One Task at A Time

I am overwhelmed with a lot of things to do.  Sometimes I wonder how could I think I can manage all commitments.  True, I have always preferred being busy than bored but gosh, at these times most especially, I couldn't even lift a finger to do the dishes.  Then, wishful thinking process would start.  Bringing me on to thoughts of I wish there was someone to help with this stuff, and this too.  But truth be said, there is no one.  Some battles I have, admittedly, to take by myself. I have to face by myself.  And I have to get to used to it.

So help me God. I'm going to start with a list. And that's all I ask of myself today.  If I can do more, that would be a bonus.

#aimakeithappen

Self Development Series: #1 Goal Setting

Self development, as a journey, involves a series of activities that lead to a clearer self-identity and develop a person's skills and talents; leading to the realization of dreams and enhancing quality of life.  This sounds HUGE. And it is!

This series of articles on self-development, will be composed of concise articles which, aim to walk you through the journey of bringing out the better version of YOU.

Like every project, the first step is to set the direction - vision of what is to be achieved.

What kind of person do you want to be? Picture it. Imagine being
that person. 

In the process of setting the vision, it is important to evaluate ourselves with a few questions.  Be bold with the vision! Do not limit yourself.

What type of people do you envision hanging out with? 

What sort of conversations would you be making? 

Where would you spent your leisure times?

With these questions answered, it's time to do the work!  This is going to be exciting :)

With the vision of YOU that you just had, what areas in your life need to be improved?

What skills do you want to develop?

List it down.

Then for each category, create activities and tasks.  For example, the vision is to be able to speak two languages.  Identify what language would you want to learn.  Under the activities and task, write down how to make that vision happen.  It could be by buying a book, searching for youtube tutorial videos, watching local movies, etc. 

Now, the list could be taxing. But no need to worry.  These are just the pathways.  These things complete the bigger picture.  The next step is to set a date to do one task at a time.  

Note: And don't overload your mind with all the other tasks. Focus on one task at a time.

Once you have finished planning the work to do, it's time to WORK on the plan.

Be happy and blessed! 

Building an Emergency Fund

   
     Personal Finance has been a growing topic these days.  Here in the Philippines, there is still a lot of work to do to educate people on ways of handling finances properly, much more in making money work for them.

Financial Education starts with being acquainted with the financial pyramid.  The pyramid has a strong and sturdy base which represents the fundamental fund/s to build up before moving up to the other stages.

It consists of building the Emergency Fund, paying off Bad Debts, and allocating savings for Retirement.  In this article, we are going to focus on building the emergency fund.

What is an Emergency Fund?
The emergency fund is a sum of money equivalent to 3 - 6 months of your current living expenses.  Say for example, your monthly expenses - bills, allowances, rent, mortage etc. is about Php 30,000 per month.  Your emergency fund should at least be Php 90,000.

Where should I put this money aside?
This money is set aside in a bank account which is readily accessible in cases of emergency.  It is best to have it in bank account with atm.

What is the purpose of your Emergency Fund?
As the name suggests, it is sum of money allocated for emergencies -unforseen life changes like getting sick, running into an accident, and the like.  In those times, you will not be able to work and earn, but there will be expenses required for recuperating.  This is where you get the money for such things.

Aside from that, there will come a time in life when we feel like going to a career shift, move to another state or perhaps another country.  You can use your emergency fund to finance for these life changes, while you are adjusting to life changes and unable to earn yet.

Start building your emergency fund, now!

#PersonalFinance

Education versus Entertainment Ratio

The concept of becoming a person of value, living a life of meaning, and becoming a high achiever has gotten over a huge number of people these days.  High performance coaches and motivational speakers are becoming popular now, more than ever. The internet is flooded with articles and videos on "how to become the best version of yourself."

The journey can be exhausting, if we are to be rigid with the ourselves through the process.  Not to mention, information overload can somehow be intoxicating.  In that case, the journey would not be as happy and fulfilling.

The world-reknowned motivational speaker Jim Rohn has detailed a number of ways to become a high achiever in whatever field.  One of the his techniques is self-examination.  Simple, yet very effective.  According to him, we must examine how productive the day has been.

One of the criteria of self-evaluation is determining determining a person's Education versus Entertainment ratio.  Being educated and improving oneself, according to Jim Rohn should be the priority far better than being entertained.  Ask yourself these questions.  In the last five (or perhaps in the past year) years, "how many books have you read?"  In our modern times, we can ask, "how many audiobooks have you listened to?" or "how many online courses have you taken?"

The first step is self-evaluation.  Once the numbers are there, it's time to set the goal!

Challenge yourself to read this many books in a year.  The easier way is to be kinder to yourself. So set an achievable goal.  If you are not the book-lover type, do you think reading one book a month is attainable?  Set your limits and overcome it!
             

