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The Power of being Consistent

27/8/2018

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"Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come." - Dwayne Johnson
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You know how you may have applied a principle in your life but never thought it was a big deal. Recently, I started reflecting on how consistent I am and how successful I have been in areas of my life where I am consistent. Before I launched my blog six months ago, I researched what the most significant character trait of a successful blogger was. From all my readings, being consistent was repeated over and over again. I took this advice to heart and planned to apply it as I went through my blogging journey.
 
In this post, I will share some definitions of consistency, the benefits when applied, and tips I have gathered in my personal and professional life about being consistent.
 
What does it mean to be consistent?
  • someone who achieves the same level of success in something (Source: Collin's Dictionary)
  • holding always to the same principles or practice (Source: Collin's Dictionary)
  • continuing or developing steadily in the same way (Source: Macmillan Dictionary)
  • the ability to remain the same in behavior, attitudes, or qualities  (Source: Macmillan Dictionary)

What are the advantages of being consistent?
When you are consistent the following is true:
  • People know what to expect from you.
  • You deliver high-quality results.
  • You are efficient and have better results.
  • You can measure success and progress easier.
  • You identify areas of improvement quicker.
  • You are more successful in achieving your goals.
 
5 Areas you should be consistent
It pays to be consistent in the following areas:
 
Your Personal brand
Your reputation is your biggest asset. Being consistent in how you present yourself in person or online is very important. People may not always get the opportunity to meet you in person first, so it is crucial that you present yourself the same way across all platforms.
Questions to consider
  • How do you present yourself in person and on social media?
  • Are you consistent with your personal brand?

Your Finances
The proven way to achieve your financial goals is to be consistent. All good financial practices such as budgeting, saving and investing require consistency. You need to commit to doing things over and over again to reap the long-term benefits.
Questions to consider
  • Do you save, budget and invest regularly?
  • Do you make financial decisions that match your goals?

Your Relationships
To be well-balanced and happy individuals, we need to have healthy relationships. As with all good things, we need to invest in our relationships to gain the benefits they bring. Value your relationships and be consistent in maintaining relationships.
Questions to consider
  • Are you a good friend?
  • How can you be more consistent in your relationships?

Your Professional life
Be consistent in building a track record of success in your professional life. Your work outputs should have consistent quality. As the outcomes of our work are what people in our professional lives care about the most, it is essential for them to be right. When you work for yourself or own your own business, the need to be consistent is amplified even more.
Questions to consider
  • Do you deliver high-quality professional outputs consistently?
  • Are you consistent in your business?

Your Personal development
Consistently evaluating your progress and areas of improvement is required to be your best self. Prioritizing your self-development and taking the necessary steps to be where you want to be is a significant commitment to yourself.
Questions to consider
  • Do you consistently invest in your personal growth?
  • How can you make personal development a priority?

Final Thoughts
  • What areas do you need to be more consistent in? Identify them and start being consistent today.
  • Consistency and growth go hand in hand. Striving to be more consistent will help you improve and grow.
  • Having a mindset of being consistent will increase your value as a team member.

Great Resources
  • How to be consistent: 5 steps to get things done, all the time
  • 3 Proven Ways to Stay Consistent, Meet your Goals and Realize Your Dreams
  • Consistency in Action: Is It the Hidden Driver for Success?
  • How to Be Outrageously Consistent | 7 Tips to Be Consistently Consistent
  • Consistency: How to be Consistent in Your Life
  • 5 Steps for Being Consistent
  • Why Consistency Is Vital To Your Life
  • Being Consistent
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It's all about your Perspective

21/8/2018

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 “The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it.” - Chris Pine
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Through life's ups and downs, one of the lessons I have learned is that it's all about your perspective. The way you look at your past, present and future experiences will determine the direction your life will go. I have always been intrigued by how people see different things in the same picture or remember details differently following the same event.
Your perspective is something you can learn to manage. The good news is that once you become aware you can continually change and broaden your perspective. In this blog post, I'll share definitions of perspective as well as tips for broadening your perspective.
 
What is perspective?
  • A particular perspective is a particular way of thinking about something, especially one that is influenced by your beliefs or experiences. (Source: Collins Dictionary)
  • A particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view. (Source: Oxford Dictionary)
  • A way of thinking about something (Source: Macmillan Dictionary)
 
What perspective means to me?
Transitions have been one constant part of my journey so far. I've had a fair mix of the good, the bad and the ugly. And yes, I still feel stuck sometimes. If you asked me what has helped me on my journey, I'd say adjusting my perspective. It is a practice that I have adopted successfully in my personal and professional life.
I have learned that you need to regularly sit down and have a conversation with yourself about your perspective. Periodically evaluate where you are and where you are going. Especially at times when I feel disappointed with my progress, I remind myself that it's all temporary and will get better.
 
