While setting up a company, people talk a lot about innovation. Being innovative while bringing a product or service to market is not enough. For a company, it is imperative that they maintain a culture of innovation within the organisation. In an atmosphere where innovation is widely accepted, new ideas are welcomed, and creativity is encouraged, a company like this will always stay ahead of the competition. 

Personally, I have always been a lover of innovation. Maybe that is why I could leave the position of a technocrat and start working in sales and marketing, which actually helped the company get millions of dollars in revenue. It was my thirst for innovation and creativity that led me to the next phase of my career, as an entrepreneur after leaving my lucrative career at its peak. This is the reason why, in my company, I love to work with team members who don’t shy away from being innovative and resourceful. This quality reflects how they can be if given a leadership position. 
 
Example of Innovative Culture in Organizations

When it comes to fostering an innovative culture within the organisation, Google is the best example for anyone. What policies do they have to encourage innovation?
 
Google’s famous 20% time policy is actually about encouraging the staff to spend 20% of their time outside of the primary responsibilities of their projects. During this time, they can pursue their passion project, work on new innovative concepts, and so on. 

Their innovation labs and hackathons encourage the team members to collaborate and brainstorm together. 

Google stresses a "fail-first" policy that allows the staff to approach a project without the fear of failing. The perception of treating failures as learning experiences is a great thing.
Google’s supportive leadership has made it possible for the company to establish a culture of innovation quite organically.
 
In fact, in my personal experience, I have seen that people, given a chance and a changed environment, can even perform better. I have worked with excellent team players as well as geniuses who prefer to work alone. Often, the ones who are lone wolves underperform when forced into a team. But when they are working alone, they are outstanding. To recognise these qualities in your employees, you must create a culture of innovation in your organisation.
 
The Importance of Innovation Culture within the Organisation

Innovation culture is a certain type of work culture that encourages innovation and fosters an environment where employees collaborate and brainstorm together to ensure growth. 
 
What is the importance of an innovation culture? Take a look.
 
The market's needs are constantly changing. To keep up with that, any company needs to change their business model, create new products, and go beyond the traditional ways to meet the customer’s expectations. This can happen with innovation. Companies that foster an innovation culture can come up with unique new ideas that solve problems for consumers while penetrating the relevant market. 

As a leader, you want to hire the best talent out there. But what is the point of that if you force these talents into a pre-determined culture that has existed for ages? Instead, you should encourage them to innovate, rely on their insights, and value their input. That will ensure their personal growth and the company's growth. 

You launch a new product that will solve problems for your customers. Now, your competitor will launch something similar with a little bit of tweaking here and there to engulf your market. To outrun them, some other company will do the same. But how can you get ahead of this rat race? Your innovation culture will help you come up with something unique for a pain point that your competitors have yet to think about. That happens when you let your team members be innovative. 
 
So, how can you be an innovative parent and foster a culture that ensures sustainable growth for your organisation? Follow these steps for that:
 
Support Diversity and Inclusion
 
In a rapidly changing world and perceptions, it has become paramount for an organisation to not only acknowledge but also support diversity and inclusion. People from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and communities should feel safe in the work environment to express their ideas and opinions. LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as people of colour and women, should all get not only equal opportunities but also their inputs valued at work. To create such an environment, a leader should be proactive. 
 
Create Positive Energy
 
People in leadership positions should be accountable for creating positive energy at work. No matter how talented your team is, if they are working with a sword hanging over their heads that one mistake can lead to unemployment, then they will never be able to innovate and perform. Create a culture where mistakes are accepted. For that, as a leader, you have to become self aware. We all make mistakes, don’t we? Mistakes are how we learn. One mistake means you get another chance to do it right. So, encourage your team members to innovate. Tell them that even if they make mistakes, they can still get another chance. Your positive energy should be infectious to make them feel more positive. 
 
Invest in Their Growth
 
I strongly believe in empowering staff members. When I hire people, I make sure that I am onboarding the right talent for the job. Now, to make them feel valued and accountable within the organisation, it is necessary to empower them. So, I believe in investing in them. At MSys, we offer multiple training and upskilling programs along with certifications that help them become empowered. In turn, they will come up with innovative solutions to problems that will help the organisation grow faster. So, if you want to create an innovation culture, investing in and empowering your employees is a must. 
 
To sum up, an innovation culture looks and feels democratic, where everyone is treated equally and given equal opportunities. This culture encourages learning, achieving, and being forthcoming with input. Build your organisation this way, and you never have to worry about its progress and growth.

