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.
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.
Surprise! My email inbox: 0 new messages.
Weird.
You see this has never happened to me before as I am used to getting my client confirmations, inquiries, brand collaborations, invitations and a whole lot more flood my email on a daily basis. And yes, including my online shopping bill. Haha!
So I was taken aback when I opened my mail and found it to be so at peace. Haha!
“Oh well, I could use some time off from reading all my emails.” And I didn’t give it much thought until I got a message on LinkedIn:
“We sent the updated certificate on Friday but I just got an delivery error notification just now.
Sending it to you here just in case. .”
Friday. I checked my email on this Monday. WTF.
My heart started racing and I instinctively checked on my domain hosting services for my bestmeever.com email.
OMG. It was no where to be found.
And then I saw one email that said my payment lapsed and they had to park my domain.
I was like, huh? My credit card was active and I had a back up which was also working.
How can that happen?
Even more questions popped into my head when I tried searching for my domain and found out it was already “taken”. What?! How can that be?
Here’s the catch: they want me to avail of a domain broker service worth P4500+ to get my domain back for a minimum of $1,000 USD.
I. Just. Can’t.
It was so surreal. I was admittedly caught by surprise that suddenly, my domain bestmeever.com for 5 years was no longer in my possession.
But here’s the wilder scenario, as my mind tried to grasp the impact of this sudden loss:
Two brand collaboration invites bounced;
Multiple client schedules for the week not registered;
Updates for Coach Awards and Global Gurus , competitions I was nominated in were not received;
Tracking for my online purchases gone.
…and the list goes on.
Gosh.
But then again, I realized, things like this happen in real life, in other aspects.
Take this time to reflect: has it happened to you before?
…missed out on an important meeting?
….forgot the password to your account which got locked?
…had something stolen from you?
How did you deal with it?
Whatever your response then, it’s ok. You still have time to tweak it as you read this.
Yup, it was a learning experience for me yesterday, and until now as I troubleshoot and write this.
I know. It can be so stressful. But think about this: panicking won’t help you in the process. In fact, making impulsive decisions can wreck even more havoc in the long run. The key here is to pause and ground yourself so that you can think of a logical situation when all your emotions have stabilized. Taking deep breaths can do wonders for you.
2. Assess the situation carefully
After recognizing your emotions and letting them settle, try to see the situation on hand objectively. What is the implication? What can you be missing out? What must you consider? What can be good about this? I had to answer all those 4 when I was trying to pacify myself yesterday and it gave me enough leverage to come up with what will work best for me at that given point in time.
3. Let go of anything beyond your control
This is a golden rule. I mean why continuously stress over things (and people) you have no control of? Stressing over them won’t change a thing and it won’t definitely guarantee you the desired outcome you want. Remember: you spend precious energy as you try to control everything. What you can do is utilize the same amount of energy and effort in letting go and focusing on what you can still influence as of the moment so that you don’t go around in circles.
4. Seek help
You are never alone and it’s ok to seek for help because that’s a sign of strength. Give yourself the assistance you deserve by acknowledging the fact that sometimes you can’t do things on your own. I immediately reached out to my web developer and to a couple of techie people I know for help and the guidance they gave me allowed me to formulate my options moving forward.
5. Check on your priorities
Based on your assessment of the situation, what should you focus on first? Again, it’s imperative to let go of all the distractions so that you can create a strategic pathway towards the soundest solution you need and want for yourself. Consider the help you have received and know that at the end of the day, you can only do so much so working on resolving one thing at a time is best. In my case, my priority was to inform everyone affected by the loss of my email and give them an alternative email where they can reach me instead. I am lucky though that people I reached out too were kind enough to understand the problem and were willing to make necessary adjustments.
You might be curious about my own resolution. Well, what I did was get myself a new domain hosting and service. You can now reach me at myke@bestmeever.net 🙂
I can definitely say that after 5 years, I am at peace with letting go of my previous domain, bestmeever.com. I will always be grateful for it served its purpose well and has been instrumental in receiving numerous good news and blessings through the years. Thank you.
However, life goes on.
And so can I.
Still on my way to becoming my own #bestmeever .
With my new email address.
“I’m lost.”
Perhaps one of the most dreaded things to say in this lifetime.
And I can’t blame you at all.
In fact I feel you.
