Review: Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: The Science Behind Employee Happiness and Organizational Performance

Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: The Science Behind Employee Happiness and Organizational Performance by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wellbeing comes from one place, and one place only — a positive culture.

As per this book, Workplace wellbeing has three components - Evaluative, Affective and eudaimonic. which makes you think about questions like - what do you think about your job ? is the work enjoyable everyday ? what is the sense of purpose you get our of your work ?

A workplace where people care for each other by being interested in each other and maintain responsibility for colleagues as friends amplifies their creativity and ability to think creatively. it also provides buffer against negative events like stress and improves employees ability to bounce back from challenges and difficulties. it also make the employees loyal and brings best out of them.

Although there’s an assumption that stress and pressure push employees to perform more, better, and faster, what such cutthroat organizations fail to recognize is the hidden costs incurred like - stress related health issues, unloyal employees and While a cut-throat environment and a culture of fear can ensure engagement for some time but the inevitable stress it creates will likely lead to disengagement over the long term.

In summary, a positive workplace is more successful over time because it increases positive emotions and well-being. This, in turn, improves people’s relationships with each other and amplifies their abilities and their creativity. It buffers against negative experiences such as stress, thus improving employees’ ability to bounce back from challenges and difficulties while bolstering their health

This is a really nice book to understand and address workplace stress. it might help to make a stress free personal life as well.



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Review: नीम का पेड़

नीम का पेड़ by राही मासूम रज़ा
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"कहते - कहते बुधीराम हाँफने लगा और कठघरे में बैठ गया । उसे जो कहना था , उसने कह दिया था और अब आँखें बन्द किए ऊपरवाले से जल्दी फ़ैसला सुनाने की गुहार कर रहा था । निचली अदालत के फैसले में उसकी कोई दिलचस्पी बाकी ही नहीं रह गई थी ..."

A story if betrayal, shattered dreams and a fight between two brothers, narrated by a "Neem ka Ped".

When two people of equal power fight, nobody wins hands down, they only increase enmity between them.

I liked this story and i rate it 4/5.



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Review: Welcome to AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence

Welcome to AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence by David L. Shrier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book talks about the impact of AI in our life. From bots impacting democratic elections to producing test results of a new drug. You name the industry and the AI impact will be there.

I think this book is easy to read and understand. even if you are not a technical person and not a computer savvy you should be able to understand.

I rate this book 5/5.

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Review: The Girl in the Window

The Girl in the Window by Diana Wilkinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a nice book. Once i started couldn't put it down. Hiding, cheating everything is there in the plot. A story which started by mere watching the people across the road from the window of a cafe ends up revealing a lot of things

Overall this is a very good book. I rate it 5/5.

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Review: सरस कहानियाँ (Saras Kahaniyan)

सरस कहानियाँ (Saras Kahaniyan) by चन्द्र प्रभा (Chandra Prabha)
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

There is no originality in these stories. Stories are copied from here and there, modified a little.

I give 0 stars to it.

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Review: Luella Miller

Luella Miller by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hmmm... Story about a haunted house and the person who lived in it.


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Review: Attitude Is Everything: Change Your Attitude... and You Change Your Life!

Attitude Is Everything: Change Your Attitude... and You Change Your Life! by Jeff Keller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book disects attitude. And I'm talks how one can develop a positive attitude towards life.
How do I respond to the world - is my attitude. How do i respond to adversity - is my attitude.
My response to any event or action in my life can be considered positive or negative.

Attitude can be inherent but it once you identify a negative attitude, it is possible to change into a position attitude. The author says that it starts with working on your mind . Fill it with positive thoughts. we become what we think about. Fill your thougts with love for everyone you will start seeing the changes within a few days. you will be more peaceful within. This is also age old wisdom of Sanatana dharma and Budhism.

Next the author talks about is what you speak. Whatever you speak about someone or something repeatedly it gets ingrained into your thoughts as well . So be careful about what you speak.

The last is "Act", be fearless, do something and don't worry about failures. Get out of your comfort zone and try something that you always wanted to do.

Once you follow the above process you might be able to achieve in life what you always wanted.

There is no better book on attitude than this. I rate this 5/5.

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Review : On Failure: How to succeed at defeat

On Failure: How to succeed at defeat by The School of Life
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When you are messed up , when you have disappointed others , when you have let yourself down, when you have ruined your own life. What do you do when all your hopes have been dashed and when we are too ashamed of ourselves to reach out for help. What do you do ?

