This little hack should work for most banking sites (or even any web app that you want to convert into a desktop app), but for my case I’ve worked this magic on DBS’s iBanking.

First download Fluid App (3.6mb).

Install and run the Fluid from the Applications folder. Next fill in the required information. You can download the DBS icon at the end of this post for your DBS iBanking Fluid application.

I saved my icon for the application under a new folder called “Fluid Icons” under the Library folder. Once Fluid has created the application you should see something like this.

Now you’re ready to start your new Internet Banking experience all from just one click. And to round it off, drag your newly created application onto your dock for even easier access!

For those who are even lazier than me, I’ve zipped the application for your use. Just unzip it and drag it to your Applications folder. It should work. If it doesn’t, leave a comment. And if it works great for you, leave a comment letting me know too!

• DBS Icon (png 126 x 126px, 8kb)
• DBS iBanking App (.zip package, 3.5mb)

And here’s how to make them.

Lectures could be a better place if this rule was legally enforced.

Many ministry leaders often ignore the benefits of empowering and delegation. Some don’t know how to execute delegation well because they are control freaks (I used to be one). And the result is often a physical and emotional breakdown, which would also be a spiritual disaster.

Don’t confuse “delegate” with “designate”. To delegate work does not entirely mean to designate work. To delegate means to appoint authority, to share the burden, to sow a vision and commitment. Designation gives me the impression of leaving the poor fella there to run the entire show by himself. When you delegate work, make sure you follow up. You need to always have a plan B if that person screws things up. If a mistake is made, it is not just the delegate’s fault, it is also yours. For me delegation has always been a great way to help me teach/train delegates on-the-job.

With delegation, empowerment comes naturally. This is important because you are sharing power. It will make you look less like a power hungry dictator and it will help the people working for you want to work with you. The idea to convey here is to work together along side and not working from a top-down hierarchy. Of course, exercise delegation and empowerment with discretion. As more important jobs came along my way, I chose to delegate them to the guys that I think would grow best through them. And I know that they will benefit from it.

And this is important for ministries with fast turnover rate. I will explain more about making yourself dispensable in the next email, and why whatever I have said in this email will hold hand in hand.

–
Pay it Forward and Leave No Men Behind,
Willywei

Apologies for the break between emails. I’ve been busy preparing for my enlistment. I’m trying to outwit my Basic Military Training period for the next 3 months. Haha. So to achieve that, I’ve been harvesting advice from friends and making the appropriate arrangements.

Anyway, today I was reminded again about burning out. And I want to remind you how to avoid or have it easier during those treacherous times.

Practically:

1. Rule of 3.5 Nights
   • Don’t spend more than 3.5 nights doing direct ministry (campus ministries have a tendency to do things at night). By half a night I mean from 6pm to 7:30pm, which means you have 8pm onwards to yourself for other stuff.
2. Rule of 5%
3. Rule of Delegation
   • Jethro tells Moses in Exodus 18:13-23 to train reliable and honest men. Paul does the same to Timothy too in 2 Timothy 2:2
4. Manage Your Expectations
   • Are you expecting too much from yourself or the ministry? Who are you labouring for? For Christ or yourself? If you can realign yourself back to the right track, it’ll make it easier when you serve.

Spiritually:

1. Endure Hardship
   • As an athlete or soldier (2 Tim 2)
   • As a witness/fan/imitator (Heb 12:1-3)
   • As a child (Heb 12:7-10)
2. Observe Sabbath
   • God has intentionally created the Sabbath for the purpose of “ultimate rest”. Go do a word study on “Sabbath” in the Bible and you will come to understand that Sabbath is not just a ritual to observe but a precursor of what is to come. (See Exodus 20:8-11 for yourself)
   • Know your limits and learn to take time-outs.
3. Have Times of Silence and Solitude
4. Feed Yourself
5. Look and Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Some say that burn-outs are avoidable. Personally, I think that God places burn-outs in strategic times of our lives to remind us who really is in-charge and what the bigger picture really is. And of course, if you’re having a hard time now, don’t forget to call on your godly friends (:

–
Burn Brighter,
Willywei

Since we spoke about public speaking just now, let me give you a few tips now.

