Getting More From Less: Continuous Ascension (Part I)

Consider this a “get to know me” post. After all, why would anyone read articles written by a complete stranger?

Contrary to popular belief, the more does not always equate to the merrier. I’ve learned and realized that over the past 3 years of my life.

I’m always inquisitive, contemplative, appreciative, and forthright on and about everything, the main reasons as to why I’m starting a blog and leading off with this. 

With the year coming to a close—my last semester of undergraduate looming, a new decade beginning, a full-fledged adult I’m becoming, and new endeavors I’m launching—I thought there is no more fitting way to reflect on the past and mark the end of an awakening era of my life to make way for even more amazing ones.

Background Story:

For the first 18 years of my life, there is nothing I accomplished that is noteworthy. 

I didn’t do anything unique compared to any other kid until I immigrated from the Philippines to the United States at 11 years old. From there, I played basketball in middle school. I played basketball for 3 years in high school. I didn’t do anything else. I coasted through everything. Looking back, I’m embarrassed at myself. I lived lavishly within the walls of my comfort zone, confining myself to what I know and being averse to anything that will challenge me. I hated feeling dumb, stupid, and clueless, hence why there were things I didn’t do simply because I thought that thinking I can do it is enough. Simply, I possessed a fixed mindset. 

Chapter 1 – Age 18

As soon as I turned 18, I applied for two credit cards because I believed that there is no such thing as too early to start building credit. I then opened a brokerage account and dabbled with some stock trading, acquainting myself with passive income. I also pursued the dream job I had at 14 years old, mostly because I’ve created almost every possible sandwich I could being a sandwich artist for five months. Lo and behold, just before high school graduation, I became a sales associate for a store that I frequented because of my now non-existent affinity for shoes. At that time, I’ve never felt more proud of myself. That was a dream. And I accomplished it. I worked as a sales associate for about seven months, transferring from West Hollywood to Santa Clara when I started school. In LA, I made $12/hour. In Santa Clara, I made $11. A dollar difference was no big deal as I thought I was lucky to be working with “like-minded” people who are also interested in shoes, helping people buy shoes, and talking about shoes. During the course of the next seven months, employee discounts kept me from looking for better jobs. Thanks to Immanuel Kant, I realized that I wasn’t getting anywhere with this job. I won’t be into shoes forever. Rhetorical questions like “Why stay for employee discounts when I can find a job that will pay me enough to afford everything without a discount? Why be with “like-minded” people who have been with the same job for far longer than I have? Why keep squeezing when I’ve gotten everything it can offer? Why am I wasting my present in a job that I can’t see a future with?” filled my mind. 

Over winter break, I started looking for a new job despite my manager being the nicest, giving me almost two months of vacation to accomodate my “winter break”, something no one else got. I felt guilty. At the end of the day, however, it didn’t matter. I needed to do better. I needed to progress. There’s no point in being guilty about bettering yourself. It might sound heartless but loyalty to accommodating managers will do nothing for you in the long run. Managers are supposed to keep you happy to get you to stay but only because they see a value in what you bring. If she valued what I bring, why won’t others do the same? I almost stayed when I found out that minimum wage was being raised from $11 to $13 per hour, an 18% increase. At the time, that seemed fine. I, however, aimed bigger and moved on to a job that paid me even more, a 64% increase to be exact. On top of that, it gave me more valuable experience that I am still benefiting from. At the end of the day, it was a no brainer. 

On my first day back, I turned in my resignation letter. It was tough. I almost didn’t turn it in but thinking about the job I had waiting for me that’s more enriching and rewarding sealed the deal. I mustered enough courage and spoke to her. She understood, like any professional would. The only loyalty in the workforce should be to yourself.

Chapter 2: Coming Soon