A Psychologist’s Guide to Coping in Uncertain Times

“Always Expect the Unexpected Because the Only Certainty Is Uncertainty”

Uncertainty in life has many forms. Changes at workplaces, change in priorities, change in rules and regulations. Even if things are safe right now you never know when they would change and you need to be ready to handle that change.

Change is usually not the problem; it’s the discomfort that often bothers us as we are so strongly attached to a particular outcome in life.

When certainty is questioned we usually have a fight or flight reaction and try to safeguard ourselves. Our brain prefers to find a sure shot outcome to the uncertainty we are experiencing. Research proves that anticipating pain soothes us to be calm than anticipating uncertainty only because we know that pain is certain. For example, uncertainty about getting a job is more stressful than actually losing a job.

Now, the question arises what should we do to tackle uncertainty in a way that it doesn’t impact our overall health and well-being.

This is very important for students aspiring to work with multinationals, professionals struggling with changing roles, people disheartened with their job.

  1. Firstly, don’t panic, remain calm and level headed. Living in uncertain times can be discomforting but you can control how to respond to such situations.
  2. Avoid dwelling on things you can’t control. Try changing the habit of ruminating on negative events of life. Why only visualize worst case scenarios. If there is a fear of not getting a job think of ways to enhance your skills. Think positive and believe in yourself. Remember it’s your life and you have the potential to change it.
  3. Add Value to your skills. It’s important to align your skill set to what is currently the need of the industry. Make sure you have those skills that the current time is demanding. Act upon it. Visualize possibilities.
  4. Market Yourself. Do not think I am asking you to boast about yourself; but how would people know your calibre if you don’t tell them about yourself. Get the recognition you deserve. Go for it.
  5. Ensure your profile is updated. Have an eye-catching LinkedIn profile. Express your interest in companies that you aspire to work with. What you post on your profile should be interesting in content and original in nature to attract organizations towards you.
  6. Focus on Financial Well-Being. One tip for life is always having a financial saving of at least six months worth your livelihood. This will be your support during rainy days and you’ll always have time to choose the best opportunity and will never settle for something less in life. Savings are very essential.
  1. Engage in Self care. Healthy routines are magical. Eat well, exercise regularly, just like body needs stimulation so does our mind and thoughts. So feed your intellect with good literature. Practice mindfulness, it makes life a better place and opens doors that you thought were closed.
  1. Risk is real and Fear is optional. Risk assessed is risk management. Understand the uncertainty take calculated risks and overcome your fears to innovate the new you.
  2. Control what you can. We often run for things that are beyond our control. Try making a slight change by focusing on stuff that is within your control. It can be as basic as setting your clothes a night before a strenuous day. Try comforting your days.

If you see your Today. Job insecurity is the “New Reality,” why respond or perceive it as Negative. It might offer better opportunities for your growth and career enhancement.

Take that Extra Mile and prove your worth. Show the world your True Potential. Don’t Stress and rather Invest in this time to uplift your skills and embrace the new shift that the Industries are offering.

This is the only way you can see the New Positive and Let go the doubt and uncertainty around. Be prepared to change with the times instead of resisting to a change. Life’s most treasured moments come unannounced. Instead of being threatened by unexpected outcomes we should learn that they can be hidden seeds of opportunities.

For best professional practices and how to deal with professional challenges follow my blogs on IILM Blogs and LinkedIn or write to me at megha.kochhar@iilm.edu

We at IILM train students to handle complex situations and be proactive professionals in every situation by focusing on multiple skill development, developing emotional intelligence. There is a Center for Emotional Intelligence at IILM University where training programs help students build self awareness, emotional regulation that helps them deal with uncertainty in personal and professional life.

ART THERAPY- DISCOVER YOURSELF

“Mirror is a reflection of our faces and Art of our Souls”

Art has the ability to change and transform lives, in profound ways. When words fail, we turn to images and symbols to narrate our stories. Through art we can reach out to people with our stories and find a path towards transformation and healing.

As they say there is a lot between the heaven and earth than just dreams. Art therapy has a therapeutic way of rooting the idea of creative expression that fosters healing our soul and leading us towards mental well-being. For years art has been a very communicative way to express our feelings. When we were young we would instinctively use painting, drawing, sketching to communicate and express our emotions, but as we grow, and maturity hits us we often forget the beautiful impact art had on our lives.

