i shall catch up with a photo i took ystd afternoon.. there!. not bad huh xD
I've been reading lately.. alot. rather.
Business Week and Fortune. i even catched up on some previous issues to update myself about the crisis that i didn't bother while i was in Singapore, slacking my life away..
okay fine i'm still slacking my life away. but oh well. different style.
There's a book called Learning Journals that i've been trying to chew.. its a collection of stories of leaders in different fields on how they grow to be one.. wise words shared in the form of stories. here's the few questions that's rather significant:
- what are your native abilities and are you using them? how do you use them in the future? will ppl be proud of you?
this is rather against the chinese concept of being the best.. just mug on and climb to the top.. its about being what you're most comfortable doing. and do your teachers / parents proud. the thing is.. nowadays. they wont be proud of you unless you earn big bucks.. or will they?
-is your to-do list of the same weight as the to-learn list.
James Collins wrote this. okay. he may have some points there in saying that we should constantly be learning.. even from the people who seek answers from us. to grow. its more of a reminder to those big bosses out there... not to me i guess. i'd rather say i'll settle with my to-do list when i have to do smt... cos learning will be just a part of doing the thing that i am to do =s
the other stories so far. is more about learning.. if not all.
about learning effectively.. the best way. according to many. is to teach. cos there's this process of preparing.. teaching.. answering doubts.. which essentially would mean more thoughts into the issue..
there are many reminders about listening and learning.. understanding people so that one can manage better. or. on a higher level. learning from them and inspire them to understand their passion and drive in the job.
these are much of interpersonal stuff..
and there's some intrapersonal..
about knowing the destination and setting the "direction of travel"...
the guidelines.. principles in life that we keep to.. knowing where we're going in order to get there..
I think i know mine... do you know your's?
there's a tiny story. from the Naval Proceedings Manual.. which means the story true.. Stephen R Covey quoted it to explain our direction of travel and principles.. as direction of travel constantly change.. we must check our alignment constantly to head to our destinations... although i dont understand why he took principles as obstacles and said that "we dont break them as we will break ourselves against them.. bleah..
here goes.
On a dark and stormy night, the capt of a ship at sea recieved a frantic wake-up call.
"capt capt, wake up!"
"what is it"
"sorry to wake you, sir, but we have a real problem. "
"what is it"
"there's a ship in our sea-line, several miles away and they refuse to move."
"tell them to move."
"we have, sir, they just won't move."
"I'll tell them! move starboard 20 degrees."
the signal returned "move starboard yourself. 20 degrees"
"i can't believe this," roared the capt. "who's this joker? doesn't he know i'm the capt? tell him who i am"
"This is Capt Horatio Hornblower, the 26th, commanding you to move starboard 20 degrees, at once."
"this is seaman Carl Jones, the third, commanding you to move starboard 20 degrees, at once"
"i can't believe this. what arrogance. we're a battleship. we could blow them out of the water. Let him know who we are!"
"this is mighty Missouri, flagship of the 7th fleet."
the signal replied "this is the lighthouse"
...okay honestly this is just for laughs. if u aint laughing then my bad ><
from last few days of reading i've also came across an article about giving a talk to the finiance graduates of universities.. the couple was invited to give a talk to the graduates.. and the school reminded them not to mention certain phrases.. like.. "you're the best of the best" and "the future depends on you guys" or perhaps "the future is in your hands!"...
the graduates now adays are just more mature i guess.. they dont buy those crap anymore.. with the situation at hand they just wanna get tips for getting a job and climb the ladder.
they told the graduates alright. and i find it pretty true.. good common sense.
in short, expand the employer's expectations, exceed them. ignore the ideal work-life balance until we're earning enough.
good common sense and will stay true for a pretty damn long time. hey future me. if you're reading this. make sure you know what i've written.. man i hope i dont lose my memory by then.