How Do You Handle Pressure?

How do you handle pressure? Whoa! Sounds like a "Miss Universe" question, isn't it? I tried to suppress my smile when it was asked to me during one of the interviews for an Aussie client. First time after years of working that i was asked such kinds of question, and it felt like I needed to answer like a beauty queen. My answer, i'd rather not share. Lol! One of those awkward moments. 

Anyway, so i did not get the job. Just kidding. I took the initiative to reject my own application. Kidding again. I cancelled my application even before they got back to me because i already got hired by 2 new clients and that would mean a lot of work already. So the story goes.

Photo Credit:
(I'm NOT in any way connected to the owner of the image. Just find it the cutest!)

But the question lingers in my mind. I became more  aware of how I react to situations. How do I really handle pressure? We know it. There are situations that seem easy to others but are definitely giving us a kick in the a**! I noticed that every time I encounter difficulties in doing or learning something, I usually stop the time tracker and go to facebook or twitter or youtube. Some times i get off the chair, walk to the next room and hug and kiss my sleeping kids. During daytime, I sometimes go to a neighbor and have a quick chat. That’s usually it. 

Until today…

This 1 simple task that’s really trying me…, for goodness sake really testing my sanity. It’ s easy but there are times that for some reasons, you just don't understand. This is one of those times. 

Eventually, I broke into tears. Then i started asking myself, is it enough? Should i give up? For the longest time, I asked myself that question. I was never the one to give up. I always challenge myself. And challenges are interesting. But I think out of ego or shyness, I'd rather “abort the mission” than go back defeated. That’s how i felt.

I read the instructions again, then cried, read again and cried again. That's me. I don't stop until i get it. And that thought made me cry harder because i think this time it's gonna be different. I need to stop. Maybe i need rest. So i stopped. Headed to bed and started writing this.

That was a good cry though, huh! Made me feel better.

So how do you handle pressure?

Oh, well, that's how I handled that pressure. I went to bed. ;)

[Note: Posting of this blog is a bit late. So, it didn't happen today or yesterday. It was a few days ago already. Stop guessing. ;) ]

Are You Prepared for the Holiday Breaks?

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” -Brad Paisley

Actually, 4 days have passed already. What did you do on those days? What happened in your life? If you made a list of New Year’s Resolutions, were you able to do them or any one of them? You see, time really flies.

“Time is gold.”

“Every minute counts.”

“You can’t turn back times.”

They’re all true. You don’t notice every passing time until it’s a new month. We’re all caught up with our routine, our worries, things like social media that preoccupy our mind. Soon, it’s going to be a year-end again. Are you prepared for the Holiday breaks?

Photo credit

Working from home for 3 years already, Holiday breaks hadn’t been my concern. I’ve always had work even during Holidays… but it wasn’t the case last 2015. I didn’t have work for more than 2 weeks!!! For goodness sake, how are we going to survive for the next days? How am I going to feed my kids? Of course, I am overreacting.  

Working from home, being a freelancer has its ups and downs, too. We all know that. There are times that we complain to have jobs more than we can handle. And there are “off-seasons”. Lucky enough if we have a full time job and a couple of part-times on the side. Otherwise, it’s going to hurt us if our client/s all of a sudden decide/s to take a grand holiday breaks.

Obviously, I didn’t prepare myself to this kind of situation, financially and emotionally. Financially, because we need money during Holidays so that we can travel and buy gifts. If there’s no extra income, then, there’s less chances of enjoying the Holiday breaks. Emotionally, because I didn’t think that it can be so devastating to have nothing to do or to not work for weeks! I felt so lost like I didn’t know what to do each day. I still tried to make this time of the year special for my kids. I gave a few surprises, and involved them in some activities related to these events. But I think it could have been more enjoyable if I had enough money. And though I have been trying to make them happy, my worries were eating me up. Are you prepared for this?

I bet you wouldn’t want to go through this. So, take heed. Prepare for the Holiday Breaks. Save money.

Last year, I came across an article that talked about putting aside a certain amount and increase them each week. I actually tried it for a few months. I was surprised that I was able to save that amount. Unfortunately, I used them when my daughter was hospitalized.

If you haven’t seen it yet, I’m sharing with you the 12-month saving challenge. I picked the smaller amount because it’s more realistic on my case. If you think you can put aside higher amount, then, do so. Remember the promise of a grand vacation while doing this.

Photo credit: Rappler

Is this doable? Yes, it is! Here are a few tips:

1. Designate an area where you can create a “room” for your savings. Some people use mason jars. You can use envelopes. You can use 3 or more mason jars/envelopes to hold savings for education, health or emergencies, and for holiday breaks or travel. Label them however you want it.
   
