Tag: change

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Finding Gratitude and Growth in Everyday Moments

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Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, but it’s in the small, everyday moments that we often find the most meaning. As I reflect on the past few months, I’ve realized that life isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, gratitude, and embracing the lessons along the way. Here are some key takeaways that have inspired me, and I hope they’ll inspire you too.

1. Celebrate the Milestones, Big and Small

Whether it’s celebrating 22 years of marriage or simply enjoying a quiet brunch with loved ones, life’s milestones remind us of what truly matters. As the saying goes, “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

Take a moment to appreciate the people who make your life richer. Buy that small gift, share a meal, or simply say “thank you.” These moments of connection are the glue that holds our lives together.

2. Embrace the Journey, Even When It’s Tough

Life isn’t always smooth sailing. From battling the flu to feeling overwhelmed with work and responsibilities, there are days when it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But here’s the thing: every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

As I struggled through a fitness session, feeling nauseous and out of shape, I reminded myself that progress isn’t linear. It’s okay to start small. As the famous quote goes, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So, take that step, even if it’s shaky.

3. Patience is a Gift—Give It Freely

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of patience, especially with those we love. As our parents age, it’s easy to feel frustrated when they talk too much or move too slowly. But these moments are precious.

“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” Let’s strive to be kinder, more patient, and more present with the people who matter most.

4. Gratitude Turns What We Have into Enough

In a world that often feels materialistic and fast-paced, it’s easy to lose sight of what we already have. I’ve had moments where I felt broke, stressed, or uncertain about the future. But gratitude has a way of shifting our perspective.

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Take a moment each day to count your blessings—whether it’s a safe journey, a good meal, or the love of family. Gratitude is the key to contentment.

5. Trust the Process and Keep Moving Forward

Life is full of uncertainties—work projects, personal goals, and even health challenges can leave us feeling overwhelmed. But here’s the truth: we don’t have to have it all figured out.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Trust that every effort you make, no matter how small, is moving you closer to your goals. Commit to the process, and let go of the need for immediate results.

Final Thoughts: Live with Intention

Life is a beautiful, messy, and unpredictable adventure. It’s easy to get caught up in the noise, but when we pause and reflect, we realize that the most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones.

So, let’s celebrate the milestones, embrace the challenges, and practice gratitude every day. Let’s be patient with ourselves and others, and trust that every step we take is leading us somewhere meaningful.

As you go about your day, remember this: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Keep dreaming, keep growing, and keep living with intention.

Here’s to a life filled with purpose, joy, and endless possibilities!

“Your HABITS, Your Future!”

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Unveiling the Path to Excellence: My Journey (so far…)

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“Empowering leaders isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. Join me on a journey where potential meets purpose.”

Hello, fellow seekers of growth and inspiration!

Today, I invite you to join me on a personal journey—a journey shaped by a passion for transformation, a commitment to excellence, and a deep-seated belief in the power of coaching and mentoring. Welcome to my world, where every interaction is an opportunity for growth.

In the heart of every journey lies a story—a story of passion, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Allow me to share with you the tale of Dion—a tale woven with threads of inspiration, challenges overcome, and lives transformed.

Imagine a young dreamer, filled with a thirst for knowledge and a hunger to make a difference. That dreamer was me—Dion. From the very beginning, I knew that my path was not to follow the ordinary, but to carve out a legacy of impact and empowerment.

As I embarked on the journey of training, coaching and mentoring, I discovered a profound calling—to be a beacon of light for those seeking transformation. From the bustling streets of local communities to the boardrooms of international corporations, I witnessed the power of coaching to unlock hidden potentials and ignite the flames of greatness.

Every coaching session became a canvas for inspiration, a stage for growth, and a sanctuary for self-discovery. I felt the thrill of witnessing leaders embrace their true potential, break free from limitations, and soar to new heights of success.

But my journey didn’t stop there. It led me to the corridors of learning, where I pursued a Master of Business Administration degree with a fervor for knowledge that burned brightly within. This pursuit was not just about acquiring a degree—it was about deepening my understanding, honing my skills, and preparing myself to be a catalyst for change.

