think in foreign language for difficult decision?

Totally interesting study & write up (Oprima dos for better cognition) . It shares that there are studies that seem to show that people think differently when using another foreign language. And the reason is really just that when one think in a foreign language (that does not comes so naturally) – it slows down our thinking process & therefore makes one make a better decision vs intuitive ones.

Now.. it sets me thinking .. if I could encourage the high absenteeism folks at work to start speaking in chinese , would they start to think in chinese language? Just imagine … when the 1st thing they want to do when they wake up in the morning was to  skip work but when they think in chinese – they could just decide that skipping a day of work is just not worth it.

As for me.. I have yet to clearly identify if I naturally think with chinese or in english. Once I identify .. i really should try to think in that other language. However.. the article did says that there are not sure if this applies to  balanced bilingual individuals. If it does not apply..I just might have to learn another foreign foreign language !

“late.st” web entertainment

Latest as in Late.st (ie.. late caught on by mua) but at the same time latest web entertainment read for me.

Tickled me so much yet at the same time very reassuring! (link to blog scary mommy here)

My fave so far is proper training for motherhood . I think so far I have only experience the wrestling part.. yet to experience the architecture , snake charming & modern art.

man.. she’s good! I wish I can write like that !

The most over-rated piece of advice – Do what you love

I could’t agree more with Penelope’s write up .. actually I most likely can !! Of course that advert shown on Mediacorp station “What is YOUR passion?” sometime back doesn’t help either.  Of course that advert was suppose to encourage more people to become teachers but seriously… I remember a lot more on the “what’s YOUR passion” so I can’t imagine what it does to the younger & more impressionable ones.  Passion has so become diluted with use. Sheezzz…

Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe passion is a very important element to get one to give their very best but when people start to put passion first before the actual task.. it become a problem. I mean my “passions” includes going on holidays, to chat with good friends, to read like a lot of books but seriously …? None of it gives me $$$$ . And we need $$$ to ‘satisfy’ those passions or rather those LOVES.

Last month, someone told me it is not what she loves to do. The thing is, I think almost every other person in the world love to travel & want to only work when one wants to or have loads of $$$ to spend but loving it does not mean that it gives you the dough. Lifestyle needs to be earned. And to earn – you need to work. Cos work gives you money.. loads of money .. so that you can do what you love.

Of course – I cannot say I am NOT worried about my 9 month old in 18 years time. It is funny how suddenly many parents start to share with me their ‘woes’ of bringing up their kids now that I am a parent. The most common would be.. they don’t know why their kids are so fickle minded.. first it was this course then after 3 years, their kids decided that it is not their ‘thing’ (aka passion). I mean… ‘DUH!’ , why would 20 + year olds need like 3 years to figure out that they DON’T like something?!!  How HARD it is to find out that one do not like maths / science / calculations / literatures / arts / accounting / computing / mass comm  ? I mean these are like really boring stuff. I seriously can’t remember any of my Uni subjects that are ANYWHERE near exciting.

So mental note to self. Remind Relm that she got to do what she is with lots of love & passion then she can do what she loves. Like the chinese saying –  先苦后甜  (first ‘bitter then sweetness)

 

 

 

bite-size musings #5

“We are in a bubble & its not the internet. It’s higher education” – Peter Thiel

A very interesting thought. Higher education may be really over-rated. Brought me to try to recall folks I met with higher education that actually impresses me – and the answer is none. The people that impresses me were usually people with a big heart, passionate & full of energy – and that is usually the reason for their success. Yet, here I am … hoping that the kid will grow up smart & get the best higher education that they can get. Yup.. time for another paradigm shift.

When silence kills

I often think human being talk too much..or too much of a busybody.  I often wish I didn’t say what I said after I said it cause I feel I am just being ‘kepo‘ (busybody). “I mean why do I have to say what I thought when it does not affect me much“? (the question that pop into my head each time these events occur)

But looks like I am proven wrong. Studies shown that silence do kill!  Interesting study & results here > silence kills.

Although the study were mainly concentrated in hope of improving health care,  there are books that make some references to this study as it seems that it also applies to management / work situation.

Of course, I am not condoning my ‘kepo’ acts but it is interesting how the thought of to shut up even when one shouldn’t have could actually have grave consequences.

Maybe it is the right thing to do – to point out, to voice out or to correct so as to put the difficult but right thing in place but first & foremost – it has to be an accepted outcome/goal for all. The study works – cause – the accepted outcome for everyone at the health care was to save lives so it makes the change worthwhile / meaningful.

So what happens when the desired outcome is not accepted for all? Maybe staying silent is the best course to take sometimes.

choices

Will inertia be your guide or will you follow your passion

Will you follow dogma or will you be original

Will you choose a life of ease or a life of service & adventure

Will you wilt under criticism or will you follow your convictions

Will you bluff it out when you are wrong or will you apologize

Will you guard your heart against rejection or will you act when you are in love

Will you play it safe or will you be a little bit swashbuckly

When its tough will you give up or will you be relentless

Will you be a cynic or will you be a builder

Will you be clever at the expense of others or will you be kind

In the end, we are our choices

Build yourself a great story

-  Excerpt fm  Jeff Bezo’s talk at Princeton U.

the millennials dilemma

I mean we heard so much written about the millennials (those born post 1980s) about how lazy & entitled they are.  Not to mention that EGO.

But the fact is they are here to stay & to work with you (which is  quite disconcerting when I think about it)

Interesting write-up about “why bashing the millennials is wrong” . Of course I disagree with her using the Glee casts as an example. I mean they became successful because of the producer Ryan Murphy (which is NOT a millennial), cos he is the one with the idea & making the Glee happen.

nobody cares really….

nobody really cares if you are miserable, so you might as well be happy!

- cynthia nelms

She’s very right of course

and of course…. interestingly there’s a wikihow on how to be happy… . And further! interestingly – rated 2nd How was ‘follow your gut’. I would never have thought that ‘follow your gut feel’ is actually one psychological way to be happy.. totally interesting!

the www just never cease to amaze me.

zip it

very sad after seeing this video (although am not saying that it is not true).. i think many of my close friends knows about my goal. looks like i will be working till the day i die…

alas.. a humanoid robot in sight

hoo hoo .. it is a cause for celebration.. Isaac Asimov should be proud ..his vision is coming true afterall.. evenif it is a little slower than expected.

read here for more info > article