By Eric Montelibano · Published on BusinessMirror July 17, 2025
THE Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) attended the recent “Mindgame Conference” of Paulo M. Tibig at the Asian Institute of Management. Paulo, a motivational speaker and author, is known for his “learnjoyment” approach to training and his expertise in sales, culture building, leadership, and management. For his Mindgame conference, he emphasized the overall key phrase: “Nasa isip lang yan!,” or “It’s all in the mind!”
The conference focused on strategic thinking, personal growth, and mindset transformation. It centered on a powerful message: that change starts in the mind. He says that if we cultivate a positive and confident mindset, we can truly unblock our full potential and achieve our goals.
Allow me to share some key takeaways from the conference.
He warns us of “Mindtraps,” marked by:
- A lack of clarity or vague direction, or growth that’s accidental and not intentional
- Self-doubt. “Can I do this?” Undermining confidence makes you believe you are becoming.
- Fear of failure or judgment, which paralyzes decision making.
- Safe zones, or staying comfortably stuck
- Pleasing others, or the pressure to conform to societal expectations
- Toxic environments, composed of the “negatrons” and “negastars” in your midst.
He adds the principle of micro-reframe to change the way of thinking. Thought traps should be addressed by a change of thought. For example, “I failed” should be changed to “I can do it better next time.” Or “I’m overwhelmed” with “Will take it in stride.” And “I can’t” to “I’m beginning to learn.”
To evolve, we should look into the following:
- Self-awareness: recognizing one’s thoughts and behavior.
- Identify mental blocks: What’s holding you? Transcending self-doubt, experiences, people and situations that form boundaries and limitations.
- Transform thought patterns: pivotal change of thoughts and bring in the new narrative to focus on success, growth, and possibilities.
- Adoption of new routines: align your desired growth mindset reinforced by ritualization and repetition; accept challenges, master your craft, and build confidence.
- Validate: How to sustain this new behavior? Have insights into the people who matter to you.
Mindset is everything: “Breakthroughs don’t happen; it’s in our hearts and minds.” We have the power to change — change that leads to our desired results.
We are not prisoners of our circumstances—we are prisoners of our own minds. That’s why, if you want to change your life, the change must begin in your mind. Paulo emphasized the value of “practice over talent” and “brains over brawn,” underscoring the idea that mindset drives performance. He concluded by reminding everyone that “everything starts in our mind.”
Eric Montelibano is a consultant of Integrated Marketing and Communications at CSBank (Citystate Savings Bank) and the president of the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines. He can be reached at erichmontelibano@gmail.com. The writer’s views and his written piece do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror, the BMAP and the CSBank. For more information, visit www.bmap.org.ph or https://facebook.com/BankMarketingAssociationPH.