The laughter that always accompanies me beside

The smile that was hidden from his face for experiencing uncomfortable journey, has been many time actually but this time was really destructing the feelings for so long and deciding to disconnect from self to world. 


In one morning I was making up my face just as usual day looking at my self in the front of mirrors by questioning "How could have that had happened?", then just sitting down with heads down not-in-a-good feelings. Goodly, in a weekend that none nor nothing in rush, but heart. To tone down this heartbeat so that I walked downstairs to get a cup of hot tea if only the thing I always rely on any situation. Back at it again to sit down on my seat to relax the leg, laying down my shoulder and putting cottony pillow on back head. Above my head to re-think again and again to blame my self up, it was just torturing the feelings.


Right after opening the window and doors to see the sun with a fresh air entering my nose, however the heart still beating quicker and faster, in my conscious mind knowing that I have been living with a good and wealth-enough condition, yet something small empty questionable remark stays inside this heart. I only can express to punch the disappointment emotion inside, to ensure they were gone. Still trying to kick those negatives by accepting that this realities was not a mistake, but lesson. There has been a disaster coming in a way to destruct for a while, whilst I was not on aware mode.


Going this or there had helped me up to erase the uncomfortable feelings additionally were no longer asking why and why. In my spiritual journey I could express as much as I can like crying the most, similarly to put my body down for a while, then ultimately to lay my heart up in a secured place that none can touch. Like self-medical-check-up routines in spite of I am doing a self reflection to see it from head to toe, to check what's not good, what was good already. Sometimes just missed to check which to fix or which to make it stay. I have got the answer that throwing me to Zero again (and many times), was not that bad. It was just balancing back to the centre, and ready to kick high upper again and again. No way just knowing this concept lately, that instead of Zero, there is a minus.

 

Living the life that where the God will guide, very questionable. After years finding out what I would like to achieve this life to understand better what mission I brought. Stepping deeper thoroughly thereafter knowing my self and itself to cleave apart the wrinkle. I do enjoy the journey. Still have no idea why laughter was a consistent reaction beside through all roller coaster ride feelings. The smiley boy that has been no longer shown his face for a while. Accepting is hard, but do I have a better option?

 

In last several months have been very comfortable in any ways. I already chinned the face up to stare onward with a lighter eyes additionally with more calm breathing. God just poured me sometimes sweet, sometimes savoury, or sometimes sour. It was just really and more comfortable after those had happened.  


In a night, looking back to the mirrors with different thought by realizing that what I see as a disaster continuously was actually not. Walking down to outside staring at the Moon, laughing again and again. How stupid it was. Laughing at my self, why do I take uncomfortable feelings that long and how was I consistently that influenced. I am now accepting those concepts, when God put me in some situation, it was good for my self. Never been any happier to my feelings now. No better feeling I can explain nor express. It is just it is. The smiley boy gets back at its default again.

Three Lessons of 2018

A dispute from among my argument on my head, last year was surprisingly giving me lots of tear, happiness, and lesson. Some big points are well-executed, by the support of universe which surrounds me anytime and anywhere, in the power of pray, universe supports me, really. I didn't do it by my self, and yet, I don't have a big power to push this everything to become a reality.

What I got blessed until now is, I was surrounded by a magic protector and luck, that brings it down until how I could face those stages and stand in this step.

People passed and by, I did it too. Changes taught me to become stronger again and again.

I tied a set of compliance onto big 3 moves last year:
1. Build a new warm home instead of a big fancy house
    An execution of having, instead of deciding to own a house was painfully-yet challenging moment. Becoming adult is not easy, there are big decisions that I have made last year that yielding the way I am today. I was spending 10 months to make it happen, as following those standards that I need to accomplish, and pre-fulfilled. Wasn't referring to a house that I have made for now, but the warm house that I build. I am the person that not-grow up together with my core family, I was divided by a condition not to have an opportunity to live with my siblings.
A big or fancy house doesn't matter to me as long as house can occupy the whole thing we have. As more grateful to have is the value of having a house, I could grab my teenager sisters who are pursuing a college, to be lived together with me. Been divided for years (this might more than 5 years), finally we re-united again to live under the same roof. It's been a grateful and graceful. The value among siblings living together in the far-away of parent's control, having me a good things to start and lead. To always become a real captain, financial planner, a house keeper, a shopper, a decorator, an advisor, a bill check controller, and a cooker. Living with two younger sisters in Jakarta is challenging, right?

2. Self actualization instead of pursuing maturity
    To be honest, maturity is not a metric that I realized important for me, as per I would not get fulfilled by an uncountable metric. By having a thinking to get maturity day by day in process, I believe this will be triggering frustation, or depression. As I was thinking that I could not count it, whether my maturity is already enough to-face-the world or not yet, this unfair and unmeasurable metric will not help anything to my growth. And another variable is, this unmeasureable metric is jugded by someone else, then it is time-wasting to focus on what maturity is and how to advance the maturity.
    Actualize and bring trust to God is the biggest peace I have found so far in my life. To careless what that I don't have privilege to hand on, by believing that this world has been controlled by God and let him decide what will happen farther, by having a full trust to him, not only in the word but spending more and upsizing the value of trust had helped me out the way to make my self in a 100% peacefulness.
    I started wholeheartedly sending one by one prayer, who I love, interact, and get in touch. This kind of peace, are helping me to worry-less my life. I send a good wishes to them one by one, in the middle of traffic-fight, travel, and my pray time. What I believe by sending this wishes are God will help me to communicate or connect what my word to them, though I have not met them in years. Pray is a good relaxation for me, to actualize what I cannot control, then believing that God will send the wishes to them one by one. By sending a wishes one by one of my circles, I believe that it will attract universe to give me more and more happiness inside.

3. Best path instead of good salary on Job
    In my career, in the first year I graduated, I saw an intersections and still questioning "why" I was doing this. I wrote some points related with my work, and some of it you will find what's my passion in my previous articles. All the way universe helped me to get a very clear direction to me, to get a job with a good salary. I was not saying good salary is not important, but I am grateful on where I stand today, in the middle of both amazing path and good salary. This path is matched with my personality and my passion, and got accepted in a very good company too. Talking about good salary, depends on people's perspective, some of them will say it is too big, some of them will say it is not enough, some people say is average. Principle what I hold tightly until now is being grateful for everything, not a number money on your bank account, expensive vehicle that you have bought.

In the intersection and understanding of what skill I have and what the industry needed, is reckless to say that I have no special skills to offer. But as for now, that question should have not been coming over again in my mind, that always lowering the level of my self confidence.

I am now on the right track. I saw a big hope with the future will be possibly happening, and exciting.


Last year was an amazing, yet a big move for me. And this year, the bigger cake is waiting for me to be executed.

A week working in Manila

Sunday evening 22nd of July, arrived at Manila around 6 PM. Was feeling not good with the weather, get a bad turbulence during the not-really-enjoy flight, plane was shaking and people were worrying. When the wheel of airplane touched down the land, I breathed calmly, and felt blessed. Heavy rain made the flight is not seamlessly in the air, then my friends worried my flight the day after because there was a typhoon they said. As I have said before, Metro Manila has issue on flood several days before I was there, some accesses were blocked due to flood is getting higher, people cannot cross the way.

Changing SIM card is the best option to get my mobility higher, since I need to access mostly are Google Maps to know my direction, at least where to go home.

 Outside of my condo

 Across to my office building

For introduction, my office is located on the Bonifacio Global City (BGC). First time I saw buildings and roads, my brain recalls another big city with a very wide road and humanize pedestrian, walkable and clean! I thought it was like Singapore, dinner place is near by, food anywhere. I have stayed on Fort Palm Spring, condo in the heart of BGC. Anyway, Manila city is quite far, has no specific plan to go there, that travels around 3 hours commute, they said. Since Manila is hoary, not really interested to go there.
Fort Palm Spring Condominium Map



See how is it look like around my condo. Clean and warm! You can take a look with google street below!



Kindly check this video to see, yet feel a dynamic modern ambiance with a very enjoyable streets.

Sightseeing isn't a good option on Day 1, I enjoy the weather and food, was actually checking the TV program but look nineties, not interested. Having a shower and enjoy the warm water is the best thing to do while rain becomes heavier. I didn't plan anything to spend the night in a club or drinking a lot, since you know that I am, hmmm thinking to have a beer? not really. As I have heard from the Grabtaxi driver that night club is near by, wasn't really making me any happier. Since, meditating under the warm shower is still my best option. *As always, prefer to have a bath-up time or shower time rather than dancing with a glass of beer, in the dark hours, with blinking-all-the-time lamp on the club, never been there and not interested. Preparing tomorrow morning, I hope I can sleep well!

