 There are so many lessons to learn about your professional life. The best professional advice I received from one of my coworkers was "always take the time to introduce and reintroduce yourself." She gave me this advice after I had been at a new company for about four months and it changed my trajectory.
In this blog post, we will explore when you need great introductions and how to create an introduction that people will remember. When are introductions important?
How to create a great introduction Step #1: Think about what you want people to know about you It is important to help people get to know you. When you think about your story and reputation, ask yourself what the important aspects of your career are. Some of the things I share with people include projects I have worked on, skills that I have, certifications or degrees and what I am passionate about. Remember also to include aspects of your personal life. There is so much power in connecting with people on a personal level. Questions to consider
Step #2: Write your intro statements In my experience, I have learned that when you write down a short introduction, it allows you to think through your message. Write down many options and refine your introduction as you go. As you work on your introduction statements, try not to over-engineer it. Questions to consider
Step #3: Practice your introduction with people you trust One way to improve your introduction is by sharing it with your trusted advisors. You can send it to them in written form or practice telling them in person. The objective of this activity is to gather feedback and ideas from people who know you really well. Questions to consider
Step #4: Update and tweak your Introduction Based on feedback and your experience as you tested your introduction, it is time to adjust your intro statements. The goal is to have a version you are comfortable with sharing with more people. It might not be perfect, and that is fine. Questions to consider
Step #5: Introduce and reintroduce your self Now it is time to start using your new introduction. Depending on your audience, you may want to tweak your introduction. By practicing and working on your introduction, you will get better. I have also started being more aware of how other people introduce themselves and what I can learn from them. Questions to consider
Action Plan
Final Thoughts
Great Resources
 Your passion is often what fuels you and gives you a reason to do great things. We all have various passions in our work, personal life, or in our businesses. However, not all of us know what our passions are or are using utilizing them.
In this blog post, we will explore the meaning of passion, the benefits of reviving your passion, and ways to keep your passion alive. What does having passion mean?
Why is it important to revive your passion now? The benefits of living your passion
How to find and revive your passion Find and know your passion It is crucial to be aware of what your passions are. When you ask children what they like, they tend to have a very quick response to these questions. However, as adults, we may lose the ability to think about what we are passionate about if we are not more deliberate. Spending some time thinking about your passion will help you use it. Talk about your passions I have found that when you tell people around you about what you are passionate about, it makes it very real. Keeping your passions a secret is the easiest way to let them die. We cannot let that happen. Take every opportunity you get to talk about your passions with the people you care about. Do things you are passionate about The best way to keep your passion alive is to use it. For the longest time, I knew that I was passionate about helping people and building communities. However, I let self-doubt stop me from using my passion. Ever since I started following my passions, I have experienced high fulfillment and success. Continue discovering your passions As you grow and go through changes in your life, the things you are passionate about may change. Make time to check in with yourself and see what you are passionate about. This will help ensure that you live out your passions. Support others who follow their passion If you know people around you who are discovering their passion, make it a point to support them on their journey. There is power in helping other people on the journey to feeling more fulfilled through using their own passion. Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with great quotes about finding your passion
Call to Action
Great Resources  We spend a lot of time in our lives at work. Recently, I have been reflecting on some of the experiences that I have had at work that had very different outcomes than I expected. I am making peace with the fact that setbacks are a part of every successful career.
