The Art of Shutting Up

"Hypocrisy is the lubricant to society."

During my first day in fashion school, my professor Levinson Rodriguez quoted these words.  He asked us to remember them and later after the semester tell him if we agree or disagree.

I have a loose tongue. And I'm very opinionated. My ego and pride will not let me be defeated and there's a constant need to win every argument I get into.

What does any of it have to do with my blog? Being employed I am learning the art of shutting up. And not letting my temper get the best of me. Its not very professional to hear a co-worker going all Heneral Luna and flipping tables in anger. I think it was two "ay shet, putang ina" curses that woke me up. At that time I realized that it wasn't very nice to listen to. And put myself in the same position. I have cursed several times and never put myself in the position of the people around me listening.

Consider a client, arguing to have his way. You can be the best debater in the planet. You can win every argument there is. But at what expense? Honestly, I wouldn't mind losing an argument if it meant winning a client.

The phrase, "the customer is always right" holds some if not all truth to it. You wouldn't and shouldn't argue with the customer about anything. If the customer says the color yellow is too lonely for her. Offer a different color. Offer to make it into her favorite color even. If the customer says the soup is too salty, its salty. Its not as it should be. Its as the customer prefers it to be.

Strike a balance though because as an entrepreneur you have to know if your idea is worth pursuing if the client says it sucks but you feel in your gut that there's a gap in the market that you can fill, by all means go on and fill it.

Shut up when you need to, but don't be a push over. Strike the perfect balance between the two.

Xo,
Paula

Let's Talk About Sandy Lerner

Not a lot of people know Sandy Lerner. People don't know her as the other half of Leonard Bosack (at that time) and co-founder of Cisco Systems Inc. technology giant from the 1980s. People also probably don't know her to be the name behind brand Urban Decay cosmetics. And if you still don't know her by those two giant brands you probably haven't heard of her Ayreshire Farm.

The sad story about Sandy's co founding Cisco, then having been funded by venture capitalists, later voted out of her own company. (Okay that might be an exaggeration, but I would imagine feeling worse after having poured all of me into my first company and being asked to leave.)

You know how people are obsessed with labels and how you should stick to the assigned group? You have to really think about who you are? And make sure to find out what is your brand! Sandy is the girl who didn't fit the mold so she created one.

Who would have created a make up brand after being kicked out of a technology based company? I'd have done a Cisco 2.0 and got some revenge. I mean I am the brains of Cisco I can probably redo and do better.

Sandy is an inspiration for all the women out there that you dont need to fit a certain mold. You don't need to wear pencil skirts and high heels if it isn't you. She tells you that its okay to be smart and pretty and care about the environment. That you don't need to just focus on one thing to be successful. Or that having more than one passion can make you a failure.

There should be more Sandy Lerners in the world. Why? Because there's fewer women entrepreneur compared to men. And the women are often shut down when they have too many great ideas.

"I think at some point you have to believe in yourself and satisfy yourself that there's a market there. You just have to do it "- Sandy Lerner

Be amazing. Be beautiful.

Xo,
Paula

The Value of Planning

Planning to some people can mean a lot of over thinking, going over pieces of information, anticipating events that may or may not happen. It is for this same reason that people tend to forget it.

Let me tell you this, planning is the difference between getting off a plane and going somewhere specific versus getting off a plane, taking a while to come out of the toilet and seating on a stool in the airport lobby. It is bringing an umbrella because you checked the weather app and you know it will rain. It is packing sandals for when you can't wear sneakers. It is a lot of things considered to make the best of a circumstance.

If you were from my country you would understand what I was trying to avoid when I took the first flight out of the city. Originally I had a meeting scheduled for the most part of the day. I imagined the air traffic and the actual traffic on ground and felt the need to book a flight early.

It's a four day trip with nothing planned. Last night I couldn't sleep. Thinking about what I'm going to do. I have no meeting to go to. No people to see. Nobody I knew. I was in a new place all alone. Its like the perfect adventure.

And I aim to make it just that. In a bit. After coffee. When the sun comes out. Actually not even. I just need it to be 5am so that establishments start to open and I can start doing something.

I'm writing this with people staring at me. Mostly cause it's a ghost town and I'm literally the only one here. While they make necessary preparation to make the airport look decent. I can hear them murmuring a foreign language I can not understand. I blink in response when they seem to address me. I've been pointed towards the exit several times but I just can't leave the comfort of this stool, lighting, ventilation and Wi-Fi.

