My resume

Engracia Delia C. Le
"Ingrid Carlos"
7832 Yates Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Mobile: 612-559-7742 E-mail: ingrid@techedgetelecom.com
URL: http://www.techedgetelecom.com/

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Small Business Sales Consultant,

Qwest Communications.

June 2008 to January 2009.

• Answered incoming calls and delivered superior customer service by implementing a one-call principle in resolving customers’ problems and addressing their complaints.
• Converted every call into a sales opportunity through transitional selling.
• Adhered to company policies on courteous transfers of misdirected calls.
• Consulted with small business owners regarding their telecom services, processed their orders, and made sure that their services are installed in a timely manner.
• Utilized and managed multiple windows and system software in order to deliver efficient and superior customer service.

Inside Sales,

Wells Fargo Bank.

August 6, 2007 to June 2008.

• Consistently achieved 150% of sales objectives and had the highest number of sales for the last quarter of 2007.
• Earned a commendation as a “Sales Star” from our District Manager during a quarterly recognition for top performing tellers.
• Created a high degree of satisfaction among customers by listening and uncovering their needs, and matching the company’s products to their needs.
• Followed and upheld company policies and systems in order to protect the organization and customers’ confidential and private information.

Office Manager and Coach,

Money Coach Enterprises.

June 2005 to April 2007.

• Developed, edited, and enhanced marketing communications (such as newsletters) as well as PowerPoint presentations.
• Started this business from a home-office, co-created the brand, and managed workflow (both inbound and outbound communication).
• Performed various administrative tasks: set up appointments with clients and networking opportunities; business correspondence; profit and loss analysis; marketing and sales.
• Met with clients to determine their financial habits, circumstances, and practices; and recommended personalized techniques to improve their overall financial conditions.

Assistant Program Manager,

TeamAsia (http://www.teamasia.com/).

October 2004 to April 2005.

• In a single event, earned a break through revenue of P 1,000,000 (buying power of $ 60,000) for my company and saved the client an equivalent P 1,000,000 by getting cash, media, and in-kind sponsorships.
• Organized the first “SWEEP Technology Awards”, a corporate event for Smart Communications, the top cell phone service provider in the Philippines.
• Displayed strong leadership and communication skills by: (1) collaborating with a large event-staff consisting of at least 30 people (plus suppliers), (2)coordinating with more than 50 schools, (3) bringing together more than 150 teachers and students from different provinces of the Philippines and arranging for their travel and accommodation, and (4) gathering more than 2,000 attendees from participating institutions.
• Prepared the budget, and profit and loss analysis for every event and training seminar.
• Used and mastered the MS Office programs (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook) as tools to manage multiple projects, communicate with several departments, and create high-impact business presentations.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Event Specialist and Volunteer,

HOPE worldwide Philippines.

June 2008 to April 2007.

• Co-conceptualized their signature campaign against child abuse called, “Stop Child Abuse Now!” (SCAN), and organized its launch in November 2008.
• Secured a 30-minute TV feature for the organization in one of the top TV stations in the Philippines, a major breakthrough in its marketing effort.
• Wrote and developed all the marketing and communication materials for SCAN, which raised at least $20,000 (P 100,000) for the organization.
• Created the PowerPoint presentation for SCAN and presented them to individuals, churches, offices, etc.
• Met with decision makers in corporations, presented our cause and campaigns, and persuaded them to adopt HOPE worldwide Philippines as their Corporate Social Responsibility project.
• Toured prospective and current donors around the facilities of the organization, as well as explained the different programs to them.
• Launched my personal fundraiser via a blog: http://www.stopchildabusenow.blogspot.com/

Head, Participants Division,

The Parenting Company

December 2003-April 2004.

• In charge of bringing participants to the 1st Parenting Convention, and successfully brought 500 parents, teachers, advocates, and civic leaders to the event.
• Managed a small group of volunteers to help with answering inquiries, as well as making outbound calls to prospective participants.
• Wrote letters of correspondence and invitations to churches, schools, and other institutions.
• Coordinated with corporations to get sponsorship for parents who couldn’t afford the convention fees.
• Managed all participants during the day of the event, and made sure that everyone was happy, content, and served.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications
Major in Broadcasting
Graduated March 2003
Dean’s list


AFFILIATIONS

Crown Financial Ministries
Leader and Member, 2007-present.
Co-leads (with spouse) the financial class based on Biblical principles, and is training to become a money map coach.

