Welcoming a child to the world affected me in ways I did not expect. It has helped me discover what fatherhood means. I did not have the opportunity to grow up with a father, so I am learning everything I have learned about a father-child relationship from watching my husband and our son. There is a lot that is written about a Mother's love and little about the beauty of a Father's love.  
 
Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers and Caregivers taking the responsibility of raising the next generation very seriously !!!!
 
In this blog post, I will share some moments when I learned about a father's love from watching the relationship between my husband and our son.
 
#1: The birth of our son
If you speak to any parent that has witnessed the birth of a child, they would probably share the powerful emotions they had during the experience. We had our baby in October 2020 at the height of the Pandemic. My husband could not attend any of the doctor's appointments throughout my pregnancy, so the day of my c-section was the first time he was in that environment. As we prepared to meet our baby, I could see him feel all his emotions at once. When our son was born, his father went into full caring and protection mode. He wanted to ensure our little human was safe and had everything he needed.
 
#2: Our son's ongoing wellbeing 
When we hear about a child's wellbeing, it is often seen as a mother's responsibility. Growing up, I had mostly seen the moms cater to the physical needs of their children, and it was surprising to me. I have seen my husband be a father who cares deeply about our son's physical and emotional health. From birth, we were advised to give our son a massage multiple times a day, and my husband did them for multiple months without fail. Every single day, my husband cuts up our son's fruit and presses his orange juice.
 
#3: The lessons he teaches our son
Seeing my husband impart knowledge to our son and teach him things that I cannot teach him is beautiful. I silently watch their interactions and the pride my husband feels when our son remembers something he taught him. It takes a lot of time investment and love to teach children new skills.
 
#4: Hearing my husband talk about our son
The love with which my husband speaks about our son is immense. Sometimes even when we experience the same things, hearing my husband tell the stories fills my heart with renewed joy. He celebrates every milestone and exciting experience.
 
#5: The deep and lasting bond between a Father & Child
The moment when I see my husband melt because my son gave him a hug, looked for him, and smiled when he saw him, reminds me of the powerful bond they have. Every single morning, one of the first things our son does is look for his daddy. It warms my heart to see their love.
 
Final Thoughts
One lesson that I am learning is that you can experience whole and great relationships by watching others. People often asked me if I missed having a father. The answer is not really because you can't miss what you never had. However, what I can now say is that I have more of an appreciation for great fathers and caregivers.

After everything we have been through over the last years, I wanted to share an experience that renewed my energy and gave me hope for the future. I got to spend time with some of our family members. Writing these words fills my heart with immense joy. The last time we saw our family, we thought we would get to meet them again in about a year. 
 
One of the lessons that I learned during the pandemic was to seize any opportunity to spend time with people that we love. Our trip was very spontaneous. I was running up on the maximum vacation time that I could accrue before I started losing vacation days, and my husband was also able to take time off. So we took the plunge and embarked on a three-week family trip. 
 
This was the first time we had seen our family members in the UK in four years. We had planned a family reunion in June 2020, which we canceled due to the pandemic. It was heartbreaking to miss time with our family. In May 2022, we get to enjoy some amazing family time. 
 
In this blog post, I will share five things that I was reminded of on this trip. 
 
#1: Family is precious 
As a result of living in different countries, I have been physically away from my family. I have not lived in the same location as my mother for 21 years and from my twin sister for over 16 years. We have had the opportunity to see each other for a very limited time during that time. We have mostly stayed connected virtually. However, holding my new nephew, hugging my niece, and connecting with our extended family was a priceless experience. 
 
#2: Don't compromise on things that are important to you 
In the past, when I had been on vacation, I compromised on things that were important to me. I was trying to save money and adjust to other people's needs or did not even know what was important to me. This trip was different; I knew that I really cared about comfortable places to stay, great food, and taking my time to enjoy the experience. I took my time and planned the things that were important to me and did them. Our trip was much more fun because my basic desires were met.  
 
#3: Don't let fear stop you  
This trip was the first flight with our 19-month-old son, and we decided to embark on a 10-hour flight from San Francisco to London. Those of you who have kids know the feelings that arise when you think of a long flight with a toddler. I had played all the horror scenarios in my mind of things that could go wrong on our flight. I am very fortunate to have such an amazing husband and a toddler who adapted very quickly to the new circumstances. I am glad that I did not let fear rule me. 
 
#4: Enjoy the moments  
I have always tried to capture beautiful moments and memories. There were so many beautiful moments on this trip that I wished I was recording all the time so I did not miss anything. All the laughter, our son playing with his cousins, and the beautiful sights and new places I visited are memories I will never forget. I made it a priority to enjoy every moment to the fullest.  
 
