Resolution

I came across something that I find rather meaningful. The original post, as far as I know, can be found here. And apparently the originator is none other than the CEO of Coca-Cola. Brian G. Dyson.

Basically it says that Life is like trying to balance 5 balls -- Work, Family, Health, Friends and Spirituality. Sometimes it is easy to see all these 5 balls as the same thing, but there is one very important difference. Work is a ball made of rubber, even if I drop it, it will bounce back to me sooner or later. But the rest of the other balls are not made of rubber, they are made of glass. So if I drop one of these balls it will chip, crack or even shatter...

In good times I appreciate that such a goal is not easy to accomplish. However, what I do realise is that in challenging times such goals are perhaps even more important to strive towards. All too often in the pursuit of material things, or more relevantly today, in the struggle for survival, people can forget their innate needs for connectedness, and become mean and downright nasty to the ones they care most about. Also, wishing that Life isn't as what has been observed by Mr Dyson doesn't make it so. No matter how we slice or dice it, there are matters in life that are so important to us that even if we ignore them our entire lives, they will return to us with either the price that we pay for neglect, or the rewards that we reap for taking heed.

The choice my friend, as ever, is yours..

House of Cards

Authorities in the US and Europe have officially declared that recession is taking place in their respective economies -- finally. Months of debacles beginning with the sub-prime housing mortgage crisis in the US in late 2007 have cumulated in the stunning collapse of Lehman Brothers, a leading investment bank of the times. Additionally, the financial world has recently been hit with the double whammy of AIG and Citigroup, both respected and indeed revered institutions that now have to go cap in hand to seek the Federal Government's assistance to bail them out. What indeed could have precipitated such a drastic turn of events?

Commentators on the sidelines have proclaimed rather loudly that greed is the root cause: bank executives are greedy to extend mortgages to people who simply cannot afford such payments; credit ratings agencies are greedy and scared to lose market share to competitors and create perceptions that such-and-such a product is AAA-rated, based on 'reliable third-party information', when in fact it is downright shoddy; US Federal Reserve is greedy in persisting with low interest rates that lead to unbelievably cheap credit despite global trends that indicate the contrary; investors are greedy for demanding ever-increasing rate on return on investment no matter what the cost. Yet should we take such 'expert opinions' as an accurate reflection of the cause of such events, and indeed are the various remedies suggested logical steps that address these causes at the core?

The course of human history has been for the most part beset with actions and over-reactions. The Great Depression of the 1930s led to massive government spending; the punitive measures towards Germany after the First World War indirectly led to the rise of Hitler during the Second World War; the meteoric rise of Japan after the Second World War was followed by a lost decade in the 1990s. Perhaps the issue lies deep within the psyche of humans themselves. Rather than address the behaviour of greed per se with punitive measures such as fines, jail sentences, and government bailouts, could one not take aim at the psychology that lies beneath the decision to engage in 'greedy behaviour'? It is likely that humans are innately unable to regulate their behaviour towards a stable norm that conforms to neat patterns that can be observed and predicted in a cold scientific light, as what most classical economists would hope. The aggregate such behaviours are more likely than not to cause points of crisis in the time continuum. 

Another classic case of human myopia on a massive scale is the refrain that 'What happens over there won't happen over here.' In an increasingly interconnected world such as ours, such a mentality cannot be more inaccurate. Sooner or later the credit crunch will affect the shores of Asian countries; exports will dwindle, as will factory orders, and the dreaded R-word will be back on the lips of citizens in these countries.

One would do well to minimise the impact of external events without being unnecessarily impacted by them. For instance, job security is mostly a myth, booms and recessions are never permanent, and opportunities are like hope -- they are out there so long as one has eyes to see. Increasingly, one should also realise the futility of projecting ever increasing rates of growth just because the short-term investor market demands it be so. Persisting in such logic flies in the face of historical principles, no matter what the economists and other experts say. The sustainability question is ever-present, but is more than often hidden amidst the hyperbole of gung-ho predictions by governmental authorities and private-sector industry players alike. 

