Joseph Bismark - Gems of Wisdom Blog

Living on Borrowed 'Time'

The human population has come to an understanding and consensus about the existence of this elusive factor called 'Time'. But what is amazing is just how little importance each of us actually places on managing whatever 'Time' we have available to us.

'Time' ticks on tirelessly and is always progressing relentlessly, representing our past, our present and our future all combined. Drastic changes to our world have taken place, and events have come and gone brought about by 'Time'. Growth, maintenance and inevitable old age and death will come as our 'Time' in this world passes by and ends. 'Time' will continue on long after we have passed away.

We have made machines that we call watches to somehow keep track of, and mark the passing of, 'Time'. We all know that 'Time' consists of the past, present and future; will continue to tick by; and has no mercy or regard for anyone, even a dying man.

So what are we doing about it?

Most of us try to bury ourselves with the shallow business of life so that we don't have to stop and face the facts about our 'Time' until it hits us right in the face. In the case of a person finding out that he has cancer and has only six months to live, this person's perspective on life will drastically change once knowing that he has only a small amount of allotted 'Time' left to live. His priorities will change and he will value every minute of that 'Time' in a very different manner than the rest of us who may take our 'Time' for granted. Spending this 'Time' uselessly will no longer be a luxury available to him. Do we have to wait for such an emergency notice before we start valuing and managing our time? Do you have a contract on how long you can stay on in this world?

Not everyone is so lucky to find out how much time they have left. For most people, there is no warning when time ceases to be available to them. It comes in one big bang and as one big shock.

"Wait, I am not ready! I still have a lot to prepare for! I have to tell my wife and kids that I love them! Oh wait, what will happen to my bank accounts? Who will take care of my family? Can I have more time?" This is the cry of the dying man.

Nobody likes to talk about this absolute end to our reality. We do not want to face it until it comes to face us at the very end. But is this the right way to deal with 'Time'? Should we not be prepared to face it when our 'Time' ends? Should we not be ready, so that we won't be sorry? Should we not use our 'Time' wisely, so we can help others and make a difference in the world?

Let us use our 'Time' to make the world a better place for future generations to live in. We should stop thinking that we will be here forever, so we can focus on the important facets of our lives:

Cultivation of spiritual knowledge, (Religion in the true sense) love, family, health, community service...

Please take some 'Time' to ponder and learn how to use your borrowed 'Time' wisely.


Sincerely,

Joseph Bismark

Group Managing Director, QI Ltd

Advice From the World's Richest Man

For my Gems of Wisdom today I thought I'd share with you all some advice from the world richest man according to Forbes - Warren Buffet.

THE LIFE OF THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD

Here are some very interesting facts about the life of Warren Buffet (former second richest man who once donated $31 billion to charity), during a one-hour interview of him by CNBC (excerpts edited for clarity):

1. He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late
2. He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.
3. He still lives in the same small 3-bedroom house in mid-town Omaha that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence.
4. He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him
5. He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company.
6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis. He has given his CEO's only two rules:

Rule number 1: Do not lose any of your shareholder's money.
Rule number 2: Do not forget Rule number 1.

7. He does not socialise with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch television.
8. Bill Gates, the world's richest man, met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.
9. Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer on his desk.
His advice to young people: "Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself", and remember:

A. Money doesn't create man but it is man who created money.
B. Live your life as simple as you are.
C. Don't do what others say, just listen to them, but do what you feel is good.
D. Don't go for brand names; just wear those things in which you feel is comfortable.
E. Don't waste your money on unnecessary things; just spend on what you really need.
F. After all, it is your life, then why give others the chance to rule your life?"

Take a moment to ponder if you can also benefit from the insight of someone who has already achieved!


Sincerely,

Joseph Bismark

Group Managing Director, QI Ltd

What Does Raise Yourself To Help Mankind Mean to You?

Every now and then in life comes a time when we need to sit back and take stock, review where we are, how we got here and why we are here. I would like all of us to revisit our corporate credo and mission statement, so that we can assess and determine if we are still relevant as a corporate entity.

If we are not, I would like to hear from each and every one of you about how we may need to remodel our mission in order to remain relevant to the ever-changing world around us.

After all, we would not want to get left behind!

As QuestNet reaches the grand old age of ten this year, there is no better time to self-reflect on the journey. Remember that one of the central credos of QuestNet is RYTHM - Raise Yourself To Help Mankind... is this still relevant today? Or perhaps even more so given the current global climate?

QuestNet's vision, mission and core values are defined as (how long has it been since you visited this page on our website?):

Vision

To be the No. 1 global e-marketing company by providing opportunities, creating success, and touching a billion hearts

Mission

To inspire people to help others through RYTHM (Raise Yourself To Help Mankind)

Core Values

- Truth
- Service
- Courage

I would like you to ALL take a moment and ponder… Why should we be proud to work for QuestNet? What areas of our business do we need to revisit, modify or change entirely? Please send me your replies directly.

