Leadership

I believe that one of the most common aspirations of people entering the workforce is to one day reach the top position. The Great Leader, the Big Boss, the Head Honcho. Way back when I wasn't career-oriented (I wanted to be a housewife), I didn't dream of getting to the top, it was enough to survive right where I was. But time and maturity (I hope)  have led to big realizations: becoming a leader does not only  translate to a bigger paycheck, a better lifestyle, it puts you in a position to extend your circle of influence and make an impact in the lives of the people you work with. If you've seen my very first post in this blog, that is one of my prayers in life, to touch the lives of others. 

I have seen leaders who encourage, uplift and effectively build up their people; I have seen leaders who tear down, break and demoralize their followers; and I have also seen leaders who are indifferent, they simply don't give a damn. In the future, i hope i am of the first kind. 

Now, I don't think that being an excellent leader is inborn (at least, not in me), so I have been taking small steps, the first one, looking for leadership books (there are a lot). I started with the most popular author, John Maxwell. The book entitled "The five levels of Leadership" piqued my interest, and through searching the net, I found a lesson that not only expounds, but also gives a biblical role model for each level. Ready? 

PXC 28

If you're female, you most likely will not know what that means. Last Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, we watched the PXC (Pacific X-treme Combat) 28, a Mixed Martial Arts event featuring different MMA fighters across the Philippines, USA and Asia, with Tristan Arenal and John Tuck being the main fight. They also highlighted Brandon Vera as their guest fighter. 

Of plans and planners

Two and a half weeks after opening and we've completed the stickers for a starbucks planner!

I originally wanted one of the lighter colors, but when I saw that the binding was covered in cloth (matching the bag), I  didn't really like the appearance. So, I settled for the 2nd to the darkest color, which is spruce.

The bag 

The planner

We've been collecting stickers and getting starbucks planners for the past three years, and ironically, none of us use them. Personally, the only reason I get the stickers is because I like the christmas drinks, particularly the toffee nut lattes and frappes; and since I get stickers for them, i'll just collect them right? Plus, I like the idea of helping others through spark hope. :)  We usually give the planners to someone who can use them.

Now, I decided that come 2012, I'm gonna start using a planner; it still isn't the starbucks planner (sorry), because it's not quite what I'm looking for. Too formal, too serious? So, when I saw this planner, I just had to go buy it. 

2012 planner from www.filed.com.ph

I saw this on the internet and bought it at fully booked for P545. Yes, I know i'm in my mid-twenties, but isn't it just soooo cute? I like the quirky drawings on the cover, and i do like that it's black.

Here are some pictures of the inside:

the welcome message

        

Each month is like a coloring book! 

Monthly overview

Daily entries take up around one-third of each page, and they have a special note section as well as a mood tracker. (See those circles with dots, you just need to draw in the expression on the mouth) 




Last, and one of the details I like most, is the fact that it has an expense tracker, where you can list your earnings, expenses, as well as your target and actual savings. Oh, and it also has a wrap around pen-holder, which can be occupied by 12 pens at once! (I forgot to take a picture, sorry).






This planner makes me excited for the new year! Especially since I expect that there will be so many big events and changes in my life due to the plans and preparations that we are making this year . Wheeeeee!  

Jump!

"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident, more and more successful."

~~Mark Victor Hansen~~