Saturday, July 26, 2008

My Personal Time

harmonic-wealth

Yesterday afternoon I went to Excelso, Solo Square to read “Harmonic Wealth” by James Arthur Ray and to write in my journal. It was awesome. I totally enjoyed myself. I was sitting outside, sipping coffee, enjoying the sunset colored sky and watching people that came to the mall.

It is personal time at its best for me. Read a good book, write my thoughts and have a cup of mocha coffee…hmm perfect!

Do you have a personal time? What do you usually do?

Learn and Grow!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

My First Experience as Member of an Examination Panel

This morning I had a very interesting experience as a member of examination panel in Sebelas Maret University, Solo.

Frankly, this is my first time and I have no experience whatsoever in this matter. I have never written a thesis before because I did not need to write one to graduate. I only needed to get good examination marks to graduate and I could get my Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Western Australia.  

I have never had the experience of having my thesis scrutinized and asked so many questions about what I had written, yet today I was on the other end of the table, scrutinizing and asking questions about what my student had written. I did not ask too many questions because I did not know what kind of questions are usually asked in this situation. I also do not have the heart to ask questions that are too hard or difficult because I personally know how hard he has worked on his thesis. The other member of the panel however, they really dug deep and asked hard and challenging questions. I learned a lot about what I need to do and I am sure that I will do better next time.

What have I learned from this experience?

  • Learn to ask better questions
  • Stretch my comfort zone doing something for the first time

Learn and Grow!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Friday, July 18, 2008

Financial Advice and Insight From Suze Orman

Yesterday I watched in Oprah about a family in a brink of bankruptcy because the wife is a shopaholic. The husband didn’t know that they were in so much debt because she hid the transactions from her husband. All the credit cards were maxed out, the total debt was around USD 640,000.

Suze Orman advised the family to move from California to Seattle, Washington to start a new life. She told the wife to work at Starbucks because after three months, she’d get a health insurance for her whole family and she could drink latte too (she usually spends USD300-400 per month for latte). The husband could also get higher take-home pay because there was no income tax in Seattle, Washington.

Suze Orman said “We spend money that we don’t have, to impress people that we do not know or people that we do not like”

It is so true how nowadays we try so hard to look rich, to impress people with what we have. We define ourselves from what others see instead of how we truly see ourselves. By giving other people the power to define who we are, we have lost the power to be who we are destined to be.

Suze Orman also gave an advice about three questions that we have to ask before spending any money:

  1. Is it kind?
  2. Is it necessary?
  3. Is it true?

We only spend money if the answers to these three questions are all YES. Otherwise we do not spend the money.

We really need to learn and increase our financial IQ so that we can make better decision when it comes to money.

Learn and Grow!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Airport Check-In Jam

Yesterday my flight to Solo was at 6.05AM. I arrived at the airport at 4.50AM. It was more than 1 hour before take off. I thought there would be enough time to relax and drink cappuccino in airport lounge. WRONG!

When I arrived at the airport and walked to the door leading to check in area, there was a very long queue. There was only one door open serving so many passengers. The queue was more than 10 meters long snaking on both side of the door. I was queuing for more than 15 minutes there before being able to get in into check in area.

When I got into the check in area, I immediately raced to Garuda Frequent Flyer counter for Platinum and Gold Card. There were about eight people queuing in front of me. The first person checked in swiftly, but the second one took ages. Apparently she had upgrades, overweight luggage and she didn’t have enough cash with her so she needed to get her husband to get cash.

There were still three people in front of me when they announced that my flight was boarding. I immediately cut in line and asked the person to let me check in first because my flight was boarding. Fortunately these guys were very understanding and they let me check in first.

Once I got my boarding pass, I ran all the way to the boarding gate. Whew…early morning exercise done!

Lessons: Arrive at least 2 hours before take off!

Learn and Grow!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

I am sorry, I don’t know how to turn it off

This morning on my Garuda Indonesia flight from Jakarta to Solo, I saw something very amusing.