Quite inevitably, once in a while, we experience bumps along the way as we course through life.
And these bumps can be quite terrifying at times, especially if they cause us so much stress and anxiety because suddenly we lose control of our journey.
This leads us to struggle even more, doing all that we can as we continuously resist the situation on hand.
However, more often than not, instead of resolving it, we find ourselves facing a dead end.
Yes, sadly we made everything worse by choice.
You see feeling overwhelmed can wreck havoc in one’s decision making skills as one becomes engulfed in negative emotions.
That’s when we find ourselves feeling lost and confused. Unhappy. Frustrated. And very much stuck in the space we wanted to get away from to begin with.
This actually applies to different aspects of one’s life: whether you feel you’ve hit a dead end in your career, find yourself wondering if you made the right decision in pursuing your passion, settling in a relationship that does not seem to help you grow — these are some of the things that you may have encountered along the way and one way or another, you felt so uncertain on how to go about everything next.
1.) Pause
Yep. Stop. For a while. It’s ok. You don’t have to do anything. Contrary to popular belief, even as you pause, you’re actually growing. Because pausing allows you to ground yourself and think. It allows you to see what you need to see, oftentimes set aside as you focus too much on the stress and burden the challenge in front of you brings. Remember, things can only get worse if you act based on impulse so never let your negative, heightened emotions get in your way.
2.) Do a mental dump
Note: you feel lost and confused at times because there are so many things on your mind as of the moment. Unburden yourself by listing them all down. Take 15 minutes of your time and just let your thoughts flow. Don’t edit yet. What is important is that you get to see everything that’s actually taking space in your head. Because eventually, you will realize that not everything there deserves that much attention.
3.) Identify your priorities
Looking at your list, ask yourself this: what do I need to focus on now that will be life changing for me? Group the items you’ve listed down: what you can do away with, what can wait and what needs to be focused on now. Note: not everything has to happen at the same time. Limit your choices to 3 and then rank them accordingly. My take: choose what will bring in the most happiness to you. That has always worked for me.
4.) Focus on what you can control
I have always been an advocate of over all wellness and well being and that means doing away with anything (or anyone) that stresses you unnecessarily. Check on the things you have control or influence on. Then ask yourself this: what can I immediately do to maximize my control or influence over this matter? By strategically narrowing down your focus, you are able to unburden yourself with the unwanted pressure of making things happen all at once.
5.) Let things be
Feeling lost and confused can be such a humbling yet empowering experience as you discover more about yourself. It’s part of your #bestmeever journey actually. So for as long as you’ve already done what you could with all that you have, based on your priorities and the things you can control — that’s more than enough. Give yourself a pat on the back and wait for things to unfold beautifully. Trust yourself and the process. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be: a temporary pitstop.
There you have it guys. The next time you feel lost and confused, stop resisting it.
Instead, embrace it and grow from the experience.
Because by choice, you can.
And until you’re feeling sure again, don’t decide on anything just yet.
Life has its own ups and downs.
And that’s ok.
I mean of course it will be really nice if life was purely a bed of roses.
But hey, realize that challenging times make life more interesting and they make us appreciate our random blessings more.
Not to mention that they teach us important lessons to help us grow further as we make our own lives more meaningful.
However, I won’t discount the fact that at times, life can be draining.
Things not happening the way we planned, unforeseen unfortunate events which make us fall off track.
All of which leave us feeling frustrated, anxious and unhappy . I think these are the best words to describe how majority felt
during the entire duration of the pandemic. Can definitely relate.
One important thing we tend to forget though: life goes on, no matter what.
1.) It’s only temporary
True. Think about it this way: would what you’re worrying about now still matter in a week, month or year’s time? Our initial reaction is to feel overwhelmed by everything that’s happening around us. By pausing and reflecting on the impact of what initially stressed us, we begin to realize that it’s not really life-changing so to speak after quite sometime. And that allows us to focus more on what we can still do at present to improve our meantime space.
2.) You’ve made it through before
I think you will agree with me on this that there are a lot of things in our lives that we managed to overcome but we tend to acknowledge them when the going gets tough. When you’re feeling sad, now is the best time to remember all those previous experiences which you have gone through and succeeded in the process. If you’re able to withstand that kind of test before, whether it’s surviving a betrayal, a break up, a failure or any other personal tragedy, know that you can do it once more because you have what it takes now: the experience and the lessons learned.