What I am thinking about is the smell, when I was on the elevator on my condo, dog's smell is a bit stinky and uncomfortable. People in the condo are familiar with pet inside apartment, seems has different regulation in ID. Wasn't smell so good, really.

Situation close by my condo

In the first morning, in everywhere when I am outside my town, having breakfast 2 chocolate croissants and a cup of hot chocolate, will become a morning routines, at Seven Eleven stores. Don't hesitate to send me a slice of chocolate cake or brought me a cup of hot chocolate, dear Fellas, then you'll win my heart that nothing makes me happier than that. Seeing around with tall building, the sun warmth seems welcoming my first day of work.

Condition was different, motorcycle is less and car is more. 

Five hundred meters walking, I arrived at my office and go to the office at 4th floor, waiting for 5 minutes then meet the HR guy. I said I am from ID and wanna work together with Central team, surprisingly Central team stayed on different floor. Was guided by Julius to go to another floor, then first time open the door, Eli hugged me! They are screaming to see me in person. Eli is our mommy in the IT team, introducing them one by one and I connect the dots, mean connecting their familiar name into their faces, it was easy to bond, in the last 3 months I was working with them only on skype, doing meeting, presentation on skype and haven't met in person. Seeing their faces, helps me to deep reading their characters. They are very welcome!

Anyway, around 3 developers who saw me waiting on the front office this morning, they guess I am going to do an interview. lol. They didn't notice that I am not Filipino, as I was saying that facial similarity between Indo and Filipino isn't debatable, almost people said that very similar.

Finally God, I meet my team!
Me, Eli [Scrum Master/Project Manager], Kislay [PM], Ono [PM], Jona [UX Designer]

Central team is team that handle several countries, not only IT but like Performance Marketing, SEO, etc. We usually called local team to another team who only handle specific country, and Central team is only in Manila since Berlin has handed over the task to Manila.

First day in the office, we talked a lot about our conditions and boundaries, then we have a lunch in Halal Food. Actually I am not going to tell them what my religion is, started conversation on dietary meal or food boundaries that I am able to eat or limitation for me. As we know that Kislay is Indian and cannot eat beef. I always put in my mind that everywhere I stand, I must adjust my self to the world I am in. Impossible to change the world to adjust what I want, so this principle was broken when they know that I am a Muslim. Popular and remarkable cuisine in Philippines is Pork. Therefore, letting them know nothing about my religion and dietary boundaries making them easier to serve me, actually. But Kislay understands me well, mentioning Indonesia big populous is Muslim and I mentioned only able to eat Chicken, was doing extra implicitly not telling them my religion.

My feel is getting better and better, working like me that I can say I am remotely and the one and the only person that separated with my team, and finally work with them in person. Super happy can deliver anything completely with a very good understanding of context. Because, I was a bit hard to follow them in conference call sometimes bad internet connection, I lost them in context. Directly in person coordination was Superb! I talked a lot, as usual actually before I lost their conversation while internet connection getting bad.

I liked a lot working with them. To be honest, Filipinos are aware the importance of english and making english as second language, most of their english proficiency are excellent! Excellent in speaking and no dialect or accent, so I am perfectly understand what they are saying. Until today, I had a lot of foreigner friends coming from a lot of countries, and Filipinos are one of the clearest english proficiency with high point understandably I have ever met, second rank after US people. That's what I like a lot from them. Super good! This should be implemented in Indonesia, even I have asked them why Filipinos are very fluent in English, they answered because every year started elementary school, there is always english class. Hmmm, Indonesia has it too, but very small percentage of Indonesian speaks english very well. Seems there is a mistake on how english taught in our school.

During 4 days working, I have lunch in different places. Lunch decision were always pulling energy to spend, going around, checking one by one things that we seem friendly-taste for me. One day we found Indonesian cuisine and tried to order something wait, hmmmm I don't remember what I have ordered, seems different taste of course. Once opportunity I have a dinner by myself, I land my decision on took away a set of McD meal as the safest option.


Family Mart

I am easy to find meal while hungry, I grabbed snacks from Family Mart, Thanks God serving this mini market around.

On the third day, I said that I want to have lunch of Filipino food, then they bring me to a restaurant. Looking into menu, less than 10% of the menus are not-consisting Pork. I chose one menu without Pork on description. So as a picture, Filipino's cuisine or meals are mostly a combination between 2 meat, it is not only consisted 1 meat on the plate. Usually, combination between Pork and Beef, or Beef and Lamb, or Chicken and Beef, etc. At that time I ordered chicken gluten rice or porridge with salted egg and fried tofu with ****. First time it served on a plate, Ono, Kislay and Jona have looked into each other. Not really sure what are they thinking. My expectation is slow down, was expecting chicken salted egg but not, it was like boiled egg and very salty tastes. Not regret, but it was not disgusted so, I am good with that. Not throw up, at least.

Bonifacion High Street sign

On the way walking to office, Jona asked me a question where I have been in Manila, since I have no idea and have no plan, She offered me to walk with her to the SM Aura Mall. I am not really interested into Mall, but she convince me to go SM Aura Mall through Bonifacio High Street. Anyway, imagine this street is long street with shopping centre around, I bet 11 12 to Ciwalk Bandung, with non-comparable weather and tall building around. Prominence Brands, walking-friendly-street with restaurant around, looks so metropols. And of course, costly.

Bonifacio High Street condition 1

Bonifacio High Street condition 2

Bonifacio High Street condition 3

Run through the street on 30 minutes, was that far, right? then finally land to SM Aura Mall to have a dinner. Nothing special, comparable with Senayan City mall. It's time to have Dinner! then we found Thailand restaurant! The food is yummy, yet I didn't take the picture but we are ordering Thai Chicken, and seafood mixed vegetables.

She is Jona, my travel companion

Nine thirty Manila time, we were walking back to our own home on foot, I was asking her to take her bus near Mall but she decided to walk me into near my condo, she was worrying if I'll get lost :| . Unfortunately before Jona has entered into Busway, then was raining so heavy, and she ran onto the nearest Bus stop station. I am running out of the rain, already 200 meters in front to get my condo lobby. I was always asking her condition when she was going home, since she needs to travel more than 30 minutes commuting.

Skipping our four days daily office activities, presentation, arguing, buying Indomie on afternoon daily working hours, grab Starbucks every single time we passed by. Coffee is a lyf. Starbucks is a lyf. And Jolibee jokes :( No clue about this one, got answered on the last hour in Manila.

First Business Trip: Mabuhay Philippines!

Been ages not to write what happens in my life in this place. My First Business Trip Experience would be exciting for me personally, experiencing to work outside my comfort seat. Superb travel! I am heading to Manila all alone. Different time between Jakarta and Manila is only 1 hour, it shouldn't make me feel so jetlag.

Working in the start up company is choice, I'd love to explore and give more impact on my life. Currently I am working in the start up company that opens their market not only in Indonesia, but in several countries in Asia. I am working as a Product (Information Technology) guy, coordinating with my Boss that based in Bangkok, and my IT team is in Manila. So please imagine that I am the one and the only IT person in my company, then my presence in my office is not really affecting to any other people otherwise to give suggested solution on their Businesses.

Working with my team that based in Manila, and I am based in Jakarta, is a bit arduous. Skyping all the time, contacting one by one person involved on the project. In Manila, I'll meet in person to all my team for the first time, after all of online argue, discussions, and meetings. Just get a breath, "Finally, I will meet them in person, will have a better bonding one another".

July, Twenty second morning at 7 AM, I booked online taxi to go to Airport. It took less than 1 hour travels, and yes, I arrived at the wrong Terminal as usual. I was thinking that Airasia is on Terminal 2 but it was in Terminal 3 for International flight. Then, reaching out the skytrain to move. Waiting around 3 hours is a good time to finish the delayed presentation preparation and PRD, since presentation would flood me a week, then we'll have a move to Team building event at the end of the week.

Informed to have a same flight with my CEO was a bit hmmmm, and yes, she was sitting behind me in the airplane. All good, she is 28 years old with big determination and high positivity aura, and Indianese. During the flight, what stupidity comes is I didn't bring any book to read. To have almost 5 hours in sky, nothing to be done, I should bring a book. But, the weather was becoming less friendlier, shaking is very often, and the turbulence almost made me feel so stomachache. The rain was so heavy, been updated that a couple days ago, several area are flooded in Manila. Walking with her to get out of the Airport, buying SIM card together with her and say goodbye while finding a taxi. Ninoy Aquino International Airport is less fancier than Soetta, old building with crowdy and less structured. The facial was similar, surprisingly I couldn't differentiate between Indonesian and Phillipino.

