Getting A Grip

It is a given fact that life in general is not hearts and flowers. All the more should our expectations be at work or what we decided as our chosen career. Surely, when we settled to spend a coupe of years in one place, there will be rosy days and how-bad-moments at the same time. At this point, I cannot translate into words further how my frustrations and shortcomings try to get the best of me. It has been a series of failures week after week, and I cannot point directly which method should I take to uplift myself. Perhaps my "saving grace" to help me carry on is the saying, "Success is ninety percent failure." You may say I am a bit childish to settle on cliches and quotes to give myself a push, but when you're in the dark, when you can't give yourself optimism any longer, it all boils down to the little ways you do to motivate yourself. The obligation to motivate ourselves shouldn't be given to a family, friend or colleague --sure, they would love to support you but they have their own battles too. Being strong and resilient are two different things that complement each other very well. When you're strong, you can take all the punches and accept it. But without resiliency, one cannot bounce back better. Perhaps, that's one of the many things I'd have to learn more. I'd love to arrive on that point wherein when someone asks me to describe myself, I can truly and genuinely say that I am resilient; that without any shame, I can tell stories on how I became resilient on different situations, especially on my career, and let others be inspired by it. All this time, I know my worst enemy in terms of being resilient is myself. I've learned it the hard way, that's why I cannot let it happen again. And so in a few hours, I will once again go to the office, face my battles and hopefully win it after all these struggles. 

EYES ON THE PRIZE.

Six Feet Under Rock Bottom

When you're pushed against the wall too hard, will you just merely follow orders?

When you're sure you are at your most comfortable skin, but your loved ones cannot accept it, will you sacrifice your identity to please them?

When you know you need a friend, but even whom you consider so close to you cannot understand your point, will you blame yourself for being so close-minded?

When all you think about is to give them a comfortable life but they're so against the ways how you'll make it happen, will you still push through?

When you know you have potential, but you cannot seem to unleash it, will you just give up and plunge to uncertainy?

When you think you lost someone close to you by a mistake you both did, will you just let it slide and wait for awkwardness to ease and carry on or you will blame yourself for doing such stupid thing?

When there are no more optimism to give and everything you hoped for to be okay starts dwindling down, should you surrender or should you fight against the triple heavy weights on your shoulders?

When you're starting to become a liability to a group so precious to you, should you leave without resiliency or gain momentum again and be better?

When you cannot breathe and you just feel like breaking down in one corner because you have no one to talk to, will you let all of it drown you? 

I have these million questions and situations inside my head right now, and as much as I want to talk about it one by one, I can't seem to pull all my shit together. My soul is six feet under rock bottom and I need something, someone or whatever to pull me up. I may not rant or talk about it as much, but I can't deal with this alone. 

I feel stupid and I hate it.

Eat Pray Love moment

It is true when they say a lot of changes can happen within a year. 

Looking back July 2012, I was in La Luz with my MARKEVE classmates having the best midterms ever --beginning the day planning a strategy event after event prepared by different groups, having fun while stressing over how to save the lack of preparation, carelessly eating the joyous buffet any time of the day, drinking until dawn with so many funny and sentimental stories to tell, and even savoring our lives away from the metro. When the class started, I saw familiar faces and acquaintances, but I had insecurities that I realistically don't have group of friends there, because most of my friends are my colleagues in my organizations enrolled in different courses. 

Looking back, it made me a stronger believer that everything happens for a reason. I used to think of the idea as an excuse to make myself feel better every time I screw up. But now that I can connect the dots on how marvelously my life changed due to these unexpected turn of events, I can sincerely say that I wouldn't have lived my life any other way.  

And so fast forward to July 2013...

I am one of the thousand book worms and movie buffs that fell in love with Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love. Truly, a sort of epiphany happens to you wherein you realize major changes must be done. Let me share my own version of my current Eat Pray Love moment. 

PRAY

My relationship with God had been tested in so many levels, but I guess at the end of the day, what matters is you go back to Him, apologize for your shortcomings and wrong-doings and at least try to be better. In terms of the Pray aspect I've been undergoing now, it is not just my relationship with God that changed. The relationship I have with myself is waaaay better than the past year. I now forgive myself easily, laugh at my mistakes and move on, motivate myself when times get rough, and think about what I can do to be better. 

I have also proven the idea, used to be just a quote to me, that when you are thankful with what you have now, you end up finding yourself having more. A simple gesture of friendship or a sincere compliment can go a long way. Sometimes, we fail to think about others. We only think about our current situation; to the point that we forget people around us are undergoing different sorts of struggle as well. I guess, it is normal that people can be subconsciously selfish -- and when our worries and fears are too much to take, it can never be taken against us; but that's the purpose of building friendships. You share what's wrong, a friend shares wisdom to enlighten your darkest hours; and vice versa. 