How to create a culture of innovation

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An organisation should foster an innovation culture to ensure that its employees can learn, be creative, and innovate. Read the article to know more about innovation culture.

How to Create an Innovation Culture

What do you think of when you hear the word "story"? I can bet that you are imagining a paperback that you might enjoy on your next beach holiday while you sip from your glass of martini. Or something, a fable or a tale, that you have listened to while growing up. If you are from India, then you surely know how storytelling has been an integral part of our childhood and culture. 

We all grew up listening to stories. As a child, mythology fascinated me. While I grew up with the stories of freedom fighters and their hardships, the stories of thought leaders who transformed society despite multiple obstacles inspired me a lot. Most of the time, the personal stories touch a chord inside my heart. And why wouldn't it? Personal stories have an emotional connection and authenticity. They are weaved into cultural and social contexts to inspire and empower people. These stories connect people to their heroes or the ones they look up to. That is why personal stories work so well. 

Even though we have come so far, in terms of technology and innovations, the appeal of stories is still undeniable. Now, if you are a leader who wants to inspire people or a brand that wants to connect more with potential customers, you need to be a master storyteller. 
 
The Role of Stories in My Life

I grew up listening to stories about my grandfather. He used to live in Fateh Jung in undivided India, and his workplace was in Peshawar. He used to run brick kilns in Peshawar in those days. During the partition, he left his home and business in Pakistan and came to India with the family to start from scratch. Little did Pitaji (as I lovingly called my grandfather) know back then that his stories of business, hard work, and dedication were actually planting the seed of becoming an entrepreneur in my mind. That is the power of storytelling.

When a story inspires you so much that it not only makes you feel good but also gives your life a new direction, you know that the storyteller is the one to thank. So, when you are a leader telling the story of your success to your audience, telling them what you have learned on your journey and how that has shaped your life so far, make sure it is captivating and inspiring enough. It should inspire them to not only like and comment on your Reels but also to follow in your footsteps in real life. 

Similarly, if you are the owner of a brand, no matter what product or service you are bringing to market, your story should play a pivotal role in your marketing strategy. In my experience, people don’t trust random brands because of their promotions. People trust people. So, if your brand is humane enough to connect with your target audience, and catch their pulse with the right kind of content, your potential customers will trust you. And that can happen with the help of amazing storytelling. 

Stories and Consumerism

In today’s world, the expenses of living are skyrocketing every day. Consumers are much more conscious now, and they prefer to make informed decisions before engaging with any brand. This is where storytelling comes into play.

In my mentorship calls, I keep getting questions like, "How do I market my brand?", or "How much do I need to spend on advertising for my brand so that people engage with me?" Well, I am saying the same thing here that I tell them. Given the current economic climate, of rising inflation and recession, consumers have become more sensitive about what they are buying. At the same time, global warming and challenges to the climate also play an important role in their purchase decisions. 

Stories are powerful tools in that way. Stories establish a connection with the conscious and even subconscious minds of human beings. That is why subliminal messages are often hidden in stories and advertisements. A story is different from a brand narrative, which often makes an outright sales pitch to make customers buy from them. Stories are more authentic, which is perfect for creating a personal connection with the consumer. 

Some of the Best Brand Storytelling
 
We all remember the famous Cadbury ad where a girl sits in the gallery watching a cricket match and bites on a Cadbury with a worried face. And the moment, the batsman strikes an over boundary, she comes down on the ground, dodges the umpire, and does a crazy dance on the pitch. How many women in the 90s actually found that one ad so fun, fresh, and inspiring that they also dreamed of doing something like that? In fact, her dance became so famous that people mimicked it even much later. That was a great story, I think. Women are often believed to be far from sports. This preconceived notion gets swiped away by this one ad, where this girl shows that women not only understand sports but can also celebrate them with equal enthusiasm as men, if not more. And what better way to do so than with Cadbury?

Today, the Patanjali brand has become very popular in India. If you see, they do not invest so much in brand advertising. But they caught the attention of Indian buyers with their storytelling. Modern Indian consumers are shifting more towards products that are authentic, natural, anti-cruelty, vegan, and organic. Patanjali has told them the story of the revival of our ayurveda and how that can help in healing and wellbeing. That did the trick. 

