BUSINESS AS A GOOD FACTOR TO GAIN LIFE'S QUALITY

Most people may think that business and all terms related to it, are the things which can degrade life's quality, such as health; happiness; even time to share with family. It can be both: true or false.

It's all depended on two basic things:

• the way we look at the business, and
  
• the way we practice the business

If you look at business as a terrible thing that can rob your happiness and time, it's gonna be like it forever - 'till you change your mindset. This is the main reason why most people in whole world don't choose business as their job. You may find many business men who've done this kind of job, because they were pushed or their ancestors were business men too. It's rare while university or hi-school graders have the first choice in career as business men.

If we act as business men like condemned people, it will be a disaster. It'll distinctly ruin your life. Most persons are unable to enjoy every single challenge in business. Meanwhile, the most interesting things of business are challenges. It won't become so incredible without them. So, why don't you have any reason to enjoy your business?

According to subject of this post, business is a real good factor to gain our life's quality, everybody's life's quality - as long as we look at the business in the positive ways.

First: please see business as a fun game, and biggest opportunity to have unlimited and large abundant income! Prophet Muhammad - if I'm not wrong - ever told us that 9 of 10 livelihood's gates are come from trading, or... business in other word. So, you must change your mindset/point of view to a positive way in facing business.

Second: if you're already becoming a business man, never tread your business as a disaster! Enjoy it as a part that enlightens your life, as your fuel! What about your spare time with family? Won't my business will destroy it? No, no, no! It's all just about your commitment.

I mean, if you promised your wife and children that weekend is for family only, you should do it. You can tell your business partner that you have private schedule which is unable to break. I think they'll understand. And..., I think you need a representative person for an unpredictable situation - if your business is a conventional kind. If your business is majority controlled by computers, I think there's no need to worry.

As long as you can realize those things, your life will be gained. You'll find your joy, and you can make your family members smiling.


PS: Simple things to talk is not always easy things to do.

CONSISTENCY FACTOR IN BUSINESS

Success needs you to be consistent. It's another main factor which will determine your success in business, and this is also one very difficult factor to do. Not everyone can accomplish it. Why is it so important?

Many ideas were executed while a businessman in action. Many times, they had a lot of power to do it in the beginning. The image and/or shadow of big profits was one step ahead to be reached - but it's not reached yet.

Then, the reef was coming. Some problems and barriers had just come. They blocked your way to succeed, and they made your fine image disillusioned. Your spirit would be decreased. And..., you might be lost in hopeless condition, because you felt it's too hard to face. Finally, every single point you planned and executed was stopped before it's finished. Or, often you will turn into the other direction. The next result can be guessed: your success image will be completely gone, and you'll be a loser.

In many case, little bad habits can also distort the consistency, such as weak intention; low resistance of hood's influence or temptation; and lack of confidence. However, no barrier may block you to be consistent to carry on. Every single plan you had executed must be finished.

Here the ways you can do to be a consistent person.

• Focus on your main objective by remembering it every time a problem comes!
• Strengthen your mentality by learning to be uneasy tempted by your hood - esp. if your hood is not conducive or supporting you to do the right thing!
• Give a punishment to yourself every time you try to cross out of the line! For the example: you may fine yourself for a foul.
• Remember the advantage of becoming consistent and the disadvantage of becoming inconsistent, and also the effect/impact to your business!
• Learn as many as possible, because usually well-educated or hi-educated people are more consistent than others, because they will always have strong reasons to do something - though it's challenging the stream!
• Never indulge yourself if it will distort your consistency only!
• Learn to be on-time, then you'll be a more consistent person!
  

PS: Consistency is also main factor to be discipline. And..., never mind if you just make a small thing or action - as long as you can keep your consistency! It's better than nothing at all.

MANDIRI DEBIT & PAYPAL ACCOUNT VERIFICATION

Today I sent an e-mail to Bank Mandiri customer service. I ask them if my debit card can be used to verify PayPal account or not. And..., a few hours later they sent a reply to me. They wrote that Mandiri Debit Card is not able to be used for verifying a PayPal account. It's the condition where they don't have any connection with PayPal that it makes possible to use a Mandiri Debit Card as verification tool.

It's their credit card only which can be used as verification tool.