On Faith

by Thomas Heng

Faith is the gift of believing in what one cannot yet see.

In all things, have faith, for alone we truly can do nothing. All we can do is commit to beome a better steward, not merely to do more stewardship tasks.

Use discernment to decide which tasks deserve our attention and commitment to see it through, for we should invest our time wisely for the good of God's kingdom.

The purpose of having talents is to channel God's power in bless and multiply them in abundance.

Such growth is exciting but as foreign as the process of growing a seed into a mighty tree: all of us are aware of this concept, yet not all of us are blessed to view each earthly work as such.

Genuine self-confidence stems from a deference of one's self-awareness to the knowledge that the Creator knows His creations best.

On Profits

"Profits Are Better Than Wages" -- Jim Rohn

To the uninitiated, there doesn't seem to be a difference between profits and wages. After all, don't they both come in more or less the same form, Cold Hard Cash?

Perhaps this little reflection of mine can help you make some distinctions between these two concepts. I wrote this in response to Jim Rohn's quote:

Wages make me a Living; 

Profits make me a Fortune.

It is sad when I speak with some executives. You know, those regular-hour types that seem to earn ever-increasing amounts as bonuses for doing the same thing day-in, day-out. They tend hardly not to seek out opportunities around them, and are content to drift along. Evidently they are either too young to be promoted, or too old to learn something new. Well, I completely empathise, because I was one of them! Believe it or not, working for a Living was something I used to do.

Being in an environment that is at best unsupportive, and at worst, outright hostile, doesn't help the aspiring executive either. It seems that there is just too much cynicism in the workplace. Invariably this results in people being too focussed on keeping their jobs rather than simply doing them, regardless of their pronoucements that they are indeed doing the latter!

So why am I seemingly fixated with Fortune? So that I can give it away! Seriously, can you give away your Living to someone else? Being thirty-something is not too early to consider leaving beind a legacy; Life is just too short not to think of such things! I have seen, heard and experienced enough to know that drifting along is no longer an option. In fact, it never was an option in the first place! 

Thus I commit to Working Hard on My Job, But Working (Much) Harder on Myself.

Choose Freedom

Have you ever felt unappreciated for the things you do, or worse, for being who you are? I have, and trust me, it's not the greatest of emotions! I mean, after working hard for something that I truly believe in for almost all my life, only to realise that the things I hold dear mean next to nothing to the organisations that we shall collectively call SpongeDry Inc. Sure you may say 'The company is not supposed to consider employees needs and wants, let alone feelings', which begs the question, just what on earth is a company for anyway? To satisfy the owner's ego, or siphon off shareholders' equity, or to create havens for money that is ill-gotten? Doesn't anyone create companies for something other than for their own shallow selves anymore? Or are we so blinded by the profit of the here-and-now that we forget that organisations have the potential to outlive their owners and their descendants?

Some time ago, I have had the last straw in my experience of being in full-time employment. Somehow, being in the position of employee entitles the employer to shuffle staff like a deck of cards, with little or no regard for prior results, preliminary consultation, nor the space to address potential disagreement or resentment from the person most affected by such a move.

So out of the realisation that I would never be able to reconcile my values with those of SpongeDry Inc, I wrote these as a postscript to my resignation letter:

• People Above Profits
  
• Family Above Career
  
• Truth Over Rules
  
• God Above All
  

Maybe my mind has indeed gone to cuckoo-land, but if organisations don't realise that there are limits to what they can do to their employees, then pardon me, but they must be Crazy...

On Leadership

by Thomas Heng

There is no success without a successor.

The quality of the leader is not in the leader himself, but in the people he leads.

A leader of leaders has fewer concerns than a leader of followers.

Leaders provide the climate that determines the growth of those who follow him.

The greatest joy of a leader is the successful thriving of his team in his absence.

Leadership requires continual improvement on the part of all members.

Leadership by example is by far the most effective leadership of all.

Leadership is enhanced by personal branding, but personal branding is no substitute for genuine leadership.

