WHERE TO PUT YOUR PRECIOUS TIME

This is going to be a short post.

You have 24 hours a day. You need at least 8 hours to sleep. You'll probably spend a couple of hours on the road commuting. If your priorities are well-defined, I'm sure you've set ample time for family and friends.

Now because you don't want a boring week, you'll probably spend some time for recreation or leisure.

Life is without meaning without spending time with your Maker. That's non-negotiable.

Now, where should you spend the remaining of your time?  

Answer – On what you do best. Operate in your area of strength instead of just spending most of your time compensating for your weaknesses.

Your assignment: Know your core-competency. What do you do best? What's so unique about you and your work? What can you bring to the table that the others can't?

This is where you should invest your precious time – on work where you make a unique difference.

Photo Credit


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From Cagayan Valley to Silicon Valley : A Story of a Pinoy Billionaire

 "A member of the technical staff" – a humble job title Mr. Banatao owned the first time he worked as a young man. Not as glamorous as he is known today – a technology tycoon.

Diosdado "Dado" Banatao is a Pinoy billionaire who made a mark in the US tech industry.

He developed computer-related technologies that the typical person (like you and me – not engineers) won't probably comprehend. You can find the technicalities of his work in here.

He is so good in what he does, that in the past, Intel wanted to compete with his start-up company but couldn't. Intel had no other choice but to buy Dado's company. That was just one of his first ventures.


Today, his company, Tallwood Venture Capital, exclusively invests in entrepreneurs who are pursuing distinctive ideas that further develop semi-conductor related technologies.

Mr. Banatao also believes in giving back. He funds Filipino-American scholars in schools all over the US. On top of that, he also has a program where he sends UP professors to University of California Berkeley for a year to work with some of their brightest professors. It's his way of helping them generate new ideas or technologies that they can use back home.

Mr. Dado flies his own private jet once in a while. But that's only a perk that he enjoys today, out of his tenacity and passion for his work.

It takes years to build a company; it’s not an overnight success; there are no shortcuts. - Dado Banatao

What's admirable about this Pinoy is not the billions that his bank enjoys to hold for him. It's his vision and passion to pursue 'what could be' rather than just settling for 'what is'.

Dado Banatao is truly a PRODUCTIVE PINOY.


*If you find this post helpful, the 'Productive Pinoy' book might be able to help you further. See the book reviews here. To get a copy, visit National Bookstore, Powerbooks or Fullybooked. Or buy it online and have it delivered for FREE – click here.

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"STEADY KA LANG"

  
 
  
We live in an accelerated world. Everything is moving fast.

Today, even the pizza gets to your home faster than the police. To get an answer, it only takes a second for Google to answer. With a few clicks, you can plan your travel anywhere around the world, no need to fall-in line to consult a travel agency.

What we used to do for hours or days, we do it now almost instantly.

That's why we are not used to waiting anymore. To the point that we think waiting is hard, even if it's just sitting it through.

It's also the reason why sometimes, when we don't get what we want instantly, we move-on. We move on, not to better alternatives, but to wrong choices. 

Waiting is good for us. Many times it's God's way of strengthening us. It's His way of preparing us for greater work. 

Pretty much like a how a butterfly waits before it can fly. A small caterpillar comes out from an egg. (first instar) His one and only job – to eat continuously.

Even if he is in a hurry, the caterpillar needs to crawl, slowly.  He knows he'll be a butterfly someday, yet no amount of positive thinking can make him fly. Not yet.


Because his skin can't grow with him, he then grows a new skin underneath, and then he lets go of his old skin. (molting) Like a boring routine, he repeats this molting over and over again – five times.

He matures slowly. Stage by stage. Little by little. Can you imagine him being impatient?

For the last time, he molts again, but this time differently. The new skin underneath forms the outer shell of the chrysalis. (Pupa - Similar to a Cocoon)

At this time, his mission is clear –  to wait.

He can't go anywhere. He can't move forward. But nonetheless, even if no activity is seen on the outside, transformation is happening inside. His body transforms. His wings are fully formed. 

