Dear all,
Recently I read a book titled “The World is Flat” by
Thomas Friedman, as recommended by WIM Book Club.
Attached is my synopsis of the book.
Personally, I find it scary, and I had to stop every
now and then to reflect and think how my job will
be affected.
My own opinions are :
1. We have to learn new skills that emphasizes
more on creativity and personal relationships, so that
we cannot be replaced, in a sense that we are able to
integrate things and provide more intangible benefits.
2. Jobs that can be replaced (e.g. manual intensive,
call centre, low level calculation, data entry,….)
will be replaced. It is just a matter of time. So
we have to be prepared.
3. We have to plan a little bit further, to
acquire backup skills, e.g. I am learning tai-chi now with
the intention to teach it when I am retrenched in the
future. Find something that you like apart from
your work, and spend some time to cultivate it (e.g.
dancing, painting,sculpting,…)
Synopsis – The World is Flat
1. (pg 11) Globalization has evolved from
empowerment to a country, then to a company, and now to an
Individual.
2. (pg 15) Those who can create value thru
leadership, relationships and creativity will transform the
industry.
3. (pg 21) Work gets done where it can be done
most effectively and efficiently. It helps because it
frees up people and capital to do more creative, more
sophisticated work, and also deliver the end
product better, faster and cheaper to the end user.
4. (pg 153) One of the ways to a more reliable,
low cost delivery system is to replace inventory with
information.
5. (pg 302) How we educate our children/ourselves
is more important than how much we educate them/us.
6. (pg 564) People don’t change when you tell
them there is a better option, they change when they
have no other option.
7. (pg 565) People change when they see that
others, like themselves, have changed and benefited.
Hope it is beneficial for you all.
May you be happy and healthy always :D
Rgds,
Leh
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The monk who sold his ferrari
Dear all,
Recently I read a book titled “The Monk who sold his ferrari” by Robin s Sharma, as recommended by WIM Book Club.
Attached are some of my thoughts of the book.
Personally, I find it philosophically based(as religion is not a suitable word here).
My own thoughts are :
1. Watch what u think, as it will attract the same energies/vibes. This can be done better thru meditation, by focusing your mind on something(e.g. breathing) on a regular basis.
2. Plan your day such that it is disciplined(e.g. do the same activities at the same time everyday, to reinforce the habit).
3. Lead a simple life (eg eat to sustain your body, and not to indulge in tasty food, well, not at least not everytime). Cut down on luxuries.
4. Exercise daily, something simple will do (e..g. yoga, taichi, walking) to keep your body healthy.
Hope it is beneficial for you all.
May you be happy and healthy always :D
Rgds,
Leh
Ps : please support my maiden work “The monk who sold his Iswara”, due to be out soon :P
Recently I read a book titled “The Monk who sold his ferrari” by Robin s Sharma, as recommended by WIM Book Club.
Attached are some of my thoughts of the book.
Personally, I find it philosophically based(as religion is not a suitable word here).
My own thoughts are :
1. Watch what u think, as it will attract the same energies/vibes. This can be done better thru meditation, by focusing your mind on something(e.g. breathing) on a regular basis.
2. Plan your day such that it is disciplined(e.g. do the same activities at the same time everyday, to reinforce the habit).
3. Lead a simple life (eg eat to sustain your body, and not to indulge in tasty food, well, not at least not everytime). Cut down on luxuries.
4. Exercise daily, something simple will do (e..g. yoga, taichi, walking) to keep your body healthy.
Hope it is beneficial for you all.
May you be happy and healthy always :D
Rgds,
Leh
Ps : please support my maiden work “The monk who sold his Iswara”, due to be out soon :P
The power of Now
Dear all,
Recently I read a great book, titled “The Power of
Now”, and would like to share some of its points.
I would also like to thank Bhante Aggacita of SBS
Taiping (http://www.sasanarakkha.org/) for generously
loaning me the book.
I hope it will be beneficial to you.
1. Learn to live with pain, and use it to root us in
the present, rather than to avoid pain.
2. Nothing exists outside the Now.
3. All problems are illusions of the mind – its about
realizing there
are “no” problems, only situations –
to be dealt with now, or to be left alone and accepted
“as it is” (now), or wait until it can be dealt with.
