Promoting trade between Japan and the world, especially Canada and Alberta. Showing a life of abundance and sharing interests in urban development and NHL hockey.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Triumph in Tragedy; Moving Ahead at the end of 2009
Optimizers Program; The program is simple in nature. I have devised a way to 1) think (use imagination), 2) plan and 3) execute my intentions in order to pursue my dreams. It is simply a way to measure my own key performance numbers and follow my progress. This blog is also a way to show how my progress is moving along and to describe the unique lifestyle that is for a foreigner living in Japan. I wish to share these experiences and my progress with you.
Maximum Points Available: 700
Week 9 and 10
Weeks 9 and 10 were actually pretty good given the tough emotional situation at home. Probably one of the toughest challenges I have ever faced emotionally yet it was managed much better than it would have been before I started meditating, I am convinced of this. Highlights were Nutrition, Connect and EnvironmentWeeks 11 and 12
Weeks 11 and 12 were extremely good considering all the challenges of work not going as well as expected and the personal family challenges. It was a great finish considering. Onwards and Upwards in 2010. A significant drop in the DtB category which stands for ‘Dropping the Ball’, this shows hoe much I was doing things that I felt go against my moving ahead. i.e. drinking, smoking or eating bad foodsWeek 9 and 10: Overall 85% 427/520 Points
Week 11 and 12: Overall 95% 501/520 Points
Above is a graphical representation showing the Fall Equinox periods in two week increments, interesting as the low points on the graph usually represent a one day drop after spending too much time out on the town. The high points represent days of great focus and are quantum leaps ahead of what used to be a normal day.
The above is also a representation of the last 12 weeks of my life showing in two-week increments.
The above shows the difference in my personal output before the program and after the program, this as above represents two week increments. This may be slightly skwed but I am confident that is is a pretty close proximity to the way I performed before I started Optimizers and after I started Optimizers.
This is another representation of the output of my efforts along these life foundations. The numbers at the bottom represent the days and show efforts leading to the end of the program. This is actually much higher than past efforts and shows a more sustainable overall effort. The significant drops either represent days after a night out or significant time spent with the family.
Economic Weeks 9-12
88% 97 Points
84% 92 Points
Stabilizing: A summary of the last four weeks is difficult to do after you have left them behind, however, one common thought passed through my mind since the beginning of November. I have never lived with such little spending money in my life. My constant thought to this is that to breakthrough you must breakdown (Ilya Prigogine state this in his studies) where to make any breakthrough you must breakdown into chaos before you can get to a new level. Gratitude and thankfulness is all I have to react to this situation, bitterness and anger would have been my reaction in years past. This situation is completely at my feet, as I have created it. I knew it would happen and it seemed OK at the time but nothing is more motivating then to actually have no extra money. This leads me to the next point and that is to utilize the next Optimizers program and Winter SOULstice 2010 to do the things that will bring in the income that is needed to reach a new level.
Moving Ahead: Again the main focus is to build the Exporting business and to get back on track with the teaching business over the holidays by setting my intentions and sitting down every night and planning the next day. Lather, rinse, repeat. I must get back to what brought me so much success last year with the first Winter SOULstice (2009). That is, to be relentless and disciplined, others had encouraged me to simplify the program but for me the only way is to have a full program where everything is written down and points are given for specific activities that lead me to the overall intentions. This is such a powerful activity, that is to think grand intentions, then break this down into doable intentions every day to move towards the grand intention, track yourself on how much effort you are putting into it and keep pushing. This is it. I am convinced that this will work and I have January – March to prove t to myself and my family. However there is a need to see results in January or tp re-tool and re-configure.
Optimizers: A lot was accomplished in the last few weeks of the year. I have added and rebuilt the main excel template which now has 16 separate worksheets within the file. I am creating one file which will have all the Personal Intention Lists (PIL) and the Personal Action Lists (PAL) with printable templates for the binder and finally a more robust Point Tracker. It has become a monster and I think I will be going it alone as it was just too difficult to fine new people in the last few weeks and possibly this program needs some more testing before I can produce a usable version. I will need to meet with developers in February to look at the next steps.
Temple: Week 9-10 79% 87.2/110 Points
Week 11-12 76% 84/110 Points
Nutrition was OK and environment was actually pretty good as I had more time at home. With the new Winter SOULstice I Have decided to become more serious about planning with daily, weekly and monthly plans for exercise, nutrition and for keeping the environment clean and organized. Exercise and nutrition has to improve and it will especially after Christmas.