Here is the citation of the message I received from Bank Mandiri on July 16th 2009:

Bapak Ammar Lelo Andiko A. A. yang terhormat,

Terima kasih atas email Bapak kepada Bank Mandiri

Perkenankan kami memberikan informasi bahwa kartu Mandiri Debit adalah alat penarikan tunai melalui ATM dan alat pembayaran untuk pembelanjaan di merchant-merchant berjaringan VISA/VISA Electron namun tidak dapat dipergunakan sebagai alat pembayaran transaksi on line melalui internet (Paypal) karena sifatnya menggunakan secara electronik (electronic use only). Bank Mandiri tidak menyediakan jasa atau kerjasama dalam hal bertransaksi melalui internet (Paypal) untuk kartu Mandiri Debit atau transfer melalui rekening. Namun apabila Bapak memiliki kartu kredit Mandiri VISA atau Master maka dapat dipergunakan untuk transaksi tersebut. Kami persilakan Bapak menghubungi langsung situs yang bersangkutan, dalam hal ini www.paypal.com mengenai jenis kartu yang dapat digunakan untuk bertransaksi.

Demikian kami sampaikan, jika masih terdapat pertanyaan atau saran, Bapak dapat menghubungi kami kembali di alamat email ini atau Mandiri Call (layanan 24 jam) di nomor telepon (021) 5299 7777 atau 14000.

Atas perhatian dan kerjasama Bapak, kami ucapkan terima kasih.

Salam hormat,

PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk.
Customer Care
Banking Contact Center

PS: The message came in Indonesian language. You may use Google Translate to translate it into English or your native language.

THE REAL TERRORISTS

Bombers and/or suicide bombers are often hated by many people in this world because of their massive destruction and killing actions. Many innocent people had been becoming the victims. It's why their action has been worried.

But, do you ever know and realize that there is another kind of terrorist in this beautiful earth? It's a corruptor. It's a kind of man who is a real terrorist. "Why?" It's the big question.

Corruptors steal public's fund/money which would be used for common wealth. So, imagine whether the fund does not exist! There will be no wealth. The impacts are:

• expansion of poverty and famine
• the lag of establishment
• the degradation of education and man quality/qualification
• the weak law enforcement

If we analyze much further, we're gonna find out that corruption is much more dangerous than physical attack such bombing. Bombing is completely dangerous, but corruptors are much more dangerous. Corruption's impacts are not seen on the surface directly, but it will kill more people - because of no food; no nutrition; no health quality; and others.

In third world countries which popular with their corruption culture; like Indonesia, corruption is the main reason why the government failed to serve citizens as well as it should be. Corruption has become the reason why a nation has a big dependence to abroad's loan. And, the government will never be able to pay it.

Corruption is also the main factor that caused collapsed social structure, where the mentality of nation's youngsters fell down. There is no spirit to work hard. There is no self confidence to enlarge practice the creativity. They become more consumptive than they should be. They become snobbish, where they will see everything just from its physical attraction. If these all were happened, where will we bring the future of nation? Who will lead the nation in the future? And, can the nation exist for the next decade?

So, the conclusion is that the corruptors are the real terrorists. They deserve to be hung twice.

CONFIDENCE FACTOR IN BUSINESS

Many factors will determine business success. One of them is the confidence of business owners. Frequently, a businessman will give up to carry his business on because of loosing a faith; loosing his self-confidence.

It will be probably acceptable as a human being, but it's completely forbidden in business - whatever the kind of business you are creating. The impact is unacceptable. Why? Because you've lost a lot of money to build your business? It's right maybe. But, the worst impact you will take by stopping your business, is to loose the biggest chance(s) you might have. Many people say, "A chance will not come twice." It may be right.

So, never let your biggest idea(s) hung away in dreams without any realization! But, how to establish your confidence to carry your business on? That's the matter.

Here, we're going to find the solution out.

Each business has its own characteristics, of course - depending on what kind of business it is. Take an example that you have a culinary business! And..., you've already had a restaurant. But, in early days you open the restaurant, you've got a few customers only. Your capital is not paid back. It's loss. Then, you will be stressed.

