Discounting other people's contribution

The banter around the table last night amongst Peter, Yam Seng and David in Capella were about discounting other people's contribution.

One of the biggest mistakes high achievers make is in overestimating their contribution to a success. When was the last time we heard a colleague recount a triumph that we recall as a team effort but, having gone through the rince cycle of our colleague's ego, has ended up sounding like a one-man show? 

People also go too far back in time, digging up an achievement that happened so long ago that it's no longer relevant and may even qualify as ancient history.

Nowadays, I frequently check myself so as not to exaggerate my role in any achievement.

Counting my blessings

I was borned 48 years ago today.

The past is a ghost, the future a dream, and all we ever have is now. I do not know if the days are dwindling for me or if I will make it to ninety three like my grandmother. Nonetheless at forty-eight I am convinved we must live as if we're immortal.

Am I aging gracefully? All I can say is I am counting my blessings and not my time with a pointless pining for yesterday because I keep telling myself, "The older I get, the luckier I am."

~ You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. ~ George Burns

Life is a series of choices

The World in 2013 dinner organised by The Economist last week in Hong Kong was both entertaining and insightful. It looked at the past, present and attempted to predict the future.

Our past choices made us who we are today. Our present choices will shape our future.

Ever wondered what would have happened if we had made different choices in the past? - turned right instead of left, said yes instead of no? If we had made different choices, some things might have turned out better - and others, maybe worse. In any case, we'll never know.

Some choices lead up one path, and some down another, but every road lead to lessons and every lessons lead to wisdom.