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| Photo from my IG |
Speaking of GOALS, this blog post is all about it...
One thing you might not know about me is that I like making lists, and among all of the lists I make (grocery, shopping, to-do, etc.), listing down my goals is my favourite (well, I also really like making shopping lists). There was even a time when I list down my goals on a monthly basis and when I achieve all of them before the end of the month, I'd reward myself with a new shoe or bag. I'm that obsessed with goals.
And I don't think there's anything wrong with it.
Many weeks back, I was in the basement looking for some files when I found an old notebook in a drawer where I listed my long term goals just right after moving to Canada. (That was in year 2010 and I just graduated from university.) As I read through the goals I listed four years ago, I was amazed because I fulfilled most of those goals! And many of those goals I achieved within just a year or two -- which I didn't even realize until I saw the notebook again! I am aware that I have been making progress in my life, but it feels different when you stop and take a moment to savour your achievements, may they be big or small.
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| My drawing on the first page of the notebook. haha! |
So here are the goals written in my notebook (and their current status):
1. Take a related program at and earn a diploma from a Canadian college or university (achieved in 2012)
- Not only did I earn post-grad credentials, I also graduated with flying colours. I'm not sure whether I've mentioned this before already, but I always dreamed of graduating with Latin honours. Yes, very Filipino! It didn't happen in the Philippines, but it did happen in Canada! Even better, right? I don't think they have Latin honours in Canada, but I received a High Honours distinction -- which is just the same, just different names. My point is, if you didn't get it the first time, there's always going to be a better opportunity next time. For sure. You just got to believe in yourself. ;)
2. Find work (achieved in 2010)
- I was told that it takes an average of six months to a year to get a job in Canada, but I got my first job three months after my arrival. It wasn't exactly the job I wanted, and I quit that job after only three months, but it gave me the "Canadian experience" that I needed to be able to apply to other jobs; jobs which helped me save money for school and other plans and then eventually get a job at a Fortune 500 company, which I'm currently with right now.
3. Rekindle passion for baking (achieved)
4. Visit Europe before I hit 30
- I still haven't been to Europe, but I still have five years to fulfill this goal!
5. Start a small business (in progress)
6. Learn French or Spanish (achieved in 2011)
(Note: They say learning a new language helps in keeping your brain sharp as you age.)
7. Find a cause (achieved)
- When I was in university, I became very active in the student council, organizing events and a few community projects. I wanted to continue doing that after graduation, but I didn't know where to look for a cause to support after I left school -- until I realized that you don't really need to plan big projects or be a member of an organization to be able to help. All small good deeds count! So I made it a point to always donate any amount or give something back every year on my birthday. I'm happy that when some of my friends found out about my annual birthday cause, they said it's a great idea and will copy it! :D The company I am working for right now also has a philanthropy committee and I plan to join that as well.
- When I was in university, I became very active in the student council, organizing events and a few community projects. I wanted to continue doing that after graduation, but I didn't know where to look for a cause to support after I left school -- until I realized that you don't really need to plan big projects or be a member of an organization to be able to help. All small good deeds count! So I made it a point to always donate any amount or give something back every year on my birthday. I'm happy that when some of my friends found out about my annual birthday cause, they said it's a great idea and will copy it! :D The company I am working for right now also has a philanthropy committee and I plan to join that as well.
8. Live a healthier lifestyle (exercise more, eat healthy food, etc.) (needs continuous work)
- I am proud to say that my diet has been "soda-free" (meaning I haven't been drinking pop) for 6-7 years now, and it's a commitment I want to keep for the rest of my life. Originally, the reason for stopping from drinking soda was because of my migraine. As the years went by, though, not only did my migraine disappear, I also felt a big difference in my overall physical health. I also cut down my intake of sugary drinks.
When it comes to exercising, I don't exercise a lot, so working out at the gym for hours is just too much for me. To achieve the goal of exercising more, I really tried to discover the best kind of workout for me. I tried running, but I hated it. And then I discovered that I'm okay with brisk walking or just walking, so now I walk home from work. I also walk in the morning before work and during my lunch time. I do yoga as well -- both at the gym and at home. I am planning to take dancing next year, since I really like dancing too. Just like in all other things, there's no "one size fits all" workout. You just have to find the one that you are most comfortable with.
