Mental Toughness - The Works in a Single Slide ; Phase 1 - Identify the 4 Cs.

 

This is something which I want to improve this 2024 and beyond. My mental toughness. 'No more Mr. Nice Guy' is the tagline for the song, but its not quite an accurate description of my planned persona for 2024.

 

Step Up, Face the Heat, and Stay Focussed all the way till I get the goal attained

C (1) - Control 

Emotional and Life Control  

Always tell myself, when shit happens, I always have options to resolve and even improve the situation.  Never never go to pieces by becoming irrational or emotional ; whats the point in that ? 

Do a Risk Reward Analysis before venturing into unchartered pathways in life. 

Is it worth it ?

Confidence in my Abilities and Interpersonal Confidence

I am a very confident person, by nature, and every setback while painful, will shake my confidence - but to a certain degree - and no more. 

Pick myself up from the floor ; do a self check as to why the event occurred and what my price to pay is. Learn never to make that same mistake again 

Do not depend on external influences, friends, family, medicines or even religion to help you.

It is the power of positive thinking that will always claw you back time and again. 

Press On. 

Committment to the Goal (s) 

Once I am committed on a goal, I jolly well put 110% of my mind, abilities and resources to attaining this and completing it. No more no less. 

My very good friend Suresh who is based in Australia, gave me the Gantt Chart flow for me to assimilate into my life, the goals and achievements I have set for myself. I think this is an excellent piece of advice. 

Set the goals at the right, the timeframe I need to set aside, the resources I will need, the effort and the improvment in terms of infrastructure, staffing, opportunity costs and all. The more detailed I am, the better Control I will get and the easier the goal is attained with clarity.

I am assessing which of the 4 I am strong or weak with and will work on the weak ones.

Goal Oriented - strong

Achievement Oriented - strong

Learning Oriented  - strong

Risk Oriented  - quite weak

I saw this lovely piece some years ago and I'd like to repeat it to myself.

If you set 0 targets, 100% you will hit it all the time. 

Challenges

Is my glass half full or half empty ? Its so easy to lay in bed and wait for the sun toi reach midday and do nothing, it is a recipe for disaster. Depression, anxiety and all the ill health awaits people who just await the inevitable.

We all face setbacks every year, some more than others. If you always moan and groan and say "why me ?" what does that do in any way to make your state of mind any better ?

It doesn't. 

There are literally billions of people struggling and in worse shape than me and you. Think about it ! 

So, treat each event which made you unhappy or stressed as a challenge. 

Challenges are meant to be overcome, and not to be overwhelmed so much so that you lose focus of your life's big picture or calling. 

Once you overcome it, you learn from it and it will be an event you will smile when you recall that period.

One of the toughest mental stressing times  for me was during my National Service days in the artillary. That was in  the year 1981 and we 15 souls were selected to undergo 12 weeks of sheer hell on earth (my opinion). We were lance corporals and we went into the course to attain our 2nd stripe for full corporal status. 

I was and am proud to say I made it. We underwent the 120 mm towed mortar training which only the toughest minded (not physically strongest() ones survived.

I graduated 11th out of 15 Non Commissioned Officers with great pride and humility. 

The artillary training was crazy, stressful and we were constantly on our toes to be thinking out of the box, following terse instructions with severe consequences if we failed.

Many of my fellow trainees went to hospital for surgery, internal bleeding, and total blackout due to sheer exhaustion. I was struggling many times, but still persevered mainly through grit, and emotional support from my family. 

Those were trying times, but we made it.

Mental stress and ability to handle the stress is one determining factor of true success in life. Bite the bitter medicine. Press On. Complain less. Do the Tough Work when called upon. 

Make Painful Decisions. 

Today, many of my fellow ex-trainees are very successful in life and I am proud to be associated with them as a fellow graduate from one 

We will all die someday. Some from disease, some from unfortunate accidents, some from old age and some through mental health issues.

So what ?  Make the most of each and every year to the best of my (your) abilities. 

For in the end, what matters is that I (and you) try to leave a big imprint on the people around us and that is what truly matters. 

So I will go into 2024 with this GRIT mentality.

Time is no longer my friend. 

Success only comes to those who seek and try ever so hard again and again to attain it. 

2024 - Watershed Year for me in many ways.

