The New Game Plan

First I would like to apologize for not writing on this blog for the past months... I haven't had much of the good vibe going and I don't think it's right to put anything negative here. For the past couple of weeks I've experienced extremes. Both good and bad. And again I've learned to practice how to look at the bright side of things. For anyone I've stepped down on during the process, I'm deeply sorry. 


So is there something new that the awesomemoneymachine has to say? Yes. I wouldn't bother wasting my time to write here if not.


"It's never too late to start again."
"A person with a plan is good enough. The person that has a Plan B is even better. The person who's good in accepting defeat, failure or whatever bad comes in the way and is prepared to make or already has Plan C to Z is the best of them all."


I've decided to be the third person. For the nth time, I plan to start on a clean slate. I have a new game plan which is probably the 10th game plan I had for this year. At one point, I accepted defeat and I thought that there was no longer a way for me to move forward. But then, I have my happy thoughts. Did that Peter Pan song say, "think of the happiest things, it's the same as having wings..."? 


Just a few tips:

• If Plan A doesn't seem to be working, think of a Plan B. Keyword is think. You don't have to start with Plan B right away. Just make sure you have a plan but give time for Plan A to work out. You might be rushing too much. Law of gestation - Google it. 
• Don't cry over spilled milk. Don't waste your time blaming yourself or looking for someone else to blame. What's done is done. Get over it.
• List down your achievements. Look at this list whenever you feel down. Include this in your list of happy thoughts. These achievements may be something small or big - just list every little good thing you did or achieved. One day when you look back, you'll be surprised how much you have achieved and you'll feel good about yourself.
• Keep track of the people who've been a part of your journey. This becomes your network. Maintain whatever relationship you have with them by regularly sending messages. Do not lose touch.

I've had my own share of faults lately. Actually, as much as other people have made it hard on me, I've made it hard on other people too... if you get what I mean. But now, I'm putting everything behind me and I'll keep in mind the lessons I've learned through the process. 

Let me share a few things that I promise myself to do. You might learn from my mistakes too. :-) I lost a considerable amount of income just because I missed out on these things. 

• Be organized. Write down every important detail. Save it in your notepad or write it on paper or a white board near your work desk. Make sure these information come in handy when you need them. Don't keep them in a place that you might forget. 
• Create a schedule.
• Prioritize. 
• Reserve a few minutes/hour(s) of your time EACH DAY for reflection or prayer. You can do this anywhere, even in the bathroom while taking a bath. So don't say that you are too busy. EXERCISE YOUR MIND. 
• Make sure you have some days off for your loved ones. Believe me, MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING. There are things more important than money. 

These are just a few things that I have promised myself to do. Hopefully, I can fulfill this promise. 

Always remember, good vibes will keep you going. Think POSITIVE. 

Anika's Heart: Anika's Heart Story

I came across this blog through a re-tweet.

I hope you can take time to read Anika's story. Her parents need a lot of help right now to save her life. It's time to pay it forward. Remember, whatever you give wholeheartedly will be given back to you multiple times.

This girl needs our prayers. Let's give even just about a minute of our time to pray for her and share to others her story.

Thanks!

Anika's Heart: Anika's Heart Story: "Anika is our Heart Baby. She was born on April 17, 2007. She was so perfect. She was the most beautiful little baby I had ever seen. Ani..."

How to Maintain Good Vibes

Being positive and not entertaining bad vibes at all is not as easy at it seems. Since the day that I promised myself to always be positive and spread the good vibe to other people, I've been attracting good vibes to myself too. Everything seemed better, my mindset, the functionality of my brain, MONEY, and most especially my personal relationships to other people. I started smiling more often, I lost 90% of the zits and allergies all over my face, I attract jobs and other opportunities to earn now more than ever. My haters surprisingly disappeared, well I still have a few and I consider them blessings, imagine some people actually give up their good vibe just to hate me. That makes me a special person, I think.

Anyway, I still had a few bad moments. Some bad vibes are easy to forget just by smiling and simply ignoring. Some are a bit heavier and I would have to spend some time to relax just to make myself feel better. I'm quite lucky to have two lovely babies who can immediately take all the bad vibe away. Well there are still some events that are not just too easy to handle.

