09/01/2014

10 things you must do in 2014 - Rediff.com

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10 things you must do in 2014

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST

Experts and entrepreneurs spell out exactly what

you should be doing this year. Starting today!

Quit smoking. Check.

Join the gym. Check.
Drink less. Check.
Most new years begin with the usual set of
resolutions and we're sure you have your list too
(which you can share here).
Experts -- career counsellors, life coaches fitness
experts, financial advisors, travel consultants -- spell
out what should be on your agenda in 2014!
1. Career: Take charge of your life
Career coach Amit Bansal, who heads PurpleLeap,
which works with colleges to make students
employment-ready, says young people, when they
are in school or college, rely on their parents to
guide them. At work, they expect the company to train
and chart a career path for them.
"The only time many of us really think about
ourselves is when we want to look for a new job
opening," Amit says. "That is the time when we start
thinking about training or educating ourselves and
preparing for the new challenge."
His advice:
"Training should be an ongoing process. It shouldn't be something you do in spurts, only when you realise you have
to start something new."
"This year, resolve to take charge of your life. Take ownership of it and take the responsibility of carving out your own
path."
"Read more books."
Meet more people. Network."
"The responsibility of your life is on you and you alone."
"Know what you are good at, what you like doing and what you want to do."
"There is no better time than now for introspection."

2. Fitness: Don't start with a bang

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST

Getting back into shape is one of the most popular New Year resolutions but it's really important to not be gung-ho about it,
says celebrity fitness trainer Abhishek Sharma.
Sharma has trained several movie stars including Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor
among others.
"Everyone wants to start out with a bang -- hit the gym, lift weights -- and expect quick results," he says, "It doesn't help
anyone if you jumpstart into a rigorous routine.
His advice:
"If you haven't been working out, your body will need time to get used to a new routine. So don't overdo it."
"Start by walking and doing some simple freehand exercises that use only your body weight. Do not use heavy
exercise machines. Not just yet."
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"Intensify your workout only about two weeks into

your new routine."
"Set a goal. Mumbai Marathon is coming up. You will
be tempted to run it. DO NOT attempt it if you haven't
ever exercised before."
"Your closest goal should be at least two months
away. It could be something less glamorous -- like
running 5km at a stretch, or going for a trek -- but
something that will keep you focussed during the
training."
Fitness trainer Abhishek Sharma is also the author
of Fitness on the Go (that can be purchased here).
He has written this extensive four-week routine for
you, our readers!
Do also read another four-week workout designed
by Brinda Sapat exclusively for Rediff.com.
Part One can be read here, part two, here , part
three, here and part four, here.

3. Health and well-being: Find ways to stay motivated

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST

Senior dietician and fitness expert Namita Jain

agrees.
Much of what she says about diets has to do as
much with life as with staying fit.
"Start by making small changes, she says, "In the
first week, focus on something as simple as
drinking water. In the following week focus on eating
more fruits and vegetables; in the following week
limit your junk food intake and so on and so forth."
She admits that it can get difficult to stay motivated
but says that it isn't very difficult.
She advises:
"Results are a great way to stay motivated. The
moment you see a rise in energy levels and stamina
and drop in the weight, you will want to do more."
"Keep going back to that paper (where you've listed
your goals). Review your goals and ask yourself if
you're happy where you are. If you aren't, start over
again."
"Prioritise your life. Decide on what is important and
single-mindedly focus on that."
Namita Jain is the author of several diet and fitness books, one of them is The Four-Week Countdown Diet, in which she
tells you how to ease your body into a new diet.
You can read her interview here and purchase all her books here.
Also read: Is your office making you FAT? Here's how to lose those kilos

4. Life: Get out of your comfort zone

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST

A lot of us want a lot of things but only a few are willing to work towards achieving them," says Malti Bhojwani, a Mumbaibased life coach.
In the 12 years that she has been in the business, Bhojwani has consulted several corporations and educational
institutions and is the author of Don't Think of a Blue
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Ball (that can be purchased here).

She advises:
"To achieve something new you should be willing to
risk stepping out of that safety zone."
"This will involve rocking the boat. It will not just
make you but also the people around you
uncomfortable."
"By stepping out of your comfort zone you will compel
others to around you to do the same, something they
may not like."
"Your smoking buddies may not necessarily be
taken in by the idea of your attempts at quitting
smoking, for instance. They may want to draw you
back."
"It is easy to be mediocre and stay where you
are. Getting out of the comfort zone requires a great
amount of effort."
"Always remember what you really want will always be outside of your comfort zone."

