I didn’t start Self-Authoring because I thought it would “unlock my potential” or any of that feel-good stuff. I started it because I was tired of going in circles.
I’ve made a lot of moves that looked productive as a freelancer. Applying to jobs. Taking on projects. Learning new tools.
The thing is, I was just following my intuition. My plan kept changing. I didn’t have a clear direction, just a vague idea that I wanted to earn money from the internet. I found income opportunities, but when I connected with other freelancers, I realized how stuck I really was.
Intuition and “going by feel” is a decent strategy during emergencies, but it’s mentally exhausting and undependable long term.
I didn’t realize this until it caught up with me. A lot of the holes in my plan became clear the day my father died and my main client at the time refused to pay me for the work I billed in my last cut-off.
I had been taking on clients I should have said no to. I had been burning months doing work that didn’t build toward anything. I kept repeating the same mistakes from my past, just in new forms. I got stuck earning 6 to 8 dollars an hour for way longer than I should have.
I constantly lost motivation. I kept blaming myself, thinking I was lazy. The truth is, I was exhausted. Mostly because I hadn’t clearly mapped out my direction.
Looking back, I’m starting to believe I was depressed.
That’s what finally made me take Self-Authoring seriously. Writing about my past, present, and the future I actually wanted forced me to face the mess directly. It helped me stop relying on motivation. Instead, I started aligning my plans so I could move toward a state of no more excuses.
I’m not going to pretend it fixed everything overnight. In fact, I bought the program in 2018 and only finished half of it. But even that was enough to take me from 8 dollars an hour to 20 dollars an hour. It’s one of the tasks that stayed on my to-do list the longest. It’s an activity I regret not finishing sooner.
Now, in 2025, I’m picking it back up to update my answers. I’m shocked at how well I’ve dealt with some problems. I’m even more shocked at how many solutions I already had in mind back then but didn’t follow through because I lacked a better plan or the confidence.
There’s a section where you list ideas on how to deal with major bad habits and recurring problems. And I already wrote down what works. But because I didn’t finish the program, I never built a detailed plan. I didn’t solidify my response to those problems and habits. I still don’t have a clear response procedure when they come up.
If I hadn’t checked again, I’d still be second-guessing myself. If I had finished this earlier, I would have avoided a lot of wasted time, energy, and pain.
If you’re freelancing and feel like you’re just reacting, going with the flow, or working without any real direction, I strongly suggest giving this a real shot.
If you decide to purchase the program, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to discuss it with you.
It costs 30 dollars, and there’s a limited buy 2-for-1 offer. You can get one for yourself and one for your partner, or keep it for yourself and do it again in the future.
]]>One page in, I noticed the letter B, the left shift, some symbols, and a left arrow key weren’t working.
Most keys work fine.
I’ve been thinking about it.
My first reaction was to hop on the web and buy a new one.
Even AI says it’s better to replace it. Repair costs and the lack of keyboard repair shops in my location make buying a new one the smarter move.
Fine. I’ll buy a new one.
For now, I’ll keep using it.
I’ll tap the screen for broken keys.
The distraction-free setup still gets me in the groove.
It slows me down—but it helps me think.
And I realized—this isn’t just about the keyboard.
I’m often 90–99% ready for a task. But a few “broken keys” can throw me off.
I panic. I rebuild systems. I restart entire projects.
That costs time and energy.
But sometimes, I get it done despite the gaps.
In other situations, I’ve done well with a few broken keys.
I rode over 100 km on a fixed-gear bike.
I won grappling matches with injuries and incomplete training.
I built an online presence using a USB stick, borrowed computers, and scratch paper.
Things don’t need to be perfect.
You move forward anyway.
Old tools. Broken tools. Still useful.
Action first.
Guts fights a legion of demons even after losing an eye and arm.
Ash Williams did the same against the deadites—with a chainsaw on his stump and a sawed-off shotgun.
Type your words. Hit record. Post your video.
Write and send your proposals. Pitch new clients. Show up to meetings and interviews.
Put in the reps first. Collect the money first.
Then buy new gear.
Don’t make the gear the reason you’re not working.
