Dreams

Hello! I’m back again to blog after being vacuum for some moment.

This is June, almost July, and at most of college we’re on holiday time now.

I have much longer time to be spent writing. Moreover, I miss posting my feeling into words.

I’m very happy that I get good scores again this term. My GPA is raising and it makes my parents proud of me. I was afraid at once because GPA is one of my promises to them, but thanks to God that I can accomplish it. Right after that happy moment I took time watching my idol’s live performance video, Beyonce. I always excited whenever I watch it. It feels like it’s giving me such new spirit, passion, willing, dream, etc. I love it when she dance, sing, scream, and tell some powerful words to share joy to the audience. I look at the crowded and think:

“How come someone performs in front of that huge number of people? She must have suffered so long to make it happened! She must’ve done her very best and never complaining. She must’ve cost her time, money, and happiness at first to gain this victory. I want it to! I will try my best, I will cost my time, my money, my playtime, etc. She must’ve strived. She must’ve  I wanna be a fabulous dancing singer. I want to have an outstanding body and gold voice like she has.”

But, I stop and think, I have so many idols.....

And what's more confusing is, all of them are mostly different. Let me mention! I love Beyonce, Agnes Monica, Jessica Alba, Farah Quinn, and Olla Ramlan. Singer, dancer, actress, chef, presenter, what a various figures! Still, I got one similarity: THEY ARE SEXY. So? I love them sexy girls, haha!

 I wanna be a gorgeous smart famous sexy girl with lots of achievements.  Both academic and non academic achievements! Look at the audience whenever those girls I mentioned first above are on stage. People scream aloud as if each of them were Goddess fall from heaven. I want it too!

I used to be a dancer, singer, and presenter. I am still, but I vacuum for two terms focusing on my position as Head of Public Relation Department in my Faculty’s Student Executive Board. That’s why I miss the stage, I miss the crowd audience, I miss the beating heart, I miss the pumped adrenaline, I miss owning the claps, I miss the yells and screams, I miss being the center of attention. I don't regret my decision, but I MISS THOSE THINGS A LOT!

Those 5 girls aren’t enough. I have other idol still. But it’s a figure, not person. I’m dreaming to be a great businessman. I want to have a big corporation. I want to feed people indirectly. I want to be a blessing to people. I want to be able to donate to anyone who needs fund. 

More importantly, I want to die famous. I want to die memorized. I want to die thanked. I want people know me and remember me as impressive and useful one so I can die raising my Father, my Lord’s name.

As a result, I understand that I have so many dreams until sometimes I get confused. But wise people say that we have to dream as high as we can. I believe I can get my dreams come true. All I need is only to prepare every single detail and aspect needed. Time management, priority management, anger management, and etc are things I need to expertise.

If you read this and you have so many dreams like I do, don’t worry! We’ll make it happen! Hold one to your faith, strengthen your willingness and fasten your seatbelt! Plan your path and do what you knew you gotta do even if it is hard!

Leena's 7 Leadership Lessons

Hallo guys. Welcome back! Right now I want to share about the lesson I learned in a public lecture by Leena Nair. She is a Senior VP Global Talent Unilever International and Business Today’s “Most Powerful Women” for five consecutive years , Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at Auditorium 6th floor, Crystal of Knowledge Library, University of Indonesia. The public lecture is talking about “Building Your Career to be Global Future Leaders”. That was very inspirational for all young people to prepare about the future in this complex era. The public lecture is for 250 seats only, but the participant was exploding, so it was too crowded I think.

