Tag Archive for ‘Life’ at Life as a Knowledge Manager

Tag Archive for 'Life'

Open your Portal of Life and find the Creative Genius

Published by Nainil Chheda on February 11, 2009 in Life. 0 Comments

Here is a synopsys of Elizabeth Gilbert’s narration of “Creative Genius” in her 20 minutes speech @ ted.com

A different way to think about Creative Genius - By Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth a very prominent book writer discusses the hidden secret behind her success which has connections with the ancient Greek & Roman civilizations.

Best Seller. Now What? If you have succeeded at first, everyone expects you to be afraid of the work that you have previously accomplished. Will you be able to surpass the previous success?
Creative people are sometimes mentally unstable with magnificient young minds
Fear of Genius: Your best performance is behind you.
Genius and Daemons: Greece believed creativity came from a divine spirit called “Daemon”. Romans believed a magical entity who would invisibly assist an artist and shape the work (called Genius).
Being & Having Genius: Being a Genius is a mistake because it is too much responsibility for a single entity. Having Genius makes you have an imaginary spirit which helps you rub a fairy juice on your projects.
Letting Genius Catch you: Don’t try to find Genius, let the Genius find you. Some ideas come to you from other uncontrolled impulses. Genius is some moment which could be called as “This is it”, “Time would stop”, “Everything would be aligned”, “You are light from within”, “Magic”, “Glimpse of God”. Open the portal of your life and let yourself into a totally different level where you have the most brilliant moments which would be wonderous.
What are you to do for the rest of your life?: It is not always that the most extraordinary aspects of your life came from you. You have been loaned the extraordinary aspects of your being from an unimaginable source to be passed on. Share the knowledge.
Do your job: Don’t be afraid. Don’t let anything change what you do and have the stubberness to keep showing up.

Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/453

Share this:

Greed is Good

Published by Nainil Chheda on January 16, 2009 in Life. 0 Comments

I think one of the most misunderstood things about business is that people are greedy and selfish. Greed acts as a motivational factor in choosing the best at the best price.

Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right; greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms, greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge — has marked the upward surge of mankind. - Gordon Gekko in Wall Street (1987).

At Work:

Do we stop selling? No.
Do we stop competing? No.
Do we stop growing and expanding our network? No.

In personal life (I believe) we are all greedy. We want the fame and the fortune; we want to move to a higher direction in life and we want to be the only one who is better at doing things.

Balancing life by being greedy and by being content is very important. Being content / satisfied helps in fulfilling life and Greed helps us in enriching life.

“At the end of the day, anybody who thinks there’s a reward for nothing, ends up losing.” - Kerry Stokes.

Share this:

Failure Is Success Rounded Down

Published by Nainil Chheda on January 15, 2009 in Life. 0 Comments

It took me 6 rounds of job interview sessions and some real strong recommendation to receive my job at eClinicalWorks LLC. The good thing is that I received the job (i.e. success); the bad part is that I had to prove myself 6 times before being chosen for the job (i.e. failure).

Failure has many flavors:

Failure to meet expectation
Failure to anticipate
Failure to process and complete a task

Here is a quick recollection of the areas where I have failed :

As a Student : In my 10th grade I failed in “English Language” as a subject. (Reason: Attention span of a moth)
As a Coordinator : In my previous experience as a “Development Coordinator”, I was not able to perform my duties. (Reason: Half knowledge is dangerous)
As a Project Manager : The most important aspect of being a Project Manager is constant follow-up. I have had incidences where I have missed following up on a project.
As a Network Team Member : I have failed in making sure the team follows the best-practices for Internal Communication.
As a Knowledge Manager : One of the responsibilities of a Knowledge Manager is efficient transfer of knowledge amongst various departments. I failed to do so.

Failure is directly proportional to the mistakes one makes.

Here is what have I learned from my failed experiences / mistakes :

Always admit your mistakes.
Accept responsibilities and follow-up.
Work to understand why it happened and what the factors were.
Never give up (keep on trying until you succeed).
Try not to make the same mistakes again.
Effective communication is the key to success.
Learn from the past and move on with life.
Learn from the mistakes of others.

In life, to be honest, I have failed as much as I have succeeded. Despite the pain and the stress of the failure, there is always a learning curve which one must embrace. This is what we call experience.

“Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.” — Oscar Wilde

Share this:

Color Blindness is my Strength

Published by Nainil Chheda on January 12, 2009 in Life. 1 Comment

Some Facts

At age 8, I gained interest in coloring using Crayons.
At age 13, during our drawing/coloring test, I was scolded by my parents for not being able to identify the color “Black” from “Dark Blue”.
In my 8th grade (age 14), I could not identify red litmus paper from blue litmus paper (litmus test - chemistry). I was diagnosed as being “Color Blind“.
At age 17, I could not choose “Specialized Textile Engineering” as my profession as one of the key requirements was the ability to identify colors.

Meaning: Color blindness is the inability to see certain colors in the usual way.

Symptoms:

Trouble seeing colors and the brightness of colors in the usual way.
Inability to tell the difference between shades of the same or similar colors.

Treatment:
There is no known treatment.

Lessons Learned from being Color Blind

Think Simple : I spend less time on materialistic items like choosing the right color for the clothes I wear. Being color blind, I have been trained to wear a combination of “Light & Dark” (a light shirt and a dark trouser or vice-versa). My wife still wonders how I manage to buy any clothes within 5 minutes
Adaptability: While driving I see the “Green” Light as the White Color. I have tuned my mind by prompting it to stop the car every time I see the “Third” light (lit) in the signal.
Positive Nature: Every Fall Season, I travel with my friends and family to see the Fall Colors. Obviously, I don’t get much out of it because all the colors on the trees look the same to me. However I take the trip in a positive way and I try to cherish every moment of my life.
Learning: Through my current condition, I have a better understanding of Ophthalmology and Color Blindness.
Section 508 Compliant : Being color blind, I help various organizations and companies make their product “Disability Compliant”. I provide supervised guidance on which colors to use and which not to use while designing a website or a product.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson.

I believe that even though I am Color Impaired, I believe the Color Blindness condition has taught me to lead a positive balanced life and I choose to see it as my strength.

Share this:

Resolutions for 2009

Published by Nainil Chheda on January 3, 2009 in Life. 1 Comment

2008 was a year of:

Blogging
Setting my priorities
Vacation trips (Orlando, FL)
Family Gathering
Team Building
Understanding the Financial Market
Election (Barack Obama - President)

With 2008 gone so fast, I have realized that every moment that I spent touches my family, my work, my thoughts and the rest of the world.

For 2009, I choose to:

Personal:
- Spend more time with my family
- Plan my vacation(s) ahead of time
- Watch meaningful TV shows like “Leave it to Beaver” (which teach us something good)
- Work hard on keeping in constant touch with my Friends
- Observe controlled emotions
- Workout twice/thrice a week and observe a controlled diet
- Make big decisions and plan for the future
Work:
- Write a white paper on “Healthcare Today“
- Gain deeper product knowledge
- Try to optimize inter-departmental communication by developing better tools
- Write a white paper / presentation on “Organization Security“
- Try to push the concept of “Don’t Be Evil” - Both Internally (within the organization) and Externally (to our clients)
- Learning more about HIE (Health Information Exchange)

2009 is going to be very important for observing Presidential Influence in the current economic situation, managing finances, making big decisions which will affect my future and helping me communicate my thoughts out in the open. I look forward for a happy and prosperious 2009!

Share this:

Hydrating Yourself

Published by Nainil Chheda on June 11, 2008 in Technology. 0 Comments

Yesterday (Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008) the temperature (in Shrewsbury,MA) rose to 95F (Real Feel: 102F) breaking the record of 91F set in 1984. The temperature in Westborough,MA was High: 96F (Real Feel: 107F). (Source: AccuWeather).

During such extreme climatic conditions it is advised to periodically replenish your body’s fluid intake.

Unbalanced replacement of fluids causes Dehydration. Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. This in turn increases the risk for heat illness, extreme fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, heat stroke, injury and delayed recovery.

I must confess that I am lazy when it comes to drinking water or any other fluids. However, in an effort to maintain a healthy and a balanced life, recently I have chosen to improve my hydration habits :.

1. As per FluidMovement.co.uk, Fluid intake to meet base daily needs (in ounces) is approximately half your body weight (in pounds). Everyday, I drink at least 8-10 glasses (75 OZ) of liquid per day.