Tap “B” on the touchscreen if you have to.
You’ll be fine.
]]>The latest computers. The newest smartphones. The freshest features.
I pulled out my old iPhone 6 from storage. Most apps don’t work anymore—YouTube, social media, gone.
I planned to use it for music, alarms, and timers.
But I opened the empty Notes app and started writing my thoughts. The keyboard lagged a bit, so I switched off autocorrect.
A few minutes later, I have a page of ideas.
That’s when I realized—this could solve my creative block.
So I grabbed my old Bluetooth keyboard and phone stand. Connected everything. Opened Notes again. Wrote another page of ideas. Another page of ideas.
This slow device worked better than my newer ones.
I started my online presence with borrowed computers, USB sticks, and scratch paper. Now I have enough gear to run a small studio. But I create less.
New tools distract me—games, social media, doomscrolling. I follow more people but see fewer in real life. I compare instead of create. My hard drives are full of unpublished drafts and unedited videos.
I remember typing blogs during my commute on an iPhone 3G. It was outdated even then. Nobody cared. Nobody wanted to steal it. Facebook, YouTube, and games were unusable—which was perfect.
Now, this old iPhone might help me get back in the groove. I’ll strap on the keyboard. Write. Take photo notes. Set alarms. Play music. That’s all I need.
I’m excited again.
Got a project you keep putting off because of distractions? Try your old stuff. Give your gadgets a warrior’s death.
]]>Many people forget what they’re good at and ignore what they never finished.
This short skill check helps you list both.
For example:
These are examples of skills I have consistently trained, used, or depended on.
These are examples of skills I studied and used for small projects but never took to a professional level. I can do some work, but there are still gaps in my knowledge.
Feel free to share here if you want feedback or you’d like to discuss.
]]>For keeping a work diary, I prefer an inexpensive notebook that I always bring with me.
Every day, I log everything I’m doing, and if I can, I clock the time start, time end, or just an estimate of hours.
For time wasters, my iPhone tracks how much time I spend on different apps, which helps with tracking.
The diary helps you see how you spend your time and identify opportunities for improvement.
After one too two weeks of data, what to do with your life becomes extremely obvious.
Suppose, I discover that I spend two hours daily on social media and four hours daily on games, and I notice that I’m not collecting my twenty hours a week of client work.
In that case, I don’t need a mentor or YouTube influencer to tell me what to do.
I already know from my logs that the games Summoner’s War, Warcraft Rumble, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube cost me $320 a week or, based on today’s exchange rate, ₱18,144.
Common sense dictates that I need to tone down social media and games for the following weeks.
I then regularly review my work diary to identify the top two activities that produce positive and negative outcomes.
What are the top two things in my list of activities that give me the most positive results? I’d occasionally rephrase that to most profit, satisfaction, fun, etc.
What are the top two things in my list of activities that give me the most negative results? I’d occasionally rephrase that into frustration, wasted money, wasted time, resentment, etc.
For positive activities, the most common recurring items in my diary are:
For negative activities, the most common are:
1. Games, social media, YouTube, and Netflix during work hours.
This is self-explanatory.
2. Level 3 or 4 participation or commitment to casual activities I do for fun. Let me explain. Activities have different levels of participation. For example:
This kind of scaling can be seen in other areas, too. I’ve seen this at the gym, martial arts, work-related seminars, personal development, business, and entrepreneurship communities, both online and offline, offer a hierarchy of activities that will get you to the “next level” of participation. Even your job or business has this element, too. Examples include events, seminars, volunteering, mentoring, inner circles, masterminds, and so on. There’s a white belt up to a black belt level of participation. There’s a newbie to mastery and different hierarchies in many skills. It’s like an infinite-play video game in real life. Now that I think about it, many martial arts consider black belt level as someone who understands the basics of the art and is actually a level one in a lifelong journey. It could take a decade or even twenty years or a lifetime to get you to the top, and the subliminal message and conversation enroll you to drop your other life commitments and give your life to the organization, skill, or pursuit. Getting too involved, beyond what you enjoy, benefit from, or can manage, can stress you out, eat up your schedule, and harm your mental well-being. Finding the right balance in how you spend your time is a constant conversation and argument with yourself. Anything above the minimum effective dose tends to take over your life.
