YOU SHOULDN'T QUIT!

We have the tendency to quit the first time we fail. Out of fear, we'd rather forfeit two more strikes than to try again – thinking we'll just miss anyway.

After writing two novels that flopped, Nicholas Sparks didn't quit, but tried one more time. The Notebook sold a gazillion copies.

People rarely get it right the first atempt. Why quit too early?


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 Get P50 off when you buy a PRODUCTIVE PINOY book online. Free delivery nationwide via LBC. To order, simply click HERE.

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SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?




So your boss is a slave driver?

Does he make you stay after office hours, work on a Saturday or expect you to finish next month's work today?


Does he say catch phrases like "We are making history here people!"?

You're in a dilemma. "Should I stay or should I go?" You ask yourself. You feel overworked, but can't just quit, you have a responsibility to your family.

What to do?


1. Pray. 
Whenever you are tempted to run away, run to God instead. Seek for direction. There must be a reason why you are going through this trial. Something good can come out of it.

2. Think.
You're probably emotional. Postpone, give yourself a week to think clearly. It's wise to be patient. 

3. Ask a mentor for advice.
He/she may have experienced the same thing. Consider his/her opinion on the matter. There is always something to learn from others. 

4. Talk to your boss.
Be respectful. Be honest how you feel about the situation. Describe how the pressure is taking a toll on your performance, personal well-being or family. (proceed with caution)

5. Make a decision.
If you decide to stay, promise yourself not to whine or complain. Instead, find ways on how you can thrive in this 'challenging' work environment. (It was your decision to stay after all)

Staying and doing mediocre work isn't an option. Continue to do your best work. (even if you plan on leaving later) 

Now, if you decide to go, make sure it's in good faith.

Practice professionalism. Give proper notice. Turn over work to others properly. Keep your friends or co-workers and exit gracefully.

–


YENG REMULLA is an entrepreneur of 15 years, the author of two books –Productive Pinoy and Start Something.

On August 3, Saturday, he will be facilitating a talk or workshop on Entrepreneurship at the Malayan Plaza Hotel Ortigas. To see the details or to register, simply click HERE and fill-out the form.  

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Lessons from Kodak, Beepers and Continuous Change

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Using the Easy Call paging service wasn't as easy as you would think. Telling an operator to say sorry for you is humiliating. (Dyahe!) Not only that it is hard to dictate an apology to someone you don’t know, the agent seems to always take on a sleepy (bedroom) voice every time you call.

Operator: Easy call Pager Number 141-14344. Your name please? (male bedroom voice)

You: Jhun.

Operator: Is that Juliet, Uniform, November? (confirming)

You: No, Ju-hun, with an 'H'.

Operator: Message please.

You: Ummmm... I'm sorry na...

Operator: [typing sound] Is there anything else?

You: Ummm...Yes. Umm... I won't do it again? (hesitant, but you continue anyway) Ikaw kasi eh, kung di mo lang ginawa yun...

After dictating your insincere apology, you still end up with the four words you should've said, “Please call me now” or "Turn on your cellphone, I will call you." (During that era, to conserve the 2-hour battery life of cell phones, people only turn it on when someone beeped them.)

In the mid-90s, Globe introduced a better way to communicate – via text messages. (Post star-tac era) The idea that you can send messages without calling an operator was a big relief.

Today, try to design a beeper with state-of-the-art features, sell it at the cheapest price possible, then add extra functionality, still, no one will buy it.

It's simply obsolete.

Somehow, there's a tendency for us to think that if we offer something that's cheaper, bigger, better or with more features of the same-old-boring-product, we will succeed. (Big–Sameness)

Take Kodak for example. They filed their bankruptcy just today. (1/20/12) Even though they were an early pioneer of digital photography, (they had the patents and expertise) they chose to hold on (too long) to their film business. (old success) Obviously, that didn't do them well.  

To succeed in business today requires : 
1. The willingness to let go of what worked yesterday.
2. The ability to make quick decisions.
3. The courage to embrace change. 

Get rid of the old ideas that you've heard from your non-practicing professors. 

The world has changed. 

Keep your core values and principles, but when it comes to doing things, consider new ways. Adapt to new technologies. Better yet, create it. 

