A Peaceful Mind Generates Power

Norman Vincent Peale - Inspirational writer of a generation

A Peaceful Mind Generates Power, At breakfast in a hotel dining room three of us fell to discussing how well we had slept the night before, a truly momentous topic. One man complained of a sleepless night. He had tossed and turned and was about as exchausted as when he retired. "Guess I'd better stop listening to the news before going to bed,"he observed. "I tuned in last night and sure got an ear full of trouble"

That is quite a phrase, "an ear full of trouble." Little wonder he had a disturbed night. "Maybe the coffee I drank before retiring had something to do with it, " he mused.

The other man spoke up, "As for me, I had a grand night, I got my news from the evening paper and from an early broadcast and had a chance to digest it before I went to sleep. Of course," he had a chance to digest it before I went to sleep. Of course, " he continued, "I used my go-to-sleep plan which never fails to work."

I prodded him for his plan, which he explained as follows: "When I was a boy, my father, a farmer, had the habit of gathering the family in the parlor at bedtime and he read to us out of the Bible. I can hear him yet. In fact, every time I hear those Bible verses I always seem to hear them in the tone of my father's voice. After prayers I would go up to my room and sleep like a top. But when I left home I got away from the Bible reading and prayer habit.

"I must admit that for years practically the only time I ever prayed was when I got into a jam. But some months ago my wife and I, having a number of difficult problems, decided we would try it again. We found it a very helpful practice, so now every night before going to bed she and I together read the Bible and have a little session of prayer. I don't know what there is about it, but I have been sleeping better and things have improved all down the line. In fact, I find it so helpful that even out on the road, as I am now, I still read the Bible and pray. Last night I got into bed and read the 23rd Psalm. I read it out loud and it did me a lot of good."

He turned to the other man and said, "I didn't go to bed with an ear full of trouble. I went to sleep with a mind full of peace."

Well, there are two cryptic phrases for you - "an ear full of trouble" and "a mind full of peace." Which do you choose?

The essence of the secret lies in a change of mental attitude. One must learn to live on a different thought basis, and even though thought change requires effort, it is much easier than to continue living as you are. The life of strain is difficult. The life of inner peace, being harmonious and without stress, is the easiest type of existence. The chief struggle then in gaining mental peace is the effort of revamping your thinking to the relaxed attitude of acceptance of God's gift of peace.

As an illlustration of taking a relaxed attitude and therefore receiving peace, I always think of an experience in a certain city where I lectured one evening. Prior to going on the platform I was sitting backstage going over my speech when a man approached and wanted to discuss a personal problem.

I informed him that at the moment it was impossible to talk as I was just about to noticed him in the wings nervously pacing up and down, but afterward he was nowhere about. However, he had given me his card, which indicated that he was a man of considerable influence in that city.

Back at my hotel, although it was late, I was still troubled by this man so I telephoned him. He was surprised at my call and explained that he did not wait because obviously I was busy. "I just wanted you to pray with me," he said. " I thought if you would pray with me, perhaps I could get some peace."

"There is nothing to prevent us from praying together on the telephone right now," I said.

Somewhat in surprise, he replied, " I have never heard of praying on the telephone. "

"Why not?" I asked. "A telephone is simply a gadget of communication. You are some blocks from me, but by means of the telephone we are together. Besides, " I continued, " the Lord is with each of us. He is at the both ends of this line and between. He is with you and He is with me."

"All right," he conceded. " I'd like to have you pray for me." So I closed my eyes and prayed for the man over the telepone, and I prayed just as though we were in the same room. He could hear and the Lord could hear. When I finished I suggested, "Won't you pray?" There was no response. Then at the other end of the line I heard sobbing and finally, " I can't talk, " he said.

" Go on and cry for a minuete or two and then pray," I suggested.

"Simply tell the Lord everything that is bothering you. I assume this is a private line, but if not, and if anybody is listening, it won't matter. As far as anyone is concerned, we are just a couple of voices. Nobody would know it is you and I."

Bookstore Business

Go Negosyo Big Time!

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Believe in Yourself

Norman Vincent Peale - Inspirational writer of a generation

Believe in Yourself, Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. But with sound self-confidence you can succeed. A sense of inferiority and inadequacy interferes with the attainment of your hopes, but self-confidence leads to self-realization and successful achievement.

It is appalling to realize the number of pathetic people who are hampered and made miserable by the malady popularly called the inferiority complex. But you need not to suffer from this trouble. When proper steps are taken, it can be overcome. You can develop creative faith in yourself - faith that is justified.

After speaking to a convention of businessmen in a city auditorium, I was on the stage greeting people when a man approached me and with a peculiar intensity of manner asked, "May I talk with you about a matter of desperate importance to me?"

I asked him to remain until the others had gone, then we went backstage and sat down.

"I'm in this town to handle the most important business deal of my life," he explained. "If I succeed, it means everything to me. If I fail, I'm done for."

I suggested that he relax a little, that nothing was quite that final. If he succeeded, that was fine. If he didn't, well, tomorrow was another day.

"I have a terrible disbelief in myself," he said dejectedly. "I have no confidence. I just don't believe I can put it over. I am very discouraged and depressed. In fact, " he lamented, "I'm just about sunk. Here I am, forty years old. Why is that all my life I have been tormented by inferiority feelings, by lack of confidence, by self-doubt? I listened to your speech tonight in which you talked about the power of positive thinking, and I want to ask how I can get some faith in myself."

"There are two steps to take," I replied, "First, it is important to discover why you have these feelings of no power. That requires analysis and will take time. We must approach the maladies of our emotional life as a physician probes to find something wrong physically. This cannot be done immediately, certainly not in our brief interview tonight, and it may require treatment to reach a permanent solution. But to pull you through this immediate problem I shall give you a formula which will work if you use it.

"As you walk down the street tonight I suggest that you repeat certain words which I shall give you. Say them over several times after you get into bed. When you awaken tomorrow, repeat them three times before arising. On the way to your important appointment say them three additional times. Do this with an attitude of faith and you will receive sufficient strength and ability to deal with this problem. Later, if you wish, we can go into an analysis of your basic problem, but whatever we come up with following that study, the formula which I am now going to give you can be a large factor in the eventual cure."

Following is the affirmation which I gave him - "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13) He was unfamiliar with these words so I wrote them on a card and had him read them over three times aloud.

"Now, follow that prescriptions, and I am sure things will come out all night."

He pulled himself up, stood quietly for a moment, then said with considerable feeling, "O.K., Doctor. O.K."

I watched him square his shoulders and walk out into the night. He seemed a pathetic figure, and yet the way he carried himself as he disappeared showed that faith was already at work in his mind.

Subsequently he reported that this simple formula "did wonders" for him and added, "It seems incredible that a few words from the Bible could do so much for a person."

Learn From Others

Bo Sanchez - Spiritual preacher and Motivational speaker.

Learn From Others, When you pattern your ventures with the guidance of successful mentors, you actually prevent yourself from doing a possible mistake. Don't hesitate to ask other people who already done what you are planning to do. Seek for their guidance and from their start your step towards the achievement of your dreams. Open yourself to many possibilities and give your best to make it happen.

Pinoy Self-Help Investing No.5

Story of my Investing Adventures - Brilliant Reader

Pinoy Self-help Investing No.5, Isa na rin sa dahilan kung bakit kinuha ko itong 96sqm residential property sa Grand Royale, Malolos Bulacan ay para sa mother at mga pamangkin ko. Sa ngayon kasi nag-rrent lang kami sa isang apartment sa may Taguig, malapit sa Office ko. Nagbabayad kami ng Php 5,500 monthly para sa renta. Good thing, naging kaibigan ko yung mismong landlord ng apartment. Dapat Php 6,000 talaga yung monthly rent fee pero nagawa kong hingian ng Php 500 discount. Malaking bagay din talaga yung marunong kang makisama, lalo na kung alam mong may mahalagang ugnayan sayo yung tao. Nakilala ko itong si Kuya Rey, may-ari ng apartment na inuupahan namin sa isang kaibigan ko na dati ko rin ka-schoolmate nung College pa ako.