Is planning important you ask? Definitely it is most definitely important. Next trip I'm doing a full on itinerary with time stamp and everything else!

Its a lot of waste when you don't. Not having planned on transportation and accommodation I'm probably going to have to book a room right now unsure if there are rooms available. I'm going to eat again in any place open to pass time. For when the sun is out and I can sight see.

Happy Eid to all my muslim friends! Enjoying this long weekend cause of you guys.

Xo,
Paula

Go Homemade!

It probably won't come as a surprise that homemade meals are less cheaper than store bought.

Take for example, two weeks ago, in my hunger and almost being late I've decided to pick up (instead of getting it delivered) a chicken sandwich. Which cost me less than PhP 200 about USD 4. All it had was flat bread. Thinly sliced chicken meat, onions, cucumber, tomato, honey mustard sauce, mayonnaise, and catsup. I also added some potatoes for extra carbohydrates. So that brings my total cost to USD 5.

To first world countries USD 5 is a small amount but even in first world countries their meals cost less. I remember having bought a meal to share and have a drink to go with it on my USD. That said store bought food can cut your budget in half. 

Same principle homemade food can double your budget. Take a quick trip to the grocery later and buy a week's lunch. 

Grocery Tips:

1. Make a list- it helps to know what you need versus what looks good. The list also gives you an estimate on how much you're going to spend in the grocery.
2. Compare prices- in this country raw meat is sourced from different places. And those places vary in pricetag. Everytime you walk into a grocery there's at least 3 options. (There's the "generic" grocery label meat, there's the heavily advertised widely popular label meat, and then there's the somewhere in between the two brands label meat. You're going to notice that the lighting and the vendors look sometimes act differently from the other.)
3. Stick to your list- chances are youre

So there you have it folks! Stick to your budget and save to invest.

Xo,

Paula

Why I switched from EIP to Stocks

Before I continue, let's start with defining terms, what is EIP? And what is a stock?

EIP is a bank solution in the Philippines that means Easy Investment Plan. The product automatically get money from your savings account and invests it in stocks or funds depending on how aggressive an investor you are. They assess you like how they do when you purchase an investment linked insurance, asking you questions like how much can you invest and what is your risk tolerance?

Stock is a part or share of a company, usually being given to raise capital. Say for example I have a clothing company but little to no money to employ people to make clothes or to purchase raw materials. What I can do is offer part of my company for capital. And when the company starts earning money the profit will be divided equally based on the parts or shares that each person has.

If you're a young professional with little no knowledge in investing, or if you don't have enough savings to invest in Equity Stocks. EIP can be a really great product for you. You get to save the money in a bank and it gets returns higher than the bank's annual rate and chances are you're beating inflation. Truly I say that a hundred invested today is not the same as a hundred invested a year later.

Starting out my career as a young professional two years ago, with minimum living expenses (I live with my parents, and brown paper bag my lunches mostly cause the people I work with have toght schedules and are often too exhausted to drive out for lunch) and earning more than minimum wage, I've decided to brave the market and invest my money. EIP was a fairly new product, I had heard about in a financial seminar from college. (Yes I started working when I was in college.) Now Stock Exchange was really were the money is. Until now its still where the money is.

But there was a challenge to enter the market that EIP has made easy. At the time I have several savings account saved up. I was trained to save money. Being in business school they train you to handle your finances well. I paid attention to my accounting professors. And listened to their advice. I stayed an extra fifteen minutes and chatted with them. Its like getting a consultation, free from experts.

So I set up my EIP to draw momey (I really wanted to allocate as much as I can) each month and for it to be invested. I signed the papers for that money to be injected in my portfolio every month. And I was happy with the investment certificates that I got.

But after I resigned from my job, I had the chance to evaluate my portfolio. By that I meant compare fund performance with several people. And that's when I found out that the money I invested was only making 3%. I was looking at stock performance that was climbing at the time. EIP felt like a safe investment platform. Though it rises and falls like the stock market, it felt like having pooled investors to cushions you from the decline, and when it rises same principle it is still cushioned. You barely feel the ups and downs.

I withdrew my investment and transferred it in stocks. Although the stock market is more scary with its sudden rise and fall the rates are more competitive.

