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My approach to building my personal brand

5/2/2019

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"Your personal brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room – remember that."– Chris Ducker
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Personal branding has been a hot topic lately. In early 2016, I kicked off work on my personal brand. The need came from me living in a new country and having to re-introduce myself. I took a holistic approach to build my brand by covering my personal and professional brand as well. It included working on my online presence, offline activities, networking, joining groups and most importantly self-discovery.

Today, I'm writing from the perspective of someone who has tested a few personal branding strategies and is continuously learning. As a starting point, your journey will be different; these are some ideas that you could add to your list. In this blog post, I'll share top strategies I used and some tools I use to keep my brand fresh. Check out the "Great Resources" section at the end of the post for more tips to help you build your brand.

What is your personal brand/ personal branding?
  • Personal brand is really just a synonym for your reputation. (Personal Branding Tips From Dorie Clark)
  • Personal branding is the process of creating a recognizable professional name and reputation for yourself. (Source: Job Interview Site)
  • Personal branding is the process of developing a "mark" that is created around your name or your career. You use this "mark" to express and communicate your skills, personality, and values. (Source: Tips on Creating and Growing Your Personal Brand)

Who needs to work on their personal brand?
You. Me. Everyone

Why you need a personal brand?
  • Provides clarity on who you are and what you stand for.
  • Gives you a great way to introduce yourself with some substance.
  • Offers the ability to differentiate yourself from people who do similar work.
  • Creates awareness of topics that are important to you and your work.
  • Provides a way for the right kinds of people and professional opportunities to find you.

How to build your personal brand

Be clear on why you want to build your personal brand
As with everything we do and want to be successful at, we need to be clear on why we are working on it as well as the results we want. Building your brand takes work and requires a clear direction. When I started building my brand, my objective was to create a platform to build deeper connections, share my experiences and promote what I care about. Looking back over the three years that I've been developing my brand, I can confidently say that I have seen great results.

Tools for your Toolkit
  • Write down why you want to build your personal brand and what you want to achieve.
  • Write down three things you plan to work on.

Get to know yourself more
When I started writing this post, I reflected on the most valuable exercises I did with my life coach. Getting to know myself better was the first. Self-discovery has been a key pillar of my branding journey. For me, it all began with discovering my strengths through self-assessments. Being clear on what I'm good at, helped me frame my message when I talked about or presented myself. I also spent time getting clarity on what my values are and what I stand for. My journey to discovering myself has been very rewarding.

Tools for your Toolkit
  • Take self-assessments to get to know yourself more. (My top 2: Strengthsfinder 2.0, Personality Types)
  • Write down five things you are good at and share with your community.

Own your narrative and tell your story
One of the principles I heard that helped me understand the importance of my brand was "If you don't own your narrative and your story, others will own it for you." The realization that I am the best person to tell my story helped me take ownership and think about how I want to be seen or heard. Growing up in Nigeria, I was not taught the value of talking about yourself in a positive way when you present yourself to the world. After going through my learning journey, I can say that we all have unique experiences and a great story to tell.

Tools for your Toolkit
  • Write down your story and some reflection points.
  • Share your story with someone.

Share your knowledge and ideas that help you stand out
Your co-workers, potential teams or clients should know your expertise and what they can come to you for. Create content and showcase yourself as an expert in your field. It is very easy to start this. Be mindful of what you share as it represents you. One of the great benefits of having my blog is that I have a great way to introduce myself and what I care about. There are many ways to go about it; you can start with gathering insights on topics you care about and sharing on social media, supporting causes that you care about or sharing ideas with your community.

Tools for your Toolkit
  • Find opportunities to speak, write and share your ideas.
  • Turn your ideas and expertise to a source of income.

Have a consistent message across all online and offline platforms
Does your online presence tell the same story as the one you share when you are meeting people in person? Your social media and professional platforms like LinkedIn should represent you the way you have chosen to present yourself. What you post, like, share and subscribe to, is a clear indication of where your heart is. Be intentional about what you put your name on, especially online. Imagine the great opportunity you have to associate yourself with good causes and things that help you grow.

Tools for your Toolkit
  • Update your LinkedIn profile and review it regularly
  • Be more intentional on social media

Keep learning and developing your brand
As you progress on your personal branding journey, take the opportunity to tweak and improve your presentation. Track what's working and what's not working to help define your path forward. I want to emphasize this point as it allows you to start with something small and keep expanding as you progress on your journey. Your brand is built one step at a time. This is the same approach I've been taking for the past three years.

Tools for your Toolkit
  • Make time to review your brand monthly
  • Research and see what other successful people are doing

Build your community and join productive groups
Interestingly, it is in my nature to build a community and look for them. However, I never considered the importance of how my community influenced my brand and vice versa. Especially professionally and in my business, my affiliation with certain groups helped me build and grow my brand. While you search for communities, keep in mind that you want a community you can give to and gain knowledge from. Remember the people you surround yourself with are a reflection of who you are.

Tools for your Toolkit
  • Build your support community
  • Think about the type of people you want to be around more and find them

Final Thoughts
  • Your brand is currency - invest and use it wisely.
  • Guard your reputation and be more intentional about how you present yourself to the world.
  • Now is the right time to start building your personal and professional brand - it's never too late or too early.
  • Start building your brand today and reap the benefits.

