Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
When you think that you are so right that you can’t be wrong, think again.
This bring back memory when I am in Form 3, where an “informer” told the board of Prefect that one of the Prefect cheat in exam. I am on the board, and we kinda interrogated the Prefect and she admitted it. So we have to decide whether to bring this to the Disciplinary Teacher. That time my argument is that since she is guilty, then I should do the right thing which is to turn her in, simple as that. To my surprise, one of the counseling teachers says that it is very normal for student to cheat (and everyone cheated before) and we should settle this issue “out of court”. I still can’t believe a teacher actually told that to a student, though it is quite true. Anyway, that’s not the point.
I was so sure that she is guilty so I am actually doing the right thing. Thinking back now, I don’t think I had done the right thing. First of all, cheating in exam doesn’t even come under the jurisdiction of Prefect. Secondly, I approach the matter from the eye of the law, guilty a charge. But as a person, I don’t think she deserved to be punished; she would be warned and be forgiven (everyone sins, and everyone deserved a pardon). No matter how right I think I am at that point of time, I might not be; I haven’t gain the ability to understand that at that point of time.
Today I had a small heated argument with my brother over some really small and stupid matter. I am supposed to measure something, and he kept saying that’s not the way to measure it and mumble about some alternative way which I don’t get it. I ask him to measure it instead, but he refuses to do so and accuse me of being stubborn for not listening to him. Since I don’t know what is he talking about and he refused to do it, so I have to continue with my way. He got so upset until he refuses to talk to me and cancel our supper session. I was laughing in my heart thinking, “is this really necessary?” Take it light bro; we know it is just a very mundane issue. Perhaps he thinks he is right and I am wrong, and he get angry as I didn’t acknowledge that he is right?
One of the problems with smart and confidence people is that they always think they are right. They pre-judge the opponent as wrong, and probably can’t acknowledge that they are wrong even if they know that they are wrong. I once found it difficult to admit that I am wrong or I made a mistake; I do get defensive sometimes, but I am getting better. Anyway, that’s not the point.
I think he assumes that I (and everyone) understand what he is talking about, and his way is the best; thus he is supposed to be right. I come to learn from my years with my girlfriends and the children I am teaching that not everyone think at the same wavelength as us, or have the same level of intelligent and wisdom as us. We assume everyone knows how to speak and listen, though it holds most of the time, but it is not true all the time. Sometimes we fail to convey the message properly, or people misunderstood what we try to convey, or people just couldn’t understand due to various reasons and limitations. But we always assume other are just like us, so they should understand since we understood what we are talking about (it's soooo simple). So no matter how right my brother think he is, is he really that “right”? Perhaps we need a little bit of humility and patient.
The same thing goes when I break off with my business partner. I supposed everyone think that they are right, including me. We are not able to talk sense into each other, as each of us has our own agenda and interest to protect. I guess we aren’t willing to sacrifice and lack of consideration for others. Everyone is too selfish, and partnership won’t flourish under circumstances.
Sometimes I think in life or business is not how smart we are, but how much wisdom, humility and patient we have.
When I think I am absolutely right and someone else is totally wrong, perhaps I could re-access the situation again. Everything had 2 faces, we might need to see both in order to make a better judgment.
I was so sure that she is guilty so I am actually doing the right thing. Thinking back now, I don’t think I had done the right thing. First of all, cheating in exam doesn’t even come under the jurisdiction of Prefect. Secondly, I approach the matter from the eye of the law, guilty a charge. But as a person, I don’t think she deserved to be punished; she would be warned and be forgiven (everyone sins, and everyone deserved a pardon). No matter how right I think I am at that point of time, I might not be; I haven’t gain the ability to understand that at that point of time.
Today I had a small heated argument with my brother over some really small and stupid matter. I am supposed to measure something, and he kept saying that’s not the way to measure it and mumble about some alternative way which I don’t get it. I ask him to measure it instead, but he refuses to do so and accuse me of being stubborn for not listening to him. Since I don’t know what is he talking about and he refused to do it, so I have to continue with my way. He got so upset until he refuses to talk to me and cancel our supper session. I was laughing in my heart thinking, “is this really necessary?” Take it light bro; we know it is just a very mundane issue. Perhaps he thinks he is right and I am wrong, and he get angry as I didn’t acknowledge that he is right?
One of the problems with smart and confidence people is that they always think they are right. They pre-judge the opponent as wrong, and probably can’t acknowledge that they are wrong even if they know that they are wrong. I once found it difficult to admit that I am wrong or I made a mistake; I do get defensive sometimes, but I am getting better. Anyway, that’s not the point.
I think he assumes that I (and everyone) understand what he is talking about, and his way is the best; thus he is supposed to be right. I come to learn from my years with my girlfriends and the children I am teaching that not everyone think at the same wavelength as us, or have the same level of intelligent and wisdom as us. We assume everyone knows how to speak and listen, though it holds most of the time, but it is not true all the time. Sometimes we fail to convey the message properly, or people misunderstood what we try to convey, or people just couldn’t understand due to various reasons and limitations. But we always assume other are just like us, so they should understand since we understood what we are talking about (it's soooo simple). So no matter how right my brother think he is, is he really that “right”? Perhaps we need a little bit of humility and patient.
The same thing goes when I break off with my business partner. I supposed everyone think that they are right, including me. We are not able to talk sense into each other, as each of us has our own agenda and interest to protect. I guess we aren’t willing to sacrifice and lack of consideration for others. Everyone is too selfish, and partnership won’t flourish under circumstances.
Sometimes I think in life or business is not how smart we are, but how much wisdom, humility and patient we have.
When I think I am absolutely right and someone else is totally wrong, perhaps I could re-access the situation again. Everything had 2 faces, we might need to see both in order to make a better judgment.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The 90 minutes SACRED block
I started with a goal, and I need method to achieve my goal. I am sure that I need to be hardworking, so how am I supposed to be hardworking besides psyching my mind?
