Articles on Motivation,Leadership (2002)

Articles from 2002

Below are free articles on self-leadership, motivation and building great teams. These articles form the core of each issue of our free monthly e-newsletter, LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS. Subscribe to our Life Without Limits monthly e-newsletter containing monthly tips you can use for self-motivation, coaching your teams to success, self-leadership and building high-performing teams. Join over 1300 executives , CEOs and business owners who have benefited from the newsletter since 2001.For past issues, read them for FREE.

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2002

Toughing It Out ( Dec 2002 )

Challenging Your perceptions ....and Lose Weight! ( Oct 2002 )

Dealing with Dissatisfied Workers ( Sep 2002 )

Self Identity and Self Leadership ( Aug 2002 )

Getting Into Shape - The 5 'P's to Success ( Mar 2002 )

The Importance of Doing Absolutely Nothing ( Feb 2002 )

The Whys and Whats of Life ( Jan 2002 )

Jan 2002 issue

THE "WHY" AND "WHAT" OF LIFE

When a sudden personal catastrophe happens, you lie there and the feeling is overwhelming: " Why me?" In many terminal disease cases, victims look back at their life; often with regret at many things said or unsaid, feeling like they may have done something wrong to 'deserve' their affliction. Where their conscience is trouble-free, the overwhelming question still arises:

" Why me? What did I do wrong to deserve this?".

After spending six months in hospital and now partially disabled, a common question I used to get was

" Did you ask yourself why you had Guillain-Barre Syndrome ( GBS )?"

To tell the truth, I rarely asked that question since GBS can strike anyone and anywhere, very much like cancer - except you stand a far lesser chance of dying from GBS. Once you remove the anguish of trying to find answers for ' why' questions that rarely have answers; the path is clear.

Instead of anguishing over the " whys ' in our lives, we should focus instead on the " whats" .

" What can I do to make this thing right?"
" What can I do to make myself a better person?"
" What can I achieve after this illness?"
" What can be done to make my family happier?"

In my case, it was an issue of asking " what can I do to get better quickly" and then later, " what can I do as a disabled person?".

Sometimes there are answers to the " whys " in life, for example, maybe if this or that person had never chosen to smoke, they may have lived a longer, better life.

But once catastrophe strikes, even if there are answers to the " whys" one should not dwell on these - one should look again at the " what " issues in life.

Feb 2002 issue

THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

A couple of weeks ago, I had the luxury of the gift of a spa session. I have
never been for any of these - EVER. But lying there with the Zen-like music,
I began to relax and began to appreciate the total peace and relaxation that
people often pay a lot for. The spa business is a booming one.

Normally, I always feel the need to *do* something. But at this session, I
began to appreciate that one has to set aside some time to do absolutely
nothing. Yes, it seems to fly in the face of reason. After all, shouldn't we
be all " maxing out " , working hard, playing hard etc?

Some moments of genius have occurred when we are at total rest i.e doing
nothing. It was the Greek mathematician Archimedes, who had a stroke of
genius when he solved a major and vexatious problem. You may recall he was
having a relaxing bath when the solution came upon him - sending him rushing
out shouting " Eureka! ". Popular legend has Newton discovering the laws of
gravity whilst sitting under an apple tree.

On a much cheaper and somewhat more vigorous note, I find moments of clarity
when I am on long evening jogs. Oxygen and blood is moving at a fair clip,
there is not much to see in the night and it is at times like these that I
can empty my mind of petty matters and focus on objective visualisation. I
see myself being successful at some goal and the steps I need to take to
achieve this. Sometimes it's about how I will handle the next day.

In the office, a quiet 10 minutes alone without muzak, telephone calls and
interruptions - would be terrific. Emerge from this session recharged. Do
encourage your friends and colleagues to value doing absolutely nothing - at
least for 10 minutes a day!

March 2002 Issue

GETTING INTO SHAPE - The 5 ' P's TO SUCCESS

In Singapore, the National Sports Participation Survey 2001, done once every five years, shows only four out of 10 Singaporeans (38 per cent) exercise at least once a week. Overall, only 14 per cent of all working adults exercise regularly. This is just a four-percentage-point increase in five years.

Let's face it, what this survey says is that we are becoming a nation of couch ( or mouse ) potatoes. Why do we find it so hard to get started? The usual litany of excuses include:

I have no time
I hate exercise
I' m not overweight

I wont go into the benefits of regular cardio-vascular exercise because I think most people already know of this. What they find difficult is to actually clock in the recommended thrice -weekly 30-45 minute sessions that will take your heart up to 60%-80%. This volume of exercise results in maximum benefits for the average individual who isnt thinking about climbing Mt Everest or running a 10km race.

