I finally received my certificate for The Craft of Writing! It was a short course taught by THE Jessica Zafra. I highly recommend her writing boot camp because her teaching style is straightforward and practical. I suggest that you make time for any of her courses because her valuable insights has helped me produce quality written output lately.
The Craft of Writing
I recently finished my workshop on The Craft of Writing with THE Jessica Zafra. My final writing output can be found here.
I highly recommend her workshop because it taught me the following lessons:
You do not wait for the right mood to write. Just think about what you want to write and go on with your life. Then, sit down and write down what you need to produce.
You write with your own voice. Keep on reading to cultivar what you know and feel.
Writing is a craft that should be a part of your life. Always bring a notebook with you.
Check out Jessica’s website to learn more about her work and upcoming workshops.
Embroidery Day 4
I recently made my third embroidery piece as The Craft Central’s pattern tester for their Daisies kit. I enjoyed this project, and I even learned some life lessons along the way.
Here were the lessons that I have uncovered while learning embroidery:
It is okay to be a beginner at something new.
Learning a new skill grows our mindset and improves our adaptability.
Starting something new as an adult teaches humility.
Finishing a project gives satisfaction and joy, especially during the global pandemic.
So, if you think that you need some time away from your gadgets, I highly recommend embroidery! Visit The Craft Central to browse their embroidery kits. Stitch tutorials can be found on YouTube! This is a skill that will help you relax as you expand your mind.
Enjoy embroidery!
Embroidery Day 3
I recently finished my second embroidery piece as a pattern tester for The Craft Central. So far, I learned that embroidery takes a lot of patience for the stitches to look polished. Also, I was able to stay away from my phone as I was making this project. It was a lesson on focus and determination during the lockdown.
I recommend this project to beginners like myself, as well as to anyone who wants a new hobby that is not gadget-related! Check out The Craft Central for embroidery kits and future announcements regarding pattern testers.
Embroidery Day 2
I recently finished my first embroidery piece as a pattern tester for The Craft Central. I had fun working on this project, as I realized that I can definitely do embroidery! The instructions were clear. When I also shared on my socials that I was beginning embroidery, my friends messaged me tips on stitches and notions. I am grateful to have discovered this craft!
I highly recommend being a pattern tester at least once in your life. You will learn new stitches, find out what patterns make you happy, and expand your skill set.
Follow The Craft Central to know more about their upcoming pattern tester batches, and to support their shop.
Covid Proof Your Soul
I recently finished reading Covid Proof Your Soul by Marjorie Duterte. The book was “unputdownable” due to its practical tips on how to survive the pandemic and beyond. The author wrote about her goal for the book: for it to become a vaccine for our souls during these unprecedented times. I think that she was able to fulfill this goal because of the following:
She shared her own personal stories on how she overcame personal challenges which strengthened her and emotionally prepared her for the pandemic.
Her experience with grief and heartbreak has allowed her to be more empathetic. She was able to write a book on this and has enumerated steps on how to overcome the emotional challenges that we will experience during this time.
She integrates scriptures into the book. She reminds the reader that God is in control.
She shares online resources that the reader could call or email should the need arise for counseling and professional help.
Get your copy of this ebook today and be blessed! I really hope that it helps you as much as it has worked wonders for me.
Stay safe and healthy!
Unlove
I recently finished reading Unlove: Healing Yourself from Toxic Romance and Love in a Healthy Way by Marjorie Duterte. The inspirational author has been on my radar for quite some time now, but I did not have the courage to read her books- until now. The lockdown has provided me with the perfect opportunity to learn from my mistakes and to improve through reading. This book has worked wonders in helping me let go of self-sabotaging habits that prevented me from loving myself and attracting a God-fearing partner.
It was only when I started working on myself this year that I began to let go of hatred, envy, bitterness, anger, and pessimism. The pandemic has taught me that life is too short. I should start being the best version of myself now in order to thrive in the new normal and beyond.
A huge part of thriving is the social aspect of my life. I have been vocal about my desire for a life partner, but I carried with me negative baggage (hatred, envy, bitterness, anger, and pessimism) which became my roadblocks in my dating journey. However, God has been good to me and He sent me my partner Lorenz this year. Not only is Lorenz God-fearing, but he is caring, intelligent, strong-willed, and tenacious. He has accepted me for who I am whole-heartedly, that is why I wanted to let go of the negative forces that has pulled me down. This was why I bought this book and answered all the journaling prompts at the end of each chapter.
Armed with a pen and my journal. I healed myself through the book’s guide questions. I felt lighter after completing the book and the exercises. It was cathartic.
