Ingredients of Success

After Arsenal beat Portsmouth on 30 Dec 09 in the English Premier League, Arsenal Wenger was optimistic on Arsenal chances of winning the title. He said, referring to the Arsenal team,

The commitment is there, the talent is there and the focus is there too

If I translate this into layman's terms then,

Talent means the ability to do the job. This can be natural, trained or a combination of both.
Commitment means the willingness to apply one's talent, skills and knowledge towards the job.
Focus means the act of doing the job with undivided attention.

I agree with him. I believe any individual needs to have these three characteristics to compete against the best comparatives in their field. Is there an order of importance?

Talent is critical. Without it, it's very likely that you will not stand out in the crowd, not be successful and therefore not  motivated to progress to the next level. Talent is obviously largely natural. Either you have it or you don't. It comes from the genes. However I also believe that the environment (culture, weather, family upbringing) plays a big part. By providing suitable environments, parents can nurture their kids and develop their young brains in the required direction.

Commitment is a mental process. It represents the drive you have to attain the goal that has been set by you. How badly do you want it? Your emotional state and personality are the primary determinants. If committed, you can work hard and improve your talent, skill or knowledge.

Focus is a mental process as well, but is more short-lived. It represents the energy you put in to combine talent and desire to attain the goal. When Arsenal play, they need to focussed for the 90 minutes and win the game. Like commitment, it is possible to make up short-comings in talent and commitment by focussing for the required duration. If you over-deliver beyond your physical and mental resources then you can match the naturally gifted or very committed individuals.

It follows, therefore, that any individual who can maximize these three factors in their chosen speciality then they will be successful relative to their peers.

Turned 30

Turned 30 over the weekend.

Didn't feel a thing of difference. Didn't feel older or younger, healthier or sicker.

Felt happier when my wife and sister threw a surprise party, inviting all of my and their friends. They made me feel special by turning up and overwhelmed by their expensive gifts. Food was brilliant and company was exceptional. But I didn't feel old or realize that a new chapter was beginning.

That I felt and realized a few weeks before when I heard our baby's heart beat. That changed life forever. A realization quickly sunk in that a new generation was on its way, that I was the second-latest generation and the clock had ticked away.

Can't wait for our baby and spend the rest of life with him or her.

My First Ebay Sale

Yes, I did it - managed to sale an item on Ebay.

I will admit that when Ebay first when live, I was very skeptical about it. How can I trust the other person, that I know nothing about, will send me the item once I have paid for it? My landlord back then, an 85 year old American World War II veteran, Douglas Anderson, was fanatical about it. He was buying and selling, what sounded like, every week. I enjoyed the conversations as he basked in the glory of his sale, but never did I attempt it.

I have aged now. I have a minimalist approach to things. I don't need the CD/DVD cases, I don't need the books that I have read and I don't need the Netgear Router that I just sold. The buyer was a lady called Martina Lapunikova. It was sold for £7. I don't know if this was a 'good' sell. All I know is that I got it free, I am £7 richer and my garage is one item emptier. Ms. Lapunikova will hopefully find better use of this router. Everyone wins.

My love affair with Ebay has begun.

The Big Bang Effect

This theory came up while I was reading the Corporate Finance section of CFA Level 1. What it basically says is that companies report large losses when a new management team takes over and report large profits once the management has been in place for one or two reporting periods.

I experienced this same effect recently. There was a software project where a new project manager took over. She came and started criticizing everything. She spent a lot more time proving that the system is bad than coming up with solutions or improvements. The effect is not complete as her team is yet to produce anything tangible where she can claim a win or a large profit.

Which makes me realize that true leaders are the ones that come in, see the problems, look for solutions and motivate the staff to implement those solutions. It's really easy to criticize when there are issues but much harder to motivate and solve those issues.

Surprise on London Undeground

I was pleasantly surprised the other day at my local underground station when the lady came on the intercom and said that "Apparently all trains are running smoothly". The 'apparently' caught my attention. There was a hint of office politics and being pushed by the boss to do something she didn't really want to do. It also gave a glimpse into how disconnected the station staff are from the running of the trains - the main business of a station. From a regular commuter's point of view, it does not inspire confidence, and highlights the inefficiences. I further cast doubt on the 'investment in the undergound' posters that I see plotted around the stations. A depressing truth of monopolies.

Talking to people

One thing I've observed is that people will listen to you and digest what you are saying when they REALLY want to. Sounds like an obvious thing to say but is a powerful thing to know when conversing. If I am talking to this person and if I judget that he or she is REALLY not interested in understanding what I am saying then it's best to curtail the conversation and move on, it saves a lot of time and more importantly energy.

Humans are emotional beings, and emotion is irrational. It is the source of people not wanting to REALLY listen and understand what others are saying. Dysfunctional and inefficient. Best to keep clear of these situations, to save both energy and time.

It's tough being an Arsenal fan

The penalties at Wednesday's Roma vs. Arsenal game made my nerves reach the limit. I have NEVER been so stressed watching a football game. I had to consciously calm myself down. After the game I was planning on studying, but I couldn't, as I lay in shock of the close victory that Arsenal had earned.

I watch Arsenal play week in, week out. Sometimes they play amazing football - football that makes viewers realize that this is probably the most amazing sport in the world. And that this team are probably the most amazing team in the world. Then there are the performances that embarrass my neighbourhood teams. Such volatility is not good for the hearts of us Arsenal fans.

I close with the hope that Wednesday's game gives us the belief that the "growing up" has completed, that it's time to play this beautiful game, and bring trophies to the Emirates.