Somewhere along the way adsense decided to stop showing ads on this blog, and I have no idea how to solve this. I've tried to contact them many times but there is no reply. Except a notice that this blog is not suitable for ads, though it has been using adsense for many years before.
Somewhere along the way they changed the rules and I am unable to gather what's the change that caused this and have no way to get any help on this by any form of support. =(
16.9.19
How To Overcome Nervousness
Okay, maybe overcome might be too strong a word.
Here’s a little ‘hack’ I use to try to reduce my anxiety.
Instead of feeling nervous like I typically do, I try to trick myself into believing I am being really excited instead.
If you think about it, the body’s reactions are practically the same.
My heart rate increases, I blush a little, and perhaps ever so slightly my hands tremble. But my attitude towards the matter changes completely.
Instead of feeling dread or resistance.
I start to look forward to it.
And before I realise. I actually forget that I’m nervous.
I genuinely start to get excited and pumped!
Try it.
Change anxiety to excitement.
You’ll thank me later.
Here’s a little ‘hack’ I use to try to reduce my anxiety.
Instead of feeling nervous like I typically do, I try to trick myself into believing I am being really excited instead.
If you think about it, the body’s reactions are practically the same.
My heart rate increases, I blush a little, and perhaps ever so slightly my hands tremble. But my attitude towards the matter changes completely.
Instead of feeling dread or resistance.
I start to look forward to it.
And before I realise. I actually forget that I’m nervous.
I genuinely start to get excited and pumped!
Try it.
Change anxiety to excitement.
You’ll thank me later.
9.9.19
Manage Energy, Not Time
It took me 30 years to realise this — managing time just doesn’t work.
At the end of the day, time is a limited resource.
By managing time, you’re just trying to be everything to everyone. By making little time slots for different tasks. It makes you work harder. Work longer. Be more drained at the end of the day. It kinda feels like running on a hamster wheel. It’s a constant battle to keep afloat.
There are two key things about energy;
No. 1
Unlike time, energy can be expanded, conserved and renewed.
Expand.
Build up your physical health to expand your energy bank. Try meditation. You’ll realise that energy levels are adjustable, unlike time.
Conserve.
Set up rituals, or habits to break up a long concentrated work period. Try the Pomodoro Technique. You’ll realise that you can keep your energy level up even though you’re running through a huge chunk of work.
Renew.
Slot in regular breaks or do things that you enjoy every now and then between work periods. Start recognising things that renew your energy. Know when to make use of them to give yourself a boost.
No. 2
Two tasks that may take up the same amount of time, may not necessarily use up the same amount energy.
Usually, things that make you take a deep breath and sigh before starting takes up the most energy. Find if you can outsource this task or leave it at the end of the day so it doesn’t drain you up right from the start.
Once you start recognising this, you’ll realise that you can easily finish twice the amount of work in half the amount of time. Seriously.
Start managing energy, and not time!
At the end of the day, time is a limited resource.
By managing time, you’re just trying to be everything to everyone. By making little time slots for different tasks. It makes you work harder. Work longer. Be more drained at the end of the day. It kinda feels like running on a hamster wheel. It’s a constant battle to keep afloat.
There are two key things about energy;
No. 1
Unlike time, energy can be expanded, conserved and renewed.
Expand.
Build up your physical health to expand your energy bank. Try meditation. You’ll realise that energy levels are adjustable, unlike time.
Conserve.
Set up rituals, or habits to break up a long concentrated work period. Try the Pomodoro Technique. You’ll realise that you can keep your energy level up even though you’re running through a huge chunk of work.
Renew.
Slot in regular breaks or do things that you enjoy every now and then between work periods. Start recognising things that renew your energy. Know when to make use of them to give yourself a boost.
No. 2
Two tasks that may take up the same amount of time, may not necessarily use up the same amount energy.
Usually, things that make you take a deep breath and sigh before starting takes up the most energy. Find if you can outsource this task or leave it at the end of the day so it doesn’t drain you up right from the start.
Once you start recognising this, you’ll realise that you can easily finish twice the amount of work in half the amount of time. Seriously.
Start managing energy, and not time!
