Tag Archive | self empowerment

DAY 16: Take ACTION and Transform Your Life!

Nov17

BeautifulQuestions of the day: Everyday you wake up, ask yourself these very simple questions-“How do I become the story I want told?”, “What must I do today to BE the person I’ve always dreamed of becoming?”, “How do I become the person who accomplishes my goals?”, “If I had only today, how will I live today to reflect my gratitude and appreciation for the gift and miracle of life?”, “How do I fulfil my purpose and serve my God and creator, myself, my family, colleagues, community, country, continent and planet?”

WWNetworkAfrica™ Reflection DAY 16: Take ACTION and Transform Your Life!

Today’s focus is on key reflective posts that I’d shared on WWN’s Facebook page over the last few weeks. They engaged our members and led to interesting conversations on our forums and weekly conference training calls/webinars. I hope that by reflecting on them and taking action, your life is better elevated, enriched and empowered! These posts are all excerpts from my upcoming book: UN-Locking Your HeArt of Leadership. Enjoy!

1. “Your purpose in life is not to ‘GET’, your purpose is simply to ‘GIVE’ and share your God-given talents, abilities and essence. Your life should reflect an integrated ‘value-exchange’ with the world around you.

In the pursuit of your purpose, there will be pain, mistakes and storms, that’s merely life happening. It is in these oscillating patterns of highs and lows that your character is formed. Pay particular attention to your ‘lows’, if you allow it, phenomenal growth happens during these periods. Life is not meant to be perfect.

Life is meant to be LIVED! Bask in the sacredness, mystery and beauty of life. Pay attention to your PAINS and MISTAKES, they exist and happen to teach you something very important to your purpose. If you are willing, patient and courageous to own them, embrace them and solve them, WISDOM shows up at the other end.”

2. “The beauty with love is that every time you open your heart to love, you also take the risk of getting your heart-broken, and you may experience agonizing hurt, disappointment and pain in the process. Love takes courage, that ability to share all that you are and also, the faith that you’re better off for having experienced it, regardless of the outcome. To live is to love, unconditionally. Love is freedom, it gives you fire to create, to share, to heal! May love always find you ready, open and willing!”

3. “It is amazing what incredible things begin to happen, as soon as you step out of the shadows into your light and actually SHOW UP and start living YOUR life and not someone else’s version of your life. Until we own our awesomeness and our crap, we run the danger of living a life of denial, anguish and pain. Suffering disintegrates in the face of acceptance and forgiveness. The moment we stop resisting and choose to start living, we unlock our hearts to the fullness of life all around us.

4. “Whatever you seek in your relationships, have clarity on what you want! Then, simply surround yourself with people who depict and live it. If you seek love, surround yourself with people who are IN love and LOVING to each other. Everything and everyone is energy! Their essence slowly rubs off on you. Monkey see, monkey do, so find the monkeys doing it the way(s) you aspire to and then learn from them!

Take the time to analyze all the relationships you’ve been surrounded by from childhood till now. Whether you believe it or not, they affected your perspective. You may need to UN-Learn certain traits, behaviours and characteristics. We’re like sponges, we soak up past experiences, consciously or unconsciously, and sometimes live it in our present lives, often, outside of our own awareness.

We are often predisposed to and soak up good or bad things in our culture, upbringing, education, religion, environment, career…Become more aware of the choices you make and the belief systems you hold. Ask yourself key questions. Develop a mindset that reflects who you are and what you value. Face and resolve your ‘stuff’ and your ‘crap’. Begin to replace undesirable behaviours and strategies with healthier ones. You can create the relationships of your dreams. Not perfect yet perfect for you! Take ACTION today!”

5. “Have the courage to succeed and also have the courage to fail. Have the courage to celebrate the highs and also embrace the lows. There’s duality in nature. Our lives follow  synchronistic patterns of mountains, plateaus and valleys. Your gratitude should flow and grow in ALL seasons.

EVERYTHING happens to move you in the direction of your purpose. Feel all your feelings. Accept the totality of who you are, ONLY then will your heart truly break open to ‘see’ others as a reflection of you and finally experience yourself as a true reflection of God!

Suffering ends when we stop fighting our reality and we begin to practice the beautiful principles of Surrendering, Allowing and Accepting that we are ENOUGH! We already have ENOUGH! And that we are WHOLE. The purpose of life, therefore, becomes the healing and transformational journey of ‘Returning to Wholeness’ and embracing who we always were and always will be: beloved children of a loving God, created to love and be loved, UNCONDITIONALLY!”

6. “A simple formula for getting what you want? Simply ASK! If that fails, try this instead: ASK AGAIN! (Not necessarily of the same person(s)). And do it with more preparation and reflection, a little better and wiser each time. Soon, that shut door will be opened.

Develop the skill-set of humble, purposeful, diligent and joyous ASKING irrespective of the outcome. Celebrate the truth that what you need will manifest exactly when it should and not a moment sooner or later. It is who we become in the process that is more important.”

