Determination and Success

The famous English proverb goes “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” Simply to say, if you really want something, you will never run out of ways to make it happen. However, some people also believed that “Nothing is impossible because miracles can happen everyday.” It is not entrusting our life with how miracles work in our lives nor questioning how they happen, but it is emphasizing that we can make our own miracles with our innate weapon – determination. Little did we know that we are all born with willpower, and it is how we use or improve it that differs us from each other. There are a lot of stories that tell us about how a person was able to succeed through the power of determination while some dreams are still left a fantasy because we fail to achieve a certain level of determination.

What does determination mean to you? Is it never giving up no matter what? Is it faith in your dreams? Is it believing in yourself and holding on regardless of the obstacles? Is it reaching the rainbow’s end or catching a shooting star? Or is it soaring high like an eagle? Whatever that may be, we need to contemplate on how can we inspire ourselves if we realize that determination is important to us? If you have made up your mind to have a slimmer body and the only way to do that is to go on a diet by cutting-down on your carbohydrates and lose at least 25 pounds in 6 months, how can you actually accomplish it? Or maybe you would like to enroll yourself into an exercise program that requires you to walk at least 45-60 minutes a day for 4-5 times a week. If not, decide that you want to get a promotion in 5years. How can you fulfill all of these? Do you have enough ingredients to success, which is determination? Are you very much determined to reach the finish line and attain victory?

One of the secrets great achievers do is that they clearly envision themselves with the kind of future they would be having if ever success happens. They know how it actually feels like living that dream. And even before initiating steps into making it a reality, they know the feeling when it is fulfilled. If the desire to live that anticipated reality is so great, then achievement is never impossible. The cliché “No pain, no gain” proves that enduring some pain equals gaining something in return worth your efforts. Just maintain a certain degree of determination so you can see yourself accomplishing your goals.

It is possible to succeed in spite of our shortcomings as long as we are able to compensate. It is likely being on top despite the lack of knowledge as long as there are people willing to impart their wisdom. It is possible for somebody who lacks experience to excel as long as there are people who are eager to share their expertise. Even if there is scarcity of resources, with ingenuity, anything can be possible. You can win every battle if after every loss; you are able to stand up again. A superstar exists because there are millions who support and stand behind their back. It is possible to succeed and then make history. However, it is always impossible to accomplish something big or small, if you are inadequately driven. It is determination of knowing you can be somebody and anybody you want to be that will clue others to believe in you.

With just the right amount of determination, no high mountain is difficult to climb, no fierce animal is hard to tame and no masterpiece can be so hard to create.

Procrastination: A Hindrance to Success?

Successful people achieve the kind of success they have right now through hard work and patience. It is inevitable, though, that there were instances during their “striving moments” wherein luck played its cards and paved way their roads for success.  But, generally, it is just a matter of discipline and initiative if one really wants to achieve success.

According to most successful individuals, the best ingredient for a successful career is diligence.  Diligence is the human value of exerting efforts to fulfill a task without resorting to negligence or irresponsibleness. Surveys showed that not all successful people are highly intelligent with an above average IQ level. There are those who have not gone to the best universities or have not even finished schooling. There are those who are just high school graduates, yet they have the most booming businesses in the market. Hence, one can really say that success is defined mostly by attitude and passion – attitude to excel and be diligently passionate about it.

Not everybody, however, have the same mindsets when it comes to achieving success. There are those who are just too lazy to get up for work, while some lack the enthusiasm in their workplace. There are individuals who are contented not to do anything productive and, instead, prefer to do things, which are not only “unhealthy” but also adversely affecting their jobs such as sleeping too much, unimaginable hook-up time with the television, or too much partying.

Furthermore, there are individuals who love to procrastinate resulting to undone works and deadlines left in whim. Procrastinators like to do their tasks at the very last minute. They have this attitude of doing their tasks on a later date of the schedule which could result to low quality of work outputs due to cramming.  Accordingly, procrastination has now gained momentum as one of the favorite topics among recent research works, especially studies on human behavior. It is now becoming famous as a subject for study because some considered it as an interesting topic since procrastination is a natural part of human nature. If talked about, all people can relate to the state of procrastinating.