2. Be creative to make it more inspiring and encouraging. Maybe somewhere beside the jars, you can put a list of the things you want to do or buy at the end of the year. Put photos of places you want to go to. You can put some inspirational quotes. Or just put a large print out of the amount of money you’re aiming to save.
   
3. Work. Work. Work. If you have work, you have no reason not to save money.
   
4. Involve your family. It can be more fun if you let your kids or partner contribute.
   
5. Develop a habit. It’s like taking baby steps. You won’t be able to do that if you don’t start in the first place. Even if you fail, start again. Soon you’ll realize it’s becoming a natural process of your body to  go to that room and drop the money.
   
6. Celebrate! Don’t forget to spend your money to where you’ve allotted them for. Enjoy your holiday breaks. This will give you good memories that will inspire you to continue saving money for the rest of your life. 

See you in Disneyland next year! (Who knows? *wink)

New Year Resolutions Ideas

Happy NEW YEAR!

Whoa! I still couldn't believe that 365 days have passed in my life. Why? Because there's not much changes aside from the growth of my kids and the fats in my belly. It seems to me like a few days ago only when I've just planned my life. And I cannot figure out where am I now. Or I refuse to?

Can you relate your own experience to mine? So, how would you like to start your new year? Are you still up to making a list of your New Year Resolutions? Or you've decided not to fool yourself anymore, believing that you won't be able to do anything you're planning to do?

It also came to my mind that I don't have to make New Year Resolutions because I can change (or not) anytime of the year. It means that it doesn't have to have a new year to change. I thought that it's just a waste of time making a list of things that I actually cannot do or not willing to do.

Let's think about it again. Making a list of New Year Resolutions is not only planning or listing your goals. It also leads to our realizations- of our shortcomings, of what we can actually do, of what we should not have done, etc.

So today, I am urging you to contemplate for a few minutes and list down everything that comes to mind. Maybe prepare three or four pages of papers or notebooks or MS Word for your goals, the "look backs", things you want to let go, etc. It has been proven that listing down your thoughts not only help us know ourselves better and solve problems, but also, it helps us reduce stresses. And most importantly, it helps us achieve our goals and be successful.

This year, on top of my list is the "1 hour a day Facebook." Yes, it is. I'm a certified Facebook addict. I spend more than two hours (cumulatively) browsing through my newsfeeds, looking at photos, and watching videos. Sometimes it serves me well. It diverts my attention from a stressful moment. I also learn a few things from reading shared posts. However, it's not always the case. It can also distract you from doing more important things.

Below is a list of New Year Resolution Ideas that you may include into yours. Check it out.

1. Get fit. Do you notice that more people are joining zumba classes these days? You will also see them jogging on weekends. We are also getting more conscious of the food that we eat because we learned that it's one of the possible causes of top diseases, cancer and heart disease are two of them.

Calamba Baywalk.

2. Start Saving Money. You tried last year and failed. You're going to start again this year and believe that you can do it. It applies to all in this list. No matter how many times you've failed, include them again in your New Year Resolutions, and believe that this 2016, they're going to happen. Maybe add "Be firmer in your decisions" or "Be determined" in your list.

3. Get out of debt.

4. Learn to cook.

5. Read more.

6. Watch less TV.

7. Become more organized and tidier.

8. Get over your ex.

9. Be more confident and stop procrastinating.

10. Be more responsible.

11. Give up bad vices.

12. Travel more.

13. Show your talent to the world. Stop being shy.

14. Learn new things.

15. Manage time wisely.

16. Defend yourself.

17. Be more romantic to your lover.

18. Dress more appropriately.

17. Be consistent with journaling.

18. Start your own business.

19. Join music or arts classes.

20. Learn how to swim.

21. Keep smiling.

22. Be kind to people. Be more polite.

There are hundreds of resolutions. No matter how little it is, add them to your list. It matters. It will create an impact in your life. Just believe to what a new year brings and to a new you!

How Much of Your Legacy do You Want to be About Climate Change?

This is one of the many reasons why I admire US Pres. Barack Obama. His wisdom. Apparently, he is a good speaker. I believe he is naturally a man of good judgment and intentions. When asked, "How much of your legacy do you want to be about climate change?" his response made me "tear up" too.

