8 then 7 Days Left - The Irony of Financial Security

Isn't it ironic that when you mention financial security - meaning safe from any unexpected financial challenges - the term is associated with this image???

 Chained. Locked. Imprisoned.

I'm quite troubled to discover that I do not have enough savings for emergencies. In other words, I begin to question my financial security.

My mother had a very painstaking, highly technical and complex major surgery lately - ingrown removal. At first we thought it was just another "here-we-go-again-ingrown" problem but things got worst when her big toe started to swell badly, with flesh and liquids oozing out, plus the pain went up a notch. So we decided that this ain't just another ingrown and consulted for surgery.We estimated that all bills including surgeons fee for this operation would be around 10k. Good thing she is covered by my insurance issued by our company.

While talking things out with the whole family, everyone was just glad of the insurance. Who would have expected the turn of such events? However, thinking of it all, I came to realize that insurance or security at times matter a lot. In our company, I have a personal insurance, my dependents insurance, and I can even loan. And this thought struck my plans of resigning...my dream freedom. 

For 2 years of work, I'm not that confident of my savings. My only savings was from my Prulife Investment of which I only started last April and I cannot withdraw it yet until I get 5 years. The rest are just a bunch of coins, a few bills, and GC stuck in my piggy bank. So might as well declare savings = zero. 


Normally, looking at this situation I would dwell on the thought of continue moving on, believing in miracles and entrusting it all to God. However, I should also do my part. With no back-up emergency money and the fact of these inevitable things that can happen, leads me to think, maybe I should stick with the company for a while 'til I become confident on my savings...

I just realized, while typing this that I'm just too afraid that in a little time I'll be offered a promotion to a position of which if I take would mean heavier responsibilities and make it harder for me to resign.

Whew!

Well, summing it up, I still need to move on and I'll just have to. I'll continue doing on what I love as I have found out in this challenge and I'll worry that promotion when it's all in front of me. I'll make a way to earn more and fill that savings, as the saying goes...

"I'll cross the bridge when I get there..."

9 Days Left - My Very Own Website

With only 9 days left, I finally have my own website...
Great Inspirational Stories

well, just my own domain of my blog inzpiro. hehehehe...
Check it out...

I finally got it through the wonderful support of my two beloved aunties - ate kathy and ate charlotte for their generous donation that paid for the domain. And of course, Jan's internet prowess for teaching me how to set it up - check out his site to earn money online.

In here you find great inspirational materials from stories, videos, talks of motivational speakers, e-books, filipino inspirational materials, and a whole lot more.

This will be my mini library or resource as I venture out preaching and boosting my career as a motivational speaker.

And of course, monetizing this site would also be part. I still have to review the keyword phrases here, set up affiliate products from clickbank and from amazon.

But who would have thought I would end up with this?

10 days Left - Mastering the Art of Selling

There's no other way but to sell!

I was asked by a good friend of mine to help her out on training her sales people, being part of jewelry merchandising, on one big topic: selling. Fortunately, at the time she approached me I was reading Zig Ziglar's book, "The Secrets of Closing the Sale." And so without hesitation I jumped in and said yes, I will make the module, and yes, I will give the seminar.

But then, I asked myself, will they believe in me? I am about to teach people who have been in the selling profession for decades and I have just jumped in 8 months ago. And mostly, my job is managing and working out strategies to make the departments more effective, its not my main job to talk to people, persuade, and close a sale. I do assist some though, but I'm more of a problem solver! And so, I have no choice....

There's no other way but to sell!

And so I took the challenge, and will sell the most difficult to sell items on my floor: the very expensive Chinese Figurine Porcelains! I've done my research already, googled all about feng shui, but still will go dumb when customers ask me the translations! So far, I have sold none, and the chances of selling are quite blurry noticing that only about 1 customer a day dares to take a look at those items. And so I devised a different strategy.

This time, I will do something I'm very good at: training people. And so I decided to train one of my furniture personnel, the one with the longest tenure among the rest, Renan.

One our first day, after an hour of questioning, lecture, and observation, by the end of our shift he had sold around Php 60,495. The following day, at Php 44,505. Far from his last week sales of Php 3k, 7k, and the highest of Php17k. How?

Figure out his passion.

I was really delighted that it was selling.

"Sell not because its your work, but sell because you love to sell."

Which he optimistically absorbed.

"Sell not because its your quota, but sell because you want to help people."

I always believe that starting with the right mindset and perspective, the best foundation on selling, sales quota will follow.

You see? These things are only found on the first chapters of the book, what more if I reach the later chapters?

12 then 11 days Left - The Ocean of Miracles

With my previous post on opportunities collide you might see how things have been over and above me lately. How on earth will I manage to do all those??

Yes, I mention to do it stage by stage right? Exactly. But then again, how will I do it stage by stage? What next? Which one first? How about all the obstacles?