#5: Enjoy the fruit of your labor 
Over my vacation, I reflected on one of the things that I have struggled with for the past years. Due to my experiences with financial difficulty growing up, it is hard for me to spend money on things that I want. I have been hyper-focused on building a solid financial foundation and spending on my needs. The thought of splurging on things because they improve my experience makes me uncomfortable. One of my colleagues shared that she tells herself that she can do nice things for herself because she works hard. That simple thought made me open to doing things for myself, even if they cost me more than normal. It was worth it, and I am glad that I chose to invest in my well-being. 
 
Final Thoughts 
This trip was memorable on many levels. I am very thankful for the privilege we had to travel, spend time with family, and enjoy new experiences. Sometimes it feels like work and all the responsibilities have taken over our lives. It is time for us to prioritize enjoying our lives. 
 
Call To Action 
What is one thing you have wanted to do? 
When will you take the bold step and do something you want? 

We all have to have difficult conversations in many aspects of our lives. They are critical to building relationships, having successful careers, and living a great life. I wish there were easy ways to master these conversations and make them less painful. Like with most things in our lives, when we can learn to handle difficult conversations in a better way.
 
In this blog post, I will share some things I am learning about handling difficult conversations. It is still a journey that I am still on.
 
Reflect on past difficult conversations you have had
We have all had a lot of difficult conversations over our lifetime. Some are easier to navigate than others. There are many things we can learn about ourselves if we take the time to reflect on how the conversations went. Most of the time, I find myself doing everything in my power to try to forget the conversation versus reflecting on the critical lessons that I could take away from them. I have learned that I do not like leaving a conversation feeling like I could not get my point across or defend my perspective. I am working on this by learning strategies to handle those feelings better.
 
Strategies to consider

• Spend some time reflecting on difficult conversations you had in the past year
• Make a note of one thing that you learned from the conversation 

 
Be prepared for the conversation
It is crucial to prepare yourself, especially with conversations that might have different outcomes than expected. It is mostly about you plotting a plan for yourself. I write some notes about the topic we are discussing and use that to prepare my mind before the conversation. Another thing that helps me is to get someone else's perspective or advice. You will handle the conversation better if you go in prepared rather than let your emotions take over at the moment.
 
Strategies to consider

• Make notes of things you want to remember 
• Talk to your trusted advisors

 
Focus on the actual conversation
One of the crucial things that make difficult conversations better is being present and listening to what is being said. Often in my mind, I have built a whole movie about the conversation, what the person might be insinuating, and the impact of the discussion afterward. This makes the conversation even bigger and more complicated than it needs to be. Listening to what they are saying is always a better route to take. I struggle with this point and would like to practice my deep listening skills. Instead of focusing on formulating my response while people are speaking, I want to listen to understand and not to respond.
 
Strategies to consider

• Go into conversations with the thought of what you want to do better 
• Practice deep listening and don't be distracted during the conversation 

 
Recap the conversation afterwards
We can all learn something from conversations, irrespective of how they go. Spending a few minutes thinking about how the conversation went will give you some great insights. Thinking through good discussions can help build your confidence. You have the opportunity to recap what you did during the conversation. You can use your notes as a reference for the next time you have a difficult conversation. And if the conversation did not go well, use the opportunity to offload the things from your mind and get closure.
 
Strategies to consider

• Document what made the conversation go well or not
• Accept how things went 

 
Be kind to yourself 
I have come out of conversations and beat myself up for weeks afterwards because I wished I did or said things differently. Even when conversations go well, sometimes there is still a strange feeling or thought about how we may have wanted to do things differently. Going over conversations over and over is not very helpful for our minds. Especially overthinkers like me, we often struggle with letting go.
 
Strategies to consider

• Check-in with yourself to see how you are doing after difficult conversations 
• Know when it's time to move on from a conversation 

 
Final Thoughts
Handling difficult conversations well is a skill that needs work to build. If you feel like running away from difficult conversations, you are not alone. We all have to keep practicing to get more comfortable.
 
Great Resources

• How to have difficult conversations at work: 5 key steps
• How to Handle Difficult Conversations at Work
• 3 steps to having difficult — but necessary — conversations
• How to Have Difficult Conversations and Stay True to Yourself
• Need to Have a Difficult Conversation? Try This Simple 4-Step Method

Happy International Women's Day to all you amazing Women!!! The theme for this year is "Break the Bias." Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
 
Being a woman is a crucial part of my identity and then layer on, being an immigrant black woman in Tech, people often do not know what to expect when they set me. I have been on the receiving end of many stereotypes based on people's perception of what someone that looks or sounds like me should be.
 
