Life Style Archives

The Inspiring Story of Mr Wright & Power of Mind

Jaspal Singh - 1 December 2024

In medicine, hope can often be just as powerful as any treatment. This is especially true in the inspiring story of Mr Wright, shared by Bruno Klopfer in the Journal of Projective Techniques in 1957. Mr Wright was battling a serious form of cancer called lymphosarcoma, which had caused many painful tumours in his body. Doctors believed he had very little time left to live—possibly just a week.

A Desperate Hope to get well

Despite his grim situation, Mr Wright was determined to fight for his life. He had heard about a new drug called Krebiozen, and he believed it could save him. “I want to live,” he told his doctor, Dr. West, pleading for the treatment. Unfortunately, Krebiozen was only available in clinical trials for patients expected to live for at least three months. Since Mr. Wright was too sick to qualify, he felt hopeless. But Mr Wright refused to give up. “I know it can help me,” he repeatedly told Dr. West until the doctor finally agreed to give him Krebiozen.

The Miraculous Turnaround

What happened next when the Doctor injected him? A few days later, Dr. West found Mr. Wright walking around the hospital. “The tumour masses had melted like snowballs on a hot stove,” Dr West described, shocked to see that the tumours had shrunk significantly. After just ten days of treatment, Mr Wright left the hospital, free of cancer and full of life. The inspiring story of Mr Wright did not end here.

For the next two months, Mr. Wright felt fantastic and praised Krebiozen as a miracle drug. “I knew it would work!” he told friends and family, celebrating his health and spirit.

The Dark Turn

However, this happiness didn’t last long. Soon, medical articles began to question the effectiveness of Krebiozen, reporting that it might not work at all. Mr Wright, who had put his faith in the drug, was devastated. “If it doesn’t work, then what hope do I have?” he said, falling into a deep depression, and sadly, his cancer returned.

Dr Wright played a trick

In a desperate bid to help Mr. Wright, Dr. West took a risky approach. He told Mr. Wright that some of the original Krebiozen had degraded during shipping and that he now had a new batch of “highly concentrated, ultra-pure” Krebiozen. “This is the real deal,” he assured Mr. Wright, who was filled with hope again. Dr. West injected him with nothing but distilled water. Incredibly, this trick worked! Mr Wright’s tumours shrank again, fluid in his chest disappeared, and he felt great for another two months. He was back to saying, “I knew it would work!” The inspiring story of Mr Wright continued to surprise everyone.

The Final Blow

Unfortunately, the joy didn’t last. The American Medical Association publicly announced the results of a nationwide study proving Krebiozen was ineffective. With this news, Mr. Wright lost all faith in his treatment. “What hope do I have?” he cried out in despair, and tragically, his cancer returned one last time, leading to his death just two days later.

Mr. Wright’s initial recovery from cancer after receiving Krebiozen highlights the critical role of belief in the placebo effect. When Mr. Wright started treatment, he believed that Krebiozen would save his life. This deep-seated hope and expectation likely played a significant role in his remarkable improvement. Research has shown that when patients have a strong belief that a treatment will work, their brain may produce physiological changes that aid in healing, even if the treatment itself is inactive. The inspiring story of Mr Wright exemplifies this phenomenon.

What is the Placebo Effect? The placebo effect is the phenomenon where a patient experiences a real improvement in their health or symptoms after receiving a treatment that has no therapeutic value, typically because they believe it will help them. This effect highlights the role of psychological factors, such as expectations and beliefs, in influencing physical health outcomes.

Cycle of Optimism and Despair

As Mr. Wright’s faith in Krebiozen waned following the announcement that the drug was ineffective, his health deteriorated rapidly. This reflects the cyclical nature of the placebo effect: a firm belief can lead to positive outcomes, while the loss of that belief can contribute to declines in health. When Mr Wright learned the drug was deemed worthless, this shattered his hope and may have contributed significantly to the resurgence of his cancer.

