8th Feb Jan 2016

Jan is a damn busy month, busy working on my goals.

With that in mind, I started to clear out my wardrobe again. Toss a lot, but a lot more to go. Basically you really need to be brutal about it. Not a simple task. Lol. 

Pretty much unsubscribe to all the online shopping portals FB alerts and emails so they won't have a chance to tempt me. Luckily I do not enjoy window shopping in real life, which meant no issue there.

Not really in my list to do, but still something I would eventually want to do, even if not now. Decluttered my computer. Uninstalled more than 10 programs, desktop icons went from 136 to only 53. Can finally see my desktop wallpaper properly -_-

Getting all my travel itinerary all in one place, aka google drive. Pre 2011, most of my trip plannings are done on open office doc/ Microsoft word. Which basically meant they are all over the place, some in my computer, some in my external HD. Post 2011 are all in google drive. Finally got all of them in one place, I think. I'm a freak for keeping all my documents in properly labelled folders. Most of the time. Lol. 

Of top of all the crazy amount of decluttering I was doing, I was also in the midst of setting up my first business. Been on research mode since Nov till now. I've looked at many many ways to earn money online. There's the website monetizing, affiliate marketing, self publishing eBooks, and finally eCommerce. There's Shoplify, Ebay, Amazon, Etsy and your own eCommerce site for that.

Questions, questions, questions. Do I need to register a company? SG/US? Which structure? Income tax, do I need to pay both countries? Accounting? Bookkeeping? Which Bookkeeping System? Inventory System? Not to mention the mind boggling sales tax in US -_-"

Having absolutely no background in finance/business, this is really no walk in the park. Luckily the amount of thoughts/data running through my head have no correlation with the size of my head. Else, my head will probably look at least 10x bigger than it is now. Lol.

Google was pretty helpful most of the time, online FB groups and forums are good too. But finding something specific to my situation prove to be tricky. In the end, I resort to sending emails to a few accounting / tax firms in Singapore and US for advice. Haha. 

In the end, I realised that most of the Singaporean firms skirt around my questions and seem only interested in making money out of me. Only one of the Singaporean firm actually gave me some good answers. No prize for guessing which firm will get my business when I finally need an accountant. 

In contrast, the US firms were generous with sharing what they know and could help me. Too bad, most of my operations will need to be based in Singapore. But I will be needing the US firms for other aspects. Mainly sales tax and reseller permit.

Alot of studying, trying to figure out the various accounting softwares like Quickbook Online, Xero and then Wave. As well as the integrations possible with each of them. Currently using Wave for my bookkeeping needs. Was already going to sign up for Xero, but figured it would be too crazy to spend so much money on bookkeeping when I can get it for free? It cost 40USD a month just for Xero subscriptions if I want multi-currency. And that's before adding any integrations. Even though, I might be needing something more robust in the future, for now Wave works well. 

Worldfirst and Payoneer account set up online. Payoneer MasterCard received and activated for purchasing :D 

All the studying and research paid off. Company set up as of 5th Feb 2016 and I made my first sale a few days ago!

2016 is pretty much the year I do an overhaul in my life. My lifetime goals are all structured with that in mind. 2016 is going to be the best year to date in my life. Can't wait for it to unfold ;)

Other than the 3 goals I listed to be completed from Jan to Mar, which unfortunately, is not yet completed -.-... The other goals that I'm concurrently planning are pretty much stuff on my Lifetime goal list. Mostly fun stuff like coffee appreciation course and a solo trip to a new country ;)

Healthwise, trying to keep to a Paleo-ish or at least gluten-free-ish diet. And twice a week lifting. 

Still thking where to go for my upcoming trip. Damn, why is it so hard to decide?

8th Jan 2016

I have never been inclined to read novels from the romance genre. Probably 15yrs since I last read one.

I happened to pick up one randomly the other day. Not that the ending was surprising, but it was thought provoking indeed.

Lady Jenny loved her art, and wanted to travel the world in pursuit of it. Even though she had fallen in love. By the end of the story, she had realised how foolish she was to give up the man she love for her dream.

So... Love or dream?

Perhaps the luckiest is finding someone whom you love and supports your dream.

31st Dec 2015

The last day of the year is always a good day to blog. This year's been a good year, lesson wise. There's always a lesson in everything that happen. 

