Dear Lloyd,
I am a recruitment specialist in a contact center here in Makati for two years now. I’m enjoying my work except that I really find it hard to recruit the ‘right people for the job.’ After a month or two, many of our employees leave the company. Am I to be blamed here? What do I need to do?
Thank you so much and more power to your column!
(Please have my name and address withheld)
First, I sincerely believe that no one has to be blamed. Because if there is, then it could be the decision-makers of your company who don’t do well in people management, the employees themselves who are not passionate about their jobs, the government whose ‘only’ option is to employ the unemployed in call centers, or the parents who don’t really have the time guiding their sibling’s career. It’s more complicated than you can think.
But one good advice I can give is a simple philosophy of mine. Whenever I’m asked to give a lecture on career, I emphasize this idea: “Admitting your weakness is strength.”
Some recruitment specialist I know also gave me such headache. And they, too, seem to take the blame for that. Some of them even admitted that they really don’t have any idea on how to spot a committed applicant, which is as hard as I only could imagine. Considering the motivation of job-seekers, I bet recruitment specialists should do their homework beyond the nature of their function as recruiter. They must research and take some advance, if not additional basic, courses on psychology and other related studies.
I see a positive attitude with these people. They know that something within their role is wrong. They could have told me that it’s other business that employees resign. But they did not. Instead, the first thing was to admit that it’s partly their failure.
The point is solving a problem starts with identifying the problem itself. When we were still in our primary schooling, our Mathematics teacher told us to identify the problem first, and then look at the given, and then identify what operations to use and then you perform the operation.
Having been involved is career coaching made me realize that we all have the tendency to deny our weaknesses, showing the world that we are strong and we are OK. The problem is we are not strong at all if we can only claim our strengths. We only make a fool out of ourselves if we do that.
Face it. We are not OK. And we must not be comfortable with what we have now for time will come that what we have today may no longer be relevant. Don’t deny something that will eventually compliment your personal development. I don’t see any problem in admitting a weakness. Only few are courageous enough to do that. And that makes me tip my hat off for them. Truth to tell, it simply means courage to me.
You problem needs a personal reflection. I can’t really give you the exact solution. I can only remind you to go back to basic problem-solving principles. If you think you are the problem, say, you really don’t have the bona fide capability to recruit the right people, do something about it. As said, you can always decide to study further during your free time.
Remember that the little problem of yours can be a big problem later, if not given due attention. Such attention may only need a few days to solve. Think about your capacity and take a good look on your applicants’ profile. You’ll see that there is something common among them. Of course they all wanted to get a job for a living. But the difference lies on the motivation that pushed them to apply.
Such motivation is very important. It could be one of the ‘givens’ that you can use to perform the necessary operation that will give you the answer.
Buddy to the top,
Lloyd
Monday, January 19, 2009
Learning out of the box
Dear Lloyd,
What do I need to do so I can get a better job than what I have now? I really don’t enjoy what I’m doing right now as a customer sales representative. There must me some things I need to do to find another meaningful profession where I can use my formal education.
Thank you so much and more power to your column!
Robert Indrinal
Caloocan City
IF your motivation to finish your college degree is to get employed afterwards, again I am sorry to say that you’ve got the wrong motivation. It would just make you end up as another bright, skilled, talented, and unemployed Filipino. But don’t let that worry you that much; after all, you are not the only hopeful jobseeker-to-be who has this kind of mindset. There are more millions out there who, like you, don’t think and work out of the box.
During my second year in college, I started to feel better. Little by little, I was able to cope with my mathematics while learning the Art of Proper Thinking. Since I was no longer working on my weakness (having found out that I was weak in my weakness and there really was no point to work on it), I decided to work on my strength instead.
And so that year, I made it to being the layout and graphics editor of the Spectrum. I painstakingly worked on every detail of the paper’s design, in the process honing my skills and creativity. I would spend at least one hour a week in a bookstore just to read design books and study different graphic techniques. I had to do this because I didn’t have the money to buy books.
During presswork, I devoted two to three overnight sessions to finish the paper’s layout. I went the extra mile to give substance to my position even as I was perfecting my skills. The result was that a year later, I became the paper’s editor in chief.
I must admit that it was the thing I had in mind the very first day I joined the college paper—to be the head of it sometime soon!
Then, sometime in February 2001, I received an invitation from Malacañang Palace. I recall that the signatory of the invitation was one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s political officers at the time: Marc-Fabian Castrodes, who is now a lawyer, a good friend, and a personal mentor of mine.
The invitation was for a breakfast meeting of student newspaper editors with the President. That meeting gave us a rare chance to directly ask the President on issues that campus editors were curious about. For me, that meeting was an empowering initiative for campus journalists.
Attending that event gave me the idea to establish an organization of editors. So, shortly after, I called my co-participants and set a “post-event” meeting so I could present my idea to them. My goal was to get their support and eventually help me organize the group. Thus, in less than a year, we had formed the Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines.
Founding the organization was not an easy job for me. It required positive thinking and a strong fighting spirit. Why? I was from PUP and I had to convince the editors from De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, University of the Philippines, and Far Eastern University to work on my idea. And organizing these young journalists of various backgrounds and points of view was certainly not an easy task.
But I had to convince myself that it was possible, that it could be done no matter how difficult it might be.
Buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
What do I need to do so I can get a better job than what I have now? I really don’t enjoy what I’m doing right now as a customer sales representative. There must me some things I need to do to find another meaningful profession where I can use my formal education.
Thank you so much and more power to your column!
Robert Indrinal
Caloocan City
IF your motivation to finish your college degree is to get employed afterwards, again I am sorry to say that you’ve got the wrong motivation. It would just make you end up as another bright, skilled, talented, and unemployed Filipino. But don’t let that worry you that much; after all, you are not the only hopeful jobseeker-to-be who has this kind of mindset. There are more millions out there who, like you, don’t think and work out of the box.
During my second year in college, I started to feel better. Little by little, I was able to cope with my mathematics while learning the Art of Proper Thinking. Since I was no longer working on my weakness (having found out that I was weak in my weakness and there really was no point to work on it), I decided to work on my strength instead.
And so that year, I made it to being the layout and graphics editor of the Spectrum. I painstakingly worked on every detail of the paper’s design, in the process honing my skills and creativity. I would spend at least one hour a week in a bookstore just to read design books and study different graphic techniques. I had to do this because I didn’t have the money to buy books.
During presswork, I devoted two to three overnight sessions to finish the paper’s layout. I went the extra mile to give substance to my position even as I was perfecting my skills. The result was that a year later, I became the paper’s editor in chief.
I must admit that it was the thing I had in mind the very first day I joined the college paper—to be the head of it sometime soon!
Then, sometime in February 2001, I received an invitation from Malacañang Palace. I recall that the signatory of the invitation was one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s political officers at the time: Marc-Fabian Castrodes, who is now a lawyer, a good friend, and a personal mentor of mine.
The invitation was for a breakfast meeting of student newspaper editors with the President. That meeting gave us a rare chance to directly ask the President on issues that campus editors were curious about. For me, that meeting was an empowering initiative for campus journalists.
Attending that event gave me the idea to establish an organization of editors. So, shortly after, I called my co-participants and set a “post-event” meeting so I could present my idea to them. My goal was to get their support and eventually help me organize the group. Thus, in less than a year, we had formed the Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines.