5. Career: Know that grooming can make all the difference

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST

You don't need to be an industry observer to see

how Kangana Ranaut has grown from an awkward
girl to an articulate young lady.
"While there is no substitute for hard work and
sincerity, how you present yourself is equally
important," says Chetna Mehrotra, a well-known
corporate trainer who counts IBM, Emirates,
American Express and the Government of India's
Ministry of External Affairs as her clients.
What you say is important, she says, but equally
important is how you say it.
She advises:
"Your appearance, body language, vocal
presentation etc play an important part in how
people perceive you."
"Learn to look the part you're playing."
"Create a certain image and maintain it. Let this
image not be a fake one. Let it be a projection of the
best of you."

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6. Finance: Set aside some money every month

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST

It doesn't take a lot for the money to disappear from

your salary account, says financial consultant
Nisreen Mamaji.
She advises:
"This might sound pretty basic but it makes a lot of
sense to create an Excel sheet of your expenses."
"Break down your expenses and see where you can
create investible surplus. You'll be surprised to
realise that there will always be scope to put away
an amount, however small, at the end of each
month."
"Invest whatever little surplus amount you have to
achieve your short-term goals."
"If you want to buy a car or plan a wedding, know that
it can be done without taking a loan if you simply
start working backwards!"

7. Finance: Plan for your retirement and emergencies

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST

Most young folks rarely ever think of retirement. It is

a far-off concept that they'd rather not worry about.
Even so it is important to factor in that while planning
your savings.
Nisreen Mamajee advises:
"It is crucial to plan for your retirement."
"Invest in a 15-20 year plan that will be your safety
net for the time when you retire."
"Start small but start nonetheless."
"Life is unpredictable. Factor in job loss or disability."
"Keep some amount for emergency expenses."
"Medical policy is the first and the most important of
the investment in this case."
"Besides that, try and keep an emergency corpus of
about six months of your expenses in a liquid fund
that will earn you interest and can be liquidated at a
short notice without any loss of principal."

8. Travel: Go forth and explore the world

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST

T ravel isn't just a list of places that you need to tick off, says Lakshmi Sharath, a popular travel blogger who also writes for
Rediff.com.
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"It is a way of life," she says

She says:
"Travelling is not about taking pictures of yourself
before monuments. It is about learning new things."
"There is nothing quite like travelling. It can only
make you a better person."
"Travelling opens doors to different cultures. You
meet new people; you shed your inhibitions. You
lose yourself and embrace new things."
"Travelling makes you humble; it gets rid of your
lethargy. It teaches you to be flexible because it is
only while travelling that you realise that however
much you plan, things are bound to go out of
control."
Running out of ideas of places to visit? Here's
Lonely Planet's list of the top destinations for
2014!

9. Social awareness: Strive to bring about a change

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST

Most of us approach social problems with a

patronising mindset, says Neha Juneja, Co-Founder
and CEO of Greenway Grameen Infra, a social startup that works in the clean cooking space.
She advises:
"Social problems cannot be solved with a
patronising mindset."
"Such acts of charity essentially make only oneself
happy. It doesn't matter if what you've done really
makes a difference to the other person's life."
"If you really want to bring about a change, approach
the issue with the mindset of serving the people
rather than making yourself happy."
"The moment you approach them as consumers
rather than recipients of your charity, things change
considerably. That's when you start genuinely
listening to their problems and offering solutions."
Read more about Juneja and her start-up here
Also read: Shweta Mangal who runs 1298, a multi-city ambulance service

10. Be responsible: Vote wisely

Last updated on: January 06, 2014 18:45 IST
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T his is the year when the worlds' largest democracy

will go to vote and choose the women and men who
will lead us for the next five years.
"In a country that has more than 65 per cent of its
population below the age of 35, this is clearly the
election in which the youth will decide its own future.
"So it isn't just important for you to vote but also vote
wisely," says Malvika Bhatia, head of recruitment and
talent management at knowyourvoteindia.org, a nonprofit organisation that works towards addressing
voter apathy amongst India's youth.
She says:
"It is time we realise that politics has a huge impact
on the issues that affect us every day and know that
we can make an informed decision of who can be in
power."
"It is crucial for us to get out of our complacency,
make an informed choice and exercise our basic
right when time comes."
"We are a country with a large number of young people who have so many different ideas. Know that we can make a
difference in the way this country is being run."
"So this time around, rather than choosing to stay at home, instead go out and vote!"
Also read: Why Malvika Bhatia is hopeful of India and its youth

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