In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to deal with disappointment at work. Starting point: What type of professional setbacks have I faced? Some of the experiences that have stuck in my memory include:
Five ways to deal with disappointment at work Don’t be too hard on yourself It is important to not let all the weight of a setback rest on your shoulders. Going through a difficult time at work can often make your life feel less balanced and make you unhappy. Being aware of the impact of disappointment at work on your happiness is essential. Putting it all in perspective will help you move on. Questions to consider
Be better prepared After major setbacks in my career, I wondered if there was a way for me to be more prepared to overcome the deep sadness I felt. And I have found that the answer is yes, you can prepare for the impact of disappointment on your life and work. Taking the time to plan for the negative events helped me bounce back. Questions to consider
Identify the learnings One of the things I am learning about all negative experiences in life is that there is always a lesson to be learned. When you experience setbacks at work, make time to think about what the lessons may be. It might not be easy to see the lessons. However, they exist and would help you a lot on your future journey. Questions to consider
Find something positive that motivates you Having a positive outlook on your career is a great gift. Especially when something does not go the way you planned, having something that excites you can help you stay happy. A great mindset to have is to view your future journey with optimism. Questions to consider
Know when it is time to find a new job or role Depending on the type of situation you may be going through at work, it may be time to move on to the next career adventure. It is crucial to know when that time comes and to take action. Questions to consider
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Call to Action
Great Resources  When I reflect on my 18-year relocation journey, I wonder if anything could have prepared me for it. I started thinking about things I wish people told me about living in different countries. Who knows how different my journey would have been? In service to people who just moved or are thinking about moving to a different country and city, I am sharing some things to help them prepare better and enjoy the journey.
Continuing the Her Relocation series, in this blog post, we will discuss ten things people never tell you about living abroad or in a new city. It is crucial to know these things as it will help you address them heads on and increase your happiness in your new home. It gets lonely sometimes Leaving your social network behind when you move to a new country or city can be very difficult. And the truth is that it takes a lot of effort to build your new social network. At different phases on your relocation journey, you will miss people in your life. MC's Tip: Make it a priority to build a new social network when you move. The search for the food you enjoy will take more effort Food is an integral part of feeling at home in a new environment. If you have followed my previous posts about my relocation journey, you know that finding food that I really enjoyed when I moved to Germany and the US was a priority. MC's Tip: Find your favorite meals early. There may be hurdles on your way Settling into life in a new country may not be as smooth as you expect. The truth is that there will be some unexpected challenges that you may face on your journey. Even with very good plans, reality may look slightly different. MC's Tip: Remind yourself of the good that is happening to you. Your experiences may differ from previous experiences For a while, you might be trying to draw parallels between your current relocation journey and prior experiences. When I moved to the US, I kept expecting my experience to be like when I moved to Germany about fourteen years before. I can now confirm that there are some similarities, but some experiences are very new. MC's Tip: Accept that your relocation journey may be very different People will ask you questions you are not prepared for In my recent video titled Questions not to ask an Immigrant and Questions to ask an Immigrant, I discuss the different questions people have asked me in the different countries I have lived in. MC's Tip: Guard your happiness by assuming the best intentions with the questions people ask you. You will eventually adapt The good news about change is that eventually, you will adapt to your new life. Especially at the beginning, it's hard to think about things improving. However, as you learn more about your new home, you'll grow to enjoy it. MC's Tip: Be patient and hopeful. It gets better with time. There will be things you don't get used to In the previous point, I stated that you would eventually get used to your new life. While that is true, there are still somethings that you will never adapt to. In my post titled "10 Things you never get used to when you move to new countries" I share some of the things for me. MC's Tip: Accept the fact that somethings may remain foreign. You will continuously learn something new Even after many years of living in a place, there is still so much to learn about your new home. Live each day with an open mind to learn new things about the people, culture, food and environment. MC's Tip: Be open to learn and expand your perspective continuously. You will have many opportunities to learn about yourself The best way to grow personally is to take yourself out of your normal situation. When you move to a new environment, you are pushed to spend a lot of time getting to know yourself. With the right focus and having a growth mindset, you will become a better you. MC's Tip: Spend time getting to know yourself and your boundaries It could potentially be the start of a great future The change associated with your relocation may be the well-needed beginning of a successful future. From my experience, I can confidently say that moving to new countries has propelled my life in the right direction and brought me a lot of success. MC's Tip: Seek out new opportunities and make the best of them. Final Thoughts
Call to Action What are some things you wish you knew before you moved? What has been your favorite moment of your relocation journey so far?  In life, there are those times when we feel like we are not making progress. Especially as we approach the end of the year and look at what we hoped to have achieved by this time in the year, it is crucial to not get disappointed with the progress you have made.