Of course with the recent decline of the stock market a lot of people are worried. But I'm not much worried. As long as I don't pull out my money its all paper loss. And I can make it up after it rises.

For people who are a bit on the safe side,  I would recommend sticking with EIP. You have a bank manager to discuss choices with. Its a lot safer than Stock market investing. But if you really want to maximize the returns middle to long term, go for stocks. Invest more than 50% of what you're making (if you can, if you're a young professional like me it would just take a lot of disciple to get you started but once you're in the habit of saving to invest it gets easier.)

Happy investing guys!

Xo,

Paula

4 Make Up Products I Trust and Recommend

This is my first beauty focused blog post. As a fashion student and a girl who works for a brand that communicates luxury, I have to make sure I look well put together. Although I feel like I have no time to bother. But, it is a material world and after all I'm carrying the company's name with my image.

You don't need to pile make up on your face like you're about to be crowned in a pageant. Not saying that pageant girls wear a load of make up. That is another one of my bad examples.

Gone are the days where you need to have strong eyebrows, contour your cheeks, line your nose, highlight half your face. Not only does it cost a lot to complete that make up look and the tools, but it's also too long to complete.

From a 9hr/day shift to 4hr/day shift

Hi again,

Please don't think I'm a lazy ass girl who is living large through my parents bank accounts and trust fund. Although I'm totally for parents who set up trust funds for their children. This is not the case. My parents are not politicians, they aren't in show business either. If you're Filipino you know that those are the top 2 groups that are wealthy in the country. You either have to have artista parents or politiko parents to be wealthy. Or you're Chinese.

We are not the Sys. I think anybody who knows me can say easy that I look more European than Chinese. Since I don't have Chinese businessmen, or show business personalities, or politicians for parents please don't say that I'm living off of their wealth.

Also please don't think I'm criticizing people who work more than 8 hours a day. Honestly I look up to them because I get easily tired and exhausted of what I do and people who are driven enough by need who can do it five times sometimes even six times a week should be someone who is admired not criticized.

I've tried that 9 hours a day shift before. And Lord knows it wasn't easy. You can get fuelled by money in the beginning but after a while you'll realize you're no longer alive and you've morphed into a workaholic zombie who functions on caffeine going from shift to shift until the weekend so you can sleep. I've grown all too familiar with this because i was maintaining a relationship (long distance) and studying at the same time. And boy this was no easy task. Especially when the guy you're with doesn't even know you're working. (I wanted to tell him, I did, but he kept saying "just focus on your studies.") What drove me was peer pressure and that need to earn money. Because when everyone you know starts rubbing it in your face that you're unemployed and early 20s, you really feel the need to start making cash so you can all shop designer clothes that you can't afford and drink expensive coffee and eat good food together while you talk about each other's weekend plans.

After getting my diploma in my 4.5 years in college, I immediately packed my office stuff, handed in my resignation, and went on a 3 month long vacation. (Don't worry I used the money I saved up for shopping to travel. Think Ferragamos converted into plane tickets.)

So, 3 months later I am now a Fashion student, still in between being broke and being well off. I work in a local bag company with a slightly famous designer. I make half of what I made when I was in a bigger firm where people are half ready to kill you when you don't meet what they need. I've transitioned from a 9 hour work day to a 4 hour work day with no requirement of days. I can come when I want.) and I've never felt as productive as I did before.

Knowing what needs to be done and being disciplined enough to get it done without having to be reminded and being forced to take on a 9 hour shift is something that I'm grateful for with my current job. It has taught me love of work (although in general I still think I'm not cut out for employment.) This job is flexible enough to meet my needs and still make sure the company didn't lose money by paying me a month's salary.

It's given me enough time to study, and work at the same time without feeling like i would die tomorrow because of exhaustion. It's giving me time to unwind when i feel too overwhelmed. And it's ensured that the quality of work I deliver is the best.

Working a 9 hour shift doesn't mean that you're working or doing more than a person who works 4 hours. I know a bunch of people who works double shifts getting paid for each minute but are not able to deliver the products or services that they are being paid for. Productivity's not about the hours.

Not everyone gets this opportunity at such young age. Maybe that is why I'm thankful for my job. Gratitude for my job makes me perform and do my best. Always deliver more than expected.

