Fact: Not everyone will be happy for you when you succeed.
Also a fact: You can’t force these people to change.

There, I said it. Now take it all in.

I know. And I totally get you.

Been there. Been that.

And to be candid about it, as I continue journeying towards my own #bestmeever , I continue to experience that still.

What I have come to realize about the entire experience of growing into the person you’re meant to be is that some people will not be able to grow in harmony with you.

As you soar higher in this life time, some will get left behind.

Sadly though, regardless of the relationship you have with them, these will be the very same people who will try to minimize your success.

I have heard (and been told upfront) these before:

“Only bronze?” – when I first placed in the 2022 edition of the Coach Awards in the Best Wellness Coach Category.

“He just probably paid for his awards and articles.” – when I got recognized by a number of international media and organizations for my work and got included in their listicles.

“You charge too much.” – from a person who hasn’t even tried my services and didn’t bother reading the testimonials of my clients

“He’s not that big time yet globally.” – said someone about my international exposures and clients.

“He’s just charming and the audience loves him that’s why he gets invited often” – said someone who questioned my multiple media exposures and subject matter expert interviews.

“National Bookstore? Only ranked #9. It’s just Amazon. Anyone can best selling author there.” – said someone who had a self-published book which barely made any sales.

And I can go on and on from the years of experiencing such.

And I know you can relate too.

When people tell you that you aren’t good enough.

That you had it easy.

That your achievements don’t really matter that much.

But let me tell you this now: that isn’t exactly the case.

Allow me to share with you the 5 things you can do when someone minimizes your success:

1. Remind yourself that you define your own success

Success is relative. And it’s not just anchored on huge milestones or achievements. Success can mean as much as starting your own fitness journey, saying NO for the first time or simply making it through the day. You define it. Never let others implement ridiculous metrics that you don’t even subscribe to.

2. Don’t carry the weight of others’ projections on you

When people try to bring you down, it stems from their own insecurities, frustrations and pains. Really successful and genuinely happy people don’t have time to minimize the success of others simply because they have so much joy in their space and they are very much secure to let others share spaces and grow in harmony with them. In my case, I always reflect: what can be their reason for doing that? What pain is driving their action? For all you know, they probably want your success for themselves. Or they try to bring you down because they feel they’re being left behind. That makes me feel compassion than resistance while letting go of the unnecessary baggage their comments bring. And yes, you don’t need to deal with their pains. It’s theirs to carry and process.

3. Reflect: What’s the value of their comment in your journey towards growth?

Oftentimes, the people who belittle you and your success don’t really have that much value in your life. Total strangers. Acquaintances. People you had a fall out with. So…why would their opinion matter? The mere fact that they didn’t have any significant contribution to your growth, why be burdened by what they have to say? You don’t have to take in everything and you don’t have to explain yourself.

4. Focus on those who truly value and celebrate you

You don’t deserve to be held back from becoming your best by anyone. So instead on dwelling too much on the approval and validation you never got, focus on all the kind words and gestures from people who genuinely love and support you. Their presence in your life weighs more. Reflect: who are these people in your life who truly have your back? Keep them closer.

5. Continue celebrating your success

Huge trigger for those who want to bring you down, if I may say. When you are very much secured about yourself and you have the purest intention of inspiring others as you share and celebrate success, its value amplifies. Someone out there needs to see you push forward so he/she will also be inspired to take his/her first step towards growth even if some people are making things harder than usual. Play the part. Be the disruptor. Show others how it’s done. Succeed even more. Consistency drives nay sayers beyond crazy. Best clap back ever without lifting a finger.

Wherever you are now, I hope you become more comfortable in acknowledging your own worth and success.

You don’t need anyone else to be proud of you to validate your progress and significance in this life time.

You matter. Everything about you does.

Take that to heart always as you give yourself the success that is due.

I will always be proud of you.
Now, be proud of yourself too.

I win. Every single day. Every single way.
Well, this is how I like to see things, to be candid about it.

