GOALKEEPER

CALL CENTER 101: AN INSIDE STORY

2010-06-21T13:35:00.003+08:00

It was a scene right out of the Jude Law movie "Enemy At The Gates"...

After undergoing 3-weeks training at call center 101 boot camp, our batch of 24 recruits were given our individual passwords, herded into the production area, and ordered to "CALL! CALL! CALL!" and that any man who drops or refuses to take a call "need not come back the next day!". Gingerly putting on our headsets and trying our best to look tough, as soon as we logged on...BOOM! We were suddenly flooded with a barrage of calls that came in one immediately after the other without ceasing!

Clumsily navigating my way through the data system, multi-tasking between talking on the phone, encoding data, finding the right "product" for the customer, and entering each sale on the "scoreboard", just after the first five or six calls, I almost had this child-like urge in me to call time out and gather my wits even for but a moment. But I cannot do that for that would have been the end of me...any man who drops or refuses to take a call "need not come back the next day". I tell you, the A/C was blowing cold air on the production floor, but I was sweating all throughout that graveyard shift.

And although I was scared during those first couple of hours. I just had no time to be scared. I was making mistakes left and right, I had a splitting headache and I felt like throwing up. But I have to keep taking each and every call and try my best to sound perky and confident in spite of the overwhelming fear I feel within my guts. The fifteen-minute break was heaven-sent. Walking off towards the cafeteria, I was still in a daze, not quite sure what the heck just happened the past two hours. After drinking a strong cup of brewed coffee, I gathered my wits and analyzed my performance. I was feeling a lot better now and my 15-minute break was almost up. I took a deep breath and bravely walked back into "battle"...

And for those who were wondering where I have been these past few weeks, well I've been busy learning call center 101. Now who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

THE CHOICES WE MAKE DETERMINE THE LIFE WE LIVE

2010-05-17T16:42:00.001+08:00

Life is what we make it. It took me a while to realize this truth. After going around in circles these past oh so many years trying to figure out where I truly fit in, I'm still not entirely certain that I am where I should be. Even now, there seems to be an emptiness inside me that I have not yet fully understood. Problem is, I still cannot determine what would fill up this void in me. Don't get me wrong. I'm quite happy where I am right now. But there is this nagging question that's been tormenting me for quite a while now: "Am I where I am supposed to be?" All I know is, early in my life, circumstances forced me to make choices that led me to live the life I live today.

As I was thinking along this line, I came up with this simple diagram that attempts to illustrate how the choices we make determine the life we live. Starting off at the same timeline, these three lines illustrate the following:

The RED line represents those who know exactly what life they want to live and stayed true and straight on the path towards that life. They have made their choice long before and have stuck to that choice. People on this RED line generally achieve success and the life they desire much earlier than others and with the least complications;

The BLUE line represents those who were already on one path but realized early that they would be much happier being on a different path. People on the BLUE line would include those who had to make changes in their career choices after they determine early enough that the life they want to live lies on a different path. People on the BLUE line lead fairly successful lives, but what matters to them most is that they are happy with their choices;

The GREEN line represents those who don't have a clue what they want in life or those who know what they want but were forced by circumstances beyond their control to deviate from the path they have chosen, blown off course and are left clueless where their path would lead them. People on this GREEN line would go about life drifting from one career to another, but rarely gaining mastery of any specific trade or skill. These are your jacks-of-all-trades-but-masters-of-none. Mediocrity seems to be a persistent companion. But never count these GREEN guys out just yet for these people, who have drank the bitter ale of life, are very much capable and determined to succeed as soon as they get their bearings straight.

The choices we make determine the life we live. Having a clear goal early in life helps you determine the choices you will make later. A square peg in a round hole will never succeed. Find a path that truly fits you and make your choices go along this path.

CREATE A PASSIVE INCOME OPPORTUNITY

2010-04-15T14:48:00.003+08:00

In its broadest definition, passive income refers to any income you receive regularly from investments or business activities where you exercise minimal direct participation to maintain that income. The beauty of knowing how to create passive income is that after you have completed the initial effort, the income, ideally, should continue coming in even without your active participation, hence passive.

In contrast, earned income is income you earn from performing a proportionate amount of effort such that zero effort equates to zero income. If you plan to retire comfortably, you must realize this early that you cannot rely on just your salary or earned income since earned income stops as soon as you stop working. You need to explore every opportunity to create passive income that can regularly provide income for you even after you retire.

To illustrate, think of passive income as buying a pair of chickens. You invest a bit of money and effort to raise that pair and before long, the hen starts laying eggs, some of which you keep for breakfast and some you leave to hatch. Soon enough, even without your intervention, you have six more chickens in the yard. A couple of months later while you were away (passive), the cycle repeats and you now have a dozen chickens where once there were just two. And so on…

Aside from raising chickens, here are some common activities where you can find an opportunity to create passive income:

• Rental properties: a tad bit too expensive an investment but if you have the money to buy or build apartments and have them rented out, rental properties can provide you a steady stream of passive income for the long term.

• Rental spaces: if you have vacant properties near busy commercial districts, you can rent out parking spaces on an hourly or daily basis. And why not offer car wash services as well while the cars are parked there. Just make sure you hire someone to do the carwash otherwise this income won’t be so passive.

• Rental rooftops: sounds strange? Telecom companies and advertising contractors rent rooftops on a monthly basis to erect cell sites or ad billboards. An almost 100 percent passive income opportunity, you practically have zero investment here although you may need to have high tolerance against strong radio waves and nosy neighbors.

• Royalties from Intellectual Property Rights: if you’re the intellectual type, you can earn passive income from copyrights or patents of your songs, videos, designs, literary works, inventions or other intellectual properties you own. Here’s a fun fact: way back in 1977, this blogger submitted a term paper on “The Viability of Bottling Potable Water”. The whole class laughed at the idea. Had I seriously pursued that concept of bottled water, I would have been a gazillionaire today, making millions in passive income everyday. Oh well, at least I know that idea was a winner.

•Make Money Online: the internet has opened the opportunity for practically everyone to make money online and earn passive income via affiliate links and ad clicks. Although a lot of time, effort, knowledge and money may be required initially to run a website profitably, in the long run, it may be possible to earn passive income almost automatically without your active intervention. As far as this blogger is concerned, this is all still wishful thinking, but the potential rewards in the long-term make the opportunity to make money online well worth trying.

Passive income is not exactly passive. A lot of time, effort, and investment will be required of you initially. You need to find and create the opportunity to earn passive income. It’s not going to be easy, but you know the rewards for your efforts will be great.

WEALTH RATIO AND RETIREMENT

2010-03-24T08:52:00.007+08:00

While doing keyword research earlier today, I came across these interesting numbers:

From these numbers, it’s easy to conclude that the phrase “Debt to Equity Ratio” is being searched 500 times more than the phrase “Wealth Ratio” and that there are at least 4 times as much online information on “Debt to Equity Ratio” than “Wealth Ratio”. Does this show that currently, more people are concerned about debt than they are about wealth?

If you are nearing 50, as I am, you probably are beginning to think about retirement within the next ten years or so. With retirement looming closely, you have probably asked yourself, “Will I have enough wealth to retire on?” and “How much wealth do I really need to retire comfortably?” This is where “Wealth Ratio” is most significant.

In his book Rich Dad's Retire Young, Retire Rich, Robert “Rich Dad” Kiyosaki defined “Wealth Ratio” as your total Passive and Portfolio Incomes divided by your total expenses:

(Passive Income + Portfolio Income) / Total Expenses = Wealth Ratio

Note that computing for Wealth Ratio does not include your Salary (Earned Income). The goal of calculating for Wealth Ratio is to have your Passive and Portfolio Incomes equal or surpass your total expenses such that even if you retire from your job (earned income), you can still maintain your lifestyle. When Passive and Portfolio Incomes surpass total expenses, your Wealth Ratio would be 1 or higher. At this point, you can look forward to a comfortable retirement.

If you plan your retirement with nothing but your earned income to retire on, this will not be viable as your earned income stops as soon as you retire while your expenses continue on. To score high on your Wealth Ratio, you really need to build up your Passive and Portfolio Incomes. While this may sound obvious enough, the problem is NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE REALIZE THIS. The numbers on the table above attest to this. Only 36 people a month bother to search about “Wealth Ratio”. And the vast majority realize too late that they will not have enough wealth upon retirement.

Determining your Wealth Ratio on a regular basis can give you an idea how near or far you are from your ideal retirement. Computing it NOW gives you enough time to react and catch up. I have tried computing mine and I sincerely hope your Wealth Ratio today will be much better than mine.

