Building Confidence with the Big Bad Wolves by Raymond Lim

Years with R.E.A.L Education Group. Yes we definitely cannot deny the contributions Raymond has brought to R.E.A.L Kids, especially on its Branding and Marketing milestones achieved over the years. So, what had R.E.A.L offered him in return? Was the experience working here worthwhile? Was R.E.A.L working experience a blessing to Raymond? Read on.

Pre write-up: It took us sometime to consider how this post should be composed to retain at least similar if not stronger impact Raymond achieved through his 10th Toastmaster's Project Speech on 28th Nov 2014. It would have done no justice to him or to R.E.A.L if this written speech is "mellowed" through either  just a first person speech or a third party narrative. But is there a scientific measure of composition impact? Let's just give it a try and see if you could get something out of his experiences.


Confidence. If you have met or interacted with Raymond for even once, he gave you an unmistakable impression that he is Charismatic, Charming and what other C's will be the prerequisite for the earlier two? Yes, Supreme CONFIDENCE.

To some who might not enjoy working with anyone who exude such confidence, personalities might clash. He might appear somewhat loud or a little too outspoken. But coupled with his determination and passion to excel and to give nothing but his very best, you could not ignore his presence and influence.

So the question is, was Raymond born supremely confident? 
Is confidence something you can acquire or build? What took a shy little 7-year-old boy to one great force to reckon in just a handful of years down the road? 
Was confidence something that could easily be shattered if handled immaturely?

Excerpts from Raymond's speech:
"It is indeed a blessing to work in R.E.A.L. It gave me a chance to join Toastmasters. On top of that, I was exposed to opportunities to speak up in meetings and to give trainings in front of 200 plus teachers. I gave people the impression that I'm a confident person, but am I really someone with confidence? Let's take a step back to the little boy before 7 years of age. He did not even dare to pick up calls. "

Back when I was 7 during a Math Class, I could still clearly recall the teacher's face. She wrote on the board, '1 + 1 = 2'. And then she asked the class, '1 Apple + 1 Apple = ?' I was enthused. I raised my hand and volunteered to do the arithmetic! And this was my answer.

The teacher walked to me, angry at what I did. She asked me to rub off everything I drew on the board. She did not want anything more than TWO ORDINARY APPLES. From the top 5 in class that year, I dropped to the bottom 5 because I lost interest in studies.

I was always an artistically-inclined person since young. From that incident onward, I started snacking a lot. To the point of being teased and called Little Sammo Hung or Doraemon in school. My confidence scattered again. And it only got worse with consistent teasing from people who did not believe in me. They would laugh at me at random, well what boys would generally do without real intention to harm but never failing to achieve its unintended goal.

It doesn't make it any better with closed ones comparing my results with that of their sons and daughters. Dad and mom encouraged me often but others (including some teachers) on the other hand just laughed incessantly at me. Dad would tell me that everybody's different while mom advised me to never give up. A notable instance is where she sent me to Art Lessons, which slowly built up my confidence.


Until the crossroads after highschool, I had to pick a major. I chose arts and followed my interest to pursue Graphics Design in Lim Kok Wing. I studied arts, practice, practice and practice. Slowly I started building my house of confidence. My confidence grew because of the praises and encouragements from my friends, peers and lecturers there. Before I knew it, my house of confidence grew into a Tower of Confidence.

I continued pursuing my Arts in RMIT in Australia and came back to work in
before I decided to further pursue a Master's Degree in Advertising back in Australia. This was when setback returned. I was OVERCONFIDENT and UNDERESTIMATED the difficulty of a graduate degree. I had to resit my papers a few times and that literally shattered my confidence from cloud nine flat to the ground because my parents had to ingrain in my skull, "Don't you dare to fail again because we have no more money for you to repeat your semester." It did not help that I did not have many friends there, perceived arrogance perhaps. I tried all over again, humbling myself to make friends and look for support or advices but I met a lot of stumbling blocks. It took me a lot of hard knocks to gradually pick up a bit of my confidence and made some good friends eventually.

Back in after my Master's Degree, I'd gone through leadership trainings. Being selected as the team leader in a team building event heading the GM's, HoD's and principals, it was not easy but with the endless support and encouragements, I successfully rebuilt my house of confidence again.

It doesn't end here. Confidence grew and both external factors and OVERCONFIDENCE will kill it every now and then. And if you were to depend on external forces to build your confidence, you are bound to fall.

The Big Bad Wolf exists in everybody's life to take the chance to HUFF, PUFF and BLOW YOUR HOUSE OF CONFIDENCE AWAY!

