Be a starter

This is one of my favourite essay in the book REWORK. Many people thought that only entrepreneurs get to create and start something. The rest that doesn't have the qualifications, the resources, the talent or the risk appetite wont be able to make it.

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The thing is, you don't have to be identified as an entrepreneur to start a profitable company or create a remarkable product. All you need to is to start doing it. Start executing the idea you have since you were a kid.

So let's replace the fancy-sounding word with something a bit more down-to-earth. Instead of entrepreneurs, let's just call them starters. Anyone who creates a new business is a starter. You don't need an MBA, a certificate, a fancy suit, a briefcase, or an above-average tolerance for risk. You just need an idea, a touch of confidence, and a push to get started. - Excerpt from "Enough with entrepreneurs" from REWORK

Everyone should be encourage to start something on their own. You might not have all the "prerequisite" skills yet but you just need the most important one. The ability to start something. The ability of a starter.

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Thirst for knowledge

Do you have the urge to find out more about something new you learned about? The curiosity to know how and why things work. The drive to learn more about the world which we all once possess as kids. With power of Google and the vast amount of information found on Wikipedia, it's never been easier to satisfy your thirst for knowledge. You can even learn stuff they teach in school online through the Khan Academy.

As I've said before, everyone needs googling skills and there's no excuse to not learn something new everyday. The web is the best teacher you'll ever have since you can control the pace and the topic of your study.

The best way to secure your future is to invest in increasing your own personal value. Turn your thirst for knowledge into your motivation for a brighter tomorrow.

Linchpins are everywhere

Seth just declared that June 14 will be Linchpin Day. It's your chance to meetup with other linchpins in your area. If you read his books, do things that matters or just want to hang out, mark your calendar. You can also organize the event yourself if there isn't one nearby. Just go to this page and add your city to the list. For those in Kota Kinabalu, go here and sign up. Let's make it happen.

It's not about the mistakes

In many games, due to the complexity and randomness of it, the winner is mostly determined by the one who makes the least mistakes. It's a battle to reduce the amount of errors in your game play. Similarly, unexpected things can happen in life so we are bound to make some mistakes. It is pretty hard to go against the Murphy's law so it's alright if you screw up from time to time.

But I don't we should care all that much about mistakes. Yes, you need to try to minimize them and learn from them but ultimately, our lives aren't about tracking the mistakes we made.

Your life shouldn't be a score card for mistakes you made but a list of achievements and accomplishments you have. Don't let mistakes drive the story of your life. It's about what you did not what you did wrong.

Google invades your TV

After making their own mobile phone, Google is now going to enter your living room through the TV. Google TV is their latest endeavor to bring the web closer to you. It runs on Android (the same OS that powers the Nexus one) which means you have access to all the applications on your TV. Some TVs are going to ship with it built in and for old TVs, you can plug in a Google TV box. Now there's really no reason to leave the couch.

Always ask questions

I noticed some people don't seem to ask questions in situations where they should be doing so. You should always ask more about the product you are buying. You could also ask others to know of a better way to do something. And when they do ask, they tend to ask the wrong ones. There are things that you should already know and there are those that you should ask the right person. Knowing what and who to ask are equally important.

One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

Some people refuse to ask questions to not look stupid. That is probably the worst thing they can ever do. Ask questions whenever you can.

Starting first

In most games, starting first gives you a better edge because you get to dictate the pace of the game. The effect is even more prominent in turn based games. However, life isn't a turn based game, so acting first can be extremely scary (to the lizard brain) and very uncomfortable for most people. It seems safer when we are being lead by someone and if anything goes wrong, we got someone to blame.

But if your aim is to do something remarkable, different and revolutionary, chances are you have to be the one to take the first step.

There is no guarantee that by starting first, you will stand a better chance than the rest. But at least, you'll be the pioneer and if you do make it, the rewards are definitely worthwhile.

Can't sleep?

I have problems falling asleep every night as I take at least 30 minutes before i wander off to dreamland. Here are some tips from Nancy Rothstein, author of best-selling children’s book My Daddy Snores, and co-creator of The Sleep Radio Show. These are taken directly from this article on GOOD.

  1. Unplug early. Avoid the computer, television, or cell phone before you hit the the sheets. These electronic devices stimulate your body, which is exactly what you don’t want before you start counting sheep.
  2. Paint it black. Does the outdoor city light bother you? Does the morning sunlight wake you up earlier than you would like? Invest in black-out curtains, or get eyeshades. Eliminate other light sources, such as your LED alarm clock display or the glare of a computer screen—which should be off at night anyway!
  3. Have a routine. Try to get to bed at the same time everyday—even on the weekends. Sticking to a schedule helps your body reinforce regular sleep. This is especially important for children, as irregular and inefficient sleep can have harmful consequences on their development.
  4. Just say no. Contrary to popular belief, drinking right before bedtime will not aid your sleep. Try to avoid drinking three to four hours before you go to bed. Avoid caffeine and nicotine for at least eight to nine hours before bedtime.
  5. Ritualized relaxation. Some good pre-bedtime activities: taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music, reading a book, or just sitting quietly with dim lighting. Nancy even recommends doing a yoga pose called the child’s pose on your bed before going to sleep.
  6. Don’t push it. If you can’t fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes, get up and do something until you feel tired. Practice breathing exercises until you feel tired enough to fall asleep. Try organizing your room, solving a jigsaw puzzle, or listening to soothing music.
  7. Beds are for sleeping. Do you live in a small apartment? Tempted to use the bed as a work desk or a couch? Don’t. Make sure your bed is for sleeping only. No exceptions.