Ever since I started practicing gratitude, the way I see (and experience) things changed for the better and I got to make the most of my life more, amidst its twists and turns.

For me, there are good days and days for learning. There. Just the two.

And on that note, given that choice, I always win.

I know it’s quite easy to celebrate huge milestones and bask in the glory, but truth be told, small ones matter as much. They keep you going. And even slow days are worth celebrating. Be comfortable with them.

This is just one of the beautiful truths about winning in life: size does not matter.

By embracing this, you get to enjoy and experience life more.

Allow me to share with you the other 5 truths about winning in life:

1. Winning is an internal experience

You don’t have to wait for others to validate you to feel that you have succeeded in a task or achieved a certain goal. Winning is a feeling, and it is felt by choice and by being mindful and appreciative of your own worth and effort. Those can never be compensated by what others have to offer you (or not). The key here is to come from a space of self-love and knowing your worth that goes beyond any achievement. In my case, during the times I lost in a competition or rejected for a project, I still look for the silver linings. And believe me, there are a lot. Being given the chance to improve myself, to explore other options and to try again for even better ones are just some of the beautiful opportunities hidden in every seemingly painful situations.

2. Winning takes time

Success doesn’t happen overnight. And if it does, most often than not, it’s not sustainable or scalable to some extent. So stop rushing things. Take your time as you pour in the committed work bundled with the clearest intentions so that you get to appreciate your journey every step of the way. Mind you, it took me 7 years worth of hard work, blood, sweat and tears, unwavering commitment, countless rejections and a good number of client testimonials before I won the Gold in the Best Life Coach Category in the 2024 Coach Awards (Shout out to all those people who made this possible — you know who you are). But mind you: I got to enjoy, humble myself, learn and grow in my journey as a budding life coach finding his way as he lives his purpose years back even before that huge milestone which opened a lot of new doors. Looking back at my entire experience humbles me in the process and makes me appreciate the time spent on working on myself and my craft. All worth it.

3. Not everyone will celebrate your win with you

When the going gets tough, or when you enter a competition, you will see who has your back fully. What I learned based on experience: there will be some people whom you are counting on who will not show up. There will be others who will give you half-hearted support, those who genuinely love and support you unconditionally and there will be total strangers rallying for you to your surprise. And when you win, you will see the people who helped you all through out and those who are celebrating you (and with you), those who just watched and waited to see your results before celebrating you and those who totally disappear in the process. And guess what? That’s totally fine. It’s your win. Share it because you deserve it as your intention is to inspire, and leave it to people on how they will accept it. That’s beyond your control so just let go and accept things as they are.

4. To really win, you must feel genuinely happy, complete and fulfilled

Don’t pay for awards. Don’t fake anything. You don’t have to look good in the eyes of others to win in this lifetime. Winning becomes priceless when you know deep within that you truly deserved it. Take up space as the imperfect version of yourself and just do your best as you focus on things which really spark joy and inspire you fully. That will always be more than enough, regardless of the result you may have.

5. To win in life, you just have to embrace your own #bestmeever

Be the person you’re meant to be, not what every one else around you expects you to be or what you thought you should be. Set yourself free and embrace your authentic, unapologetic, grandest version of yourself, your own #bestmeever , no matter how that may look like for you with 100% commitment. Stop trying to be like someone else or merely replicating what others have done to succeed in their journey. Own yours by creating your own path and doing what’s best for you — that itself is a huge win. To be a disruptor in your chosen space to inspire others to carve their own destiny as well. Whether you choose to become a best selling author, or a business man, a house wife or whatever it is that you want to be, for as long as it’s true and you’re genuinely happy, you do you.

I hope now you have a better appreciation of how to really win in life.
And by reading this, you’ve already won.
Congratulations.

New year, new you.
How many times have you heard this?

Many I suppose. Year on year even.

There’s something about wanting to start the year right by turning a new leaf.

Quite timely and relevant if I may say.

