Category: General

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Eating Habits

“One cannot think well, love well and sleep well if one has not dined well.”
–Virginia Woolf

This topic will resonate with most people. Do we eat to live or live to eat?

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How can we maintain a healthy lifestyle through eating? As a person who loves to eat myself, I find it hard to resist good food and especially when there is great company to eat with… I tend to eat more. Therefore, I have been thinking about whether to write on this topic or not?

There are a lot of areas to discuss when it comes to this topic on eating… this time I will focus on eating healthy as part of our daily habits and if you have any ideas, please do share and write to me, thank you.

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“The chief pleasure in eating does not consist in costly seasoning, or exquisite flavor, but in yourself.”
– Horace

I believe when it comes to eating, it boils down to making choices. It is definitely not easy as our emotions will be stronger than logic. We know we have to eat healthier food options, just that at times, the craving for not so healthy options will take over and we gave it to the craving. Then regretted for that action… who have not experienced that before?

Please find some sharing on how we can be more aware and to have better plus healthier options when it comes to eating…

It starts with WHY?

What is your compelling reason for eating healthy? Why do you want to eat healthy? First things first, it starts from within us. Who are you and what identity do you want have to embark in this journey of healthy eating?

How can it be done?

Everyone is unique and requires different calorie count per day (to lose or maintain weight). That means, you will need to do some research on your own lifestyle; what will your daily activities be and how much energy do you need to get through your day? How are you keeping track on the food that you are going to eat? What is your plan when it comes to your meals? How about rituals (drinking water, eating fruits before meals, etc.) and supplements (vitamins and minerals)? If you are cooking, how do you plan your menu… weekdays, weekends… special days.

What are some of the TIPS?

  • Research on the types of food that is good for you
  • Eat lots of vegetables (leafy ones) and fruits (I believe everything in moderation… haha)
  • Eat more fish (brain food), of course fresh ones, oily ones (salmon, sardines, mackerel) and not so oily ones (tuna and local fishes)
  • Cut down on sugar and salt intake (processed and non-processed ones as well) and especially processed food – biscuits, cakes, sausages, canned food, fizzy drinks, pastries, cereals
  • Eat whole and fresh produce / food
  • Get properly hydrated… drink that H2O and not get thirsty; water is a better option than sugary drinks even fruit juices!
  • Have proper meals and not get hungry, snack healthily when necessary (as when we get hungry, we tend to over eat…)
  • Check the nutrition label, learn how to read them
  • Eat mindfully and be aware of what you put into your mouth (this is also a self reminder to me…)
  • Just be flexible with yourself… at times we need to indulge and when we do… do it responsibly and mindfully…

Anyone who has just started will feel the difficulty to sustain as it is not going to be easy in the beginning. As what Jack Ma of Alibaba said…

Image result for jack ma on messy in the beginning

“Never give up. Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will be sunshine.”

Let’s all start today and be rewarded tomorrow.

“Your habits, your future!”

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Learning from Microsoft’s CEO…

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“Be passionate and bold. Always keep learning. You stop doing useful things if you don’t learn.” – Satya Nadella

My ex-colleague from one of the training providers, who is based in Vietnam has introduced this book, “Hit Refresh” to me. The one that he read was in Vietnamese language. The last time he came to Penang, when we were at one of the major book stores… he said to me… “Dion, this book (where he pointed to at one of the book racks in the shop) is a good read… I read it in Vietnamese and I highly recommend it to you…”

Yup, I bought a few books that day and one of them… “Hit Refresh” by Satya Nadella. My ex-colleague was right… it is definitely a good book to read and I have picked up some key learning from the book; which I will share later in this blog.

If you are interested to know about the book review, please visit Amazon with the link below:

I have captured a few key learning from the book and I would like to share my favorites with you…

(1) Investment Strategy across 3 Growth Horizons

This model, I believe can be used by organizations to understand and strategize better. You just need a good facilitator to help with the session for your key leaders.

(2) Microsoft’s 3 C’s

Easy and straight-forward; covering three major focus for the organization’s sustainable growth. Can be a good reflection and discussion to test for readiness before implementing any new innovation.

(3) Satya’s Mental Model

How as a new CEO of a major organization focused on Value Creation. if we study the model, 3 out of 4 are focusing on people… I strongly believe that leadership is influence. How does one influence others to work with you and strive for excellence?

“Success can cause people to unlearn the habits that made them successful in the first place.” – Satya Nadella

Well, the key learning above that I have shared is important and another crucial learning that I have learnt from Satya is that, as leaders, we need to be humble and practice empathy; when we have the interest to seek to understanding others, we can build better trust that leads to strong relationship and influence.

Enjoy reading the book and let me know what you think. Looking forward to learning from you.

