If I had listened to my own heart that time, perhaps I could have achieved even far greater things. The problem is that I feared that I might regret. There was this wish inside me not to get sucked into the corporate tooth and claw arena. Even as bystander, it wasn't fun witnessing casualties of political war - written off as "natural attrition" due to "change". How lame. But how wicked the human heart that deviced the invisible knife.
So, I had told myself to stay away - a couple of times. But, as people begin to throw in the towel and share with me why they wanted to leave, I could only cheer them on to find their own happiness, for their loved ones' sake. I had learnt a lot from them. In life, there is always something someone else - regardless of age, gender or nationality - can actually teach us how to become a even better person.
However, that being said, on the pretext of offering sound advices and/or constructive feedback, there are also those who badly need to be right (all the time) as well as those who possess all the right advices. In actualy fact, they do need attention by through giving advices - solicited or uninvited - they seem to have an innate fear of being "below the 'average' line" so much so that they would naturally climb over your head and/or your backs.
This is a character flaw and it will bear fruits in adulthood. If your child has learnt this, nib it in the bud. Otherwise, you will never know whether your kid will become a person with good moral character or one who is conniving and scheming.
If a child is gullible like Eve, it is one thing
If a child has grown to become jealous and muder his own brother out of spite, that's quite another. Handled too late, a human weakness can develop into wickedness.
But if a child has learn
Friday, November 28, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Goal
A corporate executive on holiday in a small Greek seacoast village was strolling by the docks and drinking in the local color. He complimented one fisherman on the quality of his catch.
“How long did it take you to get all those fish?” he wondered.
“Not very long,” answered the Greek. “An hour or two.”
“Then why didn’t you stay out longer to catch more?”
Shrugging, the Greek explained that his catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The executive asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a nap with my wife. In the evening, I go to the village to see my friends, dance a little, play the bouzouki, and sing songs. I have a full life.”
The executive said, “I have an MBA from Harvard. I can help you. You should start by fishing longer every day. You’ll catch extra fish that you can sell. With the revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the larger boat will bring you, you can buy a second boat and a third one, and so on, until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can ship fish to markets all around the world. In time, you can then move to New York City to direct your huge enterprise.”
“How long would that take?” asked the Greek.
“Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years,” replied the executive.
“And after that?”
“When your business gets really big, you can sell stock and make millions!” exclaimed the executive with zeal.
“Millions? Really? And after that?”
“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a small village near the coast, sleep late, play with your grandchildren, catch a few fish, take a nap with your wife, and spend your evenings singing, dancing, and playing the bouzouki with your friends.”
“How long did it take you to get all those fish?” he wondered.
“Not very long,” answered the Greek. “An hour or two.”
“Then why didn’t you stay out longer to catch more?”
Shrugging, the Greek explained that his catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The executive asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a nap with my wife. In the evening, I go to the village to see my friends, dance a little, play the bouzouki, and sing songs. I have a full life.”
The executive said, “I have an MBA from Harvard. I can help you. You should start by fishing longer every day. You’ll catch extra fish that you can sell. With the revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the larger boat will bring you, you can buy a second boat and a third one, and so on, until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can ship fish to markets all around the world. In time, you can then move to New York City to direct your huge enterprise.”
“How long would that take?” asked the Greek.
“Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years,” replied the executive.
“And after that?”
“When your business gets really big, you can sell stock and make millions!” exclaimed the executive with zeal.
“Millions? Really? And after that?”
“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a small village near the coast, sleep late, play with your grandchildren, catch a few fish, take a nap with your wife, and spend your evenings singing, dancing, and playing the bouzouki with your friends.”
Focus on the Way, not the end.
(source: Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams)
A young boy traveled across Japan to the school of a famous martial artist. When he arrived at the dojo he was given an audience by the sensei.
“What do you wish from me?” the master asked.
“I wish to be your student and be the finest karateka in the land,” the boy replied. “How long must I study?”
“Ten years at least,” the master answered.
“Ten years is a long time,” said the boy. “What if I studied twice as hard as all your other students?”
“Twenty years,” replied the master.
“Twenty years! What if I practice day and night with all my effort?”
“Thirty years,” was the master’s reply.
“How is it that each time I say I will work harder, you tell me that it will take longer?” the boy asked.