I mean, after learning all the valuable lessons from the year that was, I am sure that when you take them to heart, you get to become your #bestmeever in the process.

Speaking of becoming better, the new year I believe is also the perfect time to explore and try out new things as you align yourself with what is dearly true to you.

So before even coming from a space of resistance or fear, try to consider this: you have nothing to lose but much to gain if you focus on (and commit to) improving yourself in the year to come.

Here are 5 new things you can explore this new year to help you as you continue to journey towards your own #bestmeever:

1. A new skill

Upskiling can do wonders for you, not only in terms of your career but also in terms of having personal fulfillment. Time to reflect: what skill do you need now that can allow you to upgrade your life? In my case, year on year, I try to get myself certified and trained for a new coaching discipline or any other complimentary skill that I can use in my coaching practice e.g. utilizing a new app etc. Whatever that may be, it’s never too late to learn it and use it moving forward. Just make sure you’re also interested in it and fully committed to the skill on hand so you don’t waste your time and effort.

2. A new hobby

Focusing too much on work can burn you out. Try to find a new hobby that you think you will truly enjoy and can help you decompress and relax amidst the your busy schedule. My suggestion: think of a hobby that can bring out your creativity. Or one that can help you earn money. Or even one that simply fills your heart with joy and fulfillment at the end of the day. It will be beautiful if you find all of those in one particular hobby. So whether that’s painting artworks or working out at the gym or even traveling, do what you feel your heart is telling you to do. It will lead you to what you truly need.

3. A new job

I have been out of the corporate setting for over 2 decades now so is resigning during December after getting the bonuses still a trend? Haha! Please enlighten me. But hey seriously, I think more than just getting the bonuses, I feel that the holidays have allowed people to reflect fully on what truly matters to them and what job makes their heart skip a beat. I will say this again: it’s never too late to start all over again and pursue a career that you find most meaningful. I mean, look at me: I traded my corporate hat before as a marketing and advertising executive to become a full-time professional coach. I mean admittedly the entire journey wasn’t a walk in the park but hey, looking back, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made because I get to do what I love most, have time and location freedom and feel genuinely happy and fulfilled as I change lives of others on a daily basis. So yeah, maybe this is the sign you’re looking for to finally give your CV a much-needed update and boost.

4. A new relationship

Ok, before you raise an eyebrow, it’s not just really about a romantic relationship. But hey, no one’s stopping you though if that’s what you truly want and you’re really ready to have one. A new relationship here can mean redefining your current one, whether it’s on a romantic, familial or work note. It can even refer to the one you have with yourself. The key here is to reflect on this question: what can make my relationship better? Answer honestly and give yourself whatever it is you need there after simply because, you deserve to grow in harmony with all the relationships you choose to keep.

5. A new mindset

“Whether you’re wrong or right, if you believe it, you’re right.” Can’t agree more. The new year presents a beautiful opportunity to check on your belief systems that no longer work for you or your mental patterns that hold you back. Allow yourself to come from a space of honesty and vulnerability so you can fully identify and address your mindset concerns. Consider the new year as a fresh start. However, mind you though: changing your mindset does not have to be scheduled during the new year alone – it’s actually a continuous process all year round and beyond. The key here is just to allow yourself to finally start seeing (and doing) things differently so you can have a different set of results too in your life.

As we welcome the possibilities that the new year brings, may you embrace the new things that can make your 2025 your best year ever yet.

Wishing you the best in 2025 and looking forward to seeing the new you!

Fact: people will always remember not what you’ve done in the past, but rather the one thing (or things) that you have done at present.
I guess that’s where seeing is believing comes in.

And that is where judgement resides too.

Have you ever experienced being crucified (hopefully not literally though) by those around you just because of the that one mistake you have done, regardless of its size or impact?

I mean let’s face it, a lot of times people forget about your kindness when you commit something that’s totally out of character.

But hey, we are only human. And we are not perfect.

We are bound to commit mistakes. And that’s ok.