Founding the organization was not an easy job for me. It required positive thinking and a strong fighting spirit. Why? I was from PUP and I had to convince the editors from De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, University of the Philippines, and Far Eastern University to work on my idea. And organizing these young journalists of various backgrounds and points of view was certainly not an easy task.
But I had to convince myself that it was possible, that it could be done no matter how difficult it might be.
Buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
Thinking positively
Dear Lloyd,
I am about to graduate this March. I am somehow pessimistic to land in a job of my choice. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to practice what I’ve learned from school. I’m thinking of working in abroad but I don’t know how to do it. Please share some thoughts about this.
Thank you so much and more power to your column!
Raisalyn Indrinal
Quezon City
IF there is one thing that brings people to higher altitude, I believe that it’s not aptitude; it’s attitude. Try looking at your altitude now. Is it high or low? Now check your attitude. Is it an attitude of a winner or a loser?
Be optimistic. Believing makes half of the possibility. Trust that something good will still happen. Try to meet some people who may help you. Help other people to get what they want. In return, you’ll get want you want.
Stay away from people who are afraid of being overtaken by somebody else. They become so self-centered that they don’t see the good—or pretend not so see the good—in others. They pull other people down and see it as an opportunity for them to get a step higher. They take advantage and make use of other people for their benefit and motives.
I haven’t met a successful person who has this kind of attitude yet. And I don’t think practicing this kind of attitude would bring anyone to a higher altitude. It simply won’t make a person any better.
I always believe that life is not and will never be a competition. But on the same token, I say that there is a competition in it. And there comes the problem: You don’t identify your competitor correctly. You look around you and presume that the one beside you is your competitor. You don’t look within you and at least consider that maybe, you need to compete with yourself first.
Fear paralyzes people to become successful. And in order to win competition in life, you need to conquer that fear—fear to change, fear to risk, fear to fail—that only you can beat. No one will do it for you.
I don’t think negatively. Though I always protect the downside and let the upside take care of itself. I steadily think positively and see the positive in the worst situation. For me, there is always an opportunity in every crisis. I don’t usually recommend books. But if you really wanted to understand me in details, I would advise you to get The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. You’ll learn how faith cancels the paralysis caused by fear.
Negativity for me is a figure of fear. When you think negatively, you automatically lose. Or at least lose the 80 percent of the battle. No doubt, the Philippines has insignificantly developed over the years.
Millions of people think negatively and act negatively. The newspapers report negatively. The television and radio broadcast negatively. The internet shows online information negatively.
And so the people, the recipient of this information feel negatively that eventually make them react negatively. In fact you can see them very frequently on the streets. They call themselves “patriotic.” Admit it or not, this is already a culture (and legacy) that the old is leaving our children. And this is not good. When our students graduate, they feel and think negatively about their future job. They even fear applying for high ranking positions. They are afraid to be rejected. They play safe. Sometimes, they are not even confident to win interviews.
And so sooner or later, they react negatively blaming the government and other blamable things or situations that exist because they have no job. Or, even if they do get one, they don’t earn much—below the minimum wage.
Proper attitude is never a talent or skill. It is a discipline. You need to work on it constantly. You need to watch for it and let it grow with you. Because at the end of the day, no matter how good, talented, skilled and effective you are, if you don’t keep a good grip on your attitude, two things happen: You fail and you fall.
Leave the country if you’ll have the chance. But be sure you’ll get back. After you have seen the outside world, you’ll realize that the Filipinos are the best in the world. This, for me, is something that we must always be proud of.
Buddy to the top,
Lloyd Luna
I am about to graduate this March. I am somehow pessimistic to land in a job of my choice. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to practice what I’ve learned from school. I’m thinking of working in abroad but I don’t know how to do it. Please share some thoughts about this.
Thank you so much and more power to your column!
Raisalyn Indrinal
Quezon City
IF there is one thing that brings people to higher altitude, I believe that it’s not aptitude; it’s attitude. Try looking at your altitude now. Is it high or low? Now check your attitude. Is it an attitude of a winner or a loser?
Be optimistic. Believing makes half of the possibility. Trust that something good will still happen. Try to meet some people who may help you. Help other people to get what they want. In return, you’ll get want you want.
Stay away from people who are afraid of being overtaken by somebody else. They become so self-centered that they don’t see the good—or pretend not so see the good—in others. They pull other people down and see it as an opportunity for them to get a step higher. They take advantage and make use of other people for their benefit and motives.
I haven’t met a successful person who has this kind of attitude yet. And I don’t think practicing this kind of attitude would bring anyone to a higher altitude. It simply won’t make a person any better.
I always believe that life is not and will never be a competition. But on the same token, I say that there is a competition in it. And there comes the problem: You don’t identify your competitor correctly. You look around you and presume that the one beside you is your competitor. You don’t look within you and at least consider that maybe, you need to compete with yourself first.
Fear paralyzes people to become successful. And in order to win competition in life, you need to conquer that fear—fear to change, fear to risk, fear to fail—that only you can beat. No one will do it for you.
I don’t think negatively. Though I always protect the downside and let the upside take care of itself. I steadily think positively and see the positive in the worst situation. For me, there is always an opportunity in every crisis. I don’t usually recommend books. But if you really wanted to understand me in details, I would advise you to get The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. You’ll learn how faith cancels the paralysis caused by fear.
Negativity for me is a figure of fear. When you think negatively, you automatically lose. Or at least lose the 80 percent of the battle. No doubt, the Philippines has insignificantly developed over the years.
Millions of people think negatively and act negatively. The newspapers report negatively. The television and radio broadcast negatively. The internet shows online information negatively.
And so the people, the recipient of this information feel negatively that eventually make them react negatively. In fact you can see them very frequently on the streets. They call themselves “patriotic.” Admit it or not, this is already a culture (and legacy) that the old is leaving our children. And this is not good. When our students graduate, they feel and think negatively about their future job. They even fear applying for high ranking positions. They are afraid to be rejected. They play safe. Sometimes, they are not even confident to win interviews.
And so sooner or later, they react negatively blaming the government and other blamable things or situations that exist because they have no job. Or, even if they do get one, they don’t earn much—below the minimum wage.
Proper attitude is never a talent or skill. It is a discipline. You need to work on it constantly. You need to watch for it and let it grow with you. Because at the end of the day, no matter how good, talented, skilled and effective you are, if you don’t keep a good grip on your attitude, two things happen: You fail and you fall.
Leave the country if you’ll have the chance. But be sure you’ll get back. After you have seen the outside world, you’ll realize that the Filipinos are the best in the world. This, for me, is something that we must always be proud of.
Buddy to the top,
Lloyd Luna
Making a decision
Today’s column is an excerpt from my book “Is there a job waiting for you?” (Nine weapons you can have so that job will look for you). This is the first of nine chapters I wrote to help our graduating students and young professionals. I think it’s high time to focus my advice to the country’s future workforce. And so starting this week, consider this as a mentoring series.
PICTURE this out: In 100 individuals enrolling in a primary school, more or less 50 of them get a chance to go to high school and roughly 25 of this number are able to pursue college education. Only 10 finally get their diploma and then take board exams if applicable. I got news for you: Only 1 out of 10 graduates that we produce is employed.
I have learned that “no” is the hardest word that you could ever find in a dictionary. On the other hand, “yes” is the softest. This, I think, is the primary reason why people get into so many troubles—they give so many yes. They compromise without analyzing first. The reason is the very definition of failure: Trying to please every one.
