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My Life in the US - Year 6

2/3/2021

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One thing has been true for my time in the US; the time has gone by very quickly. I cannot believe that I have lived here for six years already. When I relocated from Germany in 2015, I had no idea how my life would change in only six years. So much happened in this year that I could not have imagined or planned for. The theme for my sixth year in the US was " even in the midst of chaos, there is hope for beauty to be created."
 
In this blog post, I will reflect on my sixth year in the US. This continues my "Her Relocation" series, where I talk about my experience living in multiple countries over the past 20 years. Check out my previous posts about My Life in the US - Year 1, Year 2&3, Year 4, and Year 5.
 
Hoping for a change in the government
Politics has never impacted my life directly as it has since I moved to the US. In my sixth year, I spent a lot of time hoping for the previous administration's end. Waiting for the results of the election was a very emotional time for me. I could not imagine reliving the past six years. Thankfully, I can relax a little and not worry about what policies will be made that will affect me as an immigrant in the US. Another good side effect is that I have learned so much about the American government over the past years.
 
Surviving a pandemic
In February of 2020, I traveled to Kirkland in Washington state, the epicenter of the virus outbreak. At that time, we had no idea how bad things would be. Initially, we thought things would go back to normal within a few months. Sadly, that was not the case. Seeing how long it is taking to get the virus under control is something that I could never have imagined. The pandemic's most significant impact on my life has been that I have not been able to see family in the UK and Nigeria.
 
Experiencing Racial injustice
The racial injustice uprising in the US over the past year has opened my eyes to many things around race and inequity.  Interestingly, I have never been more aware of my race than I am living here in the US. My black experience has been different because of my bi-cultural background. I realized that in the past, I hardly shared my experience being a black woman in technology. This past year, I was given the opportunity to share my story, and I took it. Being vocal about the good and the bad experiences I have had living in Germany and the US was very liberating.
 
Missing Germany
Especially with everything going on in the US this past year, I have been reminiscing about my life in Germany. While I watched the news and had conversations with my friends who still lived in Germany, I found myself missing the little things that made my years in Germany enjoyable. Do not get me wrong, I know that I am where I need to be. However, there are some little things that I wish can be part of my life here. I have been thinking about beautiful things like shopping in Aldi, visiting the Christmas Market, eating delicious bread, and being able to walk around. I guess there will always be a part of me that longs for some of the things I got to experience in Germany.
 
Having a Baby in a foreign land
When you move to a new country, some experiences impact your life in a major way. For me, having a baby in the US was an incredibly special experience. The norms and practices are quite different from Nigeria or Germany. My biggest fear was that the healthcare system would fail me because I had heard the horror stories from other people who had their babies here. Thankfully, that was not my experience. Everything went smoothly, and we have a healthy baby boy.
 
Enjoying my home
It is strange, but I feel like the past year helped me build more roots in the US. I just realized that I have not traveled to any other country since May 2018. We had a big trip planned to see family in 2020 but that did not happen. Without being able to travel, I found myself deepening my roots where I live today. Realizing that this is where I will be for most of the time helped me feel more settled. I have been having a nice time while I wait to be able to travel again. 
 
Final Thoughts - 10 Lessons I learned
  1. Everything you go through in life serves a purpose - experiences prepare you for the future
  2. You have what it takes to succeed - believe in yourself
  3. Being resilient will help you thrive - stay strong
  4. Staying positive during chaotic times is worth it - in everything see the good
  5. There are many ways to connect with people than in-person - find what works for you
  6. Always learn new things - knowledge is power
  7. Feel at home wherever you are - make yourself comfortable
  8. Focus on what is important to you - it is what matters
  9. Write down your memories - it is fun to look back and see how far you have come
  10. Celebrate the good in your life - there is a lot to be thankful for
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Why are you not achieving your goals?

23/2/2021

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At the beginning of the year, most people think about their goals for the year. However, this year, some people have decided not to set goals or set small ones because they want to avoid being disappointed when they do not accomplish their goals. Lately, I have been reflecting and talking to people about the barriers we face as we work on our goals. When we know what it is standing in the way of us accomplishing our goals, we can address them and be successful.

In this blog post, I will share the top ten reasons why we are not achieving our goals and living the lives we desire. At the end of this year, I want all of us to have accomplished all we planned to.