 

5 Staff in our growing business

Happy New Year Everyone ! 

I will be referring to this blog every week to see whether I am on track of my goals.

2024 is the year of the last chances. My business while stable needs a major uplift in revenue to make it to the medium leagues. While we have good ongoing revenue from test services and repair, it is the major projects which I am confident will propel us into the big boys playing field. However, a lot of work and improvement of processes especially from me and the supporting people needs to be addressed and acted upon quickly. 

I am referring to the Athletic Chamber whereby QRA International is 1 of 4 international manufacturers or system integrators worldwide to provide such specialized equipment. I am confident we will secure 2 large orders in 2024. 

    2024 Business Resolutions 

1. Achieve Revenue of US$ 2,500,000 for the calendar year. 

2. Achieve US$ 500,000 EBITDA for the company (FY year basis)

2. Test Services business revenue to hit US$ 500,000 this year  (Calendar)

3. International distribution and repair services revenue to increase to US$ 300,000

4. Athletic and Human Performance Chamber Revenue to hit : US$ 1,800,000

    2024 Personal Resolutions 

1. Run 2 marathons (1 half  and 1 full)

2. Grow the Karate Club to 50 members

3. Help someone to finish his undergraduate studies -  remote and physical guidance

4. Reconnect with 10 worthwhile friends.

5. Volunteer in 1 social enterprise.

At the Doge's Palace Venice in Dec 2023 

The key issues for me Business Wise when  :  

a) Reach or exceed the targets set

> Stay Humble and do what is necessary

b) If the result is somewhere below the set targets stated below

> Decide what action to take.

c) Miss the target by a wide margin

>  What action to take

Time is of the Essence. Anybody can write nice platitudes and goals. The main difference is that the winners Make Tough Decisions, Grit and Plough On or Shift Course.

Let me leave you with these quotes in Latin and their translations below : 

> Carpe Diem ! 

   Seize the Day 

> Illijitimi non Carborendum !

   Dont let the Bastards Grind Me Down 

> Nemo Mortallium Omnibus Horis Sapit. 

   No mortal is wise all the time.

Every Setback has a Silver Lining - Many thanks to the efficiency of our Government Agencies

Recently I had my passport stolen in Italy. It was mainly due to complacency on my part. Even though we had a lovely time up until the incident, I let down my guard and hit the classic 'bump in the road' and it provided a rough and stressful last 2 - 3 days of our 14 day holiday which was unexepectedly extended to 15 days due to this incident. 

We are  seasoned travellers. We have visited most of Asia, Australia, and recently Europe for work and play for over 20 years in the past. This was the first time we encountered a major setback.  

However There is only so much vigilance you can exercise during your holidays. You do want to enjoy the scenery without looking over your shoulder or always tapping your tummy where your precious documents, money,credit cards are ever so often. 

With regards to your phone you, should hold it for dear life, else bring a cheap phone without all the important phone enabled tokens from your banks. 

Credit cards all over the world all operate using the Touch Pay method and it would be a major issue if one's credit cards were stolen. Yet it happens time and again.

My wife and I had our annual holidays in Italy and  recently we had a wonderful 12 days visiting Milan, Como, Pesqueira del Garda and Venice. At the 12th day on the train from Venice to Milan, we let our guard down and I had my backpack stolen in the Business Class section of the train.

Petty crime is rampant in many Italian cities. December is the most popular time to visit for Singaporeans and Malaysians (year end school holidays) so we (I) should have been much more vigilant and aware of the risks of putting precious documents, cash or cards in our backpack. There are teams of thieves identifying the potential victims which oftentimes are the hundreds of thousands of tourists which descend to St Mark's Square (Venice), Trevi Fountain (Rome) or the Eiffel Tower (Paris) and theft does happen.

Fortunately we kept our heads, and made the mandatory police report immediately upon arrival. We urgently called the Hon Consulate in Rome and was advised to do the following things immediately.

a) Go online to the ICA website and cancel my passport

b) File a Police Report at point of arrival (Milan in my case)

c) Take Passport Photo (for application of ID letter in Lieu of Passport)

d) Go to Rome with the PR and Photo for them to process speedily the ID Letter.  

Upon arrival in Milan, we made and received the Police Report as well as file the Online Lost Passport on ICA website.