- I am proud to say that my diet has been "soda-free" (meaning I haven't been drinking pop) for 6-7 years now, and it's a commitment I want to keep for the rest of my life. Originally, the reason for stopping from drinking soda was because of my migraine. As the years went by, though, not only did my migraine disappear, I also felt a big difference in my overall physical health. I also cut down my intake of sugary drinks.
When it comes to exercising, I don't exercise a lot, so working out at the gym for hours is just too much for me. To achieve the goal of exercising more, I really tried to discover the best kind of workout for me. I tried running, but I hated it. And then I discovered that I'm okay with brisk walking or just walking, so now I walk home from work. I also walk in the morning before work and during my lunch time. I do yoga as well -- both at the gym and at home. I am planning to take dancing next year, since I really like dancing too. Just like in all other things, there's no "one size fits all" workout. You just have to find the one that you are most comfortable with.
9. If opportunity is given, take up Masters (trying to make this happen)
- Since the education I got from the Philippines is not "equivalent" to Canadian education, this might still be a bit complicated to achieve. But if there's a will, there's a way, right? I still don't know how I'm going to make this happen since taking Masters would cost me a lot of money as well, but I'll still push for it.
- Since the education I got from the Philippines is not "equivalent" to Canadian education, this might still be a bit complicated to achieve. But if there's a will, there's a way, right? I still don't know how I'm going to make this happen since taking Masters would cost me a lot of money as well, but I'll still push for it.
10. Buy a car (thinking about it)
- Okay, this one, I could have done years ago. It's by choice that I don't have a car right now, since I am prioritizing the mortgage. But I might have to get one in the near future.
- Okay, this one, I could have done years ago. It's by choice that I don't have a car right now, since I am prioritizing the mortgage. But I might have to get one in the near future.
11. Become a more peaceful person inside (in progress)
- I can't say that I'm a very peaceful person inside, since it's in my nature to overthink and overanalyze things, but I work on it every single day. I've always been a positive person, but there had been failures that made me feel a bit negative about life. Coming back to the Philippines last year definitely helped me become myself again and bring back the positivity in me. I sustain that positivity by ridding my mind of negative thoughts and meditating once in a while.
_________________________________________________________________
What's my point in writing all these? Before I found that old notebook, at the beginning of the year, I read a Forbes article about a study done by Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University. According to her research, people who write down their goals are 33% more likely to achieve their goals.
I guess that's just the way how the subconscious works. So to prove, once again, the power of goals, I did a little experiment in the beginning of the year. I wrote down all my goals for 2014 and decided to be mindful all throughout the year about my progress. I listed down general goals, then broke them down to sub-goals, which included my career goals.
Here are some of those career goals that I have achieved already:
Get a day job and continue freelance writing/producing on the side
- It took me half a year before I found a day job. I decided to get one because I've been freelance writing for a big media company for almost a year now, but the assignments came irregularly and I wasn't earning enough to stop living off my savings. I also like to diversify my work experiences. In this competitive world we live in today, learning as much as you can and acquiring new skills always come handy.
It took a while for me to find one because I considered two things when I was looking for a "non-creative" day job: it should be a big company and the pay and benefits package should be good. More than a month ago, I started working as an associate at a big American financial company and they pay well and have an amazing benefits package (even free massage, baby!).
Since writing is still what I'm passionate about, but it's really hard to get a full-time writing job, I decided to just do it on a freelance/part time basis (because there's a high demand for freelancers and contractors right now as well).
Apply for an internship with a Filipino publication in Canada
- I researched for over a month and also talked to experienced Filipino journalists in Toronto through LinkedIn to find the perfect opportunity. I found an internship posting for a nationwide Filipino publication in Canada. Only, the posting was two years ago. Instead of losing hope, I wrote a nice one-page inquiry letter to the editor and attached my resume to it (for her convenience *wink wink*). The editor responded to my email, asked me for writing samples and hired me. :) Now I'm in talks with the owner of the publication for a potential paid freelance or part-time job. :)
Get more stories published
- Through my internship and my other freelance job, I was able to get more of my work published.
Look for more freelance jobs
- Just a few months back, I was selected to take an exam for a freelance writing position at AdWeek in New York. I didn't get the job because there were more than 200 applicants and they were hiring only a few people, but I was still very happy to get to experience it. When I think of the fact that an editor of a well-known publication in (hello?) New York noticed me, it really felt like an honour. I also tried submitting one story I wrote as a student to an editor of an American magazine, and although the publication of my story didn't push through (because she wanted me to write another version and I wanted to keep the integrity of my story), I was very thankful for what that person wrote back to me about my story. And I quote:
My heart almost exploded in happiness when I read her email. Even though my story didn't end up getting published, now I know the value of that story (which I will still submit to other publications) and my value as a storyteller.
