We Should NOT Be Bothered ALL THE TIME

We Should NOT Be Bothered ALL THE TIME

We Should NOT Be Bothered ALL THE TIME but hey, we are wired to seek connection and belonging, right?  Yet sometimes, many things about others does IRRITATE us, right?  From family and friends, colleagues to communities, we crave for that SENSE OF ACCEPTANCE and validation from those around us.  BUT in the presence of others, we often find ourselves IRRITATED, frustrated or upset.  Some personality traits or habit annoy us or even trigger an insecure moment💎💎💎

When someone is always late and it bothers us, it may be because we value punctuality and timeliness in both ourselves and others and just feel that the other person is NOT respective or valuing our time.  Alternatively, if someone is very outspoken and we find ourselves getting annoyed by them, it may be because we are uncomfortable with expressing our own opinions or feel uncertain about our beliefs.  We can gain greater SELF-AWARENESS and understanding by examining our reactions to others and exploring the underlying reasons for our feelings💵💴💷

BTW, I will even admit that sometimes I do get bothered by goings-on in Geo-Politics or even in domestic and political events in my country.  BUT not to defend myself, I'll openly admit that that is just pretty normal.  When we become triggered, we must take a step back and analyze WHY these things bother us.  According to Carl Jung, the respected Swiss psychiatrist, 'UNDERSTANDING WHAT IRRITATES US ABOUT OTHERS CAN ALSO BE VITAL TO UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES'.  Oooops, we should be on heightened ALERT if nothing IRRITATES us📘📗📙

Carl Jung goes farther and opines that our reactions to the behaviors and traits of others CAN and very likely reveal deep-seated insecurities, fears and unresolved issues within ourselves.  This is troubling, right?  Because apparently, when we DON'T see the 'chinks in our armor' and instead we tend to see those 'chinks' in other people, then it's either we are so glued to a one-way mirror❗❗❗

And neither do we want to be like that gold fish in the fish bowl, right?  WHY jump from your fish bowl simply jump out for no legitimate reason other than being IRRITATED?  So, our insight for today is that, there's nothing wrong to be bothered as long as you are incisive enough to SELF-VALIDATE the legitimacy of your triggered IRRITATION.  Otherwise, we SHOULD NOT BE BOTHERED ALL THE TIME✅✅✅

Living In Our Shrinking World

Living In Our Shrinking World

It used to be, flying overseas [to any country in fact] was something like eartj-shaking and that it has to be planned many months [or even close to a year].  NOT until today when we we're Living In Our Shrinking World.  In this shrinking world today, you can even decide ON THE FLY where you want to FLY.  And the pre-requisites?  It's just your 'financial means' + willpower📘📗📙

I vividly remember the very first time I was then going on a business trip.  Our in-house travel executive was fully aware that I was a novice in business trips so she meticulously planned not just my travel itinerary [including the PROs and CONs of various layover options].  Even my travel per diem, she made sure that I will carry TC's [treasury cheques] and NOT green bucks [all because I am a travel novice]💵💴💷

Fact is, due to advancements in communications, transportation and technology, we can easily fly to New Delhi or Sao Paolo or I can meet foreigners who would travel to my country.  And when that Covid-19 pandemic hit it, it effectively confirmed that indeed we live in a SHRINKING WORLD because we can continue to lives even via ZOOM💎💎💎

I wonder though, with all these in place, are we REALLY effectively tapping the potential of a SHRINKING WORLD or still limiting ourselves to the familiar surroundings and friends to supply us with answers and advice?  Indeed we have come a long way in terms of communications the past 150 years✅✅✅

And we sometimes think that we have always been able to communicate with someone instantly but that is NOT the case though.  Alas, technology caused our world to SHRINK as it completely changed the way we communicate with each other and how we organize work.  So what's our take here?  We should NOT waste the opportunities of our SHRINKING WORLD for us to connect [even virtually and on-the-fly] if only to expand our horizons and explore for OPPORTUNITIES [even before they knock on our door].  This is about us LIVING IN OUR SHRINKING WORLD❗❗❗

