How did it all start?

When I was studying, you would always see me in every corner of the library. Studying, studying, studying. Reviewing, reviewing, reviewing.

There were times that I won’t eat just to satisfy my teachers’ thirst for giving us difficult exams.

I know. I admit. I was very studious back then. I won’t go out with friends. I will go home early to finish all my homework. I will go to the National Library to develop the best research paper that ‘I can’ develop. I will really do everything just to please my self and most of all, my teachers.

My parents used to push me hard to be the best that I can be in school. I would always aim to get high grades in every subject. I would always aim to push myself as long as I can.

Sleepless nights. Big eyebags. Getting up early in the morning to review again.

My parents would always say, “Anak, edukasyon lang ang maipapamana namin sayo.”

I said to myself, “Ugh! I really need to be the best that I can be since this will be the only treasure that I will have.”

There. I used those words to motivate myself to study harder and harder and harder.

But something happened to me during the latter part of my college life. I was involved in extra curricular activities. I was voted as the president of our Student Council and from there I learned a lot more about life.

I learned that life is not only about books and teachers. It’s also about experiences.

That’s when I learned that I lack ‘experiences’. I realized that I need to be ‘street-smart’.

Actually, I would want to be more active in my extra-curricular that time. But I was torned between my academic and extra curricular.

I would always juggle time between these two. I was not focusing on just one. I was not giving my best. I was half hearted.

There were a lot of times that I would have dilemmas: is it my exams or the council?

And yes, I always choose my academics. Because I was trained to do so. I admit that somehow I would not attend some of the council’s activities because I would choose going to my class.

I lacked focus and I realized that I am doing something wrong. I was ignoring my group’s activities! I was burning bridges!

I know that I could have done more, gave more. But my heart would tell me I go back to acads.

That was before I got my first job.

During my college days, I would always see myself working for a multinational company with a good salary.

And it actually happened after two months of graduating from college. I started with that company.

The company compensation was really great! However, as I was working, I would always say to myself, “Is this really for me? Is this really what I want?”

Why am I asking these questions? Because I don’t want to spend a decade with something that I won’t pursue or something that won’t strive to be the best that I can be.

I can strive and give it time. Yes. But I’ll be half-hearted. And I am not like that.

There were times when I would ask a friend if she knows what’s for her. Times when I cried because I felt lost. Hahaha! Funny… But I was really serious back then to know what I want. I don’t want to wake up without a goal. I need to go somewhere.

That’s when Bro. Bo Sanchez came. He visited our company last Feb 2010 and gave a talk.

I was struck with his terms: Financial Literacy and Wrong Theology About Money

He did not discuss in detail and I was curious as to what these words mean.

I bought 2 of his books. Read them within a week. Bought more of his books. Then bought books of others. I did not only learn more things about life in general but I brought back my love for reading.

Now, I am happy to share my knowledge to all those who want it. And I am now applying some of the things that I learned. Because I believe that analysis paralysis won’t do any good. I need to start and I need to apply them as a long as they are fresh and as long I am physically strong. I am keeping this momentum and sharing it with everyone who are willing to learn. And I deliberately resigned from my good job to follow my dreams.

So far, I am happy with the results. I am glad that I am learning everyday and meeting more and more folks. Oh! How I love to know that my network is now expanding. I am just so happy! I feel very blessed. And now I know where I am heading.

Hope you’ll know where you’re heading, too!

Praying for our life’s success,

Ivy