What I’ve Learned
The writer in me had to grab this opportunity to actually write something.
Let’s call it for what it is — cliché — but this has been one hell of a year. Yet as I have anticipated in 2016, it has to be that way. As I saw it, the year has to be, in some degree, “radical” enough to create change that will spur life forward faster. Most of these changes had to be made by the man himself — me. With the choices made, consequences must be faced.
But radical changes in life are not always planned, chosen, or expected. I remember what I’ve discussed with an old friend days ago: It is the adjustments that we do swiftly and with utmost urgency that drains us, and ultimately, changes us in forms that we do not fathom.
This year has been a mix of both planned and abrupt changes. The only recurring of these are the lessons I acquire. Put simply, this blog are the insights that turned into lessons. Good thing I have a 2017 planner (and my camera roll) that helps me remember what had transpired this year.
1. At some point, you have to move on from your first job.
The land where you are currently rooted in will be infertile one day. At some point, you have to leave — in order to grow.
Evolution has given us legs to move around and look for more suitable places to thrive. And although the lack of claws and fur has driven humans into staying together for survival, the unforgiving environment made us realize that acquiring new set of skills can increase its chances.
The Philippine society and work setting (regardless of industry) is an unforgiving place — to make it out alive, learn everything fast and constantly look for more opportunities.
2. A simple “Kumusta?” can save a life.
In a world where you can conveniently check your friends lives in your news feed, people have forgotten the power of truly interacting with someone. Technology has made us complacent in creating and nurturing the bonds of friendship —seeing what they do and where they are is not entirely being on the same page with their lives.
Sadly, this complacency has made people lose some of their friends to depression and suicide. But believe me when I say that technology can help us discern clutter and details. Behind the seemingly perfect selfies and IG posts are micro-moments that tell a more sober, sad moments in one’s life. My profession has made me sensitive to patterns and trends in tons of data, but genuine concern fuels a friend to understand contexts deeply.
A ready, empathetic ear can be a guiding light in moments of despair.
3. It’s easy to find a niche, but difficult to make it yours.
Reality will bite you the moment you step into the workplace. Those things they say in college about you won’t be the smartest guy in the company? It’s all true.
But it isn’t a bad thing. In fact, this is an important tip that you need to know as soon as possible — it helps you find a way to stand out. Whether you aspire distinctiveness, relevance, or recognition, you will need to find your niche.
Your niche is the part of the wall where you want to be on. You believe that that is your specialty, calling, or place in the world. And it’s easy to find or transfer to another niche. What’s difficult is owning that niche — to associate oneself to that particular skill or activity.
Talent will only give you so much, but resolve will take you to further. So when you find your niche, learn that you should do your best to continue without any regrets.
4. To be a better planner, master the tools.
I have always understood this concept since reading The Art of War in high school. A general must understand the economy and the terrain well before laying any plans out.
But understanding its concept may not be able to shield you when you encounter it first hand. In my case, I re-learned the concept the hard way — in the midst of a job interview.
Before that, I was set in becoming a planner, eager to take the reigns of a brand and steer it according to what I know about advertising and marketing. But the interviewer made sure that I know my place — that my eagerness does not equal with my current knowledge and experience.
I realized that I am simply unqualified for my dream — yet. To be a better planner, I need to master the weapons people use day-to-day. The sharpness of once’s sword, the depth of a thrust using it, the feel of its handle, all are essential.
After that, making an effort to understand the intricacies of design and utility became a must-do. Google, Facebook, Twitter, Analytics, various SEO tools and insighting tools — now, my exposure to these matter as much as my strategy.
I didn’t get into that company, but I sure am glad that I tried — and I learned. The dream of becoming a planner is still there, but now, I don’t mind taking a longer route to get there.
5. Showing up is already half of the battle.
“One day, you’ll get your spot in the industry. Right now, sinusubukan mo. That’s what matters.”
This is one of the notes on my planner that I’ve written for myself. I wrote this the night before a big job interview last July. Worrying too much, I wrote this to calm myself down.
Fear of failure — it strikes even the prepared, sometimes paralyzing bodies and systems in the process. But the outcome is not what entirely defines us; it is showing up to the venue and stepping up to the challenge that forms our character and sets up to become who we are supposed to be.
In the end, overcoming failure is just part of the long journey to success — but overcoming fear is the root of it.
Eventually, simply showing up in those job interviews guided me here. In the midst of uncertainty of outcome, I found refuge in knowing the amount of courage it takes to still try. Sometimes, that alone, is worth it.
6. Recognize and celebrate the fragility of being human.
Most of the lessons above talk about making it in life, or achieving some kind of success. But I’m sure we don’t chase our dreams all the time — there will be times of doubt, sadness, regret, or sometimes, long spells of laziness. In a world where being good or being happy is a lot of work, consider momentary but numerous rests as kindness to oneself.
In my case, I found the joys of being human in the time of disappointments. Being unemployed and heartbroken isn’t a nice combo for this man. I tried to find refuge among things and small moments, mostly, in K-Dramas and other TV series that I binge-watched. I sought those “kilig” moments in the k-dramas that I watched, while I loved the suspense and humor of western shows.
I removed myself from the shackles of ambition for a few hours a day so that I can indulge in what is quintessentially human. I allowed myself to get distracted, and I bathed in it.
Emotions — being human is and should be filled with it. Being human is recognizing defeat, accepting a loss, and allowing yourself to wallow in it. It is also about excitement even in the most trivial things. Moreover, it is coming to terms with your imperfections even if the world doesn’t always honor and condone it.
7. Gravitate towards love.
What better way to end a year-ender post with a few personal points on love. 2017 was a whirlwind, but if there was a unifying thread between triumphs and tragedies, it was love. Even the lessons above are lessons made from choosing love and accepting its consequences. The decision to leave a workplace to get better — love for growth. The choice to let people go and the struggle to live on without them — it was because of love.
Because love isn’t just about someone’s happiness. If it was just that, people could have easily found it in the past because they just had to know where the fun is at. But it is a myriad of things. It can be sacrifice, inspiration, commitment, growth, candor, frustration, sadness, fulfillment and more in between.
Even this blog is from my love of writing, marketing and insights. Most of the featured campaigns here have shown love in one way or another. I learned that no matter how good the insights are, you still have to make your campaign fundamentally human. That way, we can all connect and eventually understand one another.
So gravitate towards love. Find what makes you want to continue and stop at the same time. Find not what only makes you happy, but what makes you human. And as you gravitate towards love, you will realize that you gravitate towards life itself.