What is procrastination?

Studies showed that procrastination excuses no one. Everybody procrastinates – it is part of human nature. Accordingly, it is only natural among people to put aside their tasks and do it on a later time because for the simple reason of not wanting to do it at a specific time.  There are also those who love to cram and find cramming effective in fulfilling their various tasks. Meanwhile, procrastination does not necessarily mean that one is lazy or inefficient; they are just used to put off until the next day things that are supposed to be done now.

Scientific researches stated that procrastination is the act of postponing a certain thing to do (or task) to the point that one’s work becomes delayed.  There are many factors involve why people procrastinate. Firstly, some individuals lack self-confidence that they can really succeed in doing their work if they are just diligent enough to do it and finish it on time. There is a tendency among humans wherein, even from the very start, they are not confident enough that they can finish their tasks on time or to have it done flawlessly; hence, they resorted to intervening variables or “comforting things” around which can delay in the fulfillment of their jobs.

With all the latest technology and media’s influence, people easily get distracted from concentrating in their works.  This is often the reason why some people put aside their important tasks because they got tempted to do other things present in their surroundings that stirs their interest.  People lack focus in their workplace because of unnecessary interruptions brought by a fast-growing society.  Mood can also be another triggering factor why people procrastinate.  Individuals, especially artists, rely so much on their mood in order for their works to be effective. Painters, songwriters, novelists and dancers do not find it effective to do their crafts if their mood to do such is not present.  This often leads to put aside such work and save it for some other time when the mood is right.

If low self-esteem is one factor why people procrastinate, over confidence could also be deemed as another reason why people procrastinate. Notably, people with overzealous confidence often think of themselves as someone who can really beat the deadline at the same time producing high-quality work outputs. However, such case is not always applicable. Because of too much confidence that one can do his/her job even just for a short time often results to low-quality outputs because it is being done out in a hurry.

Too many workloads can sometimes lead to procrastination. Because of too much work, one cannot choose anymore which task should be accomplished first.  Because of frustration and pressure, one chooses not to do anything anymore. This is a perfect manifestation that one, instead, prefers to escape from the bulk of works that need to be done than face all of those.

Diligence is still the key

Although  some human behavioral experts claimed that procrastination has its own share of benefits because it gives time for men/women to relax and meditate before doing all their tasks, still it cannot be discounted that procrastination is generally not a healthy practice.  Although there are those who find it effective to have their jobs done in just a short time and loving the pressure of finishing such, still, procrastination should not be exercised regularly.

True enough that humans are all procrastinators in nature, but one should think that it is just a matter of managing your emotions and rising above from all the intervening factors around. One should take into mind, that if one really wants to succeed in life and in work, they should try to avoid procrastinating because, as tested by time, diligence is still the best key to success.

A Career After College

College graduation plays an important role in every student’s life.  It is the breaking free from the four corners of the classroom and paving goodbye to “student-hood”. No more school works to finish, no more to school projects and compulsory school club attendance, no more to research papers, and no more to mind-boggling examinations. Graduation is the main exit point from the routine which a college student has to go through for four years or more.  For others, however, college graduation is a start of a new beginning- the start of an endless journey.  It is the turning point wherein a student is not a student anymore, but a new professional who will be embarking on a fresh chapter in his/her life.  It is the first step of embracing the real world away from the comforts of school – the real world of a “working class.”

We should take into consideration that before entering the working class, we were able to decipher already during our college days the career we want to pursue after college graduation.  Of course, it is the general rule that one will likely settle with a career that fits his/her course in college such as Accountancy students will go for accountant jobs, Biology students for a medical-related profession, or a Journalism major student towards a mass media job.

