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My Financial Journey in 2019

10/12/2019

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Achieving and maintaining financial health is one of my ongoing goals. On my journey so far, I have learned many valuable lessons. One of them has been to normalize the conversation around money.
 
In this post, I will reflect on my financial journey, the top lessons I learned about finances in 2019, and an outlook on my financial plan for 2020.
 
MC's Financial Journey in 2019
When I think about my decisions and actions when it came to my finances in 2019, there were a lot of new and unexpected things for me.  At regular intervals this year, I have been closely monitoring how I spent my money. It is important to me to always know my financial status, plan for how I want to spend my money, and track how I spend it. Especially since I took some financial risks this year, I needed to stay focused on my financial health.
 
What lessons did I learn about money?
#1: Taking big financial steps is very scary
This year, I made a significant investment that impacted my finances significantly. The surprising part was that I was not prepared for the feelings I will have after I made the investment. I thought I was ready, and all I needed to do was work hard to replenish my savings after I took a lot of money out to invest in a project. Interestingly I did not plan for the emotional impact it would have on me. Being worried about Read more about "My experience making difficult Financial Decisions".
 
#2: Be ready to pay for things that make your life easier
This one was hard for me to learn. I had to fight the mental battle of feeling like I can do everything myself. Learning to delegate tasks or part of my life to make some time available for things that I really want to do. This year I spent money on household support and ordered things online to save me some time. Although it took me a while to overcome the guilt I was feeling, when I started seeing the great results of paying a little more to make my life easy, I knew it was worth it.
 
#3: Continue practicing your good money habits
In my post titled "10 things to do for your financial wellness in 2019", I shared some of the things I was committed to doing in my finances this year. Especially with everything going on this year, I was reminded of the fact that the reason I was successful financially was that I am disciplined and have learned good money habits. Knowing that I could rebuild my savings because I had been practicing for a while, gave me confidence.
 
#4: Talk about your finances with people
Two conversations about money really helped me this year. First of all, I spoke to a lady like me who wanted some advice on building her finances. Being able to share some of the tips that have helped me on my journey reminded me of my humble beginnings and how I got here. The second conversation that helped me was talking to another woman who is in a similar phase in her life and has comparable financial responsibilities.  Talking to someone who could relate  to my situation was very refreshing. I know talking about money is not something we do very often. There are a lot of benefits from talking to people around you and sharing financial knowledge.
 
#5: Be bold when exploring new financial aspects
I started investing money seriously in 2017. Through 2018 I stayed consistent and continued my learning journey. However, in 2019, with the markets being less predictable, I found myself being afraid to make any investment moves. I stopped learning about investments and didn't do anything for most of the year. As I reflect on my behavior, I see that navigating uncertainty with finances is something I am not comfortable with and need to learn.
 
Outlook on My Financial Plan for 2020
As I set my goals for 2020, I have been thinking about what I want to do with my finances in 2020. Here are some of my initial ideas that I will be adding to my list
  • What do I want to do more of?
    • Explore new sources of income
    • Replenish my savings
    • Continue growing my money through investing
  • What I want to do less of?
    • Worry about money
    • Be scared to try new techniques of growing my money
    • Invest more in others than in myself
 
Final Thoughts
  • Financial independence is attainable for you too.
  • Set financial goals and visualize where you want to be financially.
  • Take steps towards achieving the financial future you want.
 
Call to Action
  • What lessons have you learned about money this year?
  • What are you looking to do differently next year with respect to your finances?
 
Great Resources
  • 5 Simple Steps To Evaluate Your Financial Health
  • [Tools] Your Financial Well-Being Score
  • Ten signs you need a financial health check
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My Experience Celebrating Christmas in 3 Countries

3/12/2019

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As we get into the festive season, I have been reflecting on my relocation. I have been very fortunate to celebrate Christmas and holidays in Nigeria, Germany, and now in the US. The celebrations are very different, and my experiences have been diverse. Each country has provided me with things I enjoy and value during this season.
 
In this blog post, I will share my experience in the three countries I have lived in and some of my favorite memories.
 
