I was on a mission today. I haven’t been feeling to good for the past couple of days. I figured it was time to sweat the bad stuff out.

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to do Bikram Yoga. After 1 hour and 30 minutes, I was revived like a new born baby. I pigged out on fruit shakes right after and ate good good salad at a restaurant nearby. I decided to walk and i used a different route. I suddenly saw Katie, after so long, with her new new car but she needed a roadside assistance. It was weird that I found myself there because i normally pass by another route but thank god I did. Her phone was busted and she would’ve been forced to walk a long walk before she could ask for help. I used my mobile, called for help, kept her company till she got some assistance, and went my way.

I decided to take a stroll around the park later in the afternoon. Kids were playing and the sun looked golden. I felt so good after the “sweaty mission”. I then decided that this should be a regular thing.

A new hired employee here in the office distributed some application forms for an event that his club organized. He is part of a running club, an organization of runners who organized events for charity. I was quite interested because I’ve heard that running is a good and fast way to loose weight, that I got from weight loss supplement reviews.

Anyhow, the event was called “Run for your life” because it promotes running as a part of a healthy lifestyle regimen. This is actually true. Studies show that running exercises the heart and lungs increasing endurance and immunity from diseases. I was amazed at how many people in the office wanted to try. I ended up signing up for the three kilometer run. By the way, proceeds goes to a foundation taking care of the aged. Doing this means I will be able to help others and at the same time myself.

Affiliate marketing program has been the trend in most companies. It makes employees more motivated, innovative, and productive, thus, reflecting success of the company as well. Affiliate marketing is a marketing practice in which one is rewarded for each profitable client brought in the company. If one will look at it broadly, one simply has to make it good in the marketing department and everything goes well. Indeed, it should. Then again, not all things are as simple as 1-2-3. And just like any other programs, this too, is in need of an efficient management. Otherwise, however efficient the program might be or however proficient the employees might be, everything will still gradually crumble down.

Depending on how this kind of program is run by the company, an affiliate marketing program can be like an incentive program or more of a commission basis program. If it works like an incentive, then it is beneficial for any type of employee. If it is the latter, however, then this wouldn’t be of much help for those who need to have regular recurring pay.

Colleagues resigning, ensuring proper knowledge transfer, trainings…  I’ve been in a lot of stress recently – work and life in general.  These stresses have unfortunately turned into depression.

I’m just not happy.

Normally multivitamins would already help improve my disposition (since exhaustion and over-fatigue can really contribute a lot in dampening your spirits).  However, at the moment, I know no amount of multivitamins can help me.

I need some time to think things over and redefine or reinstate my definition of happiness and what makes me happy.  Some peace and quiet.  Then I’ll be fine.

“Fun is like life insurance; the older you get, the more it costs.” I’ve read this from somewhere that gave me this childhood notion that insurances are only for those who could afford them, further stoking the ideology I’ve grown into regarding the gap between the rich and the poor. Anyhow, there’s this latest life insurance quote used by a certain insurance company, “It’s Time!” ( and I’ve seen the adverts ), that made me remember the quote I’ve previously stated. Well, the “gap” is still there and this is an ever-changing world, so I guess it’ll be just like this: regardless of whether you would want to secure your future through applying for life insurance quote at Wholesale Insurance or making savings in banks or through whatever matter you can think of, the point will always be, “if not now, when?”. Regardless also of your stature in life and how you live it, the future will always be a blur. So in spite of being a cliché, “Make the most of what is now”, and really, “Live wisely.”

What would you do if you just had a heart attack and could only work for two hours a day?

What about two hours a week?

I’ve just finished reading The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss, which was highly recommended by my very rich friend Nancy. After coming across those questions in the book, I knew the answer was simple – I need to start eliminating everything I don’t need. And no, having disability insurance will not suffice (although it’s a plus of course).

The book also talks about mini-retirements and how to become the New Rich – my ultimate goals (well not really ultimate, just near ultimate. My ultimate goal is to love, and be loved). I was actually very surprised to encounter all the questions that have been looming on my mind near at the end of the book. You’d be insane not to want to have a 4-hour work week after reading those. And yes, it IS possible to just work less and earn more. You simply just have to DO IT – follow the steps in the book.

I must admit that I’ve been unconsciously doing that for the longest time now – eliminating useless or unnecessary tasks. But the process and tips in the book is very practical and easily applicable. In fact, given enough time, I just may be on my way to making my 5-days work week to just 3-days work week! I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

One of my best staff, Andrea, resigned last month and her last day is today. She already informed me about her impending resignation last November 2009, but I still hoped she’d be staying in the company longer, especially after all the improvements in the processes in my team (not to mention task delegations).

Then again, I’m not the one to stop someone from fulfilling their dreams. Andrea looked very happy with her decision. And quite frankly, I envy her a bit. It’s been a long time since I was THAT happy in making a certain decision. Though expectedly melancholic about Andrea’s leaving, I am happy we’re in good professional-to-almost-friendly terms. That relationship was highly improbable 2 years ago. In fact, during our one-on-one last week, she told me she’d be willing to work for me again, at any time, only in a different setup. Heartwarming, ain’t it? ^_^

Anyway, as a farewell present, I gave Andrea a digital frame with a selection of our company pictures – from her first day to her farewell party. She was teary-eyed while viewing the pictures. I wish her all the best in her career.