These small things matter big in the end. You can always disagree without being disagreeable. So learn the value of saying no. The bottom line: You must make and manage your decision.
Majority of the corporations today look for individuals who have the capacity to decide and manage the decision that they make regardless of their position. In other words they look for people who have the will and the sense of responsibility to get the job done and get it done right.
Choosing a degree to take in college is a major decision. I decided to take engineering. And during college I realized that I made the wrong choice. Logically, starting with a wrong equation makes the whole process wrong that eventually gives a wrong result. I had to think and for the second time, I had to decide.
Shortly after that, I decided to stay with one condition. I needed to redefine my life’s equation. This time, I would rather finish my engineering degree but I must always keep my options open, get myself involved in extra-curricular activities and grab the opportunities in place. Most importantly, I must manage my decision.
Making a decision for me is not just an art. It is a personal discipline. I meet a lot of successful people every day and whenever I ask them what changed their lives and how did they make it to the top, many of them answer: “I made a decision and managed it.”
Motivational speaker Francis J. Kong, founder of Company B, who is now the president and CEO of Funworks, Inc. is one of the people I look up to. When I first heard Mr. Kong talking about one of his darkest hours, I immediately concluded that by making a decision and managing it, he became successful.
He spent six years in high school—the reason why he is always asked by his schoolmates from what batch he belongs. Imagine a successful people staying that long in secondary education.
Making it short, he wasted two years of his life inclusive of summer classes. He wasted his energy and effort doing nothing that could have added to his personal growth that time. A varsity player he was, he didn’t care much on academic learning. He just played well and thought that alone would work. He was comfortable.
One time, he realized that he was going nowhere. He looked back and saw mountains of failures and disappointments. He understood the life of a loser. And he knew that he was one of them. That was never enjoyable.
To me, he had an option to decide. So, right there and then, I think he made a very wise decision—to turn the situation upside-down and live the life of a winner. And he made it.
It took him one decision to change his life’s direction and destination. He decided to become a winner. That started it all. And if you are going to trace the events after that, you’ll see how he managed his decision. We cannot change our destination overnight. But at anytime, we can change our direction leading to our destination.
He began studying his lessons despite temptations from his friends he calls “chicken and ducks.” He made himself an eagle soaring high—alone. He did whatever it took for his decision to totally work. He paid the price of his decision. Until he graduated reaping almost all the awards a San Sebastian student can get.
I always put an emphasis on what the poor and the rich have in common. In fact, this separates their social status. I describe it as the greatest equalizer unseen by many people. I call it a choice. Or better yet a decision. And it is always personal.
If you don’t make a decision, you just actually made one. And I tell you that deciding not to decide will make you someone living someone else’s decision. And one day, you’ll wake up wondering and asking yourself what have just happened or what could have happened differently if I made a choice which I think were right.
Make a decision right now. Manage it. For there are only two options left for you to get that job waiting for you: Become a winner who decides and manages a decision or a loser who let other people and situation decide for him.
Buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
PICTURE this out: In 100 individuals enrolling in a primary school, more or less 50 of them get a chance to go to high school and roughly 25 of this number are able to pursue college education. Only 10 finally get their diploma and then take board exams if applicable. I got news for you: Only 1 out of 10 graduates that we produce is employed.
I have learned that “no” is the hardest word that you could ever find in a dictionary. On the other hand, “yes” is the softest. This, I think, is the primary reason why people get into so many troubles—they give so many yes. They compromise without analyzing first. The reason is the very definition of failure: Trying to please every one.
These small things matter big in the end. You can always disagree without being disagreeable. So learn the value of saying no. The bottom line: You must make and manage your decision.
Majority of the corporations today look for individuals who have the capacity to decide and manage the decision that they make regardless of their position. In other words they look for people who have the will and the sense of responsibility to get the job done and get it done right.
Choosing a degree to take in college is a major decision. I decided to take engineering. And during college I realized that I made the wrong choice. Logically, starting with a wrong equation makes the whole process wrong that eventually gives a wrong result. I had to think and for the second time, I had to decide.
Shortly after that, I decided to stay with one condition. I needed to redefine my life’s equation. This time, I would rather finish my engineering degree but I must always keep my options open, get myself involved in extra-curricular activities and grab the opportunities in place. Most importantly, I must manage my decision.
Making a decision for me is not just an art. It is a personal discipline. I meet a lot of successful people every day and whenever I ask them what changed their lives and how did they make it to the top, many of them answer: “I made a decision and managed it.”
Motivational speaker Francis J. Kong, founder of Company B, who is now the president and CEO of Funworks, Inc. is one of the people I look up to. When I first heard Mr. Kong talking about one of his darkest hours, I immediately concluded that by making a decision and managing it, he became successful.
He spent six years in high school—the reason why he is always asked by his schoolmates from what batch he belongs. Imagine a successful people staying that long in secondary education.
Making it short, he wasted two years of his life inclusive of summer classes. He wasted his energy and effort doing nothing that could have added to his personal growth that time. A varsity player he was, he didn’t care much on academic learning. He just played well and thought that alone would work. He was comfortable.
One time, he realized that he was going nowhere. He looked back and saw mountains of failures and disappointments. He understood the life of a loser. And he knew that he was one of them. That was never enjoyable.
To me, he had an option to decide. So, right there and then, I think he made a very wise decision—to turn the situation upside-down and live the life of a winner. And he made it.
It took him one decision to change his life’s direction and destination. He decided to become a winner. That started it all. And if you are going to trace the events after that, you’ll see how he managed his decision. We cannot change our destination overnight. But at anytime, we can change our direction leading to our destination.
He began studying his lessons despite temptations from his friends he calls “chicken and ducks.” He made himself an eagle soaring high—alone. He did whatever it took for his decision to totally work. He paid the price of his decision. Until he graduated reaping almost all the awards a San Sebastian student can get.
I always put an emphasis on what the poor and the rich have in common. In fact, this separates their social status. I describe it as the greatest equalizer unseen by many people. I call it a choice. Or better yet a decision. And it is always personal.
If you don’t make a decision, you just actually made one. And I tell you that deciding not to decide will make you someone living someone else’s decision. And one day, you’ll wake up wondering and asking yourself what have just happened or what could have happened differently if I made a choice which I think were right.
Make a decision right now. Manage it. For there are only two options left for you to get that job waiting for you: Become a winner who decides and manages a decision or a loser who let other people and situation decide for him.
Buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
Working smart
Dear Lloyd,
I always get an “award” from my boss. Every day seems to be a bad day for him because almost daily, I fail to match his expectations. I work very hard though, leaving the office late at night and come to the office early in the morning. I’m afraid that sooner or later I’ll be out in the company. Please help.
Thanks
Janice Ann Beltranos
Mandaluyong City
Dear Janice,
The thing that you are doing is, in itself, a problem. Working hard is a problem. So, the first thing you should do is to stop working hard. Yes, you’ll ask why.
Majority of career-oriented people I meet and I personally exchange some ideas with is doing the same “”I work hard but why isn’t seem to do any good.” Still, what they get in the end is a failing grade from their superior. What’s wrong with working hard, or even harder?
Working hard wastes your time and energy. It is not result oriented. It is process-oriented. When we are working hard, we give more attention, time and force working on the process. But we must not dwell on the process much. We must deal with the result. And so we must see it the other way.
The process or the system must be the one working for us. That’s the main reason why they are created in the first place. It should help us save our time and energy. And it should give us added confidence and support mechanism to get our desired result.
