Have a positive approach

Singaporeans have a critical, negative mindset. This is part of our culture and is brought about by our education system. If we see an idea, we tend to look for what is wrong with it.

I wish to encourage a positive mindset. If we see an idea, we can look for what is the benefit of implementing it, compared with the cost. If the benefit outweigh the cost, we can go ahead. If we are not sure, we can give it a try. We try and see if it works, rather than worry about what could go wrong.

We do not need a perfect solution, before embarking on a change. We only need incremental benefits. So long, as the benefit outweigh the cost of implementing the change, we can go ahead. This is how progress can be achieved.

Many people observed that Singaporeans are not entrepreneurial. They cannot think out of the box. They are afraid of trying. This is part of the mindset and culture that we were brought up with. We know how to criticise, how to find out what is wrong, but we are not bold in making a change and to make things different, to make things better.

But, culture and mindset can be changed. We can be positive. We can be bold. We can be daring to change.

Tan Kin Lian