Say thank you: How to fuel your career with gratitude
[bctt tweet=”Showing gratitude goes a long way to create real and lasting impact in our careers” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Let’s start by being thankful for the New Year (Mama, we made it!) And hopefully, it’s going to be the year for breaking new career frontiers and becoming own our #BossLady. While we’re in the pursuit of greater career success, let’s not overlook the one thing that really matters; gratitude. Understanding the importance of being thankful and showing appreciation is one major key for career success. Generally, when we show gratitude on a personal basis, we tend to attract more good things and have people want to help us out, over and again; same applies to our professional life. Being grateful in our professional lives and learning to show gratitude equally goes a long way to create real and lasting impact in our careers. So, no matter the level of your career success, be it #MotherlandMogul or aspiring #BossLady, there’s a lot more you can achieve by constantly being thankful, and here’s just a few: Advances your career When you stay grateful for how far you’ve come in your career (which may not be sooo far), you increase your positive vibes to become better. Self reflection for criticism is good once in a while. However rather than sulking yourself to stagnancy by constant complaining, be thankful for your achievements so far. Even if it’s only a degree you have just yet or you’re on your way to getting one, still be thankful. This way, you allow for increased positivity and energy which lets you plan and plan the next step to take. [bctt tweet=”Grateful people are happy people, and happy people are more productive in their career” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Improves your career Grateful people are happy people, and happy people are more productive, engaged and resilient in their career. Happiness always pays off in your career. It also helps you focus on your goal, stay optimistic, and continue to strive for the best despite the hurdles life may throw at you. Also, you get to improve your decision making skills, which eventually improves your self esteem and your social interaction. Improves your professional relationships Being grateful helps deepen and improve your professional relationships, while building new networks. When you’re being thankful, you attract mentors, protégés, investors and even amazing partners. People love to help out and be around grateful individuals, because gratitude always has an effect on everybody. Increases opportunities Opportunity comes, but not once. When you appreciate people more, chances are that you’ll always be readily in their mind to be referred for new career opportunities they find to be essential for you. [bctt tweet=”Forming the habit of always being thankful would be a great for your career this year” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Increased productivity Learn to appreciate your team, employees, colleagues, and the endless list of people you deal with. It improves their esteem which motivates them to get more work done for you and even go the extra mile when necessary. Gratitude makes people feel good about helping you out which is essential in achieving your goals and visions. There are a whole lot more benefits of gratitude beyond our career life, and forming the habit of always being thankful would be a great value for your career this year. Whatever your position, learn to be thankful, always. Get rid of any feeling of entitlement you might have and learn to give genuine gratitude. Now if you’re ready to start implementing my advice, download the SLA Gratitude List and start making things happen.
How to deal with end of year disappointment
[bctt tweet=”Many of us are nursing our failed New Years resolution from last year, let 2017 be different” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Happy New Year to you all. Congratulations we made it!! It’s the first month of the year, and it seems like just yesterday that we were saying “2016 is going to my year” and I truly hope it was. I hope 2016 was the year you finally went back to school, or lost the last 10 pounds of your baby weight or quit your 9-5 and started your own business. If this person is you, “you go girl!” We are all so proud of you! Keep reaching higher in this new year. But for many of us, we are nursing the wounds of our failed New Years resolution from last year. The gym membership you bought only got used in January, you never quite got the hang of sticking to the budget that was supposed to help you come out of debt and your business never made it to year two. This doesn’t mean that New Years resolutions are bad, in fact I hope you have started creating your list for this year. For many of us after the countdown to the new year and getting our kiss at midnight, comes the new year blues. January can be the hangover month where we suddenly come face to face with all the things we didn’t do last year. All the projects we started and did not finish. The relationships that was supposed to lead to the altar but failed. The friends that left us last year. It can all be very depressing. So before you get all moody for the new year or anxious to make new goals, here are some tips to help you deal with last years disappointment. Be genuinely happy for your friends, your season is coming too If you are in the right girl squad, you should constantly see your friends succeeding. You should constantly be going to store openings, weddings, baby showers, business launches and etc. You shouldn’t be bitter at the successes of your friends, actually I would encourage you to get a new circle of friends for 2017 if your current circle isn’t full of girls constantly winning. So don’t get bitter, get better. Remember that social media is just a highlight reel Okay, when did December become the “celebrate everything” month? By Christmas day, I had already counted 4 engagement announcements, 3 “Guess who is pregnant again” posts and 5 promotions and college acceptances. