Sunday, 5 January 2020

My Ten Rules for 2020


Isn’t The Dawn of a new Year a Wonderful Blessing, Doesn’t it stand for Hope, giving us another start of what we call Life… I don't quite know where my steps or path will lead me, but I sure know how to embark on the journey in this new Year.
As we sit and ponder on the days gone by and the Spring and summer ahead, presents our greatest opportunity.
As I begin 2020, here are a few things I aspire to do each day.
These are more of notes to myself than advice to anyone. I Remembered Abraham Lincoln when I thought of sharing these rules for 2020. Abraham Lincoln once said,"If we both exchange $1, we both will have $1 each, but if we both exchange one good thought, we both will have two good thoughts."
1. Learn More..
"AsatoMaa Sad Gamaya,
TamasoMaa,
JyotirGamaya,
MritorMaa,
AmritamGamaya.
God, please lead me (by giving me knowledge)
from the unreal to the real,
From darkness(of ignorance) to the light(of knowledge),
From death(limitation) to immortality(liberation) - Rig Veda.
Socrates says, “If you know that you don’tknow, that is a great beginning. Then it is possible for you to know.”
To be aware that Iam ignorant creates the possibility of seeking, searching, in yourinteriority for the truth – for your truth.
Don't allow your fame to stop you from bringing out new ideas. Don't be too comfortable to develop your skills and grow your dreams.
Deprive yourself of some luxuries to be able to think and be more creative. Learn more, grow more. The day you stop learning is the day you stop living.
“What we know is but a fistful, what we do not know is the entire universe” Avvaiyar, a Tamil Poet.
Everyone knows this, but few are aware of this. Awareness increases the desire to know. Develop the craving of becoming humble by being aware.
Don't relent in seeking  knowledge. What you leave unsharpened remains blunt. Upgrade yourself often. The only way you can improve the world is by improving yourself. Keep learning, keep upgrading your skills. The only medicine for anti-ageing is lifelong learning.
Becoming wise is a slow game, but wisdom builds up, like compound interest. You have to work at it for a long, long time. But the earlier you start, the more territory you can cover. And the more big, important ideas you can assimilate, the easier the learning process is. Have a temperament to grab ideas and do sensible things. Start this process in 2020 if you haven’t already.
Learn, be better than yesterday.
2. Don’t worry too much about making money.
It won’t change the way you live. Time spent earning enough money is time reasonably well spent. Time earning an excess of money far beyond that required to meet one’s needs, however, is time wasted. So, know how much is enough.
As an old saying goes, “Some people are so poor, all they have is money.” We all know that true wealth is beyond things. The real wealth is meaningful experiences, relationships and life changing wisdom. Wealth and poverty, has nothing to do with material possessions, it is based on contentment and discontent.
If you are content with what you have been blessed with, you are wealthy. This is because wealth is not the possession of abundance, wealth is freedom from need.
Famed author Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut were at a cocktail party at the home of a Wall Street titan, on Long Island. Vonnegut asked his friend: "Joe, how does it feel to know that our host made more money yesterday than you’ll make from all your royalties from Catch-22?” Heller replied: "Well Kurt, I have something he'll never have. Enough."
Get free, Be really rich in 2020.
As far as saving money is concerned, take it seriously but not too much that you compromise your and your family’s present. Especially when you are making a reasonable income and are already saving enough, remember what Warren Buffett says –
…who is to say whether it is better to defer a dollar of expenditure on your family – on a trip to Disneyland or something that they’ll get enormous enjoyment out of – so that when you are 75, you can have a 30-feet boat instead of a 20-feet boat. There are advantages to spending money on your family when it is young – giving them various forms of enjoyment, education, or whatever it may be. But it’s crazy to be spending 105% of your income.
3. Follow your Passion –“The person I miss most is the one I could have been.” George Bernard Shaw
“Within each of us lies “The Project.” - An idea longing to be nourished, cherished, launched and completed. Writing a novel, starting an enterprise, achieving a goal, winning a race.
Our deepest desire is to do The Project. To express our vision. To carefully and patiently watch it unfold. To present it to those who will benefit by it and to experience the pride of the job beautifully done.
Yet, a million distractions battle for our attention. One hundred doubts fill our hearts,and so slowly and subtly, we recite the excuses that construct our realityAnd we shelve The Project. Postponing it for another day, a  better day.
But postponing The Project is life’s greatest lie.
Picasso and Basquiat, Einstein and Edison, Gandhi & Nehru, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates didn’t wait for an ideal day to achieve their dream. They started, when it was difficult, when the odds were against them, when they had little andwhile they were alone.
So many of the world’s troubles are symptoms of The Project undone.Pain is the result of potential denied and when you avoid The Project, you dishonour your gifts, Your Talents, Your Genius.A portion of you goes numb, Silent, Quiet. Scared.
The moment you start The Project, everything shifts. Purpose, focus, passion and peace returns to your life. Eyes sparkle. Energy explodes. Inspiration flows. And your days become supported by coincidence, power and peak possibility.