Venturing into the realms of consulting, project, and event management, I found myself immersed in the vibrant landscapes of Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Here, amidst diverse cultures and dynamic environments, I learned the art of adaptation, the power of connection, and the beauty of embracing differences.

My experiences working with leaders from more than 80 countries became the heart and soul of my journey. Each interaction, each collaboration, was a testament to the universality of human potential and the transformative power of coaching.

Awards and accolades came as acknowledgments of my dedication and commitment. The Dell Effective Leadership Award and the Dell Vice President Award stand as reminders of the impact of dedicated work and unwavering passion.

But beyond the titles and accolades lies a deeper truth—a truth rooted in the core of my being. I am here not just as a trainer, coach, mentor, or consultant. I am here as a guardian of dreams, a nurturer of aspirations, and a guide on the path to greatness.

My journey has been one of joy, of challenges embraced, and of lives touched. Through my influential blog, worldofhabits.com, and the value-driven talk show, TIK4TIPs (together with my mentor, friend and business partner), I continue to share insights, stories, and strategies for personal and organisational growth.

As I stand here today, my heart brims with gratitude for the journey that has brought me to this moment. The journey of Dion —a journey of empowerment, transformation, and the unwavering belief in the limitless potential of the human spirit.

Join me, dear reader, as we embark on a new chapter together. Together, let’s unveil the path to excellence, one story, one transformation, at a time.

“Join me on a quest to uncover the extraordinary within, to redefine success, and to create a legacy of impact.”

“Your habits, your future!”

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Embracing Transformation: Lessons from “The Earned Life” by Marshall Goldsmith

“We are living an earned life when the choices, risks, and effort we make in each moment align with an overarching purpose in our lives, regardless of the eventual outcome.”

Today, I want to share my learning journey through the pages of “The Earned Life” by the insightful Marshall Goldsmith. So, grab a cup of your favourite brew, settle in, and let’s embark on this inspiring and life-altering experience.

Good Moments:

First and foremost, let me share with you the beautiful moments I’ve experienced while immersing myself in this profound book. Marshall’s wisdom is akin to a guiding light that leads us through the intricate labyrinth of life. His words resonate with a clarity that makes you feel like you’re engaged in a heart-to-heart conversation with a mentor and a friend. This book not only offers insight but a fresh perspective on the idea of what it means to truly earn a life of profound meaning, purpose, and boundless fulfilment.

Not so Good Moments:

Of course, it’s not always a path strewn with rose petals and sunshine. There have been moments when I’ve recognised the Herculean challenge it can be to let go of old habits and embrace new ones. Marshall’s insights often serve as a mirror, reflecting the ingrained behaviours that might be holding us back. Acknowledging these tendencies can be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s precisely these moments of realisation that pave the way for growth. After all, personal growth isn’t always a smooth ride, right?

Personal Growth and Gratitude:

My journey through the pages of “The Earned Life” has been nothing short of an awakening. It’s been a voyage of self-discovery, unearthing the patterns in my life and the behaviours that might need a tweak. It’s a humbling experience, recognising that we all have room for improvement. I’m profoundly grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a respected coach and author. It’s a privilege to have access to Marshall’s wisdom, and I can’t help but express gratitude for the transformation it has initiated within me.

Key Takeaways:

As I reflect on this profound reading journey, I’ve identified some priceless lessons that I’m eager to carry forward:

Daily Self-Reflection
Marshall’s advice on daily questions for self-reflection is a game-changer. It’s the small, consistent steps that pave the way for monumental personal growth.

Behavioural Change
Embracing change is a significant aspect of the “Earned Life.” It’s about consciously choosing behaviors that align with your goals and values, making every moment count.

Helping Others
Marshall’s emphasis on contributing to the lives of those around us is a gentle reminder that a life well-earned involves making a positive impact on the world.

