The Stocks of Life

LIfe is like playing the stock market----HIGH RISK, HIGH GAIN. So if you intend to aim BIG in life, you need to: (1) study harder than everyone else in school in order to get employed to the top 100 company; (2) do the needed leg work and give VALUE to all the tasks you are given to climb up the corporate ladder.

Of course, like the stock market, NOTHING IS GUARANTEED. Bottomline is that you are willing to do the job that needed to be done and do it with EXCELLENCE all the time. Eventually, everything will fall into place. If it does not, then comfort yourself that the WIN is in the effort.

About PROMOTION

In my personal experience (mine and those I have seen of those I have come to work with), being promoted is best savored when it comes as a surprise; meaning, you just consistently do your work well, be pro-active, exhibit initiative, always strive for excellence---do this day in and day out all for the love of what you're doing without any expectation of a reward.  

I have seen people make promotion as an end and most of them end up disgruntled when they don't get it on their desired time frame.  These people eventually end up burned out, slowly slacking off, and just work just like a vendo machine---NO COIN, NO WORK (well, work that has no value).  They just go through the motion of day to day work load.

Bottom line is:  DON'T EXPECT TO BE PROMOTED.

The Value of Having to Work for a Living

Unlike, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, or the Sultan of Brunei, little people (like myself) need to get their hands dirty to earn their keep.  Personally, I don't think this is such a bad situation.  First, it opens your mind to the world of the working class and come to appreciate the blue collar kind of work.  Secondly, it provides you a better perspective of the value of your hard earned pay.  Now you know why your parents keep on ranting "hindi ko pinupulot lang ang perang pambayad..." to whatever waste of utility, food, or personal items (part of the grocery list that you don't pay for) that you were caught doing.  Unless of course if you ARE the son or daughter of the Sultan of Brunei---in which case I'd say that you're one lucky SOB!

I was part of this work force before.  I started out as a dining crew at Jollibee where I bused tables, mopped the floor, cleaned the rest rooms, and made sure that the Jollibee standee was sparkling clean.  Lucky for me, I was used to house chores and garbage handling when I was in the seminary---something that would have made a newbie puke!  Believe it or not but I found the Jollibee garbage fragrant!  Of course, if you had the experience of being the underling you also get an idea on how NOT to become an ASS HOLE of a manager (which what I eventually became after graduating from college---NO!  Not the asshole part but a manager). As they say, "you need to be a good follower before you become a good leader". 

Naturally, when my daughter underwent her OJT, I asked her what she learned from the experience.  However, she does takes up on her father in terms of the knack for giving ridiculous answer to a serious question.  After a week of working for a travel agency, when I posted her this question.  Her answer:  "Mag photocopy, Daddy!  At gumamit ng fax machine!"  Funny that it may seem, deep inside I was praying that she has learned more what she's leading us to believe.  It was during her 5 day OJT for 2GO Travel that I found confidence in her future when she texted my wife, "Mader, kakatapos lang ng duty.  Pagod me. Pinaglinis ako ng banyo."  I'm not being sadistic but I firmly believe that the best teacher in life is when you encounter hardships.  Difficult situations defines our character.  Hence, the more difficulties you come into in life, the more well rounded you become.  And this scenario was proof that my daughter has the right attitude to go about her work no matter how hard it may be; otherwise, she would have texted us that she wants to quit and go home.

As Clement Stone said, "There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. That little difference is ATTITUDE.  The big difference is whether it's POSITIVE or NEGATIVE."

Having a positive attitude is the very foundation of success.  Couple this with persistence, patience, initiative, pursuit of excellence, and love for work can guarantee a bright future.  

Remaining on Top

They say that the problem to being on top is remaining there.  Very true, especially if you don't have the mindset to keep the position.  

Often times, those who are on top tends to slack off and assume that their peak would give them enough momentum to carry them through the next round of challengers.  Of course you must realize that everyone else would want a chance to put you down.  Hence, you always need to be on top of your game.  Key word there is YOUR GAME; meaning, you need to challenge yourself beyond what you have already achieved.  Say, if you are a southpaw slugger get yourself another arsenal with a right handed haymaker; if you are low post basketball player excel in perimeter shooting; or, if you're not a handsome dude---be smart. 

Like what William Faulkner said, "Don't bother being better than your contemporary or your predecessors.  Try to be better than yourself."