Next Job

Luke is one of the first subordinates I had here in PNG. He was our maintenance co-ordinator and worked on our computerized maintenance management system/software. After working with me for a year, a job opening came, still here in the same company but suits him more because it is his course from college – IT. I had small chats with him all along and just lately he told me that he is leaving and this time to a different company which offers a lot better than the current one can give.()

I had a chance to ask him about it and he felt guilty saying that he is leaving. I saw myself in him in this situation and told him that in Philippines, the first thing I do when I start working in a company is to look for the next one. This is a good strategy for me as it helped me study everything that I can whenever I can. Looking for the next one, I have accepted additional jobs that are beyond my boundaries and learned different aspects of the business. With it, I did not get comfortable no matter how good the company and its benefits are. I also did not get bored while in the factory as I have used all the free time I had checking out things that I don’t know yet.

As a Plant Engineer here in PNG, this is where I have used and is using all the knowledge gained from the Philippine companies I have been to. Here, I am also bounded by contract that I have to at least finish. It is more of the management stuffs that I am gaining more while working.

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Stock Market Lessons

When it comes to stock market many talks about Technical and financial analysis. I am still a newbie (just started Nov. 2008) in this field, but having heard, watched and read a lot of articles regarding them, and there are things that experts would not forget to share. They say at least one of these basics thru their interviews and for me, these are the best things that stock market has taught me:()

Be patient. It is better to hold on to your money than just invest on any stocks. I am trying to learn everything I can so that I won't end up just getting a deal closed. Buy high and sell low, that is all we can get out of Philippines stock market as we don’t have much options. Market goes up and down so if I did not chose a stock that goes up, I'll just wait for the next opportunity.

Don’t be greedy. When market goes up, tendency is we wait until it goes up and up… suddenly it goes down big time and we would become depressed. The thing is that we should have a target that is attainable and be happy selling it when it is already reached and don’t be affected should it go higher. Looking at stock market history, prices go up and down so I would not wait and sell them when I have what I wanted.

Admit mistakes. Either you sold something and then have a new high or if you picked a stock that you though is at bottom then goes lower, best thing is to admit you made a mistake and then cut the losses. The main thing is that we should learn from every mistake we make. I believe that we should not focus on just one deal we make but we should look at your whole portfolio. When one you’re your “picks” increased price and did not buy them when low, forget it, move on and look for other deals.

All these thing aren’t just for Stock market but of course every part of our lives. If we can master these things I believe wewill not just end up being a good investor but also a better person.

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