Summary of Session 1 – Sai Karthik Rajan
Rtn Dr J Balavenkat:
The speaker began with a thought-provoking question: “Why should you be here?”. This question invites deep introspection, challenging us to consider what sets us apart from our peers and what purpose we serve in life. He emphasized the importance of starting each day with a clear mission, urging us to “crusade against mediocrity.”
In today’s world, it is easy to fall into the trap of gadget addiction and social media distractions. The speaker stressed that to truly make a mark, we must strategically plan our days and engage in continuous learning, including listening to TED talks. The essence of the As I Evolve program is to promote holistic growth and introspection.
According to him, success is not measured by external achievements but by our commitment to becoming better each moment. He outlined the key attributes of a good leader—knowledge, skill, and wisdom—underscoring that true professionalism comes from the wise application of knowledge. Citing Stephan Ko, he reminded us that “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our happiness.” The goal is to minimize this space, thereby enhancing our personal and professional growth.
He concluded with two powerful directives: “Begin with the end in mind” and “Lead a life that is absolutely legendary.”
Rtn MD R S Maruti:
The speaker began by discussing the significant role Dr. Balavenkat played in placing oxygen concentrators across Coimbatore hospitals, emphasizing the critical importance of mentorship in the As I Evolve program. He highlighted the advancements happening in India and the role of Rotary in these developments.
He also cautioned against the distractions of technology, urging us to stay grounded in the real world. To truly make an impact, the speaker emphasized the need to embody the values of Rotary in our speech, attire, and actions, creating curiosity and admiration among others. Self-assessment, he stressed, is crucial to personal growth. He concluded with the motivational quote, “Put in your fullest effort for the smallest thing you do.”
Rtn. Pradeep Yuvaraj:
The speaker’s session was a dynamic exploration of the art and science of storytelling. He shared his personal journey, revealing how Robert Kiyosaki’s *Rich Dad Poor Dad* inspired him to transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship.
Through a hands-on exercise, he illustrated key lessons, such as the importance of simplicity over complexity, the value of a 360-degree perspective, and the pitfalls of assumptions. In the second part of his session, he delved into the need for storytelling, contrasting a simple story about a friend with Einstein’s theory of relativity to show why stories resonate.
A successful story, according to Rtn. Yuvaraj, possesses five essential elements:
– Simplicity: It simplifies complex ideas.
– Concreteness: It translates abstract concepts into relatable terms.
– Emotional Appeal: It evokes emotion, connecting with the audience on a personal level.
– Unexpectedness: It breaks patterns, keeping the audience engaged.
– Credibility: It is backed by facts, making it convincing.
By incorporating these elements into our lives and of course, in the form of a story we can achieve “SUCCESS”. He left us with a transformative perspective, encouraging us to think not just “what can happen?” but “what all can happen”.