One Word: 

Miracles

I have a confession to make. Yep, I was a seminarian for over 6 years and honestly, it came to a point that I became so used to all the spirituality thingy that I became so immune. Maybe because I was too influenced by my being a psychology major that my spirituality rating dropped. Prayed a lot less, slept during the mass, and talked more of religion less.

At lost, that's when I found the teaching of Bo Sanchez. He taught me how to be spiritual in a material world by being simply being practical. Yup, its very possible to be close to God by not praying too much and too long and not overly talking about religion and the bible.

Yet, again Bo has enlightened me big time when I read his article You Are Surrounded By and Ocean of Miracles - the clear point: do what you have to do and God will do the rest. Simple.

I am a worrier, that's for sure. I was used to tell people that I was born pessimist. I worry about things going wrong. But however, in this 90 day challenge, I have learned to soften up and take big risks. But still the burden of a "what if" future worries me a lot especially that I have taken so much opportunities now. And so all the "how" and "what ifs" starts to drive me crazy. But now, here's my answer...

"Just do what I am supposed to do everyday, stage by stage, then God will do the rest."

Let me share you one miracle:

I read Bo's article exactly at the right time when I needed it most.

14 then 13 Days Left - When Opportunities Collide

Is it me attracting this wave of opportunities or is it because I have just been so blind before?

Opportunities have been slapping at me hard lately, lots of them!

From the rise of The Business Incubators with all its marketing opportunities waiting to be picked from three major clients, my soon to launch online business with my new partner Joanna, the release of the new set of Tapout shirts following the Xsem Shirts, the gig - or shall I say talk - waiting to be signed up by me, the Millionaire Stories ebook waiting to be worked on, the Way of the Shepherd waiting to be ministered, the Sales Seminar I am cramming up to write, my team members to be trained, people in need willing to be mentored, the Kerygma Feast that keeps my fingers itchy to play the guitar, the houses that need to be assessed then bought, my mom's cooking business that needs to be marketed and the construction/engineering services of my father that needs to be profiled then marketed....waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh...

But I was consoled hearing the words of Kuya...
take it stage by stage...

Life has never been this better.

18 then 15 days Left - The Eulogy That was Never Given

My grandmother, Mama Ling, finally arrived here in Cebu for she wished that here should be her final resting place. So for the past 3 days we held a wake in our chapel where I slept over for the night thinking that for the last time I am able to sleep near her for she used to sleep beside me all my elementary days.

I was asked to deliver a eulogy on the day of our funeral but however the ceremony was continuous that I never got the chance to give it. So might as well share it here...

The 8 Lessons I Learned from the Best Grandmother in the World: Mama Ling

1. Love Your Dogs

Of all the people in the house, its only Mama Ling who gives great attention to our dogs especially Keisha our "outdoor" poodle. She was the only one who remembered to give great care to Kiesha, giving her bathes and comb, for the wonderful years of service in our family. I'm sure our Lord also would grant Mama Ling the goodness of eternal life after how she had served Him through serving her family.

2. Never Settle for Less
Mama Ling together with Papa Mimi has lived in the US for quite some time already. And so they often send us "balikbayan boxes" or stuffs to her families here in the Philippines including my relatives. And Mama Ling is always the one looking for NEW things for us. She would often us ask us what's new or what's in and she would do her best to provide us with that without us having to ask. She always sees to it that we, our families and relatives, deserve more. Improve and improve never settle for less.

3. Exercise! Take Good Care of Your Health

No one beats how mindful Mama Ling is to everybody's health even she is thousands of miles away from us. She always reminds us to take good care of our health. Telling my mother to pick the right kind of food, my father to get a move on and exercise, and for my sister to eat..a lot!

Why give so much concern of health?

The one thing I still cannot comprehend was the fact that My Mama Ling suffered and died from a sickness she didn't do to herself. She had a rare hereditary cyst on her kidney that made it malfunction so she has to go on dialysis 3 times a week for the past 4 years. So for 4 years, 3 times a week, a long and thick needle is being plunged to her arm left and right or to any part of the body with a good vain for her dialysis.

And about 2 years ago cancer cells were found in her lungs that was described to be caused by too much exposure to firecracker powder around their place during her younger years. So she had to undergo a painful chemotherapy through a tablet that would often bring her nausea, sleeplessness, heaviness, skin irritation, and hard breathing.

You cannot just imagine her suffering! Unlike most of us where we get sick due to unhealthy habits hers was something she was innocent of. And she does not deserve it!!! The only gratitude I could get from this was that she shared a similar suffering with our Lord. "Thy will be done."

4. Never Ever Give Up!

All her colorful and dozens of medications, the unwarned strikes of her sicknesses had never stopped Mama Ling. The only complain we heard from her was that she was already so tired but she never gave up. She could have had given up easily, stop helping herself, but she chose not to. Why?