#1: We don't have a deep reason why we want to accomplish them
When we think about our goals, we should know why we want to accomplish them. Often, we set goals because we either feel that it is what we are expected to achieve or someone else has those goals. If you do not have a deep reason for why certain goals are important to you, it will be hard to work on them. The motivation that you need to accomplish your goals comes from you really wanting to accomplish them.

Questions to consider
  • Are you setting a goal because everyone else has accomplished it or because you really want to accomplish it?
  • How is your goal tied to your purpose in life?

#2: We set goals and do not plan activities to do every day towards accomplishing those goals
At the beginning of the year, we set these huge goals and then at the end of the year we expect to have accomplished them. We will be more successful if we plan activities and make time to work on them. Breaking down your goals into small tasks that you work on every day will help you accomplish your big goals.

Questions to consider
  • What activities are necessary to accomplish your goals?
  • What activities are you going to work on each day to make progress?

#3: We lack a good planning and review process
If you set goals at the beginning of the year and then abandon them, you will most likely not accomplish anything. It is crucial to have a plan for how you will work towards your goals. In addition, as you go through the year you want to make time to review your goals, reflect on the progress you have made and plan your next activities.

Questions to consider
  • How often are you going to review your goals and the progress you are making?
  • What are three things that you will do during your reviews?

#4: We take on too much and do not prioritize
Knowing the number and size of goals you can work on without feeling too overwhelmed and quitting is essential. While it is good to stretch yourself and try new things, there are some limits that you need to be aware of. Check in with yourself when you set goals to avoid doing too much at once. Setting good priorities is a great way to filter your list of goals and make time for the most important ones.

Questions to consider
  • Do you have the time, energy, and resources to work on the goals you set?
  • Are you working on the most important ones first?

#5: We do not celebrate our wins (including the small ones)
Working on goals throughout the year can be an exhausting process. Especially when you are working on big goals, it is particularly important to celebrate your wins. Being intentional about measuring your progress and celebrating your successes will give you the energy you need to accomplish your goals. I keep an accomplishments log that I can go to when I start feeling discouraged. Seeing how far I have come gives me hope for the future and keeps me going.

Questions to consider
  • Do you write down your accomplishments?
  • How will you celebrate your accomplishments this year?

#6: We have not equipped ourselves with the right tools
Thankfully, we live in a time when some great tools and resources can help us work on our goals. Personally, I ensure that I identify the tools that I need to be successful when I set my goals. One of the tools I use the most is my calendar. Now that I know how important seeing progress is for me, I make sure that I use the tools at my disposal.

Questions to consider
  • What tools do you need to accomplish your goals?
  • Do you have the needed tools at your disposal, or do you need to acquire them?

#7: We try to do it all on our own
Especially if you are working on big goals, it can feel isolating. Think about the people in your life who help you thrive. Over the past years, I have come to value my support community a lot. The support of women I trust to give me feedback and celebrate my progress has been pivotal. Surrounding yourself with people you can talk to about your goals and hold you accountable for taking action will help you accomplish more

Questions to consider
  • Who is part of your support network?
  • How will you get support from your community?

#8: We do not set goals for important parts of our lives
As humans, there are many facets and areas of our lives. To achieve balance in life, you need to set goals in all areas of your life where you want to make progress. I started feeling more accomplished when I set goals in all aspects of my life such as family, professional, finances, learning, and others.

Questions to consider
  • Do you set goals in all important aspects of your life?
  • What new area will you set a goal in for the year?

#9: We let setbacks stop us from trying new things
It is hard to continue doing something when you feel like you are repeatedly failing at it. Personally, I believe that when things do not go as planned, there is a message for me. It either teaches me some valuable lessons or is a signal for a change that I need to make. It is crucial to understand exactly what a setback means, pick yourself back up and continue working towards your goals.

Questions to consider
  • What lesson did you learn from the last setback you experienced?
  • How did you get back up and move on?

#10: We set small goals and limit ourselves
If you want to accomplish big things in your life, you need to start setting bold goals. Thinking about those goals might seem scary. However, when you write them down and start taking small steps, you will start to believe that you can accomplish them. I have made more progress on big goals when I commit to taking small actions one step at a time.

Questions to consider
  • What big goals do you want to accomplish in 2021?
  • How will you motivate yourself?

