Eugene’s Story
Since I was a small child, I studied hard to get good grades. I didn’t really know why but I knew I had to do it…..
As I grew older, I was told that good grades increased the likelihood of good jobs, and thus income stability.
My job wasn’t my passion, but it paid me a decent salary and provided for my family, so I continued like a zombie. Day after day. Month after month.
Each time I heard that someone left his job to pursue his passion of helping others, I would secretly wish to do the same. But I didn’t DARE to. My family was counting on me to bring home the bacon. My job provided a monthly stream of income and I was the sole breadwinner. I felt comfortable and secure.
As much as I realized helping others is my passion, I ignored the voice within. Whenever the voice spoke, my mind questioned “What if my business didn’t take off?”, “What if I ended up becoming bankrupt and a burden to my family?” Many, many “what-ifs”. So I continued the corporate march.
Then in late 2013, I was let go….
Hundreds of my colleagues were retrenched during the same period. I received a call from HR, went into a room where my manager and saw my colleague from HR sitting there. I knew what was happening but I felt surprisingly calm. In fact, I even felt relieved. I thought: wow, now I have no excuse. I will HAVE to pursue my passion! No more what-ifs, no more buts. That’s it, my life was going to take off in a whole new direction!
I wish I could tell you a fairy tale ending,
that things became “happily ever after.” But that would be lying. The next few months felt like a roller coaster ride, with surprises and heartaches, ecstasy and rejections. Becoming a trainer and coach was more challenging than I had envisioned. There were many occasions that I was tempted to give up my dream and apply for another familiar job in a bank.
But I didn’t give up.
Deep in my heart, I knew that this was my destiny. I was convinced that the challenges were short-lived, and things would be fine soon. I networked aggressively and made new friends with fellow trainers and entrepreneurs who have gone the same path and made it. Each time I met them, I felt inspired and motivated. During this period, I also recognized the critical importance of Personal Branding and started learning as much as I could about it. I applied principles of Personal Branding to my life and business, and started attracting more clients and media interest. I appeared on TV and was interviewed by media. I started speaking at major corporations and educational institutions.
Fast forward to present day, and I’ve now trained hundreds of professionals, business owners, managers and students from various industries and nationalities on Personal Branding, Sales, Motivation and Influential Leadership. I still have much to learn and improve, and sometimes I still experience rejections and disappointments. But I am now living my dream, which is more than what I could say a few years ago.
Each time someone expresses gratitude for inspiring them and teaching them new skills, I feel recharged. What happened in late 2013 was sad and shocking, but in retrospect, it was a blessing in disguise. Without that fateful event, I would not be on this new and exciting journey to fulfill my destiny and to make a difference in the world.
It is not a coincidence that you are reading my story. You too have a life purpose and a dream to fulfill. And my mission is to help you achieve your dream earlier rather than later.
Eugene Seah
Your Personal Branding Coach