To be reminded of our basic human needs

I think sometimes, we need to remind ourselves why we do things we do and Tony Robbin just hits some points.

Need 1: Certainty/Comfort
The first human need is the need for Certainty. It’s our need to feel in control and to know what’s coming next so we can feel secure. It’s the need for basic comfort, the need to avoid pain and stress, and also to create pleasure. Our need for certainty is a survival mechanism. It affects how much risk we’re willing to take in life—in our jobs, in our investments, and in our relationships. The higher the need for certainty, the less risk you’ll be willing to take or emotionally bear. By the way, this is where your real “risk tolerance” comes from.

Need 2: Uncertainty/Variety
Let me ask you a question: Do you like surprises? If you answered “yes,” you’re kidding yourself! You like the surprises you want. The ones you don’t want, you call problems! But you still need them to put some muscle in your life. You can’t grow muscle—or character—unless you have something to push back against.

Need 3: Significance
We all need to feel important, special, unique, or needed. So how do some of us get significance? You can get it by earning billions of dollars, or collecting academic degrees—distinguishing yourself with a master’s or a PhD. You can build a giant Twitter following. Or you can go on The Bachelor or become the next Real Housewife of Orange County. Some do it by putting tattoos and piercings all over themselves and in places we don’twant to know about. You can get significance by having more or bigger problems than anybody else. “You think your husband’s a dirt bag, take mine for a day!” Of course, you can also get it by being more spiritual (or pretending to be).

Spending a lot of money can make you feel significant, and so can spending very little. We all know people who constantly brag about their bargains, or who feel special because they heat their homes with cow manure and sunlight. Some very wealthy people gain significance by hiding their wealth. Like the late Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart and for a time the richest man in America, who drove around Bentonville, Arkansas, in his old pickup, demonstrating he didn’t need a Bentley—but of course, he did have his own private fleet of jets standing by.

Significance is also a money maker—that’s where my dear friend Steve Wynn has made his fortune. The man who made Las Vegas what it is today knows people will pay for anything they believe is “the best,” anything that makes them feel special, unique or important, anything that makes them stand out from the crowd. He provides the most exclusive, luxurious experiences imaginable in his casinos and hotels—they are truly magnificent and unmatched in the world.

Need 4: Love and Connection
The fourth basic need is Love and Connection. Love is the oxygen of life; it’s what we all want and need most. When we love completely we feel alive, but when we lose love, the pain is so great that most people settle on connection, the crumbs of love. You can get that sense of connection or love through intimacy, or friendship, or prayer, or walking in nature. If nothing else works, you can get a dog.

These first four needs are what I call the needs of the personality. We all find ways to meet these—whether by working harder, coming up with a big problem, or creating stories to rationalize them. The last two are the needs of the spirit. These are more rare—not everyone meets these. When these needs are met, we truly feel fulfilled.

Related: The 7 Triggers of Business Crisis (LinkedIn)

Need 5: Growth
If you’re not growing, you’re dying. If a relationship is not growing, if a business is not growing, if you’re not growing, it doesn’t matter how much money you have in the bank, how many friends you have, how many people love you—you’re not going to experience real fulfillment. And the reason we grow, I believe, is so we have something of value to give.

Need 6: Contribution
Corny as it may sound, the secret to living is giving. Life’s not about me; it’sabout we. Think about it, what’s the first thing you do when you get good or exciting news? You call somebody you love and share it. Sharing enhances everything you experience.

Life is really about creating meaning. And meaning does not come from what you get, it comes from what you give. Ultimately it’s not what you get that will make you happy long term, but rather who you become and what you contribute will.

Now think about how money can fulfill the six human needs. Can money give us certainty? You bet. Variety? Check. Obviously it can make us feel important or significant. But what about connection and love? In the immortal words of the Beatles, money can’t buy you love. But it can buy you that dog! And it can, unfortunately, give you a false sense of connection because it attracts relationships, although not always the most fulfilling kind. How about growth? Money can fuel growth in business and in learning. And the more money you have, the more you can contribute financially.

But here’s what I truly believe: if you value Significance above all else, money will always leave you empty unless it comes from a contribution you’ve made. And if you’re looking for significance from money, it’s a high price to pay. You’re looking for big numbers but it’s unlikely you’ll find big fulfillment.

The ultimate significance in life comes not from something external, but from something internal. It comes from a sense of esteem for ourselves, which is not something we can ever get from someone else. People can tell you you’re beautiful, smart, intelligent, the best, or they can tell you that you are the most horrible human being on earth—but what matters is what you think about yourself. Whether or not you believe that deep inside you are continuing to grow and push yourself, to do and give more than was comfortable or you even thought possible. The wealthiest person on earth is one who appreciates.