Xo,
Paula

Traveling to work is considered work hours?

Time spent travelling to and from first and last appointments by workers without a fixed office should be regarded as working time, the European Court of Justice has ruled.- BBC News, (www.bbc.com/news/uk-34210002)

I was surprised to learn about this piece of information. I first heard it last week two weeks ago, can't be too sure, but I didn't pay much attention to it. While reading about it I also got a chance to look closely at EU's Working Time Directive (WTD.)

I like how the court ruling is pro-workers. Basically the WTD, ensures that each employee works a 9 hour 5 day shift with a maximum of 3 hours overtime per week. Putting the employees best interest first and guaranteeing that they get enough rest, access to health care, an option to switch from night to day shift if he or she chooses and protection from over work if your field is hazardous, i.e, you work at night or involving heavy machinery.

(Actually the law says 48 hours a week, I just did the basic math and assumed that it's a 9 hour 5 day work week.)

Okay, now that we're acquainted with WTD let's go back to the court ruling and why I'm talking about this in my blog even if I'm not in EU.

This is relevant news, and we should promote social economic awareness after all one economy's rise or fall directly or indirectly affects all countries. Also after hearing a handful of my fellow country men talking about it I felt like I needed to see if it was applicable to Filipinos too.

Who are affected by the ruling?
Those without a permanent office, including sales representatives, installers of equipments, care workers.

Why are they affected?
Because there is no uniformity in the commute from one point to another. Unlike people who work in the office 9am-5pm.

What does the ruling do?
It protects workers from being unfairly compensated. If employee A takes 4 hours to get home because her last meeting was outside the city, it would mean that she is compensated for the effort and energy she spent that could have been used to rest.

What would it mean if we have the same law in the Philippines?
If you're (a) company doesn't have a permanent office address, (b) you commute directly from home to clients because of reason a, you should be compensated the moment you live the house to see a client. Why? Because the time you spend on public commute varies everyday. Unlike when you have an actual office to go to everyday before going to client meetings.

So folks having learned all that, if you work in an office or an institution with a permanent address, this does not affect you so the hopes of getting paid while stuck in EDSA is gone for now. Imagine how much you'd have made if you were paid on September 8? You were just there. Stuck. Let's continue to hope for better roads and mass transit and traffic.

Xo,
Paula

Learning from Classics

"As she said, she was 'fond of luxury', and her chief trouble was poverty." - Little Women

I think most of us would be able to relate. If not all of us. Luxurious items are often too beautiful to dislike. Noone was ever handed an Hermés and said it was too plain. I can't imagine anyone turning down a Bentley either. And all the time our only issue would be inadequate resources. Who wouldn't enjoy Louboutin stores if they had enough to spend on their desires?

It is that very quote that drives me to do my best to make sure that I won't be an old woman buried in credit card debt with no health care or a roof above my head. In this country those two are probably the biggest things that you need to worry about. Shopping using your credit card can sometimes carry us away in a place where a store is Disneyland and sales ladies are your best friends.

I know this because I experienced it first hand. Coming from work. Feeling rich. Eating out. And passing that store where you've been eyeing a white sleeveless blazer. And then a friendly sales lady smiles at you wearing a white shirt with the letters in capitals and bold say SALE.

Just like that you've burned through your month's hard earned pay. In a few minutes you've reduced your month's work into 5 paperbags. Or fewer.

Having expensive taste can drill quite a hole in our pockets. But take to mind Imelda Marcos when you shop. Its not about the price tag. I mean Imelda Marcos shops divisoria products and she still looks like she's wearing a $2500 dress.

When budgeting, also take to mind, to reward yourself every now and then. You don't have to deprive yourself. Set goals. And reward yourself when you reach them. That way you don't feel too kawawa (pathetic.)

The road out of poverty doesn't mean starvation and deprivation. Its all about finding that balance between savings and expenses. And to do that you have to be responsible enough to look at those credit card statements and check if your loans are paid on time. Be smart and manage those finances.

Xo,
Paula

To Shop or To Save

Yesterday, I got into a lengthy conversation about a pair of shoes I can afford but costs  most of a month's salary. It involved an Italian label, a pair of heels, my emergency fund savings, and self control. I constantly talk to an older fellow (who is more affluent than I am, and with a kid) who thinks its normal to buy clothes and shoes and food. These are needs, he said. I also mentioned a query on how people in the fashion industry afford their lives. Especially when you know how much they make and how much they spend on shopping (factor in online shopping, shipping, and customs duty.) I can't keep up with their lifestyle so I've decided to be frugal. Brown paper bag-ing my lunches, and walking short distances instead of cabs.

