Why should people be happy? How is the pursuit of happiness relevant to the corporate world?
Studies show that happy people are more innovative, and more productive. The Happiness Quotient is therefore an integral to a successful corporate strategy.
In Innovate Happily, bestselling innovation guru Dr.Rekha Shetty’s new book, Junie, a bright young executive, meets Rags, a wise, hi-tech coach. Together they discover the secrets that create progressive and happy communities during a visit to Bhutan, the modern-day Shangri-La, a land that actually measures its Gross National Happiness.
Through a series of analytical and self actualization exercises, Innovate Happily shows you how to innovatively increase your Happiness Quotient and take it to your own town and organization.
Quotes on ‘Innovate Happily’
“This book will add happiness to millions of people” – Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Group of Hospitals
“Rekha writes in a manner which everyone can easily understand. This book is immensely readable and is a great addition to the list of her books on health, happiness, organizational efficiency and creativity.” – Kamath K.V., Chairman, ICICI Bank Ltd
“ This book points to the simple truth that Happiness is the logical, but often forgotten goal of every human endeavour; and that neither innovation nor happiness is esoteric – you could train yourself to achieve these”. – by Mr. R Seshasayee, Executive Vice Chairman, Ashok Leyland

Published in Women’s Exclusive in February 2012 issue

A successful woman, today is expected to think like a computer, look like a woman and work like a dog. Is this too much to expect from one person? A recent study shows that 70% of double income families, especially if they have kids feel that work interferes with family life. At least 50% feel that they don’t spend enough time with family. Another survey reported that 82% of Indian women are stressed out.

Let us consider the responsibilities at home.

Preparing Food and Drink
Cleaning the House and making the beds
Getting clothes ready
Shopping for food and other necessities
Managing a comfortable atmosphere
Deciding the rules
Preventing and dealing with conflict
Indoor Maintenance (Plumbing, electrical and architectural)
Outdoor Maintenance (Roof, Lawn, Plants, etc.)
Automotive Maintenance
Household Bills, Checking and Saving Accounts, & Personal Financial
Investments
Household Services (Gardening, Security, Painting)
Entertaining
Care of Pets

Identify which members of the family can take charge of the activity. Remember the new man is the Raymond’s Man, who is allowed to change a baby happy or shed a tear. Reflect on which activities can be out sourced. Don’t try to do everything yourself.
Here is a questions that you can use to share the tasks with different members of the family.

What Where When How Who Remarks

Today the family has gone nuclear and we all worry that the shock absorber is under attack. “It needs a village to bring up a child”, says an ancient proverb. We need to replace the lost village and the disappearing joint family, with a new network.

Build Networks with in-laws, parents, neighbors, support staff, friends, local library, school, teachers, colleagues, and hobby centers health clinics

Steps to Develop Work-Life Balance

Love yourself enough to outsource
Take short relaxation breaks, at least thrice a day.
Eat fresh, energy-giving foods.
Take a walk outdoors during lunch break.
Spend time reading and improving your mind.
Involve family members and children in your work. Bring them to the office during lunch break or on a Saturday.

Physical transformation is possible, if like the ancient yogis, we follow the actions of young animals. Watch the young dog. It is always in movement and bouncing and stretching. Make physical movement a part of your daily life. As the salesmen say ‘Cover territory instead of covering your chair’. ‘Use it or lose it’ said Jane Fonda. Violent physical exercise once a week is no use, if you’re just vegetating for the rest of the week in front of the Tv or computer. Listen more and bark less, use non verbal actions to show unconditional affection to family and friends.

Listen to your body. If you are tired, rest. If you are hungry, eat. If you are lonely, communicate, ask for a hug. If you are angry, deal with your anger constructively, resolve it. The body is our vehicle for the journey of our soul in this world. You may be an immortal soul who happens to own a body, but the body-vehicle has to be maintained in good condition, so that we may achieve the goals for which we were created.

You have much to live for. Don’t become one of the many million people who have a heart attack every year. Fifty per cent die in the first five minutes. No second chance. Now is the time to adopt the daily habits of good health, because health is a 365-days-a-year affair.

Parameters For Physical Wellness
Perfect Breathing
Rest
Sleep
Oil Massage
Bath
Food
Water
Timing of food
Exercise

There are eight components of yoga.
• Follow universal moral commandments.
• Self-purification by discipline.
• Maintain good posture.
• Rhythmic control of breath.
• Withdrawal of the mind from the domination of the senses and exterior objects.
• Concentration.
• Meditation
• A thoughtless state in which one becomes one with the object of the meditation.

Start by practice the first four. Find a teacher to help you do it right. Meanwhile, follow the dog!

Article published in the Deccan Chronicle Me-Time on 17th Oct 2011

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