Are You Stressed Out?

photo from getty images

Since my husband’s death last March 12, my stress level has been rising steadily.  Not only was his death so sudden, he neglected to prepare for it. He did not leave any will, which made me work overtime just to meet all the legal requirements of the US Embassy for them to issue a death certificate.  I also have to deal with the staff of the US bank where his personal account is deposited and collaborate with his living heirs, his three children who are all living in America.

He was so used to assisting me with all the technical aspects of my business and training programs, that he was the only one who knew where all the equipment were and the tools  that went with it. You can just imagine all the searching and testing that went on before we finally made our computers, sound systems, video cameras and other equipment function normally.

photo from getty images

The financial mess that ensued from his sudden death is too painful to even be recalled. Suffice it to say that for the first time in two decades, I am paying my credit cards in installments. You see, I have made it a habit to settle all my credit card bills the moment I receive it, so that I don’t get charged with monthly interest.  As a result, I have to work harder just to pay all my other bills on time.

On top of all these, several clients demanded that I conduct my training programs all in the month of May! They all had their deadlines to fulfill. I had no choice.  But wait, all but two of the programs will be conducted out-of-town, which means that I will be losing man-hours in travelling.

At the time of this writing, I completed one session with resounding success, with three regions of DEPED extending their invitation for me to conduct the same program, “Enhancing Personal and Professional Image.”

The point is, in the process of pleasing my customers and constantly asking for God’s help in focusing on the task at hand and giving me a “second wind,” I discovered that my stress level lowered considerably. I actually started enjoying what I was doing and savoring the adventure of being in a brand new environment.

What did this experience teach me? I realized that most of our tension and stress are self-induced. Our preconceived notions of how things ought to be done and how situations should be handled get in the way of our own happiness and well-being. In other words, when we learn to “go with the flow,” we are doing ourselves a great favor. We start to perform with energy and enthusiasm and effortlessly reach our peak levels.

I look forward to conducting my other programs, especially “Delighting Your Customers” for the employees of El Nido Resorts in Palawan.

Look for El Nido Resorts in the internet and you will see why it is such a pleasure to be there. It is so lovely, it takes my breath away. It is like being in a little piece of heaven, your own paradise. Yes, indeed, I have a lot to be thankful for.

The next time you feel like shouting, pulling your hair, and saying “Give me a break…”stop, breathe deeply and find a reason to be joyful. Appreciate what you have and anticipate the graces and blessings our Lord has in store for you. It never ceases to amaze me, how we can turn our life around, just by changing the way we think.

Think about it. Are you really stressed out, or just venting out?

Beware of Scams

Photo from www.impactlab.net

If you are like most people, who have only the best intentions in mind, you are most likely going to be another victim to the myriad of scams going around.

Imagine my surprise when I got an email, telling me that I stand to inherit a fortune of over  $18m, because of my surname. The sender explained that he is a lawyer who is looking for someone with the Loomis surname, because he used to work for a self-made millionaire who cut off relations with his relatives in the US over twenty years ago. He also warned me not to mention it to anyone and that all I have to do is sign documents that he will prepare claiming that I am the lone next of kin of the deceased millionaire. Of course, I consulted a lawyer friend, who immediately searched the web and discovered hundreds of similar cases all done thru the net. By this time, the sender was very eager to start the transaction and urged me to act with haste. When I did not reply anymore, the messages abruptly ceased.

Photo from www.watchforscams.com

Con artists also use the cell phone for their scams. These are easier to detect though, because of the absurdity of their claims, like you have just won several hundred thousand pesos in a raffle contest, and all you need to do is give your bank account details, so they can deposit your winnings directly. Who can possibly fall for such a lie?

They are everywhere…just waiting for another gullible soul to fall prey to their tricks.

Catching them would be next to impossible, because they remain anonymous, and you never get to see them at all. So, how do you stop them? You can’t…they simply vanish and move on to other possible victims.  The next best thing is to warn others and stay on guard for whatever new or novel and elaborate schemes they might create next time.

As the familiar saying goes, “If it is too good to be true, it is not true at all.”

Are You Garbed for Travel?

Even travel-savvy people sometimes fall into the trap of wearing the wrong outfits and bringing the wrong items on their trips.

A friend of mine asked me what she should bring and wear for her trips. For her sake, and for many others like her, let me share these practical and easy tips to follow:

1. Wear comfortable flat shoes called slip-ons. Sneakers with shoestrings can be cumbersome, as you have to untie and tie the laces every time you go through airport security checkpoints. If you can find sneakers with Velcro or without any strings, they could become your favourite travel shoes. If you plan to travel soon, find at least one pair that can make your feet happy.

2. For people like me who love hats, keep your hats in a hat box while traveling. You will avoid constantly taking it off and forgetting it in the airports.

3. Avoid wearing baggy dresses. You could be subjected to unwelcome hand frisking if you do.

4. If you plan to bring a substantial amount of money, it is better to buy travellers cheques for your own security.

5. Bring a neck support with a snap, so you can attach it to your handbag. If it doesn’t have one, you can sew your own snap. This will ensure that you will not buy a new one for each trip.