MOTIVATION POSTER: TEAMWORK

2010-03-06T20:53:00.001+08:00

MOTIVATION VIDEO: LIFE IS A CUP OF COFFEE

2010-02-26T18:18:00.004+08:00

MOTIVATION POSTER: COMPROMISE

2010-02-16T16:40:00.001+08:00

MOTIVATION POSTER: FORESIGHT

2010-02-02T15:03:00.000+08:00

RETIRE YOUNG, RETIRE RICH

2010-01-28T16:19:00.009+08:00

Catchy phrase, isn't it? Who wouldn't want to retire young and retire rich? Little wonder Robert Kiyosaki's "Retire Young, Retire Rich" became another best-selling sequel to "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". In a nutshell, "Retire Young, Retire Rich" is about how Robert Kiyosaki started out with practically nothing in 1985 and, in less than 10 years, was able to retire financially free at age 47. This book is a must-read if you do not plan on working hard all your life. To know more about this best-seller, click this link:

Rich Dad's Retire Young, Retire Rich

Reading this book got me thinking: What's the use of retiring young if I don't have much funds to retire on? On the other hand, if I work all my life in the hope of retiring rich, will I still have enough time and energy to be able to enjoy the fruits of my hard labor when I retire? It is perhaps in this context that the concept of retire young and retire rich inspires me to struggle ahead - to retire young at 50 and be rich enough to fully enjoy my retirement. For more information, click this link:

Rich Dad's Retire Young, Retire Rich

ABC's of SUCCESS

2010-01-11T16:58:00.007+08:00

I was initially toying with using the 26 letters of the alphabet to come up with positive traits for success. When I got to letter "D", I somehow realized I may have bitten off more than I can chew. 26 letters all of a sudden feels like a lot of work. And I just cannot think of anything for the letter "X" other than Xenical. Backtracking a bit, here's a shorter version of the ABC's of SUCCESS :

Sacrifice: success demands a high degree of sacrifice from you. Forget about saturday night parties and weekend outings. Say hello to sleepless nights and hypertension. Success demands fathers and mothers to leave family and country painfully behind in search of a better future.

Commitment: how much time, effort, resource and emotion are you willing to lay on the line just to see your dream turn into reality? Will you back out at the slightest hint of failure? Or will you persevere, burn your bridges, and push forward?

Competence: knowledge is power. In aiming for your goal, you need to know how to get from where you are right now to where you desire to be. Even better, you need to know if there are better ways of getting there. You need to know the "tricks of the trade". Research. Research. Research.

Enthusiasm: will you be still as excited with your goal next week as you are right now, or will the excitement fade with time? Will the enthusiasm still be the same after you have faltered and failed so many times?

Self-reliance: the best person who can help you succeed is you... nobody, nobody but you. The only reason so many have failed to stand up on their own is because they have always relied on somebody else to be there for them. Trainer wheels on bicycles are great, but eventually, you know you have to take them off.

Share: success is best savored when shared with somebody else. How silly would it feel to climb Mt. Everest and have nobody to tell about your triumph. Often, you dream of success not only for yourself but more for those around you. All your sacrifices would seem much easier to bear when you offer your goal to a higher purpose. The most successful people today are also some of the biggest donors.

What about "U"? Obviously, there can be no success without "U". Success depends on "U".

MOTIVATION POSTER: 2010

2010-01-06T23:31:00.002+08:00

MOTIVATIONAL POSTER: PERSEVERANCE

2010-01-03T11:06:00.003+08:00

ANOTHER NEW YEAR: TIME FOR A COOL CHANGE

2009-12-29T13:06:00.009+08:00

Well now, time flew by really fast and another new year approaches. I've been asking myself this question since last week: "Will the coming new year be just like this passing year?". Hopefully, the new year will be a whole lot better. But then, I cannot just hope for things to get better. I have to work harder. I have to change.

Albert Einstein defined INSANITY as doing the same thing over and over again and then expect a different result each time. Taking the cue from good old Albert, if I am to expect much better results for the new year, then I need to change the way I do things. Starting off with my blogs, I'll work even harder to put more contents that readers will gain more benefit from. So expect changes on this site.

Your comments will be very helpful for me to determine how I can change and improve this site. Seriously, I truly value each comment I get from you guys. Imagine talking to an empty room... that's how I feel when I don't get comments from you. Your comments tell me, "Hey, some one's listening to me!" Your comments make me feel good. Don't worry, I won't spam you because I honestly don't know how to. And I hate spam, myself.

If you haven't yet noticed, I've "slightly" monetized this site. Hey, I got expenses too you know. I would truly appreciate your support.

So, let's all work harder for a better, safer, happier, healthier, more prosperous, more peaceful new year.

Let us all change for the better. Let the new year be a time for a cool change...

UNIQUE GIFT IDEA FROM RICH DAD

2009-11-20T20:46:00.009+08:00

This Season of gift giving, Rich Dad offers you a really unique gift idea: instead of the usual gift basket or traditional bottle of wine which would soon be gone and forgotten, why not give a set of books from the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series by Robert Kiyosaki? For just a small budget, you can buy two or three Rich Dad, Poor Dad paperbacks from the series, wrap these with bright red ribbons and give them as a personal gift to friends or even as a corporate gift to your customers and business associates.

By giving this unique Rich Dad gift, you are telling your friends and business associates you sincerely care about their financial health. More importantly, your friends and associates can pass on to their children the valuable lessons they will learn from the Rich Dad Poor Dad series, lessons on financial education that will teach and lead them and their children out of the rat race and onward to financial freedom. Rarely would a bottle of wine be passed on to the next generation.

You can find out more about the Rich Dad series by clicking on this link:
Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

Personally, I received a copy of Rich Dad, Poor Dad about a year ago as a gift from my baby sister, Juliette. I must admit I was never really fond of books, especially books that don't have pictures on it. I usually get bored after a page or two and eventually doze off. As I was pretty busy around that time working hard for "Earned Income", I pretty much forgot about Rich Dad,Poor Dad. It was only when my market was severely hit by the global recession that I remembered Rich Dad and found time to really read the book. I would read a chapter each day and make notes - lots of notes! One thing I noticed right away is this book makes sense! It somehow changed my perspective, my mindset, my context. During those gloomy days of recession, Rich Dad somehow showed me how mere possibilities can turn into reality. I liked the book so much I went on to buy another book from the series, and then another. I don't usually do that!

But don't take my word for it, go get a copy and see for yourself. Better yet, take this rich dad advise and go grab this unique gift idea. Check out the entire Rich Dad series by clicking on this link:
Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

Here's to your financial freedom!

THE POWER OF YOUR MIND: TURN POSSIBILITY INTO REALITY

2009-11-09T23:24:00.010+08:00

In 1900, when the Wright Brothers were proposing the possibility that man can fly, cynics and doubting thomases, trapped in their accepted reality that "man cannot fly", were all over Orville and Wilbur, telling the visionary brothers that it was not possible for man to fly and that their works were bound to fail. And fail they did several times. Between all that heckling and failing, you would think the brothers would give up their vision of powered-flight and that their flimsy contraption would never ever fly.

But, as history will reveal, Orville and Wilbur Wright never gave up. The power of their vision of flight was so strong in their mind, they were prepared to take the risk of failing. Even their choice of the soft, sandy surface of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina as their testing ground attests to their readiness to fail. If they had to crash, they knew they would crash safely. Gaining a wealth of information each time they fail, they would apply these information to improve on their design. In the face of mounting adversity and cynicism, obsessed by a passion of turning a mere possibility of human flight into a reality, they stayed the course and persevered.

Then, on that fateful morning of December 17, 1903, that possibility finally became reality! From the sandy field of Kitty Hawk, the same barren field where they have failed time and again, the brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright made aviation history with their first successful powered flight. Lasting but 12 seconds and soaring just 10 feet off the ground, this first heavier-than-air powered flight flew on to forever immortalize Orville and Wilbur Wright as aviation pioneers.

The greatest tool you will ever need to succeed is right between your ears. The power of your mind to see possibilities beyond the limits of reality is both awe-inspiring and life-changing. Where many see obstacles and challenges, you see opportunities. Where others only look at the risk, you are able to weigh benefits vis-a-vis risks. When others give up and despair over their failures, the power of your mind urges you to anticipate, and in fact, plan for failures so that you can right away get up from each failure and try again. While others are confined to the reality that man cannot fly, you explore the possibility of spreading your wings and soaring high. Distance yourself from all doubts and fears. Believe you can fly and you WILL fly.

RICH DAD SAYS THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF MONEY

2009-10-22T17:38:00.001+08:00

From the book "Retire Young Retire Rich" by Robert "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" Kiyosaki, rich dad discussed the three different types of money, which are:

Earned Money: This is money you get from your regular work. This is money that comes in the form of a paycheck or a salary. Commissions, tips, bonuses, overtime pay and salary increases fall under Earned Money. Rich dad says Earned Money is the worst kind of money to work for mainly because Earned Money is the highest-taxed among the three types of money. In fact, you have almost no control over your Earned Money since the government will take it's share of your money via withholding tax even before you receive your paycheck. Earned Money is money you personally have to work for and therefore takes up your valuable time - time which you could have spent earning more money. There is practically no leverage with Earned Money since you actually have to work to get paid, and then work again to get paid again. Earned Money is money you work the hardest for but allowed to keep the least of.

Portfolio Money: This is money you get from paper assets such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Passive Money: This is money you get from real estate, royalties from patents, books, songs, or other products with intellectual value. Rich dad liked Passive Money because this is money he had to work the least for, often the least taxed, and earns the highest returns consistently over a long period of time.

Rich dad says if you plan on retiring early and retiring rich, you have to plan on working hard for Passive Money and NOT Earned Money as most people make the mistake of doing. It is not how much money you make that matters but how much money you get to KEEP.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FINANCIAL EDUCATION IN ACHIEVING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

2009-10-03T21:19:00.003+08:00

"The main reason people struggle financially is because they have spent years in school but learned nothing about money. The result is that people learn to work for money...but never learn to have money work for them."

- Robert Kiyosaki

Author

Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Financial education, knowing how to make money work for you, is important in the quest to achieving financial freedom. Had we recognized this truth twenty-five years ago, or had schools provided us with a solid foundation in financial education, then perhaps our financial situation would have been a whole lot better today.