Spinning BAD News To GOOD News

Spinning BAD News To GOOD News

Spinning BAD News To GOOD News, anyone?  That is neither BAD nor WRONG.  Everyone can spin around and come up with his spiel but AS LONG AS we DON'T twist things.  AS LONG AS we DON'T concoct a version of a story different from the TRUTH.  And NOT even HALF-TRUTHS.  What we're trying to pin down here is to soften the impact brought about when BAD NEWS does hit us.  Worst thing is we get floored with BAD NEWS💊💊💊

Reality is, WHEN lightning strikes, WHEN the rain pours down heavily, WHEN the floods would overflow, WHEN the lights go off, WHEN our financial coffers dry up, WHEN we get hit with health or medical issues, WHEN our current employer gives us the PINK SLIP [due to a down-sizing by the company], WHEN our cash flow goes in the RED for an extended period📌📌📌

Not to fool ourselves, a legitimate BAD NEWS is really BAD NEWS inside-out.  No need for sugar-coating there but we can soften things up.  Let me share a really BAD NEWS that happened to me in the past.  Decades back, I got involved in a major vehicular accident and since it came out that my car did hit the taxicab and the taxicab's passenger got injured, I agreed to take responsibility for the recovery of that injured passenger [and of course, my damaged car had to be repaired].  So WHAT was the GOOD NEWS I did spin for myself to digest?  I was THANKFUL that that accident happened at that time when I had TWO VERY ESSENTIAL THINGS:  #1 I had quite a ton of money at that time and #2 I had 100% free time because I just got retrenched.  Fact is, if you get into accidents, you need TWO things namely, $$$$$ and TIME.  And I had both.  If I didn't had either $$$$$ or 100% FREE TIME that time, I would have been in deep shit [apologies for this]💴💵💷

DON'T get me wrong.  I was NEVER thankful for the accident.  I DIDN'T welcome that accident to happen BUT truth is, accidents do happen.  You might be curious.  What was the aftermath of that accident?  Obviously I did heaved a heavy sigh of relief when that personal debacle was finally over.  It did teach me LESSONS but deep inside me, I felt I managed to soften the impact of that BAD NEWS📙📗📘

So, it should NOT surprise us when we hear some do take advantage of BAD NEWS.  Heard when there is a stock market crash?  Suddenly, the 'VULTURES' would FLY-IN and ready to prey and gobble up to buy those stocks whose value has plummeted.  That is another sampling of BAD NEWS turning to GOOD NEWS❗❗❗

What Leaves A SOUR TASTE On Your Mouth?

What Leaves A SOUR TASTE On Your Mouth?

No sirrrrrrrrs, our thread today has got nothing to do with health or medicines.  Instead. we'd like to increase our awareness that in our life, NOT all things we'll go through are nice and dandy.  Definitely. a big plurality of our experiences would be pleasant or even memorable but again, even the best highways in the First World countries are NOT paved to a 'T'.  So, got to figure out What Leaves A SOUR TASTE On Your Mouth❓❓❓

So, What Leaves A SOUR TASTE On Your Mouth❓A lot in fact.  As early as your school days, you might have come across a university professor who, you felt, was unfair to you.  OR you developed a friendship with a classmate whom you felt you could trust enough until, one day, that supposed 'FRIEND' Leaves A SOUR TASTE On Your Mouth.   OR here you are finally plunging as a career professional and as your job role is a customer-facing one, you would encounter 'memorably UNPLEASANT' experiences interacting with demanding and sometimes unreasonable clients 📌📌📌

So, what's our issue here?  It's the fact that some of us have been raised by responsible parents in comfy environments where anything and everything is almost PERFECT.  On a first-hand basis, I know some who have been so spoiled with their seemingly PERFECT lives such that, interacting with them is tougher than tough because of that person's very EXACTING expectations.  So What Leaves A SOUR TASTE On Your Mouth💎💎💎

Good question by our poster boy: What causes A BETTER TASTE On Your Mouth?  Quite a few tricks up in our sleeves here.  Rather than stress ourselves something Leaves A SOUR TASTE On Your Mouth, let's spin things around and figure out what could leave a Leaves A BETTER TASTE On Your Mouth📙📗📘