"You work hard, its your money, you shouldn't deprive yourself of things you want. You're not stupid to spend all of your savings on shopping. I don't get why you didn't buy it... *some more irrelevant things here* oooh... cause for me its a normal that I buy food and clothing." -said the older fellow.

I have a goal. And that goal is greater than my want to be the next Imelda Marcos. Although pricey heels will retain some of its value through out the years, it will still depreciate over time. The more you wear, the longer you have it, the lesser its value will be.

I don't think he understands what I'm going through. Although a fellow Filipino, he lives in a first world country with a higher paid high skill job. He has his own practice. He owns several real estate properties. He was born to an affluent family with significant participation in the government and military. (Remember what i said about parents, in my previous post, to be rich?) These things he accumulated over time.

Sure, he has always been accustomed to splurging. But I was raised in a more frugal manner. I studied money and business and how it works. I've been in several finance seminars and classes and talks. So when one thinks of spending I think of saving. And when I think of splurging I think of ways how to afford that.

Saving is not depriving myself. I need shoes, but that doesn't mean it has to be another pair of Ferragamos. I need suits, it doesn't mean it has to be worth more than thirty five thousand a piece ($750.) There is a giant difference between a want and a need. I definitely want a $750 designer suit, but I don't need one.

People in my country can live for three months with that amount of money. Even if I worked hard for it. It doesn't mean I can afford walking around malls and buying things that cost as much at a drop.

When asked why I don't purchase my wants, I respond, "because I don't need it." And also, "because I think about my future."

I dont imagine myself working until I'm 60 and eligible for retirement. I imagine myself leisurely enjoying my early retirement. And you have two ways to get that 1) ask for your inheritance early or 2) you plan ahead.

I prefer the latter. Really think about your wants and needs.

Xo,
Paula

Affluent Comparisons

We Filipinas/Filipinos have a tendency to look into the person next to us for comparison. May it be through her bowl to check if we have equal portions or through his clothing to see if we can match his labels.

But I've noticed one thing we do, when we're down we look to see if the person next to us have lesser and it puts things in perspective. Like another man's misfortune is our gain.

Let me tell you this. I want to stop the poverty comparisons. Why? Because if you're aiming to do better with your finances, comparing yourself to a man going from paycheck to paycheck will not help you any.

It's like setting a goal too low. If you're aiming to make 1 million in 3 years, I urge you to take the challenge of 10 million. At least if you don't make the 10 million mark there is a high chance that you went over the 1 million target you originally set for yourself.

That mentality of okay na ako, mas mabuti na itong kalagayan ko kesa sa mga nanlilimos at nagugutom sa kalsada (I'm okay, my current standing is better than that of hungry beggars in the streets) will not get you anywhere. Wouldn't it be better if you said kaunting kaunti na lang maabot ko na annual income ni Henry Sy (just a little bit more and I'll reach the annual income of Henry Sy.) at least you have something to strive for.

It's always better to aim high. Actually aim higher than your goals. Take the challenge and do better than what you're shooting for.

Xo,
Paula

Failure and Growth

Fear is constant in our daily lives. In the morning while taking the public commute, I fear I'll get robbed. While in a cab, I fear that I'll be drugged and murdered and thrown into an abandoned building after being raped. At nights when it's raining, I fear being stranded alone in the cold. I fear for the "big one" that will end the country.

Fear is so constant it's probably there in everything you do. So for today I'd like to share my fear of forever being employed, and my fear of a failing start up.

I've always thought that employment is not for me. Maybe it's because my college has always drilled in our heads we should be brave enough to have a start up two years after college. I guess that's a good thing. While others are busy thinking about clothes and which latest gossip it is they heard over the weekend, I see possibilities and think of new ventures.

Coupled with my brain's constant churning of business concepts and possible ways to get out of the rat race (as Robert Kiyosaki calls it) is the constant fear of failing. What if the gap I identified in the market is not really there? And the problem I identified is not really relevant to the consumers?

