Tang Sanctuary

The definition of blogging is something that is very much in flux, as the new technologies that appear every day redefine what a blog is, what a blog can be, and what a blog should do. For many years, blogs were defined as text-based websites that kept records of days, similar to a captain’s log on a sailing ship. However, this started to change as the group of people who kept blogs became more diverse. The more bloggers began to explore the limits of the medium and of the technology that made it possible, the more the boundaries of what could be called a “blog” expanded.

Today, there are an abundance of photo blogs, and there are even video blogs as well. Mobile blogging devices
may well change the definition of blogging entirely by making it possible for bloggers to create new kinds of
posts. Another element of the blogosphere that is starting to redefine blogging is the corporate blog. As more companies hire writers to keep blogs with the sole purpose of creating positive buzz about their brand, bloggers across the globe are arguing about whether these manufactured blogs are really worthy of the name. Between all of these different forces that are constantly expanding and reshaping the blogosphere, it is difficult to imagine that the definition of what is and is not a blog will ever remain fixed for very long.

Everyone, at some point of his or her life, has dreamed of being somebody special, somebody big. Who hasn’t fantasized about being the one who scores the winning goal at the world cup finals or being a movie or tv star? Who hasn’t dreamed of being the prom night queen? And how many times have we dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with our relationships?

Often, we dream big dreams and have great aspirations. Unfortunately, our dreams remain just that – dreams. And our aspirations easily collect dust in our cupboard.

This is a sad turn of events in our life. Instead of experiencing exciting adventures in self actualization, we get caught up in the dull routine of living from day-to-day just barely existing.

But you know what? Life could be so much better, if only we learned to aim higher.

The most common problem to setting goals is the word impossible. Most people get hung up thinking I can’t do this. It’s too hard. It’s too impossible. No one can do this.

However, if everyone thought that, there would be no inventions, no innovations, and no breakthroughs in human accomplishment.

Remember that scientists were baffled when they took a look at the humble bumblebee. Theoretically, they said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Unfortunately for the bumble bee no one has told it so. So fly it does.

On the other hand, some people suffer from dreaming totally outrageous dreams and not acting on them. The result? Broken dreams, and tattered aspirations.

If you limit yourself with self-doubt, and self-limiting assumptions, you will never be able to break past what you deem impossible. If you reach too far out into the sky without working towards your goal, you will find yourself clinging on to the impossible dream.

Try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one header, list down things “you know you can do”. Under another header, write the things “you might be able to do.” And under one more, list the things that that are “impossible for you to do.”

Now look at all the headers strive every day to accomplish the goals that are under things “you know you can do”. Check them when you are able to accomplish them. As you slowly are able to check all of your goals under that heading, try accomplishing the goals under the other header-the one that reads “you might be able to do.”

As of the items you wrote under things I could do are accomplished, you can move the goals that are under things that are “impossible for you to do” to the list of things “you might be able to do.”

As you go through through this process, you will find out that the goals you thought were impossible become easier to accomplish. And the impossible begin to seem possible after all.

You see, the technique here is not to limit your imagination. It is to aim high, and start working towards that goal little by little. However, it also is unwise to set a goal that is truly unrealistic.

Those who just dream towards a goal without working hard end up disappointed and disillusioned.

On the other hand, if you told someone a hundred years ago that it was possible for man to be on the moon, they would laugh at you. If you had told them that you could send mail from here to the other side of the world in a few seconds, they would say you were out of your mind. But, through sheer desire and perseverance, these impossible dreams are now realities.

Thomas Edison once said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Nothing could be truer. For one to accomplish his or her dreams, there has to be had work and discipline. But take note that that 1% has to be a think-big dream, and not some easily accomplished one.

Ask any gym rat and he or she will tell you that there can be no gains unless you are put out of your comfort zone. Remember the saying, “No pain, no gain”? That is as true as it can be.

So dream on, friend! Don’t get caught up with your perceived limitations. Think big and work hard to attain those dreams. As you step up the ladder of progress, you will just about find out that the impossible has just become a little bit more possible.