Eleven Minutes, Paulo Coehlo

"...always making plans for the future and always being surprised by the present."

that's just how my life is the past several months. i planned until i couldn't sleep as tight, i worked as if nothing is impossible; but my path has been nothing but a series of delightful surprises, of unexpected events, and of situations unfolding one day at a time.

this book entitled "Eleven Minutes" written by one of my favorite authors, Paulo Coehlo has kept me company for the last two days. inspiring, mind-bugging and a representation of recent realities showing how life circumstances brought people to situations by either by chance or by choice. prostitution. do you think prostitutes are prostitutes for the same reason? to rise above poverty? or reach financial and social dreams? do you think prostitutes are victims of life difficulties or of their own decisions?

who am i to judge? in fact, i don't judge anyone for their life choices. be responsible. know your values. set your rules. love yourself. embrace life, including it's challenges. 

life is a roller-coaster. we hop with excitement, but shout compelling it to stop when the ups and downs of the ride disorganizes us. but with this book, i was comforted with the fact that the roller-coaster is a machine operated by the Supreme God who only wants nothing but joy and excitement during the ride; and that whether i like it or not, the roller-coaster will come to a complete stop --- all in due time.

thank you, Paulo Coehlo. 

Benefits of Drinking Water

Knowing the benefits of drinking plenty of water a day might just convince us, and myself included, in taking the habit religiously.  Our body is 2/3 water; our brain is 90% water, blood is 83%, muscle is 75%, and bone is 22%.  Water plays a vital role in transporting nutrients and oxygen into the cells, moisturizing the air in the lungs, helping with the metabolism, protecting the vital organs, and regulates the body temperature, among many other vital functions.

Here are some of the benefits listed in the website  www.magosteen-natural-remedies.com:

1. Aids in weight loss.  Water flushes down the by-products of fat breakdown, reduces hunger and more importantly has zero calories.
2. Natural remedy for headache.  One of the causes of headache and back pain is dehydration, and water is the perfect solution to relieve such condition.
3. Better Productivity at work. As the brain is 90% water, drinking lots of water helps us think better, be more alert and concentrated.
4. Better exercise. Water helps fuel the muscles, and regulate body temperature during exercise.
5. Helps in digestion and constipation. Drinking water aids in digestion, thus, raising metabolism.
6. Promotes good health. Water improves the body's immune system. It helps fight against flu, kidney stones and heart attack.
7. Relieves fatigue. Water helps flush out toxins and waste products in the body and aids the organs with their  functions. It helps the heart pump out oxygenated blood, and lack of water tires the heart and so does the other body organs.
8. Reduces risk of cancer.  Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine, thus reducing the risk of bladder and colon cancer.

So friends, let's drink to that.

Take the healthier habit.

Live. Love. Matter.

PowerTalk - Be Consistently Aggressive

I wish to be wealthy.

I commit to be healthy.

Who can tell the difference?

This talk is about being aggressive -- about the goals and dreams in our hearts; not about the bold, fierce, aggressive personality.

There is no successful person who is not aggressive.

God's Words:

James 1:7-8

"If you are unable to make up your mind and are undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord."

John 14:12

"Most assuredly, I say to you, He who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

Proverbs 10:4

"Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."

Proverbs 18:9

"One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys."

Filipinos are polite, courteous; but we are not aggressive. 

Five things that rob us of our aggressiveness:

1. Haciendero complex  -

-we depend on someone for our needs for our entire life

2. Bahala Na attitude

- fatalistic attitude - we think everything about our life is under God's control

- how to redeem this - by taking responsibility

3. Lotto mindset

- thinking only of getting rich by winning big time

4. Procrastination

- be a man of action. Do not delay.

5. Crab Mentality

- criticize others who has goals and dreams.

-learn to share and enjoy the success of others

7 Laws on Aggressiveness:

1. Law of Clarity

- be clear about your dreams. The more precise you are about your dreams, the quicker it is to become a reality. Write your dreams and read it everyday. Imagine it everyday.  Imagination is very powerful.  Know what you want and imagine it.

2. Law of Focus

- focus on one thing, on your core gift. Do only one thing.

3. Law of Intensity

- being passionate and intense about your goals and dreams

4. Law of Action

- take action. It is not enough to be decide, take action!!

5. Law of Hustle

- not giving up until you reach your goal. Looking for the open door. Ten doors are close, look for the 11th door that's open. Twenty doors are close, look for the 21st door that's open.

We are so dependent on some miracle, but God says, the miracle I require of you is perseverance and the building of your character.

6. Law of Gestation

- dreams have a gestation period. Success is 90% preparation and 10% action. Luck is the meeting with preparation and opportunity.

7. Law of Integrity - being aggressive because of a pure motive of love. The reason why you are aggressive is because you want to show more love.