It was mentioned in the film The Secret (awesomemoneymachine's The Secret) that if you really focus on just thinking about positive things, it can drive you crazy. Imagine having to exert effort with your feelings and thoughts when these are supposedly voluntary. There will always be external factors outside of yourself that can contribute to negativity. So how do you keep positive? Here are a few of my tips:

1. Stay away from the news and avoiding reading the newspaper. 
Well unless it's your job then you'd have to find another way to stay positive. But for me, this is one of the things that I do. When it's time for the prime time news, I turn off the television. Why? It is but common knowledge that majority of the daily news is always bad news. Some show a bit of good news but mostly you'll just watch about political problems, murder, tragedies, etc. Don't get me wrong, I know it's important to be aware of the things that are happening around you but really, how does the murder of someone you don't know miles away from you affect you? Or if the Senate is debating about a corrupt General, really, do you have to know about this? If something so important happened that you need to know, like a war going on or a tsunami approaching, you will know about this in some other way. There's Twitter, Facebook or your family or friends who would have known about it, they'll tell you. My point is, a huge source of negativity is coming from the news! So just quit the news! You can follow the news on the internet if you'd like so you can choose what kind of news you'd like to read or watch.

2. Indulge yourself. Enjoy!
There's nothing wrong if every once in a while you do things you really like. Go on a vacation. Buy that mobile phone you always wanted or that dress that you absolutely adore! Remember, we are born to live and not just to work. In other words, we work to live and not live to work. The money you have in the bank will not make you genuinely happy if you just settle on staring at your bank account statements. Just save some for emergency purposes but make sure you set aside something for yourself. Being materialistic is different from loving yourself. Know your limit. You have to be generous to others, but it's also important that you are generous to yourself!

3. Do what you like. 
I know someone who studied Nursing in college just because everyone was telling her that's what's better for her. When she got her license she worked as a nurse for awhile, but she never lasted in one place. Then she finally decided to do what she likes, which is to be an entrepreneur. I've never seen her this happy, she has lots of money and she is no longer complaining about her job. If you're doing what you like then there's no reason to complain. Less negativity! As Jack Canfield said, "If it ain't fun, don't do it". 

4. Listen to happy music, watch funny shows, read feel good quotes and stories, etc. 
Self-explanatory. Just an example, do you notice the difference in your thoughts and feelings after watching a funny or a feel good movie, compared to a heavy drama or thriller movie?
For some time, I loved a certain band and listen to their music everyday because their usual lyrics are very similar to what I was going through in my life during that time. Listening to them makes me feel sad but I continued because I thought it made me feel better that someone shared my sentiments. Little did I know that what I was doing was actually putting me into more sadness instead of putting a stop to the negativity already. Now, I just listen to feel good music and funny radio talk shows. It feels so much better!
I am an avid Twitter fan and I am on Twitter most of the day. I follow people who tweet funny quotes and those that are motivational. I un-followed those who are mostly negative. By the way, I know I lost a lot of Twitter followers in the past because I used to rant and spread negativity there. But now, I try my best to only share positive thoughts. (most of the time)

5. Give a specific time limit to your negative thoughts/feelings
I personally do this. Since it is very impossible to stop all negative feelings and thoughts, give it a time limit. I limited mine to 15 minutes. 15 minutes is enough time to relax and let go, believe me 15 minutes is longer than you think. If you give yourself a 1 hour limit, that would just leave you with 23 more hours of your day, not including the hours you're asleep. Imagine, if there's at least one negative thing that happens everyday, then your 1 hour becomes 365 hours in a year, that's approximately 15 days, more than 2 weeks! Do you really want to waste that much time being angry? 15 minutes should be enough.

6. Distance yourself from negative people
Hide all posts of your friends on Facebook that are negative. Or if you want, you can also spread the good energy by making a comment on how everything will be better. But be careful with that, I've tried that and it was taken negatively. Stay away from your colleague who complains about the job everyday. Spend less time with your friends if all they do is gossip and talk behind people's backs. If these people are important to you, why don't you try starting out the good vibe with them, they might just change.

7. Get a pet, especially if you live alone
Dogs and cats have this super positive energy that simply makes you feel happy. There was never a point in my life that my family didn't have animals in the house. So you don't like fur or feathers, maybe you can get an aquarium. Research has proven that staring into an aquarium with fish actually make people feel better! This is more important when you live by yourself. The moment you come home, your pets are there to welcome you. Whatever your problem is, they can absorb it. They can become your family if you let them.

There are many other things to help you keep the good vibe going. But let me give you one important rule you must never forget: SMILE! Smile and the world smiles back at you. What you give is what you get and more. So just give the world your best smile so that you also get the best for yourself! You'll be amazed at how your life will change if you follow these rules.

"I never will understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish" -Mother Teresa

You Gotta Be Hungry, How Les Brown Inspired Me

Les Brown is definitely one of my inspirations. Possibly more than any writer or speaker. Each time I apply for a job that I want or if I really want something that seems to be impossible, I think of Les Brown's story.

I remember reading about him in the past but I never paid much attention until I worked in real estate for a while. Our boss back then showed us his video and then I never forgot about him ever again. His name might slip my mind every now and then but his story will always be an inspiration.

He wanted to become a disc jockey and wanted it too much that he went back to the radio station so many times until the manager finally gave him a job. He was willing to start small and worked his way up.

