I just wanted to take this short moment to reflect a bit
on the year that has just passed. Recently, we went to Palawan, to Coron - to
be exact. There's not much words to say.. Coron is simply a super-treasure of
our own Philippines! This is definitely one of the best moments in my life so
far (and one of the best years, even if I have not yet fully reached my goals
-in terms of monetary/financial/business goals). It was simply a great rewarding, liberating,
relaxing experience!
My sister made it happen, she was the one who initiated
everything! And I'm grateful to her, & my girlfriend - for a time shared
together that was priceless, memorable & inspiring in a lot of ways!
Isn't it just right that we reward ourselves,
big time, sometimes? When we have worked so hard all our lives.. that even if
we feel we are still not where we wanted to be: we deserve a pat in the back
from time to time. This "pat in the back" may even serve as a
positive CHARGE or a SPARK that can make us realize & further crystallize
our dreams & goals in life, to inspire us, & help further understand
what is (or who are) 'most important' in our lives & careers.
One thing that my vacation proved (at least on my part)
is that sometimes we can have boundless energy at certain points, even with
only few hours of sleep! Maybe it was just the coffee, or the excitement for the new day ahead. But what I've found out is.. We don't have to be chained by the idea of our regular
routines where we say to ourselves "I have to go to the gym this often in
order to be FIT", or "...in order to have enough energy at
work". It is important, but it is not 'living the life' or is the entirety
of it. The routine and discipline is still important, it's just that we got to
learn how to prioritize our activities & schedules better to be the most
productive we can be. We have to understand - and learn, or re-learn, our
PURPOSE!
Sometimes, it helps to have a big-picture perspective of
things, like what this vacation or year has done for me - helping me reflect,
and enjoy life as it happens - but still have a clear vision of what lies
ahead.
Some other things that has been cleared up for me - on my
reflections during this private time.. I got to have clarity about what has
transpired the year before. In terms of my career or professional life so far -- what I
understood clearly now is: what really is it that we want or dream in life? Is
it travels, or vacation? Is it time with the loves of our lives? Now, how can
we really ensure we get the quality time - and not just have the money?
Kiyosaki's principles helps us to understand that being
just an E or S (in the ESBI quadrant) is not the answer to all these questions,
and that there are a lot of other options, or things within our control, to
improve our being. We have to face it – what is it, that we really want, really? If we do just simple things, or be in our comfort zone - think about what about our
parents now... when they grow old, when the time comes they would need us more?
Will we be there to help them get past thru that phase in their lives - giving
back the love they gave us during our early childhood & teenage years? How
about our children, when we have a family.. Will your children be contented
with whatever it is we offer them - how can you give all your love to them,
without getting burned-out, and not expect anything more in return (isn't that true
human love?)? And not have to worry for ourselves, as well, in the future -
when we finally get old?
The answer is simple. The fact is, however which way you
see it - we need MONEY in this physical world. We are a physical being. Yes, we
are spiritual, but that's not the whole end of it.
It really is clear to me now - that is the simple fact in
the life that whoever has created all things has given us. But the other part
of it all is... what I've found out so far is that IT IS POSSIBLE to reach our financial goals and dreams, no matter
what status we are in now or whatever background we came from.
We can. We just have to change our way of thinking. Raise
it up to another level. Change our mindset. Change, and understand another different
perspective.
Entrepreneurship
is the key!
Financial freedom is really the way to be able to have
more time, more money & more energy -- you just need to find that right
vehicle, the right system, then just do the work, learn thru it all, stick to the
plan, fight thru the pits & challenges of life and human nature, as well as learn to
lead others.
Whatever your reasons may be - be it for Love, Freedom,
or Ego (I read that from a book, shared by friends in my business community).. You
have to find your "why" and let it burn deep down in your gut!
Because that burning desire will propel you to heights you've never thought
possible before.
Point is.. we really need to diversify: nowadays, just
having a job/employment is not enough. Think about it and reflect hard: you
can't work all 40 years of your life, and expect to say "I have a fully
lived life” at the end. There are so many challenges in our current times now happening,
and there's still a whole lot more challenges ahead - with the inflation and all. You got to be prepared!
Ask yourself - what type of life do you really want? what
really is your dream? we only have 1 life, if you got 1 sure chance to really
change it - how would you design it? what would you do? What if at some point,
following what Robert Kiyosaki says in his principles-filled books - you found
the right vehicle, be it a business or investment: and get to retire early?
What would you really do with the money/savings (passive income) and time?
The one true fact is: DEATH is a certainty. Yes, this is
the REAL HARD fact. This is not sales talk. It's not just some marketing shit. If
you reflect really well - think well, and think more long term - you can do A
LOT in 2-5 yrs, or in a shorter amount of time (especially if you work with a
team). You can achieve more than the ordinary, if you just put your mind to it,
learn the basics of shifting from the left side of the ESBI quadrant - to the right
side, where true PASSIVE income can be found. If you can shorten that time,
work well with others, learn the proper skills - leverage your time, learn to
work in a team concept - you can gain so much more.
You just have to study, and observe - find mentors who
are willing to help you back. Or, associate with real people who have achieved
real success, learn from their strategies & techniques - and
mindset/approach, how they have achieved some degree of financial
independence. Talk to them, counsel or get coached if you can (I'm not even
sure if you can get some coaching for free, a lot of mentors and so called
success-gurus force you big fees - so that those fees are actually now becoming
their main source of income, instead of providing real value or a real asset
you can build yourself).
In closing, all I am saying is - understand the facts.
True financial independence, early retirement, or just simply achieving good/great
wealth (you will be the one who will define this) - it all starts with you. If
you think it is possible, change your way of thinking - then you have won half
the battle.
If you have low belief, in yourself and in the teachings
of principle-centered mentors or books - you still have a lot to overcome.
Start the journey now. I'll end with the saying: every
journey starts with the first step.
Again - start your journey NOW. I made it myself at some
point. I made a bold move to get out of my previous work at one point, out of my comfort
zones, and tried some or checked some other options. That's why I started this
blog. This is the story of my journey. Now, start yours. It will be well worth
it.
Start now. This is not someone else's journey. It's your
own journey, your own dream, your very own life. Own it.
Cheers for the new year!