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy for my friends. But before I sink into a depression, thinking that I am behind all my peers, I remember that people rarely post about their negative experiences on social media. Never let social media be the measure of how badly you are doing or how much your friends are thriving. Social media can be dangerous because we have a front row seat to people’s strengths and achievements. At the same time, we are so intimately aware of our own weaknesses and failures. I have a friend who posts things like “Grad school is kicking my butt, I gained 10 pounds and I didn’t get that job I wanted, but I will keep trying”. Now that is someone who definitely went on my gifts list for Christmas. We all need people who honestly remind us that the grass is not greener where they are. [bctt tweet=”It’s okay to fail. Many of us forget that the mark of success is what we learned along the way” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Failure is okay —the only people who don’t fail are those who don’t try Nothing I say here matters. Because if you wont listen to Queen B, why would you listen to me? No but seriously, write a list of all the things you failed at last year. And then next to it, write all the things you learned even though you failed. Many of us need to remember that the mark of success is rarely about the destination but rather the process and the lessons learned along the way. Sure you were denied that grant that you needed to run your business, but in the process you learned how to write a killer business proposal. Not to forget, you nailed the presentation even though a year ago, public speaking terrified you. Does that sound like failure? So go on, make that list, and be pleasantly surprised at all the things you accomplished last year by “failing”. Try again, this year tomorrow Seriously! Try again! Keep trying. Keeping going until you hear a “yes”. As a Motherland Mogul the only thing you should not chase is a man…Every other thing is fair game to be chased down. If you are disappointed at the end of 2016 that is a sign that you know you are capable of more. Do you know what Africa would look like if all the girls who failed last year and those girls who succeeded this year decided to just keep trying? To keep pushing. Keep writing. Keep creating. Keep drawing. Keep building. Keep coding. Keep loving themselves. [bctt tweet=”Every single Motherland Mogul is capable of so much! Don’t be scared of failure” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Whether you are in the failed bucket or succeeded bucket one thing is certain, there is room for so much more…and you know it! I cant wait to see all the many successes of Motherland Moguls this year. Every single one of you are capable of so much. #SquadGoals Cheers to more winning in 2017!
Clothing etiquette 101
[bctt tweet=”Wearing something really great for the wrong occasion can totally take away your style” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Clothing etiquette is defined as ‘knowing what is appropriate to wear for particular occasions’. In other words, what you wear is defined by the entertainment. For example: Black is the standard colour to a funeral, as opposed to a bright yellow or pink. Lighter colours are worn to weddings, and seldom black (unless specified) —although it seems to be in trend at the moment. Bright colours and short items are not worn in court. No matter how great you look, when looked at in isolation, wearing something really great for the wrong occasion can totally take away your elegance and style. Fear not, with styling, you can dress certain items up or down to fit the entertainment or occasion. Let’s take jeans for example, as these are nearly worn by everyone, every day. So naturally, one often has to wear them appropriately as they transition through the day and various activities. Let’s look at a Saturday for example, where one may run most of their errands, have a coffee date and end the day with a fun and social evening. We’ll use boyfriend jeans in this scenario. Errands Comfort is key when you’re running errands, as one needs to move around easily. So something easy to wear and comfortable is required. These boyfriend jeans could be styled with a loose T-Shirt, hat or cap, some sneakers and perhaps a scarf and sunglasses for a bit of flair. Sneakers give the look a relaxed, practical and comfortable feel; they are for running around. A scarf and hat add some personality to the outfit. Here’s our look below: Coffee date Now for that coffee date later on, the same jeans could easily be taken from my morning errands to a meeting, by adding some sandals and styling the hair a bit. One could throw on a blazer/jacket to add a smart and sophisticated element to the look. Evening look With that coffee date/meeting done and dusted, this look could easily be translated into an evening look. This would be achieved with adding some glamorous heels, a smart top, some bold jewellery and a stylish hair-style. Here’ the look below; With that said, none of this is set in stone. You can easily run errands in any of the looks above, or go out in the morning look, if it were to a pub where you need not really dress up. One can style outfits as they wish, by playing around with clothes, colours, textures, statement pieces, as long as they fit the occasion and make one feel great. With that said, stay stylish and rock on!