What is important to me during the holidays?
As I start planning my Christmas celebrations this year, I have been thinking about the three things I'm really looking forward to.
  • Cooking and enjoying good food
  • Spending quality time with people I love
  • Getting some rest and preparing for the year ahead
 
Christmas in Nigeria
The sights and sounds of  the holidays in Nigeria seem as if it was yesterday, although I haven't been there in 18 years. I still remember the excitement in the air as December progressed. The Christmas carols and events leading up to the holidays were filled with music and theatre plays. Growing up, with all the joy and excitement, also came some concern about if we will have something special for Christmas. Sometimes we were unsure if we would have the festive clothes we wore on Christmas day, let alone gifts.
My highlight during Christmas time in Nigeria was spending time with my extended family. My cousins were all in town; we enjoyed great meals together and built great memories. Christmas celebrations seemed to last longer when I was growing up in Nigeria. Till today, the delicious meals I cook during Christmas are inspired by what I enjoyed growing up.
 
Christmas in Germany
My first Christmas in Germany remains engraved in my memory. It was the first time I saw so much snow and low temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius. In addition to the extremely cold weather, this was the first time I spent the holidays without my family. It was very difficult to adapt to new traditions and culture.
Another major shock for me was that the 24th, which is Heilig Abend, is the main celebration day in Germany. For me, it felt like a day to prepare for Christmas, not to actually celebrate it. Honestly, this was something I never really got used to.
My favorite part of Christmas in Germany was going to the Weihnachtsmarkt, aka Christmas markets. They bring together the best regional snacks, meals as well as arts and crafts. Every year, I made it a point to visit the Christmas markets multiple times with family, friends, and coworkers. I miss the special sausages and fresh waffles a lot. The scent of winter spices reminded me of the special time of the year.
 
Thanksgiving and Christmas in the US
Interestingly as I write this post, we are on our way to spend Thanksgiving with family. Until I moved to the US about five years ago, Thanksgiving was a foreign concept to me. To be honest, it still comes as a surprise every year. It definitely feels good to have a long holiday weekend in November, and then four weeks later, we get another break. The weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with songs and nice decorations.
Christmas in California is very different. One of my favorite parts is that the weather is beautiful and sunny in December. I have come to the realization that I really enjoy Christmas now. I believe it is mainly because I have my own family, and we are creating our lite Christmas traditions.
 
Final thoughts
I have learned that I can influence how much I enjoy the holiday. The five things I remind myself of during this season include the following:
  1. Holidays are a great time to do things you enjoy and celebrate life.
  2. The holidays are about the memories that we get to create and not the gifts or other material things.
  3. This is a great time to recharge, reflect on the past year, and get refreshed for the new year ahead.
  4. It is important to start your own traditions and not feel the pressure to celebrate the way everyone else does.
  5. If you enjoy being around people during the celebrations, make a conscious effort to surround yourself with family and friends. Enjoy lots of laughter!
 
Call to Action
How was Christmas while you were growing up or living in a different country?
What are your favorite holiday traditions?
What is one thing you'll do for yourself this Christmas?
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Video: My Craziest experience in Germany

30/11/2019

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Learning to introduce yourself at work

26/11/2019

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There are so many lessons to learn about your professional life. The best professional advice I received from one of my coworkers was "always take the time to introduce and reintroduce yourself." She gave me this advice after I had been at a new company for about four months and it changed my trajectory.
 
In this blog post, we will explore when you need great introductions and how to create an introduction that people will remember.
 
When are introductions important?
  • In a Job interview or when you start a new role
  • Every day when you meet new people at work
  • When you reconnect with colleagues to share updates
 
How to create a great introduction
 
Step #1: Think about what you want people to know about you
It is important to help people get to know you. When you think about your story and reputation, ask yourself what the important aspects of your career are. Some of the things I share with people include projects I have worked on, skills that I have, certifications or degrees and what I am passionate about. Remember also to include aspects of your personal life. There is so much power in connecting with people on a personal level.
 
Questions to consider
  • What do you want people to know about you?
  • How do you want to be perceived by the people you work with?
 
Step #2: Write your intro statements
In my experience, I have learned that when you write down a short introduction, it allows you to think through your message. Write down many options and refine your introduction as you go. As you work on your introduction statements, try not to over-engineer it.
 
Questions to consider
  • What are the most important words you want to include in your introduction?
  • How long would you like your introduction to be?
 
Step #3: Practice your introduction with people you trust
One way to improve your introduction is by sharing it with your trusted advisors. You can send it to them in written form or practice telling them in person. The objective of this activity is to gather feedback and ideas from people who know you really well.
 
Questions to consider
  • What feedback do people that know you very well have for your introduction?
  • Which improvements do you want to make to your introduction?
 
Step #4: Update and tweak your Introduction
Based on feedback and your experience as you tested your introduction, it is time to adjust your intro statements. The goal is to have a version you are comfortable with sharing with more people. It might not be perfect, and that is fine.
 