Don't wait for your competitor to come up with a category-killer. Instead, make your own product obsolete by building the next big thing.


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Practice something daily.

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Habits are formed when we do something repeatedly.

Early last year, I tried to go to the gym for 21 days – straight. It worked.

For more than six months, I formed the discipline to go to the gym everyday. (My wife called it a miracle.)

Here's the thing...

When I decided to do it three times a week instead... guess what happened?

You bet.

There's something about 'daily practice' that makes it sustainable.

[Photo Credit]


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 Get P50 off when you buy a PRODUCTIVE PINOY book online. Free delivery nationwide via LBC. To order, simply click HERE.

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BE A GOOD FINISHER

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Progress is good.

Looking back to see what you've accomplished so far can be a useful motivation.

However, that isn't true for everyone. For some, it's become a permission to slack off – "Anyways, we're halfway there" the mind justifies.

You're allowed to feel good about your ‘progress’, but let's hold off the victory party until you are 100% done!

Finishers don’t let their small victories get in the way. Their mission is clear. They know what they came for – to finish what they started.


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 Get P50 off when you buy a PRODUCTIVE PINOY book online. Free delivery nationwide via LBC. To order, simply click HERE.

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Manage your technology. It can be freedom or dilemma.

Technology intended to give you more freedom.

But when you opted to answer every ring, pop every email and stalk the Facebook news feed in real time...You've just forfeited it.

Be present where you are. Pay attention to your loved ones. Listen intently.

Take your time. LIVE your life 'offline'.


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 Get P50 off when you buy a PRODUCTIVE PINOY book online. Free delivery nationwide via LBC. To order, simply click HERE.

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Changing You.

You did the very thing you didn't want to do.

You ask yourself, "What's wrong with me?" Even the mirror won't give you a straight answer. You've been striving to change, but got stuck in a pattern.

Pause. Hands in the air. Surrender. Allow God to change you.

He knows exactly what to do.


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 Get P50 off when you buy a PRODUCTIVE PINOY book online. Free delivery nationwide via LBC. To order, simply click HERE.




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"It's more fun in the Philippines" – Your part as a business owner, a professional and as a Filipino.




DOT has released a new campaign called "It's more fun in the Philippines." The slogan may not be an original, (Switzerland used it in 1951) but it's simple, catchy and true for us – today. (Try to ask a foreigner or a Balikbayan)


Besides, if you're one of those folks who saw the Swiss ad in your mid 20's, that means you're already in your mid 60s today… Seriously, what's fun today has changed!


"It's More Fun in the Philippines" became an online hit – a twitter trending topic worldwide. Pinoys we're able to identify with it.

You will also see awesome studies in Facebook that include photos of breathtaking places and what you can do in the Philippines. Simply "Put your catchy line in here. More fun in the Philippines."




You can't deny the potential. If implemented right, yes, it can boost tourism spending from both locals and foreigners.

But the challenging part is where to go from here. 

It may be a 'fun' campaign, but definitley it will also take a lot of work to make it really work. (Not just for the DOT, but also for the rest of us.)

How can we contribute to 'More Fun' ?

As a business owner or a professional who caters to tourist, (both local and foreign) consider 'fun' as a part of how you do business.

Whether you are operating a restaurant, a travel agency or a small shop, make the "whole experience" fun for your customers. (from booking, to shopping, to waving good-bye)

What you can do :

1. Customer Service Training.
Whether you own a small business or work in a big enterprise, you can empower your employees to 'make it fun' for your customers.

Don't let administrative "policies" hinder you from serving your clients well. Make it fun!


2. Make your website (or online correspondence) easy to understand or easy to use. Be easy to do business with.

It's funny how booking a flight can be difficult at times. Technology was supposed to make it easier for people. Yet, there are times it has become a hindrance instead.

Eliminate the unneeded steps. (read 'hassles') Make it simple, easy to use and straight-forward.


3. Don't just design products, design 'experiences' as well.

My friend Hans Co and his partners own a bike shop called Gran Trail Cycles. Yes, they sell cool bikes, but not just that – they also offer or design biking 'experiences'. 

"How about a bike tour to Sagada?" they asked. 

Re-examine the business you are in.


