rainbowfire

More than 5 years ago, I wrote on a post-it note three things I would do if I have $10,000:
1) Go to Spain and/or Italy; 2) Get my certification in NLP; 3) invest whatever is left.

Well, I seemed to have done things in reverse order: I invested first, got my certification in NLP (Practitioner, then Advanced Coach under Dr. John Grinder)... and then... and then... I just couldn't do goal #1!!! I kept "parking" it into the distant future.

For 5 years now, I've had images/clippings of where I want to be on my "dreamboard". As I moved to Melbourne from Singapore, I lost some of the other pictures of what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go. Only two things remained. One is a collage of Italy with inspiring images of Florence, Venice, Sorrento.

I thought "this is crazy, I could just do it, it's within my grasp!" I have money. I have enough leave from work. It's bizarre, how, given the resources to make a dream come true, I come up with numerous excuses not to: it's too expensive, I should just be focusing on my career, Yuri and I could do it together later when we have more money, I should be saving for property investments... Then I went further by convincing myself that I am probably better off buying an iMac, going to Thailand and Philippines for the same, if not, less amount of money.

I caught myself right there. Compromising did not feel right! I would regret it! I would have countless nights thinking "what if?". I decided to silence all the noise, the voices calling out for "more sensible" options.

There is only one voice that tells me clearly what my heart desires, no matter how irrational it may sound. Whatever it costs, that inner voice deserves to be heard.

So.... I'm finally flying off to Spain and Italy (yes both!!!) I'm sooooo excited!!!
I'm going to, and would have a fabulous reason to, celebrate my birthday on June 23, BIG TIME!!!

I was probably searching for an inspiration when I bought her autobiographical book.

Not that I'm faced with choices as tough as Carly Fiorina's -- far from it!

I made the decision to leave business consulting to do business assurance, specifically risk management.
I've been doing consulting most of my career. I loved the challenge of facilitating change for organisations. I loved the challenge of influencing people at all levels, the challenge of overcoming resistance. I loved finding solutions, and opportunities to add value. Risk management is different. The value is not tangible or readily apparent, and until now, I am still looking for a compelling value proposition on why organisations should spend massive resources on formalising risk management (which to me, is intuitive and commonsense) -- other than it being a corporate governance requirement. Before I go out selling to clients, I have to sell to myself first.

Years ago when I first started working on Quality Mgt (ISO 9001). I didn't believe in it at first. But I thought, if I am to go around 20 departments, asking hundreds of managers and staff to comply with quality standards, I better believe in it first. I had to dig deep. Selling to myself wasnt' easy. But once I did that, getting others' buy-in was easier.

The tough choice is not the change of circumstance. The tough choice is not leaving something comfortable and familiar. The tough choice is choosing a new perspective, believing in something you never did before.

Been a bit more than a year since I last wrote here...

One year after...

- Yuri and I are still happily married
- I'm still not used to the cold weather in Melbourne
- I still weigh the same
- Still looking for a dance group
- I finally bought my first investment property
- I finally had my NLP Advanced Coach certification by Dr. John Grinder, the co-creator of NLP himself!
- I'm serving my second term as Area Governor in Toastmasters and finally got to attend a District Convention
- I've been promoted from Consultant to Manager, and skipped a level (Snr. Consultant)
-- fastest upward move in my career ever (2 levels up in 14 mths)!

In the past year
- I've started writing everyday again, and never missed a single day this 2007
- Finally got to see the West side -- Perth - a few times.
(Asided from Northern Territory, I have now been to ALL states and regional centres of Australia)
- Finished watching Seasons 1-5 of '24' (woo hoo!)
- Finished watching first 2 seasons of Beverly Hills 90210
- Approaching series 2 of Dawson's Creek..
I think Gen X is represented by Beverly Hills 90210, Generation Y by Dawson's Creek, and
Millenium Generation by the "OC" --- judging from the one I relate to the most, I'm definitely Gen Y :))