I remember a small trick which I read sometimes ago on how to keep people focus and avoid procrastination. Basically we need a dedicated block of time (90 minutes of ideal) where we shall not be interrupted. We focus and concentrate on the work or task we are supposed to do, as we shall achieve optimum productivity within this 90 minutes flow. It might take 5-15 minutes to warm up and enter the flow, so if we got disrupted or distracted, then we have to restart again. We take a small break (15-30 minutes) after the 90 minutes working block, and we can do anything besides work.
This 90 minutes block is SACRED:
Usually people work from 9-5, but that doesn't quite work for me at this stage. I wake up late and work until late at night. People had told me that this might not be a very good habit, but this work best for me at this moment. So let’s try a bit of more unconventional timetable.
Let’s give this a spin for 1 week and let’s see what happens. I am not very optimistic about timetable as I fail to follow them most of the time. In the end, I suspect I need something more flexible with structure and productivity metrics still intact.
I remember a small trick which I read sometimes ago on how to keep people focus and avoid procrastination. Basically we need a dedicated block of time (90 minutes of ideal) where we shall not be interrupted. We focus and concentrate on the work or task we are supposed to do, as we shall achieve optimum productivity within this 90 minutes flow. It might take 5-15 minutes to warm up and enter the flow, so if we got disrupted or distracted, then we have to restart again. We take a small break (15-30 minutes) after the 90 minutes working block, and we can do anything besides work.
This 90 minutes block is SACRED:
- The concentration flow shall not be disrupted
- Do nothing else but the work I am supposed to do
Usually people work from 9-5, but that doesn't quite work for me at this stage. I wake up late and work until late at night. People had told me that this might not be a very good habit, but this work best for me at this moment. So let’s try a bit of more unconventional timetable.
Let’s give this a spin for 1 week and let’s see what happens. I am not very optimistic about timetable as I fail to follow them most of the time. In the end, I suspect I need something more flexible with structure and productivity metrics still intact.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Desire for Spontaneous Adventure and the Need for a Systematic Living
I was watching Mamma Mia! and it show the beauty of Greece and the spontaneous adventure they used to have in their life, I wanted that. I like to watch Global Trekker because I wanted to travel and experience a different kind of culture, something out of where I am now.
I thought everyone would like to travel, and why not since it is fun and wonderful? Only 50% of us like to travel, and maybe 30% would like to get nearer to nature and probably 10% would endure travel without luxury or convenience. Just like I though everyone would like to be entrepreneur, and it turns out only 10% of us would like to be one.
Anyway I need something more than a vacation of 4D3N, more than a vacation once every year and something more than a vacation. I want to travel, and I want an adventure. I want to go to an island or mountain or villages, someplace wonderful with lots of green and friendly people and apple on the trees. I need to hear the sound of sea or gentle streams, to feel the wind and gentle sun shine and to sit on wood and rocks. I could walk and walk and walk, and the scenery and feeling would just get better. I want to stay at different places for months, taste different kind of food, see different season and trees, and talk to different people in different language. I want to have on lunch on the roof top with mountains of apple trees on my left, the great ocean on my right, the tall mountains on my back and the beautiful village in front of me. I want a sense of freedom with nature.
I found swimming to be quite difficult for me, and I felt the same when I learn roller-blade and cycling. The ability to move freely in the water without fear seems to have a sense freedom; is like riding endlessly on endless open field. So I need to learn swimming to complement my dream journey.
I desire a Spontaneous Adventure, where I wake up one day and pack my bags and go. Or maybe something not too spontaneous, where I still packs my bags and go. The other part of my brain asks me to work hard, buy a house and built a solid career, business or future; else I could rot on the street without a place to sleep. So I put my desire aside and do my work to build my future.
Is there anything wrong with this? Almost everyone is working for a living, isn’t it? How could we sustain a living without working? A farmer need to work the farm, a writer still need to write, a singer still need to entertain and a banker still need to negotiate. Even millionaires or billionaires still need to work.
Perhaps we are spoilt by these images from the TVs, where this guy just travel and travel and could live by without any money; or this Kung Fu master from ancient China who just know how to fight and still have money to spend. There isn’t an ideal where there is all fun and no work; all the joy without the pain. Is is not that work is all pain, just the adventure sounds sweeter.
So I could still have an adventure if I want it bad enough and I still need to do my work so that I could have a place to stay and feed myself. Would I be happier if I work as a waiter or farmer while travelling? If I can choose, I would prefer travelling and occasionally work for fun.
Just have to remember my desire for an adventure and plan something about it. I once told myself I would have an adventure of my life before I am 30, which is exactly one more year to go. I did visit Annapurna and Chiang Mai, climb Mount Semeru and Mount Kinabalu and did a few trips around Malaysia’s mountain. I am getting closer, perhaps I need determination to really fulfill my dream for at least one time, so that I could have story to tell when I am old and smiling with no regrets. I don't need to travel for years and bump around (perhaps when I retire), but I sure could enjoy travelling for months :)
PS: Added 2009 New Year Resolution -> Backpack Travelling for at least 1 Month, Hopefully 3
I thought everyone would like to travel, and why not since it is fun and wonderful? Only 50% of us like to travel, and maybe 30% would like to get nearer to nature and probably 10% would endure travel without luxury or convenience. Just like I though everyone would like to be entrepreneur, and it turns out only 10% of us would like to be one.
Anyway I need something more than a vacation of 4D3N, more than a vacation once every year and something more than a vacation. I want to travel, and I want an adventure. I want to go to an island or mountain or villages, someplace wonderful with lots of green and friendly people and apple on the trees. I need to hear the sound of sea or gentle streams, to feel the wind and gentle sun shine and to sit on wood and rocks. I could walk and walk and walk, and the scenery and feeling would just get better. I want to stay at different places for months, taste different kind of food, see different season and trees, and talk to different people in different language. I want to have on lunch on the roof top with mountains of apple trees on my left, the great ocean on my right, the tall mountains on my back and the beautiful village in front of me. I want a sense of freedom with nature.