Great Resources
  • How Women Can Develop — and Promote — Their Personal Brand
  • 4 Powerful Questions That Help Nail Your Personal Brand
  • The First Step To Building Your Personal Brand
  • 26 Different Ways to Build Your Personal Brand (Meaning You'll Like at Least One!)
  • Build Your Personal Brand with These 5 Simple Tools
  • Why You Need A Strong Personal Brand and How To Build One
  • How to Define Your Personal Brand in 5 Simple Steps
  • Personal Branding Tips From Dorie Clark
  • How to Craft Your Personal Brand Statement
  • Tips on Creating and Growing Your Personal Brand
  • How to Write Your Personal Branding Statement
  • 5 Must-Read Books to Build Your Personal Brand by Women Authors Who Know How to Get It Done
  • How the story you tell about yourself affects your life
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How to do things you are afraid of

22/1/2019

2 Comments

 
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" "What's worth doing even if you fail? - Brene Brown
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A few years ago, a professor shared a valuable approach to facing my fears that I had never considered before. She advised me to think about strategies I can implement when I plan on doing things I am afraid of. Previously, I had never thought about actively addressing my fears through action.
To succeed and be fulfilled in life, you need to do many things you are afraid of. If your approach is to wait until you have no fear before you take a step, you will miss some great opportunities.

Are you starting a new job or role, chasing your dreams, working towards achieving your goals, moving to a new town or country, making lifestyle changes or doing something new? This post is dedicated to you.

In this blog post, we will explore seven strategies to overcome your fear through action.

Why should you do things you are afraid of?
  • It's the only way to make progress in life.
  • It helps you overcome your fear.
  • You learn to unblock yourself when you feel stuck.
  • You achieve goals that you never expected.

Strategies to overcome your fear and do things you are afraid of
Acknowledge your fear
Often, we wonder what holds us back and stops us from embracing new opportunities. The fear of failing is one of the biggest reasons why we don't achieve new and bigger goals. Think about all the opportunities you have missed because of fear. It is natural to be afraid, but it should not stop you from taking a step.
Questions to consider
  • What are you afraid of with regards to achieving your goals?
  • What is the worst thing that could happen if you take a step?

Prepare yourself for the journey ahead
To get more comfortable with making a move, make time to do some research and think through what you need to want to do. The good thing about most of the things we plan to do, we are hardly the first people to do it. Take advantage of the opportunity to research what other people in a similar situation have done and talk to people around you for input.
Questions to consider
  • How can you prepare yourself?
  • What has worked in the past when you were preparing for something new?

Create a plan to achieve your goals
Often when we approach the big tasks that we fear, we can't imagine how we can take action. Break down those big tasks into smaller tasks and plan them. Set milestones to help you measure your progress.
Questions to consider
  • How are you planning to achieve your goals?
  • How will you measure progress?

Equip yourself with the right tools
Tools, tips, and techniques help us solve the challenges we face as we achieve our goals. After you have identified what you are going to do, research available tools that can simplify the tasks. Some examples of useful tools may be a calendar for planning or courses and trainings to learn new skills.
Questions to consider
  • What tools will help me on my journey?
  • Do I have the tools already or need to get them?

Take the first step
It may sound too easy, but now that you have done some research, prepared yourself, it is time to act. Be careful not to wait for too long to make a move. The best way to overcome your fear of doing something new is to do it.
Questions to consider
  • What steps can you take?
  • What are you going to do within the next month?

Continue learning and improving
As you take a step into the unknown, it is crucial to be prepared to learn and improve continuously. Having a growth mindset will help you cross the hurdle of getting started and also get better results as you are interested in growing and learning through the process.
Questions to consider
  • How can you ensure you learn through the process of taking a step towards your goals?
  • How can you apply your learnings and improve?

Celebrate your achievements
Now that you have decided to do something you are afraid of, keep track of your accomplishments. Your achievement log will show you the tangible results of the move you made and serve as motivation when you start feeling discouraged.
Questions to consider
  • What have you achieved since you started doing things you were afraid of?
  • How often will you review your achievements?

Call for Action
What is that thing you will do if you were not afraid? Challenge yourself to take action and apply the strategies above. Share with your community.

Final Thoughts
  • On our journey, we will continuously face opportunities that seem bigger than us - embrace them.
  • Being afraid is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign of work we need to do.
  • You can do it - take a step today!!

Great Resources
  • Fearless Living: Do What You Are Afraid to Do
  • Challenge #1: Do Something I'm Scared Of
  • Want To Do Something Great? Don't Be Afraid Of Failure
  • Do One Thing That Scares You Every Day
  • Overcoming Fear of Failure
  • There Is No Success without Failure: 6 Reasons to Do the Things That Scare You
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How to own your motivation

15/1/2019

1 Comment

 
"Let no one discourage your ambitious attitude. You don't need a fan club to achieve your goals. Be your own motivation." - Mama Zara  
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Many times, when we talk about being motivated, we are relying on external sources to motivate us. Imagine all you could do if you made it a priority to motivate yourself. It will not only get you started faster, but self-motivation will also keep you on the ball longer.

