Let's start by celebrating all the things we juggle as women. We have a lot on our platter with work, business, family and life in general. It is normal to feel overwhelmed by everything we have to do daily. Also, it is sometimes hard to see what we achieved at the end of the day.

In my post, I will share five simple techniques that help me prioritize and achieve my goals. As a project manager, I am constantly required to prioritize tasks for myself, my clients and my team. Applying some project management principles to my private task prioritization has helped me master my task list.

What are the benefits of setting priorities?

• You find time to work on what is important to you
• You meet important deadlines or dates
• You feel less overwhelmed or stressed

How to make things that matter to you happen

#1: Identify your tasks
Start by making a list of all you do and need to do daily. Write them down on a piece of paper or a digital notepad. For me, I have noticed that every time I start feeling overwhelmed, there is a task that I have not planned that is currently taking over my time and resources. The act of writing or updating my task list helps me remember what I really want to be working on.
Tip: Use tools to track your task list. I use google keep for my task list as I can always update from all my devices.

#2: Prioritize your task lists
My favorite dictionary definition of setting priorities is "to decide which things are most important to do." To achieve your big goals, it is key to identify what tasks are very important and must be worked on before other tasks.
Setting priorities helps you focus and get things done. The questions below can assist you in defining your priorities daily:

• How does this task help me get closer to my goal?
• Which of these tasks need to be done today?
• Will there be a negative impact if I don't do them today?

Tip: Set priorities and assign time to the top items on the list.

#3: Schedule your prioritized tasks
This quote by Stephen Covey summarizes a key principle "the key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."
Scheduling your tasks increases the success rate of closing them. While you plan your tasks consider the following:

• Your tasks need a due date by which they need to be completed.
• Set time aside to take care of your tasks. Knowing you have a time set aside to take care of your top priority tasks will make you calm. It could be as simple as adding tasks to your calendar.

Tip: Remember to schedule fun tasks. You should have fun as well!

#4: Have a family meeting or talk to your friends
This one might be shocking, to be successful you need the people around you to be on the same page as you. People that care about you will support you and help you complete your tasks. Especially if you have to work on tasks with your spouse, friends or partners, it is essential to ensure that they are aware of your priorities and when you plan to complete a task. Make it a practice to keep your support group updated.
Tip: Create a family calendar or share dates with key people in your life.

#5: Adjust your priorities and track your progress
As things change and your priorities shift, remember to update your list continuously. Your ability to adapt to life's changes is crucial for success. When you set priorities, you work with the assumptions you have at that particular time. As new things happen, be open to change your priorities.
To check if the priorities you set are the right ones, track the progress you are making and the rewards you are seeing. This process also lets you know if you set the right priorities and are taking the right action.
Tip: Check your top 5 priorities regularly, at least monthly.

Call to Action
What are your top 5 priorities at the moment? Write them down.

Final Thoughts

• Know what is important to you - have clear priorities.
• At times when many things compete for your attention and resources - make sure you dedicate time to your top priorities.
• Stay focused on your priorities and reap the rewards.

Great Resources

• How to Focus on What’s Important, Not Just What’s Urgent
• David Allen's Five simple steps that apply order to chaos
• 8 Reasons You’re Exhausted, Overwhelmed, and Unproductive
• How to Find the Time for That Important Project
• Taming the Epic To-Do List

Creating vision boards is a topic that is widely discussed at the beginning of a year. Personally, I have not created a vision board with pictures before. The main reason is that I am more of a structured person and the "arts and craft" nature of vision boards is less organized than I like things to be. However, a few months ago when I started thinking about some financial goals that I want to achieve over the next years, I felt a vision board would be a great way to visualize them.
 
In this blog post, I will share the benefits of visualizing your goals and some of the questions I asked myself while I created my financial vision board. This post continues the Her Finances series where I write about being financially independent, financial planning, adopting healthy financial habits and taking charge of your finances.
 
What are the benefits of creating a financial vision board?