Great Resources
I really enjoy sharing knowledge about setting and accomplishing your goals. Check out some of my other blog posts that provide tips and tricks to help you thrive this year:
  • Do you dare to do something great?
  • How to do a Mid-year Goals Review
  • Manage procrastination and achieve more
  • Build your support community
  • How to start celebrating your accomplishments

Time to reflect
Which two mistakes have you been making with regards to your goals?
What are you committing to do differently this year to set yourself up for success?
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What I am looking forward to in 2021

16/2/2021

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2021 is well underway, and we are already seven weeks into the year. Now is an excellent time to remind ourselves of what we are excited about and looking forward to experiencing. Having a positive outlook and plan will make great things happen in your life.
 
In this blog post, I will share five things that I am looking forward to this year.
 
Starting point: how I came up with my list
As I reflected on 2020 and prepared for 2021, I asked myself what would make me happy this year. At the end of 2021, I want to feel fulfilled and accomplished. Thinking about where I want to be will serve as a guiding light throughout the year. Some of the things that I am excited about include the following.
 
#1: Doing things that I did not do much of in 2020
With how unexpected things were in 2020, I noticed that I stopped doing some things that I love and help me make progress. It was important to me to restart some of those things. On my list so far, I want to do more of the following: listen to podcasts, read books, host mastermind groups, attend events virtually, coach, and connect with other women. I am looking forward to being energized again.
 
#2: Celebrating huge milestones
One of the things that I am looking to do more of in 2021 is celebrating my accomplishments. This year, I have many opportunities to reflect on my journey so far and appreciate how far I have come. In 2021, I will be celebrating two significant milestones. Firstly, 20 years of living abroad in 4 countries, 6 cities and a lot of learnings. Secondly, it will be three years of following my dream to launch my blog and two years of my YouTube channel. I have so much to be thankful for.
 
#3: Embarking on a New Journey
The birth of my son marked the start of a new journey for me. I am looking forward to exploring Motherhood and learning a lot. We all go through some significant life changes, and this is one of those changes for me. Watching my son grow and blossom will definitely bring me joy this year. I plan to enjoy all the moments with my family.
 
#4: Growing things that I built
Building a community of women who support one another has always been my dream. In 2020, with everything going on globally, I had to put many of the plans I had on hold. This year, I am committed to continue what I started and make new connections. I want to find new ways to bring together amazing women and celebrate their greatness. I am looking forward to helping women build the lives they desire.
 
#5: Doing new things that I have been afraid to do
When I set goals, I intend to set big ones. However, I find myself setting "safe goals" that I think I can achieve to avoid disappointment. This year I want to work on big goals that I have been too scared to commit to. I know that a lot of my growth this year will come from stretching myself and exploring things that I have not done before. I will be pushing myself to tell new parts of my story, offer new services in my business, work on new projects, and make bolder financial moves. At the end of the year, I want to say that I accomplished big things.
 
Final Thoughts

We have the opportunity to accomplish great things every new day or year that we are alive. As you go through the year, find those moments that give you hope and enjoy them.
As you accompany me on my journey this year, I would also like to be your companion on yours. Please share your plans and experiences with me.
 
Time for Reflection
  • What are you looking forward to in 2021?
  • What did you stop doing that you plan to restart in 2021?
  • What are you planning to do differently in 2021?
  • What new things are you going to start doing in 2021?
  • How will you celebrate your accomplishments in 2021?
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Reflecting on 2020

9/2/2021

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2020 was a year that we will all remember forever. At the beginning of 2020, I had no idea how the year will be for me personally and could not have imagined the changes in our world. A lot of people talk about wanting to forget everything about last year. Before we file the year away, I would like to take a short moment to reflect and highlight the learnings that I will be leveraging in 2021.

In this blog post, I will be sharing the top five lessons that I learned in 2020.

2020 in summary
Let me start with some things that happened in my life in 2020 - Global Pandemic, pregnancy, becoming a mother, US election, and advancing at work.
If you asked me to summarize 2020 in three phrases, I would say - unexpected experiences, great gifts, and constant change.

Lesson #1: About plans - they are essential even during chaotic times
Having a positive attitude when your plans change is crucial. I always thought that I did not like change. Something that I learned about myself is that I actually like change when I have a plan. Let me explain what I mean by that. If I have a plan and it changes, I can adapt quicker. However, if I do not have a plan, adapting to change amid chaos is extremely difficult. Now that I know that about myself, I adjust my plan and continue making progress when things change in my life. 2020 was filled with plan changes starting from canceling planned time with family, working from home, being pregnant, and living through a pandemic.