In this post, we will explore ways to get motivated and continue being motivated as you achieve your goals.

When you are self-motivated, you are:
ambitious, self-directed, full of initiative, proactive, self-dependent, driven by oneself, a self-starter and a go-getter.

What is self-motivation?
  • Ability to do what needs to be done, without influence from other people or situations. People with self-motivation can find a reason and strength to complete a task, even when challenging, without giving up or needing another to encourage them. (Source: Business Dictionary)
  • driven by one's own desires and ambitions. (Source: Merriam Webster Dictionary)
  • motivated or driven by oneself or one's own desires, without any external agency. (Source: Collins Dictionary)
  • Motivated to do or achieve something because of one's own enthusiasm or interest, without needing pressure from others. (Source: Oxford Dictionary)

Benefits of being self-motivated
  • You can go after what you want.
  • You seize new opportunities.
  • You find power from within yourself to continue working on things.
  • You are not dependent on others to motivate you to get where you want to go.

Self-motivation questions
Let's evaluate your self- motivation with the help of some reflective questions.

What excites or drives you?
Being aware of the things that motivate you is crucial. With this knowledge, you unlock the ability to seek out those motivators and experiences. It will become like fuel for your motor to power through whatever situation you are in.

What are you good at?
Appreciating your unique strengths and identifying opportunities to apply your skills will motivate you. We focus so much on our weakness and what we are not good at, which demotivates us. Focus on your strengths and celebrate your achievements.

How do you continuously check your motivation level?
Being in touch with feelings and how motivated you are at all times is essential. You will feel more motivated at times more than other times, and that is perfectly normal. Have regular check-ins with yourself.

What do you do when you don't feel motivated?
Times will come when your motivation will drop. Think of ways to increase your motivation. Personally, I find that learning something new or sharing my knowledge helps motivate me. Fighting demotivation requires you taking action.

What are you looking forward to?
With all the seriousness and responsibilities we have, it is easy to forget to have a positive outlook on life and your future. There is a lot to be hopeful for. Positivity will increase your motivation throughout your journey.

Call to Action
How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated? Write your response down so you can read later on.

Final Thoughts
  • Motivating yourself takes action and effort - it is definitely worth the investment.
  • It is empowering to know that you can own your motivation.
  • Motivation is essential to achieve your goals.

Great Resources
  • [QUIZ] How Self-Motivated Are You?
  • Struggling to Get Motivated? Don't Ask for Advice--Give It
  • How to Motivate Yourself to Do Things You Don’t Want to Do
  • How to Motivate Yourself: 3 Steps Backed By Science
  • 17 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Do Great Things
  • 8 Steps to Continuous Self Motivation Even During the Difficult Times
  • How to Keep Working When You’re Just Not Feeling It
  • How to Stay Insanely Self-Motivated, According to Science
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10 free or low-cost things you can do for yourself in 2019

8/1/2019

1 Comment

 
Happy new year to you! 2019 is finally here. Are you ready for greatness?
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The start of a new year brings excitement and anticipation of the great things to come. However, it also comes with a lot of pressures and fear of the future. In preparation for your journey this year, it is important to be empowered and confident that you can make things happen for yourself.

In this blog post, we will explore a few ideas to add to your list for the year that will cost you very little and create high value. The guiding principle for most of these tips is that they help you build a strong foundation for the year, no matter what comes your way.

#1: Believe in yourself
Valuing your unique skills and abilities comes at no cost. It's free and can only be applied by one person - you. Think and speak good things about yourself and your future.

#2: Be consistent and disciplined
You will experience great success in everything you do if you apply these two simple principles. Being consistent and disciplined costs you nothing but brings great rewards.

#3: Reflect on your experiences
Think back on the past experiences and uncover those valuable lessons that will help you this year. There is a wealth of knowledge that you can derive from things that went well or not so well last year.

#4: Share your story
This tip is a new one for most of us who prefer hearing other people's stories but fail to see that our stories are unique and relevant. Last year, I learned the power of sharing my experiences with people around me. It helped me appreciate my journey even more.

#5: Be positive
Especially as we start a new year, it is crucial to have a positive outlook on the future. It is very easy to look at the months ahead and think of only challenges and issues we may encounter. Imagine the excitement you build when you are hopeful and positive about what lies ahead.

#6: Motivate yourself
You can do even greater things when you are self-motivated. Depending on people to motivate you will affect the progress you make. The ability to identify your goals, take action and stay motivated through the process will make a difference for you this year.

#7: Build your growth mindset
Be prepared to invest time and work on your personal and professional development. As a result, you will continue to grow and get better at everything you do. Believing that in life you have many learning opportunities and possibilities to grow will change your perspective on challenges you may face.

#8: Surround yourself with good people
There are many positive and negative consequences of the company we keep. In this new year, make it a point to surround yourself with people who inspire you to grow and be your best self. It may be time to reconnect with people who added positivity to your life.

#9: Find and gather knowledge
These days the vast amount of learning resources that are available to us are impressive. Read books, listen to podcasts, attend classes, subscribe to newsletters and take every opportunity to learn something new. Knowledge is a tool you always want to have in your toolkit.