Pick up point


I ordered Grabtaxi to Apartment (Fort Palm Spring Residence), while the heaviness of rain, a person came to me crossing the road, leaving his car in the next road by staying the engine on. My bad, not knowing where is the pick up point. But been instructed to go to Bay 14, and already sat on that Bay. The feature to send picture on Grab App is helping me out, nothing I can say and they got it. Should be released in Grab ID as well, think so.


 
Drove to my Apartment

"Are you Taufik, sir?", I said yes and he helped me crossing the road with my luggage.

Introducing from Indonesia, he mention Widodo as a President in Indonesia, most of my Phillipino's friends are saying Widodo than Joko Widodo or Jokowi. I told him that Widodo is lovable person, being loved by society. Either Duterte, when I caught Duterte on news, the perception is going to be
authoritarian. Murders drugs supplier, but He is lovable by the society, I was thinking that News frames the people mindset, mostly that they were coming from different city, nothing to know the real condition but yeah, will be misleading the accurate information. This driver said, 87% of Phillipino voted Duterte, and it is now the number of corruptor is becoming lower. In the middle of travel, I said this was my first time to be in Manila, and don't know where exactly my Apartment is. Then he confirmed to people on the road, then he drove me till the Lobby. Arrived!

I haven't contacted Majed (owner of condo), I actually have but a day before I arrived, he didn't reply my message via Telegram. Nothing to be worried, I checked with receptionist that I have booked a room in this apartment. I showed the name of the owner and his phone number and she looks familiar with the person, and I was redirected to go to 20B. She said that just enter the room, Majed just usually left the room open with unlocked. Going upstairs, next to the elevator I open the door 20B.

"Huaaaaaa", people inside the room are screaming! I am shocked and apologies. I elaborated that I have no intention to open someone else's door. I explained that I have booked a room and can't contact the owner, then be redirected to this room. A middle aged woman with around teen girl affirmed that I was the one who will stay in this room. They explain that their boss has messaged me but I didn't reply. We talked a lot with the environment, where can I get a laundry, nearest dinner place and any other thing. I saved her number, in case I need something help, her name is Miss Weng.

I got a big apartment! at least only for me!
My Apartment


My First Dinner

The rain outside wouldn't cease me to grab some dinner, I found near my apartment were a lot of fast food area. I found KFC and McD, in the middle of rain, I stepped out to go. This city was well managed and super modern. Anyway, I am living in Taguig City, more specifically in Bonifacio Global City. This is the part of Metro Manila with their modernity lifestyle, I was not expecting this tidy, but sure this city is clean and modern. I walked through skyscrapers, on foot of big pedestrian and no traffic jam. So lovely!


July 22nd 2018.
Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila.

Interview di McKinsey?

Working in Consulting Firm is my dream.

Terkadang melihat orang ideal menggunakan baju kerja ala Suit and Tie, menarik perhatian dengan cara berbicara dan perangai nya. Sepertinya menjadi konsultan kelihatan “Borjuis”. Apalagi background hidupku berasal dari kota kecil, atau malah kabupaten yang banyak orang tidak pernah dengar nama itu, pasti orang-orang di kampungku lebih memandang keluarga kami ya karena menggunakan jas jauh lebih dipandang daripada pengecer daging di pasar, walaupun kadang penghasilan mereka berjumlah sama.

Pengalaman “interview”, iya hanya interview di konsultan bisnis ternama. Yang jadi pelajaran bahwa sebetulnya what our fear itu hanya di dalam otak kita saja. Ini mau cerita tentang kegagalanku saja.

Waktu itu, sekitar pukul 10 pagi dengan kondisi sedang di kantor (waktu itu sudah kerja) ada seorang wanita berlogat India menelpon, “Good morning, this is ******* from McKinsey”. Ternyata dia mau invite interview dan dia di KL, untuk keesokan harinya yang mana esok harinya adalah National Holiday. Terbayang kan, National Holiday saja mereka masih kerja, I imagined working in Consulting Firm is less sleep, life and vacation. Karena memang kebetulan manager nya sedang di Indonesia, makanya aku OK aja invitationnya. Ngeliatin IG yang sudah bekerja disana, McKinsey dan BCG udah terbayang kehidupan mereka, No Life.

Karena jujur saja, terlalu excited makanya langsung approve invitation-nya meskipun waktu persiapan sangat minim. Review CV, belajar business case, dan persiapan interview memang berat. Memang tidak maksimal belajar nya, tapi tidak masalah, interview must go on.

Oh ya, image McKinsey dari aku personally itu “mengerikan”. Kalau dilihat dari teman-teman yang disana, profile mereka beyond amazing. Mungkin kalian tahu lah requirement mereka dan orang-orang seperti apa yang bisa masuk McKinsey. If you guys are studying at Indonesia’s top tier school with outstanding profile with sequences achievement and organizational experience, pasti pede aja sih daftar ke McKinsey. Dan aku kalau tidak salah baru sekali daftar di McKinsey, untuk BCG sudah ke sekian kali dan tidak ada respon apapun. Sampai akhirnya hampir menyerah, ya karena sadar diri.

Biasanya requirement yang mereka butuhkan GPA diatas 3.7 from top tier university dan prestasi lainnya. Tapi jangan salah, if I see the requirement I will not be included into their bucket. Do not be worry, just apply it. Coba saja, toh tidak ada rugi nya. If you guys one of my friend who knows my GPA or major background, sometimes you’ll be laughing out loud to know that I am invited by this firm. This is an evidence that there is no limitation to you all, kalau memang mau coba-coba break the limit or limitation. Ternyata mereka tidak se-mengerikan itu kok. Jangan pedulikan perspectives atau stigma kalau mau apply ke McKinsey harus manusia sempurna all the way they have. Atau tidak perlu McKinsey, another something big tidak perlu khawatir.

Banyak stigma hadir di masyarakat (mahasiswa khususnya):
1. Harus top tier university. Mostly memang fresh graduate di ambil dari kampus-kampus bergengsi ini, tetapi banyak yang experience mereka dari kampus swasta di Indonesia.
2. GPA > 3.7. Atau 3.5 lah, kalau 3.7 terlalu lebay ya. Tetapi memang mereka mengambil mahasiswa-mahasiswa dengan GPA diatas rata-rata. Ini simply karena ya memang konsultan harus lebih pintar daripada client, inilah kenapa McKinsey mencari kandidat top tier di kampusnya. Karena lucu juga kalau konsultan nya tidak lebih pintar daripada client nya. Let say misal aku kerja di Pertamin* tetapi konsultan yang handle project nya adalah orang yang dulu di kampus terkenal awur-awuran dengan tidak ada prestasi atau academically in trouble.
3. Hebat-hebat. Karena McKinsey konsultan nge top, pasti isinya orang ngetop. But I believe someday orang-orang yang dibawah standar bisa masuk ke kriteria mereka by disregarding their background. Me contohnya.
4. Business case yang susah. Harus diakui memang business case yang diberikan oleh McKinsey cukup sulit karena mereka memberikan spesifik data dengan ukuran tertentu dan diminta untuk memberikan solusi. Bisa di coba sendiri harus memberikan solusi dalam waktu 2 menit in business matter.

