Are you like the Steinway Piano
BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE)
By Francis J. Kong (The Philippine Star)
Updated October 17, 2009 12:00 AM
www.philstar.com
Os Hillman talks about his experience and observation in visiting the manufacturing plant of the world famous Steinway Piano. Oss says:
“My business career has been as an owner of an advertising agency. Over the years, I have had the privilege to work on many different and prestigious accounts. One of those accounts was Steinway Pianos, the maker of the world’s finest pianos. Each piano has always been made from scratch; it takes over a year to make one Steinway. The most impressive scene as I toured the manufacturing plant was the place where the soundboard is stretched to its maximum tolerance and allowed to sit for an extended period until it remains in the curved design. This was done in an off-to-the-corner part of the plant. If the wood were alive, it would be crying out for mercy.
After an extended time of stretching, the wood will never spring back to its original state. It is permanently changed. The piano is becoming a fine-tuned instrument. After this process takes place, the next step requires another point of stress. It takes 11 tons of pressure on a piano to tune it. Each step in the process moves the piano closer to a finished product that will ultimately be played by the world’s finest musicians. These musicians desire a particular sound that only a piano like this can make.
God looks at each of us as a fine-tuned instrument. However, we begin as rough wood that He desires to transform into gold. Tuning us requires certain experiences that will stretch our faith, our frame, and our very life. Sainthood springs out of suffering. If we can stand the strain of this intense process, we will come forth as gold-as a sweet-smelling offering to our Maker. When we are in the midst of these times, it feels like fire. It is painful to be stretched beyond our perceived limits, but the Lord knows this is necessary for us to become an instrument that can play a beautiful song that others will seek after. Let the master Craftsman have His way in your life today. You will be pleased with the instrument He fashions.”
And the verse of Scripture he uses is: Zechariah 13:9 “...I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
The difference between winners and losers is persistence and perseverance. Stretch yourself. You will never realize your deep skills and talents until you are willing to face bigger challenges and situations.
Malcolm Gladwell says his studies reveal that all the masters of their craft put it at least 10,000 hours of work. They sure did stretch themselves for a long time. They grow in it and they improve at it. You have the capacity to be like the Steinway Piano if you would simply stretch yourself.
William James says: “Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second. Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.” Entrepreneur and writer Paul J. Meyer says: “Ninety percent of those who fail are not actually defeated. They simply quit.” King Saul thought Goliath was too big to fight; David thought he was too big to miss.
The question now is, do you have stretch marks all over you by now? If not then go and get some more.
Showing posts with label francis kong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label francis kong. Show all posts
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Falling and Getting Up
This spoke to me when I read Francis Kong's article in the Philippine Star yesterday:
We get a great opportunity to do something worthwhile and blow it by doing or saying something stupid. Or when faced with temptation, we know how to resist the enemy because we know all the right Bible verses to defend for ourselves. However, instead of putting on the “whole armor of God,” we seek to overcome in our own strength—and fail miserably.
However, when we do fail, the important thing is to get up, learn from our mistakes, and go on having learned to put our trust in God in every situation in which we find ourselves.
Many have resolved and broken their resolutions. Thousands have started and have fallen out by the way. But not many people have really gotten anywhere who did not set a goal for themselves and make a start toward that destination. Not many have done anything worth while without a determination to do. Says C. L. Paddock
Don’t give up. Trust in God, learn the lessons and move forward.
More here.
We get a great opportunity to do something worthwhile and blow it by doing or saying something stupid. Or when faced with temptation, we know how to resist the enemy because we know all the right Bible verses to defend for ourselves. However, instead of putting on the “whole armor of God,” we seek to overcome in our own strength—and fail miserably.
However, when we do fail, the important thing is to get up, learn from our mistakes, and go on having learned to put our trust in God in every situation in which we find ourselves.
Many have resolved and broken their resolutions. Thousands have started and have fallen out by the way. But not many people have really gotten anywhere who did not set a goal for themselves and make a start toward that destination. Not many have done anything worth while without a determination to do. Says C. L. Paddock
Don’t give up. Trust in God, learn the lessons and move forward.
