The first thing I check when I open my Facebook every morning is the MEMORIES. It is a daily reminder of the kind of person I was in the past, how far I have come, and the people who have been with me in that journey.
And exactly three years ago today, what I saw in my memory brought back goosebumps I have never felt in a while -- it was the day when I received an email from our HR stating that my RESIGNATION has been APPROVED.
Just to give you a not-so-brief background. I graduated from college with a course of BS Computer Science from Tarlac State University in 2003. Immediately after graduation, I went to Clark with my friends to apply as a Call Center Agent (which was an in demand job at that time). I got accepted and on my first week of training, I quit. Why? It was a 12nn to 9pm job which became a work - travel - sleep - travel - work routine and I did not like it.
Less than a month after, I got hired as a bank teller in Tarlac City. For the work load, I felt I was not compensated enough as money was just passing through my hands, literally. I met a client who works a medical representative and he told me to give that work a try. And so I did. A written exam and three interviews later, I was for training at the #1 Pharmaceutical Company Worldwide -- then I resigned from my bank job. I was there for a year.
As a medical rep, I was assigned at my hometown, Tarlac. I was working with the best counterparts, but being my first job in sales, it was never easy. After a year, I resigned. But unlike previous resignations, I didn't have a fall back or a back up plan at that time.
I was idle for four excruciating months, going through one interview after another. And then finally, in April 2006, I was hired as a medical rep at the #1 Pharmaceutical Company in the country. I love everything about my job -- the pay, the perks, the challenges. I have loved it so much that I have always thought this is the company I am growing old with -- working in the same company until I retire at 60.
Side Hustles and Passive Income
When I decided to give my financial life an overhaul in 2013, I began doing side hustles on weekends and after work hours, while I was employed. I sold ukay-ukay clothes, I sold brandnew clothes which I personally bought from Bangkok (I have spent weekends there alone), I organized farm tours, I distributed organic liniment from Davao, and I work as an InLife Financial Advisor. The last is my favorite as it led me to continuous learning, made me enjoy reading books, and brought about the birth of this blog as I wanted to teach more people about the value of being financially literate.
To further grow my income, I invested in the stock market directly and indirectly, and I made investments in corn, mushroom and sheep, among others.
Everything was going quite well.
Until Shift Happens
Every year since 2013, I would attend Bo Sanchez' Kerygma Conference. This is the biggest inspirational event in the country happening every third Thursday to Sunday of November. Because I wanted to attend the whole four days, I filed my leave for this as early as June. But because I no longer have VLs left, I used my leaves without pay. The week before the event, my leaves were DISAPPROVED.
And so I just attended the Saturday and Sunday sessions.
While waiting for the plenary to start, I prayed to God to send me signs if it was already time for me to quit my job. It was not just because of my disapproved leave (that would be very childish, lol!), but because I felt I was meant to do something else and something more with my life. Since 2013, I have been financially preparing myself to quit my job when the need for it arises. Remember that money buys freedom.
God Answered My Prayer FOUR Times
I still remember it clearly, the very first words that came out of the first preacher were, "Quit your job, and serve me full time."
Followed by another preacher saying, "Walk on water." Quitting employment was definitely a step out of my comfort zone and into my courage zone. A walk on water indeed.
Then Bo Sanchez said, "Use your gift."
The final song's lyrics were, "I believe You'll reveal Your plans that I can't yet see."
And my response to all these? "Lord, give me SIX MONTHS to prepare."
Came January, I Had a New Boss and a New Territory
At that time, resignation approvals took longer than the usual 30 days. By mid January, I told my new Boss then that I am resigning. And to give the company enough time for my clearance and to find a replacement, I included in my resignation letter that its effectivity will be on June 15, 2018. Incidentally, that was my 36th birthday.
Pray Expecting
On May 22, 2018, the unexpected happens. I received an email from HR stating that my resignation has been approved. My Boss then texted me asking if I would want that to take effect ASAP or wait until June 15.
I did not know what to say. Honestly, I did not know what to do.
And so I drove to Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan (which was part of my territory), and prayed to God.
Then I had that eureka moment -- remembered my prayer back at Kerygma Conference when I said, "Lord, give me six months to prepare." THAT DAY WAS THE SIXTH MONTH!
With goosebumps and very much overwhelmed, I texted my boss saying that I will not be going to work the next day. I felt like something heavy was lifted off my chest, and that this is all God's will for my life.
We Are Exactly Where God Wants Us To Be
Oftentimes, we do not get what we want, or things do not go as we planned. A best friend may disappoint us. A client may change his/her mind without us knowing exactly why. We may not reach the goals we've always worked hard for.
And while there are many uncertainties, one thing is for sure:
GOD HAS A GREAT PLAN FOR US, AND ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS SAY YES.
I have been the happiest since I became unemployed. I pursued my passion by being an InLifer full time, working with the largest Filipino owned insurance company today. I love my career, and it has loved me back a hundred times back, compensating me based on the effort I put into work.
My kids are very happy, too, as I get to spend so much time with them. Doing this not only allowed me to get to know them really well, but they got to know me very well, too. My 12-year old daughter can even imitate the different ways I speak to different people on the phone! Lol!
And my husband, every time I share with him stories about our kids, he is smiling. I now have the time to be with him every time he needs me, like going with him to my brother-in-law in Gapan, Nueva Ecija for lunch, or help him with his errands, or take care of our dogs, etc.
And for all these, I am grateful.
I hope you find this post helpful. If you do, kindly click the SHARE buttons below. I would love to hear from you. Email me at financialplanningforpinoys@gmail.com.
Be very blessed!