5. Have Powerful Goals

Studies show that most elderly people tend not to look to the future, there is nothing to look forward to. But Mama Ling was different. She always has something to look forward to and hers was to come back to the Philippines and attend the college graduation of my sister next March 2011. This is very rare for a dying person, but this thought helped her survive. She had to carry the weight of the suffering, she has to fight a losing battle so she can spare some money to send for my sister's schooling. Her goals was simple but that kept her forward...on and on and on.

6. In the End, it's Always the Family that Matters

All her life, Mama Ling lived it all for her family. If there is one word above "mother" then she would be it. No person had showed me the value and importance of a family. Normally, at the later years, people would often sit back relax and enjoy their retirement but Mama Ling was the opposite she chose to continue serving her family while suffering silently her sickness. She might have not became successful in a career or in wealth but her true wealth was found in the family she had brought up through the years. The success of us all in our different fields was all because of one loving mother who never failed us once.

7. Love 'till It Hurts No More

Now the hurt is gone and Mama Ling found her peace.

Mama Ling loved us all and showed it to us even as our distance hurts her so much and more the pain she carried in her sicknesses. No distance can stop her love, no cancer can stop her love, no problem can stop her love, and no pain can stop her love. She has transformed the most painful of all innocent sufferings into the most wonderful form of love. Mama Ling has loved us all...day by day...year after year...till it hurts no more.

------

I promise to live by these lessons.
And live my dream sharing her story.

20 then 19 Days Left - Stop Pursuing Succes, Attract Success!

Attracting Success!!

The past 2 days has been quite fast, jam packed and oh so inspiring! Just a little flashback...

I told you about my boss whom I'm helping out to sort things out on how she manages people, well we can't see change right that instant. But you know what keeps me going is the fact that she's very much interested on learning especially from the book , The Way of the Shepherd. And I am happy with that! I'm excited when she reaches the crucial part on dealing with difficult sheeps and leaving a mark on your sheep.

Speaking about that leaving a mark. I am currently coaching one department supervisor I have whom I am eying to be my successor. My main goal is to have as many duplicates as I can in the company. And one of our latest lessons is "How to Leave a Mark to Your People." She is a leader that gives a damn about her people and that's what I like about her. My other supervisors do but she has this deep level of connection to her team. So our aim is to make it official that she be branded as the supervisor who looks after each and every one of her members...deeply.


So for the first time in years, I asked her to call out each of her member one by one and drown them with compliments and positive feedback. The results are amazing. Never had she been so fulfilled, her people felt elated, and she never thought she would hear good things from them. It's that simple. Now, trust is built, morale soars high, sales will follow! hahaha!

By the way, around 80% of them during their interview asked her, "Natakdan na kang Sir Hanz Ms.?" "Has Sir Hanz got in to you Ms.?"

Absolutely. That's my mark.

And about a friend who asked help on her career through YM, she's now back on track. We have been exchanging emails helping her sort and weigh options before she decides. I helped her open her eyes of what she found herself in to, and lift her from the unnecessary pressures of family and people. Because in the end, its all about her. There's nothing wrong with having 3 jobs in 2 years! That means she is searching, and she's different from stubborn people stuck in companies they hate for the rest of their lives! Seek and you shall find!

And so, I pointed out to her that this is the best time to fix everything, know her goals, her purpose and which path to take. And she's doing her homework just fine!

Also this afternoon, it's official that I'm mentoring another supervisor of our company. After lending her the book 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich she wants to do something next but don't know how. And that's what we're doing now.

I'm just wowed by her interest she really spent time to look for me in my area. You could see that need in a person by looking at her eyes, and she needs help. And I'll do all my best to help her out!

Our main goal first is to improve her self-confidence as she wished and level up her leadership skills. Actually we can do those 2 together. My first assignment for her is to get to know her team one by one - Know Your Sheep. And my second one is that she should read books - feed her mind with the wisdom of the world. I'll surely keep you posted on this.

By the way, she has became my business partner too! She agreed that she'd work on as researcher for my pending ebook - Stories Millionaires Read. I just love how God works magically!

Another magical thing! My aunt is now in the Philippines, with the wake of my grandmother, and you know what, she's now my business partner! What? Real Estate!!!

Her story runs great with her success in real estate 3 years ago. How? Self help. She was only reading books and attending seminars about it. This was also one reason everything flunked when the US had economic crises around 2008 where she lost "Dong, you cannot imagine how much". I told her, "Te, one lesson learned is to have a team or a mentor in business venture." If only someone had told her! She said, "I was just too late to learn." But I blurted out, "No, you were a year early!" 

We promised to talk more about it some time after the wake. But our set-up would be she'd help me out investing here in the Philippines. I can't believe how magical God's Universe is when I attract things!

