Mastering the Leadership - The Mousetrap way

Monday - It is a Toastmaster Day! 

I happily left office earlier and attended this energetic meeting. 

Feeling contented with lots of reading on Entrepreneur.com, I mark myself 90% for time utilization today. The 10% is in the office when I feel disturbingly sleepy. 

Toastmaster meeting today is definitely a rewarding one.
It is about LEADERSHIP. 

And we are blessed by the workshop conducted by Manoj Vasudevan, one of the top 3 in Toastmaster international speech competition 2015.

Undoubtedly, his presentation brings this common topic alive.

The vocal variety, the engagement, the structure and etc colored his speech to a marvelous level.

It is entertaining to listen to him.

Ok, what is so great about the speech content? Of course the inspiring ways to leadership!

The speech is a short and sweet summary of his Book, 

Mastering the Leadership - The Mousetrap Way

Photo from http://thoughtexpressions.com/

Yay! Not need to spend money to buy his book already! hahaha. Joke. I believe there are a lot of essence in his book. For example, why the Mousetrap way?

Some leaders are born to be one, but a lot of leaders learn to be one.

I have received 4 impactful ways to master leadership today.

Firstly, Ownership

"Ownership is the habit that leads to leadership

Leaders take initiative without directive!"

Hey, I am going to say, I can't agree no more. This hits me so hard until I wake up and open my eyes big. Sorry for my exaggeration.

But truly, I somehow feel I am too slack in my work. When manager has nothing for me, then I just do nothing. Happily say good bye earlier. That's why I feel my progress is so minimal. 

It is so true that, we shall take initiatives instead of a hammer and nail relationship.

Secondly, Confidence

"Competence is important, Confidence is Paramount."

From my past experience in leadership, one thing I am lacking of is decisiveness. Being decisive is not easy for me, but I really do need to improve on this. The person with greater confidence has the upper hand. It reminds me the Henkel Challenge, people shouting their opinions loudly and confidently appear to be performing well, even though what they say are nonsense. Ok, not a positive example. 

Speaking with confidence can be magically convincing and persuasive. No Shaky, No Lousy.

But to remind myself, over-confidence is not a good thing. Everything needs to be in balance.

Thirdly, Idea Infusion

"Generating Ideas is not enough! Infuse the Ideas!"

You can have great ideas, but if you can't infuse the idea to others, people just do not resonate with you and willing to follow you. I think this is very very very important.

There are 6 infusion points: Pleasure, Profits, Power, Productivity, Prestige and Purpose. The most important one is Purpose. 

To me, I agree with both legs that the purpose influences the most. If your idea has great purposes, it can easily link to people hearts and minds. Through this, the ideas flow from you to the others. In the same way, others are more receptive to your ideas. 

Lastly, 

We are never too small to be Big

But are we ready to lead? 

Personally, to be a great leader, Commitment is extremely Important. Since all the leadership skills can be learnt, it left with one question. Can we stay committed until the end despite all the challenges and hurdles?

How about you? Are you ready to lead? 

Solo HongKong Trip: Reflect, Prepare, Entrust

As I shared before I am in the midst of changing my Job  From one place going to Another, it is the best to "KitKat" Take a Break. Once I confirmed I was going to have a week break, I booked air tix to HongKong without much hesitation! You might think, I am rich but in fact this is just small investment on myself, and who care about how you think about me? Haha, Joke XD. Oh ya, I forgot to mention, I went ALONE! Yay!!! HongKong!!!

 

22nd April, my last day in Sulzer. 23rd April, my flight to HongKong!!! (I don't want to mention the worst experience with Scoot that they delayed the flight from 150am to 430am one week before and then to 510am on that day; no more scoot next time.

You may imagine I have planned the trip upfront, but actually, I planned nothing and didn't know what I was going to do. Where to go, where to eat, how to go. I don't know! Haha. So what I have done was, book the air tix and hostel.