The closer you look at a true, lived tragedy; the harder it is for words to have any useful impact. What can be said to a person who has just lost their livelihood, who has witnessed a loved one die, Who has ruined his professional career, Who will never be able to set foot in his home town again ? The challenge is so large. The psych is so ruined that they might simply prefer silence.

I think this book can change a life and give courage to move on with dignity.

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Review: Shabda Pakheroo

Shabda Pakheroo by Nasera Sharma
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

what will you do once one of your family member is bedridden and you are tired of taking help from your relatives and friends to run your house ? "रोगी से ज्यादा रोगी के देखभाल करने वाला वाला चुक जाता है।"- from the book 
, you need clarity of thoughts that is what you get after reading this book.

Suryakant whose wife is bedridden, and has two college going daughters, learns this lesson when his request for not to transfer him to other city so that he could take care of his ailing wife is rejected and his boss gives him an advice : "भावनाओं से जीवन युद्ध नहीं जीता जा सकता" , which changes a lot of things for him, his daughtes and his ailing wife.

After he leaves for other city for his job, his daughters take care of their mother and start seeing some improvement.- "दुःख एक ऐसा धागा होता है जो अपनों को एक साथ पिरो देता है " .

and finally - "जीवन नीरसता को तोडना, अतीत के कुऍं में दुखों को फेंक कर आगे बढ़ने का नाम ही संघर्ष है। " - 

I liked this book the fraud part could have been better.




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Review: नीली: Neeli

नीली: Neeli by Nandini Kumar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hmmm. Kafi samay ke bad ek achchi story padhi. Orr aisa laga ki kisi ne mera dil nichod ke rakkh diya ho.

"कभी कभी इंसान एक चीज़ से इसलिए भी बंध जाता है क्यूँकि उसके पास बदलने के लिए दूसरा विकल्प होता ही नहीं।"

"लेकिन कितना अजीब है कि हम लोगों से ख़ुशियों के बजाय दुःख में ज़्यादा पास आते हैं। मुस्कुरहटों से ज़्यादा आँसू हमें अपने दिल का हाल बोलने पर मजबूर करते हैं। और अपने सारे रिश्तों को छोड़ कर, अपने सारे सच भी हम उन अजनबियों के सामने खोल देतें हैं, जिनसे हमारा कोई वास्ता नहीं होता। शायद इंसान सिर्फ़ दिखते ही अलग हैं, अंदर से सब एक जैसे होते हैं। "

I am wondering why Neeli was so stupid and lived in some dreams but thats how emotions make you look sometime. But the good end made me feel good about the story.

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Review: Self-Help for the Helpless: A Beginner’s Guide to Personal Development, Understanding Self-care, and Becoming Your Authentic Self

Self-Help for the Helpless: A Beginner’s Guide to Personal Development, Understanding Self-care, and Becoming Your Authentic Self by Shelley Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Self help is a continuous effort where you are clear and determined on what exactly you want in life and make efforts towards achieving them. I think the self help world is for the people who are determined to make the changes happen, for one who can implement the expert’s suggestions. If a person is already going through a tough time he is already learning from life, He probably doesn’t need any help from the self help world unless he is lost and confused about his life and purpose.

In this book the author talks about , first identifying what is important to you and your life, and second what are your core values and how to build your life around that to make it worthy.

She lays out a 31 day self help toolkit to discover your authentic self and make your moves accordingly in your life.

I liked this book. In this book the author is aware of why self help doesn't work for many people and her toolkit just makes sures that you do not fall into that category.

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Review: Mann Aangan । मन आँगन

Mann Aangan । मन आँगन by garima verma
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

[YouTube- Mann Aangan । मन आँगन by garima verma ]

आँगन, घर का वो सजीव हिस्सा जो हमेशा लोगों से खिलखिलाता रहता हैं. इस किताब मे जो स्टोरीज हैं वो एक दूसरे पे डिपेंडेंट नहीं है लेकिन कनेक्टेड जरूर हैं , काफी कैरक्टर्स वही रहते है, मुझे लगा की ऑथर ने एक घर की कहानी को इस किताब के माध्यम से बताया है. कहानिया अच्छी हैं. होली, पूजा, सेलेब्रेशन्स, शादी - ब्याह की रस्मे , जनम - मृत्यु के संस्कार सभी एक आंगन में ही होते हैं और सभी कहानिया उन्ही से रिलेटेड हैं और मैं इन कहानियों से कनेक्ट कर पाया.