International Churches of Christ
Leader and Member. 1998-present.
Leads a small Bible Study group and helps to counsel women, married couples, and students.


WRITING PORTFOLIO

http://www.engraciale.blogspot.com/
http://www.techedgetelecom.com/
http://www.stopchildabusenow.blogspot.com/

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

The power of positive, Christ-like thinking

Funny how our minds work sometimes. This is a reflection I had while my husband was ordering something from a drive thru.

My mind went back to those good old childhood years. I remembered how I used to talk to myself a lot (does any of you do this?) and pretend that I was receiving an award or winning a contest of some sorts.

"First place for the BULPRISA (Bulacan Private Schools Association) singing contest...Engracia Delia Carlos!"

"Valedictorian...Engracia Delia Carlos!"

"Winner for the poster-making contest....Engracia Delia Carlos!"

I thought about this because I have been having a lot of self-defeating thoughts lately about my career, vocation, and life in general. It occured to me that my thoughts may be affecting my reality.

Not to boast but just to prove a point, I did win those contests above and I did graduate valedictorian in Elementary and High School. I often ask myself today, "What has happened to me? Why have I gone from being a winner to being a loser?"

So much has happened since then of course. I will not say that I was entirely on a losing streak after high school just because I stopped winning contests and receiving awards. I will say that God has reasons for allowing me to taste defeat. PRIDE, for example, was a big problem of mine. It still is today--something I have to watch out for.

However, I feel that God is telling me that it's time to pick up the pieces again and "break up my unplowed grounds" Jer.4:3.

I have lingered in so much self-defeat that it has become unhealthy and limiting for me. It's become ungodly to some point. I believe that a Christian should feel the most victorious of all.

I'm at a stage of my life where I'm trying to discover what my real skills, talents, or gifts are. It is increasingly becoming clear that wisdom and depth of insight is a strength of mine. God has given me the gift of insight and I desire to use it help others. He has also equipped me with some writing and counseling skills -- this is how I best communicate, I think.

I guess that's why I'm starting to want to share these insights to more and more people-- with the hope that people will actually pay attention, read, learn.

Anyway, back to the topic. I shared these thoughts with my husband and he agreed. There is POWER in POSITIVE THINKING.

Then we asked ourselves...is this secular thinking? Is positive thinking just a new age idea? Is it humanistic and not God-focused?

Then we scanned our minds for some scriptures that actually show to some degree that positive, Christ-like thinking is a COMMAND. Every Christian must learn how to exercise this.

Here are some of those scriptures:

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5

Our thoughts are to be obedient to Christ. Remember that we have an adversary, the devil, who often speak in such smooth lies that they seem to be true. When we are enslaved or bothered by a certain thought, let us ask ourselves, "Is this a Christ-like thought?" or "Do these thoughts come from Christ/God?"

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil. 4:7-9

In speaking about peace of mind--peace that passes understanding, actually---Paul commands us to think only good thoughts. These will guard our hearts and minds.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. 12:2

Nowhere is positive thinking more exuded than in calvary, when Jesus was nailed to the cross. While dying, Jesus felt joy for what was about to happen. He saw heaven before Him. He saw souls being saved and people being freed from the fear of death. He saw us having a way back to God once again.

No wonder He is the perfecter and author of our faith.

POSITIVE, CHRISTLIKE THINKING...should we call it FAITH then?

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb. 11:1

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

I still vividly remember when I discovered Mark 11:24 while on vacation church school many years ago. It was like a light-bulb of insight for me.

In my childish thinking I decided to "test" this scripture. My favorite basketball team was on a "losing streak" and I've been receiving a lot of taunting from my cousins. The morning I read this scripture I prayed, "God, please make my favorite basketball team win. I know that it will happen because nothing is impossible with you."

In a declaration of faith, I told my cousins, "Ginebra (my team), will win tonight. You just see." They won with a two-point shot on the last 2-3 seconds of the game. From then on, I hugged my Bibles everytime I watched basketball.

In conclusion, I think in terms of my career and future, my faith is hurt. I've been doing lip-services to God by saying "nothing is impossible with God," but I've not been living like I mean it. I need to repent.

So, in a statement of faith, let me share my dream with you...

Engracia Delia Carlos...author, counselor, family advocate, and speaker.

It is time to just go with the strength that I have and rely on God's power all the way.

Positive, Christ-like thinking.

