My Child, My Legacy: A Passionate Teacher, a Curious Entrepreneur, a Loving Father

By C J Lim

I hope this book can inspire readers to unleash their greatest gifts in life.
Value life as it is and help others to succeed. Living one’s life by your own choices and not by default or choices of others. Be grateful for all that you have and not waste too much time dwelling at what you do not have.
I wish entrepreneurs, parents and anyone who read this book can share the gems they found in the book to their children, their families, friends, associates, and beyond.
This book is written based on my life journey from an engineer graduate to an educator and then an entrepreneur. During the years of me exploring my career and business path, I discovered my passion and purpose in life. Then come along my family.
I invited my wife and children to join me along this journey of personal development and we explored the wonders of the world together. We discovered the world through our travelling, and we focus on being the better version of ourselves daily learning from life experiences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Mar 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781543768107

C J Lim

CJ is a person that believes in lifelong learning. He enjoys working with parents, educators, and change makers to transform the ways education is delivered in schools. He has a master in entrepreneurship and an engineering degree. He is a certified financial literacy trainer and a certified NLP practitioner.

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Copyright © 2022 by CJ LIM.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

www.partridgepublishing.com/singapore

For my dad and mom

Thank you for believing in me

Love and miss you both dearly

TESTIMONIALS

CJ, this book is true to yourself. Anybody who knows you know that you live your life from the space of gratitude, abundance, and empowerment. We can see that you have chosen to dedicate your life to impact lives and the world around you. Congratulations on your latest achievement… with more amazing things to come, I’m sure.

Anne Tham

Conscious Leader, Serial Educator,

Founder & CEO of The ACE EdVenture Education Group

I had the pleasure of working with CJ in Andaman Group when he is working on creating a series of e-workbooks for secondary school students. Further to that, we were both involved in training and grooming a batch of students in Boy’s Scouts during their formative years that led to their development into various leadership positions currently. We both also attended many Self and Leadership Development Courses together to become the best version.

I was fortunate to be working and growing with him over the years as his passion in education and entrepreneurship has made a lot of difference and inspire many, especially students as he sparks their courage to dream and called for the best in people around him. He is an authentic and inspiring teacher, entrepreneur, father, leader, and friend. I will always be grateful for that.

Alex Wong

Accountant, Financial Coach & Business Consultants

Founders of In Tune Outsourcing Services and

Director of Master Craft Design Group

The author is one of the most dedicated teachers I have met. His approach is positive and supportive in helping his students achieve the goals that they set for themselves. I have seen his students learn and grow under his tutelage whilst being taught in a fun environment that makes it easy for the students to learn.

Andrew Vong

Chief Future Officer of EquitiesTracker Holdings Bhd

A simple powerful book filled with valuable wisdom, insights and personal stories from a loving passionate father and educator. A must read for all parents and teachers.

Rev Dr Rain Lim

Founder of Origin of Wisdom and WEWorldNetwork

Author of Power Love, Power Life

I have known CJ for almost five years and in that time, I have rarely met a person so dedicated to creating transformation and change in children. His love of educating, his love of children and his humility while he makes a difference is something I greatly admire. If we could all leave a legacy for our children based on this book our world would be a much better place.

Clinton Swaine

CEO Frontier Trainings

Insightful, engaging, and inspiring - if you read one book this year, I invite you to listen with your heart, read with curiosity and welcome the uplifting lessons from CJ’s My Child, My Legacy. Bravo and Congratulations CJ.

Dave Rogers

Global Mentor

Best Selling Author and Serial Investorpreneur

A warm and thoughtful insight into the mind of a passionate educator. MY CHILD, MY LEGACY is an easy-to-read, action-driven book that empowers you to reframe your thinking and belief systems, towards more positive outcomes, in all areas of your life.

Eugene Lim

Co-Founder, ACE Edupreneurs

The relatable and easy to read real life stories, words of wisdom and actionable plans make this book a must read for Teachers, Entrepreneurs and Parents. CJ has shared life skills that helps readers understand and enjoy a remarkable journey.

