Youngsters' Guide To Personality Development

S.P. Sharma

Description

In a world marked by competition personality is the key to success--whether it is social or business or personal or political arena. Interview for IAS or an MNC, meeting with the parents of your prospective bride, addressing a public rally, or delivering a speech in an international conference...if you have a confident and pleasing personality, you will surely make your mark! This book seeks to motivate young men and women, particularly students, to make conscious and continuous effort to build character and develop personality. With deep insight, the author has provided valuable guidelines and practical tips on matters of special interest to students. Further, he has given them the benefit of experience, his own as well as those of eminent persons. Considering the significant role of teachers and parents and their responsibility in molding young minds, the book intends to serve the purpose of building firm foundation for a better personality. Some Glimpses: * Manners make the a man. We should be uniformly courteous to all...humility marks an educated man. *It is more fitting for a man to laugh over life, than lament over it. *The art of writing letters is worth culivating, for one`s own sake, and for the sake of others. *Start building a library, of your own (if you do not already have one)...learn by heart significant speeches or passages...be a student all through your life. *`I have developed a such a detached attitude to food where taste is concerned that life is so much easier, and the hazard of becoming a victim to contaminated food are almost nil.` #v&spublishersContents:Preface 1. Before Choosing a Career 2. Learning is a Lifelong Process 3. Sources of Knowledge 4. Personal Development is not an Automatic Process 5. Positive Interaction with People 6. Act orr this One Advice and See What Happens! 7. A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place 8. Role Models and Hero Worship 9. Self-Assessment 10. Likes and Dislikes 11. The Call of Duty 12. On being a Prudent Person 13. Friends 14. Our Most Valuable Possession - Physical Fitness 15 Accomplishments 16. How to Read 17. What to Read 18. Tips on Preparing for Examinations 19. Command Over Language & Neat Handwriting Yield Rich Dividends 20. Help in Career 21. Learning Languages 22. The Art of Writing Personal Letters 23. The Idiot Box and You 24. Organize Yourself 25. Be Different, Be Innovative 26. The Role of Religion in Our Lives 27. The Significance of Positive Thinking 28. How to Improve the Quality of Your Thinking 29. Develop A Sense of Humour 30. Manners Maketh a Man 31. Destiny and Free Will 32. Simple is Beautiful 33. It was not A Cakewalk for Them 34. Problems of Adolescence 35. Life Threatening Problems of Adolescents 36. Still Very Much A Man's World 37. Whither College & University Education? 38. Evergreen Topic for Debates 39. Some General Hints 40. Inspiration Conclusion

Sujets

• Self-help

Informations

• Publié par: V & S Publishers
• Date de parution: 15 novembre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789350573266
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

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© Copyright: ISBN 978-935-05732-6-6 Edition: April 2013
 
