Insurance reminder

I was analysing my insurance policies and discussing it with a friend. These are the 3 points I learnt.

a. For life policies, the total costs will be greater than your total paid premium until around your 20th year. If this is the case, if you were to surrender your policy anytime before your 20th year. You will get less than what you paid out.

You could take this loss as coverage for those number of years.

You could also buy term insurance, pay less per year with more coverage offered. The only thing is that you do not get anything back after 20 years of paid premium.

But paid term premiums costs almost half as compared to life insurance premiums with double the coverage.

So in my 20th year, I will have roughly paid out $5000 in term premiums.As for my life policy, I will get $10000 back if I surrender the policy which is actually my total paid up premiums. I don't get anything more from it after 20 years. Just coverage.


b. So term or life? like what my friend said. It depends on what I want out of life. If I am lazy, I will do better buying the life insurance. At least I get money ($10000) back plus coverage.

But if I want to push ahead, then term is the way. It provides more coverage with less premiums and although there is no money back, I will have made more money elsewhere than just the $10000 I put in after 20 years.


c. Endowments/savings

Cons - Premiums are higher than life with the same coverage. The 50% cash jump comes only in your last year. So you will definitely make a loss if you surrender anytime before maturity. You can't be certain what will happen in 20 years time.

Pros - 20years instead of life to get money.

Can I make the money work harder for me? Of I invest the $2000 yearly premium elsewhere. Will I get more than $100k after 20years?

Selling The Wheel

I just finished reading this book " Selling The Wheel" by Jeff Cox and Howard Stevens. It was an interesting read and it open my eyes to the different ways of selling. Basically in this book, there are 4 different kinds of sales approach represented by 4 different persons.

a. Cassius the Closer - new wave, high margin products, sells dreams and opportubities, close fast, passionate about selling and notion of 'can't have too much money'. Work alone.


b. Toby the Wizard - technical expert, consciencious, offer total solutions to customers.


c. Ben the builder - relationship builder, know both customers and customers' business well, bend over backwards for big clients, keep pace with technical change.


d. Caleb the Captain of Sales - leader with customer satisfaction constantly on his mind, good motivator to staff, incentives and upgrading for staff.


They have their own strengths and weaknesses. But stages of product growth, the business enviroment all play a part. In a way, there is no fix or right way to sell. You have to read the market cycles and match the correct sales approach.

The Meditation Plan

I just finished reading 'The Meditation Plan' by Richard Lawrence.
This part about how to meditate was quite enlightening. I was having problems trying to concentrate and this explanation from the book helps.

"Meditation is a DISCIPLINED loosening of the mind. You allow the mind to wander where it will, and yet all the time have complete control over the process. The way to do it is CONCENTRATION. The mind wants to wander, you cannot stop it by force. Instead you have to coax your mind in the direction you want it to go."

I should sit down and let my mind wander. When it is something I want to understand further, I must try to coax it to go down that direction instead of to another thought and be open to input at the same time.


Under the section 'Fortune' in this book were some guidelines that I should bear in mind. These are the three points I picked which I am not good at but will try to improve. Good fortune is something you cultivate, there is a magic to it.


a. Try to make everything you do helpful to others as well as yourself.

I will do things that will benefit myself as well as others. Not just others


b. Be as positive as you can. If you have anything negative which you feel has to be said about anyone, always say it to their face.

I will speak up even if the person may not like to hear it.


c. When dealing with any opposition to something you have to do, use truth as your weapon. Even if you are outspoken in your words and thoughts, try to keep LOVE in your heart. This will deny opponents any immunition against you.

I will be mindful of any opposition. Does it stem from my own selfich reasons or pride? I will seek the truth and have LOVE in my heart.

Time Management

I just finished reading this book called "Manage Your Time The Lazy Way". Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it. Anyway, I managed to pull three things out that I might use to improve my life at this point of time.

a. The power of 'No'

I must learn to say 'No' to things, people, activities that will not enhance my life. I must be selective with my time. Spent a few minutes asking myself 'Will this improve my life or my family in any way?' before making the decision.


b. Do the hardest things first.

