Priority

I remembered years back, there is a project manager told me that "You need to prioritize" when she respond to the problem of under-resource in our team. My objection was "well, i can prioritize, but can I drop those items in the bottom of the list". My objection was futile then, i still need to complete everything, but by wielding the magic wand of prioritization, all tasks will be completed brilliantly.

Nonetheless my topic today is not about priority in work, but priority in life. Last week, i heard a talk by my fellow toastmaster. He told us that he sworn to himself that he will spend at least 45 minutes daily with his kids. He said that he rather do it early than late, while he can still shaped the mind of his kids. He told us that if our kids are neglected, you won't know who do they mingling with and you may regret one day. I start reflecting myself, is family my priority, why do I spend much time in front of my laptop or hand phone? Do i spend enough time with my kids.

I think I need to remind myself more often.

Generous gifts

This morning a colleague who just came back from Thailand hand me a bar of chocolate as a souvenir gift. The price tag was still on the gift, I notice that it cost almost RM50. Considering we are not very close yet, and my another colleagues are also receiving other gifts. So far this is the most generous gift i received from a colleague after their trip. Usually we will receive some post cards, sea shells or refrigerator magnetic but seldom "pricey" item like this :) My the other colleague quip that, "she is rich...". Anyway, it's with good intention, it doesn't mean rich people are necessary generous, in Chinese saying, "For some people, the richer they are, the more stringier they become". So we are still feel grateful to her.

Then I share this story with my younger sister. Apparently she has similar experience. Once she received a travelling gift from an fund analyst which worth around RM 100. Considering there is no direct interest on their working relationship, so there is no question of business conduct violation.

For me, I think it boils down to which social classes we usually mix around. For some people, my story may be worthless to brag about. So, what's the most expensive gift that you ever receive in work? Of course, you shall only count those without any intentions behind.

They don't care about what you knows, until they know how much you cares

It happens that after I blog the last post, I run into the above quote "They don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you care". It makes me feel guilty for being too cynical in the last post. What happens outside of me, I can't do anything about it, but I can think positively towards it, and get myself adapt and make use of the external environment.

I feel the quote is very true, and decide to share it here. For if you want others listen to you, you first have to listen to them and understand what's their motive.