I’m not so sure if this story were true. But let me demonstrate my point through this one. Way back in the late 70’s, American and Russian astronauts were in very tight competition. They wanted to prove that one is better than the other. Of course, both sides have their own style and tactics so that the world would agree that the other one is no match with the other.
When the space craft was launched and landed on the moon, both found hard time writing data. Because of gravity up-there, their pens hardly write. So, both teams get back to earth and solve the problem. Years after, it’s show time.
Americans has spent million of dollars for research and development of a pen capable of writing despite gravitation problem. And so when they got there, they have proven themselves the best in research. The Russian team however did a very smart move. When they got to the moon, they brought a pencil. It was able to write.
Both teams got their desired result. But the difference is measured by how much time and effort (and money) they have used in order to get it. It’s really a matter of how intelligent people are that determines the fastest way to his goal.
Start working smart. That’s the point. A lot of people work so hard that they still fail to achieve what they wanted. The reason is that they are too distracted by the process. Instead of the process working for them, they work within the limitation of the process.
Stay away from this kind of people. It won’t do you any good. Working smart is something better than working hard.
One of my favorite executives (and inspiration) Butch Jimenez, the senior vice president of PLDT, has given me this kind of insight. And so I wish I have shared with you the lesson on why not people should stop working hard. Again, it’s still ok to work hard. But working smart would mean a better and a greater chance for you to match the expectations of your superiors.
Buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
I always get an “award” from my boss. Every day seems to be a bad day for him because almost daily, I fail to match his expectations. I work very hard though, leaving the office late at night and come to the office early in the morning. I’m afraid that sooner or later I’ll be out in the company. Please help.
Thanks
Janice Ann Beltranos
Mandaluyong City
Dear Janice,
The thing that you are doing is, in itself, a problem. Working hard is a problem. So, the first thing you should do is to stop working hard. Yes, you’ll ask why.
Majority of career-oriented people I meet and I personally exchange some ideas with is doing the same “”I work hard but why isn’t seem to do any good.” Still, what they get in the end is a failing grade from their superior. What’s wrong with working hard, or even harder?
Working hard wastes your time and energy. It is not result oriented. It is process-oriented. When we are working hard, we give more attention, time and force working on the process. But we must not dwell on the process much. We must deal with the result. And so we must see it the other way.
The process or the system must be the one working for us. That’s the main reason why they are created in the first place. It should help us save our time and energy. And it should give us added confidence and support mechanism to get our desired result.
I’m not so sure if this story were true. But let me demonstrate my point through this one. Way back in the late 70’s, American and Russian astronauts were in very tight competition. They wanted to prove that one is better than the other. Of course, both sides have their own style and tactics so that the world would agree that the other one is no match with the other.
When the space craft was launched and landed on the moon, both found hard time writing data. Because of gravity up-there, their pens hardly write. So, both teams get back to earth and solve the problem. Years after, it’s show time.
Americans has spent million of dollars for research and development of a pen capable of writing despite gravitation problem. And so when they got there, they have proven themselves the best in research. The Russian team however did a very smart move. When they got to the moon, they brought a pencil. It was able to write.
Both teams got their desired result. But the difference is measured by how much time and effort (and money) they have used in order to get it. It’s really a matter of how intelligent people are that determines the fastest way to his goal.
Start working smart. That’s the point. A lot of people work so hard that they still fail to achieve what they wanted. The reason is that they are too distracted by the process. Instead of the process working for them, they work within the limitation of the process.
Stay away from this kind of people. It won’t do you any good. Working smart is something better than working hard.
One of my favorite executives (and inspiration) Butch Jimenez, the senior vice president of PLDT, has given me this kind of insight. And so I wish I have shared with you the lesson on why not people should stop working hard. Again, it’s still ok to work hard. But working smart would mean a better and a greater chance for you to match the expectations of your superiors.
Buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
Making a way of your own
Dear Lloyd,
I’m a licensed engineer. However, I don’t think it’s still relevant with what I’m doing right now. I work as a call center agent in Makati. I would nonetheless love to practice what I’ve learn. Do you think it’s still possible?
Ryan Francis Arandela
Meycauayan, Bulacan
Dear Ryan,
It is possible. To date, there have been so many impossibilities that were proven possible to happen and that they happened. You don’t need to look far in order to see what I’m talking about. The things around you are “impossibilities” centuries ago. Now, they are there, a way of saying that thinkable are doable.
The only question you need to answer yourself would be: Am I willing to pay the price of pursuing what I want? Having yes as an answer would lead you to the next question: What must I do to achieve what I what? There are many things to be listed. But, the hardest is this: How do I start?
At the onset, you must first understand the power of decision. Many people today don’t realize the value of the decisions that they make day in and day out. They oftentimes underestimate the results. Still, many of them are surprised when they fail. They look for reasons why they fall short.
This is the key: People don’t fail overnight. Like success, it is planned. Failure is a result of small mistakes that are habitually done every day.
Your problem is simply a matter of decision-making, which is the hardest among the steps you should take so that you’ll get what you want. The first step is always the hardest.
When you were still studying, you may have missed to think long term. That’s why when you got out of school you unfortunately landed in a career far from your choice. This happens all the time in almost 80% of our workforce. They get into the job that they hate because there is no alternative. As I see it now, you have an alternative. And you just needed someone to affirm your decision.
Let me share you my story.
I happened to take a course that has nothing to do with what I wanted. When I was in high school, my goal was to pursue mass communication in college. One day, I found myself enrolled in Electronics and Communications Engineering. But, it did not stop me from doing what I want. During my college days, I involved myself in our school newspaper and participated in journalism awards.
During my fourth year, The Manila Times got me in as a correspondent. When I was in my fifth year, the Office of the President in Malacañang Palace appointed me as technical assistant for youth affairs.
I’ve been in the same boat as yours. And trust me, if you’re serious enough to get what you’ve always wanted in your life, you can always get it. Did I become a full-pledge engineer? No. Am I happy with what I’m doing right now? Yes.
Many of us don’t understand the law of attraction. People must learn to find their passion first before they attract opportunities. That’s as simple as that. Staying in a job that you hate will only give you more headaches (and heartaches) along the way. It is not good for your company, for you and for every one.
I would suggest that you follow your passion. 95% of successful people are happy in what they’re doing. It’s because they are attracted with their passion.
It’s always easy to work on something you love doing. Though, it’s constantly hard to take the first step. Try reading the book “Alchemist” and you’ll understand more what I’m telling you.
Again, if you are looking for relevance, you must start taking a stand now. Getting what you want happens only when you start working for it. And by keeping an eye on your to-do lists, not long from now you’ll see the result of your decision.
And one more thing: Remember the law of a straight line. The shortest way between two distances is a straight line.
Don’t be distracted by the events and people around you. Look at your capacity to fulfill your dreams and constantly work for your qualifications. At the end of the day, it would be a question of how well did we do to realize what we’ve always wanted to have. While you still have time and energy, do it.
Your buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
I’m a licensed engineer. However, I don’t think it’s still relevant with what I’m doing right now. I work as a call center agent in Makati. I would nonetheless love to practice what I’ve learn. Do you think it’s still possible?
Ryan Francis Arandela
Meycauayan, Bulacan
Dear Ryan,
It is possible. To date, there have been so many impossibilities that were proven possible to happen and that they happened. You don’t need to look far in order to see what I’m talking about. The things around you are “impossibilities” centuries ago. Now, they are there, a way of saying that thinkable are doable.