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Review: Give Thanks: You Can Reach Out and Spread Joy! 50 Gratitude Activities Games

Give Thanks: You Can Reach Out and Spread Joy! 50 Gratitude Activities Games by Naomi Shulman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Being thankful and gratitude for something is always a nice thing and this book gives 50 such opportunities for all of us including kids and adults to be thankful for the things in life. The good thing is that kids do not fall prey to mental illnesses like depression so easily but the adults do and in time like those it's important to show gratitude for the things that we have in life and not crib about the things that we do not have.

Over all I liked this book but I am still wondering if there are any downsides of being too thankful for the things in life ? Can't the kids take few things for granted like the love of the elders in the family ? 

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Review: Tales of Man Singh

Tales of Man Singh by Kenneth Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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कहानी कम्युनिस्टों की by संदीप देव | A book review

इस किताब "कहानी कम्युनिस्टों की" में राइटर संदीप देव कम्युनितस्टों  की आइडियोलॉजी , उनके भारतीय आज़ादी में नेगेटिव रोल , भारत व् चीन वॉर में किस तरह कम्युनिस्टों के धड़े ने चीन का पक्ष ओपनली लिया   एवं आज़ादी के बाद किस तरह उन्होंने देश की महत्व पूर्ण संस्थाओं अपना कब्ज़ा करके इतिहास , इकॉनमी एवं फॉरेन पालिसी को अपनी पार्टी के स्वार्थ के लिए इस्तेमाल किया पर बात करते है।   

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work | A Book Review

John Gottman's "Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" provides in detail a person could have a healthy marriage. The same principles can also be applied to romantic relationships in general and perhaps even just friendships.

Overcoming Procrastination By Michelle Tullier

This book talks about 10 strategies to overcome Procrastination -

1.) Get Fired Up : Think through the potential negative consequences from procrastination.

2.) Get Organized : Clear the clutter and chaos in your life.

3.) Prioritize : Organize a schedule for getting routine tasks done then do the other interesting things.

4.) Find Freedom in Routine : Having a routine for recurring tasks will keep you from worrying about it rest of the time. Feel free to vary your routine.

5.) Get Comfortable : IF you are not able to make any progress in your current task, then, move to some comfortable place and try again.

6.) Use Positive Self-Talk : Avoid isolation. Reach out to people and to sources of information and get moving.

7.) Use Positive Self-Talk : The messages that play in your head have a great deal of power over your behavior.

8.) Focus on Do Dates, not Due Dates: Set mini-deadlines that come before the final deadline.

9.) Use the Chip-Away Technique : Chip away the big Projects with little bits of action here and there.

10.) Play Trick or Treat : Sneak up Procrastination with tricks and treats that Motivate you to take action.

बोलना ही है by रवीश कुमार | A book Review

"बोलना ही है" इस किताब में रवीश कुमार अपने पाठकों हर issue पर बोलने के लिए प्रेरित करते हैं। स्वस्थ लोकतंत्र के लिए जरूरी हैं की सही जानकारी लोगो तक पहुंचती रहे। फेक न्यूज़ , propagnda , और झूठे इतिहास से हमेशा एक ऐसी भीड़ बनती हैं जिससे देश और सोसाइटी का नुकसान होता है इस सभी चीज़ों का ज़िक्र रविश कुमार अपने लेखों में कर रहे हैं।

Build Wealth With common Stocks By David J Waldron | A book Review

This book by the author David J Waldron is about building wealth by investing in the stock market. The author says that An Informed individual investor has a far better chance of getting rich slowly than getting rich fast, and getting rich slowly  is better than not at all.

The author lists 10 principles which exhort the user to be disciple, do not get carried away by the market sentiments , apply common sense and be prepared for the risk that any stock market can have. 

 

While talking about strategies the author talks about defining value proposition, quantifying shareholder yields and a few more.

 

The author has provided a template for a model portfolio which can be used to build a portfolio with a purpose. 

Overall this is a nice book and I want to explore the model portfolio more for fixing my current portfolio. Please do read if you are into the stock market. principles, strategies discussed in this book are applicable globally.

Review: रुकतापुर [Ruktapur]

रुकतापुर [Ruktapur] by Pushyamitra
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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