Sunday, October 09, 2011
Friday, October 07, 2011
1955 - 2011
When I was 17 I read a quote that went something like "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "no" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
– Stanford University commencement address, 1995
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/05/steve-jobs-stanford-commencement-address_n_997301.html
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
– Stanford University commencement address, 1995
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/05/steve-jobs-stanford-commencement-address_n_997301.html
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Adventure Capitalist
I have finished reading Adventure Capitalist by Jim Rogers. He made me realise several things.
The way to a successful investor is to do nothing - not until you see money lying there and all that is left for you to do is to go over and pick it up. Something without much risk.
I think how most of us invest in stock markets is hoping it will go up and we are taking a risk. But ny Jim Roger's definition, true investors, make bets based on little risk. Because there are not many great opportunities that will come along, do nothing in the meantime. Looking at my stock purchases, I bought at the wrong time, at the height of the stock. I should really base it on research, and when I am very sure of it, or when the people say "I will not buy another railway stock again".
His criticism of the US made me realise one thing, that i should be reading more about the world economy and not get sucked in what is happening in my own world. Read more, listen more to international news, go out travel more and know the country I am living in.
I am thinking what I have achieved in my four + years I have been in HK, and "if you come home on day one and end back where you started, then you probably should not have left in the first place". This is a very difficult one for me. It will take me a while to sort out what I have achieved and how I have grown mentally.
I see how business in HK is run a lot on relationships, and in China, it is more so. The importance of going out and networking is very important whichever industry you are in. In my case, this is probably one of my biggest weakness. I refuse to do it.
"Whatever the answer, you will not know it until you start asking the right questions, and asking them of the right people." Keep your friends close, but your enemy even closer. "Anyone involved in a war, running a company, or simply having an argument has to undersstand what the enemy, the competition, the other guy is up to or he has no hope of winning the battle, winning market share, or winning the debate. Every military school in the world will tell you have to understand how the other guy thinks. The enemy may be crazy, but you have to get into his head if you are ever to have any hope of defeating him."will tell you Know your enemy and live curious.
I played squash with Paddy. Squash itself is a tactical game, and one needs to anticipate the opponent's next move in order to position myself favourably. I need to get better.
The way to a successful investor is to do nothing - not until you see money lying there and all that is left for you to do is to go over and pick it up. Something without much risk.
I think how most of us invest in stock markets is hoping it will go up and we are taking a risk. But ny Jim Roger's definition, true investors, make bets based on little risk. Because there are not many great opportunities that will come along, do nothing in the meantime. Looking at my stock purchases, I bought at the wrong time, at the height of the stock. I should really base it on research, and when I am very sure of it, or when the people say "I will not buy another railway stock again".
His criticism of the US made me realise one thing, that i should be reading more about the world economy and not get sucked in what is happening in my own world. Read more, listen more to international news, go out travel more and know the country I am living in.
I am thinking what I have achieved in my four + years I have been in HK, and "if you come home on day one and end back where you started, then you probably should not have left in the first place". This is a very difficult one for me. It will take me a while to sort out what I have achieved and how I have grown mentally.
I see how business in HK is run a lot on relationships, and in China, it is more so. The importance of going out and networking is very important whichever industry you are in. In my case, this is probably one of my biggest weakness. I refuse to do it.
"Whatever the answer, you will not know it until you start asking the right questions, and asking them of the right people." Keep your friends close, but your enemy even closer. "Anyone involved in a war, running a company, or simply having an argument has to undersstand what the enemy, the competition, the other guy is up to or he has no hope of winning the battle, winning market share, or winning the debate. Every military school in the world will tell you have to understand how the other guy thinks. The enemy may be crazy, but you have to get into his head if you are ever to have any hope of defeating him."will tell you Know your enemy and live curious.
I played squash with Paddy. Squash itself is a tactical game, and one needs to anticipate the opponent's next move in order to position myself favourably. I need to get better.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Exams
Exams are coming soon - on 4th and 14th May! I am freaking out a little bit, and am taking time off work to study. Wish me luck!
