Passageplanningtowardssuccesse Bookgiveaway

Ironico’s Passage Planning Towards Success
Letter to My Dear Reader
Dear reader,
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for taking the time
and effort to download my e-Book.
I pray that in my simple way, I could add value to your life, and
hopefully, make a difference.
If you honestly felt this book had value and substance after you
have completed reading it, please consider at least one of my
requests found on the last part of the book.
P.S.
This e-Book is only 80% of the printed version of the book. If

you want to avail the full length printed version, just continue
reading until the last part of the book.
Sincerely,
-Ironico Bañes-
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born to a couple Elenita and

Eddie Bañes Jr. on October 15, 1991,
Clint Mark J. “Ironico” Bañes hails
from Ungka 2, Pavia, Iloilo,
Philippines and is the second child
among three siblings.
He finished both his Elementary and High School
with the highest distinction as the class valedictorian at
Ungka 2 Elementary School in 2004 , and at Iloilo
National High School Regular Class in 2008,
respectively.
In 2012, he completed his Bachelor of Science in
Marine Transportation in John B. Lacson Foundation
Maritime University Arevalo Inc., where he graduated as
Magna Cum Laude.
He was a company sponsored cadet under Vega
Manila Crewmanagement Inc. and at the same time a
recipient of scholarship grant from Iloilo Society of
America (ISA).
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He acquired his Officer in Charge of Navigational

Watch (OIC-NW) Certificate in 2013 while his Chief Mate
License, in 2016. In 2019, at the age of 28, he
secured his Master Mariner license and at the same time,
completed his Master’s Degree in Maritime Management
(MMM) in John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime
University Arevalo Inc., Graduate School.
Presently, he is pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in
Maritime Education Major in Maritime Management in
the same University while being an active seafarer.
His sea service experience includes bulk and container
vessels with worldwide trades. Currently, he is connected
with VMCI as a Deck Management Level Officer onboard.
He is also a certified Maritime Instructor and Assessor
and teaching part-time at Iloilo Merchant Marine School
(IMMS) while on his vacation.
In November 5, 2016, He married the love of his life,
Pencel Chin, a member of Non-Uniformed Personnel of
The Philippine National Police (PNP), after six years of
dating. His flair for writing was discovered during his
cadetship days when he consistently composed poems of
love, sweet love letters, and kept a personal journal
dedicated to her.
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His Pseudonym “Ironico” is behind several “viral”

seafaring poems and articles such as “I’m Sorry, I’m just
a Seafarer, No No Choice”, The Amazing Master, and
“Because Your Father is a Seafarer” in both Local and
International Seafarer Pages which inspired thousands of
sailors and sailors’ partners around the globe.
He has written eight books so far which include
Passage Planning Towards Success, LDR Doesn’t Work
Unless, On Becoming A Highly Effective Sailor, The
Mariner’s Journal, The Unorthodox Speaker, Kwento ng
Barbero sa Barko, Paglalayag Patungong Tagumpay, and
Bakit Tamad Magbasa ang mga Seaman?. These books are
both available in digital versions (e-books) and
physical copies.
The titles of the books may suggest these are exclusive
for seafarers or seafarers partners only, but in reality,
THEY ARE NOT. The Author may have used maritime
terms metaphorically, but the lessons are universal and
anyone reading it, from all walks of life, can easily relate
and understand the message he wants to convey.
“I hope I made a difference in your life.”
Capt. Clint Mark J. Bañes, MMM
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Introduction
Invictus
-William Ernest Henley-
Out the night that covers me

Black as the Pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how straight the gait

How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the Master of my fate
I am the Captain of my Soul.
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A few years back when I first boarded my

assigned vessel as a deck cadet, I came to
mingle with some “oldies” deck officers during
the first half of my contract. The Chief Officer
and Second Officer were both 55 years old while the Third
Officer was 57 years old. The Bosun, head of the deck
ratings, was also in his mid-fifties.
I was expecting to learn a lot of things from these
“experienced” crew but I got disappointed. Most of the
time, I found them grumpy specially during the
periods of maneuvering when they are often obliged to
wake up in the midst of their sleep and supervise the
mooring or anchorage operations.
In one instance, while I was on the bridge as a lookout
of the navigational watch, my Chief Officer shared some
of his deepest sentiments and regrets about this
profession of seafaring. He also expressed his
frustrations in his life, especially on his children. His
words lingered in my mind up until now. He said, “If
only I could turn back the time; I would have made a
better plan for my life.”
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The funny thing was that after eight long years, I came
to sail with him again. He's already 63. The signs of
ageing hit him so hard. I could still feel the
frustration in every conversation we had. I could sense
deep inside, he brought with him the same sentiments he
shared to me a few years back.
Can I make the conclusion that not all, but most
seafarers who got old in this profession are not really
fulfilled with their lives?
That they pretend to be happy outside but they feel
silently desperate inside? They are like prisoners without
any choice. They literally became drifters of the sea, going
nowhere - just letting the winds and waves decide on their
destination.
A year ago, I wrote a poem dedicated to my fellow
sailors depicting a typical seaman’s life from the
beginning of their journey until retirement. When I
posted it on a particular social media site, hundreds of its
followers shared this short piece of mine. I suggest you to
read it by heart to truly understand the message I want to
convey.
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The Typical Seafarer
Begin the journey along with a dream

The promise of the future is vast and green
Sign the contract and embark the ship
For the ocean is not for the weak.
Like a prisoner deprived of freedom

Drudgery and labor under the sun
But a smile from his beloved fam
Enough to wipe away the boredom.
Paid enough, saves a little to nothing

Unaware investing is a simple thing
The rush to waste all the blessings
Ends up drifting with the mighty winds.
Worry no more! Another vessel is waiting

And yes, the bundle of dollars’ waving
Sign the paper; set the sails again
’Endure the contract until the end.
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Realizing the cycle needs to stop

He finally decides to tie-the-knot
But love alone cannot feed the stomach
He must board again in a foreign dock.
Come the children with promising eyes

The future ahead needs to be bright
Toils by the day with their smiles in mind
As the years turned his black hair to white.
The mind says yes but the body does not

It’s now time to rest, make the final stop
Nothing to harvest from the planted crop
“Life is too ironic!” that is a fact.
He worked all his life out of poverty

Tasted every kind of adversity
But in the end, he’s poor and unhappy
Told himself "Perhaps, this is destiny!”
Life is not a race but a marathon

Mind your pace, treasure every second
Take the helm and steer your chosen course
Until you reach the beautiful shores.
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I have written this book as an eye-opener to the

multitude of greenhorn seafarers who want to make a
difference and also to those experienced ones who are
starting to lose control of their individual ships of life.
Based on the key principles of Voyage Planning
namely “Appraisal, Planning, Execution, and
Monitoring”, these principles can help you create the best
route towards your chosen destination.
I leave now the decision onto you my friend whether
to continue to read this book or not. It’s your choice. For
those who desire a better future, not ending up like those
I described in my poem, I’ve intentionally written this
book for you.
I pray that this book can make a difference on your life.

Safe sailing!
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CHAPTER 1
The Seafaring
Profession
“Don’t just let your job make something

‘for’ you; let it make something ‘of’ you.”
-Jim Rohn-
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Why seafaring?
T o earn a bundle of dollars? To travel around the

world for free? To set your eyes on charming
beautiful women around the globe? I believe
these are some of the reasons why majority of
the seafarers decide to take on this profession. I know
these reasons because they were mine, too.
I’m not a hypocrite; I must admit. This profession is
not primarily my passion or inclination but the
compensation is very attractive. It really enticed me the
first time I learned how much I could earn.
For those who are not yet convinced that money is not
a driving force, let me quote a sarcastic line by the famous
public speaker Zig Ziglar, “Money is not the most
important thing, but it ranks next to oxygen.”
The fact remains that seafaring as a career is truly
an “opportunity of a lifetime”. The perks of being a
seafarer are numerous. I have roamed around the cities
of Venice and Barcelona without paying my air fare.
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I have experienced the exceptional services of some

