Animal Instincts + Human Intuition

Most of the Big Achievers of success gained it through Gut feel instead of knowledge and analysis. When the experts and consultants gave the advice of what it should be done, sometimes the Big Achievers will do otherwise. Perhaps that's the reason why experts remain as experts and consultants remain as consultants! I'm saying this with my respect to them as they provide the logical and the analysis part of a situation while Big Achievers go with their "Animal Instincts + Human Intuition".

Let's see....

• Conventionally, coffee is served hot and nobody ever likes drinking it cold. How come Coffee Beans and Starbucks are championing the ice-blended coffee? Moreover selling at 2 - 3 times higher than a typical complete meal! Who's the winner; Mr. Logic or Mr. Gut-Feel?
• Experts told Donald Trump not to engage in The Apprentice, it will be a failure. Look at the result of The Apprentice, one of the top reality shows internationally! Who wins again; Mr. Expert or Mr. Achiever?
• Those consultants advised Uncle Lim that it will take years to build the road all the way up to the hill and Uncle Lim did it in less than half of the timeframe predicted. That's why you see Genting Highland today! Who is right; Mr. Analysis or Mr. Desire?
• Nobody ever believe a "Black" president in the United States of America. Barack Obama has proven to be the "Black Sheep" then! Who is stronger; Mr. Tradition or Mr. Breakthrough?
• When everyone accepted the problem of pen leakages as a norm for the past 50 years, George Parker made a breakthrough by coming out with pens that would write in all conditions; right or left-handed, slant-forward or backward....it doesn't matter. Eventually Parker is one of the best known American brands internationally. Who's matter; Mr. Head or Mr. Heart?
• During the 60s, Calvin was struggling with low paying jobs in New York fashion industry. He thought he was in the wrong industry and considered joining a family friend in the grocery business. But his gut-feel tell him otherwise plus an encouragement from a friend to loan him the start up capital of $10,000 to start Calvin Klein Ltd. The rest of course is history.... Who made it; Mr. Pull Backward or Mr. Push Forward?

It is hard to explain Gut-Feel, Instincts & Intuitions. You may see it as a form of gambling or luck. But that is what differentiate Big Achievers and an ordinary person. In the movie Star Wars, observed all the Jedi especially Master Yoda (the cute little green guy), you'll know what I mean. They just know what they are suppose to know!

Sony's founder, Masaru Ibuka made decisions based on his stomach condition or appetite! Bad appetite or gastric is a sign to Masaru that a particular decision is not good. This is a real "Gut-Feel" example!

Animal has instincts. They don't analyse, do reports and draw bar charts! When they sense danger, they just run. Before drought, they already stored food. When dogs have stomach problem, they know what plants to eat. They don't seek doctors!

Gut-Feel is like a Compass. Despite heavy rain, thunderstorm, cloudy sky, it can still point to the North!

How to get Inspiration or Intuition?

• Try doing something unrelated when we are stress-out. At times, ideas will pop up just like that! As for me, my driving and shower time is my Creative moments.
• Have our serious thoughts in early morning, when there is no distractions. I've tried reading a bit in the morning and somehow, yesterday's problems were solved due to a different mindset.
• A tight deadline will sometimes expedite our Gut-Feel because we have no time to analyse! When there is not much meetings and influenced from different people, a quick-gut-feel decision can be made through.
• Imagine how our life idols will react in the same situations. It might trigger the intuition by looking through the other's lens!
• Changing the surrounding states; music, smell (aromatherapy), colors...etc.
• Try thinking in total "darkness" where peak concentration takes place.

Let's try using our Gut-Feel, Instincts or Intuition continously and I'm sure repetitions lead to precisions

Tick, tick, tick....

Now is 2nd of June. Pass this month, 1/2 of 2011 will be gone....

Changes in jobs, my son's height, Japan's geographical area, government's strategies, the number of wrinkles my father has, our education systems, inflation, the car that I'm driving, the number of blockbuster movies....etc...basically changes happen everyday!

Do you feel in certain months or years, time flies? And in some other months or years, time is slowing down? I think it depends on the Changes and the Emotions that we went through. Perhaps time is just a moving events of emotions? Is that what people call quality time or quantity time?