Nah, pengalaman interview di McKinsey dari mulai persiapan sampai selesai cukup membuat jantung berdegup kencang. Interview dilakukan di Four Season Hotel, Gatot Subroto. Semalam sebelumnya aku searching-searching tips untuk interview di McKinsey, dan manager ini adalah orang india yang sedang ada project di Indonesia. Untuk step by step persiapan akan di jabarkan di bawah ini:
1. Apply di Career McKinsey langsung.
2. Siapkan CV yang detail, this is actually no benchmark about detail. Just make sure aja kalo orang baca CV mu bakal paham apa yang pernah kamu kerjakan. Bisa cek di google cara membuat CV di konsultan, ada dan cukup detail supaya punya oit standing point dan tell the recruiter that you are a detail oriented person.
3. Research: baca-baca business case nya memang cukup membuat otak bekerja lebih keras, mikir berkali kali maksud dari soal dan bagimana solusinya.
4. Interview preparation: email invitation mereka sangat professional, detail dan helpful. Bahkan mereka memberikan tautan link tentang bagaimana menghadapi interview di McKinsey. Setelah melihat video nya, jujur aku semakin tenang. Di dalam video tersebut disampaikan bahwa Interviewer di McKinsey itu sangat helpful, mereka membantu mengarahkan alur pikiran kita ke pencarian solusi paling efektif dan efisien bagi konsultan dan klien. Jadi, cerita-cerita orang di luar sana yang katanya intimidatif itu tidak benar, sama sekali tidak benar.
5. Interview: lokasi interview di restaurant Hotel. Dan waktu itu aku pakai baju rapi banget tapi interviewer malah bilang kalau terlalu rapi, banyak info beredar bahwa kalau mau interview di McKinsey harus pake jas, it doesn’t necessary kok katanya. Sampai di tempat interview ditanya tentang background seperti biasa, terus pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang menjurus ke business case. Waktu itu aku dapet business case di industri Telekomunikasi, tentang optimasi budget perusahaan dengan cara digitalization. Kurang lebih 1 jam interview dan impresi ku terhadap interviewer adalah baik, helpful, dan tidak menakutkan sama sekali. Malah dia yang nge direct kemana jalur pikiranku untuk memecahkan masalah bisnis. Dan dia bilang “I need a specific thing from your mind, please make it route on how you give a solution. Solution that you provide is matter, but the way you think on your way to solution is more important.” Ternyata mereka mencari orang yang tidak tiba-tiba menemukan solusi dari masalahnya, tetapi cara pola berfikir orang dalam menyelesaikan masalah. Dan mereka minta dengan sangat detail, betul-betul detail ketika mempertimbangkan solusi dari permasalahan harus ada evidence atau data yang harus di provide. Ini sesi yang seru banget, karena diskusi disini sangat menantang dan memecahkan satu per satu masalah dengan melihat hal-hal kecil yang impactful.
6. Done. Sangat ramah dan baik, jauh dari stigma orang-orang yang katanya intimidatif. Bahkan beberapa kali di interview orang india, sepertinya interviewer ini paling ramah dan paying attention to detail banget. Dan fokus.

Aku cuma mau bercerita bahwa sebetulnya limit-limit itu bisa di pecahkan asal kita mau. Jangan percaya stigma-stigma di masyarakat kalau ingin A harus mempunyai B. This is proven for me yang dari dulu selalu break limit standar yang di buat oleh orang-orang yang bersangkutan. Be confidence, you are just amazing what the way you are, really.

Noted to My Self about Leadership Competence

In the last sequence years, I put myself on "push to limit container".

iStock/Halfpoint

I sometimes get hard to know why I failed to direct my self into schedule which previously I rendered in the evening before I get to bed. My ambition is loss. I am a morning person, but my productivity is decreasing. By the day I could actually do many self improvements, or at least pursuing target. Oh God, please my dream was so high. Doing nothing by scrolling up and down gadget, seeing another succeed. Even I frustrated with questions "Why the hell my hand is coming up by yielding nothing in hand". I somehow, daydreaming yes of course that in near future I lead Company. Everyone's dream right, yet I stuck in progressing to make my self better. Or at least following my bad schedule that I always break my promises to go. Will I?

I need to discover again, where my ambition is, where my curiosity is. I could not handle my self to at least lead my hand, brain, mouth, and pace. I slow it down my pace, looking my self as a pathetic yet lame person who was flood in a dirty river, and flowed. Swimming against the stream, and keep flowed. Walking in a same position, all I need is support and positivity. I waited positivity fulfill my spirit to come up into surface of my soul.

Talking about Leadership competence, somehow I could not interpret it on one fit figure or ideal persona. But I have met many leaders that bring positivity to uphold and bring up a confidence to every soul. Its positivity boosts to everyone's limit on their job. I do not blame to ones, but this is noted to my self which persona I should follow or at least I adopt, If someday I was chosen the one who impact other's self advancement. I do not know why, positivity does really matter to productivity.

Many of people who give birth leadership, they are calming down the temper his surround. Since, I do really learn about that characteristic who is I really enjoy with, who is I can really lean back at, or at least who is I can follow its little behavior. This is shame to admit, that back then when I was in school I impersonate all actions of my "Top Student" in my class. I was following how they act when doing homework, I imitate their handwriting style (since I have a talent to imitate their font style, this is an authentic talent that brings my self to label it as "recognized as talented" since I have no talent in others stuff).


Credit: Rawpixel/Shutterstock
 credit: Rawpixel/Shutterstock

For the next 5 years, when I read back this messy yet diary style of writings, I hope I adopt these my persona goals:
1. Equalize voice tone.
I do not why this is very strange component on leadership capacity, I paid attention to ones who bring conversation on his voice tone. People around, who has an exploded emotions suddenly shut their voice down and follow this tone. I rarely have seen this talent or born-gifted capacity to make every one less their temper and follow all instruction from his mouth. All people who hear his words will be calmed and feel restful.

2. Positivity
It reflected on its daily behavior by sending a smile and nothing fear in future. This capability will directly level up confidence level of his surrounds, by sending a fact table of optimism, and art of showing a good ambiance, this is I have fallen in love with person's character. Scared is faded out, the road is clear to make forward to undergo straight road without clue-less obstacle. Providing a reasonable fact to not give up in the middle of journey, making sure a good point and setting positive mindset that everything is achievable with a good measure tools.

3. Calming down.
As I have explored an interacted with leaders, I found a confident to not worry. I sometimes prejudged people on how they reflected into trouble, big or little one. The expression tells his maturity, wisdom, patient and strength. I believe a little bad mood affect others badness. I committed to learn more about this things, a set of problem has a set of its solution. With a good composure, affecting others to think extraordinary to pick up a solution. If leader has this capability, I am as follower will be really enjoy and not afraid because My Bos does not fear at all, then I have no reason to fall into fearful situation.

I comprehend my self as not good self scheduler, but hope those persona goals that I should advance in order to make my self and other can stay with me with a good impression.

Working is not only About Following Passion

In the first day I work for Samsung Research and Development Institute Indonesia, I frightened. I come to office 1 hour earlier based on appointment. My heart starts heavy beating, I walked around hundreds people crossing Sudirman Street.

What I have in mind is something clumsy, "is this real that I would become Software Engineer?".

Weeks ago I signed contract as "Global Software Engineer", as I have passed in the first term of Algorithm Test by Samsung R&D with HQ Standard. I am lucky enough to pass this one, since everyone needs to conduct Algorithm test more than one, then mostly they are rejected, and some people are accepted. "Global Software Engineer" is a program for universal engineer, lot of programming languages will be taught in this program. For "Real Passionate Engineer", this is the best place to leverage universal programming skills. You will be provided an eminent and costly course with cost covered by Samsung. We were also freed to access Leadership course by Harvard, for instance. Capacity to lead and technical will run into a straight path.

I am majoring in Information Systems, mixed between Computer Science and Management. Becoming Software Engineer is common options for us, but for me personally, I have another outstanding potential talent on another side, so in the first time I decided to choose Non Computer Science Job. I concerned a lot with first job I take, it would be my long life career in the future. I limit myself about Computer Science, I assumed that Software Engineer has narrow career development. I am afraid of my future actually. I hate doing same thing everyday by coding many programming languages, I hate to talk to my computer. As I have spent more than 10 hours to surf and networked on internet connection.

Before I joined, I was given a set of Algorithm Books by Mr Risman (Director of Software R&D), I flipped page by page till I got a nausea effect. I counted it more than 3.000 pages. I am shocked, if it were a set of Motivational Novel or Science Fiction film, I would be really enjoyed on it. Or at least a set of book titled "How to build small creative business for a long term plan for newbies?".

But, big name of Samsung guides me to swallow Algorithm Books, it might be my every day meal in the next couple years.

In the midnight, I sit in the front of balcony, I was starting mini discussion with my own self. Asking frequently same questions, in my humble opinion, I have another passion than dealing with code every day.

D-Day is coming. I entered Samsung R&D Office, I was introduced by HR Officer to anyone. I was a bit nervous to start my life for next couple year of career. We are 5 fresh graduate, are involved a mini discussion by our Laboratory Leader. We were all asked about our passion, I answered to have a passion in Backend (Java, C++ and SQL) and Frontend (CSS3). And I mentioned that I like to speak, to read and to present in front of public. First, I was incorporated on Java project. I am so happy and nervous at the same time.

