Know Your PAY GRADE

Know Your PAY GRADE

No sirrrrs, our thread today has got nothing to do with salary and remunerations at all.  We just need to Know Your PAY GRADE [in life] so we can arrive at INFORMED DECISIONS instead of off-the-cuff and downright shots in the dark when aiming to hit something.  But very briefly, when I was active in the job market, surely I well Know my PAY GRADE.  WHY?  Because I need to know where I stand, HOW I compare with the benchmarks📙📗📘

When I was very young and raw, I did KNOW MY PAYGRADE.  I knew my ASKING PRICE.  And while I'll admit that I have always been ambitious enough, I always reminded myself to temper my ambitions vis-a-vis WHO I am and WHAT I am capable of.  Yes, that approach was so helpful because I was able to worm my way with my employers who were mostly from the MNCs. Global and Fortune 500s.  I was HUNGRY for experience then, so I knew what I want💵💴💷

Even in my personal life, I KNEW MY PAY GRADE.  Settling down in a new neighborhood, I DIDN'T need to keep up with the Joneses and their ilk.  WHY?  Simply put, I knew fully well where I stand when compared to everyone else.  Much as I was thirsty with my ambitions, I DIDN'T want to end up drank with misplaced ambitions💎💎💎

When I had my first car, it was a rickety old Ford Laser sedan.  WHY did I end up with that?  Simple.  I KNEW MY PAYGRADE well enough.  Much as I dreamt for that brand new car, I always reminder myself that I got to keep myself grounded.  If I loose control of my senses and start to entertain insane thoughts that will remain a figment of my imaginations, I knew that I would skidding and eventually going down south.  BUT I can't go off-track else I will loose precious time and effort I have invested in my earlier PIT STOPS❌❌❌

One thing I learned the hard way in life.  You WIN some.  You LOSE some.  And sometimes, you go on a losing streak.  And frankly, i went through that agony of losing streaks.  What made me survive those darkest episodes in my life.  I kept reminding myself that WHEN YOU'RE DOWN, THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO GO BUT UP.  And with humility, I did manage to 'RISE FROM THE RUBBLES', all because  I KNEW MY PAYGRADE❗❗❗

In Life, It's Your LENSE That Matters

In Life, It's Your LENSE That Matters

In life, It's Your LENSE That Matters whether you're taking the RIGHT or WRONG path because there are no definitions etched on stone.  As life is full [in fact, overflowing] with opportunities, the LIFE PATH we take is a sum of decisions we make.  In life, there is NO RIGHT or WRONG choice of path because your decision will only lead you to different opportunities.  It's Your LENSE That Matters📌📌📌

Your LENSE defines what is RIGHT or WRONG for you.  You DON'T choose that path towards a religious vocation if you're an atheist.  Neither do you take a medical career if you have serious trauma with blood and the medical environment.  And you DON'T choose a very laid back and conservative partner/spouse if you are a dyed-in-the-wool urbanite.  You DON'T indulge in carbo-loading meals if that's a NO-NO for you⏳⏳⏳

If there's anything most important for us to remember, it is the fact that we're already LUCKIER than a lot of people simply because we can choose our own PATH.  So, it is NOT for us to regret decisions we've made BUT instead, look ahead and embrace the challenges and chances given us.  Different paths may lead you to different experiences BUT at the end of the day, cherish and relish things because It's Your LENSE That Matters💊💊💊

Indeed we're WALKING A TIGHTROPE in life [and we CAN'T run away from that reality, harsh it may be [sometimes]].  Many years back when I was very 'RAW' in the job market YET I asked myself, do I want to 'GROW' my professional career in my home country?  OR do I want to take my chances by exploring opportunities in some other country❓❓❓

And BTW, sometimes this poster runs through the gamut of TRUTH.  We may end up taking the wrong turns or even U-Turns but that's all part and parcel of our journey down the road.  Our takeaway is for us to endeavor to take a crystal-clear view of things that get into our way [and NOT a distorted or skewed picture] because again It's Your LENSE That Matters❗❗❗

