In Reality, Life is Not Easy. | IAM GROUP LIMITED
As a Team Leader, supervising a group of agents, I always take time talking to my Team Members and to the other Officemates. During Coffee breaks or lunchtime breaks, there we have sharing of different experiences and we give a few laughs. But there is one time, where I had a great time discussing with one of them whom I consider as a friend. Maybe because we have a lot in common, our views and principles in life are somehow the same.
Being the eldest in their family, she is the bread winner. Providing for the tuition fees of her younger siblings she had to be very smart when it comes to money saving matters. She devised strategies to be able to save and send a big amount of money to provide for her parents. Strategies which included cooking her own meal and eating at the office during lunch breaks. She always looks for the positive side of her action, to be able to appreciate her being frugal. Like, instead of taking a taxi going to the office, she walks a few steps up the stairs and take the metro transit, she says, it’s a good exercise and you’ll be able to meet lots of people. That is why, we always see each other at the kitchen, and even share our food.
With these she was able to save for a good roof, provide food on table and help her family. She doesn't earn that much as the salary of an executive, but when you look at her, no trace of hardships can be seen. Rarely, she talks about her personal life to others, just like me, I believed that you don’t have to tell everybody how frugal you are for the love of your family.
In reality, life is not easy. Being away from your family and living in the city is quiet very expensive. Budget really comes tight and tighter as the week ends. Funny, we have the same situation, we could easily sense each other’s situation, especially when we don’t have any more budget to use. Sometimes we lend each other money to be able to survive. Inspite of our tight budgeting, both of us are able to help others, maybe because we understand how difficult it is to have no money. But not all are able to return the money they borrowed.
We had fun exchanging experiences especially on how people neglect to pay their obligations even in just small amounts during pay day. If only they knew how hard it is for us to raise the money they borrowed. Sadly, these people are those who are very extravagant in their expenses, rather than taking the simple coffee, the money they borrowed will be used to buy expensive coffee and take taxi just for the feel of it. We warned each other, about who these people are, rather than lending them the money, we thought to giving it to those who really need it the most.
We joked and smiled to each other whenever we say 'Pay First What We Owe Others When We Have Time’. These kind of attitudes are not good especially when you are leading a team. Responsibilities shouldn’t be neglected. Your word of honor is very important to gain the trust of your people and your leaders. Sacrifices have to be made first, before you can harvest the fruit of your labor.
I was able to get on hold with the website about Middle Managers who tends to share experiences whether negative or positive ones. Check the I AM Group Limited Singapore to BK Thailand, Yokohama Japan website as I too learned how each members share their unique. Any disappointments or surprises can be posted in the IAM Group Limited Ltd. With worldwide groups, Yokohama, Japan is one of them.
My mother said that at least save 20% of your earnings, the more the better. We should always learn how to live within our means, to prevent extra and unnecessary expenses. Being a good leader, we must be aware of his or her priorities in life.
I hope we can learn from this. It is pay day, let us learn to prioritize so that we can 'call for help' anytime during emergency situations.