The only question you need to answer yourself would be: Am I willing to pay the price of pursuing what I want? Having yes as an answer would lead you to the next question: What must I do to achieve what I what? There are many things to be listed. But, the hardest is this: How do I start?
At the onset, you must first understand the power of decision. Many people today don’t realize the value of the decisions that they make day in and day out. They oftentimes underestimate the results. Still, many of them are surprised when they fail. They look for reasons why they fall short.
This is the key: People don’t fail overnight. Like success, it is planned. Failure is a result of small mistakes that are habitually done every day.
Your problem is simply a matter of decision-making, which is the hardest among the steps you should take so that you’ll get what you want. The first step is always the hardest.
When you were still studying, you may have missed to think long term. That’s why when you got out of school you unfortunately landed in a career far from your choice. This happens all the time in almost 80% of our workforce. They get into the job that they hate because there is no alternative. As I see it now, you have an alternative. And you just needed someone to affirm your decision.
Let me share you my story.
I happened to take a course that has nothing to do with what I wanted. When I was in high school, my goal was to pursue mass communication in college. One day, I found myself enrolled in Electronics and Communications Engineering. But, it did not stop me from doing what I want. During my college days, I involved myself in our school newspaper and participated in journalism awards.
During my fourth year, The Manila Times got me in as a correspondent. When I was in my fifth year, the Office of the President in Malacañang Palace appointed me as technical assistant for youth affairs.
I’ve been in the same boat as yours. And trust me, if you’re serious enough to get what you’ve always wanted in your life, you can always get it. Did I become a full-pledge engineer? No. Am I happy with what I’m doing right now? Yes.
Many of us don’t understand the law of attraction. People must learn to find their passion first before they attract opportunities. That’s as simple as that. Staying in a job that you hate will only give you more headaches (and heartaches) along the way. It is not good for your company, for you and for every one.
I would suggest that you follow your passion. 95% of successful people are happy in what they’re doing. It’s because they are attracted with their passion.
It’s always easy to work on something you love doing. Though, it’s constantly hard to take the first step. Try reading the book “Alchemist” and you’ll understand more what I’m telling you.
Again, if you are looking for relevance, you must start taking a stand now. Getting what you want happens only when you start working for it. And by keeping an eye on your to-do lists, not long from now you’ll see the result of your decision.
And one more thing: Remember the law of a straight line. The shortest way between two distances is a straight line.
Don’t be distracted by the events and people around you. Look at your capacity to fulfill your dreams and constantly work for your qualifications. At the end of the day, it would be a question of how well did we do to realize what we’ve always wanted to have. While you still have time and energy, do it.
Your buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
Seeing the unseen
Dear Lloyd,
I’m a graduate of tourism and working in a travel agency for six years now. I don’t have any problem except that I think my superiors made an unfair decision in promoting the right people. I think I deserve the promotion more than any one else. I work hard and I am focused. My loyalty to the company is incomparable. I’m sick and tired of waiting. Will it be a good idea to quit?
Thanks in advance. It’s good to have this column.
Ana Marie Dionisio
Valenzuela City
Dear Ana Marie,
Until now, I still stand with the principle that “a quitter never succeeds.” At the onset, I must tell you that resignation won’t solve your problem. In fact when you resign, it could be a prelude to another problem. And unless you see the unseen and understand the bigger picture, you simply work outside the issue. It doesn’t make any sense.
Many of us are guilty of this sin. When we have questions, we try to look for answers. For me, it’s better to look for reasons rather than answers. Because when you find the reason, you automatically find the answer. Telling you “yes, it’s a good idea to quit” or otherwise is easy. And we’re frequently trapped to do the “easy” in lieu of the “must-do.” We usually choose the road less traveled.
I know it would be hard for you to accept the reality. But that’s how the system works. You must accept it before you can move. And so, you must deal with it. You can always choose to do the remarkable in any worst scenario, anyway. Remember that the only way to do great thing is to know what you are doing. So what if you don’t get promoted? Is it your loss? You may say it’s theirs. And partly, I would agree.
But life must always move on regardless of the result—tears or joy. You cannot change other people. So why spend time changing them? We have different perceptions and decisions that allow us to survive individually. That’s how we’re created. Allow me to share with you a short story.
She started reaping titles in beauty pageants since her high school days in St. Mary High in Pampanga. Her motivation of joining the competition came from the support of her inner circle (family and friends). With her personal desire, today, she has garnered three titles and one 1st runner-up.
In her recent chase of the crown, her attitude, values and philosophy reflected a winning response, perhaps the best among other equally qualified candidates. An image of a seemingly perfect nature, a waterfall in particular, gave her every reason to express herself and see the unseen. Her description of the image was simple. Nature is a premier creation, a blessing and a life. Given another chance to describe it, she could have seen moving water, like life, that continuous to flow regardless of rocks and boulders along the way.
What made her take the crown behind the winning answer? Well, I believe it’s her ability to see what is unseen to many and her determination to finish the race.
First lesson: Your case is a pageant to be won. But you must first see the unseen before you can do your homework accordingly. What you’re seeing right now is a failure. It’s depressing for sure. But you can always turn your down moment to something to your advantage. Failing to get your promotion is just a result.
If you fail, start over and over again until you make it. Charge this event to experience. Challenge yourself to become better. Never mind losing at some battles. Focus your energy on adding value to yourself. You see, life is not a competition. But there is a competition in it. When you compete, you must compete with yourself. That’s the best way to do it.
At 19, you might expect less from her. But mind you, she have already made some fashion shows and modeling. Steady on her decision to finish her studies and practice her profession after graduation, winning for her is a continuous process. The greatest symbol of being a winner is not the crown. It’s one’s self serving as an example for others to follow.
Second lesson: There are so many distractions that will test our attitude, values and personal philosophy. Never get distracted. Life is, most of the time, a matter of perception. How people see things separates the extraordinary the ordinary. There is this little “extra” that we must work on before it works for us. Persevere. You must become more so that you can do more and eventually have more.
From the start, she’s confident to best the contest. And she did a lot of preparations. After humbling the college-wide competition, she tried her luck in the university level and made it to the top. It was simple but not easy.
Third lesson: The thing is there is no shortcut. People who have reached the top have gone through the process. It’s a ladder thing. No successful person has been produced overnight. There’s always a time and space for everything, for us to think and reflect. And the fastest way to climb the ladder is to climb it with humility and faith.
Will it be a good idea to resign? Ask the woman behind the title of Ms. Centro Escolar University 2006 Christine Apple Macarubbo. She may give you more reasons why it will not be a good idea.
As for me, you can choose to resign and pursue a path that is easy without dealing the real problem or stay and live a life that is hard with a resolve to finish the puzzle. Trust me; either way is hard but only one will give you multiple rewards.
Your buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
I’m a graduate of tourism and working in a travel agency for six years now. I don’t have any problem except that I think my superiors made an unfair decision in promoting the right people. I think I deserve the promotion more than any one else. I work hard and I am focused. My loyalty to the company is incomparable. I’m sick and tired of waiting. Will it be a good idea to quit?
Thanks in advance. It’s good to have this column.
Ana Marie Dionisio
Valenzuela City
Dear Ana Marie,
Until now, I still stand with the principle that “a quitter never succeeds.” At the onset, I must tell you that resignation won’t solve your problem. In fact when you resign, it could be a prelude to another problem. And unless you see the unseen and understand the bigger picture, you simply work outside the issue. It doesn’t make any sense.
