Styles For Men [Good Idea Series]

Introduction:

Does style really matter for men? Well, as long we believe and think -- styles for men is not the no.1 in the list but it has a good value if you take care of it.

There is one interesting principle when it comes to which kind of clothing that really makes us(man) right. The Principle is given by this best-selling book authored by David J. Schwartz:

"The Magic of Thinking Big" by David J. Schwartz

The Principle is:

Pay twice as much and buy half as many. 

We may practise and apply it into hats, suits, shoes, socks, coats, and so on. In appearance, quality is the more important factor than quantity. When we practice this principle, we will find that the respect for ourselves will zoom upward.

And we'll find we're actually investment-wise when we pay twice as much and buy half as many. It is because:

1. Our garments will last more than twice as long because they are more than twice as good, and as a rule they will show "quality" as long they last.
2. What you buy will stay in style longer. Better clothing always does.

We are important. We owe it to ourselves-- to look our best.

The Writer's Point of View:

When it comes to styles for man, the writer believes that there are two parts we can focus on.
- The First one is great shoes.
Shoes? How about clothes? we believe that we should invest in shoes first and then clothes. You can invest in one or two great shoes and the rest is on clothes.

Great Shoes are Important

- The second is hair. Well nothing to say much about this, having a good hair is really cool. hahahaha

Cool Hair is cool

After all, our look as a man is important but the most important thing is what's inside of us (Our mindset, skills and experience).
What's inside are the things that make us really a man.

Invest your inside first and then outside. 

Hope it is useful for and inspires you.

Cheers,

Albert ^^

Three Subjects that I Found Interesting During University [Personal Story Series]

This is a personal story of mine. So there will be a lot of "I" in this writing. hahahaha

Greetings,

My name is Albert. I am very fortunate that I can study Electrical & Electronic Engineering (Thanks God! hahahaha). However, there are three interesting subjects that I learned during University. To my amazement, those aren't about Electrical & Electronic at all. hahahahaha ^^



So, here it is:

1. Astronomy

Our Galaxy: "Milky Way"

Astronomy is a natural science that is the study of celestial objects (such as moons, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies), the physics, chemistry, and evolution of such objects, and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth, including supernovae explosions, gamma ray bursts, and cosmic background radiation. A related but distinct subject, cosmology, is concerned with studying the universe as a whole.[1]

Well well well, that's a very long explanation of astronomy right? since I took that explanation from Wikipedia. hahahaha In short, astronomy is a lesson about galaxies, planet, stars and other wonders. ^^

In Astronomy, we learn about the biggest thing of all.

Building Curiosity and Habit of Asking Questions in Children

I found that this subject is really really useful. I repeat that again: really really useful!
So, what is it useful for?


It is useful for telling stories. Especially to kids/children. I found it fascinating.
When you tell stories about planets and galaxies to them, they just love it. Really love it!

 When we tell them some stories about:

1. What happen when we put a "Can of Coca Cola" in Venus?
2. Do you why Jupiter is floating if you put it in your swimming pool? 
3. Do you know that actually the hottest planet in our solar system is Venus, not Mercury? (Eventough Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.)
4. and so on

A Can of Coca Cola and Venus

They just like the story and explanation so much. And they ask many questions about it. They asked like "How about this?", "How about that?", "Why? Why?" hahahaha You can see an awe in their eyes.

So, Astronomy is very useful for telling stories to children. Since it can intrigue and improve their:

1. Imagination. They imagine a lot with it which is a very very good for their development.
2. Habit of asking questions. It's a very great habit for them to ask questions in life. 
3. Curiosity. 

The Night Sky in the Northeastern Wyoming, USA.

If you want to learn astronomy, you can learn it here www.coursera.org. It's FREE! hahahaha

Special thanks to my friend: Yudho Ahmad Diponegoro. He is the one who inspires me to take Astronomy class in University. He is a very kind, smart and very humble person. 

Moreover, he is the one of the winner in International Astronomy Olympiad 2008  for Silver Medal. Super Awesome!

Thanks Yudho.