Sadly, this was not the case. And so, for a vast majority, the primary urge when we received our first paycheck was to spend rather than to save. We opened credit card accounts rather than savings accounts. Instead of accumulating assets, we piled up liabilities. Somehow, the illusion of a brilliant professional career, of being promoted, of receiving a bigger paycheck, has given us a false sense of financial power that emboldened us to spend even more. Work more, earn more and spend more was the accepted dogma.

Fast forward twenty-five years, three kids, five credit cards and several mortgages later, we find ourselves still hard at work to earn more. Midway to retirement, and burdened with debt, we spend sleepless nights wondering where did all the money go and how we can get out of the rat race. Trapped in a financial gridlock, we only have two options available: continue working even harder until we're old and gray, or try learning financial education and find a way to get out of debt and climb towards financial freedom.

It is never too late to learn financial education. The bitter lessons we have learned with this global financial crisis is more than enough motivation for us to start learning financial education NOW. Read a book. Attend workshops and seminars. Search the internet for valuable information on financial education. Make your hard-earned money work hard for you. Start your climb towards financial freedom today.

SIMPLIFIED FINANCIAL GOAL

2009-09-24T18:17:00.003+08:00

This time, let's just have a little fun with some very important numbers. Using this simplified FINANCIAL GOAL CALCULATOR , you can have a much clearer idea how much time and money it will take for you to realize your financial goal. As there are several investment options available in the market with varying interest rates, anywhere from 0% if you keep your savings under your mattress up to 30% if you place your savings into a business, you can play around with interest rates on this financial goal calculator. Try to be as realistic with your numbers as possible. Just click on this FINANCIAL GOAL CALCULATOR link. Have fun!

5 EASY WAYS TO LOSE A GOAL

2009-09-17T23:28:00.005+08:00

How bad do you really want your goal? Are you willing to exert extra-ordinary effort to achieve your goal? Or would you rather take the 5 easy ways to lose a goal? Truth is, not everyone is gifted with extra-ordinary perseverance and will-power to go the extra mile and achieve their goal. While many have taken the road less travelled and achieved their goal, even more have chosen to just sit on the sidelines, content in their comfort zone, idly watching as champions pass by. While many have ran their race and won gold and glory, still many have chosen to take these 5 easy ways to lose a goal:

1. No clear, written goal:
“If it’s not written, it did not happen” Unless you can define your goal clearly and have written it down, including your plan of action and daily goals you must accomplish along the way, you’re likely to lose enthusiasm and eventually forget your goal. Everyday distractions at work and at home can easily steer your focus away from your goal. A clear, written goal constantly reminds you where you need to be.

2. Unrealistic goal:
“Shoot high, hit high”, sounds nice, doesn’t it? But in reality, this phrase is probably the single most common cause of frustration and depression among businessmen, sales professionals, and other goal seekers. Nothing can be more frustrating than to shoot for an unrealistically high goal and then only hit 40 percent of that goal. On the other hand, had you aimed for a more realistic lower goal, that same effort would have landed you so much closer to your goal, boosting your confidence and encouraging you to continue and shoot a little bit higher next time. Nobody knows you better than you. You know what you are capable of accomplishing. You know at what point reality ends and fantasy begins. Keep your goals within realistic limits.

3. Lack of motivation:
Usually, when you start off on a goal, you are so full of positive energy and enthusiasm. Midway towards your goal, this motivation gradually tapers off due to factors such as frustration, problems, doubts, and other distractions. Left unchecked, the motivation to move forward eventually fades, and so does your goal. Lack of motivation is a direct consequence of not having a written goal and of having unrealistic goals. Having a realistic goal clearly written down allows you to see your progress and motivates you even more to move forward.

4. Failure to include “other essential items” into your goal planning:
How many times has this happened? You set up a goal to save enough money to buy an item you’ve always wanted. And just about when you reached your goal and ready to buy that item, somebody gets sick and you have to pay the hospital bills. And your goal suddenly goes poof! While we cannot anticipate everything that might happen, it’s always a good idea to include essential items into your goal planning. These essentials would include items that you normally pay for regularly (rent, utilities, taxes, insurance, groceries), items that you cannot afford to neglect as you strive for your goal. In effect, including these “other essential items” into your goal planning becomes a reality check since you can already determine whether your goal is still realistic.

5. Lack of commitment:
Aside from being S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bounded), a goal should also be Personal. Commitment to a goal only comes when you know you will personally gain or suffer personal loss with your goal. A goal should be your own personal goal and not something somebody else forced upon you. A goal with no solid commitment behind it will never prosper.

Achieving goals is never an easy task. Depending on how intense your desire is to succeed, you can either work hard towards your goal, or you can take these 5 easy ways to lose a goal.

HELPING HANDS

2009-09-14T10:17:00.001+08:00

In the hustle and bustle of this rat race we are in, it is very seldom that we get the opportunity to lend helping hands to those who need help.

For me and a group of alumni from Saint Andrew's in Paranaque, that opportunity came two months ago when I bumped into my old high school English teacher, Mr. Chan. Looking frail and sickly, Mr.Chan told me he was sick. I have seen old sick people before, and Mr. Chan's case was no different. But for some reason, I arranged to meet with him at his place to see what I could do for him. Bringing a videocam along, I took a short video of him during our meeting. I had intended to post his video on our alumni group website. Somehow, I was thinking that our group can help him out much more than I can. I was hoping more helping hands would make any task a lot easier to bear.

And helping hands did come. A lot of helping hands. Phone calls and encouraging text messages poured in from his former students. Donations came in, too. Alumni from both near and far who saw Mr. Chan's video on our group website volunteered their share. And many others visited him at his place. Living practically alone as he never had the chance to start his own family, our old mentor was so happy to have so many well-wishers visit him. Those were probably some of the happiest days of his life.

And then he died last week. It was inevitable. He may have been in pain those last few days, but I know he died happy. Happy with the thought that people still care. Happy with the outpouring of love and support. Happy to see so many helping hands.

To all those helping hands, I dedicate this short inspirational poem:

I SHALL NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN

Through this toilsome world, alas!

Once, and only once shall I pass;

If a kindness I may show,

If a good deed I may do,

To a suffering fellow man,

Let me do it while I can.

No delay, for it is plain

I shall not pass this way again.

-anonymous

VICTORY REMEMBERED

2009-09-05T09:11:00.001+08:00

Whenever you feel burdened by the load you're carrying, or terribly discouraged by how things are going right now, it will always be helpful to look back into every victory you have accomplished before. Great or small, remember how every victory made you feel good about yourself; how every victory boosted your self-confidence and encouraged you to forge ahead.

I have this magic box of Victories where I keep copies of the biggest purchase orders I have closed over the past 20 or so years, as well as copies of checks I received for those sales. And as for me, it's really magic whenever I open that box. I recall each of those sales, from the first probing questions I asked, to the presentations, to closing the sale, making the delivery, and most importantly, getting the check! And I keep telling myself: "Heck, if I could do it back then, I most certainly could still do it today!". Feels good. A real morale booster.

So, have you looked into your magic box of victories today?

SMALL BUSINESS GUERRILLA SURVIVAL TIPS

2009-09-02T17:42:00.003+08:00

Small businesses will still PROSPER. People will still BUY.

I really wanted to start the first lines of my new project SMALL BIZ GUERRILLA TIPS on a very positive note. Truth is, it is much better to listen to your own business instincts rather than get stressed out by what you hear or read in the news. You know your business better than anybody else. If there is any one person who can help your small business survive and even prosper, that person would be YOU.

Whether you sell homes, run a flower shop, provide pet grooming service, or sell life insurance, it would be helpful to try thinking "outside the box". Think "unconventional". Think "guerrilla". Pumping out your creativity will help you climb out of your depression. Unconventional thinking gives you a fresh new perpective on an otherwise mundane daily routine. Guerrilla tactics make your small business stand out from the other "ordinary" businesses.

In this site, I will be sharing with you small business guerrilla tips that I believe will help your small business endure, survive, and even prosper through these challenging days. I will not be teaching or lecturing to you, I am not in the business of teaching. I will be sharing with you lessons I have learned and techniques I have employed in my own small business. Right off the bat I will tell you that I am NOT the best businessman in the world. In fact, right now, I actually am in the same "not so good" shape as most small businesses are. But what I am good at is in SURVIVING. What I have "accomplished" with what limited resources I have on hand, that I can be proud of.

I invite you to keep an open mind, put on your thinking hats and start thinking guerrilla... come visit my new site SMALL BIZ GUERRILLA TIPS.

WHO AM I?

2009-08-30T12:59:00.001+08:00

Who am I? Sounds like the most basic question. A no-brainer. Easy to answer...or is it?

Do you really know who you are? Have you determined your true calling? Truth is, unless you know who you are and what your unique purpose is for being where you are right now, you might very well be just a square peg in a round hole. You might just be wasting your time and effort trying to fit in a role that is not really meant for you. And you end up frustrated and miserable.

Knowing who you are, knowing your unique skills, talents, behaviour and every other factors that make you who you are, is vitally important in achieving, or not achieving, your goals. Are you reaching for a goal that is not really for you? Do you dream of becoming an NBA superstar even though you're only 5 feet tall? Of course, if you try really hard, you might just reach that goal, but then, how come the victory feels empty, as if you feel you were meant to do something else. How many superstars in the peak of their fame have overdosed due to depression?

On the other hand, you have also heard of Karol Wojtyla. a Polish stage actor who became Pope. Or of Albert Einstein who really wanted to be a Physics teacher, ended up a humble Patent Clerk only to realize that there were tons of research and knowledge he could study in his tiny cramped office.

