From corporate trainer to Asia’s Happiest Coach, what does it take to succeed? How do you navigate the expectations of being a gifted child to earning 8k for an 8-hour workshop? Tune in as we interview the Happiness Coach, Jalvi Valdes.
Rene: Hi guys! Welcome to the Freelancer of the Week. When you’re happy and you know it just clap your hands, but if you’re sad this episode is for you. Today, I will be talking to a former freelance corporate trainer and now aspiring to be Asia’s Happiness Coach. That is none other than Coach Jalvi Valdes.
Jalvi: You deserve to be happy.
Jalvi: Hi, everyone! Kung sino man yung nanonood ng video, I’m sure marami kayo, ako po si Jalvi Valdes. Jalvi po talaga yung pangalan ko, sounds like Jollibee. Yan po kasi yung wala yan ang binigay sa kin ng nanay ko. Wala tayong magagawa. Yan ang pangalan ko. I am Jalvi Valdes. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m a certified happiness coach, founder and head coach sa The Better Happy, taga Marikina, may apat na anak.
How did you start freelancing and what are your achievements?
Rene: You look happy ha. Alright, so being a former freelancer can you say how you started freelancing and yung mga achievements mo na after that.
Jalvi: Ok. How did I start freelancing? Yung freelancing career ko started as a corporate trainer. We have a business hanggang ngayon ng wife ko and yung sarili kong passion project. Ayokong tawaging sideline eh kasi I’m passionate about teaching. Pero if you wanna call it like a sideline or side hustle, it’s training. On the side, I’ll get projects, so marami akong certification kasi nun eh, multi hypenate. May certificate ako sa project management, conflict management, leadership, communication as in you name it dahil mahilig ako matuto.
Rene: Wow.
Jalvi: So tinuturo ko rin, kumbaga that’s my happy place. I like teaching people, so that’s how my freelance career started. Yung dati kong boss kinuha nya ko na partner, tas pag may nagha-hire sa kanya di siya available, ako naman. And then after a certain time, I was also working with some great training organizations, and some of them are my really good friends until now na kinukuha nila ko as a training assistant. Minsan magpa-facilitate ng games or ako na mismo yung magpa-facilitate ng buong seminar or yung mga companies na kausap nila.
What are your achievements as a freelancer?
Rene: What are your greatest achievements? Flex or share.
Jalvi: Grabe, Miss Universe question, greatest achievement.
Rene: Hindi, personal of course. Parang personal achievement mo ‘diba? Made your life happy.
Jalvi: Maybe two things. One is yung pag-change ng mindset. Kasi iba yung, I don’t know in the previous interviews you’ve had. Yung you talked about The Freelance Movement Tribe. For me, it was really a game changer. My mentor was there, shout out kay poging-poging John Pagulayan, kay Coach Shoden. My mentors there really taught me to come from a place of help. So ibang-iba yung mindset ko. Just to let you know, the lowest rate that I got paid is one thousand an hour.
Rene: Wow!
Jalvi: So for a full day training, 8-5, eight thousand pesos. Eight hours, eight thousand, one thousand an hour ‘diba? Maliit yun for a trainer ha. I mean it’s better than– Kasi I heard may mga English trainer minsan may mga five thousand for a whole day. That was the lowest rate that I got. Because of these changes in mindset, especially yung coming from a place of help. It’s not about me. It’s about the people I wanna help.
Rene: Okay.
Jalvi: ‘Diba? Nakakahiyang magsabi ng figure, bro.
Rene: ‘Di, okay lang.
Jalvi: Sabihin na lang natin na more than ten times yung increase nung rates ko because of that. Okay lang magbigay ng example?
Rene: Sige.
Jalvi: So yung example ko noon, if someone would ask for a proposal from me. Yung about me, pre, mga three pages yun.
Rene: Haba eh.
