Career hacks from 4 Motherland Moguls for 2020 motivation.
As Motherland Moguls living in the new millennia, we have a diverse group of women in leadership to get inspiration from. Here are lessons from 4 African women who have #slayed the past decade to help you to reach your Vision 2020 goals. 1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Get your receipts ??♀️ Chimamanda’s success in the literary world comes from her ability to consistently publish high-quality work. The secret sauce for the Queen of African Literature? Reading Chimamanda is an avid reader and researcher. Half Of a Yellow Sun, her second novel and an international bestseller, took four years of intense research and writing. This commitment to learning and research is a skill any Motherland Mogul needs for success. 2. Bonang Matheba: Invest in yourself sis ? Nothing says investing in yourself like putting your name on something and sharing it with the world. Bonang has established her name as a valuable brand that will make everything from Champagne to mobile apps valuable. Bonang’s success comes from years of strategic self-investment. If you ever doubt that you can do something, pull a Bonang. Bet on yourself and see how far you can go. Get your SLAY Festival Early Bird Tickets 3. Lupita Nyong’o: Don’t put yourself in a box ??♀️ Since her breakout role in 12 Years a Slave, Lupita has fearlessly stretched herself. In 2018, she announced she will be making her producer debut in Hollywood in the film adaptation of South African comedian, Trevor Noah’s book, Born A Crime. The movie is set to be released this year. In late 2019, she debuted as an author with her children’s book, Sulwe, which instantly became a New York Times bestseller! #goals Lupita gives us that go after your dreams inspo. 4. Yvonne Orji: Do it with what you got ??♀️ After a show she was writing for got cancelled, Yvonne focused on creating her own opportunities with the resources she had. In 2016, Yvonne created and starred in First Gen, a sitcom she piloted on YouTube with the goal of selling it to a major network. While the show never got picked up, it caught the attention of Issa Rae and producers at HBO when they were casting for Insecure. Yvonne has continued to leverage her resources and network to get things done. She created her hit podcast with fellow Nigerian comedienne, Luvvie Ajayi, launched an international comedy tour and is scheduled to publish her first book in March 2020. The lesson from Yvonne – start with what you have and build from there. Want to invest in yourself for 2020? Join the Motherland Mogul Insider – an 8-week online program to help you grow your network and reach your professional goals.
Marilyn Oma Anona: I’m more than “just a TV girl”
Marilyn Oma Anona was a student of the sciences who studied to become a doctor. But her passion and drive for the field of media and communications motivated her to later switch paths. You can say she’s made the right decision as she’s building a media empire as a TV Talk Show host, public speaker, and an award-winning multimedia and social entrepreneur. In addition to her media pursuits, she’s also a humanitarian as she runs a foundation – THE RIGHT STAGE, which seeks to help the less-privileged youths, children and women in our society. Her compassion and dedication also extends to the area of mental health awareness as she leads the initiative for the Suicide, Anxiety and Depression Campaign (S.A.D.) In this interview, we discuss her start in media, her vision, and goals. Marilyn also highlights the challenges she overcame, the impact she has made and the legacy she intends to leave on others. What media outlet gave you your first big break and what did that beginning process teach you? I can’t boast of having any big break yet but I am a fan of appreciating every step of the journey. For starters, I studied medical sciences. Switching from that field to media in a society that is mainly about paper qualification was significant. I heard things such as “but you did not study mass communication or anything media related.” Regardless, I know I am both multi-talented and versatile. Therefore, I was not suppressed by any of that. I’m always eager to showcase my gifts. I’m always eager to show all that I have to offer. I had my first big exposure with MYTV AFRICA. I also received a slot to be a presenter on a show produced by “Media Option” which was aired on NTA. Through those opportunities, I was also able to speak at several important events. I was most often the youngest speaker at such events. I also reported for “Dailies” and I was a contributor to some papers. The experiences helped me to be tenacious, as well as gain a lot of confidence. I heard people say things such as “that’s another Oprah in the making”. [bctt tweet=”I know what I am called to do and I face it squarely – @Omalivingshow_” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What has enabled you to build your successful career and brand? The knack for excellence, to make an impact, and to make the society more beautiful than I met it with my gifts. I stay true to my calling. I know what I am called to do and I face it squarely. That is my niche. My wow factor and my uniqueness. Staying authentic has made me and my brand distinct. As a TV talk show/event host, public speaker, multimedia and social entrepreneur, how would you advise people coming into this field after you? For those aspiring to venture into the field of media, please sit and have a thorough reflection. Don’t only delve in because you perceive glamour. Please be very sure that you are passionate about what you want to dabble into. Make sure to have someone in this sector as a mentor or friend in order to learn from them. Multimedia entrepreneurship is tasking but with tenacity, passion, and consistency, it will pay off in the end. What should aspiring female media influencers be most aware off when it comes to the world of media? The media is for highly intelligent and flexible women. Media is a tasking aspect in terms of a career. We also need to know that we