#10: Be kind to yourself
It's the start of a new year, and you most likely have a long list of goals for 2019. While you work on achieving your goals, remember that some things may not happen as planned. Regardless of the outcomes, give yourself permission to make mistakes, learn and grow. Also, remember to make self-care a priority this year.

Call to Action
Think about things you can do for yourself and share two things you will do for yourself in 2019.

Final Thoughts
  • You set the tone for your year - be positive and hopeful.
  • Make sure your foundation is solid – work on yourself.
  • Do new things this year – be great!

Great resources
  • 50 Small Things You Can Do Every Day to Really Love Yourself
  • Start Doing These 9 Things For Yourself Every Day To Immediately Improve Your Life
  • 6 Things To Do For Yourself Starting Today
  • 30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself
  • 29 Things That You Need To Start Doing For Yourself
  • 7 Tiny But Meaningful Things You Can Do to Become Your Own Best Friend
  • 8 Things To Do To Make Every Day Count
  • 12 Days of Self Care: 13 of the Best Things to do by Yourself

Welcome to 2019!
After taking a two-week break over the holidays, I am looking forward to sharing more blog posts with you and expanding our community. Join me on this adventurous journey!
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The power of believing in yourself

18/12/2018

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"Believe in yourself, take on your challenges, dig deep within yourself to conquer fears. Never let anyone bring you down. You got to keep going." - Chantal Sutherland
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As I planned my final blog post of the year, I reflected on the theme of many of the previous posts this year. A resounding message I discovered was "the power to do great things lies within you." It is important to make self-belief a priority in our lives.
In this blog post, we will explore the definition of believing in yourself, signs you don't believe in yourself and five reasons why you need to believe in yourself.
 
What does it mean to believe in yourself?
  • Self-belief is confidence in your own abilities or judgment. (Source: Collins Dictionary)
  • Our self-assurance in trusting our abilities, capacities, and judgments; the belief that we can meet the demands of a task.” (Source: Positive Psychology program)
  • The belief that you can do things well. (Source: Macmillan Dictionary)
 
What are signs you don't believe in yourself?
Some of the signs to look out for are:
  • Feeling like you don't have any unique contribution.
  • Doubting that you have the required skills and abilities to be successful.
  • Believing mostly negative things people say about you.
  • Rejecting new opportunities and being afraid of bigger responsibilities.
 
Why should you believe in yourself?
There are many strong reasons why you need to believe in yourself. Let’s explore some of them:
 
Reason 1: You are the only you
We are all unique. Regardless of who you were born or grew up around, the fact is, there is no one else like you. When you start living in this truth, you'll stop comparing yourself to others and diminishing your uniqueness.
Question to consider:
  • What makes you unique?
  • How do you celebrate your uniqueness?
 
Reason 2: You have a huge contribution
You have a significant contribution to make to the lives of the people around you, even though you don't always feel this way. The feeling that there's not much you can contribute is very common. When you focus on all the great things, you have to offer, your perspective on life changes.
Questions to consider:
  • What is your unique contribution?
  • How can you remind yourself daily of your contribution?
 
Reason 3: If you don’t believe in yourself who will?
It is interesting that we expect people to believe in us when we don't believe in ourselves. Observe your thoughts and words about yourself. Become your biggest fan!
Questions to consider:
  • Do you expect others to believe in you though you don't believe in yourself?
  • How can you become your biggest fan?
 
Reason 4: You have what it takes to be successful
Believe that you have the required skills and abilities to thrive in life. Especially when you start doubting yourself, remember that you are enough and you have the opportunity to build anything you may be missing.
Questions to consider:
  • Do you believe you have what it takes to be successful in 2019? If not, what can you do about it?
  • How can you grow what lies within you?
 
Reason 5: You will go places you never expected to go
People are more attracted to you when you exude confidence. Believing in yourself is a trait that will open doors to many new opportunities and set you up for greatness.
Questions to consider:
  • What opportunities has believing in yourself provided you?
  • What new opportunities will you accept in 2019?
 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up with some positive affirmations to say to yourself:
  • "I have what it takes to be successful."
  • "I am starting to feel more and more confident in my abilities."
  • "I know that I am strong."
  • "I will continue to learn and grow."
  • "I am enough."
 
Great Resources
  • The Incredible Power of Believing in Yourself
  • 10 Ways To Believe In Yourself Again
  • 5 Positive Ways to Build Your Belief in Yourself
  • 3 Reasons Believing in Yourself Is the First Step to Success
  • 6 Simple Steps to Start Believing in Yourself
  • 11 Strategies to Develop an Unshakeable Belief in Yourself
 
Wrapping up 2018
Thank you for being part of my journey this year. I'm looking forward to many more learning experiences in 2019.
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10 questions to reflect on your 2018

11/12/2018

2 Comments

 
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Every year brings different experiences and learnings that enrich our lives. As you approach the final weeks of the year, it's a great time to reflect on your personal and professional experiences.
In this blog post, we'll explore ten questions to help you reflect as well as share a high-level view of my year. Get comfortable, get a cup of tea, grab your notebook and go on a reflective journey of the year 2018 - your experiences, achievements, and challenges.

How to get the most benefits during your reflection?
Let's start with a few guiding principles:
  • Be grateful for all your experiences.
  • Celebrate your achievements.
  • Draw learnings from the negative experiences.
  • Prepare and plan for growth next year.

