THE PROBLEMS WITH RESOLUTIONS: THE STAR PAPER 4 JANUARY 2012

The problem with resolutions

Posted: 3rd January 2012 by R.AGE in Stories
Tags: Achieving goals, Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Bootcamp, Chief's Original Bootcamp, Effective resolutions, Goal-setting, Motivation, New Year resolutions, Resolutions, Sharmini Hensen

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We’ve all been there before – making our lists in January and telling ourselves that things will be different this year and that we’ll actually stick to our resolutions.

But sometimes it feels like the only sure-fire way to fulfill your New Year resolutions would be to resolve to NOT fulfill them.

What exactly is the deal with resolutions anyway, and why are they so darn hard to keep?

New Year resolutions - what's the deal with them?

2012: THE NEW BOOK

If there was a word that can describe the year 2011, then it must be a 'learning' year. Well, we learn new things everyday but the year 2011 has taught me some very important lesson in business, life, family and friendship. I spend the countdown for the new year with my family at Bustanu. Except for Dr Teratai Edithy Pahamin and Shazrul Assari, mum and all other siblings gather for a BBQ. I was the "Master Chef" barbeque'ing seafood, lamb, chicken and multi-task'ed for Quality Control. Hence, half of those food 'disappeared' before it reaches the plate. Azhar Sulaiman bought some serious firecrackers and began blasting them as early as 8pm.. err.. I think he was more excited with Mercun than the kids.

Needless to say, as in all previous years, 2011 ended with a big huge Hooyah !! Never once did any years passesby with a regret, for every year there was always a plan. Whether the plan works or fail is secondary but life without trying or experimenting is not worth living. Moving forward, this year ... is a new page, new chapter and a new book. The ending or conclusion of this book is for us to write. We determine how this year is going to end. To achieve every year's resolution, we must have the right focus. This reminded me of the "Walk on Fire" motivational talk by Anthony Robbin that I attended during my final year university way back in 1994 in Birmingham. I had to save portion of my scholarship for a year just to buy the very expensive ticket but it was well worth it. Since then, whenever I feel the need to re-energized, I will turn back to the book "Awaken the Giant Within". I read hundreds of other motivational books during those undergraduate studies and even now but somehow, my chemistry was best with Anthony Robbin.  To focus on achieving our new year resolution, please see the short video below.

PHNOM PEHN TEAM MEMBERS

1 Day counting down to the new year and 6 days counting down to our big day. Thank you for a good 5 days of intensive meeting to end the year 2011 with a blast. To our teammates in Phnom Pehn, have a wonderful celebration and a good start for the New Year.

A short interview with most of the team mates revealed a surprising discovery. When asked, almost all of them shared only one New Year resolution..  "For the company to be successful in the new year and for them all to prosper well with the company". This value in any employees is hard to instil in most workforce but loyalty is a prominent attribute in Khmer's character.

Naturally, anything wont be complete without a camwhoring session.

LIVING LA VIDA LOCA

Year 2011 will end within less than 48 hours and let us flashback the year that passesby faster than Staff-Sarge Dann's 10km speedy timing. For a start, we have been in mud.. Obviously!!

and in water!!!!

LIFE WAS AS SIMPLE AS A BAGPACK FULL OF FRIENDS

I could not help but to ponder how much simpler life was during those childhood days. Those were the days when we can pack our friends into our bag pack to go to any places. I can smile stupidly all alone flashing back Aaraf's adorable words when he say "Dad, can I bring along my 10 friends to Penang? and showed me his friends nicely tucked into his backpack....

Hmm.. I wonder if I can tucked and fit all my ten friends Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Rose Emini Pahamin, Dr Malek Aziz, Farhanah Bamadhaj, Daing Daniel Fitri, Mohd Azhari, Cheah Boon Chong, Wan Hazriq, Suresh, Ridz and Moji into my luggage for a working oversea trip tomorrow.

YEAR 2012 COBC CALENDER (UPDATED)

VISION: 2012 COBC Primary Resolution- Convert more people to be a Bootcamper and get more people to be a health freak. How? By having a total 34 platoons at 7 locations with two pricing. For the hardcore, kiasu recruits with MC12 and those with a tighter budget and a busier schedule to workout with the MC8 program.