In the next couple hours, I was offered as Technical Evangelist. Actually, I do not familiar with this position, they said that it would be matched for Engineer who love to write and speak. I took this opportunity. In prior moment, I daydreamed that my job is going to close with Technical Writer.

Surprisingly, I got a beyond expectation position that actually very matched with my personalities. I engaged students, developers from around Indonesia cities. Planning Hackaton and performing technical skill on stage, meeting new people, having a good relations with C-Level, and conducting video conference call meeting every Friday. Making sure that program from Headquarter is delivered in a best time, moment, and going well. Writing books and articles, posted it into technological platform.

Assumption is Killing
There are many opportunities outside there, I realized companies offered employee a good and fit position, the reason is Enormous company (such as Samsung) will place one to the fittest position, to get optimum performance. They will plot you to boost company's revenue, even a little thing is an asset. Lesson learned to ring bad assumption is settling you down.

Do not Limit Yourself
When you are offered any "other and never heard position", it is your time to challenge your self. I read books with another reverse stand point, by raising view from "Do not follow your passion" rules. It guides you to be more master on other field you never touch. Fear of getting failed will get higher, the point you will prepare tighter is acceptable reason to have you stronger and more hardworking. Passion placed you into a place you (sometimes) get destructed, but believe me, you will do anything to confront those challenges. The beat you will sense, headache you have never felt, shaking body you never imagine, push you to think outside your brain.

Enjoy Everything What you Retrieve
Miracle comes from everything. If you have pushed you hard, universe supports you immediately. No worry of having difficult to face tomorrow's job problem. You are guided. By ones or God or invisible hand. There is no job cannot be handled. The most important thing when you are jobbed, is make a history with your contributions.

In this story, I attached my "Masterpiece" while working in Samsung R&D Institute Indonesia, this is published for Public, for you who is interested with Tizen Operating System focusing on Wearable Device, and you are eager to build Application, find this book into your guidance. Thank you, Samsung R&D Institute Indonesia for an amazing experience.


Where the position is

What I see contrasts with people normally see, I inferred many words spoken from those thoughtful minds. Reactions are the best composition to prejudge ones' mind.

A half year I set my expectation, I set my life by drawing in a dirty paper with my blue glossy ink. As an artist, I poured my goals in a picture. Everyone who has seen what I draw, they throw many bad words that approximately said "Being realistic is the best option than envisage unpredictable future". This section blew me in mind, I drew a set of pyramid with structured details. Once my expectation is higher in their standard, I still believe there is possibility to reach. I hold tightly my faith. I know I am different. I disregarded many good opportunities, as I have in mind that being the best is always my option. Risk conqueror like me, I felt there is nothing can fulfill my desire. Anxiety comes every night, when owl just thinking what they will do tomorrow. Is not me if I step backward.

I plunge my self in the biggest Gambling Domino Games, this prepared me to have 50:50 chances to win, or somewhere to be lost. In a devoutly moments, I collected flakes. In the midnight, I went to supermarket looking around to bookstore. I slowly walked into corridors somewhere Puzzle is placed. Shelf by shelf I opened one by one from the bottom of the rack, I converted a mind with detail oriented caste. The lower a stack, the easier a level of Puzzle. Having an option to choose the easiest is not intriguing, as a personal with challenges I looked upper from the lowest. My eyes directly rolled into top of the rack. Since I know it gets harder, my hand is too tiny to grab, therefore my head is spinning around. I need extra effort to reach, the pain I allowed inadequate power to reach. I need a help, the lady with red blouse helped me to take it out with portable stairs. I thank to her with witness, I opened a Puzzle that nobody's wanted. Curiosity brought me to rip the plastic bag, I could not wait it more. Puzzle is big picture with hundred pieces of cutting image with less-variance of colors. This should be complex to solve. My brain implied the lost of lust everyone feels like. Difficulties and complexities.

To be I am, extending time to get the best is no excuses. My pyramid is stay still. I am interviewing myself, why I drew a set of hierarchical pyramid. I grabbed opportunities only on top of pyramid, I set my standard at the peak. In the below of the top 1%, it was blurred, this focus destroyed all foundations beneath. My second, third and soon options were exploded only by this priority. I know I was mistaken. I know my final destiny is required supercar, I collected money and energy to buy a proper vehicle. It took a twice or three times longer than anybody else. I enjoyed in it. 

Intersections

Years passed helped me to straight into my direction, people crossed and gave me a hand have opened a way where I should go for. I faced many times I stand in a distraction. Compass direction could not fulfill to represent number of ways I need to choose. I watched people walk easily and rapid, they turned into their ways, when I was still considering "Should I go for it?". I tended to seize higher and higher, I have gotten and see other higher, I left and follow. And infinite looped. 

Today when I am in, I was hit. I need to eliminate those barriers. By opening a heart to see a reality, I valued constraint by constraint is very important. I should have awakened years ago, that I do it wrong if I constraint myself to enter a tiny hole, while bigger opportunities are opened.

Terima kasih, Sastra

Setiap pagi kubuka mata melihat plafon yang tercetak simetris sempurna, lampu gantung yang tepat diantara perpotongan diagonal yang ada. Jam dinding yang berdiameter 25 cm itu mengagetkanku, ternyata sudut 150 derajat terbentuk pada jarum pendek menunjuk angka 5 dan jarum panjang menunjuk angka 12. Segera kulepaskan diriku dari balok berisi kapuk padat ini, kuinjak beberapa kotak dengan simetris sempurna yang dingin berwarna abu-abu. Lalu ku sibakkan kain yang tertempel pada lubang persegi panjang itu. Bulat berwarna kuning menyapa pagiku, matahari. Aku takut apabila hidupku penuh dengan suatu kepastian, semua tercetak pada porsinya masing masing. Tak ada sedikitpun toleransi bahwa bumi akan berbentuk lonjong. Ataupun tanah bisa di selami oleh ku. Atau aku terbang.

Dengan segala ukuran serta bentuk kaku itu, aku bosan. Aku bosan dengan semua kesempurnaan, kesempurnaan di sekitarku. Kesempurnaan yang telah ada tanpa kuinginkan, kesempurnaan yang terjadi begitu saja. Walaupun aku selalu bersyukur, atas semua ukuran kepastian itu. Tangan kanan dan kiriku sempurna beriringan. Kakiku yang selalu ada pada tempatnya. Mata yang terbentuk simetris dengan hidung serta bibir. Aku juga takut. Apabila semua ini tidak simetris, tidak sempurna. Bagaimana kalau kakiku lebih besar dari badanku? bagaimana kalau hidungku lebih besar daripada kepalaku?

Apabila hati tak dapat merasa, bagaimana musik itu dilantunkan dengan segala dinamika yang ada. Transisi. Aku menemukan transisi yang membuat semua menjadi lebih halus, lebih indah apabila ku rasa. Seperti not Do bertemu dengan not Si, melompati lebih dari 5 tangga, terlalu jauh margin yang kulalui. Margin yang seharusnya bisa kunikmati dengan lembutnya. Mungkin transisi yang terlalu tajam lah menjatuhkanku, membuat hatiku terjatuh. Tak pernah terbayang apabila siang dan malam terjadi hanya dalam waktu 5 detik, aku takut hidupku sudah tak berguna. Sejenak kubuka mata, semua berubah. Dalam sekejap.

Terima kasih, Manusia. Manusia yang melihat semua dengan hati, karena melihat dengan mata sudah tak cukup lagi. Yang telah mengajarkanku bagaimana matahari tidaklah bulat, dan langit tidaklah biru. Bahwa pensil bisa bicara. Siapa bilang matahari panas? Dia hangat. Dia benar benar hangat, ucapkan itu. Hingga ku tak terasa. Neraka akan marah, neraka telah mengasah pisaunya. Terima kasih pisau neraka, yang telah kau asah dengan tajamnya. Kau dekatkan pisau itu di leher kiriku, nadi yang mengalir deras. Kau yang membuatku menjadi nyaman. Bukan pisau manusia yang penuh karat, selalu terabaikan. Membuat semua kepedihan menjadi perlahan. Terima kasih pisau neraka, membuatku nyaman pada permintaan terakhirku. Mereka tak memperdulikanku, mereka masih takut akan kau. Hanya pisaumu, neraka.

Terima kasih, Sastra. Yang memberikan tiupanmu dari musik yang kau ciptakan. Yang membuat telingaku lebih sadar, ternyata aku bisa mendengar suara hati burung, tak hanya bualan manusia. Bahkan denganmu, sastra. Aku bisa terbang tanpa sayap. Aku bisa melihat dalamnya samudra, bahkan bisa kulihat Tuhan. Denganmu sastra, aku bisa menjadi seekor harimau. Aku tau apa yang harimau lain inginkan, mereka inginkan hidup. Terima kasih sastra, atas semua ketidakteraturan yang kau ciptakan. Sungguh tak ada yang sama, tak ada yang munafik.