Questions to consider
  • How will you keep your introduction fresh and relevant?
  • What aspects of your introduction are the most important?
 
Step #5: Introduce and reintroduce your self
Now it is time to start using your new introduction. Depending on your audience, you may want to tweak your introduction. By practicing and working on your introduction, you will get better. I have also started being more aware of how other people introduce themselves and what I can learn from them.
 
Questions to consider
  • What parts of your introduction resonate the most with others?
  • Is your professional brand being strengthened by your introduction?
 
Action Plan
  • How do you want to be remembered by the people you meet at work?
  • How will you keep improving your introduction?
 
Final Thoughts
  • Take every opportunity you get to introduce yourself to people at work.
  • Your introduction is your opportunity to share things with people that you really want them to know.
  • Own and manage your professional brand.
 
Great Resources
  • 2 Ways to Create a 1-Line Elevator Pitch (That'll Make People Want to Keep Talking to You)
  • How to introduce yourself so you’ll be unforgettable (in a good way!)
  • The Best Way To Introduce Yourself In Five Potentially Awkward Situations
  • Ways to introduce yourself in person, at parties or networking events (and a few you should skip)
  • A Complete Guide to Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview (Plus Examples!)
  • How to Tell People What You Do—and Be Remembered
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How to find or revive your passion

19/11/2019

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Your passion is often what fuels you and gives you a reason to do great things. We all have various passions in our work, personal life, or in our businesses. However, not all of us know what our passions are or are using utilizing them.
 
In this blog post, we will explore the meaning of passion, the benefits of reviving your passion, and ways to keep your passion alive.
 
What does having passion mean?
  • Your passion can be anything that simultaneously challenges you, intrigues you and motivates you
  • A desire fueled by passion will bring about the greatest results in life.
  • Passion is when you put more energy into something than is required to do it. It is more than just enthusiasm or excitement, passion is ambition that is materialized into action to put as much heart, mind body and soul into something as is possible.
 
Why is it important to revive your passion now?
The benefits of living your passion
  • Following your passion will help you feel fulfilled in life
  • Doing things that you are passionate about energizes you
  • You achieve great success when you follow your passion
 
How to find and revive your passion
 
Find and know your passion
It is crucial to be aware of what your passions are. When you ask children what they like, they tend to have a very quick response to these questions. However, as adults, we may lose the ability to think about what we are passionate about if we are not more deliberate. Spending some time thinking about your passion will help you use it.
 
Talk about your passions
I have found that when you tell people around you about what you are passionate about, it makes it very real.  Keeping your passions a secret is the easiest way to let them die. We cannot let that happen. Take every opportunity you get to talk about your passions with the people you care about.
 
Do things you are passionate about
The best way to keep your passion alive is to use it. For the longest time, I knew that I was passionate about helping people and building communities. However, I let self-doubt stop me from using my passion. Ever since I started following my passions, I have experienced high fulfillment and success. 
 
Continue discovering your passions
As you grow and go through changes in your life, the things you are passionate about may change. Make time to check in with yourself and see what you are passionate about. This will help ensure that you live out your passions.
 
Support others who follow their passion
If you know people around you who are discovering their passion, make it a point to support them on their journey. There is power in helping other people on the journey to feeling more fulfilled through using their own passion.
 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with great quotes about finding your passion
  • “I think that in order to be successful, women have to figure out what they’re passionate about first. No matter what you aspire to, you’ve got to love what you do in order to be successful at it.” - Michelle Obama
  • “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” - Oprah Winfrey
  • “Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there’s love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” - Ella Jane Fitzgerald
  • “You can do anything as long as you have the passion, the drive, the focus, and the support.” —Sabrina Bryan
  • “If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.” —Wanda Sykes
 
Call to Action
  • What are you passionate about?
  • When last did you do somethings you were passionate about?
  • How can you revive your passion today?
 
Great Resources
  • How to Define Your Passion in Life
  • 6 Fresh Ways to Find Your Passion
  • How to Find Your Passion and Live a Fulfilling Life
  • Five Steps to Finding Your Passion
  • [TED Talk]5 steps to help you figure out your passion
  • How to Find Your Passion
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How to deal with disappointment at Work

12/11/2019

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We spend a lot of time in our lives at work. Recently, I have been reflecting on some of the experiences that I have had at work that had very different outcomes than I expected. I am making peace with the fact that setbacks are a part of every successful career.
 
In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to deal with disappointment at work.
 