Lesson #2: About relationships - value them and make an effort to stay connected
Especially with everything going on last year, the people in my life became even more important. I reconnected with people and made more effort to connect virtually with them. My family and friends helped me thrive and navigate being pregnant and having a baby in a pandemic. 2020 highlighted the importance of my support community. We navigated the uncertainty together, talked about our concerns, and encouraged each other.

Lesson #3: About my mindset and outlook on life - being positive is hard work, but it is worth it
Having a positive outlook on life kept me in a good place mentally over the past year. Being optimistic provides the fuel you need to keep going when you are faced with uncertainty and adversity. As I observed everything going on in the world, I needed to remind myself of how fortunate I was. I focused more on the good things that were happening in my life. This helped me enjoy life despite all the unexpected changes in the world.

Lesson #4: About my inner strength- there is deep resilience that I did not know I had
The hardships that I faced in different phases of my life prepared me for an unexpected year like 2020. I leveraged a lot of what I had learned through those experiences. Being able to pivot and try new things when things do not work out is a skill that I learned, especially when I just moved to Germany. The plans that I had for my life changed a lot, and many things were out of my control. With everything that happened in 2020, I recovered quickly and was strong when I had to do a lot on my own.

Lesson #5: About gratitude- we have a lot to be grateful for
With everything that happened in 2020, I came out feeling very thankful. Amid the chaos in the world, great things happened in my life. I have a baby boy, a loving relationship with my husband, a job where I can continue working at home, I am healthy, and my family is doing well. Sometimes it is really hard to see all the good that is happening around us because the bad things are clouding our sight. I am now very intentional about counting my blessings and celebrating the good in my life.

Final Thoughts
As I wrapped up 2020, I compared what I had planned versus what really happened. Somethings that I planned came true, and others did not. This reflection exercise helped me see the progress that I made and realize what I wanted to focus on in 2021.
  • Personal Life: my family grew
  • Career: I got a promotion that I had been working on for a long time
  • Finances: I did not grow my money or create new revenue streams
  • Business: I did not grow our community of women as I planned
  • Family: we did not get to spend time with our extended family

In my next blog post, I will be sharing what I'm looking forward to in 2021.

Time for reflection
What did you learn in 2020?
What do you want to do differently in 2021?
What are you excited about in 2021?
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MC's Life update - January 2021

2/2/2021

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Hi everyone - I am back :) I am incredibly excited to be writing and sharing with you all again.
 
At the end of September last year, I shared that I was taking a break for a little while. Interestingly, I was not sure how long I would be away for. It has been four months and a lot has happened. This week, I am restarting aspects of my life that were on temporary hold. I am going back to work, posting weekly blog posts, and sharing with our community.
 
In this blog post, I will share highlights of what has been happening in my life over the past four months.
 
Becoming a mother
My life changed in a major way when I gave birth to a baby boy in October. Everything they say about your love multiplying when you have children is absolutely true. Every time I see his face, my heart fills with joy. Being a mother has been an amazing experience for me. One of the reasons my journey has been incredible is that I have a great husband who is the best father to our little boy. I am being very intentional about enjoying each day with my boys and counting my blessings.
 
Surviving and thriving during a pandemic
Being pregnant and having a baby during a global pandemic brought many unexpected experiences. When the pandemic started in early 2020, I was sure that it would be under control by the last quarter of the year. Sadly, that was not the reality. Especially here in the US, we have been going through many waves and spikes. I learned to adapt and accept a new normal. 
 
Celebrating a special birthday
In 2020, our birthday was incredibly special. Yes, I said our - referring to my twin and I. It was special because we were both celebrating the birth of dreams that we have carried in us for years. As we have grown up and gone on to live our individual lives, we have marked and celebrated our milestones mostly separately. But this year, we got to celebrate something significant in both of our lives.
 
Celebrating my sister as her dream came true
My twin sister Melissa-Sue followed her dream and launched her first single - Faithful. Check out the story behind the song. Words cannot describe how proud I am that she is finally sharing her unique gift with the world. I like to think that I am her number one fan.
 
Celebrating the Holidays during the pandemic
Christmas and New Year’s celebration was quite different for us. Over the past years, we had the opportunity to spend some time with family and friends. However, due to travel restrictions and stay at home orders, we could not see people in person. We adjusted and made the best of the situation. We organized great video calls with our family and friends in the US, UK, and Nigeria instead. It allowed us to celebrate the holidays quietly with our newborn. 
 