Starting Point: What is Bias? 

• unfair difference in the way women and men are treated
  
• unequal treatment in employment opportunity (such as promotion, pay, benefits, and privileges), and expectations due to attitudes based on the gender of an employee or group of employees
• prejudiced actions or thoughts based on the gender-based perception that women are not equal to men in rights and dignity.

 
The first time I noticed bias growing up
In Nigeria, where I spent my childhood, there were very strong gender norms. Women were expected to be primarily supporters of men and not be vocal. In most conversations, people reminded us of how important it was to be someone's wife and hardly any conversations about becoming the person you were destined to be. I was fortunate to grow up around women who defied the expectations of "what a woman could do." However, I knew society's expectations for me as a girl child. Deep inside, I always knew that I wanted to be a whole person and not be invisible. This led to a constant battle with who I am versus how I was expected to act.
 
My experience with bias in a professional setting
After graduating from university, I had no idea what I would experience when I began my career. I was very fortunate to start a job where I had a lot of responsibilities and a growth path. Most of the bias that I experienced had to do with a combination of my identities as a black woman. Especially at client visits, people expected the person in charge to be someone other than me. I did not fit the picture they expected of an experienced program manager.
 
How I deal with bias
My life experiences have made me very resilient. I learned not to let people's thoughts or stereotypes define me. My identity and self-confidence do not change because someone else sees me differently. I see experiencing bias as an opportunity to share my experiences with people to provide a different perspective. And more importantly, I have learned to move on quickly.  
 
How I am paying it forward
Being on the receiving end of bias has made me very aware of the bias that others are experiencing. In my role as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Manager today, I build strategy, plan, and lead programs that train people on how to be inclusive and respectful of others from many backgrounds. I feel very fortunate to be able to support others actively.
 
Final Thoughts
There is something very empowering about seeing women who have succeeded against all odds. All the women who have faced bias and still done great things - are heroes.
 
Call to Action: What can we all do? 
We all play a very active role in making our world more equitable. Here are five things we can all do:

• Raise confident and amazing girls
• Celebrate women's accomplishments
• Increase awareness for bias happening around you
• Treat everyone equally
• Be a positive role model  

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!

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!

Welcome to a new month! It is time to get excited for everything that we will experience this month. At the start of every month I enjoy thinking about all the amazing things that will happen, the people I will interact with and the amazing milestones that I get to celebrate.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2,  part 3 , part 4,  part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8 and part 9 of the transition preparation guide.
 
#1: Think positively and be happy
Watching the news and observing things happening around us can easily make us worried and have negative thoughts. Choosing to be happy and positive is one of the very important ways to survive these uncertain times. To maintain your joy, you might also need to cut off people and things that fill you with anxiety and worry. We are responsible for our own happiness and positive state of mind. Being happy makes life more enjoyable.
 
Strategies to consider

• Make time to celebrate the good things in your life
• Do the little things that make you happy

 
#2: Enjoy human interactions
Meeting up with family and friends physically might not be possible at the moment depending on where you are. The distance and changes in our social connections definitely affects a lot of us. It takes more effort these days to seek out and enjoy human interactions. This past weekend we had a virtual dinner with friends, something I would never have thought about doing before. Laughing and sharing stories with people you like is always incredibly special.
 
Strategies to consider

• Schedule time to connect with the amazing people in your life
• Tell people you love how important they are to you

 
#3: Don't compare yourself to others
One lesson that would change your life is realizing that we are all on vastly different life journeys. Comparing yourself to others will keep you in a constant state of dissatisfaction. When we look at others’ lives, we tend to see the things we are missing in our lives and then we think they are better than us. Personally, I have learned to appreciate where I am in life and keep working on being better on my journey irrespective of what others around me are doing.
 
Strategies to consider

• Celebrate where you are at on your journey
• Be aware of areas where you are comparing yourself to others

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
One thing that has kept me going over the past months is, finding joy in the small good things that I experience. I have been very intentional about enjoying the simple things that make me happy. At the end of each day, I think about the things that happened over the day that I am grateful for. Sometimes my list includes going grocery shopping, talking to my family, getting my work done or eating a great meal. This helps me acknowledge that life is good even with everything happening in the world around me.
 
Call to Action
How are you going to celebrate the small wins in your life? Find joy in the little things.