What tools can you use during your reflection?
  • Ask yourself questions - they help pull out some thoughts that may not be front of mind.
  • Look into your journals and calendars - the best way to remind ourselves of things we did
  • Talk to your family and friends - sometimes people remember things we don't or have a very different perspective that can enrich our lives

Ten questions to help you reflect on the whole year.
#1: What was the theme of 2018?
If you were asked to summarize your year in one sentence what would it be? Write down a few sentences or phrases that come to mind and then select one after you answer the other questions.

#2: What happened this year?
You might have to spend some time on this question. Try to remember the things that happened from January to December. The primary objective is to ensure that you reflect on the year as a whole, not only snapshots in time or most recent memories. Write down every month and summarize your experiences in those months.

#3: What were your highlights of the year?
Starting from a place of gratitude provides fuel for you. Reflect on the achievements and positive experiences you had this year. Naturally, we tend to forget the positive experiences. If you need some support remembering, ask people around you or review feedback people shared with you.

#4: What did you learn this year?
Especially when we have negative experiences, it is easy to feel regret and other negative feelings. Let's reframe those experiences a little and identify what we learned about ourselves, our career and our relationships.

#5: Who were the most important contributors?
The main objective of this question is to help you identify your support community. It is essential to acknowledge and appreciate the people in our lives that contributed in one way or the other. Think about how your family, partner, friends, teammates, mentors or sponsors supported you throughout the year.

#6: Where did you let self-doubt stop you from doing something?
As you prepare for the new year, it is important to be aware of the opportunities you missed because you doubted yourself. Reflecting on these opportunities gives you a clear view of the areas where you can decide to make a change.

#7: What did you do although you were afraid?
This is one of my favorite questions. Following the previous question, reflect on the bold moves you made this year. Write down the small and big things. The objective is to remind yourself of the great things you did even though you were not confident. Congratulations you did it!

#8: What inspired or motivated you this year?
Being aware of what drove us to be our best in a year is crucial. It could be the same things that motivated you in the past or new motivators. As you plan for next year, you want to ensure that you build on these inspirations.

#9: How did you invest in yourself in 2018?
Your personal growth should always be a priority. Write down some ways you invested in yourself and promoted your growth. It could be books you read, events you attended, courses you took, new roles you accepted or self-care.

#10: How did you give back this year?
It is essential to make giving back a part of our lives. With this question, we want to summarize the times we were self-less and did something for someone else that had a positive impact.

Marie-Christin's year in summary
Theme:
2018 was a year of many unexpected twists and turns.

Summary:
This year has been exciting on many levels. Thinking back, I can't believe everything I did this year. My year in numbers:
  • Wrote almost 60 blog posts
  • Interviewed for 4 positions
  • Had 2 Jobs
  • Attended 4 weddings
  • Traveled my 2 home countries
  • Built a new support community with 12 women
  • Spoke at 3 events
  • Had tears and disappointments

Highlights
I asked myself what I was most proud, the four things that came to mind were the following:
  • Starting my blog
  • Speaking at events
  • Starting a new Job
  • Having a photo-shoot

Lessons
There were a lot of valuable lessons I learned from the disappointments.
  • No matter how much you plan and prepare, some things will be out of your control.
  • There are good ways to deal with disappointment. Don't stay down!
  • Taking a bold step will open the doors to other great opportunities.

Thank you for being a part of my journey in 2018!

Great Resources
  • 5 Questions to Reflect on Your Year
  • 10 Questions to Help You Reflect on Your Year and Prepare for the Next
  • How to Reflect on the Past Year in 5 steps
  • How to Find Happiness When You Reflect on the Past Year
  • Reflect and Recalibrate for the New Year
  • Five Personal Reflection Questions to Evaluate Your Year and Start the New Year Right
  • 3 Ways Reflection Can Influence Your Goals
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Six Tips to Overcome Imposter syndrome

27/11/2018

1 Comment

 
“There are still days I wake up feeling like a fraud, not sure I should be where I am.” - Sheryl Sandberg
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 Over the last weeks, I have been pondering on my struggle to accept that my success is earned and that I deserve to be where I am today. I had heard of the "imposter syndrome," but I didn't think that was what I was experiencing. I started digging deeper into this exciting topic and learned great insights that I would like to share. Especially as we prepare for the greatness that lies ahead of us, it is essential to be equipped to overcome imposter syndrome.
 
This blog post is written from the perspective of someone who suffers from Imposter syndrome wanting to help others like me. We will explore the definition, signs as well as tips to overcome imposter syndrome. For some useful resources to equip yourself, refer to the "Great Resources" section. We can only take our place in this world and enjoy where we are when we accept that we deserve the good things.
 
What does Imposter syndrome mean?
  • Imposter syndrome can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. (Source: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome)
  • is commonly understood as a false and sometimes crippling belief that one's successes are the product of luck or fraud rather than skill (Source: Merriam Webster)
  • is a pervasive feeling of self-doubt, insecurity, or fraudulence despite often overwhelming evidence to the contrary. ( Source: Scientific American)
  • a feeling of "phoniness in people who believe they are not intelligent, capable or creative despite evidence of high achievement." (Source: Pauline R. Clance)
 
How to tell if you have imposter syndrome?
  • Feeling that you have not achieved anything.
  • Doubting your accomplishments and focusing more on your failures.
  • Feeling that you are a fraud and don't deserve to be where you are.
  • Inability to accept a compliment given to you.
  • Thinking you are less capable or qualified than your peers.
  • Feeling like you must work at 100 % and get no rest.
 