Jalvi: Kasi talagang ano eh, these are my certifications. Dami kong certifications. From the Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, leadership ganyan. From the University of California, Berkeley, Project Management and Entrepreneurship as in ang daming listahan ng certificate pre. Magna Cum Laude, UP Diliman, Business Administration, graduated top of my class, alam mo yun. Lahat na ng kaya, kung kaya nga lang sabihin na varsity ako ng pingpong dati eh. Lahat ng pwedeng kong ibigay para lang pakita na “please hire me” alam mo yun may desperation. ‘Hire me please, I deserve it” yung ganon.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: That was the time when my rates were really low.
Rene: Yeah, tama.
Jalvi: But because of what I learned– Yun nga this one magical, liberating.
Na-liberate yung utak ko and pati yung puso ko kasi mas masaya makipag-usap sa tao when you are coming from a place of help.
Rene: Yes, tama.
Jalvi: Ngayon pre, so nagsa-submit ako ng mga training proposals. Very comprehensive, it’s about the problem, the mission, about the solution. So dati three pages, yung “about me,” pre, mga 2-5 sentences na lang.
Rene: Offer statement na lang.
Jalvi: Alam mo yun, 2 – 5 sentences na lang. Alam mo yun wag natin pag-usapan na matalino ako, magaling ako. Totoo naman, matalino ako, magaling ako. Alam mo yun pero huwag natin yun pag-usapan. Gusto kong pag-usapan kayo. Ano ba yung pangarap nyo sa negosyo nyo? Ano ba yung gusto nyo ma-achieve? Ano ba yung problema nyo? Pano ko ba kayo matutulungan?
Rene: Okay.
Jalvi: And that unlocked talaga.
Rene: Tama.
Jalvi: I don’t know if they’re listening now. Parang “hello” sa mga naging corporate clients ko in the past 2 years. I love you guys. My promise stands. Kapag may tanong kayo, i-PM nyo ko, i-e-mail nyo ko. But some of them are really very happy to pay me. Hirap magbigay ng figure, bro. Basta yung isang oras ko parang entry level salary na ng isang buwan sa call center, parang ganun sa BPO. Isang oras ko lang yun na oras ha.
Rene: Wow!
Jalvi: And hindi naman nagbago yung certifications ko. They’re the same. Yung talino ko hindi naman nagbago. ‘Di naman bigla nag-jump ‘diba? But it was the mindset that changed na gusto kong tulungan itong business na ito. Gusto kong tulungan yung mga staff nila na maging masaya, na maging engaged, or mas magkaroon ng better teamwork. Everything that i offer in my happiness coaching because of that desire to help and that mindset.
Rene: Ok.
Jalvi: Yun yung greatest achievement talaga is being able to times ten, times fifteen my rates.
Rene: Wow.
Jalvi: From before… Okay lang i-share yung second?
Rene: Sige:
Jalvi: Hini-jack ko na yung show mo, pre. Ako na ang nagsasalita. Nag-imbita ka ng bibo eh.
Rene: This is about you naman ‘diba? ‘Di naman sa akin.
Jalvi: Thank you, I love you. Hoy, si Rene nga pala, lahat ng mga influencers diyan, gusto nyo ng YouTube editor? Yan kunin nyo si Rene. Specialty nya yan. Magpapaturo ako sa kanya, lodi to eh. May plug? Yung second ko na big achievement is I was able to help an organization to create happy leaders, happiness ang branding ko ‘diba? From that deal that I closed, nakuha ko yung isang pangarap ko na eversince nag-asawa kami ng wife ko. Pangarap ko kasi na ililibre ko yung mga kapatid ko saka yung mga magulang ko sa isang staycation. Kaya naman kung kami lang mag-asawa, kami lang pamilya, apat anak ko pre, di malaking kwarto agad yon? Alam mo yun kung baga sa resort dalawang kwarto na agad kailangan dun ‘diba kung anim kayo.
Guys this is not me flexing, shine-share ko lang na ang saya saya ko kasi just becoming a premium freelancer and then eventually starting my organization The Better Happy, has allowed me to live my dreams. Basta! As in sobrang sobrang saya ko, as in talagang hina-hug ko yung mga kapatid ko, na parang “Thank you, pumunta kayo dito.” Kasi tagal naming di nagkita eh. Hiwa-hiwalay kami dahil sa pandemic eh. Tapos nailibre ko sila ng isang overnight na staycation sa resort. Tapos yung mga anak namin nag-swimming together. Tapos yung mababaw lang. Alam mo yun overlooking yung hotel sa Rizal? Makita namin yung sunset together.