At first, I was quite annoyed to see the lady sitting in front of me was still using her mobile phone to call while she was already on the plane. Then I heard the announcement to turn off any mobile phones and the stewardess started walking up and down to aisle to check. The stewardess finally came and asked the lady to stop calling and turn her mobile phone off.

Stewardess: “Please stop calling now and please turn off your mobile phone, madam.”

Lady: “I am sorry, I don’t know how to turn it off. I’ve never turned my mobile phone off since I bought it.”

Then she gave her Nokia 5310 to the stewardess and asked her to help turning the phone off. The stewardess was very patient, kind and understanding. She even taught her how to turn it on again after the plane landed.

When I heard that the lady could not turn her mobile phone off, I don’t whether to laugh or to pity her. Sometimes people just buy gadgets that’s way beyond their knowledge and skill to use.

These days many people buy gadgets because of trends and good looks instead of functions. It is simply a race to own the latest gadget to show off and get other people’s attention. In the past, I often made the same mistake of racing to own the latest, fastest, meanest gadget, but now I know better. I am still tempted to get the latest gizmos, but I’ve learned to control my urge and wait for a while. Fortunately I have some friends who remind me whenever my eyes turn green seeing the latest gadget hahaha.

Lesson: Learn to use your gadget more effectively. At least learn to turn it on and off :)

Learn and Grow

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Enthusiasm Attracts

Yesterday my friends and I went to i-Tutor.net to check out their franchise opportunity. We went there with lots of enthusiasm and spirit. As accounting & finance people, we are very serious about the business aspect of the franchise, yet we can have fun with the evaluation process.

We were so full of enthusiasm during the presentation that we joked a lot, laughed out loud and just had lots of fun. We definitely made lots of noises because many of their staff commented, “So these are the prospects who were so loud and enthusiastic?” They have never had a prospect like us before. HAHAHA

Enthusiasm attracts attention!

We could see and feel how our enthusiasm affected others. The marketing executive who did the presentation became enthusiastic, as well as a few others who came into contact with us.

Enthusiasm attracts more enthusiasm! Enthusiasm is contagious!

Learn and grow!

Inge Santoso

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Motivation – Avoiding Pain

I have had some pain under my second toe since Monday. It was quite painful to walk. I had to wear loose footwear because there was swelling too. I was quite worried because I have never experienced such pain before.I had suspected high level uric acid because I have not eaten well, especially last week.

Yesterday, I decided to get a blood test because I wanted to make sure. I’ve been putting off getting a blood test because I was afraid to see the result. This time, the pain is greater than my fear, so I chose the alternative that give me less pain, getting a blood check. (The basic of human motivation to avoid pain is really a great motivational force)

I was feeling anxious the whole day because I was afraid to see the blood test result. Finally when I got home last night, I opened the test result. You know what…Everything was good! I felt so relieved and grateful!

What do I learn from this?

First, my health is extremely important!

I confessed that I have not taken care of my body. It is this pain that makes me realize how uncomfortable, painful, inconvenient, difficult, stressful, irritating, shameful and expensive for not having a healthy body. PAIN, PAIN, PAIN! Why do we often have to feel the pain before realizing how important and valuable something is?

Second, my motivation to avoid pain is stronger than my motivation to seek pleasure.

Until now, I have been trying to deceive myself by pretending to be a pleasure seeker because I thought it was better. Now I realize it is not about better or worse, but it is about what works for me. I am going to use both pain and pleasure, but I will make sure that there is enough painful reasons to propel me forward.

Learn and Grow!

Sunday, July 06, 2008

One of My Favorite Series

IMG_2161

Yesterday I found one of my favorite series – She Tiao Ying Xiong (Sia Tiau Eng Hiong) in DVD format. I was so happy to finally found it because I’ve been looking for it for years. Although it is a bit expensive, but it is definitely worth it.

Although there are many re-make of this series, with better sound effect, younger stars, but I simply love the original. I don’t know how to describe the feeling but I am sure that classic movie lover out there will understand the feeling. I think it is because the images and sounds just bring me back the treasured memories of my younger days. 

