The world is a thing that a man must learn to despise, and even to neglect, before he can learn to reverence it, and work in it and for it.
-- Thomas Carlyle
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Deeds Undone
The Deeds Undone
by
Bertha A. Lawson
It isn't the thing you do, friend, it's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache, at the setting of the sun:
The tender words unspoken, to letter you did not write,
The flowers you might have sent, are your haunting ghosts at night.
The stone you might have lifted, out of a dear friend's way,
The bit of heartsome counsel you were hurried too much to say:
The loving touch of a helping hand, the gentle and winsome tone,
That you had no time or thought for, with troubles enough of your own.
These little acts of kindness, so easily out of mind,
These chances to be angels, which even mortals find.
They come in night and silence, each chill reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging, and a blight has dropped on faith.
For life is all too short, friend, and sorrow is all to great,
To suffer our slow compassion, that tarries until too late.
So, it's not the things you do, it's the deeds you leave undone,
Which gives you a bitter heartache, at the setting of the sun.
by
Bertha A. Lawson
It isn't the thing you do, friend, it's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache, at the setting of the sun:
The tender words unspoken, to letter you did not write,
The flowers you might have sent, are your haunting ghosts at night.
The stone you might have lifted, out of a dear friend's way,
The bit of heartsome counsel you were hurried too much to say:
The loving touch of a helping hand, the gentle and winsome tone,
That you had no time or thought for, with troubles enough of your own.
These little acts of kindness, so easily out of mind,
These chances to be angels, which even mortals find.
They come in night and silence, each chill reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging, and a blight has dropped on faith.
For life is all too short, friend, and sorrow is all to great,
To suffer our slow compassion, that tarries until too late.
So, it's not the things you do, it's the deeds you leave undone,
Which gives you a bitter heartache, at the setting of the sun.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Qur'an, Jonah, Surah 10:41
Qur'an, Jonah, Surah 10:41
If they charge thee with falsehood, say: "My work to me, and yours to you!
Ye are free from responsibility for what I do, and I for what ye do!"
If they charge thee with falsehood, say: "My work to me, and yours to you!
Ye are free from responsibility for what I do, and I for what ye do!"
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Success, how?
We all have a desire to achieve some level of success. For some the desire is greater than the average person. Let's face it, everyone wants to be successful but very few are really willing to pay that price of W.E.I.T. (What Ever It Takes).
Success is an attitude. It is a posture that you take that states "I deserve to have it all." Success is attainable to all, yet so few achieve it. Success is a habit and has no real secrets. It all starts with your belief system. Your belief system starts with how you feel about yourself. Your own personal self-esteem is the key ingredient to so much of your success. You must first adopt a personal positive self-image of yourself. In networking your product is always going to be "YOU" and your second product is people. You are really marketing your confidence. This is why a positive self-image is so important, especially in your first conversation with your prospects.
(You never get a second chance to make a first impression.)
Forgiving yourself, other in your past, past mistakes & failures are paramount in your early journey to success. A key point to remember here is that you attract to your reality who and what you are. When you are positive and feel good about you, you attract like-minded individuals. The same holds true if you are negative in your thought processes. Your thought processes will always determine your bank account of love. It is essential that you learn to forgive, let go, and let go of your past. Many people drag their past into their present, which stops them from ever having a clear vision of their future.
Success is a process, not a payoff.
You will never be able to completely master every detail of your life. Attempting to do so will only lead to frustration.
What will make the most difference is becoming the master of a few key principles that will allow you to have the fastest personal growth.
To accomplish this task you will begin to think exponentially rather than incrementally.
(THINK BIG - ACT BIG)
You must have uncommon thoughts to have uncommon results and a steady consistent plan of action.
You also have to have a very precise clear mental picture of where you are going on your journey to success.