This fear of failure is the reason I have my other fear, of forever being employed. Which is a great boost for me. It lets me think. If my fear of failure asks, what happens if I try and fail? My fear of being trapped in employment asks, what happens if you don't try?

It's a two end spectrum. I am young, and i can only hope I have learned enough from other people's mistakes and failures to not experience them.

But i guess failure really isn't something to be frightened of. It is a necessary step to learning and growth. How many days til I launch my start up? Honestly? Right now the equipment we ordered hasn't been delivered its supposed to come today though. If it comes today, I'm getting a ledger and raw materials i can test the product and try it in the market 15 days from now. If that goes well I'll launch it 15 days after trial week.

Cheers to the beginning of the week. Remember that you shouldn't feel bad that its Monday and that it's back to work. Work is a good thing. And we shouldn't dread it. It's time for a paradigm shift.

Xo,
Paula

Compulsive Shopping and Fashion Classes

The thing about being a fashion student is that you get exposed to fashion industry a lot. Our class yesterday involved analyzing and observing the retail industry. And as my professor said, what better way to study the industry than be in it and participate.

So he asked all of us to channel our inner mademoiselle Coco and go to 3 brands that we are drawn to. These 3 brands must be brands that captures our brand and aesthetic.

Now the thing is when surrounded by people who are shopaholics, and inside a store where sales associates are trained to sell. There is a high chance that you will in fact, not leave the store without carrying a ribbon tied pastel colored box inside a beautiful paperbag, with a note of appreciation for spending so much money on clothes you probably don't need.

We visited six individual stores and two department stores. I left with two paperbags. It took all of my will power to put down an electronically pleated navy skirt (that I swear could easily match all of my whites, and blacks, and navys.) It took me a little less to let go of black and white ankle strap heels (which I have in flats, that I got while I was in college, of course my parents paid for it.)

You know how banks now offer forced savings? They deduct an amount every month from your savings account and transfer it to a secured account for saving and investing. This is a bank solution that they offer to make middle class (or young adults, or those who are between rich and broke) afford luxury items that they can't spot buy.

Now the thing is when you have that set up please please please do not withdraw it for a pair of Valentinos. No matter how much that product screams your name. Or no matter what the sales lady tells you. Or no matter how much discount she throws in. Let it rest there. And be invested. Let it grow. Nourish it by injecting more money. Those pumps will decrease in value but investments will keep you alive after 5 years.

It felt like I needed these purchases but after awhile, you'll realize that you don't need it and that these could have been properly invested somewhere else or saved for a rainy day. And unlike in the US you don't get refunds when you return in this country. So you have to be sure you'll be able to live with yourself if you splurge while on a budget.

Now I just have to ask myself always "do I need this?" And make sure I answer ccorrectly. Need to budget!

Xo,
Paula

Emotional Creatures need some form of release

I've been a lot mellow lately, like a blue sadness ghost is attached to my back. Slowly breathing depression into me. But the thing about those suicidal depressed people is that it's not as easy as Peter Pan's "think happy thoughts" and it's not all in my head. Okay, maybe it is all in my head. Ask my therapist maybe she can help you out.

But for people to tell depressed/extremely sad people that they shouldn't be and it's in their daily choices if they want to be happy. Bitch! (Excuse my French) let me tell you this. Telling me it's a choice, is like telling a junkie its a choice. (That's a really bad example) it sometimes can't be helped. Sometimes you're just really sad. And you have to be in that moment to feel better.

I've tried the "today I'm going to be happy" and sometimes it just isn't the way. Maybe eat my feelings. "I'll forget about it after this tub of salted caramel." I've previously talked about eating my feelings out in an older post. You know how they keep saying "acceptance is the first step to recovery"? That's actually very true for me (and I'm guessing most people.)

Faking happiness is not healthy. Eventually you'll just get tired and things that you do to make you happy won't work anymore. (Like eating ice cream when it's cold and being a burrito in the dark.)

To anybody who is there, in that dark space with a blue plushie called sadness hanging around your back, hang in there. There are others like you and me. And it will get better. Be strong. Be courageous. You are beautiful and you can survive this.

Xo,
Paula

Email is not dead

Hi again!

There's been a long debate on emails and how it isn't useful anymore. Several successful folks have voiced their opinions, including CEOs, COOs, start-up entrepreneur, employees and self employed alike.

