Never Trust Other People With Your Own Money

Two weeks back, a friend whom I have known since high school called me and told me that he needed cash to help his company to turn around. We used to hang out and attended each others wedding ceremony. I would actually consider him as a good family friend, we go as far back as 1992.

When he needed help I went all the way to help him. At that time, I have some cash that I was preparing for my kid's education insurance and vehicle tax. He promised that he will return the money in a weeks time. The money should have been back before I needed the money. At the time of this writing, the promise was made two weeks ago.

Sadly, I have to pay for the vehicle tax which I have to borrow money from someone else. My insurance will be due soon and I honestly doubt I will be getting my money back soon. I have called him and make appointment with him. He kept on saying he has the money with him. Yet, there are all sorts of lame excuses, unanswered calls and mobile phones that are switched off.

I have been brought up with a strong beleive in having trust in other people. This is how I live my life and this is also how I operate my business. It is only through trust that we can have a long term successful business relationship. No doubt I feel the pain of my monetary lost, but it hurts most is having to lose trust and faith in a friend. If he had told me that he is in financial difficulty, I may not have lend him so much but I am sure I would still lend him some and prepare the write off the amount.

What has this world come into? If we cannot trust our friends and family. The only thing that we can really trust is money? I honestly hope not! Maybe this is why I am struggling with my hotel management/ supplier business. I actually put trust ahead of money.

Do I still trust my friend? Sigh... I am afraid I have lost faith in him. Even if he does returns the money to me, I would still see him as my friend but I would be extra careful with his request.

As I am struggling in my own red ink. I know for sure I will NOT drag my debts. I would rather go without food than destroying the trust that others has given me.

A Thought on Lance Amstrong Interview

Lance Armstrong the former winner of seven times tour de France had admitted to taking drugs on the interview with Oprah Winfrey. This individual literally went from hero to zero within 24 hours. I fully understand the outrage and disappointment. In fact, I got even suck into reading his book -- It's Not About the Bike.I was touch by his struggled against cancer and it has been inspiring. It came to me as a surprise that he admitted for taking drugs. Through the book, he has been a strong advocate of against taking any performance enhancement drugs.

I do not follow any cycling sports nor his career in any way. All I knew he was someone who beat cancer and went on to dominate an era of sports. With the recent confessions, he has lost his winning results, his sponsorships and his legion of fans. The question now for him is, what next?

Apologize. Besides just being coming clean with his actions, he would need to spent the rest of life apologizing to the world. If I am were him, he has to wear the badge of shame and reach out to the younger generation about the danger of drugs. Spent time at hospitals talking to cancer patient on how he has messed up and wanting to make a change. I understand the whole wold refuses to forgive Lance Armstrong, but I also willing to see the fact that he has done a lot for the cancer community. He still has an able healthy body, for many that's already a blessing. Lance should use that to reach out and touch everyone's heart that he is indeed sorry. Could this also be a potential reality TV series?

During the interview with Oprah, Lance has mentioned that he want to compete again. I do not think that is something that he should pursue in both short and medium term. This is not what he should be doing as his brand is in tatters. Whether he wins or loses, it is still a lost to him as a brand. Why? There are lack of trust.

Speaking of brand. The brand of Lance Armstrong will never be the same again. Nonetheless, it still catches attention for both right and wrong reasons. From now, his brand should be someone who is fighting an uphill battle to gain trust, to come clean and to live an honest life. This brand may not come with wealth and fame, but it will still reaches the hearts of many for doing what is right. If Lance Amstrong can play his cards right, his brand can be bigger and more relevant than just cancer survivor and former touch de France champion.

If he is sincere about turning a new leaf and willing to reach out to the masses face to face about how he was driven by greed; I am willing to stand inline to support him.

It is about being Resilient

Watch this video, enough said.

Tell Yourself This... I Derserve Better and I am Good Enough

I grew up in an education environment where I brought to beleive that I am never good enough. Since young, I learned that someone will always be better than me and I have to try my best to raise to the occasion. Even when I started working, the annual face-to-face discussion it is always about gaps to overcome, slipped opportunities because of certain qualities that I lack.

By no means I am perfect, and there will always be challenges and issues to overcome before I can achieve what I want. I was brought up to be humble and should not underestimate the competitor. Unknowingly, I have also developed a self-defeat mentality. Whenever I see opportunities, the first thing that I would pick out is how I am not good enough for it. I saw a position that I wanted, I also see chasm that is between my ability and the required skills. I wanted to bid for a contract, I saw other giant corporates who are also bidding for the same contract. I have already say no on behalf of the prospective opportunity.

We are human beings, there will be gaps. It is how we choose to overcome it. Instead of gaps, why don't we see opportunities that connect us to the opportunity. Please tell yourself and remind yourself.

"I deserve better and I am good enough!"

Go out there, take some chances and explore. There will be times we will suffer failure. It is ok, it is part of learning. More importantly, you can stand up and fight another day. Never say no on behalf of the other person.