We then made plans to make a mad dash to the consulate in Rome from Milan the following day (3 hours each way) to catch the staff at the Hon Consulate General to request for a Letter in Lieu of Passport signed and stamped by the Hon Consulate team.

The incident happened on a Tuesday (12th Dec), so on Wednesday it was mad rush to Rome, speak with the staff at the Hon Consulate.

When we arrived, they were expecting us. BUT the ICA did not respond to my notification of lost passport. They advised me to call the MInistry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore which has a 24 hours hotline for Singaporeans - and I did.

I spoke to an officer, and she was so helpful. She told me that as I was speaking to her on the phone, the email from the Consulate just arrived at her inbox. She acted quickly and instructed the consulate staff to proceed to the document, the Letter in Lieu of a Passport - for Singaporeans like myself who are in trouble or who need assistance.  

It was all done speedily in the space of 1 hour.

We arrived in Rome at 9.45 am, and reached the Consulate by 10.15 am. We managed to get the letter before 12 noon the same morning.

We then made plans to fly off on Thursday (14th) instead of Wednesday 13th ; an act which cost some money but the key thing was that my piece of mind was settled immediately.

Needless to say I was very grateful and impressed by the staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore and the staff at the Hon Consulate General in Rome.

To Mr. Jacques Vicari, Ms. Patricia in Rome and the MFA in Singapore - my humble thanks and profound gratitude. We arrived back with minor delays (extra checks on Italian immigration and Singapore but only cursory as per the regulations). 

Acting swiftly and decisively, you have made me so proud to be a Singaporean.

Majulah Singapura ! 

 

  

Nice Dinner to Celebrate my 61st - Frieda at Capitol Piazza.

From left, Fried Fish, Bread Pudding,Bratwurst and Assorted Sausages,Pork Knuckle,Grilled Prawn,Grilled Chicken. 

Guten Apetit ! as they say in Deutschland. 

Yesterday, our son Noel bought us dinner at Frieda Restaurant at Capitol Piazza. We ordered the meter long Shnitzel platter which is really value for money as it had the following meats, which are staples of German cuisine.

It was an early birthday dinner for me, and a lovely memory which my wife and I will treasure for years to come :

    Mains

1. Bratwurst, pork cheese and herb cheese sausages

2. Pork Knuckle (Deep Fried)

3. Fried Fish (Dory)

4. Grilled King Prawns 

5. Grilled Chicken 

6. Bread Pudding

Sides

1. Mashed potatoes

2. Salted and Plain Pretzel

3. Sourkraut

My rating 

Food

Pretty awesome meat platter with the pork knuckle done so well.     4.8  / 5

Grilled Prawns were really fresh and the bratwurst sausages were top.  

I had a glass of Merlot which was average. 

Should have tried their beers, which they have like 30 or so different kinds. 

Service

Attentive and friendly                                                                          4.5  /  5

Ambience 

Where we say, its like an open beer hall like in Munich Germany.     4.5 / 5

Pacing                                                                                                 3.5 / 5

We waited almost 30 minutes for the food to come, which was surprising that we were practically the last to arrive at around 8.15. 

The waiter gave us some blackbread to munch though it wasn't very tasty.

Price 

The meter long (in fact it looked like 1.2m) set was a steal at $108 +++ for 3 pax

We in fact even dar bao the half pork knuckle and the 

Total for the night (food and 1 glass wine)  : $ 148.  : 

Overall  : 4.375    (Above Average).

Would I go back there again ?  

Certainly. 

Its good with a very friendly vibe to it and the food is not too expensive and (albeit) a little salty, 

   

7 (+1) Rules of Life ; Funny Inspirational Quotes from the Internet which are true

With my friend Tom on 25th Nov 23

1. Let it Go. 

    Never ruin a good today by thinking about a bad yesterday.

2. Ignore them (Haters, Criticizers)

   Yes and No. Listen and Act on Good Wise Advice

   Don't listen to other people, live a life that's enpowering to you.

3. Give it Time

   Time heals everything.

   Be patient with yourself. Growth takes time and setbacks are natural part of  

   the  process.

   The lessons learnt from past mistakes become the guiding lights for the future.

4. Don't Compare

    The person you are trying to beat is the person you were yesterday.

5. Stay Calm

    You know that you don't have everyting figured out and in time you will get there.

