Work milestones are funny things. They don’t always feel big when you’re in the middle of them, but when you stop and look back, you realize just how far you’ve come.
This January, I officially celebrated my second year at Zywave, where I started as a Local SEO Specialist back in January 2024. Months before that, I had been praying—really praying—for work I could see myself doing for a long, long time. When November 2023 came around and I was asked to send in my resume, something just felt right.
December was a blur of interviews and requirements. I went through all of them with one thought in my head: this feels right, so just keep going.
I even almost missed a crucial interview because of traffic—Davao traffic vs. Manila traffic is a whole different conversation—thanks to a mall trip on a very busy day.
I panicked. I nearly cried. But I made it. That interview ended up being the one with the manager I still work with today.
A few days later, I got the email: I was hired.
I immediately deleted Fallout Shelter Online from my phone—part of a quiet deal I made with God that I wouldn’t waste this opportunity.
How I Stay Motivated (At Work and in Life)
- I accept that motivation comes in ebbs and flows
- I focus on what I can control—my reactions
- I make a daily task list and just keep ticking things off
- I respect low-energy days and find productive work instead
- I pace myself to avoid burnout
Simple Motivation Rules I Live By
- Avoid distractions that hurt long-term focus. So yeah… mobile games are gone.
- Do your best work, even on ordinary days
- Reward yourself occasionally:
- A movie break
- A short guitar practice session
This job has helped me:
- Sustain my family
- Pay off debts
- Gain a bit of financial freedom
- Build skills I use every single day
- Allowed me more freedom to pursue my personal projects
With Chinese New Year just ending and the Year of the Fire Horse beginning, it feels like the right time to push forward—steady, focused, and driven. Not rushing. Not burning out. Just showing up, doing the work, and trusting the process. Here’s to the next milestone.