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Came across an interesting Japanese concept the other day. On further reading, I discovered that it is similar to something I strongly believe in and it has applicability to life in general.

“Zanshin (Japanese: 残心) is a state of awareness, of relaxed alertness, in Japanese martial arts. A literal translation of zanshin is “remaining mind”. In several martial arts, zanshin refers more narrowly to the body’s posture after a technique is executed.”

To get to the end game, Zanshin emphasizes that the process to get there is all important. That if one concentrates fully all the steps to reach there, the successful end result will simply just become a by-product.

Taking the example of a bow and arrow, the point is to not worry about hitting the target. The archer must have a full interest to embrace each piece of the process in order to develop complete awareness and focus. The archer will then find the bullseye every time he shoots.

It is not the target that matters. It is not the finish line that matters. It is the way we approach the goal that matters. Everything is aiming – Zanshin.

We carry it with us everywhere in life. To perfect the steps in order to reach the desired result. It is similar to my favourite subject in Uni days – Operation Management. If we break down the process into their detailed tasks, checking to ensure that each step is robust enough and then practise them to perfection, success is assured.

 

 

 

 

It has been a long time ago since I entered the army to begin my 2.5 years of compulsory national service at 18. I went in as a naive, innocent and pampered teenager and it eventually molded me into a man, rich in new life experiences.

Initially, it was a total cultural shock to suddenly have to bunk in with 39 other strangers for the first 3 months, in an army camp located on an island. This was followed by another 3 months of vocational training before I was assigned to my permanent home for the remaining time.

As luck would have it, I was the only person in my batch that was sent to the Air Force. I joined a team that was in charge of an island which was used for live firing practice by the fighter pilots. We were a small group of about 15, made up of a motley bunch of people from all walks of life. Being better educated but the most junior ranking newbie meant that I was at the mercy of the older guys there. I grew up fast. Learn to curse like a pro and was able to describe in dialect terms the opponent’s parents private parts in graphic detail. Somehow, I managed to pull through it all. We were required to stay on the live firing islands for a few days at a time and none of them could cook a decent meal. As I was interested in cooking since I was young, I decided to try my hand at this. They were my guinea pigs. Thankfully, they liked what I dished out and hence my social ranking order notched up a little.

If I could sum up my overall experience in the army, it will be that I discovered how fortunate I was. I made friends with a lot of the GD (General Duties) guys on my team who treated the army as a transit station with zero plans for the future. For me, I had the bright prospect of going to the uni after it was over.

Some colourful characters I still remember till this day : Teo, the loan shark runner with the golden necklace and bundles of cash; Yeo, the bulldog looking one with a soft heart; Lin, the wise looking one who would eventually return back to Holland to work as a cook in his uncle’s shop; Ong, who started a vegetarian noodle shop in a hawker center; Ling, going back to helping his mom run her vegetable shop in the wet market.

All of us shared a short time together and then parted ways forever. As we were young men not jaded by life’s ups and downs yet, we learned to enjoy each other’s company as best as we could during difficult times. I learnt about human nature and behaviours, made friends and toughen up. I began to appreciate my family even more than before, knowing that my parents will always be there for me and to help me create a better future for myself. I hope that my two sons will also gain positive experiences like me when it is time for them to serve the nation.

 

 

 

If you have ever read the bio of Apple’s Steve Jobs, you would have come across the term Reality Distortion Field (RDF). It was coined to describe a particular talent of Steve that made him the successful innovator he was known for.

Steve has the ability to convince himself and others to believe almost anything with a mix of charm, charisma, bravado, hyperbole, and persistence. He can reframe a problem in a way to convince others to buy into his way of thinking and doing, to make the impossible look within reach. Steve is also able to appropriate other’s ideas as his own, sometimes proposing an idea to its originator after dismissing it the week before. This uncanny ability had helped Apple innovate successfully, to create a strong desire amongst its supporters to yearn for its products. Steve lives in an alternate reality where he believes in everything he talks about and can easily convince his followers that this was the gospel truth. It is so enticing that hardcore apple fans lap up every word he says.

Sounds familiar?

Trump seems to have the same gift too. If you look closely at how he projects himself. Supremely confident, quick on his feet and absolutely believing in everything he said. Little misinformations or unsubstantiated statements become the truth once he repeats it a few times. He doesn’t care if the rest of the world disagrees and oppose it with facts. He has already convinced himself that it is correct and directs his supporters to believe in him, that he alone will solve all problems.

Steve has proven that his RDF can help create the most profitable company in the world and drive people to do their best to develop technologically superior gadgets. Using this same charm in the political arena is a different kettle of fish. We move into a dangerous zone where reason and logic are thrown to the wind. The final consequences are too ugly to imagine if Teflon Don wins in November. One hopes that common sense will prevail.

 

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/neuroscientist-explains-trump-has-mental-disorder-makes-him-dangerous-world-leader

 

So sang Frank Sinatra in “My Way”.

Each and every one of us will occasionally look back at our past and reflect on a number of things we had done and felt a sense of regret. Disappointment over an occurrence or something that one has done or failed to do, wishing that we could turn back the clock of time and redo it all over again. It haunts you and the memories cannot be erased from your head, being especially bad when one is feeling down and miserable.

