Forward yearning

"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore."

–Dale Carnegie

"Most successful men have not achieved their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity presented to them. They have developed the opportunity that was at hand."

–– Bruce Barton

“There are three ingredients in the good life: learning, earning and yearning.”
- Christopher Morley

"What you do off the job is determining factor In how far you will go on the job."
- Zig Ziglar

As i embark on my latest business venture, i cant help but look back at my life and how this has come about. In the last 2 years or so i personally feel i've matured a lot more than i have in the last 10 years or more. My take on life, especially work and the financial aspect of living differs a lot from 2 years ago. I used to dabble in a whole lot of things, every now and then drifting in and out of the advertising industry, owning a mobile phone stall, selling print solutions, and spending a year traveling with the Porsche Carrrera Cup Asia, always without a proper direction in life. It is quite amazing sometimes, if you take the time to sit down, light up and just ponder on the way things have turned out. Working beyond the stipulated hours, sacrificing quality time with the missus for work, giving up most weekends, canceling on friends at the very last minute when a client calls, driving from north to south of the peninsula in a day, paying ridiculous amounts of insurance premiums, are all part of the routine for me. 2 years ago i would've easily opted for coffee with friends than to drive 30mins to show a small sticker sample to a client. How things have changed.

The change in perception & attitude towards life could be due to a few things. I'd say 1 would be suddenly realizing that i am of age. 2 Opening my eyes and noticing everyone around me at my age are now rolling in sweet rides. 3 The lifestyles of my friends have changed, and i cant afford to join them anymore! Guess all 3 are inter-related. Shell shock!!

It was then that i guess i wanted more than what i had, and wanted more than what the average person has! Material wealth wise i mean and not the pot belly or 3 kids... a swift 180-degree turn, and today after a little more over 2-years i'm proud of where i am (*pats my own back). Besides the self-built drive and change in work attitude, some of it probably has to do with my close knit circle of friends. The quotes above best describe our group of friends. My friends are willing to dabble in any investment opportunity, are on a continuous learning path, yearn for greater wealth, seize any opportunity presented, and even on our Sunday coffee meet ups, talk about wealth creation. They are all successful in their respective fields, ranging from banking to tyreshops to a paper merchant. What keeps this circle of friends together really is the common understanding; "its no fun if you make it on your own, and your friends cant afford to play together with you", "make money, lets all make money together." That's why we're all in business together, and this new venture marks business #3 that we're all apart of.

As we move forward, new friends are made and networks grow from our relationships with new business partners. Opening doors for other friends to venture into various industries and more opportunities being presented.
Its been a fantastic journey and like most things in life..."its not the destination, but the journey." And i hope this trip is a smooth and long one...

enough ramblings about me. Have a fab-tastic weekend everyone!

"It Has Been Done..."

Stereotyping

How often have you jeered "Ah-beng" at a passing low, loud, blinking Proton or at a blonde-haired dude with bright coloured tight pants talking loudly on his mobile? i bet we're all guilty. Best bit is, up until recently (and soon again in the near future!!) i used to drive around in a low, loud Proton with trance music blaring from the stereo... i resent being called an ah-beng. Who gave us the right to judge someone anyway?. Its wise to look at things from many different perspectives i say. A recent article on "Ah-bengs" in The Star newspaper highlighted points i used to preach awhile back to my narrow minded stereotyping friends. Sadly, It's not just the chinese "ah-beng" that is plagued with this negative perception, but sometimes even an entire race is stereotyped as "lazy" or "drunks". We're all victims of ignorance.

Here's some info i gathered from the article i feel all of us need to digest, and the next time you meet or see someone who's different from you, don't judge or jump to conclusions. According to Prof.Datuk Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Director of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Institute of Ethnic studies; "Stereotypes stem from a negative perception. From an anthropological standpoint, it is simply that in trying to define ourselves, we also reject the other."

"Stereotypes develop over time as a result of ignorance or half-knowledge about the other. What makes it worse is when it is repeated many times by many groups of individuals. What is myth, perception or illusion becomes reality."

"One doesn't know what the other's lifestyle is like, and perceived it as unusual or deviant. People only choose to see what they want to see. This is the danger of 'half-knowledge'. They don't bother to find out what the reality is."

So, as we've mentioned throughout this post.. lets not judge a book by its cover. Practice Mutual Respect.

Remember

Tie-dye t-shirts, Hypercolour t's, "Jem & The Holograms", "V" , Atari, Micro Genius, Powell Peralta, H-Street, Tony Hawk, LA Gear, Ocean Pacific, Vanilla Ice, SNOW, Paperboy, not forgeting 2Legit 2 Quit ... ring a bell?