international airlines and have been stunned by the
beauty of some notable airports. I have met new friends
from all over the world and learned their cultures. I have
frequently witnessed the perfect sunset as well the
refreshing sunrise.
However, life at sea is not easy as it seems. It’s not
always smooth sailing out there. You need to face and
conquer its wrath before you can be officially called
“Steward of the Sea”. On the brighter side, this profession
provides you an all-around training ground for personal
growth.
The vast ocean is one of the best venues to learn the
different principles and disciplines of success to achieve
whatever you want in life. Many lessons can be learned
daily if you choose to be a “student of the sea”.
The moment I realized that the only difference
between “earn” and “learn” is just the letter “L”. The word
“lifetime” also starts with this letter. Upon realizing this,
it made all the difference in my life.
If your goal in life is just to earn money, you can
always earn more. However, you can also spend it all
quickly. Once you learn something new, a piece of gold is
added to your bank of wisdom. Money will follow. So
always choose learning over earning and make sure the
profession of seafaring makes something ‘of’ you.
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The Storm
Ask any experienced sailor what his worst enemy is at

the sea, he will tell you the same thing: ‘the storm’. It is
something you cannot stop from forming; it’s always a
part of the sea. However, it is also a good teacher on the
subject of optimism.
I can still remember the first time I encountered a
storm. It was like a nightmare! I thought the ship would
capsize because the waves were really enormous. I threw
up a dozen of times. I didn’t sleep and eat the whole time.
Still, I performed my duty at the bridge. I said to myself I
must overcome the challenge.
At first, I felt sorry for myself for having chosen this
profession. Now, I realized sometimes life has its own
unique way of saying, “Let’s make your journey more
exciting.”
Storms can be compared to the challenges of life, the
spices of the journey. As we all know, challenges when
met head-on could make us tougher and wiser.
The only thing we can do is not to allow negative
thoughts to slip into our mind. A good attitude will allow
us to turn any bad situation into a learning experience.
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Always put into mind what can’t kill you will just
make you stronger and better. Remember that positive
mental attitude will let you do everything “better” than
negative thinking will. Also, never forget the line, “This
too shall pass.” True enough, the next day after the storm,
I saw the sunshine.
Long Contracts
Six to ten months is the typical duration of a seafarer’s

contract onboard a vessel. Six months is half a year long.
Nine months is three-fourths a year. Can you imagine the
sacrifice? It requires an enormous amount of patience to
finish the contract.
Several cases happened when seafarers are repatriated
even before their contract expires due to personal reasons
like homesickness and emotional instability. Some resort
to violence and insubordination just to have a valid
reason to be sent home. Patience is truly a virtue.
I’ll never forget what my colleague in my first vessel
shared to me while having our coffee. He said to me, “Det
(cadet), I have three kids, and I have never attended any
of their graduation ceremonies.” I felt so sad to hear it.
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This profession is good for you if you are still single. It

would be hard if you have two kids aging two and four
years old. Imagine the pain every time you bid goodbye to
them because of the extreme desire to be with them in
every milestone that they achieve.
How you wish you could hear the first word they utter,
see the first step they make, or drive them to during the
first day of school. These are the moments that a father
would want to be with their kids. As a sailor, it’s not
always possible.
How about your wife? How you wish to have her
beside you every night. How you miss the laughter,
smiles, and those little arguments which could make you
love her even more.
In these moments, you will appreciate the concept of
delaying gratification. It is the idea of being patient for in
return you can expect something wonderful to arrive. It’s
your ability to put off something mildly fun, in order to
gain something that is more fun, pleasurable, or
rewarding later.
It’s painful just like the process of pregnancy when a
woman bears all the pain, anxiety and worries. When the
“labor day” comes and delivers the baby successfully, all
her pain and sufferings vanish like a bubble in the air.
Same is true with the sailor’s contract. When it’s finally
over, the feeling is ecstatic.
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Long Distance Relationship
The so-called LDR (Long Distance Relationship), as

they say, is a tough job. One of the myths around LDR’s is
that they are always or more likely to fail than other kinds
of relationships. However, there is no actual proof to
suggest that this is true. In fact, I wrote a book entitled
“LDR Doesn’t Work… Unless…” to discuss the ways to
make it work.
If there’s no physical intimacy for more than half a
year along with the challenges of communication due to
different time zones, then the struggle is real! I can
personally relate!
I believe it requires a lot of maturity to deal with this
kind of relationship. Loyalty is one of the most
controversial issues when it comes to the subject of LDR.
However, I believe loyalty becomes automatic when the
person is serious enough to prioritize the value of
commitment and trust in a relationship.
If you can’t be loyal, you can’t be truly honest. If you
are not honest, you can’t be trusted. If there is no trust,
there’s no strong foundation for the relationship. If
there’s no foundation, then don’t expect for a love that
will overcome the test of time.
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Another issue about LDR is the space. Now let’s

tackle the space in a more positive way. If both parties are
mature enough, the space will let them grow in the pace
that each one is comfortable with. When the waiting time
is over, one is not only thrilled to see the other half to
make up for the lost time together but also excited to
witness how he/she has grown into a better version of
himself/herself. Isn’t it awesome?
I personally believe that in this profession where
loyalty and faithfulness are often taken for granted; there
will still be a chosen few who will prove that “not all men
are the same”. They may be few, but believe me, they do
exist.
Ship’s Crew
Here comes the social aspect of the training. It is a

common shipboard scenario of having a crew with
diverse nationalities. Whether one likes it or not, every
person, no matter what country he comes from, how old
or young he is, or how experienced or inexperienced he
may seem, wants the same thing: “respect” and
“appreciation”.
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I once sailed with an amazing Master who is a literally

a “Master” of this simple secret about dealing with
people. He is so generous of the lines “very good”, “very
nice”, “great job”. Regardless of rank, he respects every
one. No wonder why every crew reciprocates the kind of
respect and appreciation that he gives. I believe respect
begets respect. It is true that every culture has its own
unique norms and traditions. A little understanding is
enough to let the other crews feel that you sincerely
respect and accept the differences.
Remember that there are over three billion people in
the planet who go to bed hungry every night. On that
same night, about four billion people who go to bed are
also hungry-not for food, but for some sincere and honest
appreciation. So the next time you bump into another
crew, think of him wearing a big sign which says, “Make
me feel important”.
Solitude
As the dictionary defines it, solitude is the state or

situation of being alone. From the outside perspective,
solitude and loneliness look the same. Both are
characterized by solitariness. But in a deeper sense,
loneliness is a negative state while solitude is not.
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Solitude is the state of being alone without being

lonely. It is the moment when you give yourself a
wonderful and sufficient company. In times of solitude
onboard, learn the habit of imagination. Try to close your
eyes as you explore the possibilities of your future.
Imagine your dream home, dream car, and dream life.
Imagination is not only for kids but also for adults. It is a
powerful force which attracts what your heart truly
desires. Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination beats
knowledge.”
You can also pick up a book. Any book which can add
value to your life, your career. If you have a friend
onboard who is fond of reading e-books (electronic
books / digital books), ask him to give you some soft
copies. One book a month is equivalent to six to nine
books per contract.
Now the question is, what will you get if you read nine
books in just one contract compared to your fellow crew
members? It will definitely give you an advantage! You
may say reading books is boring but just like the physical
exercise to the body; reading is an exercise of the mind.
Thus, an unread book is a lost opportunity to learn
something new.
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Also try to get a piece of paper and write some goals.

Write the wildest ones. It doesn’t take much effort to write
bigger dreams than smaller ones. You must remember
that a goal that is not written is merely a wish. In the
subsequent chapters, I’ll explain how important written
goals are.
Compensation
As we all know, seafarers are well-compensated

because of the risk as well as the sacrifice they do. In spite
of this, the irony remains that most seafarers find it
difficult to make ends meet.
I have sailed with dozens of “BIG FOUR” who earn
more than 1 million pesos every three months yet
struggling financially. Money is not always the problem
but it’s the lack of basic financial education.
Robert Kiyosaki, a famous author in the field of
business and personal finance said that knowing the
difference between “assets” and “liabilities” is the start of
financial literacy. Most seafarers, in their pursuit to look
rich, try to buy things they don’t really need. This is to
please the people they even don’t know, using the money
they don’t even have.
25
Others try to start their own businesses without giving

the ample time to study them and end up losing their hard
earned capital. There are also a few who became victims
of investment scams. The next chapter will focus on the
question why seafarers need to be financially literate.
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CHAPTER 2
Seafarer’s
Financial Literacy
“Do not save what is left after spending,