Pin Down Your 'PEAKS & VALLEYS'

Pin Down Your 'PEAKS & VALLEYS'

NOTHING is really a straight line in life.  NOT ever graphs.  NOT even our daily life.  Life is filled with PEAKS & VALLEYS.  Some days everything goes well and those are the PEAKS whereas other days are VALLEYS when nothing seems to work.  And NOT surprisingly,  sometimes the PEAKS & VALLEYS follow each other in quick succession and at times they even last for a while.  We expect the GOOD days to bring happiness and fulfillment and the VALLEYS to trigger frustration and despair💵💴💶

But way and beyond optical illusion, sometimes the VALLEYS were bathed with sunshine while the PEAKS seem to be in the shadows.  Drawing parallelism with our life, the same runs true.  It is NOT only the PEAKS that bring sunshine , sometimes it is the VALLEY.  Sometimes, it is in the VALLEY we discover the light.  Encountering our limitations and recognizing that we CANNOT solve everything by ourselves and that sometimes we must depend on others can actually be comforting📗📙📘

Indeed, it can be a relief to learn that we DON'T have to fix everything that is broken.  It is also a relief to learn that it is okay to ask for help.  This humble acknowledgment opens a new chamber within us that enables us to rise above ourselves and truly experience the warmth and light of humanity💎💎💎

It is this interchange of PEAKS & VALLEYS that enables us to appreciate and aspire to reach the PEAKS.  Let's face it.  Sitting atop the PEAK day and night loses its appeal.  Let's NOT look further.  Americans living in California and the West Coast complain about the lack of winter season.  And the Canadians?  They can only wish for perpetual summers to come.  Indeed, the GRASS IS GREENER FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE❗❗❗

So, what's the parallelism here between Californians and Canadians.  The former has an appreciation of WINTER because they got SUMMERS whereas it's the reverse for the latter.  So too in life, it is only through the VALLEYS that we learn to appreciate the PEAKS.  Unfortunately, sometimes the PEAKS are blanketed in darkness while the VALLEYS are aglow with light.  Oh Oh, it won't be too far fetched if one day, we hear people wanting to live in NORWAY to bear witness to its skies arising from the aurora borealis phenomenon.  C'mon dude, let's pin down our PEAKS & VALLEYS in our life✅✅✅

Think Like A Rocket Scientist

Think Like A Rocket Scientist

Think Like A Rocket Scientist. Ok Ok that should NOT scare you to death, Ok?  All I'm asking you is simply to Think Like A Rocket Scientist and then we move on from there.  Before we go to the HOW, let's buckle down to the more fundamental issues at hand in our daily life and more often than NOT, issues revolve around our FOCUS which eventually impacts our PRODUCTIVITY💎💎💎

Not being Rocket Science, let's agree that managing TIME efficiently to stay FOCUSED and PRODUCTIVE enough is an arduous task even for a workaholic.  We are so vulnerable to get caught up in other parallel activities [whether at home, in school, at work or in our own business operations].  But we can't just sulk and cry here.  Let's go back towards straightening and reinforcing our fundamentals, our own discipline.  From there, let's take it one step at a time until we realize that we're progressing [and at that point, the pace of progress is of lesser importance because the bottom line is that we're progressing📌📌📌

Yes, I can't agree more what this one-liner says:  "IF SOMETHING ISN'T ROCKET SCIENCE, IT'S NOT DIFFICULT".  So, let's develop these simple daily rituals, nothing fancy📗📙📘

Let's start off SCHEDULING BREAKS throughout each day.  One productivity mistake many of us commit is working for hours at a time, sometimes right through lunch time and worse, at times neglecting to take frequent breaks.  Studies tell us that our bodies send us CLEAR SIGNALS when we need a break, including fidgetiness, hunger and even loss of FOCUS❌❌❌