Final Thoughts
The last months have been very eventful, and I am beyond thankful for everything.  I am back and ready to do great things in 2021. Watch this space for new blogs, videos and follow me on my journey as I do new things that I have been too afraid to do.
In my upcoming posts, I will be sharing more about what I learned in 2020, my goals for 2021 and all the new things that I have been planning.
Thanks for being a companion on my journey so far and the future I am about to embark on.
Cheers to a great year and us accomplishing our big dreams!
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I am taking a break

1/10/2020

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Every year in October, I go through a time of deep reflection on my year and journey so far. The timing coincides with my birthday and the start of a new year in my life. This year I am planning to create more space and take more time off from doing some of the things I do.
 
2020 has been a year filled with learnings and unexpected experiences for a lot of us. With the year that we have had, I decided to take some weeks off from blogging and making videos. The thought of taking a break excites me even though I have been very busy doing things that I love and enjoy. I have been blogging weekly for almost 3 years and releasing videos for a year and a half. Looking back I am really proud of what I am accomplished. I know that to go to the next level, I need some time to do less and reflect.
 
Knowing myself, I know that I still need a plan for the time that I am taking off. On my break I will be spending time doing the following:
  • Getting some rest
  • Rediscovering my passion
  • Getting inspired and expanding my portfolio
  • Sharpening my skills
  • Envisioning my future and planning for 2021
 
Thank you all for being my companions on this journey so far.  I am looking forward to coming back inspired and with new energy for the future.
 
See you all soon!
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Build your Toolkit: Getting to know yourself

29/9/2020

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You are unique, amazing and a great person. The more you know yourself, the easier it is to see how amazing you are. Especially at times when you need motivation, being able to remind yourself of your uniqueness helps give you a positive outlook.
 
In this blog post, we will explore different tools that can help you get to know yourself. Check out previous Her Toolkit posts to help you build your personal and professional development toolkit.
 
Why is it important to get to know yourself?
  • When you know yourself you are more confident and positive
  • Your view of yourself is not formed by what others think about you
  • You get to identify your growth areas and work on them
 
What has been my experience with getting to know myself?
Looking back on my journey, I realized that for the longest time I let other people define who I was. As I went through major transitions, I started to see that I did not really know myself. I did not know what I liked, my strengths or my worth. Spending time discovering myself has helped me find new and exciting things about myself. Getting to know myself and rediscovering myself is the greatest gift that I keep giving myself.
 
What tools can we use?
Sharing some of my previous blog posts where I shared very useful tools that helped me
Know your worth! - ask for what you want and deserve
Know Your Strengths - look at all the things you are good at
Celebrate your accomplishments - appreciate the great moments in your life
Start your Self-discovery journey - spend time getting to know your awesome self
Know what you are afraid of - push past your fears and do great things
 
Great Resources
Check out my videos on Learning Self-Acceptance and How to get the value from self-assessments.
 
Call to Action
What do you love about yourself? Celebrate yourself
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Video: How to Introduce Yourself at Work

26/9/2020

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Build your Toolkit: Learning new Skills

22/9/2020

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To accomplish the big goals that you have in your life, it is crucial to make continuous learning a priority. There is always a new skill that you can learn that will help amplify your success.
 
In this blog post, we will explore different tools that can help us continue learning. Check out previous Her Toolkit posts to help you build your personal and professional development toolkit.
 
Why is it important to continuously learn?
  • You learn more about yourself and your strengths
  • Learning new things provides you access to new opportunities
  • By continuously learning, you are able to keep your skills fresh and relevant
 
What has been my experience with learning?
Often when people ask me what has helped me get to where I am today, I often refer to the fact that I am always learning new things. Every day, I acknowledge that to get to where I want to be, I need to keep learning. To ensure that I have time to learn, I include learning goals in my yearly plans and ensure that I reserve time to learn regularly. Some of the different ways I learn include taking formal courses, learning from others, learning on the job and studying available resources. I now know that I enjoy learning and get excited when I look back on all the new things that I have learned over time.
 
What tools can we use?
Sharing some of my previous blog posts where I shared very useful tools that helped me
  • How to be a life-long Learner: explore ways to continuously learn
  • How to start your self-development journey: discover areas where you need to grow and improve
  • How to develop a Growth Mindset : acknowledging that growing is an important part of life
  • It's all about your Perspective: expanding your outlook on life helps you accomplish more
  • How to do things you are afraid of: practicing what you learn is crucial, even when it is scary
 
Great Resources
Check out my videos on My experience learning to fail and Continuous Learning as a Tool to Build your Career.
 
