Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

Big Fish – Small Pond!

Adjustment, Expats / by

I’m sure that most of you have heard the old saying about being a big fish in a small pond, right? If not, well, just think about a fish of a certain size. If that fish is in a small pond, perhaps he is one of the bigger fish in the pond. If you take that fish out and put him into a large pond, he might turn out to be smaller than average! Same fish, different environment. It applies to people too.

Yesterday, I was a speaker at the 1st Mindanao Bloggers Summit, which was held here in Davao. Due to my various blogs and websites, I was considered to be enough of a “big fish” to be invited to be one of the speakers. Later in the day, I was even on a discussion panel – the panel consisted of “A-List” Bloggers in the Philippines. Can you imagine, I was considered an “A-List” blogger? I really had a good time at the MBS, and got to meet a lot of interesting people and share some of my passion for blogging and also for Mindanao with the crowd.

If you stop and think about this, any logical person would have to come to the conclusion that if I had stayed in the States, it is highly doubtful that I could have participated in such an event in the way that I did at the MBS. I mean, after all, there are a lot bigger fish than me in the USA. But, the Philippines is a smaller pond with fewer fish in it, so I have been able to make myself into a person with a little bit of influence here, even an A-List blogger! I seriously doubt that I could have made this much of a mark in the USA.

I have to say, I really love living here. I am passionate about Mindanao, and I am passionate about Living in the Philippines. If I didn’t have that passion, I could not write this blog. Writing a new article almost every day of the week is not an easy thing. There are a lot of times when you get up in the morning and think to yourself – “what will I write about today?” But something always comes to mind, because living here is a passion, and I like encouraging other people to follow that passion themselves.

Why be that small fish in your big pond? It’s not always easy to avoid being eaten up by those bigger fish. Wouldn’t you prefer to transfer to the Philippines, make a niche for yourself and suddenly become that BIG fish that can make a difference? It’s a nice feeling!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. hello sir.. i have an australian boyfriend, Garryck Osborne ..he loves to read things you write in your blogs. I know this website through with him. I am sorry my english is not so good…best wishes to you..and advance MERRY X'MAS TO YOU and with your filipina wife.

    ty,

    Marielle

  2. SIR MARTIN I LIKE VERY MUCH READING YOUR WEBSITE. LOTS OF THINGS I KNEW HERE THAT WESTERN PEOPLE AND FILIPINOS HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS OF LIFE STYLE.

  4. Hi Bob, big fish or not. Congrats being a guest speaker yesterday. And thank you so much being a part of your "Liveinthephilippines". I can understand very well the nice feeling. And by the way, it's nice to share a certain passion of writing, especially WHILE LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES AS EXPATS…

  6. Hi Marielle Mahinay – Thanks for stopping by the site! I'm glad that you and also your boyfriend in Australia enjoy reading our articles here!

    Hi Klaus – Thanks! I really enjoyed the Summit yesterday!

    Hi Frank Fealey – Nice to hear from you again! And, thanks for your comment!

  9. My friend I am so proud of you, well done.

    I might een give you a kiss when i see you wednesday 🙂

  10. Hi John – Thanks for the support!

    A kiss? On Wednesday? Umm… I have a dentist appointment that day!!! 😳

  11. yes you are famous Bob, I met a guy through my sports blog that mentioned your name and I believe he was attending the same summit hoping to meet you !!
    when I visit Daveo do you think if I mention your name it may get me the best table in the restaurants !! 😉

  14. Bob, You are one of those shining stars in the cyberspace world. The stars are twinkling, they rejoice in your kindness and thoughts about everyday life. Your words touch many people. We appreciate your thought provoking words of wisdom.

  15. Two thumbs up Bob!… Congrats….You well deserve it. Your indeed becoming a celebrity. It(Philippines) might be a small pond but that pond always get a lot of attention arround the world. Someday thats going to be the international summit or Southeast asian summits 😉 . That would be cool too.

  16. Hello Bob – congratulations..and wow…i guess all dabawenyos are getting to know you more…keep it up bob!

  18. Hi Gerry – Ha ha… I am pretty well known at restaurants around Davao, I guess! 😆

    Hi Cathy – Yep, we haven't seen you for a while! You are always welcome!

    Hi Cheryll Ann – Thanks!

    Hi Keith – Wow, very nice… thank you.

    Hi Mady – Ah… I doubt that I'd ever address any International Conferences! I am happy with just the local ones!

    Hi Marygrace – Thanks!

    Hi Ken – thank you as well!

  20. Hi Bob. Good point there on being that big fish somewhere in a small pond. And congratulations for being an A-List blogger there in the Philippines! 😎 You do write very informative blog posts.

  21. Congrats from the northland (Philippine northland, that is). I was really glad to see this event come off so well. Adn the formula you are following i sone that any person who would like some success … in blogging or other forms of bussines can emulate.

    Find a passion and pursue it … you can make good things happen anywhere and on any subject _if_ you actually care about them … and in the Majority of cases, most "If only" bloggers don't really care, and care or don't care, it always shows through.

  24. Hi Joy Co – Thanks!

    Hi Jio – I am happy that you enjoy some of my posts!

    Hi Dave Starr – The event really did come off well, and I enjoyed it a lot. Getting to know some of the "big" bloggers from up north was nice, and I also met a lot of local bloggers that I had not met before too.

    Hi Corey – Ha ha… Thanks for the encouragement.

    Hi Ron LaFleur – Mayor? Of what??? 😆

  25. congrats for the successful 1st Mindanao Bloggers Summit. i've been to davao city last summer and i loved the place. i think i will migrate to davao city by next year!

  26. Hi leo – I'm glad that you liked Davao! I like it a lot too! By the way, I just checked out your blog, and it's really great. Very informative, especially for entrepreneurial minded people!