Program
MC12 program: RM299, Military Corps Training, 3x week, 12 sessions a month.
MC8 program: RM199, Military Corps Training, 2x a week, 8 sessions a month. For location & map, click www.cobc.biz

NOTE: Those highlighted in REDS are new platoons.

KUALA LUMPUR

I. AMPANG
1) Alpha: 0545-0645 (Mon, Wed, Fri) (MC12)
2) Bravo: 0700-0800 (Mon, Wed, Fri) (MC12)

3) Sierra: 0545-0645 (Mon, Wed) (MC8)

4) Oscar: 0700-0800 (Mon, Wed) (MC8)

II. DAMANSARA HEIGHTS
5) Charlie: 0545-0645 (Tue, Thu, Sat) (MC12)
6) Zulu: 1845-1945 (Mon, Wed, Fri) (MC12)

7) Tango: 0545-0645 (Tue, Thu) (MC8)

8) Yankee: 1845-1945 (Tue, Thu) (MC8)
 

NEW ASS ON THE BLOCK: COBC DECEMBER LAST SESSION

Nothing is more important than some surprises to juice and spice up our morning routine especially if we intend to maintain the momentum in climaxing at every alternate morning workout. A lot of time were spent to understand the needs of every recruit and alot of effort were invested to make sure everyone reach the point of no return at the end of every session.

To commemorate the end of December monthly workout in conjunction with the New Year, we brought to Malaysia the Alpha Strong Sandball (ASS) all the way from the United States of America especially for the use of recruits from the CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP (COBC). The COBC is the first to import and use the ASS in Malaysia and Bandar Utama Alpha platoon was the first to break the ASS virgin. Ewww that sounds wrong.  The platoon was all excited to see the new Toys.. If there was the most voted feedback on our online feedback form at HERE.. then it must be the request for new toys!!  We hear ya... and now you have it!!

PENANG CHINGAY, LION AND DRAGON DANCE PARADE 2011

It was a sheer bonus for us to be in Penang to coincidentally discover the annual Penang Chingay, Lion and dragon dance parade that was held on 17 December 2011. We were there for food Penang CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP (COBC) inaugural graduation beach party, COBC training at Padang Polo and for a meeting with the Penang Skill Development Centre. From a 3 in 1 visit, it became a .. err 5 in 1.. including the Makansutra!!

At the graduation party, the Chingay and Lion dance parade became the topic of conversation amongst the Penang'ites. During one of the group chat with Rohan from Korea, Jennifer, Phat Ling, Phaik San (did I miss anyone?) described Chingay as a 6 foot pole balancing art on the forehead which I initially mistaken it as Pole Dancing.. I mean.. the Chinese sort of pole dancing.. not so kinky eh.. aiiks. Chingay taken from Chinese dialect Hokkien, in pronunciation as Chin Yi means True Art. For more details on Chingay Parade, click HERE.

Chingay that was originated in China, was first performed in Penang in 1919 during deity processions. It is a street art where the performer balances a giant flag that ranges from 30 ft to 35 ft in height and about 60 pounds in weight. Over the years, the local Chinese had improvised the Chingay performance. From a basic giant flag balancing by a solo performer, Chingay became a team performance that consists of more than 15 persons in a troupe. 

PENANG ALPHA: A WORKOUT TOO GOOD

After completing 12 MakanSutra at various positions and locations in a day, we almost but did not miss the COBC training at Polo Alpha platoon. 9 of us from the 23 recruits and instructors from Central Region that attended Penang COBC Grad party stayed back purposely to eat attend Sarge (COBC) (P) Boon's alpha session. We planned to arrive late to give "KL-Grunts-Souvenir" for the Penang Platoon and thought of not coming in our COBC grey tee but we did not want to be cruel. So here we are.. all very early, in uniform but the Penang'ite gave us the Grunts-Souvenir instead by not wearing the grey Tshirt!! haiiih.. Thank you for the kind hospitality.

Having met with most islander during the Penang COBC Party at HERE, we can only conclude that they are really a shy bunch as compared to KL'ites. When the KL'ites party.. including the instructors.. they went all wild.

We hear rumours, penang'ites are a real camwhores.. so we stayed back after the alpha session, all sweaty, slutty and ready to camwhore... There were Dr Malek Aziz, Angela Loo, Lizza Abdul Rahim, Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Farhanah Bamadhaj, Maslina Ahmad Ismail, Rienna Choo and Ruzana Ibrahim but when the session ended.. everyone disappeared!! and only the nine stooges from KL were standing waiting to be photo-shoot.. oh shoot.