Because from my experience, the hostel owner will give me some great advices. Hehe. Of course my colleagues and friends did give some rough ideas where can go and what I should take note (The extreme unleash of "18SX words" of HongKie)

I am not going to elaborate in detailed my itinerary here, may be next blog post. Travelling in HongKong is really Easy. Google Map and some online research will be sufficient. So I think HongKong is suitable for Solo Travelling, for girls too. Safe and convenient.

What I mainly do: Look for good food, Walk around and observe the people there, sit down in cafe and read book, blank my mind for hours facing the amazing HK night views (almost every night). It sounds boring and lonely? To me, not at all, I enjoyed so much. Here some photos :)

 

I love skyscrapers 

Night view of first day

 

 

Nightview of third day

 

 

Night view of last day in HongKong

 

 
Cider plus nigh view, perfect!

The purposes of escaping to HongKong alone are to reflect what I have done so far and prepare myself for the next challenge. I also take some time to think about my future too.

The awesome night views of HongKong island really give me a lot of inspitations and encouragement. When we look at the Skyscrappers, the tallest or the biggest will always catch our eyes first. It is similar to our lives. Are we outstanding enough to be noticed by other? Are we significant enough to contribute to the society? However, I don't think I am capable to be the tallest building which impacts the world immensely. I just wanna be the colourful building which fulfills my missions on the Earth. Everyone lives with different purposes. Thankfully, I kinna know my direction in life =) God has shown me some light. 

Next job, a new platform for me to start a new stage of life. I will be working as front sales who deal with customers all the time and will be driven by the numbers. This excites me as I really love numbers that's why I start my career with sales. I promise myself to give it 200% efforts and 200% commitment. Be it consumes my private time or weekends. It is true that I am still young to take all the hardship and tortures. I believe these will make me stronger and wiser. "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger", I agree on this. My expectation towards myself has increased further, this will definitely make me feel the pain more when I fall. Positive side, this is the way I can improve myself drastically. 

I have my own goals and achievements as targets. I hope I can make it. 

1. Steep learning curves especially on interpersonal skills and communication skills.

2. Build strong networking and be known.

3. Be a TS.

4. A bold jump in 5 years. 

Hopefully my expectations can be met. Finger Cross. I am ready for it. I will conquer and bring back victory!!! Hahaha.

Thinking back to the first job, I did learn a lot

1. Separation technology, I love the plant design, it is fascinating and interesting. The Process Flow Diagram, Distillation columns and etc.

2. Less Haste, More Pace. Doing things slower can give better result with lesser carelessness and better efficiency. I tend to do things too fast and neglect the details. This is the biggest lesson and it is  really a tough learning for me. I should be more 细心.

3. Thoughts beyond the surface. Generating a quotation could be very easy, but strategies and thoughts behind it are far more important than the words. This is something I really wish I can master. 

I shall keep these in mind.

Future plan? Still in process. But I have incredible idea in mind. Not mature enough to share. Keep it between God and me. 

The hope, I hold, with God's Grace, I will move forward and soar higher. Never forget, everything is for Him. Amen.

Tomorrow is the day. New working environment and new colleagues. I can only hope for the best. Stay positive. Yay!!! (Anyway, tomorrow going to meet customer with my boss... on first day! Steady lar)

Good Bye ~ My Dearest Sulzer

A windy night, lying on a bench, looking at the tall buildings, I told myself "Progress, or else you will regret, waste no more time". I felt my heartbeat, it told me I could do much better than now, what were you waiting for, your goals and your dreams awaiting.

Yes, I should start my engine and break the comfort shield. It was for my better future. Actions taken reluctantly without strong determinations, after all I was having good life and great friends. Little fall down but it didn't hurt so hard. I was contradicting myself, but this was how indecisive personality hit.

Flipping through my life records, good things always happened when I didn't really desperate for them. Yup, a chance popped out, it looked attractive in all expects. It seemed to fit what I desire, the growth and learning I wished to possess. An instant offer placed in front of me, but I needed time to think. I had gone through a tough decision making process; seeking consultation, researching, self convincing and praying. It was not easy as I had minimal pushing factors. What I am going to forsake is friendship and great environment; what I was facing is uncertainty and risk. After all the struggles, my soul told me one word: GO. 