Make your goals reachable and realistic, yet big enough that you have to stretch to reach them. Along with goal setting, I recommend that you have a daily plan of action (Method of Operation) in place that you work from daily. If you are part time, have down on paper exactly what you will do in the hours you commit to your enterprise. If you are full time do the same. Don’t over-promise to yourself. Put down on paper exactly what it is that you will do in the time you devote to your business. This will allow you to hold yourself accountable. Every night before you go to bed look over your daily method of operation and ask yourself how accountable you were to yourself today
Success is an attitude. It is a posture that you take that states "I deserve to have it all." Success is attainable to all, yet so few achieve it. Success is a habit and has no real secrets. It all starts with your belief system. Your belief system starts with how you feel about yourself. Your own personal self-esteem is the key ingredient to so much of your success. You must first adopt a personal positive self-image of yourself. In networking your product is always going to be "YOU" and your second product is people. You are really marketing your confidence. This is why a positive self-image is so important, especially in your first conversation with your prospects.
(You never get a second chance to make a first impression.)
Forgiving yourself, other in your past, past mistakes & failures are paramount in your early journey to success. A key point to remember here is that you attract to your reality who and what you are. When you are positive and feel good about you, you attract like-minded individuals. The same holds true if you are negative in your thought processes. Your thought processes will always determine your bank account of love. It is essential that you learn to forgive, let go, and let go of your past. Many people drag their past into their present, which stops them from ever having a clear vision of their future.
Success is a process, not a payoff.
You will never be able to completely master every detail of your life. Attempting to do so will only lead to frustration.
What will make the most difference is becoming the master of a few key principles that will allow you to have the fastest personal growth.
To accomplish this task you will begin to think exponentially rather than incrementally.
(THINK BIG - ACT BIG)
You must have uncommon thoughts to have uncommon results and a steady consistent plan of action.
You also have to have a very precise clear mental picture of where you are going on your journey to success.
Make your goals reachable and realistic, yet big enough that you have to stretch to reach them. Along with goal setting, I recommend that you have a daily plan of action (Method of Operation) in place that you work from daily. If you are part time, have down on paper exactly what you will do in the hours you commit to your enterprise. If you are full time do the same. Don’t over-promise to yourself. Put down on paper exactly what it is that you will do in the time you devote to your business. This will allow you to hold yourself accountable. Every night before you go to bed look over your daily method of operation and ask yourself how accountable you were to yourself today
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The right state of mind
Quotes from Neil Strauss, a fellow PUA and one of my favorite references for the real world:
Success comes from acting out of confidence, conviction, commitment,
and deservedness, no matter what critics, haters, and competitors
are saying and thinking--with no fear of failure (and with no
problem bouncing back undiscouraged if one doesn't succeed at first).
Conversely, walking down the path to your goals with fear, doubt,
and uncertainty as your traveling companions is a sure way to
slow down--if not completely bring to a halt--your journey.
Even when successful, having a feeling of undeservedness
when you reach your goal will ultimately lead to self-sabotage.
Therefore, it is always, ALWAYS imperative that you put yourself in the RIGHT frame of mind before you set about your task at hand.
Success comes from acting out of confidence, conviction, commitment,
and deservedness, no matter what critics, haters, and competitors
are saying and thinking--with no fear of failure (and with no
problem bouncing back undiscouraged if one doesn't succeed at first).
Conversely, walking down the path to your goals with fear, doubt,
and uncertainty as your traveling companions is a sure way to
slow down--if not completely bring to a halt--your journey.
Even when successful, having a feeling of undeservedness
when you reach your goal will ultimately lead to self-sabotage.
Therefore, it is always, ALWAYS imperative that you put yourself in the RIGHT frame of mind before you set about your task at hand.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Parliament Passes Malaysians With No Abilities Act
Warning: This is satire, as I've heard the MCMC is too idiotic to be able to distinguish between a good joke and what is real.
Parliament Passes Malaysians With No Abilities Act
PUTRAJAYA—On Tuesday, Parliament approved the Malaysians With No Abilities Act (MANA), sweeping new legislation that provides benefits and protection for more than 5 million talentless Malaysians.