3. Earning Beyond Your Target Income
Many of us believe that more income always equates to a better life. However, delving into income-generating activities beyond your TMI/TDI (target monthly/daily income) can sometimes backfire.
Imagine you’ve set your TMI at ₱76,000. This amount comfortably meets your financial goals, supports your family, allows indulgence in hobbies, and provides a good life. As success grows, it’s common to encounter a barrage of new opportunities. Suddenly, offers to vlog, consult, work overtime, start a side hustle, or expand your business might come flooding in.
These prospects can be alluring, but transitioning from ₱76,000 to a six-figure monthly income—a commonly desired benchmark—might not be as beneficial as it sounds. To break it down, ₱76,000 over 120 hours equates to ₱633 an hour. Many fresh opportunities might dangle the promise of higher overall earnings but might require more time, resulting in a reduced hourly rate. I’ve lived this reality:
Chasing the allure of a six-figure income might inflate the bank account, but at what cost to personal time and well-being? It’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way: blindly chasing more can be a trap. My approach now involves being more selective, focusing on quality over quantity.
Once you hit your income target, it’s essential to reflect before diving into the next venture. Aim for a balance that’s both efficient and sustainable. Recognizing and respecting our own physical and mental boundaries is crucial. Following this can help you earn well and at the same time, enjoy the money that you earn.
4. Sleep Deprivation is a Goddamn Time Bomb. I genuinely wish I was exaggerating, but I’m not. I hate using adjectives and adverbs, but here’s the naked truth: 99.9999% of those colossal mess-ups, those decisions that fucked me in the ass, and those moments when I felt the world crashing around me, occurred on days I was robbed of proper sleep. It’s a formula for catastrophic disaster. Conversely, when I’m well-rested, everything seems to align just right. While preparing for a Jiujitsu competition, I walked into the gym with incomplete sleep, sparred with one of the guys who’s my same level, and lost a match. I came to the gym the following week completely rested and clocked in 11 hours the night before, I went through him like a hot knife through butter. I was fucking unstoppable. And going through my journal entries, the benefits of being well rested apply to both physical and mental challenges.
5. Skipping Strength Training Dulls Your Edge.
You might think it’s just about muscles and physical stamina, but hell no. Every time I’ve passed on a workout, it’s like my brain took a hit too. The sharpness, the creativity, the onslaught of good ideas – all that diminishes when I neglect my body.
6. A Cocktail of High-Carb, High-Sugar Meals, No Training, and Zero Sleep?
It’s the express lane to self-sabotage. When you fill your diet with high-carb, high-sugar extenders and low-protein, low-quality meat products, pair it with a sedentary lifestyle, and deprive yourself of sleep, you’re not just courting disaster — you’re straight-up inviting it into your home, asking it to put its dirty shoes up on your coffee table. It’s the ultimate “screw you” to your well-being. Don’t play with this trifecta of doom.
7. Spending too much time with toxic family and friends is a giant obstacle to getting things done.
I understand that cutting people off completely may not be an option for you or your situation. However, limiting meetups to 1, 2, or three hours and then leaving, citing some other commitment, has worked wonders. If you could afford to get your own place, do it sooner.
8. Trying to save money by making poor-quality tools work is an effective way to waste my life.
As shared in a past post, I stayed at ₱10-15k jobs for over a decade, so I often settled for the cheapest tools like Android phones or second-hand gadgets. The downside is many of these devices broke down at the worst possible moment. I’ve lost jobs over my laptop getting a virus or having hardware issues. I’ve also bought more phones and spent time at repair shops when I used Android phones or Windows computers.