If you are feeling tired and wondering where the energy for the rest of the year will come from, you are not alone. Over the past weeks, I have been observing people around me and noticing the fatigue in their eyes. This year has demanded a lot from us all.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.  Check out part 1, part 2,  part 3 , part 4,  part 5, part 6, part 7 and part 8 of the transition preparation guide.
 
#1: Be kind and patient with yourself
With the type of year that we have all had so far, it is important to cut ourselves some slack. We are under a lot of stress and facing new situations that we had no chance to plan or prepare for. How you treat yourself during this time is very important. You may not be meeting all the expectations that you have for yourself and that is ok. Be patient with yourself and acknowledge that you are doing your best with the current situation.
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about how well you are doing with everything going on
• Say nice things about yourself

 
#2: Set priorities and boundaries
There are many things that place demands on your time and attention. To conserve your energy for the most important things in your life, it is essential to set priorities. When you know your priorities, you will be able to dedicate time and energy to them. Ensuring that people around you know your boundaries will make you feel like you are more in control. Setting priorities and boundaries are an effective way to take care of yourself.
 
Strategies to consider

• Write down the top three priorities in your life today
• Let people around you know what your priorities are

 
#3: Believe in yourself
To thrive over the next months, you will need to be confident in your ability to succeed. You have what is takes to survive and thrive. When you start doubting yourself, remember all the times you were faced with difficult situations and were able to come out on top. What keeps me going is knowing that we will look back on this year and be proud of what we were able to accomplish.
 
Strategies to consider

• Celebrate your small and big wins
• Be positive and hopeful

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
As a community, we are responsible for caring for one another. With everything going on, we need to look out for each other. I am incredibly grateful to all the people who have been checking on me and have made it a priority to check on other people.
 
Call to Action
How have you shown your strength in the past months? Celebrate your inner strength

Time is going by very quickly. I feel like July just started and we are already in the final weeks of the month. There are many new lessons that we have been learning through these uncertain times. I am excited to see what the next months bring.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.  Check out part 1, part 2,  part 3 , part 4,  part 5, part 6 and part 7 of the transition preparation guide.
 
#1: Build and connect with your support network
One of the recurring themes in my recent blog posts has been the people in our lives. Over the past months I have been reminded of the fact that having people we can confide in is very important. Going through life alone is hard.  There are so many benefits of having a support group with people who can be companions on your journey. Talking to others, sharing experiences and learning from them will help broaden your perspective.
 
Strategies to consider

• Find a group of people who you can share your experiences with
• Spend time regularly with the people who help you

 
#2: Admit when you are struggling
Many of us have been trained to put up a strong front and act like everything is ok all the time. It is ok to not feel good or struggle with managing everything in your life. Giving yourself permission to admit when you are struggling is essential. When people around you know what is going on, they are able to help you. I have had to learn to ask people in my personal and professional life for support when I need it. Also knowing that I am not the only one feeling helpless at times, helps me.
 
Strategies to consider

• Be aware and open with your struggles and challenges
• Ask for help if you need help

 
#3: Be aware of your needs and take care of yourself
Helping others be comfortable and happy is something most of us are good at. Imagine if we paid ourselves as much attention as we did to others. Thinking about what we need is not something we do very often. To be healthy in our mind and body, we need to feel like our needs are being met. When we know what we need and find ways to meet our needs, we will be healthier and happier.
 
Strategies to consider

• Take 10 minutes to think about what you need and are not getting today
• Identify one thing you can do for yourself and do it

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
This past week, I felt a deep feeling of gratitude. With everything going on, I needed to remind myself of the good that is happening in my life. Sometimes it is hard to see the good in the midst of all the scary things happening in the world. I have been reminding myself daily of how blessed I am.
 
Call to Action
How will you love yourself this week? Show yourself some love.

For most of us summer is officially here. Seeing the sun makes everything feel different. Although, many people have had to adjust their typical summer plans, there is hope and optimism in the air.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.  Check out part 1, part 2,  part 3 , part 4,  part 5 and part 6 of the transition preparation guide
 
#1: Get organized and get rid of things you do not need
With everything that has happened over the past four months, things seemed to have piled up and have been taken care of. Now is a great time to bring some order back into our lives. Start with one of the tasks that you have being putting off for a while. It could be sorting out your clothes, clearing the kitchen, decluttering your storage, organizing your paperwork, or reviewing your plan. There is a magical feeling of being in control of your life when you get organized.
 