Bottom line here is that if something OR someone Leaves A SOUR TASTE On Your Mouth, shrug it off, dust it off, treat it as just another SPECK OF DUST and nothing more than that.  And if there is a NO-NO, DON'T blow things up.  DON'T make a mountain out of a molehill.  Treat it as an enriching experience that can make you a better person.  And let's dump out the window when something Leaves A SOUR TASTE On Your Mouth❌❌❌

Know Your PAY GRADE

Know Your PAY GRADE

No sirrrrs, our thread today has got nothing to do with salary and remunerations at all.  We just need to Know Your PAY GRADE [in life] so we can arrive at INFORMED DECISIONS instead of off-the-cuff and downright shots in the dark when aiming to hit something.  But very briefly, when I was active in the job market, surely I well Know my PAY GRADE.  WHY?  Because I need to know where I stand, HOW I compare with the benchmarks📙📗📘

When I was very young and raw, I did KNOW MY PAYGRADE.  I knew my ASKING PRICE.  And while I'll admit that I have always been ambitious enough, I always reminded myself to temper my ambitions vis-a-vis WHO I am and WHAT I am capable of.  Yes, that approach was so helpful because I was able to worm my way with my employers who were mostly from the MNCs. Global and Fortune 500s.  I was HUNGRY for experience then, so I knew what I want💵💴💷

Even in my personal life, I KNEW MY PAY GRADE.  Settling down in a new neighborhood, I DIDN'T need to keep up with the Joneses and their ilk.  WHY?  Simply put, I knew fully well where I stand when compared to everyone else.  Much as I was thirsty with my ambitions, I DIDN'T want to end up drank with misplaced ambitions💎💎💎

When I had my first car, it was a rickety old Ford Laser sedan.  WHY did I end up with that?  Simple.  I KNEW MY PAYGRADE well enough.  Much as I dreamt for that brand new car, I always reminder myself that I got to keep myself grounded.  If I loose control of my senses and start to entertain insane thoughts that will remain a figment of my imaginations, I knew that I would skidding and eventually going down south.  BUT I can't go off-track else I will loose precious time and effort I have invested in my earlier PIT STOPS❌❌❌

One thing I learned the hard way in life.  You WIN some.  You LOSE some.  And sometimes, you go on a losing streak.  And frankly, i went through that agony of losing streaks.  What made me survive those darkest episodes in my life.  I kept reminding myself that WHEN YOU'RE DOWN, THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO GO BUT UP.  And with humility, I did manage to 'RISE FROM THE RUBBLES', all because  I KNEW MY PAYGRADE❗❗❗

In Life, It's Your LENSE That Matters

In Life, It's Your LENSE That Matters

In life, It's Your LENSE That Matters whether you're taking the RIGHT or WRONG path because there are no definitions etched on stone.  As life is full [in fact, overflowing] with opportunities, the LIFE PATH we take is a sum of decisions we make.  In life, there is NO RIGHT or WRONG choice of path because your decision will only lead you to different opportunities.  It's Your LENSE That Matters📌📌📌

Your LENSE defines what is RIGHT or WRONG for you.  You DON'T choose that path towards a religious vocation if you're an atheist.  Neither do you take a medical career if you have serious trauma with blood and the medical environment.  And you DON'T choose a very laid back and conservative partner/spouse if you are a dyed-in-the-wool urbanite.  You DON'T indulge in carbo-loading meals if that's a NO-NO for you⏳⏳⏳

If there's anything most important for us to remember, it is the fact that we're already LUCKIER than a lot of people simply because we can choose our own PATH.  So, it is NOT for us to regret decisions we've made BUT instead, look ahead and embrace the challenges and chances given us.  Different paths may lead you to different experiences BUT at the end of the day, cherish and relish things because It's Your LENSE That Matters💊💊💊

Indeed we're WALKING A TIGHTROPE in life [and we CAN'T run away from that reality, harsh it may be [sometimes]].  Many years back when I was very 'RAW' in the job market YET I asked myself, do I want to 'GROW' my professional career in my home country?  OR do I want to take my chances by exploring opportunities in some other country❓❓❓