but spend what is left after saving.” -
Warren Buffett-
28
29
Imagine
I
magine the shipping world today will experience a
dive and the salaries of the crew will be cut into
half EFFECTIVE TOMORROW! What will you
feel? I’m sure you’ll feel terrible. I suspect
numerous cases of heart attacks will happen in an
instant.
This would mean that the OS and Wiper onboard, who
makes an average salary of 800-1200 USD a month, will
only make 400-600USD. The Master and Chief Engineer
will just net an average of about 4000-5000 USD a
month. Isn’t it scary? The fact that you don’t control your
financial destiny for now does not give you the peace of
mind.
How about this one? The following week, the salaries
will be further reduced to another half? Three fourths of
your salary will be gone! You’ll be left with just one
fourth of your original salary. Let that sink in for a
moment.
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Now, try to ask yourself, will the profession of

seafaring be that appealing? Do you think students will
still enroll in this course? How about you? Will you still
be willing to bargain your time and effort for a job which
gives you less than you deserve? I believe the answer is
obvious. It would be a no.
My Mother’s Advice
Both my parents never finished college. My father

used to work as a school guard for fifteen years before he
was fired. Yes, he was fired with a lawsuit leaving him
with no separation fee or retirement benefits.
I was then still in high school. Sadly, he wasn’t able to
find another job. On the other hand, my mother is a
skillful seamstress. Her skills became the source of our
bread and butter.
My mother always emphasized the value of education.
She always said, “You must study hard and finish your
college so you can get a good job someday so that your
kids won’t experience the life you had.”
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I listened to her advice. I studied hard. I got good

grades. I graduated top of the class during my elementary
and high school years. I wanted a good high paying job. I
wanted to be rich.
If I had chosen a different course for college, I
doubted my mother could afford to send me to school. I
made the decision to enter a maritime university to avail
of a full scholarship of a company. I signed the agreement.
My future was a done deal.
The agreement stated that after three years of college
education, I’d be boarding an international ship for a year
-long apprenticeship.
After passing the board examination, I’d be employed
by that company as an officer for the next 16 years of my
seafaring career. It sounded like my future is already
secured.
My 6-digit Salary
After I passed the board exam and completed the

trainings, I was awarded a certificate of competency as an
officer. I was then deployed to my next ship
assignment and got promoted as a Jr. Third Mate.
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It felt so great to earn my first salary as an officer. I

was 21 then and was earning almost a hundred thousand
pesos (2000 USD) a month. It was awesome! I thought I
was rich already.
On my third month onboard, my father’s diabetes had
gone worse. His kidneys weren’t functioning anymore and
needed a dialysis regularly. My mother could not work
anymore for she was forced to focus her time to take care
of him. And guess what? My first 6-digit salary didn’t
seem to matter.
After six months of suffering, my father passed on. It
was one of the most painful moments in my life. That
feeling when you’re alone inside the cabin in the midst of
the ocean. I was reminiscing the good times I spent with
my father. Those times when he would cook for us. Our
joyful bonding moments when I was still young. It was
painful.
I wanted to see him for the last time. I wanted him to
hear how much I loved him, how sorry I was for not being
the best son to him. I wanted to hug him so tight and bid
my last goodbye. But I could not. It’s just impossible.
Every opportunity had its cost. I needed to pay mine.
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The Basics
Majority of the seafarers are considered to be part of

the middle class in the society. They are the group of
people who are earning a substantial amount of money
yet still struggling financially.
They are not rich. Some of them may look rich
because of their big houses, nice cars, and luxurious
vacation plans. In reality, most of them are having a
hard time to make ends meet.
As business author Robert Kiyosaki says: “to learn the
basics of financial literacy, you must understand the
terms cash flow, expenses, assets, and liabilities.” Cash
flow is the money you bring in. Expenses are the money
you spend. Assets are the things that pay you. Liabilities
are the things which cost you.
Many sociologists suggest five classes of our society
namely the upper class, the upper middle class, the lower
middle class, the working class and the poor. For the sake
of simplicity, I’ll classify them to three: rich class,
middle class and the poor class.
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The difference is how they spend what they earn.

When poor people receive their salary, they spend all of it
buying all the stuffs which they think they need.
On the other hand, middle class, like the seafarers, spend
most of their money buying liabilities. They believe these
are assets. This habit makes them prisoners. They
mortgage their homes and cars, and then they get trap in
credit card debts.
What the rich people do is that they acquire assets.
These are things which pay them. As they receive the
money from their assets, they invest again by buying
more assets. Thus, producing more and more cash flow.
The Cash Flow Quadrant
The cash flow quadrant is a diagram designed by

Robert Kiyosaki to illustrate the four kinds of people that
make up the world of business and money. Back in
Algebra days in high school, the diagram looks like
Cartesian coordinate plane.
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It is divided into four quadrants : two quadrants on

left and two on the right. The left side is composed of ‘E’
and ‘SE’ which stand for Employee and Self-Employed,
respectively.
The right side is composed of ‘B’ and ‘I’ who represent
the Business Owners and Investors, respectively. The
diagram below illustrates what I mean.
The major difference among these four kinds of
people is their beliefs and the words they often say.
Employees are always looking for a safe and secure job
with great benefits. On the other hand, self-employed
individuals charge their clients by the hour or by the job
they do.
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Business owners use other people’s time as they create

a system which will generate more cash flow with less
time and effort. On the other hand, investors use money
to make more money. They often talk about risk and
return of investments.
Leverage
According to Robert Kiyosaki, this is the secret

weapon of the rich. Because leverage is power, it can be
used, abused or feared. In simple terms, it is the ability to
do more with less.
The most vital leverage is the leverage of the mind.
Your mind can either make you rich or poor. Your mind
can be your most powerful asset or your biggest liability.
Financial leverage is the advantage of the rich over the
poor and the middle class. The main reason why the poor
and middle class are working hard all their lives
struggling financially is because they lack the leverage of
financial education.
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Money is not taught at school. You first learn this at

home. Most of the time, our parents are not experts in the
subject of money.
OPM and OPT are other forms of financial leverage.
OPM stands for “Other People’s Money” while OPT is for
“Other People’s Time”. If you invest well in your financial
education, these kinds of leverage will be utilized
easily.
There are several forms of leverage you can use and
this book will focus on the leverage of having a sound
career and financial plan. This leverage will help you
greatly as you begin your journey towards your chosen
destination.
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CHAPTER 3
A Seafarer’s Time
Frame
“They say time is money. I disagree. Time

is life. Spend yours wisely.”
–Scott A. Miller-
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Time is Precious
S
teve Jobs, founder of Apple once said, “Your time is
limited. So don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
Don’t be trapped by a dogma which is living with the
results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise
of others’ opinions drown out your own inner
voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your
heart and intuitions.”
Try to imagine there is a bank account that credits
your account each morning with $86,400 but it does not
carry over the balance of today for the next day. Every
evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you
failed to use during the day. What would you do?
Obviously, draw out every cent, of course.
Each of us has such a bank, its name is TIME. Every
morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night
it writes off at a lost, whatever of this you failed to invest
to a good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no
over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you.
Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail
to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no
drawing against ‘tomorrow’.
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You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it

so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and
health. Make the most of today.
Admit it or not, you do have your own passion. It is
something you enjoy doing and gives you a feeling of
satisfaction. It is something you are good at, a God-given
talent. The problem with most people is that they are
willing to give up their passion and work just for money.
The painful truth is that majority of people grow old
and die without doing the thing they love the most.
Imagine your doctor tells you that you will only have one
year to live. How will you spend it? The way you divide
your time among family, friends, faith and your passion,
will determine what you value most in your life.
Like author Jim Rohn said: “Remember that every
second matters. Seconds slip into minutes, and minutes
into hours, and hours into days. Until you wake up one
day only to discover that moments of opportunity were
gone. Don’t wait until the day you’ll be spending your
final years reliving the dreams and wishes that might have
been and regretting all that never was and never will.”
42
The Greatest Time in History
You must realize by now that you are in the greatest

time in history with the most leverage as well as the most
opportunities and resources greater than the kings of the
past. Look around you. Technology is at your disposal.
The richest king in history did not have the road
systems that we now have. Their libraries were less than
what our public libraries are today. We have libraries all
over the world that allow us to completely access for free
the accumulated knowledge, thoughts and wealth of
information written by mankind of different cultures.
The richest king in history did not even know what
people on the other side of the ocean were thinking. Now
there’s Facebook, Viber, Twitter, WhatsApp or Instagram.
We can now instantly know what people’s thoughts are.
The richest king in history could not talk to somebody
on the other side of the planet. It would take months to
send a message and receive a reply. Now, in a matter of
seconds, it’s already possible because of cellular phones.
43
Information is at the tip of our fingers. Press a button