Today is my last day in Sulzer Singapore, My first ever job in life. Sweet and sour one year and a half. Amazing experience and of course rewarding. With gratitude, I wrote this to my dearest colleagues:

11.11.2014, Sunny day,

 An innocent smurf came to a vibrant village with his little bag and big expectations. With overwhelming excitement, he stepped into the village. Fast heartbeats reflected how nervous he was at the same time. However, he felt relieved very soon as other smurfs in the village were welcoming and friendly. Slowly he settled down and established his own comfort zone as if found the right position to rest comfortably on a sofa. Friends were easily made in the village and everyone was working hard to build the Smurf Castle. Before this he was warned that the people in that world, where the village was, could be harsh and mean. Thanks Goodness, he was blessed with a political free (at least at his level) environment and all the smurfs were always helping each other. He even managed to get best friends among them.

With grateful heart, he was so blessed by helpful advice and guidance; enriched by the hurdles he overcame; strengthen by the failures and difficulties; empowered by all the learning.
He was happy.
But, he felt something wasn't right, he thought of trying other job that could help him in a long term. He struggled and made a tough decision to leave his friends here in the village, for the sake of his future. He knew he would never get back the same friendship anymore in other places.

22.04.2016, Sunny + Rainy Day,

Here comes the very last day of his stay in the village, he is sure that this one and a half year is definitely an unforgettable and meaningful journey. All the sweet memories will be in his little head forever. He might not be there anymore, but everyone there will be in his heart. 

Again, he picks up his little bag, which now becomes heavier with all the blessings,  embarks on his new journey. He has left a message before leaving to everyone:

"Dear Sulzer friends, thanks a lot for taking care me like a family for all the time, words can't fully describe my gratitude to all of you. My presence could be forgotten easily, but I will not forget my time with you. Please do keep in touch. All the very Best.

With Utmost Gratitude, GarenTee"

If you ask me how I feel about leaving the company, I would say, a little bit sad. Because those true friends will always keep in touch.

If you ask me am I happy for the new job, honestly, I have no clue whether I will truly love my new job. But I strongly believe I can learn the things I want to learn there. A new chapter in my life again. Pray and Hope for the best.

And yes, now I officially left Sulzer. The earth will still spin and life goes on.
Look forward to the next chapter of my life.

Life is good when you are surrounded with friends.
I really appreciate!
May God bless us all :)

Best Spots for Sakura In Tokyo, Japan

Allohaaa!!! Long time no Blog! 

It is April!!! What to do with April? Of course is Sakura lahh!!! Yay!!!

So today perhaps I can share with everyone, the three best spots to view Sakura in Tokyo, from my own perspective and experience! You can find super awesome and impressive Sakura Blossom here.

Sakura is so beautiful as we can see from pictures, videos and drama.

But standing under a sky of Sakura yourselves is definitely worth the time and money! 

Mesmerized and deeply impressed by the God's creation!

As if we are in the Japanese animation or drama!!! So Coooollllll ~~~
The best viewing period is Very End of March to Early of April!!! Take note on this ya.
(I went there from 26th March 16 to 2nd April 16 - and I see most of the Sakura on 1st and 2nd April in Tokyo)

Ok so, First of all, drummmmmm rollll,

Shinjuku Gyeon National Garden 

What are the specialties here:
1. One of the Best Places in Tokyo to see Sakura Blossom.
2. Large and beautiful landscape. 
3. Sakura with lots of different Varieties! White, Red and Pink colours!
4. Near to Shinjuku Station and Shinjuku Shopping Streets! (Big Plus point)
5. Best place to picnic under the Sakura Trees
6. Extended Sakura Blossom viewing season (Mid March to late April). You can see Sakura here even you miss the peak period :)

However, 200 Yen admission fee is required. No worry, definitely worth it! 

Pictures say a thousand words and powerfully. So, let's have some photos!