All of these things are manifestations how God and His universe would conspire to help us if we help ourselves by helping others.  People who need help and guidance come to me, and people whom I need help and guidance come to me as well! This is because I am in focus, I have a goal, I have a team, I have a mission, I have a dream, and its God's dream too, and He will in all His power help me Get it!

21 Days Left - Busy Inspiring People and It's Magical!

I cannot write a full length post right now, I'm helping a friend decide and take on the next step in her career....through ym.

I cannot believe this, why?

Because I am attracting people who's been struggling deep inside for days trying to figure out their lives doing something they don't love. And vwahlah, God has this mysterious power of putting people in need right in my way. Like with my friend now, she was happy that she sent me simple, "musta hanz!?" and I shared to her what she needs, she got more than enough! The same with the test facilitator, and my manager - made the impossible possible! God too has this way of putting people to help me, like Kuya Anthony, how I stumbled on Jim Rohn's talks, and Gary's Do What You Love video. 

It's magical!

22 Days Left - Making the Impossible, Possible

One of the best life discovery is when you realize that the seemingly impossible, is really possible.

That's what happened.

I never thought God would give me an opportunity to take on the-most-feared-strong-despised-blamed-tiger-but-people-never-knew-they-were-wrong manager of our company. At her discouraging time, God invited me, "Hanz, this is your time, inspire her, let me do my work through you!"

I did hesitate. At first I was afraid, I was petrified. (lyrics?) It's like trying to motivate a wall to move. But hey, I won't lose anything. And so what I did, I barged into their conversation as she was trying to express her dismay and simply offered her to read the book "The Way of The Shepherd". And I was amazed that she accepted it.

You see. When I started working there, I was at times disappointed of how she manages things. It was like trying to make life miserable for us. She was this type who really sticked to the rules, no matter what! She also has this look - the same look I have that made one applicant exclaimed at me, "Sir, hadlok jud ko nimo.", "Sir, I'm really afraid of you."

But being my immediate superior, as I get to spend more time with her than any other supervisor of my level, I came to understand her thinking and her ways. Her weakness that drove people nuts was also her strength that made her good on her job.

We continued with our conversation. She finally exclaimed that she would resign. I offered her the book with the goal in mind that if only she would combine her way of strict monitoring and the principles of leadership found in the book she will become one great leader.

I also found out that one of her "loves" was to audit! No wonder! I asked her as an assignment to figure out her loves - core gifts and figure out too her goals - in detail. I explained that this is the first step we should do before just exclaiming to resign.

I can't wait to get back to her answers. I'll be texting her Feel Great qoutes too. I also challenged her to finish the book in one sitting. I can't wait.

By the way, you know what was the seemingly impossible that became possible? She called out...
"Hanz, my new advisor"

23 Days Left - The Most Powerful Question

I had one of the most powerful days of my life after hearing a powerful inspiring story and powerfully inspiring three people with that story and it powerfully changed their lives at that instant and with the help of this powerful gripping question...

What if this is your last day on earth? What will you do?

Powerful right?

The story was that of Kuya Anthony Dy, one of the lives we'd include in our upcoming best-selling book, who was a tangled up in serious drug addiction for 8 years and now is a man with a powerful mission of helping out the less fortunate. And that was the same question he asked himself that lead him to have a great dream aligned to God's dream.

After our interview, I was literally pumped up that I shared that same question and a background of the man behind that question to two of my teamleaders during lunch. Typically, their answer would be...

"Spend time with my family and arranged things before I depart"

But I sprang back,

"Yeah Yeah, but you see, that would only take, say 2 hours of your time, what would you do in the next 22 hours?"

Silence. A looooooooooooooooong silence. "Tell me when you will have your answer."

"Sure sir, we'll get back to you when we'll have an answer."

Later that afternoon, I was asked to take an IQ exam as a requirement for promotion. I was really planning to fail it, promotion was an option I wouldn't consider yet. However, I decided to just enjoy it learning from my race story, but I ended up inspiring the test facilitator with her exclamation of "Kuya, I will resign!"

How?

With that powerful question.

What if this is your last day on earth? What will you do?

Plus, with Gary Vaynerchuk's powerful "There is no reason to do sh*t you hate" and do what you love and living your dream, Jim Rohn's increasing your market value, and my version of it - out of the rat race. My aim was to present to her that she is MORE than she think she could be. That simple. But in the end, it's all up to her.


I was really fulfilled but my rat-race job stopped me because I still need to make some rat-race reports. However, at the back of my head leaving the exam room I asked myself...

"What if this is my last day on earth? What will my do?

"Doing just that."

24 Days Left - I Wish Everyday is My Day Off

There's always that sense of fulfillment I get in my day-off. There's no more wonderful thing than being able to work hard on myself than on my job! Where at the end of the day, your productivity goes back to you. That's what life ought to be right?

