Handling competitions v13 feb09

Handling CompetitionSecrets of Success


Dedicated to His Divine GraceA.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

(Founder Acharya- ISKCON)

Dedicated to His Divine GraceA.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

(Founder Acharya- ISKCON)


Agenda

• What is competition?

• Why do we compete?

• How do we handle competition?


What is competition?


Definition

Rivalry between individuals, groups, nations or animals for territory or

resources in short supply


Human beings compete for

• attention• wealth• prestige• fame etc


Is competition

good or bad?


Without competition there would be no drive for

excellence


Competition is what makes us

work harder towards our goals


Healthy competition is good,however…


In present times competition

has gotten to dangerously high levels


• Pressure• Frustration• Fear • Depression• Fatigue• Self Hatred• Ill temper

Consequences


Workplace


Education


Startling facts!


90% of teens show

extreme reluctance to go

to schoolSource: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, AIIMS


Source: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, AIIMS

56% of teen suicides in India are

reported between March and July (exam stress) every year


Over 150 students ended their lives across

the country in March 2008

Source: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, AIIMS


Examination related stress

Suicides or suicidal

tendencies among students tends to peak before class X and XII board

exams!


Few principles to remember

How do we handle competition?


Remember

Money and Material prosperity don’t

guarantee happiness

11


The happiest countries in the

world

Index compiled by New Economic

FoundationSurvey done in 178

countries


Vanuatu - South Pacific Island with very low per

capita Income1st Rank


UK US Russia India Pakistan

UK 108

US 150

Russia 172

India 62

Pakistan 112

Among 178 nations


Interestingly, the

happiest countries are not

necessarily rich,

having high GDP


Material Progress

Happiness


Don’t be too attached to the outcomes22


According to Bhagavad-gita (18.14), there are five factors of action:

• The place of action [the body]

• The performer

• Various senses

• Different kinds of endeavor

• The Supersoul


We as a matter of duty

can put sincere efforts

& endeavor


Do not be excessively and obsessively attached to

R.E.S.U.L.T.SR.E.S.U.L.T.S


God knowswhat is best for us


Maybeso

Maybe not


Lord Krishna also says in the Bhagavad-gita

karmaëy evädhikäras temä phaleñu kadäcana

mä karma-phala-hetur bhürmä te saìgo 'stv akarmaëi

Bhagavd-Gita 16.21


“You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits

of action.”


“Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your

activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.”


33Avoid being

greedy


99 Club


Lord Krishna mentions in Bhagavad-Gita

Bhagavd-Gita 16.21

“There are three gates

leading to this hell – lust, anger & greed.


Bhagavd-Gita 16.21

Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of

the soul.”


GOOSE & GOLDEN EGGS


God has provided enough to satisfy every man's

need, but

not every man's greed


“It was like riding a tiger, not knowing

when to get off without being

eaten,” Mr Raju said, describing the fraud.


Black hole


We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come

as a result of getting something we don't

have…


but rather of recognizing and

appreciating what we do have


Do not compare

44


Each one of us have strengths and weaknesses


There have been examples of people with severe

deficiencies and drawbacks, who have excelled in life

Walt Disney Agatha ChristieAlbert Einstein


55

Beware of a bigger demotion


We compete to get ahead of

others

We all look for promotions


Who would like to get

demoted?


Who would like to

loose a year

and repeat the same class?


TREE

BUTTERFLY

BIRD

TIGER

MAN


Competing fiercely in this

world we can become CEO of a big multinational

company


TREE

BUTTERFLY

BIRD

TIGER

MAN

FISH


DEATHBIRTH


We have failed

miserably in the overall

competition of life!


Summary

• Competition is good only as long as it motivates you. Don’t make it a question of life and death

• Avoid being greedy & hankering for more and more

• Don’t be obsessively attached to the results

• Beware of a bigger demotion


Q & A


Thank You

Handling competitions v13 feb09

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