If I do the hardest thing first, my heart will feel so much lighter as the hard thing is not weighing me down the whole day. Do it first thing in the morning and get it out of the way. Do not let it suck up all my time and energy worrying about it.


c. Never put of what you can decide now.

I will make decisions on simple things on the spot. Do not say, 'I will think about it, maybe, let's see, not sure etc.' Spend a few minutes to ask yourself whether it will improve your life and make the decision. This will free up the nagging feeling in my head the whole day and I can use that to think of something more important!

Stilling the mind

"Never will you receive so much from absolutely nothing as stillness of mind"

As I read more books, one aspect that constantly pops up is stilling your mind, meditation, quiet time, whatever you call it. Even Jesus took time off away from his very hectic schedule, away from his disciples, away from his beloved people. Jesus had to find the time to pray and talk to GOD.

Through my blog and meditation, I am trying to consciously stop the chatter in my mind. It is not easy, sometimes I try too hard and it backfires sending my mind into chaos. Remember ALLOW STILLNESS TO HAPPEN.


How do I realize who I am?

I will realize who I am through self-study and by allowing my mind to get still over a period of time. My awareness of who I am will dawn on me like a beautiful sunrise seen over a lifetime, with one exception. The light will be coming from within myself, not outside.

"It is not the shutting out of thought that you are trying to achieve. but an allowing of stillness to happen"


I am what I am.

Difference

How different was yesterday from today? Will tomorrow be the same? I am not talking about individual activities but my approach to the day spent. Was just thinking that everyday seem to pass by so quickly and there never seem to be enough time. But everyone has 24hrs in a day. I will make changes to improve my life and my family's starting with these 3 things.


a. Getting baby ready for bed at 8pm.

I will train him to sleep by 9pm latest everyday. He will know his sleep routine and fall asleep on his own. This will apply to naps too.


b. I will wake up at 7am daily.

I will wake up, have breakfast and send baby to school at 8:30am. I will be home by 9pm to start the day. I will go for exercise after sending baby to school every Mon, Wed and Fri. I will clean house every Tues, Thur and Sat.


c. I will read, meditate and blog daily

I will read to expand my mind, meditate to know my heart and blog to understand my thoughts.


I will review this in 2 weeks time.(Nov 4)

Dreams, obstacles and affirmations

Was talking to a good friend last night. He was sharing that when I want to pursue a dream, have I prepare myself for my dream? Have I done anything to improve myself so that I will be closer to that dream? It is not enough to just do things on the outside? I might do well but I will never be outstanding. To be outstanding, I have to connect the inside with the outside and with the spritual (universe). When I have achieve this, I would have truly live my life.

So what are the worst things that can possibly happen if I decide that I want to pursue my dream? It comes down to 3 main things in any pursuit.

a. time

Am I willing to spend time on it even when I am sick, dead tired, love one pass away, child sick, etc.


b. money

Am I willing to forgo other forms of money no matter how easy or how much as it will only serve to keep me away from my dream.


c. embarassment

Am I willing to take snide and disparaging remarks, criticisms, blames, etc. and not let it affect me in all aspects. This is the most important as I am weak minded and easily influence and swayed.
ALWAYS use affirmations to keep my focus in times like these.

This brings me to the next thing, affirmations.

Eg
I am rich.
I will be rich.

A good way to keep my dream alive is to constantly remind myself through affirmations. Affirmations should begin with 'I am' and not 'I will'. 'I will' has no time frame and this makes it difficult to know when I will succeed.

With 'I am', I am constanly reminding myself that 'I am rich' in this example. With constant reminders, my mind will subconciously realize that there is a gap that has to be bridge between the present me and the rich me. The mind will slowly bridge that gap.
I will start to see little changes and this will soon take over me.

The Closer

CLOSER.

Wow! I came across this word in the book I am currently reading. 'Selling the Wheel' by Jeff Cox and Howard Stevens.

