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Are you making progress?

29/10/2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26/10/2019

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Celebrating Milestones - My Birthday Traditions

22/10/2019

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October is my favorite month of the year. The weather is changing, and nature is showing us it's best side. Every year as my birthday gets closer, I get a strange feeling. However, this year, I am very excited to mark this significant milestone. If you are like me and enjoy having things to look forward to, having traditions will help you celebrate.
 
Before we get started, I would like to wish my twin sister a Happy Birthday. Thanks for being my life-long birthday companion!!!
 
In this blog post, I will share five of my birthday traditions that help me celebrate this significant milestone every year.
 
#1: Taking time off work and other responsibilities
A few years ago, I started taking days off from work around my birthday. It was vital for me to take time out of my everyday routine and do something special on the day. Having the time to myself is one of my highlights, and I look forward to it every year.
 
#2: Having a birthday photoshoot
This is a new tradition that I started last year. It began as a personal challenge to do something that I didn't feel comfortable doing. Preparing for my session this year was scary. However, it was much easier than last year. I'll continue with this yearly tradition and face my insecurities. Check out my blog post titled "How I faced my biggest Insecurity" to learn more about my growth process.
 
#3: Reflecting on my life now and aspirations
There is a degree of solemnness that I feel around my birthday. I take the time to reflect on my past year and where I want to go in my new year. As I go through this process, I make time to be grateful for all the amazing things that have happened in my life and the lessons I have learned from the challenges I faced. Thinking about my dreams and aspirations motivates me for my new year.
 
#4: Planning for my next year
The good thing about having my birthday in October is that, it is close to the end of the year and marks the official start of my planning period for the next year. For me, it is a multi-week process that kicks off now. I have started writing down my goals for next year and thinking about the tools and resources I would need to be successful next year.
 
#5: Celebrating my accomplishments
It is very easy to forget to make time to celebrate your achievements. Around my birthday, I make it a point to celebrate my accomplishments and reward myself with something special. Being intentional about celebrating myself at this time of the year helps me actually do it.
 
Final Thoughts
I want to wrap up this post with ten lessons I have learned in the past year, through all life's experiences.
 
  1. Know what you want and go get it - this might not be the easiest thing to do, but it is totally worth it.
  2. Be bold - get out of your comfort zone and do things you have always wanted to do.
  3. Speak up for yourself - if there is a situation you are not comfortable with, say something.
  4. Be yourself - you are unique and have something to contribute to this world.
  5. Make time to do things that you enjoy - don't let being busy stop you from enjoying life.
  6. Surround yourself with amazing people - over this past year, the amazing people around me have been my rock.
  7. Be resilient - especially in stormy situations, be tenacious and strong.
  8. Live Intentionally - being deliberate about the things you do is essential for success.
  9. Guard your happiness - no matter what life brings, choose happiness.
  10. Take care of yourself - care for your body and mind.
 
Call to Action
What are some of your birthday traditions?
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The Importance OF Living Intentionally

15/10/2019

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When I talk to people ,and they say they are waiting for things to happen. I feel like saying ,"you need to take action and be intentional for great things to happen". I am a firm believer that we can live the lives we want and achieve our goals by changing some behaviors and being more deliberate.   
I like this quote from Michael Hyatt a lot "You don't drift to a place you choose. Desirable outcomes are caused." To get the results you want in life, you need to do something. 
 
In this blog post, we will explore what it means to be intentional ,and ten areas of your life where being intentional pays off.  
 
What does it mean to be intentional? 
  • done by intention or design 
  • is something done on purpose. 
  • something that is intentional is deliberate. 
 
10 Things to be intentional about  
 
#1: Be intentional about your words and actions  
There is a lot of power in our words and actions. Taking time to think of the impact of our actions on other people makes us better people and in turn, makes the world a better place. 
 
#2: Being intentional with your money 
To gain financial freedom and thrive, you need to be more deliberate with what you do with your money. From making money to spending it to saving or investing it. Check out the Mo' Money Podcast Episode 175. 
 
