"nana korobi, ya oki"

In the last 5 years, my success rate of reading a book from cover to cover has been really low, almost nil. I'd read a couple of pages or chapters and that's it, only to pick up the book again if the need arises.

Finding the time to read (and be focused at it) while coping with work, chores, child, rest etc. has been such a challenge. Reading never made its way up the priority list of things to do. Dwelling on the excuse was far more convenient than solving the problem. That said, I'm not all that lazy. I do try to attempt solving the problem or improving the situation.

So, in an attempt to solve the problem, at the start of the year, I made an ambitious resolution to complete at least 1 book per month. World leaders read at least 4-5 books/month (based on an article I read) so I thought setting a goal of 1 was me being realistic, taking baby steps compared to a giant leap. 

Sadly, 8 months later, a random self-reflection moment while preparing for a culture sharing on Learning as a value reminded me that I had not read a single book since the start of the year. I felt really crappy about myself for a couple of days reflecting on my lack of discipline and determination in achieving this simple goal and towards the other goal of exercising, another area in my life that needs improvement. Mindset (determination) and habit (discipline) are such critical elements for a meaningful impactful purposeful life and I felt like I was missing both. I started beating myself up with negative thoughts like "that's why you're not successful" "that's why you're not progressing" "that's why you're underachieved" "that's why you are where you are right now and not up there where you could be" "that's why you're fat".... we're always our own worst critic.....

That said, I'm grateful that I'm not mentally weak and that the self-inflicted mental abuse didn't break me to pieces. After a couple of days of wallowing in excuse and guilt, I decided to step out of it, embrace and learn from this "failure". I decided to use Carina as my source of motivation. Motivated myself to make time to read every night to be a better role model to Carina as she watches and learns to develop the habit and joy of reading. I was also inspired by Richard's admirable habit of making digital coles notes of each chapter in the book as a way to summarize and recap learning points for future reference/sharing when needed - so I started doing that too.

So so happy that I accomplished the goal for this month - finally finishing 1 book from cover to cover and having coles notes on it. Well done, Alicia! Let's keep the momentum going for September! You can do it! 

partially vaxxed

Documenting my participation in the nationwide journey towards achieving herd immunity...

1st dose of Pfizer vaccine done on 24 Jul 2021, 7:30pm at MITEC PPV (Hall C, Booth #43).

Absolutely loved the nurse that injected me. She was so grandmother-ly, gentle and funny.

There were no side effects post-vaccination too. I either have a strong body or I could be asymptomatic unknowingly :D   

Anyway, 2nd dose will be on 14 Aug 2021. Can't wait to get poked again!!

 

The first day

Documenting my first day in the new office... Day 1 on-boarding has been great! :) 

The office was really nice! It had a modern industrial design with big breakout spaces and a really cool employee lounge. I wanted so badly to take pictures of the entire office but I didn't want to risk embarrassing myself on Day 1 (even though there were only a few people in the office). 

Looking forward to being in the office more, once the lockdown is over. 

The last day

Documenting my last day in the office....

My last time in the Repsol uniform

Sayonara, Level 38! 

Moving on; the next chapter

After a phone interview on 8th April, a panel interview on 25th May, a follow up interview with another Managing Director on 31st May and lastly with the VP on 4th June, the job offer finally came through. What a ride. Didn't think I would make it past the panel interview but by God's grace, made it to top 2 and ended up being the selected candidate for the role. Not too bad for someone who has not had a job interview in the last 9+ years. 

In hindsight, everything that has happened in the last 3 months has not been by chance. The timing of every single encounter that transpired not just in these 3 months but since October 2020 convinces me that God was (and still is) directing my steps towards this new role. Not forgetting, the 2 "miracles" throughout the process as well. 

1st miracle: I was mentally prepared and expectant of the company to be able to only pay 60-70% of my current pay which I knew would make the decision to leave difficult. But I prayed and asked that if this is truly what He wants for me in this season, that He would give me a final sign, the sign being the new company being able to offer me at the very least the same pay as my current role. The offer turned out being better than my initial expectations, even exceeding (by a little) my current pay. 

2nd miracle: When I asked the hiring manager for feedback on how I performed during the panel interview, during the 10-min presentation and the Q&A, her feedback was that while it was clear that presentation skills and communication skills are my strengths, my capability in managing a regional team didn't come across strongly. The other candidate possessed more maturity and experience and was even a Black Belt. Despite my experience being inferior to the other candidate in so many aspects, I found favour in the eyes of the hiring manager. She liked my energy, my attitude and my willingness to learn and listen - and that made all the difference. What an encouragement to know that I am being hired not just for what I have accomplished in the past, but for what she believes I can do in this role. She was willing to take a chance with me.

What a testimony and evidence of His goodness - in both instances.

I tendered my resignation on 14th June. I expected a negative reaction to my decision to leave but by His grace again, it went better than I had expected. 

I had an emotional day yesterday sending out my farewell note to the 246 people that I've worked with. What has made my 9+ years with the company so enjoyable has no doubt been the people I've had the privilege of meeting, working with and learning from. Dealing with different cultures, backgrounds and personalities in an international upstream company has kept the work interesting and I know I have been enriched by these interactions. The most rewarding in the last 9+ years has also been the privilege to be a part of so many different unique experiences and opportunities, from doing the helicopter underwater escape training and going offshore, to presenting to the Talisman Board of Directors during their visit to Malaysia, to delivering Safety Moments on stage to 300+ people, to being a part of the taskforce that introduced a mentorship program within the business that ran for 3 consecutive years, to coordinating a volunteer project in a school, to experiencing a flood relief mission as a company delegate, to interacting directly and informally with the CEO, to managing an organization-wide transition to SAP, to enabling operations in a new supply base, to learning Spanish and so much more. 

So what's next for me?

The new chapter starts 1st July - a regional manager role leading a remote team of 5 people looking into people operations excellence, reporting to the managing director of quality, infrastructure and technology - in one of the world's largest express transportation/logistics company. 

It takes courage to change career paths for better career growth. It's a very different career path (as all my previous roles have been) but it's one that I hope will help me grow as a leader and I hope that my 13 years of building and learning all sorts of skills will set me up for success and prepare me for what's ahead. It may be the road less taken but I know the journey ahead will be exciting and beautiful, just because it is the road less taken. 

virtual interview

08042021. first virtual interview. first interview in 9 years. 

 happy birthday. be safe, be well, be happy.