#49 Try This Method to Answer Small Talk Questions

This week, I had a brief email exchange with a coworker Sarah. After we are done with the business, she asked me, "How are things going on your end?" Have you ever feel you can have so many versions of answers to this question? Depends on where it's asked / who asked it / how...

#29 How to Make Someone’s Day: Attentive, Ego-less, Active Listening

I have been very focused on working. Other than spending time with Jason, I mostly work on my day job during the week and work on side projects over the weekends, including designing postcards, writing blogs, etc. Recently, I met my in-laws and they reminded me of the importance of keeping touch with my friends,...

#16 Make a List: 16 Reasons to Not Send a Postcard

Jason and I designed a set of postcards. Each set contains 30 cards, making it to a 30-day challenge. The challenge is intended to help people writing and sending thoughtful notes in order to strengthen meaningful relationships. Find more details here. For example, one card says, “To someone you have believed in you.” The writing...

#08 One Habit for Deeper Connections: Be Awkward First

“What’s your personal philosophy?” Last month, I attended High Performance training offered by my employer. Everybody was encouraged to take 25 minutes to answer this question. The point behind this practice is: We make the work place more productive, more purposeful and happier by bringing our whole selves, and we help others see our whole...

#06 One Habit for Social: One Person at a Time

Claire is a good friend of yours. She invited you to her birthday party. You see from the Facebook event attendee list that, 40 people will be there, most of whom you don’t know. Now it’s 2 hours before the party starts. How do you feel? Do you feel nervous? Do you feel like “work”?...

Episode 62 Why people say “Great suggestion!” then nothing happens? And how to make things happen

“I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses. “ — Johannes Kepler As soon as I came across this quote this morning, I grabbed my computer, ran to the closest coffee shop, and started to write. Have you experienced this: A friend shared a problem with you. You...

30-Question Challenge

In the past few months, I have dated a number of people. Searching for a life partner is not an all-pleasant journey, but one of the unexpected things I learned from this process is this: when people like me, it is often because they like the questions I ask. In the coming 30 days, I...

Episode 52 What I Learned from Asking the Same Question Again and Again

On New Year’s Eve, me and my friend Jason set out for a mini adventure. We went on the street and asked strangers one question, “If you could change one thing in 2018, what would you change?” We asked nine people, including a couple from San Francisco, a backpacker from Spain, a homeless artist in...

Episode 51 Christmas Series Two: Are You Joining Us For Breakfast? Karaoke? Dinner?

I have written a series of six blogs related to the happenings in Christmas 2017. This is the second one. This piece is dedicated to a good friend, Li, and his girlfriend, who actively and tirelessly organize activities for the Chinese community in Seattle. You are sharing your love to each other to warm and...

Episode 46 An Ask That Nobody Would Say No To

Last week, I went to the Microsoft Redmond campus for the annual AI and Machine Learning Conference. It was a fantastic conference! But in the afternoon, I had a serious information overflow. I can't intake and process any more info. So I hopped on a Lyft. Driver's name is Jeff. When I was on the...