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2022

  • 2 min read

Personal Action Plan

As I was taking an online course on achieving personal and professional success through Wharton Online, I completed an assessment of my current influence behaviors. Based on this assessment, below is my action plan for improving my influence.

One influence tactic I would like to utilize more effectively is Pathos, which Aristotle identified as appealing to the emotions of the audience in his three means of persuasion outlined in "Rhetoric." I aim to convey messages with emotional resonance. The role of a leader isn't merely to present rational arguments; it's also about framing issues emotionally. If I can get people to reveal their problems, pain points, and unmet objectives, I can encourage them to take action by selling them a vision that presents the perfect solution to their problem. Knowing the emotional drivers allows me to frame the benefits of actions in language that will resonate.

I haven't been using this tactic effectively because I've focused too much on Logos, which Aristotle describes as the logic of the idea. My education has primarily trained me in analytical skills rather than in generating passion in others and leading emotionally. Relying solely on logical reasoning, expertise, and data isn't the most effective way to persuade others. Typically, I aim to use concrete examples to present my case, rather than telling an emotionally compelling story. The barrier has been the difficulty in making the audience experience the same emotions that I am trying to convey through a story.

One concrete step I can take soon to show improvement in this area is to incorporate storytelling to help make my points and to find ways of communicating that arouse emotion. Successful people don't necessarily become better leaders because they know more; they improve because they follow through. Following through requires the courage to face the feelings that arise when taking risks and breaking old patterns. This courage is crucial for finding innovative ways to present information or ideas and for thinking about how to articulate them, not just what to articulate. This isn't something I'll learn by listening to lectures. The best approach is to practice in my next presentation, tailoring the communication content and style to the specific audience to influence their emotions effectively.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

個人行動計劃

當我正在透過沃頓在線學習達成個人和專業成功的課程時，我完成了一項關於我當前影響行為的評估。基於這項評估，下面是我提高影響力的行動計劃。

我希望能更有效地利用的一種影響策略是感性(Pathos)，亞里士多德在他的《修辭術》中將其認定為他對說服的三種方式之一，用於調動觀眾的情感。我希望傳達具有情感共鳴的訊息。領導者的角色不單單是提供理性的論述，還包括用情感來框架問題。如果我能讓人們揭示出他們的問題、痛點和未達成的目標，我就可以通過提供解決他們問題的完美視野來鼓勵他們採取行動。了解情感驅動因素讓我可以用能引起共鳴的語言來描述行動的好處。

我一直未能有效地使用這種策略，因為我過於專注於羅吉思(Logos)，亞里士多德將其描述為理念的邏輯。我的教育主要訓練我分析技能，而不是激發他人的激情和情感領導。僅僅依賴於邏輯推理、專業知識和數據並不是最有效的說服方式。通常，我傾向於使用具體的例子來表述我的案例，而不是講述一個情感吸引人的故事。這其中的阻礙是讓觀眾經歷我試圖通過故事傳達的相同情感的困難。

我很快可以採取的一個具體步驟，以在這個領域顯示改進，是結合故事講述以幫助我講點，並尋找激發情感的溝通方式。成功的人之所以能成為更好的領導者，並不是因為他們知道的更多；而是因為他們有所貫徹。進行貫徹需要勇氣面對當我們冒險和打破舊模式時所產生的情感。這種勇氣對於找到創新的信息或想法呈現方式，以及思考如何表述它們，而不只是表述什麼，是至關重要的。這不是我通過聽講座就能學到的。最好的方法是在我的下一次演講中練習，根據特定觀眾的需要來調整溝通內容和風格，以有效地影響他們的情感。

  • 2 min read

Reflecting on Influence and Power

I am reflecting on two aspects of influence and power: relationship-oriented (investing in relationships) and result-oriented (building a reputation for performance).

Firstly, investing in relationships has led me to rethink how I view power. Effective managers devote 50 to 60 percent of their time to building and maintaining networks. I can encourage collaborative behavior by fostering communication and demonstrating my commitment to teamwork. This isn't about engaging in office politics; rather, it's about leveraging influence to enhance team effectiveness. Leading diverse teams requires balancing different priorities effectively. Building a support network and motivating people to take action necessitates investing time to build rapport.