#3: Be intentional with your goals 
When you are deliberate about the goals you set, you increase your success rate. Working towards those goals takes being intentional about the priorities you set and the actions you take towards achieving your goals.  
 
#4: Be intentional about taking opportunities 
When you approach opportunities intentionally great things happen. Make it a priority to go out and seek out opportunities in your personal and professional life. In my blog post "the importance of seizing opportunities" I share the reasons why you should be more intentional about opportunities.  
 
#5: Be intentional about setting your personal boundaries 
Being clear on what you will accept and what you need to live a balanced life is very crucial. As I progress in life, I am learning the importance of setting boundaries in my personal and professional life. The most significant boundaries I set are around my time commitment to work versus my personal projects.  
 
#6: Be intentional with your relationships 
The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your life. Being very deliberate about the people you let into your close circle will help you succeed. Surround yourself with people who contribute positively to your life.  
 
#7: Be intentional with your learning 
Knowing the benefits of continuous learning in your personal and professional life will help you set the right priorities. Having a growth mindset and prioritizing learning will set you apart from your peers and open new doors to you.  
 
#8: Be intentional with your time  
Sometimes we act like time is an infinite resource. However, the truth is that time is a limited resource. When you take this fact seriously, you start being more aware of how you spend your time. Be more deliberate and measure the results of your time investment.  
 
#9: Be intentional about the work you do 
We spend a considerable amount of our lives at work. When you are deliberate about choosing your job or the company you work for, you increase the probability or you enjoying the work you do and feeling fulfilled.  
 
#10: Be intentional about giving back  
Often, I remind myself that there is much more reward in giving back to people than taking from people. My way of ensuring that giving back is a part of my life is actually setting goals in this area as well. 
 
Call To Action 
What does being intentional mean to you? 
In what areas of your life do you want to be more intentional?  
 
Final Thoughts 
Let's wrap up with some amazing quotes about living intentionally 
  • “Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others' choices make us.” ― Richie Norton 
  • “An unintentional life accepts everything and does nothing. An intentional life embraces only the things that will add to the mission of significance.” ― John C. Maxwell 
  • “Work on Purpose, Play on Purpose, Rest on Purpose. Do not let yourself or anyone else waste your time.” Izey Victoria Odiase 
  • “To live intentionally implies that it is not going to be always convenient, but it is what will take you to significance if you do not give up.” Sunday Adelaja 
  • “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” Nora Roberts 
 
Great Resources 
  • How to live intentionally 
  • 8 Powerful Ways to Live Your Life More Intentionally 
  • 5 Ways to Live More Intentionally 
  • An Intro to Intentional Living: 7 Things You Need to Know 
  • What Is Intentional Living? 
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Video: The power of Being Consistent

12/10/2019

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The Importance of Seizing Opportunities

8/10/2019

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Recently, I have been reflecting on the opportunities I have seized and the amazing outcomes that have resulted. In my personal life, I have seized the opportunities that provided me many growth opportunities like moving to new cities or countries. And in my professional life, I have been able to work on amazing projects that have helped me grow.

In this blog post, we will explore what it means to seize opportunities and also discuss five reasons why you should pursue and seize those amazing opportunities.

What does it mean to seize opportunities?
  • To accept or pursue an opportunity (to do something) with alacrity or conviction.
  • To take advantage of an opportunity when offered.
  • When you seize an opportunity, you take advantage of it and do something that you want to do.
  • Act quickly to use the opportunity while available.

5 reasons why you should seize opportunities

#1: Opportunities come and go
When an opportunity presents itself, knowing that it may not come back helps you stay vigilant and aware. You need to continually be on the lookout for great opportunities that you want to take advantage of.

Questions to consider
  • Are you looking out for opportunities in your personal and professional life?
  • Are you pursuing the opportunities that present themselves?

#2: You will look back and appreciate them
Think back on those times when you went out of your comfort zone and pursued an opportunity. I am so proud of the opportunities I have seized on my journey. Especially the ones that I had to find for myself.

Questions to consider
  • What opportunities have you seized that have been worth it?
  • What made these opportunities special to you?

