Dont become a cooked frog

Can you indulge yourself with a frog? no offense to frog eaters...I could not stomach the idea of frogs for food even with the sudden increase in fuel and domestic food. No offence Mr. Frog but you are just not tempting enough for me. Sharing is caring and what i like to share at this moment is a story about a cooked frog. I just cant get enough with the frogs huh..

My dad once told me (not exactly from him, one of his friend once told him, and my dad told me)…a story about a cooked frog. Here goes : Once upon a time, there was this frog which found itself in a pot of water. What a comfortable place for the frog to be in. But what the frog did not know was that the pot was sitting on a stove. The fire underneath the pot was burning very slowly. The poor frog did not realize that the water was getting warmer and warmer; and then hotter and hotter. Then…it was too late. The frog did not react, respond or jump and sad enough the frog got cooked.

The lesson learned: Please do not be ignorant of the changes around us because it could be very costly. Be comfortable… is alright but do not be too comfortable because it could land us into deep trouble.

If we are still sleeping and dreaming, wake-up before it’s too late. It is now a savvy, fast-pace world of high-tech 3G, video conferencing and continuous innovations on science and technology. Even the educational scenario is now very competitive and demanding. Too many top achievers and even parents nowadays invest a lot on tuition for their children. Unemployment rate is increasing we cannot deny. It’s a tough and challenging world indeed. Now, a respected leader is one who do not just talk but must deliver or he will not be respected (With due reference to our political scenario). Government should put certain standards towards our aspiring politicians, I find it a very disgrace situation of certain politicians who do not possess expertise and qualifications.. Needless to say, we now have young corporate figures or leaders who presently are holding high positions like Chief Executive, Executive Director for example at TV3, CIMB, Time and others. They inject new ideas and bring changes to the organization.

Innovations and ideas are a never ending process. Today’s new invention will very soon be out-dated and replaced by new ones. A brilliant idea will create a potential millionaire. Look at Bill Gates. And that Malaysian guy who created the pen-drive and the housewife who created the fiction Best Seller – Harry Potter…Who knows if we think hard enough we could also be one of them. Even a stupid idea could perhaps be a brilliant idea. Colonel Sanders tried hard to sell his idea of a franchise market for Kentucky Fried Chicken. He was laughed at and ridiculed but in the end he had the last laugh. Remember, there will always be new ideas.

If you drive through the Federal Highway approaching the EPF Building you will not miss the billboard from CIMB Group that reads : “Winning is about thinking one step ahead”. If one wants to be in the forefront and be successful, one has to be one step ahead of one’s competitors. Needless to say, we have to be committed and dedicated to our job or profession and ever willing to adapt to changes. We have to learn and adopt new ideas, process and system and obviously stop the old habits in order to progress and move forward. Old habits and static work culture will hinder progress and create a negative and non-conducive environment where gossips, grapevine, rumours, back stabbing and other negative elements will be prevalent. We can always shout the slogan Malaysia Boleh but if we do not possess the winning and fighting spirit like Nicole David, the great fighting spirit of the Turkey soccer team in Euro 2008 or the fight till the end Chinese badminton team, then… there is still a lot of work to be done. Change comes from the heart. If we want to change for the better, we can do so if we really and sincerely want to.

We should always inculcate good habits and be equipped with the right attitude. If we adopt the positive mode, we would be able to ride any tsunami or challenges. Practicing the right attitude and commitment will be the right tonic to withstand or handle any hurdles. Never give up or be disheartened if faced with initial drawbacks or failures. Dare to fail and be a better person afterwards. With hard work and dedication, the setbacks will turn into success. Setbacks and failures should instead spur us to work harder and not vice versa.

Be alert of any new developments and adapt quickly to these developments. Let’s not end up like the cooked frog. Mr Red