When we have directions, we felt the world stops spinning.
When we are lost, we felt the time is ticking.

No matter what, we still have another 6 months to go!

If focused-planning can't work, perhaps can try flexible-planning?
If systems can't work, maybe trying different strategies will help?
If using our strengths still can't achieve what we want, we may try look for our talents instead?

What about reading additional books?
Making new friends in different expertise?
Attending seminars or courses?
Finding someone to look up to?
Embark on a short vacation?
Google more?
Trying a different scope of work?

So far, are you satisfied with the journey?
Are you sitting in an economy class, business class or first class of your life?

Working harder doesn't necessarily get us what we want. Or else, tonnes of factory workers would be achieving their dreams!

All of us have our own speed and rhythm of managing our life. Instead of comparing with others, why not find our Life Rhythm, Working Rhythm and Emotional Rhythm and ride on with this beat to achieve what we want.

Try it!

Not Formula One but One Formula

In the area of sales, figure is the main pillar of any business.

No Sales equals to No Profit.
No Profit equals to No Salary
No Salary equals to No Employment.....party's over!

I've learnt a simple formula to achieve success in Sales.

Sales Results = Mindsets x Knowledge x Skillsets x Productivity

Mindsets
Our level of motivation will determine on our level of positiveness and toughness in handling situations, while our desire will push our creativity forward. Past programming is the major part contributing to our mindsets. What we do, say, act, read and socialise with, will mould our way of thinking. Not only that, our belief systems play an important role in shaping our values. Do we believe in working hard or just work smart? Is relationship more important than techniques? What about Macroviews vs. Microdetails? Basically, a right Mindsets is the foundation of all. If the main structure is not solid, forget about building a highrise!

Knowledge
Obviously, this is product benefits or features, market trend, technology applications and industry expertise. Knowing how to put it all together will definitely help us to be more convincing and efficient in our work. Know what we do and do what we know. Establishing systems or structures will expedite tracking process. Widening our knowledge through reading materials can trigger cross-thinking in the sales process. Finally, using a Blackberry on the go will surely speed up the correspondence process.

Skillsets
We can't be anything we want to be, but we can be a lot more of who we already are. If we can find our own talent instead of strength and leverage on it, we will be able to operate in our peak zone. Talent is basically our own Natural Skills, while Strength is more of our Learned Skills.

Example of people who have Talents; They can learn music faster, mix with people easily,  simplify complicated calculations, being able to draw flawlessly or have a great sense of humor! All of these are developed naturally without stressing our brain to perfect it. It is in us already!
What about Strengths? Cooking, Gardening, Writing or Troubleshooting are some of the examples. With continuous practise and time investment, we will consistently be a high performer.

Well, the best is using both to develop our Competencies, Rapport-Building, Probing, Presentation, Tackling Objections and Negotiation. Finally, understanding customer's problems and needs are the ultimatum!

Productivity
This is definitely hardwork. The number of calls, appointments, proposals and follow-ups are the main keys. Of course this is correlated to our time management and prioritization. That's why Productivity is different than Activity. I heard someone ask another person before, "Are you busy failing or busy succeeding?" What a difference!

Just some nuggets sharing with you with the hope that you can form the whole piece of chicken yourself!

Give to Give

Sometimes it is worth it to tighten our budget a little bit more to be able to give a little bit more.
We know that in order to receive, we shall first learn how to give.
Instead of Give to Receive, perhaps we could Give to Give.
There are things that we should be prudent of and there are things that we should be generous towards.
Upon giving, somehow we felt gooood....
Be it Time, Money, Effort, Creativity & any form of Resources.
Try give some of it out to help someone and observe how do you feel afterwards.

Last Minute Appreciation

Yesterday was the last day of one of my colleague working in our company. All the staff basically had a great lunch in an Indonesian Restaurant... grilled chicken with vege plus iced lemon tea.
Of course that is not the point!
After all of our stomachs are filled, we shared on how each of us felt working with this lovely and capable lady. Finally all the good words are shared and all the compliments started pouring out from our hearts. Collectively, we mentioned that this lady is extremely patient in handling difficult tasks and great at multi-tasking, very kind-hearted and did all of her jobs with a great big smile!
I am pretty sure all of us will miss her presence.
On the other hand, I felt another sad part of this event.