Have a great journey in learning.

“Your habits, your future!”

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Conversation on Positive Mindset

“Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive.” – Matt Cameron

Happy Lunar New Year to those who are reading this blog. This year, I am taking a longer break from work to focus on one of my passion, cooking… rest, relax, cook, eat, chit-chat and repeat again for the past few days. So far, I am enjoying it.

Why writing this blog when I am on a break? I felt that I have to share this conversation / experience that I had with my father-in-law. The conversation was yesterday before dinner time.

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It is never easy for anyone to go through challenges and difficulties in life. Especially when you suffered stroke twice! I have to respect my father-in-law for being a fighter and survivor.

Compared to his first dreadful experience, where he was really determined to get back to his normal routine (walking, writing and driving). In the early of his stroke-stricken days, he was unable to perform his normal routine; where we could see and sense that he was really frustrated. That did not stop him from being determined to fully recover. He was really hardworking and disciplined to practice, go for physiotherapy and having a strong sense of purpose – to recover and get back to his normal routine. Ultimately, he was successful; being able to write (sign his name), walk and drive to his favorite food stalls and restaurants to eat.

As what Simon Sinek shared in his book, “Start with Why”… having a strong WHY will lead to the HOW and WHAT… as shared in the earlier blog on his “golden circle”… as below, just in case, you have not seen it before;

Image result for simon sinek the golden circle
https://startwithwhy.com/find-your-why/

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” – Willie Nelson

Yesterday during my conversation with him, I sensed that his enthusiasm was low, did not show any eagerness and from the feedback gotten from my mother-in-law, he is not as determined and disciplined as before… somehow, given up and letting go of his exercise. I believe that he has lost his “WHY”; no reason and real purpose for him to recover fully.

Doing my part to share with him on having a sense of purpose… to have a “WHY” is important and needed now, especially when you do nothing about the current situation, it will somehow further deteriorate. As what I have learned from Tony Buzan’s seminar some time ago… “If you do not use it, you lose it!”

I shared with him that similar to our brain power, our muscles in our bodies, when not used… will be useless sooner or later. It can be seen that immediately he was motivated and started moving his arm. Part of the advice shared with him, was to allocate a certain time to move, stretch, stand… as long as he is moving his muscles – I really pray that he does the exercises for his own good and wellness.

To learn on Positive Mindset, you can visit this site:

https://www.success.com/7-practical-tips-to-achieve-a-positive-mindset/

The behavior model from Dr. BJ Fogg is also worth learning:

https://www.behaviormodel.org/

According to Dr. Fogg, (based on my understanding), the important part of the equation for behavior change will be the “trigger”; we all have the ability and motivation to change… what’s missing is the “trigger”.

There is an urgent and important need to “trigger” my father-in-law.

“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” – Lyndon B. Johnson

“Your habits, your future!”

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The Golden Rectangle of Reading Habit

“We read to know we are not alone.” – C.S. Lewis

Hello there! I have been thinking of what to share this round and this thought came to mind… we got to know from Simon Sinek on the Golden Circle from his book, “Start with Why” and how about if I come up with the Golden Rectangle of Reading Habit? I will be sharing in black and white though (haha).

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This Golden Rectangle of Reading Habit is based on my own views, observations and experience. Please contact me direct if you have any questions or need more information.

Here it goes…

“The only important thing in a book is the meaning that it has for you.”
–W. Somerset Maugham

Let’s start with “Why reading is good?” then go on to “What are the strategies?’ and finally “How to make it a habit?”

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
– Joseph Addison


“A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.”
– Will Rogers

So my friends, what is stopping you from starting to read?

“Your habits, your future!”

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Habit of Asking Questions

“Asking questions is the first way to begin change.” – Kubra Sait

Happy New Year 2019!

Today I have been given the opportunity by my mentor, coach and a friend to share with his team on the topic… “Questioning Techniques”.

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The session went well… how do I know? I believe when the participants (almost all of them), came to me at the end of the session and shook my hand… it was a good feeling. I have given my best with the available resources that I have during the session.

Why ask questions? I have shared with the participants, asking questions mean we have to learn how to listen, understand (empathize) and learn about the answers from the people that we are engaging with. Especially when you want to be a better leader / coach.

I did an activity on asking closed questions and from my observations, they looked irritated as they could not get to the bottom of the story. Closed questions can only provide partial discovery and will take a long time to get to the point of full discovery. Hence, it will be better to learn how to ask more open questions to get the overall picture and mixed with closed questions to clarify any uncertainty.