So, as you can see, the story of the brand or the story in the content should be engaging and inspiring so that the audience falls in love with your brand. 
How to be a Master Storyteller

The tips that I am going to share now are time-tested ones. So, pay attention to them and try to implement them where you can. 
 <ul>
<li> Choose your character. What are you? Are you a friend, an ally, or an authentic source of knowledge? Choose who you want to be depending on the buyer’s personality. </li>
<li> Connect to emotions. Today’s purchase decisions are just about brand loyalty. Connect with emotions. NRIs who miss "Ghar ka Khana", will drop by an authentic Indian restaurant, as that connects with their emotions. Someone who feels strongly about feminism is more likely to engage with brands that break gender stereotypes and perhaps, have female leadership. So, you get the gist.</li>
<li> Be original. When your competitors are crowding your potential customers, your originality will make you stand out. </li>
<li> Finally, know when to stop. A storyteller does not ask the listeners to come back again; the listeners go back for the stories. </li></ul>

Storytelling and influencing people are about creating an authentic narrative that makes your audience feel adequate. Those who follow you should feel, "If this man can, we can too." That is how to tell a story, and that is how you lead.

The Power of Storytelling

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Storytelling is an essential skill for a leader, an influencer, and a marketer. So, can you tell a story that matters? Read the article to know how to do it. 

How to Tell a Story

For Indians, studying abroad has always been a lucrative idea that everyone has aspired to but only a few could achieve. While studying abroad is an amazing opportunity for anyone, most people don’t go for it because of the excessive expenses. If you aspire to travel abroad and get a degree that will open doors for multiple avenues for you, then you might do it without worrying about expenses. 
 
According to CNBC TV 18, India and China are the biggest sources of international students all over the world. As per research conducted by the British Council, around 40% of MNCs look for employees who have an international education. That is why getting an international education is now crucial for anyone. Apart from that, there are some other benefits of studying abroad, like:
<ul>
<li>Multicultural education and proficiency</li>
<li> Exposure</li>
<li> Networking opportunities</li>
<li> Diverse course options</li>
<li>Lifetime experience</li></ul>
 
So, if you are someone who wants to pursue a degree abroad, then you are at the right place. You don’t have to worry about the expenses, as there are some great government scholarships and funding options available for students studying abroad. 
 
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Scholarship

This is one of the most well-known merit and need-based scholarships for Indian students who want to study abroad. With this scholarship, students with outstanding performance can get a chance to finish their Master’s degree at selected colleges and universities in the US. The students should complete US equivalent bachelor’s degree and must have at least three years of working experience. Also, students must have leadership qualities, as the scholarship aims to aid future leaders of the country. Along with the funding for education, you can get the cost of living and other expenses, tuition fees, and J-1 Visa support.
 
National Overseas Scholarship

This scholarship was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The aim is to promote social and economic development and justice. The beneficiary of this scholarship is from a low-income group in society, especially those who belong to the scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, and other backward classes. Agricultural labourers with no land, and artisans of local art and traditions are also included in this scholarship. This is given to pursue a Master’s degree, Ph.D., or post-doctoral degree abroad. In fact, there is a 30% seat reserved for women aspirants too. 

The JN Tata Endowment - Higher Education of Indians

This is a one-time loan scholarship for Indian students who want to do full-time postgraduate, Ph.D., post-doctoral, and research fellowships. Even though this scholarship does not cover the whole expense of education, those with outstanding performance can obtain a partial travel grant of 50,000. The loan amount can range from 1,00,000 to 10,00,000. An online test and interview will determine whether the applicant is eligible for the scholarship or not. This test will not be subject-specific. Rather, it is based on thinking skill assessment. 
 
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees are master's-level study programmes for which the EU provides financing to grant scholarships to Indian students. An international collaboration of higher education institutions (HEIs) designs and delivers an EMJM study programme. An EMJM consists of at least three HEIs from three different countries (at least two of which must be EU member states). As a result, students have the opportunity to study in at least two European nations. The scholarship covers tuition, air travel, insurance premiums, and living expenses, although the amount varies depending on the country and course chosen.
 
There are many other scholarships available for students who aspire to obtain degrees from international schools and universities. So, if you want to travel abroad with a dream of achieving big, don’t stop yourself because of financial constraints. Expand your horizons and find out what scholarships will suit your case. Apply soon, prepare, and spread your wings.

Supporting Education in India: Scholarships and Funding Initiatives for NRIs

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Indian government and many private entities offer scholarships and funding options for students who want to study abroad. Read the article to learn more about it. 

 Scholarships to Study Aboad

As a frequent flier, when I travel by plane, I have a habit of striking up conversations with people. This sometimes turns out to be a remarkable experience. So, on my way to India from the US a few weeks ago with my wife, I had a conversation with an NRI who, just like me, runs a company in the US.