Future Goals:

So, what’s next? I’m excited to integrate these profound learnings into the fabric of my daily life. I plan to cultivate the habit of self-reflection, committing to purposeful behavioural change each day. Additionally, I aspire to extend my gratitude by helping and making a positive impact on others, just as Marshall recommends. This is not just a set of goals; it’s a pledge to lead a life that’s truly earned.

In closing, I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow from “The Earned Life” by Marshall Goldsmith. It’s not just a book; it’s a companion on our life’s journey toward a more meaningful and earned existence. So, I wholeheartedly encourage you to pick it up if you haven’t already. Here’s to learning, growing, and embracing the wisdom that helps us lead a life we’ve genuinely earned, one moment at a time.

Marshall Goldsmith’s wisdom is an endless source of inspiration. As he beautifully puts it, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.”

May we all choose growth, and may our earned lives be a testament to the transformation that’s possible when we dare to embrace change and live with purpose. Cheers to a journey of meaningful transformations and to Marshall Goldsmith for being a guiding light on this path of profound personal development!

“Your habits, your future!”

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What have I done so far?

“Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

Started a new chapter in my life’s journey, since January 2022. Relocated to another state in February 2022 and what have I done since I started in this new organisation?

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  1. Middle management programme
    Initially there was a request for about 5 newly promoted team leaders (middle managers) from one of the stakeholders, and that triggered me to come up with a programme to help support the transitioning of individual contributors to people managers. Then I shared the programme with my line manager, she liked the idea and brought up a good point, “why not we benefit more than one department with this programme?” We then launched this programme for the whole organisation and the same programme done for the head office as well.

    What I have learnt from doing this programme (in this organisation and I believe in most organisations as well), many will be excited initially and it takes a lot of encouragement to ensure the participants are consistent in their participation.
  2. Office library
    Leaders are readers… hence setting up the library is part of learning and development for everyone in the organisation. I am happy that my line manager agreed to most of the books recommended and added some of her list as well. We have decided to have 36 titles and will grow the library with more titles as we go along. In the process of getting the books, I had to work with at least three -(3) different book providers for this project. As this project is led by the head office, we need to have standardised look and feel as well.

    What I have learnt from doing this project, communication and patience is key when dealing with different people (with different perspectives and expectations).
  3. Quarterly projects and KPIs
    During my probation (I am happy that I got my confirmation), I had my probation goals and in this quarter, I have new projects (measurable KPIs) that I will need to achieve. Apart from business as usual (BAU), I have additional project goals to achieve. Interesting system when I first entered the data for the project goals.

    What I have learnt from this event, some projects have more weightage than others. There is a need to collaborate with other departments to achieve the project goals. It will be easier to achieve with the support of the team.

“To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself. “– Søren Kierkegaard

I truly believe that it will be exciting times ahead, as long as my purpose remains the same. As a mentor of mine mentioned to me, “needs may change, purpose remains the same…” which is relevant to me at the moment.

For your information, there are more than three -(3) things / events that I am handling right now, stay tuned for more great updates to come.

Have fun and enjoy the journey.

“Your habits, your future!”

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Leadership branding

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffett

How do you want people to remember you?

This question will be one of the many questions I asked in the leadership workshop. The moment someone mentioned your name, what will be the first few traits or identity that come into their minds? More positive or not so positive?

I believe that building your own leadership branding will take time and it’s a journey to be consistent and maintain a great brand. It also serves as a good reminder for us to ensure we are practicing what we are preaching. It all boils down to integrity.

“You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” – Henry Ford

Yes, another profound statement by Sir Henry Ford, intention alone may not be enough, we need to put into action should we choose to build our leadership brand.

The key areas to a great leadership branding, based on numerous interactions with leaders from around the region are as listed below;

Self-Leadership, leading others, emotional quotient, communication with others (the manner), how we make people feel after they have interacted with us…

One of the videos I have watched (introduced by one of the MNC leaders) mentioned the following process…

Character —> process —> results

Based on the process, the gain results and to sustain is to focus on the process. Once we get the process right (mastery and habits), the results will come automatically. Thus, to build our leadership branding, we need to work on how we are being, doing and getting it…

Our reputation and how we carry ourself when dealing with people (best is to stay true to ourselves), to strife by living your own brand (be comfortable in your own skin) and build good mindshare of others on you, and that is how I believe we can practice our differentiation (any how, we are unique).