Call to Action
What new things are you planning to learn over the next months?
How can learning something new change your life?
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Video: How to Overcome Disappointment

19/9/2020

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Build your Toolkit: Building self confidence

15/9/2020

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Being confident brings out the best in us. When you believe in yourself you are optimistic, achieve much more and have a positive influence on the people around you. Building your confidence is a continuous journey and requires being intentional.
 
In this blog post, we will explore different tools that can help us build our confidence. Check out previous Her Toolkit posts to help you build your personal and professional development toolkit.
 
What does self-confidence mean?
  • a feeling or consciousness of one's powers (Merriam Webster)
  • A feeling of self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities. (Oxford Dictionary)
  • the quality of being certain of your abilities (Cambridge)
 
What has been my experience with building my confidence?
I always thought I was confident because of how outspoken I was growing up. As I matured and went through some challenges in life, I began to see areas of my life where I was not as confident as I thought. The first step on my journey to building my confidence was to ask myself why I lacked confidence. Some reasons included things I was told in my childhood, negative experiences I had and the huge fear I had for the unknown. My motivation for making a change was mainly that my lack of confidence was holding me back from achieving my goals. I often felt stuck because I did not believe that I had what it took to face the big challenges in life and succeed. Now looking back, I am incredibly happy that I did not let that hold me back any longer. Getting to know my strengths was one of the most effective techniques that helped me overcome self-doubt and be confident. 
 
What tools can we use?
Sharing some of my previous blog posts where I shared very useful tools that have helped me
Build your self-confidence - leverage techniques that can help you become more confident on your journey
The power of believing in yourself - take the first step to being more confident
How to overcome Self-doubt - remove the barrier that has been holding you back
What to do when you feel Insecure - explore practical tips you can take to face your insecurities
Know your worth! - build your confidence by knowing that you have a lot to offer
 
Great Resources
Check out my videos on Overcoming imposter syndrome and blog post on How I faced my biggest Insecurity
 
Call to Action
How do you build your confidence? Explore new techniques
What makes you feel not confident? Know the things that affect your confidence
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Video: How to make the most of your Time

12/9/2020

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Build your Toolkit: Telling your Story

8/9/2020

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Sharing your story is a very empowering thing to do. We all have our unique journeys and special stories to tell. When we tell our stories it helps us and the people around us.
 
In this blog post, we will explore different tools that can help us tell our amazing stories. Check out previous Her Toolkit posts to help you build your personal and professional development toolkit.
 
Why is it important to tell your story?
  • Telling your story helps you make sense of your life — why certain events happened the way they did. You begin to examine what has happened to and through you.
  • Each of us is a constantly unfolding narrative, a hero in a novel no one else can write.
  • We need to know and express our own stories. Telling our stories is not an end in itself, but an attempt to release ourselves from them, to evolve and grow beyond them.
 
What has been my experience with telling my story?
Writing about my personal and professional journey has been a great part of my life over the past 3 years through my blog. For the longest time, I thought there was nothing special about my story. However, the moment I started sharing, I began to see how my journey was unique. Today I freely share my story because it helps me connect with people, reflect on how far I have come and encourage others to tell their  own stories.
 
What tools can we use?
Sharing some of my previous blog posts where I shared very useful tools that helped me
  • Self reflection - make time to reflect on your thoughts and life experiences
  • Get to know yourself - the more you know yourself the easier it is to tell your story
  • Tell your professional story - share your career journey and milestones
  • Celebrate your Journey - enjoy the moments and experiences that got you this far
  • Promote yourself - share your successes and expertise
 
Great Resources
Check out my videos on My Experience Learning To Fail and How to Be Vulnerable for practical tips on self reflection and telling your story.
 
Call to Action
What part of your story would you like to share with people around you? Start telling your story.
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Video: How I Create My Weekend & Holiday To-do List

5/9/2020

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Build your Toolkit: Achieving Financial Wellbeing

1/9/2020

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Our personal finances are a very crucial part of our lives. On our journeys, we make a lot of financial decisions that can affect our lives in a positive or negative way. I strongly believe that we have the power to take charge of our finances and have positive experiences with money.
 
In this blog post, we will explore different tools that can help us build strong financial foundations. Check out previous Her Toolkit posts to help you build your personal and professional development toolkit.
 