There after I will spend a week back in my home country for work & a friend's wedding!
There after I will spend a week back in my home country for work & a friend's wedding!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Trying to be frugal!
This is very important to me. And so I found some information that helps.
Did you know that most millionaires live in modest homes and drive used cars? That's why they are rich. Don't expect to eat out at fine restaurants. You will be able to go someday soon but not now. Don't buy new clothes for a while. There is nothing wrong with what you already own.
So you don't like cutting coupons? Too bad. If you could save $10 on your shopping next trip why wouldn't you? Buy a cheaper brand of toothpaste. Use half the toothpaste you currently do - the size of a pea is all you need. And think about it, that $4.00 tube is now really only $2.00 ... because you are making it go twice as far! Food shopping, buy what’s on sale and learn to live with it. You'll save and not starve. Go to matinées instead of the nighttime movies. Think to yourself what it is you really like ... and then think of a way you can do it cheaper! Drink a lot of bottled water? Refill them at home. The savings will rake up. Take your lunch to work; eating at the fast foods and deli's cost a lot of money.
Be conservative with your utilities. Spend the evening at the library instead of heating up your place. And read their magazines and drop your subscriptions. Fix leaking faucets, turn off unused lights, etc.
Change your way of thinking. Instead of saying that something only cost a dollar think of it as keeping that dollar instead. That dollar will grow interest for you. So that item doesn't really just cost a dollar it costs you your future!
Learn how to invest ... not just save ... but invest. Think of every dollar your money is not earning as future money just dribbling out of your pocket.
Save for a rainy day. Then learn how to make your money work for you.
Doing all the things above, as hard as it is, will help you in the long run.
Tips
• Think before you buy anything. Do you really need it? If not put it back.
• Be strict with yourself.
• If you think you "need" something, wait one month (or six months, or whatever works for you) before you buy. If you still believe you need it, then get it.
Did you know that most millionaires live in modest homes and drive used cars? That's why they are rich. Don't expect to eat out at fine restaurants. You will be able to go someday soon but not now. Don't buy new clothes for a while. There is nothing wrong with what you already own.
So you don't like cutting coupons? Too bad. If you could save $10 on your shopping next trip why wouldn't you? Buy a cheaper brand of toothpaste. Use half the toothpaste you currently do - the size of a pea is all you need. And think about it, that $4.00 tube is now really only $2.00 ... because you are making it go twice as far! Food shopping, buy what’s on sale and learn to live with it. You'll save and not starve. Go to matinées instead of the nighttime movies. Think to yourself what it is you really like ... and then think of a way you can do it cheaper! Drink a lot of bottled water? Refill them at home. The savings will rake up. Take your lunch to work; eating at the fast foods and deli's cost a lot of money.
Be conservative with your utilities. Spend the evening at the library instead of heating up your place. And read their magazines and drop your subscriptions. Fix leaking faucets, turn off unused lights, etc.
Change your way of thinking. Instead of saying that something only cost a dollar think of it as keeping that dollar instead. That dollar will grow interest for you. So that item doesn't really just cost a dollar it costs you your future!
Learn how to invest ... not just save ... but invest. Think of every dollar your money is not earning as future money just dribbling out of your pocket.
Save for a rainy day. Then learn how to make your money work for you.
Doing all the things above, as hard as it is, will help you in the long run.
Tips
• Think before you buy anything. Do you really need it? If not put it back.
• Be strict with yourself.
• If you think you "need" something, wait one month (or six months, or whatever works for you) before you buy. If you still believe you need it, then get it.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday!
Today I went for Good Friday Mass at St John's. It was nice to see familiar faces and be reminded once again that whatever I am going through right now, pales in comparison to what Jesus went through. At first before I attended mass today, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by a colleague at office who passed a callous remark that made me upset, and also at the prospect of the coming exams for a module that had been really difficult.
Lucky for me, I got the day off, and also saw R over the week. It was so nice to catch up, and good to know some people still stay the same. Plan for this week: Nice to get a phonecall for Sat lunch by my uni-mates, also might be going a swim this Sunday at the university pool! It is facing the sea, let's see how gorgeous it gets!
