Don't go home

During the early years in college, I collected comic books as an investment when I learned that like other form of arts, its price appreciates. I bought some of it and saw other investing materials from the shop where I bought those comic books. As time went by, my collection evolved and I later collected Sports card - basketball to be exact.

Usually they are bought in packs of 5 to 10 and it is not easy to get good ones and the better players are sold at higher price.

It was a hit and many people in Manila spend fortune to get rare cards of their favorite players. I tried to sell some, earned instantly and I got more interested in it. My collection grew and sold more cards.

When I had a binder full of cards, it just came out of my mind that I haven't seen any shops in our province (Bulacan) that sells cards as such. My mother's owns a store and she agreed on helping me sell them. I was a working student then and I showed my collection and plan to my co-workers and they wished me luck.

It was a Sunday then when I was about to go to the store. I happily left the house and on the other side I saw my uncle. He is a famous in our place as he is a good basketball coach and an influential person. I excitedly showed my collection and told him my plans. After listening to my story, without emotion on his face, he said "No body will buy those".

My excitement turned into sadness and I felt devastated with his words. I just smiled then waved good bye to him and walked… slowly... going to the store. After some paces, I ended up standing in the corner where I can see the store or and our house. My mind went blank for a while.

When I came back to life, I just smiled and told to myself "I'm selling cards". So I went off to the store, posted 2 banners with the words "NBA cards for sale".

After only a month of trading cards, form my profit, I can already often eat at nice restaurant and fast foods chains. That was "cool". Every Sunday, kids and teenagers would ask me for new items. I actually became famous. After 3 months, I was already paying for my monthly lodging fee in Manila. The following semester, I paid for my school fee and I made my mother very happy. I also saved some money in the bank.

My trading in the province ended after only a year when competition came in and more serious businessmen erected shops like the ones in Manila.

Fortunately, I did not dwell on the worldly things that I gained. What I considered to be of highest value is the decision that I made. Without that decision, I would have never earned those.

I can still remember that day when I went on even if there was resistance from a known person. After that, every time I want to do something good and fair and people will say I cannot do it, or if any other resistance comes in, I would tell myself "Glenn, don't go home".

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Book: Fish!

This thin book is a fable about a demotivated and weary people and area in a company and how it was transformed into a happy and inciting one. This is a simple leadership book that can help not only leaders in offices but also in any type of workplace -  and outside of it too!.

The ingredients based from it are:
1. Choose your Attitude.
2. Be present
3. Play.
4. Make their day.

The said ingredients to a better workplace are basic and inside the book are explication of them. On our Toastmasters meeting, "Attitude" was used as a word for the day and what is catchy is when he said that "it is contagious so be careful what you catch". The author made is easy for us to understand the importance of it and that the other 3 are nothing without it.

The first book about leadership that I have read is also a fable - "The Monk who sold his Ferrari" by  Robin Sharma and I will follow other coming fables that is about self help and leadership.

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