Aside from finishing all the layout of the proposed designs for the feel great shirts, worked on the stories for the best-selling book, and finalized for a new small biusiness I'm working out right now, here's one remarkable thing that happened - and it has something to do with my parents.

I realized, that if only I get to spend enough time with them I can guide them or help them out of this hole they got themselves into.

I spent the whole morning at home and both of them are pretty busy with all the preparations for my grandmothers burial and I was able to witness how their typical day would be. And so I striked at every chance I could get to strike at them!

Strike 1. They had petty quarrels over money. 

My father has this inclination of seeking out fast solutions to problems without thinking harder, plus added with a louder voice and irritation, they would have petty quarrels with my mother. Often my mom - afraid of his high blood pressure - conceded and there goes money not spent smartly. And so what I did was to interrupt their argument showed them a good solution that shut them up looking at each other.

Strike 2. My Mom's Mistake

My mother has this tendency to be quite extra talkative especially in relaying information. Well, we had this history with misunderstandings with our relatives - unfortunately, they often see us wrong. And so I took the chance to tell her straight that she should be careful in "adding colors" into information. Tendency is your "blue" might not be the "blue" of the one your relaying information to. I told her to stick with the details - the details the other party needs. And she too must be careful to whom she's talking to with colors because people have this great talent to do wonderful masterpieces from only one information.

Strike 3. Techniques and Strategies

There has been a lot of challenges in the preparations for the burial especially with the life plan and the providing funeral service. It's pretty obvious they're making more money with our loss and we just want to have a fair share on this. And so while on the phone negotiating I showed my parents what words can they use - number figures, "You are the only one who can help us" expectation technique, and offering win-win deals - to catch favor from the other side. And yup, it worked just fine!

This made me want to resign even more! Hahaha!

If only I could be with them more, we could really work bigger things out. This is such a motivating experience. I realized my parents have hope! They can get out of this hole and they just need some guidance - tough guidance. If I was able to inspire other people and move them to action,  
why not with my parents?

25 Days Left - The BIG Dilemma

"I am dying to resign!!!"

I cannot contain the opportunities that lay in front of me lately these days. The turn of events within the last days of the 90-day challenge have opened promising doors ahead and I so want to step my foot in all of them. Finally I would be out of the rat race, BUT there is a very big BUT! I still do not have enough financial stability to support my family. You see, I'm the only income earner in the family. So I'm in a pretty deep dilemma lately.

Just last night, I stumbled on this powerful, rocking video of Gary Vaynerchuk: Do What You Love (No Excuses!). Here it is:



And you know what? this video sorted out things in my head. Here are my insights:

There is no reason to do sh*t you hate

Exactly. Hear Hear. This is why I won't resign just yet. Yep, I love my work, I just hate the fact that I'm working for somebody else!! I know, I'll be missing a lot of opportunities while I'm working there. If you could only see the mess on my to-do list in this laptop's sticky notes. With the book, businesses, LOJ, my internet plans, and all its waaaay to tempting to get out. But, like what I've posted, I'm exploiting my work to train myself to become a motivational speaker and coach. (I recently discovered how my writing skills have improved, never did anyone refused on my proposal letters lately!)

You need to hustle!

However, a few seconds ago, I made a decision to do double time on this. I have to learn as fast as I can on all these. My major project is to duplicate myself in the workplace, nurture leaders with my mindset, just by then will I resign. And because of this...

Legacy is greater than currency

This is what I am mainly after-my core desire. Duplicate. Leave a mark on all my team members. A name for myself. 

But thinking practically, how could I support my family if I cut off my income, as what Gary said..

You don't get money for doing what you love...I lost a sh*tload of money for doing what I love

He maybe right, but with the us GEMs - Group of Enlightened Millionaires - we'll prove him wrong. At this stage of my life he may be right, but as you can see, he said something that encourages me...

Patience...Small niches...can grow Crazy...if he's patient enough.. he's gonna be huge!

I know I'm gonna be huge. I'm sure about that! I may only have a handful of fans, but they're my fans now.  I just need to tell myself over and over again, if I'll focus on earning fast cash to make my exit out of the rat race, I might just lose the cash fast! I haven't even fully established my millionaire mind as shown in my attitude during the night race, see?

All I need to do right now is do small but powerful steps one at a time in this journey. 

And still enjoying every step of it.

26 Days Left - I Ran 10K for About an Hour and I Messed Up!

Honestly, I was so hesitant to run the Energizer Night Race after what loss had come into our family with Mama Ling gone. But I asked myself, if Mama Ling is to be asked he'd surely want me to run. I know how much she wanted me to "exercise" after seeing how big I have become since she came last January. Too bad, she'd didn't have the chance to see how much I have improved with my body.