Tapos nag-inuman kaming magkakapatid kasama yung mommy and daddy ko. My mom is in a wheelchair. She’s a brain cancer survivor. Just to be able to have that moment with them and to be able to say na parang, “O sagot ko ‘to. Orderin nyo gusto nyo. Sagot ko.” Ang saya, ‘pre.
Rene: Oo, tama.
Jalvi: As in di mo na kailangan lagyan ng presyo lahat ng ininom, saka kinain, magkano yung hotel room. Pero yung kaligayahan na nakuha ko from being be able to do that– Kasi pangarap ko talaga yon na paminsan minsan naman ako yung sasagot ng bakasyon ng pamilya, parang ganun. Nagawa ko. As in wala, priceless.
Rene: Yes priceless, correct. Yun naman talaga yung ultimate ano natin eh, family ‘diba? Kaya tayo nagtatrabaho.
Jalvi: Right.
What are your struggles and challenges?
Rene: So yun yung mga achievements mo ‘diba? Alam ko hindi naman yan dumating ng basta basta. Ano naman yung mga struggles mo, challenges that you experience before that?
Jalvi: Grabehan ‘to! Miss Universe talaga. Napasakit mo ulo ko bro ha. Challenges, actually yung sinabi ko na biggest win, yun na rin kasi yung challenge ko eh. Cause my biggest challenge really was getting over myself. Yung mga limiting beliefs na minsan yung about service nga na dapat pakita mo na matalino ka, magpakitang gilas ka muna diba na ganun versus just trying to help people. Yung mga mindset na ganun and sometimes imposter syndrome.
Rene: Aah, usual yan.
Jalvi: Kasi totoo naman laging may mas magaling sayo. I’m sure ang dami dyan mas magaling talaga kesa sakin magsalita, but it’s not about me. It’s not about my ego, it’s about how I can help. So minsan magbibigay ako ng motivational talk diba or may mag-iinquire sa kin ng motivational talk and then ang iisipin ko, “Naku, dapat yata yung mga NLP Master Practitioner nagbibigay nito.” Dapat yata yung mga Doctor of Psychology ang nagbibigay nito. ‘Diba?As if saying that only people with Doctorates can help other people.
And just to be clear, I super respect this people ha. Hindi ko sinasabi na magaling ako sa inyo. Hindi ganon ha. Talagang I respect you. I honor you. If you’re getting these certifications to be able to help people, ‘diba? But that doesn’t mean that I have nothing to offer because I burn the midnight oil. I research all of these happiness science studies, and management science studies, and I got my certification as a Happiness Coach. Ibig sabihin mayroon din naman akong maitutulong.
Rene: Okay.
Jalvi: And yun lang yung mahalaga, na meron akong maitutulong. It’s not about pagalingan, pataasan ng ihi, and padamihan ng certifications. That was the greatest struggle I had to overcome, yung imposter syndrome. One of these beliefs that were keeping me from being my best self and helping people be better and happier in their lives
What are the habits that you developed that helped you in freelancing?
Rene: Of course, ako kasi ang important kasi sa kin yung building habits so… Yung attitude mo ngayon, who you are now. Alam ko it came because of your habits. Ano ba yung mga habits mo even health or work related habits? Ano yung mga pwede mo mai-share na nakatulong sa iyo and you think makakatulong din sa iba?
Jalvi: Parang libreng seminar na ito, ‘pre. No, because yung habits that I do are not really necessary to be a good freelancer, to be a good business owner. The habits that I would recommend that have really helped me are just simply the habits to be a happy person. Kumbaga, whether freelancer ka, business owner, or you’re working in a government, corporate, or NGO, or teacher ka, or whatever it is, these habits help you to make a happy person. Maybe I’ll mention two? That’s okay?
