Archive for August, 2005

Diving Lessons

Monday, August 8th, 2005

Exploring another chapter in my so-called adventure life of mine (yea rite?!).  This time it involves lots of water and no verbal communication.  You guys must be wondering what the heck I am talking about.  I am actually taking up diving course now.  After long postponement, finally, training has started last Saturday.

Completed the first session of confined water training last Saturday and it was like ‘Wow!!!’  It felt a little weird in the beginning where I had to breathe through mouth and exhale through mouth also.  My jaw was tired, sore in fact, because of clenching the regulator too hard.  The thought of losing my only source of air supply is completely out of my mind so I bit it as hard as possible, which turned out to be a very stupid thing to do, because the regulator can be easily recovered if you accidentally dropped it.

Slogging a 12kg oxygen tank is no small feat, and walking around with the fin (not supposed to do so), I felt as if I’m Ronald McDonald carrying super-sized Big Mac on my back (hahaha) except that I don’t dressed in yellow and my hair is not red.

Doing the giant stride is freaky enough that one of my friend got panic attack!  She freaked out and that was it for her for the rest of the training.  Seeing her freaking out, I got scared too.  But after the jump, voila, anything goes, man.  I personally like the steel bar drop, where the diver is seated with the back facing water, and then off he goes in the water.  I must do that again!

Looking forward to the next session on Wednesday.  Don’t know what stupid act I will do again.  But what the heck, learning is fun.

Discover the 90/10 Principle

Monday, August 1st, 2005
Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the way you
react to situations). What is this principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how
you react. What does this mean?

We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the
car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our
whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control
over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How?

By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can control your
reaction. Don’t let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.

Let’s use an example.

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over
a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just
what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you
react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over.
She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and
criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A
short verbal battle
follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find
your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for
school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You
rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you
drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and
throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs
into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20
minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started
terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward
to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your
relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why?

Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is " D".

You had no control over what happened with the coffee.

How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say,
"It’s ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time". Grabbing a
towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you
come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting
on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully
greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference?

Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.

Why? Because of how you REACTED.

You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The
other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don’t be a sponge. Let the
attack roll off like water on glass. You don’t have to let the negative
comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong
reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out
etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic?

Do you lose your temper?

Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall
off)

Do you curse?

Does your blood pressure skyrocket?

Do you try and bump them?

WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin
your drive?

Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will
work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.

The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take
out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what
is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why
get stressed out? It will just make
things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be
amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.

The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.
The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials,
problems and heartache. There never seem to be a success in life.

Bad days follow bad days.

Terrible things seem to be constantly happening. There is constant stress,
lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time. Anger breaks
friendships and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest. Friends
are lost. Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you? If
so, do not be discouraged..

You can be different!

Understand and apply the 90/10 principle.

It CAN change your life………!!!!!!!