26/8/05

First thing, laughing at myself for losing so much money in an investment simulation game. Bought 4 stocks and only 1 appreciated. Darn haa. I am such a lousy investor. I better don't take risk... anyway, i don't like to take risks.

Today a guest speaker came down to our lecture to give us a little insight about his business's franchising strategy. Something caught my mind when he said that," If you want to be an entrepreneur, do it in a young age. Because, if you fail, you have an excuse of saying that you are inexperience. If you have 20 years of business experience and you start to be entrepreneur later, you won't have an excuse when you fail. The opportunity costs is greater then."

Good one. But i still don't like risks. Being an entrepreneur means alot of things. Ha, don't know if i wanna try.

Lets talk about something else today. Scientist says that the feeling of love is really a chemistry effect in the mind. During early stages of love, chemicals would be produced in the mind to make one feel happy. And it lasts for a few years before it total disappear. So... where is the love? haha. Sad to say, most people depends on this kind of chemistry when going into a relationship. Is it the only thing to look out for? I don't know.

Slice of life

Unlocking the Second Prison (Part 1)

Leaving prison is only the first step in an ex-offender's road to freedom. When the gates are finally opened, most ex-offenders find that the world they knew has changed, they find it difficult to adjust because they have trouble finding employment, and are shunned by friends, even family members. Because ex-offenders are stigmatized as shady and untrustworthy, they often find that they've left their cell only to enter into another one - only this time, the walls are made of ignorance and prejudice.

Family relationships can make or break ex-prisoners' successful return to society. Because they face overwhelming prejudice from society, most ex-offenders spend more time with family and may even receive financial help from them and friends until they find a job. Families, defined broadly to include close friends, provide emotional support. They listen, react, and provide feedback. They offer a chance to unload stress, fears, and anxieties in a safe environment. Family members have responsibilities towards each other and most families continue to demonstrate their loyalty during the darkest of times.

A case in point is John (not his real name), who was certain that he did not want to return to his old ways, even if the journey ahead was not easy. John, who was released from the Kaki Bukit Centre (Prison School) in 2001, said he felt like a reject who would never find the acceptance he desperately craved. Of course, he was looking forward to being released after five years in prison. Yet, he was filled with dread. Would his friends and family welcome him home?

Thankfully, his fears were unfounded. Instead of shunning him, his relatives rallied around him to offer support and advice. They welcomed him at family gatherings and reassured him that he had another chance at a decent life. Looking back at the plight of his fellow ex-inmates, John cannot help but feel how lucky he was. He said: "Some of my friends had nowhere to turn to. Their families did not want to have anything to do with them and it was difficult for them to look to the future."

If your family member is an ex-offender, your love and support are crucial to his or her successful re-entry into society. Remember, everyone makes mistakes, and we all need a second chance. The Yellow Ribbon Project engages the community to help ex-offenders re-integrate into society. To find out how it can help you or how you can help, go to www.yellowribbon.org.sg or call 6214 2867.

This edition of "A Slice of Life" is brought to you by The Yellow Ribbon Project - Give ex-offenders and their families a Second Lease of Life.

Gradual and Steady Acceleration

We all suffer from this syndrome, me included. We want something, anything, and we want it now, right this minute. And because you know that it will take time, effort, maybe money to achieve it, you get frustrated, or decide to abandon the idea altogether. You look at the long journey ahead, kilometres and kilometres before your dream house, your ideal figure, the perfect job, and you're deflated before you even start.

But what if we look at this a little differently?

Let's say you want to get in shape. You want to be able to do 100 push-ups but now you can barely manage 10 before your arms start shaking. You think "It's just too hard! I mean, how many people can really do 100 push-ups?"

Well, what if I told you that in 60 days or less, you could be doing 100 really good push-ups? Think it's too hard?

The trick is gradual acceleration. Don't set the bar too high the first time. Don't think about doing 100. Try 10 first if you can, then add one every day. Every one can add just one push-up a day. It's just one. No sweat.
You go on like this, and before you know it, you're hitting 30, 40 push-ups. From then on, try adding 2 a day. Your strength and determination will be growing which allows you to raise the rate of increase to 2 per day. Now this is easier even than it sounds, and you might be tempted to raise the numbers more quickly? ah, impatience strikes again. But even if you feel tempted to raise the rate, be careful and don't overdo it. Your progress might come to nought if you're suddenly broken by disappointment. Keep it easy and steady.
When you think you're ready for it, add 3 push-ups a day and again keep it steady at that rate for some time. In less than two months, you'll be able to do 100 push-ups.

This simple principle can work in almost any situation - add only a little more to the workload every day. That prevents your subconscious from sabotaging you with doubts before you even get going.

This can be used for improving increasing productivity, sleep time, decreasing smoking, drinking, or other areas you are trying to improve.

Think about it. Where can you apply this technique?