6. It's on You

    Don't let others dictate what your life is. Give it your all. 

    Do what you are passionate about and give it your ALL.

7. Smile

    Be grateful for what you have and strive to get better with each        passing  day. 

8. Only you know if you are a true success or Not  (Bonus)

    Let others judge you. You can't help those other people. 

    But you can help yourself. 

    > Stay Positive

    > Be Resilient 

Asador - Joo Chiat Place - Good Spanish Food in Joo Chiat Place ; Pricey

Yesterday, my family had a sumptuous dinner at Asador which is located at  Joo Chiat Place (off Still Road). The streetside parking nearby is plentiful even for a weekend, and the restaurant occupies 2 shophouse units along Joo Chiat Place, which is just beside Everitt Road and Joo Chiat Road. All in all, there were more misses than hits, though I must say that the booking and the front of restaurant staff were excellent. Kudos to the team.  

We ordered the following and I put up the pictures which I felt were above average in flavour. 

Sourdough bread with smoked butter 

Excellent starter. The bread was piping hot just out of the oven and the butter was soft to the knife. Superb.     

9 / 10  

Salmorejo 

Salmorejo 

San Marzan tomatoes with preserved tuna and smoked burratina 

(cream cheese) 

The texture and the flavour were just nice and while the dish wasn't piping hot, it was the tuna with the burratina which were a nice complement to the San Marzan cherry tomatoes. Savoury but not sour nor spicy. It was perfect for using the sourdough bread to mop up the gravy. 

Very good.

8.5 / 10  

Costillar de Ternera

Costillar de Ternera  

Grilled Angus Beef Short Ribs 

This was done sous vide and then grilled. I felt the beef ribs to be too tender at first bite. There was a certain  softness to the texture gain which is unusual for beef. Hence again both my wife and son didn't take to this dish. The taste was rather sweet and again rather odd to our palette which normally associates Wagyu beef to a certain texture (more robust) and flavour (charred or smoky). 

Average 

7 / 10

Almejas 

Almejas

Japanese Clams with Basque Salsa Verde

This was a rather odd dish, there was an overpowering spicy flavour to the clam meat, the texture was good - not rubbery just right in terms of softness and chewiness. The Salsa Verde tasted very much like the Thai green curry gravy. I liked it though my wife and son didn't

Good 

7.5 / 10

Calamar 

Calamar 

Palamos squid with caramelised onions 

Another sous vide dish. The squid was too soft and not chewy enough. The caramalised onions gave off a too sweet for my liking flavour. In the end, I was eating the squid topped off with the Salsa Verde Thai style gravy.

Ordinary 

5 / 10 

We had a couple more dishes, one was the Huevos Rotos (frites) which was totally just carbo loading to fill the tummy. The other was the smoked Sazerac or eggplant which was very sweet and not worth writing home about.

Huevos Rotos 

Thick Cut Fries, Runny Egg and Chorizos 

(Street Food) 

Verdict ?

Good

Price 

Expensive  ($245 for 3 pax) 

Service 

Very Good  (very attentive) 

Location

Off the Beaten Track  (OK for central folks like us, even 20 minutes drive is far away!)

Visit Again ?

Not Likely - nothing exceptional to bring us all the way to Joo Chiat. 

• Asador Singapore
• 52 Joo Chiat Place
• S'pore 427775 

A Retirement Plan ?

With the Relief of Ramses II at Luxor in 2009 

 A smart friend once gave me this piece of advice. If it is getting so expensive to live comfortably in Singapore,perhaps it might be better to 

a) rent out one's apartment or HDB unit (after the 5 year MOP period) - that would eaily fetch S$3,000 upwards to perhaps $6,000 (if it is a 5 roomer Bishan unit)

b) Move the base of operations, if one is able to do so, with a nimble business such as IT cybersecurity, to a lower cost country (Malaysia or Thailand come to mind).

With the rental income of say $4,000 - that translates to a whopping RM 14,000 or Thai Baht 100,000.

He and his family can rent a very decent condominium in Malaysia fo RM 3,000 or THB 25,000 and thus leaving them with RM 11,000 or THB 75,000 for the other living expenses.

At the end of the day, he can easily save S$ 1000 to $1,500 per month for his retirement income.

That is, if he is still mobile and relatively healthy.

Great idea or just a Pipe dream ??