Sunday, 18 May 2014

You Can Make A Difference


I have just attended this seminar for wanna-be entrepreneurs and it is surprising to see how many of us think so small of ourselves. We forget that we are created from greatness, we are special and we can make a difference.
Mother Teresa’s philosophy is so simple that it is not difficult for you or me to follow.
She has taught that doing the small things is what makes a difference.
She urged us to…
… give a little love,
… hug one child,
… listen to a friend,
… say a kind word,
… smile to someone,
… feed one person,
… be thankful for the small things,
… not judge someone,
… spread love first in your own house, and
… do small things with great love.
Great leaps begin with small steps. Let these small steps start with you.
You can have an impact in someone else’s life... beginning with your parents, your brother, a relative, a friend, the person sitting next to you at work and your neighbor.
The Bible has also given us a very good guideline: “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.”
It doesn’t cost much as well... a smile, a hug, the benefit of the doubt, a text message, a 'thank you', an appreciation for a work well done, a helping hand. A friend of mine gives $15 a month to send a child to school in the Philippines and another friend plays the keyboard during church services at her parish.
We are in this world not only for ourselves. We are here to become our best selves for others.
I like how Brendon Burchard, one of my favorite speakers, puts it. He said that there are only 3 important questions that we need to answer at the end of our lives:
Did I live?
Did I love?
Did I matter?



Now be the best that you can be,
Xiela

Thursday, 8 August 2013

Become Truly Rich




I have never thought that I will be investing in the stock market. I had this perception that stock market investing is risky, that it is only for the rich and would take up a lot of time if you want to do it properly. I came to realise that I was wrong when I joined the Truly Rich Club.

I joined the Truly Rich Club back in 2008. I joined not only because I trusted Bo Sanchez (as I have been a member of his Light of Jesus Community for as long as I can remember) but also because I realised that I need to invest in myself and I need to learn from other people who are already where I want to be.

My blessings


Ever since I became a member, I’ve definitely had a change in mindset… to the “rich” mindset (and in my own little way, I have infected my family as well).

I now have my own small portfolio, which has grown steadily from when I started in 2010. I am confident that this will fund me well through my retirement.

Not only do you get information on personal finance and stock market investing, but you are also fed spiritual, relational, character-building and health information as well.

Bo is a great storyteller so his articles, newsletters, books and talks are easy to understand, easy to absorb and practical. There are also “experts” who help Bo out, so you get introduced to the Philippines' best entrepreneurs, online marketers, educators, writers and so much more.

I am touched by Bo's message everyday.

The best information is not free


You might ask “If Bo is such a generous person, then why won’t he just give all the information for free?” If you have actually asked this question at the back of your head then you have a lot to work on in terms of your mindset; meaning, the more that you need the education from the Truly Rich Club.

Asking that question is like asking why do you need to pay such a huge tuition fee to go to Harvard University. Imagine if it was free to go to Harvard University. Do you think it would have the same prestige? Do you think students or professionals would be as proud to have been to that school if it were free?

Then you tell me “It’s not the prestige that you pay for, it’s the quality of education.” And I tell you “Exactly!” In the Truly Rich Club you get quality information that you could not have learned on your own.

And also, people tend to generally place lesser value to things they got for free compared to those they have worked hard for.

I have had upgrades on my membership and I don’t really mind paying the extra money because I get value for my money and I know that it will be put to good use.

Conclusion


I just really wanted to share the blessing that the Truly Rich Club has been to me and to hundreds, and even thousands, of others who are already members. I didn’t get paid for writing this. This is just feedback from a satisfied customer.

Also, the shares of great companies in the Philippines are “on sale” at the moment. It is really a great time to take advantage of the temporary dip in the Philippine stock market. Being a Truly Rich Club member can help you understand the stock market and remove the barriers that are keeping you from investing.

I’ll tell you what I told a friend a few weeks ago if you are unsure. Become a member for 3 or 4 months and if you decide that it is not for you then just discontinue your membership. I urge you to give it a try.

To all those reading this who are not Filipinos, don’t despair. Aside from the stock recommendations, which are Philippine companies, all information can apply to you. You can also invest in the Philippine companies recommended if your broker can trade internationally. Bo Sanchez also speaks and writes in English so there is no language barrier there.

You can check out what the Truly Rich Club has to offer here: Truly Rich Club

Be ready to be blessed even more.

Now be the best that you can be,
Xiela Marie Dacyon

P.S. – Yes, they have an affiliate program too. So aside from the awesome knowledge they provide, the Truly Rich Club can help you earn on the side as well.

Sunday, 30 June 2013

Framework for Assurance Engagements Mind Map

CA Module: Audit and Assurance



To receive a PDF copy, please enter your email address in the box located at the upper right side.

Now be the best that you can be,
Xiela

Friday, 21 June 2013

Stop, Look and Listen


Running faster, climbing higher
Doing more and having more
You've been obsessed with the race
But have you really thought if you're running on the right road
If your ladder is leaning on the right wall

You want to get there, you want it right now
But where is it that you want to go?
What is it that you really want to do?

