"In school you get the lesson and then take the test... In life you take the test and then get the lesson."

- Unknown Source

Wouldn't it be great if life comes with detailed instruction manual and we spend our whole life preparing for that one single test?

Funny, we understand the learning process as lessons first, test later; seldom the other way round.

In real life, some of our most memorable lessons do not come in neat packages for us to unwrap carefully. More often than not, these lessons comes when we least expect it, and it usually comes quite rough on the edges.

In the recent years of major economic crisis and structural-changes in work life, were we given lessons to learn so that we can be prepared for life-changing changes? Even if there were such lessons, do you sincerely think anyone would take them seriously?

How many of us would take terrorists seriously, if not for 9/11? How many of us would take the trouble to make a telephone call to loved ones, if not for the SARS outbreak that almost crippled the entire Asia? And how many would take the sea, or mother earth, solemnly, if not for the disaster of tsunami?

The business of learning is everywhere around us, if only we take life's test with courage, then calmly and reflectively earn the lessons.

What if... some of our corporate training begins with disasters, real or simulated ones? What if... we can really find out the real test of preparedness and reaction of situation, rather than endless heaping of information and knowhow?

Worth a thought maybe?

"Your life has to do with the agenda that has been set for you by you, by that part of you that we've come to call, in our language, your soul."

- Neale Donald Walsch

All of us are unique individuals; motivated by vastly different desires. Some of us do not have an agenda, that's why we wander aimlessly. However, finding one's true agenda sometimes takes a lifetime of wandering. Once your agenda is set, the rest would fall into place.

Our purpose in life has a spiritual foundation. Our major life issues are usually of 3 basic types:

• Physical and Power-Oriented, like making our stand and being more courageous.
• Emotional and Love-Oriented, like expressing and receiving love, compassion and nurturing others.
• Mental and Intellect-Oriented, like developing our minds and creating new things and processes.

In Beyond Motivation workshop, this is further developed into the 8 Desires. The end result is a customized workable action plan for each participant.

"Everything you need you already have. You are complete right now, you are a whole, total person, not an apprentice person on the way to someplace else."

- Wayne Dyer

My agenda is to provide meaningful engagement with my participants through my training, speaking and... building great sandcastles. I have everything that I need to do the job. And I look forward to it with great gusto!!!

How about you? Can you find the purpose of the meaning in your work? Your Life?

What is your agenda?

In closing:

• Be Here Now Lessons and Tests
• What is your Agenda?

A realization, an insight and a question. Your role? Truly Ponder.

“First Mover Framework helps innovator realize social enterprise concept”

In the late 1990s, Mr Alvin lee made headlines in Singapore and the United States for inventing a sandcastle-building system called Beach works.

An industrial engineer by training, Mr Lee wanted a sandcastle-building tool for his young son and niece. He could not find it anywhere in the world. The solution was to invent it himself. His creative journey to make Beach works a reality inspired him to think deeper about innovation. This, in turn, led him to the business idea of starting as centre devoted to organizing sandcastle-building activities that would foster bonding, social interaction and creativity. His intent was to run a social enterprise for the benefit of families and the underprivileged.

Article from PEP 10^th Anniversary Commemorative Booket

Please click to view PDF file

Please click to view PDF file