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© 2020 Penguin SEA

Catagory: Non Fiction

Win Your Inner Battles

Are you ready to take charge of your life? Whether it’s changing careers, starting a business, meeting deadlines without stress, ending a toxic relationship, or simply finding fulfillment, this book is your guide to overcoming the barriers that hold you back.

In Win Your Inner Battles, you’ll discover how to:

  • Overcome fear and self-doubt
  • Build unshakable confidence
  • Stop overthinking and start acting
  • Create a life that aligns with your true desires

This book is rooted in real-life experiences, offering practical advice to help you tackle life’s challenges head-on. No matter how difficult your situation may seem, there’s always a path to a better life.

Take the first step towards living on your own terms—because the power to change is within you.

Think Straight

I know something about you without knowing you. I bet you spend A LOT of time in your head—thinking, worrying, stressing, freaking out—call it whatever you want. I call it a preoccupied mind. And with what? 99% of your thoughts are useless. William James, once the leading psychologist in America, and one of the founders of the philosophical school of pragmatism, put it best: ‘A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.’

Pragmatism believes that the mind is a tool. Your mind should work for you, not against you. People who don’t master their mind, don’t believe it’s possible. They say: ‘I can’t help but thinking these things.’ Well, you can TAKE CONTROL of your mind with enough practice. I’ve done it. And in THINK STRAIGHT, I share exactly how. It’s a quick read and you can use it to immediately to improve your thinking. You have the ability to decide what you think. Or, you can choose NOT to think. And that is one of the most important and most practical things you can learn in life. Before I learned that skill, I would spend hours and hours inside my head.

Just think about how much you think—’I wonder what my boss thinks?’—’What happens if I screw up and lose my job?’—’What if my business never takes off?’—’Does she love me?’—’Why does my life suck?’—’What if I get cancer?’—’I can’t finish anything. What’s wrong with me?’—And the list goes on.

THINK STRAIGHT reveals the recipe for taking control of your mind so you can improve your life, career, relationships, and business. I wrote this little book in a way that you can read it more than once. And I hope that this book serves as an anchor to you—especially during trying times. The mind is the most powerful tool on earth. Change the way you think. And you’ll change your life.

Focus on What Matters

Why is it so hard to live well amidst the chaos and noise? While you might think this is a problem of the modern world, it’s a timeless issue.

2000 years ago, the ancient Stoics talked about the exact same challenges we’re facing today, like:

  • How can we find inner peace?
  • What does it take to be happy?
  • Can we become more resilient?

The answers can be found in the philosophy of Stoicism. I’ve used the philosophy since 2014 to change my life and career.

Focus on What Matters is a collection of 70 letters/essays I wrote about different aspects of life, from happiness, wealth, health to relationships and much more.

These letters, inspired by the original works of the Stoic philosopher Seneca, serve as reminders to focus on the right things in our chaotic lives.

The goal of the original Letters From A Stoic by Seneca was to share Stoic ideas with his friend, Lucilius, who had hedonistic tendencies and lived a busy life.

Focus on What Matters is inspired by those letters. It will show you…

  • Simple thought exercises to become resilient and focused
  • How to live in the present moment every day
  • Authentic Stoic values for a life of happiness
  • A way to build more discipline

In short, this book helps you to live well despite the challenges of daily life.

Do It Today

Are you also tired of putting off your dreams until ‘tomorrow?’ Guess what! Tomorrow never comes. Am I right?

I’ve procrastinated and put off my desire to write a book for a decade. I always came up with excuses like, ‘It’s not the right time’ or, ‘I need to do more research.’

But in 2015 I got tired of this endless procrastination, and finally took action. Six months later, my first book was published.

Look, we all have limited time on our hands. And we’re getting closer to death every single minute. That shouldn’t scare you. That should motivate you! Time is limited, that’s why we must do the things we want: Today.

In this ‘best of’ collection, I’ve handpicked 30 of my best articles that help you to overcome procrastination, improve your productivity, and achieve all the things you always wanted.

Plus, I’ve written an extensive introduction about my life and work philosophy. And I’ve made many improvements and edits to the articles. So the content of this book is different from the articles on my site.

In Do It Today, you’ll learn:
1. Why we procrastinate and how we can overcome it
2. How to increase your productivity without being stressful
3. How to achieve more meaningful things in your life so you can enjoy it more

Are you ready to start reading this book?
If so: Do it today-not tomorrow.

