My brother, who is currently in 4th year college, confided to me one day that he is slowly panicking as the school year is about to end. It’s because he does not know what his plans will be after graduation, and he dreads the prospect of becoming a bum after he graduates.

This had me thinking right away, because his course is BS Hotel and Restaurant Management, and with the current trend of most Filipinos right now catering to the needs of the hospitality business in various countries across the globe, I don’t think he will have a hard time in landing a job that utilizes his skills.

‘So what do you want to do?’, I asked him.

In a hesitant tone he confided that he really wants to start up a business, because according to him, he does not want to be enslaved by an employer-employee relationship.

Fair enough, I thought.

However, in my mind, if one wants to enter into a business venture nowadays, it is necessary that he/she stand out from the rest; otherwise, all his initial ad start-up investments will just be for naught. I even suggested that he look for affiliate marketing tips so he will at least be guided by the dominant marketing theories that have long been tested by business owners and what-not.

As I was telling him all these things, I secretly smiled inside — because at least I was made aware that my brother took his life plans seriously. At this day and age, where stability is much sought in the face of life’s uncertainties, it always helps if we stay interested in our plans and come up with both short term and long term plans.

To my brother: Congratulations in advance for your graduation, and I wish you the best that this life has to offer!