We have to be kinder to ourselves too.

However, we must also be mindful about our actions that come there after.

And of what comes next.

This was actually my realization that inspired me to write about this piece.

You see, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine who had this habit of keeping others hanging when telling a story.

Are you familiar with the cliff hanger scenes in a series wherein you get too much excited to find out what the hero/heroine will do but then a commercial break appears or much worse, end credits signaling your long, agonizing wait till the next episode. Haha!

If you hate that feeling, imagine how I felt when my friend suddenly paused dramatically in mid sentence and looked at me smiling.

Mustering all my will power and courage as to not strangle her (haha!), I just looked at her straight in the eye, and asked in my least interested tone “And then?”

“You could have been more excited!” she said.

“I would have if you didn’t leave me hanging.”, me laughing harder.

Listening to her continue her story though, to be honest, it fell short of my expectations.

So that is what struck me: that I became too focused now on what she said after I asked “and then?” that I lost track of all other things she said beforehand.

And then demarcated the continuation of her story.

And the beginning of my disinterest (maybe because it was my inner self taking revenge for being left hanging, haha!) in her own delulu moment (sorry friend!).

Don’t get me wrong: I still let her finish and I genuinely gave my input about her concern on hand. After all, we are friends.

And at that moment, I realized an important lesson: we can always have our own “and then” moments.

My friend chose to handle things her way. That’s perfectly fine. It’s her narrative.

We can always pause first, reflect and test the waters. And then act there after.

We can always choose and commit to whatever decision we have made. And then we work on it.

We can always start all over again from scratch. And then work our way up once more.

People will always judge us, not just by the version they knew, but also by what we choose to become here and now.

Which means….when we define our very own “and then” moments.

And yes, it doesn’t need to flat out.

So now, I want you to take this time to reflect:

How are you going to craft your new narrative?

What happens next?

What will your “and then” moment be like?

I hope this piece inspires you to finally focus on owning your next chapter.

Don’t keep yourself (and others) hanging.

It’s only the beginning.

Of something far greater than you’ve ever imagined.

You can’t have it all.
Otherwise, you’ll be perfect. And that’s not possible.

Because nobody is.

And yes, that’s pretty much ok.

Hey, don’t get me wrong: you can always aspire for more.

No one is stopping you from dreaming bigger or achieving more.

You deserve that.

What I am trying to say is that it’s ok if you don’t get exactly what you want.

May it be winning in a competition.

The promotion you worked hard for.

The trip that got cancelled.

The person you were pursuing.

The relationship that you lost.

And whatever else that may have cause you pain and suffering.

Take this time to assess: what is it that’s burdening you as of the moment? How are you dealing with it?

Whatever it may be, no matter how heavy it may seem, please do me a favor: promise me you’ll be kinder to yourself.

Promise me that you will stop blaming yourself for what happened.

That you will stop thinking of yourself negatively.

That you won’t give up on yourself.

Do it not only for me, but for youself because you are worthy of second chances amidst all the craziness surrounding you.

A second, third, fourth or no matter how many it takes.

Your imperfections don’t make you insignificant.

It does not make you less of a person.

It makes you human.

And they humble you in the process of maximizing what you have so you can become what you’re meant to be.

It’s all about learning from your imperfections and the things that have gone wrong while working around them using the lessons you now have.

Never attach your happiness to things, people or situations that you feel will make your life perfect.

Your happiness is here and now. Within you, and whom you choose to be.

It does not come when things are perfect.

It comes when you are ready to embrace your reality and take up space as you are, no matter how imperfect the situation may seem.

Look around you. What do you need to be more mindful about? What can you appreciate more?

Look within you. What needs to change? How can you make that happen?

You are a work in progress. So are we. And that’s ok.

You may not have it all. And that’s fine.

Because all it takes is genuine appreciation for what you have and who you’re becoming as you journey towards your own #bestmeever .

Keep going. Keep growing.
In your own special, imperfect way.

