Sunday Series -- A Different Insights

Vishen Lakhiani from MindValley Lab on LifeBook - 12 Paths of Balance

2011-07-04T01:38:00.000-07:00

Kian's Mission & Legacy

2011-06-13T00:17:00.000-07:00

Here lies...... Kian is a person of high honesty and integrity. He will go out of his ways to help people, inject humor in his communication and make the conversations fill with joy and laughter. Kian is full of energy and enthusiasm. His relentless effort and philosophy of lives had impacted millions of people.

He is a great husband, and cares so much of his family's well being. His top priority in life always fall to his dearest wife, kids, parents, and immediate relatives. He started of as an ordinary Asia guy who love to share his voice and wealth of knowledge with people. He started of struggling financially in his 2 years in career in sales, humiliated by friends and causes his marriage breakdown. But he never forget the lesson he learn.

When he was 34 years old, he broke out of 9-5 job and one year later became financially independent. He will never have to work for the rest of his life, but he ended up getting to work more and more. In fact, he says.... "My work is My PASSION".

He began teaching people how to achieve financial independent through effective communication and achieving happiness. At age 40 he became financial free and have live a life of no regrets.

His most memorable trip was traveling with his wife to Galapagos Island, Namale (Fiji) and all across Europe.

His philosophy, message and knowledge are now shared in videos all over the internet impacting millions of young professionals, toastmasters, graduates and people all around the world. Thousands of people have benefited from his cutting-edge program and inspirational stories that help them improve and big their life more interesting and fun!

When he climbs any mountain, his deepest hope was that people will follow him. Not because he want to lead, but because he don't want to leave people behind of him. He wants to bring people along the journey so that they too could have success the way they want it to be.

Life is a BLISS... and it will always be a BLISS if you live exactly the way you want it to be. Life is too short to be ordinary and you're not ordinary.

He had a purpose in life to inspire individual to live up to their dreams and unleash their deepest desire through effective communications and leadership.

Biographies of Kian

2011-06-13T00:10:00.000-07:00

I'm an ordinary Asian guy who have strong desire to share my voice and knowledge with the World. I'm 32 years old and my name is Kian. I've struggled financially in live and came across various challenging circumstances including a divorce.

I still feel a little uncomfortable sharing my view with the World. I just wanted to be like normal people. I started of as a shy & quite student and I don't speak that well, but when I speak on stage or on video, I feel like I become a different person.

I feel like him on Korean Got Talent:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BewknNW2b8Y

Toastmasters' Time Trap Cycle

2011-05-26T22:09:00.001-07:00

Business On A Budget

2011-05-26T00:00:00.001-07:00

Starting a business in a shoe-string may sounds a little frugal. But if you're left with only a small capital and don't want to spent too much, here are couple of sites that could help you save while get your company set up with a good bargain prices:

(1) Computers & Electronics
- techbargains.com
- bradsdeals.com
- smalldog.com
- tekserve.com
- amazon.com

(2) Business cards
- Vista print

(3) Cheap calls
- skype.com
- google voice
- grasshopper (use coupon from AppSumo)

(4) customized facebook pages
- pagemood
- north social
- short stack

(5) Outsourcing or cheap employees
- internships.com
- urban interns
- elance.com
- guru.com
- oDesk.com

(6) Custom company logos
- 99designs
- hatchwise.com

Transition lines

2011-05-23T23:04:00.000-07:00

I wish you could have been there........
I'll never forget when the God whisper in my ears
If you have ONE chance to say ONE thing to ONE of your peer ........
There is ONE more thing.......
If you were to (action), you'll (modalities).....

List of Word & Concepts (in progress)

2011-05-20T23:15:00.001-07:00

Word that need to be use in a speech:

I never forget.....
This alone is worth the entire cost of the seminar

Moses of math
lever
quadrant
100 days challenge
domains

breath life into your speech
color and light
heart of merchant proposition
close loop and open loop
key growth
if we keep doing speeches after speeches, we will be missing the forest for the tree
digital wallet
execution, adoption, architecture
talk about the market then comprehensive
skyvue las vegas super wheel
ishares
roller coaster
Ferris-styled wheels
gondalas
searching for the truth wisdowm the American way
keys to the kingdom
i'm not telling you i have all the answer but I ...
delivering the same kind of results in good shape
it's obligations but it's also an opportunity
stronger, drive engagement
resource guide

Kian's Gratitude Log

2011-05-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Over the years, the one thing that is highly recommended by Oprah and almost all self-help books on the "Art of Happiness" is this.

A gratitude log. So here I am building my 3rd gratitude log sheet. I have previously done this on paper and also started my gratitude log on a RED booklet. But I decided to go on and post my daily gratitude here:

Year 2011
5/14
Met with Olga to the Oysters Fest. It was awesome to listen to Rodrigo and Gabriella playing and enthralling almost few thousands audience with their guitars. Good stuff and fun time with Olga. I value this moment together because I know I wouldn't have enjoy it that much watching R&G alone. We went on to have a fabulous dinner at Morph.

5/15
I'm happy that I have my weekend off that I can do whatever I want. Wondering with my mind, browsing through youtube and found this by Vishen Lakhiani. Also found Simone's youtube sing & piano music to be mind relaxing. Met MJ in Impala and was happy that she is such a cool kid. At the end of the day, I did a 50 mins of Holosync meditation and it was such a breeze. :) happy!!

5/16
Woke up in the morning and feel energized and time to conquer the world. Still lingering in my mind the thought of long term skill building in content and video marketing.

5/20
Today's coaching call with Karen is emotional. She seems to be really sad that thinking I will leave her after the 1-year coaching contract ends. She says "what if one day there will be no coaching call and I'm not here, how are you going to get the freedom and strive for your dream/goal" I felt it and I'm grateful that she is in my life. Some idea come by that perhaps Dennis could also be my coach. I'll call Dennis and catch up on Sunday.

21 Lessons From Rory's Event

2011-05-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Few of us conducted a 2 1/2 hour session where we invited Rory, 2-Time World Champion of Public Speaking and here are the 21 lessons I learned from putting this event together:

1) To make something sustainable, you have to start small. Too big of an event will make create tremendous amount of stress and human couldn't possible sustain that emotional rollercoaster

2) There will be emotional roller coasters throughout the journey of the event, and we just have to persist and see it through

3) Working in a team is the best ways to keep the motivation level and to fight fear. Because, when you're in the downstream of your emotional roller coaster, some one else in the team in in the upstream. Only because of that, it brings everyone higher and higher up the emotional roller coaster

4) To keep team motivated, you must first know what motivates them before asking them to join the team. To do asked someone to join the team and you have to motivate them again and again. The team member must be self-motivated. In order to get them it, they must have invested their time, money or effort in order to make sure they don't easily quit. Start at the begining and tell them what they will face in the next couple of months and how we can overcome this together. The other member must have a reason for themselves to change. If there is no leverage point, there is no motivation. Member need to be given ownership on the project.

5) Do not trust your perception when you did just one project with someone. It often takes 2-3 project before you truly understand someones motivations, perserverance and concerns.

6) For refund of money or door fees, think about giving others option to choose (ie. either refund or bring other friends to join)

7) Introduce "bring-a-friend" program

8) The "Opportunity" e-mails to 115 clubs located 10 miles radious of zip code 94109 works. Follow the e-mail format.

9) If nothing else, I learned more about recording devices, which takes awhile. If not because of this event, I would not have learned about digital audio recording devices, audacity.com and editing audio, using graphic and disk.com for outsourcing of CDs productions.

10) Rory uses a method of "seemless click" to maneuver the slides presentation (using power point presentations in the pocket)

11)I'll need a few attempt of requests before I take action because I thot no one will response. But when I stumbled upon something that works, it will roll and I can leverage that and scale it (eg. to e-mail & ask Rory to promote, to e-mail all ppl from TMs)

12) Using Music before & after the esssion. Using music before speak goes on stage.

13) Do not let anyone control your sales and registration page.

14) Don't use graphic in eventbrite.com as the conversion ratio is substantially lower.

15) Crafted a letter to show excitement on signing up and what information attendess need to kno, plus a subtly upsell.

16) Never let other team members negativity affects your goal

17) Be clear on channel of promotion and who is organizing this. There are few weeks where this is not clear and it wasted time

18) Make sure speakers are responsive and have the capability to hold up to the present. If not, don't invite them cos people will cancel and disrupt your event, agenda and promotions. Allow adequate time to look for speakers and location.

19) It's easier to sell a 2-3 hours session than to sell a FULL day session. When it comes to public speaking, people are looking for action/participation and NOT passive listening.

20) Record your conversation with Rory during the time you pick them up, so you can maximized the time spent and extract more of Rory/speaker. One lesson during my drive with Rory, when Dave asked "you discover a new humor line?". They tested material again and again.

21) Things that don't work - meetup, facebook ads, zvent.com posting, yelp.com posting and other event posting. Plan full blast promotion during last 2 weeks approaching the event

22) Use clapping to direct a coupling group to sit down, or music to be on when coupling session is in play, then lower the music volume when complete. Give all instructions before asking everyone to stand up

23) Speak slowly one word at a time and finish your sentence.

The Perspective Principle of Faith

2011-05-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

On April 23rd, 2011, Rory Vaden, 2-Time World Champion on Public Speaking share somthing that strike home for me. That's the Perspective Principle of Faith, one of the 7 Princples shared in Rory's 2 1/2 hour session.

Here I created a story of my own, which bear the Perspective Principle of Faith.

In Dec 2008, I was unemployed and the economy was at a slump. I visit 12 different Toastmasters Clubs around Bay Area to network, with the view of getting a job. I eventually found Golden Gate Toastmasters Club where I met Ben.

Ben, a close-friend of mine now, is an experienced Salsa dancer. He brought me to Cocomo, a local Salsa dance club. I was hooked and then started learning Salsa.

Through my almost 1 1/2 year of learning Salsa, I did pick up triathlon along the way, where I met Chris. Chris became my best Team In Training mate that we used to hang out after training. After the TNT season is over, we keep in touch and I introduced Chris to Salsa.

That's where I met Olga. Chris asked me to dance with her, so I offered my right hand and asked her to dance. After 2 dances I stayed on the side of the dance floor and Chris says "Ask her for the number!!".

I walked over to Olga and asked her... "Do you wanna hang out some time? What's your number?" I got her number and i left. Fast forward a week later, we were hanging out and that's how I met Olga and we are still together today.

I was entralled by myself with 2 of my hobbies - Toastmasters and Triathlon. Because of Toasmtasters, I met Ben and was introduced to the World of Salsa. If it's not because of Team-In-Training, I wouldn't have met Chris and I wouldn't have ask Olga for her number and I wouldn't have dated her.

I didn't understand why I was so consumed by both of hobbies for 2 1/2 years. Now I understand that everything happen for a reason, and sometimes, God have something install for you. You just have to look and search for it.

Sometimes, it comes right in front of you, but many times, it come along the journey you're taking. Regardless, of where you are in your journey of life, one thing for sure is that the higher power have things better in stall for you.