I am so thankful and overwhelmed of my current situation on this department. I am blessed with a supportive family (in most aspects), caring and loving friends, and a workplace that has great stories to tell to turn your life around. I have also realized that it pays to be nice to everyone --wealthy or poor, annoying or endearing, from the highest to the lowest management -- because all the energy you exert will be given back to you. 

I have been attending bible studies from time to time. My experiences with this form of faith erased several connotations that people frown upon. And you'll be surprised that no matter how vast the topic is, there's an aspect in your life that you can relate to and apply. I also love hearing other people's thoughts, wisdom and experiences during sharing. It widens your mind, and you learn how to become selfless and extra sensitive when interacting with people. Everyone has a soft spot, and when you hear their stories, it feels comforting that you're not the only one facing hardships each day. At times, you even become more thankful on what you have. You make it a point to count your blessings even more keenly. In Filipino, we usually have this reaction "Ang sarap sarap sa pakiramdam," or it will even make you think "ang swerte ko."

LOVE

I have so many things to share about the LOVE aspect but every story I can tell all boils down to...

I love my family.

I love my friends.

I love my job.

I love being single.
I love my diet.
I love my struggles.

I love the stress I have now.

I love my imperfections.

I love to be fallen rock bottom and work my way up.

I love commuting when meeting clients on all parts of the vicinity and even the times when I cry because the stupid colorum van stopped somewhere I don't know which made me walk in heels because I got stranded the other night and my pair of flats got wet. 

I love envisioning the comfortable life I can give my family upon surpassing all these hurdles.

I love my insecurities now that help me dream of a better future. 

I love how quite a few, if they are not many, see my potential and believe that I can do it, even if most of the time, I don't have much belief in myself. 

All of these thoughts, I store in my head to remind me that difficult situations will pass and I have to be reminded that I have a great support system that backs me up. It also helps me to savor each wonderful moment knowing that this too shall pass.

A year ago, I have to admit I had undergone depression thinking and feeling that I don't have enough friends, that I'm not good enough to succeed, that maybe I have to stop trying so hard to unleash my potential and just be contented on being pwede na. 

But deep inside, there was a small glimmer of hope uplifting myself that everything will fall into place. As of this moment, that's what's happening to me. And I love it! :)

When You're Experiencing Rock Bottom...

...always remind yourself that there's no way but up. :)

In need of motivation, push and self belief. Hard times, hard times. It will pass. :)

Reasons Why I Think Salesmen Are The Best Individuals Existing

1. Salesmen make visions happen. Based from experience, you'll never last in sales if you don't have that burning desire to make a vision happen. A salesman's hurdles directly reflect the way they move, how fueled they are to face each day in search of clients no matter how hard and daunting it is, and the strength they subconsciously acquire every day where rolling with the punches is like a baptism of fire to get you closer on making a sale.

2. They are great storytellers! As most of my close friends know, writing (no matter how scattered my thoughts are or how dramatic my posts may be) keeps me sane. When I can write something well and good, it gives me the assurance that I am in control with my life. What's more cool about writing is you paint a picture inside people's minds or tell a story in an orderly manner. I love writing and interacting with people; but let's face the fact that ideal writers are not ready to accept: passion for writing can only take you so far financially and practically. That's what I like about Sales --you share a story after story relevant to the product you offer, and then you get paid for it reasonably. Talking to clients should feel like you're just telling a story. I love to see myself some time soon to interact with my clients by being their story teller-slash-property-adviser. I'm more on writing stuff when I want to share my perceptions, but I think Sales is a good avenue to develop my speech communication properly. :)

3. Salesmen have great stories to tell. As a story teller and the everyday interaction with different people that comes with the job, you can learn so much while talking to them --may it be the economy, stocks, business, culture, fashion and even the latest trends in town! Name it. I love how well-rounded you can be in this industry. Even on a personal level, if you ask how successful salesmen's lives turned around and what kind of hurdles they had to face, their life stories are so inspiring and energizing!

4. Strong Character is a requirement --or at least you'll learn along the way how. A colleague of mine described her job as a test and constant development of character. Everyday, you put yourself out there with the thought that there is a certain market for what you're offering and you can easily penetrate the world as your oyster. But then you realize it's not that easy. There are boundaries that should strictly be respected, and limitations that will test your flexibility and preparedness. However, no matter how the turn of events at the end of the day success or failure, you are sure to learn something new. :) it's what keeps you on your feet!

5. Successful salesmen have the best attitude. In order to survive life, generally speaking, you have to adjust your outlook on different cases. And come to think of it, that's every successful person's key. If you cannot control the situation, control the way you view it.

I can go on and on about how I love my job and the people that surrounds me at the office despite the stress, but I guess more importantly, this is my way of reminding myself how bad I want to succeed on this area, how my gut tells me that no matter how hard and competitive this industry is, I'll be just fine. :) I can feel I'll be one of the bests on this and I can carry this label well despite all the negativity and discrimination that connote this opportunity. :) Above all, I am thankful for my teammates for inspiring me to be better everyday even on low times when I almost gave up on myself. :)

posted from Bloggeroid