play a big role in society. The world is built and moved through information and content, therefore, female media influencers need to be mindful of what they put out. This way, we are seen as tools for positively transforming the society. What challenges did you encounter when you first started producing your TV show – Omaliving, and how did you rectify it? The major issue I had was that I did not know much about production. That experience later turned me into a production guru. I am better now. I have gained more knowledge. Fewer people are consuming traditional media (TV, Newspapers…)these days. Is this a positive change for you? How do you see the field of media continue to evolve and your role in it? We are in the digital world now and personally, I hardly do TV. I am mostly on social media or YouTube. That’s why I am not in a hurry to get OMA LIVING SHOW back on the conventional TV. Though it is capital intensive to build up a highly visible online TV, it’s part of the process. Social media is helpful because you get visibility quickly if you know your onions. However, my brand is mainly focused on young people and they are mainly on the New Media. I believe in innovation and my brand will continue to move with what may be the latest trend. It is media and if you want to succeed, you can’t be laid back or stuck in the past. What legacy do you want to leave as you pursue multimedia and social entrepreneurship? I will be remembered as OMA, the one who fought for many causes and tried her best to inculcate positive values and give entrepreneurs and humans hope. Currently, I have many goals on the multimedia aspect. I envision feature films, an institute for grooming the best, as well as getting the best multimedia contents across the world. Also, I intend to have a proper therapy center for the Suicide, Anxiety and Depression Campaign (S.A.D) campaign which I am leading. Who are some women that inspire you in media? My inspiration comes from within. There are many women I like and admire but my inspiration is from my soul and divinity. Something in the universe just pushes me to align with my purpose. Interested in contributing for She Leads Africa? Click here.
Ekemini Dan Abia: I decided to help people identify potential abusers through Abuse survivor
Ekemini Dan Abia is a legal practitioner who got inspired by her work in the criminal justice system to create a community which supports and educates victims of domestic abuse through her Instagram page, Abuse Survivor. Abuse survivor aims to create awareness of the damaging effects of domestic abuse by educating members of the public, using Narcissism as a subject. She believes that helping individuals understand narcissism can greatly reduce domestic abuse in the home and its result in the larger society. Through Abuse Survivor, she identifies potential abusers and identifies abuse dynamics. She also provides materials and support for the recovery of survivors and counsels victims of all forms of abuse. What has been your biggest achievement as a prosecutor? Watching adults, children, as well as pre-teens who are victims of sex offenses, look their abuser in the eye and testify against him or her in open court. I am filled with a sense of accomplishment because I know that the person is taking back his or her power and getting out of the abuser’s control. What prompted you to start the platform Abuse Survivor? I was deeply shaken by the death of Ronke Shonde in 2016, who was allegedly murdered by her abusive husband. Reports of spousal abuse/homicides seemed to increase in 2017, and I recall asking myself “why couldn’t they heed the red flags before walking down the aisle”? So I decided to help people identify potential abusers and also highlight the long-term effects of remaining in abusive relationships on adults and children. I came to realize that a large percentage of those convicted for violent crimes are products of dysfunctional home environments and are people with unresolved childhood trauma. The pain and anger they carry around makes them gravitate towards crime or other anti-social behaviors. Knowledge of the above facts propelled me to create Abuse Survivor. Are you an abuse survivor yourself? Yes. I have been a victim of malignant narcissistic abuse. How do you vet the authenticity of the stories people send to you since its all done virtually? Most stories sent to us are accompanied by imageries which are very compelling with the victims pleading for their anonymity. I ask certain question which aims to validate their assertions without leaving them feeling we disbelieve them. It calls for tact and sensitivity, else we could leave a victim of abuse with invalidated feelings which is against everything we stand for. Would you consider yourself to be a social entrepreneur and if so, what would you say is the most challenging part of this role? Yes, I do. We live in a society where an in-depth discussion of abuse is given a passing interest, thus accessing funds to have more impact has been really challenging. Like most start-ups, this is the biggest challenge I have faced so far. You use NARCISSISM as a subject to educate your community. How has this impacted them positively? Lots of people have undergone narcissistic abuse without knowing it. As a result, they lived in utter confusion, depression and other health complications which is characteristic of victims of narcissistic abuse. Watching some members of our community gain clarity, stop blaming themselves and take control of their lives has been very fulfilling. Since starting the platform ‘Abuse Survivor’, have you had any support from anyone? And how has this contributed towards your success? A survivor of narcissistic abuse, who is also a member of our community reached out to me sometime in February 2018. Although living in the UK, she volunteered to build a website for our community. I am very grateful for this gesture. She has also become one of our resource persons. She is always on standby with brilliant and innovative suggestions. Having her as a support system right now propels