Many of us are guilty of this sin. When we have questions, we try to look for answers. For me, it’s better to look for reasons rather than answers. Because when you find the reason, you automatically find the answer. Telling you “yes, it’s a good idea to quit” or otherwise is easy. And we’re frequently trapped to do the “easy” in lieu of the “must-do.” We usually choose the road less traveled.
I know it would be hard for you to accept the reality. But that’s how the system works. You must accept it before you can move. And so, you must deal with it. You can always choose to do the remarkable in any worst scenario, anyway. Remember that the only way to do great thing is to know what you are doing. So what if you don’t get promoted? Is it your loss? You may say it’s theirs. And partly, I would agree.
But life must always move on regardless of the result—tears or joy. You cannot change other people. So why spend time changing them? We have different perceptions and decisions that allow us to survive individually. That’s how we’re created. Allow me to share with you a short story.
She started reaping titles in beauty pageants since her high school days in St. Mary High in Pampanga. Her motivation of joining the competition came from the support of her inner circle (family and friends). With her personal desire, today, she has garnered three titles and one 1st runner-up.
In her recent chase of the crown, her attitude, values and philosophy reflected a winning response, perhaps the best among other equally qualified candidates. An image of a seemingly perfect nature, a waterfall in particular, gave her every reason to express herself and see the unseen. Her description of the image was simple. Nature is a premier creation, a blessing and a life. Given another chance to describe it, she could have seen moving water, like life, that continuous to flow regardless of rocks and boulders along the way.
What made her take the crown behind the winning answer? Well, I believe it’s her ability to see what is unseen to many and her determination to finish the race.
First lesson: Your case is a pageant to be won. But you must first see the unseen before you can do your homework accordingly. What you’re seeing right now is a failure. It’s depressing for sure. But you can always turn your down moment to something to your advantage. Failing to get your promotion is just a result.
If you fail, start over and over again until you make it. Charge this event to experience. Challenge yourself to become better. Never mind losing at some battles. Focus your energy on adding value to yourself. You see, life is not a competition. But there is a competition in it. When you compete, you must compete with yourself. That’s the best way to do it.
At 19, you might expect less from her. But mind you, she have already made some fashion shows and modeling. Steady on her decision to finish her studies and practice her profession after graduation, winning for her is a continuous process. The greatest symbol of being a winner is not the crown. It’s one’s self serving as an example for others to follow.
Second lesson: There are so many distractions that will test our attitude, values and personal philosophy. Never get distracted. Life is, most of the time, a matter of perception. How people see things separates the extraordinary the ordinary. There is this little “extra” that we must work on before it works for us. Persevere. You must become more so that you can do more and eventually have more.
From the start, she’s confident to best the contest. And she did a lot of preparations. After humbling the college-wide competition, she tried her luck in the university level and made it to the top. It was simple but not easy.
Third lesson: The thing is there is no shortcut. People who have reached the top have gone through the process. It’s a ladder thing. No successful person has been produced overnight. There’s always a time and space for everything, for us to think and reflect. And the fastest way to climb the ladder is to climb it with humility and faith.
Will it be a good idea to resign? Ask the woman behind the title of Ms. Centro Escolar University 2006 Christine Apple Macarubbo. She may give you more reasons why it will not be a good idea.
As for me, you can choose to resign and pursue a path that is easy without dealing the real problem or stay and live a life that is hard with a resolve to finish the puzzle. Trust me; either way is hard but only one will give you multiple rewards.
Your buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
Don't love your work
Dear Lloyd,
Five years ago, I was promoted as a human resource manager. I served as a father of 200 employees in a garments company. I’m enjoying my work until now. However, I have a problem with some of my newly hired employees. They tend to resign after a month or two. I’m telling them to love their work and be more productive but it doesn’t make the situation any better. Where do you think the problem is?
More power to your column!
Alfred Rupert
Quezon City
Dear Alfred,
First, never think that you are the problem. It will only discourage you to focus on the solution. Second, you may want to look for the common denominators among those who have resigned. For sure, there is one collective reason why they got out. Figuring this out will give you a freehand and free mind to focus on strategies which will help you better understand people behavior and understanding.
Let me tell you what I’ve observed based on my personal experience in handling people.
I think there is a problem in the motivating factor. Many employees today don’t really know what they want. Only few have a clear goal in life. Some are frustrated that their education has nothing to do with their present job. Others just take the job because they have no choice at all. This is where the problem starts. And I bet it happens to other HR managers as well.
Here’s the key: Don’t love the work. Love the opportunity in it.
Infusing this philosophy to your employees will make them see the big picture on what ‘work’ is really all about. It’s sad to note that many people are too emotional in the workplace. We can’t blame them. We are a nation of confused workforce. What we do at home has a deep impact on what we do in our office. And we all know that this is not good for everybody.
Let me tell you why we don’t need to love our work. It’s because we must not treat our job as a work. We must see it as an opportunity. If we would love our work, the possibility of hating it is extensive. When an employee started to hate what he is doing, your team will surely fail to deliver the goods. This hatred eventually becomes a ground to quit the job, leave the company and explore other pasture.
On the other hand, if we teach our people to persevere and show them the opportunities ahead of them, then I think if would fuel them to be more, work more and achieve more. And this must be taught not during exit interviews. This must be included in your orientation programs. For your loyal employees, you can re-orient them. Please take note that in we need to unlearn so that we could learn again.
Here’s one story. When Michael Jordan was asked about his ‘work’ by a reporter in an ambush interview after his announcement to retire, Jordan made a very commendable response.
The reporter asked: “Sir, how do you feel now that you’re retiring from your work?” The NBA’s greatest icon answered: “What work? I’ve never worked in my entire life.”
This is the same motivation that we need to impart on our people. The value of working is in the love of opportunity where a job is not viewed as a job. Rather, it is seen as a chance to become better and show the world what more can be done.
Develop a forum for them where they can talk about their disgusts. Let them speak their thoughts. Encourage them to enjoy what they are doing and persuade them to do what’s best for their particular assignment. Establish a direct connection with them. And always keep your door open.
Let us change the mindset of our people. Living the work would only limit their creativity. Let us make the most out of the human resource that we have. Let’s help them exhibit and achieve their full potentials. Give them the value that they deserve. And make sure to give them a chance to picture a better future in your custody.
Now, who will resign with such motivation? Fortunately, I don’t hear one yet. That makes me think that this philosophy works.
Your buddy to the top,
Lloyd Luna
Five years ago, I was promoted as a human resource manager. I served as a father of 200 employees in a garments company. I’m enjoying my work until now. However, I have a problem with some of my newly hired employees. They tend to resign after a month or two. I’m telling them to love their work and be more productive but it doesn’t make the situation any better. Where do you think the problem is?
More power to your column!
Alfred Rupert
Quezon City
Dear Alfred,
First, never think that you are the problem. It will only discourage you to focus on the solution. Second, you may want to look for the common denominators among those who have resigned. For sure, there is one collective reason why they got out. Figuring this out will give you a freehand and free mind to focus on strategies which will help you better understand people behavior and understanding.
Let me tell you what I’ve observed based on my personal experience in handling people.
I think there is a problem in the motivating factor. Many employees today don’t really know what they want. Only few have a clear goal in life. Some are frustrated that their education has nothing to do with their present job. Others just take the job because they have no choice at all. This is where the problem starts. And I bet it happens to other HR managers as well.