Sadly, many times we're guilty on this as mostly we tend to override those CLEAR SIGNALS.  Instead, we will find artificial ways to pump up our energy, like caffeine, grabbing foods with high in sugar and simple carbo loading.  If need to be a copycat, let's replicate the sprinter's ritual where they work in FOCUS and INTENSITY during the morning hours, for 90 minute-sprints [BUT NOT LONGER] before taking a break  In the fewest words, CONCENTRATE on your most challenging and important tasks at hand, then give your brain and body a rest and allow it to recharge.  BTW, don't forget to stick to your TO DO-List.  And lastly, here's a tough one.  TURN OFF ALL NOTIFICATIONS as they can be overwhelming and let's admit, they are a DISTRACTION❗❗❗

WHAT IF The Ship Has Sailed?

WHAT IF The Ship Has Sailed?

Oooops, our thread today is NOT about maritime travel.  No sirrrrs.  This is just an analogy of LOST OPPORTUNITIES in life which is akin IF The Ship Has Sailed?  Visually, we all factually know that once a ship has sailed, there is NO turning back [of course, EXCEPT for major emergencies that will render the vessel incapable or at risk

Frankly, throughout our lifetime, we have that invincible darts board right in front of us.  Problem is, most of us are either too complacent or we tend to simply ignore the fact that there is NO INFINITY in those LOST OPPORTUNITIES to finally hit the board, if NOT the bulls eye.  Truth is, we DO NOT live atop a bottomless pit.  Each time we miss or fail on something, that is one less OPPORTUNITY hanging in the balance.  Would you wait for your balance to ZERO-OUT❓❓❓

BTW, let's NOT take things literally here.  We are NOT tourists or holidaymakers dreaming to take the Caribbean Cruise.  In our lifetime, that cruise ship is right on our plate, right on our very nose but sadly, on a first person account, I can attest I have seen many people who squandered such LOST OPPORTUNITIES 

Concrete examples of many squandered OPPORTUNITIES:  Someone who's jobless and scouring the job market was advised by his friend that the latter will see if he can find a job opportunity for him.  What does that hapless fellow do?  DO NOTHING except wait and wait for his friend to call with the GOOD NEWS.  Whew, good grief

What's our FIX?  Never let OPPORTUNITIES slip past your hands without even lifting a finger.  That is NOT only pitiful but pathetic to say the least. As this boring poster says it all, IF YOUR SHIP HAS SAILED, YOU MISSED YOUR CHANCE !@#$%?

It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back]

It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back]

The past two months, I've been tracking [sometimes 5 to 10 times a day] updates with regard the demand of NBA superstar Damian Lillard to get traded to MIAMI HEAT [which the NBA Commissioner stomped down, stating that contractually, a player CANNOT dictate WHERE TO GO at his own whim].  It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back].  When I sat down for my morning coffee today, Lillard was traded by his PORTLAND Team NOT to MIAMI HEAT but to the MILWAUKEE BUCKS.  Indeed, as they say day-in day-out, NBA is a business

In fact, to state that NBA is a business is an understatement.  BUT we won't waste precious time on that fact.   Truth is, It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back].  Like it or NOT, we are frequently judged by the name we are associated with.  Could be your surname associated with your family.  Could be your employer associating you with the organization

Without breaching data privacy, I have relatives who are 'filthy rich' but throughout their generations, they have remained as humble and even incognito, living life as very ordinary folks.   Back to MIAMI HEAT, it is their vaunted CULTURE that is either the source of envy or enmity.  WHY?  No less than their Filipino-American Coach Erik Spoelstra said:  MIAMI CULTURE IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY

So, It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back].  Even in Sicily, Italy, that CULTURE thing is spelled O-M-E-R-T-A which refers to their unwritten code or policy of KEEPING SILENT about crimes and refusing to cooperate with the police.  Obviously, this is a stretch❎❎❎

