By Bakri Baharom @ Koboi Tunjang

How time flies. It has been three and a half years since Koboi Tunjang retired as a government servant, after 34 long years, serving at four locations; Kuantan (nine years), Balek Pulau (six months), Arau (two years) and the remaining in Jitra (22 years). Koboi Tunjang checked in and checked out at POLIMAS, Jitra three times; (1994, 2010 and 2013). By November 2019, Koboi Tunjang checked out for good. Tunjang which is in Jitra has always been Koboi Tunjang’s bastion.

 The coordinator, Ruslinawati wanted Koboi Tunjang to deliver  Sembang Santai, which would motivate and inspire the students to realise their full potential. A tall order. So, it was back to the seminar room, holding a microphone and doing Powerpoint on May 11, 2023 again. In a way, it felt like yesterday that Koboi Tunjang was addressing these young minds; 18-year olds.

 Koboi Tunjang started with some personal reflections on the last five years. Then, quickly challenged them with a quiz.

Choose the best hunting tiger:

A. Malayan Tiger

B. Sumatran Tiger

C. Indochinese Tiger

D. Bengal Tiger

E. None of the above

Most answered A. The right answer is E, none of the above. If you think about it, the best hunting tiger is always a HUNGRY tiger, no matter what kind or stripe. Should it failed to catch its prey, it will get hungrier and weaker. Similarly, it is always best to maintain our hunger and thirst in pursuing both studies and careers. Always remember there is no such thing as free lunch. Education is the game changer either to get out of poverty or to remain well off.

 Enter the 7-Habits

A quarter of a century ago, Stephen R. Covey published a book, The Seven Habits of Effective People. It has been discussed and dissected million times over, but the natural principles stood the test of time. What other tricks up Koboi Tunjang’s  to impress these intelligent young students. The word HABIT. Stephen rightly pointed out that the universal principles that he put together, need to become life habits – everyday practices. To recap:

1. Be Proactive

2. Begin With the End in Mind

3. Put First Things First

4. Think Win-Win

5. Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood

6. Synergise

7. Sharpen the Saw

Take #2. The best example is Wawasan 2020, crafted and launched in 1990 for the next 30 years. Figure 2020 itself denoted a perfect score for both eye sights. It clearly stated the aspired results from the very beginning.

 “Malaysia Menjadi Negara Maju Menjelang 2020”

 It follows the convention to set a Vision – Who, What and When. With only six words, it is concise and easy to remember. Anything less than 20 words is fine.

Who – Malaysia

What – Menjadi Negara Maju

When – Menjelang 2020.

 Whether we have achieved the W2020 objectives is beside the point. As one wisdom pointed out, if you do not know where you are going, it does not matter which road you take. In that spirit, the students are challenged to state explicitly what is their personal Life Vision?

 I want to be successful by 35 years old.

Consider #3: This is of utmost importance. All motivated and inspirational people practise the principle of Put First Things First. There are no two ways about it. Supposedly  you have some pebbles, sand and water. The task is to put them into a container. Without knowing the importance of each item, you may simply fill it up to the brim. What if the pebble is associated with the most important job /assignment, sand represents a less important issue and water, the least.

Now, it is most logical to put in the pebbles first, as much as you can. The second is sand as it will fill up the spaces in-between pebbles. The last is water, even if it looks full. Then, it is really full. Similarly, we must learn to prioritise our tasks or activities. With limited funds, we must priorities our budget.

Lim Jia Han (DAT) helps to demonstrate #2: Put First Things First

#4: is equally interesting. Always think Win-Win, not Win-Lose, Lose-Win or Lose-Lose. Remember the Badar War during Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Quraish prisoners were set free; they were to pay some compensation, through prisoner exchange or teaching the Muslim children to read and write. The last point proved to be conclusive proof of the importance of education and the #4 principle.

How to explain #6 (Synergy)? Some suggested 1+1 = 3 or 11. Some would say, the total sum is more than its individual parts. For example, individual car parts will not run a car but the whole parts, put together, will.

How to demonstrate #6?

Koboi Tunjang brought along satay sticks made of bamboo. Anyone can break one stick easily. But, not a bunch. Similarly, anyone can tear a piece of paper but try a dictionary. The old saying, “Bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita roboh” is all about synergy or the lack of it.

Lim Rui Qi (left, DPR) and Lee Jia Yun (DAT) demonstrate the concept of #6 Synergy, to break a single and a bunch of satay sticks.

Enter Ikigai.

Next, Koboi Tunjang wanted the students to subscribe to IKIGAI recommendations. They must find within themselves; their strengths and latent talents and exploit them to their advantage.

1. What are the things you love

2. What are you good at

3. What the world needs

4. What you can be paid for

The students were asked to draw four overlapping circles and write as many activities in each segment. Finally, they must realise how Passion (1 n 2), Profession (2 n 4), Vocation (3 n 4) and Mission (1 n 3) are intersecting with each other. Ikigai is where the 4 circles meet. Once Ikigai is established, they should pursue it with all their will.

Examples:

⁃ Lee Chong Wei must have found his Ikigai in badminton

⁃ Jack Ma must have discovered his real Ikigai to be in business

In Oct 2018, Jem Cheong Tak (centre) and Koboi Tunjang made a trip to Hangzhou West Lake, where Jack Ma befriended English speaking tourists to improve his language command. A tourist guide confirmed that Jack Ma’s house is not far from the lake.