An Entrepreneur’s Journey

Met with a huge learning experience. After conducting many workshops in the corporate arena successfully, maybe the successes got into my head making it heavy.

I screwed up a presentation last week. It hit me very hard, affected me badly. I feel very bad about the whole thing. I felt disappointed about myself, I felt I had let the team down.

Suddenly flashes of decision floated across my mind. Doubt arises from within my heart.

It took me days to re-organised myself. Today, I told myself I am not going to fall, I am stronger than that. From that experience, I discovered more about myself, my habits and the gap from achieving mastery.

I am glad that I found out about that gap, then I am able to grow.

Last Wednesday, I was on holiday. Went to Desaru with Jean, thinking that there should be nothing much to do there. And that’s what I want. Just give me a pool, beach and a bed; I will know what to do for 3 days.

The journey to Changi Ferry Terminal was horrendous. There was no bus to that place, so we had to walked a long distance together with the drizzling. In my heart I was furious, in my mind it goes, what a way to start a holiday.

Fortunately, I’m aware of my feeling, take control of that feeling, and move on.

Upon reaching the hotel, went for some exploration. We found out there are activities around, but the price is crazily high. The price does not justify the value or experience.

Finally we decided to do the only activity that justify the price. Get out of the hotel to a small shopping and eating area which only cost us RM10 for the transport. We got tidbits, had our dinner, I thought it was good to go there.

2nd day was spent in pool, beach and the sun. I was badly burnt after the long hours under the sun. I truly enjoyed the art of doing nothing. Staying in the water, relax and reflect.

3rd day we were back in Singapore. I was in pain with the burnt all over. But still, it’s not going to stop me from going to beach again.

Sandra just forwarded me the evaluation report of the Presentation Skill Workshop that I did 2 weeks ago.

Whenever I received an evaluation report, my heart beat goes faster. Because it’s a measurement of how well or bad I did. And the last time I received one, I didn’t fare well. I was actually disappointed with myself, but I treat it as a good learning experience.

When I received this report, I had the same feeling, excited yet fearful. After going through the report, a sense of relieve flow through my blood, but my heart beat did not slow down a beat. Because I was fill with joy and gratefulness.

Out of 5, I had a score of 4.5.

I am very thankful that good things is happening around me. I hope that good things will surround themselves to my family and friends too.

I am really glad that I am able to help those participants. I really do hope to continue doing this work in my life, inspiring others to excel.

And it’s time to celebrate again…..YEAH!!!!

Thanks to Tina’s faith in me, I got to conduct a workshop (Positive Attitude In Workplace) for China Insurance.

The workshop goes very well. The flow of the workshop is going good, the participants are responsive. This workshop adds lots of confidence within myself. With a total of 80 participants, it may seems scary, but once I am able to enrolled them, I must say there is a sense of achievement.

As my style is not to use any power point slides, there are some positive feedbacks. One participant said that it is different from many other workshops, it’s more engaging without power point slides.

There were some participants who wanted to introduce their daughters to me. It was a feedback that I were connecting with the participants.

I really enjoy myself in the workshop. I feel good after having done this workshop, and Yeah, it’s time for celebration. Going for holiday this week. It has been soooooooo long since the last one. Finally.

Been studying about value investing intensively, reading books on Warren Buffet, Peter Lynch, etc.

Move on to study about companies financial statements. Learning about connecting a story by looking at the figures. I must say it’s can be interesting and boring.

It’s interesting when I found good companies, and it’s also interesting when I found bad companies, especially those which I thought are good but the statements reflect otherwise.

Still nothing beats the excitement of having money in the market. I made my first investment today after many years of avoiding the market. It feels good to know that now I know more about the stock market than 8 years ago.

I must thank Clive who inspired me to start investing again.

I had been doing lots of reading recently. The last time I read so extensively is probably a night before my exam.

Well, the reason that I read so much recently is to get my Investment IQ up to a level that I can comfortable make a correct decision in investment.

I finish 2 books in a week. With my slow speed of reading, I really put in lots of time in reading recently. Usually I finished a book in 2 weeks. I know the speed of my reading has not improved, but my knowledge certainly has.

After so many days of soaking myself in investment discoveries, today I decided to have a break. I got a book by Osho. He is a spiritual master who writes to provoke your thought. Since I submerged my mind in all the dollars signs for few weeks, I should take care of the soul as well. I thought a change of the reading will be good.

There is more for my soul coming. Next week I’m going on holiday. It has been a long time since my last one. I am really looking forward to re-energize, recharge, recuperate and re-discover the meaning of life.

From last Friday, it was training all the way till yesterday. It was an well fulfilled week that builds my confidence, being more sure of myself and my path.

It started with Holiday Inn (Service Recovery) Workshop for 3 days, and as I thought I could rest for 2 days, I got a referral from David to do a Presentation Workshop for JobsDB. Then it’s back to Holiday Inn (Service Recovery) Mandarin Workshop.

