I'm a PMP - A "Professional Mistake Prodigy"

Hey there, world! Percy Ramos, Assoc. AIA, PMP – which, by the way, stands for "Professional Mistake Prodigy" in my world – reporting for duty. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a rollercoaster of workplace shenanigans, life lessons, and my attempt to decode my dad's cryptic wisdom.

My old man, a Peruvian transplant in the good ol' U.S. of A., used to drop truth bombs like it was his side hustle. One nugget of wisdom that stuck with me was, "You're just as good as your last game." Now, mind you, we weren't talking soccer or Monopoly; we were talking about the game of life, the corporate rodeo, if you will.

So, picture this: I'm a money-saving superhero at my company. I've slashed prices, haggled with subs like a pro, and even pulled off a magic trick that got us a refund for an item that mysteriously took a detour on its way to our office. I'm the man, the myth, the budget-friendly legend!

But, oh boy, life has a sense of humor as twisted as a pretzel. Despite my legendary feats, I managed to fumble the ball. A mistake that could rival the budget of a small country. And wouldn't you know it, the big cheese decides to call me out in the middle of a staff meeting.

My father's words echo in my head: "You are just as good as your last game." Truer words have never been spoken, especially when your boss has a front-row seat to your blunders. Now, you might think, "Hey, Percy, they'll remember the money you saved them, right?" Wrong. Dead wrong.

Turns out, the bossman has a short-term memory for financial miracles, and he was right to forget about my money-saving feats. Those pearls of wisdom struck me harder than a pigeon hitting a car windshield – my boss nailed it. It's like saving up for a swanky vacation, only to realize you booked a trip to the Arctic with nothing but a pair of flip-flops. You can't be the budgeting guru one day and then blow it all in a single spectacular faceplant. It's the corporate equivalent of buying a money-saving coupon book and accidentally using it as kindling for a cozy office bonfire. Lesson learned: you can't do a fiscal cha-cha and then step on your own toes.

I built that team we were standing in front of during the staff meeting. It's like I was assembling a team blindfolded – just grabbing whoever stumbled into the office. Good enough seemed to be my motto. But their mistakes are just as frowned upon as mine.

But here's the kicker: I still have a job. Yes, you heard it right. The company didn't throw me out with yesterday's coffee grounds. I even offered to pay for my screw-up – my way of saying, "My bad, let me Venmo you for that mishap." Surprisingly, my boss declined my offer. Maybe they saw a glimmer of hope in me, or maybe they're just suckers for my charming personality.

And that, my friends, is the perplexing world of corporate life. You save thousands, you make one costly goof, and suddenly you're on the hot seat. Lesson learned: You're only as good as your last game, even if that game involves losing a stack of cash faster than a magician's disappearing act.

So, here's to navigating the unpredictable game of work, where the stakes are high, the coffee is strong, and the mistakes are just waiting to make an entrance. Cheers to being the MVP of financial acrobatics, one blunder at a time!

Now, as I sit at my desk, surrounded by stacks of paperwork that rival the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I can't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Life's a comedy, and I seem to have a front-row seat to the show. The key, my friends, is to roll with the punches, laugh at your own blunders, and remember that even in the midst of financial fiascos, there's always room for a good joke. So, here's to the next game, the next mistake, and the next opportunity to prove that Percy Ramos, Assoc. AIA, PMP – the Professional Mistake Prodigy – is still standing, ready for whatever curveballs are thrown my way. Game on!