Rene: Yeah, of course.
Jalvi: One is visualizing. So I have a dream board. It’s in the other office, but it’s on the wallpaper of my phone.
Rene: Ayon.
Jalvi: Medyo ayan makikita nyo diyan yung mga pangarap, ayan diyan.
Rene: Can I have a copy of that, your dream board?
Jalvi: Grabe! So ide-declare natin sa one thousand subscribers mo yung mga pangarap ko?
Rene: ‘Di, okay lang.
Jalvi: Mape-pressure ako niyan ‘pre eh.
Rene: O, sige, ‘di okay lang. Napakita mo naman.
Jalvi: So, I have a dream board.
Rene: Okay.
Jalvi: Kunyari nakalagay sa dream board ko na I want to have an MBA. Nakalagay sa dream board ko na gusto kong dalhin yung mga anak ko sa Disneyland. Nakalagay dun na I wanna speak in a TED-Talk, and I want to be considered as Asia’s Happiness Expert. And I want to help a hundred thousand people to be better and happier in their life. So meron pangarap na medyo selfish yun makapag-Disneyland kami alam mo yun pero karapatan naman natin maging masaya ‘diba? Pero meron ding pangarap na service to the world, na, “Uy ,ang dami kong matutulungan if I really master my craft as happiness coach.”
Rene: Yeah.
Jalvi: And totoo naman, na may times na sobrang motivated tayo eh. Hindi mo na kailangang tumingin sa dream board. Pero by developing that habit, this stress proofs me na even in a time of crisis, ang daming dinadalang malulungkot na mga pangyayari or nakaka-stress, nakaka-overwhelm, this is what gets me through.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: Yung looking at my dreams and thinking that my family deserves this. My children deserve this. Our country deserves this to have a bigger mindset, to be better and happier in their lives. Ang vision ko ‘pre, it’s building a better world one happy life at a time.
Rene: Ganda nun.
Jalvi: Because I believe everything is better when we’re happier. You’re a better parent. You’re a better leader ‘diba kapag masaya ka? You’re a better employee. And yes, sa inyo freelancer, we’re better freelancers when we’re happy. So that’s what I like, I keep myself happy by looking at my dreams. Kasi minsan nakakakilig, minsan nakakaiyak.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: Alam mo yun na parang “balang araw pupunta ako diyan”. Minsan ganun. Lumuluha talaga ko na talagang “makakapunta rin ako diyan sa New Zealand tapos kakain ako ng maraming lamb dahil paborito ko lamb.” Alam mo yung ganoon? ‘Di ko alam kung makakarelate kayo ha pero kasi sobrang addict ako sa The Hobbit eh. Gusto kong dalawin yung set, yung bilog yung pinto.
Rene: Oo, ‘diba? Bilog.
Jalvi: Alam mo yun, yung sa New Zealand ‘diba? Ayun. Gusto ko nun, ‘pre. Tapos yung may buffet, yung parang sa movie.
Rene: Oo, ganoon.
Jalvi: Yung beer nila yung andun sa wooden barrel na may gripo ‘diba? Wow, para akong The Hobbit ‘diba? Dream ko yun ‘pre eh. Dream ko talaga yun. Sometimes it makes you cry. Sometimes it makes you laugh. But whatever it is, it helps tide me through the bad times. It helps power me up and boost me during the good times.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: So I would advise everyone na i-set nyo yung pangarap nyo. Walang basagan ng trip, alam mo yun? Kung pangarap mo na may ari ka ng rancho, na marami kang kabayo, di sige ‘diba? Kung pangarap mo na meron kang tatlong kotse, sige walang basagan ng trip.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: Basta kung ano yung pangarap mo, spell it out, write it down or take pictures of it. Look at it every day. Kasi imagining the happiest version of yourself can really propel you to success.
Rene: Yon, ayos yon.
Jalvi: Isa pa lang pala yon, isingit ko lang yung pangalawa quick lang.
Rene: Oo nga sige, pangalawa.