Shinjuku Gyeon Natural Garden- Sakura Blossom

Shinjuku Gyeon Natural Garden - Sakura Blossom

Shinjuku Gyeon Natural Garden - Sakura Blossom - White Sakura vs Red Sakura

Shinjuku Gyeon Natural Garden - Sakura Blossom

Shinjuku Gyeon Natural Garden - Sakura Blossom

Shinjuku Gyeon Natural Garden - Sakura Blossom

Shinjuku Gyeon Natural Garden - Sakura Blossom - The most impressive Sakura Tree I have ever seen!

Shinjuku Gyeon Natural Garden - Sakura Blossom - Surrounded by the aweosome Sakura

Shinjuku Gyeon Natural Garden - Sakura Blossom

How to get there?
Google Map - The best Approach 
Address : 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan

Nearest Stations:
Shinsen-Shinjuku Subway Station or
Shinjuku Main Station (JR ot Subway)

Ueno Park

Ueno park is the most popular and romantic Sakura Blossom location! 

1. There are more than 1000 Sakura trees lining a central pathway. So imagine you walk with your family or spouse slowly along the pathway under the Sakura Trees! Wonderful. I call this "A sky of Sakura!"
2. An awesome place for picnic as there are dedicated picnic places there.
3. Free of Charge! No admission fee.
4. Some nice temples and museums around. I didn't visit any of them because my time was fully occupied by Sakura! Sorry. haha

Ueno Park - Cheery Blossom

Ueno Park - Cheery Blossom

Ueno Park - Cheery Blossom

Ueno Park - Cheery Blossom

How to get there?
Nearest Station:
Ueno Station (Subway or JR)


Chidorigafuchi Park
千鳥ヶ淵

Sakura Blossom along the river. Water and Flower form a lovely combination! And you can walk under the sakura trees. The trees are not tall so you can take awesome pictures with Sakura here!

Free of Charge as well!!!

Chidorigafuchi Park - Sakura Blossom

Chidorigafuchi Park - Sakura Blossom

Of course as an energetic kid, Jumping style is a MUST!

Chidorigafuchi Park - Sakura Blossom - YAY!!!!!

Chidorigafuchi Park - Sakura Blossom

How to go Chidorigafuchi Park?

Nearest Station:

Hanzomon Station (Subway)

Why Malaysia and Singapore no Sakura!?? T.T

Sakura blossom is really mesmerizing and breathtaking. You will feel joyful and upsurge of relaxation. Walking under those Sakura will definitely brighten your day. 

Besides, if you are a camera freak or lover, please don't miss out the opportunities to capture flowery photos!

Oh ya, there is a Great website that can help you in your Travel Research which is:

http://www.japan-guide.com/

Hope what I share here can give you an idea where to have wonderful Sakura viewing locations in Tokyo. All places above are really the perfect spots for Sakura! Trust me! You can see how impressed we are:

Sakura Blossom

Plan for your trip Next Year! Japan! April! Sakura Blossoms!

#Sakura Viewing In Tokyo

#Best Locations to view Sakura Blossom in Tokyo

#Sakura Blossom Viewing in Tokyo

Love is Everywhere

Today is a day full of love and warmth. 

I always love my company colleagues, they are friendly and lovely. No politics issue there. A great environment to work in =)

Just today, one little incidence really touches me and God's grace is wonderful.

After a tedious day, with a super tiring body, I ask my collegue Robson to send me to MRT station because I miss the company bus. Robs is a nice guy who always kacau me in the office. 

Well, little waiting and then finally can leave the company. He even offers me to bring me to Jurong east, where I want to go. So niceeee.

We chit chat and then , dingdong, reach the destination. I happily say Thankiu and Goodbye. Walking towards the shopping mall, and enter Topman shop with a little Chinese New Year Feel. But stomachache forces me to leave the shop very soon. Then I put my hand into my pocket to KePo a bit what happens on Facebook. BUT wait! Where is my Phone!!! Omg... I dropped it on Robson de car. Sienzzzzz. 