How to overcome Imposter syndrome
 
Tip 1: Own your accomplishments
You did it! We need to get into the habit of celebrating our accomplishments. Growing up in Nigeria, people were often labeled as proud or pompous if they spoke about their achievements. This is something I have been working very hard at unlearning. Feeling a sense of accomplishments is needed for healthy self-esteem. Focus on what you have accomplished and not what you expect to have achieved. I have come to value my accomplishment log as it helps remind me of all that I have accomplished when I start doubting myself.
 
Tip 2: Stop comparing yourself to others
When we start doubting ourselves and our accomplishments, the first place we go is to start comparing ourselves to others. We tend to view other's success as more significant, or think they are more deserving than we are. Your accomplishments are significant and deserve to be acknowledged. Stop trying to lessen the impact of the work you put in. 
 
Tip 3: Find mentors and a support group
It is important to get comfortable talking to people you trust about your feelings. Sharing your insecurities can be an essential step to overcoming your imposter syndrome. There are many women out there like you doubting themselves. Imagine the strength we can find in confiding in trusted people and accepting their commitment to support us on our journey. Also, surrounding yourself with other people who are comfortable with celebrating their accomplishments will begin to rub off on you.
 
Tip 4: Accept positive feedback
Are you that person that can't take a compliment or positive feedback? Do you find yourself thinking people feel obliged to compliment you and don't mean it? Hearing people confirm your accomplishments and embodying it helps overcome imposter syndrome. It is often much easier for us to accept negative feedback than positive because we don't feel like we deserve the kind words people say to us. If you are tempted to shoot down a compliment, remember you earned it.
 
Tip 5: Think about set-backs differently
When we experience some setbacks, it might be easy to beat ourselves up and doubt our previous successes. Will you be where you are today if you didn't face some failures along the way? Seeing setbacks that you face as learning experiences and not the end of your story will help you bounce back and feel confident again.
 
Tip 6: Keep working on it
It takes continuous work and effort to overcome imposter syndrome. As you experience more success in life, you may have even more self-doubt. Remember the techniques that work for you and get to work. Keep aspiring for more and exploring new ways to celebrate your accomplishments.
 
Final Thoughts
  • You earned your accomplishments - celebrate them.
  • You belong where you are today - enjoy it.
  • You are talented and have the knowledge - be proud.
  • You deserve your success - accept it.
 
Great Resources
  • [TED Talk] The Five Types Of Impostor Syndrome And How To Beat Them
  • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
  • How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome
  • 5 Different Types of Imposter Syndrome (and 5 Ways to Battle Each One)
  • Feel Like A Fraud? Here's How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome
  • 5 Ways To Break Free Of Impostor Syndrome
  • 10 Ways To Overcome Imposter Syndrome
  • Dealing with imposter syndrome when you’re treated like an imposter
  • Learning to Deal With the Impostor Syndrome
  • 4 Tips to Combat Imposter Syndrome
  • Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
  • How To Deal If You're Always Worried People Will Find Out You're A Failure At Life
  • Yes, Impostor Syndrome Is Real. Here's How to Deal With It
  • [TED Talk Playlist] Fighting impostor syndrome
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Manage procrastination and achieve more

13/11/2018

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As we prepare for the new year, it's a great time to analyze the things holding us back and make plans for change. If you procrastinate, you are not alone. We all put off doing something from time to time.
Most of the time, the conversation is about ways to stop procrastinating. Have you ever considered managing your procrastination instead? The main difference in that, you can continuously address procrastination every time it happens instead of trying to eliminate a natural trait.
In this post, we will learn about the reasons we procrastinate and explore some techniques to manage procrastination. These techniques help me every day, and I know they'll help you too.

What does procrastinate mean?
  • To put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done (Source: Merriam Webster)
  • To keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring (Source: Cambridge Dictionary)
  • If you procrastinate, you keep leaving things you should do until later, often because you do not want to do them. (Source: Collins Dictionary)

Why do we procrastinate?
There are many reasons why we procrastinate
  • Fear of failure or not being able to complete the task
  • Fear of working towards a big goal or task
  • Fear of the unknown future and outcomes
  • Feeling overwhelmed with everything you have to do

The benefits of managing procrastination
  • You explore new things
  • You create new experiences
  • You grow and develop
  • You live life to the fullest

Five techniques to manage procrastinating and achieve your goals
Are you a procrastinator?
Tip: Observe yourself and discover the reasons your procrastinate
Reflect on the times when you procrastinate. Make a note of what you think the reasons may be. Procrastinating is a natural reaction to a task we are uncertain of. However, there are ways to ensure that you are not missing out on the greatness that awaits you. Being aware of why you procrastinate is the first step.

