Our decision to work abroad is anchored on the belief that we will be successful or more successful than we are. We are full of hope that life will change for the better.
We are also aware of the risk. Because life is like that. You want something better, be prepared to take a risk. In the case of OFWs, if you’re going without your family, it is the risk that family may break apart.
But we have seen those who made it. Many have improved theirs and their families’ lives, were able to send their children to the best schools and some were able to put up their dream businesses.
Well, these successes didn’t happen by accident nor by coincidence. These Filipino overseas workers have performed in their jobs to the best of their abilities and adopted some disciplines that took them to where they are now.
These are their habits.
Makes goals and pursues them
Goals give us direction. It is equally important that we stay in the course. Saving is just one of those goals. We have to make other goals in the areas of our wealth and career, but also in health, relationships, legacy and experiences or pleasures we want to enjoy.
Our goals should have long term and short terms, such a yearly, monthly or even weekly goals. We all know that job security for OFWs are not guaranteed especially if you are in the Middle East. (Insert link to Uncertainty). We have to make the best of our stay and make it work for our own advantage.
Keeps a monthly budget and sticks to it.
Because every responsible individual, OFW or not, should have one. More so for OFWs whose salary is only once a month and is expected to provide not only for himself but for the family that was left in the Philippines. We are not making an improvement in our finances if we are not able to manage it.
I want to emphasize on the need to save. We leave our country for greener pasture. The moment we receive our first salary, the clock starts ticking. We should start preparing for the day that we will go back to our country or go to the country where we decide to migrate. (Many of us make working abroad as a steppingstone for migrating to other country.) There is no way to best prepare for it than doing it ASAP.
Speaking of budget, the OFW budget should be unique as it should always include budget for pasalubong. Do you know of anyone who doesn’t bring one, even if they are just chocolates, to their families? Since it’s a regular thing, we might as well include it in our monthly budget, else, we are forced to charge it to our supposed baon for vacation. And when we do, and we know how expensive our vacations are with outings here and there, dine outs with families, and painom with kumpares, it would be a big dent to what could be our “fun time budget”. Best way to deal with this OFW thing, is to include it in your monthly budget. I know some friends who always have their balikbayan box open and ready. During sale season, they buy and put something. Once filled to the brim, they pack and send back home. This is one of those “only in the Philippines” matter, but we make it with a little modification to become “only among OFWs”.
Takes care of his health.
Food is cheaper in the Middle East than in the Philippines. Kabsa, the fatty yet delicious dish famous in KSA abounds, (and the servings are larger in restaurants). Thanks, to the subsidy. But we should not make it as an excuse to gorge ourselves every time. Food choices and moderation are the keys.
Accommodations are provided with gyms and recreational facilities. We should make use of them. We should make it a part of our activities and routines to exercise.
We have health insurance so when we feel that something is amiss in our bodies, we could have them checked. If we are working in hospitals, which many of us are, we should make time to visit our employee health center. The annual checkup is part of our insurance package. Work can wait. Our health should be our priority. We can only take care of our families if we take care of ourselves. We cannot give something that is not in us. The same is true with health. Let us not forget that some of us here have no families to take care of us. So, we fend for ourselves.
The goose that lays the golden egg should always be healthy.
Acts with integrity.
In everything we do. At all times. What we do always reflects about the country we came from. People tend to generalize. More often than not, an act of a kabayan is attributed to all his/her kabayans. By one bad act, a kabayan is seen like the other and we lost their trust. You are also embarrassed by our kabayan caught in a very compromising situation such as stealing medical supplies. Sad but true, people remember the bad things more than the good things.
Makes it a point to communicate with his family.
It’s bad enough that we are miles and miles apart from them, from our children, our parents and siblings. But at this age, when gap between places has already been closed by technology, either by video, audio and even written chats via social media, there is no point why we should not benefit from this.
Despite the time difference, we should make it a point to always be in touched with them. Although nothing beats a regular, face to face conversation, a regular, deliberate and attentive talk with them would help compensate for the distance.
Maintains good relationship with colleagues and co-workers.
We stay at work for a minimum eight hours a day. It will be a very stressful eight hours if we are not getting along with our co-workers. Also, work is easier when done lightheartedly.
Engages in socialization, in relaxing and recreational activities.
A study was conducted by Harvard University shows that there is a strong correlation between socialization and longevity. When we are far from our families, friends are what we have.
According to Professor Sarah Harper of the Oxford Institute, social connectivity and healthy friendships both within our own peers, within the family and between generations are as important as our food and exercise.
Being involved in sports activities is hitting two birds in one. You got to exercise and socialize.
Better yet, be active in communities. They are good sources of support, both socially and spiritually.
Explore the beautiful places around you.
Try to seek balance. It’s not just all work. It’s the climb, according to Miley Cyrus.
Continues to improve oneself in terms of learning and knowledge.
Our work exposes us to new technologies, new systems and practices and even new equipment and machineries. These update us on what is the latest and add to what we already know. We should make it a point to master them. Not only it will prepare us to our next job, but we become more knowledgeable at what we do and we became more useful if not indispensable to our workplace.
Whenever trainings, lectures are available for us, we should avail of them, especially if they are free. Technology advances faster than we can catch up. So, we need to make an effort to know more as part of our self-improvement.
Read publications about the industry you are working in.
Read books and seek information about something you want to learn (insert link to worried about losing your job) more.
Organizes things and mindful of our surroundings.
It is not uncommon among OFWs in the Middle East that they share accommodations. Clutters and unorganized space could be a source of misunderstanding with your flatmates. Following a schedule in the use of household equipment such as washing machine, and amount of space occupied in the common ref, cleaning after each use of shared furniture such as dining table and leaving the sink clean and free from used utensils are some of the practices expected when living in a shared accommodation.
Whether or not you are sharing accommodation, it is always a good habit to be organized.
Prays and connects with the Almighty.
In the best ways we know. When we’re far away and cannot see every day, what is going on in our families back home, we can only rely to God for His protection, guidance and blessings. We should remain connected to Him no matter how busy we are. This is very important.
In the End
Learning all these things is just a half-won battle. Doing them on a regular basis is winning the war.
If you have decided to work abroad banking on the idea that success could be found overseas, then you have to rethink and modify that idea. Regardless of where you are, it’s the everyday thing that you do that makes you successful.
Hi, I'm Cecille. I have been an OFW in KSA for 13 long years. I have been there, done that. I'd say I was lucky because for most of those years, my family was with me. I'd like to share in this blog what makes those years worthwhile, the lessons I learned and bits and pieces of info that may pique your interest as bagong bayani.