PRAYER:

Dear Father,

Years of defeat, pains, goals-not-met, heartaches have hurt my faith. Dear Lord, I pray that you heal me from my faithlessness, weak arms, feeble knees, and allow me to soar on wings like eagles.

Lord, my pride has hindered me in the past and has caused my destruction. I ask that you forgive me from my sin and clothe me with humility. Let me do great things for you Lord and make this life count.

Use the gifts you have given me to fulfill your irrevocable calling for me. May I make you proud. Amen.

The Go, Grow, and Glow Ingredients of Success

This is a three-part reflection on my talents and skills in relation to my career/vocation, and business. Hope it inspires you.

Feel free to leave your comments.

Go with power

Glass ceiling on my career/vocation:

I am a second best. To whom? To everyone else. Because everyone else is better than me at something. Someone else is getting the opportunity before me because he/she are more talented.
REAL ISSUE:

Pride. People have different gifts and no one was born superior over another. God gave different skills and talents to everyone but we choose whether to harness them or not. The issue is that I have not given the time and effort to recognize and harness the gifts that God has given me. That is why, I am not excelling.

“29for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29

God has called each of us to a certain unique purpose. We must therefore recognize what our gifts are and follow God’s irrevocable calling. If we do otherwise, we feel empty and unfulfilled.

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:5-7

I have read this scripture many times but somehow my eyes just got opened to what it’s trying to tell me.

A. POWER. ”You have gifts Ingrid but you have to ‘fan them into flame’. You can’t be timid to share your talents and skills. That’s not the kind of spirit that’s inside you. God gave you the spirit of POWER. You have to step up and use your talents for God. Only then will realize what power you have.

Yes, with your gifts, you have God’s power to make an impact. You have great skills: listening and wise counsel, writing, and performing arts (singing, acting, directing, even dancing), persuasion. Use your talents to bless others and win others for the Lord because that is your life’s mission.

It really doesn’t matter if you are a novice, an expert, or average at what you do. Remember what the angel said to Gideon, “The Lord is with you mighty warrior….therefore go in the strength that you have. Am I not sending you?”

POWER does not come from you. It comes from God. Sometimes you feel weak because you think you are your own source of power. Wrong! POWER and STRENGTH comes from the Lord! “

Paul had the same struggle about himself. 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:11.

People were comparing Paul to the “super-apostles”-those who could perform miracles, signs, and wonders. In people’s minds, they were the first-rate apostles. In this sense, Paul was second-rate. There’s hardly any miracle, signs, and wonders being attributed to Paul---except maybe for his out-of-the-ordinary conversion. All that’s recorded of him (that I can recall) were his imprisonment, his arrests, his floggings, his preaching, his missionary journeys (2 Corinthians 11:21-29).

Sometimes, I feel like a second-rate person. I am a master of nothing, without any great achievement.

Like Paul, I would like to plead with the Lord to take away my weaknesses – thorns in my flesh that Satan uses to torment me and keep me from becoming conceited. It would be awesome to live life without doubts, failures, hardships, insecurities, character weaknesses.

In Paul’s mind, there was a tug of war between boasting about the things he can “really” boast about-- like the heavenly revelations he saw—and boasting about his weakness. Paul chose to boast about his weakness so that people will not think of him more highly than what is warranted.

Surely there are some things I can boast about myself in the past and in the present. However, if I must boast, I will boast of my imperfect knowledge, skills, and talents that God is able to use for His glory.

9” But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Did Gideon fight the Midianites with thousands of soldiers and charioteers? No…only with 300 soldiers and with GOD’S POWER. Did David fight Goliath with armor and spear? No…only with a sling and “a” stone and with GOD’S POWER. Did the walls of Jericho fall with grenades and nuclear weapons? No…only with marching and noises and GOD’S POWER.

God’s power is made perfect in my weakness. Whose power do I want recognized in my life? God’s power or “my” power (although there’s no such thing). If in my head my power rests in myself, I will be very tired with constantly trying to prove myself. But, if I rely on God’s power alone then I MUST BE NEITHER AFRAID NOR ASHAMED to show and use my imperfect talent or skill. I will boast all the more of my weakness so that Christ’s power may rest in me.

I have the spirit of POWER…but not the power that is of the world, humanistic, and arrogant. It is the power that comes from the Lord.

PRACTICALS:

1. Step up and share my talents and be confident. My skill or talent may not be perfect, yet I must still share and harness it.

