You are in one of the category of Reflections of a Business Driven Life.  To read all posts, go to the main page, or you can choose to read or subscribe to a category:   on technology, on life, on business, favorite quotes, jokes, tidbits, EntrepreViews & reading reviews.

Pls. check out my new compilation in easy-to-read format the selected business articles of enduring value here.

	Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Most entrepreneurs are self made people. They are people who see opportunities rather than problems. A large part of them tend to be too confident or too optimistic. While this positive disposition helps them gets started, the act of going into business with your own, in which you hold on the reins the potential of your rise and fall ( and including that of others) does add a lot of pressure, and introduce a lot of worries than if you are just merely employed. One of the things that is important to succeed, or to sustain success is the ability (more…) 6:13:44 AM     comment []   trackback []

There was once a woodcutter who cut wood for a living. One day, he lost his ax. He could not find it. He looked here and there, and it wasn’t to be found. He looked at his neighbor’s son. It must be him again! He was still 7 years old, but the kid could be mischievous. Yes, the woodcutter convinced himself — the kid is capable of hiding my ax! He looked at the way the kid moved — the way he talk, the way he answered my questions, the way his eyes diverted when I asked, yes, I am almost (more…) 6:13:22 AM     comment []   trackback []

I just wondered into this old Chinese folk story, and thought that even after hundreds of years, people are still basically the same. The son has gotten in a new wife, and later they find out just how ‘ smart’ the wife is. The wife now prepares some food for the parents in law. When the father in law tasted the rice, he said, ” Uhmmm, the rice is so good. ” ” Yes , father”, said the daughter in law. ” I was the one who prepared it.” After two spoonfuls, the father noted that and commented that the rice had a couple of very small pebbles. “I’m sorry. father”, said the daughter in law.” It was sister in law who chose and bought the rice.” After a few more spoonfuls, the father noted that the rice at the bottom of the bowl was badly burned. ” Oh, father,” said the daughter-in-law. ” It was mother who kindled the fire that was used to cook the rice. She must have overdone it.” Do you know people who are like this? 6:10:24 AM     comment []   trackback []

For the last 2 days, I have enjoyed a chat with my friend, Wilton. He has had a rich and varied life, and he was once a leading executive of a store chain where he helped build it from 2 stores to more than 20. A few years ago, he had a near death experience. In fact, he was actually a flatliner for some half minute. Then miraculously, he was given a secnod lease to life. Two years ago, he retired. He now teaches entrepreneurship in a leading school, as well as do a lucrative consultancy and also invests in some startups. He now made a conscientious choice to do only the things he enjoys, and take it easy. “Everyday, when I need to make decisions, I have one criteria — do I want to earn more money, or live longer? After nearing death, you start to appreciate life better. Now, I spend most time mentoring people about my experiences. ” He is a respected consultant, and everybody goes to him for wisdom and advice, even the biggest corporations. But he says no to most of them. He is a success because instead of trying to get richer, he choose to live a richer life. 6:08:08 AM     comment []   trackback []

This is a business or technology blog, but if people will ask me now what is my most important business at hand, I would say that it is to teach your children well. The same way I answered before that the most important job of a CEO is not to grow the company, I guess I am more cognizant of long term thinking than when I started. If many of us profess that we are engaging in business that we will ultimately hand over to our children, or that we are doing all these for the sake of our children, it is wise that this early, you make sure that your kids are equipped to handle life and the business when the time comes. Time should be devoted, and resources and planning (more…) 6:07:05 AM     comment []   trackback []

A few months ago, I wrote that we don’t need a reason to be happy. Last night, I went to sleep thinking about What Matters. This morning, I awoke up tense. It was a sunday, and there were dozens of things to rush. Then I paused. I told myself that instead of trying to rack up things to do for the day, I would just resolve to be happy. I looked up my old files. I located my list ten years ago of what I would like to accomplish ten years hence. I have done most of it, and now I have new things and mountains to conquer. But while i resolve to do more, there was undoubtedly at this day, no reason to be unhappy. Life is good, if we only take time to savor it. And for sure, we can do more when we start off with a sunny disposition. More and more, I should remind myself that being happy is simply a resolve to put happiness first. 6:05:44 AM     comment []   trackback []