May Us Never Lose the Fire

Fascinated by every single thing, eyes wide open for new opportunities, and eagerness to try new experience. That is how I describe kids discover the world around them. There is fire inside their heart, curiosity to unveil the shaded part of the map in their head. 

That little kid has grown up, having full time job, doing daily routine. And the same fire is not burning as hot as it was. Less excitement in unveiling new opportunities; even sometimes make conscious decision to stay rather than make the leap of faith. 

What happened? 

In between, the kid grew up. People around them said that the world is not exciting, life threw lemons, and their dreams seemed to be far-stretched. 

It is sad reality, as everyone had the fire inside them at one point - and most people seemed to lost it. Wake up on Monday and not excited for work, or worst unable to be excited for holiday and/or spending time with loved ones, these are signs that the fire is dimmed. 

Something that everyone can always do is to reflect - on what happened between that kids and yourself, on what dimmed that fire, and even more important what can re-light the fire. It can be hobbies that you haven't done, it can be places that you always want to go, it can be people that you missed, or it can be a leap that you need to take. I believe that that fire will never die, it is just dimmed, and can be re-lit. 

Let us all reflect on ourselves and keep the fire burning. Once the fire is on, may us never lose it again. 

Credit: http://quotesgram.com/passionate-quotes/

Are you allergic to success?

A: Hey, have you heard that our friend Y just received a scholarship for his masters' degree?
B: (Scoff) Yea, I heard. I think he's just lucky.

How many times that conversation happened in your life? Or maybe you've been the receiving end of "just lucky" comment from someone?

For me, it is surprising how easy people discredited others' achievement. Even more surprising, some people even feel discomfort when hear about their acquaintances or colleagues become successful. That sounds like an allergic (adj. having a strong dislike for.) reaction to success. In my opinion this happens because some people feel insecure when people in their circle are successful.

If you are allergic to something, how could you get closer to it? *ca-ching*

Let's put it this way, do you think successful people are insecure about themselves? Duh!? Of course not! Most successful people want others to be as successful as them or even more. Surprise, surprise. The are very secure about themselves, and it is shown when they share their tips easily, and help others to achieve.

And even more surprising as they feel secure about themselves, success seems to come more often.

So here's my two cents:

1. Start to build a habit of being happy for others' achievement
2. Share opportunities & open doors for others
3. See how it changes you as a person and changes your "luck"

To start the new week, ask yourself: Are you allergic to success?

Picture belongs to: https://theimpactnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Steps-to-Success-628x353.jpg

The Best Moment in My Life

"Having my parents with me on my graduation day is the best moment in my life." 

The story started around September 2015, three months away from my graduation date. I was sitting in my apartment room and thinking that it would be awesome if my parents could attend my graduation. Unfortunately, I was short on my savings to fund the expense myself. 

After spending sometime thinking, I decided to ask for a crowdfund my parents. It was not an easy decision for me, as I had to share my story to public with no certainty about the outcome. In a way, I was putting myself to be vulnerable. 

With the help of my two amazing roommates, Angga and Azman, I made a video and shared my story at gofundme.com. Here is the video: Gofundme - Timmy Wijaya

20, 40, 100, 200, 500, 1200, ...

I could not ask for a better outcome. The reaction was overwhelming to me, as I received donations and support from people close to me, Texas Tech alumni, to people whom I never met. In less than a month, the target was achieved for me to buy return tickets for my parents. 

The moment was special to me for multiple reasons:

• The amount of support from everyone made me speechless and forever grateful
• That was the first time my parents ever been abroad
• My parents were able to see me walk through the stage on my graduation
• For my parents to meet people who took care of me during my time in Lubbock

Even better, around June 2016, my friend who also went to school in the US came up to me and said: "Tim, thank you for showing the possibility of getting your parents to attend your graduation. You inspired me to do the same. Thank you."

This experience reminds me that my graduation would not be as special if my parents were not there to share it with me. Here is the picture to reminisce the good time

New Year, New Journey

Dear friends and colleagues,

Happy new year and I hope that you have a great start of 2017! 

2016 was a great year for me as I spent most part of the year in Indonesia and be close to my family. I also started my career by working at Palladium Consulting, in which I could not ask a better firm to start off my career. It also feels good to be reconnected to my mentor, best friends and colleagues in Indonesia. 

During 2016 I also had the chance to travel nationally (Bali, Palembang, Lampung) and internationally (Thailand and Vietnam). Those travels, especially nationally, made me realize how much I need to explore in Indonesia and I am looking forward to more traveling in 2017. 

Back in September 2016, out of the blue, a close friend of mine suddenly shared an opportunity to work for one of my dream companies. At that time, I was wondering if I shall pursue the opportunity or not as I was still less than one year in Palladium. I decided to apply and keep it to myself during the process. 

Written test passed. 
First interview passed.  
Second interview passed. 
Third interview passed. 

Then I found myself in the final round of interview with a Partner on my birthday. As I walked out the interview room, I told him that day was my birthday and it will be a great birthday gift if I could join the firm. A week later, the recruiter gave me a call to let me know that they decide to make me an offer. My heart filled with joy and excitement and deep inside I know that this is an offer that I could not refuse. 