2. Ministries I can be involved in are: BT leadership, BT d-group, talent/singing ministry, HOPE for grant writing.

3. Careers I can look for: Non-profit counseling, grant writing, school admissions counseling, job counseling, social services, family and children nonprofits

4. Whenever I am tempted to be insecure about my talents and skills, I can say to myself, “Go in the strength that you have Ingrid. God is with you. His calling is irrevocable. Your imperfect talent/skill highlights God’s power.

5. Skills I can maximize for the TechEdge Telecom business: writing, listening skills, wise counsel, persuasion.

Glow with love

B. LOVE.

I come alive not with money and prestige. What really makes me come alive is serving others and spending myself for God’s work. Only in doing things out of love (not out of greed, recognition, advancement) do I truly feel complete and fulfilled.

I have a constant impulse to compare myself to others. I should earn more than this or that person because I am more talented. I should be more successful but I am not. Therefore, I am insecure.

Whenever I want to pursue counseling, I am nagged by the thought that it doesn’t pay much. I must try to get a career that pays better. That’s what a job should do: pay well. I must earn more than my sister, or my cousin, or my friend, or many other people because I am more talented or smart or intelligent than they are.

I say this to my shame because I probably think more highly or myself than what is true. I believe that this keeps me from truly living up to my potential.

In Paul’s discourse on love in 1 Corinthians 13, he says that even if we can speak in different languages, or prophecy and fathom mysteries, and move mountains with our faith, or even do great acts of charity and sacrifice, if we don’t love, we are nothing.

I believe he’s saying, even if we can do great, wonderful, history-making things, if love is not the motivation, we will feel empty and unfulfilled. Love is what perfects our imperfect talents and skills. If we do things out of love and with God’s power, we would have perfected our gifts.

1 John 4:17-19

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19We love because he first loved us.

The only confidence I must strive for is the confidence before the Lord on the Day of Judgment. I can only have that confidence if I live like God, which means live in LOVE. Perfect love drives out fear. If I can do things out of love, then I will not be afraid or insecure.

PRACTICALS:
1. Only do things out of love. I will even stop doing something if I am doing it out of any other motivation, like recognition or money.

2. At church, constantly pray about my motivation to serve out of love.

3. At home, do things not out of obligation or guilt but out of love for my family (husband and son).

4. In the business, do things out of love for my clients and my son because I desire to be with him and raise him up.

Grow in self-discipline

C. SELF DISCIPLINE.

What talent or skill is harnessed without hard work? Every great athlete works hard to perfect his skill. It takes discipline to fan a gift into flame.

1 Corinthians 9:25-30 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

My real goal in life is to make it to heaven and to use my skill or talent to win people for God. I must work hard with discipline towards this. People respect people who work hard at something, and are good at something.

It takes discipline to always look for ways to develop my skills. It takes discipline and sacrifice to always be serving. It takes a self-disciplined man or woman to accomplish and follow thru with goals. There shouldn’t be any excuse to be lazy and complacent. Without self-discipline, there is no growth or improvement.

PRACTICALS:

1. Have the self-discipline to schedule times to harness my skills by serving or working.

2. Have no excuse for laziness and complacency.

3. Have the self-discipline to truly accomplish what I set in my heart to do.

Life begins at 30...

I'm months from turning 30 and becoming a mom for the first time. It's time to build my ministry.

Books I'd like to write:

Proverbs -- Training Children God's Way
Blending Families -- Learning from the families in the Bible
Marriage -- Following God's heart
Careerwoman -- based on Proverbs 31
The Audacity of Faith and Surrender
Raised to a new life -- A memoir from my husband's near-death experience

Things I'd like to do:

Build my own business
Build a non-profit/special ministry that impacts families in the 21st century
Write a best seller
Travel and meet people
Become an inspirational speaker
Become a consultant or counselor on Biblical Principles on Family and Human Relationships
Have flexibility of time at work/business and involve my kids in worthy causes
Become financially free

Priorities:

God
Marriage
Family
Friends
Career

Feedback from my supervisors

Our assistant branch manager and my direct supervisor, the service manager, are having one-on-one meetings with each teller for two weeks now.

This is an effort to alleviate the customer service in our branch as recent surveys from customers have not been satisfactory.

I was the first teller to be talked to. I was nervous as my service manager previously gave me a feedback that she noticed that I usually start my transactions with a very seriuos mood, but I warm up in the middle of it. She encouraged me to always start with a smile. I found that suggestion helpful as I've had mostly "4" surveys, instead of "5", which is perfect and is the target.