4. Unhappiness = Past – resisting what happened in the
past, Now – resisting what it is now, Future – hoping
for a better future, and denial of Now.
5. The choice is in your hands, to choose suffering of
peace (Now).
6. Act out of present moment awareness – whatever you
do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care and
love, even the most simplest action.
7. Do not be attached to the fruits of action, success
or failure, not depend on future for fulfillment.
8. You don’t demand the situation or people to make
you happy, and suffer when they don’t.
9. To KNOW that you are not present is a great
success.
10. The words are not the Truth, they merely point to
it.
11. True salvation is a state of freedom – from
desires and
suffering, past and future.
12. The greatest catalyst for change in a relationship
is complete acceptance of your partner, without
judgement or change.
13. When you achieved freedom, you gave up the
relationship with yourself, and all the other
relationships became love relationships.
May you be well and happy always !
Regards,
Lee Ek Hau
( Saccesi )
Recently I read a great book, titled “The Power of
Now”, and would like to share some of its points.
I would also like to thank Bhante Aggacita of SBS
Taiping (http://www.sasanarakkha.org/) for generously
loaning me the book.
I hope it will be beneficial to you.
1. Learn to live with pain, and use it to root us in
the present, rather than to avoid pain.
2. Nothing exists outside the Now.
3. All problems are illusions of the mind – its about
realizing there
are “no” problems, only situations –
to be dealt with now, or to be left alone and accepted
“as it is” (now), or wait until it can be dealt with.
4. Unhappiness = Past – resisting what happened in the
past, Now – resisting what it is now, Future – hoping
for a better future, and denial of Now.
5. The choice is in your hands, to choose suffering of
peace (Now).
6. Act out of present moment awareness – whatever you
do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care and
love, even the most simplest action.
7. Do not be attached to the fruits of action, success
or failure, not depend on future for fulfillment.
8. You don’t demand the situation or people to make
you happy, and suffer when they don’t.
9. To KNOW that you are not present is a great
success.
10. The words are not the Truth, they merely point to
it.
11. True salvation is a state of freedom – from
desires and
suffering, past and future.
12. The greatest catalyst for change in a relationship
is complete acceptance of your partner, without
judgement or change.
13. When you achieved freedom, you gave up the
relationship with yourself, and all the other
relationships became love relationships.
May you be well and happy always !
Regards,
Lee Ek Hau
( Saccesi )
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
centurion principles - part 4 (end)
Read the last few chapters, and its about the American Civil War generals, Robert E. Lee, Ulysess Grant, and President Lincoln.
The 3 of them were honored and revered by both comrades and enemies alike, because they share 1 common trait – compassion.
Lee denied the offer by president Lincoln to lead the Union army, as his hometown is the Confederates. He cant bear to kill his own neighbours and kampung people. He went on to lead the Confederates and surrendered gracefully later and urged the South to reconcile peacefully with the North.
Grant was known for his compassion, both to his soldiers, and even to enemy soldiers. He always accept surrenders, and tended to the wounded enemies and civilians immediately after each battle.
Lincoln never gives orders to his generals from his office in White House, and visits the soldiers frequently. He believes in trusting the generals to make the best decisions, and is good at making his point across using stories.
This is also similar to the famous Chinese general, Yue Fei (岳飞), who once said that the 5 criterias a general must possess are Compassion, Honour, Knowledge, Bravery, Discipline (仁信智勇严), and not one less. Loyal to the country till his wrongful execution, he remains an idol for all till this day.
Right, time to look for new book to read :-)
The 3 of them were honored and revered by both comrades and enemies alike, because they share 1 common trait – compassion.
Lee denied the offer by president Lincoln to lead the Union army, as his hometown is the Confederates. He cant bear to kill his own neighbours and kampung people. He went on to lead the Confederates and surrendered gracefully later and urged the South to reconcile peacefully with the North.
Grant was known for his compassion, both to his soldiers, and even to enemy soldiers. He always accept surrenders, and tended to the wounded enemies and civilians immediately after each battle.
Lincoln never gives orders to his generals from his office in White House, and visits the soldiers frequently. He believes in trusting the generals to make the best decisions, and is good at making his point across using stories.