me to keep doing what I do. What is the one motivation that gets you up every morning? I wake up every morning with the zeal to put out more information in order to reach more people. The knowledge that far too many people in our society are ignorant about narcissism motivates me. What is one piece of advice you would give to a woman suffering from domestic abuse? I would tell her that she is stronger than her abuser is trying to make her feel. All she needs to do is to see herself the way God sees her and learn to love herself. Only then will she have the strength to walk away for herself and to provide a better environment for her children (if she is a mother). How do you juggle your full-time job with managing your platform? To be candid, it is very tasking. However, it is easier because I am passionate about this topic and my full-time job inspires me too. I make time in the early hours of the day from 4 am to 6 am to plan my content. That way, members of our community never experience content drought. You currently run Abuse Survivor solely on Instagram. Any plans to move it to another platform? (Website, blog etc). Right now, we are working on our official website. We plan to make use of other social media platforms while retaining Instagram as our primary means of reaching out to members of our community. Do you ever meet with the women whose stories you share? The vast majority of those who share their stories in our community are impossible to meet geographically because they do so from all over the world. However, I have met a handful of them and they are the most resilient women I have ever met. What future plans do you have for ‘Abuse Survivor’? My vision is for Abuse Survivor to become the number one support system and resource outfit for victims of any form of abuse in Africa. We plan to innovate along the way. What’s your favorite book / Ted Talk of all time? My favorite book is Chimamanda Adichie’s ‘Purple Hibiscus’. I think that is where my interest in domestic abuse was
Revealed: The Secret To Staying Motivated
The year is almost halfway done, and chances are, the energy you started with is most likely not as powerful as it is now. Being motivated for a whole year can be quite challenging when life is constantly throwing us different surprises. Even then, motivation can only take you so far when trying to achieve your goals. So, how do you stay motivated amidst all? The secret is – drum rolls please – ‘Find your Vision’! Your vision will guide you and keep you going on your journey to success. Vision ensures that you don’t go around in circles and get frustrated when things go left. But how do you find your vision? The following tips offer a few steps on how you can find your vision and stay motivated. 1. Listen to your inner voice To have a clear idea about your vision, you must look inside yourself. Vision comes from within, from the spirit or subconscious, whatever you choose to call it. Everyone has a vision that is unique to them, and you are no different. When searching inside, you should yourself questions such as what stirs you? What is your greatest desire? What kind of dreams do you have? Once, you ask yourself these questions, chances are your vision will start become clearer for you. 2. Prepare yourself mentally Your vision begins in your mind and heart. It is something that burns within your soul. it should be greater than your all of your past memories, mistakes, and accomplishments. If you know what your vision is, you will have a purpose and won’t get lost on your journey. Sometimes, when you don’t have a distinct vision, it is easy to become distracted. If you don’t know where you’re going or how to get there, the journey will seem a lot longer and harder. To avoid this, make surer you prepare your mind for challenges ahead. 3. Surround yourself with people who have a clear purpose Greatness breeds greatness, and it is for this reason that you should seek out the company of others who can appreciate and support your vision. Network with winners and it will keep your motivation high. 4. Develop your vision Do you want to be the next Bill Gates but because of the way your bank account is wired it may seem impossible? The truth is, there are times when it is hard to understand how to apply your vision to your life in order to reach your goals. Don’t worry, all visions start from scratch! Your vision will grow from your experiences, talents, dreams, and desires. So don’t worry if your bank account is not growing as fast as you would have wished. Great visions take time to develop and perfect. Allow your vision to slowly but surely reveal itself to you. 5. Keep a notebook and pen handy All too often, we come up with great ideas and thoughts and by the time we want to write them down, they are forgotten. With that in mind, you never know when your vision is going to come to you, you have to keep a small notepad with you at all times. Even on your nightstand when you sleep. Write down whatever comes to mind, no matter how silly it seems at the time. You may write down a hundred crazy ideas but number one hundred and one just might be the vision you were searching for. Don’t try to filter right now, just write down everything that comes to mind. 6. Follow your vision The vision you are seeking will most likely come to you in ways that you won’t fully understand at the moment. That’s okay. Even your friends or family might not understand it. That too is fine. Just follow as much of your vision as you can right now, and more will be revealed to you as time goes on. All truly successful people have a vision that they follow, no matter what challenges they may face. Begin following the above steps to seek your vision today and remember that true, lasting success will never come to you until you know what your vision is and how you will follow it. And you will be unstoppable if you combine your personal vision with a healthy dose of motivation. This article was originally written by Tariro. If you’d like to get featured on our Facebook page, click here to share your story with us.