This week is my last week in Palladium as I am preparing myself to start in the new company on February 1. I am very thankful for the opportunity to work in Palladium as I was exposed and be able to learn so much from three major industries: International Development, Strategy Consulting, and Impact Investment. 

With an honour, I would like to let you know that I will be joining McKinsey and Company in their Global Financial Institutions Center. The opportunity to work for the best consulting firm in the world combined with focus in the industry that I am very passionate about is the reason why this is an offer that I could not refuse. I truly hope that I will be able to both contribute to the company as well as learn as much as possible from them. I am very excited and nervous as I realize a whole new opportunities and challenges in 2017.

The year 2017 is off to an amazing start and I know it is going to get better and better.

Sincere regards,

Christian Timothy Wijaya

On Passion

As I entered transjakarta on my way home from work, I heard a familiar voice: "Be careful if you're leaving the transjak, double check your belonging, and make sure you're not losing any of it!" At the next station, I heard the same phrases. And then again, it makes me wonder who. . .

When I looked around, it was the transjak's conductor who announce it. And I recalled correctly that day was not the first time I saw the conductor and heard his voice. It is the same conductor who always remind everyone to be careful, make sure that everyone is safe, and not losing their belongings.

Then I thought, "Man, this guy really takes his job seriously."

As a conductor, he does not have to do it. So many other conductors do not even bother to remind everyone to be careful, moreover repeating that same phrases over and over again on every station. And he does not stop there, when he was asked questions by commuter, he answered it with smile. His job is not the fanciest job, he does not get any credits by taking the extra mile. Yet, he really does it with passion because he wants to.

Not a fancy job, no credit, maybe not many people even care about what he is doing. Then it stroke me: "If I were in his position would I do the extra mile? In everything that I do, have I done it with that much passion?"

Luke 16:10a - “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much"

Bluebird - Classic Story of an Outdated Business

 
Earlier today a total of 500 bluebird taxi (largest taxi in Indonesia) did a strike in Jakarta, their complain: taxi drivers' income decreased by whole lot because of tough competition from Uber and Grab Taxi. There is no surprise that their income is decreased but they demand to ban Uber and Grab from streets in Indonesia.Not just for living things, the concept survival of the fittest applies as well to business.

We have witnessed plenty of similar stories before, one of the most recent story is Nokia and Blackberry. Their failure to adapt and innovate to follow the business trend causing them to lose their market share, income, and most likely to fail.

Here is the problem with Bluebird taxi: Even though they are not the only taxi provider in Indonesia, they monopolized the market for a long time due to lack of competition. There are two issues I would like to point out here:

1. Competition is good for consumer. I am a believer of free market, I believe that government at this point should not intervene by banning online taxis from operating. These online taxis are healthy for the taxi market as consumer now have more competing business to serve the market. With the competition so far, we can see the trend that if regular taxi does not innovate or have changing strategy, it will be hard for them to survive. Only the one preferred by customers going to survive, just like iPhone and Samsung over Nokia and Blackberry.
2. Innovation is required for regular taxi especially Bluebird to survive. There are several ways for them to adapt, and one of the way is redefining their pricing scheme. Price war might not be inevitable to survive in the market. 

My only suggestion for government is not to intervene so that regular taxi and online taxi is going to adapt to better serve customers. For regular taxi especially Bluebird, there are two options: to adapt or to suffer.



photo credit:
http://mobilinanews.com/post/blue-bird-vs-uber-taxi-mana-yang-menguntungkan/ 

Faith in Uncertainty

Hello readers,

Again, for lack of personal motivation I have been missing so much. Here I have a tid-bit about my most recent experience in looking for job. I hope this could be a motivation for you.

So here how it goes.

When most people you know keep saying: "You're a US graduate with a good grades, job offer should come easy for you!" Those words made me came back to Indonesia with a high expectation that I was going to interview with many companies.

I just graduated on December 12th - and made my way back to Indonesia on December 20th. I got settled in Jakarta early on January, having self-confidence that there will be many interview opportunities for me. Within a month, I had one interview with a company and nothing else.
As someone who was used to a busy life, I could not fathom the urge to do something - yet there was no offer yet.

Getting into February, I had one big interview - yet the company expected to hire an experienced instead of a fresh-graduate. So within two months of my graduation, I had two interviews. I could say that as time goes on, I started to grow impatient. And the worst part is: I started to doubt myself.

As I became frustrated to the condition and myself I met with my mentor and he said, "Timmy, your life has been a great journey so far, you always blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime. So, never doubt yourself and be patience."

That moment of self-reflect and mentorship boost my confidence back. As time goes on, I became more patient and sure that the right opportunity will come along.

I could not ask for a better turnaround.

After those moments, one day I received an interview offer from a big-growing company. I did my best during my interview but made sure that I manage my expectation level. After four rounds of intensive interviews. . .

I received another call that I am offered a full-time position at the company. And I will be start working as soon as next week. I could not imagine that I will be offered such a prestigious position. And I could not ask for a better start of my career.

Lesson: Be patience and have faith in uncertainty. And never ever doubt yourself.