Strategies to consider

• Make a list of areas where you want to get organized
• Choose one thing to organize over the next week

 
#2: Find ways to simplify your life
One of the things that have become very evident over the past months is that we are juggling a lot of things. Although the pace has slowed down a bit, it still feels like we are having to do so many things at once. There are some great tools that can help simplify our lives. A few major changes that I have made is to do most of my shopping online to reduce the need to go into a store and getting some take-out food on days where I need a break. This might sound quite simple, but it took me a while to think about these things as worth doing to improve the quality of my life. I now have some more time to get some rest.
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about areas that you are struggling to keep up in
• Research tools, resources or people that can help you take care of the tasks

 
#3: Do something special with someone you love
Over the past months, we have been reminded of the importance of having amazing people in our lives. Take advantage of the amazing relationships you have and enjoy bonding with people you love. We might have to be creative as we think about how we can connect deeply with our people. Please remember that being safe is a priority. Some ideas could be having a great meal with your partner, organizing a fun virtual event with good friends, watching a movie, or playing games together.
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about ways to connect deeply with your family or friends
• Schedule time to do one fun thing with a special person this week

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
The human connections that we have are very important. When I look back at the past months, the people in my life have helped me survive and thrive. I have had many amazing conversations, connected with people deeply, shared my feelings and laughed a lot. I feel closer to my people and appreciate them even more every single day.
 
Call to Action
What are you not going to do this week to give yourself some time to relax and have fun?

As we navigate the new and unknown, it is crucial to equip ourselves with resources and support mechanisms. We are all learning and growing as we get introduced to our new lives.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.  Check out part 1, part 2,  part 3 , part 4 and part 5 of the transition preparation guide.
 
#1: Get a routine or get back into your routine
With the recent changes to how we live, it is easy to feel like we are losing control of our time or schedules. If you are like me and still working from home, it might feel like your days just flow into each other. I started feeling better when I implemented a new routine for my days. At the end of each day or week, you might find yourself wondering what you achieved. I try to do the same things every day that I know work to give me the sense of fulfillment at the end of my day.
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about the important things you need to do every day
• Start a new routine to manage your time efficiently

 
#2: Explore and do new things
Especially since most of us have been staying home a lot, we are missing some opportunities to get inspired by the world outside. We need inspiration to help us continue dreaming and doing new things. When I start feeling stuck, I know that it is time to explore other things that I can do. I start by doing my research and then I plan to take action towards making my dreams a reality. With the help of the internet and tools at our fingertips, we can continue to explore and learn new things.
 
Strategies to consider

• Identify one thing that you have always been curious about
• Do some research and educate yourself about it

 
#3: Read a good book or listen to a podcast
Taking care of yourself is a priority. As part of our self-care routine, we can introduce some cool ways to refresh our thoughts. I have found that reading or listening to a great podcast are easy ways for us to distract ourselves and expand our perspectives on life. I enjoy listening to audio-books or podcasts while I cook or do chores.
 
Strategies to consider

• Search for good audio-books or podcasts on topics that interest you
  
• Make some time to listen to them daily

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
One of my habits that I have been trying to unlearn is the need to be busy all the time. I used to equate not doing anything with being lazy. Over the last months, I have learned the value of sitting still, taking naps and doing nothing. It has become more important for me to get some rest. Over this past week, I took some days off work and stayed in bed for most of the time. It feels really good not to judge myself when I do something for my body.
 
Call to Action
When was the last time you scheduled some "me" time? Make some time for yourself this week.

With every new day that we have, there are many opportunities to make the moves towards the future we desire. The events of the past months may have caused us to focus more on now and not allow ourselves to dream or think about the future. Now is a perfect time to start dreaming again.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.  Check out part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 of the transition preparation guide.
 
#1: Do something that makes you happy
With things improving around us, it is the perfect time to do something that makes you happy. We all had to take a break from doing a lot of things. However, there are now little things that we can start doing again.  Plan to do something small that brings you joy. It could be getting a haircut, eating one of your favorite meals, visiting the farmers market or having a picnic. Remember to be careful and observe the safety measures in place where you live.
 