This is also similar to the famous Chinese general, Yue Fei (岳飞), who once said that the 5 criterias a general must possess are Compassion, Honour, Knowledge, Bravery, Discipline (仁信智勇严), and not one less. Loyal to the country till his wrongful execution, he remains an idol for all till this day.
Right, time to look for new book to read :-)
centurion principles - part 3
Another interesting chapter is the one on Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the united states.
Early in his military career, he supplied volunteers with arms, and marched with them to the neighbouring state to prepare for attack from the british. After waiting for a few months, the attack never came, and he hired carts using his own money to help transport his sick volunteers back. I admired his persistence and toughness, and agreed with his nickname of as tough as “Old Hickory”. This prompted me to remain calm and patient while waiting for things to happen, as i imagined him waiting for few months without seeing any action.
The chapter on George Washington was equally inspiring too.
Being called to head the army against his wishes, he had to finished all his money, and ran into huge debts just to keep his company afloat. (this is similar to my case...) after the war, congress denied him any payments, and even his claims, and he was forced to go back to his farmland penniless.
His army even threatened to mutiny unless they were paid their overdue allowances. Being the nationalist, George washington feared for that, and made a speech to calm down his comrades. As he pulled out his speech paper, he squinted at it, and took out this glasses, addressing the crowd “gentlemen, you must permit me to put on my glasses, as i've not only grown grey, but nearly blind in my service to the country...”, at which his men teared, and the tension was difused.
He was later thrusted a greater burden, by being “forced” to become “President” by the congress, to lead the faltering nation to a firm footing.
His funeral oration stated him as "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." , a truly fitting epitaph.
Hope its inspiring :-)
Early in his military career, he supplied volunteers with arms, and marched with them to the neighbouring state to prepare for attack from the british. After waiting for a few months, the attack never came, and he hired carts using his own money to help transport his sick volunteers back. I admired his persistence and toughness, and agreed with his nickname of as tough as “Old Hickory”. This prompted me to remain calm and patient while waiting for things to happen, as i imagined him waiting for few months without seeing any action.
The chapter on George Washington was equally inspiring too.
Being called to head the army against his wishes, he had to finished all his money, and ran into huge debts just to keep his company afloat. (this is similar to my case...) after the war, congress denied him any payments, and even his claims, and he was forced to go back to his farmland penniless.
His army even threatened to mutiny unless they were paid their overdue allowances. Being the nationalist, George washington feared for that, and made a speech to calm down his comrades. As he pulled out his speech paper, he squinted at it, and took out this glasses, addressing the crowd “gentlemen, you must permit me to put on my glasses, as i've not only grown grey, but nearly blind in my service to the country...”, at which his men teared, and the tension was difused.
He was later thrusted a greater burden, by being “forced” to become “President” by the congress, to lead the faltering nation to a firm footing.
His funeral oration stated him as "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." , a truly fitting epitaph.
Hope its inspiring :-)
centurion principles - part 2
Read part 3 of “centurion principles”, about alexander the great, nothing much to trigger my tots, but part 4 on “Joan of Arc” was something different.
Though she helped lifted the siege at Orleans from the english, to the surprise and embarassment of more experienced generals, and crowned the king, she was later captured and sold to the English, who later burned her. The french king did nothing to help rescue or ransom her back.
This got me to think of some things :
1.Never brag about your achievements – keep a low profile, by showing off, we only caused our colleagues to be jealous, and superior to be irked. Whatever good you did can never be erased, though ppl tend to remember our bloopers and mistakes.
2.Step down at your height – Make way for others, and retreat when the going is great (急流勇退). There is no lack of great generals throughout the history of China, but few of them survived being killed by the Emperor. This was because they dont know when to retire, and continue to flex their muscles, even after their usage has expired (eg peace in the country, no more war), which irritated the maharaja, who then executed them.
Well....nuff babbling, hope its meaningful :)
Though she helped lifted the siege at Orleans from the english, to the surprise and embarassment of more experienced generals, and crowned the king, she was later captured and sold to the English, who later burned her. The french king did nothing to help rescue or ransom her back.