This blog post came about after i stumbled upon some funktastic songs on you tube... Listening to songs from back in the day (especially local hits) actually puts a smile on my face and i'm engulfed in an unexplainable sense of joy, thinking of all the good times shared with friends. On the other hand, it also makes me realize how old i am, URGH!. Speaking of age, i feel that our generation (my age group) are one of the most fortunate. We were blessed to be of age, being able to absorb all the experiences growing up in an era where major changes took place in the world. We experienced life before internet (yes, to you young ones, there was LIFE before internet!!) and the dot com boom. A time where hordes of Skateboarders gathered in Damansara Jaya and the infamous IBM in TTDI, idolizing Tony Hawk and oogling over the latest Airwalk 540 and Vision Street Wear. We grew up without mobile phones. Then learnt to use phones from the very first giant Ericssons & ATURS, to the birth of first hand held Motorola flip phone - the MICROTAC, and then Ericsson 237 phones, to polyphonic sounds, slimmer phones with batteries that lasted longer than an hour, then to colored screens and now phones with WiFi and 3G... We lived through an era of safe neighborhoods where we could roam the streets at night without a care and snatch thefts were unheard of... i could go on and on, but i think i'll save it for a dedicated 'growing up' post when i find the time.

In the mean time, here are a few songs from some of my fave local artiste from the time before CD's. To those of you "blessed" souls, reminisce. To those who've never heard of these songs before, i hope you enjoy them as much i do. I heard from Point Blanc that NICO is still around in Kampung Baru, but i wonder whats happened to all of them? To those who know, do share.

4U2C - Fiona


NICO - Inilah Nasibku

FEMININ - Untukmu

NICO - Untukmu Sayang


ELITE - G.I.G.


INDIGO - Istimewa


NICO - Kaulah Gadisku

Life Worth Living

You only LIVE LIFE ONCE. When was the last time you took a risk?

If you have dreams and a passion for something, you best execute it when you're young or before other lives depend on your handouts. There's always two sides of a story, but here's how i view it. If you're going to venture into business then you, like all successful people know that success, like everything else in this world only belongs to the brave. If you're going to venture into a business or start something that you have a passion for, i truly believe you best do it before your commitments and comfort compel you not to (i.e. kids, mortgage, wife, etc). Its best at times to execute your own venture early in your life, before you become too comfortable chasing your pay cheque every month. Which sadly, is what most people do. Most people i speak to don't exactly enjoy what they do, and speak of interesting ideas which could be profitable but fail to act simply because they yearn for that pay cheque at the end of the month, and the ensuing potential bonus. FEAR is what stops good ideas from becoming great - FEAR of stepping out of your comfort zone. Our lives have been shaped by the "old-school" line of thought, by our parents & teachers - go to school, get a good degree, land a job in a big firm, find a nice girlfriend/boyfriend/partner, get a mortgage, settle down, etc etc. I'm blessed in a sense to have parents who's only wish was to see their children happy. A vast majority are complacent with this arrangement but if you want to live life, to feel what it's like to accomplish something that's all yours, to taste freedom, to have that "zing" in your life, then take that risk and walk the road less traveled. Truth be told, running a business opens a tough and cruel world, and it isn't for everyone. The thoughts and advice penned here today are purely my personal take on working life.

"People have a fear of failure, and while this is perfectly reasonable, its also very odd. Because it seems to me that it's through making mistakes that we learn how to do things. Watch a musician practice, watch a baby figure out how to walk, listen to a toddler speak. Skills like walking, talking and making music emerge gradually, steadily from a blizzard of mistakes."
- Sir Richard Branson

Starting early in life has its pros and cons, i stopped looking at the cons awhile ago because i'm engulfed with the pros. What i lack in experience and networking, i make up for with creativity, go-getter attitude, passion and enthusiasm. Before starting a family, i have nothing to lose other than time and maybe a car or two. Which really is NOTHING cause it does not directly affect the stomachs of other lives. I can honestly say that if i had joined the corporate world, started a family and mortgage, collect a pay cheque every moth, i wouldn't have the guts to step out on my own. sad really. Cause i currently reap the rewards of running my own business - i may not (yet!) be personally earning a million bucks, but for the hours i put in, i'd say i'm earning above average and the number of friends i've made, experiences learned, the fun i have during work, camaraderie forged, coupled with the amount of personal time i have is well justification for running my own business.
You must be prepared to jump off a building without a parachute if you choose the path i took. Cause every business isn't without risk, and not every venture is a success. In business you must be prepared to fall flat into the ground, and mistakes do happen. I don't call it mistakes anymore, i call it LEARNING. And by god, i've learnt a whole damn lot!! You just pick yourself up, dust off the dirt and grime, and start again.

"If you want to be an entrepreneur and you don't make a few errors along the way, you certainly aren't going to learn anything or achieve very much."
- Sir Richard Branson.