I found swimming to be quite difficult for me, and I felt the same when I learn roller-blade and cycling. The ability to move freely in the water without fear seems to have a sense freedom; is like riding endlessly on endless open field. So I need to learn swimming to complement my dream journey.
I desire a Spontaneous Adventure, where I wake up one day and pack my bags and go. Or maybe something not too spontaneous, where I still packs my bags and go. The other part of my brain asks me to work hard, buy a house and built a solid career, business or future; else I could rot on the street without a place to sleep. So I put my desire aside and do my work to build my future.
Is there anything wrong with this? Almost everyone is working for a living, isn’t it? How could we sustain a living without working? A farmer need to work the farm, a writer still need to write, a singer still need to entertain and a banker still need to negotiate. Even millionaires or billionaires still need to work.
Perhaps we are spoilt by these images from the TVs, where this guy just travel and travel and could live by without any money; or this Kung Fu master from ancient China who just know how to fight and still have money to spend. There isn’t an ideal where there is all fun and no work; all the joy without the pain. Is is not that work is all pain, just the adventure sounds sweeter.
So I could still have an adventure if I want it bad enough and I still need to do my work so that I could have a place to stay and feed myself. Would I be happier if I work as a waiter or farmer while travelling? If I can choose, I would prefer travelling and occasionally work for fun.
Just have to remember my desire for an adventure and plan something about it. I once told myself I would have an adventure of my life before I am 30, which is exactly one more year to go. I did visit Annapurna and Chiang Mai, climb Mount Semeru and Mount Kinabalu and did a few trips around Malaysia’s mountain. I am getting closer, perhaps I need determination to really fulfill my dream for at least one time, so that I could have story to tell when I am old and smiling with no regrets. I don't need to travel for years and bump around (perhaps when I retire), but I sure could enjoy travelling for months :)
PS: Added 2009 New Year Resolution -> Backpack Travelling for at least 1 Month, Hopefully 3
Monday, January 26, 2009
TED Review: 10 things to know before you pitch a VC for money
10 things to know before you pitch a VC for money by David S. Rose. I am not sure whether there are 10 things, but there are a few useful hints to bring things into perspective, others are just the basics.
What is the single most important thing VC invests in?
Most of us thought it is the idea, but we know idea is cheap (many people could come up with the same idea) without execution. What execute the idea? PEOPLE. Basically VC looks for people with
Basically grab their attention in the first few minutes, bring them to higher and higher emotional high and make them write a cheque to you before you leave.
How to do a Presentation?
Positive Things to Do
Company Logo, Business, Overview, Management Team, Market, Product, Business Model, Strategic Relationship, Competition, Barriers to Entry, Financial Overview, Use of Proceeds, Capital & Valuation
Presentation Tips
What is the single most important thing VC invests in?
Most of us thought it is the idea, but we know idea is cheap (many people could come up with the same idea) without execution. What execute the idea? PEOPLE. Basically VC looks for people with
- Integrity
- Passion – if are you not passionate with what you do, why should people put money in it.
- Experience - I have done it before.
- Knowledge – Domain expertise
- Skill – Technical, Marketing, etc.
- Leadership – Charisma, Management, etc.
- Commitment – I’ll be here until the end.
- Vision – see where this going is.
- Realism
- Coachable – ability to listen.
Basically grab their attention in the first few minutes, bring them to higher and higher emotional high and make them write a cheque to you before you leave.
How to do a Presentation?
Positive Things to Do
- We need a logical progression, what to do, how to do and etc.
- Tell me things I know or understand, something I can relate to.
- Validators: Something or Someone saying this is good, such as statistic, real-life example, etc.
- Things I know are not true
- Things I don't understand
- Things that made me think
- Internal Inconsistencies
- Typos / Errors / Unpreparedness
- Good: Short bullet points
- Better: Just the headline
- Best: Only Images
Company Logo, Business, Overview, Management Team, Market, Product, Business Model, Strategic Relationship, Competition, Barriers to Entry, Financial Overview, Use of Proceeds, Capital & Valuation
Presentation Tips
- Use Presenter Mode
- Remote Control
- Hand-out More Info
- Don't read your speech
- Never look at screen
TED Review: Secret of Success in 8 words, 3 minutes
Richard St. John tell you about Secret of Success in 8 words, 3 minutes. It might be simple and enlightening, or it might be something you already know, but you can’t deny their importance. Perhaps a bit of good examples would help you to understand and believe.
- PASSION. I do it for Love, not for money. If you do it for Love, the money comes anyway.
- WORK. It's all hard work. Nothing comes easily, but I have a lot of fun (Rupert Murdoch).
- GOOD. To be successful put your nose down into something and get damn good at it (Alex Garden). Practice Practice Practice.
- FOCUS. Focus on one thing.
- PUSH. Push yourself Physically and Mentally, you gotta push push push (David Gallo). Push through shyness and self-doubt. Find someone to push you.
- SERVE. Millionaires serve others something of value.
- IDEA. Listen, Observe, Be Curious, Ask Questions, Problem Solve, Make Connections. To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe. (Marilyn vos Savant)
- PERSIST. Persist through Failure and CRAP (Criticism, Rejection, Assholes and Pressure). It could take 10 years to succeed. Crash and Learn.
Friday, January 23, 2009
3 Phases of New Technology
First, it is ridiculed by those ignorant of its potential.
Next, it is subverted by those threatened by its potential.
Finally, it is considered self-evident.
Next, it is subverted by those threatened by its potential.
Finally, it is considered self-evident.
- source: Paul Moller's Sky Car
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
TED Review: What is Happiness?
Kenny sent me (in fact is for Mei Ru) a link to TED: Ideas worth spreading. Basically it talks about interesting ideas which are quite enlightening.
The second video (the 1st one is about less people are dying due to war nowadays) I watched is about “What positive psychology can help you become” by Martin Seligman. His talk is a bit deep and not very clear, but I did manage to catch a few points and draw my conclusion.
