Friday, August 22, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Commitment issues
I have commitment issues. I’m stymied by my own doubts and laziness. I think I should start writing my short-term goals down again. There’s something about writing goals down that, well, sort of urges me to commit. Maybe it’s my penchant for crossing off accomplished tasks on the list that provides that feeling of accomplishment. Regardless of how simple or insignificant the finished task may be, knowing that I’ve done something makes me happy.I’ve been doing mental lists of action items that I thought are important for me to do. There’s the plan to go running again. Let me see, how many times have I been telling myself to do that? I’ve been delaying this plan for months now. Consequently, I’m sure that my current weight is my heaviest so far. I’ve been shying away from weighing myself in the past months. Now, maybe that’s another problem. Not seeing the numbers gives me an excuse not to commit.
It’s definitely a different kind of commitment I need now. I’m refocusing all my energies and resolve to things that require my attention. It’s not just for the sake of losing myself into things that provide the highest returns in terms of learning and growth. On a more personal and selfish level, I need to commit on something that would steer me away from this shadow that I’ve become.
Friday, August 15, 2008
When familiarity breeds apathy
I've fallen into the routine of my daily commute that I seldom notice anything while on the road. I can't help it, traveling the more than one hour route back and forth everyday increasingly diminishes my curiousity. I guess that's the danger of familiarity, the repetitive experiences and impressions make most things appear ordinary. Only when something disturbs the routine that the mind pays attention.
The significantly heavy traffic last night is a definite disturbance to that routine. Until now I still think about how the flooded streets of España and Taft effectively stretched the travel time by more than one hour. Even knowing that heavy rains usually result to some flooding in those areas, I'm surprised by how much things have turned for the worse. I couldn't help but think if I'll again be seeing waist-high floodwaters along those routes.
I would've thought that the improvements I've seen in the past ten years would only get better. Sadly, it appears now that the progress I've seen is being reversed - by neglect perhaps? Whatever it is, I hope appropriate actions are taken. It's stressful to spend three hours on the road after work.
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(The boring trip last night was followed by a scary trip to the office this morning. I took a cab because I didn't want to be late to an 8:00am-1:00pm training. Unfortunately, the driver seemed to enjoy playing with death. He's one of those drivers I really hate - the types who don't seem to care for other people's lives. I think I lost 10 years of my life in that trip.)
The significantly heavy traffic last night is a definite disturbance to that routine. Until now I still think about how the flooded streets of España and Taft effectively stretched the travel time by more than one hour. Even knowing that heavy rains usually result to some flooding in those areas, I'm surprised by how much things have turned for the worse. I couldn't help but think if I'll again be seeing waist-high floodwaters along those routes.
I would've thought that the improvements I've seen in the past ten years would only get better. Sadly, it appears now that the progress I've seen is being reversed - by neglect perhaps? Whatever it is, I hope appropriate actions are taken. It's stressful to spend three hours on the road after work.
--------
(The boring trip last night was followed by a scary trip to the office this morning. I took a cab because I didn't want to be late to an 8:00am-1:00pm training. Unfortunately, the driver seemed to enjoy playing with death. He's one of those drivers I really hate - the types who don't seem to care for other people's lives. I think I lost 10 years of my life in that trip.)
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Just a few of my favorite things
A paper, old friends, and aging
I was reading the freebie newspaper - well, not exactly a freebie since I had to dole out a certain amount for the pie to get myself a copy, and saw this feature about PHI athletes who are in Beijing for the Olympics. I saw familiar names there, friends I've had the opportunity to share experiences with as fellow quartered athletes in RMSC.
There's Harry who's competing for boxing. Sadly, some of our other best bets didn't qualify. Despite that roadblock though, I'm sure Harry will do his best in Beijing same as he did in the Vietnam SEA Games when he won the lone gold for the boxing team (not because the other 5 who competed there was not up for the gold, but let me just say that it was one boxing fight I'll never forget because of how the crowd reacted to the judges' scoring).
Then there's Mariz who's currently the country's long-jump queen. If there's something I'm absolutely sure about her, she's not one to go down without a fight. She's a very determined soul and I know she would have prepared harder than ever for this event.
But what really captured my attention was seeing Sheila's age alongside her name. Sheila's diving skills are such that she earned herself another slot in the Olympics. I think she first competed in Sydney and this would be her second time to participate in the quadrennial event.
It says in the article that Sheila's now 23. I couldn't help but look back to that time I first met Sheila and all the other young divers that were recruited from Davao. They were just a bunch of little kids then who were uprooted from their hometown. For years after that, I've seen them mature not just mentally but in skill and talent as well. These are kids who grew up ahead of their peers. They helped me appreciate that among the many gifts that athletes get to have, it's their resilience in even the most adverse circumstances that I learned to admire most.