I am going to ask you to something very weird right now. First of all, I want you to listen to your thoughts. Now tell me, what thoughts fill your head? Would you label them as positive, or negative?

Now let’s say you are walking down the street with these thoughts. Do you think anyone who would meet you would be able to tell you what’s on your mind?

The answer to number one is up to you. But, the answer number two can be pretty generic. Although people will not be able to tell you exactly what you think, they will more or less have an idea of how you are feeling.

Here’s another question. When you enter a party filled with friends, do they all fall silent as if something terrible had happened? Or does everybody there perk up as if waiting for something exciting to happen?

You know what? The answer to all these depends on your frame of mind.

Thoughts are very powerful. They affect your general attitude. The attitude you carry reflects on your appearance, too. Unless, of course, you are a great actor.

And it doesn’t end there. Your attitude can also affect people around you.

The type of attitude you carry depends on you. It can be either positive or negative.

Positive thoughts have a filling effect. They are admittedly invigorating. Plus, the people around the person carrying positive thoughts are usually energized by this type of attitude.

Negative thoughts on the other hand have a sapping effect on other people. Aside from making you look gloomy and sad, negative thoughts can turn a festive gathering into a funeral wake.

A positive attitude attracts people, while a negative attitude repels them. People tend to shy away from those who carry a negative attitude.

We can also define attitude as the way of looking at the world. If you choose to focus on the negative things in the world, more or less you have a negative attitude brewing up. However, if you choose to focus on the positive things, you are more likely carry a positive attitude.

You have much to gain from a very positive attitude. For one, studies have shown that a positive attitude promotes better health. Those with this kind of attitude also have more friends. projecting a positive attitude also helps one to handle stress and problems better than those who have a negative attitude.

A positive attitude begins with a healthy self-image. If you will love the way you are and are satisfied, confident, and self-assured, you also make others are around feel the same way.

A negative attitude, on the other hand, has, of course, an opposite effect. So, carrying a negative attitude has a twofold drawback. You feel bad about yourself, and you make others feel the same way.

If you want to have a positive attitude, you have to feature healthy thoughts. This is probably very hard to do nowadays since, all around us, the media feeds us nothing but negative thoughts. A study shows that for every 14 things a parent says to his or her child, only one is positive. This is truly a saddening thought.

If you want a healthier outlook in life, you need to think happy thoughts, and you have to hear positive things as well. So, what can you do? Well, for starters, you could see a funny movie, you could play with children, spend some time telling jokes with friends. All these activities fill you with positive stimuli, which in turn promotes positive attitude.

Although it is impossible to keep ourselves from the negative things around us, you can still carry a positive attitude by focusing on the good things, the positive things in life.

And this positive attitude you now carry can be of benefit to other people. Sometimes when other people feel down, the thing people mostly do is try to give them advice. But sometimes, all they need is somebody to sit by them, and listen to them. If you have a positive attitude you may be able to cheer them up without even having to say anything.

If positive attitude is really great, why do people choose to adopt a negative attitude instead? One who carries a negative attitude may be actually sending a signal for attention. Before you get me wrong, feeling sad, angry, or gloomy is not wrong itself. But dwelling on these thoughts for far too long is not healthy either. There is a time to mourn.

As always, if you are beset by troubles, even in your darkest hour, focus on the good things in life, you will always have hope. Problems become something you can overcome.

You do not have much to lose by adopting a healthy, positive attitude. Studies show that such an attitude actually retards aging, makes you healthier, helps you develop a better stress coping mechanism, and has a very positive effect on all the people you meet every day. So, what’s not to like about a positive attitude? Adopt one today.

Just as willpower is an essential factor in achieving success, at some point in time, discouragement and lack of motivation may hinder you from reaching your objective. And it is up to you, and you alone to devise techniques that will help you keep that drive within afire.

It is helpful to have visual goals. whatsoever that is you are working towards, make it visual. It maybe something material like a car, or a vacation you have been looking forward to for the longest time.