• You can continuously see what you are working on and stay focused
  
• The process of thinking through where you want to be financially, helps you prepare mentally for the journey
• Writing your goals down makes it easier to share with people close to you
  
• You commit and hold yourself accountable every time you see the goals
  
• You increase the probability of achieving your goals by visualizing them
  

 
Create your own Financial vision board
Let me start by saying that it is important to choose the type of visualization that works best for you. Personally, I find text the best way to visualize my goals.
Here are five questions to ask yourself while you create your vision board:
 
#1: What are some big financial goals you want to achieve?
The main task here is creating an overview of the different areas of your finances that you want to work towards. Some of the things that come to mind are: create an emergency fund, grow savings,  be debt free, create additional sources of income, invest in property, save for your children or grow long term investments.
 
#2: What is the timeline you want to work towards?
Typically a vision board is created for a year. However, being that some of your big financial goals take more than a year to achieve, it is essential to outline a realistic timeline. The objective is to commit to a date by which you want to achieve your goals. Each goal can have a different due date. I encourage you not to overthink the timeline, write what you think and adjust as you know more.
 
#3: What are some of the things you want to start doing or do differently?
Now that you know what you are working on determine which new financial habits you want to adapt to achieve your goals. For some inspiration, check out my previous blog post Good Money habits for 2019.  I like the saying "Don't keep doing the same thing and expecting different results."
 
#4: What kind of support do you need?
Especially if you are working on big goals, it is essential to look for external support. This serves the purpose of providing the financial knowledge that you don't have as well as gaining support through the process. Your support can be in the form of a financial experts, trusted friends, trainings, books or podcasts.
 
#5: How are you going to track your progress?
Think about the small steps you will take and how you will measure the progress you are making towards achieving your goals. It is important to celebrate your accomplishments, and the only way you'll know what you have achieved is if you continuously track your progress.
 
Final Thoughts

• Being financially independent and achieving your financial goals is possible if you set your goals and put in the work.
• Invest time in working towards your financial health. See my post on 10 things to do for your financial wellness in 2019
• Set big financial goals - you can achieve them!
  

 
Call to Action
What financial goals do you want to work on? Define your goals
When do you want to achieve them? Determine your timeline
 
Great Resources

• How to Create Your Very Own Financial Vision Board
• Create a Financial Vision Board to “See” and Realize Your Money Goals
• The Financial Journeyman
• My Financial Comeback: Financial Vision Board
• Vision Boards for Financial Freedom
• How to Stay Motivated on Your Financial Journey With a Visual Board

Social media has become a central aspect of our lives. Often it is the first thing we check in the morning, multiple times during the day and last thing we check at night. Going through a social media cleanse especially during this time of the year seems like a vogue thing to do. Imagine if we learned to manage our social media use and were more intentional about whom we let influence us.
 
In this blog post, I will share some facts about the time we spend on social media and the effects it has on our lives. So you don't feel judged, I will get personal with my journey and the tools I used to have a more healthy relationship with social media. The motivation for this post came from a conversation I had with one of the great women in my community.
 
How much time do you spend on social media?
Let's start with some statistics on how much time we spend on social media:
Mediakix calculated average time spent per day on YouTube (40 minutes), Facebook (35), Snapchat (25), Instagram (15) and Twitter (one) and projected those figures out over a lifetime, arriving at a total of five years and four months.
The data shows that we are investing about 2 hours every day in something that does not yield any returns. This valuable time could be spent elsewhere, for example sleeping more or learning something new.
 
Do you identify with any of the following?

• One of the first things you do when you wake up is to check Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to see what you missed.
• Your heroes or role models are Instagram models or social media influencers.
• Your "friends" are mostly online, and you hardly spend time with a real friend.
• You compare yourself and your life to people on social media.
• You get all your inspiration and goals from watching what other people do.

If you identified with any of the points above, this post is really for you.
 
Why should you manage your social media "use"?
Some of the tangible benefits that you can enjoy when you manage your time spent on social media include the following:

• Be more productive and use your limited resource of time wisely.
• Reduce the pressure you feel when you compare your real life to others snapshot in time.
• Stop being more critical of other people's lives and situations.
• Be a positive role model for the next generation.

