90/10 PRINCIPLE (A Tribute to my Mentor)

In our personal journey, we came across different people. However, among the countless people we met, very few created an impact in our life. Students have a lot to say about their high school days- classmates, teachers, friends, etc. However, I notice that in line of my profession, teachers are common denominators for those who shared about individuals who have great impacts in their life. Today, I’m going to give a tribute to one of my mentors. However, this mentor is different. First, I didn’t have the chance to see him personally. We did not even talk by phone or shared notes through email. None at all. He is a writer. One of his books, 7 habits for Highly Effective People, has sold more than 20 millions of copies. I consider him as my mentor because I learn a lot from his books. When I took the comprehensive written examination for my PhD degree, I think I mentioned him several times. As a teacher, especially in the graduate school, I always require my students to read 7 Habits for Highly Effective People. That is one requirement which includes an analysis. For the final examination, I again ask questions related to the 7 habits. In the comprehensive examination for the graduate students, one of the questions is also about the book.

My mentor is Stephen Covey. He passed away recently at the age of 79. This tribute would not be about his life. I would rather expound one of his lessons- the 90/10 principle. He said that 90% of what happened to us is influenced by our reaction. Only 10% of things that happen is out of your control zone. In other words 10% is made up of what happens to you while 90% of is decided by your reaction. What makes up this 10%? Well, 10% of our life is made up of things we don’t have control of. For instance, you don’t have control about what other people will say about you. You have no power over the change in climate. Naturally, you don’t have control about the likes and dislikes of your family and friends. How you react to what people say about you, to the bad weather, the likes and dislikes about your family and friends is within your control. Take this case as an example. Remember Rolito Go? He was a wealthy Filipino businessman. In 1991 he was caught up in traffic in Greenhils, San Juan. The traffic is 10% of what happened to him. He has no control over it. However, the story did not end there. He had a confrontation with another driver. To make the story short, Go shot Eldon Maguan, an engineering student of De La Sall University. Until now, Go is still in jail. See? 90% of that day happened because of Go’s reaction to traffic altercation. How he responded to his emotion was what defined his destiny- jail. A lot of people have many regrets in life. Thus, we hear often the words, “if only.” If only I have reacted differently, I would not be suffering until today. How many relationships are broken because of a simple issue? How many lives were lost because of overreaction? How many beautiful plans fail, not even able to take off in the first place? How many lost opportunities? At one time I attended a meeting where I experienced boredom. You know why? Well, there are two people among those present who could not agree on something. The meeting dragged for too long because of these two people. The issue was so simple but the reaction of these two combatants made the meeting awful….and unproductive. Friends, we have no control over 10% of our life but we have control of the other 90%. Let’s have a review of what happened to us this past week.

Did your temper flare up? Did you scold someone? Did you curse? Did you hurt someone? Did you punch a wall, desk or table? Were you jealous on someone or something? Were you discouraged? Were you engaged in a heated debate? That is why reflection is a vital component in the person’s life. Decisions should not be made in the first place if there is no reflection at all. God gives us the intellect to think before we decide. Friends, we only have 10% of the things we don’t have control of. Are you willing to make the best of the other 90%? Learn from my mentor. Apply the simple lesson of the 90/10 principle. Thank you, Stephen Covey, for reminding us to be very careful with our REACTION. May the Lord bless you more. Randy

BLESSING EXPERT

What are you good at? Is there something you can claim that you are a master of. I read a portion of the book “Good to Great”. It is a book report on a research about great companies. Using the Hedgehog Concept and following the three cycles, these companies moved from good to great. The first cycle is “What can you be the best in the world at?” It clearly articulates the expertise of a particular company as compared to its competitor. Likewise, the first cycle can also be a question for all of us. What can we best in the world at? I remember an experience where I led a group of noble men into discovering and developing where they should be good at. We we