Marcus Teoh

Bestselling Author and Zero Budget Marketing Trainer

CJ and I started as working colleagues and in a short period of time, we created a brotherhood bond that led us to learn and share personal things. He was the trainer that trained me in financial education (Powerpreneur Program) in school. He is now a mentor for me because he was one of the reasons for me to start writing a book. He became my accountability partner to make sure I complete my book. We both value the relationship and growing together in making a difference in people’s lives.

Anthony Sabastian Marian

Author of ANT- "Anthony Now Teaches

Educator in Dwi Emas International School

CJ Lim is a committed father and educationalist, with a vast experience in the well-being of the next generations. His legacy is ensured and the wisdom in this book is significant.

Mike Handcock

Chairman Circle of Excellence Group

3X Amazon #1 Author

MY CHILD, MY LEGACY ... this is not just another biography of a writer. The author, CJ LIM, has creatively designed his story to take us down memory lane" with his Malaysian expressions. Pervading each page, you would encounter some good advice and wisdom, tips to help you develop good positive habits, artfully illustrated from the experiences of a warm caring father, husband and friend. If anything, this book is uncompromising, bold and direct. A worthwhile read over an afternoon cup of tea.

Robbin Khoo

President, iAuthor’s Club

"One lesson I’ve learnt from reading this book is ask not what you can teach your children but what it is that your children are teaching you. You’re a role model, not from what you teach them, more of what you do and what you say to everyone around you.

CJ has an inspiring entrepreneurial story and presents a thought-provoking case on gratitude and self-reflection. This is a book that all parents must read!"

Jonathan Quek

Founder of Owners Circle and

Author of Keep Investment Simple & Stupid

CONTENTS

Testimonials

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1: A Passionate Teacher

1.1 The Power of Gratitude

FUNWORK: My Power of Gratitude

1.2 Results Speak Louder Than Words

FUNWORK: My Life Results Checklist

1.3 Attitude First, Attribute Second

FUNWORK: My Life Attitude Compass

1.4 Scarcity Versus Abundance

FUNWORK: My Life Abundance Thermometer

How I Became A Teacher

My Initial Ambition To Become A Doctor

Studying To Become An Engineer

Accidental Opportunity To Tutor

Falling In Love With Teaching

Started My First Business Venture

My Learning And Failing Forward

My Master’s Degree

Set New Intention And Career Direction

Reigniting My Passion To Teach

Attracting The Right People Into My Life

Ace My First Job

Self-Doubt

Grounding Myself And Leveling Up

Promoted To Head Of Academic

Second Promotion While On My Vacation

Playing A Bigger Game

What Is Next?

Chapter 2: A Curious Entrepreneur

2.1 The Law of the Problem

FUNWORK: My Problem or Your Problem

2.2 Thriving in Winter Season

FUNWORK: My Winter Warrior

2.3 Distractions or Opportunities

FUNWORK: My Distractions and Attractions

2.4 Persistent but Not Pushy

FUNWORK: My Perseverance and Grit

2.5 Have Fun to Get More Done

FUNWORK: My Pleasure and Leisure

My Journey As An Education Entrepreneur

Starting My Education Business

The Enormous Task Ahead

Struggles Of The Early Days

Turning Stress Into Strength

Transforming Lives Through Financial Education

Decision, Direction, And Dedication

Power Of Rebranding

Forming Dynamic Teams

Ready To Scale

Life Of An Education Entrepreneur (The Lessons)

Chapter 3: A Loving Father

3.1 Enrich, Empower, Engage

3.2 Receiving Is a Means of Giving

3.3 Selling Is Caring

3.4 Calmness in Chaos

3.5 Circle of Influence for Your Child

My Unconditional Love As A Father And A Husband

Meeting My Life Partner

Will You Marry Me?

Our First Child

Unprepared And Inexperienced

A Flood Of Support And Love

Traveling To Explore And Experience

My Children, My Teachers

My Wife, My Teacher

My Life, My Teacher

Author’s Wish For This Book!