2. Water alone can’t treat dehydration. Once you’re dehydrated you have to replenish salts, sugars and basic nutrients. Many common food items are mostly water. Everyday, I drink one glass of fruit juice (Orange/Carrot) and I eat a fruit to balance my nutrients intake.

3. In Summer, I like to hike nearby mountains (like Mt. Greylock - highest peak in Massachusetts). I have ordered a Hydration Pack to keep myself hydrated during the trail walk.

4. Milk contains 89% of water. I drink one cup of milk every morning. I drink a glass of water before I go to bed at night.

5. By the time you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated - you want to avoid becoming thirsty in the first place. During the day time, every two hours I drink a cup of water.

To keep hydrated, I have educated myself with the symptoms of dehydration. So, (as I have chosen) get in the habit of drinking more fluids and keep yourself hydrated.

Share this:

Leisure

Published by Nainil Chheda on January 25, 2008 in Life. 0 Comments

Leisure has been one of the most inspirational work of Literature that has captured my mind.

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep and cows.No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

W H Davis

Wm. Henry Davis (1871-1940) is to be considered as the poet of the tramps.

Share this:

Resolutions for the year (2008)

Published by Nainil Chheda on January 1, 2008 in Life. 0 Comments

2007 was a very exciting year for me (at work and personally). My past teaches me how to live the present and how to deal with the future. With the new year (2008) commencing I have balanced my resolutions towards work, personal life and embracing “the green movement” by reducing my carbon footprints.

My resolutions for 2008:

Work:

Implement a “Blog” for educating existing customers, prospects and the rest of the world the advancement in our company product and services; work culture; technologies used and our achievement.
Educate our company members with the latest “Web 2.0” products which will increase their overall understanding of technology and its uses.
Concentrate my efforts towards managing a mobile health record.
Formulate appropriate guidelines to Manage the expectations of prospective and existing clients by time based management policies.
Upgrade our network infrastructure to a better routed network to improve network latency.
Move towards a controlled environment automated backup solution for our network documents.
Educate myself on Six Sigma Techniques towards managing business.
Understand and Practice Game Theory concepts at Work.

Personal:

Continue growing my Professional as well as Personal Network (Orkut ID: nainil@gmail.com).
Take nature walks and try to exercise at least three times a week. (HillWalking)
Continue with my (Petrology) study of rocks and geological sedimentations.
Develop a website to promote Jainism.
Update my personal website with information on my travel activities (places I have visited) and more photos in the Image Gallery.
Gather knowledge on New Englands topographical layout.
Learn historical facts about: Boston, Mumbai, London.

The Green Movement:

Participate in “Plant a Tree” movement
Reduce my Carbon Footprints

I look forward to a great 2008 with all my colleagues, my customers, and the industry.

Share this:

Looking back at 2007

Published by Nainil Chheda on December 26, 2007 in Health Care, Life, Management, Organization and Technology. 0 Comments

This time of the year I tend to rethink all that I have accomplished through out the year.

2007:

Personal Life:

Got married!!
Expanded my field of study from Technology to Health Care with IT.
My rock collection/study (Petrology) is progressing.
Extended my lifestyle as a Jain follower.
Organized all our important documents online for real time access.

Work:

Successfully coordinated the $28,000 valued CCHIT certification effort for the company product.
Improvised the company intranet website — HELPDESK — allowing internal communication improvement.
Formulated appropriate communication policies within the company for directing the employee efforts in the right direction.
Transformed from being a Knowledge Research Specialist to being a Knowledge Manager.

We (myself and Avni) wish you a Merry Christmas and hope your holidays are filled with joy and happiness.