Jalvi: Eto, uso naman to, it’s gratitude. It’s gratitude.
Rene: Ah,yeah.
Jalvi: Kasi pag puro future yung tinitingnan mo, pero di mo naa-appreciate what you have right now, kulang din yung happiness.
Rene: Yes, tama.
Jalvi: So kami ng mga anak ko we have gratitude journals and then we list at least one thing we’re grateful for (the) day. Minsan makakatatlo, minsan makakalima, minsan kunyari galing kami sa bakasyon sa Pampanga, mga twelve. Alam mo yun? ‘Diba kasi tatlong uri ng sisig yung tinikman namin eh. ‘Di tatlo na agad yun? Yung sisig sa ganitong restaurant, yung sisig dito saka yung sisig dito. I’m grateful for it.
Rene: Yeah.
Jalvi: But gratitude helps to– And science shows ha, na if you practice gratitude in sixty to ninety days, basta every day mo ginagawa, naiiba talaga yung timpla ng utak mo, ‘pre.
Rene: Yeah, tama.
Jalvi: Mas nawa-wire ka to be positive. Mas nawa-wire ka to be tougher against stress.
Rene: Hmmm, yes.
Jalvi: Dalawang simpleng habits lang, visualize your dreams, and be thankful everyday. Minsan madali, minsan mahirap. Gawin nyo ngang habit.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: Para kahit na mahirap, kahit may sakit ka magagawa mo. It will really help you to be– I’m sorry eto talaga yung term eh. Hindi ko naman sinisingit lagi yung brand ko.
Rene: Okay.
Jalvi: But it will really help you to be better and happier in your life and in your freelancing career.
Rene: Yon.
Jalvi: I hope that makes sense, fans.
Rene: Oo naman.
If you are to start (freelancing) again, how will you do freelancing?
Rene: (For) the benefit naman ng mga mag-start pa lang ng freelancing– So if you are to start (freelancing again), how would you do it from scratch?
Jalvi: How would I do it from scratch? Okay, guys, I’m not an affiliate yet, but if I had to start all over again na talagang “Oh, I’m gonna start a training career, a coaching career, I’m gonna build my personal branding.” I would have started by enrolling in The Freelance Movement Tribe. I’m sorry to say, yun lang talaga yung the biggest takeaway, the biggest thing that propelled me, it’s this. Kasi there’s an accountability group that got you to believe in yourself, may moral support, and the lessons there and yun nga. Just that one lesson, coming from a place of help. It’s not about you. It’s about them, and how you can help them.
Rene: Okay.
Jalvi: It unlocks so much. Yun lang talaga yung masasabi ko kasi I could name five, ten specific things.
Rene: Okay.
Jalvi: Pero pag tinanong papano mo natutunan yun? Sa Freelance Movement Tribe. So yun na lang yung isasagot ko, ‘diba?
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: Pano mo natutunan yung coming from a place of help? Pano mo natutunan na you can close five, six figure deals just over a phone call? Pano mo natutunan yun? Sa Freelance Movement Tribe. Yun lang ‘pre, as in honestly. Sorry kung ang corny nung sagot. If I could do everything all over again, I would start na, hindi ko na sinayang yung lima, anim na taon na trying to work on my own, but really just join the Freelance Movement Tribe. Find a support group of like minded people.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: And mentors who have been there. Do it the right way, and by right meaning hindi yung masyadong nakaka-stress, nakaka-burn out, and talagang may natutulungan ka na iba. Ayos ba? Pang Miss Universe yung mga sagot ko eh.
Rene: Oo nga eh.
Jalvi: Pero, kaw kasi eh, ang lalalim ng mga tanong mo ‘pre eh.
Rene: Syempre, konti nga lang eh.
Jalvi: Kala ko magkukwentuhan lang tayo eh.
Rene: O sige eto naman. Gusto mong malalim? Ano naman tayo, getting up-close and personal naman tayo.
Jalvi: Lalapit ako sa camera. Ayan. Up-close and personal ha.
Who was Jalvi in his childhood years?
