“Most of the time, appreciating the sunrise as we wake up in the morning is much better than seeing the specks on our windows as we open them.”
Rejections, disappointments, and obstacles should never stop us from fulfilling our “unique assignments.”
This realization came to me after reading Mike Grogan‘s book, The Rise of The Pinoy: 7 Powerful Lessons of Success from 21 World-Class Filipinos, which I purchased at the 10th Philippine HR Congress held at SMX Convention, Pasay City on August 18. I even had it signed by the author himself. This book, written by Irish motivational speaker Mike Grogan, recounts the success stories and advice of Filipinos who excelled in business, professional speaking, writing, and the management of non-profit organizations. Some of the individuals featured include the founders and CEOs of Starbucks Philippines, Bo’s Coffee, Salt and Light Ventures, CBTL Holdings, and Manila Workshops, along with best-selling authors and motivational speakers like Francis Kong, Lloyd Luna, and Marianne Mencias, as well as leaders from Gawad Kalinga and Karinderia ni Mang Urot.
The book also provides insights into Grogan’s personal struggles and experiences, from when he first decided to pursue his dream, to the testing of that dream, which ultimately led him to his “unique assignment,” as he calls it.
A Curiosity Turned Journey of Insight
Initially, I bought the book out of curiosity. I wanted to understand why an Irish man, who had a promising career in the United States, would stay in the Philippines and give talks to Filipinos, believing that we will see a First World Philippines in our lifetime. What does he see in Filipinos that we often take for granted?
In his talk at the 10th HR Congress, Mike Grogan shared his belief in the potential of Filipinos, and this book reveals the answers to those burning questions. Here’s why I loved reading it:
1. It emphasizes the value of introspection and journaling.
The book encourages readers to reflect on life’s events, whether catastrophic or victorious, and move forward after painful experiences, through journaling. Journaling helps us become more aware of ourselves, our thoughts, emotions, and reactions to situations. This process fosters mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, according to the Center for Journal Therapy
One featured individual even uses a journal app daily, which helps him improve, overcome his fears, and become a great leader. With technological advancements, journaling is now more accessible than ever, whether through apps or traditional pen and paper.
2. It brings hope to Filipinos.
It’s inspiring to see a foreigner like Mike Grogan so passionate about bringing out the best in the Philippines. In fact, he dedicated the book to Overseas Filipino Workers, recognizing their significant global contributions. The book also highlights the positive Filipino values that contribute to success: “pagkakawang-gawa” (charity), “malasakit” (compassion), strong family ties, spirituality, and resilience.
3. It offers practical self-help exercises.
This book is not just a source of inspiration—it’s a guide with exercises and challenges to help readers produce real results. It adopts a psychological-phenomenological approach, encouraging readers to actively engage in self-discovery to achieve lasting outcomes.
4. It shares valuable success habits from prominent Filipinos.
The book compiles success habits, techniques, and philosophies of remarkable Filipinos, making it a treasure trove of insights. At a reasonable price, readers gain access to the wisdom of 21 notable Filipinos, including Francis Kong and Lloyd Luna, who share their success principles—particularly valuable for aspiring authors and speakers like myself.
For me, this book was the first step toward my dream of becoming a motivational speaker, helping me test whether this path was truly my “unique assignment.”
5. It provides diverse interpretations of success.
Success is portrayed through the lens of various individuals from different walks of life, genders, and ages, including millennials. The book shows how young people have achieved success despite their age, offering hope and inspiration for aspiring professionals.
A Fast but Insightful Read
I finished the entire book in just a few hours, driven by excitement and the desire to glean insights from it. The chapters are organized and easy to understand, with a recap at the end. However, I would have appreciated more variety in the style and sequence of presenting the featured Filipinos.
A Thoughtful Reflection
The book portrays Filipino values as key to success but doesn’t delve deeply into how these individuals overcome negative Filipino traits like “crab mentality” and “mañana habit.” Still, it’s a powerful reminder of the resilience Filipinos possess, rising above challenges like a lotus flower blooming in muddy water.
This book is truly inspiring! It’s enlightening, insightful, and well worth reading.
Mabuhay Pilipinas!
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