Nowadays, with the pandemic, among others, times seem to be really challenging.
Ok, let me correct myself: times ARE challenging. Period.
I know that at some point, we all have experienced doubting ourselves and losing hope in the process as we become anxious about what tomorrow holds for us.
And I think that we have learned based on experience, having that kind of behavior wouldn’t allow us to thrive in our space.
Because truth be told, more than ever, we need to have a positive mindset as we remain optimistic about what lies ahead.
Nothing is permanent in this world. Same goes for whatever is bothering us now. So hold on to that fact that someday, all will be well. Having something to look forward to allows you to have a better perspective about life at present.
You can’t undo the past, even if you tried. But you can always work on your present and create the future that you want from scratch. Remember that what can still be will always be more beautiful than your what could have been.
Choose to see what went right. Big or small, celebrate your wins. You deserve to acknowledge yourself and your hard work. They will inspire you to do more in the process as you become your own #bestmeever.
Choose the company you keep. Remember, your immediate environment plays a big role in the way you think and react to circumstances in your life. So be mindful of the kind of people you allow in your space. Check on red flags every now and then. You’re not obliged to accommodate any form of negativity or toxic behavior at the end of the day.
At the end of the day, no matter how it went, there will always be something to be grateful for. Train your mind to look for those. That will help you realize how beautiful life still is amidst trying times.
There you have it. I hope these help you keep your hopes high as we journey together towards a brighter future ahead.
Here’s an interesting fact:
At times, what really makes a goal hard to achieve is not the lack of skills nor opportunities.
It’s the lack of self-confidence.
That feeling of not being worthy, not being good enough.
These are walls we built by ourselves.
They hold us back from becoming the person we are meant to be: our very own #bestmeever .
Let’s face it: it’s not that easy to be truly confident when we all have experienced a lot of down times in our lives.
It’s over and done with. So why hold on to whatever painful experience you’ve had up to this day? You have a choice to start all over again as you learn from what initially broke you so you can have your own breakthrough. You’re not defined by your past; you’re defined by the choices you make there after.
Somewhere along the way, you have succeeded in your own right. Celebrate those wins. If you’ve done it before, why worry about not being able to achieve the same now?
You’ve survived and made it this far. So why doubt yourself? Wear your battle scars proud. And give yourself that much-deserved pat on the back.
What normally freaks us out is the fact that we don’t have a plan to back us up as we pursue our goals, coming from a space of unfamiliarity. By carefully listing down all your options and specific steps on how you can reach your goals, you become more confident in the process knowing that somehow, you have it all figured out.
Be your own best fan. Tell yourself all the words you long to hear. Know that you are truly great within, you just have to consistently remember that, no matter what. The thing is: you’re actually the best person to remind yourself too.
There you go. I hope that these tips will enable you to level up your confidence so you can finally pursue your dreams with the greatest of ease.
Enjoy your journey as you break free confidently!
For some, work is life.
Like nine-to-five is dedicated solely to what pays the bills.
At times, it goes beyond that as well.
Longer work hours. No holidays.
More time with officemates. More time to build one’s career.
However, in the process of focusing too much on work for wanting to earn a living, we forget one important thing:
To live the life we have always wanted.
Take this time to read through this list of 5 things which I believe are far more important than work:
How have you been managing your stress lately? Have you had enough time to actually sit back, relax and pamper yourself? Remember, it’s very important to take care of your overall health, because at the end of the day, if it suffers, working won’t even be possible. Make sure to include exercise, healthy diet, meditation and other self-care routines in between to allow yourself to always be at the pink of health.
When the going gets tough, trust that your loved ones will never fire you. I doubt it if same goes at work. Haha! What I am just saying is, you also need to spend more time with people who truly matter to you because at the end of the day, long after work is over, they’re the ones by your side, no matter what happens. Working long hours can never compensate for missing out on very important family occasions, personal milestones and the like because those are priceless.
So yeah, cool, your work pays the bills and you get to reach the top of the food chain in your career ladder. However, beyond your success, are you really able to pursue what makes your heart fulfilled? Have you really given yourself time to pursue your passion or learn something new? Know that your own #bestmeever is not defined by your work alone.
