Your Best Investment! - Yourself.

Been awhile since the last entry. Many exposure and thoughts these couple of days and I thought I should sought to crystalise them here.

The concept of investing in yourself is not unfamiliar to many but how many do really understand it fully. During a weekly meeting this month, the topic of discussion was financial investment and a couple of attendees mentioned that their priority is investing in themselves at the moment.

This intrigued me. The first time I was exposed to this idea was back in 2009 where I attended a seminar. "Invest in yourself first!" the facilitator would scream. "It's the only asset that will be with you, no matter what happens. Nobody can take that away from you." Wow. At that point, a revelation.

Investing in yourself as against investing in your business (business owners and self employed) is vastly different but yet easily overlapped (or confused). Investing in your business includes buying a car, hiring people, optimising processes, training staff, marketing, purchasing inventory, etc.

In my books, investing in yourself can be simply split into two categories: Improving yourself and Pampering yourself.

- Are you buying books every now and then?
- Are you attending seminars?
- Are you signing up for workshops?
- Are you always curious and asking for answers?
- Are you feeding yourself the right food?
- Are you exercising?
- Do you have a gym membership?
- Do you reward yourself?

While we need the creature comfort of life: good rich food, a massage perhaps, buying the bag that we always wanted, taking a holiday, etc, we still need to always seem to be improving. Always feels like taking a step forward as a person.

You know, sometimes when the stars align, you just have to enjoy the ride. Right after the said weekly meeting, we were back in office and a video was being shown as part of the video screening program in the office. The speaker was talking about Happiness and Pleasure.

Happiness as defined by the speaker is permanent. It trickles from the innate nature of us. We feel happy when we do something for our loved ones. We feel happy when we felt that we had made a difference to someone's life. We feel happy when we have acheived something.

Pleasure on the other hand gives us that sense of satisfaction in that particular time and place. Usually, it don't last as long as happiness. Eating a superb dinner, enjoying a session in the spa, buying that bag. These gives us instantaneous joy, but usually fleeting. 

Happiness creates lasting memory while Pleasure creates a good feeling. Don't get me wrong. Both are important, but what is your balance. And which one are you investing yourself in?

I know where I want to be.

Image Credit: Knockturn

I know where I want to be, do you?

Walk with me, will you?

V-Blog: Your map is not my map!

Classic example of assumption and imposing our map of the world on other's maps. Or just that the girl is exploiting what she learns in cognitive studies. :)

Happy video! Enjoy!

V-Blog: Think, When you were a kid...

Isn't it amazing that the things we did as kids are the boldest, purest and most imaginative? We were once fearless and the courage to dream big, to fantasize. So, did we become more realistic or are we setting our own barriers to success as we grow older?

Touch base with the younger you again. You may discover more than what you thought you had. :)

V-Blog: It's my choice!

Another video that touched me. This reminds me of the story of Nick Vujicic, the author of "No arms, no legs, no worries." Another demonstration of the human will and the power of belief.

Perception. And how they will shape you. The simple, yet powerful "You are no different from others." from his mum simply shaped his life. Don't you love it when you learn of the stories of these heroes of life?

Many many quotable quotes here too. And coincidentally we are in the midst of YOG Singapore 2010. The true Olympic spirit shines through here.

"It is my hobby; my passion. Whatever I want to do, I have to do it till the end." - Do whatever it takes to reach your goal.

"I think that in my life, there are only 2 paths. Either I die quickly, or I live my life splendidly." - Make a choice. It's your choice and nobody's else can decide for you. Grab the power of this choice and use it to realise your greatest potential.

"No one stipulated that the piano must be played by hands." - The only limits are the limits you set for yourself.

"A real talent uses life to demonstrate his potential." -Embrace life, Enjoy it. 

Be the Olympian of Life. 

V-Blog: Meteor Shower

Perseid Meteor Shower Failure from ph dee on Vimeo.

Really awesome. Since a kid, I had always been awed by the wonders of nature. So much so that my dad bought me a biology book way back in Primary School. (Biology at my time was only introduced in Secondary 3). Well, I guess I wasn't that intrigued by the cellular level, but still maintained my respect and love for Mother Nature. It wasn't surprising that my favourite magazine and tv program is National Geographic. (and Animal Planet.)

I believe in all of us, there is this natural love for things. Be it nature, technical stuff or simply love for the fellow man. It is really up to us to nurture it and maximise our true potential. It may sound cliche, but I truly believe in the saying "If you do what you love, you never work a single day in your life." It's all about passion. Discovering it and living it.

So, what's your passion? Are you living your dream?

V-Blog: 感动全中国的~孔雀哥！

Another video that made me cry. Somehow the judges had to really victimise the contestant before the whole story unravels. Nevertheless a very dedicated husband that shows the courage and might of love, true love. 

Don't you just feel better that there are people like these that still exist?

V-Blog: The Last Lecture

"Achieving your childhood dreams." This is a short clip of Randy Pausch on the Oprah Show. If you like it, you should watch the full 76mins lecture below. 

Several lessons can be learnt from the clip. Watch both, really.

1. His positive outlook.

2. His choice of the positive outlook in life, despite the brickwalls.

3. His ability to reproduce his lecture.(consistently producing good results)

4. His goal setting strategies.

5. His sense of humour!


6. Focus. Do whatever it takes to get you to where you want to be!

"Inspiration. And to dream the impossible."

By the way, he had since passed on. But he left a mark. At least on me.

V-Blog: Love has no limits.

Love has no limits. Very touching clip. You can feel that connection between the lion and his 'parents'. And yes, I was totally touched by the emotions. Love the people around you, love your life. 

It may be cliche, but treasure the people or things around you before they are gone. It is easy to take things for granted and only miss them when they are gone. Why not start appreciating what you have? Be thankful of what you have every morning when you wake up. You will be happier.

I love my life. So do you.

V-Blog: In the Navy! (Muppets)

Haha. Tribute to my years at sea and to my fellow sailors. Loved the time spent there and the camaraderie. Thank you for the memories. And yes... this makes a nice recruitment video. :)

V-Blog: You want something? Go get it. Period.

Nobody's gonna stop you. Nobody but yourself. You choose to receive the 'advice' given to you, whatever, whichever is useful and turn it into your strength and motivation. I live with passion and purpose! I love my life! And so do you.