Qualities of a Great Leader

I was inspired to put this article by Ritika Trikha in my blog as a reminder and a reference to me as well for others. I believe that when I was a leader in my previous company, these points were what drove me to lead and it was powerful. We all are leaders in our careers as well as in our personal lives in one way or another. We need to take charge or take lead in a situation at times. Though this article is reference to careers, we can still learn from it and apply it to our daily lives. One more thing I would like to add is appreciation. Appreciation is also key as it is a gratitude of receiving. 

1. Lead and Inspire by Example Rather than Dictating

The greatest leaders are down in the trenches with you. They see how the operation works and what hurdles their team is facing. This way, you don’t end up setting unrealistic goals. If you practice what you preach, you’ll create a strong, inspirational perception at work.

2. Create a Culture of Warmth, Not Fear
Studies show that people perform better when they feel loved. Encouraging others rather than instilling fear or domination will get you better results.

According to one Wharton School of Business survey of over 3,000 professionals across all sectors, “People who worked in a culture where they were free to express affection, tenderness, caring and compassion for one another were more satisfied with their jobs, committed to the organization and accountable for their performance,” according to Sigal Barsade and Olivia O’Neill, the researchers of the study, on Harvard Business Review.

Creativity, collaboration and morale is a lot higher when your team doesn’t dread hearing your feedback.

3. Maximize Time Efficiently by Avoiding Unproductive Busyness
Great leaders are wary of “unproductive busyness,” according to a 10-year study by Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton. Shuttling from one meeting to another without actually making any innovative waves.

These researchers studied the habits of managers at big corporations, like Sony, LG Electronics and Lufthansa. “Fully 90 percent of managers squander their time in all sorts of ineffective activities,” the researchers wrote on Harvard Business Review (HBR). Yikes!

For further insight on maximizing time effectively, save this link to the full HBR article for a rainy day. It’s a lengthy read but definitely worth it for those of you dedicated to becoming great leaders.

4. Recognize Top Performers
The best way to reward and keep top performers motivated is to recognize them. Money is great, but, sometimes, “more than money, people want to be appreciated for their value and expertise. A word from the boss indicating her appreciation and esteem is more valuable than any amount of cash,” says Bob Mason, leadership development expert with over 35 years of leadership experience.

Make them feel valued. Give credit where it’s due. This will help build trust between you and your team. It also helps to really get to know your colleagues to understand what motivates them.

“Also, though it might seem counterintuitive, a new challenge is often a great form of recognition because it shows the boss has confidence in that person's ability to accomplish even more,” Mason says.

5. Establish a Clear Vision and Communicate it Well
Your vision should be consistent in every goal and achievement you make.
“Great leaders set direction with their senior team or other leaders (tapping into their perspective and position) and then communicate that direction with passion and commitment, helping those responsible for executing understand where they fit, and how they fit,” says Christine Chopyak, strategy and management consultant of Alchemy: The Art of Transforming Business.

6. Listen with Intent and Respect
“Great leaders are present. They give all their associates 100 percent attention so that it feels like that associate is the only person in the room,” says Patrick Malone, senior partner of The PAR Group.

This means putting away your smartphone, making effective eye contact and making others feel heard.

It’s also important to “demonstrate respect for all other points of view. Respect doesn’t mean agree but rather simply respect other’s right to a different point of view than their own at this moment in time,” Malone says.

7. Avoid the Perfectionist Trap
One of the biggest downfalls of great leaders is an inability to trust the team to carry out their vision. This is particularly common among perfectionists. The old saying “if you want anything done right, you have to do it yourself” comes to mind.

But this is exactly the kind of mentality that can burn you out and limit your team’s success. You can’t do everything.

“The key to delegation is identifying the strengths of your team, and capitalizing on them. Find out what each team member enjoys doing most. Chances are if they find that task more enjoyable, they will likely put more thought and effort behind it,” says Tanya Prive of Forbes.

Source: By Ritika Trikha

I also like to add that when you get a team of high quality people working together, the best form of leadership is everyone is a leader within their capacity and strength, then the quality of progress gets better and more productive.

Uplift Your Soul

Think Different Ads

http://creativecriminals.com/print/apple-think-different

In memory of Steve Jobs we would like to share the story of one of the most successful campaigns in the history of advertising. It’s the story of Apple’s ‘Think different’ campaign. We are not only talking about an original idea or a beautiful ad, the campaign actually worked, and how… During the 90’s Apple was in a crisis, and with only one campaign they have managed to climb out of this slump. Steve Jobs once said: “It only took 15 . . . 30 . . . maybe 60 seconds to re-establish Apple’s counter-culture image that it had lost during the 90s”.