More here.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Job Description
Multi-talented or multi-profession
BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE)
By Francis J. Kong
Updated March 15, 2009 12:00 AM
www.philstar.com
I meet people every day of my life. Maybe this is because I do training and I speak to crowds practically 6 days a week. Sundays I go to a huge church that gathers thousands of people every meeting. This is why I meet people all the time.
Some people sort of know me. One would approach me with a smile on her face and say, “Excuse me but aren’t you Francis Kong, the speaker?” If the person looks friendly and bubbly I would reply, “Yes mam, been for a long time…..” That would bring a smile on her face. And then some would come to me and say, “You must be Francis Kong, the newspaper columnist?” Others would say, “I have read your books sir. You are Francis Kong the author.” Now once in a while there will be people who would say, “Francis, I used to supply you with fabrics and accessories this is why I remember you,” all though people in this category are getting scarcer as I have left the garments industry some 7 years ago. And lately because of my appearance almost every Thursday morning in the short advice segment of the popular morning TV program Umagang Kay Ganda, people would call out my name on the streets and say, “Good morning po Sir Francis…kumusta na si Edu?” J
And so this got me thinking.
What is my profession? Am I a public speaker? An author? A newspaper columnist? A teacher? A business consultant? Maybe all of the above? What is my job description?
The world is changing. I do not consider myself as a man of multi-talent. But I do consider myself as a person of multi-occupation.
The days of “doctor” and “postman” are pretty much gone. It’s an entirely different world today. Which brings me to a sensitive question. Are you still clinging on to a job title?
Now here is another testy question. Do you still get irritated if you are asked to do a task that you feel is “Not in your Job Description?”
You need to wake up!
This is the age of Multi-tasking. So how in heavens name could anyone expect to work within one’s “job description?” And in case you haven’t noticed….doesn’t your job description include a tiny little item that says…. “and other jobs that may require you to do”?
This is why you need to be a well rounded person. Be adventurous. Accept challenge and make the best of your time by reading, listening to tapes, attending seminars, learning things and adding more value to you who are and what you can do.
While we’re at it, what is your job description? Is it a hopeful, optimistic, powerful document that gives you permission to explore new opportunities and to get something done? Or is it a defensive shield that makes it easy for you to identify what’s not your responsibility?
Here is another piece of advice. “It’s not about your job description dude! It’s about you. Don’t ever expect people to raise up your price if you have not raised up your value.
I guess all those years of reading books, (yet I am still reading a lot more today…) all those tapes I listened to (my ipod is full of them…..) and all those seminars I have attended…(will attend a lot more this year….) has contributed to the opportunity of having so many professions. Don’t talk to me about job descriptions but do talk to me about your desire to become more valuable as a person.
There are no menial jobs’ only menial attitudes.
Brian Tracy says this and we should never forget it: “You will always be paid in direct proportion to the work you do, how well you do it, and the difficulty of replacing you.”
*Italics mine.
BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE)
By Francis J. Kong
Updated March 15, 2009 12:00 AM
www.philstar.com
I meet people every day of my life. Maybe this is because I do training and I speak to crowds practically 6 days a week. Sundays I go to a huge church that gathers thousands of people every meeting. This is why I meet people all the time.
Some people sort of know me. One would approach me with a smile on her face and say, “Excuse me but aren’t you Francis Kong, the speaker?” If the person looks friendly and bubbly I would reply, “Yes mam, been for a long time…..” That would bring a smile on her face. And then some would come to me and say, “You must be Francis Kong, the newspaper columnist?” Others would say, “I have read your books sir. You are Francis Kong the author.” Now once in a while there will be people who would say, “Francis, I used to supply you with fabrics and accessories this is why I remember you,” all though people in this category are getting scarcer as I have left the garments industry some 7 years ago. And lately because of my appearance almost every Thursday morning in the short advice segment of the popular morning TV program Umagang Kay Ganda, people would call out my name on the streets and say, “Good morning po Sir Francis…kumusta na si Edu?” J
And so this got me thinking.