My advice for you,

Stop them right before they blow with their might, speak up to them and say, "WAIT. I STAND STRONG HERE. And YOU, GET OUT!" - Raymond Lim, R.E.A.L Kids Assistant Manager, ECCE Marketing Department, 2013 - 2014. He was with us since 2006-2007 as a Graphics Designer for R.E.A.L Kids, then under Education Ventures Sdn Bhd; returned to R.E.A.L Kids Branding & Marketing in late 2012 till today.

* One of the biggest Big Bad Wolf (confidence deterrent) Raymond experienced was his own OVERCONFIDENCE. It takes humility and wisdom to admit that one's own defeat originated from his own failure to overcome his personal arrogance. He did that at the age of 30 in front of a modest crowd of approximately 30. We salute him for being bold to expose his weakness and failure in the eyes of those who entrusted him. 

Teaching Happiness - Teacher Nancy from R.E.A.L Kids Ampang

"Do you think you are happy sitting in this class now when it is raining outside?" - Teacher Nancy.

Are you aware that being happy or sad is really just a conscious choice you make and practice?

Teacher Nancy shared with us a few little moments as a Preschool Teacher that made her realize how happy she is and how happy we could all be.

- Children say you are very beautiful today because you got a HAPPY FACE.
- Everywhere you go in the kindergarten, you hear kids shouting, TEACHER Ariel I LOVE YOU!
- One of my kid in class always vomit in classroom and I need to clean up the mess and call her parent to get her home but she didn't want to go home. And when I asked her why, she answered, "Teacher I don't want to go home. I need to do assessment." I was curious and asked her why. Only to learn that she cared to do well in her assessments because she wants to stay in R.E.A.L Kids. She said, "Teacher, I want to see you next year; I want to come back tomorrow, next year. Teacher I want to come back next week to see you.." This was her comment just before school break. This motivated me and made me very happy.

A question to ponder, Teacher Nancy asked us all, "Can the state of Being Happy be of value?"

Is owning a big car, a house, having a handsome husband, and/ or fulfilling your achievements necessary for you to be happy?

Or is having a lovely husband who takes care of you and a small house, while you enjoy your life means more to Happiness?

What if you have a big car but you are not happy?

Teacher Nancy admitted that at times she could be nervous and anxious to voice out her concerns. She did so because seeing things improper or not working her right way tends to upset her. Over the years, her experiences taught her why should she make herself this way? She now consciously reminds herself to choose to be happy rather than sad.

To end her speech, Teacher Nancy took the time to recognize Teacher Zulfah for her positive attitude towards work and life. Teacher Nancy encouraged all teachers and colleagues to be positive, cheerful and happy so we can better deal with the challenges of work and life.

Blessings in Disguise - Two Ancient Folk Tales from The Early Chinese Empire - Teacher Rachel from R.E.A.L Kids Ampang

Let's spot Teacher Rachel from the crowd!

Story #1: Traveler Meets Old Woman

There was a traveler crossing a forest and he came to a river, where he met an old woman. The old woman did not know how to cross the river. Seeing that, the young man assisted her to cross safely to the other side of the river. He was surprised the old woman did not even have the courtesy to thank him for helping her but walked away right after she crossed the river.

While he is having doubt and almost cursing beneath his heart, suddenly a little boy turned up and said thanks. The boy told the young man that his grandmother is handicapped and could not express herself well. And in return, she asked the little boy to give the young man a horse as a token of appreciation.

Moral of the story: 

Resist the temptation to judge or conclude something too fast. You'll never know if something good is just awaiting at the next turn.

Story #2: The King and Prime Minister

Once upon a time, there was a King who enjoyed hunting. One day he went leopard hunting in the forest with his Prime Minister. He released a few arrows trying to hunt down a leopard but to avail. Ended up the leopard attacked him in return and bit off his finger.

The king was very angry and complained to his PM. Instead of trying to please his King, the PM said to the King, "Don't hate the leopard, maybe this could be a good arrangement." The King got more upset and he replied, "If I keep you in prison for one year, is it a good arrangement?" The wise PM replied calmly, "It's up to you, my King."

So the PM was kept in prison and the King started going out for hunting again with his other servants. Without his favorite PM, the King was not enjoying his hunts. 

One unfortunate day, the King ran into an tribe of natives and they captured him alive. It happened to be a Full Moon night and they needed to sacrifice someone to their gods for prayers. While praying, they found out that the King was not perfect. His finger was injured and they decided to let him go. The King found his way home and told this to his PM. Says the PM, "If you did not keep me in the jail, the tribal natives would have captured us both and I would probably have been sacrificed when they found out you had an imperfect finger due to injury."

Moral of the story: 

When faced with something negative, think along the good side. Maybe it could be a blessing in disguise.