4. Be an ambassador of your own country.
Speak well of your country. Your words has the power of life and death. What you say will count. As a Filipino, you can help boost tourism by participating in this campaign. (even in your own small way)

Here's why I think the slogan is true:

"What differentiates the Philippines from every [other place] in the world, as we said from the start, is the Filipino. [It's] his special gift for transforming what is already a beautiful place into an unforgettable special place. You take two identical islands, put Filipinos in one, it’s going to be more fun there." 
– Ramon Jimenez, DOT Chief

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MEETINGS CAN BE FUN, FUNNY OR AMUSING

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Meetings can be fun. Especially when you are working with enthusiastic and creative people. 

The typical scenario – The management made new plans, and in the meeting, you were thrilled to hear about it. You leave excited for what's about to happen.

However, the fun becomes funny when you attend the next meeting and find out that nothing has been done. (yet)

In spite of the lack of progress, the funny becomes amusing, when the leader starts to introduce 'new plans' in the same meeting!

Sabi nga nila "Di pa tapos yung sa isa, may ibang plano na!"

Realize that 'meetings' should allow you to work effectively, not distract you from real work.

~ 

*To learn how to conduct an effective meeting, get a copy of the book, PRODUCTIVE PINOY. Visit National Bookstore, Powerbooks or Fully Booked.

 If you find this post helpful, please Like, Tweet or Share it too!

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KILLER IDEAS OR IDEA KILLERS?






One of the fastest way to kill a good idea is to have a "Not invented here" mentality or culture.

While we should strive to implement original or killer ideas, we must also keep an open mind and a humble spirit.

We can learn a lot from others if we're willing to learn and listen.


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Create your 'personal' mission statement.


Like a small rudder of a big ship, our tongue sets our direction. How we describe or verbalize our work will influence our decision, action and direction.

I like what my friend Malvin Dinlasan wrote in his blog.

"Our common mistake is we designed ourselves in what we think we are and not what we should be. For example, someone says "I am a teacher." Why not say "My passion is to help young individuals think more analytically so they can face the challenges of life."
"See the difference? The first statement is your profession – the uniform you wear that clearly professes what you do. The latter speaks about the purpose why you teach. Which is better?" [link]
Choose your words. Look at your work differently.

What's for 2012? Ask yourself the two questions found in this inspiring two-minute video. As soon as you figure it out, leave a comment please! (here or Facebook page)


Two questions that can change your life from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.



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Lakas Chamba? Work effectively, don't just push harder.


"Lakas chamba" I'm sure you know people who win this way. Whether it's in billiards or in bowling, pushing harder may win you a game.

But to win consistently? That's another story.


New year is here. Resolution lists are longer than ever. You will find in people's list the following words ...

…to do more _______
...to be more _______
…to have more _______

…more, more, more.

Yes, productivity is about maximizing the output, but necessarily laboring more.

For a sales entrepreneur, it could mean talking to less people by selling to the right people.

For an office manager, it could mean implementing effective and efficient systems to get all the work done within the 9–5 window. (instead of just asking the workers for an overtime – all the time) 

For a leader, it could mean giving up control and allowing others to make wise decisions for the organization.

To win consistently, squeezing for 'more' isn't the answer.

Work effectively, don't just push harder.

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Don't write down everything. (Unless you are a journalist or a researcher)


I know. You already tried this. You even attempted to organize your notes by color, by topic or by date. But sad to say, you didn't get things done much this way as well.

Write with a purpose. 


Write to get things done. Write to bring clarity to your ideas. Write to communicate. Write to remind yourself. 

Write because you will read it later, not just for the sake of writing. 

The world wouldn't end if you miss writing something that's forgettable. 


What to write?

1. Your commitments. (to others and to yourself) 

2. Lists. (to do list, grocery list, etc.) Not only will you save time, but also free your mind for creative or analytical work.

3. Information you'll probably need in the next three months. 

4. Rare ideas.  Implement it soon or sell the idea to someone who can make it happen.

5. Your expenses. This will help you become aware of your spending habits.

6. Your goals. What are your goals and what are you willing to do to attain them?

One of the best approach is to do a mind map. I got this one from one of our mentors, Ms. Ivy Marquez. 



Happy writing!


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