And so I moved forward and join the race - to conquer myself, overcome my grief and celebrate life!

With me were Jan, Kuya, and Kuya Lee and it was one amazing experience! Whew!We registered with the 10 kilometer ran for it was only the last slot available aside from the 3k and 5k. And it was so worth it, aside from the free head lights from energizer. Cool!

So fast forward, yup I finished the raise in about an hour something. I wasn't able to see the clock for I was eyeing the finish line! I was ahead of  the three with Kuya Lee following me, and Kuya then Jan.

So where did I mess up????

It was when Kuya asked us two questions.

Did you enjoy the race?

Ummmmm...I finished the race...hihihihi

Did you have any new bright ideas?

Ummmmmm...10..9..8..(smile)..4..3..2..1

This was where I messed up.

Life is not all about finishing the race, it's about enjoying the race!

And so I realized how the REAL (and at this moment- the now OLD) Hanz took auto-pilot during the race. My basic instinct towards things like this was to finish it to the best I can no matter what! For me it was a competition. Tell you, I never stopped nor slowed down during the entire race. I didn't stop because I know I would be very tired if I stopped or slowed down. I was only looking forward to finishing the race. And nothing else. While I was running I was really able to remember Paulo Coelho's story in the book The Alchemist,

“The Secret of Happiness lies in looking at all the wonders of the world and never forgetting the two drops of oil in the spoon.”

Read the full story here.

This "instict" of mine was deeply rooted in my academe world, purely motivated to be on top. I was like a horse in a calesa, or a typical rat-race employee who does only what he's told to do. All the time, in running, my goal was to simply finish the race without stopping. And so when I finished the race, I felt the same feeling I got during graduation,  
" Oh yes, you finished the race, so what?"

And upon realizing this I begin to smile. Yup, I messed up a race, but I learned one lung-tearing-knee-binding-foot-killing life experience I will never learn anywhere else...

Life is not all about finishing the race, it's about enjoying the race!

NB. You know how Jan and Kuya enjoyed the race? They had fun every step of the way, interviewing racers, Jan endorsing out names, Hurling URLS, looking for gorgeously inspiring racers, speeding up then walking, eating snickers, and came up with one BIG idea they haven't told me yet! Now that's the REAL race!

27 Days Left - My Grief

July 8, 2010 my dearest grandmother, Mama Ling, passed away. I have a lot of things going on my head, and I am grieving so badly. This is the first time in my life someone so close to me has passed away. I want to write something about her, but I will not for now...I still don't have the strength, I couldn't stop the tears...but soon I will tell the world how that one person made my life...It's story everybody should know...

28 Days Left - Making a Name for Myself

So what's up with making a name for myself?

A LOT!

As what I have said, I have turned my rat-race job into a training ground where I can fully develop my leadership skills, especially on coaching and preaching. So my major project lately was to empower my team of supervisors and team leaders all they have to know about handling the team - without me. (Begin with the end in mind! Right? Hehehe)

So I barged them these weeks with a series of trainings.

One project I had was to empower all team leaders with my First 20 Days program. This was coined with our new president's First 100 days. So they would have to come up and implement programs in their sections in the aspects of merchandise, display, and manpower. In other words, give them the freedom to do anything the can to help improve the department of course with my guidance.

Aside from this, I have officially opened up to all leaders that I am an open source. This would formally crash out their "fear" of going near me. (This has been a long issue since I was in college, people are afraid to come near me because they get this dead-serious-nerd-hunk look from me, of which is plainly wrong, right? ) I really made it clear to them that being an open source, they can come straight at me anytime and ask for help.

I also do increased the number of personnel I coach on sales, leadership, and time management. Even before, I used to seriously coach at least one personnel in 2 weeks, why not all at the same time? So I'm increasing my load up.

I'm also doing a series of what I call "friendly talk" to some key personnel of my floor. Most especially those whom we label, "Attitude Problem".  It's a simple talk, on catching them up, listening to what they've got to say and what I've got to say. And the results are promising.

And also as I mentioned before about them not book-friendly, however I found a few who are! So few that they are only two! But hey, that's more than enough! So I have them borrow the books "The Way of the Shepherd", and "Closing the Sales".

I'm filled and thrilled on this. However, still one question hangs in mid-air..

"Why didn't I do this before!?"

29 Days Left - New Challenge - 1,000 True Fans

I have less than a month left and the pressure has taken up a notch. I can't believe it could be this fast! Now, I have one great challenge ahead of me. And its quite tough. So everybody has been keeping up with my coaching and preaching right? But it still needs one great ingredient, my credibility. This is my new challenge...CREATING A NAME FOR MYSELF!

Just yesterday as I was working on the sales of our cafeteria, I figured out one great fact. We only need at least 40 customers to survive - loyal customers. This came out after challenging our front line to call our regular customers by name. They build up a list and vwhala! I calculated their average expense and found out they're all I need. But more would be much better though!