May 3 units itong apartment nila Kuya Rey, yung unang room na maliit ay Php 3,500 ang monthly rental fee. Nung first year dun muna kami kasi medyo mura, pero di nagtagal eh lumipat kami dun sa next room na mas maluwag kasi maliit yung room na yun lalo na kapag dumarating yung ibang relatives namin para bumisita. Nung lumipat kami, naisip ko na wag i-give up itong maliit na room kasi nung time na yun medyo nag-aaral pa lang din ako ng about real-estate investment at apartments rental procedures. Ang ginawa ko, tinuloy ko pa din ang pagbabayad ng renta dun sa maliit na room ng Php 3,500 pero hinanapan ko ng tenant o mangungupahan. As experiment, bumili ako ng 1 double deck, 16 inches Colored TV, 5 cubic refrigerator, table at 2 chairs then nilagay ko dun sa maliit na room. Sinubukan ko kung may magkakaron ng interesadong tenant dun sa maliit na room provided na may mga gamit akong nilagay. Ang ginawa ko, nagpost ako ng advertisement sa BuySell.ph free ads posting at pinost ko yung features ng unit for only Php 6,000 per month. Noon mismong araw na yun, maraming akong natanggap na mga text, tawag at emails ng mga potential tenants. Tinatanong nila yung location, kung accessible daw ba sa makati, ayala area. Ang maganda dun, sobrang accessible ng location kasi may way papuntang Fort Bonifacio, Market market, Makati or Ayala Area, at accessible din papuntang NAIA airport o kahit papuntang South Luzon. So, nung time na yun andito ako sa Japan at yung pamangkin ko lang ang nasa apartment kaya tinawagan ko yung pamangkin ko para i-meet yung mga potential tenants at para ipakita yung unit. Halos araw-araw may mga tumitingin ng unit at interesado kunin.

Maraming klase ng tenant ang tumitingin, meron ang gusto lang ay for vacation purposes, meaning atleast mga 1 to 3 months lang nila gusto mag-stay sa unit. Meron din naman gusto nila ipareserve lang yung unit then after 2 months pa sila lilipat at meron din atleast 1 to 2 years nila gusto mag-stay sa unit. So, sa pagpili ng tenant natutunan ko din kung paano mo dapat i-evaluate. Dapat tignan mo kung alin ang priority mo. Sa case ko, dahil bumili ako ng mga gamit dun sa unit na halagang Php 22,000 dapat humanap ako ng tenant na makakapg-start na magbigay ng rent dun sa unit. Kung ang binabayaran ko sa landlord ay Php 3,500 at pinapa-upahan ko sya ng Php 6,000 lumalabas na may Php 2,500 na agad ako per month. Yun ang tinatawag na Lease, ibig sabihin ipinagkasundo mo sa landlord na upahan yung unit para paupahan din sa ibang tenants provided na may additional features kang nilagay sa unit para reasonable na maitaas mo yung rent per month.

2 weeks after ng pagpili ng tenants, ang napili kong tenant ay yung magka-officemates na nagttrabaho sa call center sa Makati area. Isang sakay lang sila ng Jeep or taxi papuntang office at sobrang convenient kasi hindi traffic dun sa lugar. May 11 months na silang nagre-rent ngayon dun sa unit at according sa feedback na narinig ko sa kanila eh ayaw nilang iiwan yung unit dahil sobrang convenient at hindi nila pino-problema yung mga gamit, tahimik ang lugar at wala din silang problema pagdating sa tubig at kuryente. Sa 11 months na Php 2,500 na rent fee ng tenant, lumalabas na meron ng Php 27,500. Kung i-deduct mo yung naging gastos as capital para sa mga gamit na Php 22,000 ay meron na akong 5,500 return on investment plus yung value ng mga gamit na ay isama pa sa return-on-investment. Kung iisipin mo, parang galing lang din sa tenant yung perang ginamit ko pambili ng mga gamit na nasa unit. Ang kelangan lang ay gamitin ang time. Kadalasan kasi iniisip agad natin yung gastos na ilalabas natin pero yung patience o paghihintay para sa return-on-investment ang madalas na-overlooked natin kaya nagiging hesitant tayo para umpisahan yung idea na naiisip natin.

Sa ngayon, dahil dun sa natatanggap kong Php 2,500 per month, malaking tulong na yun para pambayad sa tubig at kuryente na binabayaran namin. Minsan simple lang yung idea kung paano papaikutin yung pera pero nagiging kumplekado kapag sinasamahan natin ng mga maling paniniwala o pinangungunahan natin ng mga doubts. Natutunan ko rin sa book na nabasa ko na dapat huwag tayong matakot na minsan mag-take ng risk kung pinag-aaralan naman natin kung ano yung posibleng maging resulta at kung alam din natin paano kokontrolin yung negative results. Maraming mga popular na businessmen ang nagsasabi na lahat sila ay nagdaan sa maraming failures bago nila nakamit yung tagumpay sa kung anumang business nila. Hindi naman kasi natin masisigurado na sa isang hakbang eh yun ang resulta na gusto natin. Ang mahalaga handa tayo sa magiging resulta ng pinasok nating negosyo at kahit paano may assumption na tayo sa mga maaring mangyari. Katulad ng inumpisahan ko, alam kong posibleng hindi pumatok yung naisip ko na bilihan ng gamit yung unit kasi maliit lang pero bago pa mangyari yun inisip ko na kung paano ba ang gagawin ko kung sakaling walang magka-interest na magrenta dun sa unit? Syempre inisip ko na pwede naman namin gamitin yung 1 double deck, TV at refrigerator pang personal na gamit. Ang mahalaga na-try mo gawin yung idea na tingin mong may magandang resulta. Kung mag-fail man ay di mo pagsisihan kasi handa ka sa resulta.

Minsan malaki din ang role ng mindset ng tao sa kung anong future ang pwedeng dumating. Kung puro negative ang iisipin mo about investing, siguradong wala kang mauumpisahan at lagi ka lang nasa safe area. Meaning, kung ano yung tingin mo alam mo na ang kahihinatnan at kaya mong i-handle ang epekto eh dun ka na lang lagi mag-stay. Pero kung lalakasan mo ang loob mo para i-try ang mga idea na naiisip mong may magandang resulta ay malaki ang difference at possibility na magtagumpay ka. Common kasi sa atin ay takot sa risk, takot na subukan yung mga ideas na tingin nating may mawawala sa atin, mas gusto natin yung anticipated na natin ang mangyayari. Isang halimbawa na lang, yung perang kinikita natin buwan buwan mas gusto natin ilagay na lang sa savings kesa magtry tayong mag-invent ng negosyo. Hindi natin alam na yung perang nilalagay natin sa bangko ay syang ginagamit ng mga may-ari ng bangko para gamitin as investment.

Isang naisip ko nga, kung yung pera kong nakalagay sa bangko ay kumikita lang ng 1%, pero yung mismong bangko na gumagamit ng pera ko ay kayang kumita halimbawa ng around 10% pataas dun sa pera ko, bakit hindi na lang ako ang gumawa ng investment instead na ang bangko ang makinabang sa pera ko? Kung iisipin mo sa 10% na kikitain ng bangko, 1% lang ang napupunta sa akin? Na kung ako yung gagawa ng investment na ginagawa nila para sa pera ko ay ako yung tatanggap ng 10%. Yun ang isa pang bagay na nag-udyok sa akin para mag-aral ng investment ideas at kung anu-ano ang mga investments na pwede ko paglagyan ng perang kinikita ko. Syempre, bago natin pasukin ang investment, dapat alamin natin kung yun bang natatanggap natin monthly income ay sapat para maglaan tayo ng investment amount. Bilang beginner, katulad ng karamihan, halos panggastos lang din sa isang buwan ang kinikita ko pero sa konting halaga na tinatabi ko at naiipon, yun ang ginagamit ko para ilagay sa affordable investments. Dapat alam natin kung magkano ba yung para sa investment na kaya nating mawala if ever na hindi maging maganda ang resulta. Sa atin din nakadepende kung paano natin gagawan ng paraan yung source o panggagalingan ng perang i-invest natin para makatulong pandagdag sa kinikita natin. Mahirap ang umasa lang sa monthly pay check dahil kung isang araw eh hindi mo na kayang magtrabaho eh wala ka nang matatanggap na suweldo, unlike kung meron kang ibang investment na magiging source ng income mo kahit paano ay meron ka pa rin matatanggap at makakatulong sa panggastos mo. (Continuation: Pinoy Self-help Investing No.6)

Love Many Things

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.34 >> Love Many Things, You proportionally increase your chances for happiness by increasing the number of things that you love doing. Love many things and your happiness will escalate into an enthusiasm for life, which will have a positive effect on you and those around you. Seek and enjoy those things that give your life value and purpose.