Sheila and the other divers have indeed grown. The numbers show how the years have passed by so quickly. In my mind, they were still the same kids I see everyday in the past. Happy kids who know hardships, who value discipline, who are committed, and who persevere.
I think the numbers made me realize how often I forget how old I really am. It made me think of this question I recently encountered ~ How old would you be if you didn't know your age? My answer to that is similar to my Japanese teammate's reply ~ ageless.
I know the numbers but I don't see any change in how I view things. The years for me are just opportunities to be whatever I want to be in every moment I wish to immerse myself in. Ageless is being a soul first before the physical embodiment of that soul. And the soul does not limit itself to judgments and restrictions. Young or old, a soul can be whatever it wants to be.
Today, my age would be of that girl who shared experiences with these athletes years back. I'm the girl who knows that these people who carry our country's flag with pride in the Beijing Olympics deserve all the prayers and support that we can give. I'm the girl who believes that regardless of the results in their respective events, they are already winners. After all, as Baron Pierre de Coubertin has said, "The important thing is not to win, but to take part."
There's Harry who's competing for boxing. Sadly, some of our other best bets didn't qualify. Despite that roadblock though, I'm sure Harry will do his best in Beijing same as he did in the Vietnam SEA Games when he won the lone gold for the boxing team (not because the other 5 who competed there was not up for the gold, but let me just say that it was one boxing fight I'll never forget because of how the crowd reacted to the judges' scoring).
Then there's Mariz who's currently the country's long-jump queen. If there's something I'm absolutely sure about her, she's not one to go down without a fight. She's a very determined soul and I know she would have prepared harder than ever for this event.
But what really captured my attention was seeing Sheila's age alongside her name. Sheila's diving skills are such that she earned herself another slot in the Olympics. I think she first competed in Sydney and this would be her second time to participate in the quadrennial event.
It says in the article that Sheila's now 23. I couldn't help but look back to that time I first met Sheila and all the other young divers that were recruited from Davao. They were just a bunch of little kids then who were uprooted from their hometown. For years after that, I've seen them mature not just mentally but in skill and talent as well. These are kids who grew up ahead of their peers. They helped me appreciate that among the many gifts that athletes get to have, it's their resilience in even the most adverse circumstances that I learned to admire most.
Sheila and the other divers have indeed grown. The numbers show how the years have passed by so quickly. In my mind, they were still the same kids I see everyday in the past. Happy kids who know hardships, who value discipline, who are committed, and who persevere.
I think the numbers made me realize how often I forget how old I really am. It made me think of this question I recently encountered ~ How old would you be if you didn't know your age? My answer to that is similar to my Japanese teammate's reply ~ ageless.
I know the numbers but I don't see any change in how I view things. The years for me are just opportunities to be whatever I want to be in every moment I wish to immerse myself in. Ageless is being a soul first before the physical embodiment of that soul. And the soul does not limit itself to judgments and restrictions. Young or old, a soul can be whatever it wants to be.
Today, my age would be of that girl who shared experiences with these athletes years back. I'm the girl who knows that these people who carry our country's flag with pride in the Beijing Olympics deserve all the prayers and support that we can give. I'm the girl who believes that regardless of the results in their respective events, they are already winners. After all, as Baron Pierre de Coubertin has said, "The important thing is not to win, but to take part."
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Letting people make it happen
Chris asked me earlier what's my takeaway from the When Great Minds Dream event. I told him it's seeing how great things can happen if we just allow people to step up and do their thing.
I never thought that an idea I shared can actually see the light of day, that some people actually supported and believed in it. It all started when we got word that the executives are possibly coming to PH for the GK. We were immediately asked to churn out ideas for events for each executive. I was thinking, it's good that we're planning ahead. I was pretty confident that we'll be ready for the visit given our lead time.
However, not everything turned out as planned. To make the long and crazy story short, we ended up with only ten days to prepare for the event. Ten days and we had no venue yet and no clear picture of how the event would turn out.
It didn't help that this was also the time that I was going through a really rough patch. Suffice to say, those who knew of my plans wouldn't have imagined I'd still do what I did with unbridled passion. But for those who know me, they would know that I'd do this without reservations - regardless of the circumstances.
For ten days I got to work with people from different teams. I think it's seeing them stepping up and doing their best that added to my unwavering belief that we could do it. I think my personal triumph in all of these is to have led the group by trust. I trusted everyone to do their best and let them make things happen their way.