Take or cut out a picture of it and post it at a conspicuous place at work or at home where you can see it often. So that when you feel discouraged, this will remind you of your goal and will help you keep your spotlight.

Make a contract with oneself. According to motivational researches, people who write down to-do-lists are far more triumphant in achieving their intended goals than those people who just keep mental lists instead.

Putting something in writing somehow makes it more powerful psychologically speaking. This may also be the basis why most cultures have such a high regard in honoring contracts. In the contract, you may also include a certain reward that you will give yourself once you have accomplished the task.

After all, everyone likes to be rewarded for completing a good job. Even a simple pat on the back, “good job”, or “thank you” may do the trick to give the person the additional push to carry on, but unfortunately, these may not always be readily available. Considering that these are also essential in keeping oneself motivated, you must learn to find a way to get that encouragement on your own through pleasing yourself.

Abusive people lower your self-esteem and bring you down. Get these negative people out of your life. Surround yourself with positive people. Imitate their example. Smile amply and think happy thoughts.

These will give you a brighter outlook and lets you see a clearer picture of what you really want and a fresh mind to know what steps to take to get there. Rather than wait for things to happen, try to be proactive and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. Inactivity idles the brain and stagnates your potential to reach your goals.

Read inspirational books and literature. These will help you improve your attitude and heal your mind. A book of success stories also proves to be encouraging. You will not only learn from others’ experiences and derive confidence boosting insights from them but the story will be instrumental in motivating you to go for your goal and move ahead with your plans. If this still seems to falter, get training or education.

Oftentimes, not knowing how or where to start is frustrating. Knowledge is power. Having a clear understanding of how and where to start is empowering and it will provide the extra drive needed to hit the mark you are aiming at and follow it through.

Having enumerated all these tips and tricks to attain self-motivation, but still you seem to feel lacking that much needed drive, there is one last thing that you must try.

Whatever it is that you have been meaning to do, or wanting to achieve, JUST DO IT! Keep on aiming high and go for it! Actually getting your hands dirty best solves the problem of motivation. By “forcing” yourself to just do it, your momentum will pick up gradually as you go along and before you know it you have finished the task or have finally achieved your goal. Divide and conquer is the key.

Break down the apparently unattainable activity to small doable steps. Not only does it become less overwhelming, but seeing the “in the meantime” results will further your confidence that it can indeed be done.

Lack of motivation happens to us all, but if you do not encourage yourself to accept opportunities and be challenged, no one else will. It is most important to keep your eye on the goal, find ways to keep going, and in no time, you shall reap its benefits.

And if at the beginning you were just doing it for the material reward, you will also learn to realize that the fulfillment, satisfaction and self-achievement you derive from reaching your goal is a much enjoyable high that will keep the drive within constantly burning.

Saw this on Youtube. My wife and I love Death Notes and this short play is a parody of this highly succesful franchise with 2 movies to date. The changed of words on the Death Note to Debu Note which means “FAT” is funny. Not to be missed!

Singapore although small in size, it does have a lot of interesting places for dating or married couples.

For a lot of couples, a normal date will involves a meal follow by a movie or a couple drinks, and maybe some window shopping.

For me and my wife, we always like to take a long slow work after a meal, preferably some place quiet and away from the city’s bustle.

Before we got married, we always like to go down to Tanjong Rhu and take a slow walk along the Kallang river overlooking the indoor stadium, the scenery was beautiful and the ambience quiet and as we walked along those steps, we talked about our dreams and aspirations. At that time, there’s this bazaar or pasar malam around and we would take our time to look through the things on display over there. I wondered whether this bazaar do exist anymore.

Nowadays, we prefer our long walks along the Singapore river instead. After a movie cum meal at either Tiong Bahru Plaza or Great World City, we would proceed to the footpath along the Singapore River alongside Kim Seng Plaza and from there; we would take our slow walk till Diamaru or Clarke Quay. Along the way we would discuss the week’s events, the progress of our two fine children and other miscellaneous stuff.