And BTW, sometimes this poster runs through the gamut of TRUTH.  We may end up taking the wrong turns or even U-Turns but that's all part and parcel of our journey down the road.  Our takeaway is for us to endeavor to take a crystal-clear view of things that get into our way [and NOT a distorted or skewed picture] because again It's Your LENSE That Matters❗❗❗

Pin Down Your 'PEAKS & VALLEYS'

Pin Down Your 'PEAKS & VALLEYS'

NOTHING is really a straight line in life.  NOT ever graphs.  NOT even our daily life.  Life is filled with PEAKS & VALLEYS.  Some days everything goes well and those are the PEAKS whereas other days are VALLEYS when nothing seems to work.  And NOT surprisingly,  sometimes the PEAKS & VALLEYS follow each other in quick succession and at times they even last for a while.  We expect the GOOD days to bring happiness and fulfillment and the VALLEYS to trigger frustration and despair💵💴💶

But way and beyond optical illusion, sometimes the VALLEYS were bathed with sunshine while the PEAKS seem to be in the shadows.  Drawing parallelism with our life, the same runs true.  It is NOT only the PEAKS that bring sunshine , sometimes it is the VALLEY.  Sometimes, it is in the VALLEY we discover the light.  Encountering our limitations and recognizing that we CANNOT solve everything by ourselves and that sometimes we must depend on others can actually be comforting📗📙📘

Indeed, it can be a relief to learn that we DON'T have to fix everything that is broken.  It is also a relief to learn that it is okay to ask for help.  This humble acknowledgment opens a new chamber within us that enables us to rise above ourselves and truly experience the warmth and light of humanity💎💎💎

It is this interchange of PEAKS & VALLEYS that enables us to appreciate and aspire to reach the PEAKS.  Let's face it.  Sitting atop the PEAK day and night loses its appeal.  Let's NOT look further.  Americans living in California and the West Coast complain about the lack of winter season.  And the Canadians?  They can only wish for perpetual summers to come.  Indeed, the GRASS IS GREENER FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE❗❗❗

So, what's the parallelism here between Californians and Canadians.  The former has an appreciation of WINTER because they got SUMMERS whereas it's the reverse for the latter.  So too in life, it is only through the VALLEYS that we learn to appreciate the PEAKS.  Unfortunately, sometimes the PEAKS are blanketed in darkness while the VALLEYS are aglow with light.  Oh Oh, it won't be too far fetched if one day, we hear people wanting to live in NORWAY to bear witness to its skies arising from the aurora borealis phenomenon.  C'mon dude, let's pin down our PEAKS & VALLEYS in our life✅✅✅

Think Like A Rocket Scientist

Think Like A Rocket Scientist

Think Like A Rocket Scientist. Ok Ok that should NOT scare you to death, Ok?  All I'm asking you is simply to Think Like A Rocket Scientist and then we move on from there.  Before we go to the HOW, let's buckle down to the more fundamental issues at hand in our daily life and more often than NOT, issues revolve around our FOCUS which eventually impacts our PRODUCTIVITY💎💎💎

Not being Rocket Science, let's agree that managing TIME efficiently to stay FOCUSED and PRODUCTIVE enough is an arduous task even for a workaholic.  We are so vulnerable to get caught up in other parallel activities [whether at home, in school, at work or in our own business operations].  But we can't just sulk and cry here.  Let's go back towards straightening and reinforcing our fundamentals, our own discipline.  From there, let's take it one step at a time until we realize that we're progressing [and at that point, the pace of progress is of lesser importance because the bottom line is that we're progressing📌📌📌

Yes, I can't agree more what this one-liner says:  "IF SOMETHING ISN'T ROCKET SCIENCE, IT'S NOT DIFFICULT".  So, let's develop these simple daily rituals, nothing fancy📗📙📘

Let's start off SCHEDULING BREAKS throughout each day.  One productivity mistake many of us commit is working for hours at a time, sometimes right through lunch time and worse, at times neglecting to take frequent breaks.  Studies tell us that our bodies send us CLEAR SIGNALS when we need a break, including fidgetiness, hunger and even loss of FOCUS❌❌❌

Sadly, many times we're guilty on this as mostly we tend to override those CLEAR SIGNALS.  Instead, we will find artificial ways to pump up our energy, like caffeine, grabbing foods with high in sugar and simple carbo loading.  If need to be a copycat, let's replicate the sprinter's ritual where they work in FOCUS and INTENSITY during the morning hours, for 90 minute-sprints [BUT NOT LONGER] before taking a break  In the fewest words, CONCENTRATE on your most challenging and important tasks at hand, then give your brain and body a rest and allow it to recharge.  BTW, don't forget to stick to your TO DO-List.  And lastly, here's a tough one.  TURN OFF ALL NOTIFICATIONS as they can be overwhelming and let's admit, they are a DISTRACTION❗❗❗

WHAT IF The Ship Has Sailed?