First, we were entertained with traditional dance called Tari Betawi. After that we had opening speech from Mr. Roy, Chairman of Board Supervisor AIESEC UI. Then opening speech from VP Human Resource Unilever Indonesia and singing “Indonesia Jaya”. Before the public lecture begins, from the opening speech itself, I learned many things. Mr. Roy’s speech taught me some points:

1. To be a good leader, you have to SHARE VISIONS. You cannot merely tell people to chop trees, take hammer, nail it, and paint the wood to be a good looking ship. They will not do it. First, don’t talk about the tasks. Tell them about visions. It’s much more than just what you’re going to do together, but deeply about what they (and you) will get after the working. In this case, tell them about the open sea, the beauty of the blue water, the enjoyment of discovering the world using ship, then, they will sincerely do the task of making ship without doubt and rebel. Leader has BIG DREAMS. The most sustainable and existed company is the one who can think globally and act locally.

 2. As a leader, try to anticipate changes, do not put in mind the way of solving or even fighting the changes at first. The most certainty in this world is uncertainty itself. You need entrepreneurial to survive. Accommodate the change, turn it into your strength.

3. Leader engages to see, including seeing the global changes. We have two different people categories; inland and coastal. Inland people are those who like to play only with their peers, coming to the same routines every day, and are close-minded. The coastal people are those who like to meet new people, discover new things and communicate to different types of people. Try to be the coastal one.

4. Knowledge based is a key of successful. What it is? It is about to have a knowledge glued to you and in you, penetrated under your subconscious until the knowledge itself is you.


We come to Leena Nair’s session. She is an Indian, she loves to dance. She is very humble and fun. She loves getting feedback when she “teaches” people, such as applause and whistle. I think whistle is something that Indian do when they like something, haha. So, in that class we were so interactive. She has experienced many things in her life. It makes her find 7 leadership lessons.

First, she told us about her background. She’s living her childhood in a small village that couldn’t even found on Google map. (A little bit over, but that’s what she said). She was majoring Engineering and couldn’t speak English at all when she graduated. She didn’t feel like her heart is on Engineering. Until one day, her professor came to her and said that she wouldn’t do well as an engineer, she would fail. She should be a manager, doing managing stuffs, and be a good human resource. She finally ‘travels’ to find what she wants, and fall in love to Unilever. She said, “I loves Unilever, and Unilever loves me” (Of course they do, that’s why they ask you to be a Senior Vice President of Global Talent Unilever International).

She was at first a HR for southern Asia. Then she through some challenging opportunities until she is now one of only two women in Senior VP level at Unilever International. Moreover, they both are 2 women among around 100 others. (I didn’t noted what is the title of the other 100s, but they are all in high level board). She told us then in her job, people can do anything they like such as singing, taking dance class, etc. We should do what we like. We shouldn’t have to be one dimension only. Do not be “work, work, and work!” every time. Do some relax and creativity will come along.

For her, leadership is the most important thing in the next VUCA world. What is VUCA world? VUCA world is a complex and hectic world that she believes will be happening in future. There will be more freedom there. People power will be very strong to challenge leaders to do more an more. We should be grateful for the life we get. Although Indonesia and India are developing countries, we are still lucky because out there in Europe she found about 99% under 30 years old people have never experienced the real working experience. They keep on saving money but don’t earn anything. This planet is struggling to get a good life. There are so many social problems and poverty issues out there. Leaders and successful people have to ask themselves about how to grow up sustainably and make opportunities. They have to be so innovated to get that. World is moving to the southern Asia where prosperity is starting to happening to those developing countries’ citizens.

So, to face this VUCA world, we need to be a “&….&” person. What is it? An “and” and “and” person. One who can do things together at time. Be “A” and “B”. Make great products and care for the environment. Be a good leader and a good follower, etc. We are expected to be a multitasking person in this era. Market development has three consumer categories; have lots, haves, and have not. You have to make a product that can satisfy the have lot of persons AND it should be affordable to the have not person too. Make a make sense product. Imagine as you’re the consumer. Will you pay some money for that kind of product you make? Be “&…&” person!

Other lesson is to think global – act local. The example is, Unilever tried to make a delicious ice cream all over the world, but they only produce Coconut Ice cream in Indonesia because it is Indonesian local food. We should adapt the local act to sustain.