Rene: Sino ba si Jalvi nung early years nya? Yung upbringing mo. Bakit ganyan yung attitude mo ngayon?
Jalvi: Bakit ganyan yung attitude ko ngayon? Di ko in-expect to ‘pre ha.
Rene: Syempre, surprise.
Jalvi: Well, I was born in a loving family. And you know, talagang malambing yung mommy ko, yung grandparents ko, ganun. I just want a loving family. I also tested positive. Positive?
Rene: Huh?!
Jalvi: I tested positive when I was— I think I was five for being a gifted child.
Rene: Wow!
Jalvi: So nakalimutan ko kung superior or genius level yung IQ ko pero ngayon bumaba na kasi puro inuman lang inaatupag ko sa bahay. I don’t know if some people can relate. Yung tipong pagagalitan ka kung hindi top one.
Rene: Aah, ganun?
Jalvi: ‘Diba? Yung ganun. But that’s because– I mean, mahal kasi nila ako, and that’s the way they love. They were proud of me because I was smart. And so there’s all this pressure to be good, to be the best.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: ‘Diba? But there’s really a danger in comparing yourself with other people. Kasi you can’t be happy with yourself. There’s always someone na dadaigin mo. So that was my childhood. Again, I love my parents and really that’s how they were. Kasi pareho silang– Hindi. Salutatorian si mommy. Si daddy ko valedictorian. Alam mo yon?
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: So parang expected nila panganay na anak namin dapat ganito rin ‘diba? So pati sila, I’m sure napi-peer pressure din sila sa family saka sa friends.
Dad, Mom if you’re watching, I love you. Thank you for raising me.
Honest lang. That’s the way I was raised. So these were beliefs that I had to parang banlaw-banlaw na life is not a competition ‘diba? It’s really– It’s a marathon. It’s not a race. It’s a marathon na. Just me becoming a better version of myself every day win na yon. When I look at someone, I don’t need to analyze na, “Why am I better than this person? Mas matalino ko sayo eh” diba? parang ganon.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: Yung talagang, pano ko makakaambag sa buhay mo?
Rene: Oo.
Jalvi: Yun yung mindset na. And maybe you noticed it, ‘diba?
Rene: Yeah.
Jalvi: When I meet people… It’s just– Mas magaan ako dalhin ngayon tunay na tao, diba, parang ganun.
Rene: Yeah.
Jalvi: And that’s how I grew up. On a positive note naman, my parents were amazing hosts. They were very friendly. They entertain a lot of guests, as in yung mga barkada ko parang “dun na lang tayo mag-inuman kina Jalvi, masarap dun eh.” May music, may kantahan, may masarap na pulutan. Bukas, ‘Pre, may mga taga Freelance Movement Tribe pupunta dito sa bahay. Iinom kami. Pagluluto ko ng sisig. Oo, as in ganon.
Rene: Ganun no.
Jalvi: Alam mo yung sila yung host na maasikaso?
Rene: Aah, yeah.
Jalvi: Yung, “O, giniginaw ka ba? Nakatapat sayo yung aircon. Sige ililipat ko.” “Oy, nauuhaw ka ba? Bibigyan kita ng tubig.” Alam mo yon?
Rene: Okay.
Jalvi: Nahawa ako dun. I love you Dad and Mom. Thank you for teaching me to be a good host. Nahawa ako dun. So ngayon, even in a group setting, ako yung trainer, ako yung coach, ako yung nagsasalita sa harap ‘diba? I want everyone to feel welcome, and that they belong. Parang ganon, “Dito kayo sa bahay. Oh, okay ka lang? Wala kang kausap. Halika kausapin mo muna ko.”
Alam mo yun yung I want to make sure that everyone is happy. ‘Eto na naman. Sorry brand. Hindi ko sinisingit yung brand ko. I wanna make sure that everyone is happy. Yung alam mo yon?
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: Yung pag nae-encounter mo ko, whether may bayad o wala, whether sandali or matagal, basta napangiti kita, and I made you feel na “Uy, okay yun ah.”Parang, “Uy, ang saya ng araw ko,” that’s a win for me. And I owe it to my Lolo and Lola, Daddy Fred, and Mommy Ched. I love you in heaven.
