Pergi Bala, or How I Misheard A Song

Recently I was attending an official function.

We wanted to celebrate our athletes who had done well in Rio. And so we invited them to come for a special dinner. All the athletes who had gone to Rio came, including the silver medalists.

Their names were called one by one, and they marched in to jubilant cheers. Even the ones that weren't so famous got the cheers. But not many people were clapping, because many people were taking photos.

We need to learn how to hear the important messages in life.

We stood close to the red carpet, and one of my friends asked us to turn our backs to the carpet so that he could take a group selfie with the athletes walking in the background. But once the athletes started walking in, lots of people started crowding behind us, and blocked the view of the athletes. So we stopped trying to do that.

How to show up

Some success gurus like to say that 50% of success is just showing up.

And I agree with that. We should all show up, because 50% of success is just showing up. Woody Allen puts it at 80%.

But how the hell should you show up? That's the part they never tell us. "Show up", they say. "You're already better off than those who don't show up. You're winning!"

So how should you show up? 

Eighty percent of success is just showing up - Woody Allen.

Imagining and Pretending Yourself into Action

Some days I feel lazy. I don't even want to get out of bed.

But then I have to work. I have to earn a living. And I have to take care of three other individuals.

I need to do things. Walk here, go there, take this, do that. We all do.

During my school days I learned about inertia. It's why things don't move and they need a kick in the butt to get them moving. And once they start moving they keep moving : It's also inertia. But in reality, there's also friction, and energy loss. Resistance. This causes loss of speed.

We need to get things done. But it's easier to make believe and pretend than to take action. If you don't believe me, just go to a coffee shop with your friends and start talking about how we could improve the world. You'll get lots of ideas. And then you should ask, "Who's interested in putting what we discussed into action?" Don't be surprised if they all keep quiet.

Pretend that you are number two. Work hard. Get to number one. 

Tao Zhu Gong's 12 principles of Business Success

Golden Rules of Business Success

The Twelve Golden Rules are as follows:

• Ability to know people's character. You must perceive evidence of characteristics from experience.
• Ability to handle people. Never prejudge a prospect.
• Ability to stay focused on the business. Have a definite focus in life and business and avoid jumping around.
• Ability to be organized. A disorganized presentation is unappealing.
• Ability to be adaptable. Make sure you are organized enough to respond quickly.
• Ability to control credit. Do not allow nonpayment. Make sure you collect what is owed.
• Ability to use and deploy people. Use employees in ways which bring out their potential(s).
• Ability to articulate and market. You must be able to educate customers on the value of goods.
• Ability to excel in purchasing. Use your best judgement in acquiring stock.
• Ability to analyze market opportunities and threats. Know what is selling according to areas and trends.
• Ability to lead by example. Have definite rules and standards. Make sure they are followed to ensure good relations.
• Ability to have business foresight. Know market trends and cycles.