Here are some tips to get you started!

1) PERSPECTIVE:

Assume you have 16 waking hours a week. That means you have 112 waking hours a week. Assume you spend about 9 -10 hours a day working. This leaves you with about ( based on a 5-day week ) 62 hours of disposable time. To fulfil the thrice weekly exercise routine, you need to spend about three hours weekly OR about 2% of your total waking hours OR 5% of your disposable time.

Think about what lasting regular, sustained exercise can bring and at such a small time cost. The excuse of no time is a shallow one - surely good health, a fit body is worth just 2-5% of our time. That's putting it in perspective.

Think your slim figure means you dont need to workout? Think again. Most Singaporeans ( especially women ) are undermuscle and over-fat - meaning that despite some people having desirable looking figures, they are carrying too little muscle. Changing these proportions leads to a stronger, fitter body without looking like Arnie Schwarzenegger

2) PLAN:

Plan to have fun when you exercise or plan to meet a certain goal. If you are over 35 and have been pretty sedentary, plan to get a full checkup from your doctor before embarking on an exercise plan. Some people may have a weight-loss target, some a goal to complete a race etc, Whichever is the case, you must set goals - maybe some as modest as " I will get out and have a workout thrice a week ",. Without a fitness goal, we become like hamburger junkies - having inconsistent meals, stuffing junk foods down our gullets. You are what you eat and you are what you do. The hardest part is starting, so plan your day. Have your workout clothes and shoes ready the night before or when you get home from work. Once you get started, it's so much easier

Dont plan on getting a gym membership to get you fit. You have to actually GO and get the workout done. Remember that popular home fitness equipment known as the Power Rider a few years ago?> Most are now expensive towel racks or used as clothes hangers. Gear doesn't make you fit, YOU make yourself fitter.

3) PEOPLE:

Get support! Team games are fun as are regular running partners or friends in the gym. Just make sure there is less chat and more work going on when you are with them though. Chat afterwards. If you aren't very fit, choose your workout mate carefully. The best partners are often those who are motivated to exercise, fitter than you and have goals - and trot along with you at a lesser pace when they are having an " easy" day. Draw inspiration and lessons from their stories.

4) PLOT:

...your progress. Some may have a chart on their fridge door, some keep a little diary. Celebrate successes with your family or friends.

5) PERSONAL:

Get a personal stories from your friends about their own success in creating a body and lifestyle that they wanted. Find out how they did it. Personally, I have had my own ups and downs. Long before I became interested in competitive sports, I reached teenagehood and put on quite a

Aug 2002 Issue

Self Identity and Self Leadership

The morning of May 19th, 2002 was not much different than any other with the exception that I woke in a wind-shredded tent and was a bit woozy from the lack of oxygen at 7400m. It was 230am. The place was Cho Oyu's northwest ridge and this was our final campsite before going for the 8200m high summit. Temperatures were fairly mild at - 20 degrees below zero, but sleeping the night before without the aid of bottled oxygen meant rather cold extremities and a sluggish outlook.

The route took a punishingly direct route through a 30-metre vertical rock band and then a steep ice gully. We used what fixed line there was pre-placed on the route by teams who had been ahead of us. On easier ground, we stayed unroped, moving at our own speed. By 1030am, I waved to my sole companion, MB Tamang. Exhausted by the preceding sustained technical difficulties, I decided it was safer to descend. We were about 300 metres from the summit with perhaps just two hours to go over much easier terrain. Both of us reached our basecamp safely a day later.
.............................

WHEN discussing self-identity and self leadership, I often use examples of climbers turning around ( for whatever reason ). In some cases, where exhaustion is not a factor but other issues like bad weather prevail, a climber has to make a decision not to go for the top even if he/she is in good shape.

Feeling comfortable with the decision to turn back requires a great deal of self leadership; especially in Himalayan peaks where a lot of climbing does not require you to be constantly roped together with your partner. Here, you may be moving as a team; but wrapped up in thick clothing and with a howling wind, you are often deep in your own thoughts. Ultimately, any individual has to take control of his own destiny without significant input from other parties. Being confident in your own abilities, experience and having the right tools helps one to make such decisions.