"In terms of my own legacy, I think about it this way: Malia is 17, Sasha is 14. Every once in a while, I tear up thinking about how fast it’s gone and they’re about to go. And I do picture that, if I’m lucky and I have enough years left—and I’m in no rush on this, but 20 years from now, let’s say, and I’m still around, I’ve got some grandkids—I want to be able to take my little grandson or granddaughter on a walk to the park and know that the planet is in pretty good shape. And I want to feel like I contributed to that. And when I’m holding that little hand or pushing that kid on a swing and I look up at the sky and I know that it’s okay—that little kid may not know that there was an alternative future there that could have been grim. He may not know that there was the possibility that we had really catastrophic changes in the climate. And that’s fine with me. If he or she are able to enjoy that sunny day and feel good about it, and breathe clean air, and go swimming in an ocean, and I can watch them play—that will be a pretty good legacy. I’ll feel pretty good about that." —President Obama

He replied in a way that can be easily grasped by the common people. It was a response that will hit the heart of all members of the family, regardless of status quo, who are/should get involved in this global issue which is climate change. He doesn't want his presidency or fame to be his legacy. He wants something that money can't buy. It's the safety of his descendants... and ours.

Maybe if it's something that can be earned, he would work over time to achieve the legacy that he wants. But it's not. We work so hard to give our kids everything they need/want, to save for their future, to insure their health and education, etc. We try to be as good as we can, helping other people, doing charity, and lead a balance life - family and work, thinking that they are best legacy that we can leave for them.

Let's listen to him and to what our nature has been trying to tell us. It's time that we change our mindset. It's about "thinking outside the box" and "seeing the bigger picture" like we haven't done before. It's farther, and wider, and longer.

"In terms of my own legacy, I think about it this way: Malia is 17, Sasha is 14. Every once in a while, I tear up thinking about how fast it’s gone and they’re about to go. And I do picture that, if I’m lucky and I have enough years left—and I’m in no rush on this, but 20 years from now, let’s say, and I’m still around, I’ve got some grandkids—I want to be able to take my little grandson or granddaughter on a walk to the park and know that the planet is in pretty good shape. And I want to feel like I contributed to that. And when I’m holding that little hand or pushing that kid on a swing and I look up at the sky and I know that it’s okay—that little kid may not know that there was an alternative future there that could have been grim. He may not know that there was the possibility that we had really catastrophic changes in the climate. And that’s fine with me. If he or she are able to enjoy that sunny day and feel good about it, and breathe clean air, and go swimming in an ocean, and I can watch them play—that will be a pretty good legacy. I’ll feel pretty good about that." —President Obama speaking to CBS This Morning #ActOnClimate #COP21

Posted by The White House on Friday, December 4, 2015

Life is Like a Cup of Coffee

"Katulong lang ako." "Karpintero lang ako." "Driver lang ako." "Eto lang ang sahod ko." Do you always find yourself complaining about your current job, how much you earn, or your status in life? Watch this video that I found in my Facebook newsfeed.You may learn more about appreciation.

WATCH THIS VERY NICE VIDEO, IT WILL MAKE YOU CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT LIFE...
Posted by Antonio B. Enciso Jr. on Sunday, October 4, 2009

[credit to the owner of the video and story]

Here's the story:

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups- porcelain. plastic, glass, crystal; some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee.

After everyone had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones while it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves. That is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive, and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup. But you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups to see who had the best one.

Now consider this... Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life. And the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Savor the coffee, not the cups! The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Live simply. Speak kindly. Care deeply. Love generously."

Obviously I took this photo in 2014. We went to a place that opened my eyes to simple living that finds happiness. 

Blogger Moms

I feel the need to share this. It's an inspiration to us blogger moms to take our profession more seriously or take it to the next level.

Source: http://blogs.hrblock.com/2012/05/08/mommy-blogging-by-the-numbers-infographic/

“It should feel genuinely good to earn income from your blog – you should be driven by a healthy ambition to succeed. If your blog provides genuine value, you fully deserve to earn income from it.” - Steve Pavlina

Keep on blogging! :)

Fifty Shades of Books

And there's a client who totally gets what makes you happy and gives in to it. Part of the success of leadership and of a company can be credited to the value the members give to each other. That is how they can work efficiently as a team and able to inspire each other towards achieving a common goal.

When I started in The Idea, Inc., one of the first things my client asked me was to purchase the "The Speed of Trust" and the "7 Habits of Highly Effective People." They are certainly good reads. Every morning, Eastern Time, we would meet. We would start of by reading a part of either of the books and brainstorm. I believe that that check in was beneficial for the foundation of trust between us.

When trust is high, the dividend you receive is like a performance multiplier, elevating and improving every dimension of your organization and your life. High trust is like the leaven in bread, which lifts everything around it. In a company, high trust materially improves communication, collaboration, execution, innovation, strategy, engagement, partnering, and relationships with all stakeholders. In your personal life, high trust significantly improves your excitement, energy, passion, creativity, and joy in your relationships with family, friends, and community. Obviously, the dividends are not just in increased speed and improved economics; they are also in greater enjoyment and better quality of life.
             Stephen Covey, The Speed of Trust, p. 19