To love many things, you must be adventurous. A boring life is your own fault. Try new things. Be excited and passionate about life. Feel good. You must be able to see beauty in the grand scheme of things as well as in details.

Discover: music, art, books, food, Tai Chi, karate, theater, movies, sunsets, exercise, friends, gardens and the Internet. Open your mind. Find your preferences. Make your home, office and dojo beautiful places to love. Keep going...

Remember how lucky you are to have so many interests. Happiness may not be a result of financial success. Happiness is a result of loving many things and appreciating what you already have.

Pinoy Self-help Investing No.4

Story of my Investing Adventures - Brilliant Reader

Pinoy Self-help Investing No.4, Kasunod lang ng pagkuha ko sa MegaWorld ng 32sqm pre-selling condominium unit sa McKinley Hill, kumuha naman ako ng 96sqm residential lot area sa Asian Land Strategies Corporation. Nalaman ko ang tungkol dito sa Asian Land sa dati kong Officemate na ngayon ay licensed broker na. Na-established ang Asian Land Strategies Corporation nung April 1994 ng small group of entrepreneurs from Bulacan. Nag-umpisa sila from low-to-medium-cost housing na lumawak sa Northern part ng Luzon.

Ang naging unang project nila ay ang Royale Estates, 5.6 hectare low-to-medium-cost na residential subdivision. Kumpleto ang amenities and along Mc Arthur Highway, Bulihan, Malolos, Bulacan ang location. Nung naging successful ang Royale Estates, na-inspire itong mga entrepreneurs na kumuha ng second project at ito yung Casa Royale, 6.7 hectare residential subdivision along Maharlika Highway, Sapang Putol, San Ildefonso, Bulacan noong August 1994.

Dahil sa tuluy-tuloy na successs ng kanilang projects, kumuha na ng mga staff and agents na makakatulong para sa pag-expand ng real-estate industry hanggang nag-start na silang kumuha ng mas malaking project at ito yung Grand Royale I, 8.2 hectare complete medium cost commercial/ residential complex. Na sinundan ng Phase 2 noong November 1996 ng 9.8 hectare development.

Dahil nakita ng mga entrepreneurs na bumubuo ng Asian Land ang needs ng Filipino na makabili ng affordable price ng residential lot and houses, mabilis na lumawak ang projects nila. Marami na silang nakuhang awards, "2005 Best Real Estate Developer (Bulacan)", "2005 Most Outstanding Real Estate Developer (Luzon)", "2006 Most Outstanding Real Estate Developer (Bulacan)", "Philippines Brilliance Awards For Products and Services - 2006 Best Real Estate Developer (National)".

Nung nakita ko itong proven track records ng Asian Land Strategies, nagkaroon ako ng interest na magventure at kumuha ng residential lot space. Sa pag-assess ng real-estate property, mahalaga yung tignan palagi ang history o previous records ng developer kung ano yung mga ups-and-downs from beginning to present. Bukod dito, mahalaga na pag-aralan yung location ng real-estate property. According sa mga research na ginawa ko, "Bulacan is among the most progressive provinces in the Philippines. Bulacan is well-known for the following industries: Marble and Marbelized Limestone, Jewelry, Pyrotechnics, Leather, Aquaculture, Meat and Meat Products, Garments, Furniture, High-Value Crops, and Sweets and Native Delicacies, and a wide variety of high-quality native products. Bulacan has fast become an ideal tourist destination, owing to its vital role in Philippine history, and its rich heritage in culture and the arts."

Ang kinuha kong 96sqm lot residential property ay sa Grand Royale. Ang lot price ay around Php 400,000 . Nagbigay lang ako ng low-down-payment na Php 10,000 and monthly amortization starting from Php Php 2,345. Napaka-affordable na sa mga katulad nating regular employee at average ang salary na natatanggap monthly. As per AsianLand, "Grand Royale is an Exclusive Subdivision. A new landmark at historic Malolos City in Bulacan, which is a fast growing metropolis within the immediate perimeter of Metro Manila. This is Asian Land Strategies Corporation's flagship project. Only a 30-minute drive from Metro Manila, Grand Royale is a modern community that combines nature's serene beauty and man's ingenuity. Conveniently located within a quiet neighborhood, a place away from the hustle and bustle of the city life with its gracious and luxurious amenities and facilities that fit only royalties, and yet at an incredibly affordable price. "

In consideration for the strategic location, nakita kong magandang opportunity ito as investment kasi napakaganda ng lugar, malapit sa university, schools, wet and dry market, church, hospitals, malls at may mga establishments pang tinatayo ngayon malapit sa Malolos Bulacan. Kaya naman noong July 2007, pinuntahan ko agad ang Office ng Asian Land Strategies sa monumento, Pag-IBIG building. Nakipag-negotiate agad ako kung pwede kong makita yung mga available lot area at kung saan ang magandang kunin. Nung araw din na yun, nagset ng tripping yung Vice-President ng Asian Land, Pearl Division at sinama ako dun sa mismong sites, marami silang mga projects like Dream Crest Homes, The Meadows, Casa Royale, Woodlands of Grand Royale, Casa Buena de Pulilan, Royale Estate, Grand Industrial Estate. Ang napili ko ay yung 96sqm residential lot sa Grand Royale, mga 5 minutes walk from Gate 2. Malapit dun ang main road at wet and dry market. Pinili ko yung mas malapit sa gate para hindi mahirap pagdating sa transportation. Bilang starter investor, syempre wala pa naman akong enough na fund para bumili ng sasakyan kaya ang kinuha ko ay yung practical hindi lang sa location kundi pati sa accessibility ng property. (Continuation: Pinoy Self-help Investing No.5)

Salon Business

Go Negosyo Big Time!

Salon Business Part 1


Salon Business Part 2

Go Negosyo. Advocacy founded by Jose Ma. Concepcion III (RMF Corp.) >> Salon Business, Explore different types of Business. Open your mind to all the possibilities outside your borders. You have the unique skills that others don't have. Discover your talent. Be inspired as you watch Go Negosyo.

Stay Centered

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.33 >> Stay Centered, In the battles of life, you will take punches, Some may hurt. This too will pass. You are the center of your universe. Take care of your own needs first. Then go to your family, then to friends, neighbors and employees. Move on to the larger communities. Don't use saving the world as an excuse to forget your family. Don't allow others to rush or pressure you to act before you can decide what is right. The most important thing that a father can do for his children is to love their mother.

Stand with your knees slightly bent. Head up. Breathe deeply from your belly. You are a very small part of the grand scheme of things. You are one with the universe. You are everything and nothing. Remain calm, balanced and aware.

Pinoy Self-Help Investing No.3

Story of my Investing Adventures - Brilliant Reader


McKinley Hill - Entrance

Megaworld Stamford Two - under construction

Pinoy Self-help Investing No.3, Sa 2 years na hinuhulugan ko itong condominium unit ko sa Stamford 2 Mckinley Hills, as self-help investor natutunan ko kung pano nakikipag-negotiate o deal sa mga property consultants (sila yung pwede mo pagtanungan ng status ng construction, contract related concerns, annual value appreciation, etc.). Actually, may 3 property consultants nang nagpalit-palit humawak ng unit ko. Sa pakikipagkwentuan ko dun sa isang property consultant, may mga quota daw sila or target per month na dapat maibenta dahil kung hindi nila yun ma-meet eh possible na maalis sila or yung tinatawag nilang suspension. Nakakatuwa kasi hindi lang ang natutunan ko ay yung sa paghandle ng transactions ng condominium unit but also yung mga nangyayari na rin in the process.

