Typhoon “Milenyo” spared no one, even the President when she was stranded for hours in Clark. At around 10 in the morning on Friday, Sept. 29, Mon Lopez called me up informing me of our meeting with Joey Concepcion at the Manila Polo Club.

I started to prepare and got there just on time. I called my vice president Byron and asked him to also join us. We sat with the managing director of the Knowledge Institute and right after a short chat, Mr. Concepcion left. He felt that the weather was getting worse. He was right.

After a few minutes, I’ve witnessed how Milenyo moved, sweeping branches of old trees in Polo. It was the strongest natural force I’ve seen. We stayed in Polo and just sat there praying that the strong winds and rains would stop.

After more or less two hours, it stopped. And we saw branches all over, shattered cars and glasses on the grounds. I just couldn’t believe it. But even what I thought could be “safe” –after my friend Pocholo texted me <em>“May bagyo na. nagtatrabaho ka pa rin.”</em>—is in fact not that safe at all.

<strong>Milenyo is set to touch your career—a natural calamity that spares even the most prepared and seemingly the most safeguarded person, family or entity. Your promotion has a price. And that needs to be paid every day.</strong>

Promotion is sometimes overwhelming. Most of the time, you’ll be tempted to be too proud. There are people around who may like and dislike you. You need to watch out—especially your back.

<strong>Don’t underestimate any typhoon. Several times, the government failed to take weather forecasts seriously. This time, it did quite well. The same thing is true with you. Take some serious watchful, careful steps on the responsibilities attached to your item.</strong>

We can’t escape nature’s “anger” just as we can’t escape the proliferation of the people who will do their very best to pull us down. But the more you prepare, the lesser the damage it will bring you.

<strong>Prepare for your personal Milenyo. And make it a habit to not underestimate its unseen force.</strong>