What the story finally says

Mr. Wright’s story is a powerful reminder of how hope can profoundly affect our lives, even in the face of illness. It highlights the ethical challenges doctors face when trying to instil hope in their patients. While Mr. Wright’s belief in Krebiozen led to remarkable moments of recovery, it also underscores the vulnerability of patients who place their trust in medical treatments. The inspiring story of Mr Wright is a testament to the power of hope.

As we reflect on this journey, we can remember the words of Mr. Wright: “I want to live.” His fighting spirit serves as an example of the human desire to hold on to hope, even when things seem hopeless. This inspiring story of Mr Wright serves as a critical point for understanding how human psychology plays a role in medicine, emphasizing the importance of fostering hope and positive patient-physician relationships in healthcare.

2 0

Setting Goals with the Right Mindset

Jaspal Singh - 8 September 2024

Setting goals is essential to success in any area of life. But setting goals without the right mindset is like embarking on a journey without a map or compass. A goal-oriented mindset provides the inner drive, clarity, and determination to pursue our dreams. As Stephen Covey writes in his well-known book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, ‘Begin with the end in mind.’ This means having a clear vision of your goal is the first step, but achieving it requires a mindset focused on growth, resilience, and perseverance.

This write-up will explore setting goals effectively while fostering the right mindset to ensure success. We’ll examine the importance of believing in yourself, maintaining focus, being resilient, and learning from setbacks. Quotes from well-known books, including a few from Indian authors, will provide added inspiration and guidance.

1. The Importance of a Positive Mindset

A positive mindset is one of the most crucial factors in setting and achieving goals. As Norman Vincent Peale, author of ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’, writes, ‘Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without humble but reasonable confidence in your powers, you cannot be successful or happy.’

Having a positive mindset means looking at challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities for growth. When you set a goal, the journey will not always be smooth, but staying positive will help you persevere during difficult times. With the right mindset, even failures can be viewed as stepping stones to success.

Indian author Shiv Khera, in his bestselling book ‘You Can Win’, emphasizes the power of self-belief. He writes, ‘Winners don’t do different things, they do things differently.‘His words remind us that adopting a winner’s mindset is about how you approach problems and persist in the face of adversity. When you believe in your ability to succeed, you’re more likely to take the necessary steps to achieve your goals, even if the path ahead looks daunting.

2. Setting SMART Goals

The SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) is one of the most effective methods for setting clear and actionable goals. Coupled with a positive mindset, it provides the structure and motivation needed to stay on track.

Specific: Your goals should be clear and well-defined. Avoid setting vague goals like ‘I want to get fit.’ Instead, say, ‘I want to lose 5 kilograms in three months by exercising three times a week and following a healthy diet.’

Measurable: Tracking your progress is crucial for staying motivated. For instance, if you aim to write a book, you might set a goal of writing 500 words a day. This makes your goal measurable and ensures that you can see your progress.

Achievable: While it’s essential to aim high, make sure your goals are realistic and within reach. Setting overly ambitious goals without a plan can lead to frustration and burnout. Instead, start small and build momentum as you achieve smaller milestones.

Relevant: Your goals should align with your broader life purpose. Ask yourself, ‘Why is this goal important to me?’ This ensures that you remain committed even when challenges arise.

Time-bound: Deadlines create urgency and accountability. Without a set timeframe, goals can easily be postponed indefinitely. A time-bound goal like “I will run a marathon in six months” provides a clear target.

In his book ‘Think and Grow Rich‘, Napoleon Hill emphasizes the importance of clarity and planning in goal setting. He writes, ‘A goal is a dream with a deadline.’ This quote highlights the necessity of setting specific timeframes and committing to them.

3. Resilience: The Key to Overcoming Setbacks

Resilience is an essential quality in achieving long-term goals. No matter how well you plan or how motivated you are, there will inevitably be challenges along the way. What sets successful people apart is their ability to bounce back from setbacks.