For example, Sergio de Mello, a Brazilian United Nations diplomat who worked on various UN humanitarian and political programs, prioritized the dignity of citizens. Local staff members were unaccustomed to receiving such a level of respect from foreigners. His investment in this regard significantly increased his effectiveness. He even learned the native language, recognizing that language is the key to understanding a people's culture, and culture is the key to winning people's hearts. This approach allowed him to gain the sympathy of the people and invest in the relationship.

Secondly, building a reputation for performance made me realize its importance in acquiring influence and power. Team leaders should be both relationship-oriented and result-oriented, as both are crucial for successfully leading a team. People tend to give credit to and follow leaders who have a strong track record of accomplishing tasks and achieving positive outcomes. This means that my name needs to be associated with quality work. I must not only do what I say I will do but also do it well. This focus should be on tasks with the most significant impact. Power is legitimately earned when a leader delivers actual value.

For instance, Robert Moses, an American urban planner and public official who worked in the New York metropolitan area, gained access to levers of power primarily because of a reputation for performance that was built over decades. He was known as the "Man Who Got Things Done." He demonstrated leadership principles that earned him trust and enabled him to deliver results.

Overall, upon self-reflection, I've found that there's a sweet spot between focusing on relationships and results, both of which are critical aspects of influence and power.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

反思影響力與權力

我正在反思影響力和權力的兩個層面：關係導向（投資於關係）和結果導向（為表現建立聲譽）。

首先，投資於關係讓我重新思考我對權力的看法。有效的經理人將50到60％的時間投入於建立和維護網絡。我可以透過促進溝通並展示我對團隊合作的承諾來鼓勵合作行為。這並不是參與辦公室政治，而是利用影響力提高團隊效能。領導多元團隊需要有效地平衡不同的優先順序。建立支持網絡並激勵人們採取行動需要花時間建立融洽的關係。

例如，塞爾吉奧·德梅洛，一位在聯合國各種人道主義和政治項目中工作的巴西聯合國外交官，重視公民的尊嚴。當地的員工並不習慣接收外國人這樣的尊重。他在這方面的投資大大提高了他的效率。他甚至學習了當地的語言，認識到語言是理解一個民族文化的關鍵，而文化是打動人心的關鍵。這種方法使他得到了人民的同情並投資於關係。

其次，為表現建立聲譽讓我意識到獲得影響力和權力的重要性。團隊領導者應該既關注關係也注重結果，因為兩者對於成功領導一個團隊都至關重要。人們傾向於給予贊揚和追隨那些有著完成任務和取得正面結果堅強紀錄的領導者。這意味著我的名字需要與高質量的工作聯繫在一起。我必須不僅做我說我會做的事情，而且要做得好。這種關注應該集中在影響最大的任務上。當一位領導者提供實際價值時，權力就是合法賺來的。

舉例來說，羅伯特·摩西是一位在紐約大都會地區工作的美國城市規劃師和公職人員，他主要因為幾十年來建立的表現聲譽而獲得權力的開關。他被稱為“做事的人”。他展示了贏得信任並使他能夠取得成果的領導原則。

總的來說，經過自我反思，我發現在關注關係和結果之間有一個甜蜜點，這兩者都是影響力和權力的關鍵方面。

  • 3 min read

My Personal Theory of Success

In this essay, I am writing about my theory of success and how I plan to achieve it. My definition of success encompasses four areas: 1) Personal learning and development, 2) Financial freedom and autonomy, 3) Optimal utilization of my unique combination of skills and talents, and 4) Family fulfillment and community service. I believe these four areas can be achieved through a growth mindset, investment, increasing one's adversity quotient, and improving human relationships.

I won't discuss a secret formula for success because I believe there isn't one. Different people have their own definitions of success, and it's not something you can simply search for and find. There are no foolproof techniques for achieving success; instead, it requires self-reflection. As Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Firstly, success involves personal learning and development. I believe successful people are always learning. They stumble, pick themselves up, and try again. They fail quickly, adapt, and improve. This iterative process eventually leads to success. Even if I fail, I am still better off than those who take no action and remain stagnant within their comfort zones.

