I Am What I Read

Reading has been a problem for many years as I lost focus due to disorganized activities that have to be done in a very limited time. Teaching, researching, administrative tasks, attending courses, seminars, business activities (hobby) and family matter that require full attention and focus in time of unplanned day, such a situation makes no possible way for me to read. However, when I realize that some of my energy, motivation, performance and positive character started to decrease in value (for whatever reason), I knew this is time to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. This is the time I should start to read any book that can instill good values at least for my personal development and relevancy of my existence in this world (at work, at home and anywhere).

I have read few books. The one that I want to firstly share is 'The Power of Discipline: No Excuses' by Brian Tracy.

A Book That Teach Me How To Focus On The Present Situation For The Sake of My Own Future Because Nobody Has A Clear Idea About Me and My Future  Except Myself and Allah SWT

Never in my life when I read a 200++ pages of personal development book where I wrote notes at the same time. However, due to my strong inclination and belief that reading can give a master understanding about personal change and development that I started to do whatever exercises the author asked to do. Yes, self discipline is the key-word to explain the success of every individual for change. This covers a wide area of one personal life; in planning, in doing business, in socializing or even a self discipline in eating. I remembered during one of the conferences I attended and while I was reading this book towards its completion at the registration table, one of the plenary speaker, I believed he was from the Cambridge University approached me and say, "....but the food?..". "Oh, that is not mine Sir!, haha!". He had in mind that Malaysians are losing their discipline when it comes to food. I tend to agree with him.

There are lots of exercises that require continous assessment on daily basis so that readers will be focused each day to visualize the most important things that has to be done. According to the author, yes, we have no time time to do everything in a day but we can complete the most important tasks when we have set a goal for that day. At work, for an instance, I work. There are many ways people refuse to put the time and energy focusing on completing the most important tasks, but rather doing the less important task or things that have nothing to do with work altogether. I believe, after reading this book, I can finally adjust my activity to focus on the most important task which can give value to my personal development as well as the mission of the faculty, every day.

The root of success is self discipline, self mastery and self control. There is no use blaming others for things that I do not like. Forgiveness is selfishness because when I forgives, I get the rewards. This how valuable forgiveness is. After reading this book, I then realized that I have forgotten one thing in life, "I am responsible for my own destiny". It has been so long that I have no 100% discipline, master and control over my decision making, financial planning, day-to-day activity or even to do do my most interesting hobby that is swimming and physical fitness activity!. Although I am a failure at one side, reading this book provides a clear picture on how this can be proven temporary.