Life is too short to want so much of that you don't need
To do more of what you don't love
To go everywhere and and get nowhere
To be somewhere you're not needed
To be needed but don't have the time
To have achieved yet not loved
To be someone you're not

You will always run around until you find your place
You will accumulate a pile unless you know what you want
You won't get there until you know where you want to go
You won't find what you're looking for until you stop

Listen to the voice, listen to your heart
Find your purpose and make a fresh start
Don't be disheartened by what others have to say
Don't compare and don't delay

Believe you'll find your place
Believe you'll have your peace
Life wasn't meant to be easy
Just love and enjoy your journey

Now be the best that you can be,
Xiela

Wednesday, 5 June 2013

Know What You Want


 http://www.flickr.com/photos/64776212@N00/3265368566

A few weeks ago I was watching The Voice, a national singing competition. One of the contestants, Kiyomi Vella, said that she loves singing that was why she joined The Voice but was studying engineering as her back-up plan. Joel Madden and Seal, two of the judges, told her similar messages that struck me. I couldn’t remember the exact words but it was something to this effect: If you want to achieve your dream, you have to focus on it. There is no back up, no comfort zone.

I suppose that top athletes, successful entrepreneurs, multi-awarded artists are what they are because they know what they want and they spend all their time, effort and money practicing, perfecting their craft… knowing that there is no other way but to succeed because there is no plan B.

I was just listening to a talk from my favourite preacher, Bo Sanchez. He said that one time he was asked this question: Why is it more powerful when you ask someone else to pray with or for you rather than praying on your own? Is God like a politician, who is moved by the number of voters? (Based on a verse in the Bible that says, “Whenever two or more agree about anything they ask, it will be done for them by the Father” Matthew 18:19).

Is that how God works? Of course not.

I love Bo’s answer. He said, “When you pray you do not change the mind of God. You change your mind. You become clearer with what you want.”

When you’re asking the help of someone, you tell them your story, you explain things to them and you tell them what you want. In that process, things become clearer to you as well. You reinforce your desire when you ask someone to pray for you.

These stories are probably lingering in my mind because sometimes I feel that I am fuzzy about what I want in some areas of my life. I create plan B’s… just in case. I realise that this doesn’t help all the time because I probably won’t give it 100% knowing that I have something to fall back on in case I fail.

I am also struggling for time because I am working on plan A but I have to allocate time to do plan B as well. Take the case of Kiyomi, she can be studying to be an engineer while singing probably on weekends or evenings. But she won’t be a well known, highly paid singer nor will she be one of the best engineering students, if she’s singing and studying at the same time. There is no focus.

Well, writing it down like this has just made it clear to me that I am not clear.

I hope my fuzziness can somehow help someone realise how important it is to know what you want in life.


Now be the best that you can be,

Xiela

Friday, 10 May 2013

Pursue Your Dreams


http://www.flickr.com/photos/33345813@N00/1115248583

When we see someone become a movie star, get promoted or become successful, we tell ourselves how lucky that person is. But if we take the time to learn their story, we’ll find that their success has least to do with luck at all.

These people did just one thing. They pursued their dream.

Sylvester Stallone’s story


I love the story of Sylvester Stallone. Some people may know his story but not many people do.

He was paralyzed from birth in the lower left side of his face and he has a slurred speech. But all he wanted was to become an actor. He came to New York City to pursue his dream.

Nobody wanted him. He was rejected more than 1,500 times by agencies in New York. He was also broke. He had to sleep in the New Jersey bus terminal for 3 weeks. At his lowest point, he had to sell his beloved dog for $25 to a stranger.

He decided to change his approach and wrote screenplays. Inspired by a fight he saw of Muhammad Ali, he wrote a screenplay and finished the script in 20 straight hours. 

He took it to movie producers and directors who rejected him. He however found one who was willing to pay $125,000 for it as long as he wouldn’t act on it. 

Sylvester wouldn’t have any of it. He wanted to become the lead actor. He walked away from the offer no matter how broke he was.

The producers increased their offer to $250,000 but he still didn’t accept it. They made another offer for $325,000. But he still said no.

They eventually agreed for him to act in the movie but only paid him $35,000.


He then used $15,000 of the money they paid him to buy back his dog, his bestfriend. The dog was also in the movie, Rocky.

Rocky made $200 million.

Colonel Sanders – The Kentucky Fried Chicken Story


You are probably more familiar with Colonel Sanders’ story, which is summarised below.

Colonel Harland Sanders was 65 years old when he received his first social security cheque of $99. He knew he had to do something so he could survive financially.

Colonel Sanders always had a passion for cooking. He believed there was an opportunity to market his original recipe chicken to restaurant owners across the U.S.

He told the restaurant owners that he had a chicken recipe, with its blend of eleven herbs and spices, which people liked and he was giving it to them for free. All he wanted in return was for the restaurant owners to pay him a small percentage on the pieces of chicken sold.

In his travels in the U.S., he was rejected more than 1,000 times. However, Sanders persevered and 1,009 tries after he finally persuaded Pete Harman in South Salt Lake, Utah, to partner with him. They launched the first "Kentucky Fried Chicken" site in 1952.
And, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

Don’t fear failure


We fail. We get rejected. We lose. Everyone does. I learned from inspiring people like Sylvester Stallone and Colonel Sanders that the more you fail, the more chances of success you will have.

I used to fear failing but I try not to anymore.

When I wonder why I have not achieved my dream, I just ask myself if I have failed enough times or if I have even tried at least 100 times. The answer is most likely 'No'.

You may want to have your own house, become a qualified accountant, lose 10 kilos or become the best dad. No matter what your dream is, work passionately on it and be willing to pay the price then you will see results.

I like this quote from Robert Kiyosaki:




Say 'YES' in the comments below if you are determined to pursue your dream!

Now be the best that you can be,

Xiela