“The answer is clear. When one eye is fixed upon your destination, there is only one eye left with which to find the Way.”
A young boy traveled across Japan to the school of a famous martial artist. When he arrived at the dojo he was given an audience by the sensei.
“What do you wish from me?” the master asked.
“I wish to be your student and be the finest karateka in the land,” the boy replied. “How long must I study?”
“Ten years at least,” the master answered.
“Ten years is a long time,” said the boy. “What if I studied twice as hard as all your other students?”
“Twenty years,” replied the master.
“Twenty years! What if I practice day and night with all my effort?”
“Thirty years,” was the master’s reply.
“How is it that each time I say I will work harder, you tell me that it will take longer?” the boy asked.
“The answer is clear. When one eye is fixed upon your destination, there is only one eye left with which to find the Way.”
Know Your Worth
A woman approached Picasso in a restaurant, asked him to scribble something on a napkin, and said she would be happy to pay whatever he felt it was worth. Picasso complied and then said, “That will be $10,000.”
“But you did that in thirty seconds,” the astonished woman replied.
“No,” Picasso said. “It has taken me forty years to do that.”
Source: What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School by Mark H. McCormack
“But you did that in thirty seconds,” the astonished woman replied.
“No,” Picasso said. “It has taken me forty years to do that.”
Source: What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School by Mark H. McCormack
Think out of the box
Got this from somewhere. It's meaningful, tho.
You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night, it’s raining heavily, when suddenly you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus:
An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
1. An old friend who once saved your life.
2. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
3. Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing very well that there could only be one passenger in your car?
This is a dilemma that was once used as part of a job application.
You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus youshould save her first;
* or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and thiswould be the perfect chance to ! pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.
The candidate who was hired had no trouble coming up with his answer. Guess what was his answer? He simply answered:
“I would give the car keys to my Old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.”
Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations.
You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night, it’s raining heavily, when suddenly you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus:
An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
1. An old friend who once saved your life.
2. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
3. Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing very well that there could only be one passenger in your car?
This is a dilemma that was once used as part of a job application.
You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus youshould save her first;
* or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and thiswould be the perfect chance to ! pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.
The candidate who was hired had no trouble coming up with his answer. Guess what was his answer? He simply answered:
“I would give the car keys to my Old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.”
Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
River drying up, P2
There was a river drying up.... and a new king has just taken over (through some ugly unscrupulous means, of course). There was an uproar among the subjects and everyone wondered who did this terrible thing - letting the river dry up. Straightaway, they found a fish at the bottom of the river... and straightaway, the king of the jungle pointed an accusing finger at the fish. "It must be you!!!" "What have you done to the river?!?!"
Look, just like us and everyone else in this jungle, they have to drink and eat also, right? There must have been too many of them now that they have destroyed our river. So, everyone blamed the fish for drying up the river. I don't know the poor fish died of fright or heartbreak.
After a few more days, the water did not return to the river and the surrounding soil around the river was starting to crack and dust filled the air. There were no more fishes to blame. The angry king started to look for the next likely creature.
"You!" He pointed his claw at the flamingoes. "It might have been you! I have seen you waddling in the pool among the fishes before it all happened!" The poor birds were thus banished from the river. This went on and on and soon, nobody dared to go near the river for fear of being blamed. Everyone was afraid of being in the sight of the lion and his royal subjects. The witch-hunt had begun and most others who had thought otherwise, were also ostracised so badly they found that they had better leave too. So, soon after the birds had left, the antelopes and the deers followed. And the beautiful gazelles, the chimps and mousedeers.
A few hundred kilometers up-river, there was a beautiful lake. In it, there were fishes, plants and colourful rocks. There was a dam which had been built by a family of beavers. This dam had trapped the water going down river.There used to be heavier rainfall and the water flew over the dam in good times. But over the last few years, there had been lesser and lesser rainfall. Soon, the little that trickled down the river were very quickly dried up.
Look, just like us and everyone else in this jungle, they have to drink and eat also, right? There must have been too many of them now that they have destroyed our river. So, everyone blamed the fish for drying up the river. I don't know the poor fish died of fright or heartbreak.
After a few more days, the water did not return to the river and the surrounding soil around the river was starting to crack and dust filled the air. There were no more fishes to blame. The angry king started to look for the next likely creature.