re having a planning session for the school. Every unit was asked to present its operational plan for the new school year. During the break, I happened to sit at table with the school president. We talked about other plans of the school and he was sharing passionately about his interest in offering a socialized program in our Basic Education Department. When were about to resume our planning session, he asked me to facilitate the annual retreat for the brothers- the Brothers of the Sacred Heart which was one week later. I said, “Brother?” “Yes, you handled the retreat for all of us, brothers.” I was really caught by surprise but before I could refuse, which I supposed he anticipated, he assured me to provide the necessary materials plus a help from one of the brothers. Anyway, I said I’ll see what I can do. Actually, I was not excited about it. When I got home, I reflected and tried to gather my thoughts how to do it. In the end, I finally decided to say no. I immediately texted him that I can’t do it. He has to find someone better than me. Though he did not text back, I assumed he was busy looking for a replacement. Three days after, I received a note that I have to proceed to the president’s office. To my surprise, the secretary handed me a bulk documents that I can use for the preparation of the retreat. What??? It turned out that I texted the old number of the school president. Naturally, he didn’t receive it and thought I was ok. No more turning back this time. No time to look for another facilitator. In my panic, I tried to search for my old materials in giving retreat. I scanned some of the documents that were given to me. The more I panicked. I could not really conceptualize much until I came across an article of Bo Sanchez which talks about being a blessing expert. That was the cue and from there I proceeded to create a framework and eventually the modules. My next dilemma was how the brothers would receive this topic. I know they have attended past retreats and recollections. I might be repeating what they have already known or they might get bored. But I could not make a different module since time is running out. Besides, that is the only framework which I think I am comfortable with. Well, it turned out that the retreat was good. In fact, at the end of the retreat, the president, who happened to be the delegate superior of the brothers, said that retreat was one of the best retreats the brothers had. The whole retreat revolved around the idea of them being or becoming blessing experts. I led the brothers to reflect the countless blessings they have as religious brothers, both on the personal and communal levels. One old brother approached me during the course of the retreat that indeed his life is a life of blessings. He recalled how God abundantly blessed Him with so much that he felt unworthy of God’s unconditional love.

Well, what does it mean to be a blessing expert? First, an expert refers to a person who excels in a particular field. For example, if you talk about laws, lawyers are considered experts on the law. Doctors of medicines are experts on wellness. And the list goes on. Blessing expert? Obviously, it is a person who can easily identifies a blessing, even the minute one. According to Bo Sanchez, if we want to live a happy and fantastic life we need to discover first the blessings that we have. Next, look around and be ready to receive more blessings. The problem with a lot of people is their failure to recognize these blessings. Every time I start a recollection or retreat I usually ask this question, “what were the first words that came out from your lips the moment you wake this morning?” It is not a surprise to me that in a group of 40-60 participants, there will only be around 2 to 6 who will raise their hands. The rest? No. It is not our habit to thank the Lord every time we wake up every morning. Why? Because we fail to recognize the blessings that we receive right after we wake up. “Do you consider that the life you have today is a gift from God?” This time I receive a resounding chorus of “YES.” If life is considered as a big blessing, then it would be so easy for us to say “Thank you, Lord.” Have you ever noticed that if somebody gives us something like a gift, for example, we naturally respond with “thank you.” Why? It’s obvious. You receive something and you respond positively. Are you complaining about your job? Well, be thankful because you still have your job as God’s blessing. Do you find your kids noisy? Well, be thankful because your children are still with you. Someday they will leave you. You will miss their noise. Do you have a place to sleep tonight? That’s a great blessing. Some people have no shelter. Friends, we have so many blessings. You just have to open your eyes to see, your hands to receive. I was just talking about life as the first blessing we receive every time we wake up. What about the other blessings? If you enjoy reading this article, you are blessed because you can read. And, you can read because you still have the gift of life. Right? It’s amazing how blessed we are everyday.

It is not a question whether you are blessed or not. It is about recognizing and discovering the blessings that are already around. For instance, rich or poor, each is given the same number of hours a day. That’s a blessing. While others are more intellectual, we still have our brain which we can use to plan and set direction for our life. If you are still not convinced that you are blessed, try to count how many yes answers you have of the following questions: Do you still have your parents? Do you have children? Do you have friends? Have you gone to school? Have you met a friend lately? Is there someone that you love? Is there someone that loves you? Can you smile at people you will meet? Can you walk anywhere without fear? Can you read? Can you write? And the litany goes on….. But wait. Just one last question. Are you still alive? Be thankful. A good Christian is grateful. He/she is a blessing expert. May God bless you more. Randy

BUILDINGLESS UNIVERSITY

Hello friends! It has been my desire to make use of the most convenient yet effective technology to share what I have been sharing as a teacher. The internet has been a very effective tool to send your message across all ages, races, culture and religion. I’ve been a teacher for many years already. I could not anymore count how many students were under me for all those years and until this time. I could not also remember those ideas, experiences, insights, reflections and learning which I generously shared to my students. Aside from that I am also a recollection and retreat master catering to different groups of people like students, teachers, administrators, parents, church people and many more.

