Do you ever think about how you ended up where you are right now, at this moment? Did you know that in moments of every decision you make, no matter how small the decision, you're establishing the events in your life and shaping your destiny? In my last article, Never Stop Dropping Pebbles in a Pond, I shared the story of how I'd decided to take a very different approach to begin my year. At first, I felt a little rattled by that decision, but as events from that decision unfolded, I recognized a higher level of emotional, mental and spiritual fulfillment that taught me to appreciate balance, and all the important things and people in my life. Because of this, I'm inspired to share my thoughts and experiences on the power of decision.

Having sushi at Zen 8 in Calgary before attending autograph session at Tantra.

Popping some champagne before signing autographs.

There's a goldfish in my snifter!

This month has been positively overwhelming for me, and I can assure you none of the events that occurred would've been possible in such timely fashion if I hadn't decided to take a different approach in starting my year. (I took a one-and-a-half-month vacation to spend Chinese new year with all my relatives in my homeland Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). During and after my trip to Malaysia, I had to make little decisions along the way such as whether I should make that one phone call or not, hand in that proposal or wait, attend that lunch meeting or cancel, decline that business offer or accept, visit a friend on a weekend or weekday, and so on. All these little decisions I had to make might not seem highly significant, but the outcome from these decisions, as a whole, yielded a positively overwhelming month filled with fabulous meetings and experiences.

Signing autographs and taking photos.

Catching up with DJ Colleen Shannon, 50th anniversary Playboy Playmate, and Model/Singer, Nikki Zeno.

There's still a week left to the end of this month, but so much has happened. To start, I was flown out of town several times to make appearances and autograph photos for some wonderful fans. I met up with some of the Playboy Special Editions models I've produced, as well as caught up with DJ Colleen Shannon, the 50th anniversary Playboy Playmate.

Meeting up with some of the Playboy Special Editions Models I produced.

Looking down from the 4th floor VIP lounge at Lucid Toronto.

Arriving at Brant House in TO with my dearest friend, Nat.

Then, I flew to Toronto to attend the extravagant launch for the new Molson Kick beer at the popular Lucid Toronto (a 54,000sq. ft., 4-floor entertainment space), owned by Lucid Entertainment (a public company with establishments all over the world such as Concorde in L.A, Lucid Manchester and Hippodrome in London). Lucid's CEO, Allan, and the Lucid team soon met with me to discuss business opportunities. Shortly after, I was introduced to the high-profile owners of a fine and cozy 7,000sq. ft. restaurant/lounge/bar/club/celebrity hang-out called Brant House, where another opportune moment for business discussion took place. After the meeting the owners invited me to attend the Raptors Year End Party.

Watching the Molson girls kick start the launch of Molson Kick beer at Lucid.

The screen is in my way!

This one's for you!

Joining up with the rest of the girls.

Getting ready for the Nokia photo shoot.

After that, I flew back to Vancouver to model for Nokia cell phone print ads. I'm one of the Principal faces Nokia will be using in their print advertising to target the Asian market all over the world. I had to do a lot of singing during the shoot as the concept for the ad adopts a karaoke theme. Hmm...Asians and karaoke? You think?

Some of the other faces you'll see on the Nokia Ads.

I guess I'm up next!

The production team checking the polaroids.

Here I go...

Just arrived at the Beverly Peninsula. (Very tired!)

Planning my schedule before attending the Milken Conference.

At the Beverly Hilton, the conference begins.

Here I am!

After the shoot, I flew to L.A to attend the 8th Annual Milken Global Conference at Beverly Hilton. As one of the biggest conferences in the world, the Milken Conference was attended by CEOs and the who's who (from all over the world) in sectors such as Finance, Health Care, Education, Industries, Regions, Communications, Media and much more. I set in on panel discussions involving some of the world's most extraordinary thinkers and decision makers, offering innovative ways for solving some of our most difficult challenges to make a better, more-prosperous world; and networked with influential individuals who are helping shape this new century. I set in on economic discussions headed by former US Vice President Al Gore, and others such as CEO of Forbes Magazine, Steve Forbes. I also set in on other thought-provoking sessions dealing with Branding and Marketing with panelists such as CEO of MGM Mirage, CEO of BBDO New York, Chief Marketing Officer of AOL and many more alike.