"You!" He pointed his claw at the flamingoes. "It might have been you! I have seen you waddling in the pool among the fishes before it all happened!" The poor birds were thus banished from the river. This went on and on and soon, nobody dared to go near the river for fear of being blamed. Everyone was afraid of being in the sight of the lion and his royal subjects. The witch-hunt had begun and most others who had thought otherwise, were also ostracised so badly they found that they had better leave too. So, soon after the birds had left, the antelopes and the deers followed. And the beautiful gazelles, the chimps and mousedeers.
A few hundred kilometers up-river, there was a beautiful lake. In it, there were fishes, plants and colourful rocks. There was a dam which had been built by a family of beavers. This dam had trapped the water going down river.There used to be heavier rainfall and the water flew over the dam in good times. But over the last few years, there had been lesser and lesser rainfall. Soon, the little that trickled down the river were very quickly dried up.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Evolutionary Management
In management, just as in life, there is this natural part of evolutionary management. A friend, who had seen the past and who had given me a glimpse of the future, his secret is actually rather simple. "History remembers its footprints".
In other words, we have cycles in life and in management. When there is plenty, there will be lack. When there is want, there will be plenty. And so, we try to correct from the past, and in the process, we evolve. When we get back to a semblance of what we used to be, we call it "retro".
Evolution goes around in spirals. When it fails to get itself lifted, it keeps going around in circles. Until it dries itself up. The new beginning in my department happens in a new season, for a new generation. Those who try to hold on to the past may become part of the casualty of change. It has happened so often. Change is a definite thing. Just as we will age, and weaken in strength.
So, my friend, the new world belongs to you. Just know that more changes will come, and they will change the way we work. Many new people who experience the change for the first time, and will probably be changed in the process. There will also be natural attrition in the process. Affecting those who less adaptable. They will be seen as counter-productive.
In other words, we have cycles in life and in management. When there is plenty, there will be lack. When there is want, there will be plenty. And so, we try to correct from the past, and in the process, we evolve. When we get back to a semblance of what we used to be, we call it "retro".
Evolution goes around in spirals. When it fails to get itself lifted, it keeps going around in circles. Until it dries itself up. The new beginning in my department happens in a new season, for a new generation. Those who try to hold on to the past may become part of the casualty of change. It has happened so often. Change is a definite thing. Just as we will age, and weaken in strength.
So, my friend, the new world belongs to you. Just know that more changes will come, and they will change the way we work. Many new people who experience the change for the first time, and will probably be changed in the process. There will also be natural attrition in the process. Affecting those who less adaptable. They will be seen as counter-productive.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Alone in Bangkok
Hi everyone, I am now in Bangkok, like I was a few years ago. Same as before except that I did not lose my hp. I got stuck here basically becos of a miscommunication. Supposed to have come on Thursday morning, depart back to Sgp on Fri.
Anyhow, got into some misunderstanding with Yen also - I think. She seemed displeased because I failed to pick up her call when she called. Sigh.... I have a terrible time alone in Bangkok because I can hardly understand what people are all talking about. But Thai sounds like a very beautiful language tho. "Sawathee Khar...", "mai Peng Rai Khrap" .. hehe. Reminds me of my friend Ronnie. He speaks Thai. He looks like a Thai Chinese.
The consolation I have when I am alone in Bangkok now is that I am able to move around freely on my own, anywhere I want to go. I did a lot of IT-shopping at Pantip. Great place for looking around, for things like CDs, notebook bags, etc. I got myself a rain-jacket for my D200, and a copycat version (I think) of Gary Fong's soft diffuser for my SB600. With the exchange rate, I only paid $33 for it. Not bad huh?
Walking around in Bangkok, shopping like a treasure-hunter. And taking pictures (my only pastime). What else you expect an old man like me to do ?? Last time when I was here, I went to the grand temple and took some shots. But the initial experience in Bangkok back then was a still rather "fresh". Nowadays, I don't have to take so many shots of temple idols, sculptures etc. I have since moved to portraitures and people going about their ordinary lives.
Anyway, wished I had brought my D200 also. So I could venture into the more exotic places and palaces to snap. Didn't want to waste time with a compact.
