more than two years now, since he left us. If he would have been around, we would be celebrating his 62nd Birthday today. Knowing him, the way he was, he would still want us to celebrate.

Happy Birthday Pappu Kaka. We miss you.

I Just Got Better At Heart

Looks like it’s time to break the news….I just got better at heart.

What started with a gastric pain and an additional effort in breathing, and a couple of spasms in the chest area, on the morning of 2nd September, and again on the evening of 3rd September, concluded with a CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) or simply a by-pass surgery on 11th September. “Strong family history,” was the reason attributed to my cardiac disease.

I was fortunate that in my case, we didn’t encounter any serious emergencies, and could prepare and plan for the surgery, without being under severe stress. The prayers, with extremely positive support from family and friends, along with good and timely medical advise, took me through the challenging phase pre and post surgery. All’s well now and the road to recovery continues to be good. I have been advised 6 weeks of rest, before I can get back to routine.

I am sharing this note, to summarize my personal experiences which some of you may find useful :

With the experience I had, I would strongly advise not to ignore any medical symptoms. Get yourself examined at a good and well equipped hospital, (this is extremely important) at the earliest. I went to the hospital only because my Doctor friend Mitesh Shah advised me to. What I presumed to be simply a gastric pain for two days (this is only one of the many symptoms, please read the others)- turned up as a slightly abnormal ECG, but an extremely positive blood test (Trop-i), which confirmed that something unusual had happened to the heart.

I emphasize the importance of a good and equipped hospital, because on the basis of my ECG, a smaller clinic or nursing home (I wonder if I could have got to one on Sunday night at 10 pm) would probably have let me go with some prescribed medication. At Dr L.H.Hiranandani hospital in Powai, I was provided with all the emergency treatment and was fortunate to examined by a cardiologist who happened to be in then. Once things were in control, we decided to get admitted later that night to the Jaslok Hospital, under Dad’s cardiologist, whom we have complete faith in. While getting to the hospital, please take due consideration of the nature of the emergency – unfortunately, our ambulances still don’t come in time, and may not be fully equipped. Timing is most critical.

Dad’s cardiologist performed the Angiography on 4th September. The outcome, 3 blocks – 60 to 70% in the Left Artery. At my age (40), and with reasonably good and stable health parameters, the cardiologist advised a by-pass surgery as the most superior treatment with long term benefits. He said, it was not an emergency and I could take a few days, weeks, if needed. Having complete faith in the ability, experience and treatment of the Doctor you choose for yourself, is the other important aspect. Because we did, (surely with a family discussion) it helped us in making the important decision easier and faster.

A week thereafter, on 11th September, my surgery was performed by the same surgeon who had performed Dad’s CABG in 2009. Only difference, was that the surgery was performed at Lilavati Hospital, based on the surgeon’s preference. The Doctors’ skills and treatment, the health care at the hospital, the post-surgical physiotherapy, in combination with the advances in medical technology made a positive difference. At this point, I wish to make a very special mention on the extreme care and attention, and the untiring effort, by the nurses in the ICU – they were the catalysts in the recovery process. I had set my goals (Vivek Savla’s lifetime lesson) and recovery milestones for the hospital stay, prior to being admitted for surgery – these manifested with the blessings of The Lord. I was discharged from the hospital on 17th September, and have been at home since then.

I have been extremely blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by positivity of the family and cheerfulness of my friends (lead by Sachin Chandak – Mr Nitrous Oxide) all around. An army of my Doctor friends (Dr Mitesh Shah, Dr Amit Shah, Dr Shrenik Shah, Dr. Rashmi Shah, Dr Urmi Gada) took charge whenever needed. And while there were times when there was anxiety and pain, being able to mediate then was a blessing that helped me remain positive. Above all, there was Purvi by my side all the time, making sure that I remain, calm, equanimous, and cheerful.

Life is Beautiful

Thank You All. God Bless.

P.S. – Many of you reading this note, would be shocked to hear about the event. Very few (including near and dear ones) knew about it, until post-surgery. In the last few days, we have been receiving calls from many well wishers. You can be reassured that I am doing fine, and will be back in action, in time, with renewed vigour, energy and enthusiasm. Until then, the medical protocols will need to be followed.

Cheers to Life

Setting Goals In All Areas of Life

Watch Video Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIut9YyEA4A&t=2s

Setting Goals In All Areas of Life

Life has many facets. For a meaningful, happy, balanced and prosperous life, we should set goals in all of these areas.

In this video, I shall share with you, the different areas of our life in which we can set Goals.

– Personal Goals
– Professional Goals
– Financial Goals
– Family Goals
– Health Goals
– Fun, Recreation Goals
– Spiritual Goals
– Social Goals

Personal goals are about what we want for ourselves – that which is important to us and gives us satisfaction, happiness and builds positivity. As compared to goals in other areas of life, we can enjoy the greatest control on the achievement of our personal goals, as it is directly the outcome of our actions and priorities.

We spend most of our most waking hours working for our careers, businesses and jobs This defines our occupation and profession, and is also the means of our livelihood. It provides us the opportunity to put to use our education, knowledge, skills and show case our talents. Setting professional goals is critical as it is through working that we achieve professional growth, build a reputation, get recognition, and above all, earn money, which supports our financial goals. For Home makers, planning and executing home matters can be equally significant professional goals.

Setting financial goals, provides clarity on the means by which we can fulfill our personal and family, needs and wants, for which money is required. Our financial goals could be earning and saving a specific amount of money by a given date for a specific purpose. For some, their financial goal could be putting together, the money needed for buying a house, through their income, reserves, or by borrowing. For others, financial goals could be repaying a loan. Financial freedom can only be achieved by setting goals and taking timely actions on financial goals.

Each of us has many roles to play for our family – starting with being a daughter or son, a sister or brother, a cousin, a spouse, a parent, a grand- parent. Giving our best in each of these roles requires us to set goals.

The most important and yet in many cases the most neglected aspect of our lives is our health. We tend to take our health and well being for granted until we are confronted with a symptom of bad health, or a medical emergency. And from there on, it is only about trying to get back what we have lost.

It’s important that to make the most out of the free time from work, to rejuvenate and energize yourself. Planning for your fun and recreation goals allows to set time and money for their fulfillment.

Knowing our spiritual goals helps us to reflect on the things that really matter to us, our purpose in life, our values, our beliefs. These goals are about connecting with our inner self. Spirituality could mean different things to different people. for some it could be practicing their religion, for others it could be about experiencing peace from visiting places of worship, for some it could be meditation, or practicing silence each day.

We have commitments and roles to play outside of our family. It could be playing an active role in the school PTA, or in the housing society that we live in. It could be our commitments to our friends or the responsibilities to the community that we are a part of. It could making contributions to the well being, education and career of children without families. Defining our social goals will allow us to block time or utilize our free time, for our social commitments.

I hope that this video would have inspired to set your goals…NOW

Goal setting has changed my life for the good. It has the power to change yours.

Set goals in all areas of life, believe in yourself and take action.