2.9.19
Always Judge A Book By Its Cover
On the cover;
There is the title. And the summary. Which both combined gives you an idea (albeit vague) of what the book is about. If it’s the type of book you’re interested in the first place.
There is the design or imagery. Which some might say speaks a thousand words. If it’s a short book, that technically means you’re already halfway through reading it without even flipping a page!
There are sometimes lists of awards, best seller rankings, and comments from other notable people. Which will help you gauge the worthiness of the book by virtue of crowd knowledge.
So.
Always judge a book by its cover!
How else would you do so?
Read every single book out there before deciding?
There is the title. And the summary. Which both combined gives you an idea (albeit vague) of what the book is about. If it’s the type of book you’re interested in the first place.
There is the design or imagery. Which some might say speaks a thousand words. If it’s a short book, that technically means you’re already halfway through reading it without even flipping a page!
There are sometimes lists of awards, best seller rankings, and comments from other notable people. Which will help you gauge the worthiness of the book by virtue of crowd knowledge.
So.
Always judge a book by its cover!
How else would you do so?
Read every single book out there before deciding?
26.8.19
Stand Still And You Go Backwards
An oldie but goodie from Casey Neistat — Life Explained in 27 Seconds.
Life is like going the wrong way on a moving sidewalk.
Walk and you stay put.
Stand still and you go backwards.
To get ahead you have to hustle.
It’s scary how fast the world is moving these days. One blink and you’re left way behind. Invest in yourself daily and push forth.
I’ll see you at the other end.
Life is like going the wrong way on a moving sidewalk.
Walk and you stay put.
Stand still and you go backwards.
To get ahead you have to hustle.
It’s scary how fast the world is moving these days. One blink and you’re left way behind. Invest in yourself daily and push forth.
I’ll see you at the other end.
19.8.19
You’ll Get The Truth, But Never The Reason
If employees quitting is like a breakup.
If products not selling is like rejection.
Then exit interviews are pretty much like asking why she broke up with you.
And focus groups and/or surveys are like asking her, ‘why not me?’.
You’ll get the truth (hopefully) and maybe some half-truths.
But never the real reason.
The fundamental issue.
The core of the problem.
That’s why in typical situations, I don’t really believe in focus groups, surveys and similar modes of getting raw information out of people.
There’re just too many implications that will render the results moot.
Want to know what people really think?
Just observe.
Just listen.
People tell you their inner thoughts by their actions.
Where they are going next. What are they spending money on.
It’s scary how much data is out there for you to crawl.
They tell you their deepest thoughts by screaming on social media.
Be it by ranting, or by raving.
You don’t ask them, you don’t incentivise them, you don’t put them in an awkward position where they feel it’s polite to give half-truths.
They volunteeringly put their hearts out there in the open for you!
How crazy is that?
If products not selling is like rejection.
Then exit interviews are pretty much like asking why she broke up with you.
And focus groups and/or surveys are like asking her, ‘why not me?’.
You’ll get the truth (hopefully) and maybe some half-truths.
But never the real reason.
The fundamental issue.
The core of the problem.
That’s why in typical situations, I don’t really believe in focus groups, surveys and similar modes of getting raw information out of people.
There’re just too many implications that will render the results moot.
Want to know what people really think?
Just observe.
Just listen.
People tell you their inner thoughts by their actions.
Where they are going next. What are they spending money on.
It’s scary how much data is out there for you to crawl.
They tell you their deepest thoughts by screaming on social media.
Be it by ranting, or by raving.
You don’t ask them, you don’t incentivise them, you don’t put them in an awkward position where they feel it’s polite to give half-truths.
They volunteeringly put their hearts out there in the open for you!
How crazy is that?
12.8.19
The Hacker, The Hipster & The Hustler
The 3 guys you need to build a tech startup.
Commonly known as the Minimum Viable Team.
The Hacker.
He’s the guy coding the product.
Behind-the-scenes making sure things run smoothly and securely.
The Hipster.
He’s the guy in charge of creative and design.
Not just visually, but experientially.
The Hustler.
He’s the guy that sells, sells and sells.
To both the users and the investors.
Have you found your 3 pillars or are you loop-sided in this equation?