While having a conversation with him, I got to know about his recent stress, his son’s decision to quit grad school and start his business. Even though his son started a business a year ago and acquired initial funding, as a father, this man is still not at ease. As an NRI, doing a job in a foreign land, he has experienced life differently. And now, that his son is creating his own path, the father feels uncertain about his financial security and stability.
The Difference between Generations in a Family
This conversation made me realise that this is actually a problem for many people all over the world. When our kids are in their initial years, they live up by our expectations. But when they grow up, it is natural for them to choose their own journey. But as their parents, we often don’t agree with the choices they make. Call it a generational gap or a gap in communication, but while we feel sad that our kids are not respecting our traditions and opinions, they feel frustrated as we as parents fail to understand them. And often, this becomes a huge reason for a lasting conflict. But how about we change this now?
What Have I Learned from My Life


My grandfather, in his time, was an entrepreneur. In Peshwar, he had a thriving business of brick kilns. During partition, he had to leave that behind and come to Delhi and settle with his family. While the next generation, my father and uncle, decided to go for government jobs, their next generation, I, decided to join IT at the time of the internet boom. When I moved to the US, I had a thriving career in IT and later in sales and marketing. From there, I decided to become an entrepreneur. Today, my son, Suraj, is carving his own path, making his own choices. While we all come from the same family, our times and lives are very different from each other. That is why the decisions we have to make are different too. The main thing that we needed was to communicate our decisions well and respectfully. To me, this can solve the conflict between generations.

Managing Family Expectations While Priorotising Your Desires
This is a delicate balance to strike. Not letting go of our traditions while still making personal choices can become easier in the following ways:
<ul>
<li>
Separate Expectations from Goals


In any Indian family, even today, parents think of white collar jobs as the best thing for their kids. But it is high time that we understand that time has changed. We are living in an age where people, from a very young age, start to innovate. Someone who is meant to break new ground cannot fit into the boxes society has created. Do you remember that scene from 3 Idiots where Rancho says what if Lata Mangeshkar’s father told her to play cricket or Sachin Tendular’s father told him to sing! So, as parents, your duty should be to separate your expectations from your kids goals. Let them chart their own course and experience life their own way.

</li>
<li>
Communicate and Understand


Maybe you are the first generation in your family to settle abroad. That shaped your life. But your child grew up in a foreign land with their own perceptions. It might not be easy to always understand them. But there is a solution. Communicate with them. Try to understand what they want from their lives and respect that.

</li>
<li>
Loose the Grip


When a child lets go of their parent’s hand for the first time, it makes the parent proud and worried at the same time. Similarly, when your kids are building their own lives, it might make you worry about them. After all, you never want them to face uncertainty or failure. But that’s how we learn, don’t we? Unless they make mistakes, fail a few times, and take a few detours, they will not learn. So, let them be. Let go of your grip and let them find their own way.


Having patience and a willingness to adjust are two ways you can manage your expectations while your next generation achieves their goals. Have faith that while making personal choices, your kids will still respect the values you have instilled in them.

</li>
</ul>

Managing Family Expectations: Balancing Tradition and Personal Aspirations 

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At times, families might expect different things from the next generation than what they want for themselves. The personal goals of each member should be respected. Read the article to know more.