The act, signed into law by PM Najib shortly after its passage, is being hailed as a major victory for the millions of Malaysian citizens who lack any real skills or uses.
"Roughly 50 percent of Malaysians—through no fault of their own--do not possess the talent necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society," said Najib, a longtime MANA supporter.
"We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they do a better job, or have some idea of what they are doing."
"Their lives are futile hamster-wheel existences of unrewarding, dead-end busywork: xeroxing documents written by others, fulfilling coupons for get-rich-quick schemes, and processing bureaucratic forms that nobody will ever see. Sadly, for these millions of nonabled Malaysians, the Malaysian dream of working hard and moving up through the ranks is simply not a reality."
The Prime Minister pointed to the success of the Civil Service, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance. Approximately 74 percent of government employees lack job skills, making it the single largest employer of Persons of Inability.
Private sector industries with good records of nondiscrimination against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and "warehouse" stores (65%).
The JPJ also has a great record of hiring Persons of Inability. (63%)
Under MANA, more than 500,000 important-sounding "middle man" positions will be created in the white-collar sector for nonabled persons, providing them with an illusory sense of purpose and ability. Mandatory, non-performance-based raises and promotions will also be offered to create a sense of upward mobility for even the most unremarkable, utterly replaceable employees.
The legislation also provides corporations with incentives to hire nonabled workers, including tax breaks for those who hire one non-germane worker for every two talented hirees.
Finally, MANA also contains tough new measures to prevent discrimination against the nonabled by banning prospective employers from asking such job-interview questions as, "What can you bring to this organization?" and "Do you have any special skills that would make you an asset to this company?"
"As a nonabled person, I frequently find myself unable to keep up with co-workers who have something going for them," said Joceline Tan, who lost her position as an unessential pencil sharpener at the Prime Minister's Department last month due to her inability to remember 'anti-clockwise to sharpen'.
"This new law should really help people like me." Tan added.
With the passage of MANA, Tan and millions of other untalented, inessential citizens can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Said Minister Liow Tiong Lai: 'As a Minister with no abilities, I believe the same privileges that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every Malaysian with no abilities.
It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every Malaysian citizen, regardless of his or her inadequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation and a good salary for doing so.
Parliament Passes Malaysians With No Abilities Act
PUTRAJAYA—On Tuesday, Parliament approved the Malaysians With No Abilities Act (MANA), sweeping new legislation that provides benefits and protection for more than 5 million talentless Malaysians.
The act, signed into law by PM Najib shortly after its passage, is being hailed as a major victory for the millions of Malaysian citizens who lack any real skills or uses.
"Roughly 50 percent of Malaysians—through no fault of their own--do not possess the talent necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society," said Najib, a longtime MANA supporter.
"We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they do a better job, or have some idea of what they are doing."
"Their lives are futile hamster-wheel existences of unrewarding, dead-end busywork: xeroxing documents written by others, fulfilling coupons for get-rich-quick schemes, and processing bureaucratic forms that nobody will ever see. Sadly, for these millions of nonabled Malaysians, the Malaysian dream of working hard and moving up through the ranks is simply not a reality."
The Prime Minister pointed to the success of the Civil Service, which has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to performance. Approximately 74 percent of government employees lack job skills, making it the single largest employer of Persons of Inability.
Private sector industries with good records of nondiscrimination against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%), and "warehouse" stores (65%).
The JPJ also has a great record of hiring Persons of Inability. (63%)
Under MANA, more than 500,000 important-sounding "middle man" positions will be created in the white-collar sector for nonabled persons, providing them with an illusory sense of purpose and ability. Mandatory, non-performance-based raises and promotions will also be offered to create a sense of upward mobility for even the most unremarkable, utterly replaceable employees.
The legislation also provides corporations with incentives to hire nonabled workers, including tax breaks for those who hire one non-germane worker for every two talented hirees.
Finally, MANA also contains tough new measures to prevent discrimination against the nonabled by banning prospective employers from asking such job-interview questions as, "What can you bring to this organization?" and "Do you have any special skills that would make you an asset to this company?"