on your gadget, and there is a lot of information. In fact
video calls are readily available. Sooner or later, hologram
effects will be a common feature to all smart phones.
We now live in a very fast paced world—a new kind of
world. But our level of thinking has not caught up with
the speed of change. Job security with good retirement
benefits is a thing of the past already. The game has
changed. You must play the game by the new rules.
Quarters of Sea Life
Think of seafaring career as a game with four quar-

ters. The first quarter is your first ten years as a certified
seafarer. The next twelve years will be the second quarter.
The next twenty years or more will be divided to the third
and last quarter of your career.
Let’s say you boarded your first vessel assignment at
age of 23. The time span between your 23rd and 33rd
birthday is the first quarter. Then, 34-46 years old will be
the second quarter. The third quarter is between 47-60
years old. And 61 onwards is the last quarter.
44
QUARTER AGE
First Quarter 23-33
Second Quarter 34-46
Third Quarter 47-60
Last Quarter 61 Onwards
So, how is the game played? How would you know if

you won the game? If the game is over? Simple, every end
of the quarter, or at the end of every contract, you
personally must ask yourself these two important
questions: “Have I done enough?” “Is it time to retire as a
seafarer?” And if the answer is yes, the game is over, and
no one but you can honestly tell if you have won the
game.
For the past ten years, I’ve signed several contracts
and shared the journey with more than a hundred crew
already in the different vessels I was assigned to. The
irony is that I could only count with my fingers the few
who won or about to win the game.
They are the ones whose characters are commendable.
They are responsible and goal-oriented individuals with a
clear plan and vision of the future. I could often hear
about how they plan their vacation, how they prioritize
their loved ones and how they handle their finances
carefully.
45
If you belong to the majority who don’t give a damn

about the importance of proper financial planning, you
might end up struggling until the last quarter of the game
and yet, still losing it. Sadly, there’s no overtime. The
moment your health gives up, you can’t board a vessel
anymore.
When the game of life is finally over, there is no
second chance to correct our errors. The clock that is
ticking away the moments of our lives does not care about
winners and losers. It does not care about who succeeds
or who fails.
It does not care about excuses, fairness or equality.
The only essential issue is how we played the game. My
question is, why wait for the second half when you can
win the game in the first half of the game?
Pick a Number
Have you ever asked yourself, “When shall I stop

working at sea?” or “When shall I retire?” If you’re just
starting out your career, I believe it’s a stupid
question. Perhaps, if you’re still single and no plans of
having a family yet, it would sound nonsense.
46
Data supplied by the Maritime and Coastal Agency

(MCA) and the UK Chamber of Shipping (UKCoS)
suggests that the average retirement age for seafarers is
sixty one. Sadly, this period of time is already on the last
quarter of the game of life.
Come to think of it, if the world will end in 20 years,
will you still be willing to spend the next 19 years of your
life working in the middle of the ocean? Then, spend the
rest of your years enjoying the money you have earned?
I know it sounds pessimistic but it’s the best way for
you to realize in the end, it’s not the money that matters
most. You must understand by now that time is more
valuable than money. You can always earn more
money. But once time is spent, you can never buy it back.
If you are really serious about your future and if your

faith is strong enough, you will be willing to do whatever
it takes to achieve your dreams. You must set the age of
your retirement as a seafarer, right now! I’m serious.
Don’t be afraid. Pick a number; will it be 39? 40? 45? 50?
55? 59?
Well, I’ve already picked mine. And it’s 45. I’m 30
now. I still have fifteen years to navigate my financial
vessel towards my destination called freedom.
47
Time Management
The basic rule in time management is really life

management. You cannot manage your time but you
can manage yourself. The most successful and wealthy
people are those who manage themselves the very best.
The quality of your time management determines the
quality of your life.
They say time management is a skill and can be
learned. In fact, it must be learned. Time management is
also a choice. You choose to manage your time. It is
simply a decision to make. However, I can attest this is
not always the case while onboard. Sometimes the rest
hours are not being followed anymore. Sleep deprivation
is a common scenario. During times of maneuvering or
emergency situations, you can never say no.
The best thing you can do while onboard is make the
most out of your free time. The key is for you to stop
doing certain things which are not important.
Watching movies and T.V. series is a great way to
spend your free time but too much of it wastes your
precious time. Spend your time doing things which will
help in the realization of your goals; things which add
value to your life.
48
Some examples of using time productively include

physical exercise and reading technical books or manuals
on the ship library. Try to spend time talking with your
colleague whom you look up to and can teach you
valuable lessons from his own experiences. You can also
teach and share your knowledge to your crewmates who
are eager to learn. Time is valuable; use it wisely.
Big Rocks First
This is one of the best time management concepts. It

is simple and straightforward. You can use this concept
while you are on vacation to make the most of your time.
Imagine that you have a jar in front of you. The jar
represents your schedule. Now you are confronted by all
of your life tasks that you want to get done like family
bonding and vacations; schoolings and trainings;
certificate processing and requirements; drinking with
friends, reunions, exercise, and many more.
49
You start throwing them in the jar. All the little life
tasks can be compared to small tiny rocks and you start
putting them into the jar. Every so often you have a big
life task, which is a big rock.
You try to put in the jar, too. You push that big rock
down, and you twist it and try to squeeze it into the jar.
It just won’t fit because you don’t have the time. The jar
is full of small meaningless tasks and distractions.
You see, the order of priorities is important. You need
to change the order in which you do it. You do the big
things first. Put the big rocks in the jar first. If there is
still room, then throw out the trivial tasks.
Never give in to the temptation to do the small thing
first! When you have a blank schedule in front of you,
take the big things and schedule them first before you let
anything else get into your calendar.
Start Today
After finishing the book, start your plan right away.

Create your career and financial plan today. Don’t
procrastinate! Don’t wait for tomorrow.
50
A philosopher once said, "The problem with waiting

until tomorrow is that when it finally arrives, it is called
today. Today is yesterday’s tomorrow. Every day is an
opportunity to start."
The question you must ask yourself is what did you do
with today’s opportunity? All too often you will waste
tomorrow as you wasted yesterday just like how you are
wasting today.
All that could have been accomplished can easily
elude you despite your best intentions. Until you
discover that the things that might have been have slipped
from your embrace. One day at a time.
Try to pause and remind yourself that the clock is
ticking. The same clock that began to tick from the
moment you inhaled your first breath will also
someday cease. Everyone will soon die. Time is the great
equalizer of all mankind and it offers a lot of
opportunities but it also demands a sense of urgency. So
start today!
51
52
CHAPTER 4
1st Stage:
Appraisal
“Success always comes when preparation
meets opportunity.” –Henry Hartman-
53
54
Burning Desire
L
et me begin this chapter with a story about the
subject of desire. Not just an ordinary desire,
but a burning desire to win. The story comes
from a historic conquest in 1519 when a Spanish
Conquistador Hernando Cortez landed in Mexico on the
shores of the Yucatan, with only one objective-to seize the
great treasures hoarded by the Aztecs.
"A long while ago, a warrior faced a situation which
made it necessary for him to make a decision which in-
sured success on the battlefield. He was about to send his
armies against a powerful foe, whose men outnumbered
his own.
He loaded his soldiers into the boats, sailed to the en-
emy’s country, unloaded soldiers and equipment; he then
gave the order to burn the ships that had carried them.
Addressing his men before the first battle, he said,
“You see the boats going up in smoke. That means we
cannot leave these shores alive unless we win. We now
have no choice “we win, or we perish!” They won.
55
As author Napoleon Hill explains, "Every person who

wins in any undertaking must be willing to burn his ships
and cut all sources of retreat. It’s the only way to make
sure that he maintains the state of mind known as 'a
burning desire to win', which is essential to success."
In your pursuit of success, happiness and freedom,
you must have this kind of desire to arrive at your chosen
destination. Remember that a burning desire is the
turning point of all achievement.
Major Definite Purpose
I first heard it from Napoleon Hill, author of the all-

time best-selling book, “Think and Grow Rich”. If you
haven’t read the book yet, I strongly suggest you find one
ASAP! If you have been reading self-help books and other
success-related books, you must have heard this idea over
and over in many different forms and with many different
expressions.
It is a theme that runs through our lives and our work.
It is the idea that takes you to million—even to billions.
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Having a major definite purpose will take you to your