To cut this short, before even planning what your goal is, KNOW YOURSELF FIRST. Assess your skills. Study the circumstances around you. Determine if you are cut out to be what you aspire to be. Perhaps you would benefit more if you instead become something else.

PELE: AN INSPIRATION

2009-08-28T23:55:00.008+08:00

The legendary superstar of Brazilian soccer, Pele (Edson Arantes Do Nascimento in real life) grew up in poverty in Bauru, Sao Paolo, Brazil. His father, Dondinho, a respected soccer player himself, taught Pele his first soccer lessons. Pele earned money working in tea shops, shined shoes or ran errands. Unable to afford proper soccer gear, Pele would usually practice soccer using socks stuffed with newspapers. He sometimes even used grapefruits. At age 11, while playing for a local minor-league club, Pele was discovered by Waldemar de Brito, one of Brazil's premier players at that time, who declared, "This boy will be the greatest soccer player in the world." And he was right. From his first professional appearance where he scored a goal almost immediately, Pele went on to score a career-high 1,280 goals in 1,360 games. Amid offers from European clubs, Brazil declared Pele a national treasure to prevent Pele from being transferred to another country.

In 1978, Pele was awarded the International Peace Award for promoting peace and goodwill during his 22 years playing soccer. In 1980, the legendary Pele was named Athlete of the Century. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1993.

From obscurity to immortality, from practicing with grapefruit to electrifying soccer fans the world over, from shining shoes to National Treasure, Pele inspires us to persevere inspite of adversity and to be passionate with our careers for us to reach our goals.

FOOTBALL vs BASEBALL vs SOCCER

2009-08-23T13:50:00.010+08:00

G'day sportsfans! Since we've been talking about ballgames these past coupla posts, I though I'd post some interesting stats I got while researching keywords on www.spyfu.com. These are SEARCH VOLUME PER DAY stats that tell us, more or less, how many are searching the world wide web about a particular topic per day. Since these numbers came from spyfu, they're pretty relible data. I won't have any bias on these stats mainly because my favorite "ballgame" (pingpong) did not even come close to these numbers.

And so I present to you, in no particular order, the BALLGAMES SEARCH VOLUME STATS :

BASEBALL 553,000 searches per day
FOOTBALL 1,000,000 searches per day
SOCCER 453,000 searches per day
BASKETBALL 553,000 searches per day

I must say, these numbers are exceptionally high in terms of search volume per day! I mean, if I were to put up another website or blog, these would be great keywords and themes that I should be exploring. Hmmm? Let me make a note of that.

Man, how I wish pingpong had those numbers...I could talk all day about pingpong...

Should any of you find other ballgames that rank higher than what is presented here, feel free to let me know via your comment on this post.

FAILURE + 100 FAILURES = SUCCESS

2009-08-22T13:24:00.002+08:00

"Borrowed" this great video from Josh Spaulding ( http://ez-onlinemoney.com/blog/). I don't need to say too much about the video because the video says it all. All you have to do is listen to what the man... no, no... THE MAN...says.

This is especially dedicated to all you ballgame lovers who thought this was a soccer blog site.

SEARCH RESULTS

2009-08-20T19:22:00.005+08:00

For some wonderful reason, GOALKEEPER has landed on the top page for Google Search for "Goalkeeper Blog spot". Not that I have not been working for this, but somehow, I was a bit surprised. But happy. However, I do feel guilty about one thing: For the longest time, I am aware that a few who have come across this blog were expecting a blog about ball games like soccer or football or hockey, all of which have goals as an essential part of the game. I find readers from soccer-loving places like London, Italy, Brazil and India who took a peek and left right away. To you guys, I sincerely apologize. I love ball games myself, particularly basketball, table tennis and billiards (well, for as long as there's a ball in there somewhere I'll just call it a ball game). It is but a coincidence that the OBJECTIVE in ball games and in the game called life are both called a GOAL. But still, I do wish you'd stay for a while, browse around and pick something useful here. Ok, sport? Play ball!

YOUTUBE VIDEO

2009-08-17T10:08:00.007+08:00

It's a weird feeling. I know I've got a ton of problems upon my shoulders right now. And this economic slowdown isn't helping one bit. But somehow, I feel upbeat! Really optimistic! There's this feeling deep in my guts that seems to tell me it's all going to be OK soon. In fact, I'm so upbeat I've added a YouTube video of Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" on this blogsite just to spread the optimism. I've somehow fallen in love with the song and it's message --- about the struggles I'm facing, the chances I'm taking, about having to lose, being strong, pushing on, and keeping the faith. It's almost as if they've written this song just for me. It's truly an inspiring song. And Miley Cyrus sang it beautifully, as well. I'd like to share this inspiration with you. Click on the YouTube Video at the bottom of this page. Keep climbing, Goalkeepers! It's all going to be A-OK soon.

DAILY GOALS

2009-07-28T14:49:00.004+08:00

Travelling by bus from Manila to Baguio, roughly a hundred and fifty kilometers to the north, the rustic scenery outside is regularly punctuated by concrete markers telling the traveller how many kilometers have passed behind him. Marker after concrete marker, the traveller knows he is nearing his destination.

Similarly, if GOALS be our destination, those concrete markers then would be our DAILY GOALS.

Setting a goal is not just about stating what we want at some future point in time. Setting a goal, more importantly, is about knowing what to accomplish everyday from today until that future point in time. Setting a goal is more about laying down daily goals.

It can be very frustrating to have a beautiful goal shimmering out there in the distant horizon but never knowing whether we are getting any closer to that goal. Frustration dampens enthusiasm. Frustration blurs focus. Frustration spawns doubt. Frustration can kill a goal.

Daily goals defeat frustration. Daily goals mark every step we take forward towards a goal. It does not matter how distant that goal may be, for as long as we know we are getting closer with every daily goal we accomplish, we are confident that we shall soon reach our desired destination.

LOST

2009-07-27T04:06:00.005+08:00

Ever been lost?

Last week, I helped a friend move to a new house. As she had to stay behind, she asked her maid to go with me since "she knows exactly where the new house is"... or so we thought.

We actually ended up lost, driving around the area in circles for about fifteen minutes. Growing impatient, I parked for a while and asked the maid, "So where is it?".

She meekly replied "It's near a big old watertank".

Looking around, I spotted a "big old watertank" about four blocks away to my left. "That watertank?", I asked, pointing her towards the watertank.

"Ah, yes! That watertank!" She said, her voice suddenly filled with confidence. "The house is right in front of that watertank. You won't miss it. I told you I know exactly where the house is!"

Goals are like "big old watertanks". Goals rise up prominently in the distance above the confusion and distraction and point you towards where you exactly want to be.

So, if you feel lost or just going around in circles aimlessly, perhaps setting a goal can put you on the right path. Visualize achieving your goal. Imagine how good it feels when you achieve your goal! Always look up towards your goal. This is your motivation to get through any obstacle and move further forward.

THE CLIMB

2009-06-23T00:52:00.005+08:00

Just a short note. There's this song "THE CLIMB" by Miley Cyrus. I heard it last week over the radio and immediately I felt this song is for anyone and everyone who has a GOAL. The words were very appropriate: There's always gonna be another mountain ; There's always gonna be another battle ; Sometimes you gonna have to lose... Very nice song. Get the full lyrics of this song from http://www.lyricsmode.com/ or http://www.metrolyrics.com/.

AN INTERVIEW WITH A GIANT - PART TWO

2009-06-16T17:43:00.004+08:00

(Continued from last post...)

Mr. Big started early in his long hard climb up.

In 1970, to support his college education, he sold industrial gloves which he gets on credit from a manufacturer. He makes it a point to ALWAYS pay on time to protect his credit line.

In 1972, he gets married and had to stop college to go full time selling gloves to support his family. To help out, his wife would sell fruits and vegetables in their La Huerta, Paranaque neighborhood. Realizing the importance of getting a degree, his wife urges Mr. Big to finish his Accounting course. He took night classes so he could still continue selling gloves during daytime. Eventually, he graduates and becomes a Certified Public Accountant.

In 1978, Mr. Big sets up his own company to manufacture, import and sell industrial gloves as well as other items such as safety shoes, vests and hard hats.

In 1980, Mr. Big gets hired with Saudi-Aramco in the Middle-East. He entrusts the operation of his growing business to his capable wife. Eventually, with the income from his company and his Mid-East job, Mr. Big starts buying properties where later on he would build apartment buildings. This assured a continuous income stream which even today he is still enjoying. A classic example of making your hard-earned money work for you.

There were 3 things I learned from that interview with Mr. Big :

CREDIBILITY - protect your credit line. Your credibility or credit-worthiness is as good as cash
INDUSTRY - there's no way around this. If you really desire to make it rich, then you will have to turn night into day and WORK, WORK, WORK !
DIVERSIFY - once money starts coming in, you will have to invest in other interests. Never put all your eggs in one basket. Make your money work for you.

AN INTERVIEW WITH A GIANT

2009-05-30T13:32:00.005+08:00

This week, quite by coincidence, I came face-to-face with a Giant - a business Giant in our small community. As I do not have permission to name him in this article, let's just call him "Mr.Big" for now.

For several years now, I had long wanted to meet Mr.Big. Several times I had tried, and failed, to set an appointment with him. With several apartments, a couple of 4-storey buildings, and a number of houses in his assets column, Mr.Big is definitely a prime prospect for my life insurance business. Sadly, I could not get a foot through his door, and after several failed attempts, I gave up.I never got to meet Mr.Big.