How can we then work on building our leadership branding? We can make use of Deming’s PDCA model…

Plan, do, check, act

Plan; to me it means plan your own strategy and goals on your leadership branding.

Do; action and execution of your strategy and goals…

Check; what is the outcome from your action? How do you feel and what is the learning?

Act; fine-tune on the outcome and learning. It’s all in the details… a little bit goes a long way… the back to planning – setting your sight on your own improved version. Bigger and better… continuous improvement; Kaizen!

Recently while working on this leadership branding topic for my blog… I came across an article from Harvard Business Review;

The title of the article is as follows;

Define Your Personal Leadership Brand in Five Steps by Norm Smallwood

After reading it, I have picked up some good points that I would like to share with you… also my answers as example ?

1. What results do you want to achieve in the next year?

In the next 12 months, what would you like to see and experience with…

clients and partners;

My answer: Value in new approach, new topics, improved delivery

Own organisation;

My answer: Additional clients, new products, certification, partners

Community;

My answer: Serving with more CSR, charity,

Inspiring and developing leaders to reach their highest potential for God.

2. What do you wish to be known for?

Willingness to share, genuine and reliable

Innovative, ethical, fast and accurate

3. Define your identity

Dynamic, Integrity, Ownership, Nurturing

4. Construct your leadership brand statement, then test it.

“I want to be known for being ______________ so that I can deliver __________.”

I want to be known for being generous, ethical, dynamic, accountable so that I can deliver value to people that I served for the best memories of my life.

• Is this the brand identity that best represents who I am and what I can do?

• Is this brand identity something that creates value in the eyes of my organization and key stakeholders?

• What risks am I taking by exhibiting this brand? Can I live this brand?

5. Make your brand identity real

Being true to myself. Living my own legacy. Designing my own life as my leadership branding.

And my final thoughts,

Consistency is key.

“Your habits, your future!”

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Communication habits

“Communication is the response you get…”

The quote is one of the NLP presuppositions that I have learnt from my certification program. Yes, we communicate everyday and we get all sorts of responses as well.

Another favourite of mine is…

“You cannot NOT communicate!”

During my training workshops, I will ask the participants (especially to those who are married)… “what will happen if you do not communicate with your spouse for a week?”

Most of them will answer… “you will sleep outdoor…” “that’s the end of you…” haha all interesting answers.

In this blog, I would like to share some good communication practices and habits.

Please feel free to share your thoughts as I believe I am still learning and we are in this learning journey together.

Here it goes…

  • being congruent

How are you being consistent with your words, the way you say it and body language? Are you in harmony with your intention and action?

Trust is congruence between what you say and what you do. – Peter Drucker

  • Attunement

When communicate with others, how aware are you with their responses? How is the receiver learning? What method will be effective for them to learn faster? Visual, Auditory or Kinaesthetic?

We each have a sixth sense that is attuned to the oneness dimension in life, providing a means for us to guide our lives in accord with our ideas. – Henry Reed

  • Listening

How are you listening?

We can learn from the late Stephen Covey… “listening with the intent to understand…”

it will be challenging to listen effectively when you have filters. We start judging and jumping into conclusion… definitely not helping us nor achieving good rapport with the speaker.

Awareness and mindfulness to perfect practice empathy… listening to emotions in the tone and physiology… may not be easy at first, it requires a lot of conscious effort plus practices to make it into a good habit.

Empathy and social skills are social intelligence, the interpersonal part of emotional intelligence. That’s why they look alike. – Daniel Goleman

  • 5 second rule

Happened to come across this learning from the book… “To sell is human” by Daniel Pink. A good book to read for leaders. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594631905/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_alMrDbZZH9BHC

In summary, let’s wait for 5 seconds to ensure that others have finished with what they have to say… then we can reply. Pause and silent is one of the powerful tools in communication.

