Efren "Bata" Reyes

This morning, I watched a replay of a game which starred Philippines' best billiard player ever Efren "Bata " Reyes with Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit. It is a Mixed double match which happened last December 3rd at Nuvo City, Libis, Quezon City in Philippines. Bingkay is a fan of him and plays well also. Young and aggressive, their opponents also looked very confident and they don't have reason not to be as they dominated the early stages of the fight. Bata and Bingkay won over the Korean who looked very much in control in a race-to-nine finals match.

In that match, those that catched my attention are the following:

1. One very obvious thing about Efren is that he is not getting any younger. He already misses shot he would easily sink before, but he can easily recognize the situation and what to do in each situation he is into. I remembered an interview with Efren where he said that he may miss long shots but billiard [strategies] are still with him.

2. Thanks to the high quality sound of the mic during recording, I can hear Efren give options to her but find it hard or maybe it was something she haven't tried even in practice. Maybe he used some strategies that are beyond her capability. I know she has learned a lot from Efren thoughout the tournament.

3. She makes mistakes but still Efren can just easily laugh at it. He probably knows that they can still manage to get back after some mistakes and it takes away nervousness knowing that she won't be blamed.

4. There was also a time when he just told her that she can just place the cue ball where ever she want it. This is a very motivating thing to hear - showing that he is confident to whatever move she will make and that in case anything wrong happens, he can find a way to get it right.

Having a leader with a lot of experience spells the difference. I had experienced superiors and mentors, I gain a lot from them and it made my life easier. Herein are some of the reasons I want to talk to people with experiences expecially those which I would not want to harness. I listen a lot and implement the things that I know can help me also.

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The Least?

Still from our last (third) Badminton Tournament this year, based on skill level, as a group, all other teams considered us the least. We are a group with 3 pairs. Men’s double, mixed double and women’s double. We are mostly expats so we have to make the tournament a bit short to prevent conflict with holidays.<>

Our team captain is good and has a lot of experience in this game; I just helped him in coaching and motivating our other team mates. And the other four are mostly new players but the main thing is that they listen. What I did was to focus on their strengths. We gave chance for the beginners to be a part of the fun and because they listen, they managed to win games even if their opponent is better.

The team captain, Mang Jun usually tells them what to do with their racket and I focus on their mind setting. My team mates would usually say at first that they will lose because their opponents are better than them, and that is my cue for motivating them.

The team captain scouts the next opponents and gives instructions to our team mates. I do the analysis of the points we have earned and needed to get to the finals. As I see it, because of the efforts we have given while not playing, it makes it easier to handle things on the court. The champion team just had a lot more experience and talent than our team but we made it to the finals and nobody expected us to make it as the runner up.

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MIP

In our first badminton tourney this year, our team was not that successful. On the second one, our team won the title but I was not a major part of it. On the third one, after much research and practice, I have managed to play in the Men’s double where the better players are and also participate in coaching. Though I am ranked lowest in that division, at least I managed to step up my game and filled in a slot where the better ones play.<>

I have always been keen on improvement on many aspects of my life. In our badminton club, from the last mini-tourney we have, I was named the most improved player. Many have improved but I probably showed more interest in it, looking at video tutorials and listening from the people who plays a lot better than I am.

I am just fortunate that there is such an award but I would make improvements even if there are none to be given. All I want is to move out of my comfort zone and check my capability. Many things still to improve at but at least I have made my first moves.

Another thing where I have moved out of my boundary is using my skill/talent in motivating. It is part of my job and it was not easy at first to as my team mates are also managers of other companies. Sometimes is tough to make people do what is right and would want to do it their way. It should be just for fun, but having a passion of being a coach/teacher, I just used this opportunity to use what I have learned.

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Transition

When new things are added to my task or when I am making self-improvements, I have this feeling of uneasiness and my heart also beats differently. I usually go out of office and go to other KKK sites/factory to make myself busy with other things. It takes time before I get a hold of the new situation I am in or new load that is given to me.<> During that period, the main thing I do is keep thinking that I can do it and everything will be OK. I look at it positively as I know I am moving out of my boundary. The criticality of what has to be done depends how long I have to bear the said feeling. Sometimes there are waiting time and I just make sure I focus on other jobs that needs to be finished.

When it is done, things will be at normal again. I may feel uneasy and sometimes gets nervous, but I like that feeling as I know, when it is over, I moved out of my comfort zone. I know that I will have new things coming simply because I look for them and always think about expanding knowledge and gaining more experience on different areas of either work or personal matters.

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Defense-less

In GlaxoSmithKline as a Plant Mechanic for some years, I have faced a lot of problems and had a lot of critics. Some gave constructive criticisms and of course there are more people who always give comments that are very offensive - some true and some are based on their opinions. I also got into arguments/debates because of it exerting all efforts to prove myself right.<> I have to admit I made a lot of mistakes then but hearing cruel words is really not helpful and ruins my day. I had enough of it that I looked for ways not be annoyed by such but found none.

When I had experienced my biggest problem in that company (I was blamed - big time), there was nothing I can do then but to shut my mouth up. While recovering from that misfortune, I continued to stay quiet. Many more problems came and lots more criticism, I then realized that nothing happens when I ignored them. Time passed by and I saw the mistake I had having to protect myself from those type of people.

From then, I promised myself not to be affected by such. I said to myself that if they say something that is not really happening, I’ll ignore it and not argue. If what they say is right, even in an offensive way, I’ll just accept it. Some gave negative comments but I just looked at it as something to improve at or to correct - if what I did is really wrong. Later, as I ignore them they also halted from criticizing my acts.

I have not been very reactive for long time now, and from an email subscription is this quote from Pathways to Perfect Living which I would like to share:

"You need not defend yourself against anything. Whatever is true in you does not need defense, and whatever is false must have no defense. Do not wear yourself out in useless defense, instead, wisely permit the defeat of falseness. What remains will be right."

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Opinions/Suggestions

I have a subordinate who is an idealist. We had lots of discussions/debates already and if it isn’t technical, we usually end up with me saying “I will just take it as an opinion of yours.” He doesn’t like the idea that he wants to continue arguing until I say those magic words. What it really means is that I have been there and most likely I know what the outcome will be.<> One of those days where we had a good chat, he opened it up and asked me why I don’t want to have debate and honestly tell him the reason. I gave him example of the things that transpired from what ever thought he had and was enlightened when he realized that what I said would happen is closer to the ideal idea he has.