Basically, there are 3 type of Happy Life.
Pleasant Life
We make ourselves happy by making ourselves happy, such as buying the PS3 I always wanted, go for an expensive dinner, go for a vacation, pamper ourselves with SPA, get a pet, etc. Or we can do something which we enjoy such as music, painting, dancing, sports, etc, all in the name to make ourselves happy.
Good Life
We use our best strength to make our life better. I am an introvert, so I won’t do Sales and Marketing (that would make me miserable), so I work in the back office and be a good programmer, something which I am good at and I got satisfied doing that. If I am pretty and handsome, perhaps I should try modeling or something which can make good use of my strength and advantage. I would get the attention and satisfaction of achievement, thus make myself happy. It’s an engagement of something, an engagement of being a good wife or husband, a good reporter or a good leader.
Meaningful Life
Still using our strength and advantage, but not for ourselves but something greater than ourselves: for charity, for world peace, for god, etc. If you are a superstar, you could be the spokesperson for charity organization. If you are a good teacher, you could teach poor children for free. If you are good at singing, you could entertain people who need you.
So what is Happiness, or rather Life Satisfaction?
It seems like Life Satisfaction had nothing to do with Pleasure at all, so buying a PS3 won’t really make me more satisfied. Meaningful play the biggest role, as it gives the biggest satisfaction knowing that we help others, the communities or the world. Engagement is important as well, knowing that we are good at something and people around less actually appreciate it.
“If you want happiness, do you want misery? If you don’t have misery, how do you know that you are happy?” What is the relation of Misery with Happiness? If you take away all the misery, would you automatically be happy?
Would you agree that by taking away misery will only make you feel less miserable (nearer to neutral), but not actually happy? You would still need Engagement and Meaningful purpose to achieve happiness.
I think I always know for the fact that if I keep thinking about myself only (about my work, my happiness), I am not really “good”; basically I am still being “selfish”, or ignorant thinking is okay for everyone to think for themselves. I should think for others, starting with people around me and expand further: in the process giving me the Engagement and Meaning in life eventually.
If I truly believe in this theory (or fact), then I should be thinking about how to make others life less miserable, or how to make them happy. But do I truly believe in it and will try to follow it? Perhaps I am still at the Good Life stage.
The second video (the 1st one is about less people are dying due to war nowadays) I watched is about “What positive psychology can help you become” by Martin Seligman. His talk is a bit deep and not very clear, but I did manage to catch a few points and draw my conclusion.
Basically, there are 3 type of Happy Life.
Pleasant Life
We make ourselves happy by making ourselves happy, such as buying the PS3 I always wanted, go for an expensive dinner, go for a vacation, pamper ourselves with SPA, get a pet, etc. Or we can do something which we enjoy such as music, painting, dancing, sports, etc, all in the name to make ourselves happy.
Good Life
We use our best strength to make our life better. I am an introvert, so I won’t do Sales and Marketing (that would make me miserable), so I work in the back office and be a good programmer, something which I am good at and I got satisfied doing that. If I am pretty and handsome, perhaps I should try modeling or something which can make good use of my strength and advantage. I would get the attention and satisfaction of achievement, thus make myself happy. It’s an engagement of something, an engagement of being a good wife or husband, a good reporter or a good leader.
Meaningful Life
Still using our strength and advantage, but not for ourselves but something greater than ourselves: for charity, for world peace, for god, etc. If you are a superstar, you could be the spokesperson for charity organization. If you are a good teacher, you could teach poor children for free. If you are good at singing, you could entertain people who need you.
So what is Happiness, or rather Life Satisfaction?
Life Satisfaction = Pleasure + Engagement + Meaningful
It seems like Life Satisfaction had nothing to do with Pleasure at all, so buying a PS3 won’t really make me more satisfied. Meaningful play the biggest role, as it gives the biggest satisfaction knowing that we help others, the communities or the world. Engagement is important as well, knowing that we are good at something and people around less actually appreciate it.
“If you want happiness, do you want misery? If you don’t have misery, how do you know that you are happy?” What is the relation of Misery with Happiness? If you take away all the misery, would you automatically be happy?
Misery (Negative) - Normal (Neutral) - Happiness (Positive)
Would you agree that by taking away misery will only make you feel less miserable (nearer to neutral), but not actually happy? You would still need Engagement and Meaningful purpose to achieve happiness.
I think I always know for the fact that if I keep thinking about myself only (about my work, my happiness), I am not really “good”; basically I am still being “selfish”, or ignorant thinking is okay for everyone to think for themselves. I should think for others, starting with people around me and expand further: in the process giving me the Engagement and Meaning in life eventually.
If I truly believe in this theory (or fact), then I should be thinking about how to make others life less miserable, or how to make them happy. But do I truly believe in it and will try to follow it? Perhaps I am still at the Good Life stage.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Hardworking
Fewer people appreciate the thread of hardworking nowadays, are you are supposed to work smarter.
Most bosses appreciate people who work hard, as they feel better if you would stay back and work the extra hours. Perhaps they find it difficult to measure how much you are actually contributing to the company, so they measure by the hours you spend in the office. Rather than measuring your productivity, they measure your dedication (and sometimes pretended dedication).
I think I used to be a hardworking person, and today I am less hardworking than I used to be. Perhaps I underestimated the importance of hardwork by trying to work smarter, by squeezing more productivity per hour (increase output by being more efficient). I always think that most of the people are actually much lazier than me, thus giving me the excuse to slack by compensating with higher productivity. What I didn’t think about is that there are people who are smarter or much productive than I am, and they put in more hours than me as well. Wouldn’t that make them twice as good as me, or put me too far behind?
We as human always make comparison. We always rate ourselves by doing comparison with people around us, and it isn’t helpful if we take pride by being better than people who are “weaker”. So what if most people in this world are lazy or poor? Does it make us better by hitting the average line and beating Billions of people in this world and losing only to Millions?