25 May, Monday, 7:30 AM, my neighbor Henry calls me asking if I could tag along. He was to meet some guys in Makati regarding a property he was selling. I wanted to say "No" as I need to be in Cavite that same Monday morning. But when Henry said Mr.Big was picking us up in 30 minutes, I immediately said "YES!". I dropped the phone, took a quick shower (the quickest shower I ever took!), totally skipped breakfast (What!? Me skip breakfast?), and was out of my door in 15 minutes. I must've set a speed record there somewhere.

7:58 AM, a shiny grey Toyota Prado rolled to a stop. The summer sun making the Prado shine even brighter. It was Mr.Big ! He was punctual. And he's driving.

On instinct, I pushed Henry to the backseat and I strapped myself up front right beside Mr.Big. How ironic. For so many times I tried in vain to meet Mr.Big. And today, he's driving me to Makati in his shiny Toyota Prado. Beat that !

Along the way, we talked very little. Twenty-five years of driving tells me NEVER to distract a driver doing 100 kph on the expressway. But when we reached Makati, while waiting for the other party to arrive, I started the interview. And this is his inspiring story...

(To be continued next post...)

FRUITS OF MY LABOR

2009-05-23T22:16:00.007+08:00

Q: What's better than buying a plateful of tropical fruits?

A: Climbing up a tree and picking yourself a plateful of tropical fruits!

What's my point? Hmmm... give me a minute and I'll think of something... hmmm... Point is, whatever you goal is, be it great or small, victory always seems sweeter when won through hardship and sweat. While an easy victory is nice, a hard-won goal is so much nicer.

There! I've made my point! I'd like to keep this one really simple. Truth is, I just would like to post this picture. A plateful of aratiles and duhat fruits that I myself picked from trees in my backyard. Oddly, there's something nostalgic about summer and fruit-laden trees that seems to bring out the little boy in me...that makes a 45-year old grown man clamber up a tree and risk a 10-foot fall... just for a plateful of fruits. Makes no sense at all. But hey, them fruits were real sweet !

JOB AT FIRST SIGHT

2009-05-07T11:18:00.006+08:00

Job-hunting? I guess by now you already know how tough the job market is. And with an over-supply of eager applicants aching for a job, employers have the luxury of picking out only the best from the batch. And while you may have an impressive resume, chances are, thirty thousand other applicants have resumes as impressive as yours.

Here's a little tip : FIRST IMPRESSIONS SCORE HIGH.

What you do and say within the first 30 seconds of your interview will spell the difference whether you get hired on the spot or you get that "Thank you, we'll give you a call" excuse.

Choose your words and actions well. You only have a few seconds to shine and rise above the clutter. For example:

Avoid cliches such as, "Thank you for this opportunity..." or "I'm very happy to be here...". Opportunists CANNOT be trusted; and if you wanted to be very happy, go to Disneyland, instead.
A firm handshake shows confidence. But be wary. There is a thin line between confidence (which is good!) and arrogance (definitely a no, no!).
Employers will be looking for keywords and phrases. Prior to your interview, search the Internet for information about the company in particular and the industry in general. Pick out relevant issues or events. Try to sound knowledgeable about the industry. Keywords such as "Efficiency" , "Profitability", "Problem-solving", or "Team" are music to employers' ears.

I trust this can give you the competitive advantage. Now go WOW them with a winning first impression. Get that job at first sight !

VACATION'S OVER!

2009-05-03T09:29:00.004+08:00

Is it mere coincidence that Labor Day comes just a few weeks after graduation? Or is there a conspiracy within the Philippine bureaucracy sending out a subliminal message that says :

"On your feet, Graduates! Vacation's over! Start working!"

Conspiracy or not, the fact remains that for many of you young graduates, your folks had to go neck deep in debt just to see you through college. Even in the midst of this economic slump, your parents have bravely accomplished their goal and have taken you as far as their weary bones will allow. They have given you the necessary knowledge, skill, and guidance to succeed. They have given you wings.

From this point onwards, it is now entirely up to you to prove to your folks that their sacrifice was all well worth it.

In short, it's payback time! Now go start earning their R.O.I. !

GRADUATION DAY !

2009-03-28T13:52:00.003+08:00

Over the next few days, thousands of proud parents will witness the fulfillment of a paramount long-term goal - the graduation of their sons and daughters.

In a country where education is more a privilege than a right, many a parents had to beg, steal or borrow just to see this day come true.

Sure there's an economic slump, but don't let that ruin your day. Worry about that tomorrow. Today, just savor the moment.

To the graduates, and to their parents who never let go and struggled for this goal, CONGRATULATIONS !

RE-INVENTING YOURSELF

2009-03-19T03:22:00.003+08:00

Last week, I read an Internet article about Daniel who had 50 different jobs over the past 50 weeks, travelling from one U.S. city to another. Although a bit extreme, this guy Daniel showed us one way (or is it 50 ways?) of standing defiantly and fighting back against this economic crisis.

If you're feeling the economic crunch, welcome to the club! Perhaps now would be a good time to dig deep into your bag of tricks and find yourself a SKILL, or a HOBBY, or an IDEA that you can monetize to generate extra income or an entirely new career for you.

It won't hurt to take off that business suit for a while and put on coveralls. This Blogger actually took on a job repairing and re-modelling a neighbor's house these past three weeks, making a few extra bucks in the process. And it was fun, too!

When you've got a goal to catch, you got to do what you got to do. Next week, maybe I'll try fixing my neighbor's car. Or maybe someone might notice my drawings and AHEMMM! hire me as a graphic artist. Maybe. Who knows...?

LAUGH OUT LOUD (LOL) @ ADVERSITY

2009-03-11T22:42:00.002+08:00

Today, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports even harder times ahead. A "Great Recession". And that much needed financing would most likely go to developed economies in Europe and the US first, leaving the poor developing economies in East Asia in a drastic trade slowdown.

Well, I don't need the IMF to tell me things are not doing so good. I've been feeling the economic crunch since January this year. But if there's one thing Asians, particularly Filipinos, are good at, it is the capacity to withstand pain and hardship. Dire financial difficulties usually trigger in us the ability to be creative at finding ways to make ends meet. We are at our best when we are at our lowest.

Filipinos eat Adversity for breakfast. And Crisis is but a side dish. We know crying and cursing will not help us one bit. Instead, we draw on our deep sense of humor and merely laugh out loud at adversity.

HARD CLIMB BACK UP

2009-02-18T00:19:00.001+08:00

"Still got your boots on, son?... Well, you got it made!". Memorable lines by actor Gene Hackman from the movie "Behind Enemy Lines".

Well, I've been bloodied and bruised by this damned global economic crisis. Business was really bad. Three steps forward, two steps back. But hey! I still got my boots on and you can bet I'm climbing right back up AGAIN. I know I can make it. So don't you dare count me out.

Here's a couple of tips:

Be creative: not all business sectors have been affected. Some businesses actually thrive during these times of crisis...Food, Health Maintenance, Home Maintenance, Auto Repair... Find a business that could use your skill, service, or product. Do not waste your energy on sectors that are right now feeling the crunch.
For now, it may be easier and more efficient to sell volumes of smaller items rather than a few high capital investments. The market in general seem to be on an "ON HOLD" mode when it comes to major purchases. Instead, try selling items that could fall under petty cash purchases.
People will still buy the basics. Try and position your product or service as a basic need.

Stop whining and start climbing...

PARABLE OF THE WATER TANK

2009-02-12T00:47:00.002+08:00

Sometimes, it takes a mishap or a crisis to make us pause for a while and assess how we get ourselves bogged down knee-deep in trouble.

A city-wide 3-day water service interruption got me thinking. Although bulletins and notices had been posted as early as two weeks back, only a few actually bothered to read them. And fewer still who prepared for the water cut-off. So when the taps eventually went dry Sunday morning, thousands were caught unprepared.

Driving around my neighborhood, I noted 3 classes of households:

Those who have water tanks and filled them up ;
Those who have water tanks but were left half-filled ; and
Those who have no water tanks at all

Those who have water tanks and heeded the bulletins and filled up their tanks should have no problem surviving this 3-day dry spell.

Those who have water tanks but were not aware or totally disregarded the bulletins, and left their water tanks half-filled, will probably need to cut back drastically on their consumption and pray they have enough water left to last 3 days.

Woe to those who did not have water tanks at all! Whether they were aware of the crisis or not did not really matter. As soon as the taps ran dry, they were immediately adversely affected.

As this is a parable (a brief story used to teach a lesson), you can draw your own analogies. But the lesson here is this: The best way to survive a crisis is to steer clear of the crisis. It pays to be wary of what's going on around you, to listen to signs and warnings, and to prepare well ahead of any crisis.

DEFIANCE !

2009-02-03T17:27:00.003+08:00

In the face of this global economic crisis, one word seems to stand out prominently in my little brain... DEFIANCE !!!

The dictionary defines DEFIANCE as "Standing up against ; Refusal to obey ; Open resistance; Challenging".

If there is one attitude we must possess right now, it is DEFIANCE...to stand up against this adverse economic difficulty, to refuse to give up, to resist and challenge those demons of defeatism as we shout out loud: "This is my work! This is my livelihood! This puts food on my table and sends my kids through school! How dare you come from afar and stick your dirty fingers into my business! No way you're gonna take my work away from me! Get the **** outta here!"

DOMINO EFFECT

2009-02-01T11:12:00.002+08:00

Usually, when something's not working right, I simply figure out what's causing the problem and then I fix it. Papa calls it troubleshooting. The key in troubleshooting is you have to know what's causing the problem.