A growth mindset is essential for accepting failures, recognizing faults and weaknesses, and then taking action to improve. As I make internal improvements, the external environment also changes, aiding my personal growth and boosting my confidence. If someone never acknowledges their problems or mistakes, they will never improve and will continue to fail. Even if they achieve something by chance, the level of their success will be limited. Remember, life is a continuous journey of learning and improvement. Success can be limitless, and to this day, I continue to push myself to make progress.

Secondly, success means financial independence and autonomy. While money is not synonymous with happiness, a lack of money can certainly lead to unhappiness. Basing success solely on wealth and achievements is a trap because human nature prevents us from ever being completely satisfied. Instead, sustainable achievements like financial security and freedom should be the goal. This entails delaying instant gratification and investing in the future.

Furthermore, success shouldn't be defined as momentary happiness. Happiness fluctuates, and our genetics set a baseline level of contentment that doesn't define success. Instead, greater happiness comes from achieving goals that require sacrifice, risk, uncertainty, and effort.

Thirdly, success means fully utilizing my unique combination of skills and talents. Anything less feels like a waste of life and resources. The willingness to be dissatisfied can fuel motivation and inspire action. It takes effort and a high adversity quotient to overcome challenges and work toward professional goals. Ideally, I can find a sweet spot that aligns my work with emotional fulfillment and financial compensation, while also utilizing my unique talents.

Lastly, success means family fulfillment and community service. Defining success on my own terms helps me remember what's important. Success is not a ladder to climb or a race to win; it's a measure of the positive influence I can have on others. Achieving this requires honing my social skills to lead and influence people.

Bad interpersonal skills can result in isolation and hinder peak performance. Thus, I continually assess and improve my relationships with others. Social interaction carries risks, but with effort, everyone can find a role that allows them to contribute to the community.

Although I am introverted and shy, I push myself to interact with strangers. Despite any fears, I recognize the importance of practice in developing social skills. Happiness, I've found, is more about shared experiences with loved ones than material possessions.

In conclusion, my perspective on success evolves as I age. A fulfilling life comes from focusing on the learning process, investing in the future, developing my potential, caring for my family and community, and striving for success rather than fearing failure.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

我的個人成功理論

在這篇文章中，我寫關於我的成功理論，以及我如何計劃實現它。我的成功定義包含四個領域：1）個人學習和發展，2）財務自由和自主，3）我獨特技能和才能的最佳利用，以及4）家庭滿足感和社區服務。我相信透過成長心態、投資、增加抗逆商和改善人際關係，可以實現這四個領域。

我不會討論成功的祕訣，因為我認為並不存在這種東西。不同的人有自己的成功定義，這不是你可以簡單地去尋找和找到的東西。沒有萬無一失的技巧可以達到成功；相反，它需要自我反思。正如蘇格拉底所說，"未經省察的人生是不值得活的。"

首先，成功包涵個人的學習和發展。我相信成功的人總是在學習。他們會跌倒，重新站起來，然後再試一次。他們快速失敗，適應，進而改進。這個反覆的過程最終會導向成功。即使我失敗了，我仍然比那些完全不採取行動，並在自己的舒適圈內停滯不前的人過得更好。

對於接受失敗，認識自己的錯誤和弱點，然後採取行動改進，成長心態是至關重要的。當我做出內部改進時，外在環境也會隨之變化，助長我的個人成長，並提升我的信心。如果有人從不承認他們的問題或錯誤，他們將永遠不會改進，並將繼續失敗。即使他們偶然達到了一些目標，他們的成功層次也會受到限制。記得，生活是一個持續學習和改進的旅程。成功可以是無限的，我至今仍在努力進步。

其次，成功意味著財務獨立和自主。雖然金錢並不等同於幸福，但缺少金錢確實可能導至不快樂。僅僅依靠財富和成就來衡量成功是一個陷阱，因為人性使我們永遠無法完全滿足。相反，應該將財務安全和自由這類可持續的成就視為目標。這需要延遲即時的滿足感，投資未來。

此外，成功不應被定義為暫時的快樂。快樂是會波動的，我們的基因設置了一個並不定義成功的基本幸福水平。相反，更大的快樂來自於實現需要犧牲、風險、不確定性和努力的目標。