Are you unable to start working towards your goals?
Tip: Create a plan and get started
The best way to set yourself up for success is to have a written action plan. It will help you prioritize and see what you should be working on. Now that you have a plan and clarity of the one task you should be working on today, start working on that one task. Beginning a task today will get you closer to your goal.

Are you struggling to finish a task?
Tip: Set achievable goals and focus
Often we take on huge tasks that overwhelm us and lead to us putting things off. It has been proven that when we set goals that are too big, our natural reaction is to panic. When I set goals, I'm very particular about making sure I am not taking on too much at once. Focusing on finishing one task before you move to other tasks will give you better results.

Do you feel overwhelmed and alone with your goals?
Tip: Find an accountability partner or group
Find people you trust and ask them to be your accountability partner or join a group. Over the past months, I have started valuing my accountability partners more. I found that the fact that you have to share updates with someone forces you to do what you planned.

Are you discouraged because you don't see progress?
Tip: Measure your progress and celebrate key milestones
Tracking your achievements and progress towards your goals is an excellent source of motivation for your journey ahead. Many times we procrastinate because we don't feel successful. Celebrate all milestones like starting a task not only completing a task. Be more aware of the progress you are making towards achieving your goals.

Final Thoughts
  • It's incredible to know that you have all the power required to break the cycle of procrastination.
  • Imagine all the things you can get done when you manage procrastination.
  • Are you committed to managing procrastination in 2019 and achieving your goals? You can do it.

Great Resources
  • Why We Procrastinate When We Have Long Deadlines
  • How to Beat Procrastination
  • How To Conquer Procrastination Once And For All
  • Psychologists Explain Why You Procrastinate — And How to Stop
  • Procrastination: It's pretty much all in the mind
  • Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination
  • 6 Myths You've Been Told About Procrastination and Productivity
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My Journey so far: Connecting the dots

23/10/2018

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One of my birthday traditions is reflecting on my past year and preparing for the future. This year, I'm doing something different, I'm reflecting on my whole journey so far.
In today's blog post, I am sharing my story so far with the help of some key reflection points that make me who I am today.
 
MC's Journey
If I were asked to characterize my journey so far, I would say that there have been many unexpected twists and turns that have led to where I am today. When I hear people's almost perfect life stories, I'm amazed because my story is very different. Looking back to my simple beginnings and my earliest memories, I never thought I would be where I am today. I'm incredibly grateful for my experiences, learnings, and achievements.
  
Being a Twin
I always say I am blessed to have been born with my best friend. The great lesson being a twin has taught me is that although you were born with someone, your journeys will be extremely different. Think about that before you compare your experiences to someone else.
Over the years, I have also learned the importance of staying connected to my twin no matter how far we are geographically and being in different phases of our journey.
 
Raised by a single Mom
While I was writing this post, I realized that my mum was the same age as I am now when she gave birth to us. My mother taught us many valuable life lessons, some of which I shared in a previous blog post titled 10 lessons I learned from my mum. Learning how to work hard towards my dreams and keep learning, have been the two lessons, that have propelled me on my journey.
 
Living on 3 Continents
Some of the core influences to who I am today come from living in Nigeria, Germany, and the US. Spending my childhood in Nigeria grounded me in the beauty of the culture, the food and family values. Growing up in Germany, I learned a lot of valuable lessons that guide me in my adult life and career. Now living in the US has broadened my view on possibilities of whom I can become. I feel very fortunate to have experienced living in different countries and diverse cultures.
 
Building my Tribe
The great people I have met and become close to have enriched my journey. I moved away from my family at age fifteen, and it was essential for me to find my new tribe, people that will be my support system as I progressed through my journey. Reflecting on my tribe, I can honestly trace all of them to a different phase in my life over the past 17 years. I have learned to guard my inner circle, and I'm very intentional about whom I let in as they play a significant role in my life.
 
Discovering my Identity
To me, your identity is something you define for yourself. It is not only determined by your family, race, culture but also by all the influences on your journey. To get to this definition, I went through a few years of an identity crisis. If you ask me who I am today, I'll say I am a German - Nigerian woman who is proud of all her roots. It took me years to feel comfortable with my identity.
 
Overcoming the bad Experiences
A few years ago someone special told me something I never realized about myself. He said he valued the fact that I wasn't bitter after the hardships I experienced. My journey was far from easy, and sometimes I felt like quitting. However, one thing that remained was my smile. I became an expert at dusting myself after a fall and being positive about the future.
 
Appreciating the Detours
The first time I realized that life can be difficult was having to move from a home I believed will provide me security in my first year in Germany. Looking back, I lost count of the unexpected changes because there were many. One thing is for sure, I am no longer afraid of change, and I keep accepting that there are many paths to my destination.
 
Expanding my Portfolio
Over the past year, I added blogger and coach to my skillset. These were dreams that I had for years but was afraid to take the first step. For someone who encourages people to take action, it took me several years to leap. I'm very grateful for all my experiences and lessons I have learned since I took the first step.
 
Discovering my Mission
We are all on this earth to serve a purpose and bring change. Recently, I've been on a discovery journey to find my mission. My mission is to:
  • Encourage people on a journey that is different from what they expected.
  • Cheer-lead women who are working towards big goals, finding their passion and living their best life.
  • Be there for anyone who needs an ear and someone to believe in them.
 