Mind: Week 9-10 73% 73/100 Points
Week 9-10 76% 84/100 Points
I have finally made some real progress with this foundation. With the new Winter SOULstice 2010 it shall be much easier to implement my daily studying, Japanese is a priority along with Business and Social Media.
Connect: Weeks 9-10 110% 110/100 Points
Weeks 9-10 110% 110/100 Points
This has always been my strongest foundation and still is. I have been through what is probably one of the toughest challenges of my adult life. With the feeling of amazing excitement to absolute disappointment. I don’t care to write too much on this topic as it involves more than myself but I will say that although it was extremely tough news, it did sadden me and ask ‘why?’ there was a sense that it happened for a reason and has given me more fuel for the fire in order to move ahead I need to be thankful for the good people in my life and be ready for future challenges. The thing is I was less prone to highs and lows and was more calm with the great news and bad news. This is good news as it allows me to appreciative of the good things but not overactive to the extremes.
TJCS; A great honor was to receive the President’s Choice Award; recently renamed the Hagiwara Award for exemplary service to the society. This was awarded to me by my previous employer Mr. Scott Reid from Oak Lawn Marketing. This was an indication from my perspective that I may still be on the right path and I should keep pushing forward.To the left is a picture with another great friend Jeff Genet from Power English.
Spirit: Weeks 9-10 73% 87/120 Points
Weeks 11-12 97% 116/120 Points
Self discipline and our significant loss led me back to this foundation. This has been a very valuable learning experience and has allowed me to understand myself better and deal with the extremes in ways previously unknown.
GDI Exports: GDI Colin
Gearing up for the new year and our launch for 2010. We have put in enough time into planning the next step and now is time to get things done. I introduce you to our new plan:
Mission Statement:
GDI Exports / GDI Car Exports mission is to provide you the Best vehicles and machines through Transparent pricing with Open, and sincere service.
Only the best products are pursued on behalf of our clientele through low mileage, Japan standardized testing and in-house best practices. Our transparent pricing comes to you as part of our ongoing initiative to be honest about our operations and who we are. First-class service is our team commitment, we promise to be open and honest and go beyond your expectations, and we aspire to give back to our community as part of our work responsibilities.
BTO Standards Always! Our #1 Goal is to make the purchase and delivery of great vehicles and machines stress free! Guaranteed!
Making progress and the next step will be reaching out to all those interested in making money with high quality vehicles by importing into your home country or if you live here we can assist you in exporting vehicles to your family and friends.
colin.walker@gdicarexports.com
www.gdicarexports.com
Aurora English Comments:
Looking forward to utilizing my experience to build a new business with a good friend. This person has impressed me from the beginning of our relationship as what he says he wants to do he does. This could end up being a fantastic experience and I look forward to pursuing this more.
SMJ Comments:
Aurora Import – Export:
I have planned on starting my first data experiment in building a downloadable export file for students here in Japan. This will become a more important part of my moving ahead in 2010.
Thee Optimizers: The program is simple, but takes time to understand how to implement. I am planning on having the next full program start on December 21: Winter SOULstice 2010. It will be a full team based commitment and will be limited to ten members of which 6 should be in the Nagoya area. Please send me a note if you know you are ready to challenge yourself like never before. 90 days, maximum 50 points a day, minimum points you get per day is up to you!
Email me at positiveattraction@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Week 7 and 8 Optimizers Update
Week 7 and 8; November 3 – November 15
Optimizers Program; The program is simple in nature, yet difficult to explain. I have devised a way to 1) think, 2) plan and 3) execute my intentions in order to pursue my dreams. It is simply a way to measure my own key performance numbers and follow my progress. This blog is also a way to show how my progress is moving along and to describe the unique lifestyle that is for a foreigner living in Japan. I wish to share these experiences and my progress with you.
Maximum Points Available:
Overall 74% 384.6/520 Points
2 Week Pt Totals 2 Week Goals %Goal Reached
88 110 80% Economic
78 85 92% Exercise
84 85 99% Nutrition
57 55 104% Cleaning
87.6 110 80% Temple
47 100 47% Mind
89 120 74% Spirit
110 100 110% Connect
37 20 185% Dropping the Ball
384.6 520 74% Total
Economic 80% 88/110 Points
Stabilizing: Quite a good couple weeks as I practiced bringing only 500 yen per day to spend, I prepared my own lunches and food to eat as well as bottles of water. A few days of overspending, this was a great reminder that I have to continue to be disciplined and follow the approach.
