30 Intentional Things in One Week

“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

A year ago, I sustained a freak accident that broke my right foot in two places, saw me undergoing two reparative surgeries, the final one involving the insertion of three metal implants with a sojourn in hospital for a month. Though I am reminded on rainy days when my bones ache, that I am a “mended” human, I feel very privileged to be alive. Since then, I found myself making sure that every day is well-lived and count towards fulfilling my purpose: To help people around me unlock their potential and be able to do their best work.

During LinkedIn’s gift of a one-week RestUp! to all employees from April 5 to 9, I embarked on a ‘30 intentional things to do’ challenge so that I can live bigger, be better and become a better version of myself so I can be of service to others. With the close of Rest-Up week, I thought I’d share my 30 with you. Here they are:

1.?????Walked 12 km (7.4 miles) along the Singapore western coastline before dawn. Gave new meaning to the phrase ‘it’s always darkest before dawn’.

2.?????Read and finished 'A Life Worth Living' by Kevin Delaney. Full of life stories that pull you in. Many helpful key questions that made me think and then act.

3.?????Video-called an old friend Ken, based in Tokyo whom I have not spoken with for more than 12 months. We usually talk in person when I visit. Positive memories flooded our chat.

4.?????For the first time, made cold soba for lunch that tasted really good. ?Something about the cooking timing once you get it right.

5.?????Completed 60% of the Coursera course Life After Covid19: Get Ready for our Post Pandemic Future by Jane McGonigal from the Institute for the Future. Wrote two assignments that were peer graded and graded peers’ assignments. Felt great to get constructive feedback.

6.?????Developed two L&D marketing emails to be launched April 12 week. Nice, short, and yet informative.

7.?????Watched the 2008 Japanese movie Departures for the 5th time and continue to love this deeply moving story about humanity and family bonds.

8.?????Carried out my quarterly ‘Business Model You’ audit with 3 actions to take as part of career development over the next 60 days.

9.?????Read '101 Things I learned in Business School' ?by Michael W. Preis. This book is strangely comforting and informative.

10.?Decluttered my home office, filed, packed, and organized work and personal documents. This felt good.

11.?Worked with founding teams in two local start-ups on their company values and hiring plans. I like how hungry and curious they are.

12.?Made a few avocado and spinach shakes that tasted good not gross.

13.?Joined and completed a 90-minute hot yoga class after pausing for more than a year because of my injury.

14.?Walked around Telok Ayer district in Singapore with Li Woon of The Volunteer Switchboard and learned a lot more about my Chinese Hokkien heritage.

15.?Ate Monjyayaki a delicious pan-fried Japanese pancake usually found in the Kanto area in Japan. I was fortunate to eat this at an authentic unpretentious Japanese restaurant in my neighborhood.

16.?Wrote three longish letters (yes handwritten) to surprise 3 friends who live outside of Singapore. They always send me handwritten cards at Christmas and during birthdays.

17.?Read 'Beyond Order' by Jordan B. Peterson, an engrossing read.

18.?Worked on three participant Handouts for a workshop in late April and sent drafts out for feedback.

19.?Discovered ITO a lovely stirring song by Masaki Suda and Huwie Ishizaki and it is now on my heavy rotation playlist.

20.?Bought and installed a small Singapore skyline décor on my otherwise Zenlike walls at home.

21.?Spent time with my mother eating some of her favorite comfort food (one of which is 'water rice cake') while listening to her talk about her day.

22.?Dived into LinkedIn Learning course ‘using Microsoft Teams and Outlook together: Maximizing Productivity’ by Gini von Courter

23.?Curated a Spotify playlist for an upcoming EmpowerIn workshop (learning is about engaging as many senses as possible).

24.?Completed my tax returns (phew).

25.?Read HBR’s Spring 2021 Special Issue How to Build Career Resilience and shortlisted a few articles to share out at an upcoming career development workshop.

26.?Cleaned up my luggage and travel bag. It has been a while since I used these, and the cleaning ritual made me appreciate what I was able to do so freely in the past.

27.?Had dinner with my son and his friends – I loved the conversations, listened a lot and now have an “open invitation” to join them anytime (Yay).

28.?Decluttered my wardrobe to keep to 15 pieces of ‘All you need’ basics. They are mostly all black for ease of coordination and aesthetic impact (I believe so!). Sent the remaining clothes I no longer needed to the Salvation Army.

29.?Got started reading Humour Seriously by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. A great read that highlights why humour is a superpower at work and in life.

30.?Wrote two letters to myself in the future using this nifty app https://www.futureme.org/ – one for 60 days later and another set to reach my inbox 12 months later.

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. “ – Eleanor Roosevelt?