Bless you!!

Cheers,
Kian

Books I Read In 2011

2011-04-30T20:48:00.001-07:00

These are the 52 books that I read in 2011 (still counting):

1. The Happiness Hypothesis - Jonathan Haidt
2. Threshold of the Mind - Bill Harris
3. The Success Principles - Jack Canfield
4. Positioning Battle of the Mind - Al Reis
5. Automatic Millionaire - David Bach
6. Moonwalking with Einstein - Joshua Foer
7. The Game - Neil Strauss
8. The Pocket Pep Talk - Jill Spiegel
9. Getting Things Done - David Allen
10. Rule # 1 - Phil Town
11. What Everybody is Saying - Joe Navarro
12. How To Talk To Anyone - Leil Lowndes
13. Tell To Win - Peter Guber
14. No Laugh to Know Laugh - Rory Vaden
15. Man Search For Meaning - Victor Frank
16. How To Become An Alpha Male - John Alexander
17. to be continue......

Kian

What is the ONE thing that will CHANGE Your Life in 2011

2011-04-30T20:38:00.001-07:00

I was listening to Craig Valentine's audio on the Lady & The Champ Conference in Las Vegas, and he mentioned about something that seems familiar but yet a little foreign.

It was the same message Tony Robbin and Brendon Burchard shared in their seminar.

Are you ready? It might not be what you want to hear but you have to hear it and READ it!!

Yes.... that the habit of READING. Throughout all the book, audio, video, and conferences I've been, I have seen enough and listen enough that deep down, I know that the only thing that can successfully help you change your life is...

" Read A Book A Week "

This is probably the single most important goal that I've set in 2011 and have the MOST IMPACT in my life.

The rationale behind is very simple. Conditioning. By reading once in a while.... we are not able to grasp the information and commonality of how things work. Even if we get the knowledge, we won't act on it.

Like any marketing that was presented to us, it takes 8 point of contact before an average person take action. So, it does takes few point of contacts before we will get up and live up to the standard we wanted.

Attending event, which almost always bring up our motivation. But motivation doesn't last... only a shift in mindset or a significant emotional event that will make an entire shift in our thinking.

But if that's not condition, we will fall back to where we started.

So, keep reading and "A Book A Week" is a worthwhile goal for everyone to set.

Cheers,
Kian

HoloSync change my life

2011-03-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

I always tell people that Toastmasters changed my life! And yes! It did!
It's perhaps the most affordable and economical personal development courses out there.

2 months ago I discovered something else that maybe better than Toastmasters. Actually, few years ago... I discovered this one thing that's truly amazing that may have top my list of the things that change my life. While I know I have not reap the entire benefit of it yet (as I only been using it for the past 2 months).. but this one thing, have give me the following:

1) the next day after I listen to it for the very first time, I received an e-mail confirming that this speaker is willing to speak on one of the event I'm organizing. I have tried numerous time approaching speakers and gotten rejections after rejections. that blew my mind!!

2) my co-worker, whom I think is slightly political (I'm surely understating that by saying slightly), but she totally changed her behavior towards me and started to become more relaxed and nice when we engage in conversations

3) my boss told me she wanted to give me an early promotion (but not materialized yet cos of certain peers' concerns etc etc). But hey... I think that's a great motivation when your boss told you that she want to recommend you for promotion, given the fact that I really didn't put in my 100% effort ..

4) my 2 partners who help me organize the event began to gain motivations on making the event successful

5)the best part is that during this Valentine days, I met a girl, whom we have become really good friend and companion. She's really nice and submissive, which I really like. :)

All these in 2 months!! I felt things are becoming to change and that I was trying to hard to pull things into my life and it just wasn't working. But when I listen to this every 30 mins or 1 hours (sometimes) on a daily basis, things start to come my way.

I'm no longer trying to hard and diligent to pull things into my life but letting the things flow into my life. For the very first time, I felt I'm attracting greatness and happiness into my life without force.

(take a deep breath)

If you think that you have build up all these knowledge, qualities and skills but doesn't seem expand your full potential, Holosync might be your solution.

My advice, is to pass on any judgment and it may sound "woo-woo" at the beginning, but sometimes, we just have to trust the higher power.

Check out Holosync at:http://www.centerpointe.com/

Cheers,
Kian

Does Photo Reading actually works?

2011-03-05T14:16:00.000-08:00

It takes 8 impressions before someone takes any action. I was told that's what makes people to take action on any marketing campaign.

Today, I discover it need only 2 impressions for me to take action cos I'm really interested in those topic presented to me.

This week, Bill Harris sent me a letter on "Photo Reading", it caught me thinking maybe I should get another speed reading cos since the last one I brought Eye Q, wasn't working that well for me after 2 months of practice.

Then, Mike Keoning the video guy sent a mass e-mail, talking about speed reading again. In his 5 steps of speech reading, he referenced to Photo Reading course he had taken.

So, here are my understanding or commonality that I found would help me or your audience take action:

1) Impression coming from different people (Bill Harris & Mike Keoning)
2) Impression coming from different medium (letter & video/e-mail)
3) Selling is Education of the products
4) Implicit versus explicit (the technique of incorporated sales is so powerful, that people is literally want to check it out if they resonate with the product)

Here is the link to photoreading course that you'll be able to get 59% off the original price:

www.learningstrategies.com/amazingspeed

but before you do anything, why not check out Mike's 5 Steps Speed Reading Secrets

Hope you enjoy it.

Cheers,
Kian

How To Craft An Impactful Opening Speech (Part 2)

2011-01-30T00:05:00.000-08:00

Part 2 is here. Watch it - it's well worth your time!!

How To Craft An Impactful Opening Speech (Part 1)

2011-01-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

My first video is here - first take and it's up LIVE!!

It's a little slow initially but it will be well worth your time. Here are what you'll learn in these 2 videos:
- 2 ways to start your opening line with startling questions
- 7 tips to build a suspense in your stories
- one single most important idea that will make audience believe you... it also start with "S-------"

You will love them.

Rory Vaden on Self Discipline

2010-11-21T19:58:00.001-08:00

Systemized Your Business With Checklist

2010-11-21T17:40:00.000-08:00

On Nov 6th & 7th, 2010... I organized a speechcraft workshop and invited 6 speakers.

Though the workshop was successful, we spent lots of time on the followings:
1) e-mailing and asking for information on speakers
2) arranging speakers slots and agenda
3) confirming speakers availability
4) printing material in the wrong order resulted in sorting materials
5) getting projectors from 3 different sources
6) testing projectors
7) finding the venue
8) petty stuff such as cables, finding binders, cover page of the binders,
9) promotion on eventbrite.com
10)drafting the agenda several times
11) selection of videos since speakers are not familiar with the content
12) e-mailing on slides etc
13) video camera (flip)
14) arranging for food
15) registration name list
16) sweets and water on the table
17) vegetarian meals, meats, snacks and juices
18) knowing the lighting switch in the room
19) bringing extra cable, extra laptop, extra camera, extra participants binder, extra speakers, microphone
20) ensure air-condition turn perfectly suitable for learning
21) helpers (registration table, camera, microphone)
22) material shown by speakers to test them
23) notes/handout by the speakers (when to hand out to participants)
24) commitment statement to be included in the binder

The above is a good checklist of what you should do if you ever organized an event.

Cheers,
Kian

Framework And Triads/Acroynms

2010-11-19T17:57:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wonder why someone could present a complex subject and they break the subject down to a simple format that everyone, even a high school student could remember?

If you don't, then this may be the most important lessons you'll learn in the next 3 minutes.

I found these 2 secrets by accident. Maybe not a real accident because I've been following this guy for the past 2 weeks. In his video, he clearly show how he had repackage the content, a simple content that had been written and re-written in a million of self-help book and he break it down to a point that it was so original from his own thoughts.

They are Framework and Triads/Acroynms.

In this video, he shared the Elements of High Performance which comprises the 5 Ps. He presented 3 frameworks with triads and acroynms. All using simple charts (or a Framework) and triads that begin with P & I.

P for Productivity, Persuasion, Physiology, Psychology and Purpose.

I for Information, Intepretation, Identification, Intention, Initiative and Influence.

Hope you'll enjoy this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er0QSPBQhZE
Cheers,
Kian

12 Ways To Build Creditability As An Expert

2010-11-11T23:39:00.000-08:00

Listen. You need to know these 12 incredible ways to build creditability as an Expert, FAST, literally.

Because we are "hard wired" as humans to want to HELP OTHERS in whatever capacity we can.

Anyway, here's the thing. The ULTIMATE is to do what you love and passionate about, and make it your mission.

I mean ...that's kind of what we're SUPPOSED to do.

Even if you found your passion and are currently living it... you still need to pay your bills. Then, why not apply these 12 ways to build your creditability as an expert fast and get paid whole load of $$$$!!!!

Besides, they are fun:
1) Perspective (eg. after all the research, you gain perspective of the market place)
2) Philosophy (eg. Malcolm Gladwell - philosophy is so brilliant that no one has)
3) Personal path (eg. People want to know that you have been through struggle, and figuring out solutions that people would value your knowledge to save them time)
4) Position (eg. Job title VP of Marketing, Founder of, Author of, Creater of)
5) Popularity (eg. most viewed video, best selling books, most friends on FB - this is a hook)
6) Partnership (eg. co-author, partner with non-for profit, sponsored by Walmart, Sony Pictures, YMCA, Qantas etc.. borrow creditability)
7) Progress (eg. making progress, from broke to millionaires, chump to champs in public speaking)
8) Praise (eg. testimonials on character, product)
9) Press & Performances (eg. in media 60 minutes, Inc Success Magazines, share stage with Tony Robbin, Stephen Pierce, Yanik Silver, Oprah Magazines)
10) Paying clients (eg. Accenture, GE and entrepreneurs, people who pay $3,500 in one seminar)
11) Promotions (eg. 3rd party promoting you, endorsing you as credible expert)
12) Products (eg. have products, online courses, membership sites, speeches, book, training program, seminar)

I really enjoyed it and I think you will too.

You can watch the next part of the video here:
http://www.expertsacademy.com/roadmap

Tips: Brendon shared a session of his $3,500 seminar above.

Cheers,
Kian

2 Ways To Position And Profit As An Expert

2010-11-11T23:29:00.000-08:00

Before I tell you the 12 ways to position and profit as an expert, you need to know 2 keys to unlock the experts' secrets.

First, be a student.

I don't mean you need to go back to school and spend thousands.
I don't mean you need to spent years studying till you're 50s.

I meant..... do your research and be a reporter. If you spend a few short months researching all the books, audio, DVD and attending seminars on a particular field, do you think people would want to pay you money to save up their time?

If yes, then you are an Expert in whatever field you choose.

But you know what's even more powerful. If you produce RESULTS!!
Action speaks louder than words, and experiencing success and producing results, add creditability and increase confidence.

For example, if after studying all the books, CDs, DVDs and attended all the seminars, and you apply those skills and produce results... (like making $4.6 million in 18 months), then people will pay even more to hear you speak.