WHAT IF The Ship Has Sailed?

Oooops, our thread today is NOT about maritime travel.  No sirrrrs.  This is just an analogy of LOST OPPORTUNITIES in life which is akin IF The Ship Has Sailed?  Visually, we all factually know that once a ship has sailed, there is NO turning back [of course, EXCEPT for major emergencies that will render the vessel incapable or at risk

Frankly, throughout our lifetime, we have that invincible darts board right in front of us.  Problem is, most of us are either too complacent or we tend to simply ignore the fact that there is NO INFINITY in those LOST OPPORTUNITIES to finally hit the board, if NOT the bulls eye.  Truth is, we DO NOT live atop a bottomless pit.  Each time we miss or fail on something, that is one less OPPORTUNITY hanging in the balance.  Would you wait for your balance to ZERO-OUT❓❓❓

BTW, let's NOT take things literally here.  We are NOT tourists or holidaymakers dreaming to take the Caribbean Cruise.  In our lifetime, that cruise ship is right on our plate, right on our very nose but sadly, on a first person account, I can attest I have seen many people who squandered such LOST OPPORTUNITIES 

Concrete examples of many squandered OPPORTUNITIES:  Someone who's jobless and scouring the job market was advised by his friend that the latter will see if he can find a job opportunity for him.  What does that hapless fellow do?  DO NOTHING except wait and wait for his friend to call with the GOOD NEWS.  Whew, good grief

What's our FIX?  Never let OPPORTUNITIES slip past your hands without even lifting a finger.  That is NOT only pitiful but pathetic to say the least. As this boring poster says it all, IF YOUR SHIP HAS SAILED, YOU MISSED YOUR CHANCE !@#$%?

It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back]

It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back]

The past two months, I've been tracking [sometimes 5 to 10 times a day] updates with regard the demand of NBA superstar Damian Lillard to get traded to MIAMI HEAT [which the NBA Commissioner stomped down, stating that contractually, a player CANNOT dictate WHERE TO GO at his own whim].  It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back].  When I sat down for my morning coffee today, Lillard was traded by his PORTLAND Team NOT to MIAMI HEAT but to the MILWAUKEE BUCKS.  Indeed, as they say day-in day-out, NBA is a business

In fact, to state that NBA is a business is an understatement.  BUT we won't waste precious time on that fact.   Truth is, It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back].  Like it or NOT, we are frequently judged by the name we are associated with.  Could be your surname associated with your family.  Could be your employer associating you with the organization

Without breaching data privacy, I have relatives who are 'filthy rich' but throughout their generations, they have remained as humble and even incognito, living life as very ordinary folks.   Back to MIAMI HEAT, it is their vaunted CULTURE that is either the source of envy or enmity.  WHY?  No less than their Filipino-American Coach Erik Spoelstra said:  MIAMI CULTURE IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY

So, It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back].  Even in Sicily, Italy, that CULTURE thing is spelled O-M-E-R-T-A which refers to their unwritten code or policy of KEEPING SILENT about crimes and refusing to cooperate with the police.  Obviously, this is a stretch❎❎❎

So, what's in it for us then?  Frankly, we got to protect the untainted name we are associated with, be it our FAMILY NAME or the ORGANIZATION we're associated with because you could be a STAR or a FLOP but It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back].  Swinging back to your personal life, whether you are that GOOD or you end up that disgustingly BAD, undoubtedly you will drag the NAME of your partner/spouse and your family UP or DOWN, depending on the trajectory coming out from the consequences of WHAT YOU ARE or WHAT YOU DID❗❗❗