An Entrepreneur’s Journey

This whole week is a sport week for me. I am exercising almost everyday. Yesterday, I am having a game of squash with Lester. I gain a distinction while playing.

In the past, I played a sport because I enjoyed it. Yesterday, I found out the reason for this enjoyment. Why would I love some sports, especially fast moving sports?

I did mentioned before that some sports allow me to think and act fast. Yesterday game allow me to go deeper than that. Squash is a fast game. To make it tougher, I am a novice. When I begin to be in the present, fully focus on the ball, I am able to hit the ball to the place I want it.

But when I lose focus even for a split second, I missed it.

I experienced the feeling of present yesterday. I must admit it was a good feeling. Knowing that I am fully present, the soul, mind and body think and act as one was a extremely positive experience.

Thank you squash, and thank you Lester for introducing this game to me.

Singapore has been a special country. Some countries know that there is a “Singapore”, some do not.

I remember when I first went to Australia 15 years, one of the Australians that I got to know from there actually asked me where is Singapore, is it in China. From her look, I guess she probably didn’t heard of Singapore before she met me.

Another time when I was in Taiwan 10 years ago, the taxi driver knew Singapore for only one thing. He said, “Oh that country that banned chewing gum.”

Recently, there are 2 additional rules that could make Singaporean proud.

Rule #1 :

Taxis going into Central Business District (CBD) can only stop at designated stops. They can’t stop anywhere like they used to do so. That’s is to say customers has to find the stops to find a taxi as well. Why do I take a taxi? Convenient, it drives me right to the doorstep of my destination. That’s why I pay more to enjoy this convenient service.

But now why would I pay more since I have to walk after alighting to reach my destination. It no longer make sense to me to get a taxi.

First they raise the taxi fare, then they took away the convenient service. It is like you pay for business class, but when you are up in the plane, they told you that all seats in business class has been taken up. You can take the next flight or you can join the economy class but there is no refund.

Rule #2 :

More subsidy on health care for the lower income group. That’s good news, and I am glad to hear this ruling. The next part is ridiculous, the subsidy for the higher income is much lesser. There is no change to their budget, basically they are taking from the left pocket to put into the right.

This to me is penalizing those who earn more, it’s my mistake to earn more. I fully agree that they should help the lower income, but to take money from the higher income group is totally non-sensible.

They are complaining that Singapore is losing its talents, good people are moving out of Singapore. I believe more will move away now. The talents are earning good money, and when talents earn good money, there are less benefit staying here, so why should talents stay here, I wonder?

I’m very fortunate to discover my purpose in this world. I love what I am doing that is to inspire human to realize their potential. I consider myself very lucky to discover my purpose accidentally. Ya, my mentors will say there is no accidents. Ha, ha.

While I am fortunate in this, there are many who are not as fortunate as me. Some are lost, some are searching, some don’t even know what is a purpose. Well, I’ve been asking myself how do I help others to find their purpose so they could also be happier and more fulfilled in their life. The more I asked myself, the more I am confused.

Even if someone has found their purpose, how can we know for sure that is really what he is here for. Honestly, we don’t know.

A thought came in just 10 minutes ago. While I am not sure how to help you to find your purpose, I do know what is keeping you away from your purpose.

It is the man made environment that is keeping you away from your purpose. Human has created many illusions to keep you busy,so that you can’t find your own purpose.

Humans created this useless term called politics. Politicians does nothing but to create more policies to trap us into believing that they are a better group of people. Politicians then create a whole lot of illusions so that instead of finding our purpose, we are made to chase after those illusions.

Then there are the ballooned perceived value of certain materials. We are made to believe that we got to have those to match our society status. Therefore we are thriving hard to chase for money, so that we can buy those things.

I’m not implying that money is not important. Money is important and I love money. The difference is: would you want to know your purpose with money flowing to you or struggle to chase after money without any purpose?

Some friends of mine are on the verge on finding their purpose, but gave up because of social pressure. Not enough money, family commitment etc. In the end, they gave up the journey of looking, they gave up the chance of creating a unique destiny for themselves. They chose to continue walking with the rest of the sheep.

It is true that these reasons exist, and it’s not easy on the path of true purpose. But I know it, once you’ve gone through that tough stage, it’s is going to get easier and easier. You will begin to feel happier.

Those who begin their journey of purpose be prepared for social pressure. Your friends will start calling you rebel, your family will call you mad man. Because you are moving away from the social norms, you are moving away from them.

You may feel poorer in the beginning, but trust that the Universe will take care of you. The Universe will not let you fall as long as you are on the right path, as long as you do not give up.

You may start to quieten your mind, disregard all social norms and pressure. Ask yourself, if you have all the time and money in this world, what will you be doing? Can that contribute to mankind?

I am thankful that I am breathing now.
I am thankful that I woke up this morning.
I am thankful that I have food on the table.
I am thankful that my legs are still strong.
I am thankful that I have supporting friends.
I am thankful that I have a loving family.
I am thankful that money flows to me.
I am thankful that abundance awaiting me.
I am thankful that I am adding value to others.
I am thankful that I love my work.
I am thankful that I can inspire others to be better.
I am thankful that my brain can think.
I am thankful that mentors are around me to guide.
I am thankful that I have more than enough.
I am thankful for everything, good or bad.

Had you ever faced these questions:

“Who are you?”
“What do you want to be?”
“What is your purpose?”
“What do you want to do?”

