Tagged with work …

Apr 17 2012
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after thought, design, work

can you say the truth?

I have always been invited to partake creative pitches by larger conglomerates and very often my studio is not awarded the project. And I would always pay attention in seeing who ultimately is given the project and how the outcome looks like, as I want to improve and at the end winning the jobs. A few nights ago, my boss manage to have a drink with one peer-competitor, and during the chat, it astonished us that this agency mentioned that they have only 1 full time staff plus the 2 creative owner and that makes the full team. How do they manage all projects they get, they outsourced to their network. And I just told my CD (Creative Director) how can that happen? What would this agency say when they have to elaborate their team structure? They are basically getting projects which require a team of 10 or above and does this situation imply they don’t have integrity? All creative studios everywhere in the world outsources jobs and that’s why there are a bunch of freelancers who can perpetually getting jobs to live on. But relying nearly more than half of your resources outside your own domain is quite different. Sustaining integrity at work is quite tough, some of my friends even mention their ideal criteria such as not working on casino clients, gambling organizations, weight slimming brands etc. But these are the largest spending brands who offer attractive marketing budgets or remunerative packages – can we say no? It’s a matter of choice as God has given us free will – some angels became fallen angels, but they are originally angels, they fall because they choose to fall.
Daily Quote
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8
I pray to God that I will be able to choose Him on top of other things, and let that not be a dilemma.

Postscript Quote 
Having the courage to say no. Having the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.  
W Clement Stone
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Feb 22 2012
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after thought

what is work?

I attended the 1st class last night at my church for the course God at Work. It’s a 6-week session based on the book by Ken Costa, a leading financial investment banker and click here to know more about him, which focuses on how we could explore the purpose of life and how God is working in us through work. It’s a very fruitful class and sharings at the same time. Senior pastor leads, explains, with testimonial support and also small group sharing and summary to wrap the whole thing up. What I find insightful is that there are things which are brought up which I know I have read and known all the time, but on a superficial level – coz they are actually scriptures. But my pastor is explaining the lines in a new perspective and insights. I was like dozing underneath the tree and got hit by the apple from the tree above. It’s very interesting how we got so convinced or comfortable with some ways we translate life and God’s teachings, but when you are open in your minds and eyes, you just can see so much more. I guess people are still warming up in the first class, they are a bit quiet. I will persist to go and speak up coz we only could learn from each other by exchanging experiences and failures. Joyce Meyer this morning in my podcast mentioned one line which rhymes so much and I like, she said “It’s not about WHO, it’s about what you DO.” It’s so true and we determine what we do, God gives you choice and you could choose Him. I’ll share more what I learn tomorrow!

Daily Quote
Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
Exodus 15:11

I pray to God that I will make use of each chance I can be closer to Him, and find Him my purpose of life.

Postscript Quote
Folks who never do more than their paid for, never get paid for any more than they do.
Elbert Hubbard

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Jan 24 2012
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after thought

stoned-heart

I read from the newspaper that there is this heart shape ‘land’ dimensioned of 7x6m made of small stones specks in a local beach at Ma On Shan. It’s man-made. Who made it? It’s done by a retired uncle, every day between 10am to 4pm he would work non-stop by cleaning the beach and bring forth the stones to make sure the heart shape is maintained because the high and low tide would cause the water to blur the heart shape and flushing trash to the heart, so he has to work on it every single day. This is a completely self-initiated ‘project’ and whenever this uncle sees people taking photos with this heart-land, some couples take their wedding photos here – he feel accomplished and happy. After reading the piece, I am completely stunned that someone in Hong Kong in 2012 would spend the time to do something that needs so much physical labor which in most people’s standard or definition, would be seemingly so ‘useless’, for so many years! The heart-land took 2.5 years to build, and after the construction, requires every day work to make it in shape. He refused to reveal his name to the reporter, and just said: a person’s hard work is many people’s joy. When he said that, there are people laughing next to his ‘heart’. This uncle is rewarded in a way not many of us would experience or understand. When you believe in something for a good cause, carry on and God will empower you to move on.

Daily Quote
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:3-4

I pray to God that I will trust in God and do not stay conformed but transformed.

Postscript Quote
Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand.
Saint Thomas Aquinas

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Jan 18 2012
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after thought

new balance

I attended my church’s “Work/ Life Balance Panel Discussion” last night, and it’s quite interesting to hear how some senior management people approach that in their own ways with God’s guidance in this subject. 4 panelists in general believe they have gotten that balance and to me, they have done extremely well as they could swim twice a week, play basketball, stay with family all weekends, and only choose to fly during weekdays etc. An audience responded saying she’s in Investment Banking field, and she cannot cope with people who outline a lot of limitations as her colleagues coz simply the industry does not allow her to be that accommodating, and she quoted ‘slaves’ as analogy of people who work in this discipline. To me, I agree with both sides of the story, some people really have to be slaves and some could choose to live more freely. I worked in advertising field before and life or personal time is a luxury – and I know people who died of overworking – and that is not uncommon at all in advertising. It boils down to people’s mentality – both client and business owners if they allow you to rest. If client expect crazy deadlines, then bosses commit and staff have to be slaves. It’s a cynical cycle and I have chosen to drop this insane game by leaving the field. But how many people out there have such luxury to choose, a lot of times, not many. If God’s value of love and grace are more widespread, I don’t think getting a balance between work and life will be such a hot topic anymore.

Daily Quote
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16

I pray to God that I will seek Him in the midst of my hectic life and let Him reflect on me.

Postscript Quote
Shakespeare is the happy hunting ground of all minds that have lost their balance.
James Joyce

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