Through Art Therapy patients are provided with a safe place where they can explore not very pleasant feelings like fear, anger, aggression, unfulfilled expectations. Feelings that they would otherwise avoid to talk about. Rightly said “Art speaks where words end.”  The field of Art and artistic people has always intrigued me. It feels like artistic people see life through a very different lens. They have immense waves of creativity within and so they life seems so sorted and calm. I wonder how various forms of art give them so much of peace. I guess the only reason why their life is so peaceful is that it’s not humans, but a form of art that is communicated as a Peacemaker and Healer adding the Art Therapy to experience the solace within.

Going back to Ancient history, art has been one of the oldest ways to communicate through wall carvings, sculptures, and paintings right from the Indus valley civilization. It is seen that when a person is unable to speak about his pain, they resort to expressing their feelings through Art.

Healing is totally an internal process which has a lot to do with a sense of positivity and inner strength. Ask an artist and they will enlighten you about the therapeutic impact Art has on them. Art Therapy is a type of expressive therapy that enhances a person’s emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being through the process of creativity. By art we mean everything that stirs our consciousness and inner strength to challenge our mind. This is the process where artistic expression helps lots of people to develop positive feelings, solve problems, change attitudes, boost their self-concept and be more content with themselves.

Art is like a life saving jacket in a world that’s growing crazy. Art keeps you grounded in your roots. It has a meditative impact to develop patience in life. We have to make a choice today either “let Art enter your world or you enter into the World of Art.” Choice is yours to discover the artist in you.

Remember friends Art is not a skill, but an expression and it really does not matter if you think you cannot draw or create. It’s an outlook towards life, which can be seen in the form of a new hobby, learning music, anything that keeps you occupied and for which you feel the desire to create time and it’s  so becoming a part of your life in spite of the busy schedules you have as it heals you from all the stress that you’ve been carrying  as a baggage of life.

It’s practically applicable and as a life skill trainer and therapist, I have seen my students experiencing the magic of art therapy in their lives.  A group of IILM students took this initiative to apply this therapy for the first two weeks and shared such positive results in their level of expression, understanding of situations. One common response was that they learnt to respond rather than react in stressful situations.

Art Therapy gives people medium to express their feelings and problems and tread a happier life that is real and serene in nature. Art as a therapy has proved to be a powerful weapon to combat illness and spread well-being. It allows you to be yourself with no Form and that’s the Beauty. So let’s join hands together to inhale positivity and exhale creativity.

To connect on knowing more about the profound value and benefits of art, colors and visualization therapy write to me on megha.kochhar@iilm.edu

Changing Course of Study Abroad Programs in the time of COVID 19

The Global Pandemic may have sabotaged the dreams of most of the students, who wanted to study abroad, but here Indian Universities like IILM Undergraduate Business School is evolving to bring in the new culture and new learning formats to the door step of these young minds. Let’s see how.

Institutes with collaboration with International Partners:

PHOTO-2019-10-15-19-20-59 (1)Indian Institutes that have partnership with Universities Overseas stand a better chance as what they offer is a Global Integrated Program from their own hinterlands.  IILM Undergraduate Business School has academic collaboration with many such academic partners and offer well curated educational curriculum to cater to the youth of today.

International Experience made affordable: Students seeking for Global Programs can pursue the same from the Indian Institutes at much affordable prices.

Global Transfers: Institutes with Global collaborations offer seamless transfers to global campuses for students to start their education in India and later be honored by an International Degree. At IILM, students have taken transfers in the Second/ Third year and have returned with an International degree in hand.

Accept Credit Transfer: Institutes with Global Partners accept credit transfers and prior learning assessments to smoothen the process of settling in the learning ecosystem.

Talent Pool: A Global Integrated Program brings along a talent pool of Indian and Global faculties having rich experience in terms of both academic and industry. At IILM varied foreign languages such as Spanish, French and German are offered to inculcate a global perspective in the learning process.