chosen destination, to satisfaction with your family, to
happiness, and to the ultimate to peace of mind. The
power to create in your mind is a very compelling power.
You must have a major definite purpose for your life.
This purpose will set out the work you have to do, the
contribution you have to make, the achievements that you
aim for. Whatever it is, it must resonate inside you and
give you passion.
There are seafarers whose major definite purpose is to
reach the top to be able to help as many aspiring seafarers
as they can board a ship and also reach their dreams.
There are some who want to be a living proofs of 'rags to
riches' stories and become inspiration to others. Some
just wanted to travel around the world, see the beautiful
shores of every country and experience the pleasures the
world can offer. There are a few who desire to retire as
early as possible so they could become the best fathers
and husbands to their families.
Your purpose should be something that makes you
want to get up in the morning—not to just be, but to
LIVE. Having a major definite purpose, mission, or big
hairy audacious goal creates the power of focus, like a
laser that concentrates the light into an area the size of a
pinhead.
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Philosophy
Philosophy is one of the initial preparations. It is

formed by everything that goes inside your mind in the
form of ideas, thoughts, and information. A major factor
in determining how your life will turn out is the way you
choose to think. Your philosophy then influences your
habits and behavior. This is really where the appraisal
stage begins.
Your personal philosophy is like the set of the sail. All
throughout your lifetime, the winds of circumstance will
blow on you in an unending flow that will touch your life.
You will experience the breeze of disappointment, pain,
and heartbreak.
The question which puzzled me every time, “Why then
each of us, in our own individual ship, arrives at such
different places at the end of the journey? Have we not all
started at the same departure port with the same
intended destination in mind?
Have we not all sailed in the same ocean? Have we not
all been blown by the same winds of circumstance and
battered by the same boisterous storms of discontent
along the journey?”
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The reality is that what guides you to different

destinations in life is determined by the way you have
chosen to set your sail. The way you think makes the
major difference in where you arrive. Always remember,
the major difference is not circumstance; it is the set of
the sail.
The greatest influence on what you decide to do with
tomorrow’s opportunity is not going to be circumstance,
but by what and how you think. What you think, and the
conclusions you have reach regarding life’s challenges
are going to be the sum total of what you have learned
until now.
Attitude
In psychology, attitude is a psychological construct, a

mental and emotional entity that inheres in, or
characterizes a person. They are complex and are an
acquired sate through experiences. Prominent
psychologist Gordon Allport described this latent
psychological construct as 'the most distinctive and
indispensable concept in contemporary social psychology.
59
Enough of the jargon; let's deal the subject of attitude

in the simplest way possible. As public speaker Zig Ziglar
quoted “It’s not your aptitude, but your attitude that will
determine your altitude.” While philosophy deals
essentially with the logical side of life; attitude focuses
primarily on the emotional issues that affect your
existence. What you know determines your philosophy.
How you feel about what you know determines your
attitude.
Having the right attitude is one of the basic
requirements in the preparation towards your journey
towards your desired destination.
The combination of a sound personal philosophy and
positive mental attitude about yourself and the world
would give you inner strength and firm resolve. These
would influence all other areas of your existence.
Attitude determines how much of the horizon you are
allowed to see. It decides the size of your dreams and
influences your determination when you are faced with
new challenges.
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Your Greatest Asset
It is you who have the greatest impact in your pursuit

to achieve success and freedom. You need to understand
that the greatest wealth you have, the greatest asset that
you have, is yourself. It is your heart, mind, and spirit that
will help, assist, and add value to other people. As long as
you have those, you will always be wealthy.
You have two eyes; would you give up your eye for one
million pesos? Would you give up your pair of ears for a
million pesos? How about your ability to talk or walk,
would you give that up for two million pesos? How about
your hand, would you give that up for the same amount of
money? The fact is you have millions of dollars
intrinsically of value to you.
The thing I’d like you to understand about wealth is
that all the money, bank accounts, and physical
possessions that show up in your life are really just a
mirror of you. They are a reflection of your ability to
create value, your ability to help and meet the needs of
other people.
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What happens if you break the mirror? Nothing! It’s

because it’s still you. If you face another mirror, you will
still look the same. You may hear yourself say that you’ve
lost everything but you can’t actually lose anything.
You haven’t lost it as long as it is still the same you.
You still have the same ability to create value to other
people; to meet their needs and identify opportunities
and things that they need.
The Power of Thought
As the famous author James Allen wrote in his literary

essay entitled “As a Man Thinketh”,
“Mind is the master power that molds and makes

And man is mind and the more he takes
To use the tool of thought and shaping what he wills
Brings forth the thousand joys or a thousand ills
He thinks in secret and it comes to pass
Our environment is but a looking glass.”
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To be successful in your chosen career, you must be

able to cultivate your mind. You must accept the fact that
all success and wealth is ultimately cultivated in the mind.
We live in a time where a simple piece of information and
thought is worth far more than the manufacturing
processes that go into a product.
Just a trivia, “Did you know that at least seventy
percent of the value of most product being sold today goes
to the design and idea of the product?”
That is something to ponder. We need to put in mind
that our thoughts are what we become, our thoughts are
what we do, and our thoughts are what we create in life.
The power of thought is just amazing. You have to
think rich. You have to think about success, happiness
and wealth. Most importantly, you have to change your
thought patterns to move to higher dimensions of success,
wealth and abundance.
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Alter Your Inner Self-Image
This term ‘inner self-image’ may sound strange to you.

Perhaps this is the first time you heard this group of
words combined as single term but mind you, this is the
ultimate recipe the winners have over average people. As
Dr. Maxwell Maltz, the author of the most comprehensive
self-development book entitled ‘Psychocybernetics’ clearly
illustrate the concept of inner self-image:
"Imagine that you live inside two boxes. The outer
box is made up of solid lines while the inner box is drawn
out of the dotted lines. The solid lines represent the real
limitations while the dotted lines represent your self-
imposed limitations. Your self-imposed limitations are
always tighter and more restrictive than your real
limits."
So what really is this thing called inner self-image?
To simply put, innerself-image defines and limits your
possibilities. It is a complex picture of who you are, what
you are capable of, and what you deserve.
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It is the sum total of whatever you've been told about

yourself by others in your past experiences. It also
includes the beliefs you have developed about yourself.
I used to be the shy type guy. My self-image was so
poor that it reflected on my posture. During my childhood
years, I belong to those kids who prefer to be on the
sidelines.
Given the fact that I lacked the talents in singing,
dancing or acting, it's difficult for me to stand in front of
the crowd and perform. It's hard for me to push myself
and be confident around other people.
When I was eighteen years old, things started to
change when I joined a business opportunity which trains
its members to become good salespeople.
I learned the art of selling as well as the lessons about
failures and rejection. I began to appreciate my strengths
and learn to develop self-confidence. I started to invest in
myself and gradually, I altered my inner self-image for
the better.
As part of the appraisal stage, your job is to push the
dotted lines out closer to the solid lines giving yourself
more freedom for self-expression and greater opportunity
for achievement.
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When your inner self-image is altered to the best

it could ever be, it functions like the autopilot
mechanism of the ship. Once the course is set, any
deviation will be compensated to return on its original
course.
New Knowledge and Information
Open your mind to new information. The only way to

change your thinking habits is to input new information.
Unless you change what you know, you will continue to
believe, decide and act in a manner that is contrary to
your best interests.
You can expand the dimensions of your knowledge by
learning from personal experience. One way to learn to
do something right is to do something wrong. You learn
from your own failure as well as success.
The vast ocean is also one of the best 'universities' out
there. In fact, as I’ve mentioned earlier, I have written a
book entitled 'On becoming a Highly Effective Sailor: 8
Powerful Lessons and Effective Habits Learned from the 7
Seas' to emphasize the success principles we can learn
from the salty waters.
66
You can also learn from other people’s experience with

failure and success. This is basically a short-cut. Rather
than going through the process yourself, let the
experiences of others teach you.
Firstly, I suggest you find a mentor. You are capable of
correcting your own errors but there is often great value
in an outside voice.
That mentor is someone who can provide an
objective appraisal of who you are and what you are
doing, and the potential impact of your thoughts and
actions on your better future.
Secondly, be a good observer. You must become a
good observer of all that is going on around you. Observe
people, environment, the economy, the shipping industry,
politics and everything that impacts the quality of your
life.
All events affect you, and what affects you leaves an
imprint on what you will one day be and how you will live
your life one day.
Thirdly, be a good listener. It is challenging today to
be a good listener. There are so many voices that want
your attention. Each with its own special message.
67
Each with its own special appeal. One of the best ways
to deal with this important challenge is to develop the
skill of selective listening. Listen and absorb only
messages that align with your character, beliefs and
philosophy.
Finally, read books. This is very important. So it needs
emphasis. Again, READ BOOKS! Don’t take it for granted.
All of the books that you will ever need to make you rich,
healthy, happy, powerful, and successful are already
written.
Even the ship’s library is equipped with hundreds of
books for you to read if you want to know everything
about the law and regulation at sea, and even the
profession itself.
People from all walks of life, with some of the most
incredible life experiences have already written their
experiences for you to get hold of their wealth of
knowledge through these books.
These are the people who have gone from pennies to
fortune and from failure to success. Thus, if you desire to
be like them, read books!
68
New Skills
The development of new skills is vitally important if

