Engaging the now

I have been interviewed for newspaper columns and features throughout the years. Once in a while, I get interviewed in radio talk shows, quite often in television programs, and now for podcasts as well. There are also numerous invitations for me to host a business talk show exclusively for online viewing. I have had a lot of it.

Here alone, you see the spectrum of different media formats driven by technological advancements over the years and it is quite amazing to see that the speed of the developments are not linear, but exponential.

In many of those interviews, certain questions keep popping up. They have become common and predictable. Interview questions like: “How did you attain success now that you are considered successful?”

It actually makes me uncomfortable but I need to answer truthfully. My response is always: “By never thinking of myself as being successful.” This is not an attempt to display false humility, but rather a statement that reflects reality.

Success is never static. It could never be a destination. You wrestle with success; you hold it, you lose it, you constantly struggle with it. That’s why I would like to think of “progress” instead of “success.”

Another question that is constantly asked of me is: “Francis, you have inspired so many people, but how do you inspire yourself?” I would answer, “By constantly moving and taking risks.” And that usually surprises the seasoned interviewer.

Progress is achieved when we take risks. It requires involvement and action. If you are afraid of making mistakes, you will end up not doing anything at all and be in a state of stasis.

A lot of things happen to us in our lifetime. Some make sense, and some just don’t. We want and wait for clarity, and clarity usually comes from a moment of inspiration.

I may get it from a book I read, a message I hear, a seminar I attend, or an advice from a trusted friend. All these help, but clarity that leads to inspiration is always a result of action.

Truth or reality is discovered as we both succeed and fail in the things we do. I act in small ways and constantly move and hustle, even if I cannot see the bigger picture yet.There is an intentionality of concentrating and doing things that matter, and that’s why I refuse to waste time doing “Clash of Birds and Crushing Candies with Angry Clans.”

Truth is often times discovered as we fail and succeed, but most importantly, as we learn along the way.

Another interview question that is often asked to me is: “Francis, how do you want to be remembered?” At times, they inquire the same thing, but in a different approach: “Francis, what is the legacy you would like to leave behind?” And my response is simple and straightforward: “Never even cared or considered that.”

This may sound rude, but I actually view “legacy” as backward engineering. No one can see the future and I certainly do not even know what I will leave behind. I have always contended legacy is what other people give to us and cannot be something or anything we decide or design to do.

Our focus should be on what we are doing now than to be concerned with what or how other people will remember us.

BUSINESS MATTERS… From B-3

Besides, everyone will eventually be forgotten. Even the big names and the superstars in this world will not be remembered.

Building monuments for the self, spinning an auto-biography, trying to leave a mark in the world; just the sound of these activities make me exhausted already.

What carries importance is doing meaningful work. What inspires me every day is to constantly strive for excellence, leveling up and being a positive contribution to others, starting with my family, and constantly reminding myself that existence in this fading planet is short, while it is eternal with the Author of Life.

We all have our appointed number of heartbeats and we do not have the capability to choose our time. We simply need to engage in the present for that is what is most important.

(Send your high potential leaders and experience two inspiring days with Francis Kong learning leadership and life skills in his widely acclaimed Level Up Leadership this Oct. 27-28 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries contact Inspire at 09178985010 or call 632-6310912 or 6310660 for details.)