Because I keep trying, I also got interview opportunities with a few companies and I'm waiting to hear back from them right now. (THIS JUST IN: I just got a contract to work on a project, which includes a short documentary! :D)
So need I explain more how powerful goals are? The year isn't over yet and, again, most of my goals were already achieved. It may be true that writing down your goals and dreams help, but there's one thing that I know is for sure: if you know what you want and work hard to achieve it and you don't give up, you will discover the power within you that you never thought existed. ;)
- I can't say that I'm a very peaceful person inside, since it's in my nature to overthink and overanalyze things, but I work on it every single day. I've always been a positive person, but there had been failures that made me feel a bit negative about life. Coming back to the Philippines last year definitely helped me become myself again and bring back the positivity in me. I sustain that positivity by ridding my mind of negative thoughts and meditating once in a while.
_________________________________________________________________
What's my point in writing all these? Before I found that old notebook, at the beginning of the year, I read a Forbes article about a study done by Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University. According to her research, people who write down their goals are 33% more likely to achieve their goals.
I guess that's just the way how the subconscious works. So to prove, once again, the power of goals, I did a little experiment in the beginning of the year. I wrote down all my goals for 2014 and decided to be mindful all throughout the year about my progress. I listed down general goals, then broke them down to sub-goals, which included my career goals.
Here are some of those career goals that I have achieved already:
Get a day job and continue freelance writing/producing on the side
- It took me half a year before I found a day job. I decided to get one because I've been freelance writing for a big media company for almost a year now, but the assignments came irregularly and I wasn't earning enough to stop living off my savings. I also like to diversify my work experiences. In this competitive world we live in today, learning as much as you can and acquiring new skills always come handy.
It took a while for me to find one because I considered two things when I was looking for a "non-creative" day job: it should be a big company and the pay and benefits package should be good. More than a month ago, I started working as an associate at a big American financial company and they pay well and have an amazing benefits package (even free massage, baby!).
Since writing is still what I'm passionate about, but it's really hard to get a full-time writing job, I decided to just do it on a freelance/part time basis (because there's a high demand for freelancers and contractors right now as well).
Apply for an internship with a Filipino publication in Canada
- I researched for over a month and also talked to experienced Filipino journalists in Toronto through LinkedIn to find the perfect opportunity. I found an internship posting for a nationwide Filipino publication in Canada. Only, the posting was two years ago. Instead of losing hope, I wrote a nice one-page inquiry letter to the editor and attached my resume to it (for her convenience *wink wink*). The editor responded to my email, asked me for writing samples and hired me. :) Now I'm in talks with the owner of the publication for a potential paid freelance or part-time job. :)
Get more stories published
- Through my internship and my other freelance job, I was able to get more of my work published.
Look for more freelance jobs
- Just a few months back, I was selected to take an exam for a freelance writing position at AdWeek in New York. I didn't get the job because there were more than 200 applicants and they were hiring only a few people, but I was still very happy to get to experience it. When I think of the fact that an editor of a well-known publication in (hello?) New York noticed me, it really felt like an honour. I also tried submitting one story I wrote as a student to an editor of an American magazine, and although the publication of my story didn't push through (because she wanted me to write another version and I wanted to keep the integrity of my story), I was very thankful for what that person wrote back to me about my story. And I quote:
"Thanks so much for writing! One of my editors passed your story up to me--I love what you wrote, it's strong, well written. Really beautiful. I would like to publish a version of this, though, not its original. You have an exceptional writing style and I'd be eager to know of other pieces you are also working on."
My heart almost exploded in happiness when I read her email. Even though my story didn't end up getting published, now I know the value of that story (which I will still submit to other publications) and my value as a storyteller.
Because I keep trying, I also got interview opportunities with a few companies and I'm waiting to hear back from them right now. (THIS JUST IN: I just got a contract to work on a project, which includes a short documentary! :D)
So need I explain more how powerful goals are? The year isn't over yet and, again, most of my goals were already achieved. It may be true that writing down your goals and dreams help, but there's one thing that I know is for sure: if you know what you want and work hard to achieve it and you don't give up, you will discover the power within you that you never thought existed. ;)
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