Who Should We Listen To

This could be one of the most intriguing, controversial entry I would write. Since birth, we were trained to listen to instructions and follow those who are ahead of us. Today, these principles could help. Things have changed- the way we think and the way we live.

In every step, there's a decision to be made. From how to drink your milk to how to preserve your blueberry cheesecake for 7 days. We are living in a very noisy environment where people love to talk. The internet, social networks and blogs made everything possible, and offer almost everything. In fact, they could rule over your decisions.

In times of tough decisions, who should you listen to?

Take their thoughts.

A Mentor
The mentor has gone before you. No one can ever give you a fact in the past than him. He's a great adviser. He has experienced pain while you were still learning to stand alone inside the crib. He has a lot of stories to tell about his regrets and disappointments as well as victories and overjoys.

Seek a mentor. Qualify the person whom you could ask to be your mentor. Just remember, the mentor will not decide for you. But, he is the perfect guy to count on to help you come up with the best decision.

A Prodigal Son
And here's the son who has wandered in the desert, once or twice. He'd tell you how thirsty and hungry he was in his journey when he despised counsels. He has truckloads of realization on his way home and it's good to hear them to guide you in making decisions so you won't commit the same mistakes.

People who have lost their direction in life and was able to find a brighter way to live are honest advisers. In fact, their advice is precious. You'd save tons of time to spend in crafting junks in your life.

A Kid
That little child has no regret, no past, no disappointments. Throw the ball to him and he'll play it in many ways. Kick it. Punch it. Roll it. Bite it! Everything is right for him because his purpose is to play! Now, I'll throw the ball to you and you'll be cautious to dribble it right. Right? That is if you were able to catch the ball. What's wrong with failure? Everyone has failed.

As years add to our life, we become more perfectionist. We want everything right. We are careful with instructions. We forgot that we do things for fun, for happiness, for fulfillment not for regrets. Go to the children's playground and see what I mean.

A Proverb A Day
Have you checked your values? Your priorities? Do you have life principles to live by? If you have, that's great. If you don't have, I have a suggestion. The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters. Grab a Bible and start reading the book of Proverbs one chapter a day.

We make decisions based on our values and priorities. The people who surround you have integral role in influencing you how to make decisions- your friend, your family, your boss, your customers...everyone.

It's for you to decide who you should listen to.

How to Design A Business

Was inspired by this module by Colin Raney. Creativity paves to a valuable business.

Planningness 2011

View more presentations from Colin Raney

When we build a business, we provide solutions (not an additional problem) to the society. Let's create something valuable.

It's More Fun in The Philippines

My take on the latest Department of Tourism campaign for the Philippines.

What's your more fun story?

2012: Bid Goodbye to Passion Killers

I choose not to write about New Year Resolutions for 2012. Too many people have done that in their blogs and Facebook notes already. As most of us would think, a handful from millions of people would be able to stick on their so-called list of things they want to change or improve in their lives. This new year, I want to challenge you to make a real difference.

Have you realized that you are a wonderful creation and you have the power to invent something? Or, have you thought about adding value to others using your talents and skills?

The Year 2011 has recorded a lot of the worst. True. But, don't forget the BEST things happened to you. We must step our foot on the Passion Killers.

YOUR STAGNANT ENVIRONMENT.
Assess where you spend your time with the most. Don't you have time to meet at least 3 new people a month? Have you read Seth Godin's Linchpin or John Maxwell's Winning With People? For those who live in Manila, have you invested in Francis Kong's Just When You Think You Can't Do It...Do It! or Yeng Remulla's Productive Pinoy? Do you spend more time in gadgets to play rather to learn? How quality is you "quality time" with your family? How many seminars have you attended? Mingle with great people, listen and learn from them.

The Challenge: Spend most of your time to activities that will add value to you so you could add value to others.

YOUR REGULAR JOB.
Who says you are chained in your routine everyday? If you think you are, that means you have perfected it overtime and it's time for you to accept greater responsibilities. Your job is more than a cash register. It's your heavenly-assignment. You are there because you need to learn and improve your skills. You are there to build others up. You are there to inspire your colleagues to excel. You are there to connect to your staff, customers and suppliers. It's the value you created while working that matters and lasts. Someone will outrun your past achievements but not your place in people's lives.

The Challenge: Do your job well while inspiring others do well with their jobs.

YOUR NOT-SO CREATIVE MIND.
Get rid of the lies that you are not creative. I believe, even people who are good in numbers have brilliant creative ideas. Why do we have to classify ourselves to the world's standards? Read the book of Proverbs and learn wisdom. Your multi-million idea will come from God. You can't change your critics' opinion about you but you can change your attitude and deliver award-winning projects. It doesn't matter how they think about you but how you think about yourself. The moment you believe you are genius, that's the time you become one.

The Challenge: Explore new things and discover where you can be great at.

YOUR UNSELFISH HEART.
Sometimes, we spend more time doing favor for others than caring for personal needs. Look at your planner and your schedules will tell you whether the activities are for others or for yourself. It's not bad to pamper yourself once in a while. Take a break from work and spend time with yourself. Grab a coffee and list down the things you want to accomplish and fulfill it. I'll add emphasis on this: The more you know yourself, the more effective leader (person) you become.

The Challenge: Reserve a time to do what you want for skills improvement or fun, alone, and be happy.

Bid farewell to 2011 and the killers that ruined your passion. Say "Hello" to the new inventions you'll make in 2012.