Is your personal growth stunted? 5 signs that it might be
[bctt tweet=”Sometimes we get stuck because we haven’t learned anything new, these tips should help” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What to do when you’ve lost your mojo We all want to become the best we can be. But what happens when you’ve lost your mojo? There’s a chance that your personal growth might be stunted. There’s no shame in that, it happens to the best of us: sometimes you just get stuck and it feels gross. Here are some signs to help you tell, and some quick simple ways to overcome it. 1. You’re really comfortable right now Life is fine. Like, just fine. Everything is just okay. You’ve got a good steady rhythm at home, at work and in your relationships but it’s been steady like that for A WHILE… to the point of standing still. You look around you and feel the buzz around you, but you’re on the outside. While being in this position isn’t necessarily bad, it’s not amazing either. It’s just —you guessed it— fine. You’ve stopped growing. Ask yourself: When did I last get excited about creating something new and of real value? If you’re struggling to find an answer, it’s time to change. Why not take on a new challenge? Join a society at university, or a network at work. Volunteer at a local charity that your care about or look for opportunities to give your skills to budding entrepreneurs. All you have to do is reach out and ask —over the phone, in person or using social media. It’s all there ready and waiting for you. 2. You’re bored at work Even when we’re in our dream jobs, work can sometimes be less than glamorous. There’s always that one activity that you’d rather skip. When you face this boredom or frustration you need to…. Ask yourself: Is it time to move on, or do I just need to do something different where I am? Next, have a conversation. With your boss, your manager or your team (if you are the boss/manager) about new opportunities or projects that you can try out. Of course, the way you ask depends on your role at work, so take that into consideration. Once you’ve identified these new personal growth goals you can set monthly or weekly goals to drive your progress. Many of us make great 1-5 year plans but struggle to translate them into our daily hustles. 3. You don’t leave conversations feeling inspired, motivated or energized You can’t remember the last time you learned anything of value, every conversation feels the same. I get it, it’s happened to me before. But too many people blame others, they claim that there aren’t ‘enough people to have intelligent conversation’ with. Well, before you blame others for anything in life, always look at yourself. Be the change you want to see in the world. Ask yourself: What do I bring to the table? If you’ve followed personal growth steps 1 & 2 above, you may eventually have something new to bring to your conversations. Once you’ve done that, you can start planning how you expand your horizons and your network. The age-old saying goes, ‘your network is your networth’ and if you haven’t made any new friends lately, maybe it’s time to go to an event, #SheHive or conference to get the conversational juices flowing again. [bctt tweet=”Before you blame others for anything in life, always look at yourself” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 4. You know as much as you did yesterday, and the day before that… and the day before that Sometimes we get stuck because we haven’t learned anything new. Personal growth involves your body AND your brain. We all have our niche —whether it’s fashion, tech, finance, politics or anything in between. But we can all benefit from knowing a little bit of everything across the board. Some employers call this being a ‘t-shaped’ person, someone who has deep knowledge in a few areas and broad knowledge across many others. These types of people can work well in many situations and are typically more employable. Ask yourself: When was the last time I learned anything new? The good news is that in the age of Google, a lot of information is $free.99 – shout out to SLA for this free guide right here. You can learn most of the basics on a shoestring budget, or no budget at all. What have you got to lose? 5. You lack energy and feel sluggish Sluggish. What a word, sounds horrible right? You might feel chronically tired, or that you’re living life in slow motion. Sometimes this is because you’ve been working too damn hard, but other times it’s caused by the fact that you aren’t doing much at all. If it’s the latter, the final thing you can do to boost your personal growth is actually get moving. Ask yourself: How can I shake up my routine in some way? This might be something really small like changing the route you take to work or your night-time beauty routine. It could also mean becoming more active. YES, I do mean going to the gym, joining a sports team or doing a class. A little sweat never hurt anyone! It sounds kind of crazy, but the more you work out, the more energy you have for other areas in your life. So, no excuses. Try these recommendations out and let us know how they work for you. Doing something new is scary, but life begins outside of your comfort zone. So does personal growth. You’ll be challenged in a new way, and you’ll develop into a more well-rounded person in the process.
