by Sunil Bali, 04-11-12

There have been several studies which show that students from East Asian nations such as Singapore, Japan, China and Korea significantly outperform American and UK students when it comes to Maths and Science.

Whilst numerous theories abound as to why this is, I recently asked a Japanese Chief Executive for his thoughts on the subject. He said, "Our kids aren’t cleverer than anyone else’s kids. It’s just that achieving great grades is considered to be the norm and what’s expected. Because they hear the mantra of focus over and over again and can see evidence that it works, our kids understand that sustained focus on their studies will get them the grades they want."

F ollow
O ne
C ourse
U ntil
S uccessful

His comments, reminded me of a leading Venture Capitalist who once told me, "In my experience, successful entrepreneurs are doers who can keep their focus, while unsuccessful entrepreneurs are dreamers who can’t."

When it comes to success, doing the hokey cokey is not what it’s all about.

Quotes

The successful man is the average man with laser like focus – Bruce Lee

Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and should be – Stephen Covey

Nobody rises to low expectations – Calvin Lloyd

Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer – Niccolo Machiavelli

In order to be walked on, you have to be lying down – Brian Weir

Humour

My SatNav (my thanks to Alastair for this gem)

I have a little SatNav
It sits there in my car
A Satnav is a driver’s friend
It tells you where you are

I have a little SatNav
I’ve had it all my life
It’s better than the normal ones
My SatNav is my wife

It gives me full instructions
Especially how to drive
“It’s thirty miles an hour”, it says
“You’re doing thirty five”

It tells me when to stop and start
And when to use the brake
And tells me that it’s never ever
Safe to overtake

It tells me when a light is red
And when it goes to green
It seems to know instinctively
Just when to intervene

It lists the vehicles just in front
And all those to the rear
And taking this into account
It specifies my gear.

I’m sure no other driver
Has so helpful a device
For when we leave and lock the car
It still gives its advice

It fills me up with counselling
Each journey’s pretty fraught
So why don’t I exchange it
And get a quieter sort?

Ah well, you see, it cleans the house
Makes sure I’m properly fed,
It washes all my shirts and things
And – keeps me warm in bed!

Despite all these advantages
And my tendency to scoff,
I do wish that once in a while
I could turn the damned thing off.

A man walks into the bedroom to find his wife jumping up and down on the bed.

Smiling broadly his wife looks at him and says: "I’ve just had my annual check-up and the doctor says I may be 45, but I’ve got the breasts of an 18 year old!"

"But what did the doctor say about your 45 year old ar5e?" says the man.

"Oh he didn’t mention you, dear."

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To your success,

Sunil

www.sunilbali.com