“The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.” – Thomas Berger

Shared with the participants two good books that I have read on asking questions…

Image result for just ask bill mcgrane

Are you getting the results you want in business and in life? How about a higher income, improved health, more productive relationships? Could asking questions be the “magic bullet” that enables you to achieve the success you’ve always wanted but may have never believed possible? 
In Just Ask! renowned peak performance expert Bill McGrane III teaches you how to…

Ask the five most effective types of questions.
Move forward by first asking yourself the right questions.
More effectively influence and lead others.
Decrease rejection and increase productivity.
Improve communication personally and professionally.
Dissolve conflict and improve relationships.
Use the Colombo Close…and much more.

Master the art of asking questions and you’ll have developed a powerful tool for creating more successful, mutually beneficial relationships. You’ll build rapport more effectively than ever – bolstering your persuasive power, creating greater success.

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Ask-Bill-McGrane-III-ebook/dp/B00267RU4Y

Image result for change your questions change your life marilee adams

Questions are at the core of how we listen, behave, think, and relate–as individuals and organizations. Virtually everything we think and do is generated by questions. Questions push us into new territories. The future begins with our thinking, represented by the questions we ask ourselves.

“”Change Your Questions, Change Your Life”” shows readers how to consistently choose the questions that can lead them to success, both personally and professionally. This technique, called “”QuestionsThinking,”” stimulates innovation, accelerate productivity, and create more rewarding relationships.

“”Change Your Questions, Change Your Life”” is a personal growth fable that tells how a seasoned executive, Ben Knight, uses QuestionThinking to move into a higher leadership role and how the same methods of change help him and his wife, Grace, enrich their marriage.

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Questions-Life-Institute/dp/1576756009

Happy reading!

The participants have a lot of potential yet to be unleashed. I really look forward to them perfect practicing what they have learnt from the short workshop session today.

“Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” – Voltaire

There is so much for us to learn, we just need to have the habit of being curious.

“Your habits, your future!”

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Review of 2018

green, red, and white fireworks on sky at nighttime
Happy New Year 2019!

Happy New Year folks! How was your 2018?

After reflecting and reviewing 2018 for myself, I have listed some of the events / achievements / learning / experience for your reading pleasure… if we have anything in common, please do not hesitate to share them with me.

I am looking forward to an exciting 2019, where I will enter a new phase of my life’s journey – will share with you all later.

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How about that?

“The way we experience the world around us is a direct reflection of the world within us.” ~ Gabrielle Bernstein

Here are my 2018 reflections / reviews:

  1. Had some wonderful opportunities in executive coaching assignments (learning to be a better coach and it is a joy to experience the coachee achieving their results)
  2. Completed E-learning video for the organization I am working with (not an easy task at first and got the hang of it after a few takes)
  3. CSR talks (on habit change, leadership and motivation) and Lighthouse (with my trusted group of friends / partners to buy, prepare, cook and serve the under privileged – a joy and fulfillment for us)
  4. Camping with family (in Thailand, a great outdoor experience for the kids)
  5. DISC certification (years of practice and finally got the certification from USA, thank you for the opportunity)
  6. Journey on Leadership Development Program for a multi-national company (supporting, delivering, coaching, mentoring, having fun with the emerging leaders!)
  7. Help with service recovery for some of the company’s clients (helping to close some gaps in leadership development)
  8. Went to Gujarat, India for Entrepreneurship Development Program for 21 days with a group of awesome people (known as our G20 family)
  9. Becoming an Entrepreneurship mentor for the business owners (thank you for the opportunity)
  10. World of Habits blog site (had a free site and now decided to have own web site to compile and share to as many people as possible)
  11. Daily sharing QOTD (in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn)
  12. Captain Habit (the mascot I created for fun and inspiration)
  13. Finished 1 chapter of a book (given to opportunity to write with international authors, appreciate the chance and learning)
  14. Closed the business deal and delivered 10 team building sessions for a multi-national company (really felt honored as they have requested for me as the lead facilitator… looking forward to serve better!)
  15. Family and friends from Thailand trip to Cameron Highlands (a memorable trip for our family)
  16. Xmas presents for my wife and kids (seeing the joy on their face and being able to give… priceless!)
  17. Birthday celebration with my son (missed my daughter’s birthday due to an oversea assignment… sorry girl…)
  18. Change of role in the company for better opportunities and prospect in the near future
  19. Another short holiday to Kuala Lumpur with my family for xmas
  20. Registered to complete my semester (leading to my own academic qualification)
  21. Signed up and completing my online courses with Udemy.

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Melody Beattie

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Hello from my family 🙂


I am truly grateful for all that I have gone through in 2018 and definitely looking forward to a fantastic 2019 (and beyond). Knowing that, a lot of my family members, friends, partners and clients are going to help supporting my bigger success.

Thank God for all the blessings and do share with me your experience / successes / learning…

“Your habits, your future!”