Our human tendency is to worry over uncertainties, pondering and wondering to the point of unnecessary anxiety. Most companies have recently finished their respective strategic plans as they set departmental targets and goals. As in most companies, the plan, year after year, is focused on revenue maximization and cost reduction. In the case of the Philippine Airlines (PAL), more routes will be launched as Clark, Cebu and Davao airports will be developed as international hubs.
As PAL anticipates a four-star rating from Skytrax within the next few weeks, it will continue to pursue several customer-centric activities, acquire more aircraft—including the fuel-efficient and long-range Airbus 350—and aggressively digitize most of its systems and processes for the benefit of its passengers. The direction has been set. Human assets are in place. Information-technology infrastructure will soon be transformed. PAL seeks to achieve a five-star rating by year 2020. There should be nothing to worry about. But still, some worry.
Talking about strategies, perhaps I can safely surmise that my law students’ sole objective is to pass my
subject, wills and succession. Realizing that the subject I teach can dictate their destiny in Ateneo, most of my current students are in panic mode. More are worried, as close to half the class failed the midterm examinations. Prior to the last day of class, I showed them their class cards, which indicated 70 percent of their final grade. That way, they know exactly what they need in the final exams to pass or to make it to the dean’s list. On the last day of class, my students threw a party where one student, Mr. Cortez, even enthusiastically performed a rap song (Stupid Love). The energetic host Mr. Virata even managed to make me participate in a newspaper dance where I was paired with a dancing diva, Ms. Esteban. Everyone was so chillax! When I was asked to give a few remarks about how to pass my course and the bar examinations, I simply told them to go back to that party, cast aside their worries and simply chill. Whenever people are relaxed, they tend to deliver peak performances. One student looked and sounded nervous when she sang one of my all time favorite songs (When You Say Nothing At All). I’m sure she can sing far better in the bathroom shower while more relaxed. In any academic exam, students who are nervous cannot think better and write better. I told my students that everything they need to know is already in their systems. Their writing skills have been honed after several semesters in law school. The target is clear. There should be nothing to worry about. But, somehow, our natural tendencies overwhelm us, and we start worrying.
Although very successful in business, one classmate, LSG, is one anxious person. Her spirit was shattered when she lost her husband due to cancer. After being widowed for more than five years, LSG eventually found a partner who made her want to live and love again. They lived a blissful partnership to the point that she was ready to marry again. For some odd reason, however, he decided to marry someone else. She was and still is very heartbroken. She worries a lot lately knowing that she will have extreme difficulty trusting men now and in the future. I reminded her of one of my favorite Biblical passages regarding worrying, Philippians 4:6, which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Whether the area of concern is hitting a business target, making the grade in school, or finding the one true love in our lives, we must and should not worry. We must learn how to chill and relax. After all, God is in control. In every situation, even if painful, we must give thanks. Everything is a blessing, as Our Father will not give us what is not good to us. In the case of LSG, she still cannot find the answers to questions like, “Why did he leave me? Does he not love me anymore?” Her friends and I can only speculate. Answers to those questions will come when we are not anxious. Similar to my law students, answers to seemingly difficult questions in the final examination, which they are taking as of date of this publication, will come to them when they are relaxed.
Everything we need has already been given to us. We just have to chill and relax.
For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.