you expect to make major progress and reach your chosen
destination in a much earlier time.
You can chop down a tree with a hammer but it might
take thirty days. By learning to use a chainsaw, you can
accomplish the same goal in less than an hour.
Life and labor get easier when knowledge is combined
with new skills. Skill is the refinement of your current
abilities added to the acquisition of new talents. It comes
with a thorough understanding of the task at hand. This
comes with diligence and serious observation.
Skill is what is acquired when you become the master
of a task. Skill is the process of learning. Skill is the result
of accumulating a mountain of experience and the never-
ending dedication to making good things better.
Those who would dream to be a successful seafarer
must first master as many skills as possible. If you are an
aspiring deck officer, you must gather up as much skills
about seamanship, navigation, as well as cargo handling
and stowage.
69
If you are on the Engine Department, develop the

required skills for engineering, both electrical and
mechanical, including maintenance and trouble-shooting.
Right Associations
As seafarers, one cannot succeed on his own.

Everyone needs other people to help him in achieving his
dreams. For instance, in order to be promoted, you need
a recommendation from your superiors. In the workplace
or even in the business world, you need other people’s
market and ideas. In your own personal world, you need
other people’s time and cooperation.
There are some people with whom you can spend a
few minutes, but not a few hours. There are some with
whom you can spend a few hours, but not a few days. Not
when the achievement of your goals is at stake.
Another choice you can make regarding your
associations and their potential for impact on your
feelings is expanded association. This simply means
finding people who have value.
70
Then, arranging your life to have more time with

them. Even a small amount of time can make a great deal
of difference when it is spent with the right people- people
who educate, encourage, inspire and assist you in
moving into the right direction.
Even if you cannot get near the right people all the
time, you can always have access to them through their
spoken words. There is a wealth of information and
inspiration available to us all through audiobooks.
By listening to these new voices of inspiration as you
spend your solitude inside your cabin, you find that new
seeds of progress will enter your mind causing you to
think new and have more constructive thoughts. The
voices from these materials will undoubtedly bring good
into your life. Believe me.
Now that you have prepared yourself and all the tools
are ready, it’s now time to make the plan.
71
CHAPTER 5
2nd Stage:
Planning
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to

fail.”
–Benjamin Franklin-
72
73
Financial Planning
F
inancial planning is the process of realizing your
dreams and financial aspirations in life in a
Systematic manner and careful management of
your finances. This will allow you to assess and
control your financial condition that will give you
financial security especially after your retirement as a
seafarer.
It provides you a blueprint on how you can realize
your dreams and can serve as a roadmap of your financial
goals. As seafarers, we all know that planning financially
for our future is something that we all must do, but most
of us don’t take it seriously until it’s too late.
Living without a plan is like drifting in a boat
aimlessly going nowhere. More often than not, the drifter
ends up encountering storms along the way.
To easily understand how concept of financial
planning, try to close your eyes and imagine a tree, a tree
with fruits, with leaves, branches, and twigs. Financial
planning is like planting a tree. To make sure that the tree
will bear good fruits, you must choose the appropriate soil
where the roots can hold on tightly.
74
Most seafarers think financial planning is useless and

involves a lot of risk. Most of them are hesitant to the idea
of sitting down with a professional financial planner and
talk about their plans for the future.
The most common misconception about financial
planning is that it can be interchanged with the word
budgeting. But it can’t be. Budgeting is a very narrow part
of financial planning. It’s just like a strand of the roots
only.
Others think financial planning is just about buying
some shares of stocks and investing in insurance or
mutual funds for retirement purposes. But it is not. It is
far more than that. The purpose of financial planning is
for you to have peace of mind as you enjoy the wonders of
life.
As the previous comparison of financial planning to a
tree, the roots of the tree will be the foundation you must
first take into consideration. The roots will be represented
by the major factors which include your home, your
budget surplus, your emergency fund, your retirement
fund and the protection you need. When all these five are
in their proper places, life starts to feel easy. The sailing
becomes smoother.
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Your tree will soon bear fruits. But life is always

unpredictable. There are pre-mature deaths or terminal
diseases which will impact your finances drastically.
To ensure your assets will be handled properly and
your family will benefit from everything you have worked
hard for when you finally leave the Earth, estate planning
is the most useful tool.
Financial planning is a serious matter. It is a skill
which can be learned. I believe it must be learned. For
now, if you cannot find time to study the subject matter, it
is recommended you find a reliable financial planner.
The one you trust. They can share their expertise to
you if you just spare them two to three hours of your
precious time over a cup of hot coffee.
Financial Statement
If you cannot find the time to meet with a registered

financial planner or a wealth coach, better start by
creating your own financial statement. It is simply a piece
of paper divided in half.
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On one side is all the list of your assets, all the things
you own with corresponding values. On the other side of
the paper is all that you owe, called liabilities. Then you
subtract one from the other and that is called net worth.
You do not need to publish your financial statement
so do not you worry if you get a negative value. It is
normal. Your first financial statement is for your eyes
only. The reason is for you to know exactly where to start;
to know where you are now. It is difficult to reach a
destination when you do not know where you must start.
If the journey to financial freedom is a game, the rule
is to reduce your liabilities and increase your assets. That
is it! Frequently draw your financial statement so you can
monitor your progress along the journey.
In order to make progress, you must also carefully
assess your attitudes about money, in general. Are you
ready to accept the responsibility of changing your
financial condition?
Are you willing to change the way you make financial
decisions? Are you aware of the benefits of changing your
money management behavior? If you are, then you are
ready to start your path to financial wellness and
abundance.
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Budget Planning
There are a lot of budget systems you can follow and

use. I once read a book by one of my favorite authors, Mr.
Bo Sanchez who suggested a simple plan of how to divide
your earnings every month. He calls it the “envelope
system”. I know it sounds impractical or maybe
impossible since our salary as seafarers are not given to
us onboard as a whole. But the concept behind the system
is still very useful.
Brother Bo said you need to have five envelopes and
each envelope has a name which corresponds to its
purpose: The Tithe Fund, the Expense Fund, the
Support Fund, the Emergency Fund and the Retirement
Fund.
The Tithe Fund which has a biblical reference means
ten percent of your income will be allotted to charity
works or church donations depending on how you want
to share your blessings.
If you want to give more, no one will be stopping you.
If you want the other way around, still it depends on you.
Your expense fund will be your personal needs, your
personal wants, and your treat to yourself. The support
fund will be your allotment to your family.
78
The emergency fund will be the fund you will spare in

times of emergencies as well as unplanned long vacations
or other situations which require a substantial amount of
money. Your retirement fund will be your budget surplus
which will be invested properly in your financial plan.
You can create your own budget plan depending on
the financial situation you are currently in. What matters
more is that you have a budget plan which you will
strictly follow.
You can simply use the Microsoft Excel file, and
then list your monthly budget for each specific expense.
Every time you take money out of your pocket, you list it
down. Any amount that comes in, you also put on the list.
You can consolidate at the end of the month if your
balance is equal to your actual money remaining. This
way, you can track down carefully your expenses. I
believe if you do this, you start becoming truly
responsible of your finances.
Sometimes, it’s hard to stick with the plan. But as
what a wise man once said, “When you do the things you
ought to do, when you ought to do it, the day will come
when you do the things you want to do, when you want to
do it.”
79
Career Planning
Career planning is a vital component if you want to