I have to live without my phone for 3 days because he is on leave tomorrow. Haiz. I tell myself, yes, I can survive , I can survive! Then with depressed emoness I going to my destination. I keep imagining Robs appears in front of me and passes me my beloved Mi3. Aikzzz.

Who really knows. He suddenly appears in front of me! And say "Wah Piang, your phone and you make me purposely come here and pass you this lo". OMG, Thanks God, I really didn't expect this. He purposely make a big Uturn and paid for unnecessary parking fee, just to return my phone. T.T no tears but feel so touched!!! He 看死 (bet) me cannot live without the phone, which is somehow a bit true (don't wanna admit, haha).

I really appreciate his kind action and this instantly cheers up my day. Ya, world is full of cruelty and unscrupulous people, but there are angel like people who do love and care about others. I always think that, if everyone on this earth is full of Love, then this will be a perfect world. Nevertheless, we can't always hope others to be nice to us; we should be the one who gives love to others, even if it is a small help or prayer. Like Jesus's selfless sacrifice on the cross.

Let's make this world more loveable. 

As a first step, please love me more. Hahahaha. God Bless Everyone =D

Retrieved from: www.dbts.edu

Finally decided: Welcome my New Laptop

Big Thanks to my HP Pavilion dv3000 for accompanying me for 6 years already, 2009 till now.

RM 3000 is just too worthy for you, my love.

Thanks you for accompanying me go here and there. 

Together with you, we went to Taiwan, Korea and Even Germany.

It is a wonderful journey with you. 
We have been through happiness and sadness, Sourness and Sweetness.

Now, it is time for you to rest and retire. 

Big thanks again. 

Feeling so 舍不得. 

Moving On

After surveying and asking advice from expert, I have decided to invest in a new baby

ASUS K501 UX

Lazy to describe, haha, read more here:

https://www.asus.com/Notebooks/K501UX/

In short, it is EXCITING!!! 

I can't wait to play Dota 2 with high graphic because of Nvidia Geforce GTX 950M

I also want to play ANNO again!

Besides, I won't feel hot again when I place my hands on the laptop because this model got IceCool Technology!

Bigger screen and Faster processing speed! Many more!!! Yay!

Full Spec:

6^th gen Intel Core i7-6500U 2.5GHz

Windows 10 Home

Nvidia Geforce GTX950M with 4GB DDR3

15.6” LED backlit Full HD 1920 x 1080 Display

8GB Ram & 1TB HDD +128GB SSD

2 Years International carry In Warranty

Going to pay a visit to this little baby this Saturday and 
ASUS, JUST TAKE MY MONEY!!!

This ASUS K501 UX - DM097T will cost me SGD 1600 (Through Harvey Norman) and comes with a FOC SteamBoat! haha

Hope I can get along very well with it.
Imagine the guy below is me, the smile shows happiness and satisfaction.

Ok, it is time to stop my imagination.
Gonna tighten my tummy and save money! haha.

BIG Project

Yup, I kinna ambitious guy with self-entertaining confidence. I believe I can do something great, but who knows I can or cannot. I just Try. I complained that I am lack of big projects on hand so I appreciate those big ones with me. However those big ones have to be handed over to others as I am assigned into another team. Well, in short, i despo for big and exciting project.

Out of sudden, I was assigned one, but Christmas plus new year made the thing moved so slow at the beginning. After the holiday season, everything moves in lightning speed. I need to submit a quotation for the big project in two and a half day! Joke! Such a big project (not gigantic) and I have so less time?! However somehow I feel I can make it because the system is simple. So without second thoughts, I know I want to go in full force.

Two nights of OT and tomorrow is the deadline. I don't know how it goes and have no confidence on the result. I pray and really thanks God for His invincible encouragement. Whenever I feel tired and fed up, He asks me to calm down and helps me through angels around me.

TOMORROW gonna be another tired yet ending day. I will submit the quote and hand this to God. He will decide and lead me the way.

Jiayou , I say to myself. Wake up time: 6am. God Bless and Good night.