Are you genuinely happy outside of what you do at work? Have you given yourself the permission to just be and experience the best things in life without feeling guilty about your work deadlines? Remember that it’s ok to put yourself as your top priority, simply because if you’re coming from a space of happiness, everything around you will be in alignment — your work included. Never deprive yourself from the kind of life you truly want and deserve.
Picture this, how would you like others to remember you? Someone who worked long hours or became a CEO of a company? Or someone who helped change their lives and inspired them to be their best? It’s all about allowing yourself to be relevant beyond the walls of your office by reaching out to others and making a difference in their lives. Know that you are never too busy to help and that allows your heart to come from a space of overflow. It helps to be surrounded with like minded people who can empower and inspire you from within.
I hope that you get to work on living the life you’ve always wanted.
Time in now.
Nobody’s perfect.
And that’s a fact.
But guess what?
It’s perfectly ok.
So stop beating yourself up for “flaws” which make you feel less of a person.
Because in, reality, they don’t.
Know that as you are, you are perfectly amazing.
If you’re still struggling with loving your imperfections, then allow me to share with you these 5 ways to allow you to embrace them fully.
Only you can see your true worth. So set your own standards. You don’t have to stress yourself fitting into someone else’s mould. Create your own. Your beauty makes you uniquely special, so don’t ever compare yourself with someone else. Just appreciate your own because by doing that, you’ll know that there’s so much to love about you.
2. Make your flaws inspiring
Somewhere out there, someone needs to hear your story of how you embraced your flaws and imperfections. Whether it’s a physical insecurity, a disability, a circumstance … these can be turned into powerful inspirations, only if you see the true purpose behind each. Come from that space.
3. Count your blessings
Your flaws shouldn’t define you and your happiness. Look around you. Inquire within. What else can you be grateful for? There’s more to life than just focusing on things that are “less than perfect.” Focus on what matters more instead: what gives you genuine joy, fulfillment and wholeness. You can always choose to work around your imperfections and see things in a different light.
4. Surround yourself with inspiring advocates
All over the world, there are other people like you who may have experienced the same thing but have chosen to rise above the situation and empower others instead. Choose to find (and be with) your role models and people who bring out the best in you. Self-Check: If they can see beyond your flaws, why can’t you?
5. Affirm yourself daily
Give yourself that much needed confidence boost by facing the mirror every single day and loving the person you’re seeing daily, genuinely. Empower yourself with positive words you need to hear that will allow you to be your authentic, unapologetic and grandest version of yourself, your own #bestmeever . Don’t wait for others to validate you because as you are, you can give yourself that much needed love, acceptance and understanding. And your own affirmation will always be more than enough.
I hope that now you can see how “FLAWsome” you are.
Time to give yourself a tight hug. And a whole lot of love.
Question: Are you genuinely happy?
Imagine yourself waking up every single day, with a smile on your face that lasts long after the sun has set.
That immensely light feeling that you are motivated to be your #bestmeever always and allow others to be inspired by your presence.
Truth be told, happiness is a state of mind. And it can be achieved by creating your very own happiness habits to ensure that you come from a space of joy always.
I have always been an advocate of mental health and wellness that is why practicing what I preach, I always incorporate these things in my daily routine to ensure that my own happiness is always at its peak.
Who do you surround yourself with? Are you inspired to grow to the fullest in your current circle? Or are they limiting your potentials? If I may be candid about it, choose people who are good for your heart. No need to suffer in silence. Give yourself the kind of company that you deserve.
2. Practice gratefulness randomly
Everywhere I go, I oftentimes find myself randomly thanking the heavens for all my blessings, big and small. It’s all about making that conscious effort to just take a step back and reflect about how beautiful life is in general, regardless of what happens around me. I also keep a gratitude journal where I list all the things I am thankful for at the end of the day. Counting your blessings can do great wonders for your heart, mind and soul.
