Last Post for 2006

A another year has come to pass and it was always during such times that as a child I would often thought that there will never be a next year and that it would not be able to come because of all those doomsday predictions that were abound then and even now and these were feared to become a reality….be that as it may… but as it really goes so well… the years will come to pass naturally unto the next year…and the world did not end at all stopping time in its tracks…then a new year will eventually come…just like this year…my last thoughts for the old year were a little bit more so like being a pathfinder where you want to go somewhere but you really don’t have a clue…all you know is that you want to change something in your life and that you’ve gotta go for it…on the 2006 wish list of the things that happened to me was in getting myself a new job…how to re-invent myself to face new challenges…how to walk beyond my comfort zones in order to explore new things and new ways…these opportunities were given to me and I thank God for the bountiful ways that he has blessed me…because major things happen for me in 2006…and I hope more will come for the next year…It’s the last day of the year and I spent the last few hours listening to some of the collection of music mp3s that I have…I just sat in front of my stereo and let the memories brought about by these songs come to my mind…I listened to “Yesterday” covered by James Taylor….a duet by Carole King and JT “Will you still love me tomorrow” and Up on the Roof” “Fire and Rain”…Bread’s “I wanna Make it with you”…CSNY…Helplessly Hoping…Our House…Carry On”…Orleans…”Dance with Me”…One of the best songs I know is “In My life… written by Lennon to Mccartney's music... so true…and I leave you with whatever thoughts the songs of these words have for you and me…

In My Life

There are places I'll remember

All my life though some have changed

Some forever not for better

Some have gone and some remain

All these places have their moments

With lovers and friends I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers

There is no one compares with you

And these memories lose their meaning

When I think of love as something new

Though I know I'll never lose affection

For people and things that went before

I know I'll often stop and think about them

In my life I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection

For people and things that went before

I know I'll often stop and think about them

In my life I love you more

In my life I love you more

Christmas In Hong Kong

I spend my December 2003 Christmas & New Year in Hong Kong together with my wife and only daughter...although it was quite sometime ago that this happen...I felt like writing my thoughts about that Christmas because I was invited by anothet brother of mine to spend the Holidays with them...He is an expatriate working in Hong Kong for quite sometime and he has not come home yet since...He livies with his Filipina Wife and 2 daughters in Causeway Bay... He plans to come home by February 2007...Its a little different when you spend your Christmas in the absence of your home country...maybe because of the culture and all that but during that time I could still remember when during the Christmas Eve we went to mass at the Rosary Church upon our arrival...I knew my brother would be quite happy that we were able to come and visit him and his family during the holidays...Anyway...My niece...My brother's daughter was scheduled to perform during the middle part of the mass...She was going to play a rendition of "Silent Night" with a violin...and I got to video the affair...anyway...as the moment to play started...there was a deafening silence in the chuch...you could almost hear a pin drop...when the violin started the first squeaky and crEEKing notes...people wre sobbing...I guess the Song was just too melancholic for that part...even the hair in my arms were standing...I guess the emotions of the Mass celebration also were affecting me...and the gathered crowd during that Mass were mostly catholic overseas workers who were away from their families...so its quite an awesome experience having been given the task to video the whole thing....It was one of the most memorable trips I spent entirely with my family...We went to Ocean Park...We went to the top of the Peak...It was a very endearing time and travel shared with my wife and daughter...I hope I could go back again in the near future...

Blog Interrupted

Its been quite awhile that I was not able to update my blog due to the large earthquake that hit southern Taiwan which affected my internet access..not only me but almost half way around the world....because of the damage to these DSL lines...even the phone system was affected...all of a sudden...I was offline...and it was frantic...feeling because I had emails to open...emails to send to people around the world...update my blog... which all of a sudden was not a reality....We do really get too comfortable with all these new techs...and habits that we have gone to acquire because of the internet...those people who may be computer savy or not ...will have been brought to a stand still if they have been too reliant to do their present tasks through the internet...much more if you do a living on the net itself...or run a business...then ...you are offline...you are dead on the air...as a measure we reverted back to the dial-up system which was quite a little slower but at least one could do the least of all activities...write ...receive...& send email...the world will never return to its old ways...those analog days which I would like to term as the contrast for the online internet...days...I started to miss the net...but I sometimes feel a little better that I forgot about the net even for a few days without it.... but then again I hope my addiction to the on line world can be manage...because I know that If I can't...there would be too much work for me...I'm spending too much time in the computer...in the internet ...and less work gets done at the office...schucks...

