YOU ARE YOUR

ATT TUDE

The Power of Choosing Your Destiny

You Are Your Attitude learnings from the life of Kumar Shivaram

I

You Are Your Attitude learnings from the life of Kumar Shivaram

Copyright © 2013 by First published in India 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without Written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews. Published in India by : EMBASSY BOOK DISTRIBUTORS 120, Great Western Building, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Lane, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai- 400 023. Tel : (+91-22) 22819546 / 32967415 Email : [email protected] www.embassybooks.in ISBN : 978383359936 Printed at Repro Knowledgecast Limited, Thane

II

contents V About The Author VII Preface 01 Introduction 05 Chapter 1 The Right Attitude – How does it Matter? 19 Chapter 2 Dream... Dream High 33 Chapter 3 Getting High on Optimism 47 Chapter 4 Developing the Right Amount of Confidence

III

65 Chapter 5 Honing Unwavering Faith 79 Chapter 6 Balancing Determination and Passion 97 Chapter 7 Building the Web of Relationships 117 Chapter 8 Doing Things Differently

IV

About the Author Kumar Shivaram is a highly successful entrepreneur and a popular public figuresitting at the top pedestal of a global network marketingorganization.With an undergraduate degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering from NIT, Trichy, India and a postgraduate degree from Drexel University, Philadelphia, he started his career as anIT consultant. Soon, his entrepreneurial destiny caught up with him and he entered the business domain. With sheer hard work anddetermination, Kumar drove his business to its current heights. He has always had high regards for values and leads a life adhering to these principles. He believes in The Attitude of Gratitude and follows his heart to the T. Kumar conducts several leadership development and training programs across the world for people who wish to achieve success. He lives in New York with his wife Anjali and three daughters.

V

VI

Preface Who am I to preach about success mantras? I am a guy,who went from being ordinary,and reached the higher echelons of success.I am a guy who learned through my experience, the skills one must have to win, and without which one always falls short of success. I am a guy, who wants to pass along what I learnt to as many people as I can. My Story I grew up in a middle class family in Mumbai, India. I came to the United States as a student, to pursue a Masters degree at Drexel University, Philadelphia. After graduation, I worked as a Computer Consultant at an IT consulting company, and reached the top 5% income bracket of the country.Even then, I wasn’t satisfied with what I was doing. Until then, my life was ordinary. I had a good academic foundation, a decent job, I was going to get a Green Card. Life was normal, but wasn’t fun. I wasn’t even looking to change my life or my job. What changed my life was my need for health insurance! During that time, I was introduced to Manipal Reddy, who was in Network Marketing business. He showed me how I could change my life if I registered for the business. But it didn’t excite me. I was VII

sceptic. It was only when he said that the business also offered health insurance as a benefit, it caught my attention.I signed up, just for the insurance.The opportunity didn’t create a spark, and nor did the proverbial light glow, when I registered for the business. For some days, I didn’t do anything about my new business. I simply went back to my normal, not-so-fun life. Butsomething was nagging me. I felt that I was letting an opportunity go by me. I hadn’t even attended any of the meetings.When I met Manipal after I missed a couple of meetings, he told me I could still attend the next meeting, but the ones who were really serious, the ones for whom this really mattered were not missing any of them. This hit me! It fired me. I put my scepticism in the back and started attending the meetings. It was difficult at first because I didn’t know anything about the business. But as I learnt, my scepticism reduced slowly, and I was eager to know more. I read a lot of books and attended every single meeting. It was a great learning experience and Manipal helped me a lot.The meetings showed me that I could do so much to change my life. They opened a door of opportunities to me. I became excited that I could finally do something to change my life. I decided that my life could not be ordinary anymore.I was determined to make the most of what I had. Once I had made the decision, I didn’t let any negativity get in the way. I truly believed that I could improve the quality of my life. I could do it. I didn’t have to watch my life from the spectators’ stand. I could get in the field and play my game. My life was in my hands. I put my heart and soul into my business. I started building my network. It wasn’t easy. But I kept my target in focus and kept working towards it. I told myself, “Now that I am so close to winning, I VIII

