Start early

start with getting information, having a idea what is expected. Even if there is no immediate action, the simmering will help to ferment a pot of good wine.
Keep problems and open questions in the back of mind. Insights and ideas will surface naturally.

When things are all over the place...

When I feel things are going out of my reach, my fault is not the lack of ability to tracking them down. My fault is really letting things stretch myself into random directions, and letting people do whatever they like. The way out is to chop off the many concerns which may seem eligible, chop off the many crooked paths which may avoid obstacles. Keep it straight, keep it clean!

Growing up

Growing up is a process of getting exposed to bigger and bigger pictures, which implies tougher and tougher problems. Instead of getting overwhelmed, we are better off by acknowledging that there is simply no easy way out. It is not our fault that there are problems everywhere and there seems no clear solution. It is also not realistic to expect ourselves to have anticipated today's problem 5 years ago and to have done something about it. We live day by day and we survive, for ourselves and for our loved ones.

Time to change

When you feel there is road block, it is a good chance to re-think about the whole affair. Much has been taken for granted, for good or bad. It's time to think differently and act differently.

To get things done

The way to get things done is to pick a small task, but the most important one. Small, so that it does not look too daunting and will have a much higher chance to get done. Step zero is to think hard and keep things simple, so they can be 'small'. Second, is to focus resources (time and energy) so you can pick the most important so the effort will give a return.

Ask, ask and ask

Working smart = Ask questions. Don't assume. Find out what the other person really wants, what information is easily available but you are not aware of.

The American way of talk

The American way of communication is extremely direct, quantified and 'arrogant' in marketing strengths, but subtle, indirect when describing weaknesses.

Never give up

You think you can't do it any more, then you will indeed not able to do it. The mental strength and the confidence comes from past success, team support and sheer consequence that you can't afford to take. Get whatever you need, and continue trying. Often winner is not the smartest and the most capable person, but the one who lasts till the end.

Mind your own business first

First rule of relationship is to give help before asking for help. While all these give and take is taking place, rule zero is to squarely focus on what you want to achieve. It is always about what you can get out of it and what benefits you.

Give people confidence

Even if you felt the person does not cut it, he still have his merits and worthiness for something else. It is very natural to play a person down when firing, but in fact it is the time you really should build his confidence to go out and find the right place for himself. Every carrot has its hole, as the Chinese saying goes. Give people the confidence they need to live a life.

A monster is smaller in reality than in your head

When a task looks very daunting, when a goal looks very far away, it is actually simpler in reality. Starting doing it, you will realize it is in fact simpler, easier, better than you thought.

Care more

Care more about the problems in everyday life, care more about the people around us. Many of us are really blessed. We have high education, good jobs, global exposure, wonderful families, etc. etc. and we get very comfortable with it. We forget that we thus have the responsibility to better our life, better our world.

Care more so you feel the drive to do so.

Be with people who are better than you

They help you to see things you don't see. They stretch your imagination of excellence, accomplishment and good character.

A decade in life...

Just to mark this date as the starting point of a new decade in life. 10 years on a tiny little island, something I never imagined, let alone planned, but it all happened without me even realizing it.

This reminded me of a line Mom told me: Life is made of many many steps, but only a few makes a difference.

Walk carefully in those steps!

Commitment to fight procrastination

I realize when I get last minute about something, it is usually because I am not committed to the task. 'Ya gonna wanna' as in the book. Without such a strong desire, even if you can drag yourself to barely finish the task, you will not be able to motivate your team members.

Problem -> Opporutnity

Every problem is an opportunity to do things better. Every crisis is an danger to push you out of comfort zone. What it takes to make the conversion is the eye for such an opportunity and the willingness to make something good out of a bad situation.

Seize the moment and life gets better because of crisis (=danger+opportunity)!

It is in your mind

If you think you are average, you can be no better than average.

If you shoot for moon, at least you will land on stars.

What can I offer

I thought without me, the sun would still rise and set, and the show will still go on. What I didn't know is little things could make a huge impact (positive and negative). If I could just make the next person a little closer to success, then I am already adding value.

Keep clapping

When hit by a bad surprise, when stumbling over a mistake, we should always keep going, just like the clapping game. It is not about how accurately we clap, but how well we could leave the misses behind and keep clapping. The more we try, the sooner we will get it right.

My piano teacher used to telling me the same. A piece is complete when you complete it. If you can't get over your mistakes and keeping repeating that part, you will forever be stuck there. The more imperative thing is to continue, never ever stop.

Take care of your relationship

When in doubt, make sure you give the benefit of the doubt to the others. It is so much better to keep the relationship positive than try to ensure no money loss. In the latter, the loss on people can not be bought back and therefore does not worth losing. It takes years to build a trust-worthy relationship, but could be destroyed over a second.