Starting point: What type of professional setbacks have I faced?
Some of the experiences that have stuck in my memory include:
  • Being passed up for a promotion
  • Not getting the project that I really wanted to work on
  • Being unable to negotiate my salary or a pay raise
 
Five ways to deal with disappointment at work
 
Don’t be too hard on yourself
It is important to not let all the weight of a setback rest on your shoulders. Going through a difficult time at work can often make your life feel less balanced and make you unhappy. Being aware of the impact of disappointment at work on your happiness is essential. Putting it all in perspective will help you move on.
 
Questions to consider
  • Would you care about these experiences one month or one year from now?
  • How can you take care of yourself in these difficult times?
 
Be better prepared
After major setbacks in my career, I wondered if there was a way for me to be more prepared to overcome the deep sadness I felt. And I have found that the answer is yes, you can prepare for the impact of disappointment on your life and work. Taking the time to plan for the negative events helped me bounce back.
 
Questions to consider
  • What steps can you take after a career setback?
  • Who will support you on your journey to get over your disappointment?
 
Identify the learnings
One of the things I am learning about all negative experiences in life is that there is always a lesson to be learned. When you experience setbacks at work, make time to think about what the lessons may be. It might not be easy to see the lessons. However, they exist and would help you a lot on your future journey.
 
Questions to consider
  • What can you learn from this experience?
  • Is there a common theme with the disappointments you have faced at work recently?
 
Find something positive that motivates you
Having a positive outlook on your career is a great gift. Especially when something does not go the way you planned, having something that excites you can help you stay happy. A great mindset to have is to view your future journey with optimism.
 
Questions to consider
  • What is the one thing you enjoy about your job?
  • What are some recent accomplishments that you have had?
 
Know when it is time to find a new job or role
Depending on the type of situation you may be going through at work, it may be time to move on to the next career adventure. It is crucial to know when that time comes and to take action.
 
Questions to consider
  • What are you looking for in your next job or role?
  • How will you utilize the learnings from your past experiences in your next job or role?
 
Final Thoughts
  • Disappointment at work can be expected, how you deal with it will determine how successful you will be.
  • Going through any negative experience with an active support group will make it easier.
  • Building resilience for setbacks in your career is a strategy you can learn.
 
Call to Action
  • What is one of the biggest setbacks you have faced in your career?
  • What strategy helped you get over that disappointment?
 
Great Resources
  • 5 Ways to Bounce Back from Disappointment at Work
  • How to Deal With Professional Disappointment at Work
  • Overcoming Career Disappointment
  • How to get over career disappointment
  • 5 Major Work Disappointments and How to Handle Them
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Video: In The News | To Become Your Best Self, Study Your Successes

9/11/2019

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The things people never tell you about living in other Countries

5/11/2019

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When I reflect on my 18-year relocation journey, I wonder if anything could have prepared me for it. I started thinking about things I wish people told me about living in different countries. Who knows how different my journey would have been? In service to people who just moved or are thinking about moving to a different country and city, I am sharing some things to help them prepare better and enjoy the journey.
 
Continuing the Her Relocation series, in this blog post, we will discuss ten things people never tell you about living abroad or in a new city. It is crucial to know these things as it will help you address them heads on and increase your happiness in your new home.
 
It gets lonely sometimes
Leaving your social network behind when you move to a new country or city can be very difficult. And the truth is that it takes a lot of effort to build your new social network. At different phases on your relocation journey, you will miss people in your life.
 
MC's Tip: Make it a priority to build a new social network when you move.
 
The search for the food you enjoy will take more effort
Food is an integral part of feeling at home in a new environment. If you have followed my previous posts about my relocation journey, you know that finding food that I really enjoyed when I moved to Germany and the US was a priority.
 
MC's Tip: Find your favorite meals early.
 
There may be hurdles on your way
Settling into life in a new country may not be as smooth as you expect. The truth is that there will be some unexpected challenges that you may face on your journey. Even with very good plans, reality may look slightly different.
 
MC's Tip: Remind yourself of the good that is happening to you.
 
Your experiences may differ from previous experiences
For a while, you might be trying to draw parallels between your current relocation journey and prior experiences. When I moved to the US, I kept expecting my experience to be like when I moved to Germany about fourteen years before. I can now confirm that there are some similarities, but some experiences are very new.
 
MC's Tip: Accept that your relocation journey may be very different
 
People will ask you questions you are not prepared for
In my recent video titled Questions not to ask an Immigrant and Questions to ask an Immigrant, I discuss the different questions people have asked me in the different countries I have lived in.
 
MC's Tip: Guard your happiness by assuming the best intentions with the questions people ask you.
 
