Linchpin--Are You Indispensable

The book Linchpin, written by Seth Godin talked about creating our own art, and do more than what we've been told to. When we are following rules and instructions, we are merely a cog in a machine. If the company can find somebody else to do the same work, we are replaceable. For that reason, we should create our own map. It is not like older generation where they find one job, and they can stick with that one until they retire.

Art is more valuable. The art he referred to isn't just about painting, or drawing, it can be any kind of creation in any field. It can be making connections with your customers. Have you ever have the experience where two similar restaurants, you would always pick one over the other? Why? Is it the price that matters? Or is it because the enthusiasm or the attitude of the waitress?  The ability of making connections makes you more human. Machines can't build relationships with the others.

Even though Seth talked about we should avoid following the others, for instance, not being trapped in writing resumes, it is hard to change the environment, especially if you are just starting out your career. The whole idea about creativity and art should be based on what we got now and make adjustments so it can be  more valuable.

Even an ordinary job can be turn into an awesome job, it depends on how you act on it. If you are willing to change and to do more, you certainly stand a chance to be a linchpin.

Darren LaCroix: Good to Great

Darren LaCroix is a fantastic professional speaker! If I didn't watch the video clip that it was taken about 20 years ago, I would probably not know that when he started as a speaker, he was just like us, not that competent and very nervous while on stage.

If you never heard about Darren before, he is the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. After he graduated from college, he started his own Subway to pay off his debt. However, he was in vain. According to him, he doubled the debt. One day while he was driving to work, he heard the host of the radio said, "What would you dare to dream, if you know you wouldn't fail?" He thought he wanted to be a comedian. With no support from his family and friends, he took his first step by going to a local comedy club. He went on stage to entertain the audience, but he only got one laugh that night, and it was by accident.

He didn't give up after his first attempt. He continued to seek out for professional comedians and asked for advice. After 11 successive years of hard work, he won the World Championship. He believes that no one can become great alone. If you want to be the best in your profession, then you should seek out to people who are the best of it. They have a higher perspective, and they know how to guide you. Sometimes, when we keep practicing our own speech, it's possible that we are not in the right track, and if we keep practicing, it's not going to make the speech better, lucky if not worse.

Oftentimes, we are so sure that we are doing the right thing, and we keep doing it. We won't even recognize where it went wrong. So, how exactly to achieve great?

1. Talk to a person who excels in the profession
2. Do a research, read a book
3. Observe other people how they do

During the process, failure is inevitable. Thus, learn to embrace it, and move on.

If you want to be the best, then go to people who are the best. Get the thoughts (advice) from them, and turn thoughts into habits. "Habits are like tram track. It's hard to do, but once you do, it'll take you to anywhere you want." Keep asking yourself this: "Will I be better tomorrow because of what I do today?" If not, what could have been done differently?

Mindset is also the crux of whether you'll be able to reach your dream or not. Darren told us about two brilliant MIT students. Both of them were co-op students of a company. The company were facing finial struggles when the students started working there. The students were asked to stand at the end of a factory line and separate the defects from the good one. The first student couldn't stand the job after a couple of days; the second student, however, asked the company's permission to take home the defects, and he studied how to make an improvement. Same job, but different people see it differently. The second student had just found himself a great opportunity to learn.


After I went to this event, I have been thinking about what's my dream and how I can take my next step. I'm still looking out for my passion. Before I find it, I'll keep learning and create opportunities along the way. : )

Caribbean Day

My friend, Naomi, invited me to go to the Caribbean Festival with her. I didn't know much about the culture. Thus, it was a great opportunity to widen my horizons.

Regardless that I didn't hear anything about this festival before, the park was crowded with people! I have to admit that a place that's crowded with people in Canada is rare. We were welcomed by the music and delicious smell of various food.

In front of the stage, the audience dance as the bands were performing. At first, I felt uncomfortable to move since I don't dance a lot, or my body is just too stiff to move...As a hour passed by, I started nodding with the tempo. Another hour passed by, I started to move my feet. Finally, in the last hour before the festival ends, I can sort of dancing like a normal person. XD  It's all about observation and imitation. Of course, courage too.