On Integrity

by Thomas Heng

Integrity is the singlemost important asset

Clarity with self flows from it

Trust from others is earned with it

Peace arrives easily with it

Energy is focussed with its aid

Life derives all its meaning from it.

All things fade into insignificance when they are put alongside Integrity. What could be more pure than one who does what one says? Leadership is built principally on Integrity.

Integrity aligns one's vision

Integrity is the fulcrum upon which the sail turns

Integrity crystalises one's resolve

Integrity challenges long-held conventions of mediocrity

Integrity respects the status quo, but is never cowed by it

Integrity provides purpose to possessions, and substance to ownership.

On Causes

by Thomas Heng

Commit to causes that resonate with you, and you will create maximum value.

Causes of value are those that generate the most goodwill to youself and the ones whom the cause directly impact upon.

Causes of comparison lead you to the path of mediocrity;

Causes of value lead you to the path of excellence.

There are many causes out there, so choose wisely!

On Charisma

by Thomas Heng

Charisma is the ability to draw from the audience the questions that it is dying to enunciate, but is for one reason or another fearful to do so.

Charisma is the ability to intimately relate to the deepest experiences of another person, and to enable him to create meaning from these experiences.

On Public Speaking

Nick Morgan wrote a book entitled "Give Your Speech, Change the World: How to Move Your Audience to Action". It's a great book and I would recommend it to anyone who would like to go into the field of public speaking.

When I think a little deeper about it, the only worthwhile reason for giving a speech, a group presentation, or even a one-on-one meeting for that matter, is to change the world.  Indeed, what other purpose could there be?

May I always bear this in mind whenever I communicate with another person...

On Commitment

Today is D-Day; Decision Day

Today I decide to be successful;

To be a better communicator

To be a a great connector of people

This is my commitment

It is not easy to put a stake on the ground

To finally commit to something that 

Seems so much bigger than what I see myself

Achieving  at this moment in time

Yet this is precisely the point of commitment

I connect to my future self

And embrace him as my Destiny

On Customer Service

I'm sure you're all experienced shoddy customer service at one point in your life or other. In Singapore, this seems to happen too often than not. So when someone comes along to commit to promoting great customer service in Singapore, kudos are very much in order.

Ron Kaufman is one such amazing person. He has lived in Singapore for almost 20 years, and I seriously believe that he is a lot more Singaporean than Singaporeans themselves! He goes all over the island, proclaiming "Up Your Service!" I couldn't agree more. We badly need a kick up our backsides when in comes to giving Great Customer Service.

Are you reading this, Singapore businesses??

On Opinions

I attended a talk by Dolf de Roos, the real estate guru. He was passionate, and did his best to connect with the audience through asking questions. The topic was rather dry, and the response was frankly quite dismal. Finally Rolf said something to this effect, "Singapore, you've got to have an opinion about something."

I totally agree. Each and everyone of us should have an opinion about matters, and back these up appropriately. Unfortunately, it is my observation that most Singaporeans feel constipated by the belief that the 'back-up' should come before the opinion, hence they don't tend to share with others their invaluable insights. 

Why not take the time to regularly discuss matters civily in a group, put out your opinions, and let the market refine such thoughts for us?

Affirmations

I am confident

I am passionate

I am valuable to Society

I am courageous

I am a unique person

I have a unique vision

I am cheerful

I am inspiring

I am awesome

I attract success

I am caring

I am trustworthy

I am focussed

I am disciplined

I am a good listener

I am decisive

I am a good communicator

I am generous

I am energetic

I am creative

I am assertive

I am a contribuion to others

I deserve success

I am a good student

I am a survivor

I am true to my future self

I am perserverant

I can overcome all obstacles

I present myself clearly

I am passionate about my causes

I identify myself with those around me

I am warm and friendly

I am good to myself

I like being with me

I enjoy being with others

I enjoy solitary time

I enjoy working for my goals

I have crystal clear vision

I work daily for my dreams

I am open to ideas around me

I am responsible for my results

I am the captain of my ship

i am the painter of my canvas

I learn regularly from successful people

I acknowledge my successes

I am humble

I am supportive

I can acheive all my dreams!