COBC PENANG HOTBODS PARTY: BANANA BOYS

One weekend down South and another up North and then again down South and up North.. Somehow, these domestic traveling seemed inevitable with little trip being made to the east coast, my own home town. Before the weekend, my cousin wati was married to ASP Hussein in Kelantan but I was engaged with PROTON annual convention and had to give it a miss. Otherwise, it would have been, down South, East Coast, up North and down South again.

It began with a good unprecedented move to bercanda di atas beca (moments on trishaw).. err actually it was to avoid Penang's impossible traffic. Traffic jam should be synonyms with KL'ites but traffic in Penang was near impossible! Traffic in KL would slowly flow bumper to bumper which was caused by a high number of vehicles on the road but traffic in Penang was a complete stopped and stalled, bumper to bumper with no movement at all due to the traffic light. If there is one thing that Penang needs, it must be in a city ring-road-fly-over or a bypass without the traffic light (take note Guan Eng).

The moments on trishaw was err.. mesmerizing until the picture appeared on Facebook and within seconds.. the first comment from the dozens, read out...

POST-PROTON CONVENTION 2011 DISCUSSION AT PROTON EDAR - PUTRAJAYA

There were so much to digest post-PROTON network convention 2011 but one significant difference this year, is in PROTON EDAR's focus in our Sales Advisors. In the history of Proton Edar Sdn Bhd (PESB) or formerly known as USPD, every Chief Executive Officer during every annual network convention would reprimand if not short of threatening the termination of dealers for non-performance except for this year. The message was clear. All 230 showrooms nationwide now will not be terminated.. although there is a small print that says "unless they cannot achieve the target" but the small print is less scary now with a clearer direction forward. The direction forward is in the appointment of competent Sales Advisors. The sales advisors are the actual bloodflow of the brand. With an average 3 cars-sold per sales advisor per month or a total of 4,000 sales advisors employed in the network on the backdrop of 160,000 units of PROTON car sales per year, the number of sales advisors must be reduced.. not by dealers but centrally by PROTON Edar.

(picture- left) Gathering of some of PROTON EDAR-Putrajaya sales advisors for a post-convention briefing and Q&A a day after convention.
All new appointment of Sales Advisors by either the dealers or the branches will be vetted through centrally by PROTON Edar and those that qualify will be appointed by PESB via the issuance of an Identity Number and all the Sales Advisor with any fraud or Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) or those selling less than 5 cars a month, will be slowly phased-put from the system.

ROCKY'S BRU

After the annual PROTON network convention that unveiled PROTON's 2012 plans and the latest baby, we bumped into Datuk Ahiruddin Attan or more popularly known as Rocky's Bru. If there is one man that I could idolise as my blogger idol, then it must be Rocky! Both Razak Aziz and me have been Rocky's blog follower since ..err forever. Naturally, when Razak Aziz or more popularly known as "Jak" called me to say that he was with Datuk Rocky.. and I was accompanying Dato Seri Syed Zainal addressing the PROTON Service and after sales network at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, I quickly sms Jak.. "Sh@#t, I cannot leave now. You keep him there! I must meet him".

PROTON NETWORK CONVENTION 2011

15 December 2011. Two weeks before the year ended, all PROTON Edar branches and authorized sales and service dealers nationwide gathered at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Sunway Hotel Resort and Spa for the annual PROTON Network Convention 2011 and it was the first gathering attended by less than a month old PROTON Edar Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Suhaimi Mohamed Anuar.

This year's convention was a bit unusual. It was held towards the year end compared to last year where the convention was held earlier in April 2010. PROTON Edar Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Suhaimi Mohamed Anuar was the first speaker. PEDA had a good and fruitful first meeting and discussion with Suhaimi last month in November. Suhaimi was sensitive and understood the predicament of the dealers which was very important to PEDA given that the dealers network dominated almost 80% of PROTON domestic car sales. PEDA outlined a series of historical issues that requires urgent attention and Suhaimi assured those issues will be addressed in due course. During the convention, Suhaimi reiterated the need for all sales advisors to be productive and for dealers to only maintain a minimal number of Sales Advisers. Soon all Sales Advisers must be vetted and approved by PESB before any recruitment by the dealer. This is important to ensure the network employed only the committed and dedicated Sales personnel.