They are also an amazing host. My Dad and my Mom, Daddy Les and Mommy Riza for teaching me that. So simula bata,ag-entertain talaga ako ng bisita. Kaya ako ngayon, sanay akong kumausap ng tao. Kasi isipin mo, eleven years old ako kausap ko mga forty years old na. Sumasama ako sa mga inuman ng lolo ko saka ng tatay ko. May maliit na bata dun umiinom ng juice.
Rene: Maganda pag na-train ka habang bata ka.
Jalvi: Oo, trained, pare. Oy, di ako underage drinking. Mabait po ang nanay at tatay ko. Hindi ako pinainom nung eleven, mga thirteen.
Rene: Yeah, that makes sense. Kaya ang brand mo ngayon is better happy.
Jalvi: Right.
What are your current activities?
Rene: Yung current, ngayon, ano mga activities mo ngayon na pinagkaka abalahan?
Jalvi: So right now, medyo, I tried to free up my time kasi it’s gaining traction. And thank you to you guys who are interested in The Better Happy. Minsan, out of the blue, may mag-iinquire lang sa kin na “Oy, can you tell me more about your happiness workshop?”
In the past two years kasi because of the pandemic din, nag-homeschool ako. So masaya yon. That was a great bonding with my children. Ako yung teacher, and ako yung guidance counselor. Ako rin yung nurse and principal. It was a partnership with my wife naman. So masaya yung experience. Right now, we have a real estate business in partnership with company ng in-laws ko yung Firebird Realty. So yun, nagtatayo kami ng bahay sa Marikina area.
Rene: Yeah.
Jalvi: Ang dami kong pasakalye eh. ‘Di, tinatanong mo kung saan ako busy? But really, yung pinaka most of my time and most of my energy, which matters most the energy, I put it into The Better Happy.
Rene: Wow.
Jalvi: So I try to create workshops and coaching sessions and seminars to help teams and organizations na maging mas happy sa buhay nila. Malaman nila yung science of happiness. Kasi may mga fake news talaga tungkol sa happiness. Hindi naman por que tinuro ng lolo at lola mo yan or narinig mo sa mga ka-mahjong mo or ano, totoo siya.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: Parang sinabi na pag ininom itong magic tsaa, papayat ka. You’ll lose twenty pounds in one month. ‘Diba parang eh anong science nyan? Diba?
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: So I teach the science, the real news of being happy. So ang inaatupag ko ngayon, actually, is I’m trying to make my own online course. Yay!
Rene: Yeees.
Jalvi: Thank you, applause. Medyo nakakapanibago. Kasi kunyari– Tingnan mo ngayon, nakapustura ko. Ang daming mga ilaw dito. Parang iba yung– Sineset up ko na yung home office ko to record video.
Rene: Gusto ko yung Groot eh.
Jalvi: Kasi my students– Oo si Groot. Namatay na nga yung cactus. Bye, cactus.
Rene: Ay may cactus pala.
Jalvi: Kinain siguro ni Groot. Oo, may halaman yan last week.
Rene: Ayun pala.
Jalvi: Na-busy kasi sa Balai Isabel sa Batangas. Outing. ‘Di nadiligan.
Rene: Yon.
Jalvi: I’m busy right now building my brand, and planning stuff for my supporters and my market. Yung mga tao na interested in my service. So this year, I don’t know kung saan lalabas ito. This interview happens sometime in August, but for the rest of 2022, I plan to release at least one online course and have live events. Ibig sabihin may live workshop tapos possibly dahil pangarap ko rin, gusto ko mag-organize ng something like a happiness leadership retreat in Tagaytay o ganun na overnight for business owners.
Rene: Yon.
Jalvi: Yiee, excited ako. Kinilabutan ako. Oo na-excite ako pare.
What are the future goals that you want to achieve?