Second, turning away from the summit means going home without the perceived " prize" - the summit. For some expeditions, this may mean facing failure, disappointment from sponsors and so on. Knowing your ego and educating it to be happy with the RIGHT decisions is the key to being happy with such unpleasant and unfulfilling decisions. Too many of us go through life with our identity dictated to us by our parents, bosses, peers or perhaps our own community. Many public personalities are unable to find the ballast of self-identity, relying on their own PR to let them know how they are doing. Depression, anxiety and inner restlessness is a possible result.

Non-attachment to the objective is a key tool in this issue. This does not mean we should not be focused or be lax in toiling for our goals. What it does means is that our happiness is not wholly dependent on reaching that goal. And sometimes, turning back brings us closer to the true goal than going on. Going on can mean losing fingers and toes to frostbite or death. No real mountaineer ever went to climb solely for the summit.

This spring, I went to climb two of the world's highest peaks back-to-back without the help of bottled oxygen or the support of a large team. I came back with the summit of a delightful 6000m peak, came close to both of the big objectives, great memories of companionship on the mountain and with all my fingers and toes.

This is not a bad thing.

Sep 2002 Issue

DEALING WITH DISSATISFIED WORKERS

About six months ago, a Gallup poll taken with 1000 workers aged 18 - 54 years of age here in Singapore unearthed a disturbing attitude amongst workers ( ranging from factory workers to executives ). These are the CAVE dwellers, so dubbed - workers who were Consistently Against Virtually Everything

They may form just 12 per cent of the Singapore work force but cost the economy an estimated S$5.4 billion each year in loss of productivity. Described as typically 'disenchanted and disaffected with their jobs and often voice their negative attitudes to their work and employer'. Only 4 per cent of workers could be described as 'builders'. This rare breed are workers with 'passion, drive, innovation'. They perform at high levels and are characteristically loyal, productive and satisfied with their jobs. The rest of the workers between these two extremes were 'disengaged' from their work and looking to leave at the slightest advantage elsewhere.

There are FOUR methods to help address these troubling findings with worker dissatisfaction:

1) Engage True Leaders

What are true leaders? The biggest problem with corporate life is that people often assume positions of power by their titles, rank or seniority, rather than earning this respect. In that vein, managers and leaders thus have to be first picked by management on their ability to lead and inspire. They then must engage their subordinates to address what can be changed for the better and avoid being sucked into endless circular arguments about changing things beyond their immediate control. Leading by example and working above and beyond what is required will help in this respect.

After our first failed attempt on the summit of Mt Everest on May 19, 1998, we had 12 days left on our permit issued to climb the peak ( including days to strip down the campsites high on the mountain ). We could not control this issue. Neither could we control the weather. Instead, we focused on what resources we had left or could acquire and made a 2nd attempt on May 25th. This was successful, largely because we focused on what manpower we had and resources we could control.

I used to work in an organisation where some of the top corporate leaders would be often missing from the office playing golf . Golf is a great network builder and a lubricant to seal deals. But if the workers arent being informed ( even generally ) as to what the MD is doing, how does this inspire confidence?

2) Honour the Team

Much worker dissatisfaction comes from a lack of recognition for what they have achieved. Yearly assessments are too infrequent. There should be intermediate rewards, bonuses, days off ( get creative ) to recognise, reward and boost office morale. Some who get the thin end of the wedge are the support staff, those working the less glamorous but necessary jobs. Find ways to retain their support and honour the team!

3) Leading Up

Too many bosses think that leadership is mainly about delegation and setting examples. There is more. Think about leading up. Seek views from all stakeholders before a major decision is made. Leaders should listen, really listen to the frontline staff and the incorporate the best views into the plan. As an employee (at any level ) if we fail to leadup when our leaders are charging to the brink, we are failing to exercise our own self-leadership. Finally, credit those great ideas to their creators.

On the first summit attempt on Mt Everest, Edwin Siew was not on the list of the summit party of five. He was arguably the fittest, but the least experienced and had never climbed above 7400m at that stage. An argument was raised for his inclusion as a backup member at the last minute and he did go, despite my reservations. At the 6500m camp, I cracked 2 ribs and was put out of action. Edwin filling the 5th slot was the logical option. Ultimately, he became the first climber from Singapore to summit the 8850m peak. History would have been different if my team members had not the courage to lead up when the situation required it

4) Drive the Workers to be Performers

If those 12% of disaffected workers are difficult to change, focus limited resources in making the bulk of the team or workforce into a better one. Shift gears to turn them into performers. Find out their core company values and desires. Some wish to be heard more, some wish bigger monetary incentives, some want more proprietorship. Do a survey, have the courage to announce the results and what concrete steps would be taken to meet those worker needs. Set big target and match these with big rewards.