The non-negotiable thing in leadership is INTEGRITY. Doing well and doing good together! For example, Lifebouy develops a simple worldwide habit. Cleanse hands with soap. By doing this, they doing good. They are bringing impacts to the hygiene world with simple traits. And guess what? They also do well. Their product sales is increasing.


Here she told us about 7 leadership lessons: 

1. BE WHO YOU ARE, DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Where the heart is on, the passion follows. Play to your own strength. Speak up your mind. Confident to your own abilities. Solutions come from a touchy and pressure moments.

2. DREAM BIG. Don’t let what people say ruins you. Be eager to make impact, to be a meaningful person in your whole life. The more you share your dreams, the more it gives you emotion and desire to keep the passion on.

3. IF IT’S MEANT TO BE, IT’S UP TO ME. You can go to any class or trainee, people may provide you many thing for your success, but the only key to get that achieved is YOURSELF only. You can either not having anything at all, but you’ll still reach your dreams and goals if you wanted to, and strive to. Don’t wait until the world gives you, you have to make it happen. 

4. SITUATIONAL APPROACH (communication and actions). Be flexible and adaptable. Open minded. Learn from your team. You can get any positive thing from anything. Make positivity as your "3D" glasses in these "3D movie" world.

5. LEAD WITH YOUR HEART. You don’t have to ask people about how to manage and motivate your staffs, just do it with your heart and you’ll find the way. If you love people, the feedback will be back to you.  

6. HOPE AND OPTIMISM. Doesn’t matter how bad and terrible the situation is, as a leader, you have to build reasons why people should follow you, and what will you all get at the end. Lead with hope, say that we can do this an make things happen together. Show them your optimism and your visions.  

7. LEAVE A LEGACY. Do the best wherever you are. Leave a big impact. Make people remember you as a change-bringer. Always ask a question, what will I give to this place/company/organization after this. Be remarkable!


That’s all. Very inspirational to me, I hope you like it!

Power of Dreams

Today, I found another inspirational true story.
It came from my classmate in collage, Elisabeth.

Okay, how to start?
Well, I'll tell you by historical way.


Today is Thursday. At Wednesday, I had two exams. It felt so crazy. I didn't have enough sleep at Tuesday.
I slept at around 3 in the morning at Tuesday night (or dawn) and had to woke up again around 7 to continue my study. Quiet crazy....
And right after that, the first exam was like "Writing competition". Indonesian called this "ngecap". I filled over the foolscap! No space left!
And the second one, was English exam. The listening, the reading, and all... That was crazy...... I was about to gag.
Moreover, I would have a  super-textbook-test in the next day. 8 in the morning! BYE!

Then, I got homey at around 6 in the evening.
I couldn't hold, I slept suddenly! Too tired.
Consequently, I lost my "night-study-moment". And I keep literacy all night long.

Those are just the prolog.
 I slept late at night, almost dawn again. And my exam today started at 8. I came late.
But thanks God, I did it.

I finished the exam at around 11. Me and my friends had a chit chat together after and we decided to go to Elisabeth's kost because we still had something to do in the evening. I had to meeting with my public relation department at 3. I slept while they are doing some hair treatment. I was sooo tight!
When I woke up, I found myself looking at the bedroom's side and look at the carton filled with 100 dreams. The picture is below. I captured it.

I was so amazed. I remember what big people say: "If you want something, dream it, write it, draw it specifically, see it every time, and you'll get your dreams come true".
I discussed this with her.
We talked about life and its problems, and also the way we see it.
She (and me too) have had bad moments in life, but of course everyone has.
We discussed about how problem can strengthen us to keep go on and keep our dreams alive.
She told me that she has been writing all her dreams in note and putting them in her desk since in senior high school, so she can see it everyday and finally she always get what she wrote.
She also did it to pass the University of Indonesia's selection. She didn't feel like she will get the chance to study here, but she just keep doing her best and let God take the rest. AND IT WORKS!
She's here now.
She told me about the power of letting God do the rest. The power of keep believing our dreams. The power of write down our dreams.

