2010, A Year Of Making Things Happen!

31st December 2010

2010 has been an exciting year, filled with more ups than downs (opposite values are complementary). However, as we move into the last day of 2010, I would like to take some time to express my Gratitude and Thanks for all the things that have gone well this year and reflect on some of the milestones and accomplishments.

When I first met Robert Allen in May 2010, I made a solemn promise to Bob that "This is the year I will Make It Happen!" In fact, I have never worked so hard in my life. As a result, 2010 for me has been one of the most productive years of my life.

It has been a year of Fun Learning, Growth and Achievements.

Here (in no particular order) are some of my more memorable moments from 2010.

1. August 5th, 2010. The birth of infiniteskies! Even though I have been writing ads, tv commercial and radio scripts for the past 17 years, I would not have imagined myself blogging. Ever. Finally picked up the courage to express myself and let the world read me like an open book.

2.  May 16-18th. I spent 3 full days with "bestsellerbob" Robert G. Allen, in the Multiple Streams of Income workshop in KL. These 3 days marked the beginning of my journey in Internet Marketing as well as creating a second income stream.

This was also the year I got inspired by Mr Tony Blair who spoke about how vital Change is, on a global scale, at the KL National Achievers Convention 2010.

With international bestselling author
and mentor, Robert Allen. May 2010.

3. August 13-18th. I was graced, touched and moved by the presence of my dearest Guruji, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Was at the airport to welcome Him on the 12th. Helped out before the public talk at Wisma MCA, KL on the 13th. And spent Magical Moments With The Master in Penang for the next five days!

An Evening Of Wisdom And Joy
With Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Penang.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng shared the stage briefly.

Guruji in a playful mood.
He appeared amused as John and I passed him the laser toy
just before he entered the meditation hall
at Bayview Beach, Penang.

4. September 2010. Got into Shaun and Vince Mastermind, the elite programme for internet marketing students.

5.  October 12th. Got my first payout from internet marketing - USD90.93! It's the first time I'm paid in USD. :)

6. July 2010. A noob in Internet Marketing, I learned how to create a website from scratch and got it ranked on the first page of Google on the first day itself! My first website eventually got to Number 1.

7. August 10th. Recorded Sangh Gacchatwam with PW at Angel Studio recording studio. What an amazing experience and an unforgettable night. Thanks again, PW and Mr T.

PW at Angel Studio,
outside the recording room.
T is editing the tracks.

Our first single! Sangh Gachhatwam has 3 tracks.
PW presented this to Guruji in Penang.

8. January 2010. Repeated my Art Of Living Basic Course at Taman Tun. It was a different experience the second time. And the message for me was on Forgiveness. Thank you, PW, for taking me through the process.

As a direct result of Guruji's Grace, I have since forgiven a friend and patched things up after one year plus of useless Anger and Silence. Thanks, V. Am glad we worked things out! For me, that was an invaluable lesson on how not to take Friendship for granted, and the healing power of Forgiveness.

9.  Dec 5th. Celebrated Dad's 81st birthday at "Hu Jing Ge" Chinese Restaurant, Flemington Hotel, Taiping. Even though we could barely fill half the table (there were only 4 of us), the memories from that weekend will always be cherished.

10. Last but not least...

Oreo, who thinks he's a dog!

Thank you for teaching me all about Patience, Responsibility, Playfulness, Joy and most especially, Unconditional Love. Who would have thought that before this, I was afraid of cats! I have only had dogs my whole life.

Let's move forward and make 2011 an even better year in terms of Health, Wealth and Relationships, for all of us.

Carpé diem and wishing all of you a Happy, Joyful and Peaceful 2011! Keep smiling :)

The "1111" Millionaire Challenge (Part 2)

30th December 2010

Since that fateful day on May 16th when I first walked into the Multiple Streams Of Income With Cash In A Flash workshop under the mentorship of Robert Allen, my life has taken a 180 degree turn. All my waking hours were spent in front of the computer. Learning. Module after module. Webinar after webinar. Monthly "tweet" ups. Applying what I've learned. Fumbling. Falling. Failing.

Every day, for 16-18 hours, I would be glued to the computer. Most times, I would be so engrossed I would forget to eat. Or eat once a day. I lost track of day and time, and even forgot to feel hungry! Nothing much existed outside cyberspace and the educational process I was going through. 

I turned down all social invites. The only people who "saw" me were my online friends. I had turned into a walking zombie. However, 6 months had gone by and I had yet to make a single cent!

A line from a Michael Jordan Nike TV Commercial came to mind. This was what Mike said. "I've failed over and over and over again in my life. That is why, I succeed."
  
That line kept me going.

Finally, 183 days later, on Friday 12th October 2010...I got this in my email:

My FIRST paycheck from Internet Marketing - USD90.93! Banked into Paypal :) It may not be much, but it sure is a good start.