In the blog post, we will explore what it means to make progress, some things that may be holding you back, and discover strategies to help you start seeing progress in all aspects of your life. Starting Point - Are you making any progress? When l hear people say they don't feel they are making progress in their lives, I want to ask which of the following categories do you fall into:
What does making progress mean to me? On my journey, I am learning that making progress is a process which includes:
Why do you think you are not making progress? Let's discuss some reasons why you may feel like you are not making progress in your life. Reason 1: Your goals are not defined If you do not know what you are working towards, you won't make relevant progress. It's hard to measure progress without a clear destination in mind. You should be able to compare where you are now to where you were earlier on your journey. Strategies to consider
Reason 2: You are not taking action To make progress, you need to be taking action. The good news is that there is a quick fix for this one - start acting today. We should not be sitting down on the sidelines and expecting to be successful. Strategies to consider
Reason 3: You are not tracking or measuring your progress While you are working towards your goals, make it a priority to check the progress you are making and keep track regularly. It is crucial to keep your goals tops of mind. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with quotes about making progress
Call to Action
Great Resources  October is my favorite month of the year. The weather is changing, and nature is showing us it's best side. Every year as my birthday gets closer, I get a strange feeling. However, this year, I am very excited to mark this significant milestone. If you are like me and enjoy having things to look forward to, having traditions will help you celebrate.
Before we get started, I would like to wish my twin sister a Happy Birthday. Thanks for being my life-long birthday companion!!! In this blog post, I will share five of my birthday traditions that help me celebrate this significant milestone every year. #1: Taking time off work and other responsibilities A few years ago, I started taking days off from work around my birthday. It was vital for me to take time out of my everyday routine and do something special on the day. Having the time to myself is one of my highlights, and I look forward to it every year. #2: Having a birthday photoshoot This is a new tradition that I started last year. It began as a personal challenge to do something that I didn't feel comfortable doing. Preparing for my session this year was scary. However, it was much easier than last year. I'll continue with this yearly tradition and face my insecurities. Check out my blog post titled "How I faced my biggest Insecurity" to learn more about my growth process. #3: Reflecting on my life now and aspirations There is a degree of solemnness that I feel around my birthday. I take the time to reflect on my past year and where I want to go in my new year. As I go through this process, I make time to be grateful for all the amazing things that have happened in my life and the lessons I have learned from the challenges I faced. Thinking about my dreams and aspirations motivates me for my new year. #4: Planning for my next year The good thing about having my birthday in October is that, it is close to the end of the year and marks the official start of my planning period for the next year. For me, it is a multi-week process that kicks off now. I have started writing down my goals for next year and thinking about the tools and resources I would need to be successful next year. #5: Celebrating my accomplishments It is very easy to forget to make time to celebrate your achievements. Around my birthday, I make it a point to celebrate my accomplishments and reward myself with something special. Being intentional about celebrating myself at this time of the year helps me actually do it. Final Thoughts I want to wrap up this post with ten lessons I have learned in the past year, through all life's experiences.
Call to Action What are some of your birthday traditions?  When I talk to people ,and they say they are waiting for things to happen. I feel like saying ,"you need to take action and be intentional for great things to happen". I am a firm believer that we can live the lives we want and achieve our goals by changing some behaviors and being more deliberate.
I like this quote from Michael Hyatt a lot "You don't drift to a place you choose. Desirable outcomes are caused." To get the results you want in life, you need to do something. In this blog post, we will explore what it means to be intentional ,and ten areas of your life where being intentional pays off. What does it mean to be intentional?