Had lunch with a very good friend today. We spoke about this and I shared with him some of my innermost regrets in my past corporate life. He mentioned that on reflection if he had a chance to do it all over again, the outcome would still be the same, that he stands by his past decisions.

How can we then lessen the pain of regret since it is not possible to undo it? The experts do suggest that one should look at the incident and use it to identify one’s weaknesses. As we analyze further, we could make it into a learning experience. Finally, one should utilize it as an opportunity to be sharper at adapting to similar situations in the future.

The pain and hurt can never really go away, but we can turn it into a positive event. One just needs to remain strong and look forward, not backward. Life’s journey is still long, I firmly believe that we still have much more new wonderful memories ahead that will overwhelm and overcome all past regrets.

 

 

 

 

 

Hillary was the last speaker for DNC on Thursday and her speech had substance. She provided more information about herself and her background, to soften her image and help the voters to know her better. She highlighted a number of strategy themes for her campaign and will likely expand on them in the coming months. She emphasized that she has devoted most of her life to giving back to the people and has earned sufficient experience to run for this top role.

Donald replied the following day in an hourly speech which I felt that he was actually rambling along. I almost fell asleep watching it. Big promises and more accusations but no details. I worry if he can still command a lead as the DNC effectively pulled and united all Americans (even from some Independents and Republicans) to rationalize why Hillary is a better choice.

If this momentum continues, Donald will be hard pressed to catch up. But then again, with all the surprises so far, anything can happen. For the sake of the world, Hillary should be the no-brainer option.

 

I have been watching the Democratic National Convention and it certainly packed more punch than the Republican circus show last week.

As a marketing person myself, I can see clearly that they are doing a good job of repackaging Hillary, emphasizing her skills as a good listener and effective change maker. Michelle Obama’s short 15 minutes speech is a must watch for everyone – how to evoke deep emotions and thrash your enemy without even mentioning his name. A classic and a nice kick in the nuts for Donald. Bernie’s final endorsement was the unifying factor for the Democratic party. Bill Clinton offered a softer side of the wifey, making her more human.

The preferred outcome would be for the Democrats to unite as one front to oppose the other side and vote in strength and numbers, while the Republicans have shown that there is still in fighting within their party. I suspect that for some of them, they would rather abstain than vote for a buffoon.

This must be the best TV drama series for 2016. Can’t wait to see the final episode in November!!! Definitely worthy of a Golden Globe 🙂

Michael Bloomberg has managed to succinctly summarize his thoughts on why he is voting for Hillary here :

http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-07-28/the-independent-s-case-for-clinton

 

Had my first taste of how difficult it is to develop business partnerships.

One of the things on my to-do list when I resigned from my previous job was to explore 2 possible business opportunities. The first one was quite straight forward, to look at enhancing an existing F&B outlet. That one did not go far because the person I wanted to work together with had decided to go into retirement later this year.

The next one was more ambitious. To kick start a new lifestyle business of active aging. I was talking about this for a number of years and thought that the timing was ripe to introduce this concept into my country. There were a lot of variables and moving parts to nail down. I needed to bring in partners that would compliment each other and like a jigsaw puzzle, bring this all together successfully in order to pull it off.

We had a few months of active discussion for the partners to size each other up and to prepare for the next stage. Sadly, the persons I brought in could not see eye to eye on certain critical issues. Rather than have impossible internal friction and deadlocks in the future, it was decided yesterday that this joint venture should not proceed further.

I guess I would have to go into plan B now and look for a real job soon. I had promised my better half that I needed a 6 months break from work to explore alternate opportunities. Now that 4 months have passed and I have completed most of my to-do list, I should try to send out my CVs soon. LinkedIn will be my best friend in the coming weeks…

 

 

Perseverance is the hallmark of eventual success.

I can relate to it from personal experience. Just before 12 noon on 01 Dec 2011, I was curtly told that I was retrenched due to cost cutting, even though my team had a record year. That was after 19 years of loyalty to the same American bank. I had an hour to clear my desk.

The subsequent 10 months was a living hell for me as I had to swallow my pride and look for a job. The financial market industry had just started cutting expenses globally and headcount freeze was being implemented everywhere. Headhunters were bloody useless by then. I had so many face to face one-on-one interviews that I was a seasoned interviewee whom could be called upon within the hour.

Let me count the number of interviews I did. I lost count after it exceeded 60. Goldman was 12 rounds (many via video con calls to HK), UBS 7 (plus a requirement to draw up and propose a SME biz plan), BOTM 5 (they felt I was too American and not Japanese enough), CBA 5 (after going through the psychometric tests, I was deemed not Aussie enough), Citi 4 (again, tail between my legs), Nomura 5 (the jokers were already having big internal fights by then). Looking back, it was funny because most of those that interviewed me eventually left their companies within 1 to 2 years later.

By September of 2012, I was feeling defeated and about to give up. My ex-boss eventually managed to secure a job for me after 3 interviews, for whom I am eternally greatful to him for. I was desperate to take anything that comes along and willing to bite the bullet to take a huge pay cut (40%).

After going through that experience, it re-enforced my belief that one should not stop trying. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings… Mentally, I became stronger as a result. While I still get cold sweat sometimes (especially now that I quit my job), I am more confident that I would eventually find something along the way. I just must not stop trying.