My Top 10 life Lessons (so far)
  1. Plan and prepare for a great future - having a direction stops you from getting lost.
  2. Get back up - when you face disappointments, take a moment to cry then pick yourself up and take the next step.
  3. Keep learning – have a growth mindset, seek out knowledge to enrich your life.
  4. Be authentic and be you - trying to be someone you are not is not fulfilling.
  5. Get to know yourself - discover the things you like, dislike and whom you aspire to be.
  6. Discover your strengths - your strengths are unique, start celebrating and using them.
  7. Seek out opportunities to thrive - look for areas where you can grow, learn and succeed.
  8. Always work towards something - in life, you have to keep moving and achieving goals.
  9. Celebrate your achievements – you are doing amazing things.
  10. Take care of yourself - you only have one body, soul and spirit.

Thank You, Vielen Dank, Na Gode
I want to wrap up this post with a quick thank you to all the people that have contributed to my life. I can't name everyone individually, so I created some groups:
  • To my family and close friends - you are my safe space.
  • To everyone who sacrificed something for me - you gave to me, and now I can also give to others.
  • To my teachers and mentors - you supported my thirst to keep learning and questioning the status quo.
  • To all the women out there who have allowed me to share their journeys with them - you help me expand my perspective and to provide opportunities for me to give back.
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Start preparing for 2019 with these 10 Questions

16/10/2018

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There is something magical about this time of the year. As we approach the final months of this year, I have started an activity I enjoy - preparing for 2019. Planning for the year ahead has been a significant part of my adult life. I am excited to share my process with you.

In this blog post, we will explore some guiding principles and ten essential questions to help you prepare for 2019. For additional tips on planning for a year and achieving your goals, refer to my older blog posts What's your plan for 2018? March Edition and Mid-year Goals Review.

Guiding principles
While you go through this preparation process, keep the following in mind:
  • Start planning early to avoid the end of year pressure.
  • Give yourself time to gather information and think freely.
  • Write everything down, so you have something you can review.
  • Celebrate the positive and learn from the negative experiences.
  • Plans are flexible and can be changed.

How to start preparing for a great 2019
With the help of the questions below, you can start planning your next year.

Question 1: What went well in 2018?
The best way to kick-start your planning process is by celebrating your past achievements. Start with writing down the things that went well this year. In my opinion, we need to spend more time thinking about our success and accomplishments.

Question 2: What didn't go well in 2018?
Answer this question with a growth mindset and willingness to learn. The primary objective is to be aware of the things you want to do differently in 2019. We can all learn from the experiences that didn't go as we expected.

Question 3: What are you looking forward to in 2019?
Starting from a positive place when you think about the future is crucial. Think about some great things you want to experience in 2019. Start building your excitement for the amazing things to come.

Question 4: What are your goals for 2019?
Having goals will motivate and guide you. Start thinking about the top five things you want to work towards in 2019. Goal setting is a necessity for your personal and professional development.
Find great resources to help with goal setting under the Great resources section below.

Question 5: How will you track your progress?
After you set your goals, it is essential to be clear on what success looks like and how you plan to track your progress. Some of the useful techniques include setting the frequency of reviews and metrics to measure your progress towards achieving your goals.

Question 6: What resources will you use?
Being equipped with the right tools and resources is crucial to achieving your planned goals. While you evaluate the goals you want to achieve, think about the tools you will need as well. Some helpful resources are courses, podcasts, learning blogs, conferences and much more.

Question 7: Who will you surround yourself with?
The concept of amplifying your success with the help of a support system is one that I value a lot. There are so many benefits of having a strong group of people who support you and hold you accountable to your goals. Write down the current members of your support community and the new ones you need.

Question 8: How will you stay motivated?
There will be times throughout 2019 when you will need some motivation and inspiration. Thinking about ways to stay motivated will help you bridge those difficult times.

Question 9: How will you empower others?
Helping others achieve their goals is a great way to make an impact. In 2019, do something meaningful for people around you. There's something magical about giving back and enriching someone else's life.

Question 10: How will you make 2019 count?
Chasing your passion and dreams should also be your focus. As you start envisioning the new year, think of ways to ensure you live out your passion and dreams.

What's Next
Congratulations you have started setting yourself up for a great 2019. Now, what do you do next?
  • Over the next two months review and update your responses to the questions above.
  • Share, gather feedback and input from your support community.
  • Start 2019 with confidence!

Final thoughts
  • No matter what 2018 brought, you can change course in 2019 and have a great year.
  • Planning early for the year not only reduces the pressure over the new year, but it also helps give you direction at the beginning of the year.
  • 2019 will be amazing!

Great resources
Sharing some great resources to help you plan for 2019
  • 4 Reasons To Plan For 2019 Now If You Want To Be Successful
  • Why Now Is the Time To Get Ready For 2019 Goals
  • Don’t wait for New Year’s: Why you should be setting your goals now
  • 10 Biggest Mistakes People Make in Setting Goals (and How to Fix Them) [Podcast]
  • What Separates Goals We Achieve from Goals We Don’t
  • Confessions of a Reluctant Goal Setter
  • How to Avoid 3 Pitfalls of Goal-Setting
  • 8 Tips for Setting Goals That'll Actually Happen
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