3. Self-Care is a must
Knowing when to stop, when to pamper yourself and allowing yourself to just be is key to maximizing your own growth. Being kinder, a little more loving and considerate to yourself will allow you journey through life with less stress as you focus on what matters more: your own happiness along the way.
4. Pursuing your goals
Do something every single day that will take you closer to achieving your biggest dreams. Big or small, every step counts. Know that you have what it takes to reach your goals, all of which, you’re very much deserving of to begin with. Having something bigger and better to look forward to allows your heart to anticipate with joy.
5. Be present in the moment
Be 100% present wherever you are now, with whatever you do. Don’t let the noise of the outside world make you forget to savor the moment you are in, as you grow to the person you’re meant to be in your current space. Enjoy the process, always, in all ways.
There you go. I hope these habits of mine will allow your heart to smile wider in the coming days.
Stay happy and inspired guys.
Fact: We all want to become our own #bestmeever
The thing is though, it takes a whole lot of work, commitment, trust and love to journey within.
To heal from the past, accept the now and gain clarity of our biggest visions in life as we discover self-empowerment takes time (and effort, mind you).
In some cases though, it takes longer for others because of these things that prevent them from having a smooth journey towards their best.
Ok, your journey, is yours alone. It’s totally different from anyone else’s in this planet. So every time you compare (and contrast) your progress with that of others, you allow yourself to get distracted. In the end, no matter how your journey goes, know that it’s meant to teach you important lessons so you can own your best version eventually.
2. Stressing over the little things
No journey is perfect. And guess what? The little bumps along the way make each one even more exciting. So stop sweating over the small stuff. It’s a waste of time and energy. I mean details matter and all and it wouldn’t hurt to double check along the way. However, in the event that there are unforeseen circumstances where things don’t go as planned, if it’s not life changing, just take a deep breath and let go. Nothing is worth more than your inner peace.
3. Expectations
Never attach your own happiness to mere expectations. Instead of conditioning yourself that you will be happy when you achieve this and that, why not try to be happy in the now, with all things as is, as you are. There are so many things to be grateful and happy about at present so allow yourself to grow in harmony with the now.
4. Pleasing others too much
You are not every one’s servant at their beck and call so stop thinking and acting like one. Remember, you also have the obligation to take care of yourself and give yourself what is due. So start saying ‘NO’ to others so you can say ‘YES’ more to yourself and your growth. At the end of the day, even if you don’t get the nod of others, the best person to please will always be yourself. And that will always be more than enough.
5. Putting yourself last
Making yourself a priority is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself. There’s totally nothing wrong about considering your own needs and wants. Remember, taking care of yourself first will also allow you to take care of others more eventually. It has to start from you though as you give yourself the love and affection that you willingly give to others. How can you give what you don’t have? Self-empowerment comes first my dear.
I hope this list will help you catch yourself as you journey towards your best.
I look forward to seeing your own #bestmeever unfold soon.
Words, once said, can never be undone.
Yup, words are that powerful.
And during this time of the COVID 19 pandemic that the world is filled with so much uncertainty, we have to keep in mind to choose what we say.
The least we need right now is to trigger more fear, stress, hopelessness or sadness among those around us.
Empathy is key nowadays. We should give ourselves and others the chance to know and understand our current space so that we can move on and forward and eventually become our own #bestmeever ”
Not everyone is on the same page at times, admittedly.
Be mindful though that people have different perspectives – and we should just allow and respect that. Give others the same space you are giving yourself to grow and flourish, at their own pace.
Never pressure others to bounce back immediately if they’re not yet ready.
Allow me to share with you my list of things we should avoid saying to practice sensitivity. These are actually some which I heard people say to others who were already struggling in their space. I can’t help but put it here so that people will be more mindful.
1. “You’re over reacting.”
This is so not true given that each one has his/her own way of responding to a situation. Given the different spaces we are coming from and the different experiences that we have, we cannot say that one is just over reacting without really understanding everything.
Solution: So come from a space minus of judgement. Tell them instead:
“I hear you. Allow yourself to express your emotions and when you’re ready, let’s talk.”
2. “Don’t focus too much on your feelings.”