What is my profession? Am I a public speaker? An author? A newspaper columnist? A teacher? A business consultant? Maybe all of the above? What is my job description?
The world is changing. I do not consider myself as a man of multi-talent. But I do consider myself as a person of multi-occupation.
The days of “doctor” and “postman” are pretty much gone. It’s an entirely different world today. Which brings me to a sensitive question. Are you still clinging on to a job title?
Now here is another testy question. Do you still get irritated if you are asked to do a task that you feel is “Not in your Job Description?”
You need to wake up!
This is the age of Multi-tasking. So how in heavens name could anyone expect to work within one’s “job description?” And in case you haven’t noticed….doesn’t your job description include a tiny little item that says…. “and other jobs that may require you to do”?
This is why you need to be a well rounded person. Be adventurous. Accept challenge and make the best of your time by reading, listening to tapes, attending seminars, learning things and adding more value to you who are and what you can do.
While we’re at it, what is your job description? Is it a hopeful, optimistic, powerful document that gives you permission to explore new opportunities and to get something done? Or is it a defensive shield that makes it easy for you to identify what’s not your responsibility?
Here is another piece of advice. “It’s not about your job description dude! It’s about you. Don’t ever expect people to raise up your price if you have not raised up your value.
I guess all those years of reading books, (yet I am still reading a lot more today…) all those tapes I listened to (my ipod is full of them…..) and all those seminars I have attended…(will attend a lot more this year….) has contributed to the opportunity of having so many professions. Don’t talk to me about job descriptions but do talk to me about your desire to become more valuable as a person.
There are no menial jobs’ only menial attitudes.
Brian Tracy says this and we should never forget it: “You will always be paid in direct proportion to the work you do, how well you do it, and the difficulty of replacing you.”
*Italics mine.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Economy Seats
I would like to share this article from the Philippine Star written by one of the columnists I admire.
**************************************************************
BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE) By Francis J. Kong
Updated March 01, 2009 12:00 AM
Last week I got a letter from The Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles Club that instantaneously changed the smile on my face into a slight frown. I couldn’t understand it. They have downgraded my status from “Elite” to “regular” informing me that I have not met the required sectors or mileage for year 2007-2008. This came to me as a surprise. I take a local flight every week (or maybe every other week) and I have in fact traveled more times domestically last year compared to the previous years.
And then it dawned on me. I have always persuaded the organizers of my speaking events to book me on PAL flights as I usually take the first flight out and would prefer the comfort of the Mabuhay lounge for a little bit of rest and preparation. But due to budget considerations, organizers book me promo tickets that do not provide miles credit and thus, the downgrade.
Now this leaves me with a quandary. Should I then just leave them to book me whatever tickets they want or maybe I can require them to book me “Business Class” as part of my demands?
My constant email pal Philip See sent me this interesting article that made me decide on the proper course of action. It is based on an article written by Singapore’s millionaire Adam Khoo. Adam says: “Someone came up to me and asked, ‘How come a millionaire like you is travelling economy?’ My reply was, ‘That’s why I am a millionaire.” He still looked pretty confused. This again confirms that greatest lie ever told about wealth. Many people have been brainwashed to think that millionaires have to wear Gucci, Hugo Boss, Rolex, and sit on first class in air travel. The truth is that most self-made millionaires are frugal and only spend on what is necessary and of value. That is why they are able to accumulate and multiply their wealth so much faster. I refuse to buy a first class ticket or to buy a $300 shirt because I think that it is a complete waste of money. However, I happily pay $1,300 to send my two-year old daughter to Julia Gabriel Speech and Drama without thinking twice.
I noticed that it was only those who never had to work hard to build their own wealth spent like there was no tomorrow. Somehow, when you did not have to build everything from scratch, you do not really value money. This is precisely the reason why a family’s wealth (no matter how much) rarely lasts past the third generation. Then some people ask me, ‘What is the point in making so much money if you don’t enjoy it?’
