Discovering Your True North

I had the privilege to attend the Global Transformational Forum 2015 on October 2015. It is a forum where the leaders of delivery units and subject matter experts have gathered on the same stage to share their perspectives on operationalising transformational initiatives and programmes.

Amongst the featured speakers are Helen Clark, the Administrator of United Nations Development Programme, Goh Chok Tong, former Prime Minister of Singapore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California and Dato’ Sri Idris Jala, the CEO of PEMANDU & Managing Director of BFR Institute.

In the Discipline of Action segment, which Arnold spoke at, he said if you don’t have a vision and if you don’t know where you’re going, then everything you do become a chore.

“How did I become the greatest bodybuilder who had ever lived by becoming the youngest man who ever won the Mr Universe title at the age of 20, and the four times after that?” Arnold said.

Former Governor of california and action movie star Arnold Schwaxenegger during
Global Transformation Forum at KL Convention Centre: Courtesy of BFR Institute

“I became all these not because of sheer dumb luck but because I have a vision and I followed that through to the very end. I do not have a Plan B, I only have Plan A and I was sure I will follow it through,” Arnold said.

“You must discover your vision and the rest will follow,” Arnold said.

Here are some of his quotes which are really memorable. 

After realising the importance of defining our true north I decided to figure out some reflection exercises which could help us to discover our purpose in life.

I had the privilege to interview the manager of Life Skills Development of Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, Janaronson Nagarajah, who has years of experience in leadership development and character building initiatives on ways to discover our true purpose.

Interview with Janaronson Nagarajah

He shared some simple steps that students could do to discover our purpose in life, The first question that said we should ask ourselves is:

‘Imagine that you are on your dying bed, and maybe within 30 seconds they will disappear from planet Earth forever, how would you want to be remembered by your family, friends and your community?’

The continued by stating the second question that we should ask ourselves is that, at our last breath, what would we want accomplish at the end?

He added that by answering those questions, it can be the first step to discover their true purpose in life.

The second step is finding our own passion.

‘What are the things that I will do even if I do not sleep, but it makes me happy?’ Janaronson asked.

The final step is to be strong in spirituality regardless of our religions, which can be a good guide to find our purpose in life. 

5 Articles of Youth Empowerment that You Should Not Miss Out

1. Mind Tools

Mind Tools is a site which gives out free tips on how to improve ourselves in various areas of our lives, such as leadership skills, time management and stress management skills. The articles on this site offer useful tips which are straight to the point easy to understand. 

The link below is teaches readers on ‘Personal Goal Setting’, which helps you to plan your life strategically so that the balance between various areas of your life could be maintained.

https://www.mindtools.com/page6.html

2. Chopra Centered Lifestyle

Chopra Centered Lifestyle is a self-empowerment website which covers various topics, from meditation, yoga, wellness, nutrition and lifestyle. It also gives readers some unusual but effective tips which could be apply in their daily lives. The link below offers some simple tips to discover and fulfil one life’s purpose.

http://www.chopra.com/ccl/discover-and-fulfill-your-lifes-purpose

3. United Nations Development Programme

United Nations Development Programme highlights various social issues around the world, such as violence against women and extremism. I think this is an important site that you should read because it will help you understand global issues and widen your perspectives. Readers can also discover opportunities to participate in social movements which could make a difference around the world. 

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2015/8/11/10-ways-youth-can-make-an-impact.html

4. Zen Habits

Zen Habits is a site which offers us our daily chicken soup for the soul. It offers heart-warming articles which remind us to be conscious about our emotions as we continue our journey in life. It offers messages which remind us to not always follow our rationale, but follow our heart.

http://zenhabits.net/

5. Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins is a site which offers various tips to readers of all ages to empower themselves. It covers various topics from ways to improve family life, personal relationships, investments and businesses. 

http://humanelevation.tonyrobbins.com/blog/money/alternative-gift-giving?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Alt%20Gift%20Giving&utm_campaign=Editorial

Why Should We Have Role Models and How to Discover the Right Role Model

Role models of today's generation (clockwise from top left) Barrack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs.

Successful people all have one thing in common; it is that they have role models to follow in their lives. I personally think it is an important element on the path of self-improvement.

Some might say that it is unnecessary to look for a role model and they can still succeed without a role model. To counter that argument, I will state some of the benefits of having role model in our lives.

Firstly, learning about someone’s success story will give us a different outlook on issue that we deal with, which could change our mindsets to become better.

For example, Nick Vujicic, the internationally known limbless motivational speaker has set an example to those who are limbless and disabled, that these ‘shortcomings’ could turn out to be ‘blessings.’

Nick Vujicic is a motivational speaker born with Phocomelia, a rare
disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs.

As we learn more from our role models, we may adopt their good qualities and habits too. Take me for example; I really admire Father Anthony Ng, a priest in Saint Ignatius Church, who treats everyone equally despite their background. For example, he will greet the garbage collector equally genuine as how he would greet the parishioners in church. Ever since, I will make a conscious effort to be humble and treat everyone equally, just like Father Anthony.

Here are just some of the great examples of how having a role model could make a difference to our personal growth and life.

So here are some simple questions which could help you discover the right role model for you:

1. What kind of person do I aspire to be?

2. What do I want to achieve and is there someone who achieve that?

3. Is there anyone that empowers me with his/her words, vision and qualities?

After going through these questions, you should be clearer on whom you will like to take inspiration and direction from.

Discovering Your Ultimate Life Purpose 2

Discovering Your Purpose

The single most important element of your identity is to discover your ultimate purpose in life. It will fulfil the search for meaning in life in everyone’s hearts.  

No matter how old are you, research has shown that discovering purpose in life would bring happiness, satisfaction and most importantly it would give us a focus in life.

It is also proven that a strong sense of direction in life increases life expectancy as much as seven years!

So, the million dollar question here is, how?

Experimentation

Throw yourself into situations which are out of your comfort zone and try out various activities that interest you! You could crash on other people’s couches, jump across swamps or sky diving!

Some examples which are less extreme and more realistic include participating in various clubs, volunteering opportunities or even competitions.

Trying out these activities may provoke anxiety in you, but it would bring you the adrenaline rush which makes you feel alive again! So, set aside a few hours or eve one day to try out something new every week. For example, you can try rock climbing or even watch plays which you never watched before.

Reflection

Set aside some time to think and write about yourself daily, preferably in a journal. This will help you think clearer and manage your emotions better.

The collective benefits of writing and reflecting are well-documented. It helps us to be more conscious of the things we do every day which helps ourselves to discover our strengths, weaknesses and habits. It is even integrated in some psychotherapy practices. It helps you to make sense of what you are going through and can be very therapeutic!

If you do not have the time to keep up with lengthy journal entries, you can spend five minutes before bedtime to write a short daily reflection or you could note down one fascinating observation you had during the day.