Ok, gota go. Chatuchak! BTW, another reason why I am here blogging is .... hehe.. I am using the USB ports to charge up my hp!! It's only 66% but guess I shan't stay too long like this. Waste of time when I have no ready pictures to upload yet!
Anyhow, got into some misunderstanding with Yen also - I think. She seemed displeased because I failed to pick up her call when she called. Sigh.... I have a terrible time alone in Bangkok because I can hardly understand what people are all talking about. But Thai sounds like a very beautiful language tho. "Sawathee Khar...", "mai Peng Rai Khrap" .. hehe. Reminds me of my friend Ronnie. He speaks Thai. He looks like a Thai Chinese.
The consolation I have when I am alone in Bangkok now is that I am able to move around freely on my own, anywhere I want to go. I did a lot of IT-shopping at Pantip. Great place for looking around, for things like CDs, notebook bags, etc. I got myself a rain-jacket for my D200, and a copycat version (I think) of Gary Fong's soft diffuser for my SB600. With the exchange rate, I only paid $33 for it. Not bad huh?
Walking around in Bangkok, shopping like a treasure-hunter. And taking pictures (my only pastime). What else you expect an old man like me to do ?? Last time when I was here, I went to the grand temple and took some shots. But the initial experience in Bangkok back then was a still rather "fresh". Nowadays, I don't have to take so many shots of temple idols, sculptures etc. I have since moved to portraitures and people going about their ordinary lives.
Anyway, wished I had brought my D200 also. So I could venture into the more exotic places and palaces to snap. Didn't want to waste time with a compact.
Ok, gota go. Chatuchak! BTW, another reason why I am here blogging is .... hehe.. I am using the USB ports to charge up my hp!! It's only 66% but guess I shan't stay too long like this. Waste of time when I have no ready pictures to upload yet!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
My version: Father & Son with Cats in The Cradle
I was once like you are now,
and I know it is not easy
when you find something going on.
Take your time, Think alot.
Life's often full of flaws
And the things you've been taught
Might not be right anymore.
and I know it is not easy
when you find something going on.
Take your time, Think alot.
Life's often full of flaws
And the things you've been taught
Might not be right anymore.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Sony Cybershot H10
Bought myself a Sony Cybershot H10 recently. Not easy lugging the D200 and lenses along everywhere I go. It is small and lightweight.
I got a teleconverter (0.5X). With some accessories, it should work as fine as the dslr for most of the routine pictures.
For one thing, I particularly enjoy holding it high over people's heads. I can do that with my D200. The high ISO is also good for evening shots without flash. Might be hard for a dslr. Good for travelogues.
I got a teleconverter (0.5X). With some accessories, it should work as fine as the dslr for most of the routine pictures.
For one thing, I particularly enjoy holding it high over people's heads. I can do that with my D200. The high ISO is also good for evening shots without flash. Might be hard for a dslr. Good for travelogues.
Interesting quotes
You are surrounded by miracles, if you take the time to look and feel their presence.
Find yourself by being nobody but yourself.
Everybody wants to be somebody, but few people have the patience to be themselves.
Some people go through a forest and see no firewood.
When you judge others, you don't define them, you define yourself.
Haste always seems to pursue those things which seem to be profitable for ourselves; pausing and saying "no" to this busyness enables us to understand what is best for the general good.
Find yourself by being nobody but yourself.
Everybody wants to be somebody, but few people have the patience to be themselves.
Some people go through a forest and see no firewood.
When you judge others, you don't define them, you define yourself.
Haste always seems to pursue those things which seem to be profitable for ourselves; pausing and saying "no" to this busyness enables us to understand what is best for the general good.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Quote from a friend I haven't met
Hi friends,
One Step Further, One Step Closer
Do more than exist: live.
Do more than touch: feel.
Do more than look: observe.
Do more than read: absorb.
Do more than hear: listen.
Do more than listen: understand.
Do more than think: reflect.
Do more than just talk: say something.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
5 Challenges at workplace
According to an article, there are bullies and gossips at your new workplace, just as there probably were at your former school. And the good news is that "the same approaches you took then to overcome those obstacles can still come in handy today."