Do you believe in serendipity?
I do.
And you seeing this is no accident.

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason.

Good or bad, each particular event in our lives is meant to shape us moving forward through key realizations and timely lessons.

And for some reasons, as rain pours down heavily outside of my window, I felt compelled to write this blog.

Is it a channeled message? Don’t know.

Is it something which perhaps may be timely and relevant for you? Perhaps.

To dig deeper on that note, take a few minutes to assess your current space.

How’s your journey towards your own #bestmeever ?

Are there patterns in your life you need to recognize?

What is the key message of everything happening around you (and within you)?

Ok, don’t overanalyze. The key here is to embrace things as they are and allow yourself to really feel and understand what you need as of the moment.

To help you a bit, feel free to check on these 5 things that you need to know now. Who knows, they may exactly be the one you need for today to help you process everything:

1. Where you are now is just the starting point of your journey.

Don’t fret. While your present is teaching you all the lessons you need to thrive moving forward, it may not be exactly embody your final destination. Applies to when you’re having the time of your life or when it seems that you’ve hit your lowest point. Use whatever it is that your current space is teaching you so that you start strong as you embark on that life changing journey towards what you truly want and deserve in this life time. Remember: it’s not about where or who you are at present, but rather, what you choose to become (and do) about it. Yes, the exciting part is yet to happen.

2. You’ve been through worse and survived.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a number of less than pleasant situations that make us forget our very own worth and progress. Never let challenging times overwhelm you and invalidate your growth. Remember how far you’ve gone and honor yourself. I am sure that if you draw inspiration from your past experiences experiences you never thought you would survive but did, you can definitely ace the one you are facing now.

3. You have a choice.

You are not stuck. You are not helpless. Your life isn’t over. While there may be things beyond your control, you always have the choice to see them differently and allow yourself to focus on what you can still do. And whatever you choose for as long as you take responsibility, no matter how others may react towards your choices, know that you are not obliged to explain yourself and justify each one. So choose to stop stressing yourself because for as long as you’re alive, you can change the space you’re in by choice.

4. It’s time.

I don’t know but I felt like writing this. How does this resonate with you? Maybe it’s time to change careers? Pursue a passion you’ve parked? Invest on yourself? Say sorry? Fall in love? Go back home? I think now will always be the perfect time to do whatever it is that is in your heart because no one can really predict what the future holds for everyone of us. As what the famous quote of R’Bonney Gabriel said in her winning answer in Miss Universe then: if not now, then when? Makes a lot of sense to me. And hopefully, to you too.

5. You matter.

You have a beautiful role to play in this life time. Know that in your own little way, someone out there is inspired to push forward because you showed him/her that it’s possible. As you are also, regardless of what you’ve been through or whatever you’re going through as of the moment, know that you are supported and loved and that you are not alone in your journey. Remember: even total strangers have compassionate hearts. So allow yourself to take up space because that is what you deserve.

I know that as random as these thoughts may seem, I hope at least one resonated with you.

Because you reading this is a serendipitous moment leading you towards your own #bestmeever .
Enjoy the journey.

Never say die.
How many times have you heard this in your life time?

Whether someone told you this or you have made this your own mantra, it still serves the same purpose:

To remind you to never give up.

I know, easier said than done.

I mean admittedly, life isn’t exactly perfect at all times. Well, it doesn’t have to be really, for it to be beautiful and meaningful, but this is a totally new context all together.

What I am basically saying is that sometimes life has its own twists and turns and sometimes we find ourselves in situations that are far from ideal, oftentimes very difficult to handle.

And when things go wrong, as they sometimes will, we find ourselves wanting to just throw in the towel, run away and hope and pray by doing so closes that unwanted chapter.

Can relate?

Take this time to think: when was the last time you almost gave up on something? On someone?

What was the compelling reason then?

What was the impact of your decision?

I know that while some of you may think that it was the best decision made during that time, others may not exactly share that sentiment most specially after the dust has settled.