Never ever tell people to set aside their emotions. Remember, feelings influence our thoughts and actions. So by telling others to invalidate them, you are taking away their chance of properly processing the space they’re in.
Solution: Allow others to really acknowledge their feelings and understand fully where they are coming from. Tell them instead:
“Take a step back and allow yourself to feel everything. When you’re ready to share with me, I will be waiting. “
3. “I told you so.”
Now is not the best time to come from one’s ego and reminding others about what should have been done. Pointing out previous mistakes can trigger more negative emotions than do the other person well.
Solution: Focus on empowering the other person on what can still be done differently. Tell them instead:
“I see. So what can you do now to address that? What support do you need from me?”
4. “I pity you.”
This is not showing sympathy at all. It’s like you are highlighting how seemingly hopeless the other person’s situation is. Remember, others don’t need to hear what they already know – they need to be empowered to see beyond the space they’re in.
Solution: Cheer them up. Encourage them to see the silver lining. Assure them that they’re not alone. Tell them instead:
“Hey, what can be good about this? I got you. Know that you are supported and loved always.”
5. “That’s how life is.”
This is something on a personal note I don’t agree with. Life becomes what it is based on the choices you make. So don’t just justify everything by pointing fingers at the situation on hand.
Solution: Encourage others to take responsibility for themselves. Empower them to rise above. Tell them instead:
“I know you’re so much better than this and I see you thriving soon. What can you do to allow that to happen? How can I journey with you?”
A little empathy will go a long way.
Journey with that in mind, always.
We made it!
And that’s one thing to celebrate about to begin with.
Indeed, 2020 was a tough year.
And that’s an understatement.
But come to think of it, it taught us a lot of valuable lessons in order to thrive next year.
Allow me to share with you these 21 tips to help you become your own #bestmeever in 2021:
– I mean, 2020 was a tough year but hey, try to acknowledge the good it may have brought to your life, whether it’s about having more time for yourself and your loved ones or finally being able to start on your passion project…choose to see reasons to be grateful for amidst adversity.
2. Let go of what didn’t work out.
– Past is past. Work with what you have here and now. It’s a starting point, not a dead end.
3. Take time to reflect.
– Pausing is powerful. That small gaps in between can determine the great things ahead thereafter.
4. Plan what’s next for you.
– Time to commit to the “next you”. How different will it be? What needs to be done to make it a reality? Jot them down and plot your timelines accordingly.
5. Indulge in self-care regularly.
– Your health and overall wellness are your greatest wealth. Take care of them well.
6. Cut ties with toxic people.
– Sanitize your space, guilt-free. You deserve that. Besides, you can always find other people who would really feel like family.Just open your mind and heart to the possibility of first setting yourself free.
7. Find yourself a job that you like.
– Like, really, really like. Go for something that goes beyond being an answer to your bills. It gets more fulfilling that way and wouldn’t feel like work at all.
8. Travel more often if you can.
– Allow yourself to learn about a new place (and yourself too) in the process as you grow in unison with the world around you. You are not meant to just settle in one place — you have the whole world to discover until you find yourself and own your chosen space.
9. Focus on what you can control.
– Don’t sweat the stuff that are beyond your control. Hope and pray for the best as you focus on prioritizing and acting on those within your sphere of influence.
10. Allow yourself to fall in love again.
– Whether it’s with yourself or with someone else, allow yourself to experience the kind of love you want and deserve. Life (and love) goes on.
11. Commit to a healthier lifestyle.
– Diet. Exercise. Detox. De-stress.
12. Learn a new skill.
– Now that you have more time on hand to reflect on the things you really want, time to stack on your skill set once more. What can help you thrive while feeling genuinely happy from within? Learn that.
13. Enjoy more home cooked meals.
– Made with love. And healthier too. Best enjoyed with your loved ones.
14. Spend more time with family.
– Family first. Everything else follows.
15. Schedule a “Me Time” daily.
-In between your busy schedules, inject quiet moments to reflect or relax by doing what you love e.g. playing with your pet, watching Netflix, gardening etc. Allow yourself to just be.
