Asking what it’s for is scary business.

Once you name it, people can judge it, debate it, argue with you about it.

Is it for your morals, to make money, or to make you feel important?

It’s tempting to avoid the question and continue blindly.

Perhaps the most honest answer is “I’m afraid I might fail.”

Perhaps, its better than being stuck.

I’ve been cutting my own hair for a few months now.

Surprised by the 3× cost of haircuts in New Zealand compared to Singapore, I walked into a chemist and found that a shaver cost less than a single haircut!

Of course, I bought it on a whim. What’s the worse? My hair can grow back,

With one battery-powered shaver and 20mins in the gym toilet, I figured out how to cut my hair. No comb, no scissors, no tutorial in the gym toilet. (Yes, I sweep up all the hair)

Just like living in a car, changing the law, working a four-hour week, or starting an experiment, people did it because they didn’t wait.

Today is a fine day to be curious and ask, “How did you do it?”

Apple chooses a high-end, price-insensitive audience.

IKEA, on the other hand, wins you over with value, cutting costs wherever they can.

Apple designs the interior of its Macs beautifully, even where no one will ever look.

IKEA doesn’t paint the backs of bookcases, where no one will see.

Both approaches are thoughtful.

Are they for different target customer?

I buy and love them both.

Standards run our lives.

Some are enforced with punishment, but the most delightful ones are invisible.

The size of paper that fits into every printer. A holiday that reminds us to be grateful. The ease of driving a rental vehicle in a new country.

Savvy business knows that embracing standards benefit everyone in the long-terms.

Or even better, raise the standards. Scientists gave away the COVID vaccine for free. Tesla open-sourced all their patents.

The thing about standard is that it’s created by people.

And we are people.

The other day, I saw someone with a Trader Joe’s grocery bag.

It was the third time I’ve spotted one and I can assure you, Trader Joe’s is nowhere in New Zealand.

Confused, I went up to this innocent lady that came out from the gym. She shared that it was a special gift her daughter brought when she came to visit. Then she offered to give me her bag.

I was caught off guard by her offer. But it made it start liking people whose carrying a Trader Joe’s bag.

It got me thinking, why Trader Joe of all the kind of grocery stores?

Is it the beautiful design and utility of the bag?

Or maybe it’s the innovative snacks you bring to share with loved ones, the conversations you strike up with their overly friendly staff, the glorious frozen food selection, and the tasty wines for $2.

I think it’s all of the above.

What can you add to your business or portfolio of work that people want to carry your brand across the country? Do that.

P.S. If you find yourself in New Zealand and need a place to work in the evening, a BP petrol station is a great option.

Richard Branson wrote an open letter criticising Singapore’s death penalty.

Most countries might ignore and allow the stories to fade away.

Not Singapore. It invited Richard Branson to debate, on a live televised stream.

Singapore has adopted many policies that are unpopular like casino, death penalty and being slow to many social reform.

But if we look closely, these are measured policies and ideas.

May the best idea win.

Because ideas matter, and they make lives better.

P.S. Branson declined the debate.

What if catching up with friends could be more than cliff notes and personal updates? What if catch-ups were magical, psychological, and emotional?

Here are a few of my favourite spells to play:

For old friends…

• What’s changing in these days?
• We have 1.5 hours together today—what would make this time exquisite for you?
• If you’re writing a book of your life, what would be the name of this current chapter?
• One year from now we’ll be popping a bottle of champagne. What will we be celebrating?

For new people at parties…

• NAME, I’d really love to have a meaningful conversation with you. Are you up for that?
• Tell me 2 or 3 things that you know a lot about—not just intellectually, but experientially. It might not be what you’re passionate about. I love asking questions about those things, and I can walk away from this dinner with a lot of learnings.

Now, this might be jarring. So a little softener: “Before we jump in, I want to propose a game. Would you be keen to try it?”

To better relationships.

Heroes are important. They are who you aspire to be.

Although you might have not have access to them, you have access to their works, their interviews and their energy.

Before the day begins, before planning my goals, when my tank is empty, I touch their works.

More than what’s said, it’s the energy.

I notice when I bring a different energy, I get a different day.