can things be simpler?

handling dominant pple....

having complaints, nonsense and the what-nots raining down incessently, what can instantly appease them?

letting down pride and adopting a non-confrontational stance is one way to ease the tension.

i can never understand how their minds are wired. they like to be on top and be empowered, towering over others and in the process make others insignificant. it doesn't hurt just to reaffirm them and pretend to be siding with them.

i'm not interested to change them. being task oriented, i like to work around the problem just making sure that my objective is met, never too bothered about who's in the wrong. sweeping things under the carpet till the whole issue blows up again... well, i can only manage this way given the shortage of time and the urgency to get things done.

there are so many interests to take care of - stakeholders, bystanders and the executers....

this is a totally different ball game - too many opinions over a single issue. the need to ensure no one is left out is draining and delays the progress unnecessarily.

TCC

what does having The Courage to Create mean?

Having the strength to start something new? the onset of a new journey peppered with surprises?

getting to know myself and looking at the core of the problem - that's what i'm gg through soon. what sort of truth will i uncover? where can i go from here? how much will i change? the transformation awaits me.... and i'm waiting with bated breath.

burn-out

for the very first time, i walked out feeling lousy. why didn't i improve

despite numerous practice sessions?

i remembered feeling really tired. i could not recall the simplest word to express my thoughts. Damn... i thought the script had been well-rehearsed? why didnt i perform to expectations?

growth is evading me. the sense of euphoria is missing.

Not growing is frustrating.

the factor that matters

it's amazing how easy it is to persuade someone totallly unrelated to be part of the greater plan with the use of excellent people skills.

when someone starts showing concern, my burden is instantly lighten, even though i've no intention of revealing it to anyone.

i admire how my boss does it easily, without any trace of favouritism. maybe this is his core winning formula that makes me lose the will to struggle or fight in search for my next job. he has earned my respect. he readily accepts anyone into his circle without prejudice.

again, allowing me to grow at my own pace with his constant attention at the right moments made me think otherwise about the perhaps non-existent greener pastures outside. or maybe there is really somewhere that suits me better, just that the timing isn't right.

Care n Concern... i'm amazed at what this invisible force can do to penetrate hearts and minds.

i learnt another new strategy about 'managing' relationships.

to tackle the trouble maker who can potentially place roadblocks in my path, i have to first establish relations with his boss - show openness and empathy.

i broke my promise ... again

what is my biggest problem today?

it's knowing that something needs to be done, yet procrastination sets in to disrupt my perfect plan.

talk about goal setting, taking a focused approach and breaking bad habits... this is nothing but hot air that gets me nowhere.

why is it so tough to get on the right track? breaking my own promises seems so easy and i didn't even realise it till a friend pointed that out. i've been critical of others who had committed the same mistake and had been hard on them. but i don use the same yardstick on myself.

time to oil those wheels and get moving again. my life had seriously been disrupted. i've been stagnanting. looking for that warm pair of hands to lift me up.

Renewing my promise

how far would you exert or stretch to achieve personal growth?

it depends on how much you really want it.

there are those who are deterred by the physical distance while others simply follow blindly because of herd mentality. some pay lip service without really committing to fulfill the goals. there are also many who are happy to rest on their laurels. bad habits are hard to break.

it really boils down to 'What's In It For Me'? do i have a sense of where i'm going by the little sacrifices i've made today. what am i passionate about?

it's important to have clearly defined goals to steer oneself towards the ultimate direction, reducing the possibility of making detours and wasting time.

Easier said than done.

many a times, it is through making mistakes that one tend to have a better picture of our likes, dislikes and personal goals. sometimes being weak and undecisive, we are controlled by our emotions. closing an eye or both to the reality have led me to be disillusioned, dependent and depressed - i've lost sight of what used to be important to me.

luckily in life, there are always second chances. although damage is not totally reversible, the little setback has taught me to be more self reliant and independent. afterall, life is like a blank drawing board where it is up to us to define where we are going.

recently in toastmasters, we were on this theme on 'Renewing our Promises'. what have i forgotten that has been dearest to me for decades? i have compromised on why i had committed to this cause in the beginning. it's time to renew that single promise that i've made. without it, i will be akin to a ship without an anchor, being swayed constantly by the passing waves. today, i've realised how far i've been from my original commitment. thankfully, it is not too late to do an about-turn.