Strategies to consider

• Make a list of some of the special things you can do safely
• Do one of the fun things on your list over the next week

 
#2: Celebrate your key milestones
If you celebrated a birthday, welcomed a new family member, or had a major milestone over the past 4 months, it was definitely a strange time. In order to celebrate milestones in these times, we have had to find new ways to mark them. We could never have imagined that we will be having virtual birthday parties, baby showers or even graduations.  We are fortunate that with everything going on, we can still connect with people who care about us. Over the past weeks, I have had some great family time to celebrate milestones via video chat. 
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about a special way to celebrate your next milestone
• Schedule time to celebrate your next milestone

 
#3: Highlight the good things in your life
Focusing on the good things that happen in our lives, gives us an energy boost. It is easy to let the negative experiences take over our mind. We have to be more intentional and choose to focus on the positive experiences. One technique that I use to ensure that I celebrate the good in my life is to share them with someone around me or write them down. This practice helps me ensure that the happy moments in my life don't pass by unnoticed. It is always fun to go back over my list and review my recent highlights.
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about your highlight of the last week or month
• Share your highlight with someone special

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
Recently, I have come to the realization that with everything going on, having a positive attitude is crucial. It is easy to be consumed by all the news and scary things happening around me. Every day when I wake up, I remind myself that I am fortunate to be alive and have what I have.
 
Call to Action
When was the last time you laughed deeply? Find things that make you happy.

Wishing all the fathers in our lives a Happy Father’s Day. I am incredibly grateful for all the amazing men in my life. Hope you made some time to appreciate the men in your life. Celebrating the amazing people in our lives during times like these makes it even more special.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.  Check out part 1, part 2 and part 3 of the transition preparation guide.
 
#1: Reflect on what you have learned over the past months
There is so much that we can learn from unexpected situations like the one we all experienced over the past months. One thing that we can do is to ensure that we leverage those lessons and apply them to our lives moving forward. One of the ways that I have been capturing the lessons I learned has been at the end of my blog posts. It has given me a catalog that I can reflect on and not forget.
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about the one lesson you have learned in the past four months
• Think about how you would like to apply it moving forward

 
#2: Help someone who is struggling
You might be wondering how helping someone else will help you thrive over the next months. When we help others, it gives us the opportunity to not think about our own situations for a little while. In my experience this helps change our perspective and give us a more positive outlook on our own life experiences. Having a support community where we all help one another has been amazing for me. There is always something small we can do for people around us that will make them happy.
 
Strategies to consider

• Check-in on your family and friends to see how they are doing
• Take on a task to support someone around you

 
#3: Plan and take some time off
Depending on where you live, summertime might be starting. It is a perfect time to take some time off. Especially if you have been working from home and still cannot travel around, it might be difficult to imagine what you can do with some days off. I have been reminding myself of the benefits of taking some time off to do things that I have been wanting to do. Taking time off will help you recharge, get things done and create space in your mind for some fresh thoughts.
 
Strategies to consider

• Schedule a few days off
• Plan to do something safe and fun

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
Over the past two weekends, I have connected a lot with my family. With most of us living in different cities around the world, we have not had a chance to spend quality time together for a while. I have learned that there are simple ways for us to stay connected and celebrate the important milestones. Setting up video calls and having great conversations has been a highlight for me.
 
Call to Action
What are you going to do for yourself this week? Prioritize your needs and take care of yourself.

Over the weekend, I observed one of the signs of things slowly going back to normal. We now have toilet tissues on the store shelves. The shortage was a visible sign of the impact of the pandemic on our lives. Small positive signs like these give me hope for the future.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.  Check out part 1 and  part 2 of the transition preparation guide.
 
#1: Create an adaptable plan
A plan serves as an orientation guide for decisions and actions that you will be taking over the next months. It might seem impossible to plan anything with all the uncertainty around us. By creating an adaptable plan, you can adjust it as you learn more over the next months. Having a plan will help you ensure you achieve your goals this year. Over the next six months, I am committed to take actions to make this year count.
 
Strategies to consider

• Set some goals for yourself and create a high-level plan to achieve your goals
• Learn and adjust your plan continuously

 
#2: Partner with people who are taking action
When you surround yourself with people who have the right mindset and are taking action, you increase your chances to succeed. There are a lot of great things that we can learn from each other. I am a firm believer that having great companions on our journey is crucial. Sharing ideas and plans with my support community over the past months has been extremely helpful. We act as accountability partners for each other on our quest to succeed in our personal and professional lives.
 
Strategies to consider

• Identify people in your life who can be part of your support community
• Check-in regularly with your support community

 
#3: Leave your worries behind
The past months may have left you feeling helpless and worried about the future. It is a normal reaction given everything that has happened this year. However, to be able to make progress, we will need to adjust our perspective and have a positive outlook.  One of the decisions that I have recently made is to continue my journey this year without fear. I am being cautious and taking the necessary safety precautions. However, I am not allowing fear to stop me from envisioning a great future and taking actions to make them a reality.
 