Breaking Out

Our youngest brother called up from Fort Madison, Iowa and talk to my dad and my family giving his christmas greetings to all of us because it was still Dec. 24 in the states and Dec. 25 here in the Cebu, Philippines...He has a 2 year old kid and his wife was also with him...I could see and feel how he misses christmas in the Philippines or basically missing the family that you grew up with......although he has been in the states for almost more than three years...It was the first time that we talked for quite awhile almost an hour on the phone...He was relating to me the great difficulties that he has been facing since migrating to the states and how he has started to raise a family a stranger in a strange land...although its not really that diffiult to culturally blend in but it was his breaking out challenge of his life...He bought a car and a house...he had to work hard each and everyday while he still needs to fix his immigration papers by getting a green card for him and his wife...although his son was born in the states automatically becoming an american citizen...His son these days was having an on and off bout with fever maybe due to the colds and coughs that is brought about by the freezing weather...His family of three people are doing those small steps in the process of trying to make a life in the states...with all those monthly bills and other bills to pay such as the bank mortgage and insurance...but I know deep down inside of me he will get over all of these problems...they may be daunting but one day he will look over these years as a way of seeing that his break out move was the best decision that he has done in years...anyways...I told him to lighten up a bit because its christmas...at least he was having a white christmas because there is no snow here in the philippines...I guess we will always have difficulty in appreciating the things that we have because they are presently there...its the fact that when they are gone...thats the time we miss them...the same goes with family...I can still remember my mother telling us six brothers then not to spend our time fighting because someday you all will realize that those moments that all of your brothers will be together will come to pass because you will all go your separate ways when you all will grow up...and I bet you ...you will miss those days with your brothers and sisters when you were growing up...specially during christmas...christmas is for family...always where one may be...

The Christmas Story

I could still recall when as I was growing up as a child of the simple christmas story told and told over and over again of the birth of the Jesus...the Son of God....in a manger...amongst animals...sheeps...horses...and donkeys...etc....and the Gaze of a teary eyed and joyful mother and father on their innocent Child brought to the world...amongst all the vagaries in life...the joy of His Birth...where the mother and father of the child were simple folks... Merry Christmas to all...my blog mates

FernandesTelecaster Japan Guitar

I went into a 2nd hand store that is re-selling electronic items from Japan and I was looking for bargains that may interest me....it was the second time that I went to this store and last time I almost brought a stratocaster copy that was made in japan too...I held that guitar last time for almost an hour of tuning and testing but I didn't push through with it...so I took my chances again and went to this same store and my again another guitar caught my eye...it was vintage 1990's Fernandes TEJ Limited Edition Guitar....(TEJ - Stands for telecaster Japan)...and I also bought along with it a vintage Boss MG-10 dual speaker guitar practice amplifier...The guitar really sounded very nice and cheeky...with its richness in tones...I got these items roughly more or less for 100 bucks...I just couldn't help it...the guitar is good in satin black finish...and the pick ups do sound good too...

Focus...Focus...Focus

My job is really getting me up and about and I'm starting not to like my predicament when I lose myself in all the events that are unfolding before my very eyes...When I have tried to solve one thing another problems crops ups then I try to solve that concern unknowingly leaving other things behind which I need to also look out for...I get lost...and the word that cross my mind is just one word...So I googled the word...Focus...Focus...Focus...and here's what I did get...

Being Focused is a powerful thing. It is one of the keys that produces results or not. THE RESULTS MODEL

Our Thoughts/beliefs (conscious or unconscious) ->
Our Perceptions/Meaning ->
Generate Feelings/Motivation ->
Get us to take Action (or not) =Lead to our Results

If someone is NOT getting the result they want they usually attempt to change their actions = tangible, physical.

But they do not go to the source…what really drives our behavior/actions?
Our thoughts – our perceptions = our personal reality!

So what determines our perception?

What we choose to focus on.

There is a direct relationship between Focus and Manifestation-in other words, what you focus on creates your reality: both your physical reality and your perceived reality.

-- ask and you shall receive
-- what you sow, so shall you reap
-- A branch of science that Einstein pioneered is called “Quantum physics” which is now being able to prove these age old theories.

1. When we say the word “focus”, what other words come to mind- Clarity/single mindedness/attention/concentration/being present/energy/patience/narrow down/visualize
2. What is the opposite of being focused? Multi-tasking/chaos/scattered
3. Who can give us some examples of when you are most focused? 2 days before you leave on vacation/doing something you love/doing something dangerous
4. Has anyone ever been so focused that you completely lost track of time…like being in the state of flow. (Ultra-focused)
5. How much more do you enjoy the journey in that state – how much more effective are you in a focused state?
6. What are the benefits of being focused?
   More productive, happier, more calm
7. What interrupts focus? A: Noise/other people/TV/computer/phone

We control our focus, therefore our thoughts and self talk by the questions we ask ourselves? “Garbage in…garbage out.”

Why can't I lose weight? = poor question.
How can I lose weight and enjoy the process? = quality question.
I have so much going on…how am I going to get all this done? = poor question.
What is the most effective use of my time? = quality question.