Finished up my list of lifetime goals few days back. Took me about 2hours on a very focused afternoon to finish, and Im not sure if I got them all. Grand total of 117 goals. Pretty sure I will be adding more... I divided them into 3 categories : Skill sets(21), Experiences / Achievements(51), Places to Go(45). Note that for places to go, one country is only listed once. 

Also, gonna be picking around 12 goals for each month of next year, which may or may not be from this list of life time goals. That's probably the part where it gets interesting. By giving myself some kind of a monthly deadline, shall see if Parkinson’s Law kicks in.

Jan : Two goals at one go, becos they are related and #50 is basically passive

(Item #48 under Experiences / Achievements) : 

Reduce items owned (Except for food items) to fit into my 24 inch luggage. 

Basically, it would meant that by end of Jan, my entire life should fit into a luggage which I can just check in and take off anywhere I want, literately living out of a suitcase. The rest of the stuff that I don't want/need to bring along when I travel but will need when Im not travelling, should fit into a box. Books will definitely go here. 

Obviously, it will exclude : desk, computer, bed, wardrobes and stuff that are not portable. Food, which obviously I'm not going to bring when I travel. And other necessities that I happen to have in excess at the moment. eg tissue paper / toothpaste / etc... 

(Item #50 under Experiences / Achievements) :

Not buying new clothes/ fashion items for a year (365days)

Exception : New shoes to replace worn out ones. My heels seem to get destroyed at an alarming rate. 

Feb (Item #49 under Experiences / Achievements) : 

Clear all photo backlogs of trips to date

This would comprise of : 

2012 : Japan

2013 : Arctic

2014 : South Korea

2015 : Taiwan(Jan, June), Vietnam

It's been.. at least 5yrs since I last had NO backlogs for my travel photos.

Mar

Time for a holiday. And create new photo backlogs again... (just kidding). 

Yet to decide where. But I love travelling in Mar. I'll probably pick one off my list of places to go.

April to Dec

Random mix of goals I would like to achieve, things that will probably take longer than 1mth to complete, and maybe things that can all be done at the same time. This list is still a works in progress. 

24th Dec 2015

It's Xmas Eve! One of my favourite days of the year :D

After a nice Xmas Eve lunch with the gals and some random window shopping in Orchard and a simple salad dinner, I headed home. Nothing exciting, just settle down on the bed, and watch a few episodes of Modern Family. Simply perfect. To be honest, I'm a really homely person, and dislike crowds. I can foresee myself staying home the next 2 days :D 

2015 had gone by in a flash, and 2016 is coming up really soon. 

Alot had happened this yr.

Rs wise, sure I had my heart broken, but Im not ready to admit that finding the one who is perfect for me, is never going to happen. I used to thk that my last ex was someone special, becos I used to think that it's so hard to fall for a person. Until I met someone else this yr, and fell for him. Too bad that did not work out. He wasn't right for me, and I cut the cord before anything started. But at least, I know that I can, and I will meet someone else I am going to like and will fall for. Life pretty much goes on regardless. If the door closes on one RS, just lock it, throw the damn key away and find another door. It's really that simple.

But at this point in time, I simply don't think I can give a RS my full attention, therefore I will not actively seek a RS. But if it's meant to be, Im sure it will find me, regardless. 

Going to be focusing my energy and time on other areas of my life. Money and health / wellbeing. After reading The 4-hour work week, quite a few things fall into place and a lot of thoughts are running around in my head : 
There's alot to do, even more not to do. Time really is a luxury. You only have one life. Why waste it living the same experience everyday of your life, when you could be living many different experiences over the span of your life? A job should be a life experience, not just something u do everyday to make ends meet. 

Looking forward to 2016.

3 Dec 2015

Its been a very busy Nov. Thinking, read, researching, trying out new strategies, methods. Constantly upgrading my "brain" in one way or the other.

Minimising the amount of stuff I own, almost every weekend and whenever Im free.

Drastically reducing the amount of clothes in my wardrobe is quite a challenge. Would you bother wearing clothes if they only look ok on you? Why not just stick to clothes that look great on you? If thats the case, why keep those clothes that are only "ok" on you? 

Problem: easier said than done.

Attempting to use up products I have is also a challenge. The amount of skincare, haircare, bodycare and "whatever-care" products I have on my table, is insane.