Closers are a rare breed of salespeople. Most salespeople sell a solution to a problem. Closers sell dreams. They sell a better tomorrow. They sell opportunity.

Closers believe totally in what they are selling, and they live for the golden moment of getting a brand-new customer to say yes. They have quality of drive, determination, and focus.

Closers tend toward high-end new technology that is revolutionary and has no imitators. They also gravitate to products that are unique and exclusive. Closers have a very high energy level. They have an aura of success about them. They communicate the image of success in what they wear, what they buy, where they live. But the best way to recognise a closer is to watch them work.

These are 3 points that struck me:

a. You have to sell dreams and opportunity. With that skill, the product is not important. What you should sell is the lifestyle and prestige associated with it. Make the customer feel good about buying, show him opportunities.

b. You must not think about the money. Do a good job and the rewards will come.

c. You must belief in your own success or that you will be
successful no matter how down you are. Eat, sleep, breathe SUCCESS.

Financial Alchemy

I read this book called 'The Four Elements of Financial Alchemy' by Jacques F. Vallee. 3 points open up my mind. They are:

a. What wealth means to me

Does wealth mean only money in the bank? Does more money in the bank mean that I am a happier person? Real wealth is relative.
Real wealth should include good health, love from family and friends and being able to achieve your dreams.


b. Personal Control

Any labour of yours that turns into gold, is not for your neighbour to manage and hold.

I work hard for my money and I should be responsible for it. Nurture it lovingly and it will blossom. Do not let another manage your money unless I am too lazy to do it. The management fees and bad forecast will rob you of both time and money.


c. Personal Shelter

A sturdy shelter you must buy, the better to keep your powder dry.

Have one home to call your home. Have a few more for investment. Rental yield might be conservative but the house is for real. Give my children each a home and they will be ahead of the race.

To move ahead (positive traits)

To move ahead, I must


a. Change my heart

I will know what is in my heart, do not turn away. Do not be afraid of following it. Even if it sounds impossible and ridiculous. Even if I do not trust myself to follow it. Say it out loud, talk it through, don't keep quiet and let the thoughts run round circles in my head. Open my heart and share it with my love one.


b. Meditate

I wanted money, and to understand the publishing business and to work from home. Impossible? I got it. So don't ignore the power of meditation and asking for what you want.

I want to look good, be in control, own a few houses, a nice car, travel and do work I enjoy. I want to be the kind of person money will come to me. I want to be financially free by 40 and be able to contribute to society, help my children and grandchildren and grow old, worry-free with my husband. My husband will achieve cult-status in writing and people will pay him loads to have him write a few lines and he will produce 2 movies and 2 cds that will be nothing short of magical. My children will follow their hearts, live life to the fullest and be happy.


c. Read, improve, change

I will read faster and process my thoughts faster. I will be selective in what I read. I will read 1 book everyday. I will blog everyday.

I will strive to improve my English and Chinese. I will be discipline in my finances.

I will not be adverse to change but welcome it as a chance to improve myself. Take any change as a challenge. Can I do it? I like competition. So how many new things can I learn by the end of the year?

master the dvd player
use the fax on my computer
upload photos: gfoto
setup a webcam
learn to use skype
make a short movie
learn make-up
buy/sell stuff (small stall/ebay?)
write a short story
learn to play the guitar/keyboard
learn how to invest my money
think of articles to contribute
do a short clip/story/song in chinese
take a short course

To move ahead (negative traits)

To move ahead, I must

a. Kick my bad habits.

I will stop reading the newspaper. It is a bad habit in this case as it is eating up my time and not getting me ahead.

I will get out of my head that I need to unwind and relax. Yes, unwind, relax but make it productive as well. Think, exercise, read at the same time.

I will not give excuses. See a plan through no matter how much I hate it. If it is not done, it is MY FAULT.


b. Throw away things that hold me back.

I will throw out all my art stuff as it is getting in the way of my development. Yes, it is something that I like to do but it is not helping me. Do I want to be an art teacher? NO! so out of sight, out of mind.