When you combined RESEARCH and RESULTS, you would have position yourself as the EXPERT!!!!!!!!!

If you haven't watch the earlier video, here is the link again.

http://www.expertsacademy.com/theplan

Check that out by clicking the link above. You will regret if you don't.

Cheers,
Kian

Who is Brendon Burchard?

2010-11-11T23:07:00.000-08:00

I recently discovered this incredible guy, who not only share the stage with Tony Robbins but also many other infamous speakers and internet marketers. Check what he had for you:

If you like Brendon Burchard... you should check out his 2 part videos on Expert Academy, where he shares how to position and profits as an Expert!!

Because, I listen to Tony Robbins' CDs and DVDs for soooooo...... many times (probably 50 times, if not more!), the story that Brendon shares above... had many similarity as the story that Tony shares in one of Tony's Personal Power series.

Same structure... but different content!
Same tonality... but different words!
Same emotional connection... but different stories!

I say, "That's brilliant!!!"

This is perhaps, what I'm going to structure in my next few speeches. But this guy is simply amazing where he shares how to position and profit as an Expert here:

http://www.expertsacademy.com/theplan

Cheers,
Kian

6 Steps To Design Your Ideal Career

2010-10-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's coaching call with Karen was again a fruitful one. The key to setting fulfilled goals or self-discovery exercises is to strike out to be in "Peak State Of Mind".

When we are at the Peak State, our mind becomes resourceful and the high intensity with emotions will get attached to the goals we listed or the discovery we explore within ourselves.

Karen recommended the Rule of 20:

1) List down 20 of your greatest strengths and talents (asking friends to tell you about your strength is even more powerful as something that come easy to us might be difficult to someone else)

2) List down 20 of your greatest achievements (this can be developing yourself, overcoming challenges)

3) Follow by attaching 1-2 sentences describing what it means to achieve your greatest accomplishments (eg. "When I put my mind into it, nothing's going to stop me")

4)20 Things you Love To Do (Passion)

5) Perform research to find out skills that could be use in a specific dream job from http://online.onetcenter.org/

6) Go to book store to find out what's the 20 most fastest growing career and review couple of books on career discovery (Daisy wheel) from the author of "What Color Is Your Parachute?" with the objective to finding a career that you enjoy

This is where the Passion, crossed with strengths/talents and accomplishment

These are the 6 steps that would help me designed my ideal career and hope it does for you too.

Cheers,
Kian

The Funeral And A Letter To A Friend

2010-10-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

You probably had hear this from someone or read it somewhere.

I did but it never struck me to try it. Ben and I was sitting
at the Irish Bank last Wednesday and we were talking about life
purpose.

Yeah... what a cheesy topic? But, Ben had been coached by a
carreer coach for a while now. He shared with me what his career
coach shared with him that had make a difference in his life.

A more focus and clearer picture of his life purpose and goal.

That's the "Funeral Test" and "A Letter To A Friend"

Forget about techniques or tactics, but focus on "Who I am?"

Imagine attending a Funeral of your own and what do you want you
wife, families, friends and collegues say about you at your Funeral.
After writing as detail as possible you'll find out perhaps what
holding you back and give yourself a chance to work back on why
you're born into this world.

The second test what a shorter term life purpose. Ben knows his
short term life purpose, which is to be a public lawyer. The concept
of "A Letter To A Friend" is writing out now as if it was 1-3 years
in the future, describing in absolute details of what you and I have
accomplished that make lifes so great and so fulfilled.

and of course... then we can work backward.

While these reverse re-engineering tests sounds cheesy.... I know
they work because in 2006, I wrote a goal to becoming an Advance
Communicator Bronze and at that time that seems to be way beyond
my capabilities.

But in 2008 (I believe), I found that same piece of paper filled with
dusk and realized I have already achieved that. I remembered my tears
started to drip of my cheek.

I'm going to do these 2 test right after my coaching call with Karen.

You'll find the above helpful.

Cheers,
Kian

Social Skills That Build Instant Rapport

2010-10-22T16:17:00.001-07:00

I just can't say it enough... The best way to
succeed in building social skill is to learn from
"THE MASTERS"

... men and women whose mind-blowing success seems
NATURAL and EFFORTLESS are because they practice
the social socials every single time and the skills
that seems unnatural and tough became natural and
effortless.

It's about doing something conciously until it seeps
into our subconcious.

That's why I'm VERY excited to share a MAJOR
announcement with you today... that I'm going to test
this out myself.

This is what I'm going to do. This might be a life
changing experience for me and I'm going to make it
happen no matter what. And most importantly, I want
you to join me.

Here I listed down 7 of the total 21 powerful and proven
social skills that build instant rapport regardless of
whether you're in a networking event or having a small
talk one on one with stranger.

Obviously, I don't make up these skills. I study,
learned and research these skills from the MASTERS of
COMMUNICATION like Leil Lowndes, Debra Fine, Dale Carnegie,
Jill Spiegel, and many others.

The following 7 social skills that I'm focusing on
this week are:

1) "Hello, Old Friend" - assuming a new person you are
meeting as old friends

2) Pre use the word "We", "Us" and "Our" replacing "You",
"Your" or "I" to create instant connection

3) Listen and mimick the words being used by the person,
whom we are talking to. (eg. if she used the word "chalet"
instead of "cabin"... then use the words when responding to
her)

4) When meeting someone for the very first time and if
received a cold hand shake, perhaps we can try to say "I don't
quite get it, can we try again" while extending our hand.

5) Use right eyes to gaze deep into the right eye of the person
who we are talking to. That's call soul gazing.

6) When someone is telling a story.... listen attentively by
twisting our head slightly to the left to indicate interest.

7) Create body contact, by doing "high five". And one of the best
way is lifting our right/left hand and look away from the person
and awaits the clap.

I'll continue the remaining 14 socials which I would practice
conciously for the next 90 days and share with you the impact
of doing that.

If you are reading this now, then... that's an indication that
perhaps we should be doing this together.

Have fun!!

Cheers,
Kian

Happiness Hypothesis

2010-10-21T01:58:00.001-07:00

I was a backup speaker on October 20th at GGTM Club meeting. I received an e-mail requesting me to fill the spot of an absence speaker. My mind shouted to me "Kian, Never Turn Down Stage Time!!", a lesson I learned from Darren La Croix, the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking.

And I came in the meeting and presented this:

Techniques applied are:
1) Bring audience into the scene (eg. if you were to sit beside my mum.....)
2) Let me message told by 3rd party or a "Guru" (eg. my mum gave me the message and I'm not the one giving the message, so audience would trust my mum's message)
3) Structure are similar to Craig Valentine speech for practice purpose only
4) Suspense build in at opening (eg. mentioning about 9:40 am on a Thursday morning, April 2008.... )
5) Ask metaphorical question (eg. If I were to ask you.... answer A and answer B, then...)

Improvement:
1)Walk in and out of the stage with confidence and do not hunge
2) Use the word "growth" or "grow" replacing "progress" (a word change might means a lot to different culture)
3) Control the energy level and tame the butterflies
4) To inject charisma, reduce the "smiley" face
5) Movement on stage and playing roles could be further imrpove (eg. when playing Alex.. .stay on right and when playing myself, stay on the left side of the room)
6) Pause to allow audience to either response or to allow audience to think

Cheers,
Kian

Corporate Asian American Employee Network (CAAEN) Annual Event 2010

2010-10-11T18:22:00.000-07:00

It was 7:45pm on a Friday night, October 8th 2010, 6 top executives and young professionals gathered at the Safeway auditorium at Pleasanton for the CAAEN 2010 Annual Event with this year's theme "Inspirational Ladership Affecting Positive Change".

It's a question and answer session with 6 senior executives from start-up companies to public listed entities. Several take-aways that I got from this meeting are as follows:

1) Use metaphors to illustrate your point
One of the executive who make every single point with a metaphor and it sticks in my mind so vividly. He definitely out performed the 5 other executives in the way he presented his answers.

2) Use the word "We" instead of "You"
One of the executives responded questions with many words using you should do that, you should do this, your manager should do this and that..... I found it rather annoying as it's a general human nature that we do not like to be directed.

So I improvised, that maybe if we use the word "We" should do this and that... it will create rapport with audiene.

3) Breath of knowledge
One executive probably over 50 years old who doesn't seem to be tech savvy... was talking about facebook and amazon kindle. I almost couldn't believe it!! But he make a good point of reading through Amazon Kindle, you'll have thousands of books in one location and you can browse through them quickily.

I recalled my Senior Business Leader (Judy Fong) once told me that we need to read in breath to widen our knowledge and not solely focus on one or two topic of interest. This will enable us to be able to blend in and converse with others in a social or networking setting.

My conclusion, I'm getting an Amazon Kindle and subscribing to Business Week and few others magazines.

While these are the top 3 learning points I inferred from the meeting, they obviously talked and discussed on various topics on innovation, communication, managing change and leadership.

Overall an good 2 hours seminars that went by like a flash of lights.

Cheers,
Kian

Dreams Are Not For Sale

2010-10-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

I recently researched couple of techniques of public speaking and find that Craig Valentine (1999 World Champion International Speech Contest Toastmasters) had a distinctive speaking skills that are easy to follow.

Here is one of his leadership speech:

The messages are even more powerful:

1) Dream Are Not For Sale
2) What getting your way between you and your dream is .... good
3) Are you too good to be great?
4) The enemy of great is good

Cheers,
Kian

Be The Best Of Yourself

2010-10-07T23:57:00.000-07:00

At the Division E Humorous Speech Contest October 7, 2010, I went up and presented this:

[opening – stay at back of the stage, have friendly eyes and smile – take a deep breath]

If I were to ask you…… [paused - smile]
Have you ever try to impress … a giirrl?

Or…. A man? (deep voice).

I bet all of you will say… “Yes”

I don’t want to brag or anything… when I approach and talked to her for the very first time, she say…. (act proud…..paused)
“What A Loser” [hand pointing myself - paused]

It was 6:45 on a Thursday morning, I went up to the 7th floor

I grab my coffee cup strolled down to the kitchen.

At the kitchen sink

I felt (paused) it was warmed.
I noticed the air-conditioned was turned off.
the kitchen was dimly lit and….. (paused)
I look right and left and ……….there was no one in the office.

Suddenly, I heard [hand on ears] “Click”, “Click” x4 [increase volume].
Sound of sharp & pointy footstep approaching me.
The sound became louder and louder and it stopped.

I turned around (360’ turn) and I saw (paused – look at audience, look at Jess and look at audience & both hand shaking),

“It was Jessica!!” [smile facial]

I gazed right into her eyes……. [2 fingers]
And she looked back at mine [2 fingers]
Eye balls to eye balls….. [hand], like butterfly wings clapping against each other.

If you ever met Jessica in person, you’ll agree with me…..
“There is something about….. [hand up] high heels” (paused)

Finally believe there is…... (paused)
“Love At First Sight”

If I’m am Romeo in the office, Jessica is my Juliet. I never had a chance to talk to her because she worked in different department.