10 Things to be intentional about #1: Be intentional about your words and actions There is a lot of power in our words and actions. Taking time to think of the impact of our actions on other people makes us better people and in turn, makes the world a better place. #2: Being intentional with your money To gain financial freedom and thrive, you need to be more deliberate with what you do with your money. From making money to spending it to saving or investing it. Check out the Mo' Money Podcast Episode 175. #3: Be intentional with your goals When you are deliberate about the goals you set, you increase your success rate. Working towards those goals takes being intentional about the priorities you set and the actions you take towards achieving your goals. #4: Be intentional about taking opportunities When you approach opportunities intentionally great things happen. Make it a priority to go out and seek out opportunities in your personal and professional life. In my blog post "the importance of seizing opportunities" I share the reasons why you should be more intentional about opportunities. #5: Be intentional about setting your personal boundaries Being clear on what you will accept and what you need to live a balanced life is very crucial. As I progress in life, I am learning the importance of setting boundaries in my personal and professional life. The most significant boundaries I set are around my time commitment to work versus my personal projects. #6: Be intentional with your relationships The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your life. Being very deliberate about the people you let into your close circle will help you succeed. Surround yourself with people who contribute positively to your life. #7: Be intentional with your learning Knowing the benefits of continuous learning in your personal and professional life will help you set the right priorities. Having a growth mindset and prioritizing learning will set you apart from your peers and open new doors to you. #8: Be intentional with your time Sometimes we act like time is an infinite resource. However, the truth is that time is a limited resource. When you take this fact seriously, you start being more aware of how you spend your time. Be more deliberate and measure the results of your time investment. #9: Be intentional about the work you do We spend a considerable amount of our lives at work. When you are deliberate about choosing your job or the company you work for, you increase the probability or you enjoying the work you do and feeling fulfilled. #10: Be intentional about giving back Often, I remind myself that there is much more reward in giving back to people than taking from people. My way of ensuring that giving back is a part of my life is actually setting goals in this area as well. Call To Action What does being intentional mean to you? In what areas of your life do you want to be more intentional? Final Thoughts Let's wrap up with some amazing quotes about living intentionally
Great Resources  Recently, I have been reflecting on the opportunities I have seized and the amazing outcomes that have resulted. In my personal life, I have seized the opportunities that provided me many growth opportunities like moving to new cities or countries. And in my professional life, I have been able to work on amazing projects that have helped me grow.
In this blog post, we will explore what it means to seize opportunities and also discuss five reasons why you should pursue and seize those amazing opportunities. What does it mean to seize opportunities?
5 reasons why you should seize opportunities #1: Opportunities come and go When an opportunity presents itself, knowing that it may not come back helps you stay vigilant and aware. You need to continually be on the lookout for great opportunities that you want to take advantage of. Questions to consider
#2: You will look back and appreciate them Think back on those times when you went out of your comfort zone and pursued an opportunity. I am so proud of the opportunities I have seized on my journey. Especially the ones that I had to find for myself. Questions to consider
#3: You are stretching yourself and growing Part of having a growth mindset is to believe that learning is crucial. Those times when you don't feel 100% confident that you can do something, but you still go out and seize the opportunity are very rewarding. Questions to consider
#4: You develop the skills of identifying excellent opportunities for yourself When you get into the habit of pursuing the opportunities you want, you develop an eye for it. You spend a lot of time thinking about what you want and how you can get what you want. Questions to consider
#5: You are setting a good example Every day, I remind myself that my actions are bigger than me and serve as my legacy. There are many lessons that I would like to pass to the next generation, and this is one of them. Don't wait for things to happen to you; pursue what you want. Questions to consider
Call to action What opportunities have you seized in the past that have been amazing? Write them down What opportunities have presented themselves for you that you didn't take? Reflect on what held you back Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with some great quotes about seizing opportunities
Great Resources
