Skilled Migrant Professionals December 2015 | Page 7

Publisher’s Page Is Your Glass Half Full Or Half Empty? M any people, including SMP Australia members, continue to be battered by the slowing economy creeping around the world. This is particularly the case for countries that depend on resources, such as mining, oil and gas, for their GDP. Economists are telling us daily that the worst is yet to come and the situation might lead to another recession globally, so what do we tell people who are forced to pound the pavement trying to find a job? What do we say to the middle-class families who now represent the “new poor” in today’s society? To these people and to those facing similar circumstances, I ask you, do you see the glass as half full or half empty? I’m not being flippant – on the contrary – what I’m trying to say is that it’s time for you and me to stop whinging and start counting our blessings. These days, I spend a great deal of time listening to a barrage of complaints from friends, colleagues, employees, entrepreneurs and even family members. They are all bemoaning everything, including the seesaw economy , the lack of career opportunities, collapsing home values, the poor state of public education, and the list goes on. I will never say such grievances are without merit, as many are legitimate and worthy of our attention. I submit, however, that venting has never served as an antidote. I subscribe to the philosophy espoused by President John F. Kennedy who said, “our problems are man-made, and therefore, they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings”. I, for one, am an unabashed optimist – I always see the glass half full. To realise my measure of success, I take responsibility for my actions, map out a strategy for personal and professional achievement and above all, retain an unshakeable belief in my abilities. I believe we must strive to be the best at whatever we do, as we relentlessly pursue the next career or build a new revenue producing opportunity. As we progress towards the end of 2015, I urge all SMP Australia members to get ready to wipe their slates clean in December and decide to turn a new leaf in 2016. We have strategically collated a series of articles in this issue that will assist our members to progress towards attaining their career or business goals. Australia is a land of the free and home for the brave. Opportunities are everywhere, but we need to search for them and make ourselves a sought-after candidate in this competitive economy. The team at SMP Australia is very excited for 2016, as it will be pioneering the first Perth migrant professional’s seminar. It will also be launching the first migrant-managed employment service, which will be assisting professional migrants prepare for and obtain employment that matches their experience and background. I encourage everyone to always view the glass as half full, but if you find one that happens to be empty, know that you have all the resources you need to fill it to the top. See you at the top! Guest Publisher Jeff C.H Ha, Litigation Paralegal (Hong Kong) SMP Australia Non exe director Our problems are manmade, and therefore, they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings John F. Kennedy P.O.BOX 5201 Canning Vale South WA 6155 Perth Australia. Tel: (08) 9398 3671. Email: [email protected], Website: www.smpmagazine.com.au December 2015 | www.smpmagazine.com.au 7