While I have many secret crushes on my female colleagues, she made it to my Top 5 “G-I-P” list………… “Girlfriend In Progress”

She walked closer and closer, right next to me and joining me at the kitchen sink washing her plates.

I was washing my cup and she was washing her plates.
I felt like were husband and wife playing with the dishes (paused & hand washing)

Her elbow accidentally touches mine, and (paused & hand on chest 3 times)

She activated my heart rate and my heart pounded so loudly. For that second, I was thinking (look up)…..

“Is she trying to seduce (slower) me….. in the kitchen (low tone)”

Suddenly a monstrous voice creeps [2 hands out 5] out of my brain, and says… “Kian!! (high volume & paused) Go for it! Go for the girl you always wanted”

With blush on my face, I tilted my head to Jessica and with my trembling voice, I say ….. (paused) “Do you want more soap?”

I was met with silence.
If you were there, you can see her eyes were telling me…… “What a Loser?”

She nodded her head, looks back and stormed away. She ended our one and only romantic experience.

The word “Loser” hovers in my brain for the rest of the day and weeks. I never made my second attempt to approach Jessica.

There is something I never tell you… I’m my mummy’s boy. “Mum! Mum! I’m giving up on Jessica. I think I have an inferiority complex syndrome.

My mum looked up at me with her big brown eyes and says…
“No, Kian… you don’t have inferiority complex syndrome…”

“You are inferior!” (she was kidding).

If you sit beside my mum, just a few minutes later in the black leather sofa, chocolate chip cookies baking behind the scene, you’ll heard her say something that will absolutely change your life.

I know it changed mine.

She say…. “Kian, if you cast a sight on a girl that you’re really interested in, disregard the fear of rejection and persistent until her heart melted. Go for it!! Give you best shot You Know You Have Make The Best Of Yourself!!

With my mum wisdom behind my head, I stormed into the office, confident, firm, bold and I want to show her the man I’m meant to be. I walk right into her cubicle, look into her eyes…. And say

(looks change to timid)

“Call me, urgent”
Kian: “Hello”
Jess: “Hi, this is Jessica”
Kian: “huh!!….. Jessica”
Jess: “Who is this? Is this Kian?”
Kian: [eyes look at left audience] “No, No….. Can you hold?”

[jump up and dance]

Kian: “Yes? [deep tone] Ohhh…..… Jes-si-ca…, Dinner on Saturday at 7pm?”

Kian: “Hold on, let me check my schedule”
[brush my hair, eye brow, adjust my tie & look right to the floor and Elvis Presley style]

Kian: “How about… (paused) 7:15pm?” Our first date went on superbly well.

Ladies and gentlemen,

My message is simple – “Make The Best Of Yourself”

Jessica is our goal, mission or dream in life.

When gazed at me and say “What A Loser”
- are judgment from friends, colleagues and families.

The inferiority complex that was developed within me are often self inflicted obstacles. Judgment comes when we tried to impress.

To stretch out and achieve your dream, embrace the judgment…. And Go for it….. because, when you do you know you have make the best of yourself.

--- End of Speech ---

Cheers,
Kian

Take backs from Division Contest

2010-10-07T23:43:00.001-07:00

I walked into the room of 60 people and presented my revised Contest Speech.
Result came out that I was not place but nevertheless, the lessons learned were massive.

Here are the key lessons:

1) End your speech with confidence (after giving the speech, the way I walked out of the speaking areas is important as the judge had not cast a vote yet. So, if I walked out and show sign of uncertainty and I missed something, that will give the judges a second thoughts)

2) Position the same person/furniture at the same spot

3) Perhaps... the topic on relationship (guys getting girls and girls getting guys) are too common topic and easy to build laughter). Use more original topic

4) Start with a premise or foundational phrase with less than 10 words and build story and humor around it

5) Enunciation and voice articulation/projection to the end of the room

My strengths are:

1) Open with question that build rapport

Original: "Have you ever try to impressed a girl?"
Revised: "If I were to ask you... have you ever try to impress a girl? or a man? I bet you'll say yes!"

2) Bring audience to the scene and use a different character to communicate the message instead of yourself to build creditability

Revised: If you were to sit next to my mum at the comfy black leather couch, with chocolate chip cookies baking behind the scene, you'll have heard her say something that changes your life. I know it changes mine. She says... "Kian, ......"

3) Use metaphorical items to convey your speech message
Jessica = Goal, Mission and Dream
"What a loser" = challenges, obstacles and judgment that separate us and our dream

I'll post my revised Contest speech in the next posting.

Cheers,
Kian

It's on YouTube

2010-10-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

My friend recorded my speech and posted on YouTube:

Another learning - there was more chuckle here in front of 4 friends, than the room of 7 the last time I presented. So.... it's not the people.. it's me!!

Here I realized I'm more conversational because it's less intimidating.

Kian

Learning From Rehearsing My Contest Speech

2010-10-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

It was 6:45am on a Tuesday morning, I walked into a room of 5 audiences, few of them were introducing themselves, and the room was still dimly lit. A woman walked in and turn on all the lights.

I greeted her, "Good morning, Melissa. Thanks for letting me rehearse my speech your Club". Few minutes later, my name was called upon and I began giving this speech:

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/d67995df0c2388863000bde8730d31f2/video/18827740

I bombed this at the Club. It was early morning and no ones is laughing. But I got a good lesson from this:

(1) Building Audience Rapport

I felt that I jumped in to the speech presentation with too much energy. At 7:00am, energy is low and people are warming up. So, I guess the best way to build rapport is to warm up with the audience, before I go on to a full blown speech.

Audience must be thinking..... "Why is this guy sooo... ENTHUSIASTIC!!!" :)

A mistake I will take note the very next time.

(2) Tell A Story NOT a Canned Speech

I rehearsed this speech so many times, that I could remember at the back of my head every word and where to pace throughout the speech. That's why everyone realized this is a canned speech.

Jeffrey evaluated me and provided me a good feedback. Change your speech a little here and there to regain freshness in your speech. Here are some of his recommendation:
- use "hip touches" instead of "elbow"
- change location from office kitchen to home kitchen
- character Jessica to Rebbecca

I recently listen to Ed Tate's speech and he mentioned about re-"live" the incident. Now I finally realized 2 things:

(i) what he meant when he say re-"live" the incident because that's the only way to regain freshness in the mind of the speaker and audiences.

(ii)what went wrong in my previous 2009 Division Humorous Speech Contest. I recalled now that I wasn't prepared for my Club and Area Contests but I was too prepared for my Division contest... maybe (I'm not 100% sure) that the reason why I was 2nd in the contest.

(3) Think About How To Make It Great

As many speakers do (and myself).... I felt in love with my speech. Some great recommendations to change my script were provided and initially I somewhat listen to critics and constructive feedback but I found it's a little difficult for me to change it cos...... I felt in love with my speech.... and there is a slight reluctance to amend the speech.

But I'll try to make good speech better... by testing and amending.

I wish I have time to make changes to my script so I'll be all ready for the upcoming Division E Humorous Speech Contest 2010 this coming Thursday (October 7th).

Cheers,
Kian

Area E5 Humorous Speech Contest - "A Second Chance"

2010-09-27T19:19:00.001-07:00

Here is my Area Contest Winning Speech:

[opening – stay at back of the stage, have friendly eyes and smile – take a deep breath]

Have you ever try to impress a girl? And she thought … you’re a clown. [hand pointing myself]. That was me last week.

It was 6:00am in the morning; the sky [hand up] was still dark. I drove my car in to the parking garage and went up to the 7th floor. On my right hand side was piles of papers and in front my computer was a yellow post-it note… which says “Breakfast For Champions [2 hand up] – Cranberry Oatmeal [hand down]!!”

As usual, I made my cranberries oatmeal for breakfast. After finishing breakfast, I strolled to the kitchen sink to wash my cup. It was rather warm and I noticed the air conditioned was turned off. There is no one around.

Suddenly, I heard “Click”, “Clock” x3 [increase volume]. The footstep becomes louder and louder as it approaches me and it comes to a complete silence. I turned around (360’ turn) and I saw (paused),

“It was Jessica!!” Me and her and………….. no one else.

She looked at me (paused), and I looked at her (paused)… and our eyes met each other right in the middle [hand], like butterfly wings clapping against each other.

Jessica was my dream-girl in the office. I never had a chance to talk to her because she worked in the legal dept [small] and I worked in admin dept [big] accounting. I hold grudge on my mum for not sending me to the law school.

If Jessica is on yelp, I would rate her ....(paused) 10.5.

While I have many secret crushes on my female colleagues, she made it to my Top 5 “G-I-P” list………… “Girlfriend In Progress”

She walked closer to the kitchen sink, right next to me and joined me at the kitchen basin washing her plates.

I was washing my cup and she was washing her plates. I felt like were husband and wife playing with the dishes (paused)

Her elbow accidentally touches mine, and a thought came up [look at sky with hand up], "Is she trying to seduce me?" OR [I couldn’t believe (paused) how smooth…… it was. She activated my heart rate and my heart started [hand hit chest] pound…. louder and louder. I was afraid she could hear… my heartbeat.]

Suddenly a strong deep voice creeps [2 hands out 5] out of my brain, and says… “Kian!! (high volume & paused) You, ought to say something!”

I tilted my head to Jessica and I say (paused) “Do you need more soap?”

I was met with silence.

I meant....... ‘How’s your weekend?”

She looked at me like I’m strange.

She replied “Do you realize it already Thursday?”
She politely continued…. “You meant last week? I went jungle trekking.”

In my mind I thought, “Jungle trekking? If I truly wanted nature, I watched the animal planet”

But to impress her, I say…… “Jungle trekking!! I love jungle trekking” [body lean over]

I didn’t realize my body [stressed on the word – move body] was too excited for her (paused).

I invaded her privacy of her space.
She nodded her head, looks back and stormed away.

“OMG!! Jessica, left me…. She ended our 2 minute romantic experience. We were so close at one time…. And now, I missed my only chance, my only chance… to impress her.

I bombed it!!

I reassessed my life, there are many chances that were presented to me in my life but I totally blew it…. One after another.

As I recalled my memory, 8 years ago, I was working with a Top public accounting firm, with good prospect and career advancement. My boss loves me, like my love for “Jessica”, he cares for me, like good shepherd caring for a wounded lamb – I’m the lamb.

One day, I walked to my boss’s office and handed him a letter. He striped opened the letter and I was met with complete silence.

A minute later, he shouted, “Kian, you’re not leaving us! I won’t accept that!!” [action on holding back the letter]

I hold my resignation letter in my hand [head up]
and I think….. (paused) Is that legal? (tonality)

But my point is, my boss gave me (paused) A Second Chance but I did not take it.

So, yesterday, when I was walking home, reminiscing my old memories, a melodic tone vibrates on my right thigh…. [hand on thigh]

Volume burst out of my pocket.

I took out my phone and saw an unknown caller. I answered…..

Kian: “Hello”
Jess: “Hi, this is Jessica”
Kian: “huh!!….. Jessica”
Jess: “Who is this? Is this Kian?”
Kian: [eyes look at left audience] “No, No….. Can you hold?”

