Future-Proofing Your Business

This generation is more concerned about future-proofing their business than any generation in the past. The reason... this generation has seen unprecedented technological advancement. In an instant, change happens. New developments happen in the blink of an eye. What you thought not possible is possible in another part of the world. New ideas die or are replaced by newer and better ideas faster than you can think of them.

Because of the speed of communication and availability of data and information, entrepreneurs are often bombarded with business building advice from several directions. Several advice complicates the future-proofing of a business. Trying to utilise available technology complicates things.

We should go back to the basics; here are some simple reminders on how you can future-proof your business:

1. Invest in yourself. You should keep learning because you are your greatest asset. Invest not only on your knowledge or intellectual capability but also on your personality. Have you heard of power dressing? Dress up for success. Do not be sloppy in your choice of clothes. Dress up for a meeting or a presentation or even if you will just meet some friends. Power dressing exudes confidence. Your mind will align to how you feel with yourself.
2. Surround yourself with the best people; their personality will rub on to you. Build a great team; you need a strong team to future-proof your business.
3. Keep networking. Whatever business you are in you need to expand your network to get more business, get more ideas, and be in-tune with the latest in your industry. Remember that networking is more than handing your business card to someone. Networking is building a solid relationship of trust, respect, and commitment to help one another.

Choose Wisely

We thought we are super human beings. We thought we are Super Moms.

Maybe, yes we are. But there is an end to everything, including what we think we are. We may have been able to do a plethora of things because it must be done; we are the only remaining rudder of the boat that is out in the open sea. Everyone (our children) are looking on to us for survival.

But if you pose for just a while, you will realise, that you can do anything but not everything. Therefore, you need choose wisely to get the best from your choice. Do not spread yourself so thinly that you will fail to get the best. Use your talent, skill and put more effort into what will bring you the best result.

Weigh the opportunities and decide the best by stepping backwards to look at the big picture. Don't be deceived by opportunities that promise immediate results. Consider the future; consider the big picture.

Success does not come easily; we need to work hard for it. So choose to do the work that promises great reward because you can not do everything.

Weird Characteristics of Successful People

Don’t judge a book by its cover. This adage is very much true to a number of successful people because they don’t fit the norm. Normally, we would label successful people as those who have high education and come from rich families.

So, the next time you meet someone a bit weird consider him/her as a possible candidate to success. Is there someone you know who resemble the following characteristics?

Did not finish school
Some successful entrepreneurs did not finish school. John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford only finished high school. Billionaire Richard Branson and boxing legend turned spokesperson George Foreman left school to pursue their careers. We all know of school dropout, Steve Jobs, without him we will not be enjoying our Apple gadgets. How about Bill Gates of Microsoft Corporation? In most cases, successful people are intellectually gifted.  Though they are good at what they do, they don’t always function well in a formal learning environment. Some even regard school as a hindrance to their dreams. But suffice it to say that successful people put a high value to learning whether it is in a formal setting or an informal one.

Gifted in arts and sports
A common denominator of successful people is their passion, dedication, and hard work. These are the exact disciplines needed to become a successful musician, actor, or athlete.  Condoleezza Rice is a classically trained pianist, while Kevin Bacon has played in a blues rock band for decades.

Quick to give up
Don’t get me wrong here. When I say quick to give up, I don’t mean to say that successful people are quick to give up on their dreams. Quite the contrary, successful people do not give up on their dreams. Rather they are quick to give up on an approach they feel is not working. They are quick to change the approach or the way to their dreams. Successful people will not spend their time doing the same thing over and over again. They figure out what worked and what did not, then they move on with a new plan. After a careful evaluation, successful people will not hesitant to give up when they realise that something is not in their area of talent or expertise.

Focus on the big picture
A successful person would always step back to take a look at the big picture before making any decision. He may even pass up on an opportunity which promises immediate benefits in order to gain bigger and better things in the future.