Here are some of the "common challenges" that we faced during school days and may be facing still at our workplace also:
Challenge No. 1: Bullies exist in the workplace, too. ("Though the actions are subtler, the effect is still the same: frustration and damage to your self-confidence.") Personally, I would include those snobs and bigots who "brow-beat" and also those "smart alecks" who readily pounce on a mistake that others make. We have been branded "stupid", underachievers, weaklings, lame ..... ".
Challenge No. 2: Gossipers have a very good nose for newsy matters and often rake up issues either personally, or through those with that same weakness in their character. In school, we normally would not think they could be that bad. After all, after graduation, most of us would have thought we probably won't meet them again. But, after having read this article, interesting why I did not realise, the gossip monger at my workplace today probably had been the class amateur from another school. Whether these evolve into highly intelligent political beings or vile "mess-comm" professionals, I only wish that my company could rid of these finally.
For my friends who have been unconsciously entangled into those webs that he has been spinning, I wish they would read the next passage.
"Gossiping about co-workers can damage relationships and harm your professional reputation. So try to stay above the fray. Instead of joining a conversation about an inappropriate topic, avoid it by excusing yourself. And if you happen to overhear some "juicy" information, keep it to yourself."
My advice: Don't get played. Seek your develop your own strengths without getting over the backs of some others to gain your altitude in life. To me, there are 2 types of gossipers: those who are weak and those who are wicked. Political animals do have a personal motive or a deep desire to feel belonged. In their everyday conversation, they need to have things to discuss. Policies, People, Practices, Procedures, Personal stuffs of people. They derive satisfaction when people listen or are really affected by what they hear. They get more kicks when people's ears itch for more.
The bible says " Out from the abundance of his heart, the mouth speaks." And so, the chest from a thief will spew out stolen treasures. So, we have to learn to bridle our tongues.
Challenge No. 3: Making friends. Why is it such a challenge, probably greater than that encountered during schooldays? Could it becos as youngsters, we are more "forgiving" as well as more naive? Having been betrayed, finding a trustworthy friend who will stand by me despite all the silly mistakes I have made, and someone's whose friendship is not manipulative is a challenge alright.
Challenge No. 4: Finding a mentor. Mentors are invaluable guides not only at work, but in life as well. Depending on what kind of a mentor you are seeking, he or she must be, first of all, someone you can trust to mould you.
Challenge No. 5: Participating in extracurricular activities. ( I shall cut and paste wholesale the rest of the article here.)
"To balance the time spent in the classroom or at home huddled over a book, you may joined a club, played a sport or participated in a performing art. Keep in mind that maintaining a balance between your personal and professional obligations is still important. Continuously working long hours or taking projects home can cause burnout and lower your satisfaction for your job. "
"Devoting time to outside hobbies or interests can not only prevent this but also enhance your skill set. For instance, doing improvisational comedy on the side can help you think on your feet. And by exploring varied activities, you'll bring unique perspectives and ideas to the workplace. "
"If your workplace begins to remind you of your high school, remember the strategies you used in school to overcome challenges and excel. Chances are the lessons you learned during those four formative years will still serve you well today."
Here are some of the "common challenges" that we faced during school days and may be facing still at our workplace also:
Challenge No. 1: Bullies exist in the workplace, too. ("Though the actions are subtler, the effect is still the same: frustration and damage to your self-confidence.") Personally, I would include those snobs and bigots who "brow-beat" and also those "smart alecks" who readily pounce on a mistake that others make. We have been branded "stupid", underachievers, weaklings, lame ..... ".
Challenge No. 2: Gossipers have a very good nose for newsy matters and often rake up issues either personally, or through those with that same weakness in their character. In school, we normally would not think they could be that bad. After all, after graduation, most of us would have thought we probably won't meet them again. But, after having read this article, interesting why I did not realise, the gossip monger at my workplace today probably had been the class amateur from another school. Whether these evolve into highly intelligent political beings or vile "mess-comm" professionals, I only wish that my company could rid of these finally.
For my friends who have been unconsciously entangled into those webs that he has been spinning, I wish they would read the next passage.
"Gossiping about co-workers can damage relationships and harm your professional reputation. So try to stay above the fray. Instead of joining a conversation about an inappropriate topic, avoid it by excusing yourself. And if you happen to overhear some "juicy" information, keep it to yourself."