Rene: So naano natin yung past, present, ano naman yung sa future? Ano na talaga yung pinaka important? Yung vision mo talaga na (gusto mo) ma-achieve? In the near future, basta ano ba main goal mo?
Jalvi: Kung pagdating sa The Better Happy, the future is like what I said. The mission is to help a hundred thousand Asians.
Rene: Oo.
Jalvi: Asian professionals, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers, and professionals, yung mga empleyado to have more productivty, to have more fulfilling lives through happiness science. So basically, I want to help a hundred thousand Asians to be better and happier.
Rene: Wow.
Jalvi: In their lives. That’s the vision. And that’s also why I try to create an online course so I can reach more people. The more people I help the more happy I am. Yan ang sabi sa The Go-Givers. Sa declaration or sa mantra ni Bob Burg, “I wanna help more people.” Pagdating sa personal goal naman, gusto namin magtayo ng sariling bahay.
Rene: Alright.
Jalvi: Kami ni misis parang ganon. Kasi ilang taon na kaming nagtatayo ng bahay para sa iba pero wala kaming sarili.
Rene: Ay ganun ba?
Jalvi: Oo. That’s next in line, so thank you for asking. But yeah, I’m really excited about the online course, and you know just helping more people in Asia.
Rene: Okay.
Jalvi: So I’m planning to talk to talagang– Siguro start with HongKong or Singapore. Yung mga malapit na business districts dito sa South East Asia.
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: To offer my services and to create an impact there in their countries also.
Rene: Wow, ganda.
What words of wisdom would you like to share?
Rene: Parting words, ano bang mga words of wisdom mo talaga na pwede mo ma-share sa lahat ng viewers natin?
Jalvi: Hindi ko alam kung yung mga viewers nakapag-start na or mag-start pa lang ng freelancing. But I wanna tell you that possibly it’s not for everyone. Maybe for some, it’s a wiser decision to stay in their corporate jobs, to stay in their government jobs, or maybe have a sari-sari store or business. Maybe it’s a wiser decision, maybe. Ang advice ko lang to people is take the time for yourself na alamin kung ano yung gusto mo talaga sa buhay. Take the time for yourself na isipin, “What will constitute a happy life for me?”
Rene: Yeah.
Jalvi: ‘Diba? Ano ba yung desired level of income ko? Anong klaseng bahay gusto ko matirhan? Take the time for yourself. And take the time for yourself na magpahinga.
Rene: Nice,
Jalvi: Na diba yung minsan nakaka-stress sa trabaho. Your juggling your freelancing career, and your job. Take the time to yourself to take a break. If you’re sad, cry. Alam mo yun?
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: If you need to meet up with your friends and family na na-miss mo na, go and take the time…
Rene: Yes.
Jalvi: To meet them. Because wherever you are in your life right now, like a freelancer, business owner, anong age mo man, twenty-two, forty-five, wherever you are in your life right now, you’re worth the time to be happy. Boom! Parang mic drop no?
Rene: Galing no?
Jalvi: Oo pero mahal nung mic ko pare, di ko ida-drop. Bagong bili ko ‘pre.
Rene: Oo nga eh.
Jalvi: Gusto kong i-polish eh pero…
Rene: Yon sige, napakaganda nitong discussion natin. Thank you very much.
Jalvi: Parang tawa lang tayo ng tawa eh no?
Rene: Syempre, happy eh diba?
Jalvi: Ayon, so if you wanna find out more about happiness science and yung The Better Happy and the services we offer to companies and individuals, punta kayo sa thebetterhappy.com. Si bro Rene will probably place yung link sa baba.
Rene: Yes, thebetterhappy.com
Jalvi: But really, I would love to help. If you like this interview, may tanong kayo, i-PM nyo lang ako.
Rene: Yes. Yeah, may link diyan sa baba.
Jalvi: Yon oh. Thank you. Bye sa lahat ng nanood.
Would you like to know the science of being happy? Get in touch with Jalvi Valdes in his website thebetterhappy.com. Let us know who would like to be featured next in our Freelancer of the Week!
Kristine is a Digital Marketer and Financial Educator from Taguig