So please, step up, release all chains, dispel all doubts, Start The Project.
Follow your dream and change the world. You are responsible for no less.”
You owe it to the Universe and once you start, the Universe will conspire to help you achieve it.
"Champions aren’t made in Gyms, Champions are made from something they have deep inside them. A desire, A Dream, A Vision. They have to have the skill and the will; but the will must be stronger than the skill." Mohammed Ali.
Followyour Passion to become a champion.
“If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley – but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
If you can't be a bush, be a bit of grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can't be a highway, then just be a trail.
If you can't be the sun, be a star;
It isn't in size that you win or you fail;
Be the best of whatever you are.”
4. Choose well.
The most important choices you’ll ever make in life will be with respect to your spouse and your friends. If you choose right, then later choices become simple.
Choose to forgive. Before Nelson Mandela left  prison he said, "as I stand before the door to my freedom, I realise that if I do not leave my pain, anger and bitterness behind me, I will still be in prison".
Self-imprisonment is worse than that imposed. How many of us have imprisoned ourselves inside the walls of anger and bitterness, holding grudges, etc.  Forgiveness sets you free.Get out of your prison in 2020.
Choose to be kind. Always believe that kindness can bring the magic of hope to others. It is a simple way of telling another struggling soul that there is love to be found in this world.
Kindness is more than deeds,
It is an attitude,
an expression,
a look,
a touch.
It could be anything that lifts the morale of another person.
Don’t bother about how much difference it will make.
It will definitely make a difference to someone, somewhere.
In a world where technology is causing some of us to forget how to act human, choose to become the politest person you know. Say “please” and “thank you” to all you meet.
Smile at strangers, a quick and genuine smile to a stranger always connects, unites and uplifts.
Attitude is a choice.
Happiness is a choice.
Optimism is a choice.
Kindness is a choice.
Giving is a choice.
Respect is a choice.
Whatever choice you make, makes you.
Choose well.
5. “What if I fail?” is not the question you must ask this year – What if everything you are going through is preparing you for what you asked for?
I hope that in this new year to come, you make mistakes, Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself & changing your world.
You will fail. So the better question might be, “After I fail, what then?” If you’ve chosen well, after you fail you will be one step closer to succeeding, you will be wiser and stronger and you almost certainly will be more respected by all of those that are afraid to try.
“Better to face the danger and your fears once, than live your entire life in fear.” Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.
Forget all the reasons why it won't work and believe the one reason why it will.
Attempt, take the risk or loose the chance.
Being born was our gift,
Living life is our challenge,
Being the best we can be is our choice.
We all, usually, prefer being in the comfort zone and try to achieve maximum,
it might be possible for some who are entitled for it,
But still,
unbelievable happens only when we step a little out of our comfort area and do a little more.
Destiny unfolds it's secrets before you, universe helps you create magic when you push your limits.
“Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable”. - Sidney J. Harris
Have the  guts to be true to yourself.
Nothing more.
Overcome your fears, life begins beyond that.
No matter how little your light is, give it a chance to shine.
Go for your dreams, attempt the impossible and don't worry about failure.
6. Build relationships
Good relationships are like trees, they demand attention and care in the beginning,but once they blossoms they provide you shade in all situations of life.
The relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship. Learn to respect yourself, build faith, believe in yourself first.
When you see something beautiful in someone, tell them.
It may just take seconds for you to say, but for them it could last a lifetime.
Between what is said and not meant and what is meant and not said, most of love is lost.
A great relationship is  about appreciating the similarities and respecting the differences.
Relationships are like barter system, if you don't like what you are getting, please check what you are giving.
Don’t avoid conflict. Everybody runs from conflict. It makes us feel bad so we avoid it. We sweep it under the rug, hoping it will somehow resolve itself,
it never does- it just festers like a bad wound.
Every conflict carries within it a chance to learn a powerful lesson and grow as a human being
And every conflict - whether with a loved one or a customer - is a gorgeous opportunity to forge an even deeper connection with them.
By turning their dissatisfaction into a wow for them.
So don't run from conflict, embrace it.
Relish in the potential it carries.
Celebrate it.
Let 2020 be a year to build and mend relationships.
7.Be Happy !
Ancient Egyptians believed that upon death they would be asked two questions and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife. The first question was, "Did you bring joy?"
The second was, "Did you find joy?"
Every day, whatever the circumstances, take a few minutes & focus on seeing yourselves in joy.
The biggest contemporary disease is, 'I'll be HAPPY when...
My problems go away,
When my worries end,
When I get the money.
When I get this job.
Well, the reality is, you never get to when.
The only way to find happiness is to understand that Happiness is not out there. It's always within. Remember, Being Miserable is a habit; Being Happy is also a habit; Amount of work is same and the choice is yours. Make the right choice.
Don’t also put off “living happily ever after” for another year. 
"Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Be happy now, with what you have, don't wait for the perfect time.
