Care for a career?

Have you ever asked yourself a question on whether a career is actually important? We’ve been brought up to trust in a notion of having a good formal education followed by embarking on a rockstar career for the next 40 years and then retiring to the golfing greens.

Is a good career really that satisfying? Or is it a means to an end? Not just an end in terms of money, prestige, and power. But more of self actualization and fulfilling your potential. I think there’s more to life than just making MD real fast.

And after these two years, I’m beginning to grapple with the idea of doing what I do not to make MD, but in the bigger scheme of things, that doing what I do will allow me to reach my financial independence goals much faster than the normal 8 to 5 track. Of course, if the focus and the heart is just to make bank each month, I think I would have called it a day quite some time ago. There are quite some aspects of the learning and the working environment which I have somehow grown to be positive towards.

These factors have most certainly shifted the focus to learning instead of being politically correct and jousting for political points.It kinda sucks realizing that when the time comes, you’ve got  to suck up to move up and although I know it has to be done, I refrain from doing so just to do so. I’m the kind of guy that gets out there and do my job, so if some big shot wants a sloppy joe with a robust banking process after that, I’m not the guy for that. Which doesn’t earn me extra brownie points, but thank god I don’t have a banking lifestyle to follow suit with the spending.

It has also stemmed on me that sometimes focusing on doing instead of being ain’t going to melt things up. Instead of focusing on doing something. Focus on being. Be the best athlete you can be, be the best Analyst there is, and somehow things will click into place. I’m not sure how this actually works, but I think it can be attributed to the switch in focus.

So buckle up and knuckle down boys, as I take in the ride for the next couple more years.

Decisions

I think how one’s current life situation is right now can be attributed largely to the many decisions that are made throughout. Some a big decisions, such as should I do my MBA, buy a house, move overseas, etc. And others are small decisions, such as what should one eat for lunch, how about dinner, etc.

And then decisions can be good or bad, depending on perspective. Say… the decision to wake up earlier in the morning to work out might be good from your perspective, but from your employer’s perspective, it might not be the best because you’re probably not “giving your all” in the workplace. And the decision to go party might not be good from your perspective, but it could be good from your friend’s perspective because you’re all going to have fun (it might be good from your pov at that time you’re making it though…).

Made up my mind to wake up at 0720 to do a half hour run and 10 pull ups three times a week and managed to successfully do so on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And it actually felt good to do so, even though I did not really sleep much the night before. For the uninitiated, my days in the office normally start at 1000 and ends around 1230 or so, with the tougher days stretching till about  0300 or so. That again, is a lifestyle choice and personal decision. And subconsciously I made the decision to go out for lunch alone for the entire week at 1400 plus. Away from the lunch crowd and a greater breather. Don’t get me wrong, I actually like hanging out with my colleagues and I think some of them are the smartest people I have known throughout my life (although some of them are total fktards and I have no idea how they got through), but I need my own space and I think having lunch alone helps with that.

Good five days with either yong tau foo / fish soup with no carbs. I feel fitter and healthier and I went without any alcohol for the first four days of the week. It was really good to drink that beer last night, possibly because of the increased scarcity value. And then I made a decision to go out with them to party, which was enjoyable then but ain’t feeling so good right now. I certainly could use more self restraint.

On another note, I can feel the market picking up, things are getting busier and I’ve been getting staffed on more live transactions. I’ve got today free, though I probably have to spend some time tomorrow cranking out a short memo.

Anyway enough said, I’m going to do some jump rope exercises right now and get out of the house for an hour or two of reading before heading to meet the hommes for a nice steak frites dinner at Les Bouchons at Ann Siang – our quarterly feast. That again, is a decision that I relish and am not afraid to spend time or money on.

Trains in Singapore

Seems like there’s train faults two to three times a week. That’s actually the norm, if u think about it from a mon to friday perspective. Hooya smrt. Keep it up.

Treasuring time

“Can you show me anyone who places any value on his time, realizes the worth of each day, and understands that he is dying daily? Nothing, Lucilius, really belongs to us but time. Nature gave us ownership of this one thing, so fleeting and hard to hold on to that anyone who tries can take it away from us. We should work hard with all the courage we can muster, ignoring any distractions, and struggle with a single purpose. Otherwise, when we’re left behind, well realize too late the speed of quick-flying time, whose passing we cannot slow. We should greet each day when it comes, as being the best, and make it our own possession. Let us take possession of all the time available to us. This, however, cannot happen unless we first take possession of our own selves. Sextius had this habit, at the end of the day when he had retired to his nightly rest, to ask his soul these questions. “What bad habit have you cured today? What fault have you resisted? In what way are you better?”

In following the notion of continuous improvement, I’m afraid this is one aspect I’m rather much lacking in right now and attempting to make a directed focus to improve. Steadily, but surely, I know I’ll get there and cease wasting time on activities that don’t actively contribute to success down the road. But surely, this is a war that is waged day in and day out. 

Currently rereading “The Art of Stoic Living. Inner Resilience and Outer Results” by Tom Morris, and reading “The Snowball” by Alice Schroeder plus “The Finishing School – Earning the Navy SEAL Trident” by Dick Couch.

Finished up “Seal Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper” by Howard Wasdin and “Animal Farm” by George Orwell previously. Also finished up the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larrson since January. Have put down the Dan Kaheman book for now. 