• I had to give an announcement during church service this morning, and practice really helps since I haven’t spoken publicly for 9 months. Whenever you have the opportunity to speak in front of a crowd, do it because you would have to do it soon on a regular basis. Public speaking is like a muscle. You have to keep training to grow it.
• Speak slowly. People who rattle off like a machine gun expose their lack of confidence. You don’t want to tell your audience that. Don’t be afraid to speak slower and pause where necessary. But don’t go turtle mode and bore everyone to sleep.
• Look at your audience. Segment them to “left, center and right”. When you deliver your message, sow one point to each section at a time. That way, people will feel that you’re really talking to them.
• Don’t touch your face, fidget or use the same words too many time (people will start counting them).
• Chin up, chest out and stomach in. Project your voice. Use hand gestures where necessary.

–
Speak Well,
Willywei

Good catching up with you over Skype just now! And thanks for that great news Very happy for you!

2 days ago I overheard my mentor sharing with his sales executive about the power of P.S. at the end of emails and letters. It is the difference when coming to close an account.

People always read P.S-s. That is where you make yourself more humane and empathic to your reader. It helps you to appeal to them.

So always seize the opportunity to include the P.S. at the end. But don’t do it excessively of course, otherwise it might lose its meaning for your frequent recipients.

–
Willywei

P.S. Good job so far mate! I’m very proud of you (:
P.P.S. I love you. hahaha. In a brotherly way of course!

Today I was reminded about dealing with people in an absolute genuine manner.

The story goes like this. I met my client today to finalise design concepts, dates for the photo shoot and other random stuff. I left instructions for my client to arrange with my photographer friend the details for the shoot. Thirty minutes later, I get a call from my photographer friend that the client had been cocky and treated him in a disrespectful manner (learn, always respect designers). As a result, the client lost themselves a highly sought-after photographer that was charging a lot lesser because of my working relationship with him.

Another story. A person I know has taken the meaning “delegation” to become “designating work”. And sadly, the people working under him tend to avoid him, and so the ministry suffered.

So avoid being the person that people dread when you start walking to them. Some of them might have “Oh no! He’s going to ask me to do something again!” running through their heads once they catch sight of you walking towards them.

Here’s an exhaustive list on how to make you “look” genuine again, but make sure you’re also really genuine yourself.

• When you talk to people, make an effort not to ask for favours. So when you talk to someone you seldom talk to, try to keep a conversation purely about him or her. No favours, no asking for help, just find out how they are doing. Usually, they would go, “Oh! That’s different”. And the next time you have to ask for something, it’ll be a whole lot easier.
• If you see them face-to-face, look them in the eye. When you say “Hi, how are you?” mean it and wait for their reply. Learn to listen well. I know I’ve made a couple of boo-boos before when I was distracted by an advertisement while receiving a reply. It’s bad I tell you.
• If you have to ask for a favour, don’t stall. What I mean by stall is this, don’t start the conversation asking how that person is and by the fourth line, you change the topic to ask for help. That person will probably get cheesed off. And it is good to maintain conversation after you’ve sought for assistance for a decent length of time to avoid being seen as superficial. It’ll make that person feel more wanted and important.

I think it’s quite amazing how God has built everyone with an integrated “lie detector”. It’s not difficult to see when people are not being genuine with you. You can just feel it.

–
Genuinely,
Willywei

I just got back from Kukup. I think you should know where that is since you’re a Malaysian yourself. haha. I almost caught a huge fish (they said that it could have been a barracuda) but the string snapped!

Anyway, the trip was good. The sharing during our retreat came from Matthew 6, the part about where your treasure is and seeking God’s Kingdom first. And I was reminded to chase after God and growing in Christ, instead of chasing other treasures.

Speaking of growing in Christ, I want to introduce you to several resources that have been very helpful to me in the past few years, and I think they will help you too.

The list is just a handful of stuff, you would probably start finding and adding to this list for your own good. And above all, the Bible is still always the best reference.

Like Dong always say, “Your spiritual growth is your responsibility”.

–
Keep Growing,
Willywei

You should have heard the acronym “KISS” before. It has many versions, but I prefer the “Keep It Short and Simple” one.

1. In the age where people browse more than they read (it’s the Internet’s fault), mankind’s attention span has also diminished. Keep your talk to less than 30 minutes.
2. Give people 1,2,3 or 4 points to take home. 4 is maximum. That is my personal rule. Unless you know that people are taking notes, then you may add more.
3. To make people remember the key points of your message, repeat. To make people remember the key points of your message, repeat.
4. Don’t use bombastic words. No one is going to understand what you say. Don’t use jargon where there are newcomers, explain it in layman terms.

–
Short and sweet,
Willywei