It pains me to write this - but I cannot find the time to get this started again. Luckily the family is healthy and work is going great (and taking more time) so I have to focus on the main two things in my life for the time being: Family and Work.
Considering that I am not a "reader" I am still proud of reading 50 days a day for nearly a month. It was great working my way through books in just a few days - it was very easy to get the message.
Thanks for anyone that did pay attention to this - have a great 2010!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving - And Life
My daughter has been in the hospital - mortgage licensing classes have taken top priority and I would prefer to stay married through the holidays. Oh, and we are leaving the day after thanksgiving for a one week vacation.
50pagesaday.com is on hold for now - I'll have to resume once a few of these obligations are taken care of.
50pagesaday.com is on hold for now - I'll have to resume once a few of these obligations are taken care of.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood (#5)
After several years of working endless hours, John Wood has decided to take a full week off. No phone, no international travel, no long nights - just time to relax with friends. His plan was working just fine until the Tsunami hit Asia. "The vacation was over." (Page 220)
John find himself on CNN and then a few days later - after an overwhelmingly positive response - on CNN Headline News. John is wondering how he qualifies as an "expert" in this arena and Michelle, his newly hired PR person puts it like this:
"You covered the Asia region for Microsoft for five years, and you've run an Asia-focused charity for five years that has built more libraries than any charity on the continent. Like it or not, you're now an Asia expert, and this is a really good opportunity for you to tell millions of people about the great work your team is doing." (Page 222)
Six and a half years after his first book delivery, John is flying to meet with Dinesh - and this on the news that his organization has delivered one million books.
WOW.
If that were not enough, that day in Nepal, thirty new libraries opened.
What an amazing journey John Wood has taken over his few short years at Room to Read. I am excited to read that last installment of this book.
John find himself on CNN and then a few days later - after an overwhelmingly positive response - on CNN Headline News. John is wondering how he qualifies as an "expert" in this arena and Michelle, his newly hired PR person puts it like this:
"You covered the Asia region for Microsoft for five years, and you've run an Asia-focused charity for five years that has built more libraries than any charity on the continent. Like it or not, you're now an Asia expert, and this is a really good opportunity for you to tell millions of people about the great work your team is doing." (Page 222)
Six and a half years after his first book delivery, John is flying to meet with Dinesh - and this on the news that his organization has delivered one million books.
WOW.
If that were not enough, that day in Nepal, thirty new libraries opened.
What an amazing journey John Wood has taken over his few short years at Room to Read. I am excited to read that last installment of this book.
Week 4
This was a hard week...and I was going to make it: until I spiked a 102+ fever on Friday night and slept my way through the weekend. Everyone once and a while I get reminded that despite how excited I am to take on each exciting day of life, 5 hours of sleep just doesn't cut it on a regular basis.
So, I didn't make the 50 page requirement on Saturday OR Sunday. I am writing this at 12:35am on Monday morning (actually Sunday night). Off to read a few pages about John Wood's quest to educate the world, and then back on track tomorrow for a post.
Perhaps I'll take the weekends off going forward...that might be nice...we'll see.
So, I didn't make the 50 page requirement on Saturday OR Sunday. I am writing this at 12:35am on Monday morning (actually Sunday night). Off to read a few pages about John Wood's quest to educate the world, and then back on track tomorrow for a post.
Perhaps I'll take the weekends off going forward...that might be nice...we'll see.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood (#4)
John realizes that is just not possible to wear all the hats and obtain the necessary funding that Room to Read requires. Rather than looking for a few extremely wealthy donors - thus having "all the eggs in one basket" - John sets up networks in each of the major wealthy cities around the world to obtain funds from several people.
"Not everyone in the world wants to 'pull a John Wood' and quit their job to go save the world. But there are thousands, maybe millions, of people who are making good money and want something more from life than a cereer success. They're the people Thoman Friedman refers to as super-empowered individuals." (Page 155)
"...everyone on the globe where the are people with money, Room to Read would be pitching them to help fund our goal of universal education." (Page 156)
John Wood shares some of the stories of success and failure as he learns that there truly needs to be a "fire in the belly" of those he entrusts to run the various city networking groups. He also is being faced with the realization that he is working 80 hours a week and not leaving time for anyhing else - including himself or to care about anything other than his passion: Room to Read. He wonders if Bill Gates, who often appears "a mess" may be similar - so passionate about his cause that nothing else matters. This is certainly a full circle from John's experience with Bill Gates China visit in the first part of the book.