Body Language Can Achieve Who You Can be

Amazing talk from Amy... Believe in what you can do, and you will achieve it.
Your body language can be a great influence to who you are and can be.

Think Different. Have Passion.

I can't believe how many negative people I have encountered. Wow... no wonder they are where they are and the funny thing is that they keep being unsatisfied and they spread their negative ways to others like cancer...

We've been conditioned to believe that when we want to make an important change, we have to take a huge leap, that seems such a enormous venture. The famous phrase - " Do you think you are so smart to do it? " or " Knowing who you are, you should just do what you are good at now. " This sort of challenging statement is not nurturing or encouraging, nor does it funnel discovery and skill extensions.

Here is the wonderful article from Lifehacker:
7 Tricks Your Mind Plays On You

Especially if you're having a bad day, and hearing these words, your energy is suddenly lost, everything looks bleak, and you can't talk yourself out of it. You feel like a failure.

It's important to remember that the change you want requires time, persistence, and patience. So, take one small step at a time and leave room to learn from your mistakes.

Be Your Change and Make A Decision To Be Otherwise.

I just wanted to share with you this wonderful video with John Hagel. He is an advocate on having passion in what you do, for it affects your work, your life, and people around you.

Over Fifty and Laid Off

I am so compelled to write this as I see so many people being laid off. The working culture is changing, and it is not what it use to be when our parents had the same job for over 35 years and had a pension till death do us part. No matter what age you are, you got to have passion, add value, performance, be flexible to changes and be liked. That sounds easy but hard too. Fight back as you have every right to do so.

{ Everything is in the attitude.
Nothing is impossible } 

Here are some things that will propel you forward:

Personal Check List
1) Ok Spill all you want, but set a time limit and get over it.

2) Accept the position you are in and reflect your strength and your weakness

3) Realize that time is limited.

4) Find your passion. Live it, implement it and make it happen

5) Make sure that whatever you do, it impacts others positively. Because there are more people that will be more receptive to what you are doing and perhaps act on your cause

6) You cannot start anything well if your internal well-being is hurting. You need to decide on the change within and create positive changes. Get rid of the words: no, cannot, deny, not, anything negative. And stay away from people of that nature as well.

7) Never let yourself go. Be healthy mind, body and spirit.

8) Re-brand your personal self. Exterior and interior.

9) Invest in yourself. Re-educate, update your skill, go to school

{ Re-define Who You Are. 

What Are You Waiting For? }

Business Check List
1) At this stage, you got your niche and your idea

2) Share it with trusted reliable people to brainstorm what it could be, the possibilities, short term and long term vision

3) Do a little test market with friends, family and strangers

4) Define your business plan

5) Create a business name and set up a company

6) Get your vendors in line

7) Form a marketing plan

8) Set a budget for your business

9) Start the social media to get awareness and liked minded friends

10) Minimum tools to start: A website, a business card, your product/service, PPT Show, a brochure etc.

11) Expand your business net-work meeting and social gatherings

12) Get the word of your business out

13) Move your leads and sales

14) Manage your business

15) Every 3 years, evaluate your brand

16) Get VC or angel investing if you have to

17) Market, build your business and your brand consistently

{ Your Brand Matters.

Personal or Business }

Employment Check List
1) Don’t wait to be called on, get your feelers out there and net work. It pays to know people who are already in the company, who can put in the good word for you.

2) Upgrade your skills and more. Increase your value and keep up to date with today’s technology and relating affairs

3) Make sure your resume stands out from the crowd in visual and content.

4) It needs to be able to populate to other employment browser sites

5) Aligned yourself to the market and specific trends that you want your career path to be

6) Get your personal website up and include your CV, portfolio, achievements and your niche. Things that will make you stand out from the rest of the crowd

7) Know your company that you are interviewing with

8) Be alert and prepared in your interview. Mirror your interviewer to connect in some level

9) Dress appropriately and professionally

10) Have the right attitude with people

11) Be confident in what you do and exude the attitude of flexibility. Show the ability to take the bull by the horns and solve problems

12) Bring value to the company you are interviewing with, show the “how to” in creative methods and possibilities

13) Be fascinating, match with humility, people will want to get to know you

14) Put yourself in hiring manager’s shoes: what kind of employees do you want to hire? I think it all boils down to attitudes, fitting into the company’s culture and the ability to do what they want

15) Never work for someone you do not respect

16) Remember: No is never No. My president that I have always respect, once said: Perseverance and Persistence will get you a long way. So keep pushing and trying… Try different methods if one way does not work

{ Age has nothing to do with the 

ability to work well and smart }

How to Create Momentum

Momentum is needed to feel growth and existence when you have a career. Believe me, a career is not just a job. You can have many jobs... or experiences. But all these adds up to your the building of your career, what you want in your life. That to some people is happiness and satisfaction.