3.) Help is readily available
You’re not alone. You are supported and loved by a lot of people around you. You only need to reach out and let them know. Beyond your usual family, friends or significant others, you will be surprised by how even random strangers will be willing to give you a helping hand. Note though that when things seem really too much for you and you’re breaking down immensely non-stop, it is best to seek the help of a mental health professional so that you will be able to process things better and prevent you from spiralling down further.
4.) There’s always a silver lining
Practicing gratitude can help you get through even the toughest of days. Instead of just focusing on the problem (which actually amplifies it, based on the law of attraction), be intentional in seeking for what can be good about the space you’re in. By doing so, you find renewed value in whatever it is that’s making you sad as of the moment. In the long run, you will realize how that particular situation actually helped you grow more in the process only if you look beyond what is superficial and recognize the valuable lessons hidden underneath.
5.) You are still blessed
Hey, know that life can’t be that bad every single day. So now is the best time to bring out your journal and list down all the things that made you genuinely happy and proud. Remembering the good times during tough days allow you to find inspiration as you continue on with your #bestmeever journey, regardless of what you’re going through at present. Give yourself more credit and appreciate all things that went right in your life by not comparing yourself with others and simply focusing on your wins as they are.
I hope that by reading this you feel much better now.
Time to smile once more.
Your best life awaits.
It’s not always about moving on and forward.
Yup, there are days when you should just let yourself be and accept things as they are.
Know that if nothing’s happening (or things aren’t going as planned), it doesn’t mean that you’re not growing so stop being anxious about it.
What is important to know is that whatever space you are in now, it’s exactly where you are meant to be, because that space will teach you something of value to your personal (or professional) growth.
Any form of resistance won’t do you any good. So open yourself up to possibilities instead: ask yourself what can be beautiful about the space I am in now? Start being intentional in looking for silver linings so that you get to accept and appreciate wherever you are as of the moment.
2. Appreciate your progress
Trust me, you wouldn’t feel stuck in the first place if you haven’t made any movement in your life at all. So take this time to give yourself a pat on the back and see how far you’ve gone. Assure yourself that you’re doing a good job. That will make the waiting game more bearable.
3. Know that this space of yours is temporary
If you take to heart that your situation can change any moment now, how will you handle it differently? So stop beating yourself up and just consider whatever it is you’re going through as a mere pitstop: it’s just preparing you as you recharge and recalibrate yourself to become fit enough to make it to the finish line: of becoming your own #bestmeever .
4. Do what you can
Your current space is not a hopeless one. Know that there will always be something there that you can control. Focus on that and do what you can as you give your all. That will always be more than enough, regardless of the result that you may get. At the end of the day, you (and your growth) will always be worth the try. It’s not about making huge milestones always– even the smallest steps matter. Don’t underestimate the power of sending just one email, reading a couple of pages of your book or even exercising for as little as 5 minutes a day — they can do wonders for you even during the most stressful situations.
5. Learn something new
Feeling stuck is a good sign to take a step back and assess what is it that you need to learn in your life now that will benefit you in the long run as you overcome this space of yours? Think about enhancing your skill sets or beefing up your resume with a new credential. Know that self-improvement was never dependent on the situation one’s in, but rather, it’s based on one’s choices.
So there. I hope these help you feel better while you bask in your current space.
Remember, it’s you won’t be staying there permanently so make the most of it.
As a whole, 2021 was a learning experience for me.
And that’s an understatement.
I mean I can’t say that it was a really awesome year because hey, the pandemic has taken a toll on all of us (mental health, relationships, business among others) and it’s not really easy for a travel bug like me to be oftentimes stuck at home because of travel restrictions during the lockdown.
On the other hand though, I am extremely grateful because to date, I am able to remain healthy and genuinely happy in my space and I am still blessed with a whole lot of opportunities to grow both on a personal and professional note. Taking these in consideration, I would say that 2021 was not that bad either.
Candidly speaking after seeing the big picture both ways, I totally believe that it taught me a whole lot of important life lessons which I need to take to heart as the new year approaches. I think they will all be quite useful as I (and you guys reading this) make our new year’s resolutions.
So there you go, I hope these life lessons help you in your personal journey towards becoming your own #bestmeever this coming 2022.
I look forward to journeying with you all and celebrating you and your growth along the way.
