"What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?"
As the new year begins, many experts, teachers or gurus will try to challenge you by asking that question.
Thinking that you couldn't fail is pretty inspiring. And the emotional high might just compel you to take a leap of faith.
But here's the thing, the reality, the spoiler, sooner or later, YOU WILL FAIL. One way or the other.
There's no such thing as a "sure win."
If you believe otherwise, then you are missing the point.
Yes, taking a step of faith...
The First Thing To Do This Christmas
"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed” – Mathew 2:10
My sister used to live in Baguio. We'd drive there about six times a year just to visit them.
Every time that we travel, the boredom of long drive sets in. "Are we there yet?" My kids at the back of the car would ask in 30 minutes interval.
For me, the STAR logo of Caltex in NLEX (or Shell Select) reminds me of the same STAR the Magi saw. Joy sets in knowing that I can stop and relax for a bit to buy chocolate, chips, siopao, chicharon, atbp.
After another...
Living Your Second Wind
Last Saturday, we concluded our "Jumpstart Your Success" Workshop @ The FORT BGC.
After the learning session, I had the privilege to meet Cathy. She asked me to sign her copy of my book and was thanking us, the speakers, for the inspiring event.
She said that she wrote something down that she would like to read to me.
"You have awakened my soul…
My passions...
Adrenalin rush is pumping...I want to live more...
37 Lessons I've Learned So Far
Original: Nov 28, 2013
Updated: Nov 28, 2015
Turned 37 yesterday.
Here are 37 lessons I've learned so far:
1. Spend time with your family as much as you can. They are irreplaceable and your time is limited.
2. When you honor your father and your mother, things will go well with you.
3. Do something for someone. Generosity is more about giving of yourself.
4. God's way is way way better than your way. You already know...
Bibilib ka sa Pinoy
While in Tacloban, one of our teammates overheard an interview between a reporter and a tricycle driver.
Reporter: "Di po ba kayo aalis ng Tacloban?"
Tricyicle Driver: "Kung nung bago dumating ang bagyo ay hindi kami umalis, ngayon pa na tapos na ang bagyo?"
I agree – the Filipino Spirit is stronger than any typhoon.
...
What I've Learned from the Man I Met on the Plane Going to Tacloban
Day 9 after Yolanda.
On the plane going to Tacloban, I was sitting beside a man in his late 30s. You can see worry in his face. He was bothered, a bit tense.
He asked me, "Are you from Tacloban?" I said I'm from Manila and going to Tacloban to deliver relief goods and equipments for our church there.
So I asked him, "Ikaw sir?"
"I work in Australia. My family is in a nearby town in Leyte. They're safe, but we lost everything."
At that moment, I didn't know what to say. All I can do was to listen and...
Why You Can't "Bag" a Client
"I just bagged another client." Whenever I hear this phrase, I can't help but smile. No client wouldn't want to hear you say that.
The truth is that you can't "bag" a client. In fact, you only have a business, a sale or a deal, because your client said yes.
The client picked you.
Things will go sour the moment you think you're a sales superstar, a money making machine, or a serial closer.
Treat your clients with respect....
Forgive Quickly
I intentionally didn't write "forgive easily", but instead I wrote, forgive quickly.
It's not easy to forgive specially when you've been mistreated or have been offended.
But to forgive is not just for your offender's benefit, but also for your own.
To overlook an offense is a choice. And when you do, it's to your credit. You're giving yourself a chance to start all over, to move on, or to push forward.
Instead...
What's for Breakfast?
I went out of the house extra early this morning to go to McDonalds.
Seated near me were three men in their late 30s to mid 40s. By the way they were speaking, I'm guessing they are in the construction business. They are probably engineers.
What were they having for breakfast?
Politics, natural calamities, corruption, and conspiracy theories about the Marcoses.
Yes, in that order.
This made me realize how important it...
What are you aiming for?
Without a goal or a vision, our days will just go to waste. It may sound like a cliche, but yes, life is short.
And what you do now matters. It will all add up.
Be discerning, but don't be overly cautious. You'll learn more from the (unintentional) mistakes that you'll do.
Don't be driven by fear, but by the purpose that God has given you.
What are you aiming for?
...