If you ask me what I learnt today, I'll say "I learnt how to relax and shake all the constraints away!" : )

Volunteering for Community BBQ

I've always loved volunteering! Once I received the email from South Burnaby Neighbourhood House asking for volunteers to help with the community BBQ, I signed up!

I was assigned to help with preparing food along with some other girls. Preparing trays filled with chips wasn't hard at all. However, I had to be fast because people come and go quickly, and we had a long line-up.

Other than BBQ, they had various activities going on such as face-painting, balloon-twisting, soccer, and wall-painting. In fact, a group of volunteers were high school kids. I really admire that they would take their time to volunteer even though they don't benefit much from it other than helping others. I thought teenagers would rather do something else on their own. I guess I was wrong!

Why do I love volunteering?

Meet people

Volunteering is a kind of networking, just without the business suits. It's less formal, but you can still make connections with people you never met before. To me, meeting new people is a way to get out of my comfort zone. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who doesn't feel comfortable in an unfamiliar surrounding. However, it's always a good start to get used to the feeling and practice on your networking skills.

Participate the Event

As a volunteer, you're helping and you're participating the event for FREE. Oftentimes, the organization would provide food and drinks to appreciate the help of the volunteers. Not only that you can go around the place, enjoy the music, learn more about the culture if the event is based on a foreign tradition, and have a further understanding of the organization.

Feels GOOD

Don't you feel great when you know there are something you can do to help others? When I see people's smiles on their face and joy in their eyes, I know it worth my while volunteering there. When you are making a positive impact, no matter how small it is, you're happy that you spent the time and energy.

 

 Kids painting the wall

Three Lessons I've Learned from the Past

I used to believe that when you get a well-paid job, then you become successful in whatever field you are in. That was my definition of "success". That had been stuck in my head for several years. In order to reach success, I had been trying to be the best student in class. Always trying to be perfect. Either got a perfect mark, or the highest mark in the class was the source of my happiness. Can you imagine doing nothing all day but studying? I had done that all three years in my senior high school.

Without a doubt, I lost a lot of things. I didn't join any clubs. I didn't show up often for family union events. I didn't participate many of the social events. I confined myself in textbooks.

I started to realize that the way of my learning was totally wrong. I wish I could do things differently by the following:

Life is not all about Studying or Working

When you are working all day long, after 6-7 hours of working, it's probably manifest that you are not as efficient as the first one or two hours. Why not take a break, go somewhere else, change the scenery around you, in that way, you will be motivated again and you might even get inspiration while you are taking a break.

A 36-year-old, well-paid computer engineer once confessed that all the money he made doesn't mean much to him, since he doesn't have the time to spend it, and he doesn't have a partner to share the joy with. He worked hard all his life, but the emptiness still exist. Happiness doesn't always come from the money or property you own. Certainly, you probably won't be happy, if you lack money. I believe that you can find happiness if you feel it with your whole heart, even little things can be the source of your happiness.  

Learn how to Solve Problems is Way More Important than Memorize the Content 

Oftentimes we study the textbook, and memorize the important facts, equations, or formulas. However, that's merely following the instructions without processing the true meaning behind it. I used to study textbooks without questioning their authentication, or what's the real purpose of learning this chapter. In order to learn more effectively, having some pauses in between chapters is necessary. Pause and think about what you get out of the chapter. Think about how you can use this method to solve problems in the future.

Have Your Own Ideas and Opinions, instead of Following Instructions Blindfolded

I was so used to do what I was told to do. Follow my parents and teachers' instructions, nothing could go wrong, since they were more experienced than I was. The mistake was I have to live my life not them. If I just simply do what they say, I am the one who is responsible for the decision at the end of the day not them.   Others' opinions can be important to certain level, but you have to think the whole thing carefully and understand what you want to do the most. 

There are so many successful people's stories and the path they went through. If we choose to follow their path instead of coming up with our own, we are reliving their lives! Be brave and courageous to start your own journey, and explore what's suitable and can benefit yourself the most! 

Whitecaps!