Because in reality, at times, giving up isn’t exactly the best solution.

Here are the 5 times you should not give up:

1. When things are hard

Fact: you can only grow and become your own #bestmeever outside of your comfort zone. Which means when situations seem to be getting tougher and tougher and you feel overwhelmed, the key here is to pause and ground yourself, not run away at the first sight of the problem. Know that things may be hard at the beginning but if you totally commit to overcoming the challenges on hand, they become easier as you learn and grow in the process. Stop resisting and start embracing things as they are because they ae teaching you the valuable lessons you need moving forward. As they say, no pain, no gain.

2. When you truly want something

As Simon Sinek said: “Remember your Why.” You’ve made it this far. Why let everything go to waste by giving up now? Your goals and dreams deserve your 100% commitment so keep going. Remind yourself how much each one means to you and what is the value of achieving your goals and dreams eventually. Make your reasons larger than life so that they don’t get dwarfed by challenges along the way.

3. When it takes a lot of time

Not everything has to happen all at once. Greatness takes time. So should you. Don’t ever hurry growth as you may end up with half-baked results. Know that delays can also be blessings as they serve as your springboard towards improving yourself along the way as you discover the silverlining in each. Be more patient with yourself and your growth. You will fully bloom when it’s time. Until then, enjoy the journey.

4. When others are not supporting you

I’ve said it time and again before and I’ll say it again: you don’t need anyone’s go signal for you to finally give yourself what you truly want and deserve as you pursue your biggest dreams. Don’t let the lack of support from others stop you from what you’re called to do (and be). Be your own biggest cheerleader. Know that once you decide and commit to pushing through, you will eventually meet the right people who deserve to share spaces with you in this new journey of yours and who will support you unconditionally. Let others watch and see, because more often than not, they are secretly hoping that they were brave enough to at least try the way you did in their space. Yep, you are most probably triggering their insecurities.

5. When you have failed before

Your past doesn’t define you. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve failed before for as long as you keep going and keep improving each time you try again. Do things differently. Seek a new mentor. Learn from your mistakes. Do what you think is best so that this time around you don’t let your past failures haunt you and distract you from your goals. Know that those failures of yours will eventually be someone’s inspiration to try harder in their space and your entire journey will be someone else’s guide to ultimately surviving in this life time. Be the inspiration they (and you, yourself) need.

At the end of the day, remember this:

You will always be worth another chance, another try.
So please, don’t ever give up.

It takes two to tango. It has to be give and take. Always.
Heard those time and again when it comes to relationships.

And I truly agree.

I mean I have always been an advocate of healthy relationships that are grounded on love, trust and respect.

Those are vital ingredients that help every person involved in a relationship grow in harmony with each other and as individuals as well.

I also believe that we should always be intentional in the relationships we keep.

On that note, I want you to take this time to reflect first on the relationships you keep.

What is the value of that relationship?

How is it helping you grow into the person that you’re meant to be?

Are you inspired by it genuinely?

These are some of the questions we tend to overlook because we take for granted the relationships we have.

Or the other way around actually.

Either way, that won’t do any good in the long run.

No one wants to be in a one-sided relationship.

After all, we all deserve to be loved, seen, heard, felt and celebrated by the people we choose to share spaces with.

Now, I totally feel that some of you may be triggered already because you feel that you’re not exactly getting what is due from the relationships you keep.

Know that with that awareness about where you stand in your relationship, you are now beginning to acknowledge your value as a person and you can initiate the changes you want moving forward as you journey towards your own #bestmeever .

Allow me to share with you the 5 ways how you can not be taken for granted by the relationships you choose to have:

1. Communicate needs and expectations

A lot of relationships falter because the lines of communication are not open. At the beginning of every relationship (and even as it progresses), always remember to have that benchmarking conversation about where you are at present and where you want to go eventually. Indicate your needs and wants and try to come up with a compromise so that (all) parties will be fully aware of their responsibilities. This presents something to look back to when things seem to be somewhat unfair or agreements have been overlooked. At the end of the day, you cannot resolve what you don’t know so it’s very important to lay down all your cards accordingly.