E-mail is not dead. Although I still very much prefer sitting down and discussing issues. E-mail still play a key part in day to day life.

E-mail to some, (including myself) is a security blanket. Not a lot of people will have the courage to text a personal number a lengthy message of intent. Not everyone has the courage to make a cold call to a mentor to seek advice. And between the phone transactions calling and texting, e-mail is the safest way to go. You can go over your message several times but you can never un-say words that have been spoken. There is no pause, rewind button when you're on the phone with a client or your boss.

Any tool is effective if used correctly. You can make it or break it if you decide to use e-mails. Personally I'm restarting my career with emails. Since we are rapidly becoming dependent on technology, it's an edge to be able to impress a person with an email while being in the company you're working for. I'm also networking through emails. It isn't as intimidating as making cold calls. Especially if you know you have proof read your email and you know there's potential.

E-mail is just one of the many tools available to us. I suggest we exhaust it and use it to our advantage.

Xo,
Paula

Paranoia and Self Appreciation

You know how my professors all know my boss? Cause in this industry everybody knows everybody. And those teaching fashion are a select few and because of the scarcity they teach in all the fashion schools available.


Yesterday my prof snapped a photo of me, in my very minimalist kind of sad ensemble consisting of a grey origami skirt, a black knit long sleeves rolled up to my elbows and tucked in neatly, pearl with gold details earrings, gold watch, gold stud necklace, and black booties and tote that came as a set, and he texted during my presentation. And I assumed he was texting my boss. Who coincidentally texted me in class.

I texted her back telling her I won't be able to meet her that day and I'll just do whatever needed done tomorrow (which is today.) and Lev called me out. Good thing i was slightly paying attention and was able to salve what little was left of my dignity after being called out.

So there really isn't anything going on. Or at least my boss hasn't confronted me. I am prepared too. If you go through my neat table (with the mess is hidden inside the drawers) you'll find in a little envelope my resignation letter. I have no reason to stay in this company anymore. I think I've learned everything I can. Got the contacts and networked to all the people I needed. And those I'll need in the future I can also make through other opportunities.

Honestly I think my silence has improved the attitude of all my other co-workers towards me. But the feelings that have been stirred up mostly leading towards the dark dark sadness and loneliness do not just go away. And although my bosses are amazingly kind and easy to get along with in the end its the environment and the people you spend less than eight hours a day with that makes or breaks the way you see yourself in the company. And most of my co-workers, I've nothing against them, have future plans that doesn't involve the company. Of my whole stay its always been "my friend who works for my old company gets benefits, wonder when we will." Honestly? People who get paid a lot either are skilled a lot or work a lot and in this co-worker's case she is neither skilled nor hard working enough to get what all her other friends get.

I get it, friends compare company backgrounds, and employment benefits and salary packages. I do that too all the time. But everybody knows although all my childhood buddies make 3 or 4 times more than I do they don't get the same work hours that I get. They have no peace of mind on weekends. They dread Mondays. They get little to no sleep each night. They're in the office sun up to sun down. And I don't. I go to work when I feel like it. I leave whenever I want. I have the longest lunches any working girl ever has. So I don't know why my co-workers would compare what they make to what their friends make. On a side note, why stay if you feel like you can do better?

No I'm starting to sound bitter. Let's go  back to talking about me. You know how I'm in between rich and broke at the moment? Quitting my job would mean being broke. Now this is what an emergency fund is for. For when I go broke. My mum taking me to work every morning helps me save. So far I haven't shopped. I need to prepare for my resignation. Unlike that time when I graduated and I had a tiny bit of surplus when it comes to cash because of my thesis equivalent which is business implementation. I don't have that surplus anymore, because commute is not cheap and neither are lunches, or tuition.

All my future expenses that comes after my resignation is making me even more sad. This is the last month of my contract. I'm not going to extend it. Even if they all quit. You have to know when to stop a non profitable business. And I'm worth more than I'm getting in this place. Originally since I don't know anything being paid little was okay. But as a person who knows a little now and who is taking additional classes for self development I would say my worth went up a little.

Its a Friday and I'd like to end on a positive note. Never settle for something less than you deserve. If you know it in your heart that you're worth more than that bargain for it, insist a little. And if they turn you down move on to the next. Never stop believing in yourself. If you don't who would?

Xo,
Paula