Don’t assume you’ll have another year. You won’t get this life again. No one will bring back the years; no one will restore you to yourself. Stop being busy,tell the ones you love how much you love them often enough. Give them a hug. Spend time with them, be happy with them, create memories with them and one day you will remember the days when your home used to be filled with laughter, arguments, fights, jokes and loads of mischief.
8. Be successful,by doing these five simple things:
1) Create value for others;
2) Contribute to someone, without keeping score; give without expecting anything in return.
3) Say what needs to be said and also learn the art of saying No
4) Learn something new, do something scary; and
5) Reject shortcuts.
“The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say ‘NO’ to almost everything.” World-class is so much more about what you don’t do, rather than what you actually do. Amazing producers and world-changers are Masters of The Thoughtful No. While your To-Do list is important, your Not-To-Do list is essential.
Success doesn't come from making the right choices, But by not making the wrong choices. Learn the art of saying NO and the first NO you have to say to, is to yourself, and remove the unwanted things.
But also remember that:
“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than he found it,
Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction”
9. Pay attention to detail – to the smallest thing.
"For the want of a nail the shoe was lost,
For the want of a shoe the horse was lost,
For the want of a horse the rider was lost,
For the want of a rider the battle was lost,
For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost,
And all for the want of a horseshoe-nail"- Benjamin Franklin
A small leak,
A small tear,
A small overhead,
A small expense
A small misadventure
A small mistake
May not be undone.
Pay attention to detail and to small things for they can lead to major complications and loss of “kingdom.”
10. Face your fears. We’re all fearful, we are all scared…of some things…and many things. I’ve never seen any person who has no fear. However, in dealing with fear several times over the past few years, I have realized one very important thing.
It is that, in our life, the issue is not really ‘fear’ but rather, what we do despite it. We can either get managed by fear, or manage it. We can either acknowledge fear or fall into an emotional whirlpool. We can either accept fear or pretend that it doesn’t exist at all. We can either give up or get up in the face of fear.
“O Lord of Thee these boons I ask
Let me never shun a righteous task.
Let me be fearless when I go to battle.
Give me faith that victory will be mine.
Give me power to sing Thy praise,
And when comes the time to end my life,
Let me fall in mighty strife...”
In fact, fear is what keeps us safe at most times in our lives. Fear keeps us out of harm’s way. All we need to have is the courage to manage it. Nobody can give us the courage. You have to practice it and realize it yourself. You have to make a habit of mindfulness practice to get over your fears. Then, when fear strikes you, you will already know what to do.
"Don't let a win get to your head or a loss to your heart. Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even." Mohammed Ali
And, before I end, here is a beautiful poem from Khalil Gibran, the Lebanese poet well known for his book, The Prophet, that strikes a chord deep within.
FEAR (Khalil Gibran)
It is said that before entering the sea
a river trembles with fear.
She looks back at the path she has travelled,
from the peaks of the mountains,
the long winding road crossing forests and villages.
And in front of her,
she sees an ocean so vast,
that to enter
there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.
But there is no other way.
The river cannot go back.
Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.
The river needs to take the risk
of entering the ocean
because only then will fear disappear,
because that’s where the river will know
it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.
Overcome all your fears in 2020.
Benjamin Franklin said, “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let every new year find you a better man.”
I’m so grateful to have you share this journey with me, and I look forward to continuing our connect in 2020, whatever it may bring.
Stay happy, Stay healthy, Stay kind,Stay generous
And
Stay Blessed Forever.
Lots of Regards and Best wishes for a wonderful 2020
Sandeep Sahni






Note: All information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute any professional advice or service. Readers are requested to consult a financial advisor before investing as investments are subject to Market Risks.
About The author
                                                                     Sandeep Sahni
Sandeep is an alum of IIM Lucknow with a Post Graduate Degree (MBA class of 1988). His also an alum of Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University (B.Com. Hons. Class of 1985.)
Sandeep's investing experience and study of the Financial Markets spans over 30 years. He is based in Chandigarh and has been advising more than 500 clients across the globe on Financial Planning and Wealth Management.
He has promoted “Sahayak Gurukul” which is an attempt to share thoughts and knowledge on aspects related to Personal Finance and Wealth Management. Sahayak Gurukul provides financial insights into the markets, economy and Investments. Whether you are new to the personal finance domain or a professional looking to make your money work for you, the Sahayak Gurukul blogs and workshops are curated to demystify investing, simplify complex personal finance topics and help investors make better decisions about their money.
Alongside, Sandeep conducts regular Investor Awareness Programs and workshops for Training of Mutual Fund Distributors, and workshops and seminars on Financial Planning for Corporate groups, Teachers, Doctors and Other professionals.
Through his interactions and workshops, Sandeep works towards breaking the myths and illusions about money and finance.He also writes a well-read blog;
He has also conducted presentations, workshops and guest lectures at Management institutes for students on Financial Planning and Wealth Creation. He can be reached at:
91-9888220088, 9814112988
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