I highly recommend this book to every woman who has ever been hurt and would like to improve herself. Buy the book here and learn from home today!
Stay safe and healthy, everyone! May God bless us all.
Boost Your Confidence Boot Camp Batch 16
I invested in my personal development by enrolling in Jonathan Yabut’s Boost Your Confidence Boot Camp: Public Speaking & Business Writing last August 28, 2021. I was part of the boot camp’s sixteenth batch. The goal was to learn the best practices of communication during the time of the pandemic, wherein most of us are on WFH (work from home) setups.
I made the right decision because the two-hour boot camp was a goldmine of information and practical tips. My favorite was the positive way of apologizing because I am the kind of person who apologized for every oversight. Instead, I must say “thank you for spotting that”, or “thank you for your patience” instead.
Voice modulation was also tackled during the session, as well as speaking directly to the point. I highly recommend this for prolific writers like myself whose skills may be in demand when practicing creative writing, but cumbersome during real-world business communication.
Please consider participating in the future batches of this boot camp! It is worth the investment. I also recommend Jonathan’s motivational books which you can purchase here.
May we all continue learning, growing, and thriving amidst the challenges of the pandemic!
Single, Taken, Or Building My EmpIre
I recently finished reading Single, Taken, Or Building My Empire by “Asia’s Millennial Guru”, Jonathan Yabut. The book centers of love and how it can fuel one’s career to greater heights, while finding the love of your life- or the passion that keeps you alive.
I enjoyed reading this book because I learned how to weigh my options when making decisions about my career. Life outside of work is a different story, but the tips that Jonathan shared in this book are also applicable. For example, he wrote about his heartbreak and how he realized that he was holding on to someone for fear that she could be his last. That fear could also occur in the workplace. He moved on by “improving his own algorithm” through practicing gratitude and reflecting on what he loves. I felt inspired after reading this because I am keen on improving my own algorithm too in order to land a good corporate job someday.
I also want to have better opportunities for myself as an author. Now that I am in the process of publishing my first book, I learned the value of managing my energy, and not just my time from this book. Work-life balance is a choice, so it is up to me to prioritize what matters most.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to make smarter decisions in life and work. Buy this book here and discover the best practices that will make you work smarter, love wiser, and live better!
Fast Forward
I recently finished reading Fast Forward by Jonathan Yabut, and I enjoyed it. It lived up to its claim to be “the ultimate career guide for millennials on the move.” As a millennial just like the author, I was able to relate to the experiences he has shared on this book. His lessons on his storied career was truly worth writing about, as he has worked for ten years in as a marketing executive in some of the most established companies across various industries.
My favorite part of this book was his tips on how to achieve work-life balance. These were very simple tips. Examples of which were recognizing that work-life balance is a choice, and that we should stop eating lunch on our desks. They may be deceptively straightforward, but they actually teach us that finding fulfilment in the office while still having a life is possible if only we know how to work smarter.
The gospel of working smarter includes knowing how to communicate to your boss, succeeding in job interviews, and learning how to love your job. Jonathan shares his practical insights so that his fellow millennials will be able to have rewarding careers while enriching their lives. I appreciate that his prose is direct and easy to understand. It is accessible to all millennial readers and even those who are no longer within that age group, but still willing to understand people my age better.
I highly recommend this book! Buy it on Shopee via this link and learn how you can fast forward your way to an amazing career!
From Grit to Great
I recently finished reading From Grit to Great: The Journey to Becoming Asia’s Apprentice by Jonathan Yabut. I bought myself a copy of this autobiography because I have become a regular attendee of his webinars of late. By engaging with his Facebook community, I was able to polish my communication skills and interact with Jonathan himself through the Q&A rounds.
From Grit to Great has provided me with the necessary background on the person who runs one of the most popular online learning academies today. I never knew that he was a lifelong scholar and a debater like myself until I read this book. His strategies for winning The Apprentice Asia Season One can be applied not just in the office, but also during our daily interactions with our peers.
I especially enjoyed learning how he developed and strengthened his grit. He treated grit like a skill that could be harnessed through life experiences and professional growth. I am eager to apply his best practices to my own career, especially now that I am about to launch my career as a published author. Realistically speaking though, my career does not encompass the whole Asian region like Jonathan has achieved, but his life story has inspired me to dream big and never stop learning. I am confident that everyone can learn a thing or two from this autobiography.
It was one of the most readable and relatable autobiographies I have ever read. Best of all, the author donates a portion of his royalties to educational causes. I hope that these reasons will convince you to purchase your own copy here!
Become great and read more books today!
