Between Family & Work
I had my last appraisal session last Monday with my boss. It was the best appraisal session I ever had at this place. Its ironic that people seem to be nice to me when I had already decided to leave.... Oh well, I suppose you need to resign in order for people to be nice to you. Perhaps only then they realize how valuable you are to the company.....Too late for that now!
Anyway, he gave me a few of his "words of wisdom". The one which I remember most is something about family and work. He said that I seem to favour my family more than I do about my work. He said that though it is a matter of my personal choice, he viewed that there will have to be trade-offs between the two and I can't have the best of both worlds. He said that if I were to favour my family more than work, I may not go far in my career. I will just be another ordinary employee.
But if I were to favour my work more than my family then he viewed that I may go far in my profession. Although he acknowledges that my kids are still very young and growing up, he said that if I want to go far in my career, I may have to make some sacrifices on the family side. He admits there are trade-offs but he suggested that since I'm going to the new place with a new corporate environment and corporate culture, it is about time that I should reconsider my position in order for me to succeed in the future.
Perhaps there are some truth in what he said. I listened to his "advice", taken with a pinch of salt, of course. All I can say is that his situation is different than mine. You can't compare apples with oranges. Similarly you cant compare a 50+ year old COO (with more responsibilities & higher paycheck) whose wife is a full-time housewife with grown up kids already in college & secondary school than a 30+ year old executive with a wife who is also working and 3 small kids to take care of, earning just enough to pay the bills & make a living in KL....
Indeed it is true that I favour my family more than work at the moment. I have my reasons. My kids need me as they are in their formative years and are very sensitive of their surroundings (prone to get sick). At the same time, I have my studies to contend with. As far as I am concerned, my family come first, work is secondary. Employers don't really care about my family. They will not take care of my family, they will not bring my wife or kids to the clinic if they are sick.... I have to do that. No two ways about it.
I intend to prove him wrong! I will show him that family and work can be balanced and you can become a top performer in your chosen profession. It will be a tough thing to do in the present capitalistic & materialistic world..... When every company wants to achieve sky-rocketing revenues and profits... Hence the employees will be pushed harder to work and earn more for the company, in order to achieve their ambitious targets. All this is done at the expense of the family....
I anticipate that it will be difficult task, this balancing act....But it is not an impossible thing to do...
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
21.01.07 - Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1
I was screaming alone (like a mad person) at 1.50 AM, in the wee hours of last night when Henry scored a last gasp goal..... A perfect goal from a perfectly timed header, delivered from perfect cross.... What a goal! What a looney I am... Thank goodness my kids didn't wake up!
For a while, I thought Gunners were going to lose, playing in an eeriely striking resemblance of their early season form - pathetic, lethargic, no motivation to win the ball, no hunger for winning and always trying to play that perfect passing game without any goals...Finally they have shown that they have the desire to win...
I enjoy watching the Gunners play. I am amazed by the intelligence of the coach, Arsene Wenger. I make it a point to watch all the games they play, eventhough it is in the wee hours of the night (which my wife could not understand why). Frankly, I never expected that I would enjoy EPL. I used to shun football & EPL. I used to wonder why do people get obsessed with Man United, Liverpool, Newcastle and other EPL teams... Now I know why....
To me, EPL, in a way, is a reflection life. It has its fair share of drama & emotions, week in week out. There is the passion for the team you support, the joys of winning, giving it all you got, having faith in your team, leadership, stress management. It also has its fair share of sad memories, the pain of losing games, getting injured, getting knocked out of a crucial cup competition and then bouncing back and winning games again. All the emotional sides of the human being are being displayed in this sport.
It also has its fair share of gossips and drama, conflicts between the coach, the management & the players. I can also relate all these to various aspects of my life such as work and my personal performance. The best thing is about sharing the joys of winning with another Gunners fan and the stories....
As for the victory against MU last weekend, it was a priceless victory indeed, against an arch rival... An arch nemesis.... Both Gunners and MU have rich traditions and their fair share of rivalry from the years. That is why I enjoy the EPL so much.....Go Gunners!
I was screaming alone (like a mad person) at 1.50 AM, in the wee hours of last night when Henry scored a last gasp goal..... A perfect goal from a perfectly timed header, delivered from perfect cross.... What a goal! What a looney I am... Thank goodness my kids didn't wake up!
For a while, I thought Gunners were going to lose, playing in an eeriely striking resemblance of their early season form - pathetic, lethargic, no motivation to win the ball, no hunger for winning and always trying to play that perfect passing game without any goals...Finally they have shown that they have the desire to win...
I enjoy watching the Gunners play. I am amazed by the intelligence of the coach, Arsene Wenger. I make it a point to watch all the games they play, eventhough it is in the wee hours of the night (which my wife could not understand why). Frankly, I never expected that I would enjoy EPL. I used to shun football & EPL. I used to wonder why do people get obsessed with Man United, Liverpool, Newcastle and other EPL teams... Now I know why....