I remember the first time I watched it was when I was in primary school, about 20 years ago. My friends and I usually watched together after renting it from our local video store. The format back then was still Betamax video tape (ancient…ancient…HAHAHA). We would sit in front the TV watching it with full concentration. Sometimes we didn’t hear our parents’ calling us because we were so engrossed in it. After watching, we usually played and acted out the characters…it was our favorite game.  

When I think about it, playing pretend-to-be is really beneficial. It exercises our imagination and it develops the skill of modeling. Nowadays, mostly during NLP training, we are taught about modeling success, act as-if…the same skills as what we have naturally when we were young, just more directed and focused. It’s like re-learning what we used to do naturally when we were young, and I wonder why we are willing to pay so much money for the training HAHAHAHA

Advice for parents, let your children play pretend-to-be as long as they want, just direct them to play more positive characters.

Learn and Grow!

Saturday, July 05, 2008

The Journey from Solo to Jakarta

map solo jakarta

The journey from Solo to Jakarta was completed in 13 hours including a lunch break in Pekalongan. We left Solo at 7AM and arrived in Jakarta at 8PM.

The road from Solo to Jakarta was not as bad as I thought. There was basically no traffic jam other than the road from Cikampek to Jakarta. The road was also quite busy from Solo to Semarang, but only because it was peak office hour.

It was a pleasant journey. My friend and I had a good time sharing stories…getting to know each other a lot better.

I also enjoyed the scenery, especially when I saw the shore of Java Sea coming into sight. For the most of the journey, it was green farm lands on both sides of the road. Indonesia is actually really beautiful and I wonder why people do not appreciate it more.

I would like to have another road trip and next time I will take the time to stop and take photos for these beautiful scenery.

Learn and Grow!

PS. Thank you to our driver, Mr. Sutiman who has made the trip a safe and pleasant journey.

Friday, July 04, 2008

Learn to Laugh at Yourself

Have you ever had an experience when you did something very stupid and whenever you remember that experience you just cringe?

Let me share one story with you…

This morning I heard a story from my sister that someone actually washed a new electronic rice cooker under water. He forgot that it was not the old unit that he could just wash the whole thing.

Just thinking and imagining this already made me cringe. I really can empathize with him. If it was me, I’d heard myself saying ‘stupid’ over and over again. Sometimes even years after the incident, when I remember that particular incident, I still want to scream. I also tend to remember these things while taking shower. How about you?

Saying ‘stupid’ to yourself or screaming certainly does not help or serve us. It only makes us feel bad and embarrassed. What should we do then? One thing that I do is to learn to laugh at myself, to have a sense of humor when it comes to these kind of things. Honestly, it is not easy for me. I often take myself to seriously and feel that I must be perfect in whatever I do. Whew…What a great recipe for stress and unhappiness!

If you want to be happy, have a sense of humor and learn to laugh at yourself!

Sometimes these ‘stupid’ things that we do can be a wonderful source of joy and laughter when we share the story with other people. I often find when I share these stories, it makes other people feel at ease because they realize that they are not the only ones who have done stupid things in the past. I believe it is part of being human. We make mistakes and the most important thing is we always learn from our mistakes.

So what if it happens to you? Take it easy! Share the story and laugh together with your family and friends.

Learn and grow!

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Learn to Laugh at Yourself

Have you ever had an experience when you did something very stupid and whenever you remember that experience you just cringe?

Let me share one story with you…

This morning I heard a story from my sister that someone actually washed a new electronic rice cooker under water. He forgot that it was not the old unit that he could just wash the whole thing.

Just thinking and imagining this already made me cringe. I really can empathize with him. If it was me, I’d heard myself saying ‘stupid’ over and over again. Sometimes even years after the incident, when I remember that particular incident, I still want to scream. I also tend to remember these things while taking shower. How about you?