2. Speak up as it happens

Never keep your feelings to yourself. Its much healthier if you voice them out coming from a space of self-worth and respect. Don’t hold back because tolerating the actions of the other party might come out as something that’s acceptable for them. Remember, the end goal is to make the relationship work by addressing concerns accordingly without formulating false narratives based on mere assumptions as you hold on to them. It’s not about how the other party will react; it’s about you acknowledging the feeling of being taken for granted, whether intentionally or otherwise.

3. Set and maintain boundaries

Some people will always try to assert themselves just to get what they want. Hold your ground. Emphasize that a NO is a NO. Not a conditional one. Not something that can be set aside. Establish your own rules which you feel will be beneficial for your own wellness and wellbeing. And that’s totally ok. You are still entitled to your own space even with the numerous relationships you keep. Never lose yourself in the process of just wanting to keep them.

4. Do self check-ins

You are just as important as the people you’re in a relationship with, whether it’s a family member, a friend, workmate or significant other. It’s best if you always take time to inquire within and ask yourself how you’re really feeling as of the moment, based on how others are treating you. Are you genuinely happy in the relationship? Do you feel valued? Or is there something missing that you must acknowledge and address accordingly? Don’t be afraid to face the truth because that’s the only way you can work on yourself and your relationships.

5. Assess the growth of your relationship then act on it

Reverting back to value, assess how far you’ve grown as individuals and how much your relationship has improved through time. Determine the roles and contributions of all the people involved in the relationship and do a check and balance if everyone is giving what is due accordingly to the welfare of the relationship. If you feel that you’re not growing in your relationship or if it’s only the other party that’s benefitting, assess what’s holding you back and what needs to change accordingly in the relationship for you to be able to maximize your own potential and achieve your own growth. On the other hand, evaluate how your relationship has changed for the better through the years. Are you guys still on track based on your goals set initially? What is the current state of the relationship? Communicate all these to the people involved so that you can address all accordingly moving forward. In the end, if it’s no longer working for you, do what you think will be best, coming from a space of giving yourself what you truly want and deserve, because yes, you have that choice.

Always remember that you, much like everyone else, deserves to be treated and valued the way you want to.
Never let anyone make you feel otherwise.
If they do take you for granted, feel free to grant them what they deserve:
your absence.
Because life is too short to stay in a one-sided relationship to begin with.

Not yet.
One of the most disheartening phrases to hear when you have a lot of expectations.
On yourself and on others.

Can you relate?

Oftentimes we associate the word “yet” with delays and detours. And everything else that is not fully in alignment with our plans.

That leads us to think that anything with the word “yet” in it means something bad or disappointing.

Think about it: when was the last time you used the word “yet” and how did you respond to it?

When asked about getting your big break?

When asked about being able to finally pursue your passion?

If you finally found the one after dating so many people?

Have you eaten yet?

And yes, I could go on and on asking you questions that you may have found yourself answering with a phrase or sentence that includes the word “yet.”

Now if you just caught yourself answering from a negative space as you see “yet” in a bad light, then this is your sign to inquire within and hopefully realize that it (the use of yet, I mean) is not really all that bad.

In fact, it can actually be just as empowering as the word “yes”, when used (and viewed) differently.

Here are some of the ways you can use it differently:

1. See it as a springboard to something great rather than as an end by itself just by adding a statement on a positive note.

Example:

Question: Have you achieved your goals for this year?

Answer (seeing it as an end by itself): Not yet. It’s quite hard.

Suggested reframing: Not yet but I truly feel I can make that happen anytime soon as I have new opportunities in the pipeline.

2. Come from a space of curiosity as you explore possibilities.

Example:

Question: Have you checked on the latest trends online about coaching?

Answer (coming from a disinterested space, seeing it as an add on task): Not yet. Busy.