The First Social Media Parenting Seminar in Manila
Entrepreneur & Productive Pinoy/Start Something Author, Mr. Yeng Remulla & Wife, Ms. Michelle Remulla
My beautiful wife and I together with our good friend and Social Media Strategist, Mr. Russel Patalinghog, talked at the first ever Social Media Parenting Seminar last Saturday held at Fully Booked BGC. Not only that it was a fun afternoon, but we also learned a lot from each other!
Social Media Strategist Mr. Russel...
Social Media Smart is the New Street Smart
After leaving school, you will notice that the people who succeed are not necessarily the ones who were good in the classroom, but the ones who knows how to find their way on the streets.
Not just classroom smarts, but street smarts,
Research, networking, closing deals, all used to happen on the streets, face to face. But now Social Media has somehow changed that.
Today, most of us, we interact, build our connections, and engage online.
What you do in Social Media is already an extension of...
Out of The Abundance of the Heart, the Facebook Status Speaks
This Saturday is a special one for me. I'll be sharing the stage with my beautiful wife, Michelle, to talk about Social Media Parenting, together with our good friend and Social Media Expert, Mr. Russel Patalinghog. (Fully Booked BGC from 2pm–5pm)
As parents, we realized the need to prepare our children, not only for their offline life, but also for their ONLINE life. Whatever they do online is as important – it's an extension...
Better Decisions For Your Business
The best investment is on people. If you run or own a business, spend time with your team, suppliers & customers.
Real "face time" will always out do 'Facebook' time or any other way of communication. Being there with them will give you a better grasp of what they're thinking and of what's really happening.
You'll make better decisions this way...
Do The Hard Part | Entrepreneurship
The fun part in a startup - coming up with ideas, the brainstorming sessions, and the 'dreaming' of endless possibilities.
Many people will spend most of their startup time talking about how cool their ideas are. And yes, in a way, most of them are also seeking for validation.
The discouragement starts when the people they talk to don't share the same excitement. At this point, some will quit without even trying. But that's not even the hard part.
The hard part is doing the real work. It's translating ideas into actual products...
There is a Time To Wait
In many situations, you can only control your actions, but not the results. You don't need to push too far. Your job is to hope, to believe, and to do your best. Be faithful with the task at hand.
God is faithful. He keeps his promises. At the proper time, He will only give His best!
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. – Psalms 27:13-14:
...
How to Win the Respect of Others
Your perspective or views will change as you grow old and mature. But your priority should remain the same – to love God and one another. The greatest achievement (or ambition) that you can pursue is to lead others to do the same. How to win the respect of others:
1. Live a quiet life
2. Mind or take care of your own business
3. Work with your own hands
(see 1 Thes 4:9–1...
Don't confuse "waiting time" for wasted time.
Don't confuse "waiting time" for wasted time.
If you've been put into a position to wait, you might as well make the most out of it.
Build meaningful relationships. Learn a new skill. Pray for clarity and direction.
Every season has its own purpose. Even if you don't see anything, there's always something happening...
We Follow What We See
Most of the time we don't follow other people's advice because what we emulate isn't what they say, but what we see they actually do.
You can lead by example when you preach what you practice...
How Not to Frustrate Your Customers
The most frustrating experience as a customer...
Your service provider causes inconvenience because of their inefficiency, but lets you pay for it anyway.
Lesson for entrepreneurs:
1. Own the problem
2. Provide a solution
3. Compensate for the hassle
Many will do #1. But if you're wise enough, you won't stop there...
How To Do The Impossible
Many confuse doing the "impossible" with doing it "instantly."
To do the impossible, start with the workable. Win small fights because that will eventually lead you to bigger fights. Celebrate, take what you learn, and then set another goal – a bit bigger than the previous one. Repeat.
In the long run, you'll realize that it's not just about the goal. It's about believing. It's about persevering. It's about the character...
Best Way To Start Your Saturday Morning
Here's the best way to start your Saturday morning ...
Make your own coffee.
Re-evaluate your goals in life.
Identify and eliminate your biggest distractions and time wasters.
Decide to take action. Write down your To-dos.
More importantly – Pray and thank God for all the blessings that you've received in life. Your gratitude will positively change your attitude.
–
YENG REMULLA is the author of the best-selling books Productive Pinoy & Start Something. An entrepreneur for 15 years,...