2. Quantum Physics

Atom and Electrons

Quantum physics is a branch of physics which deals with physical phenomena at nanoscopic scales where the action is on the order of the Planck constant. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the quantum realm of atomic and subatomic length scales. [2]

If we learn the biggest thing of all in Astronomy, we learn the smallest thing of all in Quantum Physics.

In Quantum physics, sometimes we may not use the common formula and thinking such as Newton Law (F=m.a). We need to think differently.

It is very very useful in explaining something that can not be explained with common science. Yeah yeah! It's a bit special branch of science. hohoho hahaha

Well, you may try and learn by yourself. And see what I mean! hahahaha

(Well, if you learn double-slit experiment during your senior high school, actually you have learned quantum physics indirectly. ^^)

3. Accountancy and Finance

Accountancy & Finance

If you take an Accountancy major during your study, I really salute you. hahahaha

Honestly, Accountancy is not an easy subject. I feel that Accountancy and Finance are very useful for reading and understanding a "Financial Report & Statement" of a Company. 

Through reading and understanding "Financial Report & Statement" of a company, you can know:

1. whether the company is healthy or not. 
2. who are the people in charge of the company
3. the reason behind the decisions that have been made and will be made.

Well, I found it's quite useful for a knowledge. ^^

Lastly, those are three subjects that I found interesting and useful in daily life. Thank you ^^

Hope it is useful.

If you want to explore quantum physics or learn accounting & finance, you can learn it here www.coursera.org. It's Free! :)

Cheers,

Albert

Reference:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_physics

Become a Man of Value [Simple Idea Series]

Our Values

We need to become a man who adds value to other people and ourselves.
Furthermore, we need to help other men to succeed and support women in reaching their dream.

We need to believe  in growth and living a life of purpose. That life is a learning process. Let's humble ourselves and learn! :)

to be continued...

Cheers,

Albert

Play Like Steve! Some Fun and Useful Games to Improve Your Invention Skill :) [Good Idea Series]

Steve Jobs

Hi friends, we want to share something good here. How about if you can play a game that's fun and very useful to improve your invention and innovation skill?

This is the website. Enjoy the Game! and feel the joy :)
hahahahahaha

http://www.inventionatplay.org/index.html


Cheers, ^^

Albert

The Relationship Between Your Vocabulary and Good Life [Good Idea Series]

Neo Character in The Matrix Movie

Do you know "Neo" Character from "The Matrix" Movie? {or maybe you're the fans of Neo (Keanu Reeves)? hahahaha} Actually "Neo" is a ancient Greek prefix means "new".


Then, have you ever wondered that the knowledge of your vocabularies accompany good life? The answer is yes! Before you know why, let us read a story about a man,  Mr. Johnson O. Connor, who discovers this relationship.

Johnson O' Connor and His Wife - Eleanor O ' Connor

Johnson O'Connor (January 22, 1891 – July 1, 1973) was an American researcher and educator. He is most remembered as a pioneer in the study of aptitude/talent testing and as an advocate for the importance of vocabulary. [1]

Johnson O' Connor Research

It was during on his experiment and testing that O’Connor stumbled upon an unexpected discovery: A person’s vocabulary level was the best single measure for predicting occupational success in every area. Furthermore, vocabulary is not innate, and can be acquired by everybody.

Because acquisition of vocabulary was not, in O'Connor's view, determined by innate aptitudes, it became a major focus of his later writings. O'Connor considered vocabulary augmentation a major key to unlocking human potential. His later research included an effort to catalogue the most important words for English-speaking people to know and to order these words by difficulty. O’Connor used his findings to improve vocabulary in American students. [2]

Building Vocabulary is a Powerful Way to Enhance Our Life and Career

Learning how to build a better vocabulary can be a pleasurable and profitable investment of both your time and effort. At least fifteen minutes a day of concentrated study on a regular basis can bring about a rapid improvement in your vocabulary skills, which in turn can increase your ability to communicate by writing, conversing, or making speeches.

Acquiring a large vocabulary can benefit you in school, at work, and socially. It will enable you to understand others' ideas better and to have the satisfaction of getting your thoughts and ideas across more effectively.