Be careful of “why” questions. They can lead to endless loops. Instead, try “what” and “how” questions.

Q: How do I set up my day so that I can enjoy it more?
Q: How can I create more space and have more freedom?
Q: How can I set up routines that create more energy and health?
Q: What can I do to attract better and healthier relationships?

The pace at which you create/manifest is governed by two things…

• Concentration of focus (moving the magnifying glass around).
• Intensity of the focus (adjusting the height so the sun's power is focused on one small pinpoint).

What can we do to improve our ability to focus?
Focus (like will power) is one of your mental faculties that can be developed just like any muscle-Einstein example-concentration exercise.

Precedents and similar thoughts

At work I am normally bombarded with lots of concerns and issues...some are related to the process and procedures followed by the work flow... while some are quite unique and different as these matters are related to people...their wants...their needs...and their concerns...in dealing with such concerns one needs to be more discerning when the flow of information to you is mostly cluttered with some half truths...or mostly white lies...in such cases...I would normally use the rule of thumb on precedents... one must be careful of his concerns because precedents are an action, situation or decision which may have already happened and which can be used as a reason why a similar action or decision should be performed. Then one would set a dangerous precedent if not fully comprehended nor thoroughly thought of. Precedents can also be described as the way that something has been done in the past which therefore shows that it is the correct or adapted way or course of action. I would normally ask how similar things were address in the past because if there is no such similar event...you could set a precedent... If there was a previous precedent which was correct during the time it was made...there is also the possibility that such a precedent is not presently applicable anymore then...One may also set a tradition by breaking with the precedents in making a decision updating the similar scenario and how to treat it...Being in management sometimes is really a challenge and at times one is faced with a difficult choice...at times such decisions may be popular...or worst...an unpopular decision that may haunt you...but you need to make that hard decision ...and its a lonely place when you are on top of the heap...

I hate being mean....

I really felt exhausted today...I had to dress some people down because of their lack of initiative...In a manufacturing environment it is a cardinal sin to make the mistake of not having enough raw materials wherein the production has to pause or stop because of the lack thereof...and I really was mean...but not to the point of expletives...but I was at the brink of really being nasty...many years ago I would really have blown them into pieces...but I truly have mellowed down...I am more patient now and it must be a real bad situation to get my top off...and here's just a situation that calls for it...there are really times that being mr. nice guy is not enough to get your point through...I guess these are one of those times I need to show the Bad me (Good cop bad cop thing) in contrast with the benevolent me...although I was blabbing for an hour...I kept telling them please answer me!!!(when I only get silence) what am I suppose to do with a bunch of guys who can't get the job done ?Huh?what??? (I was basically resisting to snicker a little bit for the scarcartic angry effect)...oh well they got the point and I even said this is not the last of it...I'll see you both on monday again and don't ever think I am gonna stop being on your backs because I'll be there until you get the job done...get it!!!...This is just one of the inexplicable times a leader has to do to get things done...I've paid my dues...and so will you...if you fuck up rest assured I'll be there to screw you...ok...enough of that...I just hate it when I have to be mean...

WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATION ARE WE???

ARE WE FIREMEN? MECHANICS? OR KNIGHTS?

FIRE MAN
-NO SYSTEM
-USED TO VERBAL PROCEDURES
-QUANTITY IS PRIORITY
-INFORMATION IS LACKING
-DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS
-QUALITY IS NOT AN ISSUE
-NO GOALS – NO VISION
-NO PROPER DOCUMENTATION
-NO MANPOWER COMPETENCY
-FOCUS ON “FIRE FIGHTING”
-NO PLANNING
-NO ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
MECHANICS
-60% OF SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE
-THERE IS LITTLE PLANNING
-WITH BASIC ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUTURE
-NEW ENGINE BUT NO BRAKES
-QUALITY IS A TQD PROBLEM
-TOOL ORIENTED
-SPARE PARTS APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING - INDIVIDUAL
-INFORMATION IS THERE BUT NOT COORDINATED
-THERE IS LITTLE DOCUMENTATION
-FOCUS IS IN “REPAIR” “FIX-IT”
-REACTIVE APPROACH TO PROBLEMS
KNIGHTS
95% OF SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE
-WORK PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL
-GOAL & STANDARDS BASED
-INFORMATION IS SHARED
-ADAPTABLE TO CHANGES
-CUSTOMER FOCUS
-COORDINATION & TEAMWORK BASE
-QUALITY – TQM – EVERYBODY’S FOCUS
-CAPABLE TO RESPOND TO CHALLENGES
-CONSTANT CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
-KNOWLEDGE BASED
-EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE
-GOAL, VISION, & MISSION
-PERFORMANCE BASE
-WELL DISCIPLINED
-POSITIVE VALUE CENTERED
-PROCESS BASES (SCIENTIFIC)
-PROACTIVE APPROACH

ARE WE FIREMEN?, MECHANICS? OR KNIGHTS?