16. Be firm when you say “NO”.
– By doing so, you say yes to yourself and your growth. That’s called self-respect.
17. Try something new once in a while.
– Allow yourself to be uncomfortable as you learn and experience something unfamiliar. That will allow you to grow in the process.
18. Modify your spending habits.
-Check on your finances. Acknowledge what needs work. Create a new strategy. And monitor your spending wisely. Money isn’t everything but hey, you still have to save for the rainy days.
19. Invest in yourself more.
– How can you grow more in your current space? What needs more attention in your life now? Focus on that and nurture it. You are worth the investment.
20. Affirm yourself daily.
– Be your own greatest fan. Say all the things you need to hear without waiting for others to agree. You only have to listen to your own voice.
21 . Make your dreams come true.
– Pursue what makes you feel happy, complete and fulfilled. Don’t be afraid to start all over again. Your dreams were planted in your mind and heart for a reason. Time to bring that reason to life.
I hope these tips will allow you to thrive in 2021.
Looking forward to seeing you have your best year ever yet!
Wishing everyone of you a happy, meaningful and prosperous year ahead!
It’s our new normal.
Working from home, that is.
I remember the days when I will tell people to not bring their work at home so that they can actually enjoy themselves as they recharge after a long day,
But now, that’s not exactly possible since most of us are forced to stay at home and work from there simply because the entire pandemic has caused this massive shift geared towards working remotely when physical offices are not operating as usual.
At a glance it may seem like the perfect set up, however, it comes with a price:
Home isn’t where work is supposed to be. Haha!
I mean this applies to all people who have gotten used to working in an office or even remotely (coffee shops, beach etc.).
Home is basically, a sacred space. Too sacred to share with work.
But hey, we have to make it work right?
Take it from me. It was such a big adjustment going virtual with my coaching, talks, hosting and workshops — all done at the comforts of my own home simply because it’s better to be safe than sorry at the end of the day.
It was a struggle for me because there were a lot of distractions at home to begin with: Netflix, my bed, my pets, family members when they’re around…and the list goes on. They all just make me want to rest and do nothing the whole day. Which obviously, can’t be the case.
But by being intentional about it, I found my groove to beat laziness and improve my productivity in the process.
1.) Be in the intentional zone
– This one is a must: being intentional about being productive. I always believed that when there’s a will, there’s a way…and that magic begins when you really put your mind and heart into it. In my case, what I did though was positive reinforcement: what will be the value if I was able to work productively in my new space? How will it help me grow? What can I learn from this? All the answers I came up with inspired me to take on this new challenge while feeling good about it instead of coming from a space of resistance.
2.) Set up a happy work station
– Operative word here is happy guys. You have to be inspired in your own space so make sure that you design it like the way you want it. For me, I have two work stations, one beside the window when it’s raining, surrounded with plants, so that I can be one with nature as I draw inspiration from them and the other one, right beside my bed where I am facing a bunch of Unicorn stuff given to me through the years by random people, to inspire me to keep going and sparkle along the way when the going gets tough. Oh, and comfortable seats and back support help a lot. And please make your space distraction free and have nice ample calming music and room scents to set the mood. Helps a lot really. Haha!
3.) Plot and follow a strategic schedule
– You don’t want to get burned out at home while working, believe me. So best if you can come up with a strategic schedule that will allow you to have balance in your life e.g. 8 hour work schedule with ample breaks in between. Hard stop at 6pm daily and no work related calls or emails to be entertained there after, unless life changing. Work only 5 days a week and then choose to do the things you love on off days. What the pandemic taught me: work can wait, but my life can’t. Work doesn’t have to be done all at once. You have a choice to manage it well.
4.) Maximize your breaks fully
– Yes, you are still entitled to that. So you can breathe now. Haha! Kidding aside, just be mindful about them. Discipline is key. Example: you can choose to play one quick game on your phone for 15 mins then go back to work. Or have an amazing lunch by cooking what you love best. You can even spend it walking around and reflecting to clear your mind so that when you work once more on the tasks on hand you’ll be totally refreshed. Keep doing what you love in between and learn how to shift your attention accordingly to what is on schedule.