Peer to Peer learning: Transition from Guided Learning to Self Development formats. Institutes that offer Multiple Self Learning Programs through Certifications will be in demand. This will encourage skill development at the micro level. At IILM, several MOOC courses on platforms like Coursera, Edx, and Swayam are offered to encourage students towards self-development.

IMG_5620Real Time Course Curriculum: B- schools are already working on rejig of their academic programs as they believe that this pandemic has led to widespread disruptions across all functions of management. There has been immense learning from the current pandemic situation and the same needs to be incorporated into the teachings such as marketing during pandemic times, work from home HR policies, impact on economy, emergence of next Gen-C cohort group, Consumer 2.0 etc.

This post COVID world will open new wave in imparting higher education to the students. It will bring a new normal in the education field with emphasis on blended learning formats. IILM Undergraduate Business School is already restructuring and re-designing their teaching pedagogy for a better tomorrow.

Visit www.iilm.edu and apply now. Our admission counselors will contact you within 24 hours.

How Leadership Works: And What Motivates People to Follow.

This is one question that every leader thinks, that is how to persuade others to do what you want them to do in the most effective manner. To come to the definite answer to this question, there is a need to start reflecting on what motivates you  to follow or listen to someone. The moment you start reflecting on this basic question, you will immediately start pondering upon what makes you passionate about things in life for which you are ready to expand your comfort zone.  In majority of the cases, it’s all about making an impact  in the lives of others with your work.

Purposive Leadership

The purpose in leadership is all about who you are and what makes you distinct, it’s all about your own unique brand. It is not so much about what you do or your educational qualifications but how you do your job.

It is your ability to articulate purpose behind your work that makes you distinct.  Your ability to help your team members connect with the larger purpose behind your work i.e. making a difference in the lives of others, helps you to connect with your team and motivates them to go to any level to make a remarkable contribution at work.

David Ulrich , Professor of Business Studies at The University of Michigan, who is an expert in the field of human resource and leadership and has authored more than 30 books, shared that leaders in the organisation who enable their employees to find meaning and purpose from their work  create a work culture in which employees are more enthusiastic and generate more value for their customers and investors.

Suresh Narayanan, MD of Nestle India, is one such leader who inculcates a sense of strong purpose amongst his team members and successfully brought the company out from the Maggie crisis and is now steering Nestle successfully during the Covid-19 crises with no retrenchment amongst his existing work force. He shared that it is important to have clarity of one’s purpose in life and it is not about becoming a corporate CEO or an entrepreneur or making a million dollars, but it is all about understanding what you want to be known for, and this makes the whole difference.

How to Lead With Purpose

The first step is to identify your purpose, which needs to be real and authentic. The second important step is to articulate that purpose amongst all your stake holders clearly and persistently. The third important step is to realise that when we use our strengths at work, then we reach in the state of flow, where we become so engrossed at work that time just flows by – and the same is true for our team members. So, help your team members identify their strengths and use it at work. Lastly, create a positive work environment by encouraging a positive work relationship and by giving positive feedback to your team members. Remember, you can help your team members grow by focusing on their strengths. It is only an uplifting and supportive work environment that can help your team members connect to the deeper meaning of their work.

This is what Yuon Chouinard, CEO of Patagonia, an American outdoor clothing company, has done. He clearly aligned his purpose i.e. “cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to environmental crisis” in all his processes, be it product-lines, supply-chain or the pricing of its products. This motivated the company to switch to organic cotton in their clothing lines. The result is that today Patagonia is thriving due to its  focus on overall purpose behind their business and not just the profits.

Purpose Assures Safety in The Times of Crisis.

Leaders who lead with purpose can easily bring their organisations out from crisis. American energy company, DTE Energy, could overcome the 2008 financial crisis by inculcating training programmes for employees that spoke about purpose behind their work. They conducted town hall meetings and conducted culture-binding activities that increased employee engagement to a new level. DTE won a Gallop Great Work Place Reward five years in a row, their financial performance skyrocketed, with the company’s stock price tripling from year end 2008 to year end 2017. Hence, the most important factor that makes an organisation grow amid challenges and crisis is its leadership, with strong purpose which is beyond one’s immediate interests.

Conclusion

Finally, it is important for a leader to help his team members not only to envision the outcome of their daily routines, but also to find meaning in those tasks. So, for me, I not only give lectures but as I teach, I also contribute in preparing Next Generation Business Leaders.