Career insights from Mo Abudu
[bctt tweet=”To be an entrepreneur, know that bright ideas are great & more wisdom from Mo Abudu” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] I believe Africa is blessed with many talented women from different industries and each has managed to carve a niche in their respected fields. Mo Abudu is one of those women who has broken the “glass ceiling” concept and risen above the perception that just because you are a woman you can’t advance higher. Mosunmola “Mo” Abudu is a 50 year old successful Entrepreneur, Media Personality, Talk Show Host, TV producer, Human Resource Consultant and founder of EbonyLife TV. She is described by Forbes as one of “Africa’s most successful women” and by CNN as the “African Oprah.” She was born in the UK and holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Westminster, London. Her career started in 1987 when she worked as a Recruitment Officer. Since then she has worked with companies like Starform Group and Exxon Mobil (formerly known as Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria). In 2000, she started a privately owned HR development company called Vic Lawrence & Associates Limited (VLA). Mo Abudu is the executive producer and host of TV show Moments with Mo. She is the creator and executive producer of The Debates —a reality TV show with the aim of giving Africa a voice and is also the founder of The Inspire Africa Foundation. Mo has managed to create an image for herself in the media industry; she is known as the leader in the television industry. With all these appellations and accolades, African ladies sure have a lot to learn from her. Every lady envisions success. You grow up striving to be successful not just in your career but in your family and relationships. But success isn’t something that comes from sitting down all day doing nothing. It doesn’t come from lazing around and daydreaming either. [bctt tweet=”Execution is everything, amazing career insight from Mo Abudu” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Rather it’s the combined effort of hard work and determination that sets the motion for success. Shonda Rhimes said, “Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true because you dream them. It is hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.” 1. Execution “Anyone who wishes to be an entrepreneur must know that bright ideas are great, however, that is not even half of the work; execution is everything.” – Mo Abudu Mo does not joke with any one of her projects; whenever an idea comes to mind, she puts her all in order to bring it to fruition. Her advice to upcoming entrepreneurs is to be ready to do twice the work for half the usual reward. 2. Having the right information It goes without saying that “knowledge is power.” How much info do you have on your chosen career path? Do you have adequate info or are you still going around in circles? It’s necessary that you garner as much information as possible before venturing into any career. 3. Age is just a number Mo Abudu said “I’ve been a brand ambassador for Nigeria since I was age 11. Growing up in the U.K, I’ve had to defend Nigeria and when I was 40, I finally woke up and decided to do something, and that’s how the talk show came about.” We’re all familiar with the saying “age is just a number” but often times this applies to marriages. George Eliot said it is never too late to be what you might have been. With Mo Abudu age is definitely nothing but a number. At 52, she’s still letting the world know that she’s got a lot to offer Africa and that age doesn’t stand as a barrier. 4. Drive and Passion If there’s one thing that makes Mo stand out, it is her passion for giving Africa a voice. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s good to be passionate about your career because that will motivate you even when you don’t feel like working. In an interview with Variety Mo said, “I don’t really see my work as work…I just love what I do.” So ladies, there you have it, some of Mo’s career insights into being successful. It’s good to dream but it’s much better if you work your way into achieving them.
