yap's profileI am blogging...BlogListsGuestbookMore  |  Tools Help |
|
12/22/2007 Mind your Own BusinessWhen it comes to money, everyone get very sensitive. Some might even fight and severe the ties with their family members because of money. This no longer the uncommon issue to all of us.
I always believe that you will get what you earned for. It depends on how much you put your effort in and how legal is your way of doing it. Effort and righteous is the way of success without "failing" the people who help you around. The term "failing" can means using, stepping or even back-stabbing.
I have been to many organizations and companies as much as I could. It is a wonderful experience everytime I have this chance. Some is deemed to be successful yet fail. Some has been successful for decades and yet fell and closed down in a year. And some are unexpectedly turned out to be huge success. I feel important that we should pay a little bit attention into these issue especially most of us (who are reading my blogs) are employees of someone or self-employed.
From my deductions, there are two factors which are unseparable which a company must has; discipline (morality) and system adopted.
If the employees has a good morality, it will directly turns out to be a good discipline team that willing to do anything and everything. And the company must have some good management systems to adopt. There are so many in the market now i.e. ISO, 6 sigma, 7 QC tools, TPM etc. All of these systems are stressting on one thing; continuous improvement. System needs the people to work. Especially people with brain.
In the other hand, if the morality is bad, the discipline is bad, the system which bad employees is working on will also turns bad. Everything will become disaster. You will notice this with much earlier sign when you go for a company. You can ask anyone from the receptionist, cleaners, operators to the people who sitting in the office about how they feel about the company. They will give you a good impression about the company. I always did that when I go for an interview. If you hear that "The people is not happy about the management, the management is controlled by a powerful political sub-group inside the company, exhausted and tired employees or the people around is promoting unhealthy habits of working"; these are the signs of the disaster coming.
Have you ever wonder why you need to pay when you go for a concert where people like Micheal Jackson, Mariah Carey, Backstreet Boys, SHE, Jacky Cheong are singing? Then you need to pay when you sing karaoke with your friends in Sungei Wang. Basically, the artists are singing and you are singing. But they sing and you pay. And, you sing, you pay. Why? The reasons? It is because the artists make you happy. So you must pay them. The karaoke's boss is making you happy, so you must pay him too. You get the idea?
Therefore, if you need them to make you happy, you need to pay them. In reverse, if you able to make them and everyone else happy, they will pay you. It is just as simple as that. This is the simplest example and yet many has notice this and use it. Another example, in my ex-company, I able to make my manager happy. I also make my GM happy. And I did share and make my team happy. At the end, my boss pays me well and everyone happy including me.
So, moral of the lesson is... if you only thinking to guard you own rice bowl without caring for the people (the partners, colleagues, subordinates etc) around you, you will end up lonely, de-moralised, plunged into office politics and worst, you will recruit the others to follow you. If more people going the wrong way, the faster the growth and survival of the company will reduce to ZERO.
When I mean "Mind your own business" that means taking a good care of yourself. Live your life with good confidence in life. If your only income comes from your pay slip, then you will very very sensitive to your work. You will afraid to make mistake or afraid to stand on the right path even though your boss made a wrong decision. You will only feel safety in numbers. This is what they say. Easily and slowly, you will reduce into just a body without a soul. By just merely following what the others are doing. No more new ideas to develop, no more creative methods to try etc. That's why I think everyone should has a investment (whether small or big) where you get the second pay check. I prefer to stand with two legs than one leg.
If you are good employee, basically, you are managing your boss asset. You will never get richer than your boss by just being an employee. Your boss will get richer first before you. And you will be only taught in best how to do your job and nothing more. So, you got to manage your own asset. Before you start, identify what are your assets and what are your liabilities. From there, you will know what to do after that. In two years, where I started my investment plan, I am working hard to expand my assets column. Everytime I failed, I assessed myself. And after that, I knew I will be stronger than yesterday.
Today, something has inspire me to write this blog. Just happen to me what to put at the end of here. Please...
