Book Report: Start Somthng That Matter, by Blake Mycoskie

I bought "Start Something That Matters" after seeing his sharing on Facebook about the incredible story behind TOMS Shoes. Apparently the book is no longer available in Hong Kong's bookstores, so he offered to buy in bulk from overseas and try to get some discount with bulk purchase. I was really intrigued by the overall premise of the TOMS shoes story and decided to get one copy. I remember I was in the midst of career switching, I have just recently decided to pursue an entrepreneurial career path at that point of my life. (Special thanks to Alan Li for introducing the book and helping to coordinate the logistics)

However, having a long list of to-read books and frequently having new books cutting the queue on my list meant that I only have a chance to begin reading late 2013/early 2014. Finally finishing the book by the end of my CNY vacation (on the plane from Penang to HK).

It was written in a light tone, started with the story of how Blake started TOMS shoes. in his trip to Argentina. For the rest of the books, he present the important steps to the path of a for-profit business that benefits the society. He frequently quotes stories from his mentors, peers, friends and family to illustrate his messages.

Having been in the entrepreneurial path for a little more than a year by now, a lot of his messages tend to be no brainer for me. For example, how he spent an entire chapter on facing fear and be resourceful without resources. Don't get me wrong these are very important, but the way Blake put it, it appears to be not as interesting to me personally who are already doing these things more or less. The redundant advices and encouragement made the book a little slow in the middle, and because of that, at some point I really feel like putting down the book.I hope that the other readers who are some how on the fence about pursuing entrepreneurship might benefit from his encouragement.

As mentioned earlier, Blake also incorporated a lot of short stories of different businesses in between his messages. But sometimes it felt a little "all over the place" and I found it a little distracting to the overall flow of his message. But it is not too bad, and I love the stories (as viewed individually). 

On the other hand, I really love the one-to-one model presented in the book and executed by TOMS Shoes (and eventually OneShot).I can see that he is passionate about having more business adopting this model. I am also convinced by him that it is possible, and in fact probably more sensible, to create a charitable/social activism that is based on a for-profit model. TOMS Shoes, NatGeo and hopefully more business could build around to be socially responsible, and being for profit means that they can sustain their own operation without the need to constantly seek for operation.

Also, maybe I should get a pair of TOMS.

Follow up reading:
-Understand how Netflix could abandon sick leaves and vacation leaves system.
-4-hour work week
-Inside Larry and Sergy's Brain

夏天夜晚的一場夢

有時候，我回想，你好像從來沒有離開。
有時候，我回想，你好像一直都在。
有時候，我回想，你開車的樣子，不說話。
有時候，我只是想，你從來都不會離開。
只是想讓你再開車載我出門。只是想再喝你泡的美祿和紅茶。吃你買回家的食物。陪你一起看台灣的電視節目。

你，真的離開了。

我只是想...再見你一面。

因為，現在的我好像活的很好，卻有些地方...特別脆弱。

那天夢見你開車。滿口笑容。
一直沒有告訴過你，我好喜歡你的笑聲。

我以為我不會太想你。但是潛意識沒有答應過。

對你來說，我這個兒子是不是從來都不及格呢?
我做什麼，好像都沒有及格過。

Made the decision

So......I made the decision, the letter was tendered.
Many asked why don't wait till I found another one before I tender this one, it is..anyway, more sensible and secure.
I thought about this too, whether I have been irrational in making this decision, that I should have waited till I am sure that there is a job for me first before I hand in the letter.

Aside from the impracticality of looking for a job overseas with a job locally (yes I am heading back to HK), I have decided to 'embrace the insecurity'. That makes me stronger, and give me a stronger drive to what I wanted to do.

The future for our generation is full of insecurity anyway. What ever security there is, it is only a perception. And lucky me, I have no commitments. No car/house installment to pay, no spouse to feed, no kids to raise. Though I have some bills to pay and I am supporting my mom now, but its going to be fine.

Came across this article today: your first jobs doesnt really matter. Share it with you guys.
http://blogs.hbr.org/glickman/2011/10/your-first-job-doesnt-really-m.html

I was also inspired by another article that say: there is no such thing as a career path.

Hope I am right. And hope I don't have to see you guys in Mcdonald's. But you never know..LOL!

This is just cool...

Been awhile since I last updated. Had been very busy.....made some major decision :)
 Before that, lets check out this video of a banana piano!

投白票

-“港大“民间全民投票” 22万人选特首55%投白票”

http://news.stnn.cc/hongkong/201203/t20120325_1719908.html

7只有22萬人的turn out, 我有少少失望。可能排隊太麻煩吧。這次還只是虛擬的。五年之後的普選，香港人會不會更有魄力呢?

So it was my birthday on 4th of March...

There was this game circulating in the internet world, and yesterday was my birthday:

If you don't know what a Nyan Cat is, its an internet phenomena, an insane video of a cat singing repetitive melody in "nyan"s for a straight 10 miniutes on youtube. Just go youtube and check it out. I actually like the song and it was once my ringtone..lol....

AND don't worry if you just found out my birthday today, because I am very remorseful for not remembering other people's birthday without the help of facebook ....this is my self-punishment, hahaa.

So how did I spent my birthday? well, finishing the last few episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Season 5 (yea, old school). Completing a paper building cut out model given by friend on a postcard from Taiwan. went jogging.....nothing much actually. Oh yea, have some great cake with my sis, bro-in-law,my niece and my mom the day before. Its great :)

I actually drawn this yesterday but the internet is playing some games with me, I can do anything except uploading pictures....

Gosh, 25 years old....I have spent half of my years in my twenties........

Until next time!

(P.S., I uploaded this to 9Gag.com, if you are a 9gagger, go like it for me !)

http://9gag.com/gag/3145556

Green Malaysia: Stop Lynas.