So, what's in it for us then?  Frankly, we got to protect the untainted name we are associated with, be it our FAMILY NAME or the ORGANIZATION we're associated with because you could be a STAR or a FLOP but It's The Name In Front That Matters [NOT The Name At The Back].  Swinging back to your personal life, whether you are that GOOD or you end up that disgustingly BAD, undoubtedly you will drag the NAME of your partner/spouse and your family UP or DOWN, depending on the trajectory coming out from the consequences of WHAT YOU ARE or WHAT YOU DID❗❗❗

You Can't Take Cubs Unless You Enter The Tiger's Den

You Can't Take Cubs Unless You Enter The Tiger's Den

Some beliefs may not be heard widespread but once it spills right on your nose, you DON'T need to lift a finger at all like when we hear that You Can't Take Cubs Unless You Enter The Tiger's Den because by itself, that's a mouthful given the survival challenges we have in life💊💊💊

I remember in my very first foray in the rough and tumble games of the corporate world, before I knew it, I was rubbing elbows with industry experts and gurus who were then hobnobbing with dyed-in-the-wool expats from our global headquarters at The Hague.  Yet, there I was, twiddling my thumbs and sometimes pressing my arms, asking myself if this is the reality, that I finally managed to create a breakthrough in my arduous climb into the prestigious confines of corporate life📙📘📗

Before anything else though, allow me to credit YASHAR KAFI, an American transformational guru, for the above poster because that sums up everything the whole nine yards can cover, in fact.  BUT what is often missed is that that TIGER'S CUB [this is NOT a typo] is a tough nut to crack, with a very high mortality rate that can deter even the most ambitious TIGER you can be💎💎💎

In fact, to state that you will get bruised will be a gross understatement because it is akin to a NO MAN'S LAND where no quarters are given.  And if you though you can cling to a LIFELINE there, better digest all the food you can eat up because you got to buttress your arsenal and get braced for the toughest challenge you can face up❎❎❎

Now, not to scare the weaker ones, what is the likely outcome of a typical attempt of someone who wants to join the 'TIGER CUB'?  Sadly, there is at least a 50% probability that you would be clobbered and frankly, devoured by the predator kings in the wilderness.  So what's our FIX to avoid and avert that debacle?  Get into a no nonsense regimen that will lead you to that unassailable readiness who can have a fighting chance to survive, if NOT to prevail.  BUT who knows❓❓❓

Got To Earn Your Stripes

Got To Earn Your Stripes

I heard this admission a few times in the past. It took them days and weeks to figure out how to turn on the CAPS LOCK on the smartphone.  That probably seems like a very small deal and you would be right.  No one cares when writing a text that you use proper capitalization and most of time, it will AUTOCORRECT for you.  That's when you realize you Got To Earn Your Stripes📗📙📘

Let's face it.  Given the atrocious grammar 'crimes' we have seen on social media these days, being unable to type a capital A in the middle of the sentence hardly seems like much to fuss about.  So, what's the fuss?  Because we have heard many dropouts [especially in the United States] who are now making millions of dollars a year with an APP he created while bored in a science class.  Indeed, it is difficult to fathom that level of success coming from the youngsters.  But instead if nitpicking, let's admit it, every generation has its unique qualities that continue to astound us as they Earned their Stripes way ahead💵💷💴

Let's step back and appreciate some of the obvious differences of today's generations.  For one thing, they continue to live with technology on a modern scale.  Ask around who has ever seen abacus, whew!  We should vividly remember the early days of the internet.  I remember I was billetted in a 5-star hotel in Mumbai which I called 'HOME' for about less than a year and there I was, patiently connecting to the internet via a 64kb modem connection.  But if there's something amiss these days, it is the fact that today's generation never feel that they Got To Earn their Stripes [because they got it] !@##$%❓❓❓

Not only have Millennials and Post-Millennials embraced technology, they have made it entirely their own and created a new economy and way of life.  So, have they Gotten Their Stripes?  For years now, we have come across articles and stories and tons and tons of opinion pieces in social media claiming that the modern generation is self-centered, uncaring and cynical❗❗❗

