Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Came across an article in the newspaper. It was captioned "Don't expect champions to be Mr Nice Guys". Basically, the author argues that all great, dominant champions share an "utter belief in their brilliance and in others' incompetence". According to the author, this is also exactly the reason why they are dominant in the first place. I know, or feel, that to some extent that is true. Supreme confidence in ability usually does add on to ability itself. Stephen M.R Covey, author of The Speed Of Trust, has expressed so in his book, too. "Expect to Win" he says, and results will improve. But firm belief in ability of self does not equate to firm disbelief in the abilities of others. That would be against the principle of humility, against the abundance mentality and against Habit 4 Think Win/Win. Perhaps in competitive sports, Win/Win is hardly applicable, but for a student, Win/Win and abundance maps the territory most accurately. I need to find a balance... because I sense much truth in the author's viewpoint of "absolute confidence in ability breeds ability", but I also detect a very narrow minded Win/Lose paradigm stemmed from the Scarcity mentality in the thought that "absolute ability should only belong to me". Tricky, tricky.
I blogged @ | 9:26 PM
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Today's mistake wasn't one I didn't foresee when I just started reading the 7 habits. I call it Hyperproactivity, an orthodox version of Habit 1, be proactive. Habit 1 basically states that most people bend to circumstances-- when approached with a stimulus, they react to the stimulus instinctively. The essence of Habit 1, then, is that we are free to choose how we respond, and even greater-- not to respond, but to act before a stimulus arrives. Be proactive. If the circumstances aren't right, take the initiative, don't wait for circumstances to become more favourable. Be proactive. A simple yet powerful habit, it empowers people to decide their own fate and stop being puppets to circumstances. Hyperproactivity then, takes this to another level. I was forcefully changing circumstances, without truely understanding the situation or clarifying my intentions--A major breach of Habit 5(seek first to understand, then to be understood). Therefore, even though the intentions was of a Win/Win nature (habit 4), it was eventually a huge mistake that ultimately resulted in a Lose/Lose scenario. I guess at least the action in itself was in harmony with my principles, or else it could have been worse. If only I didn't lose control of my abilities while executing it eh? I guess this sets me a few steps back... Time to start over...
I blogged @ | 5:08 PM
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Wednesday, April 01, 2009
With reference to the previous post, I guess the sudden conversion to english music is rather freaky for some people eh? I'm not too sure how it happened myself. I do have a general idea, but its rather complex and highly irrelevant so I shan't bother with posting it. What's relevant though, is to keep supplying myself with more english songs, I could do with your help, reader. Send me songs. A few thoughts... 1. I guess reading the "7 habits of highly effective people" has effected a rather large paradigm shift for me... Its a wonderful book for self improvement, for those lost and without a direction in life, this is the book for you. 2. Everyone's insanely busy this term, it seems. Yet no one seems to be slackening their efforts in the academic area. It would be highly disrespectful and indecent if I were to continue to compete with people who are giving it their all with minimal effort. Besides, time is running out. Habit 3 says "put first things first", and Habit 2 says "Begin with the end in mind". Practising both, that would mean I'm going to study hard, finally. 3. I refer to my arguement for the GP essay topic : Do schools in Singapore prepare students well for life? "Schools do not give an inaccurate perception of life to the students. This can be easily seen from how schools place emphasis on individual excellence and independence, whereas life is an interdependent reality. As such, schools do not prepare students well for life." A month ago, I would never have come up with this arguement. Of course, it was derived largely from ideas of Stephen Covey (author of 7 habits), put into the context of education. Desmond Chan seems to think I'm wrong, though. He cites P.E and the class community as examples that show interdependence developed in school. Which really provides food for thought. Do these little actions -- PW, PE, learning as a class-- really show that schools are moulding us into interdependent individuals? Are schools not more concerned about individual excellence? Is the "best class award" really as prestigous as, or more prestigous than the "best student award"? From where I stand...no. Desmond Chan may have his own arguements, and he may be right, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong. We're looking at the same set of facts, but through different paradigms, or lenses. What does it look like to you? 4. The power of arguement sure is magical, isn't it? Who's right and who's wrong, who can decide? The majority, one may answer. Just a thought, then. Since Right and Wrong are decided by the majority, that means it changes as circumstances change. So, if a person's personal mission statement were to be "to do the right thing at all times", wouldn't his actions be varying consistently, adapting to the new social definition of "Right" everyday? Such a tiring and coreless personal mission, I deplore. "To be a symbol of stength and wisdom, and beyond that, a source of them." is so much more meaningful, isn't it?
I blogged @ | 7:55 PM
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