Purposeful leadership is all about creating value and leading a contributive life. It is about being genuine and helping others to develop and display their highest potential. Finally, leaders must create their own brand and think what they want it to be remembered as.

 

Awakening Digital Media in Remote Areas

The advent of digital media has been nothing short of a revolution for our country. In recent times this importance got highlighted during demonetization and now with the Corona crisis staring at our face. This has also vastly affected our social relationships and the way we perceive issues.

Every technology has its drawbacks when used to generate negativism and disorder. Unfortunately these are the perils of our times and in spite of existing safeguards there are implications which have ominous consequences. Though, we have embraced the digital world with open arms, however, it cannot be said for the common man.

It needs no emphasis that more than 70 percent of the population our country resides in the rural areas. Has this population changed its ways and thoughts to imbibe the rudiments of digitization? The answer would not please us. We are still a developing country and cannot measure up to the standards of countries such as USA, Japan or France.

What then should be the way out? The first and the foremost are related to the reach of media. We need to have internet connectivity to the remotest areas which may involve a large amount of expenditure. A way out could be to develop a cyber hub in each village which should be maintained by the district administration and people could flock there and use the mobiles with the available internet connectivity to transact any kind of business or information related activity. It is noteworthy to see that PayTM and such like platforms have been a great force multiplier towards paperless transaction. We need to build up on these existing platforms and extend their reach to the remote areas of the country.

Broadband highways need to come up and get established in a phased manner. The common man needs this technology to augment the agricultural base of the country and build up the resources of our country. The path is long but can be tread upon if the correct impetus is there. I am reminded of a famous quote,

Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional”.

Explore Life within You-

” I have always believed  success, in life, is most easily measured by the number of days you are truly happy.”  Our mindset and optimistic attitude towards life decides everything we come across.

Standing at the edge of human existence, a realization dawns on us that how temporary and uncertain our lives can be. To make our lives more fulfilling we need to create the right mindset which encompasses positive thinking. Think positive and positive things will happen.

Unfortunately we block our energy fields with negative thoughts. You don’t need to know the future as it is in your own hands. There comes a time when you need to have absolute faith in oneself and be sure, destiny will unfold your true path and purpose in this lifetime.

It is therefore extremely important that we channelize our energies to create positivity around us to make our work and life more fulfilling and motivating.

The present environment if has put restrictions, it has also opened up our inner doors of self reflection ,where we need to reflect upon ourselves in ways that we can decide what can be the path of our lives, which manifests in our well- being that would impact our personal and professional relationships as we are spending maximum time these days with ourselves and our family.

When we are going through a difficult situation and feel like running away from it, all we need to think and do is to replace that thought of ‘running away’ with the thought of ‘finding a way’. Let us use this difficult situation as a platform to take an extra step of faith in our lives. Let us take off and face the situation and move towards creating a positive change.

Let’s talk about a handful of simple practices that can be helpful in being more decisive and give direction to positive thinking.

  1. Create Realistic Expectations for Yourself

The problem lies when we expect from others and somewhere hold others responsible for what we desire in life. When you set realistic expectations from yourself and fulfill them it gives you strength to be self reliant in life. Eg. Develop a skill for which you are responsible, create happiness for yourself. Don’t wait for someone to make you happy.

  1. Never compromise on Values

There should be at least one strong value that you possess that you have never compromised on. End of the day it gives you inner strength and satisfaction.

  1. Don’t accept fear as a part of life

Conquer any one fear of yours. The more you run away the stronger the fear gets. Face it and kill it.

  1. Practice mindfulness

Enjoy every moment of your existence. The way you speak to each person, what you eat, what you smell, every breath of yours enjoy it. Imagine if there was no tomorrow. Live each day as if it is your only day to give to the cosmos. You will realize a sense of enthusiasm gushing in pushing you to do so much in life.

  1. Value Relationships

This is what you have earnt in life so value your personal relationships and nurture your professional relationships. Honesty in work and loyalty in relationships take you a long way.

   “Optimism is a happiness magnet”

 See what kind of people & situations draw

      Towards you. This will be a clear indicator of how you view yourself.