5.) Reward yourself at the end of each day
– What little surprise can you give yourself after work? A long hot bath? A nice dessert? Popcorn with your favorite movie? A massage? Remember that self-care is important when you want to be productive at home. You deserve to pamper yourself so make it a point to have something to look forward to at the end of each day. That will keep you going as you recharge and recalibrate for the days ahead.
At the end of the day guys, it’s all up to you on how you intend to make your current space (and routines) work for you. Being productive is a matter of choice so make sure to take that to heart at all times so that you still get the desired results you want, wherever you are at present..
Productivity isn’t about the amount of work accomplished — it’s about how you learned and grew while trying to make things work for you in your space, at your own pace.
So big or small, celebrate those milestones because they are part of your journey towards your own #bestmeever .
I am successful in my own way.
A long time ago, I have redefined success for myself.
Gone are the days that I have associated it with the position I had in the corporate setting, the money I was earning or the big time clients I had in my portfolio.
I realized that they didn’t really make me feel happy, complete and fulfilled at the end of the day– something I believe is key if you want to feel (and be) successful holistically.
So I redefined success accordingly when I finally embraced my calling of becoming a Global Master Coach:
Success for me is being able to do all the things I want, with the time, resources, energy and means to do so.
Putting it clearly into context, now I get to do the things I love (coaching, speaking, hosting, writing) and earn from them, while enjoying what life has to offer in between without feeling guilty (traveling, working out, Netflix hehe etc.)
I realized that for the longest time I placed myself inside a box, based on what others thought would be best for me, to which I initially agreed to at my expense.
Stepping outside of my comfort zone demarcated that first step to living a successful life for me.
And since then, people have been asking me what’s my secret to being successful.
To be candid about it, apart from the conscious choices I make every single day, I practice these 5 habits daily to keep me in that zone. Allow me to share these with you accordingly, some of which I believe I have in common with other successful people worldwide:
Not everyone is given a chance to wake up the next day. So best to jumpstart every single day with gratefulness. What can you be thankful about? Big or small, allow yourself to start with gratitude because as you count your blessings consciously and consistently, you will never have a bad day in your life. You may want to express this via a prayer, self-talk or through journaling, whatever you’re most comfortable with. In my case, I start my day with a prayer of thanks giving followed by journaling.
2. I affirm myself
I am a big fan of self-affirmations. I always start my day facing the mirror upon getting up and engage myself in positive, empowering self-talk. I remind myself my value, my worth, my purpose and that all that I am now and all that I will ever be, is something I truly deserve, that I will always be more than enough and that the best is yet to come. Allowing myself to be at my peak state allows me to become more energized and inspired all through out the day, resulting in greater productivity and better results.
3. I practice intentional living
Every single day, I set my intentions: what I want to happen, what I want to do, what results I am looking at. Note that I did not use the word “need” simply because I want to always come from a space of inspiration and not of obligation. I find joy when I am able to create and stick to a routine that works best for me at that particular point in time, whether it includes a quick escape out of town or coffee with friends in between deadlines set. I don’t feel guilty at all because I consciously choose to prioritize not only what I need to deliver for my work but also to give what is due to myself intentionally.
4. I indulge in self-care regularly
Putting myself last is one of the biggest mistakes I had before that led me to experiencing burn outs and stress among others. So nowadays, I incorporate strategic self-care breaks in between just to pamper myself and let myself be during days when I feel like totally doing nothing. Trust me guys, it’s ok. You deserve it.
5. I practice hard stops
I intentionally stop working by 7pm. If it’s not life changing, I don’t attend to it until the next day. Why? Because work can wait, but my life can’t. I recognize the value of taking good care of myself and focusing on de-stressing after a long day and freeing my weekends so I can spend it beautifully and meaningfully with loved ones or simply recharging and recalibrating myself. After all, what is key here is that I am more than just a Global Master Coach — I am my own person. My #bestmeever outside of what I do.
So there, I hope these help you as you embark on your own journey towards your personal success.
Remember, you create the life that you want with the habits that you have.
Choose to practice each one wisely.