This guy also asked me how people can follow him when he is sure of the idea he has and proven effective. He even gave an example as he gave an advice to a friend of ours where he had almost the same experience where he did the right thing. I took me a lunch time; I knew I have an answer from what he said. Finally, when lunch is over, we have to drive to work and asked him, “what if I tell you that the effective way of making people do what you want is study psychology and reading a lot of leadership books, would you read and study?.” His answer is that he may or may not. And that is exactly my point I said. We all have a choice and sometimes most people think differently from us and would have choice different from what we think is the best one. I continued that all we can do is make suggestions and let the individuals decide for themselves. For that specific issue, he pulled out other things that are more realistic than ideal until we got to the factory.

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Solving Problems

I have been telling stories about the progress of my relationship with my superintendent. I came to the factory 14 years after he started so it was not easy for me to slip into their system. We have been doing fine working together. It has gone better now that he already put me into picture of what is happening around the plant and his jobs and in full detail.<>

I never forced him to follow me, instead I showed him that though I am more than 10 years younger than him, I have the capability to make things happen, get root cause faster for machines and solve problems even on personal matters. I am also the mediator when they cannot tell if the main problem is electrical or his division – mechanical.

Now that he is more open to my ideas, I also make sure he grows in terms of management. It is not that easy for him as he was a hands-on person but with the aid of my stories and experiences, he is little by little moving out of it and moving a step higher. We had a lot of chat made especially on how to handle things around the plant, not only problems but also the people around us. We also have chats on what improvements he wants. He also wanted to learn AutoCAD and I helped him with it also.

Every time there are thing(s) that bothers him or problem that he needs answer, he would approach me. I like the way he starts our conversation, that is, he would tell me that he has a problem and he is sure I can solve it in 1, 2 or just 5 minutes.

“The quickest way to gain leadership: problem solving”
- John Maxwell
Developing the leader within you.

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Mind Reading

Some of my friends say I read minds because usually, I would know what their next steps would be or what they think about a certain topic. I told them that I really do not possess any magic but it is just learning how their minds are programmed. Also, I think that it is a product of the wide range of books that I have read.<>

I have been programming (just a hobby) for quite sometime now. Seeing and making just the program, I can easily picture out the end result. My “mind reading” is just the same as reading a program of the mind. Whenever I know the content of the program of the mind and its settings, it is easy to know their judgment will be or what next moves they will make. Though not very accurate, it's a big factor.

One thing to know how they think and how they would react on certain things is being keen on the things that they treasure most and how they are raised. I would usually be keen on listening on things, events, people and stuff that are most significant to them. Reading books, especially on the topic of psychology, also helped me a lot as they provide good guides on how to know people. With it, I can tell what decisions they will make or just what on their minds are.

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Chess

One of the games that I love playing is Chess and I have been playing it since high school. I am not very good at it but have won few games with the tough ones. At work, I see some parts of it kind of like playing chess. Like each piece has its importance and has its main use. The board is filled with characters that need each other to reach the main goal.<>

In a factory set-up, we have these apprentices which are those with can later be promoted to something should he persevere in getting it but of course, it needs my push also for him to get it. I also have tradesmen that help these pawns and protect them. The superintendents are my right hand personnel that make sure all subordinates work fine and they are also the main persons that I can count on when needed. I would delegate thing to them that they can do most and where critical matters are. My main task is to put them where they will needed most; make sure that they have resources to accomplish jobs and that they are motivated enough to face the challenges ahead. Like chess, we do not know when opponent e.g breakdowns, will attack us so the best we can do is to prepare for it. With the randomness of the events, I sometimes would find myself taking off my personnel from one job to another that I know have much importance compared to what they are already working at.

Behind the board, I would prepare more as I do not know other challenges that may come, but with experience, I can tell what we can check to prevent future damages. Planning is everything. Always at least a step ahead, keeps me calmer in facing each day. I really have a great deal of battling with procrastination and I always think that not doing so will cause me more problems. Troubles are inevitable, but handling them is what I am mastering.

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Listen/Observe

Below is a fable that I have read and this one clings to me simply because I can relate to it:

A little bird was flying south for the winter.
It was so cold, the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field.
While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.
Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him!

Management Lessons:
1) Not everyone who drops sh*t on you is your enemy.
2) Not everyone who gets you out of sh*t is your friend.
3) And when you're in deep sh*t, keep your mouth shut!

Lesson number 1 defines me that is why I can still remember this even if I have read this long time ago. Some people find me cruel that I mock at the people. When I speak differently or harshly to a person, it only means that he/she is a close friend. I am not sure if they already observed it but I am a person who will be there when they need me and would give all that I can give to help. My advice sometimes may sound cruel, but if they are listening attentively, they will see that it is for their own good and I am trying to help. This applies not only to my friends but also my relatives and co-workers. I tried to be gentler but after some time, it still bursts out.

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Knocking Truth

I have been looking for ways to tell some person how to open up first before I give them advice. Most people just ask for them but don’t want to work on it if it is different from what they have in mind. I know that what I can tell can help them; unfortunately, most of them hang on to what they believed in. Sometime, even if what I say is very relevant and had a personal experience, they would ignore them if it is not the same they want to hear. What I normally do is wait for the right time that a person is opening his mind to new ideas which doesn’t happen often.<>

Last night I have heard passages from an audio book of Wayne Dyer and before starting on with the main thing he wants to send he narrated the story of “The Lost Son” from the teachings of Buddha and he said:

“A young widower, who loved his five year old son very much, was away on business when bandits came who burned down the whole village and took his son away. When the man returned, he saw the ruins and panicked. He took the burnt corpse of an infant to be his son and cried uncontrollably. He organised a cremation ceremony, collected the ashes and put them in a beautiful little bag which he always kept with him.

Soon afterwards, his real son escaped from the bandits and found his way home. He arrived at his father's new cottage at midnight and knocked at the door. The father, still grieving asked: "Who is it?" The child answered, it is me papa, open the door!" But in his agitated state of mind, convinced his son was dead, the father thought that some young boy was making fun of him. He shouted: "Go away" and continued to cry. After some time, the child left. Father and son never saw each other again."