“  “Be the change you wish to see in others”

Reasons To Start Your Own Business With A BBA Course

So, you have the perfect idea for your first business venture. Perhaps you have come up with an innovation or a disruptive business model, and now feel that this is the right time to step into the entrepreneurial world. But this is the moment where we tell you to take a moment and consider something that will have a great bearing on your future business plans: a BBA in Entrepreneurship course from one of the best undergraduate colleges in Delhi – IILM UBS.

Why? Like in every profession, there is a certain skillset that you must possess to tackle entrepreneurship head on and carve a niche for yourself. This is exactly what a degree in BBA arms you with as you work on your business simultaneously. Let’s take a detailed and convincing look at the reasons to start your own business with a parallel BBA in Entrepreneurship course:

Academic and Industry Knowledge:

Having knowledge of various subjects in business, finance and management will strengthen your expertise in entrepreneurship by building a strong theoretical foundation. The BBA in Entrepreneurship curriculum is designed to provide students modern subject knowledge along with practical know-how on the industry practices, case studies, and global scenarios. Such education will enable you to better understand your business and implement your learning in real life.

Exclusive Mentorship:

IILM UBS is one of the only few business schools in Delhi that ensures that every student gets a personal mentor who will guide them throughout the course and help them build upon their business plan. If you already have a business venture, you can set up meetings with your mentor to discuss and iron out problems and issues. Such an intimate interaction gives you and your new business a rare advantage.

Development of Communication Skills:

In today’s extremely competitive world of business, entrepreneurs are expected to be not only experts in their industry but also highly polished, fluent and confident. A course in BBA will help you build your personality from the ground up, and allow you to learn how to communicate and discuss your ideas, proposals, solutions, etc. in a charming, confident manner.

Building of a Robust Business Acumen via Experiential Learning:

In a BBA course, you get unbridled exposure to real-world learning, challenges, work experience, and projects. From internships at top corporates to seminars with business leaders, it is the experiential learning that will help you scale up your business and explore new possibilities. Then, there are the global study programs that provide a budding entrepreneur with international experiences that help in developing key competencies required in the field. All these experiences help cultivate the entrepreneur in you as you simultaneously work to make your business a success.

Apart from the above-mentioned advantages, successfully completing a BBA course along with your business venture provides you with brilliant networking opportunities. If you so choose to, you can later on pursue an MBA to take your entrepreneurial wisdom to another level.

Top 5 Skills You Develop While Studying BBA In Entrepreneurship

Starting your very own venture demands skills that are second to none. These distinctive skills are not acquired overnight and need to be nurtured. A BBA in Entrepreneurship provides students with the education needed to create and begin their own businesses. From learning about legal implications surrounding a business to effective operating strategies to scale-up, a BBA in Entrepreneurship gives you a jumpstart when you finally begin your journey. Below are the top skills you’ll be equipped with towards the end of the course from the undergraduate business school at IILM UBS, one of the top business schools in India:

Become A Leader:

The BBA in Entrepreneurship is a very hands-on program where students will be expected to work in numerous projects and case studies in groups. This enables the development of leadership skills and specialized competencies required to lead a new business, scale-up and adapt to changing environments.

Develop An Entrepreneurial Mindset:

Learn how to apply new ideas, methods, and perspectives to businesses and projects.

The program helps students gain confidence and certainty in their business idea and apply it in the real world with the structures and systems learned at the b-school.

Embrace Innovation:

Furthermore, the program also enables students to develop skills in innovation and creativity, helping them acquire the ability to understand consumer needs and demands and develop products and services accordingly. The ability to gauge untapped needs in the market is a skill that is developed over time through the detailed analysis of numerous case studies at the b-school.

Gain The Tools To Be Highly Competitive:

Courses in accounting, information technologies, and entrepreneurial finance help you develop invaluable hard skills, especially when procured from IILM UBS, which is amongst the best BBA colleges in India. Additionally, soft skills like leadership and people management will be obtained through group projects, giving you a firm foundation to start your own business.

Develop A Global Network:

Networking skills are crucial in the business environment. The ability to make valuable contacts, maintain contacts and know when to use them is important in the real world. Earn a BBA in Entrepreneurship from IILM UBS and take advantage of the professional relationships and connections in made at the b-school.

