My Definition of Success

I've always thought that if you have no clear idea of where you wanna go, you'll end up nowhere, or worse, stuck in one place.

I've read books and articles about fulfilling one's dreams. And I always notice a recurring theme: once the protagonists knew what they wanted most in life, it signaled the start of their journey towards their Personal Legend. Though at first, they have no idea where to start, it didn't cripple them to inaction. They act. And after their initial move, little by little, they map out their path towards their goal.

Way back in college, my close friends would laugh at me whenever I tell them that my first job would be in a call center. Good compensation for a fresh graduate like me was just my secondary reason for entering. I can't explain it, but you know the feeling that "you just have to be there"? That's what I felt. So I followed that instinct, that little voice nagging me to have a shot at this industry.

That was my initial move. Was I stuck? No, I don't think so. Because I was able to take basic Nihongo lessons, meet the love of my life, and overcome my shyness in conversing with foreigners, albeit just on phone. And during idle moments, like when I'm waiting for that *beep* on my Avaya to signal the next call, it made me ponder on what I really want in life.

So I made this checklist, to be read and updated as needed, to check my progress in my arduous and educational climb to success. And I measure my success in different terms, like career, relationships, charity, and self.

CAREER

'Coz really, as a modern lady, having a flourishing and satisfying career is a must.

• Finish a certificate course in early childhood education
• Take a Master's degree in education
• Pass LET
• Be a pre-school teacher
• Be an entrepreneur
• Start any business
• Grow it
  
• Make it famous!
  
• Put up my very own school
• Study in Japan
• Be excellent in Nihongo
• Teach English in Japan
• Design English learning modules for Japanese kids
• Teach Nihongo
• Pass all JLPT levels

RELATIONSHIPS

You may be the richest and most succesful person in the world, but without happy relationships, everything would be meaningless.

• Maintain communication with my BFF's
• Peaceful relationship with my immediate family and future in-laws
• Attend at least one Haribon and Socius activity yearly
• Healthy and ever-evolving relationship with my boyfriend
• Closeness with my 3 favorite cousins: Emman, Banji, Eline, my godchildren and nephews
• Have a mentor and an apprentice

CHARITY

WIthout sharing, how could mankind ever survive?

• Sponsor a child in World Vision
• Help my 3 cousins finish their education
• Set up a Literacy campaign to little kids

SELF

Everything else is just darn depressing without self-worth.

• Disease prevention
• Healthy lifestyle: at least 6 hours of continuous sleep per day, 8 glasses of water per day, EXERCISE!, avoid junk foods
• Be pimple-free
• Have that much-needed braces
• Dress and look my best every single day
• Have a learning project every year
• Finish one book a week, one tv series a month, one anime a month
• Maintain this online journal
• Never stop writing anime reviews
• Continue writing scripts and short stories
• Publish a book
• Optimism always :)
• Stop being lax
• Fulfill every promise I made

So there, this would be my roadmap to MY success. Though I'm in no rush, I won't tolerate inaction on my part either. Thankfully, I have supportive friends, frank family, and sometimes-submissive-and-sometimes-dictatorial boyfriend to give me some tough spanking or a caring hug as needed.

I thank The One Above for blessing me with such wonderful people. And I ask for continuous determination and vigor on my part every single day as I travel this road.

'Til the next post. Ja ne!