When to ask for a raise and how to actually get it
[bctt tweet=”Everyone with your same title is ballin’ and 5 other ways to know it’s time for a raise” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] We’ve all been there. Working a job where your hours are 9-5 but you end up putting in 9-10 to show your commitment. After several months of putting in extra hours, covering for your absent coworker, or simply realizing your value, you’ve decided your wallet deserves some growth. If you’re on the fence about asking for a salary increase, do a little self evaluation to determine if now is the right time to ask. 1. You’re in good standing with your boss A couple of weeks ago my friend told me a horror story about someone who asked for a raise. This guy showed up to work late, took excessive time off, and wasn’t even with the company a year! That is a prime example of when not to ask for a raise. However, if you and your boss are close, why not capitalize on your positive relationship? If you’ve noticed some extra pep in your boss’s step or she’s treating everyone to lunch, this might be a good time to jump on the opportunity and talk money. 2. You’ve done your research Perhaps you’ve stumbled upon an article while reading through Forbes or LinkedIn —because you stay knowledgeable on workplace trends like any smart professional. If you came across this Forbes article about the fastest growing jobs in America, then you’ve most likely already started calculating the zeroes into your paycheck. Also, Glassdoor also has a new function that allows you to determine whether you’re being paid sufficiently. So if you feel you’re being under-paid, this will do the work for you and determine how much professionals in your field are making. 3. You just took on a new project that’s above your pay grade If you’ve been going above and beyond by taking on extra work, exceeding your goals, staying late, or covering for your “sick” coworker, it’s a good time to speak to your boss. Not only will this highlight your value to the organization, but you’ll also let them know you’re no fool and you want your money. 4. The company is expanding This means that not only will positions be opening up for promotions, but your company clearly has the budget to pay you more. If your company is opening a new branch or creating a new department, this is your chance to showcase your skill set. 6. Everyone with your same title is ballin’ I’m not saying to compare yourself to others, but, if your accountant salary leads you to order malt liquor while your fellow accountants are sippin’ on Dom Perignon; it might be negotiation time. Now that you’ve decided you need that paper, here’s how to successfully ask your boss for a raise: Ask around Nothing compares to information from the source. Talk to people who have successfully been promoted within their companies. This is also a good time to reach out to a professional mentor. If you don’t have a mentor yet, don’t worry, there’s an app for that! The Grip app gives smartphone users an easy way to network. It’s like Tinder for networking. Make a list It’s important to keep track of what you’ve accomplished. After all, they need proof that you deserve to be making more! When my mom (who is a CFO for a non-profit in Los Angeles) asked for a raise at a previous job, she decided to ask after taking on an advanced project. She wrote down her accomplishments from the project and used that to back up her proposal for a raise. Your accomplishments should be specific and measurable. For example, at my current position I publish our office’s first eNewsletter. If I was proposing a raise, I would say, “I have contributed to the design and production of our office’s first online newsletter. In the first six months the newsletter was distributed to over 3,000 contacts monthly and maintained an open and click-through rate of 20% and 250% higher than our industry average.” [bctt tweet=”Before you ask your boss for a raise, make a list and write everything down!” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Write it down Going in to sit down with your boss can be anxiety inducing. Therefore, plan out what you’re going to say and give yourself action items so you don’t sound rehearsed and stay on track. Try saying something like; “I’ve been with this company for X amount of time and have accomplished A, B, and C. Seeing that I have reached these benchmarks I would like to discuss a salary that reflects my accomplishments with this organization.” Now go forth and get that money!
4 reasons you should be proud of what you do
I have had some weird conversations and some downright crazy ones but the ones that strike me the most are business conversations. Be it my business or other’s. I have heard people say, “They are selling a packaged lie”, about an amazing idea. I just smile and concur but deep inside I just say to myself, “You can’t fool me” The drive behind that talk is usually just pure surprise that you managed to pull that one off. Now here are some reasons you shouldn’t let haters or literally anyone talk smack about your gig and why you should be damn proud of what you do. 1. It is YOUR idea. Whether it’s an original idea or a modification of an already existing one. It is YOUR idea. You probably sat down for hours or days building on that initial eureka or tinkering out a solution to a problem. This is your brainchild! I have had sleepless nights restructuring an idea and I spend days, zoning out, calculating, researching, trying to find the problem to which I have the solution. Motherland Moguls with start up businesses know this phase. It’s the Eureka phase. Even when you drew the idea from something already existing; you spent so much time turning it this way and that way, doubting the whole thing, coming back to it and doing it all over again. Frankly even before you invest a dime into it, you have invested your brain power. That costs a lot. This alone is more than enough reason for you to take a step back and appreciate what you have built with your hands and your mind. 2. So they call it packaging… Honey, so you know it’s called BRANDING! When people accuse you of overpricing your goods or ‘feeling’ yourself just smile and say; “This is a brand and we are unlimited”… Or say something polite but true. Every business man or woman knows that what sells is your packaging. So if competitors criticise your packaging, don’t worry. As long as your customers love it, you are on the right track. Don’t be afraid to do things your way. Your product/service just has to be worth it and your brand has to be attractive. Let your packaging sell something awesome that people will fall in love with . 