Unfortunately right now, I don't have a clue what's causing my problem. Business turned out to be a disaster for me the whole month of January. All my customers have the same alibi: "Global Financial Crisis". At this point, I must admit, I am a total idiot when it comes to understanding why my business, as well as the livelihood of so many thousands, tens of thousands, has been severely affected by a mess that happened half-way across the globe. Is this what globalization is all about?

What caused this mess in the first place? Can somebody please enlighten me on this matter? If I can understand what's causing this problem, then I would know how to fix it.

I keep hearing the cliche "DOMINO EFFECT". Well, there's one way of preventing the domino effect from toppling all the bricks: You take out a couple of bricks ahead of the falling dominoes. The domino effect stops. You saved the rest from falling as well.

PRESS HERE TO RESET

2009-01-31T11:23:00.003+08:00

When things start going haywire; when nothing seems to be working right; When somebody somewhere bungled and made such a big mess all over the place... Don't you just wish you had a great big red RESET button that you can press to re-boot and then tomorrow everything will be just fine again...

A GOAL LONG AWAITED

2009-01-21T02:29:00.002+08:00

From slavery to the Presidency

A dream...An aspiration...A goal

Five hundred years in the making

KIDSTUFF

2009-01-20T12:53:00.001+08:00

Either by force of circumstance or by sheer determination, some of the super rich we know today actually started very young on their road to success.

Barely in their teens, Manny Villar sold fish, Warren Buffet delivered newspapers, and John Gokongwei sold soap and candles. Humble beginnings of future business icons.

What's my point? It's never too early to start a goal. In fact, the earlier we realize the importance of setting our life's goals, the better chance we have of realizing those goals early.

How I wish I had realized this truth twentysome years ago when I was still young and confident and cocky and full of hope. Somehow, age dampens cockiness.

Kids, start setting goals... get good grades, save money, make your folks proud. These are nice goals you can start with.

GET ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

2009-01-17T11:16:00.002+08:00

Here's a simple tip for you goalkeepers. Type "goal setting" on the search box and click "search". You'd be amazed at the wealth of important information you can find. There's a "search" button on this page somewhere. Ain't that just convenient!

In fact, I found one site where you can tell the whole internet community what your goal is and you get the community to support you too. It's http://www.goalsetting1.com/ . Go check it out.

TIME OUT

2009-01-15T11:09:00.002+08:00

Miss me? Well I need to take time out for a while. Business did not start out very well for me this year. So far I've had no sale over the past 15 days. I'm sure it'll all pick up after the January 20th inauguration in the US. Although I really don't see what the fuss is all about. Anyway, it's a good time to call time out and re-assess things. See you in a bit.

FALLING IN LOVE

2009-01-05T21:57:00.001+08:00

Can't stop thinking about her?
Heart beats faster every time you see her?
Can't eat until you finally have her in your arms?

If you experience any of these symptoms, chances are you've probably fallen in love...with your GOAL. Which is actually very healthy if you're a GOALKEEPER.

If your desire for your goal is so intense that you feel her in your mind, in your heart, and in your guts, then that goal is as good as WON !

So go ahead GOALKEEPERS, fall in love !

THE PYGMALION EFFECT

2009-01-04T20:04:00.001+08:00

The human mind is such a beautiful, powerful creation. Borrowing from a popular vitamin ad: "What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve."

The Pygmalion Effect tells of Prince Pygmalion who sculpted an ivory statue of the ideal woman. So beautiful was his creation that he immediately fell in love with his statue and named her Galatea. So dear was Pygmalion's love for Galatea that he desired so much that the statue was alive. The gods favored Pygmalion and breathed life into Galatea, thus fulfilling Pygmalion's desire.

The Pygmalion Effect states "the expectations you direct towards a person, an event, or yourself will eventually come true."

I remember Pat Watkins taking me to a car showroom telling me to smell the fine leather and to climb into the driver's seat and feel how great it would be to drive that car.

Or Miss Naty, my manager when I was with the insurance business. Once, she told our group she's going on a cruise. She doesn't know when or how. But she knows she's going on a cruise. Three months later, she's on a cruise!

Amazing, indeed, how the mind can motivate us to perform seemingly impossible feats. Having said that, wouldn't it now be a good idea to invest time and effort in harnessing and optimizing our mind's vast powers? Search the internet for self-help programs and e-books on the subject of mind power and similar topics. Nothing to lose. So much to gain.

I CAN FLY

2009-01-03T06:45:00.002+08:00

Behold, the bumblebee...

Experts argue that this little creature is not capable of flight. It is fat. It is heavy. It has short, flimsy wings. It is not aerodynamic. Nay, they say, the bumblebee CANNOT fly!

But the bumblebee knows nothing about experts and aerodynamics. All he knows is if he works very hard and he flaps his wings double time, HE CAN FLY !!!

LET'S START GOALKEEPING

2009-01-02T01:09:00.003+08:00

Here's a little tip I learned from way, way back. It helps me focus on my goal. And believe me, it works!

Print and cut this.
Paste a picture of your goal right in the center. You might want to start off with a relatively easy goal that you can accomplish within 30 to 60 days.
Always make it a point to look at your goal everyday - in the morning as you wake up and at night just before you retire.

You might even want to chant the magic words several times : "You're mine in 2009!". Just make sure no one's looking or they might think you're going loco.

C'MON ! BRING IT ON !!!

2008-12-31T01:15:00.001+08:00

As the old year ends and a new year dawns, we pause for a while and take stock of what had been and what lies ahead.

Whether 2008 had been good or unkind, we can only be thankful that we have survived through it stronger and ever more ready to meet the challenges the new year may bring.

At the stroke of midnight, amid the revelry and the fireworks and the Auld Lang Synes, remember, too , to pause for a while to say a little prayer. There is nothing more re-assuring than knowing there is a higher power guiding us in everything we do.

And with a brave heart, we roll up our sleeves, stare at 2009 squarely in the eyes, and we growl : C'MON ! BRING IT ON !!!

AM I WORKING?

2008-12-29T14:10:00.002+08:00

Physics defines WORK as the product of a FORCE (Effort) applied on an object multiplied by the DISTANCE travelled by that object. (WORK = F x D)

If I were to push against a solid wall, exerting tremendous effort the whole day today without moving the wall, did I actually work today? Applying the equation : WORK= F x D , regardless how much Force or Effort I exerted, if Distance=zero, then Work= zero! Zero Work!

Point is, no matter how much effort I have spent creating this blog , If I get nowhere as far as helping myself and others manage goals, then I have not actually worked. Zero Work.

And the best proof of Work is achieving goals I have set. I'll start working on my Goal #1. And I suggest you start working on yours, too.

C'mon Goalkeepers...Work! Work! Work!

A LITTLE CHALLENGE

2008-12-28T19:53:00.002+08:00

Passing by a row of computer shops at the mall yesterday, I spotted this laptop with a nifty little price tag...Ph P 20,000. Roughly US $ 400. Based on the specs, I'd say its a good price. And I sure could use a new laptop as my old one's pretty much busted.

So I came up with a little challenge. I told myself I'll buy that little laptop within the next 60 days. That laptop's my Goal #1 for 2009 !

Why not go for a much higher goal? Actually I do have much higher goals for 2009. In fact, I have a major 3-year goal that I'll be starting 2009. I just would like to jumpstart 2009 confident and positive that I will get goal #1. It's like a cup of strong coffee in the morning to perk me up for the long hard struggle ahead.

And I would like to challenge you, too. Start the new year by setting a relatively easy goal that you can accomplish within 60 days. Apply GoalKeeper Techniques. After you have grown accustomed using GoalKeeper Techniques over the next 60 days, I bet you , your next higher goals will be much easier to achieve.

What have you got to lose? Try it. Take the GoalKeeper Challenge !

SIMPLIFIED GOALKEEPER FLOWCHART

2008-12-24T04:30:00.002+08:00

Click picture to get a better view

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

2008-12-23T23:10:00.002+08:00

To Leaflet, Alain, Leslie, MJ and to all GOALKEEPERS who have visited and followed this Blog, a very Merry Christmas to you all !!!

- jun lim

PARADIGM SHIFT

2008-12-22T23:50:00.002+08:00

Ever wondered why some creatures have become extinct while some have survived? Apparently, those that did survive had changed. They evolved. They had a paradigm shift.

Duh...? What's a paradigm? Ahh...? twenty cents?

Actually, a paradigm is a pattern. A way of doing things. And a paradigm shift is, well, a shift or a change in the way we do or look at things.

So, if you feel like you could use a little help with meeting your quota for the new year, and you're willing to try a new approach, may I suggest the following paradigm shifts:

Treat quotas as mini-goals that you need to accomplish to move ahead towards your OWN main goal ;
Your main goal MUST be greater than your quota. Think BIG! Aim HIGH!
Start the new year applying Goalkeeper Techniques and Tools, as described in this blog. What have you got to lose? You've been using that old quota system for so long with unsatisfactory results. Why not try a new approach. A change in the way of doing things. A paradigm shift.

As soon as you start treating your quota as merely mini-goals that are stepping stones towards your own higher main goal, you will be highly motivated to accomplish those mini-goals. And you will never again be intimidated by quotas because your own goal is much greater than your quota.

And speaking of intimidation, if you have a boss whose only method of motivation is intimidation, a boss who keeps bullying you to "Meet your quota or get out!" , a boss who tells you that piece of paper you use for proposals is worth more than you are, if you have a boss just like that, well, tell him to grow up! His method might work with his dog or his 9-year old kid, but definitely WILL NOT WORK with educated adults in the office. Tell your boss he should change.Evolve. He should have a paradigm shift or he'll soon be as extinct as a dodo.