After 10 to 14 days of waiting, the butterfly is ready to see the world, differently.

It may sound ironic, but sometimes, the 'best move' for us is to WAIT. You may feel that nothing is happening, but there is a great possibility that transformation is happening inside you.

No matter what happens, never, ever, make the wrong choice – only because you can't wait.

The next time a friend tells you, "Steady ka lang", consider his advice. It might be good for you.


Photo Credits

  

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YOU CAN CARVE YOUR DESTINY!


Here's a young man diagnosed with something that's suppose to limit him. Even so, he decided to carve his own destiny.

21-year old Franco Cagayat was diagnosed with autism when he was 9 years old. But with his parents' loving care and his strong passion and love for what he does, he now excels in what he does.

Not just an ordinary sculptor, but an artist, with a promising future. A True Productive Pinoy.



[videocredit/source]

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Magaling ang Pinoy makisama.

  
Survey says that the number one success factor of distinguished Entrepreneurs are credited to their ability to get along with people.

That's an advantage for us Pinoys in the world of business. We are known to be easy to get along with. “Pakikisama” is a positive trait we are known for.

Maybe it's also one of the many reasons our OFWs succeed in foreign countries. Majority of Pinoys are easy to get along with, easy to please and easy to talk to.

We can use this pakikisama trait to productive use. Not for others to take advantage of us, but for us to be able to sincerely help others succeed.

If you're good at getting along with people, you will attract people who'll be more than willing to help you succeed as well.

Productive Tips:

  • Eradicate crab-mentality. Let’s celebrate when one of ours succeeds.
  • Let’s not think of ourselves highly than others, but consider others better
  • Let’s participate and support projects that will build a better community

 
  

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ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER



  
 
A boxing match doesn't start in the ring, it starts in a press conference. For some reason, boxers 'bad mouth' their opponent as if the points were counted.

As a boxer, no matter how tough you sounded while holding the mic, if your opponent in the ring gets the chance to punch you really hard in the chin first, most likely you'll be knocked out.

You can keep on telling people you're a champ, but your words won't matter if you get knocked-out first.

Remember when you were a child? You believed every funny and scary story your uncle told you. As if it's a fact. Then you tell the same stories to your friends. Only embarrassed to find out later on that the stories were just fiction. (Kwentong Barbero!)

That's when you decided to pay attention to their action instead of just the words they say.

Why does action speak louder than words?

Unlike words, your actions can't lie. Instead, it confirms what's in your thoughts or intentions. You can retract a statement or change your opinion anytime but you can't undo something that's already done.

Don't get me wrong, 'Words' do speak. But ACTION speaks louder. It tells what you don't need to say.


That's why, "Do as I do" is more effective than 'Do as I say'. 
    People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do. ~Lewis Cass


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    START SOMETHING NEW!


     

    There is a time...

    ...to plan.
    ...to explore.
    ...to weigh.
    ...to consider.

    Then, there's the time to do something... new.

    My guess is that every time that you go to your favorite restaurant, you always ask for the menu. You plan to order something you haven't tried before. You explore what's new. You weigh your options. And carefully consider what will satisfy your taste buds.

    But then... After several minutes...
    You end up ordering the same food that you always order!

    Your taste buds tell you to try something new. But your mind reminds you to stick to the familiar. It warns you, "don't take the risk!".

    Facing the unknown is uncomfortable. Like the feeling you get when you're stuck in an elevator, alone with someone you don't like kind-a-way.

    Trying something new is unnatural for us. We prefer the familiar. We prefer the calculated. We prefer to know what to expect.

    We hate disappointments yet we like good surprises.
    Many times we need to try out new things.

    We need to ...

    ... Look from a different perspective.
    ... Consider new ideas.
    ... Explore new methods.
    ... Implement new approaches.
    ... Trust a new friend.

    Don't fall in love with the old and proven 'idea'. Don't fall in-love with what's working today. It may not work for tomorrow.

    Explore the great possibilities and take a step forward. 




