Finally, I’m here!

After a few weeks of waiting for this opportunity, I finally arrived in one of my dream destinations. It’s exactly 16 days when I finished all the things I need to handover to my team and move on to something that I decided to pursue. On that period, it still didn’t yet sink in and I was actually disregarding the thought that I’m living in a country where I spent my life for six years. Of course, anyone will feel scared about it so it took me a great effort to think of happy thoughts. Especially that I need to leave my partner, it hurts me just by thinking about it. But then again, days passed by and here I am, slowly adapting in this new country. I remember that every time I feel scared, I will keep telling myself “IT’S NOW OR NEVER”. For me, adjustment period is the most challenging part but as soon as I overcome it, everything will be ok. I just need to get rid of my fear and let it pass so I can eventually get used to this change.

  “The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear.”. Gandhi

I can still clearly remember the kind of feeling that I had when I was at the airport. A mixed-up of excitement and fear was there. I was thinking that if my partner will tell me to come back then I will surely go back. But things happened and I know God made a way in order for me not to back down. On my way to this new country, my mind was everywhere. I didn’t even manage to get a sleep and because of that, I was so tired on my first day. I feel like I am going back again to the very beginning when I experienced moving in a new country all alone without anyone I know. The same feeling was there, but then again, a part of me feels more confident. Even though i know that I may face a lot of difficulties, I still have this confidence within me that I’ll be able to make it happen no matter what. Like I already oversee what will happen next and because of that, I was able to prepare myself beforehand.

The experiences I gained for six years in Qatar, really helped me to improved myself. Despite of my small physique, sometimes I feel like my mind and heart are both aim for bigger things. Some of the people I know even thinks the same thing because they doubt where my confidence coming from. I even think the same!

Going back in this journey, this blog will be the first one that I’ll do here in this new country. It will consist of my personal insights as a first timer and all the things that I experienced in which can help others who also wants to try their luck in this place.

 

 

Lifestyle

One thing I learned after watching inspirational blogs and reading self help books is that we all need to aim for continuous progress on ourselves. Every single day is an opportunity for us to learn something new. In this generation, we can easily get any information that we need online. Everything is available and what’s left to do is taking initiative to learn. There’s no excuses now. Unlike before where you need to go on a library and use a card catalog, you can now avail it online and there’s also an option which you need to use search engines such as google. As long as you have Wi-Fi connection, all information is an arm reach for you. Personal development has been neglected by many once there in a situation where they think that it is enough for them. In my case, I have this pro-active approach in everything. I always aim for a productive day full of learnings, experiences and activities that helps me to accomplish my goals. That’s why I always plan out everything so I can make sure that all my tasks are done and the day won’t be wasted.

“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” – Carrie Fisher

Moving outside my comfort zone will push me to be stronger. Now that I’ll be alone again, there will be for sure a great adjustment for me. During this period, I need to handle everything on my own from challenges, problems and environment. I believe that even though I’m already six years in the industry, I still have a lot of things to learn and experience. Given this opportunity, I know that it is God’s way for me to grow and be better. Not all are given this kind of opportunity, so rather than regretting not to do it, I will grab this chance and enjoy every single moment I’m there. At 26, I’m beyond grateful of all the things that I’m experiencing right now. That’s why I don’t want to waste any opportunities present for me especially if it will help me to achieve my goals. Another reason that I chose this path is that I want to inspire others to do the same. Like them, I also have worries and insecurities about myself. There’s a lot of times I keep doubting my decision but in the end of the day, I still choose to go for it. I’m know that a lot of us missed a lot of opportunities because of our own self-doubts. Everyone is experiencing it even me. That’s why, I hope my journey towards my goals be an inspiration to others.

That regardless of doubts, fears and worries, we need to go for it.

Time is so precious to everyone. So as long as you get a good opportunity, go for it and get rid of your doubts. It’s ok to worry sometimes but don’t let it stop you from doing something that will greatly help you. The younger you are, the more you need to keep looking for something that is beneficial for you. Comfort zone is like an addiction that you need to avoid. No one even in the history became successful by staying on that place.

place itself

As I grow older, my priorities in life changes as well. Now that I’m preparing to have my own family, I think that it is the right time to take an action in order for us to be secured in the future. For the first couple of years, my focus is on myself, that’s why my goals are more personal. This time it includes different aspects of my life such as for my own family, future family, self and a lot more. In order for me to motivate myself, I always make a yearly goal which serves as my guide in everything I do. This year, I made my goals bolder and higher. Since I will have more means this time compare to the previous years, I need to thoroughly plan out things so I can make most out of my contract there. What I planned is within two years, I need to achieve as much as I can. This period will solely be intended for achieving my goals, discovering this country and making unforgettable memories.