After this story, the Buddha said: "Sometime, somewhere, you take something to be the truth. If you cling to it so much, even when the truth comes in person and knocks on your door, you will not open it."

This is so true and I am enlightened hearing it. This as this is very nice story to start with just in case they ask for serious advice or probably narrate it when I start a mini-seminar.

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Level up

Work – as I talk to more experts on other field, my view gets broader. I don’t see learning as just adding a knowledge 1 at a time as you gain them rather I see learning more to be added incrementally. When I gain knowledge, there is usually a parallel instance of it in other field and that is usually what I look for. Not only that my knowledge gets at least a level higher but also my creativity is boosted whenever problems arise. I really try to use all the gained things I have to produce solutions making it easier and easier to solve problems or produce something for improvement of the factories.

Computer – when asked what my hobby is now, my answer would be - programming. My last blog is about my laptop and in it is a web design tool. Web designing involves a lot of applications like photo editing and flash. Just had few tutorials and I am already making a quite neat website which I will place here later. As I have done some programming before, learning other programming language is not that easy but fortunately, I can cope with them. In Autocad, I have been using them for years, but the new set up as of 2009 is very different environment that I have to cope with.

Badminton – as with any games, I just think of me as the only enemy I have. Instead of focusing on winning and on the weaknesses of my opponent, I focus on improving myself. Win or loose, as long as I am taking risks on shots made, practicing more, getting fit and doing what I have planned to improve at, it is already a win for me. But in spite of not being keen on just winning, getting better with my games makes my level higher and now already playing with the better ones and giving them a good game… win or loose.

Friends – Here in Papua New Guinea, I made a lot of friends and acquaintances with different personalities. As my friend Jun noticed, I am a very flexible person that can talk and play with the matured ones down to the kid’s level. I can also play almost any games that we have here. For them, what I practice is timing on jokes and giving more advice in a level that they can understand.

Family – though away, I know that my communication skills have gone better, and still keep on improving them. I and my wife have less arguments as we had before and things, same as at work, problems can be solved easier now. She is very supportive of me now than ever before and same with me to her. Arguments don’t last long now. My kids listens to me when I speak (trouble is that I am usually away from them.)

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Softwares

During my holidays, I just bought a laptop for me to regain things that I have learned before which I haven’t used for long time and learn new things. It may be near low end but it can do the job. It will be photo editing and website designing this time. As some one who likes to be an architect/graphic artist before, I think now is the time to relive the passion I had in terms of arts and I would say these are good venues to put them in.<>

When I was a kid I like drawing and looking for art pieces such as paintings. I have never been to a contest as there are kids that are better than me and not shy to join. I also love looking at beautiful pictures even then and I envy those who can capture them well. I wanted to take pictures and paint even before but cannot afford one.

Now that things are going smoothly in terms of work and other extra curricular activities I currently have, I believe I can have time for such. When I had a chance, I bought a camera (digital; compact only) for me to use and I have been taking pictures lately, I see that what I have are already good ones, but looking at it closer, there are flaws to fix.

I like colors and pictures, and being good at photo editing is a good thing to gain in such a way that it can boost my creativity. I just hope I am not old enough to start it over again but at least doing what I love is already an accomplishment and I find it stress relieving also. The website designing on the other hand is also a thing to also improve creativity and probably a place to put my future creations.

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May '09 Holidays

I had a great 3-week holiday in the Philippines. I and my family went from places to places, buying needed things for family and things that I have to bring in PNG. It has been more than 6 months since I left my country and found a lot of things that have changed. My focus then is for me and my family to have fun and enjoy the time we are together.<>

Unfortunately, my kids went to summer classes that hindered us to go far from home. My kids insisted that I send and fetch them. We just maximized time after school. I am glad to hear and see the improvement in them. I brought them to places that I know they would enjoy. I know that the place doesn’t have to be very special, but knowing my kids, I know exactly what they want. Of course, taking pictures is part of my itinerary. Below are some of the places we’ve been.

Below is a huge ground where I brought the 2 kids so they can run around. It appeared too big for them but they got what they wanted - running, running and more running. This is in University of the Philippines. We wanted to come here for 2 reasons, Gio and Jahn to Play and taking pictures of the scenery.

The city where I live in, San Pablo City is also known for its 7 Lakes. The one that is more famous is this - Sampaloc lake (Sampaloc means tamarind in English). I wanted to come here because I see the view to be relaxing. I took a lot of good pictures from here and this one is my favorite.
This may be a small resort, but I am hapy to see my kids swimming. The 2 kids are afraid of the water and with the aid of their classmates, they also had fun on the water.
Have been to this floating huts when I was still a bachelor. I find this place nice, the kids liked the placed and my wife - the food.
Going out is fun especially for the kids as they are both can already appreciate the things they see. Bonding with family is good problem I had – parting time.

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Spare Time

Having personnel to attend night shift was an issue then in Glaxo. When it was settled, what I did was just look for something positive for us being there at night time. In Engineering and Maintenance department, usually personnel in the ranks would just wait when there is trouble to work on. What to do with their spare time is up to us.<>

In Glaxo, when free, we have an internet access which I used so I can learn new things aside form the time to time surfing for the things that is related to my job. I learn to do some 3d animations. I also learned how to make a website and did visual basic programming. Though I don’t recall all of them, knowing the basics made it easier for me to understand other programming languages. I reaped the benefit when I studied PLC which is a high form of programming in the electrical world. I also had a chance of using the intranet’s online courses. Things like Communication and Production operations were part of the choices and it did help me a lot. I did made the most out of my spare time. Even in breaks, I would listen to funny to people to be relaxed and have fun or listen to matured ones to gain knowledge.

Now, it is more of applications of what I have learned, but I still work on improving what I have and continuously learn more. Spare time is usually time to relax and learning for me. I make sure they are balanced as doing one of them often would be boring. I spend them wisely that I would use all the resources around me to learn, grow and make life easier.

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Giants

My co-workers and friends sometimes ask me question(s) about life. Like them, I sometimes would be amazed with myself with the answers that I give them. I would not take credit for the words that I used and tell them where I got it – author and/or books, if what I am narrating to them does not come from my personal experience.<>

Leveling up in terms of maturity did not happened to me by chance. Aside from my experiences, it is a product of the written scriptures that the Masters I have followed have written and spoken (e.g audio books.) Doing this makes it easier for me to see what other cannot. Names like Tony Robbins, Robin Sharma and John Maxwell are just some of the few who have influenced me to be the person I am now in terms of leadership and regarding life.