I've watched several soccer matches on TV before, but this is my first time watching live soccer. 

The Vancouver Whitecaps VS San Jose Earthquakes match was exciting! I went to a football game once, and the audience wasn't that frantic during the game, so I didn't anticipate the crowd to be cheering and chanting for the home team all the time.

Watching the audience's reaction was one of my enjoyments. I wouldn't be able to experience those if I just watch the game at home. 


Some of the chants are so interesting. I love it!

On Joe Cannon goal kicks: 
During buildup to kick: ssssssssssssss
When Joe kicks the ball: BOOOOOM!

On opposing goal kicks: 
During build up to kick, with arms raised: Whoooaaaaaaaaa.
When the keeper kicks the ball: YOU FAT BASTARD!

"We are blue, we are white, we are fucken dynamite"

At the end, Whitecaps won the game. It's not really that surprising to me though because they have such supportive fans chanting for them throughout the game.  I would love to watch the games live again! : )

Grouse Grind--All About Perseverance

Yesterday was my birthday. I thought about doing something different this year to celebrate turning into 21-year-old. One of my friends recommended me to pay Grouse Mountain a visit. It is said that Grouse Mountain is a must go place, if you ever visit Vancouver.

First time being there, I didn't want to take a Skyride to the peak. Instead, I chose to have a memorable experience by hiking. The thing is I didn't do a thorough research about hiking at Grouse Mountain. I was naive enough to believe that Grouse Grind is as easy as any other trail. I realized I was wrong after about 10 minutes of hiking.

It was challenging! At first, I had to rest after only 10 minutes of hiking. Then, I found my legs were sore. I started to rest a bit after 5 minutes of hiking. Furthermore, I had a hard time choosing which rock to step on because if I couldn't stable myself, I could have fell.

I didn't workout a lot to prepare myself before hiking, and I never had this kind of hiking experience before, even my outfit and bag were not suitable for hiking! But I made it after 2 hours and 10 minutes of effort to finish the 2.9-km trail. The fresh air, the fantastic scenery, and the fulfilling feeling of such an accomplishment totally worth the energy it took to reach the peak.

Now that I think of it, I would say it's all about persistence that got me going all along. Even though once in awhile, I felt exhausted and unable to continue the hike, in the back of my head I wanted to go on and reach the top. Just like reaching any other goals, there will always be hindrance in the way. If you want to taste the joy of accomplishment, then perseverance is a necessity.

After this experience at Grouse Mountain, I believe I will come back soon to challenge myself again!

My Toastmasters Experience

I've been always wanted to join Toastmasters when I first heard of it, but I never really had the courage to do so. I'm terrified of talking to people who's not in my comfort zone. However, deep inside of my mind, I knew that well, I have to face my fear sooner or later. So, I chose sooner.

My first time in the Toastmasters meeting as a guest can be traced back to March of 2012. They had an Open House day on a Friday morning, 7 am. When I arrived that day, I was standing in front of the door too afraid about what would happen when I push the door open. If it wasn't the voice told me, "don't think, just do it.", I would have just left.

My first meeting experience was great. It wasn't about just sitting there and enjoying the show. They actually made me participate! During the table topics session, they threw me a question, "why did you choose BCIT?" It threw me off guard. An easy question like that one was hard to answer when I was totally nervous and embarrassed that I couldn't find much to say. I tried at least, and the Toastmasters members actually complimented my courage. It is because of the warm welcome and encouraging feedback made me want to come back to the meeting every week.

Taking some of the roles at Toastmasters meeting seem impossible to me at first, for instance, being a chair person, an evaluator, etc. The interesting thing is that when I found myself willing to try and keep practicing, I can actually do the roles well.

I've heard about Toastmasters changing people's lives, and it's possible as long as you are willing to walk out of your comfort zone, and be persistent in participating the meetings.

I know I want to make progress whether it's interacting with others, enhancing relationships, or be better at public speaking. The hard part is once school starts in September, I'll have to deal with projects and exams. I'll try my best and see how things work out.