Moving Ahead: The main focus here was the exporting business and some god discussions on English training. The next two weeks will be critical as far as the next six months go. I have thinking of plans, the next focus for weeks 9 and 10 shall be utilizing time in the evening to prepare and plan for the week and the next day. This is so critical and so easy but as well so easily not done. The results you see are completely correlated to how well you plan, and execute your ideas.
Optimizers: Very little was accomplished here as my main business concepts have to take priority. I plan to meet people in the next two weeks to move this program ahead.
Temple: 80% 87.6/110 Points
Not bad, as far as nutrition and exercise goes I still maintained some decent effort. It is now evident that this Optimizers semester has proved to be mainly sustaining effort. I must start to look to the next Optimizers; Winter SOULstice and begin preparing a simplified but more encompassing plan to pursue and track my intentions. There shall be no more smoking from week 9. Nothing more needs to be said on this. With the potential news from my wife this next week I must prepare my body to be as healthy as possible for one more very important reason, the rest being the fact that I want to enjoy the last half of my life without serious health complications due to my treating my body like a punching bag for the last 15 years.
Mind: 47% 47/100 Points
I have been very bad with this. I need to keep pushing myself to learn more about Social Media, Japanese and my author ambitions. The main key here is to write down the plans for the next day and follow them. On the bright side I have found a new application which should make it much easier to study on the fly! http://www.Smart.fm No more excuses. Now is the time to improve my knowledge.
Connect: 110% 110/100 Points
This has always been my strongest foundation and still is. I need to start writing to reconnect to all of my contacts. I just need to again write one or more friends and family every day. Fantastic event was held by our TJCS (Tokai Japan Canada Society) business committee which was blogged previously.
Spirit: 74% 89/120 Points
While not perfect, I have found that most days I can sit calmly and reach deep meditative levels without too much focus. This level of calmness is great for inspiration and helps me find some peace in difficult times. Of note, when I do this effectively it can often bring those days of stress into focus and I often get right back to work shortly after meditation.
GDI Exports: GDI Colin
Japanese Car Quality Reason #1: Monozukuri
Ever wonder why Japanese quality has come to the forefront with so many industries in the last few decades? So did I, this is one reason why I have decided to join James Hedden in our quest to export high quality Japanese built cars and high quality foreign vehicles and machinery which were used here in Japan. The first factor of this success was actually highlighted (an previously posted through the GDI Colin blog) with our latest installment of the Tokai Japan Canada Society Canada Means Business events. Our team successfully pulled off another event with Ron Haigh from Toyota giving an extremely valuable presentation about how Toyota has become a global leader in one of the worlds largest industries. Toyota continues to move ahead on a global scale simply by taking a scientific approach to business management and manufacturing. Japanese quality comes from many different techniques but two that stand out are ‘monozukuri’ and ‘kaizen’. Monozukuri is the concept of building products which actually benefit society which is of course primarily the customer, the second one ‘kaizen’, being the obsessive passion for improving the processes that go into any product. In our case with GDI Exports we are slowly moving towards a consistent inward look at how we can offer high quality cars, trucks, heavy machinery and equipment with an efficient and optimized customer service experience. Our website should see significant changes soon as we aim to narrow our focus on high quality vehicles and equipment. Have any questions? Send me an email or have a look at our website for more information.
colin.walker@gdicarexports.com
www.gdicarexports.com
For our future endeavours we will plan on creating a mission statement, followed by a detailed plan on how I will make this mission statement possible. With the mission statement and the detailed plan I will execute the work needed to move ahead and establish key performance indicators (KPI) that show how progress is moving along and allow for improvement to be made to the process. This is where I believe the western business professionals have lost focus. With the emphasis on individuality there is little focus on the overall team and how to improve things continuously, with these improvements come a disciplined approach using effective meetings and action plans. This approach is not as interesting as instinctual management, this may be true to some extent however when you are talking about building business you need to Think, Plan and Act of course, but you also need to rely on data and your KPI to understand your environment and analyze how to best move forward. Intuition is exciting but data and analyzing metrics is the only way to build a successful business. Time will tell if this theory actually will provide the fruit I have been looking for. I am convinced and will be able to tell more within my planned six months timeline which ends in March 2010. Now it is time to really lay the foundations with my friend and co-worker James Hedden to see of we can effectively Think, Plan and Act our way to sustained wealth. Again I am convinced it will come only from plotting our strategic plan, and measuring our progress. Stay tuned for more updates on our quest, and send us an email if you want to learn more about importing used cars or equipment to your locale!
colin.walker@gdicarexports.com
Aurora English Comments:
No action here, he nest two weeks I hope to create the action plans moving forward.
