"Man's greatness lies in his power of thought.
"Blaise Pascal
The old axiom ‘what you see is what you get’ couldn’t be more appropriate when it comes to scripting your life. Unbeknownst to many, the way we ‘see’ life and the manner in which we approach each day sets the tempo for each of our twenty four hours on earth.
If you wake up seeing life as a humdrum, ho-hum yawner hardly worth living, then life will inevitably dish out a snoozer of a loser day for you. On the other hand, if you jump out of bed every morning raring to go, full of excitement and energized from head to toe, you can set yourself and the world around you on fire.
Telling yourself that this kind of excitement isn’t in the cards or is just phony boloney is hurting no one but yourself and your loved ones. You can get excited, energized and enthused about every single day of your life - if you truly want to do so. And why in the world wouldn’t you want to do so?
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Keep going with faith
"Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation."
Elton Trueblood
Living a life without reservations is never as easy as we wish it could be. Letting go of the doubts, uncertainties and fears that haunt us and hold us back becomes doubly difficult whenever we hit those inevitable bumps in the road that we all encounter from time to time.
At these very moments, when everything outside of us tells us to give up or give in, we must listen closely to what we hear from within. It’s that invincible voice of inner courage and strength that tells us to keep the faith - and keep working towards the attainment of our goals.
Unlike those swanky five star restaurants where having a reservation is an absolute must if you are going to be seated at dinner time; having any type of reservation in life can spell big time trouble. In our most trying of times, when we begin loosing our grip on faith, we need to hold on and keep hanging in there until the skies clear once again. And clear they will if you will just keep the faith - in yourself and your God given abilities.
Elton Trueblood
Living a life without reservations is never as easy as we wish it could be. Letting go of the doubts, uncertainties and fears that haunt us and hold us back becomes doubly difficult whenever we hit those inevitable bumps in the road that we all encounter from time to time.
At these very moments, when everything outside of us tells us to give up or give in, we must listen closely to what we hear from within. It’s that invincible voice of inner courage and strength that tells us to keep the faith - and keep working towards the attainment of our goals.
Unlike those swanky five star restaurants where having a reservation is an absolute must if you are going to be seated at dinner time; having any type of reservation in life can spell big time trouble. In our most trying of times, when we begin loosing our grip on faith, we need to hold on and keep hanging in there until the skies clear once again. And clear they will if you will just keep the faith - in yourself and your God given abilities.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Building Self Confidence In the Workplace
We secretly admire the doctor who treats us for our many illnesses. He seems so sure of himself and is such a miracle because he can cure us of our tummy aches, influenzas and the occasional runny nose. There is a reason why we are so drawn to him and are able to connect with him. He has what we call "self confidence".
Confidence is a vital aspect of our day-to-day lives and is especially important in the workplace. After all, you would not be appreciative of a colleague who fumbles and trips over his words while doing a presentation. Unfortunately, not everyone was born with "built-in" self confidence.
In fact, many of us had to work hard to achieve some semblance of confidence. People with low confidence and self-esteem often feel unappreciated and find it hard to succeed. The good thing is that it can be achieved with time and effort. Rome was not built in a day, so don't expect the same for yourself and do not push yourself to the limit.
You can easily distinguish a self-confident person from others. They stand tall and proud with their head held high and answer questions clearly but calmly. You will feel instinctively drawn to them because they inspire others around them. This automatically concludes that a self-confident person is often more successful than those who are not.
How confident are you to your colleagues? Take a breather and answer some of these questions to see if you need a crash course in building your confidence.
Do you always behave like how others expect you to?
Do you manage your behaviour based on what other people think?
Do you prefer to stay in your comfort zone and avoid taking up risks and challenging tasks?
Do you often find yourself scrambling to fix mistakes so that other people won't notice?
Do you feel yourself blushing in shame every time someone points out your mistakes?