My Contact Information:
Email: nainil@eliteral.com
Orkut: nainil@gmail.com
IM: nainil@hotmail.com

Share this:

It’s that time of the year

Published by Nainil Chheda on December 25, 2007 in Life. 0 Comments

Christmas is that time of the year where wants to contribute towards a better life. Every year there are hundreds of organizations that touch the lives of everyone in some way or the other. Getting outside and connecting with nature is the perfect way to celebrate the beauty of the season. The organizations which have brought commitment, compassion and have touched my life this year include:

Carbon Footprint: http://www.carbonfootprint.com
A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. (carbon footprint calculator)
Earth 911: http://earth911.org
Through the Earth911.com environmental portal users can access the leading comprehensive resource for community-specific “actionable” information about: Recycling Centers;
Green Shopping; How to Live Green; Energy Conservation; Beach Water Quality and Alerting; Household Hazardous Waste; Programs for Children; Environmental Education. (videos)
CNN Impact your World: http://www.cnn.com/impact
Doctors Without Borders: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries.
Make-A-Wish: http://www.wish.org/
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work.
One Laptop Per Child: http://laptop.org/

Please note: I have the utmost respect for all other organizations that have touched millions of lives and have not been mentioned in this blog.

Share this:

An Organized Life

Published by Nainil Chheda on December 25, 2007 in Health Care, Life, Management and Technology. 1 Comment

My first encounter with materialistic world came into actual realization when I first had to shift apartments from Philadelphia to Boston. I realized that I had almost 30% of house inventory which I had never used or was not going to use in the future. Since then I decided to balance my needs and wants which my factual needs and wants.

This Christmas myself and my wife we both decided to give each other a gift. We decided to:

Organize our Documents with online access control.
Remove all unused items for charitable donation or recycling.
Scan all our Health Records and upload it on Microsoft HealthVault

Online Documents: We have scanned all of our most important documents and have uploaded them on a dedicated VPS server with dual backup facility for real time accessibility of data. We are now able to organize our documents online without the fear of loosing them for the rest of our lives.

Charitable Event: We donate our unwanted clothes at the local Walmart’s Cloths Donation boxes. Any other unused item goes to “Salvation Army” or any such projects available locally.

HealthVault: Microsoft HealthVault is personal health technology platform that lets you gather, store and share health information online. With HealthVault, users control their own health records, so they can privately share their health information with family, friends and healthcare professionals, and have access to trustworthy online health management tools.

We spent a total of 2 weekends to take care of the above mentioned tasks. By doing this exercise:

Time is saved (as we lead a more organized life).
We have a clear understanding of our needs and wants.
We are now looking at the bigger picture of being a united family with a sense of responsibility towards the world we live in.
We are able to find anything we need without searching for it.
We have secure Health Records; accessible from any where around the world.
We embrace technology to make our lives simpler.

Share this:

An Executive Schedule

Published by Nainil Chheda on December 16, 2007 in Life, Management and Organization. 0 Comments

I have always believed in optimizing time and work effort to lead a balanced life.

Todd D. Rakoff is Byrne Professor of Administrative Law, Harvard University. His book “A Time for Every Purpose - Law and the Balance of Life” explains the various laws which govern our effective use of time and it explains that the structure of our time for organized efforts is gradually changing.

Here is my work schedule:

6.30 AM : E-mail
7.00 AM : Write project plan for a process optimization project.
8.00 AM : Read news, blogs and watch videos on Health Care; Technology and Government matters.
9.00 AM - 6.00 PM :
- Every day I attend 2 meetings (at least) and define rules for process definition and improvement.
- I am a developer by heart; I spend an hour coding for our “HelpDesk” using open source (PHP and MySQL). The HelpDesk is a central source for all our internal communication needs.
- Write and send enterprise e-mail about our monthly Network Maintenance updates; Email Policies; Latest updates on Health Care; Introduction of new projects.
- Attend communications-project steering committee meeting
- Define pricing for customized development items and lay down a road map for timely completion of the projects
- Define knowledge transfer rules for an employee
- Meet with senior vice president of sales to discuss plans for: Website updates; New ideas on marketing
7.00 PM : E-mail
8.00 PM : Dinner with family
9.00 PM : Update Blog; Write research paper [on Governing Dynamics of Internet (Health Care IT)]
10.00 PM : Study Jainism and geological sediments (rock formation)

Share this:

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway

Published by Nainil Chheda on November 11, 2007 in Life and Travel. 0 Comments

November 9 2007: Myself and Avni, we went to the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway center in Saratoga Albany,NY. It was quite interesting to see the Horse Carriage Racing. There were folks betting on horses, gambling in the casino… the sight was magnificent; it was classic.

http://www.saratogaraceway.com/

Share this:

Life as a Knowledge Manager