Here is the formula to the creation of momentum:

Momentum=Goals + Attitude, Skill Set, Action and Network

1. Determine what you want
2. Approach each task with that goal in mind
3. Gain knowledge on how to accomplish it
4. Get in motion - means action and not sit your your butt
5. Surround yourself with people who supports you and are liked mind

Never surrender to circumstances. There’s always another path to discover or create.

The Secret of Health and Mind

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

- Buddha


Timeless Quotes From the Buddha from Gerald Penilla on Vimeo.

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address - YouTube

Inspiring story from Steve Jobs.

What are your two sentence?

This is one way that you can re-group and re- think about what life really means and maybe make adjustments. Ask yourself 2 questions.
1) What is my sentence?
2) Was I better today than yesterday?


Two questions that can change your life from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.

It Just Is...

People come into your life for a reason; A season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do with that Person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real, however only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson. 

Love the person and put what you have learned to use, in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

How to Motivate Others

You can motivate others and there are methods that you can learn from. One way of motivating is rewarding, encouraging, praising and being positive. You get more results.  I have met people who are in management who tells me that motivation comes from within. And that is true however, that is a behavior that has been learn from their environment. Because it is a learned behavior, motivation can be taught and applied. See this video:

Live Today, Plan For Tomorrow

I recently know of my brother's good friend who passed away in an automobile accident, leaving a wife and 2 small kids behind. How very sad and unfortunate that this has happened. It makes me think that life is so precious and short. What are we doing now that is worthwhile and how are we to be remembered? What have we achieved in our past and what can we do now to improve things, relationships, help people and make the world a better place? For the future... we will never know, but we can certainly plan ahead wisely.

In the simplest form of how we speak to each other, to make good friends, improving ourselves to the best versions that we all can be. Having this thought is the first step how we can take on the world, making it a better place by being better people.

To me, time is very precious. Even as I am blogging now, I hope that my thoughts will encourage someone, to get out of their self-imposing mode and to reach out there, experiencing what can be, the possibilities and new experiences. The drive to kick the old habits, the drive not to be addicted to anything, to be free of crap. Gather your strength and make a sound decision to improve what you need to do. And JUST DO IT.

Be thankful that we are living today and be grateful for yet another tomorrow. Start Now for there is no more time to waste.

Inspire To Innovate: Eric Lindell

“In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found if one has done his best.” — Eric Liddell

“We are all missionaries. Wherever we go we either bring people nearer to Christ or we repel them from Christ.”
— Eric Liddell 

 

Eric Henry Liddell was born on the 16th January 1902 in Tientsin (Tianjin) in North China, second son of the Rev & Mrs James Dunlop Liddell who were missionaries with the London Mission Society. He was educated from 1908 to 1920 at Eltham College, Blackheath, a school for the sons of missionaries. Eric, with his older brother Rob, were left at their boarding school while their parents and sister Jenny returned to China.

During the boys’ time at Eltham College their parents, sister and new brother Ernest came home on furlough two or three times and were able to be together as a family - mainly living in Edinburgh.

In 1920, Eric joined his brother Rob at Edinburgh University to read for a BSc in Pure Science. He graduated after the Paris Olympiad in 1924.

Athletics and rugby played a large part in Eric’s University life. He ran in the 100 yards and the 220 yards for Edinburgh University and later for Scotland. He played rugby for Edinburgh University and in 1922 played in seven Scottish Internationals with A. L. Gracie.

As a result of having insufficient time for both running and rugby he chose the former, aiming for the 100 metres in the Paris Olympics. When he learned that the heats were to be run on a Sunday, he switched to the 400 metre competition as he was not prepared to run on that day. Being a godly man he dedicated Sunday to the Lord and in extreme dedication to Him he would not make any exceptions to the rule. He won a gold medal for the 400 metres and a bronze medal for the 200 metres at the Paris Olympics.

After the Olympics and his graduation he returned to North China where he served as a missionary from 1925 to 1943 - first in Tientsin (Tianjin) and later in Siaochang. During his first furlough (1932) he was ordained as a minister. On his return to China he married Florence Mackenzie (of Canadian missionary parentage) in Tientsin (1934). They had three daughters, Patricia, Heather and Maureen, who now all live in Canada.

Living in China in the 1930s was potentially very dangerous and in 1937 when Eric was sent to Siaochang where he joined his brother Rob. He was now crossing the Japanese Army lines.

In 1941 life in China was becoming so dangerous that the British Government advised British nationals to leave. Florence and the children left for Canada. During 1941 - 1943 Eric stayed in Tientsin, then in 1943 he was interned in Weishien Camp until his death in 1945.

Be The Change You Want To Be