Sometimes, however, it is not by default that a fresh college graduate will pursue a career in-line with his/her college course. There are some who chose a career far-out from what they studied in college – i.e., a Chemistry major running an Italian restaurant, a Business Management graduate as a successful fitness instructor, or a Biology graduate who is now a top-brass intelligence officer.

Hence, we ask – What drives people to choose a career that is off-tangent from the course they studied in college? What are the factors considered in choosing a career to pursue?

PASSION AND PRACTICALITY

Passion and practicality are two main factors that influence individuals what kind of career they will pursue. A combination of both makes a very idealistic well-being of a career oriented person. It is not all the time that one can savor these two very important things in a career. There are those who chose to follow their passion instead of wealth and fame that he/she can get from another job. There are some people, on the other hand, who chose the practical reasons in choosing a career, such as higher income, power and fame, and a less stressful job.

Passion.  During the time when we still students, we had this vision of what we want in the future. There were dreams of becoming a lawyer, a doctor, or to take good care of a one big happy family. Other dreams were drawn towards the limelight such as being a famous movie star or politician. Because of this vision, one chooses a career that will get him/her to that vision. In other words, this is what an individual really wants to do. This is passion.

Not all people passionately love their jobs. There are those who chose the other side of the fence rather than pursue their passion. There are some, however, who grow loving their jobs. Passion is something that is very important because if there is no passion and drive to do one’s job, every day will be a drag in going to the workplace.  Instead of enjoying work, one gets bored easily and shows no excitement in the workplace.  This can actually adversely affect someone’s performance in the job. Because he/she has no drive to do the job because of the lack of interest to it, there is a tendency that work outputs are sheer product of mediocrity.

Practicality. There are some graduates who get into a job which they do not like in the first place. Among the major reasons why people choose practicality over passion in their chosen fields is the fact of higher income from the job, simple job yet earning so high, the comfort offered in the job, and the prestige of the job.   Accordingly, choosing practical reasons over passion is, in itself, a practical thing to do. For others, one can still pursue the thing that he/she really wants to do after retirement.

In times like now wherein global financial crisis is at its hype, one should choose a job or career that is practical.

Looking the abovementioned scenario of what a fresh college graduate is likely to go through after graduation; one can say that it is not that easy to enter the “working class.” One has to make tough decisions on what career to pursue – on whether one will choose his/her passion or to pursue a career that is more practical, regardless if that is really what one wants.

Furthermore, the most important thing about in the working class is that one should be able to contribute in the society.  It is not necessarily something very expensive or material stuff. By simply being a good citizen and honest worker are enough contributions in the society. Furthermore, by paying taxes as well as observing environmental laws, one has contributed a significant part in the society.

Meanwhile, when it comes to choosing a career path, one should balance what is worth pursuing at – weighing the advantages and disadvantages because the corporate world is way bigger (and most of the time more cruel) than the world we have inside the school.  Furthermore, if one is caught in the situation that he/she has both passion and practicality on his/her side in choosing a career, then one should not waste time to grab that opportunity. If there is only the presence of one (whether passion or practical reasons), we should see to it that our decision will be for long-term results. Foresight is the key for success.

Getting to Know Neville Jordan

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this business its people. Can we trust these people with our money? There can be amazing science and technology, great products, but if you can’t get on with or there’s no trust with the people then it’s best not to do the deal.”

-Neville Jordan

Name: Neville Jordan CNZM (Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit)
Year Born: 1943
Education: Canterbury University – Electrical Engineer graduate (1967)
Leisure interests: ocean yachting, scuba diving, motorcycling, horse riding, doing charity work and the performing arts.

Secret to his success: Complete confidence in your abilities, recognizing and accepting your shortfalls and having the desire to achieve.

What people say about Neville Jordan:

- John Manning, businessman and former manager of Technology New Zealand, said: “Neville’s a natural innovator but he is not just that. He has the combination of being an innovator [along with] strong business and management skills.

- “I have a lot of respect for him. He may be successful, but he’s also someone who is just another bloke who has time to help anyone. New Zealand needs more Neville Jordan around.”