[jump up and dance]

Kian: “Yes? [deep tone] Ohhh…..… Jes-si-ca…, Dinner on Saturday at 7pm?”

Kian: “Hold on, let me check my schedule”
[brush my hair, eye brow, adjust my tie & look right to the floor and Elvis Presley style]

Kian: “How about… (paused) 7:15pm?”

Ladies and gentlemen, do you know what I fear [eye frowned], what will happen this Saturday? Will I make myself a clown again or will I kill it!!

I might walk into the restaurant with my heart pounding so loudly and met again with a deafening silence…… but if never try, I’ll never know.

While there is no second chance to make a first impression, there is always a second chance, if only we take, just a little more risk...… on that next step.

How To Craft A Winning Humorous Speech?

2010-09-06T18:01:00.000-07:00

I spent my entire labor day to analyzing the Division Humorous Speeches, funny International Speeches and some World Champion Speeches.

I then re-look at some of the similarity and what are the differences and effectiveness in creating laughter from the audience. I also analyzed the structure of the speeches to see which are somewhat more effective despite lack of laughter presence.

Here are several techniques, I will use to craft my upcoming Area Humorous Speech Contest:

1) Opening - build suspense and must have a "Wow" factor (eg. Darren LaCroix speech titled "Ouch!" when he fall on his face and stay there)

2) Conclusion - tied in conclusion to the opening (it will be effective if we could end with body language with no words)

3) Structure of the speech - Use metaphorical structure (eg. Talk about hole in a pants while hiking the jungle - the meaning pants is what we use to cover up our self image, the hole is our weaknesses and the jungle is the environment around us). This will lead the audiences, laughter after laughter and eventually realized what are the final messages from the speaker.

4) Repeaters with a tagline. Use repeaters 3-4 times throughout the speech to make the audience remember your speech. (Eg. "It's okay, it's allright, let move on", "Ouch!!" etc)

5) A speech will be ideal to comprise laughter (indicating happiness) and sadness (evoke emotions). If we can change/switch the moods of the audiences in a short 5-7 minutes speech, the speech will be impactful.

6) Use humors. Here are couple of effective humor techniques that could be use in every speeches:
(a) acronym (eg. Honda CRV - cancer removing vehicle, NFL - no friend left)
(b) words (eg. will she accepts or will she gives me a slap (almost like a triad), that girl become my wife, that wife become my master (the word "wife"), i think too much, worry to much, ultimately, do nothing much (self depreciating), I'm using the "Ninja" style, I thot I was "Zorro" (character), yes i understood, in fact i stood like a deadwood (the word "wood"), "You're fired" (Donald Trump - character jokes)
(c) use animal (metaphorical jokes) - zebra female and male zebra become baby zebra, lion is like a car, if I upgrade my car, the lion became bigger

Once I crafted my Area Contest Humorous Speech (hopefully be this week), I will post it here the very next time.

Hope the above are helpful hints and definitely a good reminder for myself.

Regards,
Kian

7 Things You Need To Do When The Stock Market Crash (Must Read!!)

2010-09-06T17:29:00.000-07:00

Hey there....

I recently received couple of e-mails from several newsletters that I had subscribed to and all of them are talking about the coming Stock Market Crash and potentially a bigger crash than in 2008!!

Here is a video from Tony Robbin alerting it's subscribers:

http://business.tonyrobbins.com/

Tony details 7 things that you can do to right now in his video clip (August 2010 archive)

No one knows if this is gonna be real but better be prepare than sorry.

Here is what I get from the Tony's video:
1) In Tony's message it talks about using ETF (Exchange Traded Funds) to profit from an expected market downfall. I believe Tony is talking about inverse ETF which increases in value when the market falls. It goes the sort of opposite direction of the market, but not a long term investment strategy to adopt.

2) It also talks about Sir John Templeton, which is a legendary investors who became billionaire by buying penny stocks, way before Warren Buffets or similar investors started to became well known. So, perhaps, it's worth checking out some penny stocks tips from different websites.

3) If market is expected to go down, options might be a good way to profit. But learning option trading is another huge topic by itself.

Unless, you knows or are willing to perform some research (ie. get educated) on buying/selling ETF, penny stocks or option, the safe bet is to redraw investment out of the market completely.

I'm not a professional investor and neither an I a frequent trader, the above is just my thoughts from Tony's message.

Cheers,
Kian
PS: Just for information only here are the 3 Signs of The Coming Stock Apocalypse

Connect, Communicate, Create

2010-09-02T23:07:00.000-07:00

"It's not hard to like someone once you know their story." Mr. Rogers

Few weeks ago, I was down at Marina District in San Francisco attending a Marketing Event called "Story Telling" on how to craft your own story.

There are 5 questions we need to ask ourselves before we write our own story. These 5 questions are important because they cover all aspects from different perspectives.

Here you go...

1) What do you have to offer? (ie. what's so special about you and what's so different)

2) What do you do of value?

3) How do you do it? (ie. in what way could you add value, or it your plan had a "wow" factor)

4) Why is what you do important to your client?

5) What is memorable about you and your company?

If you combined all of the 5 answers, you'll get your own story with a compelling marketing message.

Come to think about it, I do have a speech about "Crafting Your Own Story". It's only 7 minutes and you could be entertain by this short speech.

Humorous Speech Contest Aug 26th, 2010

2010-08-26T00:32:00.000-07:00

On August 26th, 2010, at 5:30pm I thought of making a phone call that I'll probably regret for the rest the week. I thought of calling Debra Bradley, our contest chair for the Humorous & Evaluation Contest that I won't be able to make it for the Contest.

I arrived 25 mins late but lucky me, the Humorous Contest that I've signed up for only began the 2nd half of the meeting. After the first 2 speakers presented, I went on and presented my Humorous Speech, a speech that I prepared about 2 hours before the meeting, including the driving time from Foster City to downtown San Francisco.

When I was at the Club, I felt so bad... and that the thoughts came up .. "Wish I had more time..... "

The winner was announced and "Yes!!", I'm the CHAMPION at my Club Contest!! I thought of winning many times in my mind, but I never thought that I could make it this time cos of 2 hours preparation!!

Nevertheless, I made it. The lesson learned, never prepare last minute!! I promised my Club, I will make a better speech for the Area Contest.

But... frankly, 80% of winning attitude is to show up at the Contest. Am I the best speaker at the Club? No... definitely not and far from it!! 2 other speakers who had signed up, pulled out and few other International Speakers participants, did not enrolled in the contest. Regardless of what the reasons are, by merely showing up at the contest (despite late :)), I'm, already a winner, so as other speakers that evening.

But the other thing I realized, is that it is not 2 hours of preparation that got me to win the contest. It's the hours and hours of preparation I've spent when I started my Toastmasters Journey way back in 2003. I remembered spending 12 hours preparing for my 1st speech, 8 hours for my 2nd speech and countless hours attending Club meetings after meetings..... that eventually pay-off.

Every time we invest time in learning something... we are putting money in our Bank. So, don't think of time wasted and no return. It's an upfront cost that will yield tremendous benefit in the long run.

While there are still a lot more I could learned and improved on my communication skills, I now feel, I appreciate more of the hard works that had been put in.

Being an Asian, with thick Asian-accent and winning a Humorous Contest in United States is no laughing matter. Today, I pat my shoulder and say..... "I deserved a rest".

If you have did something, no matter how big or small it is... pad your back and tell yourself "You deserved it!!"

Tomorrow I'm heading off to Santa Barbara for my Triathlon Race on Saturday. This will be my first official triathlon (1 mile swim, 33 miles bike and 9 miles run).

Here is my 1st speech at Golden Gate Toastmaster Club.

Kian

Crunch Make Me Cry

2010-08-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

Howdy!!

Hope all is going well. It had been a while since I blog. But there are soo.... much going on in life that I forget that I need to "pause" and take a look at myself. Perhaps, some reflection of my life!! :)

It was sometime last week, I walked into "The Republic", a classic American bar & grill located at the prime Marina district in San Francisco. I was there with the meetup group, where Suzanna & Erin shared their thoughts on "Story Telling.... How To Market Yourself". I'd not only benefited from the 2 hours experience but I also bumped into Brianna & Vinny, 2 of my TNT team mates during Winter Season.

Everything in lifes happen for a reason, and there is something bigger that brought me to this event. In this event, I was introduced to Stephanie's "Breathwork" session at The Crunch, a crunchy & sporty gym outlet located at Union Street.

The next Saturday, I got myself a "FREE" pass and went for Stephanie's 45 mins breathwork session. I don't even know why I was there for!!

There....... I had a breakthrough!! A pretty amazing breakthrough, I would say!!

With only 2 steps breathing techniques for 45 mins, I was vibrating on the floor of the studio. The feeling of vibration and being electrocutes on my fingers, palms, arms and then my thighs. When I continued the breathing technique, I felt I breath even harder and tears started to flow down my cheeks... In less than few seconds, I was crying like a baby on the airplane.

No joke, it just came!! I don't even know why I'm crying!! Both my hands and legs were vibrating and I could totally feel them lifting off the floor.

But, why the vibrations? As I understand, the more I breathed, the more oxygens I took in. Therefore, the cells in my body started to spins and created the vibration effect.. think it's called "Energy"!!!!

But, why do I cry? :( ...... Until the last few minutes of the session, I realized, why I'm crying. :) I remembered during the session, I asked myself this question.

Why do I cry? And I responded to myself. I now know why I cried. Once I realized it, my tears kept pouring down my cheeck and I was sobbing!! :(

Then, I started asking myself the 2nd question. Does this matter to me 5 years or 10 years from now?

In that moment, I stopped crying, and my breathing regain it normalcy. I started to calm down.... It took me extra 10-15 mins before I opened my eyes and slowly walked out of the studio. I chatted with Stephanie and other breathworkers and we all shared our experiences. It was an amazing experience!!

I was more focussed and I can feel my mind clearer after the session.

Hhmmm.... isn't this amazing?!? But, what does this means to you

With no expectation, from a networking event, I met 2 friends, whom I had never met since our last training and to a totally unrelated, breathwork session.

Since, I have such a wonderful experience, I will re-visit Crunch Gym again this week. Who knows, what's the next "breakthrough" or "emotions" I'll have this very next time.

Perhaps, you should also give it a try. If you're curious of what breathwork is all about..... you can google it or if there's a Crunch near your place, you can check out if they have the same session. Get a FREE pass and visit www.crunch.com.

Who know's, this might be your next breakthrough!! :)

Have a splashing week!!

Kian

My new list

2009-04-29T23:08:00.000-07:00

I have to jot these down before I lost them in the piles of paper I have on my table. That's the fun part of blogging.

Here are additional recommendations that I've comes across which are highly recommended in your reading list.

It's probably too overwhelming if you are not a "read book" junky! I konw I am.

In fact in the last 2-3 months, I covered over 7 books that I have listed in my blog - somewhere.

Here are additional 5 books which will literally sky rocket your understanding. These recommendations will help you think big, get things done, influence and leading people.

Let me tell you what these 5 recommendations are not.

