3 LESSONS I'VE LEARNED FROM 13 YEARS OF MARRIAGE


Three days ago, my wife and I celebrated our 13th year anniversary. It has been an adventure. 

Here are some of the things I've learned so far :

1. Two heads are better than one. 
My success as an entrepreneur, author and as a father was massively influenced by my wife. She told me I can do it – even when I doubted. She spoke the truth and argued when that was what I really needed. She held my hand, even after those days when I clearly made a bad decision.

Together, we are so much better.

2. It's an adventure.
Life, as most of us experience it, is filled with ups and downs. Those 'ups' were great, but the 'downs' played a big role – forcing us to communicate well and work on the same side. 

At the end of the challenges are twists that worked out for our own good. Whenever we look back, all we can do is to thank God for his favor in our lives.

3. It gets better.
My marriage is a treasure. Over time, I see how it appreciates (not depreciate) in value. The longer I am in it, the more I realize how blessed I am.

I'm really looking forward to what lies ahead of us. No doubt, it's going to be awesome. 

Realization: Marriages are meant to thrive, not just survive.




Read More...

GOING BACK TO WHERE YOU STARTED?




A wrong turn may have brought you to a dead end – a cul-de-sac. Instead of going near, you are now even farther to your destination.

You can respond in two ways. You can accept the repercussions of your decision, or you can deny, stall or decide to go with indecision. 

Sometimes, there's no other way but to go back. It's the only move to find your way again. 

Time wasted? Perhaps yes. Was it worth the risk? Only you can answer that.

You may have gone through a tough challenge, but there's a reason for everything. 

It's alright. You can go back to where you started. 

Now you're wiser to start again. 

Read More...

WHAT I LEARNED FROM JON SANTOS ... MASTERY THEN SPONTANEITY


Jon Santos rocked the fundraising I attended last night in The Peninsula. It was so fun to see him perform in person.

He impersonated three known people in the country and came in as Sen. Defensive Santiago, Pres. Erap Espada and Aling Dionisio.

He was breathing each character. No doubt, he researched thoroughly. He knew his material and found humor in every story. Yet, even with a script, he was able to interact with the crowd in a fun and spontaneous manner.

Whether in business or music, spontaneity goes well with mastery. It's easy to go with the flow, when you excel in what you do.

The take away for us artists, professionals and entrepreneurs – First, master your craft. Then spontaneity will follow.


















Read More...

GETTING THE RIGHT WORK





After years of studying, it's tempting to go PMA. (Pahinga-Muna-Anak)

Before taking that long awaited break you've been dreaming of, allow me to offer some "unconventional" advice that you may want to consider.

1. When choosing a career or putting up a business – find the "Sweet Spot."




Note: You won't know which work will be 'enjoyable' for you until you give it a try. I thought entrepreneurship wasn't for me. (I loved music. I played for a band. I thought I just wanted to become a rockstar.) But when my first store opened its door for business, the entrepreneur in me was awakened.


2. To succeed, it's not just about what you know anymore.
You did well in school? Good for you! That may help. 

Just keep in mind that the world is constantly changing. And so does how businesses are built or how jobs are designed.

Now that information is readily available online, it's not just about what you know anymore. What will set you apart is how you use or translate these information into 'something of value'. 


3. Think long-term.
You may have short-term needs, but it's best to decide by weighing the long-term effect.

Sooner or later, you'll meet a boss that you won't like. Is it a cue for you to quit your job? The situation may vary, but it's better to stick with an uptight boss whom you can learn from, than a boss who acts like a peer and just wants to "hang out." 

Your choices today will affect your future.


4. Instead of racing to get ahead, be a person of value.
Nobody can succeed on their own anymore. We live in an 'era of collaboration'. Those who work well with others are now the most sought after. (even more valuable than superstars)

Whenever a valuable player joins a game, people instantly see the difference. Everybody on that team wins. 

A person of value is a game changer. Be that kind of player.


* * *

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



Read More...

IN THE BUSINESS OF BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE...





Putting up a business is exciting. One of the keys to success is to find something you can do that help others in a big way.

Entrepreneurship is rarely about what you can get as an entrepreneur. The rewards pour in when you see others benefit from what you give or deliver.

After 15 years in business, several talks and consulting work around the country, it is my privilege to partner with Ryan Peralta and Bob Barcebal.  

Ryan is the founder of Drumstart, the only certified drum circle facilitator/trainer in the country, and currently the drummer of Rivermaya. While Bob is a dynamic sales coach, facilitator of the 'Pinoy Sales Champ' workshop, and maybe the only person left on earth who think 'sales' is fun!

Together, we form SPARK CONSULTANCY. A training/learning firm geared to improve productivity, inspire creativity and help you increase sales.




*Official Website coming soon. For now, you may get in touch with my (self-proclaimed) good looking business partner…  

Bob Barcebal
Email: sparktrainingph@gmail.com 
Mobile: 0926–7242109 
Landline: 9046371



Read More...

"LOLO MUSIC"


You don't want your children to look at you as too old. Emo, Rock or whatever genre, listen to the songs they listen to. Watch their TV shows. Attempt to understand how Twitter works...

Why try to be a cool dad? 

Why not?



















Read More...

GET YOUR FEET WET




Inside of you is a longing to do something great. 

Whether it's raising your children well, building a profitable business or making art, you can't deny your eagerness to make things even better.

How do you start? 

Let go of the excuses. Do something uncomfortable. Expect mistakes. Allow to get your feet wet. 


Read More...

3 WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR WORK



1. Contribute.
You are part of a team (company) not just to perform certain duties, but to contribute to its success. You'll know you are in the best placement when you add value, not only to the company, but to others as well. 

The work that you do [should] matter. 

2. Learn new things.
The classroom may teach you a thing or two, but real learning happens on-the-job – in real life experiences. 

Your willingness to learn (and poke around) now will determine what you will be able to do later in your career or in your life. Yes, you may not like your job today, but learning from it may still be useful.


3. Build life-long relationships.
Companies may fold, jobs may be outsourced, even our own interest may change. One thing that won't go away is our need to 'relate' with others. 

You don't have to go to work just for the sake of work. Relationships do matter. It is what makes us human.


* * *

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

Read More...

BE YOUR BEST SELF.




John Wooden said, "Your reputation is who people think you are, your character is who you really are."

You may not care how people perceive you, but [still] it determines [makes or breaks] the influence you have in the lives of others.

While it's ideal to protect your reputation, it's even wiser to work on your character. Nowadays, a good name is rare. Yet, it remains esteemed and valuable.

Be your best self even when no one is looking.


* * *

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

Read More...

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?


* * *

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

Read More...

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.  




Read More...

Lessons from Kodak, Beepers and Continuous Change



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.


Read More...

Practice something daily.



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]


* * *

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


Read More...

BE A GOOD FINISHER






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.


* * *

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



Read More...

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'.


* * *

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

Read More...