My Learning List…

 

Currently, I am observing how I have been developing new skills in my life. Sadly but true, it turns out that I am not a keen learner. I asked myself following questions:

When was the last time I master any new computer program? When was the last time I master new stroke in swimming? What new language I started learning after English? How updated am I in the trends like Friendster, Skype, etc…? How updated am I with the new trends in the mobile technology which is my industry?

Well, answering those questions made me feel sick bout myself. What a pity!

Just realized that the last computer program I mastered is MS power point that I started to learn back in 7 years ago.. wow…!!!, Okay, better not to continue discussing bout it…

But yup, I need to make a resolution on learning for good if I want to be on the leadership edge …. So, this is what I am going to do . . .

My “Shopping” list
Mandarin . . ., everyone is gearing to it

New swimming stroke and diving …., hurray, enjoying the peace in underwater

New technology: Wi-MAX, LTE, IP Multimedia…

Mastering speed reading

Updated on what’s happening in my industry

How to confront people effectively . . .

 

Well, even though the list is not long enough, but it is quite costly in terms of funds and time. So, need to break it down then and assigned a timeline for each, using MS project if required he… :p

 

Yup, let’s move on. Better late than never…

Writing in Yogyakarta while waiting for my flight…

 

Challenges & BonnFire Experience

Couple months ago, my family and parents went together for a vacation in a resort located in a valley surrounding by hills. It’s my dad typical holiday destination.
It’s in Gambung, southern part of Bandung. The scene is terrific, the air is so fresh but it’s also freezing down there for us. The good thing was our villa got a furnace to keep us warm.

At dusk, I was so excited to set up the furnace on fire. I started to stack the wood, poured kerosene on it and set it on. The wood was ablaze…., but it was only for a while, then the fire went off. Apparently, the wood was not dry enough and kerosene was also limited.
Then I tried to re-arrange the pile. I used the driest wood only, and left the wet out of furnace. I poured out some kerosene and started the fire. But still, it didn’t work.

Then, out of frustration I asked the room boy to light the fire for us. And you know what? He ripped the wood into smaller pieces by his hand. Then he set them on fire. It worked… The fire consumed the smaller pieces of wood. As the fire went on, we put bigger pieces. Gradually the fire went on and it could consume other wet wood of bigger size. And yet, he didn’t use up all the kerosene. The furnace was set ablaze. We were all happy. I then asked the guy, how he learned to do it. He told me that it was from his experience, from trial and error that he could finally come up with that effective method.

Being marveled, I then realize that

·         Don’t let the challenges overcome you –
your “CAN” do attitude should come first

• Break the challenges into smaller pieces which you CAN overcome -
  start with something you can manage first
• As you are gaining momentum by overcoming smaller problems,
  take bigger ones and overcome them
• Step by step, as you are pressing forward, you will be amazed by how you have gone so far and overcome the challenges

In most cases, there is always other who have undergone what you are going through. Ask for their advice. Don’t waste your resources to re-invent the wheel.

Therefore you might want to invest your time & energy to build a network of great people before the tough challenges arrive.

 

The 2nd Chance

Did you ever almost break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend, and you got a new status?
Some call it a freeze, on-hold, or as Friendster™ suggests – complicated. J

Yups, I had it. Mine is a freeze. It was really an uneasy moment from me with a lot of uncertainty but did hope that I could get the second chance.

Many of us who broke up also would hope that they can get the second chance.

Hm.. do you need a second chance?

Well, just want to share my story, that second chance could take place in every aspect of our life. It’s not limited to our love’s life, but it’s relevant indeed for our career, relationship with our neighbors, as well as with God.

A new boss was coming. A first meeting conducted, and as much as others would– for sure- we want to give him good impressions… After his presentation and discussion, he challenged us who would voluntarily support him looking for certain information.
I thought on myself, definitely this would be a good chance to impress him.
The words “Yes, I will do that” was about to launch from my lips, but my colleague did outpace me. So, he got the job and I thought he certainly should have impressed my new boss, while me, I didn’t make it.

Couple weeks later, my boss was engaged in one task. He gathered us; we brainstormed and left the room. He didn’t ask any of us to continue, but since the case was quite interesting, I then continued the brainstorming by myself and return to him with more inputs. I also prepared a power point presentation for it. To cut story short, he later on made me the person in charge for that task. Thanks God, I finally made it.

Another story….it’s Sad to say, but we have a lot of beggars and scavengers in my city-Jakarta. Once, I was going home from office and saw an old scavenger laid down by the street with his family members. I got a pity on him but at that time I just passed them by. Well, later on I felt that I should have given him some money or food. So, next day I was going home, I brought along an apple from my office with me. And yes, I met another older scavenger and finally I could share my food with him.

Well, as I am looking over my period of life, I am grateful for the second chances that come to me. It does not always come, but some do.

So here are my thoughts . . .

• Take a shoot while the first chance is available
• If you missed – as much of us did – prepare for the second chance to come to you
• But rather than to wait it to come, just create the second chance for you.
  Be prepared, take initiative to create one
• When it comes to you, be excellent and give more than what is expected
• As much as you would like to get the second chance, give others also the second chance
• Be grateful always

Cheers,

jcharis