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 that, but don't try to show otherwise.

5. Be best friends with your wife. She deserves your best self.

6. Every morning, tell your wife how pretty she is. Everybody happy!

7. Obey first, you can ask God later. 

8. A selfie-a-day will keep your friends away.

9. People can change … by the grace of God.

10. Your kids will follow what you do, not just what you say.

11. It takes the same effort to inspire people and to lecture people. You might as well inspire them.

12. Teach your kids to choose their friends well. Don't just impart knowledge, but also discernment.

13. The husband or the father is the spiritual leader of the family. Yes, you are.

14. Value friendships. Be the kind of friend who sticks closer than a brother.

15. Sometimes the smartest person in the room isn't the loudest one, but the quiet one. Listen more, speak less. 

16. Develop one talent, skill or ability at a time. And then when you are great at it, you can learn another one. 

17. Just be you. You don't need to be "the next ____________" of the industry.

18. Be "easy to work with." But to be able to do that, it will take a lot of effort on your part.

19. Surround yourself with people who will help you overcome your self doubts. People who aren't afraid to say "this could work."

20. There's a big connection between what you learn and what you earn. To earn more, learn how to do the challenging or the stuff other people aren't willing to figure out.

21. Set aside a part of your income – even before you get it.

22. If you are going to be working everyday for the rest of your life, you might as well choose the people you work with. 

23. The best idea doesn't always win. People don't just buy ideas. First, they will buy into the people behind the idea. 

24. Fail early. It's better to close a business while you are 25 than to lose everything when you are 60.

25. Don't be driven by hype. Always do the math.

26. Don't borrow money (you can't pay) to put up a business you haven't tested.

27. Start small, get better. It's the series of progress the you accumulate over time that leads to breakthroughs.

28. Everybody wants more time and money, but not everyone knows what to do with it when they get it.

29. Always be on time. If not, be early.

30. Plan and then Do. Most people get stuck with planning.

31. We can wait out of fear or out of faith. If we wait, even when we know it's time to act, then maybe we are just afraid to fail. But if we wait, convinced and trust that God will be the first to move, then our wait will not be vain.

32. You are where you are for a reason. Don't try to go on your own, let the Lord direct your steps.

33. The target is always moving. Don't ever think you've "nailed" it.

34. Preach what you practice.

35. Try to say "I'm sorry, I was wrong" more often. You'll skip the parts you might just regret.

36. Don't ever believe that you're not in any position to help. It may be little, but there's always something that you can do.

37. Honor the LORD in everything that you do. Your success is not your own doing, but a result of His favor.

YENG REMULLA is the author of the books, Productive Pinoy & Start Something. Read the book reviews HERE.




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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.


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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 share the moment with him. 

He then told me that he was only able to contact his family on the 4th day after Yolanda. I can't imagine how he must have felt waiting that long to get their call.

When the plane was about to land, he looked outside the window. You can see how eager he was to see his family. At the same time, he was in disbelief.

And then he told me something I won't forget. He said, "Thank you for coming to Leyte. Thank you for taking the time off your busy schedule to help out your kababayans. We will need it. God bless you."

Wala pa kong ginagawa pinapasalamatan nya na ko. I felt humbled.

We were spared from this disaster. That could have been you or me. 

There is a big opportunity for us today. We have a window to show our love for our brothers and sisters in Visayas. We have to tell them and remind them that God has not forgotten them. 

Include them in your prayers. Continue to bless them. In your social media post, continue to share their stories and how people can be of help.  

It may take time, it will be challenging, and it seems impossible, but one thing is for sure, I know that God will bring healing and restoration in their city.


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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. Work with them like they are your partners. Appreciate their business. It's when you do that you are more likely to serve them well.


YENG REMULLA is the author of the bestselling books, PRODUCTIVE PINOY & START SOMETHING. Hear him speak at the upcoming "JUMPSTART YOUR SUCCESS" Seminar this November 30 @ The FORT BGC! See details here: www.startlearningph.com



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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 of getting stuck in the past, you get to focus on the good things ahead.

You have a God who forgave you quickly. No matter what wrong you've done.

Show the same kindness or graciousness. It's not only the best way to respond, but it can also be one of the best decisions that you can make.




YENG REMULLA is the author of the bestselling books, PRODUCTIVE PINOY & START SOMETHING. Hear him speak at the upcoming "JUMPSTART YOUR SUCCESS" Seminar this November 30 @ The FORT BGC! See details here: www.startlearningph.com



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