 
MC's Story
Being that I was very far away from my family and friends, social media felt like the only way I could keep in touch with everyone and not feel too isolated in Germany. In the early 2000s, the social networks I used were Yahoo/MSN/ AOL messenger, Hi-five, MySpace and then Facebook came along.
I was an early adopter of all communication channels as I wanted to stay connected to my people. For about five years, my use of social media platforms was normal. However, with the introduction of smartphones my usage spiked and social media was taking over every free minute I had. As many of you know, I left Facebook for about seven years. I needed to take a break from Social media and learn how to make connections in different ways.
Let me start by saying - I came back on Social media in 2017, because I am ready and mature. I want to share the reasons I had to make a change and lessons I learned about using social media wisely.
 
Problem #1: I was comparing myself to others
Coming to this realization was shocking to me because I never thought I was that person. Growing up with my twin I learned to accept that although we were born on the same day, we were very different individuals on different journeys. However, when it came to seeing my Facebook friends progress, I felt very different. Everyone seemed to be graduating from university, getting married, having babies before me. I felt as if I wasn't making enough progress in my life and became very impatient.
Tool #1: Stop Comparing your life to others
Well, I grew older and more confident in my journey. I learned to appreciate and celebrate my achievements and where I am in life now. My journey is different, and it's great. I don't compare myself to what people chose to clean up and post on social media.
 
Problem #2: I wasn't sure what I wanted to share and what not
Especially in hard times, I felt the need to share my heart on Facebook mainly for other people’s reactions and comments. My approach was to complain and look for sympathy rather than have a more productive conversation sharing my learnings and experiences.
Tool #2: Share your deepest thoughts with people around you.
Social media should not be the first place you run to with your issues or thoughts. Facebook friends are virtual and far :). Confide in your support community and share your experiences.
 
Problem #3: I neglected making personal connections and relied only on virtual connections
Being that most of my social media friends were in many other countries, social media was the only way for us to connect. We kept our relationship very superficial and hardly discussed deep concerns or experiences
Tool #3: Invest more time in your personal relationships.
When I started making more local friends, I felt much better. Real friends whom you share your real life with are worth more.
 
Problem #4: I was spending too much time on Facebook.
Facebook became a distraction for me. I checked my feed when I woke up and multiple times during the day. It didn't stop there; I also shared updates, made comments and interacted with other people's posts for extended minutes. Working a full-time job and studying for my Master's degree, I had to use my time wisely and be more productive.
Tool #4: Remove social media apps from your phone and switch off notifications.
I want to be able to go on social when I feel like and spend the right amount of time. Being conscious of how much time I spend on social media is a priority for me.
 
Problem #5: I didn't feel joy from Facebook
It took me a while to realize that I felt negative emotions when I spent time on Facebook. I hardly came away feeling empowered. Although I felt down, I still went back.
Tool #5: Be aware of the emotional effects social media has on you.
Guarding your mental health is essential. These days when I check Facebook, I'm happy to reconnect with people, share what I want but it doesn't define the way I feel about my life. Be intentional about whom you follow and the groups you subscribe to. As you watch the people, you surround yourself with in real life also be careful about whom you surround yourself with online.
 
Final Thoughts

• Being on social media is not necessarily a bad thing; it is how we chose to let social media affect our lives that is the issue.
• The concept of healthy social media usage should be one we all prioritize. Ensure you feel well-balanced in this area as well.
• Take charge of your social media and change your habits to see different results. Take breaks if you need to.

 
Call to Action
Explore your relationship with Social media

• How much time do you spend on social media? - Analyze the time you are spending.
• How do you feel when you are on social media? - Discover the effects on your mental health.
• How are you planning to change how you use social media? - Do something different to get better results.

 
Great Resources

• Manage social media wisely
• Managing Your Social Network Addiction
• Cutting down social media use may also reduce depression and loneliness
• Five Steps To Break Your Social Media Addiction
• 4 Ways To Avoid Social Media Overload (Without Quitting Completely)
• How Much Time Will the Average Person Spend on Social Media During Their Life? (Infographic)

 

As a practice, I like to talk about achieving your goals when all the other articles and conversations are over. It is already March, and some of us may be starting to doubt that we can achieve the goals we set for this year. Let's start with the good news - we still have nine months to make things happen.   
In this blog post, we will reflect on where we are with the help of some questions, plan steps to achieve our goals this year and I'll wrap up with a summarized reflection on my journey so far.   
 