have a smooth financial sailing. As you get promoted to a
higher rank, there is also a corresponding increase in your
compensation.
The higher the salary, the more budget surplus you
can have. The more budget surplus you have, the quicker
you can build your financial wealth foundation and the
better your investment options will be.
When I took the course Bachelor of Science in Marine
Transportation, I have made up my mind that I will
become a Master Mariner one day. If you took Marine
Engineering, I believe you aspired to become a Chief
Engineer, too. Dreams are free; you can wish whatever
you want to wish. The question is, “Are you willing to do
whatever it takes to reach the dream?”
I often find it amusing that most seafarers plan
their vacation explicitly, with every detail taken into
consideration compared to how they plan out their
career.
Maybe the reason is because escape is better than
change and challenges. Once I came across with a short
80
quote by Jim Rohn which struck me hard, “If you don’t

design your plan well, chances are you’ll gonna fall into
someone else’s plan. And guess what they may have
planned for you? Not much.”
There’s a big difference between the salaries of a Mas-
ter and the Ordinary seaman or of the Chief Engineer
and the Wiper. Even the Chief Steward sometimes earns
twice that of the Messman’s.
If you don’t strive to take the necessary steps to
get promoted, you’ll end up working harder with less
compensation.
Here are some of my practical advice. Plan your career
carefully. Create a timeline. Take necessary trainings
and examinations. Take the time to review and study.
Comply with the requirements. Make the sacrifice needed.
In the end, it is all worth it.
If you want to go beyond and explore the extra nau-
tical mile, you can proceed to Post Graduate Studies and
secure a Master’s Degree, or even a Doctor of Philoso-
phy Degree. If you want more, you can study Law and be
a maritime lawyer. No one can stop you from making
your goals. Just make sure these goals are realistic and
you are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve them.
81
Don’t settle for less than your ability. Believe you can
become more than what you are now. Set higher goals for
yourself. I hope this piece entitled “My Wage” written by
the great poet Jessie B. Rittenhouse could help you realize
the value of career planning;
My Wage
“I bargained with Life for a penny,

And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.
For Life is a just employer,

He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire

Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid.
82
The Power of Written Goals
In 1953, it is said that a team of researchers

interviewed a group of Yale graduating seniors and asked
which one of them had a written a set of specific goals for
their future.
Only three percent had written their goals. Then,
when they were revisited twenty years later, that three
percent had accumulated more wealth than the other
ninety seven percent combined.
This may tell you something. There is power in
writing down your goals. I learned you can be sincere and
work hard all your life but only to wind up broke,
embarrassed and unhappy. You’ve got to have a good
plan and a clear set of goals.
Writing down your plans and goals will show that you are
really serious. Everybody hopes things will get better
but remember the future doesn’t get better by hope and it
gets better by plan.
Your goals whatever they are affect you every single
day. Your goals affect how you behave, feel, look, dress,
walk, and talk. Goals must be fun, big, challenging, and
rewarding. They should allow you to grow.
83
Remember, the major purpose of goal-setting is not

the acquisition of the goals alone, but to propel you to
become the better person you hope to achieve. Attaining
your goals is of secondary importance, what’s far more
important is what you become in the pursuit of your goals.
Goals are Waypoints
As a serious student of the subjects financial education

and sound career planning, you must be serious in writing
down your goals in life.
Every goal you set will serve as individual waypoint as
you sail your journey towards chosen destination.
However, most seafarers have a hard time knowing what
their goals are. Most often, they become drifters like a
ship without a rudder.
As you begin the goal-setting process, you must first
identify your starting point. In an actual voyage planning,
the navigating officer identifies this is as your first
waypoint. Ask yourself the question, “Where am I now?”
It’s difficult to arrive to a place when you don’t know
where you are right now. Be honest with yourself. If you
want to achieve a certain amount of financial worth, get a
financial statement to know how much your current net
worth is.
84
In November 1981, the S.M.A.R.T. acronym was first

written down in Spokane, Washington. It is said that
goals must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Realistic and Timely. As you start writing down your goals
on a sheet of paper, I suggest you begin with small goals.
By writing them, you are starting to slowly build your
self-confidence as you achieve them one at a time. Call
these goals, the confidence builders. They will strengthen
your belief that your goals are possible to achieve.
Sometimes, writing down your goal is not strong
enough if not supplemented by conviction and emotions.
To make sure you are frequently reminded by the
importance of these goals, you must write a list of reasons
for every goal you write. The more reasons you write, the
more intense is the desire to achieve it.
Like every waypoint on the chart with a specific
distance and course line to follow, your goals must have a
specific date of attainment.
The more precise the date you want to achieve them,
the clearer the picture in your mind. Every goal must have
a deadline-one by one, one at a time. All the waypoints
will be reached until you arrive at your chosen
destination.
85
CHAPTER 6
3rd Stage:
Execution
“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll

get run over if you sit there.” –Will Rogers
-
86
87
T hat’s it! Execute the plan! Take action!
88
89
CHAPTER 7
Last Stage:
Monitoring
“Discipline is the bridge between goals

and accomplishments.” -Jim Rohn-
90
91
Discipline
E very day in all parts of the world, people are

trying to improve their current situation.
People are trying to escape poverty. Some are
trying to achieve the ultimate peace of mind.
Some are trying to live a life rather than just make a
living.
In some parts of the ocean, there are a few
seafarers who are also trying their best to retire early
so they can have more quality time with their loved
ones. Although they are willing to spend the time to
gather as much knowledge from their jobs, books,
seminars and trainings, this effort still seems not to
be enough.
In spite of the knowledge they have acquired,
they still fall short of their goals and ambitions. A
wise man once said, “Knowledge is the forerunner to
success.” If that is true, then why most people still
fall short of their objectives?
92
I believe the answer to that question is the absence of

discipline in the application of knowledge. It takes
discipline to plan. It takes discipline to execute our plan.
It takes discipline to monitor the plan. It takes
discipline to focus your time and effort to things which
are valuable. It takes discipline to read the books.
It takes discipline to attend trainings and seminars. It
takes discipline to review, study, and pass the exams. It
takes discipline to reach your goals, your dreams, and
your chosen destination.
Discipline is the means that the Mighty Creator
provided us. We all have the power to control own
thoughts even if it is very challenging one. One thing is for
sure, no one in this planet, since the beginning of
mankind, has become successful without this thing called
‘discipline’.
Plot Your Position Regularly
Like the officer of the navigational watch who

monitors the position of the ship against the course line
each hour, you should also take the time to regularly
93
check and evaluate your progress. Ask yourself if you are

on the right path-the path that will lead you to your
chosen destination. Check your drift.
For some of our fellow seafarers, their past deeds have
charted a course which threatens to imprison their future
yet they do not take corrective and immediate action.
They allow the drift of neglect to continue unabated.
Their careless acts and their wandering thoughts are
swallowing up their most precious resource–time. It is
because they seemed to have so much time that they
allowed the individual moments of opportunity to slip
unnoticed into an accumulation of empty years. Don’t let
it be you.
If you have a friend you trust or perhaps your wife,
discuss your progress with her. This is your way of
gaining more confidence each passing day.
In every waypoint you have successfully reached, note
it down and celebrate. Every goal achieved, may it be
small or big, deserves to be remembered. Life is not
measured by time but by the number of triumphs and
success we’ve experienced.
94
I suggest you put it into writing. It is helpful. It

enables you to see your progress. It gives you a deeper
sense of personal accountability. By writing something
down, you move it from your internal self to the external
environment.
When you measure progress, it causes you to examine
the facts of your progress. It causes you to evaluate how
you are doing. It causes positive or negative
emotions; both can motivate you to do even better.
The Obstacles
As a navigator, there will always be circumstances

which are out of control. There are areas of the vast ocean
where there is a dense traffic of vessels. There are places
where fishing boats seem to form like an island in the
middle of the sea because of their number.
These situations are just challenges to make us better
and skillful sailors. Let me share to you a parable entitled
“The Obstacle in our Path” which depicts the value of
obstacles in our lives.
95
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on

a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if
anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's
wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply
walked around it.
Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the
roads clear, but none did anything about getting the
stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along
carrying a load of vegetables.
Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid
down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side
of the road. After much pushing and straining, he
finally succeeded.
After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he
noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had
been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note
from the King indicating that the gold was for the person
who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many of us never
understand - every obstacle presents an opportunity to
improve our condition. What can’t kill you will only
make you stronger and better.
96
God Will Always Help You
In times of troubles, in times of storms, in times of

adversities, always remember, God is watching over you.
You can control the helm but God is the owner of the ship.
When everything seems to be difficult and hopeless, pray,
and God always provides.
Footprints in the Sand