I will throw out all my clothes that do not fit the new me. Less time spent deciding what to wear. Just have 5 good outfits that look good and are a no-brainer to co-ordinate.


c. Streamline my routine chores.

I will make my meals easier and simpler. Plan a weekly meal and marketing schedule and stick to it.

I will make a household chore schedule that will maximise time and minimise work.

Destiny

'Place in your own hands your destiny, then you will not be at the mercy of others.'

From a work perspective and through personal encounters, I can expand the above quote into three points I should take note.

a. Will work be an excuse to be busy and not get my house and myself in order. Is it the easier way out? Just work, work, work and play, play, play. No time to think, plan and evaluate?

b. Will the short-term goals of working for money fit into my longer-term goals. If not, re-evaluate.

c. Take control, be resposible. My destiny is in my own hands.

Mind matters

I am currently reading this book 'The Way is Within' by Ron Rathbun. It will probably take a while as every page has to be digested slowly. I read and tried to apply 3 points to my life today but it definitely requires more practice.


a. Focus your thoughts inward.

I should close me eyes and focus my thoughts instead of being distracted by things and people around me. Focus on what I want myself to be. Refine, define and refine my thoughts constantly as my future is there.


b. Control yourself, not others.

I must control my thoughts. Don't let anyone else take control. Disconnect the buttons in my mind that make me lose control. Step back and ask myself why I feel like that. I will know the answer in my heart. Is it because I have not done my work and trying to be defensive? or am I too pround and self-centered to take advice as I am change adverse? Speak the truth and I will be free.


c. Keep your mind sharp and in control.

I can decide which emotions and thoughts I want to feel. So I have to be in control and not let my thoughts run me. Keep my mind beautiful and free from negative thoughts. I can do anything if I put my heart to it.

On-line shopping

These are the 3 things I learnt from on-line shopping.

a. Savings from the delivery charge is negilgible when you factor in time queuing and travelling, energy from shopping and carrying, money for transport.

b. The time, energy and money you save can be translated to more useful activites. Read a book, exercise, family time, earn more money.

c. You control when you want to shop. It does not matter if it rains, you have no transport, you are sick. Anytime is a good time.

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

I read this book by Robin S. Sharma 'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari' and I can apply 3 things from this book to my life.


a. Master my mind

I have to guard my thoughts. Don't allow it to wander aimlessly. Learn to focus and stay focus. With this, I can think and do mundane stuff like mopping the floor at the same time.

Start by concentrating on a thought for 10mins and increasing the time slowly.


b. Do the things I fear

I should not run away. Do it first instead of last and the burden will be lighter. After doing it, it does not seem so frightening and even if I fail, I know that I have overcome my fear and will be stronger.

I fear confrontation. Prepare so that I will be ready when the time comes.


c. Respect and protect my time

I have 24hrs a day, no more, no less. I should be doing things that will help me grow, body, mind and soul. Prioritise and do what is important for that day. Time will not wait for me.

Prioritise and plan for the day/month/year ahead. Have a deathbed mentality. Give up time-wasting habits. Push myself to think faster.

Simple Living - A conscious decision

I read this book titled 'The complete IDIOT'S guide to Simple Living ' by Georgene Lockwood. It was a fast read but three things struck me from the book.


a. Tailoring a simple living plan to coincide with your own values and goals.

I have to stop being busy with work, housework, baby and devote time daily to evaluate and meditate. Have I have done anything in the course of the day that coincides with my values and get me closer to my goals.


b. How living with less can mean more.

I have to be clear as to what I need and not what I want. Stuff is only useful when it is being used. If not, stuff will clutter my life and prevent me from moving on. Wardrobe, kitchen utensils, books, toys, if I have not been using it, chances are they should be thrown or given away. With less stuff, I spend less time looking after it.


c. Simple Living and relationships

I should be spending time with people who matters to me. Be selective about relationships, I have only so much energy, so much time, so much to give. Relationship with myself is important too. Time out to nurture my body, mind and soul. By loving myself, I can love all.