In the third section of this book we learn that $250 can purchase a year long scholarship for a girl in an underdeveloped country. While it is certainly important to educate all young children John Wood shares some statistics and other study facts that help us, the general population, understand that it is vital to get young girls/women to become literate. They are, after all, the backbone of many families and if the mother is educated - she can be a better provider and read to her children and be sure they are educated.
Note: I will be out of town on Saturday and Sunday but will read the remaining pages of this book to satisfy the requirement and post on Sunday evening.
Have a good weekened!
"Not everyone in the world wants to 'pull a John Wood' and quit their job to go save the world. But there are thousands, maybe millions, of people who are making good money and want something more from life than a cereer success. They're the people Thoman Friedman refers to as super-empowered individuals." (Page 155)
"...everyone on the globe where the are people with money, Room to Read would be pitching them to help fund our goal of universal education." (Page 156)
John Wood shares some of the stories of success and failure as he learns that there truly needs to be a "fire in the belly" of those he entrusts to run the various city networking groups. He also is being faced with the realization that he is working 80 hours a week and not leaving time for anyhing else - including himself or to care about anything other than his passion: Room to Read. He wonders if Bill Gates, who often appears "a mess" may be similar - so passionate about his cause that nothing else matters. This is certainly a full circle from John's experience with Bill Gates China visit in the first part of the book.
In the third section of this book we learn that $250 can purchase a year long scholarship for a girl in an underdeveloped country. While it is certainly important to educate all young children John Wood shares some statistics and other study facts that help us, the general population, understand that it is vital to get young girls/women to become literate. They are, after all, the backbone of many families and if the mother is educated - she can be a better provider and read to her children and be sure they are educated.
Note: I will be out of town on Saturday and Sunday but will read the remaining pages of this book to satisfy the requirement and post on Sunday evening.
Have a good weekened!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood (#3)
John Wood's transition is complete and he has seen early success in obtaining funding. He plans to expand - Vietnam is next.
He recalls that during his Microsoft days he met a young boy named Vu in Vietnam. Vu was driven - committed to learning Microsoft Office (literally reading excel manuals and MS Access Manuals at a very young age). Vu worked nights in a local hotel to practice his English and so he would have time to read when the residents were sleeping. He slept for 4 to 5 hours during the day, and spent the remaining time in a computer lab learning Excel.
John struggles with a way to help this child who seems to be motivated to the extreme - and he finds it!
"It was in my power to create this opportunity.....I ripped a page out of the journal and grabbed a pen.
"Dear Nguyen Thai Vue:
As an employee of Microsoft, I have been financially empowered by Bill Gates to provide scholarship money for promising young students in Vietnam to learn computer science....
Best of luck to you. Please study hard, and please write to me with reports of your progress." (Page 104 - 105)
John included a $20 bill. To Vu this was life changing. He continued to stay in touch with John and "in the fall of 2005, Vu wrote me [John] to tell me that he had decided to pursue a graduate degree is software engineering at the Aptech school in Hue. The cost would run $650 per year. Could I help?
My author's advance against royalties for this book was immediately tapped into.... If you bought this book, you are now one of Vu's benefactors." (Page 108)
WOW - that was powerful when I was reading it. Through the account of meeting Vu, John can share with us his determination. It is amazing how some people are driven - unconditionally. I feel proud to "know" Vu through this book. He is inspiring.
John heads to Nepal and upon approaching a school he had helped build through is organization he recalls the following: "Each of these kids, and there not appeared to be several hundred of them crowding around us, would have the benefit of a better education. I have truly found my nirvana." (Page 111)
"By the fall of 2001, I was convinced that we were on the right growth trajectory. We opened our 100th library" (Page 128)
We all remember 9/11/2001 - and to John, who was in Europe at the time, nothing was more important than getting back into the US to be with his fellow Americans. An event planned months before 9/11 was scheduled on September 23rd, 2001. John was unsure of himself and did think about the event - and most importantly how people would respond in being asked to donate to educate and provide books to people outside the US.