I still clearly remember the first lessons of our Internet Marketing Workshop, for a business to survive you on move ahead you must have 1,000 True Fans. Fans that would buy your every new release, go to your concert, even attending it twice or thrice or every time, and fans that would never get enough of you. This is the same thing as in our cafeteria, no matter how we fail them some times like delay orders they'd still come back! Those are true fans!

This is also the same with me. I need to have my fans in my preaching and coaching - bringing impact into people's lives. Right now, I still have 6 subscribers in feedburner. Knowing you are reading literally brightens up my day...thanks a million!

Recently, I discovered one old friend of mine was also reading my million journey, and oh the feeling is ecstatic. This started out on a facebook thread where she exclaimed she want's to be my "disciple". And after a while, 2 more friends said they also wanted to be my "disciple"! Imagine?

So right now, I'm all creating a name for myself. I'm also practicing it on my work. (Yes, i finally found out a way after losing hope in it where I could "exploit" my job and make it as a training ground in honing my skills.) Currently, I am planting little seeds in my team that would surely grow someday. I'll tell you more about it soon.

So, be my fan, help me out, and I'll do everything I can to do more than just help you!

30 Days Left - Need Me? No Thanks!

Everyday is becoming clear and clearer for me as I live my dream of preaching and coaching. The world has become more colorful with the fact that I begin my day with a mission and I end it recounting how I took small steps in accomplishing it.

However, here is my first obstacle, but not reallly an obstacle but my first truth:

I want to motivate everybody, but not everybody wants to motivated.

If this you're in this kind of business, this is the very first thing you have to accept. You cannot help everybody.

I experienced this when one day I tried to contact my college best friend. He was so busy, that I PM her girlfriend instead of him noticing how active she was on facebook.

I enthusiastically sent to him a proposal that we could meet so we can brainstorm and I was so willing to help him formally establish his business. His family makes the best pastries and cakes and I could see what big potentials it could bring. If we could only sit down, layout the marketing, operations, logistics, without even greatly affecting their jobs.

And you know what, I wrote to for him 3 times. First, on my way to proof read it there was a brownout. So I wrote everything the second time. But when she replied, she asked what's wrong because my message was empty. So finally, she received the message and promised to text me. 8 Days later and there was nothing.

"Some people are really made as workers. They just don't have the factor of becoming leaders. Don't worry Hanz, maybe they could become our suppliers when time comes we need them" as kuya shared his insight about them.

This situation was also true as I mentored one of my employee. I was so interested to help him that I was sharing to him my insights on finances and life. But that was only good for 2 days. I was waiting he'd approach me and ask me what's next. 3 months passed and we never talked about that again.

Soon I would be meeting a lot more of this kind of people. Fortunately, I'm delighted that as early as this stage I'm able to know about this truth, because if not I would end up frustrated. I'll just have to do my part at its best, the rest is up to them.

How about you, are you ready?

31 Days Left - The Answer to the BIG Question

After the disturbing BIG Question of "What is God's Role in my Dreams?" I finally found the answer while I was struggling not to sleep during mass this Sunday.

Actually, the answer to my questions sprouted out from asking myself these questions while in the mass...

"Why am I sleepy? No matter how much I listen - really did try to place an ear - I just don't get "hooked" or follow what the priest was saying? While the family beside me were talking, and even the guy in front finally dozed off."

"Our priest was telling we should attain peace, inner peace. But I keep on asking how? He was emphasizing on the why we should have peace and not how."

"How do the people feel right after the homily? Inspired or relieved?"

"Is there any assurance that what our priest shared the people will do something about it?"

"How many of us went out of the church and remembered what our priest preached?"

"Why is that the priest don't do much follow-up or go into the lives of the people - the flock - being their shepherd?"

Those questions kept ringing on my head. However, honestly, I know priests who are good exceptions to what I'm trying to imply..a few priests.

All in all, looking at this I finally discovered the answer to my question of What is God's Role in My Dreams? through these reali-questions.

32 Days Left - The BIG Question

My brain hanged-up right after having a talk with one of my supervisors of my floor. Right after talking to him my plans for the coming week, and sharing my insights of a great leader - I'm just powered up right after finishing the book The Way of the Shepherd - he ended up asking me these questions I wasn't prepared.

"Are you affiliated with any church groups? What can you say about the church?"

Actually it took me some time to answer it. And I am even shocked of my answer.

"Well, no. I don't belong to any religious group or whatsoever. There are just things I don't feel comfortable with the church. One very good example is how they program the minds of the people towards money - how evil it is. And also they create and show to the people that it is "hard" to become spiritually blessed. Like, you have to do all these - procedures and rituals - to be close to God. Well, maybe these has all something to do with the people running it."

