Charting a Brighter Future Making the world a better place starts with you and me. Inspirational speaker and author Francis Kong had some candid advice for USLS delegates. When Mr Francis Kong was in high school, he obtained a PhD. Only this time, the acronym stood for ‘passing high school with difficulty’. He played varsity basketball, and was madly in love with a girl named Lilia, who would become his wife. “My mind and heart were at the wrong places. I was in second-year high school, when (Lilia) was in first-year high school. I waited for her,” Mr Kong quipped. “We both became second-year high school. Third-year, fourth-year, she graduated. She went to college. I decided to review my subjects again,” he said. Knowing that he loved fashion, Mr Kong found a job in the industry after graduation. It required him to dress mannequins in show windows. “That’s where I got started. But, I told myself there’s dignity there. I’m not stealing money. With the tiny... salary that I was receiving, I invested in books,” he said. Mr Kong read books on sales, marketing, public relations, public speaking, presentation and advertising. One day, he became a specialist in garments. This led to business ventures. Now, Mr Kong is a reputed businessman, columnist, broadcaster, author and inspirational speaker. Each year, he gives an average of 300 talks in the Philippines and abroad. He still reads four to five books every month. He shared these life lessons at the 8th USLS:
Success has a Short Shelf Life In 2015, Mr Kong and his son Bryan were in New York. They were hoping to return to the Philippines. On that fateful day, Paris was attacked. He observed that major airlines started to offer ticket promotions. “Something can happen in one corner of the world, and then it affects every person on this planet,” Mr Kong said. “Your success today does not translate to perennial success. In other words, if you are successful today, you better make sure you do the right thing,” he advised.
Facebook is a Billboard, not a Diary Don’t be envious of your friends’ posts on social media. It is far from an truthful account. Mr Kong has convinced nine people, who had reached out to him on Facebook, against committing suicide. “And, every single one of them... you open their profile page, it’s all beautiful things. No one talks about their struggles there,” he said.
Change takes a Nanosecond “It is not true that it takes a long time to change. Change happens when you determine that you want to change. All it takes is one nanosecond to change, but a lifetime of maintaining that change,” Mr Kong said. “The future belongs to you and my children too. People my age have done our part. We’re still doing it. But still, (there is) the finality of time left for us to do what we are doing, ” he added.
Move from Desire to Outcome Being successful is an outcome. If you desire to be successful, the fastest way to reach it is via a straight line. “In our journey from where we are, to our desired outcome, you and I need Waze or Google maps,” Mr Kong said. “Things are going to grow even more uncertain, I can assure you. We need a navigational device, so that that navigational device now serves as a compass, that can help us manoeuvre our way,” he summed up.
Recognise the Strengths of Others Mr Kong considers himself to be good at business and making money. Still, he is bad at managing the money he makes. His wife, Lilia, is good with that. “The world is connected. You can’t succeed alone. Just because you’re good at what you do, doesn’t mean that other people are dumber than you. You and I are all experts, but we are all experts only in different subject matters,” .
Focus on Your Talents When Mr Kong became a garments specialist, opportunities came knocking. “I got known in the industry. People with extra money are always looking for people with no money, but with excess talent,” he said. “We formed our own company, and that propelled me to business. It was a long, hard climb. But, it’s worth it all the way,” he reflected.