QUOTA vs GOAL

2008-12-18T21:22:00.002+08:00

QUOTA

2008-12-16T23:18:00.002+08:00

Got a text message from MJ the other day. She says the year is almost over and she still has not yet reached her Quota.

Quota? Now that's a word I have not heard in a long time. I remember I, too, once dreaded that word. A Quota to me was like bitter medicine. You hate it but still you have to swallow it. The very first time I heard that word "Quota" was in a sentence much like this : "Meet your Quota or get out!". Very Negative.

Out of curiosity, I looked up the word "Quota" in the dictionary, and came up with these definitions:

Quota:

- the share of a total ;

- a set number, amount or portion ;

- to assign or divide in shares ;

- allotment

Oddly, there was no mention of "Goal", not even a hint of it, in these definitions. Next Post I'll try to differentiate Quota from Goal.

BLOG THERAPY

2008-12-15T20:11:00.002+08:00

When I started this blog site two months back, I was at a low point in my business and personal life. Shifting my focus and developing GOALKEEPER has helped me shake off my depression. I was then able to think straight again and soon enough, the sales started to trickle in. Believe it or not.

Blog Therapy, anyone?

A DIFFICULT FIRST STEP

2008-12-14T20:49:00.002+08:00

Like everything else, the first step is usually the most difficult. But once you've started, it gets easier with every step.

I was quite unsure when I started this blogsite. I never thought I could do it but, hey, now I've practically finished GOALKEEPER as I have outlined this course. And yet, I feel I still have a lot more I can share with you. So, if you can bear with me some more, I'd like to continue with this blog a tad bit more.

If you have just discovered this blogsite, I invite you to start with my earliest posts and work your way forward. May I also invite you to please post your comments or to register as a goalkeeper. This way, I would be able to know you and share ideas with you.

Happy Goalkeeping!

AGE DOES MATTER !!!

2008-12-09T21:43:00.002+08:00

On average, each of us have only about 40 years within which we struggle to build our wealth and achieve much of our material goals.

So it makes good sense to start the quest for our goals early. I remember those younger years when I was so full of youthful energy and enthusiasm and optimism. Those younger years when I could cover 20 sales calls everyday and still have spare energy to party at nights. Those younger years when I could do almost anything I set my mind to do
.

Sadly, I am not so young anymore. At 44, maybe I can still cover 20 sales calls. Maybe. But forget about partying later. Somebody please pass me that Ben-Gay.

DOES AGE MATTER?

2008-12-07T23:50:00.002+08:00

Watching the Pacquiao-De La Joya fight, Golden Boy looked tentative and slow, a mere shadow of the warrior we used to know.

Towards the end, I heard someone comment perhaps because of his age, De La Joya could not catch up with the faster, much younger Pacquiao.

Age? He's only 35 ! They're calling him old? I'm 44. What does that make me? Ancient?

Then again, De La Joya accomplished so much in his 35 years than many of us can even dare dream of. Perhaps it was just high time Golden Boy move on towards loftier goals and leave the punching and the bleeding to the young ones.

CHAMPS

2008-12-07T09:28:00.003+08:00

Today, two great champions clash inside the hallowed square ring. Both have the same singular goal - WIN !

You look into their eyes and see nothing but pure passion and determination to WIN !

Whichever way this fight goes, the whole world will forever look upon these two fighters as WINNERS !

BACKLOGS AND SURPLUS

2008-12-05T20:06:00.002+08:00

Depending how I scored today, I would have either a backlog (if I fell short of target) or a surplus (if I overshot target) which I would ADD to (if backlog) or SUBTRACT from (if surplus) tomorrow's target.

For example, if I had a backlog of $40 today and my target tomorrow is $160, tomorrow's target will then become $200. Dividing this by 8 hours would give me how much each hour tomorrow would be worth - $25 per hour.

It will be wise to spot and address backlogs immediately while they are still manageable.

USING GOALKEEPER TOOLS: THE FUN BEGINS

2008-12-04T18:09:00.003+08:00

After I've set my goal and computed how much my hour is worth, I go to my Goalkeeper Tools (please refer to Oct.10 posts):

Whiteboard Marker and Clock:

Using a whiteboard marker, I write on the clock's glass face how much each hour is worth, as illustrated:

It has to be a whiteboard marker, since the numbers I write on the clock will most probably change daily. As much as possible, I keep the clock in front of me as I work to constantly remind me that time and money (MY MONEY!) is ticking away.

Organizer:

Knowing now how much each hour is worth to me, I make it a habit every night to plan tomorrow's activities, filling each hour with who to call , who to present to, and who to close.

Scoreboard:

The scoreboard keeps track how efficient I was today. This could be as simple as writing on a piece of paper or calendar, or as complicated as a bar graph or pie chart on an excel spreadsheet.

To illustrate, If I was supposed to do 10 activities today (target) as I had written in my organizer, and I was only able to do 8 of those activities (actual), then my score for today is :

Or, If I was supposed to sell $160 today (target) but sold $200 (actual), then my score for today is:

Since sales are almost always directly proportional to activities, if you're in the selling business, I suggest you keep scores on both activities and sales.

REALITY CHECK

2008-12-01T22:04:00.006+08:00

After doing the math, I then ask myself: Are the numbers realistic and attainable?

Reality check at this stage is so important since I can determine outright whether the goal I have set is achievable. If I am confident with the numbers, then I move ahead. Otherwise, when I have doubts, then maybe I need to further evaluate my goal.

After I am comfortable with my goal, I then set up a series of mini-goals which, as I had discussed earlier, all add up towards my main goal. Among these mini-goals would be :

Increase client base by 300 % ;
Improve closing ratio to 20 % ;
Increase client calls and presentations by 200 % ;
Negotiate 5 % discount off the property price ;
Make 30 % down payment on the property within 1 year ;
Decrease expenses by 10 % ;
Develop additional source of income ; among others

Speaking of reality check, do I really mean I have to make a sale every hour? I can almost hear violent objections from some of you guys. Well, it sure would be nice to be able to make a sale every hour every day. But unless I own a grocery or a hardware store where the cash register rings every few minutes, it is quite unrealistic for average joes like me to close a sale every hour.

Instead, what I suggest is that we organize our day and conduct activities - meet prospects, write quotations , make presentations, book orders - that will contribute towards a very productive hour.

The point is, now that I am aware how valuable each hour is, would I throw that precious hour away?

APOLOGIES

2008-12-01T22:04:00.005+08:00

At this point, please excuse me for my rather myopic view of what a goal is. Being a salesman for practically half my life, I have grown accustomed to the belief that most goals have a monetary value attached to it, and that making "X" number of sales can buy me that goal. However, I understand there are goals that no amount of money can ever buy... little kids learning to ride their bikes, husbands and wives yearning for their first child, stroke victims struggling to walk again, people who seek inner peace. Oh how I wish I could buy inner peace.

Take the case of Leslie. Her goal is to land in the Top 20 of next year's CPA Board Exams. Obviously she cannot buy her way to Top 20. But, by applying Goalkeeper techniques, she can:

appreciate how valuable each hour she has from today until exam day;
organize and maximize each hour ;
monitor if she is on track or lagging behind her reviews;
make up for any back logs she spots ;
set up her mini-goals (find the best review center , participate in mock exams, etc);
know herself, identify strengths and weaknesses, avoid past mistakes;

To Leslie and to everyone who continue to strive for their dreams, I hope this blog will be helpful. Good luck and happy goalkeeping.

HOW MUCH IS MY HOUR WORTH?

2008-11-29T22:57:00.002+08:00

After I have set up my goal, I now need to determine how much my hour is worth. This step is vital. And as I realize how valuable each hour is vis-a-vis my goal, I'd probably think twice before I waste another hour.

Determining how much my hour is worth requires a little math, as shown in the example below:

Theoretically, from the example illustrated, I need to sell $18.33 per hour , 8 hours per day , 5 days per week continuously for 3 years for me to be able to hit my goal.

Now that I am aware each hour is worth so much, would I throw that hour away?

SETTING A GOAL

2008-11-28T21:22:00.004+08:00

I love a good boxing match, particularly those million-dollar title fights.

Question: In every fight, what is a boxer's ultimate goal? To knock out his opponent, of course. But rarely do boxers score a one-punch knock-out. Instead, they use each round to land punches with the aim of softening up the opponent before finally landing that knock-out punch, K-POW!

Similarly, in setting a goal, it is not enough that I focus my attention on just one main goal. Instead, there should be a series of mini-goals which, when accomplished, eventually add up towards my main goal.

Furthermore, and this is very important, I have to consider the fact that I have other matters I need to take care of - utility bills, household budget, healthcare expenses, taxes, and other expenses - that I cannot afford to neglect as I strive for my goal. These "other matters" need to be integrated as part of my goal, otherwise I most probably will fall short of my target.

And as one boxer tries to punch his opponent into submission, remember the other boxer is also punching back. Similarly, as I fight my way towards my goal, there will always be challenges and surprises along the way that can bog me down or even defeat me. There is no such thing as an easy victory.

REMEMBERING MUMBAI

2008-11-27T22:43:00.002+08:00

27 November 2008... Today was a sad, sad day for peace-loving people around the world whose only goal is to live in peace and prosperity. Pray the insanity does not escalate.

NUGGET #4: AIM HIGH. HIT HIGH

2008-11-24T22:35:00.003+08:00

In 1992, Pat Watkins, the nicest boss I ever had, set a goal that I complained was a bit too high for me. He leaned towards me and said , " Go aim for that goal. If you fall short, at least you'd still hit something high." Although I did fall short that year, it was definitely a very productive year for me! Thanks Pat!

