Philippine Development Foundation

We do not hold on to our original idea out of sheer stubbornness, or because our ego is tied up with its rightness. Instead, we move with what presents itself to us in the moment, exploring and exploiting different branches and contingencies. We thus manage to turn feathers into flying material. The difference then is not in some initial creative power of the brain, but in how we look at the world and the fluidity with which we can reframe what we see. Creativity and adaptability are inseparable.

First, master your fears—this is related to letting go of perfection. The second involves testing, iterating, evolving. It’s about evolutions not revolutions. When you test and iterate, you have more opportunities to figure out what works. Third is, stick to your roots. Know who you are. For me, I’m Filipina American, and I didn’t realize until my mother pointed out to me that the largest source of caregivers for the U.S. is the Philippines. And the fourth piece is: stay true to your passion. I had an opportunity to be a CEO of a mobile entertainment company and I turned it down because my mentor asked me, are you in the pain business or the pleasure business? I wanted to solve the pain point of finding caregivers.