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!
6 simple, realistic ways of staying inspired and motivated
Do you have moments when you simply want to get things done, move from where you at in life to the next stage, yet have zero motivation? Have you been trying to stay inspired? Things may not be going too great as planned, or you simply have so much to do and are overwhelmed so burn out takes the better part of you. Yasss, you are on the right track reading this. This is the article for you, I’ll be sharing 6 simple realistic ways of staying motivated and inspired. 1. Write your top three tasks of the day Write down your three tasks of the day. If you have more go ahead jot them down, but be realistic. What are the three main agendas you have that’s are so crucial for you to finish today? Find them out and start planning your day around these tasks. Remember to keep the number at three! 2. Practice the 50/10 rule Now that we have established the main tasks that need to be completed today, let’s get started. Work on one important task of the day for 50 minutes, then take a 10 minute break to refocus. Plan your tasks in order of priority, this way you get what should be done urgently completed and in good time. It isn’t easy but it can be done… 3. Reflect daily This a habit many of us forego mainly because we are probably tired by the time its evening and after a long day at work. But guess what they say, what you do after work is the most important part of your future. Squeeze in some time for reflection, this will help you self-evaluate your day and know what works and what does not. This way, you are also able to account for your time which is again very important. 4. Focus on what makes you happy Try as much as possible to indulge in your favourite things through the week, and each days. Let’s be fair, not everything we do is fun and interesting. Some may not be our favourite, but the thing is they have to be done. So we have to find ways to be inspired and get stuff done when nobody else will. Express gratitude more often than not. I have started doing a gratitude walk over the weekend, especially on Sunday evenings. During my gratitude walk, I just say out all things I am grateful for. Later on through the week, I write down 5-10 things I am grateful for in any particular day. It really makes you happier, and gives you more motivation to get what you need done, accomplished. Try it! 5. Keep learning This is a key factor in growing and personal development. This can be easily done through reading, browsing and brainstorming sessions. Research online, make tutorials your best of friend. There is so much you can gain out there on Youtube. Cultivate a reading culture. As opposed to going for drinks with the same friends over again and over again, try to meet new people. Network and form support groups. These are essential so your coffee, lunch or drink meet-ups becomes more meaningful. Sharing knowledge and learning, keeps you inspired. This way you stay on track and motivated. Lastly … 6. Stay healthy Hydrate, drink lots of water throughout your day. Whether you’re running errands or at your desk, get accustomed to this habit, you will thank me later! Other than keeping you feeling fresh, alive and energetic water is very good for your skin, we all know this. You can throw in some cucumbers, lemon wedges or even strawberries if you are not a fan of plain water. Exercise if you can, walk, jog, hit the gym for a full work out. Make time for this as it improves your mood. Also, ensure to always get some good rest/sleep at night.
