JUMP!

My story began about nine years ago when I was working for a Business Process Outsourcing company in Cubao. Back then, I had no choice but to work on night shifts talking to people almost non-stop during the period of my shift and dealing with all sorts of customer issues from as simple as logging in to their accounts, to the more complex ones like trouble shooting profiles. I call it the "killing-me-softly" type of a job. Waking and dragging myself up to work on wee hours of the night, talking to irate customers, and trying to solve their problems on a limited amount of time. It made me a walking zombie, I felt uninspired, and had very low self esteem. I never thought I would endure three long years on a job that just wasn’t for me.

I started thinking of ways to get out of this nocturnal routine. I told myself; “This isn't me but why am I here?" It was the very question which haunted me for days and weeks and months until one day, while smoking during my break time, I decided to flip my phone and listened to random playlists on my Spotify app. I guess my fingers just led me to this old selection of songs and I just hit the shuffle button. It was the song "Jump" by Madonna which played first, a song buried in my playlist for years. As I was quietly listened while sitting on one of the empty benches at the corner of the pantry, Madonna’s words came floating like Dandelion seeds inside my head; “Are you ready to jump, get ready to jump, don’t ever look back, oh baby!” – It was in that moment I realized that I need to do something to pull me out of this hole I am in. An awakening which propelled me to think about making that step and moving forward.

After my shift, I rushed to the nearest bookstore and bought myself a notebook. I said: "Today is a day of change!" I went home with my new notebook and began to write down all of my skill sets; from public speaking to photography, from logistics planning to warehouse design, which I got from my engineering background, to the mundane ones like making people laugh and how I tend to captivate people from my little stories. It was a simple activity which I enjoyed that morning. It seems as if my life was beginning to unfold on this new adventure that was long overdue. There was a sudden rush of energy that flowed into me and I felt alive. It was a simple plan - call some friends, look for a part-time job and ask if they could double my daily pay check for that day, and if they can, I’d file for a leave, and I’m all theirs!

It was very frustrating at first. It took me a few days to call every possible contact I could think of. I usually sleep in the mornings, wake up, eat, and go to work. The only time I could make phone calls were during my fifteen and thirty minute breaks in the office, and not everyone has a part-time job to offer. I was about to exhaust all of my phone contacts and was down to W, X, Y, and Z, where I have zero on letters X, Y, and Z, and a few names on W! I was in the brink of giving up, my hands were sweating every after an unsuccessful call but a part of me was telling me to go and call my remaining contacts. So I did!

I didn't know if I was just lucky that time or it was destiny. I was down to my last three to five names when one of my friends, which became my future boss, answered the call and offered me an opportunity to work for him part-time as a registration officer in an event they were planning. It was a light at the end of the tunnel. I have never felt so excited for the longest time and I said “yes!” without any hesitations. That same night, I blocked my schedule and filed a two day leave from my current employer with a big smile on my face. I can still remember that night I almost doubled my calls because I was so overjoyed about what had happened.

I wasn’t able to sleep the night before the big day. It usually happens to me whenever I have something big coming up like a vacation, a new adventure or in this case, a new part-time job that I haven’t done in years!

The event was a success. I enjoyed it a lot and felt a sudden urge to talk to my friend about a job opening in his company. All my hopes were high but his response wasn't that enthusiastic. I was told that I would earn about less than half of what I am currently earning and the first word that popped out of my mind during that conversation was “bills” - like a bright red flashing neon sign while my inner voice was shouting; "How on earth will you get enough money to pay your bills, You can't even afford some of them with your current job!" And I politely said I would think about it.

It wasn’t an easy decision for me at that time. I have to consider a lot of things like rent, transportation cost, food, etc. I was so immersed in worrying about all those things that I forgot to see the big picture. It took me a few more days before I was reminded about that song which played a few weeks ago while I was on break. It was the song that reminded me to get out of this very situation that I am in. That day, I made up my mind and decided to go for it!

There was mixture of anxiety and enthusiasm during my first few days as an events organizer as I was earning half of what I was spending and at the same time enjoying my job. Challenges were all around like fallen leaves on an autumn day. To compensate, I made major adjustments like renting a smaller room to stay in which was a very uncomfortable place to live in, I regulated my diet so I can have enough food for a month, and even withdrawn myself from going out with friends. It was one of the difficult moments in my life but deep inside I felt this inner happiness and a feeling of self fulfilment by just doing the things that I love to do. I was also surrounded by good people in the office. We were like a small family supporting each other whenever someone’s in need. I always remember my boss telling me that everything will be better soon; and that all I need is to trust myself and work with passion.

As weeks went by, I began to notice some changes. I was able to pay my bills on time, I was able to eat more, and I was able to find a bigger place for me to stay in. It was like magic and it only proves that once you put your heart into the things that you do, the universe will sense that positive energy and it will give you back what you exude.

This was the beginning of my life as an event specialist. I will be forever thankful to the people whom I worked with especially my boss who gave me this wonderful opportunity, and for the three wonderful years of fun and constant learning. And for you guys out there who are still scared of change, don't be, follow your heart, believe in yourself, have courage, and take it from the Queen of Pop and make that leap. It is a choice that you have to make. Are you ready to jump?