To my encouragement, they really said a lot of good things about me. Hmmm...actually, one of Dale Carnegie's principles in "How to win friends and influence people," comes to mind. When you're wrong admit it.

I told them that I really liked that my supervisor gave me feedback about how I look when doing the transactions. In my heart of hearts, I truly want to deliver great customer service, but there may be gestures, habits I've formed that are not very welcoming -- which I'm not aware of. Seeing my self through others eyes was a much needed help.

Having started our talk that way, I guess they just felt the need to lift my spirits. They told me that I take my job to heart. I am sincere in what I do and serious in excelling at my job. My assistant branch manager told me that I am fearless. I take what is suggested or given to me and I do it right away. I am not afraid to try new things.

I also made some suggestions on how I think we can rally our whole team behind the "WOW!" service and they exclaimed that may be I should be the "WOW!" champion. My service manager said that already, she is noticing some leadership potentials showing up.

It was a great day for me. Getting positive feedback and constructive criticism from my supervisors was the fuel I needed to get excited about my job. I hope my supervisors realize how much they empowered me by lavishing me with praise.

Just thought I should share.

Lesson 2: Finding the good in my job and keeping it

Whenever I feel negativity in my work, I always remember that scripture in the Bible where all the drudgery of labor started. It is back where Adam and Eve disobeyed God. From then on, God cursed the ground and told man that he will have to sweat in order to eat and survive.

Working is hard, but whoever does not work, does not eat.

Is it possible to be happy and thrive at work? That is the million-dollar-question. Currently still referring to this book, "Lessons from headhunter". I am wondering whether this person who claims to have found joy in her career can take me to where she is at right now.

So, let's start the exercise.

1. Write down what you believe about your current job. Are you getting what you want out of work? If not, what's missing?

My current job is a blessing. I had it when I was really desperate and insecure about finding a job here in the States. My company gave me the opportunity and the grace to grow. I've committed a lot of mistakes, costly mistakes in fact, but they were very gracious to let me find my own rhythm and become better at what I'm doing.

I can honestly say that I've overcomed a lot of weaknesses through this job. Being a teller calls that I make my customers feel at home whenever they're in my window. So, while I was formerly shy and uncertain about my command of the English language, I've grown to become confident, to start conversations, to introduce myself, and to signify interests in others.

I've also grown in my sales skills. I've learned that sales is a numbers game. You win based on how many people you ask. You don't need to be an expert salesperson like I thought you should be. You just need to ask. And you need to ask everyone as much as you can in order to get great results.

I think I've also recovered some of the competitive spirit. By that I meant, I wanted to excel and I wanted to be outstanding. But this time, my competitive spirit has grown mature. I've learned that I must only strive to be the best I can be and hit my goals and focus on that. By being the best I can be, I may eventually become THE best.

One thing I think that's missing in my job is compensation. I have a feeling that this job deserves more pay. Being a teller is a multi-faceted job. You are in customer service, sales, accounting (by virtue of accuracy in handling cash). You get graded in everyone of them. You are the face of the company.

I may be wrong, but something else that I've been feeling is I deserve to earn more. I have a bachelor's degree. I have great experience in sales, customer service, event management, advertising, marketing, couseling, coaching, and even starting my own business.

I am meant to do greater things. I am meant to make a difference. I feel that I can not be held by the confines of a bank environment. I want to have a versatile life and touch many people's lives.

2. What parts of your work do you want to take with you? What parts do you want to leave behind? What are your reasons for wanting to make a change?

I want to take with me the confidence that I can sell and I can rise above my weaknesses, my inhibitions and doubts. I can be confident and initiate conversations with people.

I want to leave behind the confines of a building or a cubicle where I had to stay all day long. I want to be able to move around, get out of the office if I had to, have the freedom to go somewhere if I had to do some creative thinking. I want to be able to interact with people and listen to their concerns, goals, and propell them forward.

I want to make a change because I want to start a career, not just have a job. I want to start my journey to my self-discovery and be able to live to my fullest potential.

3.) What do you believe about success and failure? Do you believe that success is for everyone or just an elite few? Is success something that's hard won?

Success for me is fully utilizing your talents and skills and becoming your best. It is also being able to find a venue where you can be most rewarded for your hard work. Success is being able to touch people's lives to make a difference. It is about leaving a legacy behind for people to remember and an example to imitate.