Here’s the key: Don’t love the work. Love the opportunity in it.
Infusing this philosophy to your employees will make them see the big picture on what ‘work’ is really all about. It’s sad to note that many people are too emotional in the workplace. We can’t blame them. We are a nation of confused workforce. What we do at home has a deep impact on what we do in our office. And we all know that this is not good for everybody.
Let me tell you why we don’t need to love our work. It’s because we must not treat our job as a work. We must see it as an opportunity. If we would love our work, the possibility of hating it is extensive. When an employee started to hate what he is doing, your team will surely fail to deliver the goods. This hatred eventually becomes a ground to quit the job, leave the company and explore other pasture.
On the other hand, if we teach our people to persevere and show them the opportunities ahead of them, then I think if would fuel them to be more, work more and achieve more. And this must be taught not during exit interviews. This must be included in your orientation programs. For your loyal employees, you can re-orient them. Please take note that in we need to unlearn so that we could learn again.
Here’s one story. When Michael Jordan was asked about his ‘work’ by a reporter in an ambush interview after his announcement to retire, Jordan made a very commendable response.
The reporter asked: “Sir, how do you feel now that you’re retiring from your work?” The NBA’s greatest icon answered: “What work? I’ve never worked in my entire life.”
This is the same motivation that we need to impart on our people. The value of working is in the love of opportunity where a job is not viewed as a job. Rather, it is seen as a chance to become better and show the world what more can be done.
Develop a forum for them where they can talk about their disgusts. Let them speak their thoughts. Encourage them to enjoy what they are doing and persuade them to do what’s best for their particular assignment. Establish a direct connection with them. And always keep your door open.
Let us change the mindset of our people. Living the work would only limit their creativity. Let us make the most out of the human resource that we have. Let’s help them exhibit and achieve their full potentials. Give them the value that they deserve. And make sure to give them a chance to picture a better future in your custody.
Now, who will resign with such motivation? Fortunately, I don’t hear one yet. That makes me think that this philosophy works.
Your buddy to the top,
Lloyd Luna
Submit yourself to God
Dear Lloyd,
I am so confused on my career today. I have several offers but I am afraid to leave my current work. There are several things that bother me. For example, what if I don’t succeed if I explored another line of career. I wish to have some insights about changing a career, its upsides and downsides and the bottom line of choosing the best from several opportunities.
Thanks and more power!
Dina delos Reyes
Pandacan, Manila
WHEN I was born in May 1982, I was already employed and I started working. Until now, I still work. Despite running a business of my own right now, I realize that I am still an employee—and I have a Big Boss supervising all of my endeavors and itineraries. I am glad that despite the many times that I fail Him, he still keeps me in His Company.
My experience as a son, brother, youth leader, student, and entrepreneur is the most valuable wealth I have earned during the past 23 years of my life on earth. It all started when I discovered my purpose in life.
I am not a religious person. But I have always lived the life that I believe God has envisioned me to live, with all my strength and capacity. And I know that He would be happy if He sees me working for a godly life every day.
Thinking back, I could hardly count the many times He had walked with me, nor the many times when He carried me when I could no longer take my journey.
When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a priest. In fact, I became a member of the Knights of the Altar, or sacristan, in St. Didacus Cathedral in the province, and lived with the clergy for almost one year. I also joined the church choir and would eventually lead them in community singing as an organist.
But I didn’t become a priest.
Since I loved music so much, I also dreamed of becoming a professional musician. I even thought of enrolling in the Conservatory of Music of the University of Sto. Tomas, but my family couldn’t afford it. So I gave up my aspiration to become a professional musician, although at 5 p.m. every Sunday, I continued to play the organ for the Kandila Choir in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
But I didn’t become a full-fledged musician either.
When I finished high school, I took up Electronics and Communications Engineering. The course was tough. But I learned a lot from it. Right now, in fact, I am thinking of teaching part-time in PUP. But I’m still trying to see if I could find the time to do so.
But then I didn’t become an engineer.
These failures took me closer to God. And no matter how often I get away from Him, He gets to me and calls me to get back to Him. I knew I had the talent and skills to be a priest, to be a full-fledged musician, or to be an engineer. But my Boss didn’t allow me to be become any of them.
I surrendered and submitted myself—and all my aspirations—to God. But I didn’t leave the work to Him. I believe that God has already given all the things that mankind needs. He has already done his part. But I must say “man by nature will never be satisfied.”
One time, while reminiscing about all the things I didn’t become, I realized that they were not really meant for me. They were not things that I became truly passionate about. But when I became passionate in journalism, I became a journalist. When I became passionate in events organizing, I became an events consultant. When I became passionate in speaking, I became a motivational speaker. When I became passionate in writing, I became an author. And since I have been always dealing with the future, I became a futurist and strategist.
But many young people today don’t understand this. They are devoured by their own pride. They depend on their own strength. They lean on their own understanding. They trust their own money. They count on their friends. They count on what they see and what they know. They think it’s about them. Well, I say it’s about the One who created them.
The result of such an outlook is a total systems failure. When depressed, they resort to drugs. When broken-hearted, they fail in their subjects. When they fail their subjects, they don’t bother to get up and try to recover. In short, they choose to ruin their own future. They vainly try to repair the damage instead of preparing for so many other opportunities.
You have all the necessary tools to build a better future. You have the energy, the time, and the capacity to do so. But if you won’t acknowledge that there is Someone-Up-There who can hire and fire you any time of the day, it would take you a lifetime looking for a job and end up still looking and looking for it.
Buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
I am so confused on my career today. I have several offers but I am afraid to leave my current work. There are several things that bother me. For example, what if I don’t succeed if I explored another line of career. I wish to have some insights about changing a career, its upsides and downsides and the bottom line of choosing the best from several opportunities.
Thanks and more power!
Dina delos Reyes
Pandacan, Manila
WHEN I was born in May 1982, I was already employed and I started working. Until now, I still work. Despite running a business of my own right now, I realize that I am still an employee—and I have a Big Boss supervising all of my endeavors and itineraries. I am glad that despite the many times that I fail Him, he still keeps me in His Company.
My experience as a son, brother, youth leader, student, and entrepreneur is the most valuable wealth I have earned during the past 23 years of my life on earth. It all started when I discovered my purpose in life.
I am not a religious person. But I have always lived the life that I believe God has envisioned me to live, with all my strength and capacity. And I know that He would be happy if He sees me working for a godly life every day.
Thinking back, I could hardly count the many times He had walked with me, nor the many times when He carried me when I could no longer take my journey.
When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a priest. In fact, I became a member of the Knights of the Altar, or sacristan, in St. Didacus Cathedral in the province, and lived with the clergy for almost one year. I also joined the church choir and would eventually lead them in community singing as an organist.
But I didn’t become a priest.
Since I loved music so much, I also dreamed of becoming a professional musician. I even thought of enrolling in the Conservatory of Music of the University of Sto. Tomas, but my family couldn’t afford it. So I gave up my aspiration to become a professional musician, although at 5 p.m. every Sunday, I continued to play the organ for the Kandila Choir in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
But I didn’t become a full-fledged musician either.
When I finished high school, I took up Electronics and Communications Engineering. The course was tough. But I learned a lot from it. Right now, in fact, I am thinking of teaching part-time in PUP. But I’m still trying to see if I could find the time to do so.
But then I didn’t become an engineer.
