[did you know] Self Assurance vs Self Confidence

All this while, I had never consciously thought about this word "self-assurance". To me it was more like you are assured about yourself. I found this really interesting definition of self-assurance while reading a book. According to the author, self-assurance is a stronger word when compared to self-confidence. Self-assurance is self-confidence and more. Self-confidence is belief in one's abilities. Self-assurance is not only self-confidence but also belief in one's judgments. It combines belief in both abilities and judgments.

My debut article...

Today, my first article got published in Sunday Herald (Sunday supplement of Deccan Herald) as "Sahara Safari". It is indeed a very good feeling to see what you have written, printed on a news paper.

Here's the link to the online edition.

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Aug172008/sundayherald.asp
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Aug172008/sundayherald2008081684925.asp

I hope this will inspire me to write more and more...

Randy is no more....[ The Last Lecture ]

July 25th 2008, Randy succumbed to Pancreatic cancer.

I must have know this man for not more than 80 mins (the duration of his 'Last Lecture'), but those precious minutes did influence me quite a lot. One of the two inspiring videos* that I always watch time to time. From fulfilling his childhood dreams to enabling the dreams of others, his story is quite an inspiring one. I should say, he has led quite a fulfilling life.

For those of you who havent watched his "Last Lecture", here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo


A few unforgettable statements/quotes from the lecture..

"Brick walls are there for a reason - they let us prove how badly we want things.."

" When you are screwing up and no one has said anything to you anymore, that means they have given up... "

" Experience is what you get when you did not get what you wanted.. "

" Mothers are people who love you even when you pull their hair.."

Speaking of bosses/management - "Respect authority while questioning it.."

"Luck is where preperation meets opportunity.."



* - My two favorite videos are

1. Steve Job's Stanford Commencement Speech
   
2. Randy Pausch Last Lecture