You will eventually adapt
The good news about change is that eventually, you will adapt to your new life. Especially at the beginning, it's hard to think about things improving. However, as you learn more about your new home, you'll grow to enjoy it.
 
MC's Tip: Be patient and hopeful. It gets better with time.
 
There will be things you don't get used to
In the previous point, I stated that you would eventually get used to your new life. While that is true, there are still somethings that you will never adapt to. In my post titled "10 Things you never get used to when you move to new countries" I share some of the things for me.
 
MC's Tip: Accept the fact that somethings may remain foreign.
 
You will continuously learn something new
Even after many years of living in a place, there is still so much to learn about your new home. Live each day with an open mind to learn new things about the people, culture, food and environment.
 
MC's Tip: Be open to learn and expand your perspective continuously.
 
You will have many opportunities to learn about yourself
The best way to grow personally is to take yourself out of your normal situation. When you move to a new environment, you are pushed to spend a lot of time getting to know yourself. With the right focus and having a growth mindset, you will become a better you.
 
MC's Tip: Spend time getting to know yourself and your boundaries
 
It could potentially be the start of a great future
The change associated with your relocation may be the well-needed beginning of a successful future. From my experience, I can confidently say that moving to new countries has propelled my life in the right direction and brought me a lot of success.
 
MC's Tip: Seek out new opportunities and make the best of them.
 
Final Thoughts
  • Relocating to a new city and country may seem daunting and scary. However, a lot of good comes out of change.
  • Sharing our journeys can be very beneficial to the people around us.
  • Enjoy the ride and your experiences.
 
Call to Action
What are some things you wish you knew before you moved?
What has been your favorite moment of your relocation journey so far?
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Video: Questions to Ask an Immigrant

2/11/2019

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Are you making progress?

29/10/2019

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In life, there are those times when we feel like we are not making progress. Especially as we approach the end of the year and look at what we hoped to have achieved by this time in the year, it is crucial to not get disappointed with the progress you have made.

In the blog post, we will explore what it means to make progress, some things that may be holding you back, and discover strategies to help you start seeing progress in all aspects of your life.

Starting Point - Are you making any progress?
When l hear people say they don't feel they are making progress in their lives, I want to ask which of the following categories do you fall into:
  • You are not making progress because you are not doing anything
  • You are making very little progress compared to your expectations
  • You are making good progress but unable to see it or acknowledge it
Depending on which category you fall into, your action plan may vary.

What does making progress mean to me?
On my journey, I am learning that making progress is a process which includes:
  • Working towards achieving my goals
  • Crossing key milestones and life's crossroads
  • Preparing myself for my future

Why do you think you are not making progress?
Let's discuss some reasons why you may feel like you are not making progress in your life.

Reason 1: Your goals are not defined
If you do not know what you are working towards, you won't make relevant progress. It's hard to measure progress without a clear destination in mind. You should be able to compare where you are now to where you were earlier on your journey.

Strategies to consider
  • Define your goals - know what you are working towards
  • Write down your goals - have a place you can always go back to review your goals
  • Commit to your goals - take them seriously

Reason 2: You are not taking action
To make progress, you need to be taking action. The good news is that there is a quick fix for this one - start acting today. We should not be sitting down on the sidelines and expecting to be successful.

Strategies to consider
  • Define what progress looks like to you - identify how you want to take action
  • Create an action plan - make time to do what you want to do
  • Act on your plan - get things done

Reason 3: You are not tracking or measuring your progress
While you are working towards your goals, make it a priority to check the progress you are making and keep track regularly. It is crucial to keep your goals tops of mind.

Strategies to consider
  • Track your progress towards your goals - check how you are tracking towards your goals
  • Review your progress regularly - get into the habit of checking your progress
  • Celebrate your accomplishments - motivate and reward yourself

Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with quotes about making progress
  • "If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress."- Barack Obama
  • "Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." - Benjamin Franklin
  • "You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." - Shirley Chisholm
  • “Small progress is still progress.”- Anonymous
  • “Don’t compare your progress to that of others. We need our own time to travel our own distance.” - Anonymous

Call to Action
  • What areas of your life do you want to make more progress on? Identify the areas you want to focus on
  • What are you going to do differently? Make a change to see different results

Great Resources
  • 6 Golden Rules to Make Progress Towards Achieving Goals
  • Top of Mind: 6 Ways to Make Progress When You’re Not Feeling It
  • How To Make Immediate Progress And Change In Your Life
  • 3 Ways to Make Progress on a Significant Goal -- Today
  • Not Making Progress? Why You Shouldn’t Give Up Just Yet
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