I think we need to raise the bar. If we can’t help but to compare, we need to compare with the someone better. If we can be the best in class, we should try to be the best in school, or town, or district, or state, or country, or the world. If there is space to grow, we should try to fill that space. If you are the best in class or office, you should raise the bar and try to challenge something greater. You could earn an average of RM 63K annually as a programmer in Malaysia, while your US-counterpart might be taking in USD 80K annually. So how good you feel as compared to your colleagues? Does that comparison really matter once you see the bigger picture?
Sometimes I don’t think it is not so much about competition or trying to beat others. For us to progress, we need to raise the bar and be better if we could. We might succeed, or we might not; at least we shouldn’t be too comfortable with what we already achieve. How about the concept of we learn until the day we die, and we try to accomplish more whenever we could.
Others could choose to be lazy, but it doesn’t means we are hardworking if we are just not as lazy as they are. If we could be better, why not? Perhaps there are more hardworking people out there, and you know there are.
“Surround yourself with the people you would like to be, and you will be just like them”. Don’t let others hold you back.
I probably need to work harder as I know I can, just have to figure out how to turn it into a discipline. For everything we want, we have to figure out the ways to do it.
Though work smart is crucial, but work hard is equally important for success.
Most bosses appreciate people who work hard, as they feel better if you would stay back and work the extra hours. Perhaps they find it difficult to measure how much you are actually contributing to the company, so they measure by the hours you spend in the office. Rather than measuring your productivity, they measure your dedication (and sometimes pretended dedication).
I think I used to be a hardworking person, and today I am less hardworking than I used to be. Perhaps I underestimated the importance of hardwork by trying to work smarter, by squeezing more productivity per hour (increase output by being more efficient). I always think that most of the people are actually much lazier than me, thus giving me the excuse to slack by compensating with higher productivity. What I didn’t think about is that there are people who are smarter or much productive than I am, and they put in more hours than me as well. Wouldn’t that make them twice as good as me, or put me too far behind?
We as human always make comparison. We always rate ourselves by doing comparison with people around us, and it isn’t helpful if we take pride by being better than people who are “weaker”. So what if most people in this world are lazy or poor? Does it make us better by hitting the average line and beating Billions of people in this world and losing only to Millions?
I think we need to raise the bar. If we can’t help but to compare, we need to compare with the someone better. If we can be the best in class, we should try to be the best in school, or town, or district, or state, or country, or the world. If there is space to grow, we should try to fill that space. If you are the best in class or office, you should raise the bar and try to challenge something greater. You could earn an average of RM 63K annually as a programmer in Malaysia, while your US-counterpart might be taking in USD 80K annually. So how good you feel as compared to your colleagues? Does that comparison really matter once you see the bigger picture?
Sometimes I don’t think it is not so much about competition or trying to beat others. For us to progress, we need to raise the bar and be better if we could. We might succeed, or we might not; at least we shouldn’t be too comfortable with what we already achieve. How about the concept of we learn until the day we die, and we try to accomplish more whenever we could.
Others could choose to be lazy, but it doesn’t means we are hardworking if we are just not as lazy as they are. If we could be better, why not? Perhaps there are more hardworking people out there, and you know there are.
“Surround yourself with the people you would like to be, and you will be just like them”. Don’t let others hold you back.
I probably need to work harder as I know I can, just have to figure out how to turn it into a discipline. For everything we want, we have to figure out the ways to do it.
Though work smart is crucial, but work hard is equally important for success.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Price of Freelance Software Development in Malaysia
As a freelance software developer, there is always an eternal gap in the price I wish to charge my customer versus the price my customer is willing to pay. How do I set my price or fees? There are 2 ways to look at this: how much I want to earn and how much they are willing to pay.
How much I want to earn?
Fresh Graduate Level
Being a freelance software developer, of course I want to earn at least as much as an employed programmer (plus the perks of freedom) . Lets say I am a fresh graduate, so I would earn around RM 2K per month with 1 month bonus and 10% EPF, so my yearly income should be around ((12 + 1) x 2000) x 1.1 = RM 28,600. As a fresh graduate freelance programmer, I would like to earn at least 28,600 / 12 = RM 2383 per month. There are 22 working days in a month, so I must at least earn = 2382 / 22 = RM 108 per day. As a freelance programmer, it’s almost impossible for me to be occupied with a project everyday, so I might be occupied with project 70% of the time (I might be scouting for prospects, doing unpaid work, holidaying or lazing around 30% of the time). For me to earn as much as an employed fresh graduate freelance programmer, I should charge my customer 2382 / (22 x 0.7) = RM 155 per man day. In this case, I would be happy and my customer would be happy as well.
Senior Level
According to some statistic, programmer in Malaysia earns an average of RM 63,000 per year (assuming you had around 5 years of work experience). If I want to hit the average earning, I should charge (63,000 / 12) / (22 * 0.7) = RM 340 per man day. I could still be happy, and the customer might be willing to pay this price as well (thought might not be happy).
Management Level
As I get older and more experience (after working for 10 years), I would expect a better income of managerial level. I would want a salary of RM 8000 with 2 months bonus (10% EPF) and a whole lot of benefit (worth RM 5000 perhaps), thus my expected annual income should be (((12+2) x 8000) x 1.1) + 5000 = RM 128,200. At this point of time in my life, I would need to charge my customer (128200 / 12) / (22 * 0.7) = RM 694 per man day. Most of the SMBs (Small & Medium Business) will not be willing to pay for this price, thus both my customer and I shall not be happy.
How much my customer is willing to pay?
SMB
Most SMBs are willing to pay between RM 200 – 400 per man days based on my experience, and a software house might expect RM 300 per man day for part-time contractor. Some big corporations are quite stingy and thought of software development as a cheap affair (or thought that freelancer should be dirt cheap), thus only willing to fork out not more than RM 400 per man day most of the time, or scrap the project. Sometimes I might to get lucky and strike a deal to be a sub-contractor of a huge project, thus earning RM 600 – 1000 per man day (though I would need to deal with a lot of people politic and late payment).