Sa pagi-invest, kelangan buo ang vision mo at maganda ang mindset mo sa future ng investment. Hindi kasi mawawala dyan na may mga ma-eencounter kang negative people in terms of investing. Like sa mga past experiences ko, may mga nakakausap akong ang sinasabi eh "naku, nakakatakot mag-invest ng pera sa pre-selling kasi di mo alam baka pagdating ng panahon eh hindi matuloy ang pag-construct ng building", kung iisipin mo may point nga naman sya. Paano nga naman kung di matuloy ang pag-construct ng condominium? Syempre, isang risk yan. Pero kung alam mo kung saan ka naglalagay ng investment at pinag-aaralan mo din naman kung yung previous history ba ng developer na pinagbilihan mo eh may mga ganong case? So bakit ka bibili sa ganong developer? Sa case ko, kumuha ako sa Megaworld kasi nakita kong lahat ng projects nila ay talagang tinatapos nila at magaganda ang mga locations, very strategic. In fact, Megaworld ang no. 1 competitor ng Ayala ngayon pagdating sa real-estate projects. So, siguro kung wala akong malinaw na vision para dun sa property na kinuha ko at di ko rin pinag-aaralan yung history ng developer, malamang ginive-up ko na yung condominium at nakinig ako sa negative idea na yun.

Hindi talaga maiaalis sa atin na makaramdam ng kaba o takot kasi unang-una yung ini-invest natin ay yung perang pinaghihirapan natin. Pero kagaya nga nung nabasa kong book ni Bo Sanchez "8 Secrets of the Truly Rich", kelangan alam mo rin pag-aralan hatiin yung income mo kung ilang percent ang dapat nasa investment, ilang percent ang nasa life insurance, ilang percent ang nasa emergency fund at kung ilang percent ang for expenses mo. Pinaka-basic idea pagdating sa pag-control ng pera, dapat hindi lumalampas ang expenses mo against sa income mo. Kadalasan kasi sa mindset natin, pagdating ng sweldo iniisip agad natin i-budget sa mga expenses. Madalas napupunta sa mga bagay na luho at hindi yung talagang kelangan. Andyan na yung may ginagamit pang bag pero bibili ng bago at branded pa, considering na maliit lang ang income kaya kung minsan nagkakautang pa. Isang halimbawa na yan ng maling paghawak ng perang pinaghirapan natin. Sabi nga, hindi naman masamang i-spoil mo yung sarili mo sa mga bagay na talagang gusto mo. Pero dapat alam din natin kung kelan natin i-spoil ang sarili natin at yung tamang timing. Hindi yung marami na nga tayong utang panay pa rin ang bili natin ng mga luho. Ang pinakamagandang gawin, dapat kaya natin disiplinahin ang sarili natin na magtabi ng pera para sa luho kung may sobra sa sweldo at yung patience sa paghihintay kung kelan makaluwag, pero dapat hindi nawawala yung magtatabi tayo ng para sa kinabukasan.

Mahalaga talaga yung alamin natin yung mga priorities, ihiwalay natin sa list yung mga kelangan at yung luho para madali natin ma-identify kung alin yung pwedeng hindi paglaanan ng pera. May kasabihan nga, sa ngayon yung mga nag-iinvest daw nagpapakahirap at yung mga hindi nag-iinvest eh nag-eenjoy. Pero bukas, yung mga nag-invest ang nag-eenjoy at yung mga hindi nag-invest naman ang naghihirap kasi umaasa pa rin sa sweldo. Ako yun ang naging malaking takot ko, magmula nung na-realize ko ang investment, kung lagi lang ako umaasa sa sweldo ko kahit pa sabihin nating bata pa ako at malakas pa para magtrabaho pero kung wala naman akong ginagawa para sa future ko, ibig sabihin hindi malabong kahit 50 years old na ako eh nagttrabaho pa rin ako. Yun ang katotohanan at kita ko nang halimbawa nung nagttrabaho ako sa Japan, kahit mga matatanda na talagang nagttrabaho pa rin. Kung minsan may nakakausap ako at tinatanong, gaano ka na katagal nagttrabaho sa company na yan? May nagsasabi 20 years, 30 years at may umaabot pa ng 40 years. Inisip ko sa sarili ko, kung hindi ako gagawa ng paraan ngayon habang bata pa ako malamang baka matulad din ako sa mga ito. Depende rin kasi sa priority ng isang tao yung kapalaran na napupunta sa kanya eh. Kung ako ang tatanungin, ayokong magtrabaho at umabot ng katandaan ko eh nasa kumpanya pa rin ako. Naiinggit nga ako kapag nakikita ko yung mga businessmen o investors na nag-ttravel lang papunta sa ibang bansa para i-manage ang investments nila. Mas mahaba yung time na nailalaan nila sa pamilya at sa pagbbakasyon para i-enjoy yung bunga ng pinaghirapan nila sa pag-iinvest. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, balang araw mararating ko rin yung mga narating nila. (Continuation: Pinoy Self-help Investing No.4)

Inspiring Story of a Filipino

Arnel Pineda - A Member of Journey.

Inspiring Story of a Filipino, Don't stop believing on yourself. The world is free for you to explore your talents. Show what you can do and don't dwell on what you can't. Life is so simple and a very rewarding gift from our God. Be inspired with the success story of Arnel Pineda.

Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle - A Scottish singer.

Susan Boyle, came to public attention when she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Britain's Got Talent. She became known when she sang "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables in the competition's first round, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2009.

Certainly, She is one of a good examples for all the people who has a big dream. Through self-confidence and courage to face her doubt, She successfully made it. We are all the same in nature as created by our God with special skills and unique talent. Be inspired.

Embody Integrity

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.32 >> Embody Integrity, You are proud, strong, friendly, generous and successful. Many will seek your counsel. People will depend on you. Have faith and a belief in your cause. Know that you will fight for and what you won't. Do not compromise what is right. Stick to your convictions and principles as you allow your ethical values to direct your decision-making. Integrity goes beyond self-interest to moral courage. Lying only leads to more lying.

Keep your promises. Fulfill your commitments. People want to know where you stand and for what you stand. People respect honesty and sincerity, but hate hypocrisy. Be consistent. Speak in clear precise facts. Be sure your words match your deeds. Do what you say and your credibility builds. You cannot speak stronger words than, "I give you my word".

Wedding Business

Go Negosyo Big Time!

Go Negosyo. Advocacy founded by Jose Ma. Concepcion III (RMF Corp.) >> Wedding Business Segment, Be inspired and get an idea on how to do a wedding business. It might be your passion. Explore the possibilities and make a difference.

Pinoy Self-help Investing No.2

Story of my Investing Adventures - Brilliant Reader


Chinese International School at Mckinley Hill


Starbucks Coffee at Mckinley Hill

Pinoy Self-help Investing No.2, Ang plano ko pagna-turn over na itong condominium unit sa akin, dun muna kami titira ng future wife ko para hindi na rin kami mag-rent pa sa ibang apartment. Sa ganong paraan mas makakatipid na kami. Pagdumating ang time na makakuha kami ng isang residencial property, i-apply ko na itong condominium unit sa property management. Ito yung organization na namamahala ng mga apartments at condominium sa paghahanap ng tenant o nangungupahan at nangangalaga ng unit.