13 inspirational quotes to help you get through those devilish days
Some days can feel so terrible you think the entire world has some beef against you. You wake up to an empty generator tank, which means no hot bath for you, and while running late to work, your nice shoes get ruined in the rain. You make it to work, but at lunch time, just before it’s your turn, the canteen runs out of food. Then just before you’re about leaving for home, your boss gives you an assignment with a 3-hour deadline! You finally made it home but it’s not over. Your mother calls to say some girl in your secondary school class is getting married, and she’s wondering if she’ll be the last mother on earth with an unmarried daughter. On days like these when you just need a pick-me-up, you can be sure to count on She Leads Africa to swoop down and resuce you with some common sense. We’ve got 13 inspirational and motivational quotes to help you remember that today’s challenges won’t be there tomorrow. 1. Strive Masiyiwa – Founder of Econet Wireless “The opportunity is in the problem. The moment I see a problem, I immediately begin to think about the opportunities that can be created by trying to solve it.” 2. Teresa Mbagaya – Microsoft Education Lead, East & Southern Africa “On career, I’ve always remarked that absolutely no one but you is responsible for your career; as such, plan for your future. Ask for that promotion, ask to be included in strategic meetings, invest in your leadership and in your colleagues, ask to take lead of varied initiatives and best yet, bring your best self to world.” 3. Lupita Nyong’o – Actress “It’s only when you risk failure that you discover things. When you play it safe, you’re not expressing the utmost of your human experience.” 4. Kechi Okwuchi – Sosoliso plane crash survivor “I make decisions based on what I like – not what I look like.’’ 5. Kene Mkparu – MD / CEO at Filmhouse Cinemas “Consider what is in your hands, Africa needs your talent.” 6. Fred Swaniker – Founder of African Leadership Academy “Everywhere I went I experienced the wonderful beauty of our continent and saw the resilience and the spirit of our people, and at that time, I realized that I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to making this continent great.” 7. Heshan de Silva – CEO of De Silva Group “You can never start a business based on what you like right now. Because what you liked 5 years ago, is not what you like today. So, have something deeper than what you like as a starting point.” 8. Uche Pedro – Founder of Bella Naija “Keep it simple, don’t try to do everything. Pick your lane and be the best at it.” 9. John Obidi – Social media strategist “It is not only important for you to become a superstar at what you do, it is necessary. There are people in your future counting on you to make it.” 10. Zain Asher – Anchor at CNN International “I don’t believe in competing for what I want, I believe in creating what I want.” 11. Nancy Kacungira – News Anchor “We need to begin a dialogue between ourselves… It’s time we start writing a new narrative that doesn’t focus on the struggle, but on progression.” 12. Aliko Dangote – Businessman “I built a conglomerate and emerged the richest black man in the world in 2008 but it didn’t happen overnight. It took me thirty years to get to where I am today. Youths of today aspire to be like me but they want to achieve it overnight. It’s not going to work. To build a successful business, you must start small and dream big. In the journey of entrepreneurship, tenacity of purpose is supreme.” 13. Chimamanda Adichie – Author “Of course I am not worried about intimidating men. The type of man who will be intimidated by me is exactly the type of man I have no interest in.”
Why the way you speak to yourself matters
Many times, we find ourselves having a conversation with ourselves. We sometimes do it subconsciously but what you don’t know is, self-talk has a great impact on your life, your career and your business. Your inner voice and what you tell yourself contributes tremendously to how you react to several things in your day to day life. Self-talk can be the negative self-talk or the positive self-talk. As a business woman, I find ways to encourage myself on a daily basis. Whether I am exercising in the morning or heading into meeting, I find positive self-talk a great motivator. Words like ‘you can do it’, ‘blow them away’ and ‘go girl’ are words that I use to encourage myself to achieve goals I set out to do. For instance, if you are going for a meeting, you check yourself in the mirror and think, ‘ I look so fat in this dress’ , don’t be surprised by how your day will start. You will be conscious of yourself, you will think everyone is looking at you and you will not exude confidence. You have brought down your self-confidence with negative self-talk. However, if you step out and go‘ I look too good for them not to give me that deal’, you have already set a positive tone to your day. You will kick ass with confidence. You will feel good about yourself and it will show in your work. Why is positive self-talk important? 1. Motivation and inspiration When you say something positive to yourself, you not only motivate yourself to keep pushing but you also force yourself to act. Whether it’s finishing a proposal late at night, or the early morning run, if you convince yourself with words like ‘I can do this’ or I can run an extra two miles’, you will find yourself achieving these goals because you inner voice is telling you to. 2. Build self-confidence The positive inner voice helps you build self-esteem and confidence. Your words will make you feel good. When you feel good about yourself, the better your mood will be and your performance will greatly improve. Confidence is very crucial especially in business as it enables entrepreneurs perform well in stressful situations. It enables them build networks with ease and helps them to sell their ideas and make others believe in them. 3. Being in control Positive self-talk enables you to be in control. When you say ‘I am made to do this’, it trumps the negative self-talk that sabotages your day and distracts you as you work. With positive words, you are in control of the day. Soon enough, you will find that with more positive self-talk, you will react to things differently. Things that used to make you angry will not annoy you anymore. When you are in control of your emotions , you are more likely to live a happy and fulfilled life. We all struggle with the negative self-talk. The negative voice in your head sometimes comes out very strong and convinces you that you cannot do it. It creates self-doubt. Have a mantra you can live by, and whenever you start listening to the negative voices, say it over and over again. Slowly, the negative voice will vanish.