There was a "vocabulary comprehension experiment and test" conducted by Johnson O' Connor. The test are given to the executive of thirty-nine large manufacturing plants. This is the average score for each position:
President and Vice President 236 out of 272 points
Managers: 168 out of 272 points
Foreman: 114 out of 272 points

What You Can Do Right Now:

Of course, you already know thousands of words, and you will continue to learn more whether you work at it or not. The fact is that many of the words you know were probably learned simply by coming across them often enough in our reading, in conversation, and even while watching television. But increasing the pace of your learning requires a consistent, dedicated approach. If you learned only one new word a day for the next three years, we would have over a thousand new words in your vocabulary.

However, if you decided right now to learn ten new words a day, in one year you would have added over three thousand to what you already know, and probably have established a lifetime habit of learning and self-improvement.

Testimony:

@Albert:  I have tried this idea. It's really an excellent habit for all of us. We can start learning three new vocabularies and increase it gradually to ten every day. The exciting part is when we master one word, we find several others. Our language, our world.

These are the tools that maybe useful for you:
- www.vocabulary.com (This website can generate a random word that you've never heard before)
- http://translate.google.com/# (Google Translate. Thanks Google! hahaha)

❝The individual's whole experience is built upon the plan of his language.❞
‒Henri Delacroix 

More Interesting Thing : ^^

By the way, do you like martial arts (sport)? or maybe have you joined any martial art sport club before?
Actually, the word "martial" derives from Mars.

Mars (Latin: Mārs, Martis) was the Roman god of war and also an agricultural guardian, a combination characteristic of early Rome. [3]

Well, do you know that Mars is the sibling of Hercules and father of Cupid? Yes, he is. :)

Mars: Prince of the deities (gods), god of war, men and courage

Cheers,

Albert ^^


Reference:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_O'Connor#cite_ref-Broadley_2002_3-1
[2] Broadley, Margaret E., “Your Natural Gifts”, EPM Publication, Inc., 2002
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_(mythology)

A Slightly Different Point of View of a Business. [Simple Idea Series]

Let's Venture Out!

In this writing, it's about a slightly and somewhat different point of view of a business. This point of view is inspired by the three books under. Hopefully it may give you some inspirations. :)

Well, what is a business inspired by those books under?

1. Business is an art. Since it's about Design. Story. Symphony. Playfulness. And Meaning.
2. Business is an  act of giving.  We believe that we need to give an  experience and joy to the customers & people who work with us.

The sources of the inspirations are from these worldwide best-selling books  :

1. The Whole New Mind by Daniel H.Pink (This book has been featured in Oprah's Lifeclass. Since Oprah believes that this book is really important and awesome, she bought it remarkably a lot (4,500 copies) and gave it freely to the graduating students of Stanford University where she did an commencement speech there. 

  

The Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

2. Drawing on the Right Side of The Brain by Betty Edwards. (Betty Edward's lesson in drawing is completely awesome and remarkable. It's not just a lesson in drawing but living too. Love it! Check the lesson here.)

Drawing on The Right Side of The Brain by Betty Edwards

3. Start With Why by Simon Sinek (Simon Sinek might be the one of the most inspiring thought-leader in the world. He has been featured in TED.com  and many other huge companies in America. By the way, his talk "How Great Leaders Inspire Action" is the 7th most viewed video among other thousands videos on TED.com )

   

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Hope it is useful for you.

Cheers,

Albert

Your Secret to Love That Lasts [Special Valentine Series]

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies" by Aristotle

It's really worth reading for your future eventough this writing is a bit longer than another writings. Truly True! :)
In the end of this writing, there will be a real interesting story of mine. Enjoy! :)

Introduction:

Maybe many of us ask what's the secret to love that last? Well, maybe this writing may give you some inspirations and examples.

The knowledge of this writing is mostly given by Dr.Gary Chapman and his book,"The Five Love Languages".

