Monday, September 23, 2013

New found Discipline - 1st Month


Happy 1st Monthsary to me and my new found Glory.

A month ago, I decided to quit smoking.
When I bought what I thought would be my last stick, the vendor didn’t have anything other than a Fortune cigarette!
What can I do? The urge at that time was strong…So I bought one, smoked it and then a voice inside my head screamed,
Noooooo!!! It shouldn’t end this way.
Fortune?! Fortune?! Are you serious? There’s nothing fortunate about a fortune cigarette!

And thus my short yet felt so long journey to find a Red Marlboro stick began.
To make the long story short, I found one.
Smoked it and told myself this will be the end of this unhealthy habit.

I gave my word that day and kept it til now.
How did I manage to stop or divert the urge?

Two things.
      1)       Mentos candy or iCool Gum
      2)       More work

Not exactly the ideal thing…but then again what is?
The important thing is, it’s working for me.
I know I’m taking in more sugar but at the same time, I know/feel that I’m becoming much much more productive with my time.



That’s it for this month’s update.

If you’ve went through the same stage as I did, please feel free to share!
I look forward to reading your story/comments and maybe also learn something new.


Cheers,
Sean

Monday, September 16, 2013

A Step Forward

As you take the next step in your career, i wish you luck and may this story help guide you in any way shape or form.

When i was an agent i told my team leader i wanted to become a trainer.
I worked hard to prepare myself for the next step and waited for the opportunity to knock on my door.
There were other positions that did but not the trainer post that i wanted.
I remembered applying once for a QA position and during the hr interview, i was asked why i wanted to become a QA and why i applied for the post...i then realized i didn't really want to become a QA and so i bluntly answered "i don't know"
Obviously i didn't get the job duh! :) 
But i was glad that i didn't. 
If I told them the answers they've wanted to hear, i'm sure i would have gotten the position but then it would all just have been a lie. I would have lived miserably working on a job i didn't like in the first place. Lesson learned - be true to yourself. 

A trainer position finally opened and i was very excited.
I did everything that i could to get the job. Countless hours spent preparing, researching on questions that might be asked during the interview and rehearsing my answers to come across as knowledgable and confident.
After the interview process...There were talks that i would be chosen.
Damn! Yeah thats what I'm talking about. Good job! You deserve it. - is what i said to myself.
To my surprise, someone else got the job.
And then my whole world shut blank.
Nothing but pure pitch black surrounded my thoughts. Too stunned to even react in disbelief.
I was crushed! Discourage! Outraged! 
It felt like saving money for many months when you were still a kid just to buy that toy you've always wanted and when finally you've had enough savings to buy it - the last stock was then given to someone else.
Oh well! Sh@t happens...things just doesn't always go the way you want it to. - another lesson in life learned the hard way. But what can you do about it? Nothing. Exactly!
You just have to keep moving forward and i did.

Finally an opportunity came from a different company. 
I applied and was qualified for two positions.
I was asked to chose between a tier 2 agent or a trainer.
The basic pay for the tier 2 agent was 6k higher than that of a trainer.
Without hesitation or any doubt in my mind, I chose the trainer position.
Why? Because i wasn't really after the money. I was after my dream! 
Becoming a trainer was all that i could think of for the longest time and finally its coming true. I would be stupid enough to let it pass.
And so i became a trainer - living my dreams. Oh sweet victory! It was one of the happiest moments in my life. I was very  pleased with what I've just accomplished! I know I'm going to have lots of fun doing what I've always dream of doing and true enough i did! The long hours and hard work didn't even matter to me anymore. 

But i didn't want to stop there...i told my supervisor i want to become a training supervisor and i did.
Then i told myself i want to become a manager and i did - in Live2sell. 
Then i took another step higher and I can tell you this, I'm not going to stop until i reach the very top.

My point is...
Follow your dreams.
Set goals and don't give up.
Find something where you can see yourself happy despite all the roadblocks that will come in your way.
I've faced a lot of difficulties - some are heart and spirit breaking but that didn't stop me from achieving my goals and dreams!
Be patient, don't lose sight of your goals and as what Lewis/Cornelius would always say in the movie Meet the Robinsons "Keep Moving Forward."
Seek for the things that will make you happy and don't just dive in for the money.

Becoming a Trainer, QA or Team Leader is not for everyone. 
However if you feel like this is something that you really want, then go for it with everything that you've got and don't let anyone tell you that you cant succeed!  

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney


I look forward to hearing your own experience and help others as they choose to take the next step.


Cheers,
Sean

Monday, September 9, 2013

A test of Discipline

Due to fatigue, lack of sleep, stress and many other reasons, a lot of call center employees turn to vices such as smoking and I wasn't any different. 

I started smoking in the last quarter of 2009. I was already a training supervisor back then and working in one of the big call centers in Cebu. Then a highly stressful situation came up that lasted for a couple of months and it was during that time i started seeking comfort and found a new stress relief activity that is smoking. 

I've tried different ways to quit and leave this unhealthy habit, from using different types of filter to ecig but as Chicago would put it...it's a hard habit to break.
and true enough it is! 

I've experienced the nasty withdrawal syndromes and after countless of time, effort and money spent just to quit smoking - i still failed. To some, i know this sounds very familiar. 


So what was it that made me quit smoking? I'll answer this in a bit...

I am now an Operations Manager in (for me) the best call center in Cebu.
Great Boss! Great Staff/employees! and Great environment! 
Anyways, part of my responsibility is doing Business Development tasks and bring on board new clients. 
Its been 4 months since my last client and I desperately need to bring in a new one.

Then came one day where i felt really good after talking to one of the many potential clients that we have...i felt really good about the deal that for the first time in my life, it gave me the urge to go to Simala right after that shift. Blessed with the gift of friends, my colleague and some members of the management  team accompanied me to show their support and also offer their own personal intentions. 

I gave my thanks and prayed for guidance - also asked help that I may close the deal ASAP!

So was the deal closed right away? Nope! Unfortunately it didn't.

Days turned to weeks and after numerous communication going back and forth with the potential client, i grew tired - felt hopeless and desperate. It was then that i made a deal with Mama Mary. 
I told her "Mi, please bring them in. Guide them and let them choose our firm. I PROMISE I WILL QUIT SMOKING"

and sure enough, after a week - they chose our firm and signed the agreement! Hurrah!!! 
Oh that sweet smell and taste of Victory! 
Its that same feeling when you we're still a kid and have been hoping, asking, wishing and fervently praying that your parents will buy you that toy you've always wanted for a very long time and finally it happens! Yes! that feeling! :)

So...August 23, 2013 was when i had my last stick.
although i know it's still too early - I'm still proud of this accomplishment and i know this will go all the way!!! 

Join me in this journey and i will continue to update you every month with my progress. Cheers!


I want to thank Ana and my friends at work for being very supportive. Of course you Mi, for being my strength when the urge to puff comes and killing it right away.
Thank you.