Isang malaking bagay sa pagkuha ng pre-selling condominium ay yung tinatawag na return-on-investment, ito yung profit o gain na makukuha mo dun sa perang binabayad mo as amortization (buwanan na pagbabayad). Kung magkano ang kuha ko dun sa condominium unit, magbabago na yung value at pwedeng mag-increase taon-taon depende sa takbo ng development dun sa area. Katulad ngayon, 2 years ko nang hinuhulugan yung unit at na-construct na yung Chinese International School at British Embassy. Currently, ginagawa na rin yung Town Center Mall at patapos na rin yung Chapel sa loob mismo ng McKinley Hills. Sa tapat ng main gate andun yung building ng Call Center at may mga popular fast-foods na rin like Pancake house, Mc Donalds, Seven-Eleven at marami pang kilalang restaurants. According sa Megaworld, usually nag-iincrease sila ng value starting at 7% to 15% per year. So, habang hinuhulugan ko pa lang yung unit ko may profit na ako sa annual increase. Ang value ngayon ng unit kung paparentahan ko ay minimum of Php 25,000 base sa standard rent fee dun sa place. Imagine after 2 years by 2011 pagturn-over sa akin possible na tumaas pa yung value ng rent. Ang target tenant ko dito ay yung mga foreign students, employees, expat at foreign businessmen. Naniniwala akong pagdating ng time na i-open ko na for rent itong condominium, pag-aagawan ito ng mga potential tenants.

Ganito ko naman nakikita ang flow ng investment income. Kung paparentahan ko itong unit ng Php 30,000 per month at nagbabayad lang ako ng approximately Php 12,000 sa bank re-finance ng unit, meron na kaagad akong Php 18,000 income. Simple lang ang idea, yung tenant na ang nagbabayad sa re-financing amount ko sa bangko at may income pa ako.

Isang magandang pananaw pagdating sa investment, dapat hindi mo tinitignan yung negative side kasi natural may mga risks, kundi ang tignan mo eh yung positive side at kung paano mo ko-kontrolin ang mga possible risks. Isang halimbawa ng risk, paano kung biglang umalis na yung tenant? So, stop na yung matatanggap kong income at saan ko kukunin yung pambayad sa bank-re-finance? Before pa mangyari ito dapat may plan na. Pwedeng solusyon dito, i-apply ko sa property management na may 1 year contract para alam ko na by the time na matatapos yung contract eh ano ba ang next plan na gagawin ko? I-advertise sa internet or magbigay ng mga brochures or ipa-continue ang contract ng pamamahala sa property management.

Pag-turn over sa akin ng unit on year 2011, half-amount na nung unit price ang nabayaran ko. Yung remaining balance ay i-apply ko sa bpi for bank-re-finance. Ang iniisip kong payment range ay 10 years. Ang idea kasi na naiisip ko, hindi yung galing sa akin ang ibabayad ko para sa re-finance kundi galing sa tenant. Kung investing ang pinaka-main purpose ko, dapat isipin ko kung paano kikita dun sa property na kinuha ko. (Continuation: Pinoy Self-hel Investing No.3)

Pinoy Self-help Investing No.1

Story of my Investing Adventures - Brilliant Reader

Pinoy Self-help Investing No.1, Nag-umpisa akong magkaron ng hilig sa investing nung 26 years old ako. Kung iisipin mo medyo late na rin. Nagkaron ako ng interest nung nabasa ko yung book ni Robert Kiyosaki "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". Malaking realization ang naging epekto sa akin ng libro na ito kasi pinakita nya kung ano yung hindi natin nar-realize in just simple question "Gusto mo bang magtrabaho habang buhay?" at yung term na madalas nyang gamitin "Rat Race".

Biglang nag-flash back sa akin kung ano ba yung mga na-accomplish ko na mula nung bata ko. 5 years na akong nagttrabaho nung time na narealize ko yung pag-iipon at pag-invest ng perang pinag-hirapan. Pero nung ina-assess ko ang sarili ko, ano na nga ba ang mga naging preparation ko para sa bukas? Oo isang magandang bagay napatapos ko ng pag-aaral ang panganay na pamangkin ko sa 5 years na nagtatrabaho ako sa previous employer ko.

Inisip ko, ano nga ba ang preparation na ginagawa ko para maging financially free? Kelangan ko ba gawin yun? Bakit? Ang kasagutan simple lang. Ayoko nman magtrabaho habang buhay at pangarap ko talaga magtravel around the world hindi para magtrabaho kundi para makita ko lahat n ginawa ni Lord para sa atin. Marami sa atin gusto magbakasyon sa Paris, France, London, o kahit saang magagandang bansa pero hindi natutupad dahil sa kakulangan natin ng financial savings. Marami nagsasabi gahaman daw pag may ipon ka nang maraming pera. Oo dati yan din ang nasa isip at paniniwala ko pero ngayon, sinabi ko sa sarili ko kung ako ba magiging milyonaryo magiging gahaman ba ako? Gahaman bang i-spoil ang sarili mo sa mga pangarap mo? Minsan naiisip ko yung mga tanong na yun kahit wala naman talaga akong pera. Nakakatawang isipin na naglalakbay ang diwa ko sa mga ganong bagay. Tinatanong ko sarili ko bakit si Bill Gates nasa magandang estado na nang buhay? Tao din naman sya na gaya ko at marami pang mga masasabi nating successful individuals na kapareho ko lang din naman. Ang pagkakaiba lang pala ay yung drive o willingness ng tao na tuparin ang pangarap nya.

Marami na rin akong nabasang libro ng mga successful na tao at nakikita ko na may pagkakapareho sila pagdating sa mentality. Kelangan mo maging persistent at open sa lahat ng changes na posibleng dumating sa harap mo. Dahil kung hindi, mabubulok ka na kung nasan ka. Maraming nagsilbing inspirasyon sa akin kung kaya nilakasan ko ang loob ko na subukan kung ano yung mga sinimulan nila.

Nag-umpisa akong magbasa ng mga libro about investing nung year 2006. Dahil sa curiosity ko at eagerness na subukan i-apply ang mga natutunan ko naghanap ako ng mga potential real-estate properties. Nung April 2007, hindi na ako nag-atubili na kumuha sa MegaWorld, 32 sqm. pre-selling condominium sa McKinley hills, Fort Bonifacio. Nung time na yun, dini-develop pa lang itong area na ito. Mahalaga din pala yung tinitignan mo yung 5 years or 10 years after ng isang lugar para ma-appreciate mo ang value nung investment at ma-assess mo na rin kung magiging profitable ang real-estate property na kinuha mo. Isa pang malaking bagay at importante na dapat magkaron ay ang lakas ng loob na harapin ang risk na darating at dapat kahit pano pinag-hahandaan o alam mo na kung ano yung mga counter-measures kung dumating man.

Napili kong kumuha dun dahil sa vision ng MegaWorld na magtayo ng Chinese International School, British Embassy at Town Center Mall. Malaking factor yun para sa pagdesisyon ko na kumuha at hintayin ang magandang future na ibibigay nung location. Kinuha ko yun Php 25,000 ang reservation at binabayaran ko s'ya monthly starting at Php 10,000 for the first year, Php 12,000 for the second year. Ngayon, pang 3rd year ko binabayaran ko s'ya Php 16,000 monthly. May annual lumpsum na Php 100,000 kaya mas affordable dahil may time para pag-ipunan. The unit is amounting Php 2,145,000. Nung time na yun dahil may promo sila, nagkaron ako ng 7% discount. Mas mura kung ikukumpara natin sa mga complete condominium na and fully furnished considering na yung lugar ay center for business at napakalapit sa main gate, walking distance lang. 4 years ang turn-over period nito kaya by 2011 ay turn-over na sa akin ng unit. (Continuation: Pinoy Self-help Investing No.2)

Be the Warrior

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.31 >> Be the Warrior, The warrior is tough in loyalty, intensity, determination, bearing, initiative, endurance, courage and strength of will. The warrior is soft in calmness, self-confidence and compassion. The warrior is frequently called upon to step forward when most gladly step back. Warriors exist on the battlefield and in daily life.

People may react to you rudely, selfishly and with malice. Be courteous anyway.

Those you help may whine and offer no thanks. Help them anyway.

Your honest words may be challenged and ridiculed. Speak anyway.

Success may involve many mistakes and disappointments. Succeed anyway.

Your donations may seem too small to matter. Give anyway.

