January (Doing Things on Time) CITE Technical Institute, Inc 1

First Week Talk: Starting on the Dot

Begin each day as a hero. Get up at the appointed time. Leave your bed on the dot.

Get to work quickly. Start all activities promptly. Try to be on schedule all day.

Go for a real change. Make Filipino time always equal on-time.

I. Today and now

A. The world of preparing for school begins all the time (elementary, high schools,
college) i.e., during summers just before the school opens. If not prepared, begin
today and now. This includes one’s daily classes.

B. Have all the required materials. But if unable to do so through financial difficulty,
have the initiative to borrow.

C. Inform one’s parents about school (requirements, schedule, programs, etc.)

because it is their right and your duty; so that they may be able to assist you.

II. Contradictions

A. Laziness
1. The most formidable enemy is one’s laziness.
2. It can cripple anybody from doing one’s duty -- to study.
3. To overcome one needs to be heroic in the little details.
4. To set the right priorities through a schedule, a plan for the day (3
hours/day study time should be there).

B. Passive attitude
1. This is simply studying as the teacher discusses.
2. In order to be well prepared one must spend time to study ahead of the
teacher; to ask him what the next topic is.
3. To practice everyday especially subjects that require calculation.

C. Leisure

1. We must be wise in watching TV/movies/concerts/computer games by

choosing those that don t bring harm and do not steal study time.
2. Extra-curricular activities are good but do not overdo it.

D. Leaving other duties behind

1. One cannot shirk away from duties to God, family, friends, etc. with study
as alibi.
2. To study yet be in touch with reality.
Personal Formation Office  Virtue Talk Guide  Version 2008 I
January (Doing Things on Time) CITE Technical Institute, Inc 2

 having friends
 reading the news
 involving in sports

III. What to expect

A. There is nobody to oversee your work: you have to carry yourself.

B. You will meet individuals diverse in background, attitude, ambitions (joke: and looks)

C. Time is gold and it runs like water in your hand. Thus, to make use of the holidays
doing projects to avoid cramming and sloppy work.

IV. What to do
A. To make a personal schedule and to fight to start the scheduled activities on the
dot; not a minute more or less. This is called the “heroic minute”. The practice of
such will strengthen the will; a sort of an internal exercise to gain muscles to work
out one’s intentions.

Personal Formation Office  Virtue Talk Guide  Version 2008 I