They are NOT fiction.
They are NOT make up stories.
They are NOT books that I walked into Borders or any bookstores for that matters and simply pick them.
They are NOT the mainstream books (b'cos I don't recall seeing any one of these books in a clearly display shelves in the bookstores).

But let me tell you what they are.

They are books that are recommended by top marketers. These are the exacts books top marketers and millionaire used to sky rocket their business.

I'm not top marketer and neither a millionaire, but when these people recommend something, I listen. Being open-minded and willing to listen have always been my philosophy in whatever I do.

But of course, everyone have to prioritize what is important to them, whether to read this book now or do other stuff or to do begin doing & applying what you read or simply just spending leisure time reading. Either ones you choose, I personally think it's fine as long as it makes you happy.

The most important thing is that you must enjoy it.

Here are the 5 recommendation tonight:
1. Think Big Manifesto by Michael Port
2. Becoming A Person of Influence - John C. Maxwell & someone
3. How to Have Power & Confident In Dealing With People - Leslie Giblin
4. Get Things Done - David Allen
5. Yes, [couldn't recall] by Robert Cialdini (you can google Robert Cialdini & you'll find the title.

If you are motivated enough, you'll find these books for your reading pleasure.

Have a nice evening!!

Best regards,
Kian

Busy Months.... Really??

2009-04-17T01:04:00.000-07:00

I had been rather busy these few weeks. Just started my day job at Visa. Wake up 6am every morning, walk to shuttle station takes 20 mins (one-way), and shuttle itself takes another 45 mins to reach Visa at Foster City.

Long travel!! Really long travel!! But it's a blessing as I don't need to drive and I got to exercise for 40 mins everyday!!. Isn't it amazing??

Then, I think for a while. The same situation might be happening to someone else. I meant, there are many people who are like me. Their job requires them to travel 45 mins to 1 hours to work every single day.

But some complains about it but others say it's a blessing!! I chose to be the latter one.

It all boils down to which perspectives you are looking at. It does eat up the time you need to spend with your family, hobbies etc. But I decided to make full use of it. Here are what I included in my daily routine:

1. Every 20 mins walk to the shuttle station, I spent time with myself. I think of how grateful my life is every single day. No kidding!!

2. In the bus, I read, read and read. Ok, occasionally I felt asleep... what do you expect, waking up at 6am everyday!!

3. Every 20 mins walk to my home, I spent visualizing what I want. I know this sounds like "Law of Attraction" thingy. But I felt really happy and enjoyable doing that. So, who cares? I choose to do what I enjoy.

So, no matter what situation you are in. There is always a good side of it. You just have to find it. If you find yourself "busy", find ways to distort time.

If you find yourself "trapped", find ways to unlock that conflict within you. If you couldn't find the answer to your challenge, post it here and I believe someone else with higher purpose will help you solve yours.

Ask and you shall receive.

Happy Reading!! It's 1:15am (Thursday night.. I meant Friday morning) and I have to work today. So, talk soon.

Cheers,
Kian

Today I Met Robert.....

2009-02-06T14:04:00.000-08:00

Feb 6, 2009..... I walked into the new Peet's Coffee at the corner of Van Ness & Bush St in San Francisco looking for my favorite "Hot Chocolate" drink.

Something caught my eyes... when I walked in... it's a book written by Deepak Chopra. I didn't quite catch the title, but I know there is a large print of the author's name, Deepak Chopra. It was Robert who is reading the book.

Somehow, something happened and it sparks a conversation between Robert & I. In less than few minutes after I ordered my drink, we were talking to each other at his coffee table. Robert is "somebody" but I don't know who exactly he is. He called himself a life coach, an author and a speaker. He was on stage with Robert Kiyosaki speaking to over 7,000 ppl and he's the person who attended or help arranged for Tony Robbin's wedding. Robert is probably at his 60s...

I could totally feel that he's a man of deep insight and deep spiritual beliefs. We chat about casual cultural differences in Malaysia, Singapore, China and India. I also get to know more about Robert and his business around the world.

Before I left his table back to mine, I asked him again the same question I'll asked someone that I think I could connect with.... that is "Robert, if there is only one book that I should read, what would it be?".

Phew..... so, he gave me not 1, not 2 and not 3.. but 7 series!!! (No kidding). If you want to know what this wise spiritual being recommend me, then read on.

Of course, most of the books he recommends will be of spiritual in nature and just in case you are not that type, I want to let you know that it will also help you in someway. Because, Robert says.... "Mind + Force = Ego" and most books out there are of mind, and less of being.

So, there are the list of books of "being" that Robert recommended:

1. Psycho Cybernetics
2. Think & Grow Rich
3. The Dynamics Law Of Prosperity (Catherine Ponder) and it's entire series
4. The Power Of Now & The New Earth (Erhart Tolle)
5. Power Vs Force & Transcending Level Of Consciousness (David Hawkins)
6. Conversation With God (3 of them!!)
7. The Play Of Consciousness (Babamuktanada from www.syddhafoundation.org)

If you finishes these books, you'll have many "Ah-Ha" moments, understand why Obama was elected and not Hilary Clinton and simply understands more about yourself and being.

Enjoy and have fun!!

Cheers,
Kian

2009-01-28T22:01:00.000-08:00

Today I went to Toastmasters Meeting at the 1 Sansome Street. It's called the Golden Gate Toastmasters Club.

35 attendees!!! It's no kidding. This is one of the largest crowd (if not the largest) attendees in any TM meeting in Bay Area!! But it's not entirely surprising because I think it's the 2nd oldest TM Club in the world!!

Today, I witnessed 3 speeches and all are rather inspiring but one of the speech really go above and beyond. It's speech presented by Michael. I think the speech title is "Changing Mind".

In the speech, Michael shared 3 stories and 3 lessons. Lets jump straight to the lesson.

1. Everything You Do Matters

The moment you switch on the TV, open up the e-mail or using any of your 5 senses, the wiring system in your brain changes and it repeats itself. That's how addictive bad or good behavior repeats in a pattern form.

2. Your Brain Is Changing

Knows that it's capable of everything and anything that you could ever imagine. It'll evolved and adapt if you keep training it.

3. Life Is Shape By Your Mind

The Law Of Attraction......

After the end of the meeting, I walked over to Michael and congratulate him and asked him 1 question.

"If you could recommend me 1 book to read, what would it be?"

Michael responded......
"The Brain That Changes Itself" authored by........ (to find out)

For someone who could give such inspiring speech, I guess it must be a great book.

I'll pick it up from the library.

To all... have a pleasant week!!

Cheers,
Kian
PS: If you like the post, please drop a line and give some of your comment.

The Psychology Influence of Persuasion

2009-01-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

I just completed one of the Top 10 Books In My 2009 List - The Psychology Influence of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini.

This is a classic book that I think all marketers around the world should be reading. And, I'm not the only one who said that. Even Journal of Marketing Research says...

"For marketers, this book is among the most important books written in the last ten years!!"

This is a no nonsense book. Here is what briefly entailed in the book & what I've learned with respect to the principles of persuasion:

1)Expensive = Good - Use to overcome the stereotype, who thinks expensive means good quality (So, who says, we should sell ourselves down or in business compete on price!!)

2) Contrast principle - Sell the high price item first, because when it comes to selling low price item later, it will not seems as high, in comparison (applicable in selling real estate by introducing expensive inflated run-down houses before presenting the actual house for sale, clothing and even automobiles, and also applicable reduce your parent's anger when you fail your exam - yes, it's on page16, attractive women magazines rated lower)

3) Law of reciprocation - get yourself a coke & get one for your friend too, free sample, offer coke then raffles tickets for sale, returning favors,

4) The power of the word "Because" when asking for favor

5) Rejection & re-treat techniques (submitting high proposal & lowering it down later)

6)Commitment & Consistency (Greet everyone with this.... "How are you feeling today?", and everything following the reply will be consistent, responsibilities when requested, consistency by action taken, how toy manufacturer get you to buy again after the Christmas or New Year season even after you've exhausted your budget for your children, how American POW claimed Communist is better, Amway "writing it down principles", public commitment = lasting commitment, lowball techniques)

7) Social proof (Canned laughter, watching group of peers reacting in a movie, influence by ppl just like you, courtroom, pluralistic ignorance phenomenon on the Catherine Genovese's story where she was attacked & stab 3 separate attack over 35 minutes watched by 38 respectable law abiding citizen but no one take action to call the policy, direct responsibility will get ppl to do the things he need to do, imitating behaviour of ppl just like you, the influence of headline story in newspaper on car & plane crash - calle dthe Werther effect

8) The Friendly Thief principles - physical attraction similarity in are of opinions, personality traits, background, or life-style & that explain why conjoint efforts toward common goals bridged rancorous rift between groups, weatherman pay price for nature curve ball due to the power of association, the use of word "We" and "They" changes to avoid association with public image)

9) Authority principles (Milgram's shock test 450-volt shock to audience, Dressing - clothes & trapping, Title (such as Dr., Judge, Professor or Commissioner, 12% daily-medication error happens given US Helaht Care Fianncing Administration estimate,

10) Law of Scarcity (rebellious action such as Romeo & Juliet and how the couple's feelings & devotion develop so quickily, also why young women date old man, how competition drive scarcity, psychoogical reactance words such as "censored, restricted availability, rare, banned, exclusivity", scare-supply news are not generally available information, ABC's Barry Biller (commonly known as the "miracle mogul" in the TV and motion-picture industry pay USD1 million for learning this principle, setting 5 appointments for a car sale

These are the 10 things I learned from this book that I could extract out. It's a 300 page book & I could list them all here. So, you can go and get yours at local bookstores.

I'll be back to amend this page for grammar error & to make it easier to read, when I have the time. I felt I remembered more when I write this down and recap it after reading the book. I think I should do this for the next 9 books that I'm going to read this year. So, not only I learned, but the reader of this blog will learn something too... without reading the book. :)

If you like the post, please leave your comment below because I read every comment posted here.

Cheers,
Kian

Creating A "Kick-Butt" Business Online Like Marlon Sanders Has Never Been Easier

Click Here

Top 10 Goals For 2009

2009-01-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

Wow!! It's New Year Day Today.

1st day of 2009.

I guessed it is the trend of doing some goal setting during this time of the year. It's the society which shapes the way we think, how we react and eventually what we do.

Who is there to say that goal setting must be set on the 1st day of the year?!? If you think about it, it could be done everyday and the best, anytime of the year!!

Now... lets penned it down, the achievement to be made in 2009. Here are my brief list:

1. My achievement is enjoying more time with my wife and make her feel happy, certain and grow her self esteem.

2 My achievement is asking better questions to myself, so that I can focus on achieving what I really want in life.

3. My achievement is exercising 3 times a week for better health, mind clarity, physical energy and mental alertness to do what I want to do everyday passionately.

4. My achievement is to run 6 online businesses, creating new sources of income in 2009 that will generate Monthly, Instant and Future Revenue (MIF's Revenue) that requires little of my attention.

5. My achievement is to improve my knowledge in marketing, persuasion, leadership and observation skills and applied them in my daily life.