A warrior is a master, ever prepared to improve and to be of service to others.

Successful Businessman in Davao

Bo Sanchez - Spiritual preacher and Motivational speaker.

Ralph Marston - Success is Happening, Success is not the absence of failure. Success is what happens when you choose to move on beyond failure.

Learning what not to do is an important part of knowing what is most effective to do. Every mistake can spotlight a way to improve.

Frustration and disappointment are painful for a very positive reason. The pain pushes you in the direction of achievement.

What does not work gives you a realistic understanding of what will work. Whatever stops you can no longer stop you when you see it clearly enough to work your way around it.

Make your first instinct to celebrate rather than to judge. Celebrate and quickly find a useful outlet for whatever you've just been given.

Every up, every down, every moment makes you more able and creative and effective. See all the ways that success is happening, and allow achievement to flow freely into your world.

Entrepreneurship (Binalot - Final Day)

Success stories of Filipino Entrepreneurs - Rommel Juan

AFFI. Final Day, Binalot's operations run smoothly now because different people take care of the various sections of the organization. It's no longer all me. I think it helps a lot if you handle everything when you're starting a business. But it does limit you. Fortunately, when Binalot expanded, I could afford to get more people to help me. That's the only way you will grow.

Sometimes you have to let someone else take care of a department in the organization so there's focus. I also tell my people that. You have to make yourself "obsolete", or else, ikaw na lang d'yan habambuhay. Kuha kayo ng taong puwedeng pumalit sa inyo. Kung indispensable kayo, d'yan na lang kayo (you'll be stuck there forever. Get someone to replace you. If you're indispensable, you'll be stuck there).

He tries to instill a little entrepreneurial spirit into his employees, challenging them to take risks, to be creative. Rommel, like most entrepreneurs, recognizes that there is great potential in the Filipino to make it big as an entrepreneur. He is happy to see that more and more are getting into business.

I think the country needs more businessmen, more entrepreneurs to help with the country's employment. To give a positive outlook in life. Entrepreneurs are always positive thinkers. Negative thinkers can never build and sustain businesses.

Rommel believes anyone can be an entrepreneur in his own way. Whether you are born with aptitude for it or discover it later on in life like he did.

Having grown up surrounded by entrepreneurs, Rommel agrees that exposure to business helped. The discipline, work ethic, training experiences help shape one's desire to go into business. But ultimately, it is still up to the individual to pursue business or not.

We were expected to go into the family business. My dad made it a point to expose us to it. Sometimes when talking to employees, suppliers, and even clients and bankers, he'd let us tag along. I didn't understand it then because I was still young and I got bored easily. My dad didn't teach as if we were in a classroom; he'd train us by exposure. He'd put you in a situation and observe how you'll respond to it. Pag meron s'yang napansin, tsaka lang n'ya sasabihin sa 'yo (when he notices something, that's when he tells you), but he doesn't teach you how to act. Nakatulong 'yun sa akin (it helped me) - that I had that training about business, but it was still up to me whether I wanted to be businessman.

Setting up a business he believes is a vote of confidence for the country. He feels that Filipinos should avoid being the country's worst critics and be more nationalistic, believe more in the country by being entrepreneurs.

They can get a franchise; they can set up their own. Join AFFI. Dapat lang there's action. Don't procrastinate, don't wait to get lucky. You attract your own luck. Be active, observant, open your eyes. Action is important, and most of all, enjoy what you are doing.

Wise words from an impassioned hobbyist turned successful entrepreneur because he did his business with pleasure.

Be Decisive

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.30 >> Be Decisive, You don't have to wait for permission to do the right thing. Be decisive. Take the initiative. Get the facts. Do it now. If you don't have time to send a letter to a sick friend, send a card, a fax or an e-mail. If you can't visit your mother, call her. If you see a gift that a friend would love, buy it for him or her. If you can't go to the gym or dojo for ninety minutes, go for forty minutes.

Avoid not doing things because you can't get them done exactly as you'd originally planned. Be bold and get in the habit of doing something. Walk down one block. Pay three bills. Spend fifteen minutes with your children's homework. Give five dollars to charity. Small efforts done continually can yield significant, positive results. Do it now while it's in your mind. You don't have to be perfect to live the Action Principles. Just be a person of action. You must have more than good intentions to succeed. You must act. Get it done. Start it now.

Transform your problems into blessing

Bo Sanchez - Spiritual preacher and Motivational speaker.

Ralph Marston - From overwhelmed to empowered, Do you feel overwhelmed? The way out is to focus on now. Whatever you failed to do in the past does not matter now. Let go of any thoughts that could draw you into anxiety about the future.
Give your attention to the progress you can make in this moment. Focus your energy on the valuable contributions you can make from where you are, with what you have.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you can easily and realistically choose to feel empowered. After all, this moment with all its rich possibilities is open and available to you.
What you can do right now is enough. Confidently take action and see for yourself.
Take a clear, positive, decisive step forward. Choose now to be fully engaged in making progress, and nothing will have the power to overwhelm you.

Entrepreneurship - Binalot (Day 5)

Success stories of Filipino Entrepreneurs - Rommel Juan

AFFI. Day 5, Ten years into the business, a more sensible, more credible Rommel Juan now holds the reins of the company. His authority is no longer questioned, as he has paid his dues as far as experiences in the food industry is concerned. He has achieved the initial vision of creating a Filipino fast-food, and so the vision evolves.
The challenge now for Rommel is in growing the company, increasing its market share, and achieving top-of-mind awareness with the general public, while staying true to the initial vision. One thing sure in Binalot will remain consistently Pinoy - in concept, menu, and appeal.
"Kung ano'ng gusto ng customers as long as it's in line with the vision, pinakikinggan namin sila (Whatever the customers want, we listen to them). We hold a "Breakfast with the President once a month and we get the frontline order takers, kusinero, kasi ang frontliners ang pinaka-nakadidinig sa mga customer. Tapos mag-uusap kami - ano ba ang gusto ng tao, ano ang hinahanap nila? Tingin n'yo, bakit malakas 'yon? (cooks, because the frontliners directly listen to the needs of customer. Then we discuss - what do people want, what do they look for? Do you think it'll work?) How much are they willing to pay? It's sort of a focus group. At the same time, I visit the outlets. Tinitignan ko kung ano ang uso ngayon, ano'ng itinitinda nila (I observe trends and what other stores are offering)."
With everything great happening at Binalot, one can certainly understand why Rommel Juan loves his job. Though he has yet to make a fortune from the company - all profits are plowed back into funding more stores - he is enjoying the ride and reveling in the triumphs they have achieved with every challenge.
"I can say the company is successful because it has stood the test of time. We're stronger than ever, we're growing at an unprecedented rate right now and we're evolving, our systems are getting stronger. That is the success I am looking at right now, not financial yet. I tell people, as long as I enjoy it. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't enjoy it. The last ten years was a breeze for me. Parang di ko naramdaman pero maraming naituro sa akin (It's like time went by so quickly, but has definitely taught me a lot). As I said before, I think the failures and mistakes taught me more than the successes."
Learn Rommel did. In his day-to-day as president of Binalot, in his meetings with suppliers, franchisees, consultants, he tries to pick up something new to learn. Still the kid selling stickers, it is the interaction he is after, the camaraderie after the sale.
His love and passion for Binalot is such that he cannot see himself doing anything else right now. He has more plans for the company, which includes expansion to the provinces and tapping the overseas market.
Rommel is proudest of the brand he has built which now rings a bell in the mall-going crowd. Their brand is so catchy, in fact, that they have already caught the attention of copycats.
"Pag sinabi mong Binalot, may recall (There's already recall when you mention Binalot). I'm proud na kinokopya kami (that we're being copied), but of course, I'm not entirely happy about it. I'm proud that it's a proven business concept and people trust it enough to be a part of it as franchisee."
He is likewise proud of the organization he was able to establish formally which is now complete with Human Resources, Business Development, Construction and Liaison, and Marketing departments.

To be continued...