Commonly known as the Minimum Viable Team.
The Hacker.
He’s the guy coding the product.
Behind-the-scenes making sure things run smoothly and securely.
The Hipster.
He’s the guy in charge of creative and design.
Not just visually, but experientially.
The Hustler.
He’s the guy that sells, sells and sells.
To both the users and the investors.
Have you found your 3 pillars or are you loop-sided in this equation?
5.8.19
Your Moral Compass
How do you usually determine if what you’re about to do is right or wrong.
Morally that is.
Do you try to debate or justify it in your mind? Base it off what others have done? Take the path you’ve been taught to by your parents or mentors? Follow your chosen moral guidebook (aka religion)?
Here’s one quick and simple method I use.
Ask yourself; how many people are you willing to share this deed you’re about to do?
The more people you are willing to reveal it to, the more your heart knows that it’s the right thing to do.
If you can’t wait to shout it to the world, it probably means it’s a lovely thing you’re about to do, so what are you waiting for? The exception is of course if you’re criminally insane, in which case, please ignore what I’ve just said.
If you’re only willing to share it with your friends, perhaps it’s slightly morally ambiguous. This is a little tricky, but generally still acceptable.
If you can only tell your closest family or buddies about it, it’s likely to borderline immoral. I’m not proud of it, but I do have some things in this category. Hush-hush.
And if one day you come across something that makes you say, “if I tell you, I’d have to kill you.” 🔪😱⚰
Perhaps you should think twice?
Morally that is.
Do you try to debate or justify it in your mind? Base it off what others have done? Take the path you’ve been taught to by your parents or mentors? Follow your chosen moral guidebook (aka religion)?
Here’s one quick and simple method I use.
Ask yourself; how many people are you willing to share this deed you’re about to do?
The more people you are willing to reveal it to, the more your heart knows that it’s the right thing to do.
If you can’t wait to shout it to the world, it probably means it’s a lovely thing you’re about to do, so what are you waiting for? The exception is of course if you’re criminally insane, in which case, please ignore what I’ve just said.
If you’re only willing to share it with your friends, perhaps it’s slightly morally ambiguous. This is a little tricky, but generally still acceptable.
If you can only tell your closest family or buddies about it, it’s likely to borderline immoral. I’m not proud of it, but I do have some things in this category. Hush-hush.
And if one day you come across something that makes you say, “if I tell you, I’d have to kill you.” 🔪😱⚰
Perhaps you should think twice?
29.7.19
The 3 Things You Look For In A Job
How much you’re getting.
This is a combination of your salary, your potential career advancements and other benefits you’re getting.
Who you’re working with/for.
Most people leave their jobs due to direct superiors, but also, your colleagues and the amount of politics you have to deal with.
What work are you doing?
Do you find your work meaningful, can you find purpose and also is it challenging enough that it doesn’t turn mundane.
I believe that just satisfying any two out of the three points above is enough to keep you in a job for a reasonable length of time.
Anything less, it’s time you start looking around.
I have yet to find something that fulfils all three criteria for me, though.
Some might even say, it’s impossibru!
What do you think?
This is a combination of your salary, your potential career advancements and other benefits you’re getting.
Who you’re working with/for.
Most people leave their jobs due to direct superiors, but also, your colleagues and the amount of politics you have to deal with.
What work are you doing?
Do you find your work meaningful, can you find purpose and also is it challenging enough that it doesn’t turn mundane.
I believe that just satisfying any two out of the three points above is enough to keep you in a job for a reasonable length of time.
Anything less, it’s time you start looking around.
I have yet to find something that fulfils all three criteria for me, though.
Some might even say, it’s impossibru!
What do you think?
22.7.19
What Organising Gatherings Taught Me About Product Design
Ever since I’ve started remote working, “catching up with friends more often” was bumped up my list of priorities. And since I am more flexible in terms of timing, I started to be the one organising most gatherings.
What I Realised
Well, this is nothing groundbreaking but it became clearer the more meetups I initiated. The higher the number of people invited, the harder it is for it to come to fruition. Different people have different schedules, different motivations, different preferences on different types of gatherings, and so on. To find common ground among the intersecting threads is madness.