9. New tools and shiny software are attractive, but simpler is always better.
Tools like Notion and other fancy to-do lists, though free, hurt your productivity more than using simple stuff like plain text editors. Learn to master simple tools like plain text editors, calendar apps, and Google Docs. A lot of these tools are old but still relevant. Think about it: older tools are still around because they work well. I noticed that the older a tool is, the more I could expect it to be useful longer. Another thing about new and trendy tools is that they’re trends. If you put all your data in a free web service, you don’t own the data. I was previously using an old diary/notes/calendar app from 2011 till 2016. I got busy and was unable to log in for a few months. When I logged in, the company was acquired by another. They changed business models, and all the data was deleted. All my notes and journal entries for five years disappeared. Since then, I have preferred keeping notes, photos, and important data on my hardware and server. I only use “trendy tools” if it’s for client work, and I consider the information disposable. If I use trendy tools, I keep screenshots as proof of work that I could later add to my portfolio or for future client discussions. Otherwise, I keep using simple tools.
10. Using the gaps in my schedule exclusively for survival and profit.
Over time, I realize that doing fun things like Jiujitsu, cycling, cooking, writing for fun, playing with my dogs, and leisure activities enable me to stay consistently productive. A full schedule of serious work and profit-generating activities is a sure way to burnout, depression, and eventually self-destructive thoughts. So, to maintain balance, I protect my training schedule with the same level of discipline I’d protect a client meeting.
]]>I’ve avoided conflict most of my life, and as a result, it hurt my personal relationships, career, and my finances without me realizing it.
I’ve always looked down and tried to become as invisible as possible.
I had this strong feeling that people looked down on me despite my various personal and financial successes.
I back down when there’s a hint of tension or potential conflict.
I don’t negotiate and have always allowed others to take advantage of me.
The word “always” isn’t an exaggeration.
I’ve adapted belief systems and twisted the message into one where my complete agreeableness and non-assertiveness are “the right thing to do.”
Self-denial drove me to a point where I began gravitating toward anti-human belief systems like nihilism, veganism, and extreme environmentalism.
Humans are the cancer of the planet, God’s mistake, and there’s no hope.
I stopped eating meat, tried to become more invisible, and sunk into a deeper depression.
I don’t even remember why I bothered to solve the depression, but I remember being in so much pain that I was looking for a way for it to stop.
I listened to a Tony Robbins and Tim Ferriss interview about manipulating your mental state by adjusting your body’s physical status.
Physically smiling, straightening my back, and long deep breaths started my journey.
I felt a little better.
I began exercising in a CrossFit gym, cycling long distances, and eating a more balanced diet.
I increased my meat intake, and my smoking and alcohol consumption dropped.
I became increasingly functional.
I went from minimum wage to an income that I, myself respect.
I studied boxing, Muay Thai, and now Jiujitsu.
I channeled all my hate and resentment into exercising and learning new skills.
I tested myself in a tournament and took home two silver medals.
I now worry less.
If push comes to shove, I know I can fight.
My confidence in myself and my ability to solve problems has increased.
I studied negotiation in 2019 but failed.
I was thinking about the reason.
My ability to say no, fuck you, there will be consequences, and I will hurt you if you try to screw me is non-existent.
I had zero ability to dish out consequences if anyone tried to screw me.
I was a weak victim of a human being.
My ability to follow through and deliver the consequence.
I used my empathy to start imagining what it’s like on the other side of the negotiation table.
What do people I’ve negotiated with have that makes me not want to screw them?
There’s an element that “they’re good to me,” but it’s not just that.
I’ve always been that, but I’ve also been screwed, so there’s something else.
I rack my brain.
I wouldn’t want to cross the other party because they could hurt me financially, physically or damage my reputation.
I realized that offensive capability needed to be added to my negotiation.
The funny thing is I had this ability earlier in life but let go of it in exchange for pursuing my sales career and eventually “Christian living.”
I rose and fell as I pursued disarming and defanging myself.
You need to be fit to fight.
You need to be competent.
You need to be combat competent.
Then your confidence will increase, and your anxiety will decrease.
My problems haven’t left but I know I can fight, wrestle, and strangle them to death.
Just like I can effortlessly do anyone who tries to screw me.
Remember, your combat competence is about more than physical strength — it’s about self-assurance, resilience, and the belief in your ability to overcome adversity.
]]>I’m regularly updating this list so please return to this page or sign up to receive updates.