Bill Gates

Bill Gates - an Author and Founder of Microsoft

Bill Gates, an American Business magnate, author, and chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen. Gates is one of the best-known entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution. Although he is admired by many, a number of industry criticize his business tactics, which they consider anti-competitive, an opinion which has in some cases been upheld by the courts. In the later stages of his career, Gates has pursued a number of philanthropic endeavors, donating large amounts of money to various charitable organizations and scientific research programs through the Bill and Melinda Foundation, established in 2000.
>>
If we could just imagine how Bill Gates became an Icon of Microsoft, most of us would ask how did he do that? what particular skills or talent he has to achieved that kind of success? Yes, it is really amazing and sounds impossible for just an average person to do what he did and stand where he is. But to answer this big question, it is simply started with an "Idea". It is not far from what you think and how you discover something that you believe would make difference. The only thing that separates our ideas with the ideas of successful individuals is the strong motivation and will to pursue the challenge that comes with it.

Entrepreneurship - Binalot (Day 4)

Success stories of Filipino Entrepreneurs - Rommel Juan

AFFI. Day 4,The first franchise opened one year after the company launched the franchise program. Initially they offered the option only to family and friends while they worked out the kinds of the system. But with or without links, franchising was a big boost to Binalot revenues.
"When we launched the franchise, that's when the real growth of Binalot started. From 2004 to 2005 we doubled our outlets - from six, it became twelve."
Franchising and the growing confidence Rommel was acquiring as an entrepreneur were the potent combination that would bring Binalot to greater heights. While running the company, Rommel enrolled in the Master of Entrepreneurship course at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) where for the first time he formally learned about business. The lessons he learned helped him make better use of the company's resources and strengths, and overcome weaknesses and threats.
"More than anything it gave me confidence because I understood the operations, identifying my own weakness, and getting the right people to help me maximize the operation of Binalot. I was able to fully use people and their expertise. My confidence level grew. That's when I really allowed Binalot to grow.
So you reach a point and ask, what's next? I wanted to learn to put our company in the right direction and realized that I had limitations."
Another turning point for Rommel was when he and longtime girlfriend Christine got married in 2000. In his new role as husband and head of the family, his drive to succeed became even stronger. He viewed the business more seriously now, stepping several notches up from just plain "having fun." Suddenly he saw Binalot as a source of livelihood, not only of his family, but that of his employees and franchisees.
In the next years, Rommel's aspiration for success, supported by wife Christine's constant encouragement, fueled and accelerated Binalot's growth. Rommel weathered hard times and seemingly insurmountable obstacles with Christine's support as partner and friend.
Yet Rommel has naysayers to thank as well. Instead of being pulled down by those who told him to give up then troubled Binalot, Rommel took this as a challenge and motivated himself to prove his detractors wrong.
Today, Binalot is a professionally run organization with departments assigned to handle specific duties. From a family company where functions tend to overlap, it has become a streamlined organization where each employee has a required and measurable specific output according to his or her competency. Now, employee evaluation is based on performance.
"The AIM course, as well as experience through the years, has made Rommel more aware of the goals he wants for the company. No longer is the company run on a day-to-day basis, rather there is an annual plan, which establishes the Binalot vision that will guide the company and its employees for the year.
It has to be clear for the employees as well where the company was heading - that the company had direction.
Who wants to work for a company with simple daily operations or something that had a hidden agenda? With Binalot, I make it clear to everybody that I want to be the largest truly-Filipino fast-food in the country which promotes Filipino culture, values and even humor. I think the message of brand-building and expansion of the company is clear to them."

To be continued...

Be Proud

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.29 >> Be Proud, Take pride in who you are and in those values and beliefs for which you stand. Be proud of your education, work and personal accomplishments. Be proud of your spouse, children and extended family. Be proud of your home and neighborhood. Be proud of your country. Be proud of your body, personal grooming and your manners. Be proud of the sports teams and cultural organizations that you support. Be proud of your government officials when they stand selflessly for the public good.
Don't be afraid of who you are, since you act with courage and compassion. Tell others, and bask in the feeling of being your best. Teach others, so they, too, may be proud.

Entrepreneurship - Binalot (Day 3)

Success stories of Filipino Entrepreneurs - Rommel Juan

Cited by AFFI. Day 3, Rommel had initially planned to position Binalot as a food-delivery service. Seeing customer service as the main tool toward success, the greenhorn entrepreneur felt having an army of riders and motorcylces would answer the demands of the huge customer base they were expecting. As it turned out, all their earnings went to paying for the crews' salary and the small store became crowded with idle employees. When the delivery market faltered, the company was left with a large overhead.

Slowly they evaluated and readjusted their goals. They trimmed down their employee force to the essential personnel and opened a store in Mandaluyong where other riders and motorcycles could be assigned. It was a good move, but not quite enough. Delivery peaked at the opening of the new branch but waned after a couple of months. This was 1998. Two years into the business and Rommel did not know what to do. He was disappointed with the way business was unfolding, but he was not discouraged. Just when he thought they've hit rock bottom, Binalot received an invitation from a major food court.

Rommel convened the board and presented the option. It was Binalot's last straw. The owners decided to give it one more shot, placing all their resources into this new branch in Shangri-La Mall's food court. Backed into a corner, Rommel knew he had to use the company's resources wisely. He set up the outlet with only P24,000. His biggest expenses for the new store were the signage and menu board which, together with the cash register, he was able to buy on an installment plan.

The gamble paid off - Binalot Shangri-La opened to lines of customers. Rommel was unprepared for this warm reception but was happy to be there to personally entertain guests and serve them. The success the company experienced with the new outlet helped Rommel and company overcome their fear of shifting to another business model - the food court. The business and its owners were able to adapt.

The Shangri-La experience paved the way for other food court outlets to open. They took on Robinsons Galleria. Rommel then realized that being in fixed space helped bring in steady sales, and also it was easier to plan expenses. Having two fixed outlets helped Binalot grow and the company was able to regain lost ground by the end of 1998.

From then on, the business operation was smooth sailing, Rommel was able to project an expansion target of one company-owned store a year. SM Makati, MRT Ayala, and Glorietta opened one after the other, all from reinvested profits. But despite the company's growth, Rommel was also looking into franchising, an idea he had been considering as early as 1998.

I had already had a manual because we were really planning to franchise. I joined AFFI but not as an active member since I was not yet a franchiser.

Then in 2002, we met a very persistent franchise applicant. He was Joe Flores of Intramuros and he was indeed very persistent. In August 2004, we granted him our first franchise.

We wanted insurance of return of profit so we initially gave him a cart. We didn't want him to spend money he won't be earning in the end. So we tested the setup. His card made P5,000 a day and this encouraged us to go all the way.

To be continued...

CFC Song - By Your Side

CFC - By Your Side.

By Your Side, This is one of my favorite songs during CLP at Kawasaki Japan last July 2004. It's been 4 years now since I graduated the SFC program. This song really touched my heart and soul. It talks about being faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ, If we will only give complete trust to him all our burdens will be lightened and we will be able to see the abundance of Life.

Cited by Bill FitzPatrick, Submit to a higher power. Look at the big picture. You build your life upon your faith. You cherish your faith. You aren't afrait to tell others of your beliefs. You stand for positive values. You are ethical in your dealings. You pray and meditate to have the courage to face your fears. You pray and meditate to have the strength to accept, endure and triumph over the hardships and small annoyances that the path to success will present. You celebrate the good that you find in the world.

With humility, submit. You are but one fragile, fallible human. Every religion has prayers. A prayer is your conversation with God. Your success and happiness is God's answer. Your selfless good works in helping others are your prayers put into action.

Gratitude is wealth!

Bo Sanchez - Spiritual preacher and Motivational speaker.

Ralph Marston - Feel the way you choose, Whatever you feel on the inside, you will experience on the outside. Life reflects back to you the way you most sincerely and persistently are. When you're having a joyful day it's because you decided to do so. The world you see is directly related to the world you intend to see.

From nothing, in an instant, you can create joy. Where there was none before, you can express love.

Do you realize the awesome power in your ability to feel the way you choose to feel? With that power you can change the world.