How to broaden your perspective
Here are six great tips for you to expand and adjust your view.
 
Tip 1: Look at things differently - Why am I currently going through this situation?
In life, you will be more successful if you perceive challenges as opportunities. Are you looking at a challenge as a barrier or as a stepping stone to your next phase? I'm motivated daily by looking at my experiences as a stepping stone on my journey. Even when I don't understand why things happen and how they fit in the plan, I am confident that if I make the best out of my situation, the result will be positive.
 
Tip 2: Learn from your experiences - What can I learn from different situations?
There's a lot to learn from every experience in life. On our journey, the most valuable trait we all need is "willingness to improve." If we don't learn from our experiences, we are bound to repeat mistakes and not make progress. Having a mindset of wanting to learn on your journey will help you see things differently.
 
Tip 3: Seek an outside view - What are my trusted people thinking and saying?
Especially in stressful situations, your view might be limited. An excellent tool you should apply here will be to "borrow" someone's eyes. Situations that look hopeless through your eyes might seem very different through a trusted friend's eyes. Share your struggles and listen to their viewpoint. You will discover some great insights that you would not have had on your own. Caution: choose people whom you trust, who are honest and have a positive outlook on life.
 
Tip 4: Stay open - How would I think about this situation or decision in a few months?
Over time you gain different views. Keep an open mind and don't shut the door to any opportunity permanently. An opportunity today will look very different in a few months. A job position you don't feel ready for might seem doable if you look at it again after some months. Surrounding factors may change and make you feel more empowered to take on a new opportunity. Take advantage of the possibility to reevaluate and take on new opportunities.
 
Tip 5: Refocus on the higher goal - What am I working towards?
We get caught up in our day to day and forget about our bigger goals, dreams, and ambitions. When you start feeling lost, look at your vision board and review your goals. Remember the big picture and what you are working towards. Whatever you are going through today is only a snapshot in time. There is more to come.
 
Tip 6: Get external Inspiration - How can I expand my view?
Especially when I start feeling stuck, I know it's time for me to get out of my head and get external inspiration. If you feel stuck, I encourage you to expand your perspective by reading something new, listening to a podcast, attending events, learning a new skill and socializing with positive people. There is power in seeing things differently by observing other people. It's crucial to benefit from the vast external resources to help you refocus regularly.
 
Final Thoughts
What is your perspective on life? Ask yourself these questions and write down your answers.
  • How do you see yourself today?
  • Where do you see yourself in the future?
  • Do you focus on your strengths?
  • How do you view your achievements?
  • What do you think about achieving your goals?
  • What can you learn from your mistakes or missteps?
  • How do you refresh your perspective?
 
Great Resources
  • Change Your Perspective, Change Your Life
  • 15 Secrets to Having the Best Perspective on Life
  • Change Your Perspective To Achieve Goals More Effectively
  • Four tips to broaden your perspective
  • Change Your Perspective, Expand Your Possibilities
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How to make difficult decisions

14/8/2018

2 Comments

 
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” - Amelia Earhart
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In our daily lives, we make many decisions. Some of these decisions are significant and change the course of our personal and professional lives. It's perfectly normal to feel nervous about the big life decisions. The good news is that there are effective ways to approach decision making.
 
In the past year, I have had to make some difficult decisions in my career, finances, relationships, and business. Recently, I started reflecting on how I make the big decisions in my life and ways to improve my decision making. In this post, we'll discover some decision making techniques as well as great questions to ask yourself during the process.
 
Have an approach or process
Having a proven method of making decisions that works for you is very important. The fact that I make decisions in similar ways gives me a sense of security and trust in my ability to make decisions. You can discover the process that works best for you by learning from your experiences.
Questions to consider:
  • How do I make decisions?
  • What is my decision-making process?
  • What did I learn from the last major decision I made?
 
Breakdown your complex decision
Sometimes the size of the decision we need to make scares us. Start by breaking down the big decision into smaller sub decisions. Our brains can focus better on small packages. Once the sub-decisions are made, the big one is almost solved. Take out a piece of paper and write things down. The power of visualizing helps make it real.
Questions to consider:
  • What decision(s) am I trying to make?
  • Why do I need to make the change?
  • What are the smaller components of my decision?
 