Wink & Grow Rich

Here is my understanding of the "gist" of Roger Hamilton's book Wink And Grow Rich:

1. Think It, Ink It, Do It, Review It
2. Choose the Level I Want to Play At
3. What I See is Always What I Get
4. Ask and I shall Receive
5. Learning is a Game
6. Invest More of My Time; Spend Less of It
7. Invest More of My Money; Spend Less of It
   
8. My Well is My Words
9. Wealth is the Beginning, Not the End
10. Sow, Nurture, Reap
11. My Passion is My Compass
12. To Know and Not to Do, is Not Yet to Know
13. Value is the River in Which Wealth Flows
14. Become an Inspired Work-In-Progress
15. Plan to Fail
16. See the Wood from the Trees
17. Opportunites Lie in Every Moment
18. The Key to Leverage is How I Use It
19. Sustainable Wealth Follows a Rhythm
20. Time is My Most Precious Asset
21. Harmony is the Foundation of Wealth
22. Time Has Seasons
23. It's Not Just What I Do, It's When I Do It
24. When I Resonate, I Accumulate
25. I Settle For My Standards
26. A Five-Star Life is Easier Than A Two-Star Life
27. My Environment is My Playground
28. I Am the Result of My Choices
29. Water Always Finds Its Level
30. The End is the Beginning, So Pass This On!

Hope this provides some inspiration to you!

Inspirations 009 -- Ten Companions

Ten Companions

by Thomas Heng

Success is my duty

Wealth is my reponsibility

Sharing is my passion

Learning is my desire

Speaking is my hobby

Reading is my habit

Dreams are my staple

Courage is my friend

Spirit is my guide

Love is my footprint

Inspirations 008 -- Phrases of Wealth

Here's a collection of phrases I came up with that I'd consider as invaluable in my life journey:

by Thomas Heng

Learning to love and accept myself unconditionally is the greatest journey that I can undertake on earth.

A life built on an honest and innocent desire to have others experience joy in their hearts can only come from a pure heart that exudes this same joy.

To change one's lifestyle is easy, but to do so with a willing heart is less so.

I do not seek the approval of others, merely they they accord me basic respect. For this to occur I should naturally accord same respect to others.

Freedom is being able to express myself fully and responsibly.

Freedom is the ultimate responsibility of all.

Learn to slow down and think through the requirements of the day; action will be so much the easier for it!

Self-discipline sn key to the achievement of anything meaningful. It is the basic building block upon which the towers of success are built.

Patience is a virtue

Humility is a virtue

Gentleness is a virtue

So too are Decisiveness, Confidence and Perserverance!

Be different; conquer indifference

Resolve to be decisive

Take a sword to doubt

Grab pessimism by the throat.

The Four Key Questions:

Why?

Why not?

Why not Me?

God, Will You be My Partner?

Wealth is the duty of every productive person;

Under-achievement is not ideal;

Non-achievement is a sin.

Investment in self is the currency of the wealthy;

Investment in others is their credit card!

I thank each day that comes, for it is an opportunity to be ever more enlightened by the Source of Infnite wisdom. By grace I have boundless opportunities to channel part of this wisdom unto others, to Your glory.

Inspirations 007 -- Reflections

Here are some reflections I look back on time and again, to enable me to self-correct in the midst of life's hustle and bustle. These have been paraphrase from material that I've come across from various sources.

• Designing my life is a given; the only issue is who the designer is
• Flow occurs when I am in harmony with all things, aware of self, and aware of others.
  
• Balance enables me to stretch further and further, and expands my potential.
• In order for the Universe to support me, I must be open to that same support.
  
• Positivity attracts, remember that!
  
• Opportunities abound; Choose wisely.
  
• Synergy is waiting for me to harness its power.
  
• Commitment requires courage.
• Speaking up reveals my commitment, confidence, courage and character.
• There is a time to lead, and a time to follow. Experience will show me when is which.
• The key to a good upswing is a proper downswing.
• Take nothing for granted, Everyone Needs Love.