6. My achievement is to expand my network of friends, colleagues and partners, supporting each other to greater heights in all aspect of life.

7. My achievement is to connect with my inner-self in a deeper manner so that I could be more grateful of what I have in the moment.

8. My achievement is to give a speech in front of 500 audience or more, just for the sake of getting the experience.

9. My achievement is to connect with my family members (parents, sister, aunties, uncles and cousins) through better communication and more frequent contact.

10. My achievement is to find the simplest, fastest and out-of-the-box methods and strategies in everything I do.

Em... I know it, I know it. Some may says it's not specific enough... and I could totally agreed and that's why I say that this is only a brief list. I've a more substantive, precise "achievement for 2009" that I've written.

The fact, is.... not me. But if you so happens to read this blog, you might just want to start writing down your goals/achievements in 2009 regardless of when the time you read this blog.

But... there is something more important. Goals should cover these 6 different areas of our lives... (it's called the "Wheel Of Lives) that are as follows:

a) Physcial
b) Relationship
c) Spirituality
d) Career
e) Finance
f) Emotional

Then, chunk it down into smaller pieces, know why you want to achieved them and what are the action plan for each of these achievements.

Then... only it's called a complete goal for 2009.

Okie... I've to get down to work and if you like what you see or read in this blog, please do share your ideas, goals and dreams here. I would love to hear your feedback and remembers, goals that are not share, often get buried.... communicate it to the world (eg. listing them here in the comment below), will strengthen them and force yourself to commit to it.

Don't worry about what the world is going to say or even judge you, if you did not achieve them. Because I believe, we are accountable to ourselves more than to others.

Your friends, family and colleagues have more things on their plate, busier that ever today then, spending time judging people.

In fact, if they are true friends, family and colleagues, they will even support you, right?!? :)

So, go ahead and give your comment, list and share your goals here.

Have A Splendid And Splashing NEW YEAR!!

Cheers,
Kian

Top 10 Books For Maverick Entrepreneurs

2008-12-28T08:28:00.000-08:00

I'm currently half way through reading the infamous book by Robert Cialdini. Heard about the book for quite a while and have read about the similar content in some of the other books I've purchased. Have also been to a seminar which taught about the content of this book.

But.... not until recently, something pushed me to pick up this book. And, yes!!! I'm now reading it and totally amazed even when I've already read book of similar kind and even been to a seminar covering the same information. The book is "The Psychology Influence of Persuasion". Currently, this book ranked #1 in my list of MUST READ book!!

So, I've decided to compile the top 10 books for maverick entrepreneurs. Here are my picks (some I've personally read it and some I've heard a lot about it but just wanted to pen it down so that I remembered to pick it up one day):

1. The Psychology Influence of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
2. Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins
3. Tested Advertising Method by John Caples
4. How To Make Millions With Your Ideas: An Entrepreneur's Guide by Dan Kennedy
5. Magic Words That Bring Riches by Ted Kennedy
6. The No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs by Dan Kennedy
7. Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins
8. Mind Control Marketing by Mark Joyner
9. Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
10. Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz

I've no doubt that there are more books that I could list here. But as far as becoming an entrepreneur, and if I really have to pick one of the 3 most important skills such as 1) sales & marketing ; 2) management ; and 3) system implementation, I think "Sales & Marketing" ranked #1 and that's why the Top 10 Books I've recommended herein are on this particular topic.

I personally read all the comment on this blog. If you have any other books which you think falls into the Top 10 Books For Maverick Entrepreneurs or any life-changing books, please do share with us. We love to hear from you all.

Kian

PS: Additional add on... to my Top 10 List are as follows:
11. Getting Everything You Can Out Of All You've Got by Jay Abraham
12. Ogilvy On Advertising by David Ogilvy (a legendary classic book on Advertising, might just worth reading)
13. Triggers by Joe Sugarman

My first meditation with Deepak Chopra's chakra meditation CDs

2008-10-27T05:37:00.000-07:00

We were sitting in a lightly dimmed room, where Deepak Chopra's chakra meditation CD was playing behind the scene. There were 7 of us meditating effortlessly guided by the soothing musical. It was a 40 minutes meditation but it feels like 15 minutes.

My first thought come in for a few seconds and then it dissipated. Then, the second thought comes in and it disappeared again. Then the third, fourth, fifth so on and so forth. Each time my thoughts come and go. I recognized them and just stayed focus again and aware of the existence of the thoughts that came in. But during the meditation, one thing struck my mind, how come my goals, dreams and the things I want to achieve did not even once come into or across my mind.

I was thinking at that time, why didn't such thoughts ever crossed my mind in 40 minutes!! Why?? Why?? When I was thinking about this, I was still fully aware of the fact that I'm thinking about this. After the 40 minutes meditation, I'm still thinking what is the possible reasons that could explain why my immediate goals, dreams and things I wished to achieve did not bother me during the meditation.

Is it because my lack of desire? Or, is because, I'm too confident of its achievement. Or, is it because the goals did not bother me at all? Or... perhaps, is it because there are no pressure to achieve these goals and dreams? Could it be the fact that dreams are not time driven, not communicated or because of my lack of focus?

I'm still searching for the elusive answers. Or.. maybe there are no answers to the question.

Just thoughts. :)

We all gathered together to watch a powerful touching movie called "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay. To share with everyone, here are the 5 things I've learned from the movie in a nutshell:

1) To change your life, you must first change your thinking

If you start to change your surrounding by changing the mechanics, it won't works. Then the host bring in a good point, that if you keep cleaning the table that is always piled up, even if you clean it 10 times or 100 times, it will still piled up after few days or few weeks. The key is to first change the thinking, then, things around will start to change)

2) To change your thinking, you starts with affirmation

Affirmation could help us in life to break through FEAR, hatred, jealousy and even depression. But it's not mere affirmation that will bring results. Many people bang on "words" affirmation to bring results, but it's not the word or phrase itself that would attract results. It's the affirmation with emotion and feeling that sends out the vibration to the universe. Affirm with strong beliefs and conviction as there are power inside our body which sends the molecules of emotions to the universe to support us. Here are few affirmation that could helps:

a. I forgive and I set myself free
b. I'm safe, it's only change
c. Life support me
d. I'm a YES man
e. I'm doing the work I love
f. I'm passionate about life
g. I trust my inner wisdom
[Note: It will be more effective if you practice the selective affirmations in front of a mirror. It may takes 300-400 times a day or just a few affirmation to send out the vibration.]

If during the dry season a farmer try to pray for rain. Rain won't happens. The farmer instead feel the muddy ground, smell the rains and show gratitude for what had happen... and rains will keep pouring like cats and dogs.

3. Guard Your Thoughts 24 hours a day

What if you were drinking a cup of coffee and your friends accidentally drop a few poison pills into your coffee? You'll die, my friend!! So, we should be careful when our mind wonders around or what people (especially our close friends) tell us or response to us. When we face with negative statements or thoughts, first acknowledge it. Then replaced it with positive affirmation immediately. It's like planting a seed and you'll never know when it will grow.

4. Belief in your affirmation

It easy to say to build in emotions in your affirmation. But if something is against your belief system, you'll resist it no matter what. So, you have to find the grounds that support you. You have to find the evidence to support your new belief system.

If your belief system is you will never be successful in whatever you do in life, then you can replaced that with positive affirmation like I'm successful in whatever I do. To support the latter affirmation, you have to take action and do something, like sweeping the floor, cleaning up your desk, set small goal and achieve it. Once you get enough support, you'll have a stronger foundation to support your new belief system. Got it? But it's not enough... we have to do it, experience it and internalize it.

5. Follow Your Inner Wisdom

Action starts a flow of positive energy but even if we do the right things and do the things right, will it guarantees that we get everything that we want? The answer is obviously no, because even if we are doing everything in the right direction, the universe will test the depth of our commitment. Only through persistence that the red carpet will be laid out for us.

But if you don't know what you want in life..... it's still okay... (to me) because, if you are doing the right things in the right direction, the universe will give you baby steps, small steps, one at a time, moving you toward the direction and slowly revealed your ultimate destiny. Oprah Winfrey would never imagine herself to be a multi-billionaire 20 years ago when she started her talk show, so does Louise Hay did not know that her little book distribute to churches will turn into an international best seller!!

So, for those who still struggling to find out what is your purpose in life, or what is your ultimate destiny or simply what you want to do.... it's okay... because it's a process of searching. That's why sometimes, we have to follow our inner wisdom.

Hope you enjoy the 5 lessons I learned over the weekend. If you think it had benefited you in someway or if you have other things or reflection that you made from this blog, feel free to leave your comment.

Regards,
Ken Tan

Reviving Your Organization Through ABC

2008-09-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

I wrote an article recently to the Toastmasters District 51 Newsletters which is publish in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. But how would that be relevant to you if you are not a Toastmasters. The point is the same ideas and concepts shared here would be equally useful in our day-to-day life. Here is the article:

Empowering Member's Inner Force Using A-B-C
(The simple and proven ABC ideas to make more progress in your Club's DCP goals in less time)

Introduction
Just slightly over a year and 9 months ago, our membership fell below charter strength and we were on the brink of deciding whether to return this Club to its former glory or let it crush into oblivion .....

Once the decision was made by members to revive the Club, we scrapped through 9 months, breaking the vicious cycle of low members' turnout. We achieved more in just one year, than we had in the past 7 years since our Club was chartered!!

Our Club accomplished 10/10 DCP goals, attaining the President's Distinguish Club status for the very 1st time in our Club's history.

How does a Club which was in such severe recession swing itself upwards to such great heights in just a short period of one year? A Chinese proverb goes like this "Success is when opportunity meets preparation"

We analyzed and discovered certain strategies that were in place that contributed to the boom of our Club. We summarized and simply named it A-B-C ideas. These are no more than simple, practical, easy to follow tools, which aim to aid members, Clubs, Divisions or Districts to succeed in achieving their Goals.

1. Aim For The Stars

Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now - ALLAN LAKEIN

At the very beginning of the term, we set a precise goal and developed a comprehensive action plan. Our goal back then was to achieve 10/10 DCP goals by 30 June 2008.

We thought then it was already an impressive goal until our Area Governor, ACS Dennis Wee, called, "Hey, what if your Club could achieve 10/10 DCP goals by 31 December 2007 and be the 1st Club in District 51 to achieve it!?!?".

That idea blew our minds OFF and it got us all excited and we set to achieve our goals by 31 December 2007. That is the starting point that empowered the members to such miraculous results today.

We also did something different that we announced our Club goals loud and clear in our Installation Dinner to all members and guests. Psychologically, this helps to held the EXCO members accountable to the goals.

Then to keep the momentum, we must first lead by example. A Leader Walks his Talk. A leader can't motivate the members to progress if the leader themselves did not progress. Action speaks louder than words. Therefore, to live up to the standard we set, few of the "hardcore" members (Meyyappa, Derek, Kheng Chuan and myself) to achieved their goals in the first 6 months. Their relentless efforts have unconsciously set the momentum of the Club!!