Status Quo – Reflecting on where you are now.  
Let's start with a quick review of the progress you have made so far with the help of some reflective questions.   

#1: Do you have a plan for this year?   
"Stop setting goals. Goals are pure fantasy unless you have a specific plan to achieve them." Stephen Covey   
This quote sums it up perfectly. With a plan of action, you know the necessary steps to take to achieve your goals. Understanding the steps, you plan to take is crucial.   
 
#2: Did you take action?  
"Achieving our goals takes more than good intentions. You have to take action and then systematically measure your progress." - Michael Hyatt  
Having a plan is a great start. Taking a step and making progress on the planned activities is what gets you results.  
  
#3: Were your goals too "crazy"?   
There is a thin line between setting aspirational goals and crazy goals that you can't achieve no matter how hard you work. Setting aspirational goals is important to get you out of your comfort zone.   
 
#4: Did you set goals you really care about?  
In talking to women around me, I noticed a trend of setting goals because other people are working on them. The pressure to set similar goals is real. Reflect on your goals and get clarity on why you chose to work on them.  
 
#5: Did you surround yourself with people who were working towards their goals?   
Being around people who are focused on and achieving their goals increases your success rate. Look around you and evaluate if you have some great "achievers" in your support network.   
  
#6: Did you equip yourself with the necessary tools?  
Especially if you are working on new goals, it is important to find tools that will help you achieve your goals. Some examples of tools include trainings, books, webinars and any additional resources that provide you with knowledge.   
  
#7: Are you setting goals in all important aspects of your life?  
To achieve balance, it is crucial to set goals in all parts of your personal and professional life. Setting goals in the following areas have made me more successful - self-care, finances, career, personal growth as well as my business.   
  
Action Plan for the next months – What can you do differently to achieve your goals?   
We have nine more months to make this year really count. Explore five simple tips you can apply.   
Tip 1: Write down your goals  
Being able to read your goals often is essential to achieving your goals. Writing your goals down makes them real. If you don't write your goals down, please start now.   
 
Tip 2: Create a plan  
Documenting the concrete steps you plan to take to achieve your goals, helps bring clarity into what it would take to meet them. Having a plan provides you with a way to measure and track your progress.   
 
Tip 3: Start a routine  
To achieve your big goals, you need to be committed and consistent. In my experience when I dedicate time to work on my goals, things get done. Make it a habit to invest time and resources in things that matter to you.   
 
Tip 4: Share your goals  
Talking about your goals with your trusted friends is a great thing to do. Having accountability partners is a proven way to stay on track while you work to achieve your goals.  
  
Tip 5: Track and celebrate your wins  
Make it a priority to celebrate your small and significant accomplishments along the way. Especially if you are working on a big goal, it helps to appreciate the progress that you are making.   
  
MC's story  
I want to take time to review the first three months of my year.  
Personal Growth  
A strong focus for me this year is taking bold steps. The journey so far has been gratifying. Being brave is not easy, but it has provided me with opportunities that I would not have had if I did not take a leap.   
An area where I want to do better over the next months is to prioritize self-care more. With all that I plan to achieve this year, I need to be fully healthy.   
 
Professional Development  
Finding my place in a new large company has been my focus for the first three months of the year. There have been a lot of learnings gathered from experiences and conversation over the last months. Not all my experiences have been positive, but they have all taught me a valuable lesson.  
I want to learn more about navigating my new company and achieving my career growth goals.   
 
Financial Independence  
Growing my finances is an area that I continue to take very seriously. I have been meeting my savings and investment goals.   
Over the next months, I am planning to make a substantial financial investment that will teach me other skills about money. For someone like me that enjoys having a safety net, this is going to be a learning experience.  
 
My Business  
2019 has been a good year so far for me business-wise. I have been focusing on building on the foundation that I built last year and also expanding in new areas. Some of the ventures I developed this year includes getting more life coaching clients, starting my YouTube channel and growing our Mastermind groups.   
My focus for 2019 is to grow my income streams more and have a profitable business. This is definitely a bold goal that I'm working towards.   
  