    Photo credit: http://h4training.blogspot.com/2010/09/try.html

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    Stop, Look & Listen - Reassess Your Goals in Life

    Don’t hesitate to reassess your goals every now and then. There are things that seemed promising years ago but has become irrelevant today. You may have outdated goals in your list that you need to update.

    Take the time to Stop, Look or Listen.

    Stop • At some point, you need to stop to be able to evaluate if you need to alter your course. The time lost when you stop is less compared to the time wasted when you go full speed ahead in the wrong direction. The turn around time will cost you more.

    Look • What’s happening around you? What are the new opportunities unfolding?

    Listen • There is a big difference between hearing and listening. Be alert, pay attention and understand.

    After reassessing, go ahead and move forward to the direction that will bring you closer to your goals.


    Photo Credit: FreeFoto.com


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    Be a Problem Solver!

    A Problem-finder is like a commodity.

    It doesn't take a genius to spot something that went wrong. It's easy to spot a problem. Everyone wants to do it. People will raise their hands and volunteer to get a piece of it.  Almost anyone is capable of being a problem finder.

    A Solver is a novelty. They are rare -- hard to find and distinct. They do the things that others stay away from. While everyone is still pointing a finger, the solver is already taking the first step to bridge the gap between 'what is' and 'what could be'.

    While the problem-finder is still making side comments on how to get things done, the solver, on the other hand, gets his hands dirty, not waiting for permission, approval or a nod.

    The Solver adds value while the problem-finder add noise.

    Be the Solver. Add value. Resist the temptation to speak quickly. Take action when there is an opportunity to do so!

    Photo Credit


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    Partnering

     

    Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Ecc 4:9 (NLT)

    Sometimes 'partnering' makes more sense than trying hard to be the boss.


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    Philippine Airlines Safety Video - That's how you communicate.

       
    Finally.

    After flying so many times in different airlines, I'm so glad that somebody thought of improving the way how 'Safety Instructions' were communicated.

    I had fun watching it.  (I'm usually bored-on-board)

    Ambient Media - awesome job.

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    How People Value of Time

     
    There are three types of people. Those who focus on the past. Those who focus on the present. And those who focus on the future. Watch this interesting video!


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    Favorite Quote: Preparation



    Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe." 

    - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States



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    READ BETWEEN THE LINES



     
    What if, just like the MENTALIST, you are able to read between the lines? You easily figure out facts and problems, only 5 minutes in the scene.

    Imagine what you can do with the same skill set? Use it in your business, in your work, or career. Use the same skill set when leading people.

    How many customers will be happy to do business with you if you have the same intuition and problem solving skills? Your employer will promote you quicker than expected. People will flock to follow your leadership.

    Though we can't live this fictional character, we can start learning from this guy.

    Notice the small details...

    Find out other people's motivation and intention...

    Learn how to read between the lines.


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    BE MEMORABLE



       
    I took the photo below when we had our vacation in Bangkok last December. We stayed there for 5 nights. 

    One of our main agenda was to enjoy it's local food. We ate in familiar places like the Siam Center, MBK, Center World and the Suan lum Night Market. Whether in a food court or in a nice restaurant, I would make it a point to order Pad Thai.

    One night, after going on a bargain shopping in the 'Baiyoke' Pratunam area, we passed by an alley with a couple of street food vendors. It was a lane filled with irresistible delicacies.

    From afar, I noticed a corner with a lot of people standing around something. It was like a commotion.  Now, because I came from the country of uziseros, I stopped and looked what's the buzz all about. Who knows? Maybe it's Jackie Chan.

    It was this Pad Thai vendor.



    I stopped for a few minutes to watch him cook. One by one, he placed the ingredients gracefully, like an action movie scene in slow motion. He worked flawlessly. He made cooking like an artwork.
    He gave me no choice, but to order. Besides, no one stopped me. (Obviously, my wife was too busy..... shopping)


    For only 40 Baht (70% less of what I paid in the restaurant), that was the best Pad Thai I've tasted in Bangkok. 

    As of writing, I've forgotten what's the food like in MBK or Siam, but I definitely won't forget this guy who made this awesome Pad Thai.

    When it comes to your work, are you memorable?

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