7. “Little things can shift the trajectory of our lives. Do good! Look good! Feel good! Dare to ‘see’ yourself in a beautiful, brand new light. Enough of the ‘woe me’ stories, it is finally time to tell yourself and the world new ‘WOW me’ stories! You are the director of your life’s movie. If you don’t like what’s playing out in your reality, simply yell: “CUT!”

Then use the power of imagination, re-write the script and re-shoot. Every day is a new opportunity to play out the scenes you want. Give it your best shot today because you never know when the higher DIRECTOR will say “CUT” to your life! Everyday you wake up, is a day you may have died. Don’t waste your time. LIVE life to the fullest, all you really have is NOW!”

Join the conversation on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WWNetworkAfrica

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The preceding is a guest post from Juliet ‘Kego, MBA –Poetess, Strategic Interventionist, Wealth Management, Development  & Leadership-Consultant at Whole Woman Network. Juliet is the author of the upcoming book: ‘UN-Locking Your HeArt of Leadership.” Her mission is to raise a new generation of Transformational, Ethical & Creative African Leaders.

She is an avid Life Connoisseur and a passionate advocate of WomEntrepreneurship, Leadership & Human Potential Development, Investment & Financial Literacy for WoMen. Her mission is simply to engage, educate and empower WoMen & Youths, regardless of their levels of income or background, to return to ‘wholeness’ and live Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier, Daring & Meaningful Lives using Faith-based, Scientific and Universal (Common-Sense) principles! Follow her on Twitter: @julietkego

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DAY 3: Take ACTION and Transform Your Life!

Nov3

Question of the Day: “How often do you take time off to reflect deeply and really meditate on your vision for your life?” Is your life on auto-pilot with no room for reflective pauses? There is a reason God made a day of rest! Take some ‘ME’ time every week to reposition and transform your life. Enjoy the beauty and grace of SILENCE. Remember, change happens in life whether we welcome it or not. Growth, however, is optional. We DECIDE to grow or stay stunted. Power of silence Whole Woman Network

At the core of our transformational Training, Leadership and Coaching programs are principles of Self-Love, Self-Accountability and Self-Leadership. You have the gift and ability to co-create your life and design your destiny. Own it!

WWN Reflection DAY 3: Take ACTION and Transform Your Life!

Today’s FOCUS is on the POWER OF PERSONAL REFLECTION!

Remember when I mentioned having at least 15 minutes of reflections twice each day (in the morning before you set off for the day and at night, at the end of your day? (Refer to Day 1 post). During your 15 minutes reflections, you’re required to write down key points you learned for the day, based on your most immediate goals for the challenge. Again, let’s revisit the questions regarding the different areas of your life that you wish to transform.

What 3 area(s) of your life do you wish to improve the most? What 3 area(s) would have the most impact on all other areas of your life?

  • Faith & Spirituality?
  • Health & Wellness?
  • Family & Relationship?
  • Career & Business?
  • Beauty & Self-Image
  • Fun & Leisure
  • Personal Development & Growth
  • Financial Well-being & Prosperity?
  • Community & Social Responsibility?
  • YOU! Your Dreams, Passions and Purpose?

For instance, If health/wellness/weight loss are your primary goals, add to your journal entry EVERYTHING you ate and how you felt just before and after you had Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and snacks or drinks. Also, write down what type of exercise and how long you exercised, rested and slept daily).

If financial well-being is the primary goal, write down how much you saved, how much you spent for the day and what wealth creating activities you engaged in etc.

ReflectionThe purpose of keeping track through personal reflections and writing, is to make you more aware of your actions. You can ‘see’ your patterns and progress (or lack of).

Most importantly, it will EMPOWER you to master your emotions so that you may easily and effortlessly, take the necessary action towards your goals, regardless of how you feel.

The data you obtain from your feelings are important, however, feelings are not enough basis to anchor your actions. Successful, happy, healthy, wealthy people do not use feelings as evidence procedure!

Personal Reflections also gift us with the grace of gratitude and contentment for who we are and what we have. It opens up our eyes to the truth that we are already ENOUGH and we are blessed beyond measure.

Until, we silence the external, endless worldly chatter that feeds us with the fallacies and lies of our unworthiness and emptiness, we cannot fully hear the still voice of our own inner truth, reminding us that we are magnificent creatures of love, light and life! Quote on Contentment Whole Woman Network

The true power of personal reflection is that it compels us to look inwards and seek the answers within us. It drowns the noise and allows the voice within us to be heard.

If we are willing to act with personal integrity, hold ourselves accountable and look at our lives with a sense of responsibility and ownership, the truth we seek reveals itself. This truth then manifests beautifully in our reality.

Until you reflect on how your past choices (conscious and unconscious), have led you to the present, you cannot make empowered choices in the present to create the future you dream of. Personal reflection takes heart, head, courage and faith.

It means letting go of your idea of yourself and accepting the person you find. It is a journey to the heart of your essence, the act of embracing the YOU that unveils herself to your own curiosity and respectful scrutiny.

