I'm no Alice. This may or may not be my ~wonderland. Chos.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
(Source: penandink)
(Source: lookbookdotnu)
Preparation, strategy
It’s really just laziness, this romanticized belief that I am somehow capable of achieving big, positive changes just by ‘winging it’. It sounds better as a story too — to say that everything was unexpected and things just managed to be awesome at the end.
But I’m learning now that as anti-climatic as it may sound, I am nothing without preparation. Almost all the stories I wrote that got me something/somewhere involved countless hours of walking back and forth thinking of a good plot. Great things come from deciphering patterns, doing research, hard work, trial & error, thinking of strategies or, at times, manipulation techniques. And this applies to all things, even the most trivial ones. One of the silliest assumptions in the world is that good things come easily to people. It’s only easy to believe this because the the planning and preparation stages are usually left out in tales of seemingly effortless glory.
No matter what you want to achieve, big or small, never underestimate the power of strategy. Always allot preparation time — allow for ideas to brew, the universe to conspire, things to fall into place. Stop cheating yourself out of things you could have done better. Strategy never cost you anything. You may fail, but the lessons you get from a well-planned move is a thousand times more potent that what you get from a thoughtless action. How you prepare sets your mindset for how you perform. And you know for a fact that you are phenomenal when you’re prepared.
It’s the oldest story in the world. One day, you’re 17 and you’re planning for someday. And then quietly, without you’re ever really noticing, someday is today. And then someday is yesterday. And this is your life.
Nathan Scott
(Source: magicmanula)
In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.
Tony Robbins
(Source: onherway)
Today I:
- Had an interview: Pondered on the question “Give me an example of how crazy you are.” Struggled to answer the question in a truthful but SFW manner, ended up giving a really lousy non-answer.
- Talked with Rai on Skype: Haven’t spoken to her for six months, but similar to all our other conversations in the last 10 years, I ranted, she encouraged, then vice-versa.
- Had an afternoon videoke session - with my colleagues, and my colleague’s balikbayan sister. Lots of inappropriate dancing, lots of iced tea, and a foreign husband who didn’t seem very happy about his wife’s and other Filipinos’ passion for karaoke. Haha
- Had a good dinner - at Mr. Jones in Greenbelt. Underwhelmed by their tapa, but overwhelmed by the other dishes that I did not order.
- Had an great dinner conversation - with Jom and Charz, who for the past one and a half year had listened to my hashed and re-hashed questions and statements on the same ol’ topic. Discussion focused on family, behavior, attitude, moving forward, jobs, and packaging.
- Had a Quote Fest/Semi-Standoff? - lots and lots of quotes about fear and moving forward. Plus an African proverb with a questionably stereotyped origin. It might be a good idea to have a debate where responses would be exclusively limited to quotes.
- Got an idea - which I thought of on the drive home, while listening to the radio. I hope I can work through on it.
- Received the “Thank You” a.k.a rejection letter - which was sent five hours ago and which I read a few minutes ago. This ends the uncertainty of a grueling presentation and four nerve-wracking interviews. At least they were speedy.
- Had a lot of thoughts and questions in my head - Like oh jeez, how much rejection can a girl take in a year? Do I order beer or iced tea while singing? It’s not even half year yet! Did I subconsciously screw this up because I was more afraid than I’d like to admit? So much for saving myself from things. I didn’t really want-want it. This tapa’s too salty. I don’t really have a lot of time, do I?
- Resolved that: I’d have to rape resilience in the ass and eat as much of it as I can. There’s no other choice. Plan C is now out. Got to move on to the next letter, I’m sure more letters will come in sight as I go along. Hohoho.
(Source: thegreendino)
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back— Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
Goethe