This weekly affair is something I’ve always look forward to in my busy schedule; this weekly date allows me to spend some quality time with my wife. I wondered if there are any other similar places whereby one can take a long slow walk to relax and unwind.

Do you have any recommendations?

Actually, this is more like a music video. Saw this on Youtube and it was cool! Have fun watching it!

So do you enjoy this video?

Length: 20 Episodes
Genre: Comedy

Main Cast:
Sunny Chan as Ken
Melissa Ng as Hazel
Paul Chun as Smart
Kenneth Ma as Tim
Cherie Kong as Maggie
Shek Sau as King Sir
Rain Lau as Renee
Cheung Chi Kwong as Gu Cheong Dok
Chan Man Na as Hor Kin Chiu
Angela Tong as Siu Wan

Synopsis (Spoiler Warning)
Ken (Sunny Chan) works as an insurance manager in a large insurance company. He’s a very tactful and amicable person with the gift of the glib. One day, in order to cover up for his good friend River, he gets into a argument with River’s girlfriend Hazel (Melissa Ng). As a result, both develop animosity for one another.

After breaking up with River, Hazel is headhunt by Ken’s boss King (Shek Sau) to work in the insurance company. Due to the initial differences and their different style of working, their dislikes for one another intensify.

While braining for new ideas to rejuvenate and boost the company sales, both Ken and Hazel come up with the idea of a love policy “Love Guaranteed”. Both try to claim credit for it, but King resolve the issue by suggesting to them to cooperate and market them as the official spokesmen for the new policy. Left with no choice, Ken cooperates with Hazel and pretends to be in a relationship with her. However due to their different personality and working styles, in the end they give up pretending.

By then, both Hazel and Ken that they have fallen in love with each other and the two finally becomes a real couple. Soon after, Ken proposes to Hazel and the two happily prepares for their marriage but in reality things are not going well for them.

Expecting to a promotion to the position of a branch manager, Ken happily prepares for their marriage but instead Hazel is promote and suddenly from being equals, Ken become the subordinate of Hazel. Ken feels he is letdown by King and the company and he even contemplates working in a different insurance company. In the meantime, Ken discovers that Hazel is having second thoughts about getting married. Ken feels hurt and on the day of the wedding, suggests to Hazel to call off the wedding.

Then, Smart Kor discover that he has cancer and things get more serious and emotional as Smart Kor try to patch Ken and Hazel back together while in the meantime hiding his illness from them.

Fast forward two years later, Smart Kor is cure of his cancer and things are going well for him as he relates stories to his grandchild.

The good

Sunny Chan
He once again shows that he has great comic timing and he’s suit to play such comedic roles. He shows very good chemistry with Melissa.

Meliisa Ng
She does slowly grows on you, don’t like some of her earlier roles but she has improve a lot. Definitely want to see her more in the future. Show she has the ability to take on comedic roles and simply love the way she portray career-minded Hazel with hints of vulnerability is good.

Keneneth Ma
He has good comic timing and really loves the way he portrays his lazy bum character.

Cherie Kong
Love the way Cherie goes all out to snare Kenneth initially.

The bad

Lawyer Lawyer
Well, to some the scene which shows Ken, Tim and his father inside his sister’s office is real funny. But for me, I don’t quite understand the rational behind it. Yes, Renee is a money hungry power grabbing lawyer in the drama, but hey they are her own family! It brings a lot of bad publicity for those in the same profession.

The Ugly

Dai Bo the German Shepard
I don’t quite like it when Dai Bo has to die of old age; this is supposed to be a comedy. Come on, can’t the scriptwriters think of something better?

Cast chemistry

Sunny and Melissa
They really know fire up the screen with their chemistry! Love the way they turn from bickering couple to lovers. However after they turned couple, the series sort of slow down and things turn more serious. Still a great show though! Hope to see more of them together in other dramas.

Kenneth and Cherie
Good chemistry and I believe this is the first time they are pair up together. Love the way Cherie goes all out to snare Kenneth initially.