This got me to think of some things :
1.Never brag about your achievements – keep a low profile, by showing off, we only caused our colleagues to be jealous, and superior to be irked. Whatever good you did can never be erased, though ppl tend to remember our bloopers and mistakes.
2.Step down at your height – Make way for others, and retreat when the going is great (急流勇退). There is no lack of great generals throughout the history of China, but few of them survived being killed by the Emperor. This was because they dont know when to retire, and continue to flex their muscles, even after their usage has expired (eg peace in the country, no more war), which irritated the maharaja, who then executed them.
Well....nuff babbling, hope its meaningful :)
centurion principles - part 1
Heeding the call to read something substantial, i picked up a book titled “The Centurion Principles”, by Col. Jeff O' Leary, recommended by dad.
Its about leadership qualities, comprising of moral integrity, and doing what's right instead of what's easy, what's moral instead of what's legal. Historical examples of great leaders were given, with an analysis of their success, and failure.
Chapter one is about the Carthian general, Hannibal, who led a long and succesful campaign against the roman empire. His motto was “We'll either find a way, or make one.” He made a surprise attack by doing the impossible – crossing the Alps with his troops and elephants. Followed by tracking thru a swampland, and losing his eye in the next battle, and winning it. His peak achievement came when he routed the romans in Cannae, and sandwiched them and nearly annihilated the whole troop, with Scipio as one of the survivors.
But his pride and ego also caused his downfall.
Scipio, the survivor, rose thru the ranks, and learnt from the defeats under the hands of Hannibal. He then proposed a plan of attacking to defend (围魏救赵), by attacking the capital of Carthage, and thereby force Hannibal to retreat to defend his homeland in modern day Tunisia. Scipio managed to convinced the senate, and planned his attack with bold but pragmatic strategy.
He figured that supplies is the key to winning a war. And the first place he attacked in Carthage was the food supply depot. Hannibal was so sure of himself, that only a handful of soldiers were defending the supply port city. The city felled quickly, and Hannibal was in a defensive mode in a swift change of events.
Scipio then arranged for calvary reinforcements, and met Hannibal at a great battle. The reinforcements arrived in time, and Hannibal was defeated.
Moral of story :
1.dont brush away the impossible to hastily, as it might become a reality. In short, be prepared for anything.
2.Arrogance leads to complacency.
3.Learn from mistakes.
So far, i've only managed to cultivate point #1 occasionally, and points #2 and #3 are...well....something to be worked on continuously.
Chapter 3 is about alexander the great, which i've yet to read....
Its about leadership qualities, comprising of moral integrity, and doing what's right instead of what's easy, what's moral instead of what's legal. Historical examples of great leaders were given, with an analysis of their success, and failure.
Chapter one is about the Carthian general, Hannibal, who led a long and succesful campaign against the roman empire. His motto was “We'll either find a way, or make one.” He made a surprise attack by doing the impossible – crossing the Alps with his troops and elephants. Followed by tracking thru a swampland, and losing his eye in the next battle, and winning it. His peak achievement came when he routed the romans in Cannae, and sandwiched them and nearly annihilated the whole troop, with Scipio as one of the survivors.
But his pride and ego also caused his downfall.
Scipio, the survivor, rose thru the ranks, and learnt from the defeats under the hands of Hannibal. He then proposed a plan of attacking to defend (围魏救赵), by attacking the capital of Carthage, and thereby force Hannibal to retreat to defend his homeland in modern day Tunisia. Scipio managed to convinced the senate, and planned his attack with bold but pragmatic strategy.
He figured that supplies is the key to winning a war. And the first place he attacked in Carthage was the food supply depot. Hannibal was so sure of himself, that only a handful of soldiers were defending the supply port city. The city felled quickly, and Hannibal was in a defensive mode in a swift change of events.
Scipio then arranged for calvary reinforcements, and met Hannibal at a great battle. The reinforcements arrived in time, and Hannibal was defeated.
Moral of story :
1.dont brush away the impossible to hastily, as it might become a reality. In short, be prepared for anything.
2.Arrogance leads to complacency.
3.Learn from mistakes.
So far, i've only managed to cultivate point #1 occasionally, and points #2 and #3 are...well....something to be worked on continuously.
Chapter 3 is about alexander the great, which i've yet to read....
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