Recalibrate
Today’s theme on my BDJ Spark Your Magic workbook is Recalibrate.
”There are so many things that are out of our hands right now, but focusing on the things you can control, no matter how small, can reassure you and inspire you to take action.”
Here are the categories that map out my life at the moment:
What’s not working in my life:
Job hunting during the pandemic has been unsuccessful so far because recruiters say that I am overqualified.
Living within my means has been doable, but challenging.
Controlling my temper has been a slow work in progress.
How if would look like if they were:
I would have a job that I am qualified and appropriately paid for.
I can have more savings if I continue to live within my means.
Controlling my temper has led to more harmonious relationships with the people around me.
What I can do to bridge the gap:
I can continue blogging and maintaining my Human Nature Online Store.
I can plan my expenses ahead of time.
I have been controlling my temper through daily journaling. I will carry on with this practice as it has been helping me a lot.
I am really grateful that I am more self-aware thanks to journaling. My partner has also been very supportive and has been patiently listening to me whenever I share my struggles and plans to improve. I am fortunate to have a support system that allows me to work on myself without judgement during the pandemic.
I am constantly improving myself. I know that this does not happen overnight. The goal is to attain progress, not perfection. The key to achieving positive change is to work on myself, one day at a time.
I have many blessings in my life. I have my blog, my Human Nature Online Store (please support!), and a wonderful life. I can move forward and improve because I believe that I have everything I need to have everything I want!
C.R.E.A.T.E.
I got upset over some personal matters yesterday. It has been a while since I got angry over things that could have been prevented from happening. While I was unhappy with the outcome, I still treated it as a learning opportunity.
You see, it has been quite some time since I got this upset. There were many disappointments during the pandemic, but they were from how I felt yesterday.
Here were the lessons I learned from being angry:
It’s okay to feel angry.
Anger is temporary.
There are still some things that are within our control.
God is in control over things beyond ours.
Counting our blessings when the going gets tough helps bring things into perspective.
Anger is not supposed to be permanent. In order to recover from it, we need to learn how to C.R.E.A.T.E:
Communicate
Resolve
Execute changes
Act
Take accountability
Evaluate
This acronym should help us recover from anger and manage stress!
Keep Learning
I picked this card from my BDJ Dare to Be Creative deck today:
”What would you like to be better at this year?”
Here are the things that I would like to be better at for the rest of 2021:
I would like to learn how to control my emotions better.
I would like to learn how to sustain my career as a Content Creator through continuous journaling.
I would like to learn how to publish an ebook.
I would like to learn how to publish a book.
I would like to learn how to crochet the Stella Top.
I would like to learn how to crochet a velvet bag.
I would like to learn how to crochet the Sehana Top.
I would like to learn how to crochet the Calico Flowers Scarf.
I would like to maintain my figure.
I would like to learn how to continue my journaling habit.
I feel so blessed to have skills such as writing prose and crocheting because they make me feel young. There is always something new to write about, and there is always an interesting pattern to crochet. From here, I can continue expanding my horizons.
Indeed, the love for learning gives me a reason to live!
21 Things I Learned (So Far) In 2021
I was in shock when I realized that it is already the middle of the year. It seemed only yesterday that we were celebrating the New Year. Now, we only have six months to go before the year ends!
Before the rest of the year passes us by, allow me to share the twenty-one things I have learned so far in 2021:
Walking is more sustainable than running
A reusable tumbler is the first step towards saving money
It is more fulfilling to save than spend money
Investing in solid gold is wiser than spending on branded costume jewelry
There are valuable life lessons to be learned in The Book of Job
Keeping your blog regularly updated will work wonders in marketing yourself
It is never too late to reinvent yourself
it is never too late to get used to the taste of black coffee
Journaling is a cheap and effective way to solve your own problems
Prayer works when you take action on your hopes and dreams
Discussing red flags early on will help your relationship thrive
Working out in the morning instead of at night will cure insomnia
Most arguments stem from insecurities. Work on yourself everyday
Investing in quality pajamas will allow you to have more productive days at home
Drinking enough water cures most headaches, at least in my case
Driving and commuting while listening to podcasts will allow me to learn something new each day
Journaling prompts only work when you have the willingness to learn
Talking to service providers, and not just treating them as transactional agents, will give you better service
Visit your late loved ones often and regularly reflect on their lives
Take lots of photographs
Always give love a chance
My lessons so far have helped me:
Heal from a breakup
Give love another chance
Begin a new relationship
Be productive at home
Recover from insomnia
Journal everyday
Learn more each day
Maximize my time
Stay fit and healthy
I hope that my simple life lessons have helped you reflect on the past six months and look forward to the next half of the year. We all have areas of improvement to work on, so never get discouraged! Let us all keep on growing, learning, and thriving.