Why "Struggling" is Not Always a Bad Thing
Most people will accept their circumstance as it is.
No, not you. You are struggling.
You're going against the flow. You're fighting for change. You're breaking free from a restraint.
Sometimes, you'll try your best but won't succeed. You'll give, but won't receive. You'll go to bed, but won't be able to sleep.
No one said it's going to be easy.
It's a struggle to start, to keep at it, to finish. But keep going. Keep on moving. Keep on praying.
To realize whatever it is...
From Employee to Entrepreneur
“I’m tired of being an employee. I want to start my own business.”
You may be tired, not necessarily because you're an employee, but because of other possible reasons.
1. You are in the wrong job.
2. You are in the wrong company.
3. You need a new challenge.
Starting your own business can prove to be one of the most rewarding things that you can do, but it can also be tiring if you're not built for it.
It will...
"Ano bang trend ngayon?"
"Ano bang trend ngayon?"
Many aspiring entrepreneurs start with this question. But they fail to see that a trend may lead in two different directions – the upward trend and the down trend.
Copying a business concept because it's "uso" is one of the riskiest thing you can do. Don't assume that if it worked for them, that it will work for you too.
Look at what the market really needs, take inventory of your competencies, and then ask yourself if this is something you'd be willing to work hard on.
Take that into...
"HELP ME"
When a leader says "Help me." It's not weakness, but a sign of maturity.
Mature leaders know they can't do it by themselves. They are not insecure, but instead, they allow others to fill in, to complement, or even to take charge of tasks they know they can't do themselves.
"Who gets the credit?"
It doesn't matter. Good leaders are purpose-driven, not popularity-driven. In fact, they are prone to make unpopular...
If I do my best, will God do the rest?
I grew up hearing this popular saying "Do your best and God will do the rest."
That sounds good, maybe even spiritual. And yes, God is pleased with our faith when we do our best.
But some people can take that statement in the wrong context. They'll do what they can, but won't look hard enough to bring out the best in themselves.
Instead, some people believe the opposite: "Do your rest, and God will do the best."
You'll see them always resting, passively waiting, living on auto-pilot mode, believing everything...
Ang Reklamador
Giving out criticism isn't a good way to spend your time, nor should it be your way of life.
If you need to criticize, make sure it's to build up, to improve or to give new courage to someone. (or else you're just complaining or ranting)
And for you to be able to do that, you need to be a respectable model of what you're talking about. Yes, everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but many times the wisest thing to do is to keep it to yourself, and learn from the situation. (unless you're asked)
It's easy...
DON'T BECOME A WANNABE
Many people lose their money by putting up a business (or betting on something) that turns out to be a fad.
They see a thriving business with a good idea on the street. They take, imitate and improve it a little. And just to make it a little bit more "competitive", they'll even make it cheaper.
This strategy rarely works. You end up becoming a wannabe in a specific category or industry.
You might as well start from the beginning. Be the trend-setter. As an entrepreneur, people are counting on you to innovate,...
THE MONEY, THE WORK & THE REWARD
"Follow your passion and the money will just follow." That's a popular saying, but it doesn't mean it's entirely true.
There are many things we do passionately in life that might not bring monetary returns. But we do it anyway out of love, out of generosity, or as a response to a greater purpose that we believe in.
Money is not the best cue or gauge to validate the importance of the work that you do.
There are many people who are earning less that are doing important work and there are many high-paid...
NAMING YOUR START-UP
When picking a name for your business or venture, it's always an advantage if it's easy to pronounce.
If your name requires spelling out or is highly dependent on a logo (or a visual) for people to understand it, they'll have a hard time remembering you – it will also be difficult for people to tell their friends about your business.
The key is to make your name sound good even when said aloud.
Combine the word 'serene' and 'tea' and you get Serenitea – a perfect way to describe how you'd feel...
START-UP FILES: BG HERNANDEZ, STUDIO 5 DESIGNS
I invited BG for coffee and had the priviledge of learning from him. Read our conversation below.
PROFILE
Name: BG Hernandez, Multi-awarded Creative Director/Graphic Designer
Company: Studio 5 Designs – a pioneer in the graphic design industry
Awards: Almost 200 awards from the following institutions:
Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA)
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)...
