TODAY IS D-DAY MINUS 120 - 120 more days to the start of a 6-mth Korean adventure, to be alone and away from the comforts and protection of a ready home... A chance to learn for real how to manage my life (and possibly others')... A litmus test to see if I can truly be independent and ready for a family...
I have proven to myself that I can be very adaptable (read: Best Botak in BMTC School 2 Ninja Company Platoon 2) - but being adaptable and independent are 2 different things all together! I hope to be disciplined in blogging, or writing in some form so that I can live and re-live this adventure in retrospect(ion?).
This adventure starts with Korean lessons today at the Inlingua School of Languages (near CineLeisure). As I am determined to make the most of this very unique opportunity of a lifetime, I have paid $321 for this twice-weekly-for-5-weeks-course to prepare myself properly for this immersion.
But quite frankly, I am disappointed with the course I've signed up for - indigenous Korean no doubt, but he can hardly speak English? More than half the time more than half the class is guessing what he's trying to teach through his gestures. No worries, I've got Jules, Bunnie and best of all - Mi Ae, to teach me! =]
I received a call this morning from a disengaged NS clerk - that my application for deferment (Feb-2012 HighKey ICT) is being looked into; I checked with SCFB-Jey - the receiving manager, on the procedure on obtaining a Korean work permit - visa to follow after work permit is settled.
There are a couple of other loose ends to tie before I start on my marathon holiday and travels - I am happy to say that many of these were seen to, or at least noted looked into already. Chief amongst my concerns is my dearest B&W scooter, which has served me well for the past 2 years - its COE expires 1-Nov-11, bumpers! Now I was more than prepared to let it sit in the car park till I return, but that's not even valid now!
Do I want to extend the COE? Or should I just move on to a car? I've been told - once you get a car, you'll be held hostage to COE / road tax / fuel hikes... And that a car is nothing but a liability. But if you don't start financing a car, you probably never will? Work the finances into your lifestyle... But fuck the COE prices still...
1.30am now, time to end this post - I'll leave ya'll with a question I often ask myself - and have been asking since many many years back - which is harder? Hanging on or letting go? (Do drop me a message if you have an answer, cuz I don't.)
Berd's Hectic Schedule to year's end and beyond:
13-Aug-11 to 23-Aug-11: New Zealand Adventure Road Trip!
24-Aug-11 to 27-Aug-11: Thailand Shopping / Makan / Massage Trip!
12-Oct-11 to 01-Nov-11: Exercise Wallaby (Australia) - High Key ICT
05-Nov-11 to 05-May-12: Korea!
Berd's Loose Ends to Tie in between:
- Stock up on books to bring to Korea
- Stock up on videos / drama to bring to Korea
- Winter clothing (from Tim)
- Motorcycle
- Work permit & VISA
- Business cards
- Laptop (from xw?), or to buy a netbook?
- And many many more...
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Go-Giver
I was recently made to read a book, and would like to share this awesome book with everyone and anyone who still reads this blog. Before proceeding with the book review itself, I would like to thank a certain someone who has been burdened with managing a fiend... A boss like no other, this friend has given me opportunities to shine and made the most of me... But alas.
Background:
The love (for the team) is lost. This comes at a time when I've grown sick of the people I've to work with, and tired of the work I've been doing. I questioned my development and progress as an individual... For 2 years, I've worn my heart on my sleeve and I've flown the team flag as high as I could, but seen none of the love requited.
I was introduced this book - "The Go-Giver" written by Bob Burg and John David Mann, as a basis to start some self-evaluation and to determine my self-worth. "A little story about a powerful business idea", this book serves as a lovely reminder to us all that "the world is abundant and rewards those who act with a generous spirit" - I recommend this read to everyone; anyone who plans to be a business-owner at one point or another or to anyone who plans to surround himself with friends, loved and liked by all because of the value he adds and the genuine interest he takes in everyone's life...
This book is said to have hit the bull's eye on success in life and in business - how helping others will help you succeed. Go ahead, get your hands on this book and read it.
The Go-Giver:
Joe's an ambitious young man who yearns for success. In his blind pursuit for success, he finds himself further from his goals the harder and faster he works. He was subsequently taught "The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success", and it begins with giving. Joe learns that changing his focus from getting to giving - putting the interests of others first and then continually adding value to their lives - ultimately leads to unexpected returns.
THE FIVE LAWS OF STRATOSPHERIC SUCCESS:
The Law of Value - Your true worth us determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
The Law of Compensation - Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.
The Law of Influence - Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people's interest first.
The Law of Authenticity - The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.
The Law of Receptivity - The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.
There was one other quote worthy of note, in differing variations - in life, you don't always get what you want, but you always get what you think - what you focus on is what you get, you get what you expect.