cannot give up.” And I didn’t. Gradually, my business started doing well. I liked being my own boss. The excitement and enthusiasm that the business had created in me had not died down. It kept me going. It’s still there. Besides that, I had great people for mentors. They constantly motivated me and I went higher and higher up in my business. It was through my business that I also met my wife, Anjali. She was the sister of one of the first few people I met for my business.Within a few meetings, I decided that if I had a marriage, it would be with her.My business gave me the confidence that I could care for her and provide for her. Anjali and I got married. My business became our business. She understood how important it was for me and she was ready to work hard. As our business grew, she found that the business gave her happiness too. With vigour, we strived together. We were always ready to go the extra mile. It helped us reach where we are now. Today, I can proudly say that we can make life better and securednot only for my daughters, but for at least two generations to come. Why this book? In a way, my business has given me everything I ever wanted.My life went from being ordinary and uninteresting to being awesome and full of excitement.So, why did I wish to write this book? I felt that if I could turn my life around, then anyone could do it. Everyone should have the opportunity to make his/herlife better. I may not be able to provide an opportunity to everyone. But through this book, I can help you be ready when it comes. I wish to arm you with the life skills that would allow you to be prepared. One does IX

not get second chances or third chances. If you are not prepared, you lose your chances of winning. And who knows when you will find your break! I have always followed my heart and I have found that my attitude has helped me through my journey to reach where I am today. From my experience, I have learnt that with the right attitude, anyone can win. I have seen a number of people with great skills and knowledge, but not making it big because of the lack of attitude. I feel this is highly unfortunate. This is what motivated me to pass on my learning to as many people as possible. The nature of my business and my definition of success may be different from yours. But the behavioural characteristics I have collated in this book can help you not just across the professional domains, but also across all the aspects of life. My wish is to empower everyone, so that no one loses because he/shedid not have the right attitude. Follow your heart! -

X

KUMAR SHIVARAM

Introduction What can you find in this book? This book shows you the importance of attitude in life and introduces you to a set of behavioural skills that comprise the right attitude.If you are the master of these skills, you are the master of winning. The first chapter establishes the basics ofthe right attitude,the role it plays in your life, the components of the right attitude and a general overview of the ways by which you can develop the right attitude. Each of the following chapters deal with one attribute of the right attitude. In all these chapters, you will be able to find answers to three crucial questions: 1. 2. 3.

What is it? Why is it important? How can I develop it?

How to use the book? I would suggest that you read the whole book first and then go back to the characteristics that you would want to improve in yourself. I have designed the chapters so that you can refer any chapter at any time.I have also provided exercises and practical ways of developing 1

these life skills, wherever applicable. If you feel that you lack one or more of the characteristics that make up the right attitude, then rest easy and roll your sleeves up. This book gives you a step-by-step approach to developing and improving your life skills. If you feel you have all the characteristics, this book would still help you revisit them in the times you need them most, because even the best of us need reminding. Before we begin, I would like to tell you that improvement is an ongoing process. I once knew a man who used to read one particular book again and again. When I asked him why he was reading the same book over and over again, he taught me the most invaluable thing about learning,“With time, we forget.”True, isn’t it? So, if you want to make a lasting change to your life, you cannot simply learn something once and leave it at that. You have to learn itevery day of every month. There is no short cut. I hope that you would find this book useful. I hope you are able to cultivate the right attitude. I hope you pass your knowledge to your family and friends and help them win. Your life doesn’t have to be ordinary anymore. Change your life. Get started. Get motivated. Happy winning.

2

If you can't change your fate, change your attitude - Amy Tan

3

4



CHAPTER 1 The Right Attitude – How does it Matter?

IT'S ALL ABOUT YOUR ATT

TUDE

Your attitude truly determines how you are and where you go in life. It determines the size of your dreams and influences your decisions in the face of challenges. We all have the power to choose. We can choose self talk that is positive and leads to growth, or we can choose to pull ourselves down with negative thoughts and self sabotage. The important thing is to realise that it's not about the circumstances we encounter but about the choices we make. Your attitude is visible in just about everything you do. Written with simplicity and packed with real life experience, this book talks about : Having the Right Attitude. Dreaming High. Using Optimism to Your Advantage. Building Confidence to Conquer the World. Having the Faith to Make it. Building Relationships - People Power.

Rs. Price of 195/Rs.195/-