I know I am nowhere near my first million. And my "1.1.11" deadline is just two days away. But I am thankful for that USD90.93. It may not be much. And it's not even close to the expectations or my dreams. But I had made some money. I now know what do to. And I also know that if I just keep plugging toward my goal I will eventually earn my million. It might be another year in the future. Or another 3 years. Or even five. 

But I am going to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to succeed.

Robert Allen, my Multiple Streams of Income mentor

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
– Gail Devers

The "1111" Millionaire Challenge (Part 1)

14th December 2010
(Wanted to blog earlier but couldn't due to the highly unstable internet broadband service.
Will change Internet provider this week.)

14th, 15th and 16th May 2010. Those 3 days transformed my life.

Robert Allen, renowned speaker, motivational coach and bestselling author of Multiple Streams of Income, Nothing Down, Creating Wealth and many other books, was in Kuala Lumpur to conduct his “Multiple Streams Of Income With Cash In A Flash” Workshop.  Bob had a goal for us – to create new millionaires by 1^st January 2011 from scratch!

Robert Allen (center) and KL participants of
The "1111" Millionaire Challenge at the
MSIWCIAF Worskhop (KL, May 2010)
I'm on the far right, 3rd row, near the pillar :)

During those 3 full days, Bob took us through multiple ways to create wealth. And covered each and every one of the four wealth creating vehicles in detail - Real Estate, Infopreneuring, Network Marketing and Internet Marketing. We each had to choose ONE subject to major in, learn everything we can about that subject, and master that chosen vehicle to create our first stream of income.

I chose Internet Marketing, something I knew nothing about. After all, isn’t the proverbial empty sponge supposed to be able to absorb and retain more knowledge and information? However, little was I to know of the painfully challenging journey ahead.

We were divided into respective teams, each team with 7 team members, to push, inspire and hold one another accountable till “1.1.11”. We were to meet once a week over Skype to track our individual and team progress, and our team leader was responsible for reporting to Bob.

Before the first “reporting” session, our team leader had resigned. No one else seemed interested in continuing with the weekly meets. Just like that, the team had dispersed.

One week after 16th May (last day of the seminar), I was feeling confused, disappointed and discouraged. There were so many unanswered questions. I had no more team. No idea where to start or what to do. Internet Marketing seemed daunting, overwhelming, extremely difficult and something I thought I would not quite get the grasp of.

The days passed by and I was nowhere near making my first dollar (much less becoming a millionaire)! That was seven months ago...

10 Things I Learned About Sales From A Cab Driver

5th December 2010 (written and posted in Taiping)

On our last night in Phuket, I met Jojo, a friendly Thai cab driver. My roommate and I were walking out from Sunwing Resort And Spa in search of the night market when Jojo passed by and offered to take us there for 100 baht. Even though it was just a short ride, he knew we were willing to pay 100 baht as we were in a foreign land and needed his cab service then. This guy understood market and demand!

We started walking from Sunwing and
got kind of stranded before bumping into Jojo.

He was friendly. And kept us entertained throughout the short drive by chatting with us in an attempt to get to know his customers better. Getting to know your customers - another vital sales and marketing “must-have”! The minute we reached the night market, Jojo gave us his business card. And, offered to take us back to the hotel when we’re done shopping around the night market. Think upsell and repeat sales!

We reached the market at 7pm. Jojo said he would pick us up at 9pm. We walked around the market, checked out the stalls, took some pictures, bought some snacks and food, and were done in 30 minutes. Then, it started to rain! There was no place to go for shelter, no place to sit, nothing else to do...

From out of nowhere, Jojo suddenly appeared at the stall we were at and asked if we would like to get back to our hotel. Talk about service. Even though it was only 7.30pm and he was not supposed to pick us up till 9pm, he understood the situation (rain and all) and went out of his way to provide added value.

One of the many stalls at the Night Market -

Thai Boxing! Reminds me of Lumpini Stadium, Bangkok.

Needless to say, Jojo also offered to take us to the airport, at a discounted rate (the market rate was 550Baht, Jojo offered his services at 500Baht). From that one short encounter that one dark and rainy night, he not only made some extra pocket money, but also had made new friends and repeat sales.

We will definitely look him up the next time we go to Phuket (to take us on a day trip or around the islands). As well as tell all our friends who are going to Phuket to look for Jojo, the friendly cab driver who can double up as a tour guide.

In a nutshell, here are the...
10 Things I Learned (About Sales) From A Cab Driver:

1.   Know your customers.

2.   Find out what your customers want,
      give it to them.

3.   Give your customers more than they expect.

4.   Be friendly and approachable.

5.   Provide value-added services.

6.   Offer great value, perceived or otherwise.

7.   Understand the market situation, be flexible.

8.   Be accountable, punctual and keep your promise
      – your word is gold.

9.   Upsell, cross-sell, repeat sales!

10. Word-of-mouth advertising and referrals     
      – expand your market.

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The key message in this Sales Secrets video stresses: "You're not going to get rich giving people what they need. Get rich giving people what they WANT."