As I learn more from them, I also try to impart that knowledge to people who needs assistance and advice. As time goes by, the quality of help I have been giving, in my opinion, improves. Though I know I still have lot of grounds to cover, I am very happy and very thankful when I hear people say that I am wise and/or smart.

“If I can see farther than others, it is because I am standing in the shoulder of the giants”

- Isaac Newton

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Relief

We went out of Lae last Easter and it gave me a different sense of easiness. Looking at the scenery on our way to Goroka, even with the long drive ahead of us, gave me calmness not same as the relaxed feeling I have while making decisions and solving problem.<> Not thinking of and away from work even for a day helped me relieve whatever is in me that I have carried for a while.

Even though I stay calm at work, hearing and seeing adverse events still produces these little things called stress. Stress is something that will come to us inevitably and for me, relieving and handling it is what matters. Instead of letting it build up, best to let it off before it produces problems. I may usually be relaxed but in case pressure builds up on me, I would always have outlets and going some place new to me will be one of them.

I would like to have rests like the Goroka trip we had, maximize time and go somewhere whenever I can. Carefree, I was like a kid then playing with the offspring of my friends, taking pictures and being amazed by the views. I felt like a different person coming back to Lae after the trip. I am very close to my 3-week leave and I would also want my family to experience the same – to just have fun and enjoy wherever we will plan to go.

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Not what you know

One thing I like about boarding in a new company is the Orientation day/week. This is where I have to be introduced to the personnel in the whole factory. Being in Engineering and maintenance, I have to deal with almost all the groups there is on the factory. So when they are introduced, I would remember names of the main people who I’ll be working with. One thing I would ask is their expertise.<>

Knowing them really makes my life at work easier. I would not know everything in a company, but I should know the people who can help me. In a company, when you are not the authority in a field, some times, no one would dare listen to what you say - even if you are right. Knowing the expert, asking them and making them say to the concerned parties what you think is a better way to say what I want. Sometimes, you don’t have to be the one to do most of the job but the one who understands the best.

In case of a deadlock with other departments, I would go to the higher authority. In Glaxo, we would ask for the help of the ones who makes rules and the more experienced people outside of the Cainta Plant e.g. Singapore Site. I may not even know them personally, but knowing that they exist already has helped me in winning debates. I have done this as I am not keen on taking credits anymore. As long as things will happen the way I want it, it’s fine to me for them to be the hero.

There are times when in dealing with a problem or some decision have to be made, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. I later found a more elaborated version and it says “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know and what you do with who you know.”.

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New Addiction

We had a chance to go to out last weekend to Goroka, a small town that is known for coffee. It is still in PNG but at least it is 300 km away from Lae (more than 4 hours of driving.) Found lot of things to take pictures of and got busy with them. Since I went to 8 mile and taken good photos, I have been imagining things that I want to take pics of.<>

Below are my favs from our latest journey. I have been experimenting and making sure that the subject would not look like hanging/floating.

Time consuming - waiting for the right time taking pics with insect in it but it's worth it.

I knew I bought an old book on photography and dug it out of my big box full of books. I located it and checked what other subjects can be taken. I got hold of great tips as the book is entitled "Learn from the Experts" and found it very motivating.

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Practice Makes Perfect

Background: most Filipinos, which are at least are high school graduates, understands great deal of English. Unfortunately, due to not practicing, they are very afraid to speak with this foreign language. Most Filipinos are also very keen on English grammar that when you speak to them, usually they are just waiting for your errors.<>

In Glaxo, about 5 years ago, I had a chance to work with a British bloke, Raphael Dixon, when I was tasked to undergo training on the new Purified Water System (PWS) the company acquired. I cannot talk to him continuously at first. That time, I really wanted to increase my confidence in speaking with foreigners and we also need it during audits. Having a lot of foreign friends, I asked my wife, Joecy, how to deal with them. She looked very enthusiastic to answer my question and said that I just have to be frank, if you forgot the word, do a sign language or ask if he/she knows what you are talking about. She also added that they are not keen on grammars.

Upon hearing the tips, I talked to Raph more, and even if I make lot of errors, I just to kept with his pace of speaking. Seeing that he doesn’t mind my mistakes gave me more confidence but I still made sure to improve it. About a year and a half since then, I am surprised when Raph suddenly mentioned that I have improved a lot since we first started talking and that the way I talk is totally different.

After some more time of working with him, the two of us went to a hotel bar one night, ordered some drinks and talked. The lady bartender heard our chat and curiously told me that she thought I am a Filipino. I said “I am, why?” She replied hesitantly, “Because you sound much like the one you’re with”.

Note: The 8-ball picture above is drawn in AutoCAD 2008.

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Dream Photos

On Palm Sunday, my friends went to St. Joseph Tech in 8 Mile to be a part of their kids’ summer camp. I have nothing to do that morning so I ended up coming with them. It is the last day and while they are in the hall with the kids during the short program, I stayed outside. I saw some good flowers and with the camera I have, I took pics of them. I tried some settings in the camera and found out how to capture picture which looks like the ones I found in magazines.<>

One type of photos that I love to see is subjects with blurred background. This can be done thru digital applications but seeing that I can do it without the use of editing and even with the not so very sophisticated equipment I have, I can already consider it as an achievement. Below are pics that I took when I learned this trick.

Click here to see pics from 8 mile.

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Communication 101

While in Glaxo, I was the one in charge of water systems. I have read thick books regarding it and spent time monitoring the process. In time, I have learned the whole system and easily I can detect things before it becomes a problem. Unfortunately, my manager then did not know the knowledge that I already acquired. I struggled telling them what has to be done or what made an incident happen but with negative result even if I am very sure of them.

While on a visit, I told what happened to one of our suppliers of water filters. All things he said regarding water system, I can understand. He would also agree on details I narrated to him. He smilingly told that what I need is for my hair to be grey. He had the same experience and he told me and when he got older and had almost all hair turn grey, most people believed in him. I told myself then that I don’t want to get that old before that happens.

