Wednesday, November 30, 2005
brainwave
Contrary to popular belief, I have been keeping quite busy these days. No, I haven't been sitting in front of the computer or the TV all day. In fact, I was looking at the front page of this blog earlier and I scrolled down to click on the site counter. The last 5 articles were shorter than the sidebar...something that has NEVER happened on this blog before. (In case you are a little slow in the head, short articles mean that I don't have the time to blog long assed articles) Labels: musings
Anyhows, I have been working part time making some money and putting my now rusty engineering skills to use while applying for jobs at the same time. Its been a good one month since I got back, and a good two weeks since I sent out my first batch of applications. Boy, time does fly. Now, being 'umemployed' means that you keep thinking of ways to make money.
Anyway, back to where I was...I had a bloody good idea last night. The thing with awesome ideas is that they come pouring in once you open the floodgates. I was so excited about it that I stayed up until 3am writing down all my ideas even though I had to go to work at 8 o'clock this morning. Of course, with businesses, nothing is certain but by my rough calculations I COULD easily make my first million before I turn 24.
I slept over the idea and when morning came, realisation hit. I pondered over the idea again while on the Great Throne and again over breakfast. Too many what if's. Too many uncertainties. Too many variables. With the spoon in my hand I kept thinking about my 'great idea' when Tony the Tiger popped out from the box of Frosties in front of me. He seemed to growl, "An idea will remain an idea until you put it to work."
So, great, I thought. It would be cool, no? I'll be one of them young entrepreneurs. The next Richard Branson maybe. I am jobless, no? My idea doesn't require much capital to start with..just a couple of thousand bucks, nothing 21 years worth of Chinese New Year angpows can't cover. I'll start doing some research once I get back from work, I thought.
And then, after breakfast, I took a shower and started thinking again. What if nobody wants to buy my idea? What if I go about doing my project half way and somebody offers me a job? What if the business goes well for a while and I pour in more money.....and suddenly lose everything? And after that, who wants to employ an engineer who hasn't been doing anything related since he graduated?
What if all this is just as waste of time? What if subconciously I am being lazy and just don't want to really start working? And more importantly, from now till the time the project goes ahead, where do I get money from? Sticking out my hand and asking my parents for money is something I have stopped doing since I started my part time job. I do not intend to start again.
As I picked up my razor and started squeezing out shaving foam onto my hand, I remembered an advice I heard, "You are young. If you fall, you can pick yourself up." Should I go for it? Or should I dismiss it as a daydream...a mere fantasy?
Decisions. Decisions used to be simple. What should I have for dinner? What movie should I take her to watch? Somehow, they don't seem that simple anymore. A wrong decision now doesn't just cause an upset stomach or a boring date. A wrong decision these days mean I would have to wonder where my next paycheck comes from.
I stare at the mirror and start shaving away. The reflection stares back at me. He seems to be saying, "Welcome to the real world, Vincent."
:
November 30, 2005 8:53 amBloody develop the idea, think of how it'll suit the target market, who and how you'll sell it to, and all that.
boy am i glad i don't need to get out in the work force for another...4 1/2 years. gah. back to the books.
Not that my opinion really matters but oh well! lol
It's their way of judging your 'consistency'. If you didn't do well in your SPM, but did well with flying colors in your diploma/degree, they will say you're not a consistent performer, and either will not hire you or will use it against you in salary negotiation.
Some companies don't give second chances.
remember that he is your primary investor. After all, Another few grands are nothing compared to the investment more than 20 years of efford and money into your life and education.
You are still young and have lots of time, start your own business now, and even if it doesn't end like what you expected to be, you got nothing to lose. You gained lots of experiences that no sitting 9-5 in the office will get.
You can trust me on this one.
If you're in EE/VLSI and if you're interested, my dept in Intel Penang is looking for good engineers. Send me your resume at hachuah@gmail.com if you're interested.
thx,
andrew
:
December 08, 2005 4:01 pm