Software Company Rate
The average market rate for Software Company should be around RM 600, which I personally think is really low; there should charge at least RM 1000 per man day in order to be sustainable, but such demand is not a plenty. Only multinational consulting companies or company with government link would be able to get projects worth millions, while others are scrapping between RM 50,000 – 30,000 per project which take up 3 months to 1 year to complete.
What should a veteran freelance software developer do?
I started to feel the pinch for the past years as I desire higher income and my customers are just not willing to pay my price. Thus I desperate need to change my business model.
Master of One Skill
I could specialize in certain areas of software development, let’s say ASP.NET and be a master guru of it. Others might take 10 days to finish a job, while I only need 5 days (so I actually charge 50% less than my desired rate, while still earning as much) due to my experience and availability of tools and existing code. For this to happen, I limit my customer base (.NET technology and web-based only) and I need a lot of customer in this segment to make up the volume.
Build a Product
This is easier said than done. For this to be successful, I need experience or exposure in the usage of such application, and with strong capabilities to market and sell this product. I might need only 2 freelance projects to survive per month, while I need to sell 50 copies of my product per month if it is RM 200 per piece. If I fail, I loose my investment of time and effort between 3-6 months. This is not a game of technical skill but a game of sales and marketing, and product market is more competitive than freelancing.
Future & Hype Technology
This requires big money (venture capital fund) to create something really great or flunk. Think in the line of Google, Yahoo, MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and etc. You either try to create a great piece of technology, or to create a social network which attracts millions of visitors. This is the hardest, with highest failure rate and greatest reward.
Conclusion
It seems like freelance software development and consultation might not be ideal for a veteran programmer expecting a higher than RM 100,000 annual income, unless he had a bunch of rich customers or network with big projects stakeholders.
It’s time to improvise and try something less conventional or conservative. Be it product development or future/hype technology development, I desperately need to think out of the box to ensure my continuous satisfaction and survival.
How much I want to earn?
Fresh Graduate Level
Being a freelance software developer, of course I want to earn at least as much as an employed programmer (plus the perks of freedom) . Lets say I am a fresh graduate, so I would earn around RM 2K per month with 1 month bonus and 10% EPF, so my yearly income should be around ((12 + 1) x 2000) x 1.1 = RM 28,600. As a fresh graduate freelance programmer, I would like to earn at least 28,600 / 12 = RM 2383 per month. There are 22 working days in a month, so I must at least earn = 2382 / 22 = RM 108 per day. As a freelance programmer, it’s almost impossible for me to be occupied with a project everyday, so I might be occupied with project 70% of the time (I might be scouting for prospects, doing unpaid work, holidaying or lazing around 30% of the time). For me to earn as much as an employed fresh graduate freelance programmer, I should charge my customer 2382 / (22 x 0.7) = RM 155 per man day. In this case, I would be happy and my customer would be happy as well.
Senior Level
According to some statistic, programmer in Malaysia earns an average of RM 63,000 per year (assuming you had around 5 years of work experience). If I want to hit the average earning, I should charge (63,000 / 12) / (22 * 0.7) = RM 340 per man day. I could still be happy, and the customer might be willing to pay this price as well (thought might not be happy).
Management Level
As I get older and more experience (after working for 10 years), I would expect a better income of managerial level. I would want a salary of RM 8000 with 2 months bonus (10% EPF) and a whole lot of benefit (worth RM 5000 perhaps), thus my expected annual income should be (((12+2) x 8000) x 1.1) + 5000 = RM 128,200. At this point of time in my life, I would need to charge my customer (128200 / 12) / (22 * 0.7) = RM 694 per man day. Most of the SMBs (Small & Medium Business) will not be willing to pay for this price, thus both my customer and I shall not be happy.
How much my customer is willing to pay?
SMB
Most SMBs are willing to pay between RM 200 – 400 per man days based on my experience, and a software house might expect RM 300 per man day for part-time contractor. Some big corporations are quite stingy and thought of software development as a cheap affair (or thought that freelancer should be dirt cheap), thus only willing to fork out not more than RM 400 per man day most of the time, or scrap the project. Sometimes I might to get lucky and strike a deal to be a sub-contractor of a huge project, thus earning RM 600 – 1000 per man day (though I would need to deal with a lot of people politic and late payment).
Software Company Rate
The average market rate for Software Company should be around RM 600, which I personally think is really low; there should charge at least RM 1000 per man day in order to be sustainable, but such demand is not a plenty. Only multinational consulting companies or company with government link would be able to get projects worth millions, while others are scrapping between RM 50,000 – 30,000 per project which take up 3 months to 1 year to complete.
What should a veteran freelance software developer do?
I started to feel the pinch for the past years as I desire higher income and my customers are just not willing to pay my price. Thus I desperate need to change my business model.
Master of One Skill
I could specialize in certain areas of software development, let’s say ASP.NET and be a master guru of it. Others might take 10 days to finish a job, while I only need 5 days (so I actually charge 50% less than my desired rate, while still earning as much) due to my experience and availability of tools and existing code. For this to happen, I limit my customer base (.NET technology and web-based only) and I need a lot of customer in this segment to make up the volume.
Build a Product
This is easier said than done. For this to be successful, I need experience or exposure in the usage of such application, and with strong capabilities to market and sell this product. I might need only 2 freelance projects to survive per month, while I need to sell 50 copies of my product per month if it is RM 200 per piece. If I fail, I loose my investment of time and effort between 3-6 months. This is not a game of technical skill but a game of sales and marketing, and product market is more competitive than freelancing.
Future & Hype Technology
This requires big money (venture capital fund) to create something really great or flunk. Think in the line of Google, Yahoo, MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and etc. You either try to create a great piece of technology, or to create a social network which attracts millions of visitors. This is the hardest, with highest failure rate and greatest reward.