Distinctive Role

There is a bit fact for settled-foreigner since leaving from hometown for good, by means studying. I am by no means generalized on framing other perspectives, but it works for me on real, I intended to release what I adapted while acting in a very paradoxical composure I lived. I labelled both as my "Professional" and my "Childhood" version. Despite my professional life is not like wearing well-suited black coat with red tie in my necklace, I just worked as student (ever since) or getting work done in a company (without any special formal uniform outfits, or sometime yes) in Metropolitan city. In my childhood version, I am just really nobody who wear wrinkled t-shirt which bought years ago, in a village.

I left hometown when I was 17th years old to follow any common unspoken culture, by the suggestion of the elders, I confident to live alone outside parent's sight. In that grade, people are transforming character by dependence (all the thing provided easily at home, as easy as waking up with all just well-done favorite food available on a table every morning) onto independence (by means not summoning your mom to bring towel while you forget to ring it on your neck before entering bathroom).

I experienced by three parameters of transformation, it changed me that much. In a certain distinct condition, first, I grown by natural growth on sizing up my age, and fortunately after 17 is a time for people do level-elevating maturity. It counted the number you lived since you are born. It happened without being asked, like or dislike your number of age is running out every single day. By this definition, I am getting mature everyday, mostly when it turned more than 17 y.o will get going faster on maturity signed.

Second, I moved habitat. Beforehand, I spent more than my half life on the place while people really polite on treating people, I speak different grade of language to others (It is an obligation on Javanese culture to classify level of language depends on seniority, simply talk to elders by higher level language or talk to equal by average level language), I do bending back passing people I walked-side, and I put smile while meet everyone. Neighbor is family, they said.
Thereafter, I am turned to be egalitarian since I know nobody while living on Metro. I meet hundred times more people than in my hometown. I do not even do what I previously have done, this environment is surprisingly different though it is not that surprise me that big, I feel big different on how looking at people or treating people, I eliminate those -conservative- grade. I see everything equal, not only in one context but wider.

Third, I got a new rule. Since I got labelled as an independent student, I mean college freed me to give all-rounded privilege on managing student personal life, I was not enforced to attend morning classes (that pain me in the ass) as not as I am not always ready to absorb those kind scientist thingy onto my brain -yet, my brain refuses any indicated science subject entered-. I skipped classes whenever I want, as I want as jump onto D or E score on my a half annually report by not well-attacking those exams. If I attend classes, I could not see any interesting programs outside school, of course with all fully funded accommodation and meals, by this end that yes students could not resist to enjoy new circles, fluffy bed and delicious meals. Biggest dilemma ever become college student.

Specifically, those reasons shape me as the one who needs to adapt on environment, though I have been in Metropol for years, I come back to home for a while. I was classified in to two label on following conditions.

First, as professional (I count it since I first pursue higher education) our hourly conversation is close to daily national or international issues by arguing each other on finding problem solving ways. In my environment, luckily I talked to ones who have international minded, we all here listed any popular issues existing. We always overwhelm on conversing fresh-from-the-oven issues. I indicated it as I can be an economic forecaster one day, and it ends to be a fair politician someday, or I become an engineer in a while, and It should become business enthusiast once or even become policy analyst on weekend. I cannot deny, almost everyday I meet simply inspirational people with their own way, I thank to them who have enriched me spectacular point of view on interpreting stuffs. As example, I meet a friend that almost a year did not see, and what I know that he was a 19-ish years old student who leads university or national organization, it was like almost every day I am having conversation to them with various topics. Thanks for slapping me -in implicit way-. I cannot hide from talking-current-issues. In the other hand, my label as Computer Scientist enforced me to plug me onto logical yet fruitful mostly encode-decode conversation. We simply combat to give an explanation why the algorithm is not efficient enough to implement, or we simply calculated numerous number to decide 1 (one) or 0 (zero) or the sequence of both numbers. Hell yeah?

In disparate environment, I need to narrow down my conversation skills.

As childhood version, it is quite contradict label but since I was seemed as still 17 years boy at home, I did not see any reason why I was being treated as 17 years boy. Based on analysis, I linked it to the first I left home when I was 17. Everyone seek me as that way, in order past years I have gone, I looked stay still. I could not see any different way to treat me, I was mentioned as "immature" as my current age. I still have not been involved on any decision, yet my cousin who is equal grade with me has been involved. I conclude it because he was transforming his maturity age (17-22 years old) at home, so my family directly monitored his growth time by time. Then, he was asked any decision making affair. And me, I still could not be permitted to touch any mature businesses by my voice has not been calculated on decision making.
I confess and promises, once I get back home. I will never mention any "professional" matter I received in Metropol, I enjoyed talking about easy-consumed-chit-chat than bring my daily professional conversation, however they will never understand what I say. I adapt to pull down density of words I spread, I keep a hard consumed content, I press velocity on speaking. I analogize it that I am naked. I leave home with nothing, and I come back as I started before, as I know nothing. 

Both role I played, I adapt where I live. I will not appropriate talking analysis on how "Fifth Dimension on Interstellar" film could happen, or arguing on why "British Exit" from European Union while I was at Home. And I will not appropriate to know nothing and no contributed on several current issues while I was at Metropol. I have no idea is other feel the same thing or not.

Kissed from parallel universe!

Kid, it has been years you have not known that you are incomplete. As an older brother, who cannot stay along beside you when you awake alone in every morning. Who failed to feed you when you are hungry. Who does not hear your voice when you are crying. Who is not able to give you a hug when you are scared. And who had never said goodbye when I was going to leave.

Or who cannot spend days to see you around, to keep an eyes on you while you are fixing your toycar, to get laugh together while seeing funny movies.

I bet you, many of them have asked someone who you do not know who is she. They told many good stories about person you haven't heard her name before. Do not listen to them. Just please disregard them, at least until you grown up. You are too fragile to know what have happened. Though, days to come does not promise to get you any stronger. Till you are ready to discover what the reality is.



Ready for having breakfast!

Kid, look at my eyes. Do I look to have an intention to leave you alone?

I know you are frightened when the storm hit, there is no warmth shoulder to lean your fear on. I know you are distracted when you wake up, but none beside you. And I only am be able do nothing from here, distance divided us. It was like I am having affairs with parallel universe when I recall you, and ended worrying you extremely. But kid, I see your confusion. I come and go without alert. When I suddenly come home, you were just staring at me and flustered. You took a while to be conscious, I read your thought saying like "Is he really coming? Is he?" then you just got excited when you realize that it was me, you are not dreaming, kid! It was me! And you finally messed my face up. You touch my nose and my hair, making sure that you meet person you want to see so badly then you kissed me a lot. I recognize your facial showed me how you mad and happy at me in the same time, then you put smile on your face with excitement.

Beside you, I drove where you find remote control car you like a lot. I was involved to choose a pair of apparels which suit on you. I bought you Donuts you like the most. I paid what I owed on you. 


 Kondangan dressed!


I am sure you are asking me these confusions,

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Why the fuck don't you get home for long time?"

"Who the hell are you really?"

"Why did you do this to me, bitch?"

"Why didn't you ask me for permission when you leave, bitch?"

And I have no idea to answer.

I am sorry for making you get confused. You have never known what adults faced in life, when people are considering too much to choose which one is better. Because option on getting adults was not as simple as choosing the red or blue toycars. I am sorry for never talking to you in a phone, it will just waste my tears to hear your voice. I was just always not ready to say "Hello" as hard as saying "Goodbye" to you. I could not handle if you were screaming at me when I have to go. It will be even worse for me to see your face on farewell, I can't. Then I always decide to disappear from you, and what I know is nothing, whether you are crying out to find me or not. At least I don't feel guilty on you. It is better, I think.

In this your 3rd birthday, I am sorry for not home. For not bringing you cake, for not teaching you how to slice a cake in a good way. I realized that I am not a good brother. And this is your second time that no Mama beside you when you blow birthday candle. And you unluckily only have once an opportunity to celebrate your birthday with Mama, no any longer.

I always wish the best for you, and keep getting stronger, kid! Stay active and talkactive! In the near future when you are bigger, I hope you to read this and make you sure that I never leave you.