FOREWORD

This is not a typical way of introducing a book. But why do we conform to the status quo? Change happens when we shift beyond conformity. We shift toward creativity. We shift toward transformation.

This is my story!

Let passion drive our vision!

Let love motivate our actions!

Let mission generate our momentum!

A short poem written inspired from my twenty-one day abundance meditation exercise

I live in abundance

I thrive with a positive mindset

I choose to be grateful

I focus on giving

I feel connected to self (oneness)

I receive the gifts wholeheartedly

I surrender and allow

I flow with the flow

I blessed all the blessings

My gifts to the world . . .

I educate the next generation

To become leaders

To serve, to give, to deliver

To be humble, to have integrity

I am blessed with the abundance

And I’m eternally grateful

My utmost respect to my wife, the amazing lady in my life, and

my warmth, love, and hopes for my children

Duality Mode of Reading This Book

The book is written with three chapters and two modalities.

The first section is a bite-size lesson in life and the right mindset I’ve learned and integrated into my life and daily habits.

When it comes to the second part of the chapters, I ventured into the stories of my life being an educator, an entrepreneur, and a father.

You can choose to read from the first page to the last page, moving from chapter 1 to chapter 3. Alternative flow of reading this book is to read the bite-size subtopics in all three chapters and the life stories in each chapter separately and as an entirety.

You will get the feel of my life stories and sharing if you choose to read the stories part as a whole. You will understand the sharing of my life philosophy when you read the subtopics in each chapter consecutively.

In life, we always have choices. So choose how you would like to read this book.

Enjoy the reading adventure!

INTRODUCTION

1.jpg

As I am writing this, at the beginning of the book, I am thousands of feet in the air headed to Johor, a southern state in Malaysia, for work and business

Life as It Is

Yesterday morning, while I was teaching in my school, my wife called and told me that my one-year-old baby might have been infected by HFMD—hand, foot, and mouth disease—a virus that commonly infects young children and babies. Not pleasant news to get during working hours. I took a deep breath, thought calmly, and asked her to pay our family doctor another visit to verify.

Later that afternoon, my wife texted me. Our fear was confirmed; he contracted the nasty virus. So what is next? We quickly form a viable solution to ensure our family and my baby is safe and taken good care of. First is to get my baby the right care and medication. Next is to disinfect everything, starting with our bedroom and common area at home. Another step is to do an isolation process. My wife and our baby will sleep in our room. My seven-year-old elder son and I will be sleeping in the room next door. My wife removed all the bedsheets, soft toys on the bed, and blankets. She got our maid to wipe the whole room with Dettol disinfectant, then diffuse Young Living Thieves essential oil to further disinfect the room. The good news is that our baby’s appetite is good, and he is active as always. I’m very grateful for that. Guess breastfeeding has given him a strong immune system.

As a parent, a father, my family is my universe. I do have my dreams and wants. Nonetheless, I am constantly reminded that all the dreams and wants are pointless if I’ve no one to share it with, and it will all be just a dream when I take my last breath in this world. I would love to share all my wealth with my sons. When I say wealth, I don’t mean monetary wealth. I mean more of the knowledge and experience my children can gain from role-modeling me and observing the world around them.

There is this saying, like father like son. I have seen this over and over again in varieties of families by being in the education line. When a child behaves in a certain way—how they think, what they say, what they do or do not do—a huge part of the behavior and doing comes from the people they spend the most time with. Most of the time, that would be their parents. I’ve seen highly confident kids and some with an absolute belief that they are lazy and incompetent. I’ve seen kids that were weak in their studies but were able to put in ten times the effort to make sure they improved, and they believe they were capable of doing so. I’ve seen kids who were super intelligent but lazy to study and tend to slack in their work or constantly distracted by their gadgets and tend to pull others down by disturbing their peers.

As a parent, the crucial thing I need to remind myself is not: What I need to teach my children, but to be present to what my children are teaching me. I am their role model, not from what I teach them but more of what I do and say to others.