Thank you 2021 for the life lessons.
Happy New Year guys!
2022, we are ready.
People don’t really buy your products; they buy you and your results.
So if that’s the case, your credibility is at stake.
Your credibility determines how many people will trust and support you, how many brands and organizations would want to partner with you and how many more opportunities will open up to you, regardless of the industry you’re in.
And when we talk about credibility, it goes beyond the number of followers, engagements or likes on social media.
It’s all about being authentic, practicing with integrity and delivering consistent results.
1.) Beef up your credentials
Be an expert in your field of choice by engaging in continuous learning and growth. Study necessary disciplines and allow yourself to be certified and trained by reputable institutions so don’t forget to do your research first. Aim to become a thought leader in your field by writing high-value articles for websites and give expert advice and talks to communities that are in alignment with your industry. Be as focused as possible because at the end of the day, you can’t be everything everyone else expects you to be.
2.) Don’t ever fake it
I’ll say it again: you’ll never make it if you fake it. Don’t ever lie to the people who are genuinely supporting you. Authenticity is key. Don’t say you’re earning millions and millions consistently but have unpaid debts. Don’t talk about professionalism when you are running away from your own responsibilities. Speak and live your truth. It would eventually come out anyway. Don’t let your lies stemming from wanting to look good and perfect in the eyes of others tarnish your reputation eventually. Consider what matters more.
3.) Honor your commitments
You are as good as your word. Don’t ever make promises that you can’t keep. Your lack of commitment reflects on your character. So it’s best that you always deliver what is due and do away with the unnecessary drama and excuses. At the end of the day, it’s not just about you, how you feel and the situation you’re in; it’s also about the other person/party affected by your actions or lack there of.
4.) Amplify your results
Let your work speak for you. Deliver consistently desired results and allow your client’s testimonials amplify the work that you do. Always strive to get feedback and seek ways on how you can improve your service better. Remember that results go beyond the numbers; it’s also how you manage your relationships and grow in harmony with them (and your output) in the process.
5.) Give your best always
Being your own #bestmeever always allows you to become a joy to work with as you grow with the work on hand. Be 100% present at all times and strive to achieve what is necessary no matter what it takes. At the end of the day, whatever yourself may be, celebrate with the people you work with and give yourself a pat on the back because you have given more than enough.
I hope these can help you build your credibility.
Simply because, your credibility sells.
So invest on it more.
Life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns.
That’s a fact.
Because there will be times that life will throw you a curve ball that will catch you off guard.
The thing is, at times, that curve ball can be larger than life.
Too large for you to dodge it.
Before you know it, it hits you hard.
And you find yourself struggling to regain your composure and bring everything back the way they used to be.
But that’s not easy at all.
You see, things don’t always go as planned, no matter how hard you prepared for them.
It’s when things go wrong that you become overwhelmed by the stress and pressure the entire situation brings.
Leading you think: “I want to give up!”
Trust me, I can definitely relate to being in that almost hopeless space.
And it’s not something I (or have others) want to experience again.
1.) Remember that pain and suffering are temporary.
It will pass. It’s just a phase. Allow yourself to come from that space so that you don’t make drastic permanent decisions that you will regret in the long run. What is key here is to try to endure and enjoy the entire journey as you seek for new learnings and opportunities for growth along the way. Ask yourself this: What is this situation teaching me? The beginning is always the hardest but it doesn’t have to be like that all through out the way.
2.) Hold on to your “WHY”
Living your purpose every single day is not always easy. However, it will always be worth it. So when the going gets tough, allow yourself to anchor on your biggest “WHY” and remind yourself all the reasons that got you started in the first place. Try to utilize the same passion and feelings you’ve had before things got rough so that you become unstoppable in the process.
3.) Visualize your desired results.
Sometimes difficult situations distract us from our goal. Take time to pause, calm yourself and visualize your ultimate goal away from the chaos. Be as detailed as possible and allow yourself to feel as if you’ve already achieved it. It’s a beautiful way to inspire yourself to push forward.
4.) Try once more.
There’s no limit in trying or in starting all over again. If you really want it, then give it all you’ve got. Remember, each try brings you closer to your goal. Celebrate wins in between, big or small. Know that regardless of the result, you learn in the process and that allows you to grow to your own #bestmeever .