To me, EPL, in a way, is a reflection life. It has its fair share of drama & emotions, week in week out. There is the passion for the team you support, the joys of winning, giving it all you got, having faith in your team, leadership, stress management. It also has its fair share of sad memories, the pain of losing games, getting injured, getting knocked out of a crucial cup competition and then bouncing back and winning games again. All the emotional sides of the human being are being displayed in this sport.
It also has its fair share of gossips and drama, conflicts between the coach, the management & the players. I can also relate all these to various aspects of my life such as work and my personal performance. The best thing is about sharing the joys of winning with another Gunners fan and the stories....
As for the victory against MU last weekend, it was a priceless victory indeed, against an arch rival... An arch nemesis.... Both Gunners and MU have rich traditions and their fair share of rivalry from the years. That is why I enjoy the EPL so much.....Go Gunners!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Selective Memory
How many of you have come across bosses with selective memory?
You know for certain that you have given them a particular piece of information/document but later on, when they are in a tight situation, they "conveniently forgot" that they ever received that info/document!
And suddenly you are in the spotlight with a goatie under your chin a.k.a Mr. Scapegoat!!!!.....
Well, today I know another boss who either consciously or subsconsciously practices selective memory...
Well, Thank God I'm leaving this ecosystem.... It seems to have a very toxic culture....
I pray that the new ecosystem does not practice that as well!!
Or is it the norm these days for bosses to have selective memory.
How many of you have come across bosses with selective memory?
You know for certain that you have given them a particular piece of information/document but later on, when they are in a tight situation, they "conveniently forgot" that they ever received that info/document!
And suddenly you are in the spotlight with a goatie under your chin a.k.a Mr. Scapegoat!!!!.....
Well, today I know another boss who either consciously or subsconsciously practices selective memory...
Well, Thank God I'm leaving this ecosystem.... It seems to have a very toxic culture....
I pray that the new ecosystem does not practice that as well!!
Or is it the norm these days for bosses to have selective memory.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Stormy Weather Up Ahead....
Just as the east coast of Malaysia is bracing for rainstorms & floods, I am bracing myself for 5 weeks of hectic schedule as this is my last semester. 2 subjects to go, 2 assignments to complete, 1 full fledged research paper yet to be done, 1 mid term exam to study and 1 group presentation due this weekend has my nerves wracking.....
Aside from the occasional viewing of Arsenal games, there will be not be much activity for me and my family....
My priority now is to complete all those tasks the best I can as I'll be finishing my masters, with the final exams in the 2nd week of February. All weekends will be spent to complete the above academic chores and to study......
After that, I can't wait to become a FREE man!!!!! 2 years & 6 months of "bondage" to my knowledge pursuit..... Nevertheless, it is worth every single penny of my spent EPF savings....
The timing seems just nice as I will be joining the new place by 1st March. By then, I can focus 100% on my new job as I will not have to worry about classes and assignments anymore....
I hope my wife and kids will understand what papa is going through at the moment....
Indeed, it is going to be stormy in the next coming weeks....
But thereafter, the sun will shine!
Just as the east coast of Malaysia is bracing for rainstorms & floods, I am bracing myself for 5 weeks of hectic schedule as this is my last semester. 2 subjects to go, 2 assignments to complete, 1 full fledged research paper yet to be done, 1 mid term exam to study and 1 group presentation due this weekend has my nerves wracking.....
Aside from the occasional viewing of Arsenal games, there will be not be much activity for me and my family....
My priority now is to complete all those tasks the best I can as I'll be finishing my masters, with the final exams in the 2nd week of February. All weekends will be spent to complete the above academic chores and to study......
After that, I can't wait to become a FREE man!!!!! 2 years & 6 months of "bondage" to my knowledge pursuit..... Nevertheless, it is worth every single penny of my spent EPF savings....
The timing seems just nice as I will be joining the new place by 1st March. By then, I can focus 100% on my new job as I will not have to worry about classes and assignments anymore....
I hope my wife and kids will understand what papa is going through at the moment....
Indeed, it is going to be stormy in the next coming weeks....
But thereafter, the sun will shine!
Friday, January 05, 2007
More on Toll!!!
An interesting yet shocking piece of info on the Toll issue.
Click here:
http://www.jeffooi.com/2007/01/for_whom_the_tolls_toll.php
I think we should all thank Dr M for his contribution as well...
As for Samy Vellu, I wonder how will he wriggle himself out of this controversy!
An interesting yet shocking piece of info on the Toll issue.
Click here:
http://www.jeffooi.com/2007/01/for_whom_the_tolls_toll.php
I think we should all thank Dr M for his contribution as well...
As for Samy Vellu, I wonder how will he wriggle himself out of this controversy!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Thank you Pak Lah! Thank You Samy Vellu!