It was a week filled with blessings. I was at the right place in the right time when David referred that Presentation Workshop to me. Initially I was doubtful if I can pull it off. But half way through the workshop, I knew the participants got a lot out of the workshop. I was glad I am able to add values to them.

Thanks David, an ever generous gentleman for referring and thanks Sandra, whom I thought she’s a beautiful soul; believed in me.

Blessed again when Actionpreneur received a testimonial from one of our clients. I will post it up soon.

Blessed again as Michael, a good friend since 2002; whom is at Shanghai, helped us in formulating some letters for our clients. With his help, I am sure the letters will have no errors.

Blessed again when I received a book (One Up On Walls Street by Peter Lynch) from Clive, became very good friend since we got involved with the Ice Cream distribution business. Half way into the book and I’m one foot into buying the shares one company.

Blessed again when a school wants me to conduct another workshop for him. We had discussed about it 2 months ago, and finally the deal was concluded.

Blessed again that a network marketing company called me to conduct a training for his members. I pulled Vasu along for the meeting, currently, I am not too sure if I want to associate myself with them. They are willing to pay, but my heart don’t feel good at all.

Blessed again with David asking Vasu and me to support him in Kuching in July. This will really be interesting as it will be the first time visiting Sarawak.

There are so many beautiful souls around me. What else can I ask for?

It has been a fun week for me. Starting with Tuesday, hiking with Wendy, Clive, Jean, Jessica and Phyllis. The total distance is about 11km, not long for Clive and me because we ever walked longer that this. It was challenging for Jessica, probably she was cursing at us along the way..haha.

Yesterday I saw her, she was limping…sorry Jess, won’t organize such a tough activity next time.

Wednesday, brought CHIJ girls to Orchard Road to do an amazing race. It is part of their leadership program. Though I did not attached myself with any team, it was still a great experience to set up the game, to organize everything. It was fun to meet new facilitators as well.

As usual, some girls truly enjoyed it, some was cursing at it. The same old story, it had to do with mindset.

Thursday, another session with CHIJ, a different group of girls. Again, some are interested in the activity, some simply not participating at all. I start to wonder what are these small group of girls interested in. It seems like they won’t be interested in any kind of activities beside shopping and gossiping. I really hope that one day they can realize that they have to change something in them to be successful.

Then went down for EAP preview. I made an commitment to support Clive by giving him one feedback every round that I’m there. He’s good already, but as an outsider, I can observe things that he may not notice. Vice versa, he did the same to me when I’m presenting as well.

I love everyday of my life. Exciting and fun, that’s the way life should be.

I was having lunch with a friend who is a Director of a small insurance company. While we were catching up with each other on our life, business, family etc. He gave me a small opening.

R: “Maybe I will get you train my agents during my year end meeting with them.”
Me: “Sure, I can do that.”
R: “What can you train them about?”
Me: “Motivation, Sales, Financial Intelligence….(knowing what he wants)
R: “Ya that will be good.”

After a few minutes….

R: “But there a problems. My team is pretty motivated, if not they won’t be my agency won’t be Top 5 this year. Every year, they go for conferences to hear those motivational talks, hear those handicapped people motivating them, that should be enough.”

He’s hinting maybe what I do couldn’t help his team.

Me: “Then you don’t need me, why should you need me?” (I reverse it)

R: “Next year I am aiming to get to Top 2. And we need that boost.”
Me: “How much does your top agent earn every month?”
R: “$20,000″
Me: “Your second top agent?”
R: “$6,000″

I discover an opening here…..

Me: “Do you know why is there a huge gap between your first and second agent?”
R: “No, why?”
Me: “Different belief system. I work on belief system that can close the gap”

By now he already know what I’m hinting. He doesn’t need to increase his top agent sales, he just need to close the gap of the rest of the agents, and he can be Top 2.

R: “Ok, let’s confirm the date on the training. And how much?”

I am so blessed to score a small win. I am attracting good things into my life everyday.

I was in elation today. Good things do happen when we feel great about ourselves. We sent out positive vibes when we feel good, in return good things got attracted to us.

Firstly, on a more private note, I got myself a new pair of soccer boots. I threw away my old pair yesterday after it gave way half way through the game. Since today is the only day I’m free, I better get it for my coming Sunday game.

I thought it was a good buy, paying only $59 for a pair of addidas soccer boots.

Moving on to business, I got a call from Benny that I am the main facilitator for the coming Positive Attitude Workshop of 80 participants. Yeah!!! Another breakthrough.

Had a meeting with David in the afternoon, he mentioned that Holiday Inn placed 2 more days for the Customer Service Workshop in June…Yeah..another win!!!

Raymond called to confirm the team building workshop for teachers. Though it’s half a day only, but it’s another win again.

Few days ago I sent out a sales letter to my subscribers from Millionaire Idea, and from there I made a few sales. Yeah!! Another win.