Final Thoughts  

• Your goals belong to you, find ways that work best for you to achieve them.   
• Find and seize the opportunities that are aligned with your goals.   
• Work towards the things that matter in your life and help you make progress.  

  
Call to action   
What goals are you planning to work on over the next three months? Identify your short-term goals.   
What are you planning to do differently to be more successful? Increase your success rates by making a small change  
 
Great Resources  

• 5 Proven Ways to Set Goals and Achieve Them 
• Goal-Setting Is Linked to Higher Achievement 
• The Power of Writing Down Your Goals and Dreams 
• How To Set Goals (And Why You Should Write Them Down) 
• Golden Rules of Goal Setting 
• 3 Expert-Backed Tips for Achieving Your Biggest Goals 
• How to Achieve Goals and Increase Your Chance of Success 

How often do you make time to reflect on your career?  
 
Navigating our careers and being successful requires action on our part. Reflecting is an easy way for you to gather some insights on what you want to start, continue or stop doing to get to the next career level. 
 
In this post we will reflect on your career so far, start planning for the future and discover a tool to help you build the career you want. This is one of the posts where you would have to take notes to get the most value.  
 
Why is it important to reflect on your career? 
The benefits of making time for reflection include: 

1. Helps you get clarity of what you want and what you don't want. 
2. Helps you be more aware of your professional strengths and weaknesses. 
3. Reminds you of your achievements. 
4. Gives you the opportunity to identify lessons learned on your journey. 
5. Equips you with tools to boost your career. 

Reflection Questions 
What aspects of your career have you found most rewarding and why? 
Think about your fondest work memories. Reflect on what made those experiences so special and great. Reflect on the work assignments that brought you joy. 
 
What keeps you excited about your field of work? 
Reminding yourself of the reason you decided to take the career path you are on, is something you should do more often. It is easy to forget the passion you once had. 
 
What are your career-related fears? 
Reflecting on what has been holding you back from making those bold career moves is very important. Especially if you would like to see different results and achieve your career goals, knowing your fears allows you to address them.  
 
How do you prioritize your career growth/development? 
The concept of owning your career development is one that I talk about frequently. Making a conscious effort and investing in your career development should be a priority for you. Discover more practical tips in my previous blog post "Own your career development".  
 
Who influenced you in your career? 
Surrounding yourself with great peers, mentors and sponsors is essential to build a great career. Think back on the people that have played a small or large role in your career. 
 
What's the best career advice you ever received and how has it changed your career outlook? 
Think back on some of the great things you heard along the way that helped in your career. It could come from people, books, trainings or other sources. Write it down and share with others. 
 
What are your greatest professional goals or objectives? 
Knowing what you want to achieve in your career will play a huge role in your satisfaction and help you plan for the career future you want. Having a career plan will help you on your journey. 
 
Tools in your Toolkit - Create your Career Journal 
To make it easier to reflect on your career moving forward, start writing things down as you go.  A few years ago I started writing things down mainly in preparation for conversations with my managers to ensure I did not miss any important details about my work. Recently, I made a slight change and started my weekly career journal. It may sound like as big task, but it is not. I dedicate about an hour every Thursday evening or Friday morning to document what I worked on, my highlights and lowlights from the week. This consistent practice helps me reflect on the week, celebrate my achievements, identify things I want to change and plan for the next week. 
 
MC's Story 
I recently transitioned to a new job. At the start of my job search, it was important to me that I had better experiences than in my previous job. At this stage I had a mixed portfolio of achievements and failures. I had learned lessons on what I wanted to do more of and what I did not want to do. 
Reflecting on my career provided clarity in the following ways: 

• Knowing when it was time to leave my company: In the 8 years of working there, I had many phases when I wanted to quit. However this time was different and I started preparing myself. 
• Searching for new positions: while I read through many job postings I was able to filter out jobs I really wanted and others I would have settled for. 
• Interviewing for great positions: I interviewed at four companies and spoke to almost 20 people. Reflecting on my career helped me speak about my achievements clearly, highlight my strengths and ask for what was important to me. 
• Starting a new job: being very aware of my career goals and aspirations helped me strive for more and not settle. I prioritized finding ways to navigate my new company because I knew what I wanted. 