Know the impact of your decision
Often, we don't think about the effects of the choices we make on our lives. There is power in asking - What if? Knowing the impact should not always be a blocker, it serves the purpose of informing you of what may lie ahead. The more information you have, the better you can prepare.
Questions to consider:
  • What impact would the decision have on me, my family, my career or my finances?
  • What scares me about the change or decision?
 
Compare the possible outcomes
The old pros and cons have been a useful tool to evaluate how favorable the consequences of your decision might be. Make smart choices based on the results and outcomes. The truth is that you can't predict the exact results before you make the decision and take a step. However, it is essential to think about the possible outcomes.
Questions to consider:
  • What are the best-case outcomes of my decision A or B?
  • What are the worst-case outcomes of my decision A or B
  • Are there ways I can improve the result of my choice?
 
Have a plan and an alternative plan
A plan is a tool that helps guide you. You might not have all the answers, but with a plan, you have a torch in a dark room. Gather as much information as possible to make your plan successful. An alternative plan is also necessary in case you need to make changes to your plans.
Questions to consider:
  • What do I need to do to make my decision successful?
  • What changes may I need to make?
 
Take the first step
You have broken down the decision, evaluated the impact and have a plan in place, now it's time to take the first step. Don't sit on any decision for too long. You will only know when you do it. Treat your decision making as a learning experience. Take notes, gather your learnings, adapt your strategy and keep moving forward.
Questions to consider:
  • What is the first thing I need to do?
  • How can my first step set me up for success?
 
Final Thoughts
  • Make time to celebrate your decision. Enjoy the positive motivation boost.
  • The big decisions we make determine our future and where our journeys go.
  • Take time to gather information and equip yourself for that big step and take it
  • No decision should be viewed as final, leave some room to learn and process the new knowledge you acquire.
  • You can make the right decision!
 
Great Resources
  • 3 Timeless Rules for Making Tough Decisions
  • How To Make Difficult Decisions (And Live With The Consequences)
  • 4 Steps That'll Help You Cut Through the BS and Make a Hard Decision Faster
  • Four Tricks to Help You Make Any Difficult Decision
  • How to Make Tough Decisions Easier
  • Ruth Chang: How to make hard choices | TED Talk
  • 7 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Faced With A Tough Decision In Life
  • How to Make a Major Life Decision, in 9 Steps
  • 5 Steps to Making Difficult Decisions
2 Comments

My Life in Germany – Connecting the dots

7/8/2018

3 Comments

 
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On August 9, 2001, I embarked on a journey that will change the course of my life forever. This week, I’m celebrating 17 years on my relocation journey. About four months ago, I started writing about My life in Germany. Reflecting on my story has empowered me and given me a great appreciation for how I got to where I am today. It has been a great learning experience for me. I am very proud of all my achievements, failures, learnings and experiences.
 
In this post, I will summarize my highlights, learnings and share tips for everyone on a similar journey. When I started telling my story, I had three objectives - to remind myself of some of the challenges I overcame, to support other women who are on a similar journey and share tips, learn from one another to succeed on our relocation journey. I am delighted that I have been able to achieve these objectives and much more.
 
What did I learn about myself?
We keep hearing about how reflection provides you with power for the future. I must say, I am now a believer. Three things that I learned about myself during my reflection include:
  • My strength and tenacity: The strong determination to make things work brought me far. I celebrate my achievements and value my ability to adapt.
  • Great connections: There have been many great people on my journey. I am so happy I was able to recreate positive memories.
  • My identity: The sum of my experiences made me who I am today. I embrace all of them and would not change a thing.
 
Highlights from my Journey
To summarize my story, here are some personal highlights.
Year 1 and 2
  • Learning German and being able to communicate unlocked many opportunities for me.
  • Meeting new friends and building deep friendships helped me overcome the initial shock of being in a new very different country.
Year 3 - 5
  • Being reunited with my Twin.
  • Moving to Saarbrucken and creating great memories.
  • Getting to know myself and what I want (a little more).
Year 6 - 10
  • Moving to Trier, a charming city, showed me a slightly different side of Germany.
  • Graduating from University was one significant milestone on my long journey.
  • Starting my project management career set the tone for great professional years ahead.
  • Becoming an aunt, gave me a different outlook on life.
Year 11 - 14
  • Making Cologne my new home and settling in was a pivotal phase for me. Of all the towns I lived in, Cologne was my favorite.
  • Completing my Master’s degree was a great achievement after my academic struggles.
  • Achieving my professional goals and setting a solid foundation for my career success.
 If you missed the previous "My Life in Germany" posts please read here.

