Tag: future

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

person in yellow and black backpack walking on green grass field under cloudy blue sky during daytime

“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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Embarking on a Year-End Odyssey: Unveiling the Chronicles of Dion’s Journey (thus far)

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hello there, fellow explorers of life’s intricate tapestry! As the sun dips below the horizon, casting hues of reflection upon the passing year (though we still have more than a month to go), I find myself delving into the treasure trove of insights gifted to me by five close friends and my astute daughter. This journey, akin to a literary odyssey, unfolds through a year-end feedback and questionnaire, revealing the nuanced shades of my character and aspirations. So, join me as we navigate through the twists and turns, discovering the peaks of strengths, valleys of potential improvements, and the vast landscapes of my passions and values. It’s not just a reflection; it’s an expedition into the essence of a life well-lived.

Strengths:

  1. Lifelong Learner: The joy of acquiring new knowledge and skills is not a mere habit; it’s a celebration of curiosity and growth.
  2. Empathetic and Helpful: The capacity to understand and offer a helping hand showcases the richness of a heart attuned to the needs of others.
  3. Mindfulness: Being present in the moment, appreciating the journey as much as the destination—a conscious choice that colors the canvas of life.
  4. Resilient: Setbacks are not roadblocks but stepping stones, lessons etched in the fabric of a resilient spirit.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. R&R – Reflection and Refinement: As we traverse the roadmap of my growth, the call for reflection and refinement emerges as a theme, reminding us of the beauty in slowing down.
  2. Adaptability: The ability to gracefully navigate through challenging human interactions is an unexplored terrain waiting to be conquered.
  3. Expressing Thoughts: The landscape of unspoken thoughts can sometimes overshadow the fertile ground of open expression.

Communication Style: My communication style is an intricate dance—a harmonious blend of relaxation, ease, and confident articulation. Yet, the odyssey lies in the quest for balance, where self-advocacy meets a consideration for others.

Appreciated Personality Traits: Optimism, open-mindedness, and humor are the compass points guiding this journey. A helpful and easygoing demeanor becomes the warm breeze that propels the vessel forward.

Potential Irritants: Miraculously, the map seems to have few markers for irritants. A hint of excessive trust and the nocturnal melody of snores are the gentle undulations in the otherwise serene landscape.

Conflict Resolution Style: In the turbulent waters of conflict, my vessel maintains an unwavering calmness. The compass points towards solutions, prioritising resolution over dwelling in the tempest’s negative emotions.

Passions and Excitements: The landscape is adorned with my passions—a thirst for learning, the joy of human capital development, the thrill of culinary adventures, and the wanderlust that accompanies travel.

Core Values: The compass of decision-making is guided by the principles of continuous learning, family, appreciation, respect, humility, and integrity—a constellation of values that lights the way.

Approach to Life: My approach to life mirrors a purpose-driven and service-oriented mindset. The compass points towards continuous learning and personal development, recognising the journey’s significance.

Biggest Fear or Insecurity: As we delve into the depths, we encounter the fear of not listening to the heart’s whispers and the shadows cast by financial constraints—a reminder of the vulnerability inherent in the human experience.

Barriers to Full Potential: The terrain of unmet expectations, family commitments, sporadic self-doubt, and an overreliance on others presents itself. The journey invites a recalibration, a reassessment of the path ahead.

Legacy and Aspirations: As the odyssey nears its zenith, I aspire to be remembered for positive impacts on leadership development, values-driven leadership, and positive change in communities. Whether it’s being a master trainer legend or simply leaving behind memories of kindness and impact, the legacy is a beacon guiding the journey.

As we conclude this year-end odyssey, the tapestry of my life unfolds as a vibrant mosaic of strengths, growth opportunities, passions, and aspirations. The road ahead is paved with the imprints of lessons learned and the anticipation of uncharted territories. Here’s to the odyssey of my journey—a narrative that continues to weave itself into the grand tapestry of life.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” – Nido Qubein

“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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Have you done your best?

“Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.” – Og Mandino

45 Best You Da Best Memes – You're The Best Meme – Boom Sumo

I have been reflecting and whenever I have a chat with my kids, especially when it comes to their school assessments, tests, exams… the one question that I will ask them… “Have you done your best?”

I believe that… “Victory is knowing that you have done your best, if you have done your best, you have won!“

And at times, I may forget and being critical to myself… with the outcomes that I have gotten, be it work, studies or personal… I need to be reminded on the question… “Have I done my best?”

Based on the knowledge, skills, experience and exposure that I have had… and if I have given my all, the best that I can… then I will learn from the results, then do better the next time. Or I can have the following options:

  1. Consult my inner circle and get some ideas (before, during and after) about the project that I am embarking in.
  2. Talk to my mentor(s) and coach(es) to gain some insights and discoveries.
  3. Do additional research with the time (according to the due date) that I have on the project.
  4. Ask more questions to myself, i.e., “What questions have I not asked?” “What can I do differently?” “What would this person ______ do?” “What have I not done yet?”
  5. Pray and meditate to get some inspiration, ideas and wisdom…
I Did My Best GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY

And at times, I realised that, that is the best I can do… thus I need to let go and let God.

All I can do is to put in my best effort with the time and resources that I have (to be resourceful)… and whatever the outcome is… it’s a feedback… and I can use the feedback to my future advantage, to be a better version and work towards to direction I want.

“Have you done your best?”

“Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.” – Don Miguel Ruiz

“Your habits, your future!”

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New day, new learning

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

MUCH TO LEARN | MUCH TO LEARN, WE ALL STILL HAVE. | image tagged in mentoring,learning | made w/ Imgflip meme maker

I woke up this morning, smiling to myself and thank God for the past 46 years of my life. I am able to have another day to do what I want to do; to serve, inspire and learn. There is so much to learn, new day, new learning.

Some of my new discovery on learning tools is as below:

  1. PechaKucha
    I find value in learning from other people’s sharing and the content is not long winded. Short and sweet, find the topics that you can resonate with and start learning.
  2. IdeaCity
    This is the TED Talk of Canada and it’s not that formal. The content is broader and and more open.
  3. Ignite
    If you only have 5-6 minutes of time (while waiting), you may want to look into this site… short sharing with some interesting learning content.

Image result for learning is fun meme

I believe that as long as we are willing to learn, there are a lot of great learning tools to be discovered. Some of the existing learning tools I like will be as below:

  1. Ebooks
    As I put them in my mobile phone, I can take it anywhere with me, especially when waiting for food to be served in the restaurant, I can read or in the morning, when I wake up, resting… it can be a good time to read as well.
  2. Podcast
    I can listen to the podcast while exercising (treadmill, walk) and cleaning the house. A great habit to stack with and can discover new ideas from listening.
  3. TED Talk
    It helps when I need ideas for research and reminder on how I can present better.
  4. YouTube
    Good or bad, everything can be found in YouTube, the choice is ours, what to watch and learn from.
  5. Books
    In my humble opinion, nothing beats reading physical books. The feeling of flipping the page and highlighting when necessary. Great feeling to have!
  6. Online courses
    Lucky to say that, the current workplace has a business account with Udemy… endless learning to choose from. Yahoo! There are a lot of other great online learning providers available.
  7. Workshops
    Whether attending one or being a facilitator, I can learn a lot from observation, conversation and sharing during the session.

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” – Albert Einstein

What is your favourite learning tool? Any new tools discovered lately? If you have, please do not hesitate to share your discovery with me. Looking forward to learning from you!

“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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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?

Image result for eating meme

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.

Image result for healthy eating meme

“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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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;

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!”