Dearest Darling Friends,

The CHAIR needs a seat, a back rest and four legs to stand on.

Take away even one thing and it is no longer a chair. Similarly, we too need a few strengths to achieve our goals. Only one strength is rarely enough.

Kishore works very hard but does not get the success he desires. He laments why success is not coming inspite of working so hard.

Well, ‘Working hard’ is one strength, only one strength! Success is distant for this ‘one strength’ of hardwork is not enough.

On analysis, we found the following reasons for Kishore’s lack of success.

1. His cost of finance was very high (15%)

2. His stocks were rolling too slow (3 times annually. Ideally it should be 5 times)

3. His collections was weak and long. (90 days)

Because of the above factors, even if Kishore works hard for the rest of his life, he will not get success.

When I shared this with him, there was a look of surprise on Kishore’s face. A surprise that DID NOT say, “Oh my god, how stupid I have been. I will correct myself immediately!”

His surprise said, “Why are you blaming me? Actually it is my luck that has to change.”

Next week when I met him, he smiled with pride and said, “Naren, I have started a new venture. I am now into real estate. I am sure with my hard work (Oh no), I will succeed.”

Saying so he handed me his business card. To my amusement I found his name is now spelled Kkiisshore.

There was so much confidence on his face, I was taken aback. Oh no! I braced myself again. With only one leg, he was again going to make a chair of four legs? And when the chair will not come out as a chair, this time who will be blamed?

Kishore has taken assistance and guidance of someone who has suggested change in name spelling. If this does not work and I am pretty sure it won’t, who or what will he turn to?

• Will he resort to hopeful religious rituals (continuing to work the same way)?

• Will he start wearing rings with different stones (still working the same way)?

• When will he realise that besides one leg the chair maker needs three more legs, a backrest and a seat to make a chair?

Take any true success story and you will find a set of strengths are required to achieve success.

Analyse the goals you want to achieve. Analyse the set of strengths that are required to achieve those goals. Go and develop them all.

Remember even if the chair has a seat, a backrest and THREE legs, without the remaining leg in place, it is still not a chair. Certainly not a comfortable chair!

With love, prayers and best wishes,