I went thru an online communication course in the intranet and read books for such, I realized then that it is not the content but the approach that I used that probably caused the problem. I may be right, but making other people think they are wrong doesn’t help. Sometimes I am unaware of using a loud voice even if I am not angry. I was very surprised to hear that from my co-worker when we were having a simple chat.

After those, I have managed to lower my voice most of the time, even if the situation a bit adverse already. I have been calm and before reacting to situations, I would tell myself to speak politely no matter what. I have been successful with it and is more often automatic and people listens well to those that I am saying – without the use of grey hair.

Trivia: Studies have been done that show us the percentage of understanding that is gained from the spoken word. It is considerably less than the meaning that people gain from listening to a person's tone of voice and looking at their non-verbal communication. The percentage of how people accept what we tell them is as follows: 7% Spoken words (Content of what we say), 38% Tone of voice and 55% Non Verbal (Body language.)

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Book #5: Stop Worrying and Start Living

Worrying is one of my problems before. I am very afraid to make mistakes and can’t keep my focus on the thing I am working as I am always thinking what other people will think of it. Fortunately, I have read this book by Dale Carnegie and became aware of the mistakes I had. This is the second book from him that I read. How to win friends and Influence people is a very good one and helped me a lot in terms of dealing with other people and also as self-help.<>

Following the ideas and principles in it is also a great help in my personal life as I have been very cautious. Without worrying, I can do more. Being worry free, I have learned a lot more as I can talk to wiser person that I meet. It is also a great help for relationship and my wife, Joecy, have reaped some of the benefits of it and I have written them down to some of my other blogs.

At work, these helped me to be more relaxed… even in tough situations. Especially in the department I am have been my entire working years– Engineering and Maintenance. It is a department where a lot of problem is handed down. The principles and examples that Dale Carnegie has collected are priceless and are worth following.

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First Lessons

One thing that DMR kept on telling me, even until I came to PNG when I asked for some advice is “You cannot manage what you do not understand”. I have never understood it at first but I tried to remember it as I can sense that there is something big on those words of him. DMR is a generalist and not a specialist so he studies at least basics of the things that he handles. In our department in Franklin Baker, when any men under him are stuck in a problem, he is usually the person who has the answer.<>

Another thing that I learned when I just started working is that it is best to start from the bottom so that when you acquire a better/higher position, your men cannot make a fool of you. This is very evident as I have faced some subordinates that are good in their field i.e. air-conditioning. I really have to strive hard, learn the basics and later learned how industrial refrigeration and air-con works as it part of the Facilities department. After learning them, I can easily tell how to handle that part of our division.

In GlaxoSmithKline, I also have been a follower where my supervisor doesn’t have any idea on the division (facilities) he is handling and has no plans of learning things on his own and want everything to be “spoon fed” to him. He is bossy. I did not give him anything unless he asks. And a lot of trouble happened since then. Due to this, he was again transferred to other area where he is more competent. I have not been a good follower then and changed later, but the main thing that I learned then was that you should know at least basics of the area you have to handle or at least try to learn them.

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Lost Wallet

Just last month, I and my friend Jun decided to meet and eat in a fast food chain – Big Rooster. I came earlier and while waiting, I just thought calling Jun so I can order beforehand so when he comes, we are ready to eat. I grabbed my back pocket and felt no wallet in it. I went back to the car and did not see it in there. I called Norman, an office mate, to have a check at my seat and desk if it is there and he saw no sign of it.<>

Jun came and I told him the problem so he has to pay first for what we ordered. We discussed what happened and I told him what I already did. He was very worried and was very affected of what happened as I can see it in his face. I told him not to worry, if I lost it, worrying could not bring it back. I told him that I will just check all the other places where it may possibly be.

After eating, I calmly re-checked other parts of the office where it can possibly be. Not in there, so I checked the Boardroom where we had a meeting earlier that day. Still nothing, so I went home to check and found it in another of my jean’s pocket. I just smiled as it just meant that all day… I have no wallet in my pocket. I then sent a text message to Jun saying: “I found it. If I worried, I would have wasted some of my time.”

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Personal Healing

During my grade school years, I am very prone to diarrhea. Just a simple change in water source or some food that is unwanted in my stomach and I'm off to the throne. One day, I had one of those feelings again so I went to my mother and asked for the medicine that I usually take which is very effective. I went to the medicine cabinet and just picked up a blister pack and pulled one of them. I took the dose and immediately the problem is solved. <>

Later that day, my mother checked the medicine cabinet and asked me why the medicine is still there. I told her I took only one. She then said that there is only one left of that kind. I checked it and surprised when I found out that the blister pack where I took the tablet from is for headache.

Later when I felt the same thing, I just experimented and just think that I just took a medicine – the effective one, and suddenly, I felt fine. Sounds funny but I tried it in minor problems such as headache and mild fever and it worked well – no need for medicines. I have not consumed a lot of medicines since then. When an incident happens, I just have to say “it’s all in the mind”, just think that I will be fine and of course, a bit of rest and things turn out fine.

I have read books and listened to audio books of Deepak Chopra, an Indian-American medical doctor and writer, and on those are the theories behind the healing I have undergone. Below is the excerpt from one of his article and one that I always do remember:

“You have an inner pharmacy that is absolutely exquisite. You name it - the body can make it in the right dose, at the right time, for the right organ, with no side effects, and all the instructions are contained in the packaging.”

- Deepak chopra

Read the Deepak Chopra article: Why do I forget who I am? Part 1 and Part 2

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Habit #3

As the production side of the plant is running fine, I thought of giving lectures again to my personnel on technical matters. With it, I reviewed the things that I taught them when I was just starting here in K.K.Kingston. I then realized that it is better to ask them first what they want to become instead just giving them any technical mini-seminars.<>

Habit 3 from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly effective people is Put first things first. In that situation I knew that it is better to know what they want first and giving them sense of direction first before giving them any technical trainings. From my posts Habit #2, I knew where they wanted to be and asked them for the steps that they have to make in order to achieve it. These steps I told them are the things that we have to focus first to attain their goals.

Putting the 3 first habits together, I told them that we have been proactive in keeping the Saturday meeting/seminar/training work and that we have a vision of what we want to attain. In order to attain them we have to put first things first and focus on the things that have big impact in reaching their goals. I have been saying these words to them over and over and as I see, after that, I know that they are more than ready for the electricals, mechanicals and other things that may help them to reach their destination.