第三，成功意味著充分利用我獨特的技能和才能組合。任何少於這個水平的表現都感覺像是對生命和資源的浪費。不滿意的意願可以激發動機，並激發行動。需要努力和高抗逆商來克服挑戰，為專業目標而工作。理想情況下，我可以找到一個與工作、情緒滿足和財務報酬相符的平衡點，同時也能利用我的獨特才能。

最後，成功意味著家庭滿足和社區服務。以我自己的方式定義成功，幫助我記住重要的事。成功不是要攀登的梯子，也不是要贏得的比賽；它是我對他人可以產生的積極影響的衡量。為達到這種目標，我需要磨練我的社交技巧，以引導並影響人。

糟糕的人際交往技巧可能導致孤立，並阻礙峰值表現。因此，我持續評估和改進我與他人的關係。社交互動帶來風險，但通過努力，每個人都能找到一個讓自己能夠為社區作出貢獻的角色。

儘管我性格內向、腼腆，但我嘗試與陌生人進行互動。儘管有任何恐懼，我認識到練習對社會技巧的發展的重要性。我發現，幸福更多的是與親人共享經驗，而不是物質擁有。

總的來說，我對成功的看法隨著我年齡的增長而變化。充滿意義的生活來自於專注於學習過程，投資未來，開發我的潛能，關心我的家庭和社區，並且為成功而奮鬥，而不是害怕失敗。

  • 2 min read

Reflecting on My Family

In this post, I want to discuss the most important people in my life and explore how their legacies have impacted and influenced me.

From my mother, Tammy, I learned the importance of clear thinking and articulate expression. She was an accountant and taught me mathematics and the value of hard work during my childhood. She also showed me how to maintain a positive attitude, even when faced with challenges. She instilled in me a love for reading and effective self-study habits. She would engage me in conversations about what I had learned in school or from books, challenging me to think critically. Her influence has shaped my views on life and morals. I've found that articulating my thoughts into words is the best way for me to think.

My father, Tony, imparted the value of family to me. Working as an engineer, he sparked my interest in computer software through the books he read. He also emphasized the need for physical health and discipline in lifestyle choices. However, he sometimes serves as a cautionary example. We have differing political views and aspects of his behavior with which I disagree. These differences remind me to maintain an open mind and accept the variance in how people think and act. Attempts to debate with him often prove futile, as he struggles to communicate his thoughts logically and is unlikely to change his mind simply through argument.

My ex-girlfriend, Jo, taught me valuable lessons about love and emotional responsibility. Though our relationship ended and led me to experience depression, I came to understand the consequences of my actions that hurt her. I was forced to become more aware of my own feelings, as well as those of others. The experience encouraged me to be a better person, honing qualities like patience, emotional communication, and the ability to correct my mistakes. Lessons learned from our relationship extended to cohabitating and facing life’s challenges. After our breakup, I went through a particularly dark period. However, Jordan Peterson’s book, "12 Rules for Life," helped me to overcome this phase of depression.

In conclusion, the legacies of my parents and ex-girlfriend have been invaluable in shaping who I am today. I am deeply appreciative of the influences they have had on my life.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

反思我的家庭

在這篇文章中，我想討論我生命中最重要的人，並探討他們的遺產如何影響和指引著我。

從我母親Tammy身上，我學到了清晰思考和有條理表達的重要性。她是一名會計師，教導我童年時期的數學和勤奮工作的價值。她還向我展示了如何保持積極態度，即使面對挑戰。她培養了我愛閱讀和有效自學的習慣。她會與我進行對話，談論我在學校或書本上所學到的知識，挑戰我對情況的深入思考。她的影響塑造了我的人生觀和道德觀。我發現將我的思想用言語表達是我最好的思考方式。

我的父親Tony向我傳達了家庭的價值。作為一名工程師，他從他閱讀的書籍中，激發了我對計算機軟件的興趣。他還強調了健康和生活方式選擇中自律的重要性。然而，他有時作為一個警示的例子。我們有不同的政治觀點，和我並不同意他的一些行為方式。這些差異提醒我要保持開放的心態，接受人們思考和行為方式的變異性。試圖與他爭論經常證明是徒勞的，因為他很難邏輯地表達自己的想法，也不太可能只是通過辯論就改變他的觀點。