Other quotes:
- all things being equal, people will do business with and refer business to those people they know, like and trust.
- (re the First Law) ... a recipe for bankruptcy. "Does it make money?" is not a bad question; it's a bad first question. It starts you off pointing in the wrong direction.
- exceed people's expectations, and they'll pay you even more.
- give, give give. Why? Because you love to. It's not a strategy, it's a a way of life.
- sometimes you feel foolish, even look foolish, but you do the thing anyway.
- survive, save and serve. survive - to meet your basic living needs; save - to go beyond your basic needs and expand your life; serve - make a contribution to the world around you.
- stop keeping score, don't keep track. That's not networking, that's poker! Win-win is always looking out for the solution where you both come out ahead. That's nothing but a well-disguised way of keeping track, making sure we all come out even, that nobody gets the advantage.
- instead, watch out for the other guy, watch out for his interests, watch his back. Screw 50-50, it's a losing proposition. The only winning proposition is 100%. Make your win about the other person, go after what he wants. Forget win-win - focus on the other person's win.
- receiving is the natural result of giving. Every giving can happen only because it is also a receiving.
Background:
The love (for the team) is lost. This comes at a time when I've grown sick of the people I've to work with, and tired of the work I've been doing. I questioned my development and progress as an individual... For 2 years, I've worn my heart on my sleeve and I've flown the team flag as high as I could, but seen none of the love requited.
I was introduced this book - "The Go-Giver" written by Bob Burg and John David Mann, as a basis to start some self-evaluation and to determine my self-worth. "A little story about a powerful business idea", this book serves as a lovely reminder to us all that "the world is abundant and rewards those who act with a generous spirit" - I recommend this read to everyone; anyone who plans to be a business-owner at one point or another or to anyone who plans to surround himself with friends, loved and liked by all because of the value he adds and the genuine interest he takes in everyone's life...
This book is said to have hit the bull's eye on success in life and in business - how helping others will help you succeed. Go ahead, get your hands on this book and read it.
The Go-Giver:
Joe's an ambitious young man who yearns for success. In his blind pursuit for success, he finds himself further from his goals the harder and faster he works. He was subsequently taught "The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success", and it begins with giving. Joe learns that changing his focus from getting to giving - putting the interests of others first and then continually adding value to their lives - ultimately leads to unexpected returns.
THE FIVE LAWS OF STRATOSPHERIC SUCCESS:
The Law of Value - Your true worth us determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
The Law of Compensation - Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.
The Law of Influence - Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people's interest first.
The Law of Authenticity - The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.
The Law of Receptivity - The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.
There was one other quote worthy of note, in differing variations - in life, you don't always get what you want, but you always get what you think - what you focus on is what you get, you get what you expect.
Other quotes:
- all things being equal, people will do business with and refer business to those people they know, like and trust.
- (re the First Law) ... a recipe for bankruptcy. "Does it make money?" is not a bad question; it's a bad first question. It starts you off pointing in the wrong direction.
- exceed people's expectations, and they'll pay you even more.
- give, give give. Why? Because you love to. It's not a strategy, it's a a way of life.
- sometimes you feel foolish, even look foolish, but you do the thing anyway.
- survive, save and serve. survive - to meet your basic living needs; save - to go beyond your basic needs and expand your life; serve - make a contribution to the world around you.
- stop keeping score, don't keep track. That's not networking, that's poker! Win-win is always looking out for the solution where you both come out ahead. That's nothing but a well-disguised way of keeping track, making sure we all come out even, that nobody gets the advantage.
- instead, watch out for the other guy, watch out for his interests, watch his back. Screw 50-50, it's a losing proposition. The only winning proposition is 100%. Make your win about the other person, go after what he wants. Forget win-win - focus on the other person's win.
- receiving is the natural result of giving. Every giving can happen only because it is also a receiving.
Monday, March 14, 2011
An excitable idea... RECCOS Grand Plan (Alternative)
While riding on my bike around my area recently, brokenhearted and confused...
I saw an advert, and I recalled an article in the Sunday StraitsTimes...
An awesome idea dawned upon me, one that got me excited again suddenly...
Same means, same concept, same desired outcome...
Different idea, different opportunity, different segment / industry...
Let me explore more... And if you are interested, you can ask me casually as always...
I still dream of a United RECCOS... Successful and powerful...
I saw an advert, and I recalled an article in the Sunday StraitsTimes...
An awesome idea dawned upon me, one that got me excited again suddenly...
Same means, same concept, same desired outcome...
Different idea, different opportunity, different segment / industry...
Let me explore more... And if you are interested, you can ask me casually as always...
I still dream of a United RECCOS... Successful and powerful...
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