I’m regularly updating this list so please return to this page or sign up to receive updates.
]]>He encouraged me to write down my goals.
He also pushed me to read books.
His belief was simple.
Continuing education outside of college was not just a choice, but a necessity.
In another company, a senior manager took me under his wing.
He saw potential in me and was eager to help me grow.
We would have lunches together.
During these meals, he would share his wisdom with me.
One advice that he gave me has stayed with me to this day.
He told me that everything happening to me was my responsibility.
This was a crucial lesson, especially for my journey as a manager.
I can hear you thinking, “What about surprises?”
“What if a problem arises unexpectedly?”
His answer to that was clear.
Even in the face of unexpected challenges, the failure is mine.
The role of a manager is to anticipate potential failures.
They need to prepare for them.
My boss emphasized that 90% of my time should be spent preparing for the worst-case scenarios.
I needed to create a defense or solution for them.
Dr. Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” resonates with this.
The book teaches about the power of proactive living.
It proposes a formula for life’s outcomes.
10% is due to outside factors, 90% is how I respond, totaling 100% results.
On the contrary, reactive living attributes 90% to external situations and only 10% to personal reactions.
People in positions of power often live proactively.
On the other hand, those who find themselves losing frequently live reactively.
Here’s an activity for you.
List down the most painful events in your life.
From that list, select the most painful one.
Reflect on that event.
Ask yourself, how was it your fault?
In what ways did you contribute to that situation?
What lessons can you draw from that painful event?
How can overcoming that event improve you as a person?
Write down your answers in your journal.
Repeat this exercise with as many painful events as you can manage.
This exercise can help you gain more power by accepting more responsibility.
]]>I posted a video of my match here.
You can follow my Jiujitsu journey here.
During my first match, I was up against an American fighter larger than me. Feeling intimidated, I attempted a baseball choke from a standing position, even though I wasn’t in the right position to execute it properly. Despite this, I held on and refused to let go. Unfortunately, the timer ran out, and I lost the match based on points. To make matters worse, I burned my grips from grabbing onto my opponent throughout the long match, which would hurt my future matches.
After my first loss, I took time to rest and recover. I noticed my grip strength was already limited during my takedown attempt. My second opponent was also a takedown specialist, and I ended up in his guard. I waited for an opportunity to present itself, and he eventually attempted an armbar. I used this moment to pass his guard and gain side control. I held my opponent down in a chokehold and attempted to finish with a straight armlock or Americana, but I had trouble and instead transferred to a North-South position. From there, I grabbed his lapel, returned to side control, and finished with a bread cutter choke. The referee had to dive in to stop me as my opponent tapped out, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
I didn’t have enough time to recover for my third match, which was only ten minutes after my second. This match was a takedown battle, and I was already exhausted. Despite my opponent’s repeated takedown attempts, I managed to fend them off and hold my ground. However, I knew I didn’t have enough energy to take him down myself. Eventually, my opponent attempted his fourth takedown, and I seized the opportunity to reverse it and take him down instead. Unfortunately, we were out of bounds, and my points didn’t count. Despite being in a better position, we were reset, and the match went into overtime. With no energy left, unable to defend my opponent’s last takedown attempt, the referee awarded the points to my opponent, leading to my defeat.
What did I learn?
Training for the competition was a series of challenges, but it taught me valuable lessons. With only a few months of jiu-jitsu training and about 50 sessions total, I had to study online and practice at the gym whenever I could. Losing 10 pounds in a short period of time for the competition made it difficult to maintain my strength and stamina, adding to the pressure. To prepare, I had to build my game plan for different positions. Despite the difficulties, I was fortunate that it all came together in the end.
Despite my loss, my first match taught me an important lesson about the need to improve my positional escapes. In the match, I found myself in a bad position and struggled to escape due to a lack of confidence in my defense. From this experience, I realized the importance of being able to escape and counterattack in these situations. This skill will not only help me become a better competitor but also give me more confidence in my abilities. I am determined to work on my defense this year and become more confident in my abilities to escape bad positions.