I don’t really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewelry or sitting first class. Even if buying something makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last. Material happiness never last, it just give you a quick fix. After a while you feel lousy again and have to buy the next thing which you think will make you happy. I always think that if you need material things to make you happy, then you live a pretty sad and unfulfilled life. Instead, what makes me happy is when I see my children laughing and playing and learning so fast. What makes me happy is when I see my companies and trainers reaching more and more people every year in so many more countries. What makes me really happy is when I read all the emails about how my books and seminars have touched and inspired someone’s life.
The point I want to put across is that happiness must come from doing your life’s work (be in teaching, building homes, designing, trading, winning tournaments etc..) and the money that comes is only a by-product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a meaningless life.
End of article. Thanks Philip for the wonderful article.
How true this is. Now I know what I would do. I will never insist on my organizers getting me a Business Class ticket. I will feel the joy of lining up on economy row just like the rest of the people I know. I wouldn’t mind waiting outside the lounge because while these things offer me convenience, they do not offer me happiness. And I will be happy not because of what is on me but what is IN me.
**************************************************************
BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE) By Francis J. Kong
Updated March 01, 2009 12:00 AM
Last week I got a letter from The Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles Club that instantaneously changed the smile on my face into a slight frown. I couldn’t understand it. They have downgraded my status from “Elite” to “regular” informing me that I have not met the required sectors or mileage for year 2007-2008. This came to me as a surprise. I take a local flight every week (or maybe every other week) and I have in fact traveled more times domestically last year compared to the previous years.
And then it dawned on me. I have always persuaded the organizers of my speaking events to book me on PAL flights as I usually take the first flight out and would prefer the comfort of the Mabuhay lounge for a little bit of rest and preparation. But due to budget considerations, organizers book me promo tickets that do not provide miles credit and thus, the downgrade.
Now this leaves me with a quandary. Should I then just leave them to book me whatever tickets they want or maybe I can require them to book me “Business Class” as part of my demands?
My constant email pal Philip See sent me this interesting article that made me decide on the proper course of action. It is based on an article written by Singapore’s millionaire Adam Khoo. Adam says: “Someone came up to me and asked, ‘How come a millionaire like you is travelling economy?’ My reply was, ‘That’s why I am a millionaire.” He still looked pretty confused. This again confirms that greatest lie ever told about wealth. Many people have been brainwashed to think that millionaires have to wear Gucci, Hugo Boss, Rolex, and sit on first class in air travel. The truth is that most self-made millionaires are frugal and only spend on what is necessary and of value. That is why they are able to accumulate and multiply their wealth so much faster. I refuse to buy a first class ticket or to buy a $300 shirt because I think that it is a complete waste of money. However, I happily pay $1,300 to send my two-year old daughter to Julia Gabriel Speech and Drama without thinking twice.
I noticed that it was only those who never had to work hard to build their own wealth spent like there was no tomorrow. Somehow, when you did not have to build everything from scratch, you do not really value money. This is precisely the reason why a family’s wealth (no matter how much) rarely lasts past the third generation. Then some people ask me, ‘What is the point in making so much money if you don’t enjoy it?’
I don’t really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewelry or sitting first class. Even if buying something makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last. Material happiness never last, it just give you a quick fix. After a while you feel lousy again and have to buy the next thing which you think will make you happy. I always think that if you need material things to make you happy, then you live a pretty sad and unfulfilled life. Instead, what makes me happy is when I see my children laughing and playing and learning so fast. What makes me happy is when I see my companies and trainers reaching more and more people every year in so many more countries. What makes me really happy is when I read all the emails about how my books and seminars have touched and inspired someone’s life.
The point I want to put across is that happiness must come from doing your life’s work (be in teaching, building homes, designing, trading, winning tournaments etc..) and the money that comes is only a by-product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a meaningless life.
End of article. Thanks Philip for the wonderful article.
How true this is. Now I know what I would do. I will never insist on my organizers getting me a Business Class ticket. I will feel the joy of lining up on economy row just like the rest of the people I know. I wouldn’t mind waiting outside the lounge because while these things offer me convenience, they do not offer me happiness. And I will be happy not because of what is on me but what is IN me.
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