How to Manage Family Expectations

Since the emergence of the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT, AI has become the most tossed-around term in the IT sector. In fact, it is wider than just information technology. Sectors like healthcare, automotive, hospitality, and even government are seriously considering AI. While this technology has been incorporated into various industries, there is also the fear of losing jobs due to the efficiency and advanced operations of AI. So, people keep asking me what I think about it.&nbsp; So, a month or so ago, I came across a forwarded message on my WhatsApp that ChatGPT could write a poem. I'm not exactly a poet, but I can still tell you how good poetry reads. And it was a good poem! When people used to talk about AI before, it used to be about mechanical chatbots or different software for tasks. But this AI could almost think and feel like a human being to write a poem, \"almost\" being the keyword here. Within a couple of days, a newspaper reported that ChatGPT had cleared the exams at the US Law School. Well, we are finally living in the era of sci-fi films! But again, I would stress the word \"almost\".&nbsp; What is AI? AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to machines that can perform the tasks for which human intelligence is required. AI can do simpler tasks like organising data as well as complex tasks like communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. Owing to the current growth of AI technology, the buzz is that it might become the reason for many job losses. Can Artificial Intelligence Replace Human Intelligence?&nbsp; The morning I sat down to write this piece, I saw the news of Dr. Geoffrey Hinton’s, the \"AI Godfather's,\", resignation from Google. To the BBC, he said that we are living in a dangerous time when AI is \"almost\" as intelligent as human beings and soon it will catch up. In March, an open letter was released and cosigned by the biggies in the AI tech world, including Elon Musk, to stop all development in the AI world after the current version of ChatGPT.&nbsp; As I have said on multiple platforms, AI is not yet equal to the human mind, and I stick by that. However, it is undeniable that it has a lot of potential. Can it become an alternative to human intelligence? Well, in my opinion, the biggest difference between a human being and AI is creativity. As long as humans are creative, there will be no competition. That also leaves the opportunity for upskilling.&nbsp; How Can We Work with AI and How to Prepare for It? AI can be used in various fields that will only enhance the operation. No, we are not in the era of robots where we will all be replaced. That will not happen, at least not now. But what can be done is incorporate AI into business, in areas where efforts are required for repetitive tasks. In any field, repetitive tasks can take a lot of time and be tedious enough to cause unwanted human errors. With the help of AI, this can be changed. With data augmentation, AI can perform this kind of task way better than we, humans do. This reduces the chance of errors too. After all, unlike us, AI does not get bored easily.&nbsp; On the other hand, it frees up a lot of time for the staff so that they can focus on the tasks that demand creativity, innovation, and ideation. This is the scope for the team members upskilling. As AI takes care of the repetitive tasks, they can use the time to train, get certified, innovate, and create. Also, to enable AI more specifically for the&nbsp; requirements of businesses and industry, the workforce needs to be equipped with the proper training and data. This will create more job opportunities in machine learning, data analysis, and AI development. So, instead of thinking about how many are going to be unemployed, we can think of constructive ways to use AI to our advantage. Henry Ford once said, \"Men minus the machine are slaves; men plus the machine are freemen.\" So, you have the potential to be more independent and efficient if you can master how to use machines for your own good. And finally, rely on your creativity.&nbsp;

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Workforce and How to Prepare for It

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With the advancement of AI, businesses can flourish more efficiently if this technology is implemented properly. Read the article to know more. 

The Impact of AI on the Workforce

Do you struggle with procrastination? Here are a few tips to get out of the vicious circle As a teenager when my parents used to nag me for eating my meals on time, doing my homework on time or finishing my chores before I was rewarded with much awaited play time, I would dream about being a carefree adult who could live life on his own terms. Several decades and now a generation later, I fondly remember them for inculcating those good habits and those reminders. Because today we find ourselves looking for root causes to procrastination, which can be easily fixed by going back to our roots and simplifying the ways of our life. This Monday, I hope you start your week with the resolve to get things done, here are some ways you can be cognizant of your procrastination.&nbsp; Quitting procrastination with bad mental health is like riding a broken bike uphill -&nbsp; Examine if this stems from a deeper emotional struggle or a burden that's weighing your mental health down. No matter what formula you try it won't work unless you address the matters of the mind first. Also be kind to yourself when you feel overwhelmed by the quantum of tasks, once you allow yourself to feel it, acknowledge it and overcome it, you will truly find a solution Lists maketh man -&nbsp; It is imperative to start your day with a list of your daily tasks. Even on days when you just cannot get anything done, don’t, make a list of tasks at the very least so that you are vigilant about managing your time. And just as your parents rewarded you for completing the chores, reward yourself too for achieving them&nbsp; Dopamine deficiency -&nbsp; It is proven that when your brain does not produce enough dopamine which is a hormone responsible for satisfaction &amp; motivation, you tend to feel really lethargic &amp; procrastinate. Effective production of dopamine plays a role in many important body functions, including movement, memory and pleasurable reward and motivation. Getting 8 hours of sleep, exercising, dancing, listening to music, meditating, and spending time outdoors in the sun can all boost dopamine levels. Overall, a healthy lifestyle &amp; balanced diet can go a long way in increasing your body's natural production of dopamine and aiding your optimal brain function. Time management- An efficient time management comes from knowing yourself better - learn what are your peak performance timings in a day and keep the hardest tasks for those hours. Avoid lengthy calls, discussions or interruptions during that time and you will realise most of your output is only dependent on good efficiency. Are too many breaks breaking you?- Understand if a break does you more harm than good then it's better to power through the task. Too many breaks during a task can break your efficiency and too little can burn you out. Find your sweet spot of functionality by recording time taken to do tasks.&nbsp; Eventually, some days will just be too hard to do your best, and that’s okay too. Afterall, boredom fosters creativity!&nbsp;

Do you struggle with procrastination?