Favorite scenes

Praying At the Temple
The opening scene where the whole gang of insurance guys gathers to pray; nearly thought I was watching a triad show and then one of them whips out his name card. Just look at how stunt the guy look. And then follow by the next scene when Ken’s handphone rings.

You Strum Some More, I’ll Cut Your String
River is trying to reconcile with Hazel with the help of Ken who arrange for Hazel and River to meet to up in a house. River than proceed to play the guitar and sing to show his sincerity. You have to really watch this; river is so corny and stupid-looking in that scene. Worst to follow for him, just when he think that Hazel is going to forgive him, she reach into her handbag to take out a nail clipper to cut his guitar’s string and then proceed to give him a kick. Hilarious!

Camping Trip
When Ken and Hazel are force to partner together in a camping cum team fostering trip, they end up spending the night alone in the same tent, not by consent but force by circumstances. The very next morning, they are discovered by their colleagues to have slept together and everyone is looking so knowingly at Hazel and Ken.

The Following Day Back At the Office
The next day when everyone is at the office, Ken and Hazel are trying to explain to the rest of their colleagues that things may not be what they have seen. But the problem is that the more they try to explain and deny, other people get more mistaken.

Worth watching
One of the funniest dramas that I have seen this year, without a doubt this is a drama you won’t want to miss. A well-scripted drama with lots of funny scenes and memorable performances from the supporting cast.

Overall Rating
****

Rating Legends

* Don’t waste your time!

** Only watch it if you really need to kill off your time!

*** You may want to give it a try!

**** Don’t miss it!

***** Definitely going to watch it again and again!

To Grow With Love

Length: 21 Episodes
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast

Myolie Wu as Ho Mei Tin
Andy Hui as Dai Hei
Selena Li as Kok Boa Lok
Kenneth Ma as Mai Ka Fai
Claire Yiu as Soong Man Ying
Jack Wu as Lam Kun Hei
Chun Wong as Ho Nim Heung
Gigi Wong as Yeung Siu Lan
Matthew Ko as Joe
Eddie Kwan as Terry

Synopsis (Spoiler Warning)

Mei Tin (Myolie Wu) lives in the Philippines with his father Ho Nim Heung (Chun Wong) who is a very rich man. Mei Tin’s father is always interfering in her relationships and trying to arrange ideal suitors for her as he is afraid that these suitors are in for his money instead of loving his daughter. One day in order to flee from her father’s ideal son-in-law (Kenneth Ma), Mei Tin decides to escape to Hong Kong.

Over in Hong Kong, she discovers that it is an entirely different world from what she was used to in the past. There, she discovers everything and everyone is judge by how one looks and wears. Packaging is everything and can decide how far one can succeed in life. Discrimination abounds if you do not abide by the rules. Dai Hei (Andy Hui) is very typical of those who follow by the “Packaging” rule. A very capable young man who owns his own fashion store selling his own label, he’s very pragmatic and judge people purely on looks and will especially discriminates against those who do not fit into his ideal world.

Mei Tin ran into Dai Hei many times during her stay in Hong Kong and they clash a lot due to different personalities and outlooks in life. However in order remain in Hong Kong; she decides to take up a job offer as sales personnel in Dai Hei’s company. Mei Tin’s time in Dai Hai’s company was very tough with Dai Hei always picking on her and finding ways and means to kick her out of his company. But time after time, Mei Tin always finds the means to retaliate back and secure her job in the processes. In the meantime, Mei Tin is on the lookout for the person who finishes the wall painting started off by her.

As time passes by, Mei Tin discovers that the person all along she has been looking for is in fact the much hatred Dai Hei whom by then has become more amicable to her. Mei Tin is content to remain as Dai Hei’s friend even though Dai Hei starts to have feelings for her. When Dai Hei was questioned by his girlfriend Man Ying (Claire Yiu) about his blossoming relationship with Mei Tin, he just brushes it off as friendship. Soon after, Mei Ting goes back to Philippines in anger as she discover that the reason Dai Hei is treating her so nice is because he is trying to transfer Mei Tin to another department as Mei Tin is not competent or talented enough to continue as a trainee designer.