DETOX MOCKTAIL

We hear ya on the online feedback. You asked for Supplements, we give you supplements! Now we have supplements in store just for you! But of course, we only choose the best!! but before we even start chatting on those supplements, I have also received various inquiries on detox and natural supplements too. I am not a nutritionist to elaborate in details on our body's nutritional requirement.. that is Mr Wong from iLife's department. My department..? Yes.. eating department and that includes testing various detox re-mix ala guinea pig. I can only speak on my own personal experience as well as the experience of my group of guinea pigs friends.

I am a sucker for detox and dieting. In November 2008, I went strict on Dr JD Adamo's blood type diet for over a year which I blogged about it at HERE. After the blood type diet, I went on an organic detox diet. Yes, no polygamy on dieting. One dietary regime then another. I was on fresh Bitter-gourd and lemon juice every morning and birds nest in the evening for a year. In September 2010, I participated in the inaugural COBC 8 Week Challenge and overshot my weight lost target and became all skins and bones. Looking abit haggard and old instead of meaty and healthy I went on a weight gain diet and overshot to become abit fluffy. 6 months ago, I went on Vegetable Juice mocktail! Every morning after COBC, I'll go bottom's up on 25 ounce of vegetable what does the morning juice includes? It comprised of 6 inch fat cucumber, 4 inch Ginger, 1 small Bitter Gourd, 6 long sticks of Celery, three Green Apples, half size big Beet Root, three Carrots and one grape fruit all blended into 25 ounce of juice mocktail and took it on an empty stomach every morning!!

COBC PAYMENT MADE EASY!

Yes, we hear ya!!! You want to pay via credit card? You got it! There are now 3 ways to make payment. However, please be reminded that this is only the payment process. You will have to register online too on a monthly basis at http://www.cobc.biz/#!register. Online registration is important to ensure your name is admitted at your preferred location and session. That can only be done with once you have completed a simple medical questionnaires.

1) DIRECT BANK-IN OR TRANSFER VIA BANKING ONLINE

You can direct bank in or transfer online to CIMB ACCOUNT: 1258-000 261 5059 (Account name: ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP). if you are banking-direct or transfer online, you will need to email me the payment details together with your full name, email add, location and time to me at armin@bootcampmalaysia.com


2) PAYMENT VIA FACEBOOK

First via Facebook!! Yes, you heard it right.. you can pay via facebook. To make a payment via Facebook, click HERE or follow the instructions below:

1) go to www.facebook.com/Chief.Malaysia
2) then click "My Site" at the left column (see picture below).
3) Then click on "Store" at the menu bar.

RAGS TO A CELEBRITY: SARAH TAN

Sarah Tan is an undergraduate studying Bachelor of Design in Fashion Marketing and have been a gym member for many years but struggles in her weight fluctuation and lack of continuous drive to workout. Sarah wanted to changed her workout routine to get a better result and coincidentally discovered the CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP (COBC) on Groupon. She first attended the COBC in Subang Jaya USJ1 in August and has been with COBC since. When COBC launched its annual 8 Weeks Challenge (8WC) in late-September earlier this year, Sarah Tan quickly enrolled herself in the 8WC that only cost AUD 29.95 (RM90.00 only). Her goal was to lose as much fat, to be more lean and have a better toned physique.

Sarah Tan wanted the extra push in her workout regime, she craved for support and motivation, and wanted to diet right for a better health which she found it all at the COBC. Sarah Tan's fat percentage when she joined COBC was 30.5%, her waist measures 70.5cm, hips 90cm, upper thigh 48.5cm and in barely less than 2 months, now her fat level had decreased to 19%. Sarah Tan had also improved in her fitness and stamina. When Sarah first joined the COBC, she completed her Benchmark Assessment 1 in 13.07 minutes and Benchmark 2 in 11:28. While undergoing the 8WC, her timing has improved to 9:36 minutes for Benchmark 1 and 9:29 for Benchmark 2. Sarah's fitness had progressed so well that she is now promoted to a Delta, the elite level group at COBC.