 
Call to Action 
What are the three biggest lessons you have learned in your career so far? Learn from your past experiences. 
What are you working towards this year? Identify your career goals and plan action. 
 
Final Thoughts 

• To build the career you want, make time to reflect and plan. 
• Implement the lessons you have learned and prioritize growth. 
• Don't neglect a huge part of your life. Your career is important. 

 
Great Resources 

• Want to Keep Moving Forward? You Better Know the Answers to These Key Questions 
• These Simple Self Reflection Exercises Will Repower Your Career 
• The 15-Minute-a-Day Habit That Can Boost Your Career 
• Want to Get Better at Your Job? Build in Time to Reflect 
• Five Career Reflections To End This Year Strong And Get A Running Start On Next Year 
• You better reflect on your career: a starter’s guide 
• Career Coach: Looking back to look ahead in your career ​

"Insecurity is just something that's there all the time. I've never been crippled by it." Catherine Keener

Do you feel insecure or you're not good enough?

As women we have a lot we are insecure about such as our body image, knowledge, identity, experiences or our relationships. In order for our insecurity not to get in the way of our progress we need to take active steps to deal with it.

In this blog post, we will explore the definition of being insecure, how it affects our lives, the importance of dealing with our insecurities as well as practical strategies you can apply the next time you feel insecure. I will also share a little about my journey with insecurity.

What does it mean to be insecure?

• Insecure people have little confidence and are uncertain about their own abilities or if other people really like them: (Source: Cambridge Dictionary)
• Someone who extremely lacks self-confidence. She won't know her worth. They would dislike their physical appearance & constantly compare themselves to their peers. Never feeling good enough, feeling sorry for themselves. (Source: Urban Dictionary)

Why is it important to face our insecurities ?

• For our personal growth
• To set an example for the young girls and ladies around us
• To equip ourselves for the future

How does being insecure affect you?

• Affects the way you see yourself
• Stops you from taking bold steps
• Limits your perspective on the big things you can do

What should you work towards?
The positive feelings are: secure, confident, assured, certain, decisive, stable, unafraid or untroubled.

5 Strategies to deal with your insecurity
#1: Accept your insecurities
Feeling insecure in any aspect of your life is normal. Being aware of your insecurities provides you with the opportunity to address them heads on. Spend time getting to know yourself more and equip yourself with the tool you need.

#2: Celebrate your achievements
Think back on those times when you overcame your insecurities and took a bold step. Celebrate them and acknowledge how hard you worked to make it happen. And then when you start doubting yourself or feeling insecure, take a look at what you've achieved.

#3: Commit to a plan
Setting a deadline and committing to a plan is a great way to hold yourself accountable to overcome your insecurities. The act of committing to do something puts you in a mindset of taking action.

#4:Do something you are afraid of
Take a step and do something you don't feel fully prepared for. The best strategy to face your insecurity is to take action. Sometimes it takes a while for you to start feeling confident. Continue taking steps towards achieving your goals.

#5: Share your story
Often, when we share our insecurities with others and listen to theirs as well, we feel empowered. Knowing that you are not alone with some of the challenges you face makes it feel better. Empower others and be empowered by others.

MC's Story
I also have my own share of insecurities. Recently I had to practice what I preach and face my insecurities. For about a year, I had been thinking about creating other avenues to share content and expand my community. Creating a YouTube channel was the next logical move, but I was too afraid to do it. I had never recorded or edited videos ever before. I was also very insecure about how I would look and sound on camera. There were many insecurities that I had to overcome before I took the first step.
The strategy that helped me was "Commit to a plan". Once I set a date to launch in March 2019, I had a date to work towards. For me keeping my commitment was more important than all the insecurities that held me back.
I did it !!! I launched my YouTube Channel this month.

Call To Action
What areas are you insecure? What strategies are you planning to apply? Identify your insecurities.

Final Thoughts

• Feeling insecure does not mean you are weak - it is an indication of a personal preference you need to work on.
• It is possible to face your insecurities and win in whatever you are working towards.
• Build your self-esteem and confidence.