Working Experience:

1. IBM and civil aviation (air traffic control engineer)
2. Headed to the United States on a six-week Rotary scholarship (age 25).Neville Jordan said that Rotary scholarship effectively changed his life. That was since the day he saw that there are people who enjoys in technology when he went to Houston NASA mission control. That made Neville Jordan motivated on having his own company.”
3. Multinational company in Europe – vice president

Awards, Achievements and Recognitions:

1. Leading investor and contributor to technological and scientific venture
2. President of the Royal Society of New Zealand (early 2006 to June 2009)
3. Chair of the Trustees of the Rutherford Foundation
4. Chair of the National Information and Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) Review Panel by the Australian Government
5. The Second Flying Kiwi recipient (2004)
6. He founded MAS Technology Ltd. in 1975 (telecommunications Microwave Company). He was able to make this company successful in the NASDAQ stock exchange. (1996 – 240 staffs, 15 offices worldwide). In 1997, in a highly successful float, MAS became the first and still the only New Zealand Company to list on the NASDAQ.
7. Founder of telecommunications microwave Equipment Company Marine Air Systems (MAS) Technology.
8. First New Zealand Company to list on the NASDAQ – tied forces with US company Digital Microwave Services proceeding to Jordan selling his interest in 1998.
9. Over 250 staffs are already with MAS, exports to 60 countries; making more than $100 Million in foreign exchange earnings.
10. Neville Jordan went on to establish Endeavor Capital a venture capital business investing in exciting New Zealand-based science, research and technology enterprises.
11. Diabetes research company “Protemix” (based at the University of Auckland and the DNA reagents company, ZyGEM) – founding Chair and Chief Executive.
12. He has been a Well-known Fellow of the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand and has been given an award by the United Kingdom IEE Kirby medal for “outstanding eminence and distinction in advanced technology”.
13. Neville Jordan was recognized by the Governor General of New Zealand’s Supreme Award for Exporting in 1996 and was honored by the Queen in 1999 as a Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit.
14. Neville is also one of only three living New Zealander’s to be a Laureate of both the Hi Tech Hall of Fame (2005) and NZ Business Hall of Fame (2006).
15. He continues to back our young talent in their growth of New Zealand’s hi-tech future.
16. Neville Jordan was able to serve six years (1993 – 1998) on the board of the Crown Research Institute, AgResearch, and three years each on the boards of the Foundation of Research Science & Technology as well as the Prime Minister’s Growth and Innovation Advisory Board.
17. An honorary Doctor of Engineering degree in Canterbury University

Hard Work: A Key to Prosperity

Hard work means doing your best effort to accomplish a task for a specific goal. It is how much time you spend on a particular work to achieve your purpose. It also means doing your job unselfishly and sincerely. Working hard means producing more. And when you produce more, you earn much.  A person’s future depends primarily on hard work and perseverance.  Working hard is also a challenging role in one’s life in order to succeed. It is challenging in a sense that, you need a great deal of effort and time to justify the meaning and importance of your work. It is a no retreat, no surrender obligation. Hard work is an obligation because a person who is aiming for something needs to give his best and full effort in order to succeed and prosper in his own field.

This kind of attitude must therefore, be inculcated in the minds of people even at their very early years in life. As they say, the earlier, the better. When taught as a small kid, with a brain still so soft as a cotton, the art of learning is very simple. This is because, one’s still a kid, following directions and instructions is so easy. The child has still no knowledge about being rebellious. What an adult says to a child, he would surely follow it. So when a child is taught to be hard working, he will try to do it.  And he will do it repeatedly every time he has a certain task to do. As he grows older, he will be used to working hard because it will already become his habit to give his best effort in everything that he does. With this kind of attitude, whatever problem, he encounters in his life, he will try to solve it with diligence and patience combined with hard work. And there is no way he cannot solve the problem. So whatever endeavor this person does, he will surely prosper, may it be economically or personally.