Dr.Gary Chapman

Dr.Gary Chapman is a marriage counselor and pastor. His book, "The Five Love Languages", is a consistent New York Times bestseller - with over 5 million copies sold and translated into 38 languages.

It has been read by millions of readers all across the globe. This book give a simple and practical way to communicate your love to your partner.

The Five Love Languages by Dr.Gary Chapman

The Main Idea:

The desire for romantic love in relationship is deeply rooted in our psychological makeup.

People speak different love languages. In linguistic, we speak with our primary languange (English/Bahasa) and learn some new secondary languanges like French or Japanese.

In our romance life, it is similar. Our emotional love languange may be different from our spouse's love languange.
We can learn our spouse's primary love languange if we are to be effective communicators of love.

According to Dr.Gary Chapman, there are five emotional love languanges -- five ways that people speak and understand love.
The important thing is to speak your spouse's primary love languange.

Dr.Gary Chapman believes that each of us have a "love tank" that can be filled up. When we speak our spouse's primary love languange, we can "fill up" their love tank to a large degree.

The Five Love Languages are:

1. Words of Affirmation 

Using words to affirm the other person. The words may address the personality, some behaviors, and something they did for you.
It can be addressed toward anything. You're using simply a word to affirm the other words. It can be written/spoken.

For some people, this is a like a rain on their soul when you give this love languages. This is their primary love languange.

For example:
"I like your personality."
"That's a good work."
"You really look beautiful in that outfit."




2. Quality Time
Giving someone your undivided attention and to do something together.

For example:
- sitting down and talking with each other
- walking around the house complex together
- working on the yard together.









3. Receiving Gifts
Gift giving is an expression of love. Gift is not necessary to be the expensive one.

For some people, what makes them feel most loved is to receive a gift.

It's the thought and intention of the gift that's more important.

4. Acts of Service
Doing something for another person that you know he/she would like you to do. For these people, actions speak louder than words.

Example:
- Clean up the trash can
- washing dishes
- changing baby diapers
and so on.

The good question to ask to your mate if he/she has this love language is "What is the good thing that I can do for you this time?"




5. Physical Touch
Physical touch is a powerful emotion communicator. Like holding hands, hugging, kissing and so on.

To this person, nothing speaks more deeply than appropriate touch.

FAQ

1. How do I know my primary love language?
You can ask yourself this question: what is the number one love language that make you feel really happy and in love when your spouse do it for you? If you feel really happy and in love when your spouse praises you, your primary love language is "Words of affirmation".

Or you may take another perspective "What do you usually do for other people to show your love?" If most of the time you affirm other people, then your primary love language is "Words of Affirmation".
If most of the time you like to hug people, your primary love language is "Physical touch".

If you want to know your primary love language with a written test, please click here.

2. How about if my primary love languange is different with my spouse?
Many times a couple has different love languange between each other. That's good since it can give more color into our life.

The good answer to this question is to GIVE FIRST your spouse's primary love languange. And, then your spouse will reciprocate the love with your primary love language.

3. Is there any secondary love language?
Yes, there is. Everyone has primary and secondary love language. If we can speak to our spouse with their primary and secondary love language, we will fill up their "love tank" well and have a good relationship.

Testimony:

This is a truly real and personal story. I have a couple friend. Let say his name is Hugo Boss and her name is Prada (We use clothing brand's name to make it easier hahaha). Hugo Boss' primary love language is receiving gift. He loves to give/receive gift to/from other people and friends especially his girlfriend.

There is a time when he wanted to give a surprise gift to his girlfriend, Prada. When he gave the surprise gift, Prada's response was not pretty well. She said "What is this? I think I don't like this". Fiuhhh...
According to Hugo Boss, that kind of sentence and response were like a stab in a heart. (Yeah we know that his primary love language is "Receiving Gift". He felt really not excited anymore.

After sometime, Hugo Boss knows that that Prada's love language is "Quality Time". What's most important to Prada is the time  that Hugo Boss can give to her.


It is okay that each of us speak a different love language. The thing that Hugo Boss could do at that time is to speak Prada's Love Language --> Quality Time. From that time onward, Hugo Boss focused on giving Prada a good time like having a chat and going somewhere together.