John and many others at the event on the 23rd were not happy about President Bush's comments that in order to help the US economy, citizens should go shopping. John recalls a conversation he had on Sept 23rd, 2001:
After the Soviets had given up on expanding into Afghanistan, "the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia sponsored the opening of over ten thousand madrassas (schools) in Afghanistan. And you know the rest of the story, because we've been living it for the last two weeks..." (Page 131).
If you do not know about this fact - essentially, the schools that were created "trained" the young population to dislike the US. The fact is that the US military had assisted Afghanistan in holding off the Soviets - and when the Soviets retreated, the US picked up and left. This left a country in ruins looking for a "hero". The "hero" came in the way of "western hating" sects and groups. (Please note that I am summarizing the book here - this, although similar to my view, does not represent MY view on this situation).
John finds the principals he learned at Microsoft are valuable - especially those from his Mentor and Miscrosoft's #2 in charge, Steve Ballmer. It was essential to both Steve and the success of MS that they (1) know their numbers and (2) show loyalty, not only to the company but also to those around you.
Okay, on to the next 50!~
He recalls that during his Microsoft days he met a young boy named Vu in Vietnam. Vu was driven - committed to learning Microsoft Office (literally reading excel manuals and MS Access Manuals at a very young age). Vu worked nights in a local hotel to practice his English and so he would have time to read when the residents were sleeping. He slept for 4 to 5 hours during the day, and spent the remaining time in a computer lab learning Excel.
John struggles with a way to help this child who seems to be motivated to the extreme - and he finds it!
"It was in my power to create this opportunity.....I ripped a page out of the journal and grabbed a pen.
"Dear Nguyen Thai Vue:
As an employee of Microsoft, I have been financially empowered by Bill Gates to provide scholarship money for promising young students in Vietnam to learn computer science....
Best of luck to you. Please study hard, and please write to me with reports of your progress." (Page 104 - 105)
John included a $20 bill. To Vu this was life changing. He continued to stay in touch with John and "in the fall of 2005, Vu wrote me [John] to tell me that he had decided to pursue a graduate degree is software engineering at the Aptech school in Hue. The cost would run $650 per year. Could I help?
My author's advance against royalties for this book was immediately tapped into.... If you bought this book, you are now one of Vu's benefactors." (Page 108)
WOW - that was powerful when I was reading it. Through the account of meeting Vu, John can share with us his determination. It is amazing how some people are driven - unconditionally. I feel proud to "know" Vu through this book. He is inspiring.
John heads to Nepal and upon approaching a school he had helped build through is organization he recalls the following: "Each of these kids, and there not appeared to be several hundred of them crowding around us, would have the benefit of a better education. I have truly found my nirvana." (Page 111)
"By the fall of 2001, I was convinced that we were on the right growth trajectory. We opened our 100th library" (Page 128)
We all remember 9/11/2001 - and to John, who was in Europe at the time, nothing was more important than getting back into the US to be with his fellow Americans. An event planned months before 9/11 was scheduled on September 23rd, 2001. John was unsure of himself and did think about the event - and most importantly how people would respond in being asked to donate to educate and provide books to people outside the US.
John and many others at the event on the 23rd were not happy about President Bush's comments that in order to help the US economy, citizens should go shopping. John recalls a conversation he had on Sept 23rd, 2001:
After the Soviets had given up on expanding into Afghanistan, "the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia sponsored the opening of over ten thousand madrassas (schools) in Afghanistan. And you know the rest of the story, because we've been living it for the last two weeks..." (Page 131).
If you do not know about this fact - essentially, the schools that were created "trained" the young population to dislike the US. The fact is that the US military had assisted Afghanistan in holding off the Soviets - and when the Soviets retreated, the US picked up and left. This left a country in ruins looking for a "hero". The "hero" came in the way of "western hating" sects and groups. (Please note that I am summarizing the book here - this, although similar to my view, does not represent MY view on this situation).
John finds the principals he learned at Microsoft are valuable - especially those from his Mentor and Miscrosoft's #2 in charge, Steve Ballmer. It was essential to both Steve and the success of MS that they (1) know their numbers and (2) show loyalty, not only to the company but also to those around you.