Silence is one of the great arts of conversation. – Marcus Tullius Cicero

  • Ask one question at a time

Our brains works fast and we may have lots to say or ask… to be effective, learn to focus on one question at a time. Let the receiver understand and internalise what you are asking, let them have the opportunity to answer with better comprehension of your question.

Avoid asking “nested questions”… question within a question or too many questions at one go…

The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus. – Bruce Lee

  • It’s the manner not the matter

Communication is how we deliver the message not only the message nor it’s meaning.

Even if it’s not so good news delivered in a right manner, trumps good news delivered inappropriately…

Better good manners than good looks. – Proverb

  • Avoiding sarcasm nor assumptions

Usage of words and how you say them is important. What I’ve learnt when providing feedback and not to sound sarcastic nor implying that the receiver is at fault… usage of “I” rather than “you” will be recommended. “You” sounded more like placing the person as the attention of the conversation and may cause them to feel at fault.

Ask questions, don’t make assumptions. – Angela Ahrendts

  • Begin and end with positive

Imagine when you start on a journey with positive… a good start and everything will be better… the feeling will be great too. Then finishing off with positive as well… WOW! I don’t know about you, for me… that is truly recommended and ideal in any situation (most of the time…).

Let’s do our best to start and end with positive. People will be more appreciative and should we be consistent with that practice, it becomes our brand as a positive communicator.

Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success. – Paul J Meyer

Feel free to experiment the sharing above and let me know how it goes… looking forward to your success!

“Your habits, your future!”

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Thinking habits

Today is kind of special as it’s my first time using the WordPress app to write this blog… enjoy reading!

“The secret of living a life of excellence is merely a matter of thinking thoughts of excellence. Really, it’s a matter of programming our minds with the kind of information that will set us free.” – Charles R. Swindoll

We are constantly thinking and some of us are overthinking. My mentor used to tell me… “Dion, overthinking kills!”

Truthfully, till today, I am still thinking and I’m not asking anyone to stop thinking… just be mindful and practice Awareness on what are we thinking of?

What thoughts do you have in mind? More of positives or negatives? What’s the pattern? Being aware is the key to start changing.

For some of us, we are concern about how others are thinking of us… frankly speaking I believe people are only interested in themselves. So do not worry too much on how people think of you as they are busy thinking of themselves!

Thinking can help us to decide on what’s Important versus urgent. Guiding us to prioritise our activities and helping us to achieve our goals.

“Positive thinking is a valuable tool that can help you overcome obstacles, deal with pain, and reach new goals.” – Amy Morin

After reading some articles on thinking habits, I would like to share some key learning points I have gotten on good practices. Here we go…

1. Awareness about our thinking

First things first… Awareness before change as whatever we think and feel affects our attitude leading to our action and behaviour making our habits… if there is a pattern you realise that is not helping you, time to change.

2. Decide to have open mind to learning continuously.

Expand our understanding… find new topics and things to learn. Invest some minutes leading to hours to learning new things, reading value adding articles / books… there are endless learning tools out there, just have to start learning… pick one that you can start with.

3. Think agility, be flexible

There is a need to avoid being judgemental, accept different perspectives and viewpoints… be neutral and listen first… consider new ideas… then gauge whether they are align with your values. Flexibility trumps rigidity!

4. Humour helps

Humour is a good catalyst to positive emotions and vast thoughts… being too serious and over-thinking will affect our creativity. Humour helps us to be more productive and contributes to stress management. How can you start being humourous?

5. Empathy… Seek to understand

We need to practice more empathy… connecting and relating to others via listening. Listen with the intent to understand (as the late Stephen Covey mentioned). It is a skill that needs to be developed and done deliberately at first. And one day… it will be automatic.

6. No right, no wrong…

If you think it’s right, you are right… if you think it’s wrong, you are right!

When you read an article, the writer is just expressing via his/her own understanding, knowledge, experience and views… if needed, do your own research. If you do not agree, learn to voice your opinion and decide your own stand.