 Today marks Nigeria’s 59th Independence Day. Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Nigerians. I am excited to celebrate one of my home countries and all that it has given me. In today's blog post, I will be sharing about growing up in Nigeria with the help of some inflection points. We moved to Nigeria when I was 18 months old, and I lived there until I was 15 year's old. My earliest memories with Family I grew up in a town called Kaduna in northern Nigeria. My childhood was spent with my twin sister and my mum. We also lived in the same city as my mother's family. A significant part of life in Kaduna was spent with my cousins, uncle, aunts, grandma, and extended family members. I particularly remember time with family around holidays or family events. The Seasons In Kaduna, we had very distinct seasons. The rainy season and dry season also called harmattan, were very different and enjoyable in their own ways. I remember thinking the cold during harmattan was really cold. After living in Germany, I now know that 18 degrees Celsius is not that cold. When it rained in Kaduna, everything felt very calm, and the smell of the wet sand remains in my memory till this day. The seasonal Foods With the different seasons came different seasonal fruits and foods. I was always on the lookout for some of my favorite fruit and vegetables. My grandma was an expert on what was in season and the best time to buy certain foods. I wished we had my favorites all year round. And now living in the US, I am very spoiled by the fact that we have the same fruit all year round. The rich Culture In all the countries I have lived in, no one can match Nigeria in terms of diverse cultures. Nigeria has many ethnicities and languages that are culturally rich and very different. I count myself fortunate to have grown up in a city that had people from the different parts of Nigeria. The Celebrations Christmas and other family celebrations in Nigeria were very special. It was a time for close family and friends to enjoy each other's company and great food. I still remember how different my first Christmas in Germany was. Today, I invest a lot of time in recreating some of the Christmas traditions from my childhood. The People I think very fondly of the people I grew up with. We had amazing family friends, schoolmates, and people in our community. The warmth and quality of the relationships I had growing up provided me with a firm foundation. I prioritize relationships with the great people around me till this day. Final Thoughts The 14 years, I spent in Nigeria gave me a lot. I am reminded daily that I would not be who I am today if not for the solid foundation I got from living in Nigeria. Learn More about my Nigeria  Lately, I have been reflecting on my financial journey, some of the tough decisions I had to make and the lessons I learned on the way. There have been so many times where my finances were a significant factor in my personal growth and development. When I think about my relationship with money, it used to be one of worry and now it has developed into one of respect.
In this blog post, I will share the five hardest financial decisions I have made and how they have positively influenced my financial status. My 5 difficult Financial Decisions Becoming Financially Independent There is a significant level of comfort that we all had when we are growing up and living under our parents’ roofs. For me, it came to an end at the age of 16. At that time, I started living on my own and taking care of myself financially. My journey started quite rough as I didn't have a solid financial foundation and had to build it all up from scratch. Looking back, I now see that this was the start of many more financial decisions to come. Lessons I learned
Reducing the number of hours I worked to focus on school While I studied for my Bachelor's degree, I was working on many small jobs simultaneously. I worked in a café, on campus, and babysat to raise funds I needed for my basic needs. As my expenses increased, I found myself having to work more, which in turn took away time that I needed to study. I decided to cut my living expenses and focus on school. The financial discipline I learned in this phase of my life is a continuous companion. Lessons I learned
Paying for my graduate degree I had just started working full time and really wanted to earn my Master's degree. Although education in Germany was mostly free or low-cost, I chose a school and course that will let me study part-time and gain a degree in English, which meant I had to pay tuition. I must say I feel very fortunate that the cost was nothing close to studying in other countries. However, since I had to fund my tuition fully, I had to save a lot of the money I made in my first full-time job. I remember struggling to pay the first 2000 euros for my first classes. This was one of my most significant investment in myself and my career, and it has paid off. Lessons I learned
Investing in my first long-term stocks In the past years, I focused on growing my savings. The discipline I learned in my early days helped me build a significant emergency fund and savings. However, I started learning a new lesson about other ways to grow my money. When I started my investment journey, I took baby steps. I started with a very small investment and grew it as I got more confident. Lessons I learned
Taking money out of my long-term savings to invest in a big project This is the most recent, most significant, and hardest decision I have ever made with regards to my finances. For many years, I have been very disciplined about growing my savings. I have not missed a monthly payment to my saving account for at least the last ten years. So, when the time came for me to literally move a lot of my savings into an investment, I started to panic because I did not feel as financially secure as I like to be. Now that I'm thinking about it, I was in no financial danger. This investment has been a dream for a long time, and now it's a reality. Lessons learned
Call to Action
Final Thoughts
Great Resources  Throughout my career, I have been through transitions that have taught me many valuable lessons. After going through so many changes, I now accept that it is part of my professional journey that I cannot avoid if I want to grow.