Success is financiall stability, which eventually should lead to financial freedom, when you are able to spend most of your time for things that matter most to you: like faith and family for me.

Success is hard won. It is rarely a product of luck. It is not for the elite few but it's for people who are able to break through the barriers of self-doubt, undiscipline, laziness, mediocrity, apathy, fear, and faithlessness.

4.) What do I envision work to be?

I work in an entrepreneurial environment that oozes with creativity, passion,and vision. In it is a team of professionals who respect and uphold each other's capabilities and considers each other indispensible. Our business is beyond monetary gain. It is about making a difference. The gain is secondary but it flows. It flows because we are on the right track.

This job greatly rewards me financially while still giving me the time to pursue other endeavors, like coaching other people. It also allows me generous time with my family because they are my priority in life.

In this job, I am able to grow as a person to be able to build my own enterprise someday and become financially free.

CAREER COMFORT (quoted from the book)

"I bless this job and thank my Higher Power for sending it to me when I needed it. I am choosing to lovingly release it and pass it on the next person who needs it. I now choose to move on to a position that meets my needs and helps me fulfill what is best in me."

LESSON 1: You're Never Stuck

To begin the process of contemplating, ask yourself the following questions:

1) Do you believe that your work situation is the product of choice or chance?

My work situation right now is a product of my choice. Being new to the states (April 2007), I was anxious to find a job. I sent so many resumes around until finally two companies gave an offer. I accepted this present job because it's nearer to my home (I could walk during the summer). Back then I had no car, no license to begin with, no experience with working in the states. I accepted my job because it was the more convenient choice. The other job actually offered double, but I had to work so much more hours and it was far.

Now that I think I am more confident about my skills, I want to do something else. I want to build a career, not just find a job.

2) Do you believe that you're stuck?

No, I don't. There is something more out there. It's more a question of, what is out there for me? How can I find it? Where do I start?

3) What thoughts or beliefs do you need to change, in order for you to accept that you are NOT stuck?

I need to believe that there is an opportunity out there for me. That there is actually someone who can help me and mentor me. THat I will find my career path, even if I had to start from scratch. The truth is however, I have much to offer. But how do I display that? How do I convince people that I can start from scratch and grow to learn and master something I knew nothing about?

I believe I have a great capacity to learn. I already had so much experience in the past and so much I've learned that I can contribute. But, if I had to start from nothing in order to pursue the career that's for me, I would do so. I just want to make the most out of this life.

I just want to live to my fullest potential.

Let me end this by quoting Gil Bailey, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

On my way to life to the full

What will it take to realize my full potential?

I work for a great company right now (Wells Fargo). My pay as a teller is meager, but the benefits are good. I would say that in the five months that I've worked there, I've had my ups and downs.

Most challenging to me was balancing my cash drawer at the end of the day. I must admit I never handled so much cash before. Aside from not being familiar with the system, I wasn't familiar with the coins as well. I can still remember how my heart would stump wildly when a customer was depositing so much cash and coins. It seemed to me that they sensed my trouble and that made me all the more nervous.

On a good note however, my manager did tell me that there was a remarkable improvement on my balancing the past few months. I just need to keep on doing the system that works for me.

My sales are doing great. On my first and second quarters, I reached silver on my sales goals. On the latter quarter, I actually had the most sales among the tellers of our branch (although I was not at the top of the chart because sales are weighed based on hours worked too). This first quarter of 2008, things are looking up. I'm hoping to go for gold, and I know that with hard work, and of course with God's help, nothing is impossible.

Despite the successes I've seen in my job so far, something tells me I'm meant to do something more. I am made to influence people and help them become better individuals. I am made to lead, probably not corporations and groups, but individuals. I want to help people transform and become successful.

But I am yet to see that in my own life.

I am yet to see myself break down the barriers of mediocrity, procastination, lack of direction, half-heartedness, laziness, and doubt. I need direction. What is the career that will permit me to do what my heart desires to do? What are my options? Where do I start?

I need help. I hope that someone could read this and become my mentor. I need one.

For the meantime, let me finish this book I just started, "Lessons from a headhunter...with a heart." It's written by Patricia Comeford, J.D., and Gina Sauer, J.D. The first few pages have been interesting so far. I am thinking of e-mailing them and getting their advice.

It seems to me like they went through what I'm going through right now. That is important to me.

I'll keep you updated with what I'm learning.

Ciao for now.