Valuable lessons
Terryaki April 19th, 2008
L said that sometimes, it might not be a good thing when people described a leader as nice. I didn’t quite agree until recently.
The most important lesson I learned was that, sometimes, to build a good relationship with someone doesn’t mean that you have to be exceptionally nice. I simplistically believed that if you’re nice to people, relationships will begin with a good start. I was wrong because people don’t always reciprocate.
Anyway, a few things to ponder on as these lessons are equally important to both my career and personal growth.
1. Change is constant and inevitable. Everyone has a certain threshold of embracing change and it can be positive or negative, depending on how we look at change. Opportunity today comes from our ability to embrace and adapt to changes. Stay static, and we’ll be left in the dust. Change can be a very good opportunity for growth.
2. While the thermostats set the temperature of the room, thermometers rise and fall according to that temperature that is set. One of the key leadership challenge is that leaders set the temperature with the people they’re working with. If there are frustrations or conflicts at work, manage the atmosphere before it begins to manage you. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer.
3. Courage is resistance to fear. Since true courage is action in the face of fear, confidence can be developed and strengthened by try something new that takes us out of our comfort zone and expands our sense of possibility
4. Knowledge can be acquired while wisdom is the application of knowledge. Sometimes we are impressed by people who serve like a walking information repository. But it’s always the wise people who absorb those knowledge and apply them at the right place and right time. If wisdom is the ability of applying and taking advantage of knowledge, knowledge in itself will be just merely a tool of wisdom.
Lesson of the day
Terryaki March 20th, 2008
If we can’t see what we’re doing, we lose our direction like a lost traveller.
Without vision we perish.
Sink or Swim
Terryaki February 26th, 2008
It’s only the tenth week but somehow it feels like week twenty seriously. Amazingly, I changed my work profile and I know I’m constantly being evaluated and judged by people, which essentially means I have to go all out to do well and prove that my decision is right. Work is tiring but I’m enjoying every second of it and I’m trying my best to keep my energy up to learn as much as I can. I think the work that I’m doing now has been a part of me that I’ve suppressed for so long.
At work people tend to size up who you really are and as far as I know, we’re always being judged by people subconsciously. I had to deal with one big time rude ass last week and if there is one thing I don’t take, it has to be rude people. These people just love being a dick sometimes.
In better news we’ve just launched a pretty massive project and it feels really good to receive good feedback from the public. We’ve all worked extremely hard these few months and just to see the result of our efforts is something really exciting. The months we had were indeed tough but I think if we learn how to appreciate the process and the lessons we learn from failure, we will gain a lot more in future and I’m sure we’ll make it right the next time.
So right or not, I hope we’ll get the next upcoming pitch as it determines how well we’re going to do for the rest of the year, and ultimately how fun our projects will be.
“Happiness is not something ready made… It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama
Plan and think big
Terryaki January 21st, 2008
As we’re preparing for the wedding, I notice how lucrative the wedding business can be. I’m also very amazed by people who give up their career to pursue their passion. Sometimes, we talk about doing a job that we love or setting up a business of our own but we know that it’s never easy. This week, I had the pleasure of meeting new friends who gave up their job and started their business on their own. Respectable, I say.
When I worked out my career goals last year, I’ve never thought of setting up my own business in the next five years. It’s just never been an idea that I’ve entertained. But watching everyone slowly doing it has gotten me thinking that I should start before I’m tied down with commitments. Speaking of that, I’ll like to share my experience here.
A while ago, a client-turned-friend of mine commented that my quality of work and attitude was different from when we first started working together. I know very well the reason of my slump in attitude and quality and it is because that I’m stretched too thin over many projects - both at work and freelance. It was a very tough period and every minor request from clients seems like a chore. I know I’ve reached my limits but I thought I was superman and as the saying goes, “It’s all in the mind.”
Obviously, I couldn’t deliver because of the sleepless nights and to be honest, my clients weren’t very happy with my work. This could be very serious because my network and reputation was at stake. It didn’t take me quite long to realize my mistakes and what struck me most was a friend actually said this to me, “Exchanging time for money is the worst exchange because time is limited.”