"Not everyone can be very successful, but the very ones can come from anywhere, everywhere" 12/8/2007 My GoalsPeople needs to have goals in their life. I like and respect the people who set their dreams and strive for their dreams. Those who I see without any goals nor dreams in their life, I labelled them as Laggards. These are the people who lost control of their life and never intend to fix it back. They will never have big success but keep blaming everyone, the government, the country and keep making excuses the whole of their life. They just simply lost the confidence to live. My advice to you if you meet with such people, get as far away as you can from them.
When you are thinking about your dream, you should think big. I dream very big. Bigger than anything that my family members (except my dad) could imagine. When I dream big, I will work on it. Turning dream into inspiration and becoming reality. These are so called self motivation and confidence. I never afraid to fail. When I fail, I pick up myself and make a come back with stronger of me. It is because failure is the best teacher.
I put my goals (so-called my dreams too because I know it is achievable) into three terms.
Short term: In five years from now, where I will be 30, I will have my assets valued at RM 1mil. In my context, asset means something that is generating money. Liability is the opposite of asset which means something that drains out your money. A lot of people asked me why I still don't want to change my car. Car is an asset. Same in buying house. Everytime when we go to get a loan to buy house, there will be so much bank personnel waiting to give you a loan if you have a stable income. They will tell you buying a house is an asset. Well, they are not lying, but they didn't tell the truth either. As an user like me, car and house are equally the worst liability I could take. Do you know if you buy a car in Malaysia and in Singapore actually you are paying the most expensive price in the whole planet! A car is only going to drain my money out. It will makes the banker rich because I am paying installlment to him, it will makes the petroleum onwer rich because I am paying for the petrol, and it will make everyone rich because of the maintenance, spare parts etc except me. Buying a house by paying installments will make the bankers rich and make me poor. That's why the banker will always say house is an asset. Well, the truth is, the house is the banker's asset. The moment you can't pay the installment, they will "lelong" your house.
So, what do I mean with my asset valued at RM 1mil? It would be the stocks I am holding or the property that I owned. These will have capital appreciation, dividends or rental income which I put this as in asset category.
If you come to me telling me car is an asset, I would think that you are either too foolish or very wise (which you are the cars' onwer wanting to sell them).
Mid term: It would be 15 years from now. I will have my asset generating net income of RM 1mil yearly. I will be 40 where I already achieved financial freedom. I don't want to work my whole life. That's why I start planning now. Financially free means I don't have to work anymore. I can spend more time with my family and kids (if I have), go anywhere I want, live comfortably and luxuriously etc. I hate waking up every morning and tense up myself upon reaching my workplace. 15 years is very long from now. But not long if you don't realise that time is passing so fast. I want to achieve my mid term goal before the 15th year from now. I know it would take me around 10 years to 15 years from now.
Getting excited?
Long term: Haha...I am not going to tell you this. I am keeping this a secret. I want to build my dream. Pieces by pieces, cubes by cubes, so that I will have a strong pyramid that can withstand any catastrophe that is coming my way. That's why from last year, I already set out to achieve three things now for my long term dream. Firstly, financial freedom, where I plan my investment and build my income passively. Secondly, education, that's why I determined to have a master degree technically so that no one can fool me. And thirdly, human management, where this is the greatest difficulty when dealing with human. Once my ex-GM said, he will paid me any amount if I can gain control of human. No one can do that except you turn them into zombie. Doesn't look feasible, right? That's why I quit my first job to join my current company. I am leading a team of 60 people. My supervisors have been working for this company more than 30 years. The most junior ones also been servicing for at least 15 years. And me, newly join, three months. Just three months, it teaches me well. It teaches me to be tough. Tough enough to deal with tricky, political, cunning and problem creators that knows the in and out of the company. It is a good training.
So, what you going to do after reading my goals? It is time to set your goals and work for them. If you already have your goals, continue in what you already been doing. Never give up. If you already achieved you goals and dreams, big congratulations to you. Life is about satisfaction. Satisfaction of being where you are.