If you answered "yes" to two or more of the above questions, then it's time you fix this. A person with low self-confidence is often self-destructive. Confidence is a mixture of courage, strength and the ability to pick yourself up when something fails.
Take pride in what you have achieved Keep a log book or a diary and jot down all the achievements you have made. Perhaps you have closed a successful sales deal or have been recently promoted. Take note of praises and words of encouragement from your superior. For days when you feel down and demoted, flip through the pages and re-read some of your successes. They are a constant reminder that you can do it and are able to achieve more if you set your heart to it.
Be a go-getter Set realistic goals for yourself and stick to it. Say "I will complete this project in a fortnight" and not "I think I can complete it in a fortnight". If you make a strong reinforcement to the statement, chances are your brain will register and you will be able to meet the deadline.
Also, try to set goals that will highlight your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. Receive a compliment graciously It is a natural instinct for Asians to be overly humble when someone compliments them. Don't be. Acknowledge that you deserve the compliment because you have worked hard for it. Smile and say "Thank you. It was really nice of you to notice my work. I'm very proud of it as well" and not "Oh, it was nothing. Anyone could have done it." The former shows that you are capable of handling tough projects while the latter says that you are a pessimist, plus it also gives the impression that your job is an easy-peasy one!
Positive self-talk At this point, you have to start managing what goes in and out of your brain. Yes, you might have had a terrible experience at your last job and it has sucked out all of your self esteem and confidence. It is now time to let go and move on. Eliminate all negative self-talk and replace them with positive ones.
One good tip that I've learnt is to stick colourful pictures on your wall, in your car, or any other places that are convenient to you. Stick a smiley face to remind you to smile. Put phrases of encouragement and frame them up. Celebrate Last but not least, celebrate to rejoice in the fact you have worked diligently to bring your self- confidence to another level. Allow yourself some fun. After this, stretch yourself a little bit more. Make your goals bigger and challenge yourself more. Take it one step at a time at a pace that's comfortable to you.
Some people take three months; others may take up to six months or more. You will slowly notice a difference in yourself.
Confidence is a vital aspect of our day-to-day lives and is especially important in the workplace. After all, you would not be appreciative of a colleague who fumbles and trips over his words while doing a presentation. Unfortunately, not everyone was born with "built-in" self confidence.
In fact, many of us had to work hard to achieve some semblance of confidence. People with low confidence and self-esteem often feel unappreciated and find it hard to succeed. The good thing is that it can be achieved with time and effort. Rome was not built in a day, so don't expect the same for yourself and do not push yourself to the limit.
You can easily distinguish a self-confident person from others. They stand tall and proud with their head held high and answer questions clearly but calmly. You will feel instinctively drawn to them because they inspire others around them. This automatically concludes that a self-confident person is often more successful than those who are not.
How confident are you to your colleagues? Take a breather and answer some of these questions to see if you need a crash course in building your confidence.
Do you always behave like how others expect you to?
Do you manage your behaviour based on what other people think?
Do you prefer to stay in your comfort zone and avoid taking up risks and challenging tasks?
Do you often find yourself scrambling to fix mistakes so that other people won't notice?
Do you feel yourself blushing in shame every time someone points out your mistakes?
If you answered "yes" to two or more of the above questions, then it's time you fix this. A person with low self-confidence is often self-destructive. Confidence is a mixture of courage, strength and the ability to pick yourself up when something fails.
Take pride in what you have achieved Keep a log book or a diary and jot down all the achievements you have made. Perhaps you have closed a successful sales deal or have been recently promoted. Take note of praises and words of encouragement from your superior. For days when you feel down and demoted, flip through the pages and re-read some of your successes. They are a constant reminder that you can do it and are able to achieve more if you set your heart to it.
Be a go-getter Set realistic goals for yourself and stick to it. Say "I will complete this project in a fortnight" and not "I think I can complete it in a fortnight". If you make a strong reinforcement to the statement, chances are your brain will register and you will be able to meet the deadline.