Rule No. 1 "The Boss Rules"

I couldn't help it...after a meeting with our bossess...I told my staff about the Rule No. 1 thing...which is :

1. Rule #1 - The Boss is always right...
2. Rule # 2 - If the boss is wrong refer to rule # 1

I told my staff that having worked for quite some time...this rule of thumb has always been proven true...that is is quite unproductive to tell your boss all the reasons why one cannot do or accomplish his or her job...that all things being equal is they are not equal...my staff told me "Sir, I just want to reason out with our boss because I just don't want to saying yes..yes...all the time..." I said I know that's how you feel...but mind you no matter what excuses you may be able to conjure...those reasons won't hold water because your boss will always have the last say...its unnecessary for you to spend more ammo when you know that His will and mindset will be the one followed...so what's the fuzz in making your own suggestions or reasons when in fact it is quite obvious...its an exercise in futility when you know whose decision will be followed..."Sir why didn'y you say something? you should have made defended my position...I said...I could not defend a position that is already lost...Its one thing to reason out why you can't finish the job for the sake of ...and having all the reasons that you can to justify your failure... I told them that the best wayto respond to such a situation is to say nothing. When there are work problems, the boss will always look for a reason. If you are tempted to place blame , it causes friction and people tend not to cooperate after having a finger pointed at them. Through my years of experience ...Sometimes I find a lot of people are really busy trying to impress the boss, but there always comes a time, you will find out that there was always something that was neglected...we might think that justifying that makes things better...when I think actually it doen't add an iota of value in the discussion...because no matter what you do the "Boss is always right"...my boss has come back from the US...and thr grilling meetings have begun...as much as possible i try not to get intimidated and stay as calm as I could...when A question is ask why we could not have done this or that...I just let the temptation to answer back simmer down ...remain a silent reminder that "More talk more mistakes" and that I don't have all answers in the world look...or try the dumb look like you don't understand a thing...let the boss finish his litany of what ifs...and just let the meetings be finished earlier...rather than extending it by giving up your reasons...

TURNING A NEW PAGE IN LIFE

We had a farewell party for a co-worker last Nov. 30, 2006...it was held at the employee lounge area where a group of employees from various departments gathered for the "Despidida" Party the person leaving was the HR officer so basically he was quite a good natured and popular guy...anyway I was ask to give a little speech but I hardly know the guy except that he was one i would have treated as a protegee but he never finish his training with me because he has decided to leave...having said that I have tried to look for the reasons why he left when in fact there was no actual pressure by itself except that he was away from his wife and children from Monday to Friday and he was home during saturdays and sundays then back to the daily grind every week...it must be hard to be see-sawing from work and home but he has been doing this for 3 years so maybe he just reach his point of clarity...he probably wants to go out and further his own needs...or he just wants to turn a new page in his life...the same way that I did last april when I quit a job that has been dragging me down due to unscrupulous people who just want to ease me out because I was a perceive threat to their own ambitions...or because they just couldn't care much for people because as an HR guy...people's dignity and rights are foremost with my advocacy and that's not one of their priorities...so back to the party...I was compelled not to spoil the festivities by being so serious and melodramatic about the whole things because i had no choice if I were to say one speech..."How would you compress the three years this guy has spent with these people...with his co-workers...with his hopes and dreams for the company and it goals"...I guess there's nothing one could say that's tantamount to expressing the shared experiences with your co-employees and his hopes and dreams...so I decided not to say any speech but rather said I am only going to say four words and they all blurted out what four words? I said "Eat All You Can"...let all have a good dinner and savor the last few moments we will be sharing tonight and leave the reminiscing for later on...The whole group sang a song "Hawak Kamay" which literally means holding hands while i played the guitar...the song basically means "When you go through life's trials and difficulties...I will be there to hold hands with you to get you through those hard times"...after the song...The person whose leaving was being celebrated was ask to say something...this time he had no choice but to be melodramatic and thank everyone for their support and frienships...his voice was really cranky and was breaking up a little bit because his emotions was getting the best of him but he was able to finish his speech and we had a sumptuous dinner after that...and said our goodbyes...I guess I'm no better when it comes to leaving a friend...a co-worker...a workplace where you have spent a fraction or a part of your life with...as a footnote I've been in and around more or less 10 companies that I have worked for and ...my memories of long lost friends...co-employees...will always be treasured in my hearts because no matter what ...they were a part of your working life...after having been in this business for more than twenty years...farewells and goodbyes will always be uncomfortable and wracked with ambivalent feelings but the positive note of these is that the person leaving will start a new life...a new company...a new set of friends and co-workers...a new page in his life which is hopefully for the best of things to come...and those that are left behind...like us will form a part of his past life which may have been instrumental in his development as a better person.....