“The main thing is to make the main thing the main thing”
-Stephen Covey

Read post: Habit #1 and Habit #2

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The box

Beside every single task in my planner is a tick box which I use as an indicator if it is finished or not. It really keeps me moving as I don’t want these tasks to be left unfinished so I do lots of follow ups or do it myself if I can whenever I see an open one. I also write down even the small things that need to be done.<>

I don’t trust my memory and it has failed me lots of times. Seeing all jobs that need to be done, I can also easily do prioritizing. I still forget to write some things but they are sure to be manageable, urgent things should be well listed and finished the soonest time possible.

I really prefer it instead of the electronic task list as I can easily access it in from my desk and scan thru pages with boxes with no ticks or x-mark in it. Even though I am a fan of electronics, I only use them for listing new task when I am far from my office so that I would not to forget it. I will still later write them down on my planner – with a tick box beside it of course.

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A student forever

I remembered the time when we had a seminar on Kepner Tregoe’s Analytical Troubleshooting where the facilitator looks very successful and was proven by his achievements when he was introduced to us by the Plant Director. He is nearing 60 year old mark but doesn’t look like one. I told myself to talk to him during lunch time as I know that no one would dare get close to him. And at lunchtime, after ordering my meal, I looked at him and think twice for a while, but my motivation to talk to him is too much that I ignored the nervousness I feel inside.<>

We had a nice chat and knew that he is also an avid reader. He read some of the books that I have read and followed. At his age, he isn’t thru with learning. He still engages in enrolling on on-line courses.

Like him, I want to continue what I have started – continuous learning (thru reading self-help books plus talking to experienced people). I have learned a lot out of life and still learning more everyday. I appreciate even the smallest lesson I can have each day. It keeps me moving. Another thing that I do to gain more knowledge is sharing what I know. I also learn some things while sharing, either my mistakes or other people’s points of view. I promise to continue this while I can. When I am able, I would also go thru more seminars regarding things that can make me grow more either on-line or in institutions.

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No Coffee

My personnel complained to me that their coffee ration has depleted fast and that they would need more. I asked them when did they received them, and answered that it was given to them on Monday (three days ago). It is the same amount that they received for months now, but our number in Maintenance has been growing. I asked them if they knew that it will not be enough 2 days ago? They said yes, they knew that it will not be enough days ago.<>

I them asked them why they did not tell us 2 days ago? They cannot respond. I told them that it is the very same thing that happens in the factory. We usually order lubricants and spare parts when the stocks are all used up and they will then ask us to order right away because we need them. (We have a system in place but without full their cooperation, it would not work.) I continued and told them to relate what I said to everything in the factories and in their personal lives. Their faces cleared up after being a bit disappointed.

I asked them to tell us what may become a problem so we can sort it right away instead of waiting things to deplete and then go rushing to buy new stocks.

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Growing w/ AutoCAD

With the seminars that we had and due to the groups that I joined in college, I learned some things that are a hit for engineers that time - AutoCAD. When I had the chance to study them in Franklin Baker, I really did my best to master it. I read books regarding it and asked a guru, Cliff, who became a good friend of mine. He is a Mechanical Engineer and an expert in that software. Before leaving the company, I can already make 3D models of the manufacturing line we had – after almost 2 years. By drawing the whole system, I get to learn the whole process also. I also had good chats with the experts in the manufacturing process.<>

In GlaxoSmithKline, I have used it in Structural works. I have been updating the whole plant and am usually part of planning when there are modifications to be done. With me included in the planning, I learned a lot of how decisions are made and also the process of project management. I also have done 3D models of our boilers and instrumentations for training purposes.

Before going to PNG, I was sent to China for Paper factory training and had to do a layout using the same software. They had a copy of the software and loaded it to the laptop that we had. After installation, the IT guy told us that there is a problem and that is… it is in Chinese (no English translation of the commands). Confidently, I told the IT guy that it is not a problem and I can work on it. Finishing the task, everybody who knew that the software I am using is in Chinese was amazed how I made it. I just told them that the commands are in my head already and I don’t need to read Chinese in order to prepare the drawings.

Putting it altogether, here in PNG, I have to use all the acquired knowledge I gained in drawing and in talking to other people. I have learned that there is more to drawing than the picture itself. Nowadays, I would also do share to the people I talk to while I get the measurements of the things I have to picture out.

I have used AutoCAD R14 (Franklin Baker Co. of the Phil.), AutoCAD2000 (GlaxoSmithKline Phil.) and now AutoCAD 2008 (K.K.Kingston). The tools I used are mostly the same. It just gets easier to use and more expensive every time a new version comes.

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Customer Oriented

Monday, 17 Feb. '09, I knew that it was going to be a good day. I promised myself to go and and check out the other manufacturing sites first thing in the morning before going to base - Plastics factory. I started with Paper factory and bumped into an angry manager saying I forgot to send an additional mechanical fitter as he had requested. They already finished the job he continued and no need to send another.<> Before I can say sorry, he walked away. I also walked away instead of saying what I have in mind: "If a fitter is badly needed, why didn't he call us?". It is really is my fault but no need to worry after that... the job is finished already.

Though a friend, I just told myself to treat him as a customer and just follow the saying that "Customer is always right" to keep me from frowning. I know that I just have to come back when he regained his temper. I still went to the other factories and talked to some production personnel.

I went to my Superintendent and he told me that it also slipped off his mind. I told him that I have been in that factory and have heard what the manager has to say. I told him that, that angry man would not be the one to ruin my day. We just laughed about it and he told me that we should tell him that he is not a baby anymore and that he should stop crying.

That day, my boss told me that it is usually emotions that is driving our "customers", all wants need to be satisfied. And that he said, is also what he faces daily. Even though we have been doing things the right way, sometimes, more effort should be given for the needs of those type of people. I understood clearly what he said.

I ended my day very exhausted as there are orders that I followed, many decisions and delegations made. I even have to go for 2 hours of overtime as there was an urgent matter that needed to be sorted out. Though tired, main thing is that nobody ruined my day.