Hard work, therefore, is something you will look forward to because you know that it will lead you to prosperity. It makes a big difference in your life. You should always go with the flow but with so much care and tenderness. You should learn to love hard work. Because when you have that, instead of running away from it, you will gain the ability to set your own goals and dreams in life. No matter what it takes, obstacles could not stop you from working hard because it is already instilled in your heart. And it will remain as long as you live. And as long as you have your life and have a big dream for yourself, hard work is not an option. It is a necessity. And there, whatever fear you would feel, you would overcome it for you have a significant purpose in your life. And that purpose drives you to work hard and makes you truly understand the meaning of a successful and prosperous life.

Wonders of Cooking

Cooking is fun. It is both a wonder and a mystery. It is also an art. When cooking, one has to use his imagination and be artistic in order to come up with a delicious recipe.  It is not only applicable to adults but also to the young ones, male or female. What matters is the interest one puts in his life. It is a good feeling when one knows how to cook even at an early age.  Cooking also requires patience, interest and innovativeness. Cooking is an everyday learning. Every time you cook, you always find new discoveries, new tastes and new likes.

In learning how to cook, one may not go to school to study about cooking.  You need not spend a lot of money for the school tuition fee. Instead, it can be done at home, on your own or through your friends or relatives.  You just need to have the guts to learn and be interested in cooking. You may buy a book containing simple recipes, or you may opt to experiment cooking by yourself. It requires a little effort, confidence and patience, though to become a cook. You may not be an expert of it, but at least, you can try to cook a presentable and delicious food. Naturally, it starts from a very simple recipe like frying an egg, fish, meat or chicken. Then you will try to discover new recipes from your own imagination. And from there, you will learn to explore different kinds of recipes. Until such time that you will become an expert in cooking. And who knows, in the end you will become a very successful chef.

It is an advantage when one learns how to cook at a very young age. Age does not really matter that much, as long as the kid is already responsible enough to learn, then he can start learning how to cook.  What is important is to teach the child first on how to handle a knife and let him understand that a knife could be dangerous when not used properly.  This is because, a knife is a primary utensil used in preparing your ingredients for cooking. And it is the most dangerous among all utensils. Not only will a child be taught on how to slice, cut, chop or peel, but also he should be taught to clean the ingredients first before cooking. As such, he should also be taught on how to be clean and healthy in whatever he does. He must be taught in a way that he will give interest in cooking until he becomes a responsible adult and makes learning a fun-filled one for him. Cooking at an early age is a great advantage because a child can acquire independent food skills and can promote his youth development positively. So as the child grows, he will develop a positive approach in his life. He will not only resort to playing when not in school, instead, he will also spend some of his time in cooking. Aside from this, the child will be able to learn how to manage his time. When the child is already a teenager, he can fully help his mother and father in the kitchen.  It is no longer a problem for the family on who is going to cook on a particular meal, most especially, when there is no housemaid to do the task. Every single member of the family can take turns in doing their household chores, especially in cooking. Not only this, the family can save a lot.  Like for example, instead of dining out often especially during weekends, they can just stay at home and cook their favorite recipes. Also, it is healthier to cook your own food in the house rather than buying it from the outside. This is because, we can control the sodium, fats and cholesterol used in the food. Unlike in restaurants, we cannot choose what to put and what not to put in the food we eat.  When your child is already matured enough and is ready to settle on his own, he will no longer have a problem on how to raise his new family.  This is because, by then, he is an expert in cooking in his own little way. And we must put in mind that “behind every man’s success is through his stomach”.

Cooking, therefore, is not really difficult.  It is just a matter of choice and interest. It is also a matter of how much love you put into it in order to produce a delightful and delicious food.  It is also a matter of acceptance, in a way, that you have to accept whatever comment you can hear from the food tasters. What is important is to have that confidence in you and always use your art and imagination every time you prepare and cook food. And most of all, in cooking, you have to consider it a fun and a sort of relaxation and not as an obligation and give your best job on it. In this way, everything will be easy for you.