I do. I constantly asked this question to myself for two reasons. First to counter check that I still love what I do. Second to counter check that I’m on the right path,

I am very lucky that I am able to discover this love - “to inspire.” Finding this love, determines why I am doing what I’m doing now. Running a business gave me an opportunity to experience many things which then allow me to share it with people as a trainer / speaker.

Unfortunately, some are not that lucky, they could not find what they love. They are moving in circles, going one big round and ended at the same place where they started.

Sometimes I wonder, maybe the Universe wants them to go through this process because they need it. Also maybe they have to try many things before they can find what they love to do.

I would say before you decided to jump into the next opportunity, take some quiet time to think why you want to get into it. Get all the emotions aside first, you know why? Because when a new opportunity presents itself, usually it will come with hype, charging your emotion to a new high, deceiving you that this is the best opportunity.

But once you get all the emotions aside, and you still love the business, there is a high chance that it’s for you. There is a high chance that you discover your purpose.

Competition competition and competition. I discovered I’m a sucker for competition. Put me into any competition, and I want to win. I cannot stand losing, and I’m sick of not winning in games that I played.

Though I do want to enjoy the games that I’m involved, but it feel great to win. I want to have that feeling of winning again. My soul doesn’t feel good if I’m not on a winning streak.

There will be sacrifice if one wants to be a winner. It takes a lot to be a winner. No one can just sit around and hope to be a winner. Commitment and determination is what it takes.

Are you preparing to be a winner?

Relationship was the topic in that 20 minutes drive with Clive. I wonder of all the people that I will discuss this topic, it’s Clive.

But it was a very good discussion. In fact, from the start of the ice cream venture, we had been discussing this on and off, except this time we really went into it.

Our situation may be very similar, but our thinking is not. Haha…that’s make the discussion interesting. Clive is a very analytical guy who is able to analyse points that I always missed out. He is also a super nice guy whom all mothers will love to have as a son-in-law, unlike me who has an evil side.

The topic is, “when a relationship is unstable, is it always the man’s fault and responsibility?”

Based on Clive’s view from a book, he said “yes”. Me, of course “no”.

While I say “no” to Clive, I will say “yes” to many people. I discovered over the past months that whenever a relationship is unstable, the first impression is “the man is at fault”, “the man must take responsibility.” This is the perception that most people has.

I am kind of sick to explain why I say “no” to this people, so friends, don’t ask me anymore, my answer is “Yes, it’s my fault.”

A thought came in while I was conversing with a friend yesterday. She’s in business herself, but she has a challenge with discipline. I must agree it takes a lot of discipline to run your own business, especially those who run business from their home.

I told her she must go for Business School For Entrepreneurs (BSE). She has the intention to be there, but she didn’t attend the last one in September 2007. Her question: does going to BSE can help her overcome discipline problem.

At that moment, a flash of light strike on me. Maybe it will not overcome the discipline problem. But maybe it will.

In BSE, I learned what I am capable of doing. I was able to stretch myself, got myself out of my comfort zone. I have the ability to do much more than what I was doing before. I now know that I have the capability to do so much more, and if I am not doing it now, I don’t feel good about it.

Whenever I fall into comfort zone again, my heart will remind me of the time during BSE. That week of fullest potential being exposed. When I was reminded of that 8 days, I’m into action again. Making that calls that I need to make, doing the work that I have been procrastinating.

I am accountable to myself. I know I can do it, and do so much and contribute so much. But if I am not doing it, I just don’t feel right. I am so glad I’ve attended BSE. I am so blessed to have know many friends from BSE whom had served as an inspiration to me.

My friend, if you are contemplating of going to BSE, or having the fear of facing whatever you need to face in the course, just know this. Everything is for your growth.

Inflation rate at 3.6%. That was reported 2 weeks ago. Is it really true? Has the figure been deflated?

Just check out the rise of the petrol prices, it’s definitely more than 3.6%. Yesterday reported that cab fare is going to raise from $2.50 to $2.80, a 12% increase. Curry puff at Old Chang Kee went from $1 to $1.10, a 10% increase.

Consumer products hike by more than 10%. And many are hoping that the government will help. Of course the government will help. Let think again, if government is to help, they have to cough out money from somewhere. This money will come from where?

Did you realize a recent hike of ERP? $0.50 more! Is it more than 10%? I don’t know; drivers, you calculate.

With all these hikes, I am wondering a true figure…

My definition of success is having the ability to choose. The most important of human living rights is that we can make choices. I choose to work today, I choose to go on holiday, I choose to spend time with myself, I choose…

However, not many of us have the ability to choose. Some do not have a choice. How many times you have heard someone else saying, “no choice.”

Recently, with a series of incidents, I felt my freedom was locked up. I discovered that I don’t feel good with the “no choice” thing. I desire lots of freedom, I love to have choices to choose from. I guess that is why I choose to be an entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur, I can have the freedom and manage my own time.

On the contrary in being an employee, someone else will manage my time. I discovered it once again from the recent incidents that I don’t like others to manage my time.

With the number of employees in the world, and the number of “no choice” I heard, I concluded that there are many people in the world who don’t have the freedom. Everyday, they have no choice but to wake up in the morning and pass through the heavy traffic because someone else manages their time.

For me, I wouldn’t want to be caught with no choice again. My time is precious to me, since it is precious, I decide those who want my time shall pay a high price.

That is where success comes. To me, success is having the ability to choose.