How come most of the employees are only appreciated verbally only at the moment of farewell?
Why all of a sudden, heartfelt and touchy words were uttered during the last day of a person?

Is it we are too busy chasing KPI, figures and troubleshooting daily challenges?
Perhaps we are too focus on the maximum use of our time for a high-level of productivity?
Maybe it is a norm in our Asian culture of not being expressive?
Or we just simply forgot?

I think one of the way to really bring out the best in people is through sincere compliments, words of acknowledgement and appreciation. We use our mind for management and we use our heart for appreciation. Basically, we use both.

Why not begin with the culture of "A Compliment A Day, Puts All The Negative Away".

Chronological Events After Marriage

During courtship: Honey + Moon!
Right after marriage: HoneyMoon!
2nd year of marriage: Honey, where's the Moon?
3rd year of marriage: Honey without the Moon!
4th year of marriage: SugarMoon (travel locally). Sugar is cheaper than Honey ok!
5th year of marriage: No Honey, no Sugar and no Moon!
6th year of marriage: Tsunamis & Earthquakes! The Yin can't balance the Yang...
7th year of marriage: World War 3!
8th year of marriage: Independence Day...Merdeka! Then go separate ways....
9th year of marriage: Both in rehabilitation centre!
10th year of marriage: Signing MoU of a lifetime & celebrate 10th anniversary!

....and they live happily ever after....

Weakness = Strength

Last year, I've written "You From Jupiter, I From Neptune!", about different people with different personalities or thinking styles. Basically people are either a Task-Oriented, People-Oriented, Introvert or Extrovert person. I've found out in different circumstances, a person's Weakness can be the Strength and vice-versa.

Case 1: Be Positive or Negative? We might stay away from negative people but it is those people that will question the practicality and viability of a venture. That is why the term "Cautiously Positive" or "Realistically Positive" are a balance way to move forward, with caution.

Case 2: An Extrovert must be better than an Introvert? An Introvert, who is always being seen as having a non-active or passive personality? The cold, Yin person! Boring to meet them huh...
They might be "allergy" to social gatherings or public speakings but they are really good in processing data and really comes in handy when it comes to planning and organizing. And most of the times, an Introvert will only say the right thing at the right moment because they process thoughts before speaking it out.

Case 3: What about being Open-Minded or Narrow-Minded?
If we are open-minded, some might see us as a non-principled person. Because we are so OPEN and not really focus in life. But open-mindedness can be a source to prevent argument and to adapt to alternative solutions during a crisis.
On the other side, if we are narrow-minded, some may think we are too STIFF and not adaptable to the changes around situations. As Charles Darwin quoted, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change". But narrow-minded people might get things done as they are focus and doesn't deviate.
Perhaps in a marriage, we should be NARROW-MINDED and focus in one relationship.
But in a business, we should be OPEN-MINDED and be flexible to change.

Case 4: Is Perfection a must? We thought having a perfect command of English will be highly perceived as gentleman! Not really. I've watched a durian-seller, who is a millionaire, speaking broken English that can stir up a crowd and motivate them as opposed to another professional & eloquent speaker who speaks perfectly great, but extremely boring and I felt sleepy listening to him......

So, what's the conclusion?

Between Flexibility and Focus, which one is useful?
Between Negative Thinking and Positive Thinking, which one is better?
Between a Sociable and a Bookworm person, which one do you prefer?

I would say all of it are beneficial, if it is used in the right place.

Flexibility should be practised in business while Focus can be very useful when we want to lose weight!
Negative Thinking and suspicion can be used to uncover crime activities while Positive Thinking can be very uplifting and perhaps, a trait of a cheerleader!
Sociability might be able to improve contacts and networks while Introvert can be a great listener for people who needs a shoulder to cry on!

Therefore, I think a person doesn't really has Strengths or Weaknesses. It really depends on where and how someone use it for betterment or for worst. If having the Right People doing the Wrong Thing or the Wrong People doing the Right Thing, it will be the worst of it. Unless it is the Right People doing the Right Thing, it would be a perfect match!

Remember, before criticising others and magnifying people's weaknesses using the wrong lens, we may want to review "where" is the weaknesses being seen.

I should remind myself as well!!

Knowledge is a Liability

...only if we don't use it!