I absolutely love Toastmasters. It has widen my horizons in public speaking and leadership.  : )

BCIT Sunrise- http://easy-speak.org/portal.php?marknow=0
Toastmasters International- http://www.toastmasters.org/default.aspx

BCIT Legacy

I have been a member of BCIT Legacy for 9 months now. Legacy is a fair new club comparing to the other existing clubs on campus, but we continuously hold our own events and participate school ones. It's amazing when you got to watch a small club which not much people heard before, to people starting to have an awareness of the existence of Legacy!

Basically what we do in Legacy is to aim for something to leave on campus every year. The first project was a cherry tree, which was planted in front of the business school. Last year's project was a photo gallery exhibited in Library Learning Commons.  

Some of the advantages that I gain by joining Legacy:

Meet People and Make Friends

Since our club is not limited to any school, students come from everywhere. We have members from engineering, nursing, marketing, airplane maintenance, etc, which is good to meet people outside of your program. If you are a BCIT full-time student, then you know that you have a set of classmates, who take the same courses as you do. By joining a club that's not limited to any program, you can easily expand your network.

Opportunity for Organizing Events

I personally organized two events. Speed Dating and Photo Award Ceremony. Honestly, I never had this kind of experience before. Once I got started on organizing, it's a lot of work, but fulfilling as well. You get to talk with the team, club coordinator, and others to discuss your plan. Then, you get to carry it out. I learned a lot from doing so. I constantly needed to contact people, sometimes ask questions, sometimes make a negotiation, and sometimes make a request. When I was organizing events, I got to see things from a marketing perspective as well as finance perspective. It was really interesting!

Practice Our Skills

Whenever you make a mistake in a school club, as long as not a very serious one, it's okay, and you get a chance to learn from it. I see our club as a very small organization, where a lot of things function the way as a company would. Sometimes, when we were trying to promote our events, and nobody really seemed to be care, we learn other ways to attract attention. Those little details is something that I wouldn't be able to notice, if I weren't in the club.

The other thing is leadership. Being a leader is not about giving commands to your team members. It's more about supporting them and helping them to achieve their goals and reach great accomplishments. Without practice, you would never be able to visualize it.


I enjoyed being a member of the club, and look forward to meeting more people and accomplish more together!

"Speak"

Speak is the first Toastmasters documentary movie. In the movie, they interviewed the contestants of the world championship of public speaking. Two of the contestants had inspired me greatly.

Rich

He and his wife have six children to raise, and as his wife takes care of the children, he needs to make his family's ends meet. Even though life has been harsh on him, he still chose to chase after his dream of becoming the public speaking world champion. Later on he even had to amputate a leg, he still hadn't given up his hope. 


Even though many of his friends didn't support him on chasing his dream, he still insisted on giving it a shot. He didn't succeed in wining the world championship at his first try. However, he didn't just give up. He constantly practiced his speech and he came in second place the next year. As he was able to let people hear his voice, he got more clients and eventually he was able to make his family's ends meet.  

LaShunda

She had six surgeries before she entered the 2008 world championship. It was hard enough to deal with her own health problems. Her doctor, her sister and herself were not certain that how much more time would she be able to stay with them. However, she didn't get defeated by the disease. She looked on the positive side of life, and kept fighting all the odds against her. As a result, she won the 1st place of world championship of public speaking.


Nobody else knows how much of potential and ability you have. People who told you that you will not be able to do it, some of them don't even care about you will succeed or not. If you know this is your dream, then go for it! There's no indication of what will happen in the future. We might not have a long time to live, but we can decide what we want to accomplish right now. I would rather chase after my dream, then regret later when I don't have the chance anymore. As Steve Jobs said "You get to find what you love...If you haven't find it yet, keep looking, don't settle."

The championship doesn't mean so much as a competition for the first place after all. it's about making a difference in others. It's about making your voice heard. What really wins the audience is the speaker's sincerity and being authentic. Not everyone can step on the stage of World Championship. Only the ones who fought so hard with their hindrance, the ones that they want to share their experience of how they overcame the obstacles on their way, and the ones who truly can inspire the audience. 

Speak - Come find your voice.