We talked a lot until it connected to so many things.
She told me that her Grandpa is a Professor. He inspires her elder brother. And her elder (and only) brother inspires her.
Her brother is inspired by Soekarno and other many figures (I forget). He reads lot of inspirational and motivational books.
And her brother inspires her a lot.
She has an excellent performance in class. She is the top 3 GPA for my major. She's now part-time working as an accounting while she actively involved at AIESEC, collages platform that provides exchange networks.
(And she inspires me too, now)

Most of the big figures they concerned about say that life is like jacks ball. You gotta pushed down first to bounce back much higher. THAT MUCH HIGHER!
Life is like roller coaster. It tastes better to slide down first then fly up much higher. It satisfies your adrenaline.
God knows your every bad moments and He i willing to let it, just to show you at the end that you'll the gold! YOU WILL.The gold that no one has ever heard, ever seen and ever thought about.


So people, i'm telling you this.
If you read this post and you are having troubles right now, or you feel like there's no way out and you can handle no more, DON'T STOP STRIVING.
You really got to put up rain before the rainbow.
And... don't let yourself withered!
KEEP DREAMING! KEEP WRITING DOWN YOURS, DRAW IT SPECIFICALLY, PUT IT SOMEWHERE YOU CAN SEE EVERY TIME, AND WAIT UNTIL THE MOMENT COME TRUE!

Your dream will become reality. and the reality will be much bigger than what you have dreamed before.

I witness this. Elisabeth too.
Don't believe this? Try it and make it as your own inspiring experience!
Good luck! God bless you, and her, and I!

High?

This is life.
This is how I will capture every single piece of my  life.

For one or many reasons, I don't know why but I am so grateful of my life.
Mine isn't a perfect one. It's not the expected life for almost people. But whose life is?
People never get really proud to their life. Because life wasn't made to beatify us, right?
Life is where we are trained, formed, and tested.
For what?
To be qualified enough getting to the destination point.
Where it is? Heaven.
Should we really get there? What's the good in it?

Okay, I'm not a preacher. I'm not.
But I know and I believe in God.
I believe I was made for a big big BIG purpose.
I'm saved now. He saved me.
Heaven is what He promised me. And heaven will be so heaven.
I have never meet Him, but I can really feel the love He gave.
It's unlimited. Inexhaustible.

Lately, I was thinking..
Is his the end of my life? Because I want to praise Him much more and more everyday. That "more"! Kinda strange sometimes..
I had no place to write up my praise even when I was that eager to.

Well, I knew the place where I can write up it all.
My life.
Our life is a readable book, right? We can make it as Bible or just a trash.
People read, see, hear, and feel ours every second. Even f we don't say anything.
Actions talk.

But fortunately, I find myself jump to the blog, right now.
I knew blog. I knew how it works. But I used to think that I don't really need to write down my every single thought.
But now, I think I have to. Again, for one or many reasons :)

So many things that I want to share. But I can post again next time right?

Now, I just want  to share with you about "High Position".
It's a blessing. It feels like everything, especially when you have never wished about it.
But high position is followed by strong storm. The higher the position, the stronger the storm is.
It can come from anywhere; far or near you.
The higher you are, the more people jealous to you.
Jealously can bring many actions.
As what I read from other site, http://nostalgia.tabloidnova.com/articles.asp?id=12371.
Too much to explain.


BUT, I RESUME ONE THING.

KINDNESS IS THE KEY OF EVERYTHING.

No matter what people say and do to you, how people see and treat you, why people do bad or good to you, what things they planned to you, what feelings caused that, how many times they do that, and many other questions, ...... JUST DO THIS:

LOVE THEM. BE SINCERELY HONESTLY KIND TO THEM,
and you'll feel so damn damn good and so damn free.
  This is what I'm doing, and what I'm trying to consistently do it.

If you have the same feeling, I hope you'll do this too :)