3. You took the step Give yourself a pat on the back love. A lot of people would have been successful today if they weren’t too scared to take the first step. You did. That fear of potential losses, bad reaction from target market, lack of support or funds or whatever issues you had, you still took the risk and you conquered. That alone is good enough reason for you to be proud of yourself. Ain’t nobody gonna tell you otherwise. And when you look back (hopefully, your business is doing good. Amen), you will probably laugh at all the hysterical and hilarious moves you pulled at the beginning! You did good. 4. You are still there And not going anywhere. Yea? So what we broke even this month or didn’t even get to? We are going forward. Take a huge gulp of coffee and pedal on. Honey you are already on the bike, a lot of people haven’t even climbed on and some have stepped off. Yet you are there, pedalling, eating up miles and going forward. Each day brings a new challenge and for the record you’re not just surviving. No ways, girl you are thriving! Going strong. Look up at your name in gold letters. Be proud of you. 5. Attitude? What is that? I only speak BOSSlese (the Boss Lady Language). I laugh when people want to smear strong, hard working Motherland Moguls out there by saying they have “attitude”. Frankly, they are scared you are getting too big, and they can’t get to the level you are going to. they want you earth bound like them so they throw shade! Let it go baby! Dust it off. Check yourself, then go on. Your slayage watt should pop every time you check it. A lot of people will try to put you down when they see you climbing up, doing things and breaking grounds. Turn that shade to BOSSlese, why? Because you are the boss and nothing is changing that! This is my go to mindset. I am proud of what I do. I have my hands in so many pies. I strive each day to get my brand right. So even when it is not going as planned, hold your head up, be proud of what you have achieved so far. Bask in the euphoria of your success. “I am a Motherland Mogul , and I am damn proud”.
How Joselyn Dumas inspires you to achieve your career goals
[bctt tweet=”@Joselyn_Dumas inspires herself and people like me every day. Be like Joselyn!” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] When I was tasked to write an article on how Joselyn Dumas inspires us to achieve our career goals, I was stumped. Simply because of all the Ghanaian celebrities (most of whose lives I do not give much thought to or follow on a regular basis, for that matter), Joselyn Dumas was part of my B-listed celebrities. Honestly. But research and knowledge always changes perspective and perception, and after reading and reading all the savoury and unsavoury articles alike, I am delighted to announce that if you were like me, you can be a changed girl now. Unlike what others may think, Joselyn Dumas can actually inspire you to achieve it all. Here is how: 1. Guts She had the guts to quit her job as a paralegal in London to pursue her dream of being a TV personality in Ghana. So how do you contextualize this? It’s simple. Are you stuck in that dead end job, unhappy with your life and atrophied dreams? Leave and don’t look back…with caution please. Follow your passion. Go to your Ghana to be what you want to be. Be like Joselyn Dumas. 2. Body positivity As a woman, Joselyn is endowed —she is all sorts of curvy and beautiful. Unfortunately, some people in the public refuse to stop staring at those hips and start focusing on what she does instead. She has been at the centre of media attention because men won’t stop gawking and ladies will not stop hating because their men are gawking! In spite of this, Joselyn keeps a calm, unruffled demeanour and unashamedly wears clothes that flatters her —not caring what anyone thinks. So for you reader, wear what you want to and do not be ashamed of that body. On a deeper level, this goes to say that you should be true to yourself. It is the first wise step which when taken, will resonate positively in your career goals. [bctt tweet=”Leave and don’t look back…with caution please. Follow your passion. ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 3. Wellness Although the cynical Ghanaian public have accused Joselyn of passing off a gastric by-pass as a weight loss plan to justify her figure today, I choose to remain oblivious and believing. Of course, Joselyn knew then that the Ghanaian public can be unforgiving when it comes to overweight TV personalities, so she made the move to join the Weight Watchers’ Club. She had a career goal in mind, and made physical preparations to be suitable for that role. You also have that career goal in mind? Are you reading, learning or losing weight to make the move easier? Consider doing what it takes to get where you want to be. [bctt tweet=”There is a place for a social work. Not every day, yourself. Sometimes, others.