Fashion nonsense
Have you noticed the choice of outfit of Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs? It is very simple. Why do they wear simple outfits? Have you heard of the priority of thought? The logic here is to make fewer choices on mundane or simple tasks so that you have more time to decide and make good choices on the big and important things. It is for this  reason that many successful people take the choice out of their wardrobe and simply wear the same or similar things each day.

How to Keep Your Brain Young

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “…senior moments”? Well, I have. It is happening now more often L.  I recognize someone’s face but I am not able to remember their name. I forget where I left my keys or phone. Sometimes, I would look for my eyeglass only to find out that it is pinned on my blouse or I wear it on my hair.

People of all ages complain about these kinds of memory lapses which can escalate as our brains age.  Though memory lapses are a normal occurrence, we all have considerable control over our own brain aging and the memory slips that accompany it. 

Following are some ways to keep your brain young.  

Give time to exercise.
Not only is exercise good for your physical health, it also aids your mental health. According to a study conducted by scientists at the University of Illinois, brisk walkers have bigger and better functioning brains than those who don’t do any cardiovascular conditioning. Another study showed that walking briskly 90 minutes each week lowers the risk for developing dementia. Why is this so? During exercise, the heart pumps oxygen and nutrients to the brain. It is also during exercise that the body produces brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which stimulates better brain cell communication. 

Learn to handle stress.

No one can avoid stress; it is part of living.  The key here is to accept that stress is inevitable and that you should learn how to handle it well to prevent stress from causing a negative impact on your brain function and memory performance. Stressed people get distracted; they find it difficult to focus and learn new information.  There are several ways to handle stress. You can try getting a hobby to clear your mind from whatever it is that bothers you. Or you can do some relaxation exercises like tai chi, yoga, and meditation.

Have a balanced meal.

Obese people are prone to develop dementia. A diet that includes omega-3 fats from fish, nuts or flaxseed is important for a healthy brain. It is recommended that we have five daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables to protect our brain cells from age-associated oxidative stress. For strong cognitive abilities, processed foods and refined sugars must be avoided.

Exercise your brain.

Keep learning new things. Read and engage in stimulating conversations. Take on the hobby of doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or any game that would make your brain work.  Computer games like IQ Boost and NeuroRacer help boost the health of our brains.

If your brain is really malfunctioning there are some strategies to help you remember. When you were introduced to someone, find something distinct in that person. It could be her subtle smile. Imagine her as the Mona Lisa and it will help you remember her name. If you keep forgetting where you put your keys or glasses, designate a place to where you will put these things. This place will then be your memory place.

Aging is inevitable and our brain is affected by it. However, there are several ways to prevent our brain from deterioration or deteriorating fast.

The Coming Out of Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys has come out. She is done pleasing people. In her essay, "Time to Uncover" published on Lena Dunham’s Lenny Letter, Keys talked about how everyone’s opinion of her began to affect her.

 “I started, more than ever, to become a chameleon. Never fully being who I was, but constantly changing so all the “they’s” would accept me”

Now, she is done with the pretensions. Before launching her new album, she made a list of the things she was sick of and on that list was the “constant judgement of women.” She concluded that she’s been censoring her own voice and her own self due to this constant judgement. 

According to her the process that she went through was very difficult. The realisation was painful but it was one that was necessary for change... a change for the better. 

Her journey to freedom started when a photographer convinced her to take photos without makeup; it was then that she felt the walls come down.  She felt “raw,” and found the power she’d been searching for.

She ends her essay with: “I don’t want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”

I am so happy for Keys and proud of what she has done. 

A lot of women today still suffer living to please other people. I hope Keys story gave you more courage to forget about those people and live life for yourself. Expose to the whole world the real you and you will gain more success!

Thank You My Dear Child

This brought memories back and once again tears. Yes, tears. But not tears due to fear but tears of joy. My child was right. The Lord will make a way and He truly did. I am truly thankful for that time which happened a number of times... a reminder from a child that the Lord cares. 

Have a blessed day.