You're extra ordinary skilled at changing your feelings, and you've had much experience at doing so. Feel the exquisite beauty of this moment, and watch as that beautiful feeling manifests in the world around you.

This is your moment to live more fully than you've ever lived. Feel the possibilities, and bring them joyfully to life.

Think Win-Win

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.28 >> Think Win-Win, Thinking win-win is a frame of mind that seeks mutual benefit and is based on mutual respect. It is about bargaining fairly, and being open-minded and reasonable to all parties. It is about compromise and a sincere desire to find agreements that occupy the middle ground. Win-win is not taking advantage when it is understood that you are being trusted to act with honor.

It's about thinking in terms of abundance. There is an ever-expanding 'pie,' a cornucopia of opportunity, wealth, and resources, not scarcity and adversarial competition.

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I agree with this statement, if we will think win-win there should be no taking advantage in any negotiations, no personal hidden agenda and no feeling of mistrust against concerned parties. It's so nice to be transparent in every dealings. There is peace and sense of fulfillment that can keep within.

Okinawa Seashore

Naminoue - Okinawa Sea shore.

Bill FitzPatrick - Enjoy Quiet Time, Everyone needs quiet time in their day when they can just be with their own thoughts. This isn't daydreaming. The serenity of quiet time can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be traditional Zen or transcendental meditation, but it can also be taking a walk, gardening, making a pot of tea or taking a long, hot shower. You may wish to pray. Each day, take twenty minutes to stop, reflect and enjoy being who you are. Think about the past, present, future or nothing in particular. Relax by yourself and you will feel renewed. Tranquility will re-energize you. Without trying, you will be amazed at how your subconscious mind releases so many good ideas. As you reflect upon the true sense for your existence, you can better deal with hardships.

Just as the time you spend exercising strengthens the physical you, quiet reflection strenghtens the spiritual you. Quiet time also gives you the opportunity to practice minding your own business. Take a deep breath and continue to breathe slowly and steadily. Look around. Use all your senses. You will find contentment in the solitude.

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I took this video when I was spending my leisure time at Naminoue Okinawa City. It is really so relaxing to sit for just an hour staring at the sea shore and listen to its natural sound. A good place to reflect about your dreams and visions.

Entrepreneurship - Binalot (Day 2)

Success stories of Filipino Entrepreneurs - Rommel Juan

Cited by AFFI. Day 2, Academically, Rommel was not prepared for business. He graduated with a marketing/ advertising degree, hoping to pursue his creative knack in the advertising field. Being from a family of business owners, he initially tried his hand at doing ads for their company, learning all he could about its marketing direction. Through this exposure, he realized that it was good to have your own company and make the decisions for it.

Further employment at the Toyota Motor Philippines plant and Honda Makati dealership, while educational, sealed his decision to be his own boss.

I took a job at TMP marketing department. Thing is, I was placed in the parts depart division. I wasn't exactly happy there. Still, I was thankful for experiencing the discipline of working for a Japanese firm where they really pu value in work ethics - being on time, meeting your targets, etc. After Toyota, I worked in sales at Honda, then eventually decided to join our own company, MD Juan.

Since Rommel is a third-generation business owner, his entry into the family business was about learning the ropes from his father and aunt - observing more than actually doing. As such, Rommel had a lot of spare time that he wanted to put to good use. It was then that he and brother Raffy laid the groundwork for Binalot.

At the start, Rommel saw Binalot as a project, something fun to do. It was in his personality to inject fun in things he does, including business. He was attached to the novelty of the idea and used his knack for making things fun to come up with the company's image - from its menu, to its mascot, and brand. He was able to use his creativity while building the Binalot concept.

I used to think if the company grew, then, fine, thanks, I'll enjoy the money. But that wasn't my drive. My drive was basically to have a running business. I wanted to enjoy it.

Rommel's passion for the new business made the days fly by quickly. The company gained ground and Rommel faced the challenges of entrepreneurship. He learned how difficult it was to handle people and realized that not everything was fun, even in a business you were passionate about.

One time, when I was in my early twenties, I had to fire someone. I had to tell him that he no longer had a job. It was very difficult, but I learned from it.

After that baptism of fire, Rommel soon encountered one challenge after another in the growing business. He did not let his inexperience get the better of Binalot, although he admitted that there were times he thought the business would actually fold up.

I admit that there were difficult times. Like after the 1997 economic crash, delivery service was in near slump. Unfortunately, the delivery service was the initial business model for Binalot. We didn't know how to react. Using a loan from Dad, I bought a lot of motorcyle units then hired riders. I was surprised to find out later on that our outlet in Jupiter Street had eighteen employees already! That time, I was clueless about income statements. My idea about operations was simple: if there's something lacking, stock up; if there's a problem, fix it. It was simply firefighting. Thus, the delivery operation didn't grow.

To be continued...

Filipino Overseas Workers - Japan

Filipino Overseas Workers - Fukuoka Japan.



General Cleaning in Fukuoka Apartment

Courtesy of Japtrainees >> Fukuoka Japan, This is a true life story in Japan of some Filipino groups. I can testify to their sharing because I also worked here in Japan for almost 8 years now. Being an OFW, you should always motivate yourself in your daily working lifestyle to be able to overcome loneliness especially if you have family way back in the Philippines. It's not because you are working outside the Philippines, you are already living in a comfortable life or you are just enjoying your trip in other country. Some people don't know what's behind the life of OFW. Enjoy watching this video.

Entrepreneurship - Binalot (Day 1)

Success stories of Filipino Entrepreneurs - Rommel Juan

Cited by AFFI. Day 1, GROWING UP, BUSINESS WAS THE LAST THING on Rommel Juan's mind. He was a child with an active imagination, spending his time doing art projects, reading comic books, or watching cartoons. It was his older brother who had the entrepreneurial flair and young Rommel often found himself acting as a sales agent, convincing classmates and friends to buy the cartoon stickers his brother was selling. Rommel enjoyed the exercise, but found more value in the interaction with friends than in the actual profit. He felt proud that he was able to satisfy his customers with the goods he sold, and looked forward to playing with them after the sale.

It was only in college that the entrepreneurial bug bit him, again with the help of his older brother. According to Rommel:

I was a late bloomer. My first venture with Raffy was in college. It was after the San Francisco earthquake; the "I survived the Great Quake" T-shirts became a trend. We used this as an inspiration for own version: the "I survived the Coup d'etat" shirts. This was in 1992, during one of the coups in Cory Aquino's time. It was also the Christmas season - perfect timing - and we sold a lot of shirts. That was the first time I earned money.

It was just a small venture, but it was Rommel's first taste of earning through enterprise. After college, the Juan brothers teamed up again, this time to start a food-takeout counter. Inspired by childhood memories of family outings with Mommy Charito's meals packed with banana leaves, they decided to set up what would be the beginning of today's popular Filipino fast-food-Binalot.

Rommel liked the idea so much; he found that he was aggressively pursuing the business. He liked that the concept was novel. He took charge, started trying out recipes, identifying costs, wrapping food in banana leaves. Unwittingly, he had found his business and had decided to be an entrepreneur.

To be continued...

World-Class Filipino Talent

Filipina World Boxer - Ana Julaton.

Be Inspired! Cited by Jack Canfield, If you are going to be successful in creating the life of your dreams, you have to believe that you are capable of making it happen. You have to believe you have the right stuff, that you are able to pull if off. You have to believe in yourself. Whether you call it self-esteem, self-confidence, or self-assurance, it is a deep-seated belief that you have what it takes - the abilities, inner resources, talents, and skills to create your desired results.

Remain Adaptable

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.27 >> Remain Adaptable, In daily life, through a love of many things, it is possible to remain adaptable. If it starts raining on the way to the beach, you'll enjoy going to the movies. If you are kept waiting for an appointement, don't get angry. Make a few calls or work on your schedule. If you get stuck in traffic, enjoy your favorite motivational audiotape, radio station or CD. Always have a book with you and you will never be alone. The small stuff can't get you down if you are ready to substitute one thing for another.