The Optimizers: The program is simple, yet takes time to understand how to implement. I am planning on having the next full program start on December 21: Winter SOULstice 2010. It will be a full team based commitment and will be limited to ten members of which 6 should be in the Nagoya area. Please send me a note if you know you are ready to challenge yourself like never before. 90 days, maximum 50 points a day, minimum points you get per day is up to you!
Email me at positiveattraction@gmail.com
Friday, November 13, 2009
カナダはビジネスのキ－ワード；スピーカーズ・コーナー
カナダはビジネスのキ－ワード；スピーカーズ・コーナー
第二回 ：ロン・ヘイグ
トヨタ自動車株式会社 ： 海外事業部
「失敗から学ぶこと、そして常に本来の目的と信条を意識すること」
「失敗は人生の一部。失敗にどう対応するかが肝心だ。」
Nikki Giovanni, 詩人
第二回「カナダはビジネスのキーワード」スピーカーズ・コーナー・シリーズ第二弾が11月5日に行われ、日本はもとより、カナダ、アメリカ、オーストラリアと様々な国籍の参加者を迎え、素晴らしいイベントとなったことを皆さまへお伝え出来ることを大変喜ばしく思います。
親愛なるビジネス委員会会員であり、その夜、司会進行をつとめた田中里佳氏により紹介されたゲストのロン・ヘイグ氏は自動車産業の歴史と、今日誰もが認めるトヨタの国際的な成功がどのようしてもたらされたのかに焦点をあてました。事業創始者である豊田佐吉と豊田喜一郎にはじまり、企業が失敗からどのように学び、その運営を継続的に改善してきたかを知ることができるものでした。
絶え間ない発展の基礎の一つには“ものづくり”という日本の産業の根幹であり、また東海地区のビジネスに主要なものでもあると言います。それは比類ない価値を持った物を作ることにより社会に価値を付加することを目標とし、また、改善という精神を基盤にして行うことであります。言い換えれば、優れたものを生み出す精神と、生産システムとその過程を日々改善する能力でしょう。
またヘイグ氏により紹介されたもう一つ主要な点に、自働カ（ジドウカ）があります。それは人と機械がともに物をつくり、それが社会に利益をもたらす過程です。ここでトヨタの組み立てラインについてDVDを通し紹介されました。それによりトヨタが生産過程のあらゆる点において価値を付加するため、作業者を活用し、その過程を日々どのように改善しているかを知ることができました。
最後にはトヨタが失敗からどのように学び続けたかを説明され、その例に北米のレクサス着手があげられました。予想以上に多くの車がリコールされ、買い手に技術者を派遣することとなりましたが、様々な方法をもってして、遂に北米市場の関心をものにすることができたかを説明されました。
スピーチはハイブリッド技術の将来と、どのように今後トヨタがプリウスモデルとともに発展していくか、また12月7日に日本で発売予定のハイブリッドモデルについて言及され締めくくられました。１時間１０分という限られた時間でヘイグ氏は楽しく、力強いスピーチを披露され、次回に更なる期待を持たせるものでした。
ヘイグ氏のストーリーを最後までじっくり聞き、この類まれな企業を更に知るためにも来年早々にも第二弾を行われることを強く希望します。
この素晴らしい講演会のため東京から駆けつけてくれたヘイグ氏に心より感謝致します。そして司会進行の田中里佳氏、副会長・ビジネス委員会副委員長のジェームス・ヘデン氏、コミュニケーション委員会長のブルース・マッコーン氏と、このイベントのために協力して頂いた全ての方にもお礼を申し上げたいと思います。
更に、在名古屋カナダ領事のアラン・エドワーズ氏、在京カナダ大使館商務参事官であるポール・トッピル氏にも、これより将来数多くの企画を可能にするため継続的な支援を頂けることを感謝申し上げます。
次回は12月2日、2009年の「カナダはビジネスのキーワード」を締めくくる交流会が行われる予定で、それを大変心待ちにしています。
また、2010年のビジネス委員会に参加される新会員にも期待しております。是非素晴らしい来年のためにもbusiness@tjcs.jp までご連絡を！
コリン・ウォーカー
東海日本カナダ協会・ビジネス委員会副委員長
この隔月に行われるセミナーは日本でビジネスを学ぶのに優れており、名古屋の国際ビジネスを担う多くの人々と交流できるものです。TJCSは様々な背景、産業出身の講演者を招待し、また、その交流会は素晴らしいものです！インタナショナルビジネスはここからスタート！私のお勧めです！
トヨタ規模の会社になれば、カナダ人従業員も他にいるに違いないと想像していましたが、カナダはビジネスのキーワードセミナーに参加するまで出会ったことがありませんでした。私は愛知県御高浜市の工具・金型企業で5年間働いた後、2007年トヨタで働きはじめました。日本での生活の中で、先輩や上司は素晴らしい知識とアドバイスの源であることを学びました。そして是非ロン・ヘイグ氏にお会いし、20年に渡るトヨタでの彼の経験についてお聞きしたいと望んでいたのでした。ロン氏のスピーチはいかにトヨタが失敗から学び、原則に忠実ながら、私の仕事の中でも志気を高めるものでした。多くの考え方はすでに身近なもので、自分の日々の生産現場でも活かしています。しかしロン氏自身のエピソードは物語にユーモアがあり、大変楽しいものでした。このようなイベントは私にとって素晴らしい交流の機会でもあり、次回の参加に大変期待します。
アリソン ティーズデール
トヨタ自動車株式会社
Tokai Japan Canada Society - Canada Means Business
Canada Means Business; Speakers CornerVolume 2: Ron Haigh
Toyota Motor Corporation; Overseas External Division
Learning from Mistakes and Remembering Why We are Here
“Mistakes are a part of life. It’s your response to error that counts.” - Nikki Giovanni, Poet