Soon after Mei Tin return back to his father in the Philippines, Dai Hei is involve in an accident in the Philippines and loses his memory. Hilarious soon follows as Mei Tin assume the role of Dai Hei’s girlfriend and try to convert him into someone who’s the exact opposite of what he is in the past. However during this period of 14 days there, they manage to fall in love deeply.

As fate would have it, Dai Hei regains his memory and cannot accept the fate that he has fallen in love with Mei Tin during that period of time. Naturally, his defense mechanism comes into play and he denies that he is ever in love with Mei Tin at all even though he is so much in love with her. In order to forget Mei Tin, Dai Hei resort to proposing to Man Ying to forget Mei Tin.

In the meantime, Mei Tin return to Hong Kong to realize her dreams of becoming a wedding planner and her one of her customers has to be Dai Hei and Man Yin. Initially apprehensive about taking up this assignment, Mei Tin tries to reject it. However, secretly in her heart, she’s is hopeful that Dai Hei is still in love with her and by taking up this assignment she can spend a lot of time with Dai Hei to try and reignite their love for each other.

As the date of Dai Hai’s wedding gets nearer and nearer, he finds himself unable to stop thinking about Mei Tin and he began to regret making such a hasty decision in proposing to Man Yin. Finally, he decides to pluck up enough courage to confess his love to Mei Tin. From then onwards, comes a time of testing and trials for Dai Hei and Mei Tin in their professional and personal lives. They find themselves having to face the social consequences of becoming a couple. In the end, things turn out nicely for them.

The good
Andy Hui
Surprisingly this singer can act well; he fits the role of the character so seamlessly. Enjoy the part where he has to role-play Kenneth Ma’s character, corny but hilarious.

Selena Li
She has improved since I last saw her in another drama. Her role as a money grabbing girl looking for rich husband is wacky and fun.

Kenneth Ma
Frankly speaking, I find his character funny, dorky and damn irritating and really want to strangle him at times. He’s that good you know.

Jack Wu
You have to love the way he portray his “bo chap” (can’t be bothered) attitude character.

The bad

Myolie Wu
I was so shock at first when I saw her in the first episode. Oh mind, she has really scarified a lot for this drama by gaining so much weight. Pity to say her acting in this show was just average. Nothing much to shout about, in fact I find her character a bit irritating to say the least.

Gigi Wong
You either love or hate her character for her meddling ways and how she goes about trying to destroy/help Mei Tin in her relationships. You would be hard-press to guess what her real motives are when she discovered that Mei Tin’s father is her ex-lover.

Eddie Kwan
The leading man of yesteryears has fallen to such extend that he has to take up such meaningless supporting role.

The Ugly
Unrealistic storyline
This got to be one of the craziest storyline being moot. Can you imagine a person of Dai Hei’s character able take all these things in stride when he regains his memory? Be practical and realistic, it would take a miracle for someone like Dai Hei to really accept Mei Tin. No prejudice here alright, just stating a matter of fact.

Mei Tin being beaten by her father
No idea why this is include in the script, totally pointless. Also, imagine a twenty plus young lady being beaten up by her father over last minute rejection of marriage. What type of father will force their children to marry unwillingly, damn b*****d!

Cast chemistry

Andy with Myolie
A lot funny scenes together but they lack the chemistry to really outdo the Jack/Selena pairing.

Jack with Selena
They are the couple with the best chemistry in the whole series. Fun and wacky, you will love the way their friendship blossom from typical bickering, to friendship, and then to care and concern and finally to love.

Kenneth with Myolie
Look very compatible with his dorky looks and her chubby frame and they share some funny scenes together.

Andy with Claire
Looks good together, a pity the chemistry is not there.

Myolie with Matthew
Total mismatch, Matthew looks too young for Myolie. Like big sister, little brother pairing.