"As a nonabled person, I frequently find myself unable to keep up with co-workers who have something going for them," said Joceline Tan, who lost her position as an unessential pencil sharpener at the Prime Minister's Department last month due to her inability to remember 'anti-clockwise to sharpen'.
"This new law should really help people like me." Tan added.
With the passage of MANA, Tan and millions of other untalented, inessential citizens can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Said Minister Liow Tiong Lai: 'As a Minister with no abilities, I believe the same privileges that elected officials enjoy ought to be extended to every Malaysian with no abilities.
It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each and every Malaysian citizen, regardless of his or her inadequacy, with some sort of space to take up in this great nation and a good salary for doing so.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Self actualisation
There is inside you all of the potential to be whatever
you want to be ...
all of the energy to do whatever you want to do.
Imagine yourself as you would like to be,
doing what you want to do,
and each day, take one step towards your dream.
And though at times it may seem too difficult to continue,
hold on to your dream.
One morning you will awake to find that you are the person you dreamed of ...
doing what you wanted to do ...
simply because you had the courage to believe in your potential
and to hold on to your dream
you want to be ...
all of the energy to do whatever you want to do.
Imagine yourself as you would like to be,
doing what you want to do,
and each day, take one step towards your dream.
And though at times it may seem too difficult to continue,
hold on to your dream.
One morning you will awake to find that you are the person you dreamed of ...
doing what you wanted to do ...
simply because you had the courage to believe in your potential
and to hold on to your dream
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Worlds within a world
I've often pondered over this phrase I coined a long time ago.
They said the world's getting smaller.
Yes, I believe it.
And yet, there are still people who live as if they have no need or want of the "outside world".
I've met and seen people who live within their "own world".
A cocoon where they think it's "safe" or it's "I can do whatever I want and no one should care".
The fact remains that this world is so interconnected.
What that means is that what you do or say, affects not only yourself, but people in contact with you, within your social circle.
It would be nice if people could see the worlds outside their own.
This planet of ours is so "rich" with wondrous things, sights, smells and people that only an irrational person would think ha, so what, I'm the king of "my world".
Yes, king of "your world", a tiny, puny place where you spend 18 hours a day, 365 days a year and you'll probably die within that place too.
There are so many things to learn, good things, positive things, great books to read.
And yet some men think they're already "great".
With that, it brings to mind what Solzhenitsyn said:
Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people.
Let your memory be your travel bag.
- Alexander Solzhenitsyn
They said the world's getting smaller.
Yes, I believe it.
And yet, there are still people who live as if they have no need or want of the "outside world".
I've met and seen people who live within their "own world".
A cocoon where they think it's "safe" or it's "I can do whatever I want and no one should care".
The fact remains that this world is so interconnected.
What that means is that what you do or say, affects not only yourself, but people in contact with you, within your social circle.
It would be nice if people could see the worlds outside their own.
This planet of ours is so "rich" with wondrous things, sights, smells and people that only an irrational person would think ha, so what, I'm the king of "my world".
Yes, king of "your world", a tiny, puny place where you spend 18 hours a day, 365 days a year and you'll probably die within that place too.
There are so many things to learn, good things, positive things, great books to read.
And yet some men think they're already "great".
With that, it brings to mind what Solzhenitsyn said:
Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people.
Let your memory be your travel bag.
- Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Thought for The Day
If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness
more than they desired the unhappiness of others,
we could have paradise in a few years.
- Bertrand Russell
more than they desired the unhappiness of others,
we could have paradise in a few years.
- Bertrand Russell
Friday, February 11, 2011
Quote of the Day
We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same.
- Carlos Castaneda
- Carlos Castaneda
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Hire for attitude, train for skills
This was the creed I learned in MBA.
Never realised how important it could be.
I'm now onto my 3rd batch of new recruits, and hopefully, their attitudes will see them through the tough training they will be undergoing.
To illustrate just how important your attitude will be, take a good read below.