So, how can I make it? How to make my dream into reality? It is simply by just using your mind and do it. Use your mind to look for money, not your labour. With knowledge in mind, you can have leverage. To do more with less (that's why I love aikido so much). To do more with less. And of course, I can't get this far without my mentors and close network of friends. I choose the words of advice I want to listen too because I want to be successful to achieve my dream. That's why I choose my friends. So here, a little note of appreciation to my mentors, friends and peers which show me the road to my dream.
Robert Phang, a GM in my previous company. He is a great leader with great vision and great capability. He is both a qualified lawyer and a qualified accountant. Sometimes, he planned so far that none of us can see his vision. A man who can motivate me when I am down, a man who can inspire me when I am full of energy. He is already a millionaire. But still running a company just because he wants to turn a dream into a reality. A dream share by everyone, from him right until the operators. He had taught me a lot of soft skills and yet there are more to learn.
Chan TK, my ex-superior, a manager who understand me well. A person who gives all his guidance and support whenever I need them. We had a great time working together. From managing and running the steel manufacturing plant until researching which stocks to buy in Bursa. haha...not many people can have all these in one time, right? More interesting, working for him for so long, he never raise his voice against me. Never scold me even though I had so much of wrongdoings.
 Nelson Wong, a person I met few years back during a 8-9 days trip to China. He is the head of training department in a financial institution. A person who very devoted to Buddha's teaching. We keep in touch in email. Everytime of his replies, his words strengthened me spiritually. A balance need to be created and maintained within oneself. If I lost my balance, I can never do any good for the society.
George Ong, my ex-superior during my practical training. We still keep in touch once awhile. He is the head of Research and Technological Analysis department. A person who really give me very good advice whether in my work, my career, my financial plan, my life and almost everything. He is good. Very good.
My peers, Haw Sim, who have the same dream with me to achieve financial freedom. He has his way and I have my way. We meet up occasionally to share the experience we went through. Every of our meetings were so much of fun and excitement. We learn a lot from each other and we will continue to learn.
Matthias, a friend I met during my undergrad in a bus from Johor back to KL. He has started his journey to financial freedom much much earlier than me even though he is few years younger than me! Unbelievable. He has a very structured portfolio in investing. I always heed for his advice when I has uncertainties in my investment plan. And he always give good advice. Can you imagine that, I am taking advice from a person few years younger than me (and I graduated my undergrad only three years ago. you can imagine his age now). I believe age is not a factor for investment.
Well, my aikido instructor, Tee sensei. I have taken up aikido about a year now. And I love it so much. I just moved up from beginner class to advanced class. On average, the students will take three years to move from beginner to advance. I am doing much faster and happier. The art of aikido is so fascinating. I can see it much as same when I am investing. That's why I like aikido and investing at the same time. Both are much alike.
And lastly but not least, is my Dad. He is the person supporting me educationally and financially. He is my greatest mentor in investing. Almost everyday, we will research and discuss about good stocks to invest. We get together most of the time, whether in the house or outside in shopping mall. That's why is making my mum so jealous. I never realise the importance of investing until two years ago. During my school time, I often get money from him and spent lavishly. Surprisingly, he kept giving me money. Thinking back, I was so foolish. I am so sorry for that, Dad.
What I want to say is I feel so proud to meet them. I will work with them for any chances that I have. I listen to them and take their advice seriously. This small group of people are the people who shapes me. I am happy to meet with them in my life. Well, there are lots more of great people out there. I will be coming to meet and make friend with you. Then I will keeping getting stronger and stronger.
So, who says you can't make money in Malaysia? 12/1/2007 Why you need to be rich (2)Suddenly I realised that blogging really takes a lot of my time. Well, blogging is not only just typing but you need to think what to blog to catch the viewers' interest.
So, today, I shall write more about "Why you REALLY need to be rich?"
Before I start, a lot of people come to me and ask me how to be rich. Definitely, I don't have the right answer yet because I still can't say I achieve financial freedom yet. So, I believe that one must seek the inner truth of himself for him to seek wealth. Because there is a strong will to do it, he will success. People say, "You teach him how to fish, he will be able to catch fish and feed him for the rest of his life". Well, it is true.