Favorite scenes
Breaking Leg
Mei Tin is trying to pick up Dai Hei to send him to hospital after breaking his leg. Funny!

Daydreaming on the Bus
This is absolutely hilarious; daydreaming that your dream guy has fallen in love with you and then waking up to reality and being offer a seat by him just because he thinks you are pregnant! Class!

I’m back
The scene when Mei Ting come back to work in Dai Hei’s company after he kicked her out. His face tells you all, absolutely cracking!

Mirror Image
The scene where Mei Tin imagines that Dai Hei pretend to be Ka Fai to win her love is simply hilarious. Good acting from Andy.

Worth watching
Average drama, one that you may want to watch maybe on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Love the scenes when Mei Ti and Dai Hei are still bickering, its fun to watch. However once they are on good terms, and especially the last part of the series it does kind of get boring and uninteresting.

Overall Rating
***

Ratings Legends
* Don’t waste your time!
** Only watch it if you really need to kill off your time!
*** You may want to give it a try!
**** Don’t miss it!
***** Definitely going to watch it again and again!

The other day, I read part of an e-book on having the right mindset to succeed in business. Interestingly enough, the book was written by an authority on internet marketing and the principles being highlighted was meant as pointers for people who are new to business and these principles are very crucial to any aspiring entrepreneurs. He stressed upon the readers on the need of having the right mindset from the start is essential to the success of any business, it either make or break you in your business ventures.

Having read the book, I do agree with him on having the right mindset from the start is absolutely crucial to the success or failure of anything. As good as the book is, it’s still very fundamental and certain things are not being emphasized enough. So just let me try to add a bit of things in to spice up the whole mindset stuff. Ha! Well, I do not profess to be an authority on such matters, I just trying to add in stuff that I’ve learn for the past few years and yeah some tongue in cheek comments. LOL!

1. Taking your business seriously.

A no-brainer, any person who goes into business without taking it seriously is doom to fail from the start. Go in with your heart and don’t play the fool.

2. Believing in your ability to succeed.

Believe if you can, you can! And you will succeed! If you are not confident of succeeding in the first place, why do you venture out in the first place? I do understand sometimes people are force by circumstances to start their business especially in the wake of mass retrenchments and unemployment in the last few years, but before you start any venture, please take stock of your skill sets, knowledge and experiences and try to build your business around these areas or interest. Passion alone can go a long way in sustaining your interest and increase your chance of succeeding in the long run.

3. Being willing to put in the effort necessary for success.

Being willing is not enough, do you have the guts and the determination to sacrifice everything and anything in your quest for success. How many people do recognize the need to put themselves fully into the driving seat and slog hard and to achieve their success? Do you know any person or are you one of those who after a hard day’s work, come back and lounge yourself right into the sofa to watch television or party away your time and then keep on whining abut your boss, how hard your life is and not enough money to spend, etc. Sounds familiar right!

4. Understanding how much and what type of effort is necessary.

Understand yourself first will go a long way in determining how much and what type of effort is necessary. It’s crucial you must recognize there’s no such thing as free and easy lunch and you must work hard to acheive your success, not unless you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth.

5. Commit to a business plan/strategy.

No plan means planning to fail, might as well go party your time away. Planning is the basics of every business and the ability, determination and persistency in committing to a plan is crucial. Do bear in mind that when the current plan/strategy is not working well at all, you must be able to recognize the need to change your plan/strategy and also flexible enough to look for alternative ways and means to achieve your goal. That’s where experiences and wisdom comes into play in determining whether to stay put or change tack.

6. Being to see progress in gradual steps.

Rome is not built in a day. Remember this mantra and you are well on the right track for success.

Well, that probably sums up my sentiments on the above few pointers, although to really put everything down would probably turn this post to some sort of thesis. Frankly speaking, you can read whatever and learn all the theories and mentally torturing stuff but nothing beats the practical experiences you gain when you start applying and putting all these theories into practice! So what are you waiting for?