#3: You are stretching yourself and growing
Part of having a growth mindset is to believe that learning is crucial. Those times when you don't feel 100% confident that you can do something, but you still go out and seize the opportunity are very rewarding.

Questions to consider
  • What lessons have you learned from the opportunities you took advantage of?
  • What new skillsets are you looking to develop?

#4: You develop the skills of identifying excellent opportunities for yourself
When you get into the habit of pursuing the opportunities you want, you develop an eye for it. You spend a lot of time thinking about what you want and how you can get what you want.

Questions to consider
  • What are your selection criteria for new opportunities you want to pursue?
  • What did you learn about yourself?

#5: You are setting a good example
Every day, I remind myself that my actions are bigger than me and serve as my legacy. There are many lessons that I would like to pass to the next generation, and this is one of them. Don't wait for things to happen to you; pursue what you want.

Questions to consider
  • What legacy would you like to leave behind?
  • What lessons would you like to pass down to the next generation?

Call to action
What opportunities have you seized in the past that have been amazing? Write them down
What opportunities have presented themselves for you that you didn't take? Reflect on what held you back

Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with some great quotes about seizing opportunities
  • “Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.” –William Arthur Ward
  • “Opportunities? They are all around us… There is power lying latent everywhere waiting for the observant eye to discover it.” –Orison Swett Marden
  • “Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.” –Napoleon Hill

Great Resources
  • The careerist: How to seize opportunities
  • Seize Your Breakthrough Opportunity
  • 5 Ways to Seize a New Opportunity With Confidence
  • Carpe diem: Seize opportunities and take risks – If you don’t ask, you don’t get
  • When An Opportunity Presents, Do You Seize The Moment?
  • When opportunity knocks (how to seize it)
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Video: How I learned to speak German

5/10/2019

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My Memories Growing up in Nigeria

1/10/2019

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Today marks Nigeria’s 59th Independence Day. Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Nigerians. I am excited to celebrate one of my home countries and all that it has given me.
 
In today's blog post, I will be sharing about growing up in Nigeria with the help of some inflection points. We moved to Nigeria when I was 18 months old, and I lived there until I was 15 year's old.
 
My earliest memories with Family
I grew up in a town called Kaduna in northern Nigeria. My childhood was spent with my twin sister and my mum. We also lived in the same city as my mother's family. A significant part of life in Kaduna was spent with my cousins, uncle, aunts, grandma, and extended family members. I particularly remember time with family around holidays or family events.
 
The Seasons
In Kaduna, we had very distinct seasons. The rainy season and dry season also called harmattan, were very different and enjoyable in their own ways. I remember thinking the cold during harmattan was really cold. After living in Germany, I now know that 18 degrees Celsius is not that cold. When it rained in Kaduna, everything felt very calm, and the smell of the wet sand remains in my memory till this day.
 
The seasonal Foods
With the different seasons came different seasonal fruits and foods. I was always on the lookout for some of my favorite fruit and vegetables. My grandma was an expert on what was in season and the best time to buy certain foods. I wished we had my favorites all year round. And now living in the US, I am very spoiled by the fact that we have the same fruit all year round.
 
The rich Culture
In all the countries I have lived in, no one can match Nigeria in terms of diverse cultures. Nigeria has many ethnicities and languages that are culturally rich and very different. I count myself fortunate to have grown up in a city that had people from the different parts of Nigeria. 
 
The Celebrations
Christmas and other family celebrations in Nigeria were very special. It was a time for close family and friends to enjoy each other's company and great food. I still remember how different my first Christmas in Germany was. Today, I invest a lot of time in recreating some of the Christmas traditions from my childhood.
 
The People
I think very fondly of the people I grew up with. We had amazing family friends, schoolmates, and people in our community. The warmth and quality of the relationships I had growing up provided me with a firm foundation. I prioritize relationships with the great people around me till this day.
 
Final Thoughts
The 14 years, I spent in Nigeria gave me a lot. I am reminded daily that I would not be who I am today if not for the solid foundation I got from living in Nigeria.
 

Learn More about my Nigeria

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    Author

    Marie-Christin Anthony
    -Learning and sharing

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