HAPPY 3rd Birthday Aron! Kissed from parallel universe!

Where the soul of ambisious is getting started?

Di usia ini, bahkan aku baru menyadari ada sebuah stepping stone besar yang akhirnya mengubah hidup menjadi so much wonderful and full of colors. Sesuatu kejadian yang tidak pernah terlupakan itu, hanyalah sebuah perkara kecil yang dilakukan banyak anak kecil di saat duduk dibangku kelas tiga Sekolah Dasar. 

Bermula dari kantor Bapak yang mengadakan lomba 17 Agustusan, di sebuah hall yang sangat besar bernama Puri Makutoromo, kota Salatiga. Kantor bapakku berkumpul untuk mengadakan acara dalam skala regional yaitu Jateng dan DIY. Tidak tahu pastinya berapa, namun kira-kira sekitar 700 orang menghadiri acara besar tersebut, ditambah dengan lomba-lomba yang biasa ada di lomba tujuh belas agustusan. 

Sebagai gambaran, Taufik Fitriyanto kelas 3 SD adalah seorang yang totally nerd, kecil, dan agak songong. Sampai sekarang pun tidak berubah sifatnya, menyebalkan. Itulah kenapa I am kind of a bulliable-enough kid. Bullied is my daily meal. Biasa saja, tidak pernah sakit hati atau mungkin minder atau takut. Malah makin songong. Dia adalah anak kecil yang tidak seperti anak kecil lainnya, malah sangat berbeda. Keberadaannya di dunia sosial seolah tak pernah dianggap, atau lebih mudahnya gagal di kehidupan sosial. Dia memiliki dunia nya sendiri, menghabiskan waktu belasan jam untuk memikirkan sesuatu hal yang tidak penting untuk anak seusia nya. Bahkan, kelas satu SD pun sudah sangat visioner yaitu sudah memikirkan 20 tahun mendatang akan menikah dengan seseorang yang tidak perlu disebut namanya, serta sudah merencakan memiliki anak kembar yang entah kenapa bernama Sandy dan Randy. Dan dua nama tersebut malah sekarang adalah orang yang berada di closest circle in my life.

Look alike, bedanya ga pake kacamata.

Anyway aku punya foto dengan pose yang sama dan penampilan yang kurang lebih sama dan potongan rambut yang sama, di depan lemari pas mau berangkat les. Dan itu foto kelas 3 SD juga, so I need to find it again. Nanti dirumah mau ngubek-ngubek album foto, ah!

Beberapa opsi yang ada finally pilihanku jatuh ke lomba balap kelereng yang diletakkan diatas sendok sambil digigit. Sebagai anak SD, tidak ada yang spesial untuk mengikuti lomba tujuh belasan, apalagi hanya lomba kelereng. Sama sekali tidak spesial, dude! Persiapan seminggu, iya seminggu aku mempersiapkan berbagai macam strategi untuk memenangkan lomba balap kelereng. Cukup random kalau dipikir-pikir, kenapa cuman lomba balap kelereng aku mempersiapkannya dengan matang?

Sebelumnya tak pernah terpikir untuk ikut lomba, seolah gak penting. Bahkan apa sih fungsinya lomba itu? Balap kelereng, pula? Tapi entah kenapa aku mempersiapkan beberapa strategi memang aku rancang dan aku lakukan sendiri tanpa bantuan siapapun. 

Dude, for the sake of God, why the hell is this kid was going to do unimportant thing?

Pertama, mencari berbagai macam sendok makan yang berbeda ukuran dan berbeda bahan. Ada sendok plastik, stainless steel atau bahkan sendok bebek. Kedua, mencari lokasi yang berbeda konturnya misalnya jalanan berbatu, jalanan aspal, jalanan rata dan jalanan yang masih tanah asli. Ketiga, mencari hambatan. Misalnya kursi yang ditata agar kita berjalan zigzag. Keempat, sebagai preemptive action aku juga berlatih menggunakan kelereng dengan berbagai macam ukuran.

Kebayang kan gimana ribetnya, bahkan untuk hal yang sepele, mungkin sangat tidak berarti bagi orang lain. Pastinya ada alasan kenapa aku mempersiapkan semua hal itu, karena aku belum pernah ikut lomba dan belum tahu medan perang nya seperti apa. Medan perangnya terdiri dari beberapa aspek utama yaitu sendok, kelereng, lokasi, dan hambatan. Untuk meningkatkan probability kemenangan, itulah kenapa aku mempersiapkan itu semua. Selain mempersiapkan itu semua pastinya latihan rutin adalah suatu keharusan.

Akhirnya pada hari H semua persiapan dan latihan sudah selesai. Peserta lomba kurang lebih 100 anak dari berbagai penjuru Jateng dan DIY. Aku sengaja keluar dari gedung melihat venue dimana pertempuran dilakukan. Lapangan yang luas itu memang agak sulit untuk dicari, namun sebuah meja bertuliskan "Lomba Balap Kelereng" mencerahkan pemikiranku. Ternyata venue nya tidak sesulit yang telah aku persipakan, hanya di sebuah lapangan yang lantainya sudah aspal dan tidak ada rintangan. Disitu aku merasa mungkin ini menjadi sebuah gambling, dimana setiap orang pasti bisa melewatinya. 

Jadi proses perlombaan ini adalah sistem gugur, dimana lombanya dilakukan setiap 5 orang. Dua terbaik setiap pertandingan akan maju ke babak selanjutnya, hingga akhirnya aku selalu menempati posisi pertama. Setelah beberapa kali pertandingan dibawah panas matahari, akhirnya melenggang ke final. Sampai, aku menjadi juara. 

Itu adalah trophy pertama yang aku dapatkan. Pertama kali memegang piala seolah-olah memenangkan lomba debat bahasa inggris sedunia. Waktu itu tidak bisa diungkapkan dengan kata-kata, bahkan saat dipanggil ke depan untuk penyerahan trophy dan hadiah pun dengan percaya dirinya berjalan dengan melihat ratusan orang di depanku dan bertepuk tangan. Menjadi artis sehari, tak apalah. Selain itu juga semua mata seolah-olah tertuju padaku. Karena biasanya, bahkan dilihat pun tidak.

Aku hanya tahu bahwa menang lomba adalah hal baik. Dan menyenangkan, karena banyak dapat hadiah, dan perhatian. 

Being in the center of attention in a good thing, is a good thing right?

Semenjak itu, karena banyaknya manfaat aku menjadi sering mengikuti lomba-lomba selanjutnya yang ada di desaku atau desa sebelah. Setiap tahun selalu menang, bahkan lebih parahnya lagi misal dari 7 lomba, 5 diantaranya aku juara satu. Ambisius sekali kawan. Hingga akhirnya, sampai sekarang mengkoleksi piala. Dan piala itu berasal dari berbagai macam lomba, so it was so colorful! Gak monoton lomba itu-itu aja. Meskipun piala beberapa piala hilang atau ada beberapa yang patah atau beberapa yang rusak atau beberapa juga tidak ada pialanya, tapi value nya hingga sekarang masih ada.

Yang tidak berubah dari Taufik Fitriyanto yang dulu hingga sekarang adalah well-prepared. Semenjak kuliah, tidak terlalu banyak mengikuti lomba meskipun lebih dari sepuluh sih. Karena banyaknya tugas kuliah sehingga memang tidak sempat atau tidak menemukan team yang cocok untuk lomba, biasanya lomba yang personal. Kedewasaan cukup mempengaruhi, aku memfilter beberapa perlombaan yang akan diikuti karena pastinya melelahkan. Still ambitious, but leveling up the elegance. Toh perlombaan kecil-kecilan tidak akan bernilai apa-apa di CV, cukup mencantumkan beberapa yang terbaik dan terkenal saja. Daripada membuang banyak waktu, I decide just mengikuti lomba yang skala cukup besar.

Keunikan dari lomba-lomba yang ditawarkan di perkuliahan adalah perbedaan karakter setiap lomba. Perbedaan culture dari setiap perusahaan yang mengadakan lomba mempengaruhi parameter lomba yang ada. Aku selalu melakukan deep research pada setiap lomba yang aku ikuti, dari karakter perusahaan hingga pattern dari pemenang beberapa tahun sebelumnya. Deep research membutuhkan waktu yang tidak sedikit, sekitar seminggu atau kadang lebih. Ditambah membuat persyaratan yang dilakukan untuk lomba, karena ke-perfeksionisan yang ada, alhasil membutuhkan waktu yang lama juga. Karena aku tidak mau asal-asalan ikut lomba, atau ikut lomba yang asal-asalan. So, I always do my best!