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It is very easy to lose hours by scrolling through reels, watching TV or just not meeting any of your deadlines because of lethargy. While we may have evolved to create 1000 distractions that help us procrastinate, what can truly help us break this habit

Do you struggle with procrastination? Here are a few tips to get out of the vicious circle"

When one hears the word legacy, you tend to think about death and what material possessions you leave in case of the event. But death is a very grim outlook so let's talk about life when we examine what leaving a legacy truly means. I read a beautiful quote on the internet that sums this up neatly, ‘Legacy is a gift from the past that helps create a better future’. Your age, profession, and net worth is just a small fraction of it, what beyond it is there to consider? Let's evaluate the building blocks of a legacy.&nbsp; What beyond material possessions? Legacy is families &amp; individuals sharing their choicest ways of life, old books of family recipes, cultures, customs, values, and traditions that shape not one but many generations. I would think one of the biggest legacies my family left me was this indomitable spirit to pursue my dreams. How does one start a new lineage of legacy then? - in order for the next few generations to remember you, first you must decide what is the story you would want to tell them? This story can be in the form of something as small as a trinket or as elaborate as a family ritual of holidays. For my son and more generations to come, I hope to leave them with good memories, value systems, and a strong communication system that helps them evaluate &amp; iron out any difficulties&nbsp; And lastly, how does one build a legacy that also gives them wealth - Well, we can discuss the importance of values &amp; traditions as a legacy all day but even leaving material wealth is just as important. You may think that this is a conversation for my 50s or 60s but that is not true! Most professionals build their wealth well before that age and even with less capital to begin with, the amount can still grow as a substantial pool of wealth if planned well. For starters, an investment in SIPs in your early 20s is imperative to not just build capital but form a habit of saving first and then spending.&nbsp; Look at legacy as a beginning and not the end, a new chapter of reinventing and redefining the norm. A true cultural reset for you and the ones you leave behind.&nbsp;

What is one's legacy?

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Legacy is a gift from the past that helps create a better future. Your age, profession, and net worth is just a small fraction of it, what beyond it is there to consider? Let's evaluate the building blocks of a legacy.

When should you start thinking about your legacy?

When and how often should one take breaks during workday? We have to change the narrative where it's only okay to take a break when you burn out or are on the verge of doing so.&nbsp; Let us equip ourselves with a better understanding of when you should take a break, why you should take it and the most efficient way to take it. This entails breaks between tasks, breaks as in a leave of absence or break of just a few seconds to look away from the screen.&nbsp;<ul><li>Financial planning beyond savings &amp; taxes - While the first quarter of the year is almost over, it's still not too late to book your next vacation and plan your next set of leaves. Pre-empt how many breaks you can take in a year while keeping a buffer for emergencies and sickness. A good financial planning does not just entail savings and taxes but also sparing money for traveling/ any other leisure activity.&nbsp;</li><li>Efficiency vs productivity - Productivity entails how much work you can do in a time frame and efficiency entails how well you utilize your time to do so. Studies show that humans even during their 8 hour shifts are only productive for less than 4 hours as we are not hardwired to sit and work in one place. Hence, know your least productive hours in a day and kick back during that time. If not kick back, you can efficiently use the time to complete relatively easier tasks.&nbsp;</li><li>How many breaks is too many breaks? - Several studies have suggested that it is ideal to take breaks after every 50 minutes, but how to differentiate between a break and a distraction? Well, a break is a disciplined time period that helps you take a step back and give your brain a rest. But when you extend that period at the cost of derailing a task even an entire day, it ends up becoming a problem. Identify the root cause of it, as it can be an early onset of burnout, fatigue and a true need for a longer break.&nbsp;</li></ul>But then what should one do during a break? Well, anything but work or use a screen. Idea of a break should not be to shift from one screen to another, please know that your attention towards the white noise of the internet is not helpful. Instead, move your body, take a walk to grab a beverage, hydrate yourself, take up a menial task which does not require great concentration or just talk! Humans are social animals and a prolonged time working by yourself can take a toll on your mental health. Take breaks for your friends, family and loved ones. After all you work to live and not vice versa.&nbsp;

Breaks from work

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We have to change the narrative where it's only okay to take a break when you burn out\nor are on the verge of doing so. Let us equip ourselves with a better understanding of\nwhen you should take a break, why you should take it and the most efficient way to take it.

Do you take a break or you wait to break? A guide to taking mindful breaks

Assessing the Global Economic Fallout From COVID-19