After that I see with my own eyes, Prada begins to reciprocate Hugo Boss' love languages. She started to give gifts to Hugo Boss more than before. He felt very happy and excited when he received gifts especially from the love one. And the love cycle goes on. hohohoho

Note: I'm still learning in this lesson and knowledge since I believe it's a life-long learning and process. So, let's learn together! hahahaha



Hope it helps,

Cheers,

Albert ^^

The next interesting writing topic:

• 22nd February 2014 (Good Idea Series): "The Relationship Between Our Vocabulary and Good Life." ~A Habit That May Benefit us in School, at Work, and Socially

You Can Draw & Be More Creative (With a Real Result) [Good Idea Series]

Picture of "Igor Stravinsky"  by Pablo Picasso

In this article you will know how to increase our drawing skills and why. To the amazement of the writer, you will also learn how to see things differently and appreciate more good things in life. :) Like reading and writing skill, your drawing skill can also be enhanced.

Credit:

A special thanks to Mrs.Betty Edwards for her
1. Woderful Teaching video: "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, Seven Lessons to Enhance Creativity and Artistic Self Confidence." (1999)
2. Book: "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: Third Edition." (1989)

Video of "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, Seven Lessons to Enhance Creativity and Artistic Self Confidence."

Drawing on the Right Side of The Brain by Betty Edwards

A Real Result:

Let us see the writer's (Albert's) real result of his self-potrait before and after "Drawing on the Right side of the Brain" lesson.

Albert's Self Potrait Before and After The Lesson 

(Whole Picture; You may click the picture to see it more clearly)

Albert's Self Potrait Before The Lesson (Close Up)

Albert's Self Potrait After The Lesson (Close Up)

Do You see the real differences? ^^

Why Right Brain?

You have two brains: a left and  a right. Modern brain scientists now know that your left brain is your verbal and rational brain; it thinks serially and reduces its thoughts to numbers, letters and words. Whereas, your right brain is our non-verbal and intutive brain; it thinks in patterns, or pictures, composed of "whole things", and does not comprehend reductions, either numbers, letters or words. [1]

Left Brain & Right Brain

Why Do You Need to Learn Drawing?

Actually there are many ways to make yourself more creative. Learning to draw is one of them. Ability to draw depends on ability to see the way an artist see, and this kind of seeing can marvelously enrich your life. 

After you study and learn "Drawing On The Right side of The Brain", your life will be so much richer. More than that, you can enhance our ability to think more creatively in other areas of our life. [2] 

(Albert's testimony: It's super true. I feel it myself hahahaha In every day life, the right-brain is very useful to help us for having imagination, faith and intuition.

While the left-brain is very useful for having good communication and calculation.)

Special Thanks to Mrs.Betty Edwards

More Testimony:

One of the other student who learnt it also says :"I don't think I ever actually looked at anyone's face before I started drawing. Now, the oddest thing is that everyone looks beautiful to me." 

Maybe the new way of seeing may alone be reason enough to learn to draw.

"I beilieve you can do it too! It just takes willingness to learn. That's it! :) "

Hope it can be useful to you.  It is not only a lesson about drawing but it is a lesson about living.

The next interesting writing topic:

• 14th February 2014 (Valentine Edition): "The Secret to Love That Lasts" ~The Ways to Speak and Understand Love.
• 22nd February 2014 (Good Idea Series): "The Relationship Between Our Vocabulary and Good Life." ~A Habit That May Benefit us in School, at Work, and Socially.

Cheers,

Albert ^^

Reference:

[1] Bergland, Richard. The Fabric of Mind. New York: Viking penguin, Inc. 1985, p.1

[2] Edwards, Betty. Drawing on The Right Side of The Brain. New York: Penguin. 1989, p. 35

What Do You Think is a Good Charity? [Simple Idea Series]

Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime.

We believe that the primary good charity for people is to give them skill, knowledge, and hope. Since with skill, knowledge and hope, people can sustain themselves better.

Monetary help is just secondary. What do you think? :)

Cheers,

Albert