In the past 5-years i've gone into debt from a failed venture that took me a year to repay, i've gone without the ability to pay my car and credit card installments, and i've had one credit card canceled on me. But putting yourself in a situation that's out of your comfort zone, drives your mind into overtime and amazing things can be achieved when the situation necessitates it (with a little luck!). A small risk worth taking, whats there to lose? And when one door closes, another opens. My latest venture is a product that materialized from the previous failed business - and i'm proud to say that in under 6-months we achieved outstanding profit figures and doubled our staff count, and in 12-months or so we're expanding to a bigger premise. By the 18-month mark, we would've again expanded our team's size. During this economic downturn, we're embarking on an expansion plan and launching an aggressive marketing campaign. Screw the pessimists! The way i see it, IF this venture fails (by god i won't let it!), i can still pick myself up and try again or go back into the corporate world cause it's stil not too late, and have some wonderful experiences and memories to take with me to my golden age.

Wondering why this post? well, a friend of mine has just out-of-the-blue resigned from his very very comfortable job in one of the world's most profitable MNC's (they don't flinch even during the economic downturn!) to pursue a dream. Sacrificing his secure pay cheque, annual bonus and a myriad of benefits (incl. a neat company car) to venture out on his own. And we're backing him with everything we can to help him see his dream come through... To me, anyone willing to step out of their comfort zone and take a risk is already a success in his own right, be it if he makes big bucks or not. As the quote below holds true:-

"nothing happens unless first a dream"
- carl sandburg

Irregardless of what you do in life or how you choose to live it, always remember, "Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it's the moments that take your breath away." (Hitch).

Chinese New Year 2009

Chinese new year this year was plagued with horror robbery stories. Meet ups served as a forum to exchange stories. With the current economic downturn creating unemployment for thousands, the escalating crime rate isn't a surprise. But the brazen attitude of robbers nowadays can send shivers down the spines of even the most hardy of men. Robbers nowadays employ the "Shock & Awe" tactic, first championed by the Americans during the Iraq invasion - the knife/parang strikes first, even before assessing if there are any valuables. This leaves victims in a state of shock with almost zero possibility of retaliation. Sigh... if only they'd just stick out the knife and ASK, I'm pretty sure almost anyone would surrender their valuables. Unnecessary harm avoided. Even those living in gated/guarded communities and apartments aren't spared nowadays...from what i've been told, most of these bold and audacious crimes occur during the day! and are no longer gender biased!

Oh well, there's not much we can do but to take precautionary measures. Be constantly alert and observant of your surroundings, mentally make a quick note of possible criminal scenarios and have evasive action plans in mind, if in an accident - take note of the number plate of the vehicle and make-off to the nearest police station (do not step out of your car!), always ensure car doors are always locked, valuables are not visible even whilst driving, make use of Shopping mall parking security escort services (alot of malls are employing this service now since the Canny Ong murder), and most importantly... if all else fails, toss valuables at the robber and make like a banana and split in the opposite direction or to the nearest crowded area... Lost cars, cash and valuable can be re-purchased but life... life is non renewable. Retaliation is futile.

Take care everyone!!

The Beginning of The End.

21 is the magic number, a number of resilience. Darkness fills the air as blood vessels throb to the beat of a raging heart, a beat that resonates through to the tips of fingers spurring an uncontrollable shiver. Words exchanged carry the scent of hatred and the acrid smell of anger. Celebrated by millions, it shall be shunned till the day the brew stops flowing and separate abodes be found. Dine as you may without me for values behind the feast have long been forgotten. Lie no more we shall as the time has come for a change, a change i pray to a god who turned his back, i pray for the betterment of this union. A fire, a fire whose flames will reach for the heavens and lick the clouds above will bring peace to a troubled soul. No more shall the temper-filled heart beat be heard. No more shall there be anymore hate, no more shall there be any works of the Devil. To prevent a fire, remove the fuel. If the fuel keeps flowing, remove the spark. If the spark is imminent, remove the hand that ignites it.

"I'm going to concentrate on whats important in life. I'm going to strive everyday to be a kind, generous and loving person. I'm going to keep death right here, so that anytime i even think about getting angry at you or anybody else, I'll see death, and I'll remember."
- Dian Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, Do the right thing. 1992.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! :)

Like a good bottle of wine...

Come the 26th day of August 2008, Jwan Heah would have been on this planet for 29 years. As age catches up with this big-kid, i've constantly pondered on how things and life in general have changed and how easy it is to loose your life. In an age group where life is focused constantly around chasing material wealth, i took a step back to look at life in itself..looking back at all the good and great times i've had, the friends i've made, friends who lost theirs lives, places i've been, and the things i've done... i've realised that in this life we're blessed with, the most valuable asset we'll ever make, own and that nobody can take away from us, are memories and life experiences. if you feel like doing something, take that first step and go out and do it. Brush away what ever discouragements from people around you, if you're going to be happy doing something, go ahead and do it. Its great to be blessed with memories than to sit around in your old age wondering "what if i..." and "i should have..."

Life is short...LIVE LIFE.