Clearly, that statement made me understand that there is a difference between a technician and a businessman. So, I planned for a career shift this year because I think I do not want to waste any more time being a ‘technician’. I’m glad that I’m enjoying my work for now although it still feels like work sometimes but lesser. As the starting is always the hardest, I will persevere and these new friends will always serve as an inspiration and motivation for me to plan and think big.
Lessons learnt in 2007:
1. Never exchange time for money because we have only 24 hours a day
2. Always set a limit to how much you can do. Set a quota, focus and deliver the best.
3. No matter how bad the client is, do not burn bridges. Cherish your network like gold.
4. Either you push yourself and rise up to where you can get more money from it or you stay at where you are and get more pressure and lesser returns
5. Take things one step at a time and take breaks to nourish the soul if necessary
Cold water surrounds me
Terryaki January 11th, 2008
It is through memory that we hold on to those we love.
Know Your Outcome
Terryaki January 3rd, 2008
New Year party was at Trader’s hotel and it’s fun playing cards and catching up with the peeps.
New year resolutions are always seem to be forgotten in the course of time. So, this year I made a “Dream Book” for myself. I actually got the idea from “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”, a book that you certainly can’t miss. I learned the importance of setting clearly defined objectives in my life and knowing what I want from all the things that I do.
For those who are interested, you can create a dream book for yourself and fill it with all your desires, goals and dreams. Divide the book into different sections such as “Physical Fitness”, “Financial”, “Personal Empowerment”, “Relationship”, “Spiritual”, etc. Fill it with pictures and images of the people you adore and respect. List out your goals, review the book everyday and make it your friend. I haven’t tried but I think it’s going to be keep me focused on my goals and most importantly, it’s creative and fun. Now, I’m really looking forward to 2008!
And my personal motto for the year - “Know Your Outcome In Everything You Do”
Sawatdee Phuket!
Terryaki December 28th, 2007
I have no idea where to start but I know I had a really good break this Christmas. Here’s a condensed update on my Phuket trip. The dive sites generally suck and visibility was horribly bad. Shark Point was kinda disappointing even though I was told that it’s supposed to be one of the best dive site in Phuket. Koh Doc Mai was the worst among all. There were a few times when the visibility was so crappy that I thought my mask had fogged up. The company was good though and I enjoyed the trip nonetheless. By the way, the roadside pancake and foot massage were awesome!
Sugar Palm Resort is a pretty chic and contemporary boutique hotel that is situated opposite Kata Beach. The staff was exceptionally helpful and accommodating to our never ending requests ha ha.
We headed to Patong Beach for countdown but we were almost three hours early. So we passed time by kooing at one corner (talia’s version of relak at one corner) and taking absolutely bo liao pictures. Countdown suck because the emcee was unbelievably SUPER ANTI CLIMAX!
We spent the last day at Kata Beach and had a lot of fun with the waves crashing on the beach.
Our virgin attempt at launching a firework. I guess 200 baht is pretty worth for all the laughter we had.
When fireworks go wrong, it’s not that funny.
It’s Been A While
Terryaki December 21st, 2007
I know it has been a while since I had anything worth posting. Things have been busy and work was absolutely crazy in the last few months. I have so much to say if you ask me about work. It’s so depressing and painful everyday that I can’t find any better word to describe my dissatisfaction with work.
On a happier note, we’ve finally decided on our wedding date, venue and bridal shop. Our big day will be in November 2008 and we’re certainly looking forward to it. There’s still a heap of stuff to be settled but I guess it’s still not too late to think about that after our December vacation.
I might decide to rant again later but I think this will be all for now.
An Old Friend
Terryaki December 3rd, 2007
Dennis is a good old friend of mine whom I haven’t seen in nine years.
Today, we finally met again and I’m so happy for him because he’s getting married. All the best to you, my good old pal!