We are pleased to announce another successful event, the second volume in Canada Means Business; Speakers Corner series was held this past Thursday November 5th with over 25 attendees from Japan, Canada, USA and Australia. Introduced by our lovely Business Committee member and MC for the night Ms. Rika Tanaka; our guest Mr. Ron Haigh highlighted the history of the automobile, and how Toyota evolved into the international success we all know today. Beginning with company founders Sakichi Toyoda and Kichiro Toyoda we learned how the company adapted from early mistakes to continually improve its operations. One of the key principles to this ongoing improvement explained was Monozukuri, which is a key component of Japanese industry but is also a mainstay of the Tokai business scene, monozukuri (モノズクリ) states that the goal is to add value to society by producing things of exceptional value and to do so under the spirit of kaizen or the ‘spirit to produce excellent products and the ability to constantly improve a production system and process’.
Another key principle introduced by Mr. Haigh is Jidoka, (自働カ ) which is the process of man and machine working in unison to create products in order to benefit society. This was highlighted in the viewing of the Toyota assembly line through a DVD presentation showing how Toyota continually improves it’s processes utilizing it’s employees to add value at all aspects of the production process.
The closing portion was an explanation of how Toyota continued to learn from mistakes with it’s launch of Lexus in North America and how even though the cars were recalled Toyota went far beyond anyone’s expectations and sent technicians to owners and through this and many other measures earned the respect of the North American market with it’s dedication to one thing and one thing only, the customer.
The presentation was concluded with the future of hybrid technology and how Toyota is moving ahead with the Prius model and it’s latest release the hybrid only model which will be on sale in Japan on December 7. With only an hour and ten minutes, Mr. Haigh delivered an entertaining and powerful presentation, which left the audience eager for more.
We hope to have Mr. Haigh back for a follow up event early in the new year to finish his story as there is so much more to know about this extraordinary company.
A
special thank you goes out to Mr. Haigh for coming down from Tokyo for giving us a great presentation. As well I would like to thank Ms. Rika Tanaka (MC), James Hedden (V.P. & Co-Chair), and Bruce McCaughn (Communication Committee Chair) for all the help in making the event possible. As well I would like to thank Mr. Allan Edwards from the Consulate here in Nagoya and Mr. Paul Thoppil, Commercial Minister, Trade Commissioner Service (Embassy of Canada in Tokyo) with their continued support we can all look forward to more events in the near future.