Please let me know your thoughts, I am waiting for your responses and will be creating a future Gems of Wisdom from them.


Sincerely,

Joseph Bismark

Group Managing Director, QI Ltd

Fitness Matters

In today's ever demanding world of global business domination, most CEO's and managers spend a lot of their time flying and travelling. They end up eating unhealthy, processed and oily foods that are commercially-prepared and microwave-heated many times over. Eventually, bellies are turning into balloons and heading down south as the weight of extra fat succumbs to nature's force of gravity.

Last year I travelled three million air miles on business flights alone and was bound to consume the most fattening in-flight food. I always fool myself into thinking that I will work out at the hotel gyms to burn the added calories but fail to do so each time.

Today, I have gained an additional 30 pounds and the proof of it is something I need to hide under a loose shirt. Every morning as I look into the mirror I see a fatter version of myself, and it does not make me feel good. From then on, I made a decision to do something about it and start fighting the battle towards a better and healthier body.

I know it is a difficult journey but surely, it is worth the effort because a healthy body means a healthy mind, and a healthy mind leads to more productivity. This means I will have the energy needed to be able to deliver what is expected of me at the workplace, and yet have enough stamina to enjoy time and life away from work.

Businessmen and corporate people need to stay fit to cope up with the stress and demands of their job. It is no wonder that physical fitness programmes, gyms and yoga centres, have become the latest corporate lifestyle craze of this era.

Assess yourself … how fit are you? You may be just one of the many caught in the wheel of procrastination who put off health and fitness for tomorrow … or next week… or the week after. Stop making so many excuses and stop giving yourself reasons and hurdles to overcome before starting your health fitness programme.

DO IT NOW!

Pre-requisites to starting your own personal fitness programme:

1. DECIDE exactly what you want to achieve (define your objective or target weight, etc.);
2. Make sure you actually have a BURNING DESIRE for the objective;
3. Set and document the EXACT GOALS of what you want to achieve;
4. VISUALISE and 'feel' what you want to achieve as if you have already achieved it!;
5. BELIEVE that you CAN actually achieve it;
6. Take positive action today…NOW. Start achieving (do not procrastinate). Use the 'DO IT NOW!' attitude.

In order to be successful at anything, all excuses need to go out the window . . . there are no excuses that will justify your failure. There is no such thing as "Not enough time".

These are the things nobody ever wants to talk about, but it is important to get the right mindset first before dealing with the 'minor details' about physical fitness. These details are actually easy to tackle once you have set your goals and made the commitment.

So, make sure to take a second look at the six points above that you absolutely need to be clear about first. I want you to really give some serious thought to each one. Take a moment to ponder . . .

Again, once you are straight about proper mindset, you can get started on the 'details'! Go get a trainer, enrol in a yoga class or fitness programme, or get a friend or buddy to work out with.

. . . DO IT NOW!

Sincerely,

Joseph Bismark

Group Managing Director, QI Ltd

Dealing with Difficult People

People who argue with you or have an opinion contrary to yours are what most of us would probably categorise as, and consider to be, difficult people.

Why are they difficult? Is it because they do not agree with your ideas? Because they do not wish to follow what you want them to do? Or do they simply see the world differently from you?

Then welcome to the real world! “Wake up and smell the coffee”, as the famous saying goes. You cannot just see the world through your own eyes. That would present a handicap. It is always better to see things from different angles and understand other perspectives. The world is multidimensional.

Why limit your vision to but one dimension, when you can see more dimensions by considering others’ points of view? Difficult people are like your sharpening stone (whetstone). The more you clash with them, the more you get to sharpen your skills, skills like patience and tolerance, while getting to practice managing your emotions as well.

This is a very important factor in decision-making. The only time you can make personal developments or improve on things is when you are put to the test… when you are being challenged by someone or something.

Perfection only comes after the long process of practice and through overcoming challenges. Take for example a raw diamond; its brilliance can only shine for all to see after continuous polishing and grinding with another diamond. A dull knife can only be sharpened by constant friction with a sharpening stone (whetstone). A steel rod must be hammered, heated, tempered and beaten into shape hundreds of times before it can be truly called a ‘Samurai Sword’.

So if you have difficult people around you, be grateful as the Lord sent them to you so you can improve and learn what you need to from them. Respect them and listen to the opposing views they may have to give you. Love them. Welcome their very being. If not for them, your brilliance may never shine. All you have to do in exchange is to eat a little humble pie. That’s all it takes to be able to deal with difficult people.

Please take a moment to ponder… Welcome difficult people. May they always be there to bring out your own excellence and widen your views. Do not run away from them. Do not hide. Do not be afraid to be challenged by them. Let them lead you. This is the way to perfection.


Sincerely,

Joseph Bismark

Group Managing Director, QI Ltd