If your company, a comb manufacturer, assigns you to sell combs to the monks in the temples.
Can you do it ?
What is your answer ?
a) No Way , Impossible !
b) Crazy !
c) I will give it a try in order to follow my boss'instruction.
d) Well, I will try.
e) Ya, I think I can sell ??? (5pcs ? 10pcs ? 50pcs ? or more...you name it)
Pick an answer above and read below to find out if you are or are not going to be a successful person or not at all.
The Story: SELLING COMBS TO THE MONKS
There is one company "manufacturing combs" which intends to expand its business and therefore, the management needs to employ a new Sales Manager.
The company ADV ERTISED the vacancy in the newspaper. Many people turned up for the interview daily....adding up to almost a hundred interviewees in just a few days.
The Company now faces the problem in choosing the right candidate for this position. So the Company's HR manager sets out a task to those who wanted to come for the final interview.
The task: Selling Combs To Monks In Temples
Only 3 applicants are willing to stay on for this Final Interview challenge:- A, B and C
The HR manager instructed: "Now I want three of you to sell these wooden combs to the monks in the temples. You only have 10 days to do it and report to me."
After 10 days, they reported.
The HR manager asked A: "How many have you sold ?"
A answered: "Only One."
HR manager asked: "How did you manage to sell one ?
A answered: "The monks in the temple scolded me when I showed them the comb but on my way downhill, I met a young monk who bought it to scratch his head due to dandruff."
The HR manager then asked B: "How many did you sell ?
B replied: "10 pieces. I went to a shrine and noticed that many devotees' hair were in a mess due to strong winds outside the shrine. The monk listened to my advice and bought 10 combs for their devotees as a mark of respect to Buddha."
Then, the HR manager asked C: "What about you ?"
C replied: "1,000 units."
The HR manager and the other 2 interviewees were astounded.
HR manager asked: "How did you do that ?"
C replied: "I went to a famous temple. After observing for a few days, I discovered that there were many tourists. I then told the Chief Abbot there. "Sifu, those who come here are very devoted. If you could give them a gift, it will be more elating to them. I told him that I have a bulk of combs here and asked him to put his signature on the combs as a present to these visitors. He was very delighted and immediately ordered 1,000 pieces."
MORAL OF THE STORY:
HARVARD UNIVERSITY did a research:-
1) 85% of success is due to attitude and 15% is capability
2) Attitude is more important than intelligence, specials skills or luck..
In other words, professional knowledge only constitutes for 15% success factor while 85% is due to self-cultivation, public relations and adaptability.
Still remember the story of Selling Shoes to Africans ?
When 2 Salesmen were sent to Africa , one of them reported: "Cannot do it.
No one wears shoes over there !"
The second salesman said: "It is good to market. A lot of opportunities."
Success or Failure is dependent on how we face problems.
Remember, when the economy is good, there are people going bankrupt.
When business is bad, there are many new millionaires as well. So apply the 85% of the right working attitude fully.
Something 2 Share:
I believe this basic principle of 85% right working attitude is also applicable to Plantation Management.
Many problems encountered by planters can be overcome because they are not as difficult as "selling comb to the monks". Logically, it's impossible for the monk to buy a comb to comb hair. Monks in temples are simply not your customers!
With this story, we learn to "think out of the box" and even with 15% capability, we are confident to solve problems as long as we have the RIGHT WORKING ATTITUDE, COMMITMENT, DISCIPLINED, DEDICATED and DETERMINED.
Every time when we watch MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, the ending is always POSSIBLE
DO NOT FIND EXCUSES NOT TO DO THE POSSIBLE BUT INSTEAD, FIND WAYS AND
MEANS TO DO THE! POSSIBLE! . That's the right working attitude !
Never realised how important it could be.
I'm now onto my 3rd batch of new recruits, and hopefully, their attitudes will see them through the tough training they will be undergoing.
To illustrate just how important your attitude will be, take a good read below.
If your company, a comb manufacturer, assigns you to sell combs to the monks in the temples.
Can you do it ?