Here are the elements we think are essential to formulate a Club Goal:

a) Excitement Drive
b) Well announced
c) Time buffer
d) Lead by Example

2. Barter Trade Concepts

The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds us irrevocably, thought and act - ORISON SWETT MARDEN

Prior to the use of currencies as we all know, in the past goods were exchanged on a one-on-one basis with the intent that the value was of relative equal hence the birth of Barter Trade.

One of our main challenge was to get the members to progress on their Basic Communication Manual. To overcome this we simply barter traded with them!!

I remembered when one of my fellow members asked me before I went on a vacation, "Can you send me a postcard for my personal collection during your vacation overseas?".

I responded, "Certainly, but..... can you do a speech on either Jan 9 or Jan 23?" Whichever options she chose, she committed herself to a speech slot.

I've also barter traded in these for speech slots:

1. A drive home after TM meeting
2. Time spent on mentoring a mentee
3. An opportunity to attend semi annual TLI training
4. Helping a member to take up a pre-assigned role play (eg. Substituting as TME, Ah Counter etc)
5. Information or news sent to members

Currently, only few members in our Club discover this powerful concept and it had already brought us astonishing results. What if ALL MEMBERS acquire this as a habit? The effect would probably spiral up to other clubs, divisions and even districts.

Other crucial factors when encouraging members to do their speeches are:

i. Timing Ask at the correct time
We encourage member to take up a speech slot usually after our TM meeting, Club Visits, Contests or after the members completed their speeches, as these are the times when they are "H-O-T, High on Toastmasters".

ii. Put them on a ferries wheels
Schedule members for speeches early (a month in advance), to minimise the "last minute pulled-out syndrome". The key is to communicate with mentor to do the follow up and remind the member again 2 weeks before the schedule date. In that case, the Club will get its speech slots filled continuously

3. Coaching and Connections

True success comes only when every generation continues to develop the next generation - JOHN C. MAXWELL

Mentor-mentee system was established in our Club to provide coaching for members. Our motto all members are keen to present their speeches until proven otherwise. All they need is guidance, like a toddler learning how to walk.

If members are prepared, they are more confident, and when they are confident, they are more willing to present their speeches, and this massively increases the likelihood of giving a speech.

But....... Will mentor be regarded as "pushy" if he keeps asking the mentee to do speeches again and again, one after another?

Possibly, and as such, we sourced and spread the mentor's responsibility to others. For example, instead of encouraging the mentee directly, the mentor could indirectly encourage the mentee by asking the AG, Assistant AG, President, VPE or even ask TMs from other Clubs to invite mentee to do speeches in or outside of the Club!!

This may come as a surprise to you, but we found that many members are much more inspired and motivated when invited by TMs from other Club!! This also opens up the networking door for our members to flourish outside our home ground.

Conclusion

On its surface, the A-B-C ideas shared here may appear simple and provide a mere subtle effects, but if these ideas were put into practice it will yield astounding results as they did for us. Through the A-B-C ideas, we recruited 13 new members, achieved 6 CC's, 2 AC's, 2 CL's and crowned President Distinguished Club, the very first since this Club was charted in Sep 2001, 7 years ago.

On behalf of the Club, I wish to express our gratitude to my Exco's and all the amazing individuals that have contributed to this success namely Sue Ding, Dennis Wee, Meyya, Stephen Fernando, Vincent Hor, Bill Sim, Parames, Daniel Teh, Sheila Wong, Dominic Joseph, Ramdas Nayar and Ron Lau.

Alas.. I'm proud to say I belong to a President' Distinguished Club

Ken Tan,
President of Deloitte KassimChan Toastmasters Club 2007/2008

PS: If you like the article, please feel free to leave any comment here as I read all my comment personnally. Share with us your ideas and thoughts on how you could use this in your day-to-day life and benefit from it. Thanks!!

Your Network Is Your Net Worth

2008-09-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

I first heard this phrase from Robert Kiyosaki in his book "Rich Dad Poor Dad". Then, many people.... start using the phrase again and again, as if it was a phrase from the Bible.

But I though for a while, is it true? Does the extension of your network, simple reflected in your net worth? Or does the quality of your network determine your net worth?

I was curious. So, I ventured out to find the elusive answer through books, friends and eventually I stumpled upon a workshop. A workshop conducted by DU Advanced Toastmasters Club. Here is what I understand from the Singaporean trainer.

(1) What is networking?

Networking can be anybody. For example, the toilet cleaner, your child's friends or your friend's mother, or even the waitress serving you could be your network. They may be the next one, who introduce you to the CEO, General Manager or Head Of Department ("HOD") of a company. If this is true, then in short, networking can be built by anyone, at anytime, to anybody. This simply means you got to be nice to everybody.... huh.. (smiling)

Networking also means sharing your competence with your alliances.

Network refers to someone, who knows someone,... who knows someone,... who knows someone....... who knows someone (They may not do the job for you, but that someone may open doors for opportunity to you when you're in need)

Networking is about being professional, it is about being connected, being involved and being interested in people.

(2) So, why should people even network with you?

There are only 3 reasons, why your friends network with you, now.

(a) Your POSITION,

Just imagine this. If you are the CFO of a company, i bet you, that bankers, lawyers, partners of audit firm and all the HOD will be begging to be in your network. For a simply reason, you have the authority to deposit money into their bank, to appoint/engage them for certain service and also to approve their budgets. But the risk is, what if you no longer working as the CFO of the company? You have to think about it... because nothing is evergreen.

(b) The INFORMATION you can provide them

The second reason why people network with you is because you have certain special knowledge, skill or experience that they don't have. If you know all the gossip at your workplace, I bet, you'll have more friends. Because, whenever your collegues want some update in the office, they will go to you.

Let says if you have always known to be a person, who poses high problem solving skills among your friends. And the next time your friends, have a problem, do you think it is more likely that they will look for you or someone else on the street? Do you think they will want to keep you in their network over someone who have nothing to share. Think about it....

If you know the best place for food, or you know the cheapest car repair workshop or even the best deals for online purchases..... you'll definitely have an edge over your other friends.

(c) The CONNECTIONS you have

You knows everyone in the town, or you know all the bankers..... rather than investing hours and hours networking with hundreds of people, your friend could simply tap on the vast network you already have. The just need to know you and they'll have the key to hundreds of your friends. Likewise, it will be the same for you too.... this is call 'leveraging'.

So, most important question is, which one of the above do you poses? Position, Information or Connection? If you have all 3, well done.... your network should be extensive by now. If you have none of that, your network should be limited.

But no worries. Because, now you already know the three reasons why people network with you and guess what many of your friends, don't even realised it yet.

If you already have a huge extensive network then, well done. But if you have limited network or you would like to expand your network further, here are something you could do:

(i) make the most of your existing connections (re-connect with them thru e-mails, social community)
(ii) build your social capital (e.g. find out the best eatery place in town, the cheapest flight tickets around, the happening events in your area, the best lawyer, the most trustworthy contractors, the most reliably insurance agent, etc) and
(iii) creating new connection

A common networking session that I've been to, often happens in this manner.

First, introducing yourself to strangers, then talking with them, asking them questions, knowing them, having drinks and then...... eventually forgetting about them. Usually the last line is.... "We shall catch up again someday". But the truth is, they never catch up. Maybe at the end of the conversation, they even forget about the person name.

Most people spend time SOCIALISING, but they thought they are NETWORKING... Networking... is about maintaining closed contact thru offering and sharing with other people your social capital, so that both can connect.

Here comes my thought… expansion of network is crucial. But the quality of your network is even more important than the quantity. The simple fact is, if you lie down with dogs you come up with fleas. If you network with positive and like minded people, you'll be positive minded as well. If you network with negative people, you'll turn negative.

It's really not that difficult to figure this out, isn't it??

If you read this article and finid that it is useful, I would appreciate if you could leave me a comment. I read all my comment personally. You could even add me into your facebook to expand your network or simply subscribed to the Sunday Series's Newsletters

, so that I could update you whenever I've any valueable information to share.

Thanks,

Ken Tan

How Simple Concept Of Maths Can Make You More "Creative"

2008-08-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you what I deduce from my 2 hours meeting with 4 friends (Chee Wah, Joyce, Shee and Fish) in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. We were sitting around a small table trying to piece out the agenda for the coming speechcraft project, which we called it the Project Communication Tutorial (PCT). This is conducted for a group of project managers to improve their communication and leadership skills at work.

Something about Chee Wah – I didn't know I could learn so much from him until I've spent that 2 hours with him. Most people knows him as one of the best master of ceremonies in town and someone who is creative and definitely a right-brainer type of person.

But, he showed me his creativity in just a merely 2 hours meeting and the best part, I could tap into his creativity concepts from now on. You wanna know how you could be more creative? Then, just bear with me and read on....

Many friends I know (including myself, hmm) find it difficult to be "creative". This is because we were train to use more of our left brain in school, and almost everything in professional firm taught us to be logical. Then, how in the world, do we, they, our bosses, parents expect us to be "creative"?!? Don't even bother to talk about the whole-brain balance "thingy", to maximise our brain power.

In the meeting, when we are trying to develop a new creative case study for the participants of PCT, Chee Wah ask Shee a question, "What do you have in mind for the case study section?"

Shee replied something about debate for petrol price increases, so on and so forth (smile - I don't wanna bored you with the details of a 2 hours meetings).

Then... Chee Wah asked me, "What do you have in mind for the case study section?" I cracked out something about a survival case study scenario blah, blah, blah....

Chee Wah paused for a couple of seconds (there was total silence). He then responded and came out with a creative survival game with petrol as one of the survival tools. He carefully cross pollinate, mix and match both our thoughts and make up a unique case study!!

Sound simple - this is what I term it the concepts of "addition" by combining two different thoughts, things, events, scenarios, situations, people and brand it to become something creative of your own. Think about it. Many creative stuff out there today... are derived from this powerful concept of "addition" - mixing and matching them together. Here are just a couple of the examples:

1. japanese food + american food = fusion food
2. roller ball concept + fragrance = deodorant
3. shower gel + aromatheraphy = aromatherapy shower gel
4. chicken floss + bread = Breadtalk innovative bread
5. Air conditioner + Air purifier = air purifying conditioner
6. Raisin + normal bread = Raisin bread

Take a deep breath, paused for a while and look around the room. Are there things you could mix and match them together to create the next breakthough ideas? Hhmm... something to ponder about. The fact is, there are many.

There are actually a lot more ideas that you could deduce from the other mathematical concepts such as the concept of "substration", "multiplication" and "division". This could be applied anywhere, anytime at home, office, or your next business venture. I'll share more examples of how to get creative using the other concepts in my next blog. You can visit my blog next time or you could sign up for the 'Sunday Series'

newsletter, and I'll keep you inform once my blog is updated.

I now realised creative is not born, it's a learnable concept, if you understand the concepts. Subscribed to our newsletters

and get FREE reward.

If you like what you read, it’ll be cool if you can leave a Comment as well. I’ll definitely appreciate it very much because I read every single Comment posted here personally

Take care.

Kian