Keep your nose on the grindstone

Keep your nose on the grindstone - what a painful thing to do especially if you have a long nose like mine. No wonder we find it hard to keep our noses close to any grindstone (a strange metaphor for work that needs to be done; yet so apt as it is hard and rough and continually turns, never ending). Anyway, this is the topic of conversation and competition by someone I know and as I have heard Robert Raymer teach last year and flipped through his book (interesting, and yes I would like to have a copy in my library), I've decided to give my two-cents worth on how to keep your nose to the grindstone (ouch!).

1. Get a tough nose (i.e. toughen yourself emotionally and mentally) - you will need to have passion, drive, desire and a mind set to do the work if you ever want the "nose" to be on the grindstone.
2. Get a strong body attached to the nose (i.e. you got to be fit and healthy) - the many cakes, junkfood and sodas will not help you keep to the task ahead. A clear mind and fit body really does help. Sadly, I am yet to be in possession of such a body.
3. Use smaller and/or softer grindstones (i.e. do smaller and easier task) - this is a no-brainer. When a large elephant is cut into smaller pieces and cook in lovely rendang curry, it is much easier to swallow and before you know it you have eaten an elephant!
4. Visit the grindstone at agreed times (i.e. slot predetermine times to do the task at hand) - anyone knows that putting your nose continuosly at the grindstone will result is an absent nose and not a sharp nose! So visit the grindstone when necessary and keep it on the grindstone until the work is done and no longer (hint: overtime and extra work is no good).
5. Remember the grindstone is to change rocks into diamonds (i.e. have the goal of the task in mind all the time) - always remind yourself the purpose and final outcome of the task; hopefully it is a diamond and not a lump of clay! If all the hard work is to produce a diamond, the grinding is worth it. If not, put your nose somewhere else!

Well, that's my two-cents worth. If you're reading this 'you-know-who" do place me in your consideration list. Raymer's book will be good in my library!!!

Hats Off to Serendipity - Sue Ellen Cooper

What have I learnt from Sue's success story:
1. a vivid imagination and all that comes with it like fantasy and make-believe is an important ability to have
2. Seek out the whimsical, beautiful and fantastic in your life - they may just contain the gold you're looking for
3. follow your instincts
4. Share what you love and find interesting - it may just be what you should do to be successful
5. have a clear purpose for what you are doing (hint: making money is not one of them!)
6.whatever you choose to do, make sure it's something that provides you the opportunity to pass along your love for life,to follow your instincts and to remain true to your values

Against All Odds - David Anderson

Lessons learnt from David's success:
1. become a small-business owner - a businessman
2. follow your childhood dream - what was your passion when you were a kid?
3. forays into the business world can be successful at times but oftentimes it will fail
4. never give up on your dreams
5. problems are opportunities for a new life
6. the best advertisement is word of mouth
7. to be the best, visit all your competition, taste/use all their products, personally make/cook your product. Do all this to pursue the best you can produce.
8. your success is worth more because it provides jobs and opportunities to so many people
9. adversity will help make you stronger and wiser
10. live your life in gratitude
11. your higher purpose should be to make a positive difference in the lives of others
12. you are here to serve.

Quote: At night, I remember gazing into the heavens, thinking about the billions and billions of stars that sparkled in the northern sky. I wondered if my life would shine brilliantly like one of the bright stars above, or if my life would be like one of the billion stars that just faded off into the vastness of space. Determined to shine brilliantly, I followed my childhood dream . . .