Great Resources

• The Confidence Gap
• 5 Things to Do When You Feel Insecure
• 7 Ways To Let Go Of Insecurity In Your Relationship
• 11 Things To Tell Yourself When You're Feeling Insecure
• To Overcome Your Insecurity, Recognize Where It Really Comes From
• Feel Like You Aren't Good Enough? Here's The Fastest Way To Overcome Any Insecurity

Celebrating you and all the great women around you!

To the mothers and caretakers
Thanks for investing in the next generation. Your selfless sacrifices will bear great fruit.
 
To the career women
You are thriving in a man's world - Go girl!
 
To boss ladies
Taking a plunge and start your own business or side hustle is huge. Your boldness and tenacity are impressive.
 
To those who have gone through divorce and heartbreak
Your strength and ability to continue your life after unexpected turns is exceptionally encouraging. When you feel lonely on your journey, reach out to your ladies and family who have your back.
 
To those striving to do good and give back
Keep making the world a better place.
 
To the women who have dreams
Take the first step. As this quote by Walk Disney says to well " All our dreams can come true if we dare to pursue them." Walt Disney

Continuing my relocation story with year 2 and 3 in the US. The theme of this phase was "shaking my foundation and new beginnings." A few weeks ago I completed my fourth year in the US. Looking back I'm amazed at how quickly time has gone by. While my focus in the first three years was getting settled, situated in my new home and growing my career, in year four I made a significant professional change. 
 
In this post, I will share my experiences, learnings, and insights in my fourth year of living in the US. If you missed the first three years of my journey, read My Life in the US - Year 1 and My life in the US - Year 2 and 3 posts. 
 
Going back home to Nigeria
Earlier last year, I traveled back to Nigeria. After living in Germany and now in the US, my life has changed a lot since I moved from Nigeria in 2001. In my three weeks there, I enjoyed great Nigerian food and reconnected with family I had not seen in years. Read more about my experience in my blog post. My trip to Nigeria after 12 years.
 
Going back home to Germany
In addition to going back to Nigeria, I also attended a family event in Germany. Spending a week in Saarbrucken a city I spent my first years in Germany brought back many memories.  I had not spent this much time in Saarbrucken since I moved away in 2007. Showing my family my favorite pasta, kebab and breakfast spot was amazing. I was shocked at how much I remembered about a city I spent six formative years in.
 
Politics impacting my real life
When I started my journey in Germany as a student, dealing with visa applications was a very regular part of my life. Moreover, here I was again after 17 years of living in different countries; I had to make some changes. Being a legal immigrant working in the US, I was made aware of how policies that the government makes affects me. I've been blessed not to have any huge issues.
 
Growing my business
One of the things I have valued the most about living in the bay area is the idea of "you can do anything."  This mindset helped me take a bold step and start my blog and business. There is something electrifying about being surrounded by other entrepreneurs who share their experiences and knowledge. Living in Germany, I am not sure I would have been bold enough to make such a big move.
 
Exploring my new home
Even after three great years, there were still somethings I had not yet experienced. I had the opportunity to travel more and enjoy California more. This is really one of the greatest places I have lived from the perspective of nature. In addition to traveling a little more, I also explored the sports culture by going to see my first basketball game.
 
Growing my network and community
Thinking back on last year, I was able to build my local network both professionally and for my business. I attended a lot of events and trainings that helped me expand my network. Meeting great women and business owners broadened my perspective. As I think back on one of the most exceptional experiences I have had so far in the US, it would have to be building a network of people who encourage you to do the big things you dream about.
 
Interviewing process
As someone who has interviewed for Jobs in Germany and now in the US, I can definitely say there is a huge difference. I interviewed at four great companies on my quest to find a new job. Going through the preparation process and interviewing helped me be more confident about my skills and professional experiences. I had the opportunity to introduce myself professionally to about sixteen people. Interviewing in the US has a huge component of self-marketing which I had to learn to succeed.
 
Starting a new job
Professionally, I made a significant change last year. After being with the same company in Germany for eight years in total and in my first three years in the US, the time came for me to join a new company. I have learned a lot through the process of starting a new job in the US. As with every new thing we start, there have been a mix of good and bad experiences as well as many learnings.
 