Remember, your journey is unique because you are YOU! Don’t play the compare and contrast game, know that your life is different from others because your power, passion, purpose and path are very different. You are special! There is something that only you were created to add to your family, friends, society and planet!

Are you willing to look at that person in the mirror? Are you willing to take responsibility for co-creating your life, warts and all? Are you ready to own your awesomeness and also own your crap? Happy reflecting!

Enjoy this inspiring video by Stephen Covey on 5 Emotional Cancers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4uuZYAdbes

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The preceding is a guest post from Juliet Ume, MBA –Strategic Interventionist, Wealth Management Consultant & Leadership-Coach at Whole Woman Network. Juliet is an avid Life Connoisseur and a passionate advocate of WomEntrepreneurship, Leadership Training, Investment & Financial Literacy for women. Her mission is simply to engage, educate and empower women, regardless of their levels of income or background, to return to ‘wholeness’ and live Healthier, Sexier, Wealthier Lives using Faith-Based, Scientific and Universal (Common-Sense) principles! Follow her on Twitter: @wholewomaninc, @julietumeinc

DAY 1: Take ACTION and Transform Your Life!            

DAY 2: Take ACTION and Transform Your Life!

Demystifying the ‘Iroko Tree’ and ‘Stolen-Luck’ syndromes

Nov28
Milicia excelsa tree (Iroko) at IITA-Ibadan

Milicia excelsa tree (Iroko) at IITA-Ibadan (Photo credit: IITA Image Library)

-Iroko Tree Syndrome: A belief that you are financially better than everyone around you and once they ask you for any form of help, you gradually (and willingly) assume the role as their sole source of sustenance and help them with just enough to get by and never get up. And by extension, you expect eternal servitude from them and make yourself beyond reproach. This is a belief steeped in ego, greed and self-importance. (This is also referred to as the art of over-rating oneself!)

– Stolen Luck Syndrome: A belief that you are unworthy of success and that there are those who have been either been blessed with or have ‘stolen’ your luck and so they owe you a piece of their earnings. Thus, you willingly and clearly relinquish all sense of personal responsibility to others. An idea steeped in mental laziness, envy and a defeatist attitude. (It is also referred to as the art of purposeless living!)

“It takes courage and wisdom to give and receive; it is not only that we give of yourself, time and resources that counts, more importantly, it is ‘HOW’ we give. Give with graciousness and an open heart and be humbled for a chance to serve God in others. To do otherwise robs the receiver(s) of self-respect and diminishes their dignity. The same goes for those on the receiving end: ask with grace and a humble spirit, for no one owes you anything, nothing is a birthright…It is better to say no with grace than to ‘give’ with disgrace. Remember, your widow’s mite is always enough”. ~Whole Woman Network~

Principles to manage the ‘Iroko tree’ and ‘Stolen Luck’ Syndromes:

  1. You cannot give what you do NOT have, do not attempt to play God in people’s lives. Give and receive unconditionally, and not as control tool or mechanism for self-inflicted bondage or slavery;
  2. You cannot please everyone and it is NOT your responsibility to do so. If you give because you seek to please, you will end up drained, depleted and depressed and everyone ends up unhappy and/or unfulfilled;
  3. As long as you are clear in communicating your boundaries, they will be respected. People will operate within established boundaries if you are unambiguous in your communication and consistent in your actions. It is your responsibility to teach others how you wish to be treated;
  4. It is always better to give from a place of joy. If you feel people should be eternally begotten to you because you’ve come to their aid, or you feel resentful/used/manipulated after giving then you have to take a step back and evaluate why you give;
  5. You always have a choice to say either ‘YES’ or ‘NO’. Learn to exercise both from a place of power and not a place of fear of what people will say or think (refer to #2 above);
  6. We are all created equal before God. You are no better or worse than someone else. We simply have different opportunities and skills. Our overall mission in life is to serve one another in different ways with dignity, grace and respect;
  7. Teach people to fish and don’t just hand out fishes (Note to giver: ‘You don’t have enough fishes to give everyone who asks’. Note to receiver: Nobody owes you anything; no one has ‘stolen’ your luck! Your hands are also blessed, so receive with humility and bless the giver);
  8. If you want to build wealth, you must make sacrifices. Focus first on helping yourself, so you may be in a better position to help others in sustainable and meaningful ways;
  9. Don’t deplete your ‘Goodwill bank account’ with frivolous requests. Learn to differentiate between what is important/essential versus what is not essential;
  10. As difficult as it may seem, sometimes people really come to you for help because they have no other recourse. Life can be difficult and challenging especially in this harsh economic climate. Some people truly need the help. Be empathetic, sincere and do the best you can under your particular circumstance. In the end, it comes down to creating a balance between your well-being and your duties/responsibilities. HIS grace is sufficient for us all.

Live beautifully, live passionately, live freely.

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Remember, you are not ordinary, you are divinely unique.

You are WOW (Wonderful One-of-a-kind Woman)!

w(H)olistically Yours,

© Whole Woman Network

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