What is your answer ?
a) No Way , Impossible !
b) Crazy !
c) I will give it a try in order to follow my boss'instruction.
d) Well, I will try.
e) Ya, I think I can sell ??? (5pcs ? 10pcs ? 50pcs ? or more...you name it)
Pick an answer above and read below to find out if you are or are not going to be a successful person or not at all.
The Story: SELLING COMBS TO THE MONKS
There is one company "manufacturing combs" which intends to expand its business and therefore, the management needs to employ a new Sales Manager.
The company ADV ERTISED the vacancy in the newspaper. Many people turned up for the interview daily....adding up to almost a hundred interviewees in just a few days.
The Company now faces the problem in choosing the right candidate for this position. So the Company's HR manager sets out a task to those who wanted to come for the final interview.
The task: Selling Combs To Monks In Temples
Only 3 applicants are willing to stay on for this Final Interview challenge:- A, B and C
The HR manager instructed: "Now I want three of you to sell these wooden combs to the monks in the temples. You only have 10 days to do it and report to me."
After 10 days, they reported.
The HR manager asked A: "How many have you sold ?"
A answered: "Only One."
HR manager asked: "How did you manage to sell one ?
A answered: "The monks in the temple scolded me when I showed them the comb but on my way downhill, I met a young monk who bought it to scratch his head due to dandruff."
The HR manager then asked B: "How many did you sell ?
B replied: "10 pieces. I went to a shrine and noticed that many devotees' hair were in a mess due to strong winds outside the shrine. The monk listened to my advice and bought 10 combs for their devotees as a mark of respect to Buddha."
Then, the HR manager asked C: "What about you ?"
C replied: "1,000 units."
The HR manager and the other 2 interviewees were astounded.
HR manager asked: "How did you do that ?"
C replied: "I went to a famous temple. After observing for a few days, I discovered that there were many tourists. I then told the Chief Abbot there. "Sifu, those who come here are very devoted. If you could give them a gift, it will be more elating to them. I told him that I have a bulk of combs here and asked him to put his signature on the combs as a present to these visitors. He was very delighted and immediately ordered 1,000 pieces."
MORAL OF THE STORY:
HARVARD UNIVERSITY did a research:-
1) 85% of success is due to attitude and 15% is capability
2) Attitude is more important than intelligence, specials skills or luck..
In other words, professional knowledge only constitutes for 15% success factor while 85% is due to self-cultivation, public relations and adaptability.
Still remember the story of Selling Shoes to Africans ?
When 2 Salesmen were sent to Africa , one of them reported: "Cannot do it.
No one wears shoes over there !"
The second salesman said: "It is good to market. A lot of opportunities."
Success or Failure is dependent on how we face problems.
Remember, when the economy is good, there are people going bankrupt.
When business is bad, there are many new millionaires as well. So apply the 85% of the right working attitude fully.
Something 2 Share:
I believe this basic principle of 85% right working attitude is also applicable to Plantation Management.
Many problems encountered by planters can be overcome because they are not as difficult as "selling comb to the monks". Logically, it's impossible for the monk to buy a comb to comb hair. Monks in temples are simply not your customers!
With this story, we learn to "think out of the box" and even with 15% capability, we are confident to solve problems as long as we have the RIGHT WORKING ATTITUDE, COMMITMENT, DISCIPLINED, DEDICATED and DETERMINED.
Every time when we watch MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, the ending is always POSSIBLE
DO NOT FIND EXCUSES NOT TO DO THE POSSIBLE BUT INSTEAD, FIND WAYS AND
MEANS TO DO THE! POSSIBLE! . That's the right working attitude !
Monday, February 07, 2011
Qur'an, Al-Furqan, Surah 25:72-74
The true servants of the merciful Lord are those who do not tell lies against others, and do not lose their composure when listening to profane abuse; and who do not turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the Lord’s revelations, when they are reminded of them. The true servants of the merciful Lord are those who say to him: ‘Make our families happy, and make us examples to all who honour you.’
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