I am learning to be less sensitive, be more relaxed, ignore horrid comments, and disregard people who are not genuine. Also learnt to be careful of people who put on a false facade. Time will tell.
Have been reading updates on the elections via FB and also on the news. I have registered myself as a foreign elector and am looking forward to hearing about the competition in our district!
My only other favourite activity is listening to jazz on this amazing channel - jazzfm.com, and watching American Idol - go Casey Abrams!
Till then, signing off, and definitely in need of exercise!
Lucky for me, I got the day off, and also saw R over the week. It was so nice to catch up, and good to know some people still stay the same. Plan for this week: Nice to get a phonecall for Sat lunch by my uni-mates, also might be going a swim this Sunday at the university pool! It is facing the sea, let's see how gorgeous it gets!
I am learning to be less sensitive, be more relaxed, ignore horrid comments, and disregard people who are not genuine. Also learnt to be careful of people who put on a false facade. Time will tell.
Have been reading updates on the elections via FB and also on the news. I have registered myself as a foreign elector and am looking forward to hearing about the competition in our district!
My only other favourite activity is listening to jazz on this amazing channel - jazzfm.com, and watching American Idol - go Casey Abrams!
Till then, signing off, and definitely in need of exercise!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
One Day at a Time
April 7, 2011 by Kwee Lain
[ From DailyOM ]
Our lives are made of stepping stones, one experience after another in perfect and divine order.
The years of our life do not arrive all at once; they greet us day by day. With the descent of each setting sun, we are able to rest our heads and let the world take care of itself for a while. We may rest assured throughout the night, knowing that the dawn will bring with it a chance to meet our lives anew, donning fresh perspectives and dream-inspired hopes. The hours that follow, before we return to sleep once more, are for us to decide how we want to live and learn, laugh and grow. Our lives are sweeter and more manageable because we must experience them this way: one day at a time.
Imagine the future stretching out before you and try to notice if you feel any tension or overwhelm at the prospect of the journey still to come. Perhaps you have recently made a lifestyle change, like beginning a new diet or quitting smoking, and the idea of continuing this healthy new behavior for years seems daunting. Maybe you have started a new job or are newly married and can feel an undercurrent of anxiety about your ability to succeed. If you can shift your focus from what may happen years down the line and return it to the day that is before you right now, you may find a measure of calm and renewed confidence in your capabilities. You may also discover an inner faith that the future will take care of itself.
The way we show up for our lives today and tomorrow has an enormous affect on who we will be and what we will be experiencing years from now. If we can remain fully engaged in the day at hand, enjoying all it has to offer and putting our energy into making the most of it, we will find that we are perfectly ready and capable to handle any future when it arrives.
[ From DailyOM ]
Our lives are made of stepping stones, one experience after another in perfect and divine order.
The years of our life do not arrive all at once; they greet us day by day. With the descent of each setting sun, we are able to rest our heads and let the world take care of itself for a while. We may rest assured throughout the night, knowing that the dawn will bring with it a chance to meet our lives anew, donning fresh perspectives and dream-inspired hopes. The hours that follow, before we return to sleep once more, are for us to decide how we want to live and learn, laugh and grow. Our lives are sweeter and more manageable because we must experience them this way: one day at a time.
Imagine the future stretching out before you and try to notice if you feel any tension or overwhelm at the prospect of the journey still to come. Perhaps you have recently made a lifestyle change, like beginning a new diet or quitting smoking, and the idea of continuing this healthy new behavior for years seems daunting. Maybe you have started a new job or are newly married and can feel an undercurrent of anxiety about your ability to succeed. If you can shift your focus from what may happen years down the line and return it to the day that is before you right now, you may find a measure of calm and renewed confidence in your capabilities. You may also discover an inner faith that the future will take care of itself.
The way we show up for our lives today and tomorrow has an enormous affect on who we will be and what we will be experiencing years from now. If we can remain fully engaged in the day at hand, enjoying all it has to offer and putting our energy into making the most of it, we will find that we are perfectly ready and capable to handle any future when it arrives.