China in the New World

The globalization that swept across the world from the 1990s to mid-2010s is over. In its place have come growing protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and a decline in the importance of multilateral bodies such as the World Trade Organization.

But while many countries are now turning in on themselves, one continues to turn outwards: building on its achievements of the last four-plus decades, China is now engaging with the world like never before.

In today’s increasingly multipolar world, China’s influence is on the rise. Its leading companies, tempered in China’s large and hyper-competitive markets, now stand at the forefront of technological change and innovation across an increasing number of industries.

Building on its dominance of global manufacturing, China is becoming an exporter of capital, technology, services, and knowledge. Across many industries, its companies are becoming the setters of global standards. Its advances in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data are making it central to the development of next-generation supply chains. Its advances in financial technologies, combined with the increasing internationalization of the renminbi, are putting it at the heart of new cross-border payment and settlement systems.

In China in the New World, Edward Tse explains how China became the economic power it is today, how its role in global business will continue to expand, and how companies must rethink their global strategies in what will be an increasingly China-relevant global economy.

Complete Notes from Singapore

Almost 200 years ago, an Englishman by the name of Stamford Raffles landed on the shores of Singapore and the rest, shall we say, is history. A decade ago, another Englishman came to Singapore and left behind a wholly different kind of legacy. Notes from an even Smaller Island, Scribbles from the Same Island, and Final Notes from a Great Island are three widely-acclaimed offerings by Neil Humphreys detailing his own Singapore story of a man who came, who saw and who fell in love with the tiny tropical nation. Complete Notes from Singapore: The Penguin Omnibus brings together all three best-selling books for an insightful account of one man’s relationship with Singapore and Singaporeans that has spanned an entire decade, with a foreword by Colin Goh and a new introduction.

Notes From an Even Smaller Island
Knowing nothing of Singapore in the 1990s, a young Englishman, Neil Humphreys, arrives in the land of ‘air-conned’ shopping centres and Lee Kuan Yew. From the aunties in the hawker centres to expats dressed as bananas, from Singlish to kiasuism, and from Singaporeans at home to Singaporeans abroad, Humphreys explores all aspects of Singaporean life, taking in the sights, dissecting the culture and illuminating each place and person with his perceptive and witty observations.
Written by someone who is at once both insider and outsider, the book is a wonderfully funny and disarmingly honest portrait of Singapore and its people.

First published in 2001, Notes from an Even Smaller Island became an extraordinary success, selling tens of thousands of copies. It popped up on the national bestseller several times over the years and launched Neil’s stellar writing career.

This 20th anniversary edition contains new material; Neil has gone back and re-evaluated his first book, looking at what he got right, what he definitely got wrong and updating readers on key characters, stories and crazy incidents. He also includes never-previously published photos to prove – once and for all – that every word of his irreverent work was true.

Scribbles From the Same Island
Neil Humphreys is back with more Scribbles from the Same Island. He is not rich, doesn’t own an apartment, and doesn’t have many expatriate privileges, but nonetheless manages to remain the same funny bloke happily living in the small estate of Toa Payoh in Singapore. One year after his best-selling, Notes From An Even Smaller Island had the whole of Singapore laughing helplessly, Neil Humphreys is still madly in love with his humble but stimulating existence on the sunny island of Singapore. So much, in fact, that he now makes a living poking gentle fun at every oddball aspect of Singaporean life. Expect to find more of his take on SPG, sex, doctors, toilets…all seemingly innocuous subjects but made hilarious through his witty observations. Romance campaigns? Public transport system? Nothing is safe from Neil’s humorous scrutiny. Not even the unsuspecting creatures at the zoo, and certainly not the bawdy nightlife at Geylang.

Final Notes From a Great Island: a Farewell Tour of Singapore
Singapore’s best-selling author is back. After spending the best ten years of his life in Singapore Neil Humphreys has decided to move to Australia. But the British writer doesn’t want to leave the island he fell in love with a decade ago without taking one final tour. Embarking on a valedictory tour from his home in Toa Payoh, Humphreys vows to explore Singapore as he did when he first arrived–a newcomer on foot and inexperienced–visiting his favourite places, from the glorious countryside of Lim Chu Kang to the serene beaches of Kusu island. From Sentosa to Sembawang Park, St. John’s Island to Johor Bahru, Humphreys treks, cycles and even hitchhikes his way across this great island, encountering murderous dogs, dead cats, wild crocodiles and mad cyclists. Honest, insightful and funny, Final Notes from a Great Island is a warm, uplifting tribute to Singapore and its inhabitants.

