I gave an ex-colleague of mine my very last copy of my book last weekend. The last time I met her was at her wedding in Barcelona 8 years ago. Now she is a mother of 2 beautiful kids and living in Brazil. She has also launched an international cosmetic product company recently. Not sure when I would see her again, I reached out in my backpack (holding back my tears –for the book, not for her) and autographed the last copy of my book as a gift to her. Strangely enough, I felt a moment of “nakedness” (we should not get into a lengthy discussion of other those moments) as I always carry a copy of my book with me.

Fortunately, I ordered another batch of 50 copies over the weekend and hopefully they will arrive this week.

My lovely nieces and nephews call me Big Uncle not because of my size (I am far from big if not counting my ego :>) but because I am the oldest of the 3 boys in my family.   I am a frequent (“loyal” is a big word and I don’t want to exaggerate it) reader of the Financial Times Column Agony Uncle by David Tang.

Agreeing with others is not one of my many strengths, but I do agree with David on his comment in this weekend’s column (edition of 31-Jan/1-Feb). To quote from his reply to a reader suggesting that he belongs to the older generation and behind times: “We know we are behind the times, but we have had our times and the modern era is for the present generation to enjoy.” It echoes my old blog “Had the moment and move on”.

Here are the explanations for yesterday’s British expressions:
1) Bob’s your uncle = There you go/Sorted
2) All mouth and no trousers = All talks and no actions
3) Send someone to Coventry = Ignore or refuse to work with someone
4) Football’s a game of two halves = It is possible for someone’s fortunes or luck to change and the person who’s winning could end up a loser
5) An Englishman’s home is his castle = This means that what happens in a person’s home or private life is their business and should not be subject to outside interference.

On the last business day of Jan-2015, I finished the first round of a new year resolution that I had started with a colleague. We, two non-British people, have decided to learn more British expressions everyday at work.
Some of the interesting ones so far are:
1) Bob’s your uncle
2) All mouth and no trousers
3) Send someone to Coventry
4) Football’s a game of two halves
5) An Englishman’s home is his castle

No need to google. For those who can wait, the answers will be revealed tomorrow.

Agility is considered as one the key elements in today’s leadership according to John Whitmore in his book titled Coaching for Performance. He suggested that we should add variations and changes to our routines so we can adapt to changes more easily. This is important in particular when you become set in our own ways at a later stage in life. For me, there are daily routines that are better candidates for variations than others. For example, music, movie and food are probably more suitable than the route to work as efficiency and punctuality may be at stake. A good suggestion on adding variations but it needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Yesterday I had lunch with the Nobel Prize winner (Economics) Robert Shiller. Well, to be more precise (and accurate), it was a presentation to more than 50 audience with buffet lunch provided afterwards.

One take-away point from his presentation is the importance of LONG data history in conducting research. To paraphrase and apply it in the context of personal development, our EXPERIENCE is critical in our learning process in particular in the area of human psychology. Apparently, we tend to repeat our mistakes. In a similar vein, as mentioned in my book, our experience can provide insights on our learning style and preference.  In that sense, we are in total agreement.  Did I hear someone say “smart minds think alike”?  Come on, please be modest :>

The news of the prediction of a snow storm in New York triggered my thought on the idea of how to cope with an emotional “storm”.
My suggestions:
1) Anchor yourself psychologically. For example, remind yourself of your core value system based on religion, family, friendship….
2) Don’t lose yourself. For example, when a group discussion gets “nasty” (in a certain sense, it is an emotional “storm”), keep your identity, calmness and objectivity.
3) Don’t give up nor give in to the storm. Stand firm.
4) Find a way out if it is the best option.
5) Ultimately, learn from it. Be wiser and stronger.

The topic of Chinese New Year came up in the office. It will be the year of the GOAT by 18-Feb. A non-Chinese colleague disappointedly told me that he was born in the year of the RAT and added that he knows it is not a good sign among the 12 signs in the Chinese calendar. I told him that ALL signs are good in the sense that each has its strengths as well as weaknesses just like all human beings. No one is perfect.

I don’t believe a sign of the birth year determines the outlook of a person neither. Life is what you want to make out of it. Live fully and make the best out of it :>

Sometimes it is harder to hold back your tongue (I should know out of all people) than saying something that you may regret later under the ‘banner’ of being honest. There are definitely circumstances for speaking up and conversely occasions for ‘holding your horses’.

Try to assess which case it is before action. It is definitely not a case of ‘one size fits all’ here.

Sometimes that is all is needed especially when it is a genuine apology and the receipient has accepted it.  There is no need to linger on providing multiple reasons plus going through your mind different scenarios with numerous what-ifs. 

Make it a clean-cut and sincere appology and go on with your life.