I learnt various things at the conference in Beijing (that I had mentioned in my previous blog), even while I enjoyed facilitating the many discussions on life and living. 

Here are a few the more memorable learnings:

(1) Strengthening relationships:  The 5:1 Principle

• There needs to be at least 5 times as many positive moments as negative moments if a marriage is to be stable
• It is a question of balance: a marriage needs positivity to nourish love
• Couples heading towards break up do far too little on the positive side to compensate for the growing negativity between them

(2) Aristotle on Excellence:

“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intensity, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”

(3) SUMO = Shut Up and Move On

• Stop talking and get something done!

(4)  Advice on making decisions in life:

• What are your options?
• Which option is best for you?
• What are your reasons for thinking so?
• Are your reasons good enough for you to choose that option?

(5) Was Tiger Woods Talented or Hardworking?

• His father gave Tiger a putter when he was seven months old.
• Before he was two, he and his father were on a course practising regularly.
• Both father and son attribute Tiger’s success not to talent, but to “hard work”.

(6) Steve Jobs on Wealth:

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful . . . that’s what matters to me.”

(7) Success & Failure

John F Kennedy in his last speech to the Massachusetts Legislature on 9 January 1961: “When at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each one of us . . . our success or failure in whatever office we hold will be measured by the answers to four questions:

• Were we truly men (and women) of courage . . . ?
• Were we truly men (and women) of integrity . . . ?
• Were we truly men (and women) of judgment . . . ?
• Were we truly men (and women) of dedication . . . ?”