In this blog post, I will share some of the lessons I have learned about career transitions and ways I have worked through them. What are Career transitions? There are numerous types of career transitions that involve unanticipated or even undesired shifts in an individual’s career path. In addition, the term career transition may refer to the process by which an individual changes from one job to another within the same job family; and it may also refer to a more dramatic career change from one occupational category to an entirely different one. Finally, a career transition takes place when an employee merely shifts to a new position within the same company or organizational structure. MC's Journey Most of the career transitions I have been through happened without me planning them. Although transitions were not my primary goal, they came through actions I took to grow my career. My career development is something I am very intentional about, and I have learned to appreciate the positive side effects. The top career transitions I have been through include:
5 Lessons I learned about reinventing yourself in your Career Lesson #1: You don't have to do the same thing for life Especially when I lived in Germany, it was quite common to see people who have had the same job or worked for the same company for close to 20 years. Somehow, I could not imagine being in the same company for that long. I like the stability that being in the same company offers you. However, I also wanted to enjoy the comfort of knowing your company and environment. Moving to the US, especially here in Silicon Valley, people typically spend less than two years in one role. I have learned the benefits of working in different roles and companies throughout of your career. Question to consider
Lesson #2: Change in your career is good - embrace it Embracing change is definitely something I am learning every day. Before the transitions, I typically feared the unknown and the upcoming changes to my life. Reflecting on my career, I have seen that the changes and transitions that I have been through have turned out good even when they were accidental and not planned. Question to consider
Lesson #3: You need to keep learning Throughout our careers, it is crucial to learn new skills and gather knowledge. When I prepare for transitions, I make sure I equip myself with a strong foundation for what is about to come. Over time as I learn more about my new role, I take trainings and read more about the areas where I have knowledge gaps. Continuous learning has helped make my transitions more successful. Question to consider
Lesson #4: Be open to explore different jobs and roles Sometimes new roles or jobs don't look perfect initially, or you may feel like you're not ready. In my experience, the most significant growth I have seen in my career has come from the roles I did not feel totally prepared for. I turned down one particular position multiple times, and when I accepted it, I was pleasantly shocked by the great results. Question to consider
Lesson #5: Have a career plan Being intentional about your career growth is crucial. There are some career changes that you can plan and prepare for. Especially if you are planning to change jobs, you have the opportunity to start planning the steps you want to take to achieve your career goals. I have learned to always plan and prepare for the next step in my career. Question to consider
Call to Action
Final Thoughts
Great Resources
 Welcome to September, summer is over, everyone is back to school and work. At this point, there are about 110 days left in 2019. We have enough time to do great things. This is the perfect time to plan for the rest of the year.
In this blog post, I will share the ten questions I worked through while I reviewed my progress so far and planned for the rest of this year. #1: How will this review help you? Let's start by acknowledging that you still have time to work towards your goals and make 2019 count. See this as an opportunity to take stock of what you have done so far and prepare for the next months. To get the best out of your planning session, schedule about two hours on your calendar. Now that you have the time reserved let's move to the next steps. #2: What do you want to focus on in this review? Three things to do in this review include:
#3: What have you achieved in the past months? The best place to start is to reflect on your achievements so far. Seeing what you have achieved will serve as motivation for what you want to work towards over the next weeks. #4: What did not go as planned? It is essential to know the goals that you have not been able to achieve so far. You also want to be clear on what hinders you from making progress towards those goals. #5: What do you want to achieve in the next months? Now it's time to think about what you want to achieve this year and make it count. Be as clear as you can be. Keep in mind the things you want to do differently to succeed. #6: How will you track your progress? You are now working against a schedule; you want to ensure you are on track. Make time to check your progress every week. This will allow you to see what is working well and what is not working so you can change course. #7: What tools and resources do you need? There are available tools that can help you be more successful. Think about what you can start using to simplify your life and become more efficient while you work towards your goals. #8: Who is part of your support community? Especially as you work towards achieving big goals, surrounding yourself with people who can help you is very crucial. Identify your accountability partners, advisors, mentors, or coaches who can support you on this journey and work with them. #9: How will you celebrate your success? Think about ways you will reward yourself when you achieve the goals you are setting. There is power in having something exciting to look forward to. #10: What commitment are you making today? Write down what you are planning to start doing today to help you achieve your goals. Start taking action towards your goals one day at a time. Call to Action
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up with some fantastic quotes about goals
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