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Changes made

In GlaxoSmithKline, we have am annual team building. In one of those, we are divided into groups and we are asked to say 2 events that had great impact on who we are at that time. I didn’t want it to be dramatic. Before time limit expired I remembered the days when I was very shy and how I changed. I just smiled and volunteered to go first.<>

Event #1:
I was 7 or 8 then and we (me and my auntie) are just walking and have to buy something about 500 meters away from our house. While walking back home, we just stepped in front of a house where a birthday party is being celebrated. It was my cousin and they invited us inside when they saw us outside. Being very shy, I did not come in and just said alibis. I stayed outside while my auntie came in to check inside. Later, the birthday celebrant’s brother came out and brought a hotdog on stick to me. I did not accept it. My auntie got angry with me and told what happened to my father. My father also got angry and in a loud and angry voice, he told me to stop being shy. I got very nervous as my father big man and I am just a small kid. I am fortunate that I tried change after that. Little by little, I tried to mingle with other kids. It tried my best but it took me some years before I changed – about 5 years.

Event #2:
When I changed, I changed big time. When I was in 2nd year high school, I lost a lot of my shyness and have been with many people, learned and played lot of sports but have been a mocker in class. I spoke too loud often and roam around like a supervisor while waiting for the instructor. One day, in a game of chess, I boasted a classmate to make a move which is a wrong one. That guy thought that it is a good one and pushed the piece where I wanted it to be. He lost easily because of that, as I expected to happen. While I am about to go out of the room, that same guy shouted aloud and in an very angry voice that I am too rude. It hit me… and thought of it the whole day. That time I thought I have totally lost my shyness and that it is not good also. I promised my self to regulate my attitude and try to squeeze in some shyness when needed. The next day, I said sorry to that guy. After that day, I made sure that that incident would not happen again and became cautious of my words and moves that I will take. I am fortunate that it happened early as I changed and did not have much problem during my college days and up to now. End.

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Habit #2

One day, I just happened to ask Wonia, a fitter of mine, what the date that day is. He said “it is the 16th of January” and said that “time flies and we grow old very fast”. I smiled with what I heard and told him that I am excited to grow old because I already have an idea of what I will become on that time. I told him that I would probably have the things that I would like to have on that time, accomplished a lot of my plans and that it is just a matter of time before I get them. I already have a vision of what my future looks like, I continued.

Habit #2 from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is "Begin with the end in mind". Other would call it the big picture, other’s term is vision.

"Vision is defined as the ability to see beyond the present and to create what does not exist. A strong vision fuels passion and helps you transcend fear, doubt, discouragement and barriers preventing you from accomplishing your goals."

-Stephen Covey

Here in K.K.Kingston, I have a usual Saturday meeting and before I begin the technical trainings, I realized that I need goal setting first for my personnel. I made a form from which I asked them to write down what they want to become. I would like to know first where they want to go so I can show them the way. The other gives a long term goal and some short. I also asked them the steps they think can help them from achieving it. Others are too shy to write what they want so I told them my story.

In the post The Foundation I wrote: "I envisioned myself of becoming like him (DMR, a Maintenance Manager) managing both Mechanical and Electrical divisions and after 5 years of hard work, it came to life when I accepted the job here in PNG as a Plant Engineer."

I told them that I did not become a Plant Engineer by chance. I have been proactive enough to learn what is needed. From vision to reality, it is a great feeling to achieve something. It took me years to get it... but I got it. After the story, they became very enthusiastic on writing what they want to be and in adding the steps they will take. I gave them more of mine and other’s experiences that may motivate them, and they responded well.

Read post: Habit #1

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Behind the Scene

Blogs or weblogs may just be something to be read to many. For bloggers, this is a serious thing. I am still a newbie in this area but I have done a lot already to make my blog be better and gain viewers. Many said that very good content is the key but we all know that fist impression lasts and when presentation is not good, readers may not probably look at the good content you have. Listed below are the things that happened before this blog ended as you see it now.

Programming : Good thing for me, I have studied HTML programming before. I don’t have much problem when it comes to editing layout and the content. I had some problem when I changed the blog into 3 columns as it is only 2 by default. I encountered lots of problem in editing because many parameters can’t be accessed due to the change I made. I really want it to be 3 columns so I did all the research in order for me to have the look and contents I want. The “Continue reading…” part is also a modification which is created thru editing the HTML file. I really wanted it so that I can display more posts in a bit short window only.

Trials : The widgets (the things you see at the sides), would not look as consistent as this if I did not tried to modify them. I tried to make their width consistent as possible. I also did some modifications on the HTML file this has, thru trial and error, I ended up with this format. I also wanted some fonts to be bigger so I tried to change some of them and was successful, but not on the first try.

Traffic : Gaining viewers or traffic is never easy but there a lot of ways and it can be seen at Backlink page. I am affiliated with them as they promised to help gain visitors for the site, but with some catch of course. I have tested other sites that help bloggers but they are the best that brought me whatever traffic I am gaining now. I also became member of Blogcatalog.com and MyBlogLog.com where you can join communities and be friend with other bloggers.

Content : After I have finalized the format of the blog, which I think I would still modify later, putting the content was never easy… before. It takes me a bit of time to make a blog out of my previous experiences. After much practice, I can easily put into words all the things that I recall. This is the main ingredient so I would like to have each and every post something worth reading.

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Book #4: 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

The first book by John Maxwell that I read is “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”. I remembered that I read this book from the plane going to China as we have to go to a paper company and finished it on the plane going back three weeks after. I had fun time reading this as John has led some ministries. Yes, he is a church leader. He has a lot of experience and the contents of his book are something worth reading.

This is the first book for leadership that I read from cover to cover. Before this, I would just read articles in the internet or listen to audio books. It was easy for me to relate as I have been practicing leadership beforehand. I am very much encouraged because I can relate in many of his experiences and I learned a lot of new terminologies and motivational quotations from this book.

I would use the learnings I have from him as I have used it in my other posts. The way he presents the laws is different and as I read, I can sense his decision making and firmness even if his experience is more on ministries. Same with other books, I will be jotting down more experiences not only at work but also in my personal life that coincides with his teachings.

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Foundation

In Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines, I had a manager whom I learned a lot. He is also the main reason why I chose to pursue to stay in Engineering and Maintenance. I kept many things that he said and followed what he showed me. People treat him with respect and follows without questions.