Exhausted from so much physical and mental activities, took a mini break from everything for a few days. Had some fun at Megazip Adventure Park. Levelled up my fearlessness for sure. Haha. 

Came upon this article last yr Nov : http://oliveremberton.com/2013/how-to-master-your-time/
And decided , I only had time for two things. I decided there and then, it was to be money and health.

And strangely, not long after, Love found me. Sort of.

And now it's time to choose again.

Life is a game, time to start leveling up your character properly.

I made a list of 101 Life Goals not long ago. Its still in progress. I thk I'm up to item 7x for the list. One of those things is to become a Hypnotist. I thk that shall be one of those things Im going to do for 2016. 

Currently reading The 4-Hour Work Week. Fast becoming my favourite book, almost impossible to put down. lol

6th Nov 2015

Onto my 3rd Chicken Soup for the soul book. First one was Chicken Soup for the Romantic Soul. The 2nd was Chicken Soup for the Soul, 20th Anniversary Edition. Now reading Chicken Soup for the Soul : Think Positive. And guess what? Realised quite a few stories, I've read them before on the internet / Facebook! Now I finally know their source... 

My 4th Chicken Soup for the Soul book is arriving soon. Along with 4 hour workweek. Can't wait...

After a few weeks of "intensive" cafe hopping, time to slow down on the sugary/gluten/ dairy stuff and start exploring places serving Organic food / raw food / Paleo food / Salad... Assembled quite a list today... 

First on my list, checked out The Lawn today, awesome food! I even get to eat chestnuts in my salad :D I almost did not want to go there becos of numerous bad reviews I saw on their Facebook page.. Glad I decided to just check them out anyway :D 

They just replaced Saladstop as my favourite Salad place :D

The only sinful thing I had today was a cup of milk tea. Still the only thing Im not willing to give up, unless Im going W30. Haha. 

Ended the day with my 2nd workout of the week and a Paleo Dinner from Caveman Food. 

Continue to work on my lists today. 101 Lifetime Goals, done till #72

I love the way my life is structured now. Plenty of reading, soul searching, programming my thoughts and life, working on myself internally. Not to mention good food and a realistic exercise routine. My attempts to minimise the items in my life is also going well. 

Last weekend, did a major "de-owning" session. This coming Sunday, gonna do another big session of "de-owning" and decluttering. 

Life is good, and getting better and better everyday ;)

18th Oct 2015

Finally getting back on track, the path I was supposed to be on, prior to getting into my last relationship. 

Not that Im blaming the Rs for bringing me off course. But I guess I put too much of myself into it, and ending up derailing myself. It wasn't the RS or the guy. I guess it was something that I thought I had to do to make the rs work.

Exercise routine is back on track after I pin point the reason for my procrastination.. After shifting my workout session to evenings, Im getting out of my house earlier and also jumping straight into my workout upon reaching home ;) 

Lovely, back to twice a week of weights and core exercises. ( I was randomly doing once a week, or even once every 2 weeks for a long time...) Next.. time to add back the HIIT sessions, which had been missing since.. I don't know! ><

In an attempt to actually get around to reading "The Success Principles", decided to divide it into bite size bits. Minimum of at least one 1 chapter a day, 64 chapters in total. The plan is to read it on the bus, on my way to work. Im up to chapter 3 today :D

Pondering how to reprogram my subconscious mind. I've heard so many motivational speakers mention that the subsconcious mind is the one that really controls everything. Really got to get to it. 

"Like an iceberg the conscious mind is just 1/6th and is seen above the water. While the unconscious mind is 5/6th and is not seen and needs to be reprogrammed."

Almost finished reading "Rejection Proof". I realised just how much of my life is structured around avoiding rejection at all cost. If I don't have a 101% chance of getting it, I probably won't do it. And I probably won't ask for something as well. Just how much have I missed in life becos of this fear?

Trying to make it a point of asking for things. Rejection is a myth. It's all in our mind. People simply take rejection too personally. Don't we all?

"When you asked and got rejected you are no worse than when you were before you asked because you didn’t have it in the first place before you asked." - Jack Canfield, The Success Principles

"Rejection is just an opinion, remember? It reflects them more than me, right? " - Jia Jiang, Rejection Proof

"Rejection is an experience that it is up to you to define. In other words, it means only what you choose it to mean." - Jia Jiang, Rejection Proof

A lot to ponder.