7. Imagination is more powerful than knowledge

Like Albert Einstein, we need to start dreaming, fantasising and think about the possibilities… keep visualising and be flowing with creative juice… do not let the dream stealers rob you of your greatest ability to imagine…

8. Be amazed and appreciate life which if full of wonderment

Discover and go with your passion. What are the things that make you feel amazing? Be in the moment to feel good creating memories. Today only comes once in your lifetime.

9. Risk if you need to…

Like what we have been exposed to the phrase… “no risk, no gain…”

Anyway, everyone’s risk appetite is different. To grow, you need to venture out of your comfort zone… unknown territory and not sure what you are going to get yourself into… whatever it is, it may not have to be a gamble. Set SMART goals that are meaningful to yourself and stretch your own limit. Great if you can think big and have a responsible plan to achieve the goals! And if you can find people who can help to support you… that’s a bonus!

10. Focus

There are so many distractions in our lives today. How can we learn to be more focused? We can start by praying or meditating, anyway that works for you. We as humans can only do what we can do… the rest will be up to God! What is stopping you from this thinking that you are not able to change? Take action to make it your habit!

I have this believe that someone has done it before… it’s a matter of how we can reach out to that someone and learn for him/her.

“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” – William Shakespeare

“Your habits, your future!”

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Habits of Getting Organised

“Organizing is a journey, not a destination.”

The other day when I was having a meeting with my friend and also accountant, I realised that I really need to learn to be more organised. I believe there are a lot of benefits when we are more organised.

Some of the benefits of getting organised are:

  1. Reduce the feeling of having too much and overwhelmed.
  2. Get more done in less time.
  3. Having a sense of control.
  4. Better branding for self-leadership.
  5. Less clutter, less stress.
  6. Calm and more relaxed, knowing where things are.
Image result for meme get organized

Then I sat down and started thinking about this topic on “Getting Organised”… And I came up with the diagram below or more of a doodle.

Let’s start from the top left…

Set up an information centre for work and family; something like a notice board to remind on certain actions or activities… road tax renewals, bills and all of that sort. It can be a magnetic white board or the pin-up type of board. At least when any of your family members want to refer to certain important information, they have a central point of information.

Remember to back up your files and important documents; photos, videos and scanned copies of documents. For photos and videos, you may consider Google Photos (unlimited space if you save to their default type or quality), if you do not mind putting in a cloud system. Some people may have the thought on privacy… or you can setup your own storage systems and make it exclusive for your own access.

I do not know about you… every time I do housekeeping (clean up) of my table or closet… the after effect is really fantastic! A sense of achievement and control plus getting rid of stuffs that are taking up space. At times you may find things that you thought are lost… interesting. Schedule some time to do housekeeping.

Use web or mobile Apps to help you to get organised. My favourite will be Google Calendar for all my activities, appointments and reminders. Trello as my to do and project info app and notes in my phone to keep important information that I can refer to when needed. I am sure there are a lot of great apps out there. What are the apps that you use? Please share with me, so that I can learn to use the app as well.

Certain tasks can be delegated. Before delegating, we have to ensure that the person we are delegating the task to, knows what to do and is ready to take on the load. Show concern by following up and have constant communication (not micro-managing) to see if any help is needed.

According to David Allen from his book Getting Things Done…

https://gettingthingsdone.com/books/

You can find out more about the book from the link above 🙂

Anything that can be done in 2 minutes or less… do it NOW! Be productive and just do it, not procrastinate.

Keep inventory of your stuffs… books, gadgets, cables, work props, etc. Before buying any extra stuffs, go through your inventory check list. Practice the “one in, one out” approach. Anything that you are going to buy, before buying, get rid of one item first… (I am still building my habit around this, not easy and it really make sense!)

To add-on to inventory, when you have stuffs in boxes… it will be a good practice to label the boxes on what is inside the box. Labelling can help us to be more organised and knowing how to group the stuffs that can be grouped in the same box or area.