What is an Asset? It is something that generates & put money in.
What is a Liability? It is something that takes money out.

How do we gain knowledge?
We have to learn & "buy" from different sources. From books, learning tools, seminars, conferences or courses. Of course money is flowing out in this case. Therefore, unused-knowledge is a liability!
Which means, don't pursue any knowledge if we don't intend to apply it.

Why do we pursue knowledge then?
Because we believe "Knowledge is Power"......IT IS NOT! "Applied Knowledge is Power"!
Knowledge only gives us Potential Power. It can load us with preparation, proper mindset & different angles of looking at things.
But the Final Power lies in our ACTION!

So, let's pump ourselves up!!

Powerful Story is more influential than Logical Analysis

Recently, I've met 3 new friends through another friend. What a blessing to know all of em'.

One man in particular, in his 50's, doesn't has a super high education but went through The School of Hard-Knocks! Due to some crisis, he dropped from the status of million-aire to thousand-aire and eventually zero-aire!

He doesn't give up. He learn, explore & kept discovering different strategies to achieve his goal.
Then he bounced back from nothing to SOMETHING. And he taught his children the same principle.
Today, he is living a comfortable life and yet developed the necessary momentum to continue forward.

He thinks like a man of action and acts like a man of thoughts.
After knowing years & years of complications, he knew how to detangled it into few simple principles and he lived & prospered from it.

To summarise what I've observed,
1) We've got to have mentor or mentors in life.
2) Willing to learn & apply.
3) Renew our mind & change strategies till we've got it.
4) Then use the strategies continuingly to gain an empire of wealth!!
5) Share the knowledge & empower others to gain self-satisfaction.

What a blessed meeting....

Happiness: Synthetic or Organic?

I just watched a local tv programme entitled "Sejuta Impian" organized by a telecommunication company to grant funds for people who have dreams, passion and action plans to realized it.
I'm impressed and touched by those who presented their dreams to help, uplift and enrich other's life.
With the pace of urban living, sometimes we care less of whatever that doesn't contribute to the P&L statement.

The P&L doesn't just stand for Profit & Loss.
It stands for People & Love as well!

Whatever we do today, are we really happy about it?
Are we, in any way helps or uplifts anyone along the journey of success?
Are we gaining Synthetic Happiness or the real stuff?

People succumb to alcohol, cigarettes, "escape-type" vacations, divorce, job promotions, fast cars, diamond rings, luxury bags....etc to gain synthetic and short term happiness. Those are By-The-Way of success. Nothing wrong with it as long as we are not too obsessed until we miss the main stuff.
What really matters is getting the organic and long-lasting chapter of happiness. We can achieve it through:

1. A sense of gratitude
2. The process of accomplishing a worthwhile goal
3. Enriching and uplifting others

One of my way of getting happiness is through blogging. It serves as a channel of my thought expressions and I hope it enriches someone in some ways.
After writing blogs, I felt lighter, more satisfied and fulfilled.

And I hope you will find your way too....

Keeping the Main Thing

When we lose the Main Thing as the main thing, we have to keep the Main Thing, the main thing!
So that the main thing is to prioritize the Main Thing to be the main thing.

When the Main Thing is not the main thing anymore, it is hard to get the main thing again.
Then we will have other not-so Main Thing to be the main thing.

The main thing is ....."Don't lose the Main Thing coz it is the main thing"!!

Sense of Purpose

Over the years, upon reading some books, I'll write my Purpose or Mission statement.
Well, it might be a good way for me to review, change and grow accordingly.

Lately, I've just changed my Purpose Statement to a Purpose Question.
Short and simple. Easy to remember.
Personally, I feel a Question is more dynamic, provoking and stimulating than a Statement.

Example of a statement which sounds,
"To be the leader in the industry and achieving outstanding results of innovation & growth at all time."

Turn it to a question statement instead....
"How can we be the leader in the industry and to achieve outstanding results of innovation & growth at all time?"

Wouldn't it be better? Coz it sounds like provoking our thoughts all the time on how to achieve it better. And questions will help trigger us all the time to think forward.

In whatever we do, let's not forget to do Alignment & Balancing from time to time. Most importantly, "service" our mind regularly and don't wait until the stage of Overhauling of our brain nerves only to realized the importance of Renewal & Regeneration!!

