Echoed thoughts.

I used to read Diana Rikasari's blog religiously, but since I've started working on AZORIAS, I haven't really had the luxury to surf and pour through a lot of my favorite blogs, and I think it has easily been months since I last read her blog.

However, 2 nights ago, I had a window of free time while waiting for the boyfriend, and I opened her carefree, crazy blog, and found a couple of things that I can really relate to, and I thought I would share them here. :)

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The act of collecting thoughts is most of the times underrated. What people often value and appreciate is the view of someone running here and there working till late night with his or her cellphone constantly ringing being reminded of meetings one needs to attend. And yet those who sit quietly at home thinking what to do next is perceived as lazy and has nothing to do.

Collecting thoughts does not translate to doing nothing. It's the door to opening everything.

Excerpt from "Bucket".

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I think I'm currently going through what I call an "entrepreneur blues"...it's that phase where you're still new yet growing yet scared of how things will be...it's that phase where you have sleepless nights doing nothing but thinking as if there's so many things to think about while you're actually just worried and anxious about uncertainty.

Being an entrepreneur is like putting your whole self out there and taking the riskiest risk (this sounds cute). When you fall, you fall. With no safety net. And you gotta have enough energy to get back up and say "what the heck I'll try again", only this time better. When you succeed, it frightens you because that so-called success can disappear in seconds if you make the wrong move. I think, being an entrepreneur requires us to be calm, composed, wise and very very positive. In fact, only positivity can help us survive.


Excerpt from "All that junk".

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A true story by Vic Gundotra:

One Sunday morning, January 6th, 2008 I was attending religious services when my cell phone vibrated. As discreetly as possible, I checked the phone and noticed that my phone said "Caller ID unknown". I choose to ignore.

After services, as I was walking to my car with my family, I checked my cell phone messages. The message left was from Steve Jobs. "Vic, can you call me at home? I have something urgent to discuss" it said.

Before I even reached my car, I called Steve Jobs back. I was responsible for all mobile applications at Google, and in that role, had regular dealings with Steve. It was one of the perks of the job.

"Hey Steve - this is Vic", I said. "I'm sorry I didn't answer your call earlier. I was in religious services, and the caller ID said unknown, so I didn't pick up".

Steve laughed. He said, "Vic, unless the Caller ID said 'GOD', you should never pick up during services".

I laughed nervously. After all, while it was customary for Steve to call during the week upset about something, it was unusual for him to call me on Sunday and ask me to call his home. I wondered what was so important?

"So Vic, we have an urgent issue, one that I need addressed right away. I've already assigned someone from my team to help you, and I hope you can fix this tomorrow" said Steve.

"I've been looking at the Google logo on the iPhone and I'm not happy with the icon. The second O in Google doesn't have the right yellow gradient. It's just wrong and I'm going to have Greg fix it tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"

Of course this was okay with me. A few minutes later on that Sunday I received an email from Steve with the subject "Icon Ambulance". The email directed me to work with Greg Christie to fix the icon.
Since I was 11 years old and fell in love with an Apple II, I have dozens of stories to tell about Apple products. They have been a part of my life for decades. Even when I worked for 15 years for Bill Gates at Microsoft, I had a huge admiration for Steve and what Apple had produced.

But in the end, when I think about leadership, passion and attention to detail, I think back to the call I received from Steve Jobs on a Sunday morning in January. It was a lesson I'll never forget. CEOs should care about details. Even shades of yellow. On a Sunday.

To one of the greatest leaders I've ever met, my prayers and hopes are with you Steve.

Excerpt from "Story of the day".

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I loooove being an entrepreneur, because it allows me to create something from nothing. Business is a fun way to create and build something new, and within the process, we learn so much. I'm sad to see how many entrepreneurs nowadays decide to be one just for the sake of making money. I really think passion should have a greater portion. No matter how small my Up brand is still, I am proud because I am growing it wholeheartedly.

Let's value originality, people. Originality in every aspect. Being inspired is one thing, being original is another. While we learn from other people and we are inspired by them, we should always remind ourselves to not steal, moreover lie. When we're entrepreneurs, it's so easy to steal from each other. But that really is not the whole point. It's about creating something from nothing, remember?

I won't be straightforward here nor will I be blunt. Just have respect and let's not steal other people's creation be it a design, a copy, a brand philosophy, an idea or any other form of intellectual property. Always give credits to those you were inspired by. Real success will only follow the sincere & kindhearted ones.

Excerpt from "I come in peace".

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We often hurt the joy of life by saying, "the grass is greener on the other side". But green comes in many shades, to accommodate each of our likings and suitability. So be comfortable with our choice of shade, as dark green is not always better than lime green.

Excerpt from "Shades of life".