6. Bring a self-help book or magazines that will feed your mind and turn your waiting time into productive and pleasurable moments.

  

7. Make sure you have at least two good writing and signing pens. You cannot always borrow one on the plane to complete your arrival cards.

8. Put all liquid gifts or souvenir items inside your check-in luggage. Airport security personnel will confiscate these items if they find them in your carry-on bags.

9. If you are travelling overseas, it will be wise to log on to your destination’s website, for specific guidelines on travel warnings, prohibited items and apparel, as well as local customs and traditions.

A wise man once said, “Traveling is the best education in the world.” If you can get educated, be safe and have fun along the way, that’s even better, isn’t it?

Third Image Forum a Roaring Success!

Hotel Celeste Makati was abuzz with interest and enthusiasm as members of the Philippine Chapter Initiative of the Association of Image Consultants International and their guests trooped to the fourth floor function room to attend the much-awaited Third Image Forum.

Extra chairs had to be brought in to seat the blockbuster audience.  Delby Bragais, the President, was beaming with pride and pleasure as she welcomed members and guests alike.  Karen Agustin-Ostrea, the President-Elect, hosted the event and called on Abby Arenas-de Leon to introduce the main speaker, Dina H. Loomis.

Dina regaled the audience with her action-packed and fast-moving talk entitled “Multiply Your Income with Presentation Mastery.” She called on one of the guests, Julius Magno, to deliver an impromptu talk using the outline that she presented.  Instant feedback and suggestions for improvement were given by Brooks Loomis. A great roar of delight came from the audience when they were treated to a fireworks display on the screen followed by a rain of confetti at the end of her presentation.

Karen introduced the second speaker, Toastmasters International Champion speaker, Orly Tugob, who spoke on the topic “Effective Negotiation Skills.” A quiz was given to everyone to determine each individual’s negotiation style.  Orly’s talk elicited a flurry of questions and comments and a high level of excitement.

Delby quipped, “Dina and Orly you have both gained an instant fans club tonight.”

Photo Captions from the Slide Show

1. Jewel Lobaton-Pimentel registering for the image forum, while Karen Agustin-Ostrea looks on.
2. Abby Arenas-De Leon, Ms. D, Karen Agustin-Ostrea, and Baby Doble prior to the start of the program.
3. President Delby Bragais, AICI, FLC welcomes the audience to the 3rd Image Forum. 
4. Ms. D gestures while demonstrating effective delivery skills.
5. Ms. D explains three opportunities for speakers.
6. Audience participation with Julius Magno, who gave an impromptu talk.
7. Ms. D ended with a bang…(Note fireworks display on the screen)
8. …followed by a rain of confetti.
9. Audience was asked to participate in a negotiation quiz.
10. Orly Tugob discussed the different negotiation styles.
11. Orly Tugob recommended reading selected books on negotiations before the end of his talk.
12. President Delby thanking the audience and inviting interested parties to join the Philippine Chapter Initiative.

Recession-Proof Shopping

 

 “I never have enough money for the items I need to buy.” Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? “Why did I ever buy that perfume? I have more than a year’s supply at home.” How about this familiar gripe? “Everything is too expensive. The only thing that doesn't go up is my income.”

The recession that started in America, spread to Europe and infected the rest of the world has caused so much anxiety among the average income earners and of course has stifled the ordinary shoppers.

There has to be a way to shop without going bankrupt. Here are a few suggestions to sail from payday to payday without spending everything you have earned.  In fact, you can still shop, save money and even have fun in the process.

1. Practice delayed gratification – Avoid buying on impulse. “This is a common weakness among people and can be avoided by making a list of things to buy ahead of time and crossing out items that are not absolutely needed.

2. Veer away from the “bargain syndrome” – I used to be “sucked in” to a buying spree every time I saw any of these signs: “Buy One Take  One,” “50% Discounts,””Closing Out Sale,” etc.  As a result, I ended up throwing it away when I discovered it in a secluded corner of one of my closets and noticed the expiry dates.

3. Canvass first – Take time to visit several shops first and compare quality and price before buying. Sometimes, cheaper is not always better.  Especially when it comes to clothing apparel, the best gauge to determine its value is how often you can wear it until it starts looking old. Food items are even more critical. Our stomach and health could be adversely affected, if we buy based on price alone. You may decide to buy the lower-priced item only if the other item is of the same quality.

4. Cook your own food – Eating at restaurants or buying food from delicatessens can add up to a lot of money. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much you have saved simply by eating at home or bringing a lunch box to your office. Others take their lunches at reasonably-priced canteens.

5. Bring bottled water – This will save you money and save your health as well. You will be tempted to buy bottled beverages or cans of soda if you don’t have bottled water with you.

This is just a short list to start thinking about buying only what you truly need and not whatever you want. It helps to ask God for will power to resist the numerous temptations to buy what you see on TV ads or huge billboards around town as well. The money that you save today could help build your “nest egg” for tomorrow. 

Winners for Ms. D's Seminar

Congratulations to the winners of our blog and Facebook raffles.