These failures took me closer to God. And no matter how often I get away from Him, He gets to me and calls me to get back to Him. I knew I had the talent and skills to be a priest, to be a full-fledged musician, or to be an engineer. But my Boss didn’t allow me to be become any of them.
I surrendered and submitted myself—and all my aspirations—to God. But I didn’t leave the work to Him. I believe that God has already given all the things that mankind needs. He has already done his part. But I must say “man by nature will never be satisfied.”
One time, while reminiscing about all the things I didn’t become, I realized that they were not really meant for me. They were not things that I became truly passionate about. But when I became passionate in journalism, I became a journalist. When I became passionate in events organizing, I became an events consultant. When I became passionate in speaking, I became a motivational speaker. When I became passionate in writing, I became an author. And since I have been always dealing with the future, I became a futurist and strategist.
But many young people today don’t understand this. They are devoured by their own pride. They depend on their own strength. They lean on their own understanding. They trust their own money. They count on their friends. They count on what they see and what they know. They think it’s about them. Well, I say it’s about the One who created them.
The result of such an outlook is a total systems failure. When depressed, they resort to drugs. When broken-hearted, they fail in their subjects. When they fail their subjects, they don’t bother to get up and try to recover. In short, they choose to ruin their own future. They vainly try to repair the damage instead of preparing for so many other opportunities.
You have all the necessary tools to build a better future. You have the energy, the time, and the capacity to do so. But if you won’t acknowledge that there is Someone-Up-There who can hire and fire you any time of the day, it would take you a lifetime looking for a job and end up still looking and looking for it.
Buddy to the top,
LLOYD A. LUNA
Looking back
Dear Lloyd,
Hi there. I’m a call center agent for one year now and I’m torn between quitting and staying. I don’t think I still enjoy my work. On the other hand, I’m afraid I won’t get a job with the same pay as I get here if I quit. Since I’m the breadwinner, I believe it will affect my family. What do you think is the best thing to do?
Thanks.
Grazelle
Dear Grazelle,
Let me begin by saying that you are in a deciding point, which you haven’t anticipated coming shortly. And making a decision, in this case, is very crucial. You see, many people exert most of their efforts in solving problems. For me, problem is more manageable when you see it coming. If you find it hard to solve a problem, then you must prevent something from being a problem.
You can quit your job anytime you wish. But I won’t encourage you to do that as of the moment. Not, unless you are courageous and confident enough to survive the jungle out-there. Or, if you have enough savings to finance your daily needs in two to three months. That is, of course, if you have considered ‘savings’ in your budget for the past twelve months.
As I see it, your problem is simply a product of small mistakes you have made in the past and decisions you have mismanaged. But let’s try not to dwell on what happened. Though, we must learn from it. Ask yourself two questions: First, what was your motivation in accepting such job? Second, are you emotionally and financially ready to quit? Many times, we decide on top of our emotion. It doesn’t work that way. Be intellectual, not emotional, in making a decision.
If your motivation is money, I think you’ve got a wrong motivation. You must be motivated by your passion, quality performance and commitment to your job. The emotion of money is dependent on quality performance.
If your motivation is your need, you’ve got a wrong motivation again. You must be motivated by your skills before your need. Your decision to stay because you need it, not because you are skilled and passionate about it, will only take you nowhere. Your skills will automatically fulfill your needs.
Let me tell you a story that illustrates the importance of decision-making and long-term thinking.
At 17, he went to Reed College. His parents spent all their hard-earned money to finance his education. However, he couldn’t see the value of what he was doing. He had no idea of what he wanted to do with his life. Worse, he had perfectly no idea if college education was going to help him figure it out.
Six months after, he decided to drop out and trust that everything would just be fine, though he dropped in for some subjects that still interest him.
He didn’t have any dorm room so he slept on the floor of his friends’ room, returned coke bottles for 5 cents deposits to buy food and walked seven miles across town every Sunday to get at least one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. Reed College offered the best calligraphy instruction that time. And so he took it without realizing its worth in the future.
Ten years later, when they were designing a machine, now called computer, it all flashed back. And the product was the first computer with a beautiful calligraphy.
If he didn’t drop in to take the calligraphy classes, he wouldn’t have created a product with such wonder.
The man is Steve Jobs, the founder and CEO of Apple Computer and Pixar Animation Studios.
You cannot connect the dots in your life looking forward. You can connect the dots looking backwards. Look back. Reflect. Think long-term. Think bigger. Keep your options open. It’s better to have many options than none.
Lastly, you must trust that your dots today, what you do today and what you have today somehow connect with your future.
Buddy to success,
LLOYD A. LUNA
Hi there. I’m a call center agent for one year now and I’m torn between quitting and staying. I don’t think I still enjoy my work. On the other hand, I’m afraid I won’t get a job with the same pay as I get here if I quit. Since I’m the breadwinner, I believe it will affect my family. What do you think is the best thing to do?
Thanks.
Grazelle
Dear Grazelle,
Let me begin by saying that you are in a deciding point, which you haven’t anticipated coming shortly. And making a decision, in this case, is very crucial. You see, many people exert most of their efforts in solving problems. For me, problem is more manageable when you see it coming. If you find it hard to solve a problem, then you must prevent something from being a problem.
You can quit your job anytime you wish. But I won’t encourage you to do that as of the moment. Not, unless you are courageous and confident enough to survive the jungle out-there. Or, if you have enough savings to finance your daily needs in two to three months. That is, of course, if you have considered ‘savings’ in your budget for the past twelve months.
As I see it, your problem is simply a product of small mistakes you have made in the past and decisions you have mismanaged. But let’s try not to dwell on what happened. Though, we must learn from it. Ask yourself two questions: First, what was your motivation in accepting such job? Second, are you emotionally and financially ready to quit? Many times, we decide on top of our emotion. It doesn’t work that way. Be intellectual, not emotional, in making a decision.
If your motivation is money, I think you’ve got a wrong motivation. You must be motivated by your passion, quality performance and commitment to your job. The emotion of money is dependent on quality performance.
If your motivation is your need, you’ve got a wrong motivation again. You must be motivated by your skills before your need. Your decision to stay because you need it, not because you are skilled and passionate about it, will only take you nowhere. Your skills will automatically fulfill your needs.
Let me tell you a story that illustrates the importance of decision-making and long-term thinking.
At 17, he went to Reed College. His parents spent all their hard-earned money to finance his education. However, he couldn’t see the value of what he was doing. He had no idea of what he wanted to do with his life. Worse, he had perfectly no idea if college education was going to help him figure it out.
Six months after, he decided to drop out and trust that everything would just be fine, though he dropped in for some subjects that still interest him.
He didn’t have any dorm room so he slept on the floor of his friends’ room, returned coke bottles for 5 cents deposits to buy food and walked seven miles across town every Sunday to get at least one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. Reed College offered the best calligraphy instruction that time. And so he took it without realizing its worth in the future.
Ten years later, when they were designing a machine, now called computer, it all flashed back. And the product was the first computer with a beautiful calligraphy.
If he didn’t drop in to take the calligraphy classes, he wouldn’t have created a product with such wonder.
The man is Steve Jobs, the founder and CEO of Apple Computer and Pixar Animation Studios.
You cannot connect the dots in your life looking forward. You can connect the dots looking backwards. Look back. Reflect. Think long-term. Think bigger. Keep your options open. It’s better to have many options than none.
Lastly, you must trust that your dots today, what you do today and what you have today somehow connect with your future.
Buddy to success,
LLOYD A. LUNA
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