We are looking forward to finishing our 2009 Canada Means Business Series with the final installment being the Meet n Greet on December 2nd.
We are also looking for new members who would like to join the committee for 2010, please send an email to business@tjcs.jp and join us for another great year!
Colin Walker
TJCS Business Committee; Co-chair
Comments from our guests:
This bi-monthly business seminar is a great way to learn about business in Japan and interact with many people involved in international business in Nagoya. TJCS invites speakers from a wide range of backgrounds and industries and the networking is amazing! インタナショナルビジネスはここからスタート！私のお勧めです！
- Steve Burson
President,
H & R Consultants
With a company the size of Toyota, I figured that there must be other Canadian employees, but had yet to run into anyone until the Canada Means Business seminar. I started working for Toyota in 2007 after five years working for a tool and die maker in Takahama City, Aichi Prefecture. Through my years in Japan I have learned that "senpai", or superiors, are regarded as a great source of wisdom and advice, so I was eager to meet Ron Haigh and hear about his experience at Toyota over the past 20 years. Ron's speech about how Toyota has learned from its mistakes, yet remained steadfast to its principles, motivated me in my work as well. Many of the concepts were familiar to me and I already apply them everyday on the production floor, but Ron's personal anecdotes added humour to the story and made it very entertaining. Events like these give me a great networking opportunity and I look forward to participating in the future.
- Allison Teasdale,
Toyota Motor Company
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
First Run in Week 7
Map created by EveryTrail: Share GPS Tracks
Monday, November 2, 2009
Week 5 and 6, Slowed progress but still moving ahead!
Week 5 and 6; October 19 – November 1
Optimizers Program; The program is simple in nature, yet a little difficult to explain so please keep learning. I have devised a way to 1) think, 2) plan and 3) execute my intentions in order to pursue my dreams. It is simply a way to measure my own key performance numbers and follow my progress. This blog is also a way to show how my progress is moving along and to describe the unique lifestyle that is for a foreigner living in Japan. I wish to share these experiences and my progress with you.
Maximum Points Available:
Overall 80% 401.4/500 Points
101/110 92% Economic
19/85 22% Exercise
86.5 85 102% Nutrition
68 55 124% Cleaning
69.4 110 63% Temple
77 90 86% Mind
115 120 96% Spirit
65 100 65% Connect
401.4 500 80% Total
Economic 92 % 101/110 Points
Stabilizing:
As far earning income, the long drought is over and the earnings are starting to move ahead. The goal now is to maintain what I have learned about the value of money earned and keep this as a strict motivator to spend less, save more and have safety funds.
Moving Ahead:
As mentioned this is really starting to improve. A good combination of effort, imagination and working towards a goal. I realized there are more than one avenue that will open over the next few months. I must explore all options and continue to push forward with the plan. The goal is to stick to the plan but alter it as experience is learned. Very exciting days indeed, however it is time to start moving ahead with income that is non-linear, i.e. we all need to start thinking about having income that arrives without an hourly work effort or salary. This means that we must think creatively to offer services or information that will enable our customers or clients to access our product or services at any time and pay for it at anytime. The goal with this is to explore Help options and helping people beyond the effort you give at any one time. This means that we must learn of options to increase our value proposition or scale our presence by utilizing new technologies to push our individually crafted messages into cyberspace and have those messages be picked up by the people who would be interested in working with us.
Optimizers:
With the program, there is much work to do and fortunately I have more than enough to work on, must finish my video project and the users manual in the next 4 weeks however to have a good run at Winter SOULstice.
Temple: 63% 69.4/110 Points
Wow, what a difference a period of two weeks makes, I have been so busy and so tired fro late nights of computer work that I keep putting of the exercise component. This is a little disappointing yet I have put in some great effort here. I need to find some new work out resources and have to get back at it. Must make the intentions, write them down and heal the body. There has been some issues with the hips becoming sore from all the running.
The next two weeks I will aim for: P90X the ones I enjoy, Mens Health, Power 90, and Billy’s Boot Camp.
Mind: 86% 77/90 Points
Had a pretty good two weeks. This foundation is improving and I hope to start studying with a more formalized time segment soon. I think it may be best to schedule 40 minutes every day to be somewhere where I can read or study without distractions, this may be god to coincide with the meditation.