His name is Danilo M. Reyes, better known as DMR. He’s the Maintenance Superintendent at that time. He knows detailed mechanical things and understands civil and electrical works. He is the type that would pull his sleeves up when needed and do hands on job in critical issues. He is very keen on documentation and follow rules.

He is the one who told me “In maintenance, you have to be a generalist and not a specialist”. I understood what he meant and have been following this for years now. As an Electrical engineer, this is the main reason I am delighted if any tasks other that electricals are given to me.

I dreamed of becoming like him managing both Mechanical and Electrical divisions and after 5 years of hard work, it came to life when I accepted the job here in PNG as a Plant Engineer. Even though the department I am in is a very challenging one, I know that the foundation he has given me, along with the other knowledge I acquired since then, will get me thru the coming challenges. I will be imparting other things that I learned from him in the coming blogs.

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The Rule II

After a year, I have a chance to drive to the other factory with James and asked him on the difference on the working environment that he has from his first year and when I boarded in K.K.Kingston. I am very pleased when he said that it has been a better place to work after I made some changes in the maintenance system. I also told them the next steps that we will be making and the opportunities in the factories we are working in and is very interested in the coming challenges.

On the same day, I have to go to a meeting with Chemical factory personnel where the topic is to have our maintenance fitter to work fully all on fitter’s job and to be relieved of production set-ups. We called in Tony, the fitter and the supervisors who will have to train people to take other jobs of Tony. They look nervous because of the additional jobs and I had an idea why. While giving people their respective new job, Tony is relaxed because he can do what he really has to and the supervisors aren’t. We at Maintenance also told them positive sides of the change but they are still speechless.

More talks, then I told them that I knew their previous manager and how he works. I told them that transition is not easy and that there can be failures at first but Tony as we promise will not leave them as long as they need him and until the operators are ready. I told them that there will be no blaming when mistakes are made and we will be there to help them when needed. They brightened up when I said about the no blaming rule that we made in the Plastics department that we implemented when I came. With that, they began to give suggestions and they reacted positively.

It has been months since then and Tony has been doing what he does best. I haven’t received any complaint and no major breakdown since the change was made.Case closed again.

Click here to see the post: The Rule.

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Strategy

Godfather: Mob Wars is a game in PSP that I have finished. It is composed of two parts, on of which is the Role playing, and the other one is a board game. The role playing is a common thing that is almost same as the other games in terms of controls. The main thing that has gotten my interest is the board game. Seeing how the board game is played, I easily recognized what to do as this type has happened to me a lot of times already in real life, only in different forms.

In the board game, the territories are divided into groups, which are controlled by mobsters. The rule is that in order to win I must capture all the other 4 clans’ territories. With this, the main thing I looked is how I can reinforce my territory and improve my men first. I know that it is easy to attack other places if have total control and have an established initial territory and then I plucked the others one by one.

As for my experience, I would like to learn other things. Doing this, I made sure I have to become highly knowledgeable and experienced on Electrical first, as it is major in college. After that, mechanical stuffs came and it was easier then as I only have to translate some electrical into its mechanical counterparts. Adding new knowledge became easier and easier for me, through the years.

Here in PNG, as Plant Engineer handling Equipment Maintenance of 5 manufacturing sites, I chose the most critical factory, which is Plastics. We implemented some policies and forms and motivated our personnel. After establishing it, we then use them in other factories and easily, we have expanded our territory.

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2 Things

On my first job, I have seen lot of things that I do not like such how the manager handles people and the working environment. Back then, I lived in Manucom residence in Quezon City. As I was saying my complaint then to my cousin EJ, my late uncle, Efren Manucom heard me and told me, “sa kumpanya, di ka dapat magreklamo” (translation: in a company, you should not complain), and he continued that there are only two things you can do in case you don’t like the company and those are <>(1) build your own company or (2) look for a company that will give you what you want. Because he is a good father and a successful Meralco employee, I followed what he said. With that, I saw that there are too many things I do not like in the company so I planned to leave. But approximately a month before leaving, I tried to gather all the knowledge I can get. I did not get much for a short period of time.

In the next job as an Electrical supervisor in Franklin Baker, since I began working, I tried to learn all that I can so I can be prepared should there be problems that I will see in the company. I even ventured on the things that are out of my territory such as mechanical equipment. After almost 2 years, as I gained a lot of knowledge plus experience, the time came for me to leave as I realized then that the company cannot satisfy my needs, no complain – I just left. And the cycle goes on and on but level of learning gets higher every time. Thanks to him, I rarely procrastinate.

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Book #3: How to Win Friends and Influence People

This has been my foundation in terms of dealing with people. Dale Carnegie has compiled a great collection of experiences and examples from him and thru research to make them easy for us to understand and follow. This is a great start for people who would like to lead or just simply make friends.

From my post: “problem”, the answer I told me friend came from this book. It is from the first chapter of the book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”.

As he said in it, all the principles can be written down in a piece of paper but giving real examples is one thing that can motivate the readers to follow. The big difference between this and other books on dealing with people is that he imply for us to do them sincerely. I learned a lot out of reading this book and learned more when I applied what I read.

I have been successful in sincerely dealing with people and I would always give credit to this book and the author. With this I read 2 more books he wrote which are also big help for me.

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Sticker

In Philippines, we have a means of transportation called a tricycle. It used to load 3 to 5 person and is used mostly in short destination only. When going to other places alone, I would rather commute instead of using the car. Going out of the subdivision or compound in Cainta, Rizal where I previously lived and worked, would require riding it. In it, there are stickers of jokes and quotes and there is one that I liked and is still in my head up to now.

In that sticker are the words: “There is no useless person; you can use him as a bad example.” I just smiled at the first time that I read it but as I see that quotation for some time, and as I see some bad habits of some of my co-workers, I began to change... just a bit though. I would promise my self then, not to do the things that I think are not good habits. The words are a bit rude that is probably why the phase were not written in books that I have read, but this one has changed me a bit on how to see people with bad habits. One thing that is advised when talking to difficult people is to ignore them, but with it I see them differently. I would usually tag them as a bad example. Especially if it is procrastination, I would check how they do it and do the opposite.

Before, it was not easy for me to tell if I don’t like other people’s attitude so I keep them and just tell my self not to do as they do. Nowadays, I would try to tell people their bad habits so that they would be aware. It is up to them if they will change them or not. I already have ways of telling it to other people without offending them.

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