Okay, on to the next 50!~
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood (#2)
Bill Gates arrival needed to be planned to the minute (including 2 to 3 minute bathroom breaks). The Chinese government had arranged for a motorcade to expedite his travels and this was a very important trip for Microsoft - as the United States.
While John had spend days and days planning for the event, his hopes for an extremely successful interview between Bill Gates and the top news reporter in China were crushed. Bill Gates' responses were not those that John had spent time crafting to stress the importance of Microsoft helping and understanding the Chinese population. Rather, they were general and unimpressive.
"I had put long hours into this interview, and that time could not be gained back. But I knew it was important not to focus on Bill's performance. There was no way I could ever run a company this large, so I was in no position to be judgemental. What seemed more important was the signal this sent to me. if I could not make a big difference at Microsoft, then perhaps this cage me even more of a green light to bail out." (Page 58-59)
I would like to point out that John, following the above quote from his book also states "Despite the demotivation inherent in Bill's China visit, I can't help but respect him. Not only did he start a great company at a young age, but the work he and Melinda are doing through the Gates Foundation will positively influence the lives of millions." (Page 59)
John's excitement for leaving Microsoft is increasing and an upcoming PR planning event sealed the deal for him.
"A strong signal that I needed to make a break came a week later during a meeting in Hong Kong of Microsoft's top PR people in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. One of the subjects on the agenda was a region wide charity initiative that we'd kick off later in the year." (Page 62)
John finds out that they (MS) are interested in pursuing an event which takes middle class students and places them in high end private schools. Here is an exchange between one of John's teammates during that meeting.
"The plan you are proposing simply allows those students to go to an even better private school. Isn't there a way we can help those who are really poor?"
"Helping the poor does not really help us," Alice shot back. (Page 63)
John describes the move to exit Microsoft, his life with his girlfriend and his life in Asia. He is tormented by living a life he doesn't want to for six agonizing weeks until he toasts his departure to San Francisco on an 11am flight while drinking a glass of champagne.
John takes us through the early days of fundraising and although it was a new experience he found ways to maintain more yeses than nos. The bottom line is that he is passionate and wanted his idea to work.
"If someone was putting money down because they thought I'd spend it wisely, then my personal and professional honor were at stake. A positive reputation is a hard thing to gain, and an easy thing to lose." (Page 95)
While John had spend days and days planning for the event, his hopes for an extremely successful interview between Bill Gates and the top news reporter in China were crushed. Bill Gates' responses were not those that John had spent time crafting to stress the importance of Microsoft helping and understanding the Chinese population. Rather, they were general and unimpressive.
"I had put long hours into this interview, and that time could not be gained back. But I knew it was important not to focus on Bill's performance. There was no way I could ever run a company this large, so I was in no position to be judgemental. What seemed more important was the signal this sent to me. if I could not make a big difference at Microsoft, then perhaps this cage me even more of a green light to bail out." (Page 58-59)
I would like to point out that John, following the above quote from his book also states "Despite the demotivation inherent in Bill's China visit, I can't help but respect him. Not only did he start a great company at a young age, but the work he and Melinda are doing through the Gates Foundation will positively influence the lives of millions." (Page 59)
John's excitement for leaving Microsoft is increasing and an upcoming PR planning event sealed the deal for him.
"A strong signal that I needed to make a break came a week later during a meeting in Hong Kong of Microsoft's top PR people in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. One of the subjects on the agenda was a region wide charity initiative that we'd kick off later in the year." (Page 62)
John finds out that they (MS) are interested in pursuing an event which takes middle class students and places them in high end private schools. Here is an exchange between one of John's teammates during that meeting.
"The plan you are proposing simply allows those students to go to an even better private school. Isn't there a way we can help those who are really poor?"
"Helping the poor does not really help us," Alice shot back. (Page 63)
John describes the move to exit Microsoft, his life with his girlfriend and his life in Asia. He is tormented by living a life he doesn't want to for six agonizing weeks until he toasts his departure to San Francisco on an 11am flight while drinking a glass of champagne.
John takes us through the early days of fundraising and although it was a new experience he found ways to maintain more yeses than nos. The bottom line is that he is passionate and wanted his idea to work.
"If someone was putting money down because they thought I'd spend it wisely, then my personal and professional honor were at stake. A positive reputation is a hard thing to gain, and an easy thing to lose." (Page 95)
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