Stress is a big factor to loose the faith or confidence. But, you may not loose your confidence. One important thing you should plant in your head is

to accept your loss

"Why should I do it?" you'll ask about it maybe. You have to do so, because it will make you feel better. Believe me! And, the reason you can use to reach the logic is

to take it as a good lesson/experience which will lead you into your success someday

It sounds easy, isn't it? But, it's quite hard to do. You have to learn it, and train yourself for it.

SBY-BUDIONO WON INDONESIAN'S ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT?

The picture on the left side depicts the election result of Indonesia. It was taken from a national private TV station on 20.00 GMT +7. As you can see, the quick count - provided by LSI - shows that SBY is leading. He - as the incumbent - and his mate Budiono has been reaching the electoral threshold for president and vice-president election.

SBY-Budiono are leading up to 60%, leaving their other contenders: Mega-Pro and JK-Win. It's fulfilling the prediction before the election. Most analysts and survey institutions stated that this pair would win today's election.

The popularity of SBY-Budiono beyonds other two pairs. SBY as current president of RI comes from largest tribe in Indonesia: Javanese. His mate also comes from the same political area in Indonesia, called as Mataraman area. This ex. Bank of Indonesia's governor grew up in Blitar - the other city in East Java where SBY homebase town, Pacitan, lies.

SBY's political decision to take Budiono as his companion in this 2009 election, had become a controversy among Democrate Party's allies, because Budiono doesn't belong to one of them. He's a pure econom. But, it's proven - from this quick count - that SBY's decision has accomplished his mission to carry on his objectives as Indonesian number one.

Meanwhile, in a press conference a candidate for vice-president from Mega-Pro side, Prabowo Subianto, stated that today's election was full of cheats. He said the main factor came from DPT (lists of authorized voters) which didn't fit with the real voters datas in BPS (Bureau of Civil Statistic). He also alleged that the quick count methode is out of law and breaking the democracy. He's scare that there would be a grand design to meet public's opinion with certain candidate's win earlier.

However, it's not the official result of the election. The official result itself will be announced by KPU (Election Commission) in next days.

JACKO'S FUNERAL

Michael Jackson a.k.a Jacko is a superstar. Because of it, his funeral is - on this morning at July 8th 2009 (in Indonesian time) - held with a huge honour. As I saw on TV, many people came to his funeral, and some famous persons gave the testimonies about his wonderful life.

They testified that Jacko had been a world legend. It's marked by a formal statement from US' House of Representative. Jacko is not only a legend for US, but also for the whole world. It's caused by his world and charity to entire world. His lifeline was spent not only for his own glory, but also for helping the weak people and others who needed help.

Jacko's contribution to the world is not only come from his music. He gave us the superb dance movements, and fascinating fashion style also. He is even gonna be bigger than Elvis maybe. And, many argues that he's in a level with The Beatles who has put the inspiration of music to the next generation.

Many stars came to Jacko's funeral - beside his family members. I saw Usher sang a song with an emotional feel. He was brought by the sadness of loosing one of world's legend - and also a friend. Jacko is on the right way to get those honours.

Bye, Michael a.k.a Mikaeel!

PRIA IDAMAN WANITA

Mungkin Anda menyangka bahwa pria idaman wanita adalah yang:

* kaya, dan/atau
* tampan

Awalnya saya juga menilai bahwa kedua faktor tersebut adalah mutlak. Namun, saya terkejut dan agak berubah mind set setelah membaca sebuah artikel di internet - mengenai pria idaman para wanita.

Ternyata, menurut sebuah penelitian alias riset, sebagian besar wanita cenderung tidak akan memilih pasangan hidup berdasarkan dua kriteria tadi. (Terdengar sangat tidak masuk akal, kan?)

Mengapa?

Nah! Ini dia penyebabnya:

• Wanita takut memilih pria kaya sebagai pendamping hidup, karena pria jenis ini cenderung punya akses yang sangat mudah untuk berselingkuh. Ya...! Anda tahu sendiri lah: ada uang, ada barang.

• Wanita juga takut memilih pria tampan sebagai teman hidup, karena pria dari golongan ini atraktif (memiliki daya pikat yang cukup kuat untuk menarik perhatian lawan jenis) sehingga juga rentan terpeleset oleh perselingkuhan - apalagi kalau imannya tak kuat. (Teman saya sering protes mengenai hal ini, "Bang! Imannya sih kuat, tapi Imran-nya yang nggak kuat." - He, he...! Bisa saja.)