Top 10 Lessons learned
Over the four years of my relocation journey to the US, I have learned so many valuable lessons, that I would like to share with you.

1. Be bold and take a step towards achieving your dreams.
2. Work towards the goals that matter to you.
3. Be aware of the professional norms and culture in the new country.
4. Embrace change even when it's unexpected.
5. Prepare for change and the impact of change.
6. Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
7. Keep your resume current -even if you are not looking for a new job.
8. Give back and invest in people around you.
9. Prioritize self-care - your well-being matters.
10. Invest in your growth - continue learning.

 
Final Thoughts

• Things that are out of control will happen, how you respond to them matters a lot.
• There are many lessons to be learned from your experiences - the good and the bad.
• If you have missed my previous posts on My life in Germany and My life in the US, check out the "Her relocation" Series

 
Call to Action
What is the biggest lesson you have learned living in a new country? Reflect on your experiences, document your lessons learned and share them

Most of us set financial goals at the start of the year with the best intent. The great news is that there are strategies we can start applying today that will make us successful. To achieve our financial goals, we will need to learn some new money habits and continue the good ones we already have.

Recently, I started thinking of ways to achieve all-round health in my finances. These two concepts spoke to me: Financial wellness which is the process of learning how to successfully manage financial expenses and Financial Well-being which is having financial security and financial freedom of choice, in the present and the future.

In this blog post, we will explore ten techniques you can apply to achieve financial freedom and health.

#1: Know your financial status
Having clarity on your overall financial status will allow you to identify actions that you need to take. Write down your income, expenses, debts, financial commitments, and savings. Transparency in your finances will bring more calmness than when you hide from your status.

#2: Create a financial plan
Setting concrete financial goals and planning action may sound foreign to you. However, as with anything we want to be successful in, we need to set goals that we can work towards and track our progress. Explore Six steps to build your Financial Plan from my previous post.

#3: Make extra money
Having additional sources of income helps us become financially independent. I grew up around women who always had a side hustle and learned from them. Exploring side hustles provides you with opportunities to make some extra money and simultaneously chase your passions. Start small and grow your additional income consistently.

#4: Understand your taxes
It's currently tax season in this part of the world. Our relationship with taxes is mostly one of confusion and ignoring its existence. Making sure you are paying the right taxes and legally saving taxes will improve the way you view taxes. Taxes are a constant part of our lives and one we can master if we put some time into learning about it.

#5: Save your money
Reframing the way you think about savings will help it become a normal part of your life. What you do by saving is, putting money aside regularly to achieve your bigger financial goals. Learn some practical tips from my previous blog post - How to grow your Savings.

#6: Invest in long-term options
Once you start saving consistently, it's time to explore ways to grow your money. Investing in a house, stock market or other business ventures are a few ways to start making your money work for you. Available resources can help you make the right investment choice for you. Start investing as soon as you can. Sometimes I wish I started investing earlier. I began investing in 2017 and have been learning valuable lessons ever since.

#7: Get financial advice
We typically find it easy to go to a doctor when we have a health issue. Think about it this way, seeking financial advice from trusted sources is a way to make sure you are financially healthy. Ask questions and act on the great advice you get.

#8: Talk about money
Especially if your upbringing was like mine, talking about money was not normal. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the power of talking about money with your partner, family and co-workers as openly as possible.

#9: Learn about finances
Being financially literate is an essential foundation for success. Read great books, listen to financial podcasts, attend trainings and use free resources. Gather all the knowledge you can on the financial areas you want to get better at.

#10: Celebrate your financial successes
While you are working towards achieving your financial goals, remember to celebrate your wins. Small, medium and big accomplishments deserve to be honored. The positive vibes you feel will motivate you for the future.

Call to Action
What are you committed to doing differently to achieve financial wellness this year?

Final Thoughts

• You have the power to make money a less stressful aspect of your life - start acting today.
• Being financially healthy is possible for you too - believe it.
• Explore more "Her Finances" posts.

Great Resources

• 8 Tips for Financial Wellness
• 50 Personal Finance Tips That Will Change the Way You Think About Money
• How To Reach Financial Wellness
• Financial well-being: What it means and how to help
• What Is Your State Of Financial Well-Being?