Oct 2002 Issue

CHALLENGING YOUR PERCEPTIONS....AND LOSE WEIGHT

The March edition of LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS on five ways to get motivated to get fit and lose weight was so well-received , I thought I'd follow up with something in similar vein.

Almost every weekend during the ' off-season' ie between expedition periods, you can find me with my trusty 15kg pack in the depths of Bukit Timah. I find the 2 hours I spend there interesting for these reasons: At 164 metres, Bukit Timah represents the 'goliath' of geographical features in Singapore. When Mt Everest stands at 8850m above sea-level, you begin to appreciate the interesting beginnings I had in 1994 when I concocted a plan to get a bunch of flatlanders to the top of the world.

But challenging perceptions is not an exercise reserved for ground breaking or high and mighty projects. It is a way of living daily. So long as we stay in the comfort zone and a routine, we can never find the germ of creativity or the spark of life.

Consider multitasking next weekend. Get off your favourite TV chair and challenge your perception of

1) how boring Singapore is,

2) lose weight!

For those on this subscription list who don't live in Singapore, look around your area for some suitable hills. Pack some spare clothes in plastic should it rain, carry a litre of water, get on some comfortable shoes and head for the hills. For those above 35 who do not require a physician's examination beforehand, head to the Ranger Station, pick up a map and nature park brochure. Start earlier i.e. before 830 to get a carpark slot and avoid the heat of the noon day sun

Each trail is like a journey into the virgin forest described in books. Wonder at the olfactory adventure - from rotting bark to the scent of insects and seasonal flowers. The Dairy Farm loop has a challenging and slushy gully topped with a pointless 100m face of roots and packed mud to challenge the fittest. Perhaps a shorter loop on the footpaths will allow you to hit your stride ( NB: walking is often considered to be the most accessible and best of exercises )

Kids? Bring them along on your second foray to the hill; after you have worked out a route which allows an escape to shorten your usual loop if your child had had enough for the day. A friend of mine who was diagnosed ( to his shock ) with high blood pressure at age 40 has resorted to these walks twice a week and often has his 12 year old in tow

I guarantee a burning up of at least 600 calories after 2 hours of brisk walking. That's about as many calories as a Big Mac. Best of all, you might realise how fantastic you feel after unclogging all those fatty arteries and next time, try to challenge yourself on a different route.

Adventure is a state of mind. If you can also lose weight at the same time, power to you.

Dec 2002 Issue

TOUGHING IT OUT

In 1982, Steve Callahan was shipwrecked when his sailing boat was struck by something and sank. He was cast adrift in a leaky , inflatable life-raft

He was out of the shipping lanes and floating alone. His supplies were few. His chances were small. Bu when three fishermen found him seventy-six days later (the longest anyone has survived a shipwreck on a life raft alone), he was alive -- a lot thinner, but nonetheless alive

In Callahan's 1986 book "Adrift" , he recounts fascinating aspects of survival at sea. A chronic, leaky raft exhausted him as he kept trying to keep it inflated. Weakened, giving up was an option. But Callahan persevered; telling himself others had been through far worse. In this way he built fortitude. And he kept doing it all the time.

Isn't life like sailing or climbing a mountain? For a lot of the time , the going is smooth and pleasant. But sometimes, an unexpected wave; an avalanche , can wreck our smooth passage. But these events, on hindsight, test our fortitude and only serve to help us better when the next calamity occurs.

Are you going through a tough patch? Just how tough is it? Sometimes, having it " tough" is really a figment of our imagination - and often, only a temporary deprivation of a goal or a luxury. " Tough" is when the basic necessities of life are at threat - safety, food, water, shelter.

"Tough" for me was when I was struggling to breathe in an intensive care unit four years ago and again, I kept telling myself, I would live and I would get better. Up high on Cho Oyu in the Death Zone this spring, I turned back at 7900m; having climbed the highest I had ever done
without using supplementary oxygen. It was frigid and a icy breeze was blowing. But I knew I would live and I knew I was not in immediate danger. But to push for the summit just 300 metres away would have been tough and stupid . Too many climbers have stepped past their reserves of strength and not come back from the high Himalaya. Turning back was also tough but smart. I decided being tough, smart and alive was the better option. Success is relative.

When tough times come and you are unable to avoid it, think of that fellow adrift - things don't seem that bad after all. Embrace the hardships and arise stronger from them.