They would look out for better brush, learn better techniques of brushing, find a better paste, even use additional ideas like flossing the teeth, use mouthwash, try Ayurvedic or Indian ways - the herbal solutions and what not? Their rewards are plenty- the very teeth become first centre of attention or even attraction because of the sparkle and sheen- they may even earn modelling contracts. That's the reward of working towards objective and adding creativity.

The simple example illustrates importance of working towards the objective using activity as a resource. Without achieving the objective, the whole exercise is futile and fruitless - a waste of effort and time.

Coming to vital activities like studies - analyse your approach and compare to just brushing or cleaning. Is it a mechanical process or is it working towards an objective? Are you attending to studies just as a superficial tool for getting a certificate or a source of learning for knowledge? The real goal is knowledge! So work towards this objective and that will turn you into a scholar - an achiever. Attend your classes regularly even if teacher is uninspiring, go to a library and refer books on the subject. And don't forget while doing all this you can have some fun and enjoyment too! 

People join their first job full of enthusiasm and desire for growing higher. Many want a short cut. They want to start at a higher position or higher pay without even knowing anything. So they lose the opportunity even at the interview level. Others after joining are so casual that they treat their job as a source of earning merely a pay package, with little work and a lot of socializing. This very socializing can be used for learning to do the job right. By having objective of growth one can start becoming smarter and better and shine out. But very few do this. Most of them drift in idle talk, gossip, office politics and with this lack of focus or objective, people deteriorate and as human nature is they always have someone else or something else to blame.
Lastly, even companies have sole objective of making money and beating competition. So they lose sight of rendering quality service or supplying quality goods. They cut costs at wrong places and overspend on advertisement instead of wisely adding value and enhancing quality. They use tools like marketing strategies for greater market share, but fail to achieve the real growth.

Thus, whether its students, employed persons or companies, if they are mechanical and just money minded, or indulge in showmanship instead of genuine efforts and care, they are bound to have a fall. We all know that false feathers may shine better but they don't let you fly. So as individuals let us start sparkling in our activities instead of the superficial brushing and whether you are a student, a house holder, or a new career entrant or even a big boss you will surely rise high. Let us not forget to switch over from brushing to sparkling for real growth.

(New approach to your performance is easy through learning new ideas and use of new tools to become skilled. ‘Opportunities Today’ guides its reader about new ideas and those in Mumbai can also get information about such workshops where one can undergo training in “Success Achievement Skills” as well as human relations, customer service and presentations. Just drop a line to OT Helpline, P.O. box 6493, Mumbai 400016.)