My advice: Don't get played. Seek your develop your own strengths without getting over the backs of some others to gain your altitude in life. To me, there are 2 types of gossipers: those who are weak and those who are wicked. Political animals do have a personal motive or a deep desire to feel belonged. In their everyday conversation, they need to have things to discuss. Policies, People, Practices, Procedures, Personal stuffs of people. They derive satisfaction when people listen or are really affected by what they hear. They get more kicks when people's ears itch for more.
The bible says " Out from the abundance of his heart, the mouth speaks." And so, the chest from a thief will spew out stolen treasures. So, we have to learn to bridle our tongues.
Challenge No. 3: Making friends. Why is it such a challenge, probably greater than that encountered during schooldays? Could it becos as youngsters, we are more "forgiving" as well as more naive? Having been betrayed, finding a trustworthy friend who will stand by me despite all the silly mistakes I have made, and someone's whose friendship is not manipulative is a challenge alright.
Challenge No. 4: Finding a mentor. Mentors are invaluable guides not only at work, but in life as well. Depending on what kind of a mentor you are seeking, he or she must be, first of all, someone you can trust to mould you.
Challenge No. 5: Participating in extracurricular activities. ( I shall cut and paste wholesale the rest of the article here.)
"To balance the time spent in the classroom or at home huddled over a book, you may joined a club, played a sport or participated in a performing art. Keep in mind that maintaining a balance between your personal and professional obligations is still important. Continuously working long hours or taking projects home can cause burnout and lower your satisfaction for your job. "
"Devoting time to outside hobbies or interests can not only prevent this but also enhance your skill set. For instance, doing improvisational comedy on the side can help you think on your feet. And by exploring varied activities, you'll bring unique perspectives and ideas to the workplace. "
"If your workplace begins to remind you of your high school, remember the strategies you used in school to overcome challenges and excel. Chances are the lessons you learned during those four formative years will still serve you well today."
Brilliant Stupidity
"Practical Passion. Questioning Answers. Volatile Stability. Singular Integration. Grounded Reach. Simple Complexity." These is the vision of the mighty Goldman Sachs. It is posted on its website for all to see under the title 'Unrelenting Thinking'.
~ Lucy Kellaway, in Sense & Nonsense in the Office (Prentice Hall)
This article is interesting. Actually, it had not confused me. Not because I undersood it completely but because it passed right through me! I had to read it again and think I finally got a bit enlightened only while being confused by what she was trying to mean when she described Goldman Sach's vision as "brilliant stupidity".
You see, some articles are meant to enlighten or edify. Most would also try to entertain as they educate. (Wonder why most text books writers are not learning from those DIYs or those "for Dummies" writers tho.) Anyway, this article is "unusual" because if you had understood it at first read, you would have been confused at first. Think about it. The pairs contradict each other. The author understood what Goldman Sachs meant and finally described what she read as "Brilliant Stupidity".
This finally makes a lot of sense to what we have been trying to do, at work and at home. Sometimes, in order to achieve stability, one has to stay "fluid". Have you every tried staying balanced in the moving bus without holding on to anything else? You must not lock your knees. But rather, loosen your knees, keep them bent at all times and just "go with the flow".
Sometimes in order to clean up the room, one has to beat up the dust from the mattress.
Interesting?
~ Lucy Kellaway, in Sense & Nonsense in the Office (Prentice Hall)
This article is interesting. Actually, it had not confused me. Not because I undersood it completely but because it passed right through me! I had to read it again and think I finally got a bit enlightened only while being confused by what she was trying to mean when she described Goldman Sach's vision as "brilliant stupidity".
You see, some articles are meant to enlighten or edify. Most would also try to entertain as they educate. (Wonder why most text books writers are not learning from those DIYs or those "for Dummies" writers tho.) Anyway, this article is "unusual" because if you had understood it at first read, you would have been confused at first. Think about it. The pairs contradict each other. The author understood what Goldman Sachs meant and finally described what she read as "Brilliant Stupidity".
This finally makes a lot of sense to what we have been trying to do, at work and at home. Sometimes, in order to achieve stability, one has to stay "fluid". Have you every tried staying balanced in the moving bus without holding on to anything else? You must not lock your knees. But rather, loosen your knees, keep them bent at all times and just "go with the flow".
Sometimes in order to clean up the room, one has to beat up the dust from the mattress.
Interesting?
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