Strategies to consider

• Identify what you are afraid of
• Do not let your fears stop you

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
This week I was reminded of the importance of taking care of ourselves. Although I am working from home, I realized that I still need to pace myself and take vacation days. The excitement that came with scheduling my first vacation was unexpected. I know that I need to take a break and rejuvenate.
 
Call to Action
What fun things are you going to do this week?

Seeing more things reopen and conversations moving forward after the pandemic is exciting. I am immensely proud of how we are all adapting to the new normal and learning as we go.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.  Check out part 1 or the transition preparation guide  for more tips and ideas.
 
#1: Learn new skills to thrive in these times
With all the changes we have experienced over the last months, there are new skills that we need to learn. For some of us, we have had to learn how to work remotely, manage our households more efficiently, communicate differently with our families or being teachers for our kids. To thrive during the next phase, it is crucial to have an open mind and seek out resources that will help you learn the skills that you are missing. I have been learning more about using tools to simplify my life and stay on top of everything I need to do.
 
Strategies to consider

• Gather resources to help gain new skills
• Learn from others who know more about what you are trying to learn

 
#2: Practice being patient and resilient
As we transition to the next phase this year, we will need to practice personal strength in many areas. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the change happening. Being patient with yourself and the situations you experience over the next months will help you thrive. For some of us, being patient does not come naturally so we need to be intentional and make an effort. I know that with patience and resilience I will weather any unexpected situation that I will face.
 
Strategies to consider

• Remind yourself that things are changing, and you have what it takes to survive
• Celebrate your successes and wins 

 
#3: Learn new things about yourself and people around you
When we go through changes, we also change. Facing new situations brings out new things in us as well as our family and friends. Over the past three months, I have learned more about what is important to me and what makes me happy. I am now more aware and accepting of how I am changing through this new phase.
 
Strategies to consider

• Spend some quality time with yourself
• Ask questions and learn more about people you care about

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
It is quite easy to feel saddened and demotivated by everything going on in the world. I have been reminded of the importance of being optimistic and having a positive outlook on life. When I think about my future, I am hopeful and excited for what is to come.
 
Call to Action
What skills can you learn to help you thrive during the next months?

Over the last three months, I have been writing blog posts sharing tips on how to survive through quarantine and the current situation around us. As things begin to slowly shift, I thought it is a great time for us to begin our mental preparation for the next phase. This is a time of transition from the most unexpected situation we have all faced to the new normal.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.
 
#1: Allow yourself to start thinking about the next phase
To be able to kick-off the next phase in our lives, we need to give ourselves the permission to think about the future. Although the last months have brought unexpected surprises, there are still many opportunities for us to experience good things this year. This is the perfect time to reflect on what we have learnt and start envisioning the future.
 
Strategies to consider

• Start keeping a list of things you want and need to do
• Keep track of when you can take action

 
#2: Set expectations but prepare to learn and adjust
While we anticipate what comes next, it is important to be hopeful and not fearful. We might be more inclined to temper our feelings of hope and excitement in order not to be disappointed. A source of motivation for us is being positive about the future. While we are being hopeful about the future, it is also important for us to prepare to pivot and do things differently if we are presented with unexpected situations.
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about what you are excited about
• Prepare mentally to adapt when things change

 
#3: Accept that things are not going back to normal and will be different
Over the next months, we will experience life differently. The events of the last three months have left us all hoping for things to go back to the way that they were before. However, from all indications, things are going to be different over the next months. Accepting the new reality will help us be more successful. We can invest more energy in adapting to the new normal than desiring what we had before.
 
Strategies to consider

• Acknowledge that things have changed in your life
• Celebrate the new normal

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
Over that last weeks I have realized that although planning is crucial, what really matters is how I adapt when my plans change. I have a lot of peace now that I am adapting to the recent changes instead of trying to push through my plans for 2020. I am also accepting that no amount of planning could have prepared me for our current situation.
 
Call to Action
What are you looking forward to the most over the next 6 months?

Wrapping up Mental health awareness month, I would like to discuss some ways we can maintain our mental wellbeing. It is crucial for us to take a proactive approach to taking good care of ourselves.
 
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1,  part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5,  part 6 , part 7, part 8 and part 9 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas.
 
#1: Be aware of your fears and concerns
Having fears or concerns is absolutely normal. Many of us grew up in societies where we never spoke about our fears. There was an unspoken rule of silence around topics like that. It took me years to learn that it was ok for me to have some fears as long as I do not let them rule my life. These days I have been paying attention to my concerns around he pandemic and the future when all this is over.
 