The difficulty of finding a sweet spot increases exponentially in direct relation to the number of people we’re trying to accommodate.
How It Relates To Product Design
When I started experimenting with different product ideas, the most common feedback I get is, “it’s not targeting a wide enough audience”. Or simply put, it’s not something EVERYBODY would use.
If we relate this back to our meetups; for us to cater to everybody, it would mean compromising on many things to fit everyone in. It would also mean that it’s most likely not going to come to fruition.
Or at least take ages to accomplish properly.
Niche Is Okay Too
But really, what’s with this obsession on being everything to everyone? I really enjoy having one-on-one catch ups too! Isn’t that the whole point?
When I am creating a new experiment or product; if someone out there finds it useful, or had fun with it — that’s good enough for me. Hell, it’s more than good. It’s what I’m aiming for.
I rather create something some people love, than something everyone thinks is just-alright.
Not to mention, a niche in a world this huge, is not really that small either.
19.7.19
It’s Always About The Journey
I used to cringe whenever someone tell me that.
I mean, isn’t life about achieving your goals, reaching your destination, becoming filthy rich and taking over the world?
What’s with this it’s-all-about-the-journey nonsense?
But think about it…
If life is a journey everyone is taking; with the same end-destination — death. Isn’t the journey itself what really matters?
If goals are side-quests along the way on this journey, shouldn’t you enjoy the process of achieving them? Otherwise, why waste time doing them in the first place?
If you skipped all the process of the journey, will your destination still hold meaning for you?
If you suffered and totally hated what you’re doing for 99% of your journey only to reach that last summit. Is it worth it?
Not to mention, you might end your journey abruptly at any time. Ask yourself this; if your life ended today — did you live a fulfilling life, tasted what’s it’s like to be alive or at the very least, had helluva a good time?!
I’ve always believed that at the end of the day, what you bring away with you is your memories. Not your huge paycheck or the shiny car.
And the way to make memories is to experience life.
Go out there and learn new things, try new things, find what you love, find who you love and then share it with the world.
Make merry.
After all, it’s always about the journey.
I mean, isn’t life about achieving your goals, reaching your destination, becoming filthy rich and taking over the world?
What’s with this it’s-all-about-the-journey nonsense?
But think about it…
If life is a journey everyone is taking; with the same end-destination — death. Isn’t the journey itself what really matters?
If goals are side-quests along the way on this journey, shouldn’t you enjoy the process of achieving them? Otherwise, why waste time doing them in the first place?
If you skipped all the process of the journey, will your destination still hold meaning for you?
If you suffered and totally hated what you’re doing for 99% of your journey only to reach that last summit. Is it worth it?
Not to mention, you might end your journey abruptly at any time. Ask yourself this; if your life ended today — did you live a fulfilling life, tasted what’s it’s like to be alive or at the very least, had helluva a good time?!
I’ve always believed that at the end of the day, what you bring away with you is your memories. Not your huge paycheck or the shiny car.
And the way to make memories is to experience life.
Go out there and learn new things, try new things, find what you love, find who you love and then share it with the world.
Make merry.
After all, it’s always about the journey.
18.7.19
10 Tips If You're Going To Tokyo!
1. Grab a mobile 📡 hotspot.
It’s a tiny device you bring around to provide wifi to your phones. There’re quite a number of options to rent one before going, here’s two I’ve tried;
The speed and reliability are amazing. Though the price is a little steep, if you’re sharing with a couple of friends, it’s quite affordable.
This is a much cheaper option. But the speed can be a little frustrating at times. If you’re primary using it for navigation (see tip 3), it should be more than enough.
2. Set up your 🗺 Google maps.
I don’t know how I survived before using this.
Search through your guidebooks, blogs, articles and friends’ recommendations. Plonk all the addresses and details into your Google map.
This way, you get a nice looking, dotted map where you can see where are the concentration of spots you’ll like to visit and plan your day accordingly.
3. Google 🚇 your way around.
In combination with tip 1 and 2, you’ll be able to use Google maps to find your way around so much easier. In case you didn’t know, the subway system of Tokyo is madness and it looks like a huge spiderweb.