The second match taught me the importance of focused training. I had drilled a specific set of techniques repeatedly, and it paid off in the match, allowing me to secure the victory. Going forward, I will continue to refine those techniques, improve my execution, and expand my arsenal of moves to stay ahead of the competition.
The third match taught me the importance of strategy and reading up on the rules. Despite being exhausted, I could have won if I had executed my strategy correctly. I should have taken the initiative to dive for a takedown after blocking my opponent three times and taking advantage of his position resulting in a beautiful counter. If I had studied the point system better, I could have contested the lack of a point that I deserved. These are valuable lessons that I will take with me into future competitions.
Here are some questions that you can also ask yourself.
In what area should you be excelling but are currently neglecting? What mistakes are you making because you lack confidence from your weaknesses?
What strategies or tactics have you used successfully in the past, and how can you apply them to other opportunities or situations to achieve success?
Can you recall any situations where you missed an opportunity to take action and attack, and how could you have acted differently to achieve a better outcome?
Although I was disappointed with the outcome, I’m determined to turn my losses into lessons. I’m committed to identifying my weaknesses and improving my skills to prepare for the next competition. With a positive mindset and dedication to my training, I’m excited to see how I will perform in the upcoming competition.
I posted a video of my match here.
You can follow my Jiujitsu journey here.
]]>I believe the best way to get started is to backtrack where you spend your money.
A money journal doesn’t require expensive tools. A small notebook can serve as your money planner.
Many people recommend deciding on a personal budget and sticking to it. I have no objections to the idea and I have seen many people succeed at that approach.
However, I’ve been unsuccessful at money management and budgeting until I began to list my expenses and I found out “how much do I actually spend?”
Start keeping receipts and writing your expenses in a notebook (invest ₱30).
Encode your expenses every weekend into Google Spreadsheet (Free).
You can start with these inexpensive tools as your personal budget planner.
Using simple tools to manage money means you can start today.
There’s no obstacle and you don’t get confused searching for “the best money management app” because the answer to that questions is different depending on the person asking the question.
This is as close as you can get to a free budget planner.
Just write the expenses and the date on your money notebook.
You’re free to add categories.
Encode your expenses in Google Spreadsheets.
I recommend spending a few minutes reviewing your expenses weekly.
I also recommend spending more time to review your expenses monthly.
You can spend a few hours analyzing your expenses once you have enough data.
You don’t need fancy cash management software.
Your notebook will eventually reveal the following information:
One you figure out exactly where the money goes, you can find opportunities on what to fix.
Here’s a story about how I spent more moeny the more I tried to save money.
I wrote about how honesty made me better at managing money.
I recommend that you commit to the minimum number. Aim for the higher number only if your resources allow you to.
I made it a goal to get to a place where I am happy with how I spend my money.
Self-awareness is the key in many of these problems.
So if you follow answer these questions:
I suspect that paying attention to where the money goes will give you better insight than any advice that you’d get from financial authors, advisors, and strangers like myself.
I’m projecting here, but my intention is to share an example.
Here’s a situation to consider. Are you taking care of yourself so poorly or are you too focused on the financial gain that your subconscious is trying to protest through impulse buying?
For example:
Too much work time and too little self-care or time for fun activities that the other you is filling the hole through purchases.
Back when I was a BPO worker, I worked an extra 3-4 hours a day. I often skipped often one or two of my restdays to do overtime.
I was neglecting myself and eating either unhealthy convenience food or preparing homemade low substance (pang-tawid-gutom) food to save time and money. I was feeling burntout without realizing it. I found myself mindlessly buying trinkets at the mall simply because I felt that “I deserved it” at the moment. What sucks for me is that many of the trinkets I bought weren’t really the things on my list of goals and things I wanted to buy. Like I said earlier, these items were purely impulse purchases that could’ve been spent on things that would help me with my long-term plans. My expenses increased to match my income.
Here are my thoughts about my struggle to save money.
My discipline with money seemed to return after doing the following:
A lot of these things took me some time to figure out so I pray you find the balance in your life.
Do you need more ideas on how to earn more money? Read my side-hustle recommendations.
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