-Mary Stevenson-
One night I had a dream

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with God
And across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
From each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand.
One belonged to me, the other to God.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of life
There was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very
Lowest and saddest times in my life.
This reality bothered me and I questioned God about it.
97
God Will Always Help You
In times of troubles, in times of storms, in times of

adversities, always remember, God is watching over you.
You can control the helm but God is the owner of the ship.
When everything seems to be difficult and hopeless, pray,
and God always provides.
Footprints in the Sand

-Mary Stevenson-
One night I had a dream

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with God
And across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
From each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand.
One belonged to me, the other to God.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of life
There was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very
Lowest and saddest times in my life.
This reality bothered me and I questioned God about it.
“God, You said that once I decided to follow You, You
98
You would walk with me all the way, but I noticed that
During the most troublesome time in my life,
There is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why in
Times I needed You most, You would leave me.”
God replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you
And I would never, never leave you
During your times of trials and suffering
When you see only one set of footprints,
It was then I carried you.”
Visualize Regularly
Visualize! Think about your chosen destination every

day. Think about your dreams every day. Just spare five
minutes of your time.
As you close your eyes, the environment will change,
you will change, and the vision will give you a sense of
direction. This is to achieve a sense of security that you
are creating a life of significance rather than just being
controlled by whatever happens to you from day to day.
99
Live your dream, not just the dream of others. See

your dreams and goals being achieved. See yourself
achieving all that you dream of at a leisurely and
enjoyable pace. Make it real in your mind. This is a key
skill of all successful people. The time you spend
visualizing is never a time wasted.
Keep a Journal
I know a very effective way that will help you capture

the experiences, wisdom, and new knowledge you have
collected in your journey in the middle of the sea. Keep a
journal. I believe this is the secret recipe in the
monitoring stage. I find this habit very effective in
enhancing my writing skills. I also discovered that writing
is the best exercise of the mind. If you are serious in
cultivating your mind, you must exercise it regularly.
While in the middle of the ocean, a journal will be
your gathering place for all of your observations and
discoveries about the real life at sea. You can write poems
and proses if you want, as well as your realizations and
sentiments.
100
It is your own handwritten transcript, narrated in

your own words that capture your experiences and useful
ideas that will help you create the best route towards
your chosen destination.
I started keeping a journal when I was a deck cadet for
the sole reason that I wanted to share it with my girlfriend
then when I come home, so she could read on that
notebook my year long experiences on board the ship. As
the days passed by, I realized the positive impact keeping
a journal has made in my life.
Different lessons, stories, realizations, sentiments,
some of which were in the form of poetry, were captured
and preserved perfectly inside that journal. In fact, I
compiled some of them and I was able to create another
book entitled :“The Mariner’s Journal”. I suggest you
read it and be inspired by the beauty of keeping a journal.
101
102
Epilogue
The Arrival
“Twenty years from now, you will be more

disappointed by the things you didn’t do than
those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail
away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your
sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
-Mark Twain -
103
104
C ongratulations my friend! Not everyone will be

able to finish this book, and I doubt anyone will
be willing to read one. You are one of the chosen
few, the very few who will surely make a
difference in the world. Like the beautiful piece written by
Robert Frost,
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both.
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
105
And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads onto way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;
Two roads diverged in a wood and I took
the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
I would like to personally extend my gratitude to you

for reaching this part of the book. Now I can proudly say
to myself, “I have fulfilled my mission”.
I hope upon reaching this part, I have inspired you to
take the action; to hold the helm of life, and not let the
waves and the winds of uncertainties control your destiny.
106
No Place Like Home
I have set foot on all the continents of the World

except the Antarctica. And there are two universal facts
which I have discovered along the journey: First, “The
waters of the oceans are all salty”. Secondly, “There is no
place like home.”
How ironic it is to think that the very place every one
of us wants to arrive at is no other than home. I hope this
little book has opened your eyes and widened your vision
of the future. I hope it made a difference in your life.
I want you to realize you are worth more than you think
you are. You just need to grow yourself to reach your
highest potential as a person using this profession as the
stepping stone.
Before I conclude this book, let me share to you another
poem, actually it’s just the opposed version of the first
poem I wrote in the introduction. I intentionally revised
the piece to inspire you to be that extraordinary seafarer
who won’t settle for less, who has the goals and is willing
to do whatever it takes to achieve them.
107
The Extraordinary Seafarer
Begin the journey along with a dream

The promise of the future is vast and green
Sign the contract and embark the ship
For the ocean is not for the weak.
As the ship rides the wave of the winter

This boy sings along with the thunder
Yes, he’s vomiting, yet no sign of surrender
The storm shall pass; tomorrow will be better.
Working by the day, studying at night

One may criticize, but no need to fight
Paid no heed, the faith is strong and tight
“It’s for my future; I shall make it bright.
The month has ended, it’s salary time

Every dollar counts, each penny of the dime
Saves a portion, buys a bottle of wine
Happy to be alive, while everything’s fine.
108
When contract’s over, it’s time to go home

No more singing in the midst of the storm
The fruit of experience are profound lessons
Lessons to answer life's common questions.
This boy takes the exam, passes with ease

Thanks to the learning from the seven seas
Smart is not all about one's intelligence
It’s wisdom with continual diligence.
Rewarded with a bar on his shoulders

Ready to challenge the salty waters
Back to the ship along with some powers
To be used to motivate the others.
Let us fast forward… A decade after

Our ship cadet has become a Master
A man of action and of great character
Faithful and loyal to one loving partner.
He’s enjoying the journey fulfilling the dream

The promise is true, it’s vast and green.
For he set the course and took the helm
Reached the beautiful shores with God’s help.
109
Did you enjoy the book? If yes, you can show the
Author some love by doing at least two of the
following:
1.Buy the full version (physical version) of the book (42% OFF.!)
(BEFORE: P599.00 + SF; NOW:349.00 + SF).
COD Available via LAZADA. BUY NOW!!!
20% of the profit will be allotted to the Author’s Advocacy.
2. Consider helping the Author’s Advocacy to support

financially troubled but deserving High School Students. You
can share any amount you like (P50.oo, P100.00, P200.00
P500.00, etc.) Any amount will surely make a difference.
(G-Cash Number/QR Code on the next page)
3. Give this book an honest review. Write NOW!

(Your review COULD BE selected to be included in the printed
version of the book with your name. you can also send your
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110
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Ironico’s Passage Planning Towards Success

Ironico’s Passage Planning Towards Success

Letter to My Dear Reader

This e-Book is only 80% of the printed version of the book. If

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born to a couple Elenita and

He acquired his Officer in Charge of Navigational

His Pseudonym “Ironico” is behind several “viral”

“I hope I made a difference in your life.”

Capt. Clint Mark J. Bañes, MMM

Out the night that covers me

In the fell clutch of circumstance

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

It matters not how straight the gait

A few years back when I first boarded my

The Typical Seafarer

Begin the journey along with a dream

Like a prisoner deprived of freedom

Paid enough, saves a little to nothing

Worry no more! Another vessel is waiting

Realizing the cycle needs to stop

Come the children with promising eyes

The mind says yes but the body does not

He worked all his life out of poverty

Life is not a race but a marathon

I have written this book as an eye-opener to the

I pray that this book can make a difference on your life.

“Don’t just let your job make something

T o earn a bundle of dollars? To travel around the

I have experienced the exceptional services of some

Ask any experienced sailor what his worst enemy is at

Six to ten months is the typical duration of a seafarer’s

This profession is good for you if you are still single. It

Long Distance Relationship

The so-called LDR (Long Distance Relationship), as

Another issue about LDR is the space. Now let’s

Here comes the social aspect of the training. It is a

I once sailed with an amazing Master who is a literally

As the dictionary defines it, solitude is the state or

Solitude is the state of being alone without being

Also try to get a piece of paper and write some goals.

As we all know, seafarers are well-compensated

Others try to start their own businesses without giving

“Do not save what is left after spending,

Now, try to ask yourself, will the profession of

Both my parents never finished college. My father

I listened to her advice. I studied hard. I got good

After I passed the board exam and completed the

It felt so great to earn my first salary as an officer. I

Majority of the seafarers are considered to be part of

The difference is how they spend what they earn.

The Cash Flow Quadrant

The cash flow quadrant is a diagram designed by

It is divided into four quadrants : two quadrants on

Business owners use other people’s time as they create

According to Robert Kiyosaki, this is the secret

Money is not taught at school. You first learn this at

“They say time is money. I disagree. Time

You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it

The Greatest Time in History

You must realize by now that you are in the greatest

Information is at the tip of our fingers. Press a button

Quarters of Sea Life