Must

After reading an interesting article,
I had a chat with boys.

I : I read an article, '4 Must have skills'.
What do you think the 4 are?

YB : I know. I know.
The 1st is Self-discipline?

EB : Creativity?

I : To me, they're very good answers but....
Sorry, but not the ones as mentioned in the article.

(Both boys kept thinking.....)

I : Alright. Let me give you a clue.
The 1st one begins with a 'C'.

EB : C for Communication?
1st Must have skill is....Good Communication?

I : That's right. Well done! 'Clear Communication'.
The 2nd Must have is something unique about you.

EB : You mean USP?
Unique Selling Point?

I : Yeah...in a way.
The article calls it 'Personal Branding'.
Like how you express yourself in social network sites.

YB : Like Facebook?

I : Yes. Like Facebook, Twitter etc.
The 3rd one Must have is.... ..
(I stretched my body)

EB : Flexibility?

I : Bingo!
And the 4th?

EB : Team Work?

I : Well, kind of.
The article calls it,  'Productivity Improvement'.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324735104578118902763095818.html?mod=WSJ_hp_us_mostpop_read


Fate
Self-Discipline is a Must have & ... the MOST important one
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com
E : fatesecrets@gmail.com

Plan

We all watched 'Young Apprentice' again.
The 2 teams had to buy 10 opera items.
Each was given 8 hours to complete the task.

As expected, both teams did not have a Plan.
Because noone had a clue about execution.
1 team just went out, hoping luck was on their side.

The other team spent 1/2 of time staying indoor,
Just talking and talking in an office.
And 1/2 of the team staying indoor for 6 hours!

I reminded my boys of the need to have a Plan.
Things rarely happen just because one wants it.
And ideally, has a Plan B too.

Because something unexpected always happen,
And something expected not often all happen.
A good Plan + a good Execution guarantee a Great Success.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01nyrzt/Young_Apprentice_Series_3_Theatre_Props/

Fate
Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com
E : fatesecrets@gmail.com

Law

While having after school snack at home,
Elder boy started a chat.

EB : Dad, we'd an interesting lesson today.

I : Interesting?

EB : Yes.
We learnt about the law making procedures.
Homework is to come up with some new laws.

I : That's good.

EB : What new law do you have in mind?

I : Hm...let me think.
A new law to abolish University fee?
Students complain MPs had it free in old days.

EB : Well..... but things have changed.
Government doesn't have the money now.

I : Hm... what about a new law to ensure..
Children give 50% of their pay to their parents?

EB : No way!

I : Do you have anything in mind?

EB : What about raising the age for marriage?

I : What do you mean?

EB : Raising the current age of 18 to 20.

I : Why do you want to do that?

EB : To reduce the possibility of a divorce.
At 20, people are more mature when they marry.

I : I've the perfect answer to end all divorce.

EB : Really?

I : Yes.
Raise the age for marriage to.........90!

Fate
New Era requires New Thinking
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com
E : fatesecrets@gmail.com

Basic

One of boys' favourite programmes was on again.
They wanted me to join in watching the new series.
The BBC's  'Young Apprentice'.

12  'Under 18' candidates : 6 boys, 6 girls.
We all guessed it right - the first one being 'Fired'.
Boy with impressive academic result : 11 GCSE A*!

He's a classical example of what I call,
'Good on Paper, but can't do anything Proper.'
All he did during the task was Pretending, Avoiding.

Pretending to be Busy,
Pretending to be doing something Essential,
When in fact, he's Avoiding the Real work.

I've used his Failure to remind boys :
They need to develop & master the Essential Skills,
Within the next 7-10 years to stand a better chance.

Because the world economy will not recover,
For the next 10 years at least,
And the Record Youth Unemployment is to reach Higher.

Academic Excellence is only Basic.
They need the ability to learn new things quick,
To adopt to new environments quick.;

And of course,
The ability to deal with Difficult people,
The ability to persuade and lead others etc. etc.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00y8pgh/Young_Apprentice_Series_3_Rags_to_Riches/

Fate
Basic Skills Could Only Give You A Basic Life
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com
E : fatesecrets@gmail.com

Look

While taking my Younger Boy to school,
I started a chat.

I : What do you look forward to every day?

YB : Monday, it's Folk Band & Chess Club.

I : Right. Any other?

YB : A Piano Performance during Friday lunchtime.

I : Good.

YB : Multimedia Club on Wednesday.

I :  What about outside school?

YB : Oh, yes, Table Tennis night on Thursday.
Friday afternoon Piano lesson at home.
Badminton training on Saturday morning.
And...

I : And?

YB : And my 23-minute computer game time...
Every Saturday afternoon.

I : Well, what about Sunday swimming?

YB : That's good too!
I know what you look forward to every week.

I : Really? What's it then?

YB : A massage.

I : Yes, you used to give me a good massage.

YB : That's true.
I'm to give you something to look forward to every week.
And what do you think that will be?

I : Would it be... a massage?

YB : Correct!
I'm going to give you a massage every Tuesday.

I : That's great!

YB : Just wait.
Do you know what day it's today?
It's Tuesday!

Fate
Life is about having something to look forward to
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com
E : fatesecrets@gmail.com