我的前女友Jo，教導了我關於愛情和情感責任的寶貴課程。雖然我們的關所結束，導致我經歷了抑鬱，但我了解到了我傷害她的行為的後果。我被迫更加關注我的感受，以及他人的感受。這次經驗鼓勵我成為一個更好的人，培養像耐心、情緒溝通和改正我錯誤的能力這樣的品質。從我們的關所學到的課程引申到了同居和面對生活的挑戰。我們分手後，我經歷了一段特別黑暗的時期，然而，Jordan Peterson 的書 "12 Rules for Life" 幫助我克服了這段抑鬱期。

總的來說，我父母和前女友的遺產在塑造我今天的自我方面起著無可估量的作用。我深深感激他們對我的生活所做的影響。

  • 3 min read

My Productivity Plan

Over the past two weeks, I have been learning proven, science-backed tactics to boost my productivity and performance. My aim is to achieve my goals and lead the life I've always wanted. The first key to unlocking my productivity is to strategically manage my energy according to my body's natural rhythms. This allows me to operate at peak productivity each day.

I am not a machine; my body experiences natural peaks and valleys of energy throughout the day. I have a PM-shifted chronotype, a trait shared by approximately 20% of the global population. Those of us with PM-shifted rhythms prefer to stay up late and wake up late, feeling most energized later in the day.

Here is my strategic schedule, aligned with my body’s natural energy levels:

  • 6 am: Sleep
  • 7 am: Wake up and have breakfast
  • 8 am: Commute to work while reading a book
  • 9 am: Arrive at the office and start meetings

During my recovery phase, I focus on creative work and collaborative tasks, which benefit from reduced inhibition:

  • 10 am: Programming
  • 11 am: One-to-one meetings with team members
  • 12 pm: Lunch
  • 1 pm: Design technical architecture solutions
  • 2 pm: Code review
  • 3 pm: Client meetings

During my energy dip, I focus on administrative tasks and also take breaks, naps, or walks:

  • 4 pm: Write documentation
  • 5 pm: Management meetings

At my peak energy level, I tackle my most important analytical tasks:

  • 6 pm: Commute home while reading a book
  • 7 pm: Exercise at the gym and jog for 5 km
  • 8 pm: Read at the library
  • 9 pm: Dinner
  • 10 pm: Write blog posts and journal
  • 11 pm: Review CFA curriculum

Sleep:

  • 12 am: Sleep

Rest is crucial for sustaining my peak performance and achieving my life goals.

Secondly, it's essential to connect my daily tasks with my broader goals. Understanding my "ultimate whys" enables me to break down large aspirations into smaller, achievable steps. My primary motivation for doing this is to become a lifelong learner.

Quarterly Objectives:

  • Objective 1: Pass the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 exam
  • Objective 2: Pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional Certification exam
  • Objective 3: Enroll in a Master's degree program in Digital Leadership at the National University of Singapore

Monthly Measures:

  • Key Result 1: Pass mock CFA exams and complete practice exercises
  • Key Result 2: Gain real-world experience in AWS architecture
  • Key Result 3: Lead and deliver technology projects, while practicing leadership principles

Weekly Initiatives:

  • Initiative 1: Complete three CFA curriculum readings
  • Initiative 2: Finish CFA exercises
  • Initiative 3: Practice exam questions to improve response time

Daily Most Important Tasks (MIT):

  • MIT 1: Read physical books and e-books
  • MIT 2: Attend in-person and online lectures
  • MIT 3: Listen to podcasts while at the gym

Lastly, to bridge my daily routines to my long-term goals, I must establish sustainable habits. Learning the science behind effective habits can help these productivity tactics stick. One behavior that aids in achieving my ultimate goals is reading more books.

Habit Building:

  • Step 1: Design the cue. When I feel bored during my morning train commute, I'll initiate my reading habit.
  • Step 2: Link the habit to a craving. I believe in continuous learning and improvement.
  • Step 3: Write down the response and eliminate barriers. I'll keep my Kindle fully charged and in my pocket, along with a list of books I want to read.
  • Step 4: Create a reward. I will apply new knowledge in real-world scenarios and share my learning on my blog.