But with Google maps and especially YOUR Google map. You just click on the place you want to go, and it will tell you exactly which train to take, which stop to change, which exit and direction to walk towards.
Ah, 😍 technology.
Side tip, their lines are color and letter coded. Match them with your Google map’s instructions, try to watch out for the signs around and you’ll be fine.
4. Pasmo cards 🎟 to the rescue.
I remember the first time I was in Japan, every train ride involves trying to figure out the price of the ticket to purchase depending on the distance from one station to another… Screw that.
When you first get to a station, look for a machine (there should be one at every station) to purchase a Pasmo or Suica card. Then load in an obscene amount of money (you’ll see why) into the card.
When you travel on any subway line or through any station, just tap your card in and out of the gates and it’ll deduct the right amount automagically! At the end of your trip, you can return the card to the machine for a refund of unused funds too, so no worries there.
5. Pasmo the 💩 out of everything.
One thing I find really cumbersome in Japan is the crazy amount of coins they use. They have them to really big nominations too so you can almost always be sure to get a bunch of coins whenever you purchase something.
Well, you’ve guessed it, Pasmo cards to the rescue!
Almost everywhere you need to pay, you can pay using a tap of your Pasmo card. You did load in an obscene amount of money like I told you to, didn’t you? From convenience stores to vending machines to small restaurants to fast food to… Basically, anywhere you don’t have to ask for the bill I’ve seen a Pasmo reader.
6. Vending machines in 🍜 restaurants.
When you enter restaurants where you see the poor chefs or service staff boxed into an area behind the bar (with seemingly no means of coming out 😭), it usually means there’s a vending machine by the door.
You’ll need to order and pay for your food with the vending machine first. A small ticket will be dispensed after you’ve selected and paid. Pass this ticket to the staff and grab a seat, you’ll be served shortly.
Usually, the buttons on the machine will come with photos, but if you’ve come across one with only Japanese text, you can try to ask the staff for an English menu to help you demystify the buttons.
In the worst case scenario where they don’t have an English menu to accompany, look at the posters and pictures on the walls and play match the symbols with the machine’s text! That’s pretty fun too.
7. Vending 🍻🍫 machines on streets.
There are literally millions of vending machines in Japan. I’ve heard from a Japanese friend that it’s because anyone who owns a piece of land can request a vending machine to be placed on it for free! They’ll earn the commission for every sale. Win-win 🙌! I’d love to have a vending machine outside my door, or maybe even in my house.
Anyways, if you’re planning to buy any drinks or snacks from them, do note that from what I observed, they are of the mid-range price point. The same drink or snack can cost vastly different just a few steps away, depending on where you buy them from.
The most expensive being convenience stores like Seven-Eleven, Family Mart or Lawson. The second being vending machines. The cheapest being stores that are literally filled to the brink with products and signs. If you’ve seen Japanese newspapers before, it looks something like that, but really colorful. Text and images so cramped there’s hardly any space left. You’ll know one when you see one. I’ll usually stock up there.
8. Department store’s 🍱 food section.
There are tons of large departmental stores all over Tokyo and they usually (so far I haven’t come across one that doesn’t) have a food section at its basement. Did I mention, the quality and variety there is amazing!
But they are slightly pricier than normal restaurants on the streets. So the tip here is to buy them after 8 pm! The exact timing varies from department stores to department stores. Most, if not all food products will dip into a super sale after that time. I’ve seen some selling for 50% of its original price!
So if you’re looking for some supper or simply having a late dinner, remember to drop by the basement of department stores for some treasure hunting adventures.
9. Don’t be afraid of 😱 warm toilet seats.
A warm toilet seat in Japan and a warm toilet seat elsewhere means something totally different. In Japan, they actually warm the seat electronically! They also shoot water at your butt, blow dry, etc. It’s basically a mini robot with its own remote control!
10. Massage chairs 💆 ftw!
After a day of shopping and walking — look for electronics department stores. You know, stores that sell tons of different cameras on the ground floor, and other electronic gadgets on subsequent floors. They usually have a section with rows and rows of massage chairs which you can try for 30 minutes for free. You’ll thank me later.
17.7.19
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