Branding & Marketing session with Chairman of Arnell Group, Peter Arnell, CEO of BBDO NY, John Osborn, Exec.VP of Safeway Inc., Brian Cornell, CMO of AOL Inc., Co-Chairman of Roll Int. Corp., and CEO of MGM Mirage, J.Terrence Lanni.

Session on Financial Innovations: Market Solutions to Global Challenges (with Michael Milken, Chairman of Milken Institute - Milken Conference).

After the conference, I went back to my hotel room at the Beverly Peninsula (since all rooms at the Hilton were fully booked) to freshen up for dinner. I was excited (and hungry) as I was driven down La Cienega Blvd. to "Matsuhisa" to visit the legendary Nobuyuki Matsuhisa - known to the world simply as "Nobu" - the acclaimed and highly influential chef-proprietor of Nobu, Matsuhisa and Ubon restaurants all over the globe. While dining in Nobu's private room for eight, I met Arthur Sarkissian, Producer of movies such as Rush Hour 1 and 2 (a few of my favorite movies). I informed him of my background in competitive fighting and he arranged for me to contact his production office in a month, when they'll begin casting, to audition for some work on his upcoming movie, Rush Hour 3. Wow!

Entering the International Ballroom (at Beverly Hilton) for the luncheon.

Ready for the luncheon panel in the Ballroom.

On my last night in L.A, I had a chance to meet with four-time Academy Award Winning Producer, Gianni Nunnari (Arthur's friend), and his staff. We all had a magnificent Italian dinner at Toscana. But before dinner, I'd visited his office theater where he showed me some of his feature films in the preliminary stages of production. They were all fantastic! I can't wait till they hit theaters! (Especially the one called Marco Polo).

Meeting with legendary "Nobu" at Matsuhisa for some exotic Japanese food.

Having dinner at Toscana with four-time Academy Award Winning Producer, Gianni (sitting to the far right).

After my meetings in L.A, I had to rush back to Vancouver to attend to some legal documents with a group of Directors to set up an NGO (named Global Reach) that we're establishing. Global Reach is intended to help children in undeveloped countries all over the world and create more opportunities for contact between them and their sponsors. There are six Board of Directors (including myself) who will be working together to get this started. This concept derived from a businessman I met during my trip to Malaysia. (I'll fill you in on the development of Global Reach at a later date).

So thinking back to the start of 2005, if I'd never made the decision to start my year with a different approach, I probably would've committed myself to a different set of projects and meetings that would've led me to share a very different story.

One of the most powerful tools all successful individuals or organizations possess is the power to make good decisions despite contradicting opinions from society in general. When Playboy offered to feature me in their first edition of Playboy Exotic Beauties in 2000, I almost turned down the offer (feeling the pressure from what others would think). But after some careful contemplation, I agreed to pose, and soon after, I successfully pitched them the concept of having me as their Playboy Producer for Western Canada. Shortly after, I became a Playboy Special Editions celebrity model and producer, and I was able to direct the media attention I was receiving to promote my strategic business communications company, and all other business ventures I was involved in.

Think about some of the smallest decisions you've had to make not too long ago. Recall how they evolved in your life and how they effect the way you live now. So can one small decision really change your life? Absolutely! A decision, whether small or big, is so powerful it can effect a whole sequence of events to follow. In addition to making the best decision you know how, at every given moment, so much of life also depends on chance meetings, twists of fate, or pathways that suddenly branch out in a new direction. And it is likely that your one small decision very quickly connected with many other areas of your life, even if the subject seemed totally insignificant at first. You can see how, if even one tiny detail had turned out differently, you might have ended up somewhere else, moving on an entirely different life trajectory. Even when you think you have your life mapped out, things happen where you have to make decisions that shape your destiny in ways you might never even have imagined!

"Consciously make the best decision you know how, at every given moment. When doing this, never look back searching for excuses to have regrets because that will just take you backwards and slow you down. Just trust your decision and move forward, always, making your next decision even better than the last. When you trust your decision, it means you trust yourself. When you trust yourself, you can be confident that your destiny will unveil itself as you desire." - Penny Phang -