Love + (not vs.) Career, Achieve Naman!

Dear Leah,

Strange at cliché at the same time, pero sasabihin kong napagdaanan ko na ang pinagdaraanan mo ngayon — ang magplano ng kasal (na February rin) habang sinusubukan kong i-prove ang sarili ko sa career na pinili ko. Hindi lang kasi true love ang pangarap ko, pangarap ko ring magkaroon ng meaningful na career sa advertising.

Sinabihan ka ni Clark (nakita ko sa teaser ng episode this week) na kailangan mong i-set ang priorities mo. Pero mayroong kaunting siyang padaplis na dapat ang kasal ninyo ang priority ninyo. Kaya ang tanong ko — pangarap mo ba talaga ang magka-career sa advertising o tipong “job-to-pay-the-bills” mo lang ito? Dahil kung yung latter ang sagot mo, madali lang naman na huwag mag-effort. Pero nakikita ko yung stress mo to impress Simon, so I guess gusto mong mag-shine talaga bilang isang copywriter. (And eventually a Creative Director)

Kung gusto mo talagang pagsabayin si Clark at ang advertising career — achieve naman pero medyo may mga adjustments. Siguro noong pinagdaanan ko ‘yan, inisip ko muna kung anu-ano ang mga factors mayroon akong control. Kagaya nang: When it comes to adjustments, sino ang mas kaya mo bang pakiusapan si Clark or si Simon? ‘Di ba, si Clark?

So unang una, explain to Clark the nature of the work. Advertising is demanding, erratic, physically, emotionally and psychologically taxing, but incredibly rewarding. The work load and the hours are sometimes hard to take, especially sa mga taong ang konsepto lang ng “work” ay 9 to 5. But you have to explain to Clark that our work doesn’t necessarily start when we come in and end when we go home. Nakikita kong nagiging point of discussion ninyo ‘yang sunduan na ‘yan. Honestly, kami ni Wincy, pinagdaanan din namin ‘yan. Dati religiously niya pa akong sinusundo at hinihintay. Pero in the long run, marerealize ninyong unfair lang kayo sa oras ng isa’t isa. Mas efficient nang umuwi mag-isa, just keep each other posted. Or if late na talaga, tsaka ka na magpasundo. Ikaw na lang ang maghintay sa kanya, at least, alam mong tapos ka na sa trabaho.

Ikalawa, i-explain mo sa kanya ang long term effect ng OT sacrifices mo, especially sa fulfilment mo as an individual (independent woman) at sa finances ninyo. Yung hard work at brilliance mo naman will not go unrewarded, eventually, magkaka-award ka, you’ll win pitches, you’ll grow businesses and if nasa tama kang kumpanya, magiging fair naman sila sa sweldo mo. A double-income home (you and Clark) is ideal sa panahon natin ngayon. Clark has a business and you are employed. Mas malaki man on paper yung pera ni Clark, you’ll have the stability and consistency of having a regular paycheck. That way, mas financially ninyo ma-su-suportahan ang isa’t isa. (Further reading: Thanks Advertising by Tom Demetriou)

Ikatlo, wedding planning. Nakakaloka ang P30,000 budget para sa kasal! I-multiply mo pa siguro yan by 30, ‘yun ang realistic na budget para sa average na kasal. Pero keri na ‘yan, sasagutin na ‘yan ng Dreamscape at ABS-CBN. Yung sa schedules at tasks (like food and cake tasting), malaking tulong kung mag-divide kayo ni Clark ng tasks. Noong kami ni Wincy, ang hatian namin, lahat ng Church-related, sa kanya. Lahat ng reception (and design) related, sa akin. Para kung may ‘di naasikaso, may sense of accountability kayo. Ang di makagawa, e ‘di waley ka. You don’t have to do everything together, you know. Trust in each others’ decisions. And if you like to do things together, schedule it on a weekend. Wag na wag weekdays. Or at least sa ‘yo at sa trabaho mo, waley na ang weekday sched dahil priority nga ang career mo rin, ‘di ba?

When it comes to Simon naman — naku, huwag kang papasindak. ECD’s usually are just outspoken because they have to, for the work, not to belittle you. Don’t take him personally. A mark of a brilliant at inspiring boss is when he gives constructive criticisms and challenges in a professional level. Hindi naman niya hahamakin yung pagkatao mo, hahamakin niya from time to time yung work na dine-deliver mo. After all, you applied for that job. Toughen up a little. At huwag ka ngang parating parang naiiyak! Sabi mo nga, push. Siguro, if there’s one thing I’ll disagree with Simon, is that not “Everything has to be perfect.” Walang makakapagsabi kung ano ang perfect, kahit pa si Lee Clow, they can only say what they think is right. So always fight for your point of view.

Pero i-connect ko lang si Simon at yung kasal. I think it’s okay to update your boss about your personal life, especially if milestone naman ‘to. Yung mga boss ko, naintindihan naman nila na one month before ng wedding date ko, ipa-prioritize ko na yung kasal, siyempre. Kailangan mo lang i-explain.

Mahaba-haba na ‘to. Anyway, good luck sa wedding planning at sa career mo. Kung ako sa ‘yo, mag-focus ka sa career mo! Mas long-term reward. Yung kasal? It doesn’t need to be perfect. Isang araw lang ‘yon. Ang forever ay yung self-fulfilment mo, which will contribute to your happier marriage with Clark.

Sincerely,

Minsang nag-plan ng wedding, forever fight sa career

Disclaimer: Leah, Clark and Simon are fictional characters in the hit TV series na On The Wings Of Love. This blog post is another reaction to the December 21, 2015 episode. Lee Clow is a real advertising genius, though.

Image Credit: Screengrab from I Want TV