— Dr. Hena Naqvi

We all are different from one another, born with different qualities and attributes. We are also different on the issue of acquiring different types of qualities in different stages of life. With some in-born qualities and some acquired ones, we can enhance our efficiency. Cases of successful persons show that their success was not merely an outcome of their in-born or inherited qualities. They worked hard to get acquired qualities, made an optimum utilisation of the combination of the two and became successful with the pace of time. That is what we are required to work out—in order to enhance different aspects of our efficiency.

There are two types of attributes that shape-up our life and continue throughout the life; these are the inherited qualities and acquired qualities. There are certain attributes that we inherit from our parents, grand parents and other close relatives. If these attributes are positive, they may later on turn as our strength to support us throughout the life.

            But there are certain qualities that we gradually acquire from life through our social environment, peer groups, education, etc. Even the inherited qualities are nurtured by these institutions. In fact, the inherited qualities are of no use if not nurtured further. These could be in any form; writing skills, dancing, painting, and excellent computing abilities. These are God’s gifts and we are fortunate if we have inherited talent from our family.   But the inherited as well as acquired qualities will have no meaning if we do not nurture them to augment our efficiency. Reaching a respectable position in life does not mean everything. There is no end of success. That is why, the saying ‘sky is the limit’ is now known as ‘sky is not the limit’.  This implies that there is something beyond the sky to be achieved. Here comes the role of consistency and upward efficiency to lead us towards the target of ‘beyond the sky’.

            As mentioned above, we are fortunate if we have inherited positive attributes from our genetic relations. But even those who are not so fortunate can shape-up their destiny by acquiring positive attributes. These two are the pre-requisites for ensuring a better status of our efficiency-quotient. In fact the role of acquired efficiency is more vital than the inherited one. It is only the acquired qualities that can make the son of a rickshaw puller a doctor and it is only the dearth of efforts for acquiring positive attributes due to which child of an industrialist becomes a non-entity and remains a non-entity throughout the life.

            Efficiency, the sum total as well as an outcome of our inherited and acquired qualities play a very vital role in our lives. Efficiency here means empowering yourself with necessary skills, qualities, knowledge and attitude and value for time that can lead you towards giving the ‘best of yours’. There is a relationship between this package of attributes (the combination of skills, knowledge, attitude, hard work) and the  status achieved in life. The more you have these attributes, the better outcome you achieve in your work. This forms a virtuous cycle.

The Virtuous Cycle of Efficiency

The effects of acquiring and practicing the positive attributes have a long-term bearing and hence influence other facets of life apart from betterment of outcome at work. This status should be pre-requisite for all; a student, a professional, an industrialist, a business person or a housewife. There are usually following types of efficiency that need to be worked upon:

• Intellectual/mental efficien-cy: Persons born with a very good and sharp brain are said to have hereditary intellectual efficiency. But merely being born with a sharp brain is not sufficient to become intellectually or mentally efficient. If Einstein became the world famous scientist, it was because of his rigorous engagements in scientific experiments. If Shakuntala Devi became a mathematics wizard, it was because she sharpened her in-born computing skill to make it extraordinary through practice. These persons negated the popular myth that human beings do not use more than 10% of their brain. There are innumerable such evidences to show that one can harness the unused potential of brain and increase intelligence. Therefore leaving a sharp brain dormant or underutilised would mean its wastage and here comes the role of regular practice in the field of interest and disciplining the brain in order to obtain the desired result from it. One can imagine the level of efficiency with an increased use of the untapped potential of brain! An active brain coupled with a physically fit body can do wonders. Reading habits, practice of one’s hobbies, healthy discussions with the knowledgeable persons, etc. are some ways to keep the brain activated and to control the body through it. A healthy brain in a healthy body!


• Physical efficiency: This implies training and disciplining the body to perform the physical works in the desired way. In this category, we are talking about the physical fitness, disease-free and healthy condition of the human body that can support the person to accomplish the tasks in an effective manner. Keeping the stress away through a calm and steady behaviour and good life style is essential to keep the body healthy. Avoiding hurry, worry and curry is the mantra! Without a fit body, even an exceptionally efficient brain will not be able to provide the desired results. Without proper care and attention, the body will invite stress and complications that are sufficient to make the person incompetent. Regular work-outs through yoga, exercises, walks, meditation, fasts, proper diet, sound sleep, practice of early to bed, early to rise and keeping the tension away are helpful. All these small steps are needed for keeping the body fit to support the brain. A healthy body for a healthy brain!


• Emotional efficiency: It begins with a control over Emotions Quotient (EQ) to support the mental and physical aspects of efficiency. A family/personal problem affecting the work at professional level might lead to reduced level of outcome. Similarly uncontrolled memories of one’s loved ones every now and then will not let the brain work on the right track. Hence, a gap between the works planned and works accomplished will be noticed very soon giving a jolt to the trustworthiness and overall image. Therefore, keeping the emotions in control is very vital for moving towards efficiency. A control over anger, discarding biases/taboos, keeping the personal relationship/issues away from work etc. will show results. A differentiation between objectivity and subjectivity is all that is required to enhance the emotional efficiency.


• Social efficiency: Being a social animal, a person at work is expected to be well-versed in social norms and mannerism. In other words, an effective social quotient (SQ) is an important component of overall efficiency. Decent dressing along with decent behaviour and decent language are the basic requirements of this segment. A cordial relationship with seniors/ colleagues/ sub-ordinates will be helpful in accomplishing the task easily thereby helping the organisation you are working for. The organisation in turn will surely think for you. Social efficiency, therefore, requires person’s presentability, good communication skills and an adjusting ability to absorb oneself in the atmosphere as per its requirements. This also implies a person’s ability to build good relationship in the family, community and society. These relations are always helpful on different steps of life. Building cordial and lasting relationships, showing team spirit, decent behaviour, selection of decent words in language, decent dressing, etiquettes, inculcation of listening habits etc. are some requirements of the social efficiency. One must always keep in mind that man is a social animal and needs social relationship for a peaceful life.


• Moral/ethical efficiency: Ethical values are the lifelong companions that yield long lasting and positive impacts on one’s work and life. The path of these values may be zigzag and long but the destination is always very comfortable. All types of efficiency would be ineffective ifmoral values are not active. This implies nurturing and practising ethical and moral values like truth, honesty, commitment, hard work, dedication etc. Satisfaction and contentment cannot be achieved without these ideals. These values in totto help the person to work with a peaceful mind and peaceful conscience. Lack of peace in mind divides the person’s competence into pieces and thus affects the efficiency level adversely.

Efficiency, therefore, is a blend of mental/intellectual, physical, social and moral types of efficiency. The spirit of efficiency is incomplete in the absence of any of these factors. We can do justice with our work if a balance is maintained among different factors of efficiency.

There are various ways and means through which we can enhance our competence to give the best of us. Developments of skills like learning and listening, multi-tasking, effective time management yield the positive results! Utilising our available resources optimally to help in the work is another pre-requisite for attaining a better status of outcomes. In the contemporary hectic life, managing time for the family and oneself is an equally important factor. Playing with children, interacting with elders of the family or practising one’s hobbies are some of the ways that relieve the stress and tension unknowingly. With an unstressed mind and body, the person regains his/her mental and physical fitness and moves towards efficiency.

The author is presently working as a part time Correspondent of PTI in Gorakhpur. e-mail: hena_naqvipti@yahoo.co.in