Also, try to set goals that will highlight your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. Receive a compliment graciously It is a natural instinct for Asians to be overly humble when someone compliments them. Don't be. Acknowledge that you deserve the compliment because you have worked hard for it. Smile and say "Thank you. It was really nice of you to notice my work. I'm very proud of it as well" and not "Oh, it was nothing. Anyone could have done it." The former shows that you are capable of handling tough projects while the latter says that you are a pessimist, plus it also gives the impression that your job is an easy-peasy one!
Positive self-talk At this point, you have to start managing what goes in and out of your brain. Yes, you might have had a terrible experience at your last job and it has sucked out all of your self esteem and confidence. It is now time to let go and move on. Eliminate all negative self-talk and replace them with positive ones.
One good tip that I've learnt is to stick colourful pictures on your wall, in your car, or any other places that are convenient to you. Stick a smiley face to remind you to smile. Put phrases of encouragement and frame them up. Celebrate Last but not least, celebrate to rejoice in the fact you have worked diligently to bring your self- confidence to another level. Allow yourself some fun. After this, stretch yourself a little bit more. Make your goals bigger and challenge yourself more. Take it one step at a time at a pace that's comfortable to you.
Some people take three months; others may take up to six months or more. You will slowly notice a difference in yourself.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Are you willing to pay the price ?
One of the things that Jack Canfield touches on in his book ‘Success Principles’ was the question of, "Are you willing to pay the price?" He asks, "How many of you want to be better parents, better managers, have better health, be a millionaire?" I am most certain most people would say yes, to all that.
However he then asks, "Are you willing to pay the price to achieve those things?" He continued to say that we all generally have good intentions in wanting to be better, but most of us are not willing to pay the price.
For example, to be a better manager, we will have to continuously develop ourselves which means paying a price in terms of money, time, effort, less time with the family etc. How many of us are willing to do this? And yet, just working everyday, without paying the ‘necessary’ price will not necessarily make us better managers. We only do what we have always done a little bit better, and that’s all.
Similarly, all of us want to have better relationships with the people we love, but we usually take them for granted and don’t do what we ‘know’ we should. We don’t want to make that extra effort. We want to pay a ‘small’ price but expect high returns. This definitely does not conform to Life’s success principles.
In life, we will have to accept that whatever we achieve is directly proportional to the effort and sacrifices that we put in, in the first place.
However he then asks, "Are you willing to pay the price to achieve those things?" He continued to say that we all generally have good intentions in wanting to be better, but most of us are not willing to pay the price.
For example, to be a better manager, we will have to continuously develop ourselves which means paying a price in terms of money, time, effort, less time with the family etc. How many of us are willing to do this? And yet, just working everyday, without paying the ‘necessary’ price will not necessarily make us better managers. We only do what we have always done a little bit better, and that’s all.
Similarly, all of us want to have better relationships with the people we love, but we usually take them for granted and don’t do what we ‘know’ we should. We don’t want to make that extra effort. We want to pay a ‘small’ price but expect high returns. This definitely does not conform to Life’s success principles.
In life, we will have to accept that whatever we achieve is directly proportional to the effort and sacrifices that we put in, in the first place.
Monday, December 3, 2007
The seed
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choosea successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different.He called all the young executives in his company together."It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO," he said. "I have decided to choose one of you.
"The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today - a very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.
"One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him geta pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Every day, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant andhe felt like a failure. Six months went by - still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - he so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach. It was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right.He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed. A few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back."My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO."Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed.Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Here is your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!"Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said?
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room aseed.I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to metoday. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers."When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!
"Moral:
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
"The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today - a very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.
"One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him geta pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Every day, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant andhe felt like a failure. Six months went by - still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - he so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach. It was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right.He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed. A few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back."My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO."Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed.Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Here is your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!"Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said?
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room aseed.I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to metoday. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers."When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!
"Moral:
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
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