“If we have a goal and a plan, and are willing to take risks and mistakes and work as a team, we can choose to do the hard thing.” — Scott Kelly

Even before, making goals has been my practice. This is my way to push and motivate myself because I realized that time passes by so fast. In order for me to have a productive time, I need to carefully plan out things so I can organize my priorities. With all the things that I achieved today, I believe that it is all because of the plans that I made throughout the years. If I will look back to all the things that I did, I will not be in this position without setting goals for myself. That’s what I actually learned from the interviews of professionals that I watched online and I applied it in my life. Another thing that I also learned from them is that, we all have opportunities. It is not about luck because everything requires hard work and effort. Those successful people right now experienced a lot of failures in their journey, but it didn’t stop them from setting goals rather it became their motivation to strive more.

With this great opportunity, I don’t want to waste it by not having any plans during this period. I’, happy that I am in the right track towards my goals, and like what I did in the past years, I will continue doing it for this year.

Take chances.

Set Goals.

Make an action plan.

Assess it.

culture

I’m a very goal-oriented person. Ever since I’m studying, I’d been setting goals to myself. Meeting successful people throughout my journey inspired me to be like them. So even when I’m still young, I keep planning my future in order for me to achieve my goals. Working overseas has been one of the options that I planned for myself and thankfully it made a big impact in my career. I know that not all are granted with the same opportunity. That’s why, I’m very grateful for it and didn’t take it for granted. Looking back, I know that I did well and at the same time learned a lot of things. Together with proper planning, I was able to achieve this position that I’m really proud of. Even though I still have a long way to go, I am confident that I can make it happen little by little.

In Qatar, I’d been in three companies starting in an entry level position and now a supervisory. After six years of working in that country, one professional I met share an advice to me. He said that I need to be more culturally exposed in order for me to have a stronger credentials. After that conversation, it inspired me to go beyond what I just think is enough for me. I sent my resume across the globe and aim for a higher position. Even though I’m skeptical to do it because of my worries of leaving this country that I spent for more than a half decade, I still ended up pursuing that option. It’s now or never for me. After weeks of trying my luck, companies started to reach out. After a while I got an opportunity in Maldives and the offer is quite well compare to the rest. Other than that, I feel like this is a great option since it will be a total cultural change for me. I believe that big adjustments are worth to discover. So, with all the options that I have that time, I finally chose to seek career growth in Maldives.

City life to Island Life.

The country of Maldives has been known to many. If I get a chance to work here, I believe that it will greatly help me on my career growth and at the same time my financial goals. Based on my research, Maldives is ideal for hospitality professionals who aims for career growth. Since tourism is their main source of income, hospitality professionals can expect higher engagements. Although there’s a peak season, I can rest assured that I can still enjoy this country by means of exploring different resorts. Now, the fear that surrounds me has been change into excitement. One thing I know is that I will have a great adventure in this new country that I will surely remember for the rest of my life.

cost of living

One thing that I love in Maldives based on my research, is their service charge. Unlike in Qatar, there’s no service charge and you can only rely on your basic salary and benefits. Upon getting the offer in Maldives, the basic salary that I got is higher than I’m expecting. On top of that, the service charge that will be paid monthly will be around 500 USD in average. Anyone can also expect more during the peak season (Holiday Season). That’s one of the reasons why I want to explore opportunities in this country because there’s a big opportunity to save up for my future. Since I’m only left with four years before I turn 30, I want to maximize my investment potential in order for me to focus on having a family. Based on my research as well, there’s a lot of OFW in that country who’s been working there for so many years. It just shows that the employment opportunities there are great and Filipino’s choose to stay in that country.

The day I signed the offer letter, me and my partner talked about our plans for the next years. This is for us to ready our budget for it and prepare things for our future. We decided that this is the period for us to save up and achieve our personal goals before we move on to our family plans. In my case, I will be focusing more on having passive income investment such as real estate and business. Since my income may differ from time to time due to service charge, I made a budget guide for me which will serves as a reference. In order for me to carefully manage my finances during these years, I need to continue keeping a tracker of everything and also make a quarterly assessment of my funds. Although I have a lot of ideas right when it comes to investment, I still wanted to carefully choose the best one that will be fit for my current situation. Of course, I don’t want to end up having a big liability just because I failed to do my research.

This year, I will not only prepare my funds but at the same time carefully plan out everything. I will start doing business plan, marketing research, reviewing the current trends and a lot more things that I need to consider before deciding. I also reach out to my friends whom I think will be reliable and knowledgeable in this aspect. I believe that at this age, it is ideal to start something that will help us to be more secured other than our current job. Although we still have a lot of time to do so, I will make it sure that we can somehow start something in this year.

“I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.” – Warren Buffett

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To achieve my life goals, I believe that I need to make a big change in this year 2023. After six years in a country where I found comfort, I am now be moving in a country alone. I need start everything on my own but this time my experiences in Qatar will help me to be successful in the end. Now that I’m about to start another story in this new country, this blog will remind me how everything started.

I will keep in mind all the things that I experienced and all the people that made a great impact on my life. It will be another wonderful experience for me once again and rest assured that I will share my journey in this blog. Like how Qatar became a part of who I am today, I believe that Maldives will be a place that will give me a lot of stories, inspiration, experiences and goals that I will remember for the rest of my life.

“The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.” – Steeve Jobs

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