But from my limited vantage point, I see the opposite as true.  LIke Gen Z is opened to a wider view of the world and more connected to people from all walks of life.  Back to our life, I hope we never depart from this old-school of thought that we Got To Earn our Stripes because that's what it is in life❎❎❎

Sifting Through The Noise

Sifting Through The Noise

Today, regardless your age, gender, culture or work/occupation, let's face it, even if you DON'T access social media, very likely, you did use it if NOT heavily.  And Sifting Through The Noise means we're able to extract and process contextually relevant information, and NOT end up with the FAKE NEWS.  Pitifully, while we know what FAKE NEWS is, how many of us have the tools to initiate a FACT CHECK?  Because that exactly is Sifting Through The Noise💎💎💎

And like it or NOT, even the most stubborn and hesitant ones, they're now becoming the latest 'CONVERTS' in SLACKTIVISM, which Google defines as "that practice of supporting a cause either via social media or online petitions, characterized as involving VERY LITTLE effort or commitment.  Ironically, SLACKTIVISM adds up to all the The Noise we'd like to sift through.  Now, we have a 'ballgame', whew❗❗❗

With the advent of social media and our human tendencies to post ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, Sifting Through The Noise has evolved to become a challenge as steep as the challenging slopes of Mount Everest.  But the bigger question looming over us is, how do we engage n social media?  As an avid blogger?  An FB aficionado with hundreds of friends?  A forum junkie?  A Twitter Re-twitter OR a lurker, reading and absorbing thoughts❓❓❓

Even good BUGS versus bad BUGS can mix up things.  It's either an application is getting BUGGY or literally, it may get related to baby strollers [as many refer to it as BUGGIES].  Where's the beef here?  It's because what is noise to one may be gold to another.  In short, CONTEXT IS KING here when determining the relevance of the myriad of information we're Sifting Through.  And when we relate all these to call centers, they even ended up with transcription services that convert calls to unstructured texts.  And very obviously, even in the business world, that adds up to MORE NOISE❎❎❎

So what's our FIX?  Numero uno, you need to assess the volume of noise that you are Sifting Through.  If its a high volume one, that is way too much for you to handle and it can CONSUME YOU and EAT YOU up.  Numero dos, once you have assessed the volume of NOISE, cut it down to a manageable one.  You DON'T one to end up Sifting Through The Noise 24x7.  Numero tres, CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES when Sifting Through The Noise📗📙📘

Sure Yo' Playing HARDBALL?

Sure Yo' Playing HARDBALL?

Sure Yo' Playing HARDBALL?  Go ahead by all means but before your locomotive goes chug-chug-chug, Playing HARDBALL  does NOT simply mean playing the game of HARDBALL [as against softball].  Gone are the days when, in life, you just needed to carry your weight around, railroading the hapless souls as you literally throw your weight when/wherever you want to📗📙📘

For a time, strategy became a foreign word in our life.  The fast-paced progress in our environment simply blinded many of us, believing that the traditional HARDBALL way of doing things especially for brick and mortar environments was still the norm.  Fast forward to today, it is NOT as it does NOT seem at all💴💷💵

Today, we have NO other choice but to piggy-back on the PRINCIPLES of HARDBALL crafted by the successful entrepreneurs.  First off, focus relentlessly on COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE  If you're angling for a prestigious job in the market, look dig deep and eke out your COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE[s]📌📌📌

In the world of the NBA, many of us [wrongly] believe that NBA is sports, period.  Dude, it is NOT.  Instead, NBA is a business.  When they get into the messy trade negotiations, we would realize that NBA IS A BUSINESS!  Sure, you can see flashes of loyalty [like the late Kobe Bryant] who played only for the LA Lakers till his retirement and demise [RIP]❎❎❎

And this is NOT limited to physicality.  Today's top chess super grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen play HARDBALL like the palm of their hands.  They know well enough when to ATTACK & ATTACK and when it's time for a truce and offer a game that looks 'drawish' materially and positive-wise.  Sure Yo' playing HARDBALL❓❓❓