This is how our attitude should be. First we should know what we really want to be. Don't think of what your parents want you to be or what you should be because of so many external factors like your education, financial status, etc. If you will be doing what you really want or love, most likely you will succeed and exceed even your own expectations. But you have to work hard for it. Don't be too proud of yourself. Be willing to start at the bottom. Remember, to be able to climb up the stairs, you'd have to take the first step first. One more very important thing, you must really want something to get it. Create that desire within you that is unbreakable by anyone. Not because someone discouraged you, or if you saw someone who failed, you lose your desire. This desire must not be broken or shaken by anyone.

VERY IMPORTANT: It's not enough to just think about it. Practice. Do something that will bring you closer to your dream! Then I can assure you, whatever happens, no matter how long it takes, you will get what you want. 


Here's a short video of Les Brown. Listen to him tell his story. This is what "hunger" must be like. Enjoy!

Jobs and Criminal Record

I found a very interesting article on Wikihow. So how do you really get a job when you have a criminal record? All the jobs I've ever had, including some of my home based freelancing writer jobs, required me to present either an NBI or Police Clearance.

As a student, I experienced visiting prisons here in the Philippines. There were also a few times I've been to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (for non-criminal reasons) and I've seen prisoners waiting for their turn for their cases to be heard. 

I do not own this photo. Grabbed from http://fruitfulharvest.net No copyright infringement intended. 

I can't help but think on what happens next after they get through this. How do they live? How do they find jobs? It would probably be hard to convince their families that they have become better after serving their sentence, considering the situation in Philippine prisons, what more convincing companies to give them a job.

In one of my school's outreach programs (this was about 7 years ago), I got to talk with one of the prisoners in maximum security of the Bilibid Prison. He told me that while in prison, they are given a chance to study. Student prisoners actually have more benefits and he mentioned that they have more comfortable accommodation compared to others. 

Let's say they got education there so that when they get out they can find jobs, but how do they do that exactly? This article below contain tips and some words of encouragement too. Please share this to people you know who have records so that they have a second chance in life. Being an ex-convict shouldn't mean the end of the world to someone. They still have a chance to reach their dreams! That's why there's an "ex-" before convict because it's in the past. God forgives and we don't have the right to judge these people. 

Here's the link to the article: How To Get a Job with a Criminal Record

This video discusses about US law but can also serve as a guide, just an FYI:

How does a criminal record affect employment?

The Call Center Experience

Without a doubt, BPO's are probably one of the biggest provider of jobs in our country. Thousands of applicants turn to call centers with hopes of higher than the usual salary and a five-day work week. It's true call centers provide this and more. By experience, I know for a fact that they offer more benefits than most jobs advertised. HMO, overtime pay, night differential, bonuses, commissions, insurance, etc. The package is complete!

The business of call centers in recruitment alone is already so huge that there are plenty of companies offering services to train to become a call center agent. A lot of people are given the impression that getting a job in a call center is hard.  Come application or interview day, some applicants become so nervous and think that those who are experienced or got trained in advance have an edge already and it would be too hard for them to get accepted. What happens is that even if an applicant passes the written or computer-based exam, when it's time for their speaking skills to be evaluated, they stutter and sometimes just completely shut up.

I think that getting a job in a call center is quite easy. If you practice and try to follow my tips, I can guarantee you'll get that job offer instantly! I've been in that industry for over four years in four very different companies so I can guarantee that the information I'm about to say is true. Before I continue, I would like to make it clear that even if I believe that self confidence is the key, make sure you know at least the basic skills required. Practice speaking English out loud. If you can, try speaking ONLY the English language at least 24 hours before your interview. There are IQ tests online, try taking those tests. If you type slow, go to one of my favorite websites for practice: http://typingtest.com. Believe it or not, I've seen people who apply in call centers without knowing basic computer skills, especially the Internet. You must at least know how to access an e-mail account or Google information. If not, then learn it first.

This may be hard to believe but some call centers are not so critical about English speaking skills. I met so many people in this industry with "just okay" English speaking skills. Writing skills even worse. What almost everyone has in common is conversational English skills. Most call centers provide lengthy trainings and it's almost impossible for a normal person not to be able to learn. What I'm trying to point out is, even if an ad says that a call center is looking for someone with exceptional English speaking skills and you don't think your exceptional, apply anyway. For as long as you show confidence in your interview, you'll make it. Not arrogance but confidence.

If you think that working in a call center is hard, it is in some ways. The recruitment staff are experts and will be able to determine on what level you can work. You will be trained. Think of it this way: you have a new mobile phone, a different brand from your old one. First day you have it, even sending SMS is just too hard. Next day, you're using it like a pro. Weeks passed, you can operate your phone even without looking at it! That's just how it goes. Let me tell you that when training starts and when you begin taking calls or calling out, you and your colleagues who started with the company at the same time are all equal. You all share the same knowledge that was taught in training. Account-sensitive information are not taught in any call center school at all! You only have access to that information once you are in production training.