In ‘Wings of Fire‘, the autobiography of former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he describes the numerous challenges he faced as a scientist working on India’s missile program. Despite multiple failures, Kalam remained resilient and committed to his vision of success. He writes, ‘Dreams are not those which come while we are sleeping, but dreams are those when you don’t sleep before fulfilling them.’ His words underscore the importance of staying focused and resilient when pursuing your goals, no matter how difficult the journey becomes.

The ability to learn from failure is a hallmark of resilience. As J. K. Rowling famously said, ‘It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all.’ Failures offer valuable lessons, and with the right mindset, every setback becomes an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger.

4. Focus: The Bridge Between Goals and Success

Focus is one of the most critical factors in goal achievement. Many people set goals but become distracted along the way, losing sight of what they’re trying to achieve. In ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’, Indian Canadian author Robin Sharma writes, ‘The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.’ This quote reminds us of the importance of controlling our thoughts and staying focused on what matters.

When you set a goal, it’s easy to become sidetracked by daily distractions or to lose motivation when progress is slow. That’s why it’s essential to remain focused and remind yourself regularly of why you set that goal.

One practical way to maintain focus is by breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This not only makes your goal less overwhelming but also allows you to track your progress more easily. Each small win builds momentum, helping you stay focused and motivated over the long term.

5. Believing in Yourself: The Power of Self-Confidence

Self-belief is the foundation upon which all successful goal-setting is built. If you don’t believe in your ability to achieve your goals, you’re likely to give up at the first sign of difficulty. As Swami Vivekananda, one of India’s greatest philosophers, once said, ‘You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.’

Believing in yourself means recognizing that you have the inner strength and capabilities to achieve whatever you set your mind to. It doesn’t mean that success will come easily or that you won’t encounter failures, but it does mean that you trust yourself to overcome those obstacles and keep moving forward.

Louise Hay, in her book ‘You Can Heal Your Life’, reminds us of the power of positive affirmations. She writes, ‘You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.’ By practising self-love and affirming your strengths, you develop the inner confidence necessary to persist in the face of challenges.

6. Embracing the Process

While it’s essential to stay focused on your goal, it’s equally important to enjoy working toward it. As the famous Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, ‘The secret of success is to enjoy the journey.’ When you fall in love with the process, setbacks become easier to handle, and progress becomes more meaningful.

In his book ‘Atomic Habits’, James Clear highlights the value of small, incremental progress. He writes, ‘Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.’ This perspective encourages us to focus on developing the right habits and systems that will eventually lead to our desired outcome.

By focusing on the process rather than just the result, you ensure that you’re not just living for a future goal, but making every day count toward personal growth.

In the last..

Setting goals with the right mindset is the key to achieving long-term success. Whether you’re setting SMART goals, practising resilience, staying focused, or believing in yourself, the mindset you cultivate plays a pivotal role in determining your outcomes. Remember that the journey to success is often filled with challenges, but with a positive mindset, you can overcome any obstacle. As Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam wisely said, ‘Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in the second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.‘ Stay resilient, stay focused, and most importantly, believe in yourself.

By embracing a growth mindset, you’ll not only achieve your goals but also transform into a stronger, more resilient version of yourself.

2 0

Working from home is the future of work

Jaspal Singh - 6 May 2020

Updated on August 6th, 2023

We all are passing through a worldwide pandemic, named COVID-19 and the situation has compelled us for working from home. Almost and every part of the world is severely affected by this health crisis. The numbers of causalities are rising day by day, although few nationalities seem to have controlled the spread of disease to some extent. Governments have ordered the complete or partial closures of life activities; businesses and offices are shut down. And still, there is no certainty when life will come to its normal routine.

In this scenario, when we all are sitting at home, few new ideas are also developing. Life never stops for anyone in any situation. It always creates new tracks and better opportunities. No matter how many setbacks you get but the basic principle of life remains the same. In today’s situation, we are learning new things. Technology is playing an important role these days.

Working from home is not a new idea to us, but it has become more focused nowadays. I have felt and learned from the present situation that working from home doesn’t mean that you lose your job or professionalism; rather, it creates a better work environment. The idea of working from home is awesome. You are sitting with your family surrounding you. Your cat or dog is staring at you, and you are involved in your official work. Such an environment is never boring; rather, it increases your productivity.

