Week 3 Round Up!

Jan 23, 2011 by kaizenkoh

This week, I knew I was going to be busy running around right after work from 1 end of Singapore to another. During work, I found less time to do my own things and end up helping others because of the lack of manpower in the office. Sometimes I wonder if it’s really worth trying my best when I barely get any external rewards -.-. All these made the week pass by very quickly. I did not lose much sleep but I still lost some energy and zest along the way to get things done ending up delaying a lot. A few things did stand out though.

Meeting new people
Each time I go out to a Toastmaster meeting, I try to make a new friend or get to know someone new. I think within this month, I’ve managed to make at least one new friend every week. Most will become acquaintances while others might become closer friends. What I gain though is getting a wider perspective about how others live their lives. I get to see how one who is older thinks so much differently from those around my age. Those around my age still finding the ground and putting loads energy into things they love to do and create. By seeing so many perspectives, I observed that some people need encouragement while others need to open up their minds more. Those who are motivated don’t struggle but thrive in every action they take and learn from their experiences. Through interacting with so many people, it’s quite startling to see the differences and stereotypical views they hold. Nonetheless, most are willing to share and want a listening ear.

Toastmasters Meetings
Attended 3 this week. From an established club to a club yet to be established. Culture in an organization does show when an outsider like myself comes to observe and compare. Comparing with a certain set of principles I believe in makes some things even more certain. I am able to see key differences, some matter, some don’t. Some are worth following, while others are worth ditching. The key thing is that all these stems from the leaders. Leaders don’t only direct but also tend to set the culture. If you have a set of enthusiastic people leading compared to others who are just going through the motion, it shows in how the members react. Luckily, I’ve seen more good than bad although certain areas for improvement did stand out while visiting the clubs. Clubs that are yet to be established have great potential for growth as long as a right team of leaders are in with a support group from other clubs. It can work and it seems to be working for my own club too.

I discovered something else while visiting too. Gratitude is important and praise is powerful. I’ve been appreciative to all the help I get, giving due gratitude in kind or favour to those who have helped me out. For those that I help out, I get gratitude and praise too. This just makes the whole point of helping out more meaningful and furthermore, I feel that I am worthy. It’s not only recognition, it spurs me on to do even better too.

Meeting friends
I have not met my Poly friends in more than a month. I met up with some of them today finally. Time really flies and I see though some of their core character have not changed much, there are various changes even within this short period.

Some shortsighted, some learnt to be longsighted and think far for the future. Commonality is that all do not exactly know what the future will hold. Who does anyway? I guess we can pave it one decision at a time, hoping that it will be a fulfilling path. I guess we are at an age of finding out ground and feet before we leap into a career path. We can rely on the opinions and experiences shared by those who are currently pursuing education locally or abroad. Others who are already working and achieving what they want in life share another set of experiences. We can base the decision on those people’s experiences but one thing’s for sure, we will direct our own unique experience and live fulfilling it through our own decisions. Take the leap of faith then!

Am I worried I won’t see some of them the same time next year? Somewhat. I am glad that we will be moving on in life. I appreciate the lifelong friendships that I know will stay. I am aware that I will not meet them as often as I can from this year on. Hey, true friends do last and I am glad to spend this precious time available with them. At least we enrich ourselves socially by meeting up. Thank you guys =).

Love,
Kelvin Kaizen Koh