Conclusion
It seems like freelance software development and consultation might not be ideal for a veteran programmer expecting a higher than RM 100,000 annual income, unless he had a bunch of rich customers or network with big projects stakeholders.
It’s time to improvise and try something less conventional or conservative. Be it product development or future/hype technology development, I desperately need to think out of the box to ensure my continuous satisfaction and survival.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
We need a Goal (I need a Goal)
“If you don’t have a goal, you don’t have to worry about missing anything”
As the old saying goes, no hope no disappointment. I probably won’t progress or achieve anything besides living my life by eating, working, playing and sleep.
Do I need a Goal?
If I am a progressive person who wanted to achieve something with my life, then I should have a goal on what I need to achieve to make myself a happier person. If I am not, then I am happy with just sleeping and eating. Without a goal, I am lost; I have nothing to achieve, nothing to loose, and not sure of how far I had gone. I am busy everyday, I might love or hate what I am doing, yet I am not sure will be achieve something which I am happy at the end. A goal should be something I want to do, thus I set myself to do it. If there is nothing I want to do, then I don't need a goal; only if I am happy just the way it is.
How high my goal should be?
There is a lot of knowledge and techniques towards setting a goal. Some said you should set a higher goal, so that if you would achieve 50% of it, it would still be good. If I set my goal too high, I might think it is impossible and won’t even be bothered with it. If I set my goal too low, then there is no challenge and defeat the purpose of having a goal since I am going to make it easily. So I say set 50-100% higher than the target I would eventually going to achieve anyway without much difficulty.
When to set a goal?
Usually all start with New Year resolution, but sometimes a year’s plan is too long and too vague, but still a good start. Each goal should have a timeline, where some might take 1 month and those which take one year, break them down to 3 months milestones. If is good to have a half-yearly or quarterly review just to remind ourselves how far off is our ratio of effort and result. Without a review, we will have no idea where we are; thus defeat the purpose of having a goal if we don't intend to achieve it. If we know that we are far off, do something about it (anything). A goal is supposed to be difficult, and that means it won't be easy (extraordinary effort is required here). If it is so damn easy, you wouldn't desire for it in the first place.
Mission, Vision, Goal & Strategy
This is not so clear to most of us most of the time, but I shall try anyway. Mission is basically explaining why we exist, probably our purpose in life. Vision is more about what we want to be or do, more of future planning. Goals are smaller components which need to be done to help us achieve our vision, and Strategy is how we are going to do it. Since I think our life on earth is a god-given adventure to learn and explore, I shall take that as my mission. My vision is to be a good person and make this world a better place to live in; or at least take care of myself (so I don’t cause burden to others) and the people around me (just in case they need me), and don't do evil in the process. Everything starts from ourselves to our family to our community to our country and eventually to the world. Before we try on something too big, we need to help ourselves before we help others; love ourselves so that we could love others. So most of our goals happen to be more “selfish” and centered around ourselves, but I believe only when we are satisfied and successful in our own way then only we could help others. A beggar or a drunken can’t really take care of themselves.
Last Words
Basically is all about what we want to do in our life, and setting goals to do it one step at a time. People who dream of being a superstar but do nothing about it (besides dreaming) is not going anywhere. Most of us dream or talk about what we wanted to do, but action is the element which move things. Some of us might not have a dream, don’t understand his or her own mission and have no idea to conjure what kind of vision. Maybe we could do the reverse engineering: based on your goals (what you want to achieve), you might find out what matters to you or what would you prefer to do.
“Goals allow action to be taken. I worry not about action, but inaction”. Rather than worry about what if I fail, you should be more worried about what if I don’t try. There shouldn't be too many if, just like there shouldn't be too many regrets.
As the old saying goes, no hope no disappointment. I probably won’t progress or achieve anything besides living my life by eating, working, playing and sleep.
Do I need a Goal?
If I am a progressive person who wanted to achieve something with my life, then I should have a goal on what I need to achieve to make myself a happier person. If I am not, then I am happy with just sleeping and eating. Without a goal, I am lost; I have nothing to achieve, nothing to loose, and not sure of how far I had gone. I am busy everyday, I might love or hate what I am doing, yet I am not sure will be achieve something which I am happy at the end. A goal should be something I want to do, thus I set myself to do it. If there is nothing I want to do, then I don't need a goal; only if I am happy just the way it is.
How high my goal should be?
There is a lot of knowledge and techniques towards setting a goal. Some said you should set a higher goal, so that if you would achieve 50% of it, it would still be good. If I set my goal too high, I might think it is impossible and won’t even be bothered with it. If I set my goal too low, then there is no challenge and defeat the purpose of having a goal since I am going to make it easily. So I say set 50-100% higher than the target I would eventually going to achieve anyway without much difficulty.
When to set a goal?
Usually all start with New Year resolution, but sometimes a year’s plan is too long and too vague, but still a good start. Each goal should have a timeline, where some might take 1 month and those which take one year, break them down to 3 months milestones. If is good to have a half-yearly or quarterly review just to remind ourselves how far off is our ratio of effort and result. Without a review, we will have no idea where we are; thus defeat the purpose of having a goal if we don't intend to achieve it. If we know that we are far off, do something about it (anything). A goal is supposed to be difficult, and that means it won't be easy (extraordinary effort is required here). If it is so damn easy, you wouldn't desire for it in the first place.
Mission, Vision, Goal & Strategy
This is not so clear to most of us most of the time, but I shall try anyway. Mission is basically explaining why we exist, probably our purpose in life. Vision is more about what we want to be or do, more of future planning. Goals are smaller components which need to be done to help us achieve our vision, and Strategy is how we are going to do it. Since I think our life on earth is a god-given adventure to learn and explore, I shall take that as my mission. My vision is to be a good person and make this world a better place to live in; or at least take care of myself (so I don’t cause burden to others) and the people around me (just in case they need me), and don't do evil in the process. Everything starts from ourselves to our family to our community to our country and eventually to the world. Before we try on something too big, we need to help ourselves before we help others; love ourselves so that we could love others. So most of our goals happen to be more “selfish” and centered around ourselves, but I believe only when we are satisfied and successful in our own way then only we could help others. A beggar or a drunken can’t really take care of themselves.