10 things I wish someone told me before I moved to Germany
  1. Get used to paperwork and bureaucracy - be very organized and keep all relevant documents.
  2. People will ask you many questions about your origin - get comfortable and don't be offended.
  3. It will take a very long time to feel at home - It took me 10 years.
  4. You will be alone and sometimes lonely - but it'll get better.
  5. You might never understand German sayings and how they apply to everyday life.
  6. Finding Nigerian food will be impossible - enjoy what is available - like good bread.
  7. You will miss key family events - there will be more to experience in the future.
  8. Life will happen, and your plans will change - don't panic and don't give up.
  9. You will need to discover yourself and grow - it's life.
  10. The German and Nigerian cultures are very different - learn to navigate the new.
 
Top 10 tips
Summarizing the greatest lessons I learned on my journey that could help you too.
  1. Be prepared and embrace change - things will happen, accept and adapt to change. Be aware of the emotions you will go through. Especially the negative emotions like anger and fear.
  2. Have a plan and stay focused on your goals - you need to know what you want to achieve and take necessary steps. Continuously remind yourself of what you are working towards.
  3. Build and value your community - you will need a local support system. Make new, very close friends. Find people who support you on your journey.
  4. Learn the language and cultural differences - take language classes from the beginning and interact with locals. Be aware, accept and adopt the new culture.
  5. Ask questions and get professional support - you will feel lost. If you need help, ask for it and take it when offered. Don't waste time trying to do everything on your own. Seek the counsel of experts to help you progress and develop.
  6. Make time to reflect on your journey and reassess - Sometimes we are lost in the now and don't see the big picture.
  7. Discover your new home - Travel and explore the cities around you and enjoy the culture.
  8. Take care of yourself – there is only one you, prioritize self-care. It's easy to get caught up in being busy and forget to take care of your most valuable resource.
  9. Share your story -  Talk about your real experience and challenges with your support system. You do not have to go through your journey alone.
  10. Don't give up - You might need to change your approach, but it is important not to give up.
 
Final Thoughts/Outlook
Thanks for coming with me on this reflection journey of my life in Germany.
In 2015, my relocation journey took me to the US. Watch out for "My life in the US: Year 1" story. Follow my developing relocation story as part of the Her Relocation series.
 
Your support & kind words
When I started telling my story, I had no idea what types of doors it'll open to me. The feedback I received was above my expectation. As a symbol of my appreciation and I want to share some quotes with you.
  • "It's so important to be open to change, but as with most things, it's much easier said than done. Your experiences have laid the path for others, giving them permission to be brave, to make those difficult decision and to remain flexible."  - T., UK
  • "Your story is a real inspiration to me I have struggled with being stuck and not knowing where to go and sometimes how to go about it. It'll be interesting to hear how you kept yourself motivated through the changes. Keep it coming. " - P., UK
  • "Great story MC. Thank you for sharing, and I look forward to continue reading about your journey. " - W., USA
  • "Loved your post! In moments where I feel very settled and tamed by my routine, I truly admire our capability to find that drive within us that will take us to new places. Some people see relocating to a new country/city as a hardship and struggle; I say you make it whatever you want it to be! I've always been blessed to meet with amazing people everywhere I went to." - R., USA
  • "Brilliant blog MC, your writing style is simple yet striking. Looking back to when you visited us in 2006, I had no idea you were going through your own journey too. I am proud to admit that I have learnt one thing (or more) from your splendid writing." - C., UK
  • "Determination! You have done so well. Your experiences have shaped you. " - O., Nigeria
  • "Wow our stories are so similar it amazes me. I always assumed Nigeria would be where I would end up but after to failed attempts at moving back, I decided perhaps it was best to just brighten the corner I have been placed in, and now I have embraced and see this land as mine. Thank you for sharing, please don't stop. " - J., USA
  • "Just finished your 3-5 year Blog Post and I cannot wait for the next story! I always knew that you are great, but reading about your journey is so inspirational, that I wanted to thank you for letting me being part of your story for a short while!! " - U., Germany
  • "Great job!! After 16 years in the U.S., I can say I that you covered pretty much all that I experienced apart from the language part. Keep sharing!!! " - Y., USA
  • "Looking forward to reading more about your relocation! Travel has opened my eyes to how big the world is and how we can get caught up in our day to day" - J., USA
3 Comments
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    Marie-Christin Anthony
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