After the completion of the course, students will be empowered with the tools to fashion new products or services and oversee developments for existing companies the world over. Not only that, they’ll be able to make valuable contacts, further develop their skills into core competencies and deal with the pressures of a big corporate job or their own business efficiently.

BBA after Class 12th: PF Course Details, Eligibility and Career Prospects

A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (BBA) after class 12 lays the perfect foundation for a career in business with sound management skills. This degree aids you with the ability to effectively set up and manage businesses of all sizes, especially vital for business managers and entrepreneurs. BBA degree is of most relevance to those looking to foster innovative ideas and channeling their business acumen. Innovation is the only way for new businesses to succeed and old businesses to continue thriving. This drive for innovation can be in the field of business processes, technology, social innovation, business models, revenue models, branding, positioning, etc.

BBA after Class 12th

With innovation at its core, IILM offers a specialized BBA in entrepreneurship as per the SBS Swiss Business School curriculum, double accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), as well as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Being one of the leading business schools in Delhi, IILM seeks to set the groundwork for budding entrepreneurs and young achievers through a holistic support system.

The three-year course includes 2 semesters of international experience, studying at the SBS campus abroad. Being exposed to a global environment and holding an international degree gives the student an unmatched competitive edge to excel in any given field of business.

To match the eligibility criteria and get admitted in the course, prospective students must pass Class XII with minimum 55% under the Indian education system (CBSE or ICSE) or any equivalent board in India or overseas, with English and Mathematics at the class X level. Overseas students seeking admission should have completed their A-levels (under the British system). Students who meet the criterion undergo an in-depth counseling session with a faculty member followed by a video case study discussion. The aim of this activity is to gauge the student’s analytical abilities and thinking style. The final step of the admission procedure is a personal interview conducted by the admission committee.

Pursuing a degree at one of the top BBA colleges in Delhi will open up doors to opportunities in all fields of business. The degree will prepare the student to excel in varying functions and roles in a business setting. It will provide the student basic knowledge about corporate management with a focus on entrepreneurship. Extended guest lectures, live case studies, and simulations will expose the student to the dynamic world of business, setting them on the path to strategize, conceptualize and launch prosperous ventures.

Is BBA Beneficial for a Student of Science Stream?

Choosing a stream post the reception of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) is one of the most significant decisions. However, as you go along you might realize that your talent really lies in another field of study altogether. While it is a matter to be considered, it is nothing to give yourself a headache over.

Students choosing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course after completing school in the science stream is not very different from Technology graduates going for an MBA. The best BBA colleges in Delhi NCR offer the degree to students from all streams with minorly varying selection criteria. Here are a few things you need to know:

Will the science stream affect a career in BBA?

The BBA course proffers basic business values regarding financial management, economics and the principles of management. The 3 years are structured to imbibe appropriate communication skills that make up an important part of managerial life. Your assessment as a business graduate will depend on how you perform in the course instead of your high school education. So, the science stream will not affect a career in business.

Eligibility Criteria:

You will need to, however, prove your ability to grasp the essentials of the B-world over the course of the next 3 years. BBA admission in Delhi and other states is dependent on your performance on the entrance test. The entrance examination is a conventional method of identifying the eligible students with exceptions in a few colleges and universities. You may enroll for centralized examinations that offer admission in a number of colleges if you pass.

The universities require a minimum of 50% aggregate score in your 12th standard examinations for you to be allowed to appear for the entrance exam. The exams usually consist of the following sections:

  • General Awareness
  • Reasoning
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • Language (English)

Follow your disposition:

Essentially it boils down to your interests and calling in life. If you are sure that you need a shift from practical or theoretical sciences to managerial sciences, nothing should stop you. As you might have heard, an MBA is almost necessary to ensure a promising career after a BBA education. Nonetheless, it is advisable to seek advice from your parents, seniors, and peers. You can save a lot of time and effort by consulting an individual who has taken the same step earlier.

Take the example of Edwin Hubble; his studies were focused on jurisprudence at the University of Chicago given to his father’s wishes, but he never let his goals out of his sight, worked hard, believed in himself and turned out to be one of the most prominent astronomers in the world. You can do it as well!