Focus

Everyday, we tend to focus on many things surrounding us. Some matters while some are mere interruptions.
I've just talked to a friend lately while he was having some difficulties in his job. At that moment, the more he shared with me, the more negative he became. Because he was focusing in the bad stuff while sharing with me. The very first person that listens to it is himself! Again & again & again....

Repetitions will anchor the programming in our mind, either positive or negative, truths or lies, it will stick!

So how do we control or maintain our focus so as to keep the main thing, the main thing?
There are 3 factors;

1. The words that we speak.
2. The way that we speak.
3. The types of questions that we ask.

The words that we chose to communicate will affect how we see or perceive a situation. Words can lead our thoughts. Not the other way round.
I do succumb to negativity at times. But the moment I realized it, I switched station! From NM (Negative Modulation) to PM (Positive Modulation). The faster it is, the better its going to be. Perhaps practising it down to seconds or microseconds!

The way we speak will emotionalise it. And emotions can create a drive forward or a pull backward. Try saying the same sentence with different emotions, you'll get it.

How do we ask questions to ourself will determind our direction of focus. Ever heard someone says,
"Why is this happening to me?"
"Do I look like a loser?"
...instead of...
"How can I do better?"
"How can I win?"
"What can I do to move forward?"

Feel the difference?

Ok, let's practise to control our Focus and use it for the betterment of life.

By the way, I'm down with flu & a bit of soar throat while writing this. But I choose to focus on what I can do and what I want to do instead of dwelling in the sickness zone!

An Old Man with a Young Heart

This morning, I had a light breakfast in KL with an elderly man in his early 70s. We were in a typical kopitiam, not those fancy-franchising ambience but those with plastic chairs and dirty, oily table where it was hot and noisy! Once a while, I do miss those kind of kopitiam.

It was drizzling and later on, raining cats & dog for around 20 minutes.
While sitting there & having a sip of the original "kopi" without any caramel, I enjoy listening to the story of how this 70 year old ride on his roller-coaster of life.

He had a hard time in the 80s and went through bankcruptcy. Adding to his pain, his elder brother doesn't want to share the responsibility of taking care of their parents during his hardest time. And he has 6 children! Rather than dwelling on the problem, he sucked it up and explore other business venture while his existing business has rotten with many bad debts. Without much analysis, just based on some common sense, he just did it.
Eventually he managed to moved on and create a "little wealth" for himself and the business grew until he managed to earn around few hundred Ringgit a day. Remember, that was in the 80s. Earning few hundred a day was really an achievement.

Did I mentioned his elder brother was doing great financially? The greed of money can sometimes blindfold a person's consciousness and destroy a person's sense of goodness.

Long story short; a simple man with a strong commitment and perseverance, always win the race of life eventually.

I do hope this man is blessed with happiness and abundance of life (which I think he has) after going through such a tough time. Until today, he is still productively working and keeping his "old" employees who were loyal to him for years and I truly think that he deserve a great life ahead.

Not to mention being a millionaire or a tycoon, but I think his life is pretty enriching and it serve as a great lesson and example for Gen Y & Gen Z to follow.

Sometimes, we don't have to look far for heroes, just those around us might be an unknown hero or hero-in-the-making. Not only the Trump, the Buffett, the Branson are great, but this 70 year old man is a great example too.

TOUGH times & GREAT times

Robert Schuller wrote a book on
"Tough times never last, but tough people do".

It is very true.
And I think both TOUGH times & GREAT times will never last. So, embrace and enjoy both worlds.
We won't live in a world of Tough times or Great times all the time. It is a combination of both which mould us, grind us and build us up.
Tough times help us reflect and review.
Great times help us appreciate and be thankful.

Most importantly, we don't dwell in Tough times and mourn until we forgot or miss the upcoming Great times. This is the law of nature balancing itself.
We can't have the goods without the bads, the blacks without the whites and the ups without the downs.

Never lose Sight...
Never lose Faith...
And Never lose Hope...

That's life.
Therefore, to live life, "Laughter is the best medicine" or shall I say "Laughter is the best nutrition!".
I totally prefer Laughter-therapy than Chemo-therapy!!

Don't worry....Great times are on the way!