Heading to bed for some rest now. I went hard on 5 sprints today and could only muster a pathetic three pull ups. Makes me think I’m built for long endurance runs and not fast all out sprints. Then again, the party last night probably had something to do with it. Will wake up at 0720 to go for a slow half hour run before heading into the office. Tomorrow’s looking busy already, I just got staffed on a transaction. Hooya. Night world. 

Reading has never been easier

Recently I made a decision to splurge US$250 on a kindle 3G and one of those leather covers and I think this has been one of the best purchase decisions in recent years. Yes, even more worthy than the iPhone.

For folks who love reading, I think the kindle will come to exist as one of those items that can increase the pleasure of reading. Long battery life, perpetually free 3G wherever you go if you want to get a new book on the road, and yes, the most important thing to me would be the portability of carrying more than 1,000 (I don’t know the exact number) books in your hand, which means you can travel light and have oceans of knowledge to immerse yourself in, all in the palm of your hand.

I’ve been doing quite abit of reading, especially in the morning when I get on the bus and the train to work. Say about half an hour each morning since I received my Kindle last December. This has become a morning routine I look forward to, instead of just tuning out or chilling out to tunes on my iPhone.

Right now I’m reading Thinking Fast and Slow by Dan Khaneman, The Snowball by Alice Shroeder, and The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. And of course, I’m looking forward to reading more books when I’m done with this. 

So think about it and if you like reading, perhaps a Kindle would be a good present for yourself. Or rather a good investment to come. 

Aint No Stoppin – Ferry Corsten

Now that’s a good pumped up song to kickstart Feb 2012. Had some downtime this week while waiting for comments, so I put in some thought to my personal banking accounts. 

So I’ve got four bank accounts. One POSB Savings account which I kinda grew up with, a DBS Savings Plus Account which acts as an escrow account for a dividends for a fund I maintain with friends, a UOB Savings account which I set up back during my NS days as I realized the DBS / POSB queue for ATMs is just fkin insane, comparatively to the queue, or lackthereof at the UOB ATMs. 

In my first year in the workforce, I set up a Citibank Step Up interest account together with applying for the Citibank Premiermiles card. Previously I would utilize my UOB account for my working capital needs, but with the Citibank account set up, I started to utilize both.

However, I soon noticed during the review that I’ve got to maintain a minimum balance in all accounts, and the Citibank account required a min balance of S$2,000. Money which could be better placed in my brokerage account as ammo for stock purchases, and where it earns c. 2% p.a. as a money market fund in the meantime.

And viola, I went down to do just that. Soon I’ll take some time to go to DBS to close my POSB account as well, with the UOB account serving as my main purpose. I used to think I needed at least two bank accounts to monitor cash inflows and outflows, but I kinda realized its rather pointless to do so. When I make bank near the end of every month, I’ll send some cash over to the rents for household expenses, wire off more than 70% of the rest to my brokerage account where it works for me and I’ll save some float to pay off my credit card balance (in full) during the end of the month. I hold two credit cards, where I think its really good stuff as I get to earn miles and get cashback. 

First there’s the ANZ switch platinum card, which provides me with a 10% cashback on my comfort taxi fares home daily on the weekend. I work a job that usually requires me to go back after 9pm and come back on the weekends, and one of the allowances they provide are reimbursable taxi rides back on the weekdays after 9pm and an small meal and transport allowance on the weekends. The ANZ card is perfect as they reimburse me for the 10% admin charge incurred when I charge my cab rides to Comfort. However, this aint reflected in the taxi receipt, so I get a double reimbursement (the second being through my company). I spend about 20 bucks on cab fares every day. 10% of that is 2 bucks. That works out to be at least 40 bucks a month of free cash flow, which is pretty darn awesome. 

I’ve also used my premiermiles card to gain points for air travel, but Im beginning to think that the perhaps a total cashback card would be more worthwhile. I think that certainly requires some thought. 

Anyway, before I head off tonight, I just want to introduce Mr Money Mustache, who has written an excellent article on stoicism. Check it out below. For the uninitiated, Mr Money Mustache has taken over the baton from Jacob, who penned a really successful blog called Early Retirement Extreme. 

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/02/what-is-stoicism-and-how-can-it-turn-your-life-to-solid-gold/

Have a good one! And there aint no stoppin.

Got alternative?

Did a 25 minute jog today and did 7 pull ups after. Nothing big, but its a start and it feels good. Been working for 14 days straight – its starting to feel like the first half of my first year in banking. 

Have been thinking about what one of my buddies said. I guess if there’s no matter alternative at present, its best to suck it up and attempt to enjoy the process, and to view problems more of challenges that will best prepare you for the future instead of a cause of pain without return. The more painful the process, the stronger you grow, provided it doesn’t kill you. 

And if there’s no better alternative, lets suck it up and enjoy, instead of being a whiner and complain kid. Don’t criticize, complain or condemn. After all, these tough times too, shall pass. So hang in there  my man and enjoy the ride. 

Inklings

Books read over the past month

Warrior Elite – Forging of SEAL Class 228 by Dick Couch

Boomerang by Michael Lewis

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Currently reading

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

 

Choice

At the end of the day, I’ve come to realize that I’ve the power of choice. From the tangible things such as what color shoes to purchase, to the intangible such as how I would respond to a situation. It all lies within and determines what I’ll do and how I’ll end up feeling.

Choice – it happens daily without one really realizing, and when one makes a choice, let one stick with the decision till the reasons for making it don’t hold true anymore.

Another reason

On why i continue with this? Simple its because it places me in best stead to get into the grand game of investment management.

Be patient, hang in there.