But first, here's what we did:


1. We printed out the comments in the blog and in Facebook.

2. We cut it up, rolled it and put it in a glass bowl. One for the blog entries and one for FB entries.

Blog Entries

FB Entries

3. We drew the winners. And they are:

Blog - Mr. Angel Henson

Facebook - Bless Baltazar!

Congratulations to our winners!


Please email your contact details to beyondlookinggood@gmail.com.

Ms. D at the Fil-Chi Federation

Standing from left:  Saling Canonizado. Moring So, Jean Yao, Charo Lim, Stephanie Sy, Angela Natividad, Anna Lao, Loly Uy, Rosalina Tan, Annie Chua, Mary Ang, Nancy Tang, Rosario Lim Seated from left:  Lydia Castro, Evelyn Uy, Myrna Natividad, Rosalind Wee, Myrna Yao, Ms. D, Isabel Cu

The Filipino-Chinese Federation of Business and Professional Women of the Philippines held their first General Membership meeting of 2011, on January 18, at the Lopez-Rizal Rooms, Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila.

Myrna T. Yao, President, Rosalind L. Wee, Executive Vice President, and Attorney Amy L. Wong, Vice President for Internal Affairs, were on hand to welcome Ms. D, the guest of honor and speaker, who spoke on “Individual Style and Personal Branding.”

Ms. D with officers and members of the Filipino-Chinese Federation of Business and Professional Women of the Philippines last January 18, 2011. 

Ms. D. showing the four types of business dress and personal branding strategies.

An open forum followed the short individual style analysis given to two of the members. Several lucky members and the guest speakers brought home the super delicious “Tikoy” in preparation for the Chinese New Year.

PMAP Awards Ms. D

Ms. D being congratulated by Jesse N. Rebustillo of the Phil. Daily Inquirer and PMAP Past Director.

Ms. Dina H. Loomis received the “Most Active Participation Award” from outgoing People Management Association of the Philippines President Jimmy M. Isidro, FPM.

Gerry A. Plana, FPM, PMAP Executive Director congratulates Ms. D.

Ms. D with some PMAP members and incoming PMAP President, Bong C. Austero (4th from the left) and outgoing PMAP President, Jimmy M. Isidro, FPM (4th from the right).

This award is given annually to organizations that participated in General Membership meetings, annual convention, and learning sessions of PMAP.

WIN a Slot in Ms. D’s Seminar

Do you hyperventilate when the words you and public speaking are used in one sentence?

Do you suffer from mental block, dry mouth, butterflies in the stomach when in front of an audience?

Fret no more! Ms. D has a specially designed program to help you make effective presentations and working it to your advantage.

Not only that, you will also learn Effective Negotiations Skills from Orly Tugob, a USAID Certified Trainer.

A winning skills combination to help you advance in your profession and in life.

  

There are TWO easy ways to WIN!

First

1.    Leave a comment at the end of this article.

Second

1.    Like our Facebook page here .

2. Share this picture here.

3. Leave a comment.

       

We will raffle off two slots with one winner from the blog  and one winner from FB.

Increase your chances by joining here and in FB!

To know more about Ms. D click here 

To know more about Mr. Tugob click here 

For reservations and inquiries you may call 881.7358 or 883.2676 or leave a comment.

Making Travel Easy and Fun

Travel has been both a boon and a bane for travelers worldwide.” ”I accomplished so much during my business trip. I just wish I could have done it without traveling.”

How can we travel without so much hassle and pain? Here are a few ways to make the experience a little more pleasant and a little less of a strain:

1. Plan ahead – rushing causes heartburn and forces us to adjust our activities to fit our last-minute schedules. When this happens, we start our trip with a lot of tension and headache.

2. Make a list – nothing beats a list. Believe me, it’s worth the effort. My husband, Brooks, is proof of this. He has everything neatly in place anywhere we go, because he always makes a list. This also saves time and aggravation, since we don’t have to shop for things that we forget to bring.

3. Travel light – Most people don’t realize that on a one-week trip, they don’t have to bring a different set of clothes for each day. Men can have a shirt for each day, and one set of coat and pants to match the shirts, while women can have a blouse for each day and one set of blazer and skirt or slacks to match the blouses. This will greatly lighten their luggage and allow them some room for buying souvenir items.

 

4. Bring a favorite book, your e-book reader or your iPad – waiting in airport lounges or long flights will cease to be boring when we can enjoy reading our favorite book or browse through our iPads.

5. Be friendly - smile and speak to people who are not otherwise engaged in conversations with others. You will be surprised at how many interesting new friends or business contacts you will be able to meet at airports or hotels. My latest trip to the U.S. is proof of this. I was able to establish new business contacts in Japan and the U.S. simply by paying attention to other travelers and striking up a friendly conversation.

6. Get updated information on security at airports – Keep all items that could be confiscated by security agents inside your check-in luggage. You could be saving yourself the agony of having to give up some attractive gift or personal items.

Go ahead and continue with your travel plans. Make 2011 your banner year. Life can be more rewarding and adventurous when you can convert traveling into enjoyable events instead of unavoidable hurdles.