Connect: 65% 65/100 Points
Exciting news! Unfortunately I can’t share it, suffice to say there is some news that must wait a while to be properly announced as it can be a nervous time and we don’t want to draw attention to him / her. ;)
All good but must work at helping the family to stay positive and to email the friends I need to soon. There are so many people whom I promised would email but there just seems no time. So I will plan on doing this later in week 7.
Spirit: 96% 115/120 Points
I have moved ahead well with this. Must keep meditating as it does bring some peace to the day, one of the best things about spending an hour everyday in ‘thought’ mode is that I have time to calmly think about all the things going on in my life in a slow rational way.
GDI Exports: GDI Colin
Why are Japanese used cars so reasonably priced?
Reason # 1: Shaken (車検) pronounced ‘shah ken’, is the name of the vehicle inspection program in Japan for vehicles over 250cc in engine displacement.
This system is a nationally managed test where all owners of automobiles must have the vehicle tested to ensure roadworthiness. With cars and vehicles over 250 CC which are not company cars and or personal trucks the testing must happen three years after purchase of a new vehicle and every two year there after. These other company cars or personal trucks must have the test every two year from new purchase. The test can run anywhere from $1000 to $1500 USD. These types of diagnostics would normally cost approximately $100 - $500 USD worldwide.
After approximately five years of ownership it becomes evident that paying so much to ensure your five year old car can run on the roads in Japan usually entices many would be buyers to go ahead and purchase a new car. Used cars are often considered valuable if they have ‘shaken’ left on the vehicle, meaning that they can still be driven in Japan until they have to go in for the shaken test. At the point that a pre-owned vehicle has almost finished it’s shaken period it becomes less valuable and is often purchased for re-sale (dealerships manage a much cheaper shaken industry so they can re-sell the vehicle easier) or the cars are ready to be auctioned off and shipped globally.
If you have any other questions or are interested in looking at our inventory please send me an email or check out our website. We are gearing up and will soon be offering more with used cars, trucks machinery and heavy equipment. Onwards and Upwards.
colin.walker@gdicarexports.com
www.gdicarexports.com
Aurora English Comments:
This also must take a back seat until the next business event is completed. I have a lot of ideas that need to be built into existing intentions and plans being developed. Must clearly define this by week 8.
SMJ Comments: Keep making things happen here, this area of business is so exciting yet needs to be continually learned. It is the age of the customer and the age of true value.
Aurora Import – Export: No real progress here. This will have to be put on hold.
The Optimizers: The program is simple yet takes time to understand how to implement. I am planning on having the next full program start on December 21: Winter SOULstice 2010. It will be a full team based commitment and will be limited to ten members of which 6 should be in the Nagoya area. Please send me a note if you know you are ready to challenge yourself like never before. 90 days, maximum 50 points a day, minimum is up to you!
Email me at positiveattraction@gmail.com
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Week 4 Tops in Points
October 12 – October 18 Overall: 267 points, 107% This is actually really good!
Economic (106 points, 96% efficiency)
Stabilizing:
A great week in living within the means, again this is a process of re-learning how to watch your spending.
Moving Ahead:
Working hard but working at home can be tough to stay focused on the work at hand. Basically in and out of the office from 6:00am until midnight. I have to maybe create certain 'must work' hours, home cleaning, making dinner, etc, must fit into other times. I should follow a more strict time schedule i.e. 8:00-12 work at the computer, 13:30 until 18:00 work at the computer while allowing time for the Spirit, Connect, Mind and Temple foundations. Economic will become my focus for the next 5 months. Time to start seeing some results.Will focus all my efforts on the used vehicle, machinery and heavy equipment industries, and trade with Japan.
Optimizers:
Continuing on with the points. I will send out an email this week to members and I will go back to personal achievement and will plan for December re-launch. Just keep doing what you are doing. There is something to this plan.
Temple: (106 points, 96% efficiency)
Exercise is down and only showing at 70% efficiency, I have to figure out how to get back on a circuit. Need some new interesting DVDs to try out and a nutrition program to try. I have been holding the course here but need to level up with discipline and focus.
Nutrition has been good, although I must be a little more disciplined with this and follow the schedule and eat a little more healthy i.e. less cheese.
Cleaning has been excellent. Office is almost fully ready to go!