He answered, "We are really different, I may not go to mass anymore but I don't say bad things about the church."

That's when my brained hanged.

I asked myself, "Did I really do that? Have my outlook towards the church changed that differently? Did I say it correctly? Maybe I have been reading these line of books I haven't feed my mind with spiritual inputs. I agree that those statements are too vague and general. How can a "preacher" do something like that? "

I don't know. I'm still stuck up to this very moment. There is war going on in my head.

"What is God's role in my dream?"

33 Days Left - Reality Check

You might be wondering what that I have been so quite about my businesses knowing I only have a month left!! Here's a little update of what I have been up to.
(I really love doing this - reality checks - keeps me on track)

1. The Ex-sem shirt - well it was quite a success. Imagine we have interested buyers from Saudi and Canada! Though we are are far from our promise limited offer of 99 prints we only got about 40 prints and only half of those have actually claimed there orders. It is already on its denouement actually, but it was a success because we learned, we earned, and we got a charity - a blackboard for children's Sunday school.

2. Shirts - Part 2 - Yup! Though the ex-sem shirts is on denouement we have an upcoming one. The design is ready, we have 31 orders reserved, its on its manufacturing stage. We'll tell the world about it shortly.

3. The FeelGreat Shirt - After losing track, its now back! The original members are just occupied lately that we were not able to continue cooking it but with Dro coming in the picture we can assure it would make it happen. Actually, we have planned it quite well the other night and all are now working on each assignment. Can't wait!

4. Lending - We have decided to draw the curtains to a close. We'll tell you more about it soon. But one great reason for that is we'll be investing it all in into something BIG. As in BIG.

5. Best Selling Book - still cooking!

6. Internet - inspired after knowing that my Best Inspirational Videos blog is rank 1 in Google search (I'm still proud even if it's only number 1 if you choose "Pages from the Philipipines" hehehe) I decided to buy it's own domain! Actually, I'm soliciting from my amazing aunties from the states.

7. Best Selling Ebook - this 90day journal would soon be one!

Hmmmmmmmm... I think...hmmmmmmmmmmmmm..
two words...

DOUBLE TIME!!!!

34 Days Left - Living My Dream..Again! It Keeps on Coming!

Right after the success of my first "Coaching Session" with one of my department supervisor, I immediately took action on doing the same to my other supervisors too. And that's what I did to two of them the other day. And what did they get? Two hours of just standing while discussing to them eye opening realizations!

It started with this invitation, "What is that thing that you really want to learn ever since? Tell me and I will teach you just that."

And do you know what was their response? "Will you resign sir?"

Waaaaaah!

Actually, my intention was to teach to them techniques in answering an upcoming IQ exam they would be taking. "Sir, the last time I studied was 1984! Please help us!" Enthusiastically, I grabbed a piece of paper and drew figures as I recalled our lessons in psychometrics. But as the discussion continued, I was caught up with the idea of how I coached my other supervisor.

And so I asked them how would they want to read books. The one complained with eye problems the other with vocabulary. I told them what I just learned after listening an audio book by Zig Ziglar the previous night:

"Learn at least one word a day and its meaning, and after 4 years you will be as well read or even better than a graduate student."

Noting what the great Jim Rohn said...

"Formal Education will make you a living; Self-Education will make you a fortune"

(Oh, I so love this!)

But still I can't budge their reasons of poor eyesight and considering their age. I decided maybe it would be good this time to teach them informally like this set-up.

(Just a little background, my team of supervisors under me are waaaaay older than me. They're at age with my parents even! They have been in this company for over 15 years, the youngest of them had just reached 10 years. They have developed with the skill of selling over the years and the management have grown trust in them. "Just let me sell, but don't let work on in the computer!" is their common expression.)

The rest of our discussion was focused on making them realize that it's not yet too late to learn. We even set up tutorial schedules where I would sit-in with them and teach them the basics of the computer. We turned into talking about learning time at home, and I ended up sharing how the TV is not doing us anymore good. And in the end, I could not forget the look of enthusiasm and blankness in their eyes. Eyes that would stare at you in disbelief after they have heard such truth and possibilities.

This is only the beginning. I really hope this would continue, and of course I will do my best to continue doing this for it gives me such pleasure and fulfillment. But hey, it's only in me, the rest of the answer lies with them.

35 Days to Go - My Dreamboard

Do you know what this is?

All millionaires know and understand what this is power of visualization...

You might ask why I had just made my dreamboard at this time of my journey. This should've been posted back in 88 days left. But this 90 day challenge is a journey of endless self-discovery. If i posted this back then, I'm pretty sure it would all be cars and houses. But this one here, has all my REAL dreams, my dreams with value and purpose. Not just materials but achievements that are priceless.

I need not explain this...

it speaks for itself.