Saying ‘stupid’ to yourself or screaming certainly does not help or serve us. It only makes us feel bad and embarrassed. What should we do then? One thing that I do is to learn to laugh at myself, to have a sense of humor when it comes to these kind of things. Honestly, it is not easy for me. I often take myself to seriously and feel that I must be perfect in whatever I do. Whew…What a great recipe for stress and unhappiness!

If you want to be happy, have a sense of humor and learn to laugh at yourself!

Sometimes these ‘stupid’ things that we do can be a wonderful source of joy and laughter when we share the story with other people. I often find when I share these stories, it makes other people feel at ease because they realize that they are not the only ones who have done stupid things in the past. I believe it is part of being human. We make mistakes and the most important thing is we always learn from our mistakes.

So what if it happens to you? Take it easy! Share the story and laugh together with your family and friends.

Learn and grow!

Pay It Forward

pay it forward

Have you ever watched the movie “Pay It Forward”? This is the review from Amazon.com

Pay It Forward is a multi-level marketing scheme of the heart. Beginning as a seventh-grade class assignment to put into action an idea that could change the world, young Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) comes up with a plan to do good deeds for three people who then by way of payment each must do good turns for three other people. These nine people also must pay it forward and so on, ad infinitum. If successful, the resulting network of do-gooders ought to comprise the entire world. Trevor's attempts to get the ball rolling include befriending a junkie (James Caviezel) and trying to set up his recovering-alcoholic mother (Helen Hunt) with his burn-victim teacher (Kevin Spacey), who posed the assignment.

Basically the concept is when you do something good for others, you do not ask for something in return, but you ask them to do something good for other people. Hopefully they will continue to pay it forward and making a lot of differences in people lives.

Yesterday I experienced this pay-it-forward principle first hand. When I was eating at Nini Thowong in Solo, I met my dad’s friends there. Then there was someone who took the initiative to pay for my dad’s friends’ meals, and in turn they paid for my meal. The baton of pay-it-forward has been passed to me…Now I am looking forward to an opportunity to pass it on.

If you read this post, I’d like to ask you to take the initiative to start this pay-it-forward action today. It is really a small thing that make a big difference.

What will you do today to start this movement going?

Learn and Grow!

Inge Santoso

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Coaching - Listening With Purpose & AHA

When I have a conversation with my friend, I usually just listen and talk. Today I tried to listen to what my friend was really saying. I tried to notice her choice of words and underlying values. It was really enlightening and interesting. It’s like having a new level of conversation.

During our conversation, I started to notice certain words that she used over and over again. I could see how these words affect her life until now. For example, she said she was afraid to speak in front of people since she was very young (kindergarten). She also told me some events in her life that support this belief. She could mention easily many instances when she had this fear.

I tried to put my coaching hat on and I asked her: ”Have you ever felt courageous? Have you ever done something that is really brave?” When I asked her these kind of questions, she really found it hard to remember any instances that support this notion. The fear clearly has more supporters than faith HAHAHA

light bulb

There was an AHA moment for her when I tried to help her to realize how courageous she was when she went to study overseas. I also told her that if she wants to be more courageous, she should ask herself those kind of questions and let her subconscious mind search for those supporting instances in her life.

I feel a very deep satisfaction when someone experiences an AHA moment. It is a very enlightening experience, especially for those who never experience it before. I consider myself very fortunate because during my 32-year life, I’ve had many AHA moments…lots of small AHAs and some big AHAs. I hope I can help many people to experience inspiring AHA moments in their lives.

Learn and Grow!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

My Great Grandparents’ Graves

Bong great grandparents

This morning my parents and I went to my great grandparents’ cemetery at Kentingan, Solo. I’ve never been there before. It is my first visit. The place is very serene and peaceful. I like it there.

We were lucky that today is school application day, so there were not many beggars there asking for money along the road. I heard that usually there were so many of them and they only accepted Rp1000 note.

The lady who takes care of these cemetery is very old. She’s an 80-year-old granny and she looks really healthy for her age. Everyday she walks there to sweep, cut grass and pull weeds making sure that the place looks clean. She also makes sure that the surrounding land is safe from squatters.

Learn and grow!