Lalu..., pria seperti apa dong yang dimaui atau diidamkan oleh kebanyakan kaum Hawa?

Jawabannya: kebanyakan wanita akan lebih memilih pria "yang sedang-sedang saja, oh... yang sedang-sedang saja..." - kayak lagu Si Iwan.

Nah...! Itu dia masalahnya. Buat pria ngguuuanteeeng kayak saya ini. Cukup sulit untuk mendapatkan pacar - apalagi teman hidup. He, he! Sebabnya...? Karena saya: ngguuuanteeeng, Saudara-saudara ! Alhamdulillah!!! Tuhan Maha Adil.



PS: Buat Saudara-saudaraku yang lanang lan ngguanteng, mulai sekarang kurangilah kegantengan Anda itu sedikit! Ngg..., agar supaya memudahkan Anda daripada ngg... memperoleh daripada yang namanya cewek. He, he, he...!

WORLD CUP POLL

Hey, Mates! Football or soccer is the largest sport in this world. Every match - esp. big match which meets biggest teams ever - always attracts large abundant of spectators from whole parts of this planet. And..., everything about football will be the centre of attention too, which is interesting to discuss.

Here I've made a polling about which team will take the triumph of next world cup in South Africa. There are some choices those are the classic countries in winning World Cup's trophies, such as:

• Brazil (recent champion of FIFA Confederation Cup, 5 time World Cup champion);
  
• England (one time champion)
  
• Germany (three time champ.);
  
• Italia (four time champ.); and
  
• Argentina (two time champion).

We know they have best players in the world today - who are playing in most famous leagues in Europe. So, they are sufficient to be put on the list. But, if you don't agree with the five choices, you can choose "other team". Happy to poll! I'm waiting for your participation.

PSMS OH... PSMS

PSMS Medan harus berlaga di Divisi Utama - kasta kedua Liga Indonesia - mulai musim depan. Malang tak dapat ditolak, untung tak dapat diraih. Hal itu terjadi setelah PSMS kalah dari Persebaya Surabaya tadi malam (Selasa, 30 Juni 2009).

Padahal PSMS sudah berhasil unggul satu gol hingga menit 80-an. Bisa dibilang asa para suporter PSMS dan hampir seluruh warga Medan untuk tetap menyaksikan tim kesayangannya berlaga di Superliga musim depan, hampir jadi kenyataan. Dan..., tibalah awal dari mimpi buruk itu: Hariri melakukan hand's ball di kotak pinalti sendiri.

Tangannya jelas-jelas diangkat dan menyentuh bola. Kontan saja, wasit langsung memberikan hadiah tendangan pinalti bagi Persebaya. Eksekutor dari Persebaya sukses melaksanakan tugasnya. Skor 1-1. Pertandingan pun terpaksa dilanjutkan dengan perpanjangan waktu 2 x 15 menit.

Selama 2 x 15 menit tersebut sebenarnya sangat banyak peluang PSMS untuk mencetak gol kemenangan. Namun, nasib belum memihak anak-anak Medan. Skor tetap 1-1 hingga wasit meniup peluit panjang.

Adu pinalti diadakan. Zada - eksekutor PSMS yang pertama - gagal menceploskan bola ke gawang Persebaya. Kiper menepisnya. Untung saja, penendang pertama Persebaya pun gagal. Ghali Sudaryono menepis bola tersebut. Para eksekutor berikutnya dari kedua tim - hingga sepakan kelima - berhasil membuat gol sehingga adu pinalti diperpanjang dengan sistem sudden death.

Ketika Octavianus - dari PSMS - gagal melaksanakan tugas, Jairon dari Persebaya sukses. Gol itu membuatnya berlari ke arah tribun penonton. Persebaya menang, dan berhak memperoleh satu tiket untuk berlaga di Superliga musim depan.

Itu sekaligus berarti: fans PSMS tak dapat lagi menyaksikan tim kesayangan mereka di TV untuk musim depan, kecuali PSMS lolos ke fase-fase utama Copa Indonesia. Sungguh hal yang menyakitkan - juga bagi saya yang notabene adalah fan PSMS Medan. Tapi, apa boleh buat, nasi sudah jadi bubur.