Same goes for other jobs as well. My first month working in a hotel was difficult. I didn't even want to talk to guests because I might say something wrong. On my second month, I was working on my own. Third month, I was an expert!

I'm writing about this because it's common knowledge that the unemployment rate in the Philippines is high. However, if you check on job ad sites and Sunday newspapers, thousands if not millions of jobs are available. Working in a call center has improved millions of lives and provided enough, sometimes even more than enough income for a family. Some call centers do not even require a degree, a high school diploma is fine. Some people just don't even try applying thinking they are under-qualified. There is no harm in trying. Just do it! You'll never know unless you try. And if you try, give it your best shot! If you fail the first time, there are plenty more companies where you can apply. Just keep on trying!

So I say to you: Keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you. Luke 11:9 (International Standard Version)

Job Hunting Tip #2

Once again, let me say that having a job is an essential part if you want to become rich. Having your own businesses or investments will give you your millions but if you need financial stability, you have to have a job. If you don't have the money yet to build your own business or buy your own investments, then get a job first! Businesses, stocks, etc have seasons of ups and downs. But if you have a job, no matter what happens, whatever the situation of the economy, by law your employer will have to pay you. You can only stop working a day job once your businesses or investments are already stable, or if you have a bank account that is good enough and you're feeling secure your family will not go hungry.

I mentioned in another blog entry Money Machine Part 1 that the road to riches may only be reached by feeling, looking, talking and living rich. The same concept goes when job hunting for your perfect or dream job.

Feel, talk and look like you're perfect for the job
(even if you know that there are more suitable candidates than you)

Once again, it's all about the packaging. I'm not telling you to pretend that you know so much about a job when in fact you know very little or nothing at all. Let me share a few experiences:

For the past six years, I have worked for four different industries: BPO, hospitality, real estate and journalism. In the BPO industry, I've covered three different services: customer support, technical support and sales. I've worked for both American and Australian accounts. I've worked both day and night shifts. In the hospitality industry, I've worked for both Front Office and Sales/Reservations.

Getting the BPO job was easy. I was a fresh graduate when I started. The call center business was just beginning to boom. They were trying to get as many new hires as possible. I remember coming to the interview wearing a very formal business attire, with black stockings! There were even some applicants who thought I was the boss! That time I felt I was overdressed. It is very common to see applicants for call centers wearing jeans and a shirt or blouse. This is not right especially if you have no experience or if you think your skills are not enough! Just by dressing up the proper way, you are giving the impression that you are professional. You make your interviewer think that you can be a future boss. This is what they are looking for. People who will last a long time and with potential to be promoted. Thousands of people applying in call centers everyday doesn't mean we are given the right to take this for granted. Everyone gets noticed! Every single applicant gives their potential employers an impression. If you don't think your skills are enough, try your best to stand out.

I applied in a hotel with no experience at all with hospitality, tourism or even face-to-face customer service! Again, self confidence was the key. I made sure that the interviewer knew that I was sincere when I said I'm willing to learn and I do learn fast! I didn't even have any idea during that time what I was getting myself into, I didn't even know if I can learn hospitality in a short period of time. But I was determined, I eventually made it and I think I did quite well with my job.

I admit without shame that real estate is not a thing for me. I lasted in this industry for less than three months! I never made a sale. But how did I get accepted when I applied? How did I make my former bosses think I can do the job? I dressed well, I spoke well, I was honest. I spoke from the heart. I told them my dreams, my achievements and even my failures. I came into their office determined that by the time I leave that same day I already had a job offer. Once again, I did it.

By the time I was trying to pursue a career in journalism, it wasn't easy to convince companies that I am qualified because it's been more than five years since I graduated college. Even if I studied a great deal of journalism in college, they assume that by this time, I've already forgotten everything I learned in school. My writing experience was never professional until this year. How did I convince them to hire me? Pure confidence and nothing more. In my first writing job application, I didn't even have formal writing samples to present! I still got accepted.

Please don't get me wrong. I'm talking about being confident but please know how to differentiate that with just pure arrogance. Be careful in doing this. It is important that you do not give the wrong impression. I learned that the hard way, I was rejected in a few jobs in the past because I gave the arrogant impression rather than the confident impression even if I didn't mean it that way. One more thing, BE HONEST. Do not pretend about having certain skills or knowledge when you don't. You'll never know if you'll be put on the spot. That would just be super embarrassing.

Job Hunting Tip #1 was published right before this entry so you may want to check that out too.