During my travels and meeting different people, I always heard the concept of working from home. I was thinking about the concept and believed it is not for everybody. Sometimes professionals from the call centre sector, some other consultancies, and a few more used to work from home and at different hours due to time variation between nationalities. Being in the sector of International Education consultancy, I tried this concept with few staff members. Reasons for trying this concept were different, including changed family circumstances of staff members and not losing my performing staff. I experienced that idea really work, and those staff members are still working for my office and really performing.

Successful people are always focused on their work, so staying at home cannot stop you from being more productive. So many different modes of communication are being used to operate work activities while sitting at your home.

In the present scenario, it is a new way of working. I have seen in my circles that everybody is discovering new methods of working remotely. Today we have so many options like Zoom, Skype, Facebook LIVE, Webinars, and other such options to interact with clients and staff. Many professionals like doctors, consultants, IT people are already using these tools, but the present situation has given a big boost to shift on these modes of communications. Many Colleges, Schools & Universities have started online lessons and video conferencing classes. There is nothing wrong if I say work is changed forever. The concept of working from home can boost productivity if we learn the right ways on how to set up our working style at home.

Fixing schedule for the day

While working from home, you get more flexibility to manage your time. In the early morning, when you wake up, you can easily switch on your computer and check few things like emails received and plan to reply to them as per your priority. As you will not get ready, dress up for the office, so you get plenty of time to schedule your tasks. You get the option to put on a pot of tea or coffee and start working. Same you can add a few tasks before going to bed at night.

Here I would like to suggest few tips. Start doing some things, what you normally do, when you are working from the office. Setting alarm in the morning, having breakfast and coffee, wearing a nice dress up, and fixing the schedule of things. Feeling like you are in the office is really important; otherwise, homely things will start distracting you.

Fixing a schedule for each day is significant to make your work and effort really productive. I agree we can’t generalize challenges that everybody faces while working at home. For some, it may be straightforward, and few may feel it challenging to stay focused. If we fix a fixed schedule, it will certainly help to maintain a working environment. Fixing things like coffee breaks, lunch timing will be supporting things for better coordination between team members.

Make list of task and update your status

When you are at your home office, no one is watching you. There is no boss, so you don’t feel any pressure to get stuff done immediately. But you have to keep in mind the necessity of completing that work done on time.

When you are sitting in your home, a lot of distractions and temptations may affect your work. Being transparent to your manager or other team members is essential; otherwise, the team’s productivity will get affected. In case, because of some reason, you are not on your computer, your team must know it. Making a list of tasks and sharing it with team members can be helpful. Updating your status regularly through any mode of communication will develop more confidence with team members.

Few brakes are necessary for better performance. Having tea or coffee breaks will improve your productivity, but you must manage your connectivity with your team during such breaks.

Choose right place and tools to work

Here I am going to share an essential aspect of working from home. Working from home doesn’t mean that you are not as planned and scheduled as others sitting in the office. It would help if you had proper space and working area that supports your effective working. This purpose needs a particular room or space. All this will help you get into the right frame of a working mind.

The working environment certainly affects your performance, so you must choose the right place to work from home. I agree everybody is not having a home office. We need to set up some right place to sit and work. The room should be with minimum distractions and with unnecessary noises. An easy sitting place will be helpful.

Other tools like computers, cameras, and headphones are also important. Headphones can add more quality to all conversations and staff meetings. The selection of communication software should be easy to use for everybody. In short, we can say that working need support of working tools and we should select best one.

While concluding my article, I would like to add that working from home is the future of working. Even after the fading of the COVID crises, people will not stop working from home. Rather, few will adopt it as a new way to work. I feel I will not stop going office, but I will still fix some days in a week to work from home. It is easier, more productive, and relaxing as well. If you give the same privilege to your staff, they will feel more attached to your company, and there will be very few chances of their leaving your team.

3 2

Endless Avenues

Sharing Travel memories & Viewpoints

Posts for Life Style