Long before I finished my PhD, I already wanted to write a book. It was my belief that the book could become a repository of all the beautiful learning and insights which I might forget if not written. Also, I believe the book could be shared to a bigger number of audiences, not just my students. You might wonder why the title of this blog is BUILDINGLESS UNIVERSITY. No, I’m not yet leaving the school. I’m still working in school at this time. However, I have my new advocacy that I am building a school without a building teaching what most schools do not. I’m referring to my passion this time of teaching people about financial freedom. It is about MONEY. It’s about money management. As a teacher, I believe there’s no money in this profession. In fact as a principal, I dutifully emphasize to my teachers that this profession is about service. If you want to become rich, this is not your profession. Well, we can also observe that this idea is true. No teacher, by remaining one, has ever become rich. In fact, there was a joke about teachers living in London (loan ditto, loan doon). I was wrong. This is not true. In the succeeding posts/articles, I’ll be sharing to you why this long belief about teacher is not true. Buildingless University will teach teachers and non-teachers about the steps towards financial freedom. This university will lay down the secrets to financial freedom that only the rich enjoy. These secrets are not hidden but the rich know them by heart. While I’m still learning the steps towards financial freedom, I will ask you to journey with me. MINDSET First and foremost, the journey to financial freedom starts from our head. It is about mindset. Teachers believe that there is no money in the teaching profession. I believed. Many believed. If this is our mindset, then we will live forever with that. When I visit to my relatives in the countryside and then ask them how they are, I usually receive a response like “nia nag antus gihapon sa ka pobrehon (still buried in poverty). Surprisingly, they said this with a smile. What can you expect if your mind is telling that you will remain there forever? We have to get from this mentality. Just try to study the lives of successful people. Who is Henry Sy, Lucio Tan or other prominent people? Most of them started from scratch. But they don’t believe their destiny will remain poor. In their mind, they know they can do more to get out from their poor situation. They continue to believe there is a way to become successful. It was only two years ago that I began to change my mindset. I know that remaining in my comfort zone and imprisoned of this long belief the road seems narrow and difficult . I came across a simple man, a preacher, who used to live in poverty championing the life of St. Francis of Asisi. He literally followed the poor St. Francis while serving in the Church. However, his life made a turn when he got married. Now, he is a millionaire. He is still a preacher. In fact, he is so rich that it allows him to share more. See? When you have more, then you can help more people. This is what I am advocating to my students and to those who listen to me. I am inviting them to change their mindset, to think like those who are financially free so that they can help more people. It might be surprising to you but God wants us to become rich. God wants you to enjoy the innumerable blessings He as abundantly bestowed on us. He wants to bless you more so that you can also bless other people. But first, change your mindset. If there is one thing that motivates me most in everything I do, it is the very words of my father. I was still a child when I heard my father saying, “if kaya sa uban, nganong dili man nato kaya (if others can, why can’t we)? This is the mindset of my father which brought him success in life, and after life. He died when I was just barely a month old in college. His success, through that kind of mindset, continues in me. While my father has this mindset, I was sad that for many, including my relatives, this is not a reality. Friends, what do you believe? Are you like those who believe that there is no way to financial freedom from your present situation? What if I tell you that even the maids of my mentor is on their way of becoming rich. They are still housemaids but are saving and investing their money. In 10 to 15 years, they will be millionaires while still working as housemaids. Amazing? Yes, there is a secret of becoming rich. Do you want to follow these steps? I’ll be sharing more in my next posts. By the way, to enrol in this Buildingless University, you simply just read and share my posts. Welcome friends and students to our school. Randy