What does Financial wellbeing mean?
  • Financial wellbeing is about a sense of security and feeling as though you have enough money to meet your needs.
  • Financial well-being means how much your financial situation and money choices provide you with security and freedom of choice.
  • Financial well-being defined as “a state of being wherein you: have control over day-to-day, month-to-month finances; have the capacity to absorb a financial shock; are on track to meet your financial goals; and have the financial freedom to make the choices that allow you to enjoy life.”
 
What has been my experience with Financial health and wellbeing?
My experience with money has been filled with many tests and lessons learned. A lot of the lessons that I had to learn about finances, I did on my own. Growing up. conversations about money and building wealth, were not a normal occurrence. As I have progressed on my journey, making smart decisions has helped me gain financial independence and live the life I want. One of the greatest lessons that I have learned is that we need to continue learning about ways to achieve and maintain our financial health. The ways I continue my financial education is by talking to other people, reading articles and trying new techniques for growing my money.
 
What tools can we use?
Sharing some of my previous blog posts where I shared very useful tools that helped me
  • Create your financial plan - having a plan will help you gain sight of where you are today and how to achieve your financial goals
  • Grow your Savings - building a solid financial foundation starts with having healthy savings
  • Make wise money decisions - making smart financial choices will define how successful we are
  • Build your financial vision board - visualizing your financial goals and dreams helps give you a clear view
  • 10 things to do for your financial wellness - taking action is a crucial step to secure your finances
 
Great Resources
Check out my videos on How to take charge of your Finances and My Story |Taking Charge of my Finances for practical tips on achieving financial independence.
 
Call to Action
What are you going to do this month to take charge of your finances? Commit to taking action.
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Build your Toolkit: Developing the Career You Want

25/8/2020

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As you plan for the next phase of your Career, it is important to equip yourself with great tools. I will be sharing some tools that have helped me grow professionally, motivated me to try new strategies and make bold Career moves.
 
In this blog post, we will explore different tools that can support you on your career journey. Check out previous Her Toolkit posts to help you build your personal and professional development toolkit.
 
What does Career Development mean?
  • Career development is the series of activities or the on-going/lifelong process of developing one’s career. It involves training in new skills, moving to higher job responsibilities, making a career change within the same organization, moving to a different organization or starting one’s own business. (Source: Career Development)
  • The process of learning and improving your skills so that you can do your job better and progress to better positions. (Source: Cambridge Business English Dictionary)
  • Career development is the ongoing acquisition or refinement of skills and knowledge, including job mastery and professional development, coupled with career planning activities. (Source: Berkeley Human resources - Concepts & Definitions )
 
What has been my experience with Career development?
On my Career journey so far, I have learned the value of taking an active approach to developing my career and learning from my experiences. Some people have a clear vision of what their careers will look like very early. On my career journey, my path got clearer the more I learned about myself and explored different things. Being intentional and investing in my Career development has helped me gain knowledge that opened new doors in the work I do. To ensure that career development is a priority, I include my professional learning goals in my yearly plan.
 
What tools can we use?
Sharing some of my previous blog posts where I shared very useful tools that have helped me
  • Own your career development - you are responsible for growing and developing your Career. It is time to take ownership
  • Building your Professional Brand - you need to invest in your professional reputation to take your career to the next level
  • Find professional Sponsors - cultivate relationships with people who can provide you with career opportunities and exposure
  • Find your Mentors - connect with people who can provide guidance and be companions on your career development journey
  • Leverage Continuous Learning as a Tool to Build your Career - there is so much you can learn on your journey
 
Great Resources
Check out my videos on My career journey and Unconventional career advice to discover practical career development tips.
 
Call to Action
What is the most unconventional Career advice that you would like to share?
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Video: Unconventional Career Advice I Wish I Heard

22/8/2020

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Build your Toolkit: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

18/8/2020

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As we embark on the next moths, I will be sharing some principles and tools that have helped me thrive. Building a toolkit is one of the principles that has helped me. Equipping myself with tools that will help simplify my life, continuously improve, learn new skills, grow personally, and provide new perspective has been a lot of fun. Especially at times when we feel like there is a lot that we cannot do, I want to encourage you to take charge and do what you can.
 
This post kicks off the Her Toolkit series. In this blog post, we will explore the definition of Imposter Syndrome and learn practical tools to overcome it. 
 
