SELF-HELP and motivation can be quite the contested subject for many. Outsiders proffering advice on our lives, but perhaps coming from a very different set of lived experiences. However, sometimes we all need bursts of guidance or "sage advice" to help us put things in perspective, realign our thought processes, and help us strategise for a clearer path forward.
Whether we're looking to inch forward or to catapult by leaps and bounds, "the power is within us", or so believes Malaysian transformation coach and veteran corporate trainer Dr Thana Sathasivam, who's put together her lifelong experience in her recently published maiden literary outing, Unleash Your Inner Sage.
In her book, she shares lessons learnt and effective strategies developed from over 25 years of corporate and academic success. Readers are guided on how they can use their inner strength to push themselves in various areas of their lives.
She also helps readers to understand how they can use their mind model and inner voice to their advantage in taking real action. We learn of the many ways we can break free from the conditioning experience that we've all endured as part of growing up, and to use these techniques to achieve our goals and desires.
AN ASIAN PERSPECTIVE
Thana's own experience from childhood has taught her the importance of developing one's mindset to strengthen our capabilities to support our personal mind model, so that we can progress further and better, and start achieving our dreams.
What's unique and interesting about this book is the Asian perspective that it brings. Many books out there tend to give us a more "Westernised" set of tools and perspectives. Thana, however, brings a very down-to-earth Malaysian-Asian worldview to the challenges we all face. This cultural context, both in understanding and in presentation, ensures that Unleash Your Inner Sage is accessible to all Malaysians.
"There's a conditioning that takes place during our younger days and at various stages.
"We go through that process and once that's in, then whatever decision you make will be tied to the conditioning you have (had) over the years, at various stages," shares the author, before adding: "My book is about questioning that conditioning, and finding the path that suits you best; one that's on a personal as well as professional level."
According to the author, it all begins with a deeper understanding of ourselves; how to reprogramme our mindset and nurture clearer self-belief. Achieving mental clarity, emotional calmness, and a feeling of stability enables us to propel our dreams into achievable realities that gives us a more realistic perspective as we move towards our goals.
HONEST CONVERSATION
What do we really want in our life? It's important that we understand what our desires and ambitions are, says Thana.
Holistic awareness of what we want is the starting point for us to strengthen our resilience, and to grow from. Recognising what holds us back and understanding how these factors limit us gives us guidance as to where in life we can make changes.
Having an honest conversation with our "inner sage" gives us a chance to discover ourselves again. Continuing, Thana elaborates: "Inner sage is basically your intuition. We don't normally listen to it, or allow for that quiet reflection because of our busy lives. We have many commitments. So, when you're being quiet, these questions tend to rise to the surface."
Adding, she says: "You may not have the answers then and there, but use that quiet moment to assess yourself and ask if you're truly happy with what you're doing. The challenge is to stop and listen; and then, most importantly, build the courage to move on if you find that what you're doing doesn't bring you joy."
Written in a very approachable, almost "conversational" style, Unleash Your Inner Sage is a friendly guide to strengthening ourselves and getting our life back on the track that we want it to be on. Invest in yourself by investing in your journey.
Unleash Your Inner Sage
Author: Dr Thana Sathasivam
Retail price: RM69.90
On sale in Kinokuniya and Gerakbudaya. It can also be purchased on Kindle Amazon for US$3 (approximately RM13.50).
To find out more about Dr Thana Sathasivam, check out: www.transformmefast.com.
Personal Development
Dr Thana Sathasivam has more than 25 years of managerial experience in corporate, government, and academic settings, helping individuals, teams, leaders and organisations deal with a range of problems and challenges.
She developed a strong interest in personal development for the individual, and obtained industry training and certification as a transformation coach. Her personal approach to coaching is non-judgmental, unbiased and unflinching, so clients may achieve their objectives.
Her personalised programmes combine mind and inner voice work as tools for taking action to achieve personal goals and ambitions.