It’s been more than half a year since I have been elected and started working as a director of JCI Manila (a non-profit leadership organization).
There’s a saying that the ‘Days are slow but the years are fast’. This 2025, this rings truer than ever for me.
Before the year turns into a frenzy again as the holidays approach, I’m taking this time to reflect and write down the things I have learned and realized throughout the year.
Learnings:
1. Time spent is time gone – we only have 25,627 number of days to live (average lifespan of a Filipino Male – 70 years). Make sure what you spent it for is well worth it when you look back at your life someday.
2. Learn as much as you can. ‘Shoshin’ is a Japanese term that translates to ‘beginner’s mind’. I had an extremely short employee experience (5 months) before I became an entrepreneur. This is the closest I’ve been to being employed again and being treated like a lowly grassroots employee. Even so, I tried to absorb as much as I can in humility.
3. Minimize your time with people who don’t have your best interests at heart – your gut will tell you this. Trust it. It doesn’t matter how closely you work with them. If you believe they’re there to help themselves first before they are willing to help you (or to help themselves at your expense) then don’t waste time with them.
4. Respect is given first by default – then it is earned. Your respect for a person can go beyond 100% – it can even go to 300%. Or a person can lose your respect and they have to claw back for it from a negative score. In the world of men, respect is the ultimate currency. Make sure to give yours to those who deserve it.
5. The ultimate form of inspiration is purpose and the ultimate form of purpose is eternal. I was given the advice to look at my co-directors in the board for inspiration. That didn’t really work for me. I should be looking at it from my north star. Matthew 6:33.
6. You don’t need to sacrifice the things that matter for the things that don’t – don’t attend every event if you’re not needed there. Your family is the most important thing. They will be there for you until your time has come. No other person will be there for you more than them.
7. Love is spelled as T-I-M-E for children – and a year with the least amount of time might just be the year with the least amount of love. I have 4 kids and this year has been tough but I try my best to spend as much time with them as possible.
8. Your health is always a priority. It doesn’t matter what work demands of you. If you don’t have a good working body, you can’t do the work well anyway. You cannot rent or buy another body when yours become sickly.
9. Be generous once – give as much as you can. But if you see that they do not appreciate your generosity or are taking advantage of you then wisen up and stop. No one will remember your generosity except for the people who truly appreciate it. So if they don’t, then keep your generosity for someone else.
10. Write and apply every learning – immediately. Practicing the new things you learn will allow you to remember them best.
11. Remember what you stand for. Be steadfast and immovable (1 Corinthians 15:58). In some things, be flexible. But in matters of good principle and morals, be as solid as an immovable rock. They will respect you for it.
12. You don’t have to win every person. Choose the people you go deep with. Why try to chase for the approval of people who won’t matter in the long run? Spend your time with people who will go the distance with you. Go deep into conversation with them. Get to know them so that you can have companions who will fight alongside you when the going gets tough.
13. Saying ‘No’ is critical to your most productive self. When Steve Jobs came back as CEO of Apple, he cut about 40 product lines and laid of around 3,000 employees so that he can focus the resources, time and efforts to the things that matter most. Elimination is the building block of focus.
14. Don’t forget to do the things you love. If you keep putting this off, you will lose a part of yourself and resent the journey. Make time for the things you love doing. I rediscovered my love for playing the guitar and singing through this time. It doesn’t take a long time to practice this so I’m able to squeeze it in – especially when I’m on the road on the way to a meeting or event with my driver.
15. Keep your guard up. Do not speak your mind when your gut tells you that someone in the room is not there for your best interests. There are people who, for whatever reason – wants to see you fail. When you feel this about a certain person, try to be silent whenever they are around.
16. Build and motivate others who are for you. People face trials, challenges and difficulties in life all day long. It has been a very tough year for my fellow directors. When you have people who you know are going through tough times, be there for them by reminding them about the good things you’ve gone through in your journey. Lifting their spirits up goes a long way.
17. Do your very best in what you are expected to do. Every position has a clear job description. Do excellently in what is expected of you. Go the extra mile whenever you can and wherever it will be most felt. Doing this sets the tone of who you are and earns the respect of people who don’t even know you personally.
18. Speak up for injustice. When you see that there are some things that are not right, do not keep silent. This is how tyranny and oppression gets its way. Speak up for yourself or for your fellow man. Demand for justice because it is what’s morally correct. If it is not handed to you, then lift it up to the Lord in prayer.
19. Meditate daily. All the hustle and bustle can bite you deeply. Before it gets to your heart, pause for a bit. Breathe. Read a good book and then reflect. Zooming out in life to see the forest can re-align your perspective to the cosmic mission that God has put you on Earth to do. Do not get caught up with the trees. They are endless. When you see the big picture, then you can see the road to doing what really matters.
20. Appreciate your spouse. She has held everything together while you are there trying to learn and do things you believe will make a mark. What she is doing may be even more difficult than what you are attempting to accomplish. Always telling her how much she means to you and how much you appreciate what she is doing for you and your family goes a long way.
21. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It is a long journey. It is grueling. You will feel your spirit drained and your flesh stretched. But never forget: This is only a single step – don’t make it bigger than what it truly is.
I’m sure there are more things I’ve realized. Perhaps I’ll do another one this year-end. Just wanted to put this out here so that I don’t forget. I hope you got a thing or two out of it 🙂