What is Imposter Syndrome?
  • Imposter syndrome can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. (Source: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome)
  • is commonly understood as a false and sometimes crippling belief that one's successes are the product of luck or fraud rather than skill (Source: Merriam Webster)
  • is a pervasive feeling of self-doubt, insecurity, or fraudulence despite often overwhelming evidence to the contrary. ( Source: Scientific American)
  • a feeling of "phoniness in people who believe they are not intelligent, capable or creative despite evidence of high achievement." (Source: Pauline R. Clance)
 
What has been my experience with Imposter Syndrome?
There are feelings in life that come up in different situations and phases. For me, the feeling that I may not deserve to be where I am or that I am not as smart as everyone around me is one that comes up sometimes. Although I know that I deserve to be here and that I have worked extremely hard to get this far, this is still an ongoing challenge for me. Some of the situations when the feelings come up include when I experience huge success, make a major transition in my life or achieve something I have been working on for long.
 
What tools can we use?
Sharing some of my previous blog posts where I shared extremely useful tools that helped me overcome Imposter Syndrome.
  • Accomplishments log: Track what you have accomplished. Documenting what you have achieved gives you something to go back to when you start questioning yourself.
  • Finding your Voice: Speak up for yourself and others around you. The more you push yourself to share your story the more you get comfortable with it.
  • Know your worth: Remind yourself of what you are worth a lot and deserve the best. 
 
Great Resources
Check out my blog post on Six Tips to Overcome Imposter syndrome and video titled "How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome".
 
Call To Action
Do you feel like you do not deserve to be where you are today? Tell yourself that you do and remember all the work that you have put in.
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Video: Be Vulnerable and achieve more

15/8/2020

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Celebrating 19 years of living abroad

11/8/2020

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On August 9th 2001, I boarded a flight with destination Frankfurt Germany to start a new life. At that time, I could never have imagined that I would be where I am today. It's been 19 years of many experiences - some good, bad and ugly. Living in Germany for 14 years and now in the US for 5 years, I have experienced and learned many life-changing lessons.
 
In this blog post, I will answer five of the most common questions that people ask about my relocation journey. Check out my other "Her Relocation" posts for more of my story.
 
Were you scared to move to Germany so young?
I moved to Germany when I was 15 years old. Interestingly, I felt very prepared for the Journey ahead. Although I could never have imagined what life would bring, I was very hopeful and confident that I could face anything. Looking back, my attitude was one reason I was able to survive in the early part of my journey . This set the tone for how I approached challenges throughout my journey. 
 
What were some of the challenges you faced?
In my first year in Germany, the loneliness from being away from my family was something I was not prepared for. My first Christmas, which was also my first winter was one of the saddest ever. I had been very used to celebrating the holidays with my family in  Nigeria. The next set of challenges that I faced living in Germany was feeling that I did not belong. It took me about seven years to start feeling at home. And then another three years until I confidently felt that Germany was my home.
After 14 years in Germany, I was thriving and then I decided to make a huge jump by moving to the US. I left my sister, niece and close friends behind. It is still hard sometimes to be far away from them. 
 
What lessons have you learned so far on your Journey?
I have learned many valuable lessons from my experiences on my journey. My top three lessons are the following:
  • Change is good and necessary to make progress in life: the most significant successes that I have experienced have come from the big transitions in my life.
  • Having empathy for people is crucial: Through my own experiences being a minority in Germany and the US, I learned to care more about people who are underrepresented.
  • The sum of my experiences have made me who I am today: I have learned that every good and bad thing that I went through was necessary to get me to the life I have now.
 
What has been your favorite part of living abroad?
There have been many highlights on my journey so far. Some of which include the following:
  • Meeting great people: I have met and built amazing relationships with people from different countries and backgrounds. This has expanded my perspective and helped me value diverse perspectives.
  • Having exciting times and experiences: for some reason the Football World cup games were one of the most exciting times I had. Seeing people from different parts of the world coming together and celebrate was very beautiful.
  • Sharing my story: Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to share my experiences with others. Learning that my story is unique has empowered me and helped me see what I have accomplished in the 19 years.
 
Would you move to another country?
My answer is simple - absolutely. When the right time comes to move to a new country, I will embrace it fully. The great thing is that this time, I will be moving with my family. I am very grateful for all that I have learned on my journey so far. Moving to new countries has expanded my perspective on life.
 
Final Thoughts
The past 19 years have been a very formative phase of my life and I would not trade any of my experiences for anything. Sharing my story will definitely be a part of my journey. Watch this space for more on my journey. I am very excited for my future. 
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    Marie-Christin Anthony
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