Questions to consider

• What are some of your fears or concerns?
• What situations trigger your fears?

 
#2: Connect with your support community
We all need a group of people who we can confide in and go to when times are tough. Having a tribe and support community has been very important in my life. As I navigate the ups and the downs, I have been blessed to have people who provide me with a safe space. Staying connected to your community is extremely important especially at times like these.
 
Questions to consider

• Who are the people who you can confide in?
• How often do you share your deep thoughts with you support community?

 
#3: Know that you are not alone in any situation
When we go through difficult situations or face challenges, it is easy to think that you are the only one who is experiencing it. Hearing other people's stories can be a way to get encouraged and gain more perspective on your situation. When you share your challenges, you open lines of communication with others around you.
 
Questions to consider

• Do you feel alone with your concerns?
• How can you learn from other people's experiences?

 
Final Thoughts
Let's end this post with one lesson that I learned this past week:
It is important to take some time off and relax. Because I have been working from home for almost three months, I have not taken any time off to rest and do nothing. Fortunately, we had a public holiday and additional day off. I did something I needed to do - got a lot of rest.
 
Call to Action
How are you going to care for your mental wellbeing?

Over the past weeks we have all gotten to experience new things and discover different aspects of our lives. It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
 
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1,  part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5,  part 6 , part 7 and part 8 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas.
 
#1: Breathe and be at peace
One of the keys to surviving and thriving through a situation like this is to find a way to be at peace. It can be hard to be calm with everything happening around us. Being intentional about trying to find your peaceful place is crucial in times like this. I have found that I am more at peace when I take good care of myself and do something I enjoy.
 
Questions to consider

• What helps you feel at peace?
• How can you ensure you find peace daily?

 
#2: Set healthy boundaries
At times like these, it is easy to get consumed by all our responsibilities for our families or work. You may find yourself spending many hours doing things and being busy. To avoid burning out, it is essential to set healthy boundaries around your time and energy. One of the things I have been doing better at is separating the times that I work, take care of my home, do things I enjoy and rest. Also, it has been extremely helpful for me to communicate my boundaries and ensure others respect them.
 
Questions to consider

• How much time are you going to reserve for yourself?
• How are you going to communicate your boundaries to people around you?

 
#3: Enjoy the happy moments
Although it may be hard to see the good during these times, there are so many things in our lives that are going well. It helps a lot to remind ourselves of how blessed we are and enjoy the happy moments in our lives. I have been making it a priority to sit and celebrate the good things happening in my life. I have been smiling and laughing a lot lately.
 
Questions to consider

• When last were you happy?
  
• How will you celebrate the happy times?

 
Final Thoughts
Let's end this post with one lesson that I learned this past week:
This past week I have been accepting that I cannot control this situation and the best thing I can do is to be hopeful. As a planner, it is difficult for me but I am learning.
 
Call to Action
How are you going to motivate yourself?

Another week is here, and we have the opportunity to motivate each other. Strangely, time seems like it is going back quickly and yet slowly. 
 
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1,  part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5,  part 6 and part 7 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas.
 
#1: Think about the future
The thoughts and concerns about the present situation easily cloud our view of the future. Thankfully, this too shall pass, and we will be able to work on some of our goals. I know it is hard to envision what life would be like when this is all over.  Envisioning the future gives me hope and keeps me energized.
 
Questions to consider

• What are you looking forward to?
• How are you going to stay hopeful about the future?

 
#2: Be patient with yourself
Especially as we go into more weeks of working from home or adjusting to the new normal, it is important to be patient with ourselves. Remind yourself that you are doing great and there is no playbook for how things should go. Also, it helps to stop comparing yourself to others.
 
Questions to consider

• How are you pressuring yourself?
• How will you stop pressuring yourself?

 
#3: Surround yourself with people and things that encourage you
There is a lot of sad news out there. It is crucial for us to find some good news and fill our lives with positivity.  Especially if you notice yourself being sad or concerned, it's time to change what you are watching and listening to.  I also value the people in my live who remind me that we are all doing well.
 
Questions to consider

• What positive things are you going to surround yourself with?
• How will you share positivity with people around you?

 
Final Thoughts
Let's end this post with one lesson that I learned in the past week:
The best way to survive uncertain times is to celebrate the small things that bring you joy. Recently, I have been celebrating the fact that it's springs and mangoes are in season. The joy of eating a fruit that reminds me a lot of my childhood has been a highlight of the past weeks.
 
Call to Action
How are you going to be bring someone joy this week?