5.) Surround yourself with inspiration.
Seek support from people you love. Take time to read inspiring stories. Talk to people who have managed to overcome the same challenges you have at present. Fill your mind with positive thoughts. At the end of the day, you can always give yourself the much needed hope you’re looking for.
So now, if you’re reading this and you feel like you’re almost giving up, take this as your sign to do otherwise.
Because you deserve one more try.
Saying NO is such an empowering experience.
Contrary to popular belief, saying NO does not limit you.
In fact, it opens new doors for you as you come from a space of worthiness and self-love.
Because each and every time you say NO to others, you say YES to yourself and your growth.
Allow me to share with you my take on the 5 times you must say NO in your life:
1.) When your life is at risk
This is a no-brainer. Don’t ever put yourself in such a situation that will compromise your safety. No amount of reasoning can be made that will justify you endangering or losing your life in the process. Trust your instincts and keep safe always. In all ways.
2.) When someone disrespects you
You are as worthy and lovable as everyone else. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel otherwise. Be confident about yourself. Speak up. Take a stand. And don’t allow others to own your space. You are fully deserving of your own, to begin with.
3.) When others dictate the life you must lead
Choose your own course. Pursue your own career. Follow your passion. Be whatever you want to be. That is your right. Don’t let anyone put you inside a box. You’re meant to be free. Keep it that way.
4.) When you are forced to stay in toxic relationships
Any relationship that you choose to have should be able to spark joy and growth. Say NO to those that hinder your growth and make you doubt yourself. Always remember that you have that choice to filter who you allow in your space.
5.) When you’re not your #bestmeever
Allow yourself to rest. To feel. To just be. It’s ok to say NO when you’re not your best. Give yourself enough time and space to reflect and recalibrate. You can always bounce back and start all over again when you’re truly ready.
After reading all these, I look forward to seeing you become comfortable when saying NO to these things happening in your life soon.
Happiness is a matter of choice.
And that’s a fact.
You see, things may not always go as planned and we might find ourselves disappointed in the process once in a while.
However, it doesn’t mean that we don’t have a choice to see beyond unfortunate situations.
A lot of times we have read time and again about tips on how to be happy.
However, what we tend to forget is that before we can even make happiness a habit, we must first consider where we associate it.
Let me tell you this now:
Stop associating happiness with things that have yet to come or happen.
Remove the context of attaching happiness to a goal, a person, a new relationship, an event which hasn’t arrived yet.
That’s the only way you can truly appreciate the now and come up with your own happy habits.
So once you’ve made that choice to be fully present in the moment, check out these happy habits you can create so that you always start and end your day with a smile.
It’s actually a continuation of the habits of genuinely happy people list I made before.
Why? because we can always have room for happy habits that make us smile and our hearts, overflow.
1.) Lend a helping hand
No one is too powerless to help others in need. A simple kind gesture can have a big impact on someone else’s life (and yours as well). Never underestimate your own ability to change someone’s life in an instant. Helping out does not always have to be grand always; even the smallest gestures count. What matters is the intention behind and how you can turn that to inspiration to create even bigger impact in the lives of others there after.
2.) Declutter your space
A beautiful space can be quite inspiring. Oftentimes, your space reflects your overall state so make sure that you do away with whatever no longer serves a purpose and keep those which continuously inspire you. Having a clean, well-kept space allows you to focus on what matters most: your well-being, happiness and your goals.
3.) Check in with yourself regularly
Allow yourself to acknowledge how you feel. Dn’t run away from your emotions. Instead, openly embrace them and then work around them there after. By recognizing them, you are able to keep yourself grounded and centered at all times, which helps make you genuinely happy and anxiety free, something that’s very timely amidst the pandemic.
4.) Let go of negative thoughts and grudges
Any form of negativity weighs you down and holds you back from becoming your own #bestmeever . So by consistently allowing yourself to let go of them, you create more space for more beautiful and inspiring things to come into your life as you become the person you’re meant to be.
5.) Amplify your strengths
It’s always such a pleasurable experience doing what you know you’re genuinely good at. Take time to practice every single day and allow yourself to confidently showcase your skills to the rest of the world. Sharing your gifts can help inspire others as well who are struggling with working on theirs.
I hope that these tips can help you build happy habits that work for you.
Looking forward to seeing you become happier in the days to come.