Thanks to the government of the day, my daily expenses have increased. The increase in toll rates at LDP have increased my daily toll expenditures from RM2 (return trip) to RM3.20 for a similar trip (a difference of RM1.20 per day). You multiply that into say, 25 working days - an additional RM30 will have to be spent per month, which works out to be RM360 per year for those having similar situations like me.
You may think it is marginal but other consequential impacts are not yet taken into account. For example traders & businesses may blame the increase in transportation cost as an excuse to raise prices of goods. There might be an increase in the Consumer Price Index of essential goods. Some of the essential items that I need to buy for my family such as infant milk formula, diapers, baby food and other groceries have increased by 2-5 ringgit.
No doubt the government is trying to lessen the impact by reducing the road tax charges recently. But whether that will have a real impact on the net disposable income of ordinary people out there seems to be very marginal as road tax is renewed on a yearly basis.
Expenditure is going to be a bit tight this year.
C'est la vie!
Thanks to the government of the day, my daily expenses have increased. The increase in toll rates at LDP have increased my daily toll expenditures from RM2 (return trip) to RM3.20 for a similar trip (a difference of RM1.20 per day). You multiply that into say, 25 working days - an additional RM30 will have to be spent per month, which works out to be RM360 per year for those having similar situations like me.
You may think it is marginal but other consequential impacts are not yet taken into account. For example traders & businesses may blame the increase in transportation cost as an excuse to raise prices of goods. There might be an increase in the Consumer Price Index of essential goods. Some of the essential items that I need to buy for my family such as infant milk formula, diapers, baby food and other groceries have increased by 2-5 ringgit.
No doubt the government is trying to lessen the impact by reducing the road tax charges recently. But whether that will have a real impact on the net disposable income of ordinary people out there seems to be very marginal as road tax is renewed on a yearly basis.
Expenditure is going to be a bit tight this year.
C'est la vie!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
2007
Yep, 2007 is here! Good bye, 2006!
2006 has been an eventful year for me & my family.
Lots of significant events and memorable moments had taken place.
Ihsan's birth, my own house, my latest job offer...among notable ones...
There were also forgettable moments....
Eimran's & Ihsan's stint at the pediatric ward & the sleepless nights that followed, a road accident near Batu Caves, mental torture at work, not so good results for 3 of my MBA papers
Anyway.....I am glad that the Almighty has extended my stay on this forsaken earth .....for me to take care of my family... Alhamdulillah... Praise be to Allah Almighty.....
New year resolutions?
Well, let truth be told, I've never truly, really, seriously had any new year resolutions over the years. It all sounds too cliche to me. Though I subconsciously had some resolutions in my mind, no concrete & systematic plans were executed to achieve such noble intents.
Nevertheless, I've learned now that not having resolutions is like travelling without a roadmap. You will be left wondering where you are going or heading to. Surely you must have a certain destination. By having a roadmap, you will then know whether you have reached your destination.
But reaching your destinations may not be the end of the journey. Life as we know is a continuous journey. Until the Angel, Izrail calls you, that is. Not a second too early, not a second too late....
In the meantime, after I have finished my assignments & term papers, I shall consider my new year resolution as "still under construction".
On second thought, I think my 1st resolution would be to complete my last MBA semester in one piece and pass my exams !!! Yeap, this is the final lap of my MBA marathon for the past 2 years, 6 months. I can see the finishing line already....
What are your new year resolutions?
Yep, 2007 is here! Good bye, 2006!
2006 has been an eventful year for me & my family.
Lots of significant events and memorable moments had taken place.
Ihsan's birth, my own house, my latest job offer...among notable ones...
There were also forgettable moments....
Eimran's & Ihsan's stint at the pediatric ward & the sleepless nights that followed, a road accident near Batu Caves, mental torture at work, not so good results for 3 of my MBA papers
Anyway.....I am glad that the Almighty has extended my stay on this forsaken earth .....for me to take care of my family... Alhamdulillah... Praise be to Allah Almighty.....
New year resolutions?
Well, let truth be told, I've never truly, really, seriously had any new year resolutions over the years. It all sounds too cliche to me. Though I subconsciously had some resolutions in my mind, no concrete & systematic plans were executed to achieve such noble intents.
Nevertheless, I've learned now that not having resolutions is like travelling without a roadmap. You will be left wondering where you are going or heading to. Surely you must have a certain destination. By having a roadmap, you will then know whether you have reached your destination.
But reaching your destinations may not be the end of the journey. Life as we know is a continuous journey. Until the Angel, Izrail calls you, that is. Not a second too early, not a second too late....
In the meantime, after I have finished my assignments & term papers, I shall consider my new year resolution as "still under construction".
On second thought, I think my 1st resolution would be to complete my last MBA semester in one piece and pass my exams !!! Yeap, this is the final lap of my MBA marathon for the past 2 years, 6 months. I can see the finishing line already....
What are your new year resolutions?
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