Time to 做梦?

Interesting and sometimes weird advice can be found in Li Ka Shing's "The art of becoming rich" appearing in ST last Saturday.

I shall perhaps list the useful ones first before mulling over the funny ones. First of all he bundles a person's monthly salary into 5 sets of funds for living expenses, expanding interpersonal circle, learning, overseas holiday and investing.

Basically there is strong emphasis in investing one's time and money in acquiring knowledge, skills, experience, exposure and expanding one's social network. To top it one has to be diligent by offering oneself for all sorts of opportunities and part time work. "When you are poor, you have to throw yourself out in the open and let people make good use of you" (Hmmm...very sound advice)

Now the weird and funny parts :)

-"When you are poor, be good to others. When you are rich, you must learn to let others be good to you. You have to learn to be good to yourself better". 穷的时候，不要计较，对别人要好。富的时候，要学会让别人 对自己好.自己对自己更好 
(Huh is this a problem that the rich are facing, not knowing how to treat themselves well? Is it because these super rich have difficulties living a balanced life ie. too programmed/immersed and lost in some pursuits? And then again shouldn't treating others kindly be a spontaneous act rather than one rife with hidden agenda?)

-"When you are poor spend money on others. When you're rich, spend money on yourself"穷的时候，花钱给别人看。富的时候，花钱给自己享受。穷的时候一定要大方，富的时候，就不要摆阔了 (hmm....so Hong Kong)

- "When buying people dinner, make sure you buy dinners for people who have bigger dreams than you and work harder than you" 少在外面吃饭，要吃就请客，要请，就请比自己更有梦想的、更有思想、更努力的人

  (Wah such a stressful meal, but then again he does have a point because most people enjoy boasting when dining with friends instead of trying to learn from others. )

However I like his last paragraph "Once your livelihood is no longer an issue, use the remainder of your money to pursue your dreams. Spread your wings and dare to dream! Make sure you live an extraordinary life! 去放开你的翅膀大胆地做梦，去让生命经历不一样的旅程

( I like his use of the word 做梦.For those of us who still don't have a dream and declare ourselves clueless, we have all the liberty to build one. And then again the critical hurdle for many is the perception of when "livelihood is no longer an issue".)