Last Words
Basically is all about what we want to do in our life, and setting goals to do it one step at a time. People who dream of being a superstar but do nothing about it (besides dreaming) is not going anywhere. Most of us dream or talk about what we wanted to do, but action is the element which move things. Some of us might not have a dream, don’t understand his or her own mission and have no idea to conjure what kind of vision. Maybe we could do the reverse engineering: based on your goals (what you want to achieve), you might find out what matters to you or what would you prefer to do.
“Goals allow action to be taken. I worry not about action, but inaction”. Rather than worry about what if I fail, you should be more worried about what if I don’t try. There shouldn't be too many if, just like there shouldn't be too many regrets.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
2009
It’s the time of the year where I ponder what I had done for the last year, and what I will do for the next year, and checking on Feng Shui and Bazi.
Just remembered I didn’t have any target in place for 2008, but just things I decide to focus on such as Financial Independence, Fun and Balance of Life.
I still think this is a pretty good idea, though it lacks a certain sense of accomplishment (due to the lack of target), but at least we would have a feel if we are going the right direction. It’s like a vision, rather than objectives.
I dedicate 2009 to the following:
Ox of 2009 seems to be a difficult time ahead, with bad Feng Shui and the financial crisis. Like the old Chinese saying, with danger came opportunity. A new year should be a new hope and new challenges with new accomplishment.
Just remembered I didn’t have any target in place for 2008, but just things I decide to focus on such as Financial Independence, Fun and Balance of Life.
I still think this is a pretty good idea, though it lacks a certain sense of accomplishment (due to the lack of target), but at least we would have a feel if we are going the right direction. It’s like a vision, rather than objectives.
I dedicate 2009 to the following:
- Financial Independence. Money is not everything, yet it is the foundation of happiness to support our life and dreams, and we are spending an awful lot of time in our lifetime to do this. There is nothing wrong with working, but just sure I am working on the right thing with the right purpose. In 2008 I finally found something I really like to work on, and I have to turn this hobby into a cash cow (just be practical). To give it a realistic yet not so easy kick, I am targeting USD 600 for passive income for 2009.
- Fulfilled Life. Most of the time we need to work, yet we need to spend time to fulfill our dreams and desires, and to take care of the needs of our dearest. Perhaps a few simple trips and hiking, and hopefully will be able to go for a bigger trip (maybe free and easy Taiwan for 2 weeks, or some place in China for adventure). Perhaps it’s time learn swimming and pick up another hobby, perhaps guitar or cycling. Spend time with family for makan and morning walk, and spend time with girlfriend for pak tor.
- New Life. If I am looking for the perfect time, I guess I’ll never know until it’s too late. I guess 2009 would be nice to give it a kick-start, get a new home and start a whole new page in my life.
Ox of 2009 seems to be a difficult time ahead, with bad Feng Shui and the financial crisis. Like the old Chinese saying, with danger came opportunity. A new year should be a new hope and new challenges with new accomplishment.
My Life of 2008
The good thing about personal blog is that I am able to keep track of what I had done through out the year, that is given that I took the time and effort to write it down. Though most of the time it is best not to look back but just move forward, and sometimes I just want to look back to know what I had done (and had not).
January
Another year of self-employment. After parting away with my business partners I focus on my software freelancing business and revival of MalaysiaMostWanted.com.
February
Still trying to get adjusted with my new life, with whining and self pep-talk to keep me going.
March
Nothing much happens I guess. More work and less talk.
April
Travel to Hong Kong & Macau with family and Mei Ru (her parents decided not to go last minute). Trek Gunung Liang, the mountains with the most continuous steep ascending (and descending on the next day).
May
More on life and software development, and the wonderful Yong Belar trip.
Jun
Visited Singapore Toy and Comic Convention, Dance Exams, Getting a Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS, and more about life and funding.
July
Trying to learn Robot Building, and about life.
August
Interesting read on Morrie, Reviews of Laws, and whining about software business in Malaysia.
September
The exceptional Gunung Benom expedition, review on XNA and Google Ad Manager.
October
Doing the best adventure so far in my life with tour of Annapurna Circuit.
November
PHP and Alchemist.
December
Stop Dancing, Go Penang Makan with Family and trying the gage the state of Malaysian Web.
Time does flies and I always wonder what I had done for the last 365 days. It seems busy, yet not sure for whatever reasons and purpose. I think it’s a good and satisfying year, with room for improvement :)
January
Another year of self-employment. After parting away with my business partners I focus on my software freelancing business and revival of MalaysiaMostWanted.com.
February
Still trying to get adjusted with my new life, with whining and self pep-talk to keep me going.
March
Nothing much happens I guess. More work and less talk.
April
Travel to Hong Kong & Macau with family and Mei Ru (her parents decided not to go last minute). Trek Gunung Liang, the mountains with the most continuous steep ascending (and descending on the next day).
May
More on life and software development, and the wonderful Yong Belar trip.
Jun
Visited Singapore Toy and Comic Convention, Dance Exams, Getting a Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS, and more about life and funding.
July
Trying to learn Robot Building, and about life.
August
Interesting read on Morrie, Reviews of Laws, and whining about software business in Malaysia.
September
The exceptional Gunung Benom expedition, review on XNA and Google Ad Manager.
October
Doing the best adventure so far in my life with tour of Annapurna Circuit.
November
PHP and Alchemist.
December
Stop Dancing, Go Penang Makan with Family and trying the gage the state of Malaysian Web.
Time does flies and I always wonder what I had done for the last 365 days. It seems busy, yet not sure for whatever reasons and purpose. I think it’s a good and satisfying year, with room for improvement :)
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