Image result for meme get organized

Make your life simpler by UNSUBSCRIBING the newsletters, emails or marketing campaigns that you do not really read or want to waste time on. Just learn to say no and you will be surprised by how much time you can save in doing that. Not to worry, you can subscribe again to any of the ones you have unsubscribed earlier, correct?

Last night, my wife mentioned to me that there is a lady (that she followed in Instagram) who practiced having a box by the door and anything that she feels she is not using often or want to give away, she will put them in the box and when the box is full, she will donate the things away. Learn to discard and donate the things that you do not really use. Make some other people who need the things happier.

There is a place for everything… make it a good habit to allocate places for your things. Example; wallet, watches, spectacles, keys… they have their rightful place. I save a lot of time and have a peace of mind, knowing where the things are…

Getting organised, in my humble opinion, starts from PLANNING. Having clear thoughts, putting it on paper (will make it clearer) and having a check list to pack for travelling helps to avoid not having important things for the travel… like one of my mentors shared with me, “a short pencil is better than a long memory…”

Anyway, as we are humans, we may some times overlook certain things… just enjoy the journey and learn to better continuously. Start with one or two tips above and discover how your life can be better by being organised. I am also learning to be more organised, let’s DO IT TOGETHER!

“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” 

“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.

Image result for positive mindset memes

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;

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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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“Reboot” and “Refresh” Habits

“Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” – Ralph Marston

What do we do when we are tired? I am sure most of us have experienced this before. This has triggered me to share some good habits with you. Feel free to practice them and let me know how it goes.

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“Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.” – Leonardo da Vinci

 

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Here are some of the good habits:

  1. “Solvitur ambulando” is a Latin phrase which means “it is solved by walking”. When we feel tired, it could be due to a few factors; we are bored, ran out of ideas or could be lack of oxygen. By breaking what we are doing at that moment to go for a walk, we can reboot, refresh and re-energize. One of the brilliant articles to read: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hemingway-thoreau-jeffers_b_3837002
  2. Drink water is a healthy and good way to increase our brain capacity feeding it with oxygen and transporting nutrients to parts of our body. At times when I was too focused in completing my tasks, I forgot to drink water then I felt lethargic, not able to focus and leading to headache. Water does not only hydrate us, it contributes to many health benefits. (all right, take a break and have some water, now…)
  3. Aromatherapy has psychological and physiological effects on us. With the right essential oil (I believe it depends on individual, the one they use in the office… is not to my liking, I prefer lemon or something zesty), it will help to boost our mood, helps with stress reduction, calming us and assist in triggering sense of focus. There are many options that are available or the easiest is to rub the essential on your palm and enjoy the scent.
  4. Snack healthily with nuts, dried fruits, fruit or vegetable slices, peanut butter, etc… here is one of a good resources: http://www.eatingwell.com/article/15314/10-ways-to-snack-smarter/
  5. Power nap... in fact, I just woke up from my power nap and writing this blog, haha. There are a lot of “different schools” of thoughts on this topic… according to science, generally the range of duration will be from 10 to 30 minutes. As long as you do not go into “sleep inertia”, when that happened, you will wake up feeling worse. How long for you? Please experiment.
  6. Stretching or quick exercise i.e. jumping jacks, walking around, planks… there are so many exercise we can do. Find the one that you are able to do with the space constraint and with the resources that you have (chair or table).
    This site is interesting:  https://draxe.com/exercise-to-do-at-your-desk/
  7. Have short breaks in between tasks; pause, look around (focus exercise), meditate, mindfulness (awareness), puzzles, read articles, talk and socialize, breathing exercise, doodling… make coffee or tea and enjoy sipping. Take a break, have a Kit Kat (not that I am getting any sponsorship from them :-p )
  8. Most important of all, should we want to stay energize, focus, refresh and healthy… have enough rest and sleep. How many hours? Different people will be different. You will need to experiment and take note of whether your sleep is a good light or deep sleep. For me, I will need at least 7 hours of sleep to be performing my best.

 

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn

 

“Your habits, your future!”