DISCLAIMER
While every attempt has been made to provide accurate and timely information in this book, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, unintended omissions or commissions detected therein. The author and publisher make no representation or warranty with respect to the comprehensiveness or completeness of the contents provided.
All matters included have been simplified under professional guidance for general information only without any warranty for applicability on an individual. Any mention of an organization or a website in the book by way of citation or as a source of additional information doesn't imply the endorsement of the content either by the author or the publisher. It is possible that websites cited may have changed or removed between the time of editing and publishing the book.
Results from using the expert opinion in this book will be totally dependent on individual circumstances and factors beyond the control of the author and the publisher.
It makes sense to elicit advice from well informed sources before implementing the ideas given in the book. The reader assumes full responsibility for the consequences arising out from reading this book. For proper guidance, it is advisable to read the book under the watchful eyes of parents/guardian. The purchaser of this book assumes all responsibility for the use of given materials and information. The copyright of the entire content of this book rests with the author/publisher. Any infringement/ transmission of the cover design, text or illustrations, in any form, by any means, by any entity will invite legal action and be responsible for consequences thereon.
Preface
When young, my favourite reading used to be self-improvement books from which I derived considerable inspiration and guidance in practical life. But most of such books have been written by western authors who naturally had western readers in mind.
It had long been my desire to write a book of that genre for the benefit of young men and women of India, specially students, with Indian precepts and culture as its background. The wish has materialised and this book is the result.
I have nevertheless borrowed from western authors and referred to western greats to reinforce my views. After all, most values are universal, valid any time, anywhere.
The young are the inheritors of tomorrow. Every effort should be made to remind them of their heritage and provide them such guidance and inspiration as may be needed, to prepare them to face the future with enthusiasm and confidence. This book is an effort in that direction.
It is my firm conviction that a sincere and serious study (not mere reading) of the book will greatly benefit young readers.
CONTENTS
Preface
1. Before Choosing a Career
2. Learning is a Lifelung Process
3. Sources of Knowledge
4. Personal Development is not an Automatic Process
5. Positive Interaction with People
6. Act on’this One Advice and See What Happens!
7. A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place
8. Role Models and Hero Worship
9. Self-Assessment
10. Likes and Dislikes
11. The Call of Duty
12. On being a Prudent Person
13. Friends
14. Our Most Valuable Possession - Physical Fitness
15. Accomplishments
16. How to Read
17. What to Read
18. Tips on Preparing for Examinations
19. Command Over Language & Neat Handwriting Yield Rich Dividends
20. Help in Career
21. Learning Languages
22. The Art of Writing Personal Letters
23. The Idiot Box and You
24. Organize Yourself
25. Be Different, Be Innovative
26. The Role of Religion in Our Lives
27. The Significance of Positive Thinking
28. How to Improve the Quality of Your Thinking
29. Develop A Sense of Humour
30. Manners Maketh a Man
31. Destiny and Free Will
32. Simple is Beautiful
33. It was not A Cakewalk for Them
34. Problems of Adolescence
35. Life Threatening Problems of Adolescents
36. Still Very Much A Man’s World
37. Whither College & University Education?
38. Evergreen Topic for Debates
39. Some General Hints
40. Inspiration
41. Conclusion
1
Before Choosing a Career
I t was the last day of the academic year. Students in the final year school class had assembled in the classroom. Examinations were at hand. The syllabus had been fully covered. The gathered students were agog with excitement. They had lived together in the school for years. Parting from friends was naturally sad. Yet they were expectantly poised over their unknown future.
As the class teacher entered, students stood up and wished him good morning. Then the teacher addressed them thus: “Well, boys and girls. Not only the academic year but a phase of your education has, also come to a close. Naturally, each one of you must be nurturing dreams about your future. Since there is no teaching today, shall we go through a different exercise? I want some of you to tell us what you propose to do after leaving school and what profession or career you hope you would like to take up later. Now one by one.”
The students’ responses were on expected lines. Some wanted to become doctors,, engineers, lawyers; others businessmen, industrialists, writers and so on. Only one student (we shall call him Rohit) was different in his response. He said: “Sir, frankly my family finances are none too sound at the moment. So I would rather decide about my higher education and career only at the appropriate time. But, sir, one thing I am definite about. I want to become as good a human being as possible. This aim does not depend upon anything or anybody except myself for its fulfilments”.
While Rohit spoke, there was mild laughter among some of his co-students. But the teacher had a surprise for them. He said: This is no laughing matter. I cannot but applaud and commend Rohit who has displayed not only an original but also a thoughtful reaction. He seems to have already given the matter the attention it deserves. He has realised that, irrespective of one’s education and career choice, there is one thing essential for all. For success in any calling and in life in general, good character is the foundation on which all else is built.
“And for you students, this is the right time to begin paying serious attention to the subject. All of you should straightaway launch yourselves on a voyage of self-discovery and self-development. Become not just good, but the best human beings. It is an end in itself. It has been rightly said that ‘virtue is its own reward’. Nothing succeeds like success. So here is wishing you all a bright future and all success in your endeavours. Goodbye!”
2
Learning is a Lifelong Process
A verse in Sanskrit states:

“Only a fourth part, of knowledge does one gather from. teachers. A quarter the student acquires by self-effort. Another quarter he learns from his co-students. And the final quarter accrues in course of time making him fully knowledgeable.”
This verse underlines the fact that learning is a lifelong process.
In present-day set up, we cannot expect schools and colleges to equip youngsters fully to meet life’s challenges, big or small.
The armour and weapons in life’s battle are knowledge of various aspects of living. That is not to say that students learn little from educational institutions. There is no doubt that the knowledge acquired in the classroom is of considerable value.
In olden days, in what was known as gurukula style of education, rishis (sages) who were gurus (teachers) used to take charge of small bands of students. The guru could watch them closely as they were staying in his household as members of a family. He used to teach them many things directly and indirectly and also correct them whenever necessary. In short, he moulded their character and equipped them to face life as they grew up.
Things are different today. The number of students in an average class is quite large and teachers generally teach different subjects. The teacher-pupil interaction has become marginal. Except through the medium of periodical tests, no assessment of the students’ progress is possible. The tests or exams are mostly academic.
Parental supervision of children has slackened too because parents, both in many cases, are busy with their careers and other preoccupations, leaving them no time to adequately care for their children’s growth and development.
The outcome is an enormous increase in the student’s need for self-effort. Due to the complexity of present-day living, not only academic, but also many other matters call for attention, acquaintance and even expertise in some field. Thus the need to equip oneself with all-round knowledge has increased considerably.
Fortunately, today’s student community is fully aware of the situation.
3
Sources of Knowledge
I n earlier times, classroom and books used to be the main source of knowledge, but today there are numerous avenues to acquire useful and often specialised knowledge. Besides books, television and computer have come to occupy a place in our lives. Magazines general and specialist, even newspapers, provide deeper insight into subjects of one’s choice.
Though students absorb knowledge to which they are exposed, there is risk of distraction. Student participation in extra curricular activities has also hit an all time high. This situation calls for discretion-