It's not easy to let go. There's always that moment that you'd want to do things yourself. But one thing I realized from all the grief I've been having lately at work is that I don't want others to feel how I feel. I want them to know trust. I want them to embrace teamwork. I want them to explore and stretch themselves. I want to see them triumphant at the end.
If there is one thing I value most from having nurtured this event from thought to execution ~ it's knowing that I have led a group of great people who stepped up and delivered.
It always feels good to believe.
I never thought that an idea I shared can actually see the light of day, that some people actually supported and believed in it. It all started when we got word that the executives are possibly coming to PH for the GK. We were immediately asked to churn out ideas for events for each executive. I was thinking, it's good that we're planning ahead. I was pretty confident that we'll be ready for the visit given our lead time.
However, not everything turned out as planned. To make the long and crazy story short, we ended up with only ten days to prepare for the event. Ten days and we had no venue yet and no clear picture of how the event would turn out.
It didn't help that this was also the time that I was going through a really rough patch. Suffice to say, those who knew of my plans wouldn't have imagined I'd still do what I did with unbridled passion. But for those who know me, they would know that I'd do this without reservations - regardless of the circumstances.
For ten days I got to work with people from different teams. I think it's seeing them stepping up and doing their best that added to my unwavering belief that we could do it. I think my personal triumph in all of these is to have led the group by trust. I trusted everyone to do their best and let them make things happen their way.
It's not easy to let go. There's always that moment that you'd want to do things yourself. But one thing I realized from all the grief I've been having lately at work is that I don't want others to feel how I feel. I want them to know trust. I want them to embrace teamwork. I want them to explore and stretch themselves. I want to see them triumphant at the end.
If there is one thing I value most from having nurtured this event from thought to execution ~ it's knowing that I have led a group of great people who stepped up and delivered.
It always feels good to believe.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The making of sinners
I recently attended an empowered communication seminar that is part of the regular offerings of OrgCap. Truth be told, I had a full schedule that day. But because I am one of those people who just love trainings, I parked some items on my to-do list for a few hours and spent the day doing what I love most ~ learning.
From among the many concepts discussed that day, the Seven (7) Deadly Sins of Communication fascinated me most. The said "sins" were gleaned from some foreign corporate officers, based on their perceptions on how Filipinos communicate.
1. Not speaking up; being passive
2. Not communicating proactively and effectively
3. Not communicating accomplishments
4. Not volunteering, not adding value, or not going the “extra mile”
5. Not making solid commitments
6. We are slow.
7. Washing dirty linens in public.
I tried to look at these “sins” from the other side of the fence. I think I understand why some people would have these perceptions. However, I strongly believe that these perceptions are just labels that do not reflect Filipinos' capabilities and talents. I think that Filipinos who are perceived to be guilty of these sins may be exceptions to the rule or may be in an environment where they are not encouraged or allowed to be otherwise.
Everything hinges on reciprocity. If there is a desire to see people empowered, those who are in the position to be catalysts of change should make the effort to make the people thrive in an environment where empowered communicators are developed. I think the deadliest sins of all in communication are close-mindedness and inability to listen.
Empowerment entails not only an individual’s effort to free himself/herself from self-doubts and take that step towards doing what he/she fears most. Empowerment requires the skill and discernment of leaders to cultivate a culture of change and continual improvement. It should always be about the bigger picture. And the big picture demands that we see everyone and everything.
From among the many concepts discussed that day, the Seven (7) Deadly Sins of Communication fascinated me most. The said "sins" were gleaned from some foreign corporate officers, based on their perceptions on how Filipinos communicate.
1. Not speaking up; being passive
2. Not communicating proactively and effectively
3. Not communicating accomplishments
4. Not volunteering, not adding value, or not going the “extra mile”
5. Not making solid commitments
6. We are slow.
7. Washing dirty linens in public.
I tried to look at these “sins” from the other side of the fence. I think I understand why some people would have these perceptions. However, I strongly believe that these perceptions are just labels that do not reflect Filipinos' capabilities and talents. I think that Filipinos who are perceived to be guilty of these sins may be exceptions to the rule or may be in an environment where they are not encouraged or allowed to be otherwise.
Everything hinges on reciprocity. If there is a desire to see people empowered, those who are in the position to be catalysts of change should make the effort to make the people thrive in an environment where empowered communicators are developed. I think the deadliest sins of all in communication are close-mindedness and inability to listen.
Empowerment entails not only an individual’s effort to free himself/herself from self-doubts and take that step towards doing what he/she fears most. Empowerment requires the skill and discernment of leaders to cultivate a culture of change and continual improvement. It should always be about the bigger picture. And the big picture demands that we see everyone and everything.
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