The Office as set up, need some more shelving for files and books but the workspace is almost done.
Right side is the vision board.
Mind: (91 points, 106% efficiency)
I have been studying mainly economic things, but realize that I still need to get back to Japanese study if I am to live here for more than one more year. Must commit to half an hour every day.
Connect: (96 points, 112% efficiency)
Had some great conversations with the whole family this week. With Mamiko’s birthday and the brother’s birthday it was a busy week. I hope to have great presents for them next year.
Birthday girl.
Spirit: (113 points, 94% efficiency)
It has been a good week for points and maintaining a commitment to point massage and meditation. This is a good time every day.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
October 5 - 11 - 240 points
October 5 - 11
Economic
Stabilizing:
I have really scraped the bottom of the barrel and in the process I think the silver lining is again learning and reminding myself of the value of the dollar. While having little money could hurt the pride and I am treating it as a sort of cleansing, a reminder of how I really want to be and a reminder in support of my own abundance and moving my family to a more safe economic reality. Interestingly enough, while there is of course concern, but there is a feeling of confidence that if I stay on this path I will see the improvement in my personal economic reality. This is such an integral part of the entire process, that is to prepare to move ahead you have to get your house in order and know the reasons why you spent more than you needed to.
Moving Ahead:
This has been solid in effort and the lesson here which would be referred to in the GDI Exports and Power English sections in a separate blog, however again the main lessons learned here are that you must refine your dream, envision it, and most importantly create the action plan towards that dream, then let no one or no obstacle stand in the way. Keep pushing. So I will. I learned a great lesson from a famous Japanese businessman and entrepreneur this weekend on our trip to Mie prefecture.
Mikimoto Pearl Island (Japanes
e Pearl Divers)Here we stayed at the town of Toba and we decided to check out the island called Mikimoto Pearl Island on Sunday. This island while not a cheap attraction, also not overly expensive, was the ‘pearl in the haystack’. Overall I would rate the museum and the attractions as the best I have seen in Japan as a foreigner. There was plenty of English guidance on display walls and the story of Kokichi Mikimoto is a really intriguing one. It is a testament to remaining strong to your vision and believing in yourself and to push through setbacks that would throw any good man off his tracks. Some interesting concepts from him was that he believed in international experience and also believed that he should be Bold and explore outside his region in Japan and internationally. He also stayed true to his passion, which was pearls, even when WWII has opportunities a plenty for an enterprising businessman, he stayed true to his vision, i.e. ‘Pearls don’t fight back’ and stayed out of the war business. This museum is a must for any foreign visitor and will hopefully fill you with a renewed fighting spirit and a new respect for another business and political icon of the Meiji period.
GDI Exports:
Looking forward to continuing to learn the processes involved here. As mentioned in my promises to myself are that I will enjoy the process of building a business with a friend, keep your eyes on the prize.
Power English Comments:
Had some good classes from Wednesday to Friday, some good people and I forgot how much I enjoy teaching adults English. They are motivated to learn and generally enjoy the conversation. They key is that each individual comes to class for a different reason so it is a good idea to give each student what they are after while maintaining a good flow to conversation and a learning point. This is quite possible with a maximum of six students.
Optimizers:
Moving along with this program, just have time to update it every few days. This next week should be better.
Up to 240 points and hope to equal or better that score in the next week.
Temple:
Great week with a few runs and a DVD workout.
Mind:
Some great movement on this foundation as listening to various podcasts and reading has again become a key part of the day.
Connect:
Home: Had a fantastic trip to Mie prefecture on the 10th ad 11th . Communications has also been god with family and has allowed this foundation to stay on top.TJCS: Looking to get cracking on our latest event and finally build the website as planned. Hope to have the final preparations for the event done by the 18th and the website content plan approved by WSI Consultant Bruce. The event will be November 5th and will have Mr. Ron Haigh from Toyota as the guest speaker. More on this soon.
Santa Japan
I hope to also finalize the facebook page and have the invitations sent out by Sunday. Full steam ahead with helping on this initiative.
Volunteer/Community
I will seriously begin to look at my idea for the rail tacks near my house shortly after we deliver the final Canada Means Business Event in early November.
Spirit:
Some great meditative time, need to continue making this important, it is such a valuable part of the day, great energy and some great thoughts come when you can just be still and relax. The power of this cannot be understated.