God bless us all!
Being Comfortable Without Effort
I just finished reading Being Comfortable Without Effort by Soo-hyun Kim. I am a fan of this author because of her candor and wit. I have also read her other book, I Decided to Live as Me. I have learned practical life and relationship advice from her books and I hope that you will also get to enjoy them!
I have shared excerpts of the book below. To shop Being Comfortable Without Effort, click here.
90 for Mary Johnston
I dispatched 90 earsavers to the frontliners of Mary Johnston Hospital, Tondo, Manila. Crocheting earsavers has been the defining project of my quarantine. It has given me a sense of purpose while staying at home.
Volunteering for Earsavers for Lifesavers has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Seeing the frontliners who receive my earsavers smile gives me hope that the future will be bright. I hope that as I continue crocheting for our frontliners, a cure will be found to finally eradicate Covid-19.
I also attended the second day of the Virtual ACEF 2020, which tackled gender, innovation, and climate change in ADB projects. I enjoyed the sessions, and I was inspired by the role of women in the ADB’s projects to provide renewable energy across the ASEAN region.
I am positive that tomorrow will be a better day. Stay safe, everyone!
ACEF 2020 Day 1
I spent the first day of the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2020 listening to the esteemed speakers discuss clean energy amidst the global pandemic. I did so while crocheting earsavers for frontliners.
Here were my key takeaways from day one:
The economic downturn brought about by the pandemic could serve as a catalyst for finding alternative renewable energy sources.
Cross-industry collaboration is crucial in enforcing changes for renewable energy.
The Covid-19 crisis should be used as an opportunity to learn more about climate change and renewable energy
We can foster job growth in this new normal by using sustainable development and renewable energy
We must build our resilience and reimagine tomorrow
The conference will run until Friday. I cannot wait to learn more as I help our frontliners.
Stay safe, everyone!
Virtual ACEF Deep Dive
Today was the pre-event day of the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2020 (ACEF). This year, the event will be done virtually via their online platform. While the conference may be streamed via the interwebs for now, it does not diminish the value of the event. It is still an honor to be a part of this conference.
This year, I am crocheting earsavers while tuned in to the ACEF.
I attended the deep dive session on Green Finance Policies in Asia. Here’s what I learned:
The pandemic is the perfect opportunity to explore innovative ways for green energy in the region.
It’s all a matter of enforcement as we already have the technology for green finance, such as green bonds.
While we are under quarantine, we must not leave anyone behind.
I look forward to learning more from this event until its run this Friday. Multitasking by crocheting and watching a conference is making my quarantine a lot of fun at the moment. This will definitely be worth telling my kids or nieces and nephews someday.
Limitless Entrepreneur Day 5
I just finished the Limitless Entrepreneur Retreat! It was created by mastermind coach Melyssa Griffin to train creative entrepreneurs to have an abundance mindset. I personally took it because I wanted to develop my entrepreneurial mindset.
Here are some of my answers to Melyssa’s questions for Day 5:
What is the offer that you’re going to launch?
My offer is WRITING! I aim to utilize my communication skills primarily in writing and public speaking to become an asset to my future employer.
What impact will this product make in the lives of your buyers?
I will ensure that my clients will notice that I practice empathy when dealing with them and producing output for them. By putting myself in their shoes, I can create effective copy that they can use for their businesses.
How do you want your customers or clients to FEEL after purchasing your offer?
I want them to feel good as they know that they can trust me to help them communicate effectively to their target audience.
Imagine them chatting with a friend after purchasing your offer. What do you hope they say to their friend about what it was like to purchase from or work with you?
“Sam is able to help us provide better services to our clients by producing effective and concise messages for our marketing emails, social media posts, and customer service templates.”
How can you incorporate this “vibe” into your onboarding and sales process? What can you do to make sure your clients or customers FEEL the way you want them to?
I will make sure that I will ask my clients what they want, how they want to be perceived by their clients, and who their clients are. I want my clients to feel like I am a friend whom they could trust to help them communicate better to their customers.
Which onboarding tactics are you going to implement to ensure that your buyers feel taken care of?
I will confirm that they receive my services and that they are satisfied with my work. I will make sure that this is done in writing, preferably via email between me and my clients.
I will ask for feedback and if they are satisfied, I will request for testimonials for my future clients’ reference.
I really enjoyed this course, and I hope that you will also learn from it! Click here to take the course yourself and watch your mindset shift from fear to abundance! Enjoy!