WHAT IS A GOAL?

2008-11-24T22:04:00.004+08:00

In its simplest form, a GOAL is a dream with a DEADLINE. Without a deadline, a dream remains a dream. And while it is nice to dream, it is so much nicer to realize that dream.

I was also taught that a goal must be S.M.A.R.T. :
Specific - color? brand? model? location?
Measureable - how much? how big? how high?
Attainable - can it be done within the timeframe?
Realistic - don't expect to swim across the English Channel if you can't even swim at all.
Time-bounded - when? how soon?

To this I would like to add P for Personal - a goal must be something that I can adopt as my own. A goal must be something that will bring me personal satisfaction when achieved or personal pain when I fail.

Goals may be classified into several categories:
Goals I set for myself,
Goals my boss sets for me,
Short-term goals - monthly and annual targets
Long-term goals - 5-year plans, 10-year plans, retirement plans

PAIN

2008-11-24T21:26:00.002+08:00

Pain...it seems our entire existence is etched with pain. We come into this world through birth pains, and with one last painful breath, we depart.

And between our coming and departing, we all have to endure so much pain... the pain of falling down as we took our first few baby steps, the pain of being bullied and ridiculed by our playmates, the pain of failing an exam, the pain of being turned down by your first crush, the pain of mediocrity in college and at work, the pain of losing someone dear, the pain of losing all you've worked so hard for, the pain of defeat...the list goes on...the pain seems endless.

Pain is a part of life we all have to live with. Some cultures even intentionally inflict pain as a rite of passage. Pain actually makes us stronger and wiser. We learn to cope with pain. And we learn to avoid making the same painful mistakes.

A Goalkeeper is not immuned from pain. and the world will probably forgive him if he pauses for a while and bear his pain in silence. But the Goalkeeper is ever aware that he is on a mission, and that he cannot wallow in despair for long. Grieve for now. Weep if he must. But tomorrow he has work to do.

NUGGET #3: KNOWING MYSELF

2008-11-04T20:22:00.002+08:00

Nugget #3 emphasizes knowing one's own self as a pre-requisite for victory in any battle. Written some 2,400 years ago , Sun-Tzu's The Art of War is as relevant today as it was ages ago.

Knowing myself and acknowledging my faults is a necessary step in a GOALKEEPER'S journey. I have listed 7 attitudes that have brought me disappointment and frustration. These attitudes may very well be The 7 Habits of Not So Effective People. Now I am ready.

NUGGET #3: THE ART OF WAR

2008-11-03T14:47:00.002+08:00

If you know the enemy and know yourself,

you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

If you know yourself but not the enemy,

for every victory you gain you will also suffer a defeat.

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself,

you will succumb in every battle.

excerpts from SUN TZU's THE ART OF WAR

LESSONS FROM THE PAST #7: Never Lose Sight of Your Goal

2008-10-28T13:33:00.005+08:00

Just recently I read this E-mail about a swimmer who attempted to cross the English Channel but had to give up halfway because the fog was so thick she could not see her goal.

Often I would be so positive when I start a project, only to bog down later when I get distracted, encounter problems, or simply lose interest.

In the face of adversities and disappointments, I need to constantly remind myself what my goal is and why I need to strive hard to achieve it. I need to see beyond the fog.

LESSONS FROM THE PAST #6: Never Let Emotions Get In The Way

2008-10-28T13:26:00.003+08:00

When I'm angry, I don't work...

When I'm depressed, I don't work...

When I'm tense, I can't work...

When I'm happy, I forget about work...

With all these excuses for not working,

I'm actually amazed I managed to work at all.

LESSONS FROM THE PAST #5: Don't Count Your Chicks Before They Hatch

2008-10-28T13:08:00.003+08:00

My father would always tell me this. And he's got a point. A lot can really happen between projection to commission: a prospect may back out; a competitor gets the project; prices go up; stocks may not be available; payments take too long; checks bounce...ONLY when I got my check safely stashed away in my pocket can I consider a sale a sale.

LESSONS FROM THE PAST #4: Last Two Minutes

2008-10-28T12:55:00.002+08:00

As a schoolboy, mom would always tell me to study my lessons everyday. But no, not me. I would only start studying a day before the exams.

Nowadays, I have this tendency to start each month slow over the next couple of weeks, building up speed by the third week before finally running like mad towards the finish line. This has got to stop !

The SCOREBOARD can help me a lot here. By monitoring my daily score, I am constantly reminded how I am doing, and I can react immediately to catch up when needed.

LESSONS FROM THE PAST #3: You're Only As Good As Your Last Sale

2008-10-28T12:44:00.004+08:00

I have this nasty habit of relaxing a bit everytime I make a sale. Much like the proverbial race between the rabbit and the turtle, I tend to doze off a bit thinking I'm way ahead, only to wake up later losing the race.

LESSONS FROM THE PAST #2: Always Have A Plan & Always Plan Ahead

2008-10-28T11:41:00.002+08:00

I've had too many days waking up not knowing where to start. Eventually I end up wasting the entire day.

This is where the ORGANIZER comes in handy. I now make it a habit to fill in tomorrow's activities just before I go to bed.

LESSONS FROM THE PAST #1: Get Out Of The House

2008-10-28T11:20:00.002+08:00

There are so many nice things inside the house that distracts me - the bed, the TV, the fridge ... it's almost impossible to think about work.

LESSONS FROM THE PAST

2008-10-25T22:21:00.002+08:00

Lest I fall again into the same traps and pitfalls I've encountered before, I should be wary of the lessons I've learned from the past.

Nugget #2: Live Life

2008-10-22T23:22:00.005+08:00

CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE

TOOLS: MARKER AND SOME MATH

2008-10-11T13:16:00.002+08:00

Whiteboard Marker and Some Basic Math

The Marker and Math would come in handy later when I start figuring out how much my hour is worth...

TOOLS: SCOREBOARD

2008-10-11T12:31:00.003+08:00

Scoreboard: How Did I Do Today?

The GoalKeeper Scoreboard essentially tells me how much of what I was supposed to do today I was actually able to do. It tells me how efficient I was today.

If I have 10 activities in my Organizer today and I was able to do 8, then I would have a score or efficiency of 80 for today. Furthermore, getting the sum of my scores the past 6 days and then dividing this sum by 6 would give me my average score for the week, and so on.

The Scoreboard is vital in goal keeping since it tells me on a daily basis whether I am ahead or lagging behind. Knowing my score right away gives me time to react immediately and make the necessary adjustments to catch up.

But what if I have just 1 activity for today and I do just that 1 activity? I would have scored 100, right? Absolutely correct! A perfect 100 sure looks pretty on my stats, but 1 out of 1 certainly won't make me MVP! Goalkeeping is a numbers game. The more activities, the higher the probabilities.

TOOLS: CLOCK

2008-10-11T09:27:00.002+08:00

Desk Clock: The Clock Is Ticking

I've got this nasty habit of losing track of time. I easily get distracted. One minute I'm working, the next minute I'm watching TV. And before I know it, I've lost two hours... two precious hours which I can never bring back.

So now, using my organizer, I work with a clock in front of me to constantly remind me time is ticking away. In fact, using a whiteboard marker, I even scribble notes on the clock, as I will discuss later.

Here's a tip : It's actually a good sign if I start feeling bad about wasted time, especially after I realize how much each hour is worth.

TOOLS:ORGANIZER

2008-10-11T08:19:00.002+08:00

Organizer: My Day Starts the Night Before

Ok then, one step at a time, and the very first step would be organizing or planning my day. Organizing is best done the night before.

An organizer could be as simple as pen and paper or as hi-tech as a laptop. Me, I prefer my trusty old cellular phone. I'm quite fond of it's Organizer Function which I discovered only recently, silly me. Just before I retire for the night, I punch in what to do, who to call, and where to go tomorrow.

Ideally, there should be at least one productive activity every working hour. As efficiency improves, then these activities should likewise increase.

Here's a tip: If it gets difficult filling in tomorrow's activities, then I already know I'm going to have a lousy day tomorrow.

Nugget #1: One Step At A Time

2008-10-02T14:06:00.002+08:00

OBJECTIVE

2008-09-17T21:33:00.002+08:00

At the end of this journey, I should have learned to apply the tools that will greatly improve my ability to keep my goals.

But then, goals never end. As one goal is achieved, I look beyond that and strive to achieve even more.

GOALKEEPER'S JOURNEY: AN OUTLINE

2008-09-17T19:52:00.002+08:00

I. OBJECTIVE

II. TOOLS

Organizer: My Day Starts the Night Before
Clock: The Clock is Ticking
GOALKEEPER Scoreboard: How Did I Do Today
Whiteboard Marker
Some basic Mathematics

III. LESSONS FROM THE PAST

IV. THE JOURNEY BEGINS

What is a GOAL?
Setting a GOAL

V. HOW MUCH IS MY HOUR WORTH?

VI. USING MY TOOLS

GOALKEEPER

2008-09-14T21:41:00.002+08:00

Is it just me? Or is there a significant number of people out there who find it so very frustrating keeping their goals? Setting goals is easy. Keeping them is the hard part, and often the most frustrating.

And while I've had my share of victories in the past, frustration and disappointment seem to be my constant unwelcome companions lately. This sucks...

I may be a loser, but I'm definitely NOT a quitter !

I'm going on a journey... a journey that should lead me back again on the winners' track. Come join me...

Be a GOALKEEPER .