Suggested reframing: I have yet to check on them but please do tell me what they’re about as I think they can be of value.

3. Use it as an empowering qualifier instead

Question: Have you addressed your problem completely?

Answer (triggered): Not yet.

Suggested reframing: Having quite a hard time now yet I am learning a lot and I am very much committed to pushing forward, one step at a time.

I hope these reframes help you see the word “yet” through a positive lens moving forward. Allows you to stress less and focus more on improving yourself and what you can still do at the moment.

Remember, delays and detours will always be part of your own #bestmeever journey. so don’t fret.
The best is YET to come.
And that’s something amazing to look forward to.

Good or bad, each and every experience teaches you the lessons you need in life.
One of my favorite things to say during interviews and talks.

Because it just rings so true, in so many ways.

I know though for a fact that it’s easier to absorb and learn lessons through good times, but the bigger question is: how do you respond when things don’t go as planned?

Be honest with yourself now: what do you do exactly when faced with uncertainty and seemingly unfavorable situations?

Do you become angry?

Do you resist them strongly?

Do you panic and breakdown?

Or do you blame others for your situation?

These are just some of the common reactions of people who are caught off guard and swept away by their heightened emotions.

However, the key here is to let the emotions settle down first to reveal the true life lessons underneath the challenging times encountered.

Seemingly difficult at first but very much possible by giving yourself enough time and space to just breathe and let yourself be.

Remember: unless it’s a matter of life and death, not everything has to happen all at once so stop overthinking and stop over reacting.

There I said it.

So now you can focus on what really matters most: the value of challenging experiences in your life as you see each one of them in a different light.

Sharing with you the 5 life lessons hard times are teaching you:

1. Everything is temporary.

Nothing is permanent in this world, including tough times. Whatever it is you’re going through right now, no matter how hard, it will eventually come to pass. Think about this: would the thing or situation stressing you now still matter in a year’s time? I am so sure not as much, or not at all. It’s not the end of your journey; it’s just part of your story. And you’ll be ok eventually.

2. Surrendering does not mean you’re losing.

You can’t control everything. And you shouldn’t even try to. There is beauty in letting go and letting things be. For as long as you’ve given your best, with all that you have and all that you are, that’s more than enough. As you trust yourself and the process more, you actually win in life because you allow yourself to be taken to where (and become what) you’re meant to be. And yes, your #bestmeever journey won’t always be easy…but it will definitely be worth it.

3. Real relationships reveal themselves during hard times.

I think one of the biggest blessings in disguise that tough times carry is that it makes you realize who is really there for you and who is meant to stay in your life when all of this is over. Painful realization yes, especially if the people you were counting on turn their back on you. However, at least it gives you a clear picture of where you stand in their life. You can do away with people who didn’t even bother asking you how you were, people who didn’t listen to your side of your story and people who simply vanished into thin air. They are not your people, So make sure you don’t invite them in your space when things go well eventually, even if they invite themselves in again. Quality over quantity and I am beyond confident that your life can go on without them. Because based on what they’ve shown, they were never with you in this journey to begin with.

4. You get to know yourself better when times are hard.

You are stronger than you think you are and more resourceful and capable than you ever imagined. With nothing else to lose as you hit the lowest point in your life, you begin to explore possibilities bravely and that can lead you to your next breakthrough. It’s all about tapping into your inner greatness, because truth be told, you have everything within to help you get through and succeed in this lifetime.

5. You can change for the better when you’re not bitter.

Never to late to embrace change. Allow yourself to stop resisting it as you let time and space take the lead. Everything will fall into place once you have cleared your mind and heart from the things you need to let go of, as you welcome what needs to take up space so you can start all over again on a better, happier note. As they say, growth can start off messy at first. And that’s ok.

Hopefully this blog post makes it easier for you to embrace hard times this time around.

Always remember that you are exactly where you’re meant to be right now:
to learn the important life lessons to allow you to live life happily and fully.