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 4. Giving back Being a believer in social action, Joselyn volunteered alongside Lucy Quist, MD of Airtel Ghana to participate in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiative. Aside that, she has the Joselyn Canfor-Dumas Foundation which focuses on social issues such as providing for children, widows etc. What should this mean to you? It simply means that there is a place for a social work. Not every day, yourself. Sometimes, others. “A noble leader answers not to the trumpet calls of self-promotion, but to the hushed whispers of necessity.” ―Mollie Marti 4. Sharing your passion Forget that Joselyn is brand ambassador of Range Rover Evoque and Jobberman Ghana. Forget that she was the host of “The One Show”. What does Joselyn have to call her own? There is a crop of entrepreneurs sweeping across the African continent and Joselyn is one of them. She is following her passion to make sure those who share in it also have jobs to do. Joselyn is the founder of Virgo Sun Production Company Limited. What about you? Will you feed the entrepreneur in you? Will you allow others to share in your passion? [bctt tweet=”Are you acting professionally in any role you are playing like @Joselyn_Dumas?” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 5. Perfecting your profession Finally, you remember the movies “Perfect Picture” or better still, how about “Love or Something Like That”? You don’t? That’s fine. But you cannot tell me that you do not remember the sensational “Adams Apple” which featured Joselyn as leading cast member, Jennifer Adams. Due to this and other appearances, Joselyn has been branded as part of the professional actresses who are glamorous and best dressed. I did not make this up. Nkonkonsa.com did. So my question is this: Are you acting professionally in any role you are playing? Are you executing that role to perfection? I wish I had a slick conclusion. But this cuts it for me- Above lies the story of Joselyn Dumas. She inspires herself and people like me every day. Be like Joselyn. She can inspire you too!
Why 2017 will be the year of the extraordinary woman
[bctt tweet=”If you’re a Motherland Mogul, you’re already an an extraordinary woman. If not, this is for you.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Being a woman is a great privilege, it may not always feel like it, because society has never been taught the true value of a woman. However, we are now seeing more and more women embracing each other and celebrating the extraordinary beings that they are. More women are realising their worth and the world is slowly benefiting from this. As the new year starts, I predict 2017 will be the year of the extraordinary woman because: Her body The extraordinary woman will work to build and keep the body that she is comfortable with. An extraordinary woman will know that her body, that she is truly comfortable with, is the perfect body for her existence. An extraordinary woman will fall in love with her beautiful and healthy body and know, she does not need to compare herself to anyone else. She is enough and she is perfect. Her presence When an extraordinary woman walks into the room, her presence will be felt by all. Not because she will be loud, rather, her energy, spirit and positive mindset will fill the room. The way she interacts with others in the room will indeed be, extraordinary. She will be attentive when others are speaking, she will take a genuine interest. She will leave others feeling increased after speaking to them. They will remember her because of how she made them feel. Her presence is a privilege to those who meet her. Her love An extraordinary woman will not allow her love to be taken for granted. She will give unto the others the same love she would like to receive. However, should the same courtesy not be extended back to her, she will learn and fully understand. We all don’t share the same intentions in this world and just because you have been stung, does not mean you have to cage yourself off in order to stay out of harm’s way. Heartache builds character. An extraordinary woman will know, love starts within. She will fall in love with herself, flaws and all. An extraordinary woman will know, putting herself first is not selfish. Her cup needs to be full and over running before she can start pouring out to others. She will always love herself until the end of time. Her mouth An extraordinary woman will use her mouth to build. Before speaking out loud, an extraordinary woman will know to say the words in her head first. She will ask herself, “what purpose will these words serve?”. Each word that comes out of the extraordinary woman’s mouth will carry value. She will speak only words of increase to herself and others. Her mouth will be a tool and she will know and appreciate it. At times it is better to listen than to speak and silence is not ignorance, it speaks louder than words. [bctt tweet=”Four points that every woman needs to keep in mind to be extraordinary.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Her confidence An extraordinary woman will be so sure of herself that no praise or criticism will stop her flow. She will humble herself and her work will speak for her. She will not place her confidence in mankind, but in a higher power. The extraordinary woman will set standards for herself and if you cannot rise to her standards she will be happy to part ways. She will know we all have different callings and purposes for our existence. Therefore, she will not feel threatened by anyone else in this world. She will know if she tries to compete or compare herself to others, this will distract her from her purpose. An extraordinary woman will help others up knowing that despite her confidence, one day, she too may fall. Let’s hop aboard on this journey together and make this year our year. We might not be there yet, but thankfully we are not where we used to be. We are still on our way and that’s even more important.