But why do he need to fish in the first place? Maybe after knowing why, he will put more effort to do the right thing.
So, shall we start?
The real problem is the education. The people is educated to their profession but money management is one of the subject never been taught in school. Both Donald J.Trump and Robert T.Kiyosaki has indicate in a book that the perfert storm is coming to US and gonna hit any other countries as well.
1. A growing trade deficit
In 2006, the US trade deficit was forecasted to reach $423 bil. If you average out to every household, this means every family will earn $5000 monthly but spending $6000 monthly. Well, you can guess how many people in US actually has savings in their accounts. With the current rate, this problem will only grow bigger and bigger.
2. Growing national debt
Under 42 Presidents, from George Washington (1789) to Bill Clinton (2000), borrowed a combined total of $1.01 trillion. In Yr 2000 until 2005, the Bush White House had borrowed $1.05 trillion - more than all the total combined amount all of previous administration.
3. A falling dollar
All money is backed with gold. If the country slumps, it's currency slumps too into just a piece of paper. Everyone is aware that inflation is everywhere now. What you can buy with $100 now you may have to pay $150 in ten years later. Just compare the prices of gold, oil, gas, steel etc 10 years ago with now. You will find the price has been escalating high!
4. Baby boomers without money
As I mentioned in my previous blog "Another Trip to Midvalley 18/11/07", the baby boomers might find their life savings may not be there form them anymore. In US, 75 million baby bommers will begin to retire. Easily, it will wipe out the other new/current contributors to the life savings.
5. An entitlement mentality
Since millions are lack of financial resources, they turn to the government to care for them. If government don't take care of them, who will. As now, the Social Security is in debt of $10 trillion and Medicarein debt of $62 trillion. The people just consume more than they can earn, lend more than they can afford. And in the end, more money will be printed to solve this problem. This will only lead to another bigger or much bigger problem.
6. Oil price
It is really matter of time the oil price will hit over $100 per barrel. If oil price goes up, everything will goes up too. In the end, it will push to consumer to carry the burden. Even though, so much researchs have and had been carried out for the alternative of energy source and yet none are commercialised. Why? I believe greed is the root cause.
7. Tax break for the Rich
Until now, the Rich always pay lower tax than middle class or the poor class people. Read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" then you know what I mean. The Rich knows how to pay themselves first before paying others. The others pay to everyone before paying themselves. And Tax laws are usually made by the Rich.
"Golden Rule: The best way to change the rules is to first get the gold. If you have the gold, then you have more power. When you have more power, you make the rules. As the Real Golden Rule states: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." - Donald J.Trump and Robert T.Kiyosaki.
So, if you just read through the seven items above and nothing comes to your mind, then we really don't share the same frequency.
What is happening and going to happen in US will be going to be the same here. I think you can easily imagine and judge our current situation now.
Besides, the "sure" coming catastrophe, can you quarantee you able to work 30 years safely until retirement? (*psst. touch wood, touch wood, touch wood) How many people you see that instantly lost of job because of an accident, mishap or illness? It is happening randomly to anyone, at any age, at anywhere. I saw many in just 3 years of working. And it is a very sad things that these things always happen to them "un-prepare". They still have kids and family waiting them to feed, their housing and car loans to pay, basic necessity of life to survive, etc.
What I mean here is our life is tough. That's what makes us strong. But we can't stay ignorant hoping the God or government or somebody else will come to our aid. We aren't so lucky always. We are moving to Information Age. Staying the mindset of Industrial Age will no longer bring you to new height, but at least, it can keep you survive by struggling hard. Why do we need to struggle so hard if we know there are correct ways of doing things?
I feel that everyone should have their own investment plan. By contributing to EPF, means you are actually investing into EPF. But do you have control on your money invested? I believe not until you reach age 55. I don't like myself to be binded or caged. I like freedom. I know freedom doesn't come easily. That's why I struggle for it. Work hard and at the same time, be very smart.
|
|
|