The Dao of Foresight

A brief encounter between a professor of foresight and a struggling entrepreneur in near-future Singapore transforms into an Asian tale beyond time and space. The reader is taken along the captivating journey of a young apprentice, Jigo, who goes through many obstacles to learn foresight from the wise Master Fu and save his village in danger. Blending fiction with non-fiction, each chapter of The Dao of Foresight introduces a new foresight technique through a timeless relationship between master and disciple imbued with the wisdom of Eastern Asian philosophies (Daoism, Zen Buddhism, Confucianism). Through the continuous juxtaposition of the old and the new, The Dao of Foresight intertwines mystery and adventure with learning, and inspires curiosity, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of the core principles of foresight.

Reimagining Singapore’s History

What is history? How is it made? And why does it matter? Reimagining Singapore’s History brings together leading historians to discuss these questions within the context of the decades-long project to rediscover pre-colonial Singapore.

2019 was a milestone in Singapore’s history as it marked the 200th anniversary of Stamford Raffles’ landing in 1819. However, in a powerful turn of events, government-sponsored celebrations used the occasion to highlight Singapore’s longer pre-colonial story, in the process officially pushing back the modern country’s origins to the 14th-century trading post of Temasek.

Contrary to popular belief, Singapore was not a forgotten land between Temasek and Raffles; it remained a rich crossroads of trade, culture, religion, and merchant empires (both Asian and European). The discovery of this pre-1819 period has led to Singapore’s ‘new history’, also known as its ‘700-year narrative’.

While this narrative has long been common knowledge among academics, it was only in the past decade that it began to make its way into the public consciousness. Why and how did these changes come about? Where did they come from? Why did it take so long to bridge academic and public knowledge? And what is pre-colonial Singapore’s relevance for us in the 21st century?

Surveying topics from archaeology to post-colonial theory, this essay collection explores the above questions and introduces the sources, discoveries, and ideas that led to the literal re-writing of Singapore’s official historical narratives over the past decades.

Contributors include renowned National University of Singapore professors and public historians:

  • Professor Wang Gungwu – recognized as ‘one of Asia’s most important public intellectuals’.
  • Professor Peter Borschberg – pioneer of using non-English European archives to study pre-colonial Singapore.
  • Professor Kwa Chong Guan – leading proponent of the long-cycles, 700-year approach to Singapore’s history.
  • Professor Syed Farid Alatas – sociologist and among Singapore’s top postcolonial theorists.
  • Chris Hale – documentary filmmaker and non-fiction writer, author of A Brief History of Singapore and Malaysia.
  • Tim Hannigan – travel writer and author of numerous books on Southeast Asia, including Raffles and the British Invasion of Java.

Jesus Feeds the People (New Testament)

Faith turns little into plenty.

When a crowd of over 5,000 gathered to listen to Jesus, there was not enough food to share. But Jesus
miraculously multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed everyone.
This story shows the importance of trusting in God and reminds us that God can provide for all
our needs, no matter how big.
Unique Features:

  • Engaging, Age-Appropriate Language
  • Beautiful, Colorful Illustrations
  • Perfect Introduction to Bible Themes
  • Family Bonding Opportunity
  • Each Story has Character-Building Lessons
  • Perfect Gift for Special Occasions

This book is part of the First Bible Stories series, a collection designed to introduce young readers to the timeless stories and teachings of the Bible.

SHH…GIVE ME A MOMENT

In a world that often favours the alpha—those comfortable in the spotlight—Shh . . . Give Me A Moment offers a refreshing perspective for those who find strength in silence. This personal development guide empowers introverts to embrace their unique traits and become imperfectly acceptable in a noisy, distracted society.

Join Aaron Pang, best-selling author and host of Asia’s No. 1 Purpose Podcast, on a transformative journey to unlock your hidden strengths: productivity, perspective, patience, and people skills. But first, you’ll need to face four formidable foes—the Dream Gobbler, Attention Gobbler, Priority Gobbler, and Identity Gobbler—that threaten to derail your growth.

Packed with practical tools and insightful frameworks, this book will help you reflect, strengthen your relationships, and thrive amid distraction and overwhelm.

Whether you identify as an introvert or simply seek deeper focus, meaningful connections, and purpose, Shh . . . Give Me a Moment is your guide to finding peace and power in stillness.