How We Feel, Think and Behave

Things happen in our daily lives, and they will often affect how we feel, how we think and how we behave. If it's a bad news, we could easily sink into pessimism or we could happily think of all the opportunities when it's a good thing. But, instead of sulking our face and drown in gloomy thoughts, we can do something to take control.

Now among the 3 reactions, which would you think would be the easiest for you to control? Not suprisingly, it should be our behaviour. By controlling how you behave towards an event, it could affect the other two, which will in turn help you to look towards the bright side and start channelling your thoughts and energy towards resolving the problem or bracing the challenge. So instead of trying to control your emotions and thinking, do it the other way by first behaving the right way.

You might want to call it "acting". Act what you feel should be the right way, and your mind and emotions would naturally attune to the behavioural change. In fact, "acting" is a powerful way to build your self confidence, as you start visualising and act the way you want to be. Even if it seems superficial in the beginning, it will come natural once your self confidence kicks in.

3 Magic Words for Concentration

I read this in a book called "Hard Optimism". For those of us who have difficulty concentrating on current moment or task, here're the 3 magic words to tell yourself:

NOW...HERE...THIS

These 3 are very powerful words, when repeated to yourself, you are telling your brain and mind to focus on the current moment and focus all your energy towards the current task. You can call it a kind of hypnosis. Try this next time you feel distracted.

Guide to Renewing Passport

I heard the Immigration Dept has came up with a ATM-lookalike thing to speed up passport renewal process. Cool! I thought...I was a little sceptic how "fast" is fast. Since mine was expiring soon, I decided to see for myself how this thing works and whether you should be believing in the Immigration Dept's improved efficiency claim.

Things to bring:
1. RM300 for 32-page/5 years renewal fee.
2. 1x passport photo (write your name, IC no., phone no on the reverse side)
3. MyKad
4. Current passport

I reached Pusat Bandar Damansara around 8:15am on a Friday and parked my car in Blok I (which was where the immigration dept was). For those clueless souls, Blok I is block opposite the Giant supermarket. The Immigration Dept is just at the corner. If you decide to go the conventional method, take the escalator up to Level 1. To use the machine-way (which they called "KIPPAS"), then it's just at the ground floor, to the left of the main entrance.

The place was just like your neighbourhood bank's ATM area, there were 3 machines.

How to renew passport:

1. Get a white envelope from a table near the door.

2. Put in one passport photo into the envelope, envelope is not required to be sealed.

3. Write your name, I/C no, contact phone no on the envelope.

4. Line up at the machine, get your current passport, MyKad, RM300 and envelop ready.

5. Follow the instructions on the touch-screen:

Choose language - put your passport - insert MyKad - scan both left/right thumbs - insert money - insert envelop

6. Then wait for the slip to be printed out. Note the collection time on the slip, it will take abt 2 hours before you can collect your new passport.

7. Go to mamak/mcdonald to fill your stomach while waiting for the 2 hours to pass.

8. When 2 hours is almost up, go to Level 1, Counter 16. Show your printer slip to get your ticket number and wait for your turn.

9. When your turn comes, go the designated counter shown on the screen. Be handy with your Mykad and current passport.

10. Check your details and sign on your new passport. Get the payment receipt and you're done!

So the total time spent:

The process at the machine - less than 10 minutes

Processing time - 2 hours

Take number and waiting to collect - 35 minutes

So you can see it takes less than 3 hours to renew your passport. That's what I call efficient and fast! Way to go and thumbs up for the Immigration Dept.

One note, those under 18 or without MyKad are not allowed to renew their passport using the machine. You need to go through the conventional method (filling up form).