Then my thoughts continue running again about focusing on writing or about setting off an adventure or visit some place new every weekend or just start a big project. I really need to start a new project. A project that will link up with my 2015 goals.
Anyway, this post is the continuation of the series "Books that I have read this 2013". You know that my goal for this year is to finish off reading 12 books. A very small number. It is almost one book a month. So far here are the books that i have completed
- The Happiness Project
- The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
- The Winning Attitude
- How to Work a Room
And now, this post is about "The New Coffee House Investor" by Bill Schultheis
For those in a hurry and born with the skimming habit, the book is about diversification. Diversification is about not putting all your eggs in one basket. It means investing not only in a single company but in different companies in different industries. The goal is that you create your own mix of companies so that you minimize losing a lot of money just because one company ending up bankrupt.
I did not really enjoy the book about diversification because i already came across with this topic back in college and when I was taking up my MBA. But the book explained it well and served as a good refresher. It is really helpful especially those without finance background and for people who still waste their money investing in mutual funds instead of creating their own. Yes. If you are still investing in mutual funds, the book is good for you to consider to save management fees that these mutual fund companies charges you.
Having said that, let me share tidbits or takeaways i am getting from the book
On Second Chances
"Life can give you a second chance on a lot of things but it does not turn back the clock".
This is true. We can always start again. In times where I feel like i made a big mistake and there is no way I can recover from it, I tell myself that life will always give second chance even if i do not see it that way at that particular moment. There is a catch, however. Second chance means a portion of your life has been spent as well. For me, this is life telling me that if I discovered something I want to do now that somehow there is a regret not discovering it way back, i should go for it because I do want to look back ten years from now being in the same place regretting things I did not do.
On Taking Small Steps
There are times in my life when I contemplate starting a project that seems almost too overwhelming to start, like writing a book, training for a marathon, or building a radio-controlled biplane with a six-foot wingspan and what seems like a thousand little wooden pieces, but I keep close at heart a suggestion by Mark Twain, who said that the secret to getting ahead is getting started, and so I begin...
I would not comment on this but instead i suggest you plan and run a marathon. You will totally relate about this. About taking small steps that will bring you closer to your goal.
Climbing a mountain has a lot to do with putting one foot in front og the other, slowly and methodically, even when you don't feel like it, until there's only one way to go - down, because you have reached the top.
On Connecting with Others
This journey is a little different for each of us, but in the end, most if us would probably agree that it is the connection to other people in our lives that matters most of all.
A key development area for me. I was born extrovert but I am working to be more connected, to be more open minded and learn from people around me. This has been the key message i am getting from the books that i am reading. To connect with people and let them teach me something that I do not know.
On Pursuing Your Passion
These are the people who realize that fulfillment in life comes not from the size of a bank account but from the amount of energy put forth pursuing things that give meaning to their existence
This is a cliche but I am a believer of this. That one must enjoy his job/work to the extent that one is still willing to do it even if he/she will not be paid. This helps fuel the passion in moments where I am so stressed about my job, about beating deadlines and completing projects. All I have to do is ask "will I still do this?", "knowing what I know now, will i still do it if given a choice?' Most of the time, I still say yes. There is that aspect in my job that I love so much that to keep on going, i just need to remind myself that i can learn to love that portion of the job that I do not like doing.
On Minimalism
i was addicted to the clutter of everyday life and it finally dawned on me that the clutter in my life might be keeping me from pursuing my dreams and living a life I would choose to life if given a chance to do it all over again.
Too bad I can not comment on being a minimalist. This is one thing that I want to do but physically not yet able to do so. With all the trash and memorabilia, i have long way to go.
So there you go. Those are the key learnings i am picking up from the book. Are you planning to read it? Tell me if you have thoughts or if you have a book to recommend.