Working to learn versus working to earn: The Millennial dilemma
[bctt tweet=”Does it mean more for you to work to learn right now or work to earn?” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Admittedly most of us enter the job market with high hopes and plans to make waves working 9-5 and ultimately, leaving a footprint. In the excitement of the dawning of a new day; we sometimes forget that there are tough decisions that we need to ponder. This realization usually means an inevitable transition that takes us on a joy ride. Happy New Year! First of all, congratulations! You get to do all of the things which you set out to achieve as soon as you graduated and you are fired up with zeal to the brim. As a result you’ve been granted the opportunity-of-a-lifetime. The universe and your grancestors have been on your side; all that’s left to do is, SLAy! Yet, there’s a disclaimer, this job you’ve been offered does not pay enough for you to rent, pay off tertiary debt and have a social life. But, you’re probably fresh from university and in need of expertise. You’re thinking surely it won’t be long until you climb the corporate ladder, right? [bctt tweet=”Being a Motherland Mogul, you know that you cannot play with your earning potential” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Earning Potential Almost all your previous stresses and worries come through like; “Oh? You thought you’d be 20-something, driving your dream car and living in your luxurious penthouse?” Ha! You thought you were so woke and resolved and then got a feel of the juice. Being a Motherland Mogul, you know that you cannot play with your earning potential; that experience begets zeros, and recognition in your chosen field or vocation. So you need to draw up a list of priorities and take it from there. Question: Does it mean more for you to work to learn right now or work to earn? The ramifications of either decision Consequently, adulting comes with the unavoidable task of choices. So opting to work to earn could mean you forsake active mentorship —your job may not necessarily be in the trade or industry you may have wanted to be in. Or you may be working with individuals who are not invested in impacting any significant change within the industry because all they are about is the bottom line. The plus side to this is the fact that you will be able to settle your student debt, send money back home and be able to start saving to purchase property or buy a car. The reverse scenario is accepting a job to learn, truly dedicating oneself to the course of learning as many tricks of the trade and attending networking sessions to establish a strong foothold in the industry. Huge disclaimer: the remuneration may not live up to the job title and expectation of duties to be carried out. The silver lining on this cloud would be that what you gain in experience can always be made up for in monetary value at a later stage. [bctt tweet=”It is possible to have your cake and eat it when it comes to work situations” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] The grass may not always be greener Whether one is working to earn, or working to learn —there are both pros and cons to each scenario. The situation will vary from person to person and it is your prerogative to choose whichever works for you at a particular juncture in life. As such; you need to decide from a place of clarity and being grounded in what you wants for yourself. It is possible to have your cake and eat it; inasmuch as something may look attractive to you, it may not be all that it is cut out to be. [bctt tweet=”The world of vocation is a journey of continual learning writes @ZimK_Mvandaba” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Striking a balance The world of vocation is a journey of continual learning. By asking yourself deliberate questions about the aspirations you have and what fulfillment you want from a career, you will be a step closer. There is a preparedness that goes into the decision process guiding you from university to the world of work. Asking for help is not something to shy away from. Also, you could spend the first few years post-grad school interning or in a learnership to gain practical experience and take charge of the learning opportunities on offer. Alternatively, one could start off working to earn and building on their professional and academic portfolio simultaneously. There is no right or wrong, just make decisions that work for you as an individual.