Benang merah telah ditemukan, dari sebuah lomba balap kelereng, hingga banyak lomba-lomba yang mengubah pandangan hidup, persahabatan, atau standard kehidupan. Mungkin dulu kalau tidak pernah mengikuti lomba balap kelereng, tidak akan mendapatkan pengalaman yang luar biasa seperti sekarang ini. All I can do just saying Alhamdulilah. 

This post is built by curiousity where my ambitious has just begun. I have been thinking heavily to figure it out where is everything just started.

Magical Days : Unilever Future Leaders' League 2015

Actually, I was blessed to be the part of this program or some people called it competition. Guys, believe me that I never feel like being in a competition stage, it was like I had fun together with another 29 outstanding students over Indonesia Universities. Thanks, Committee!

Key point:
- Meaningful
- Sleeplessness
- Dramas
- Fun
- Joys
- Sadness
- Tireless
- Happiness
- Ice cream (Walls is the part of Unilever, right? ;D )

Aula Unilever Mega Mendung Learning Center

Anugerah yang tak terkira itu ketika setelah pengumuman finalist, siangnya aku bertemu dengan Dimas mahasiswa Fasilkom '11 yang 2 tahun sebelumnya jadi finalist #UFLL juga dan kebetulan kami pernah sekelas Business Intelligence. Pertemuan yang tidak disengaja itu membuahkan hasil interogasi kepada Dimas karena memang doi sudah melanglang buana di berbagai penjuru dunia dan sering menang lomba-lomba berskala nasional atau internasional. Berdasarkan pengalaman Dimas, bahwa di #UFLL bakal bertemu orang-orang super ambisius yang menang lomba atau ke luar negeri untuk sebuah acara adalah hal yang biasa. Selain High Achiever kata Dimas bahwa mereka mempunyai karakter yang kuat masing-masing individu. Meskipun bukannya makin excited, tetapi malah semakin takut bertemu orang-orang UFLL. Takut terintimidasi secara otomatis, secara kebanyakan mereka adalah memang dibidangnya.Cukup random karena ketemu di sebuah restoran terkenal di daerah barel (*belakang rel) bernama SASARI. Jangan ngaku anak UI kalo gatau SASARI! Dengan muka berseri seri, banyak banget men yang gue tanyain. Dari apa aja yang harus dilakukan serta tips-tips mantapss dari Dimas. Thanks, bro!

Anyway tahun ini tema nya adalah Rexona!

*tiba-tiba pingsan bingung mau bikin inovasi Rexona kayak gimana. Maunya sih bikin Rexona rasa strawberry!

Kami merupakan 30 mahasiswa terpilih dari seluruh penjuru negeri untuk mengikuti 6 hari camp dari Unilever. Hari pertama dan kedua kami tinggal di Fave Hotel Jakarta yang lokasinya dekat dengan HQ Unilever di daerah Gatot Subroto. Hari pertama adalah having fun! Acaranya masih games-games mengenai leadership dan kekompakan, I know ini dibuat untuk saling mengenal satu sama lain. Kami dibagi menjadi 3 team besar untuk melewati beberapa games yang sudah di persiapkan oleh Maxima (kayak EO gitu2).

Pose 1

Pose 2


Setelah randomly order, kami dibagi menjadi 10 team yang terdiri masing-masing 3 orang akhirnya aku mendapatkan team dengan Tizar (Prasetya Mulya 13) dan Bianca (STEI ITB 12). Pikiran pertama pastinya kita sama-sama belum tahu karakter satu sama lain, dan kemampuan. Ditambah dua per tiga dari kami bukan berasal dari bidang yang berdekatan dengan Business/Management/Economics. Pertama tama sih merasa Zonk, bayangkan aja ada beberapa team yang anggotanya 2 orang bisa dari FEUI, FEB UGM, dan SBM ITB! Terlebih ini adalah kompetisi bisnis. Biarpun udah tahu mereka adalah manusia-manusia terpilih tapi ada kekhawatiran, kekhawatiran untuk tidak percaya kemampuan yang lain. Beruntung sekali aku sekelompok sama Tizar yang anyway dia President of AIESEC di prasmul yang pastinya jam terbang tinggi dalam hal ketemu orang-orang. Dia HR banget! Setelah fix dikelompokin, kami janjian ketemu di kamar Tizar. Kami saling sharing satu sama lain, curhat-curhatan satu sama lain, ngasih masukan hingga membuat rule yang harus kita taatin. Kita share apa yang kita suka, apa yang kita benci, apa yang tidak boleh dilakukan selama U-Camp. Berkat Tizar, kami diharuskan mengumpulkan 3 personality paling dominan yang ada dalam diri kami masing-masing untuk menentukan nama team. Nama team harus merepresentasikan diri kami semua, ya as we know kalo itu kan salah satu self-branding, eh team-branding denk. 

Maafkan kami!

Brainstorm! anyway itu udah ambil makanan berkali-kali

Akhirnya tertulislah 9 personalities dari diri kami semua (yang ada di buku catetan si Bea) menghasilkan sebuah nama team sesuai kesepakatan dan personalities itu semua yaitu ------------------------>>>

-----------------------------------------"Sherlock Team"--------------------------------------------------

Sherlock team ini berisi dari orang yang bener-bener diverse background banget! Awalnya aku sama Bea jiper sih, gimana gak! Hampir semua yang disini adalah mahasiswa marketing atau ekonomi atau management atau yang mirip-mirip itu. Ditambah mereka itu manusia-manusia super yang prestasinya memang, ya begitulah. Super Human. Walaupun beruntung sih ketemu orang-orang hebat seperti mereka. Kepikiran kenapa harus Sherlock juga mungkin karena keanehan karakter kami kali ya, kami kan manusia-manusia geeks yang karakternya self-centric tapi punya skill yang tidak bisa di remehkan. *uhuk. Pemikiran-pemikiran kami yang out of the box dan cenderung super random sih aslinya mah, akhirnya kami manage it well!

Yang sudah ditekankan dari awal bahwa kami harus jadi diri kami sendiri, we don't need to be another person to win this competition. Intinya just the way we are.

I learned a lot from this program. I ended up with active-critics person in every single department provided. I asked question and argued in a very specific yet comprehensive with powerful idea *sombooonngggg. We raised our team to brand as awkward, strange, weird and anything what usually people name it as an underestimation yet others made it into a click-by-glamorous-and-high-classes-branded. I think we are having a very strong characters in this competition.

Foto Ala-ala

Disaat kelompok lain panik lagi presentasi akhir, wajah kami malah out of control!

Kak Egaaa! Fotoin kami! *teriak
Disaat team yang lain foto ala Future Leaders yang membanggakan, apalah kami!

Detik-detik disaat orang-orang panik mempersiapkan presentasi
Kami malah karaokean sambil main billyard, Luar biasa!

Partying after all waves we've been through!


Beberapa hari mata ngantuk, otak random kayak stop, bangun pagi-pagi, menyelesaikan case dan pastinya prepare buat hari-hari selanjutnya. Schedule yang padat, rasanya mau cabut sebentar aja gabisa. Lagian gak mungkin ada alasan buat cabut, seru banget coy!

Akhirnya setelah hari ke-5 pengumuman pun datang, Yoshh! We are considered to enter Grand Final Round!


Grand finalist yang sebenernya deg-degan setengah mati dibelakang backstage!


Presentasi di depan Direktur Unilever Indonesia, Mr Hemant Bakhsi!

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Finally, we got 2nd winner!
Yossh!

Dan juga setelah Team Sherlock merekrut beberapa teman lain untuk Viral Promotion Challenge, kita menang juga! Thanks a lot buat Jordan (FEUI 12) & Bayu (UB 12) yang menyumbang likers terbanyak yaitu 1000 likers dan 800 likers! Gaes, kalian berdua artis yak? Thanks to bring us the Handphone home!

Team Sherlock on Viral Promotion Challenge!


Bukan masalah menangnya, program ini mengajarkanku banyak self-improvement, teamwork, dan terakhir adalah persahabatan. Bayangin aja, baru 2 hari aja kita ketemu, udah kayak kenal bertahun-tahun, men! Kayak udah punya chemistry!

 We are the future leaders!

See you Guys!


*Note: Untuk foto-foto lengkap keseruan kami bisa dicek disini
tinyurl.com/ufll2015

Dan dua video yang selalu bikin baper!
#UFLL2015 Afterglow

Emotions