HOTBODS NOV COBC PARTY. CHAPTER 6: WET DREAMS

CHAPTER 5: WET DREAMS. "Psst psst.. Armin, can we request permission to throw Staff Sarge (COBC) (P) Dann into the pool?", whispered someone to me! I look at him with a huge grin and replied, "Err.. You can if you can catch him!! But I dont think you are able too unless, you ambush him!!". Then I added, "If he is going in, you mind as well get everyone inside the pool too!".

That was how it all started and before you knew it.. the dream bods became a wet dream!

No one was sparred!! First it was Lance Corporal (COBC) (P) Resh and when the six-footer instructor went down, he immediately targeted Lance Corporal (COBC) (P) Ridz~

HOTBODS NOV COBC PARTY: CHAPTER 5: THE TESTIMONY

CHAPTER 5: THE CONFESSION. Part of the Hotbods monthly party and gathering was also to share personal experiences in training, diet, physical achievements and as well as for networking. I have always been keen and enthusiastic in outdoor activities. During my younger days (err not that I am now old but...), I have always wanted to conquer some mountains. Aspired by some tale of a pretty mountain princess ala Puteri Gunung Ledang in the legendary tale of Hang Tuah, my imagination sometimes can astray really wild. Those were fantasies during pre-school. Sadly now, typically Aaraf, does not even know who is Hang Tuah?! Heck.. he does not even know who is Popeye!! Anyway.. It was not until I met this young 52 years old gentlemen Abu Lais Walli Mohamed that I found a partner to explore and experiment mountain climbing!!! Yes, he was there for a while at last night's Hotbods party but he disappeared before I could mention the man that first introduced me to Mountain Climbing!! It was also with him that I first attended the CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP (COBC) program at Padang Merbuk.. almost 3 years ago. Ironically, now Padang Merbuk (a sentimental place) is no longer part of the Chief's network.

One thing that I learn from my journey in life was the need to be surrounded by people that share similar belief, interest and passion to make any dream a reality. When I befriended Abu Lais, my love and passion for outdoor activities multifold.. exponentially!! When I met Dr Malek Aziz, we got founded the CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP! That is what COBC is all about!! A huge family that share that same passion and enthusiasm. With a total of five hundred registered recruits in December, we have a huge family that want nothing else but to be gorgeous!!

HOTBODS NOV COBC PARTY: CHAPTER 2, 3 and 4: THE ACERS!!

CHAPTER 2: THE 100% ATTENDANCE, COMMITMENT AND EFFORT HALL OF ACHIEVERS.

Once upon a time, there were barely 5 or 6 recruits that ACE every month session. We totally understand the stress at work and the inevitable traveling for work and leisure but if we want to be fit, healthy and sexy.. trust me, we have to be committed. For that commitment and discipline to attend at least 12 sessions in a month, we are pleased to imprint your name in  COBC Hall of Achievers because this is the exemplary commitment that we want to instil in each and every recruit. Health and physique is a necessity in life which is more important than money and its what money cant buy.. With good health, we can work and earn better money. With beautiful body, we can marry money we have that confident to bring us very far in love, career and life. From only 5 recruits when we first started the ACE almost 3 years ago, today 65 recruits had ACE'd the November session!!! Those that ACE their session every month will be awarded with an ACE Certificate and have their name published in COBC Hall of Achievers at HERE.

Rashedah Ridwani

HOTBODS NOVEMBER PARTY CHAPTER 1: THE OFFICER AND THE GENTLEMENT

PREFACE: Its the monthly party again!! COBC celebrated its 18th Hotbods party (formerly known as Graduation party) and the theme for this November potluck party was 'Luau' inconjunction with the 8 Weeks Challenge that ended barely a month ago. Yes.. after a good hard workout, there is no better time than to show-off those improved hot bodies than at the end of every month. This will also be an inspiration for the newbies and others that a dream body is not a dream. At COBC, ordinary people do get extraordinary result. (Left, Armin Baniaz & Dr Malek with the hot macho instructors).

CHAPTER 1: THE OFFICER AND THE GENTLEMENT. The party was scheduled at 5am on Saturday.. why Saturday, you will soon find out! A war cry (Semboyan) was issued a week before hand to make sure everyone did NOT overeat for what is expected to be an extra-ordinary party!! Why...? Keep reading!! But even before that, many people have been sabotaging me with ..... DURIAN!!! Even on party day, 'someone' brought my along my biggest sin.. Durian pancake!! alamak...