10 things to accomplish in your career in your twenties
[bctt tweet=”The top 10 career lessons you should master in your twenties to be the #boss ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] It’s never too late (or too early) to accomplish anything in your career. I do not believe that there’s a calendar that everyone should follow as they go about in life. Advancing in your career in your twenties is not easy at all. Life gets more complex as we get older and having some guidelines is what every girl needs. To keep the momentum going in your career, there are things you can do to propel you even further. Read on for the top 10 career lessons you should master in this decade of your life. 1. Establish career goals In order to get to where you want to go, you have to first figure out where you want to go. Do not be one of those people who think that the career they want will be handed to them without clear planning and execution. In your twenties, think long and hard about what you want to achieve. Once you’ve thought things through, put in deliberate effort to achieve them. It is rare that things will go exactly as planned, so you have to adjust your plans accordingly. Imagine your job as an engineer turned out to be such a headache that you cannot bear to do it an extra day. You will then have to regularly revisit and adjust your career plan accordingly. 2. Build meaningful relationships Any smart woman knows it’s very important to develop good professional relationships. This should not just be internally in your organisation but also with external stakeholders (think customers, suppliers). You have probably heard the phrase that your network is your net worth. All opportunities are attached to people. They won’t come to you in a vacuum. Investing in meaningful relationships during your twenties is key. [bctt tweet=”Don’t allow your professional growth to stall in your 20s! Use these tips and learn” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 3. Experiment with a side hustle Everyone should experiment with a side hustle outside their careers, yes even you. Taking up a side hustle has many pros. It has the potential to not only enrich your life, but also expand your horizons. A side hustle can be a good way to try out a new career with minimal risks. Also, with a side hustle you can develop skills you wouldn’t have developed at your day job. This can ultimately get you to where you want to be, with a more meaningful job. Don’t allow your professional growth to stall in your twenties! Take up a side hustle can accelerate your learning. 4. Give back to your community You can always do more than that by giving back to your local community. There are many opportunities to add value, no matter your financial situation. Don’t think that it is only those who are balling that who can give back. Find out what is it that you care about and look for ways to get involved. Volunteer for your local church, participate in your company’s corporate social responsibility projects, start your own non-profit or give to a charitable foundation. Whatever cause is close to your heart, get involved in making this world a better place. It needs you. 5. Invest in yourself Don’t wait for an employer to invest in you. What will happen if they don’t believe in you and your colleagues keep getting the opportunities? Take charge of your personal development by setting aside money in your budget just for this purpose. Buy books, take courses and utilize free resources. Find career sites to follow in your industry. Do not be too broke to invest in yourself. [bctt tweet=”You’re in charge of your own success but let’s be real, you’ll need some help to get that career you want ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 6. Get a mentor/sponsor/coach You are in charge of your own success. But let’s be real, the most successful professionals are those who realise that they need help and ask for it. Identify some people you admire and reach out to them. A sponsor in your industry of choice can determine whether you grow in your company or don’t. If you can’t get a mentor or sponsor, buy the services of a coach and make good use of them. You will most likey get some tough love, and it might be just you need to succeed. Getting come accountability in your life is one of the first steps to success. 7. Build your personal brand Whether you want to believe it or not, you are building a personal brand with every interaction you have. So, why not take charge of developing it into something you admire? Make a conscious decision on how you want to be perceived by others and make an effort to get there. It will take time to grow your personal brand but once you get started, you will not want to stop. 8. Build an enviable work ethic When we are young, we dream about all the things we’ll be. As we grow older though, we realize that nothing comes to the dreamer. Instead, the people who achieve great things are those who work on their dreams every time they get. Your twenties are the time to bust your ass working to prove yourself in your industry. If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you have never had. [bctt tweet=”Your twenties are the time to bust your ass working, these 10 tips ensure it’s not all in vain” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 9. Be comfortable in your own skin I remember when I was just starting my career, I was shy and very introverted, always scared to raise my voice. As I got older, I got comfortable with my personality and what I had to offer to the world. Too many times, we are afraid to speak out because of inner criticism. Do not be so hard on yourself. Put on some bravery, learn your weaknesses but accentuate your strengths.