In summary, when I feel bored during my morning train commute [cue], I'll take out my fully charged Kindle to read a book from my reading list [response]. I do this because I am the type of person who believes in continuous learning and improvement [craving]. My reward will be applying the new knowledge in real-world scenarios and sharing my learnings on my blog [reward].

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

我的生產力計劃

在過去的兩週裡，我一直在學習經過科學證實的策略，以提升我的生產力和表現。我的目標是實現我的目標，過我一直想要的生活。解開生產力之鑰的第一步是根據我身體的自然節奏，策略性地管理我的能量。這使我每天都能在最高生產力下運作。

我不是一台機器；我身體在一天中會有自然的能量高峰和低谷。我有著一種PM-shifted的天賦型態，也是全球約20%的人口所共享的特徵。我們這一類的人喜歡晚睡晚起，覺得一天中最有活力的時候是在稍晚的時候。

以下是我根據我的身體自然能量水平安排的策略性日程：

  • 早上6點：睡覺
  • 早上7點：起床並吃早餐
  • 早上8點：通勤去工作，同時讀書
  • 早上9點：到達辦公室並開始會議

在恢復期間，我專注於創意工作和協作任務，這些任務受益於降低的抑制：

  • 上午10點：程序設計
  • 上午11點：與團隊成員一對一會議
  • 中午12點：吃午飯
  • 下午1點：設計技術架構解決方案
  • 下午2點：程式碼審查
  • 下午3點：與客戶會議

在我的能量低潮期，我專注於行政任務，並且也會休息、打盹或散步：

  • 下午4點：寫文檔
  • 下午5點：管理會議

在我最高能量水平的時候，我處理我最重要的分析任務：

  • 下午6點：通勤回家，同時讀書
  • 下午7點：在健身房運動並跑步5公里
  • 下午8點：在圖書館讀書
  • 下午9點：吃晚飯
  • 晚上10點：寫博客和寫日記
  • 晚上11點：複習CFA課程

睡眠：

  • 午夜12點：睡覺

休息對於維持我最高的表現和實現我的生活目標非常重要。

其次，將我每天的任務與我的更大的目標相連接至關重要。理解我的"最終為什麼"使我能夠將大的願望分解為更小、可實現的步驟。我做這一切的主要動機是成為一個終身學習者。

季度目標：

  • 目標1：通過特許金融分析師(CFA)一級考試
  • 目標2：通過AWS認證的解決方案架構師專業認證考試
  • 目標3：在新加坡國立大學的數字領導碩士學位課程中註冊

月度衡量指標：

  • 關鍵結果1：通過模擬CFA考試並完成練習
  • 關鍵結果2：在AWS架構中獲得真實世界的經驗
  • 關鍵結果3：在實踐領導原則的同時，領導並交付技術項目

每週行動：

  • 行動1：完成三次CFA課程閱讀
  • 行動2：完成CFA練習
  • 行動3：練習考試題目以提高回答速度

每日最重要任務(MIT)：

  • MIT 1：閱讀實體書和電子書
  • MIT 2：參加當面和在線講座
  • MIT 3：在健身房時聽播客

最後，為了將我的每日習慣與我的長期目標相配合，我必須建立可持續的習慣。學習有效習慣背後的科學可以幫助這些生產力策略堅持下去。其中一種有助於實現我最終目慙的行為是多閱讀書籍。

養成習慣：

  • 步驟1：設計線索。當我在早上的火車通勤路上感到無聊時，我將開始閱讀的習慣。
  • 步驟2：將習慣與渴望相連接。我相信持續學習和改進。
  • 步驟3：寫下反應並消除障礙。我將保持我的Kindle充滿電並放在口袋裡，還有我想讀的一些書的清單。
  • 步驟4：創建獎勵。我將在真實世界中應用新的知識，並在我的博客上分享我的學習。

總結來說，當我在早上火車通勤時感到無聊[提示]時，我將拿出我的Kindle並從我的閱讀清單中讀一本書[反應]。我之所以這樣做，是因為我是一個相信持續學習和提高的人[渴望]。我的獎勵將是在真實世界中應用新的知識，並在我的博客上分享我的學習[獎勵]。