Category: Personal Development

“It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” ~Nelson Mandela

I remember like it was yesterday, 27th June 2013 attending a technical meeting at International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria. I was young, very shy and doubted that my voice carried any weight among the giants in the room. As much as I tried very hard to concentrate to the proceedings of the workshop but my mind was all over the place, anxious about my presentation later that afternoon. As much as I was prepared I was also scared of making a fool of myself among the educated and more experienced delegates. My eyes searched around the room with a hope of finding a familiar face among the sea of white faces. I was looking for a face that will make me feel like I belong and deserve to be in that room.  A face of another black woman who will encourage and cheer me when I take my stand on that podium but there was none. It was my first time attending that meeting and nominated to represent my country, South Africa in that Committee. I observed that most of the committee members knew each other and had attended previous meetings. I was unknown and felt lonely but as soon I realised that some of meeting participants knew my beloved country and had visited South Africa, that became my ticket that bought back my confidence. I decided that I will adopt the two gentlemen who showed kindness, as my tribe. I knew they will be my familiar faces I was looking for.

The news around the world that time was about the former President of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela who was in a critical condition in hospital. As South Africans we were praying for him but being in that meeting at IAEA opened my eyes on how people from different parts of the world loved this great man from AbaThembu clan. The same Madiba clan whose seed gave birth to my mother. It was at that point my fear escaped and gratitude filled my heart. The gratitude of knowing that I was in Vienna International Centre because Tat’uMandela and his peers sacrificed a lot and created a better world that opened opportunities for me and generations to come. All of a sudden my perspective changed and I started to view things in a different way. I was excited with this new revelation that it was not just Bongiwe Mbebe in the room but South Africa and Africa was present in the room. I was determined that even if my voice is shaking and I am stuttering but I will stand on that podium as a proud South African.

At that time the project was just at infancy stage and my employer trusted me with such big task. This meant that my competence level for the topic I was going to talk about was not a match at all to my fellow colleagues in the room but I rode on the confidence that I am given an opportunity to carry the South African flag. It was exciting to receive positive feedback from my new adopted friends and the Chairperson of the meeting. That day I did not just gained friends but I gained international mentors in my career. This reminded me of Nelson Mandela quote “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it”. Nelson Mandela’s generation created a better world and fought for us to get opportunities in places that was never occupied by black people before.

 I decided from that day that I will never stand back, I will always step forward and grab challenging opportunities by the horn even if I am afraid. When we accept those challenging opportunities we become a voice of hope to our brothers and sisters which says there is nothing impossible to those who are determined.

As a Coach and Gardener I strive to make this world a better place by helping women in the marketplace and youth to cultivate and unlock their greatness. One of the great attributes I learned from the freedom fighters is that my agenda is not my own but of all the voiceless women I am carrying on my back. My agenda is for all my sisters to have a seat at the table of influence and I am determined to carry this forward and create a better world for the next generation.  

When our people are appointed to positions of power and have a seat in the table of influence we rejoice and celebrate. When Zozi Tunzi was announced as Miss Universe, we did not just rejoice for her as an individual but her celebration was our celebration. It is the same when our sisters are appointed as CEOs, Directors and Ministers it is never about them. We celebrate them because they represent all of us and they give us hope that there is a glimpse of change in our society. We see them as the fruit of seeds planted by the generation of Winnie Mandela,Lillian Ngoyi,Helen Joseph and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn. That generation played their role and it’s now all up to us to do our part and make this world a better place for our children and the next generations.

I just have a question for you dear friend, as you are sitting comfortable in that boardroom table, whose agenda are you pushing? Always remember that your agenda is not your own but of all the people you are carrying on your back. I plead with you to use your voice wisely and take a stand for your people. Your voice is a weapon that will change lives of our people and create a better world for them. Stand up and be counted.

Don’t define yourself by your mistakes.

Inspirational quote print 'Your mistakes do not define you ...

Don’t define yourself by the mistakes you made in the past. You are not your mistakes. We are human beings and bound to make mistakes at some point in our lives, whether in our personal life or career. We all go through the ups and downs of life and it’s never smooth sailing. Even though sometimes you make the wrong choices and mess up, there is no need to bury yourself in shame and guilt.

The best thing to do is to correct your mistakes and vow to do better in future. If you continue to walk through your life without rectifying the mistakes, you carry all that burden of shame and guilt with you. Be gentle and kind to yourself and allow the grace of God to work in and through you. In the same way that God forgives, you should forgive yourself.

Never allow your mistakes to pull you down. Keep your head up. Pick yourself up. Learn from the mistakes you made and become a better person. Forgive yourself and put your failures behind you and move on. If you learn to forgive, you build a solid foundation that can help people around you to trust who you are.

Forgive yourself and stop holding your life back. Today is the day to escape from the self-imposed prison that is keeping you from becoming the person God created you to be. You can never discover the best version of yourself until you let go and learn from your past mistakes.

Working from Home

Managing your performance productivity

Since the lockdown was declared in various countries due to COVID-19, most workers are required to work from home. In the first week of working from home I soon realised that there can be multiple distractions that will have an impact in my productivity. Here are top things that can help you setting up the workspace that will be beneficial for maximum productivity: 

  1. Find the right workspace for you. 

Everybody works differently. You may find that you work better from your kitchen table or in your lounge or study room if you have one. You might prefer to work by a window or by a wall. Finding the best spot that is comfortable for you is key to getting more stuff done. If you’re setting up a home office, please design a workspace that will be a highly productive space.

2. Set workspace close to a power outlet. 

You will probably be using your laptop most of the time, this means you will need constant access to power. Don’t waste time by having to charge up your devices in a different room or away from your desk.

3. Choose a well-lit space. 

Whenever possible, choose a space with plenty of natural light. Make sure you also have a lamp nearby, so you avoid straining your eyes. Working in the dark reduces your productivity.

4. Tap on your nourishing center to motivate you. 

When you work from home, you are not restricted by office rules. That means you can add anything you like to your workspace. You can have music playing in the background which gives you positive mood. 

5. Switch off your television.

Television can be a distraction which will reduce your productivity.

6. Make yourself comfortable. 

Find ways to make your workspace as comfortable as possible to boost your productivity. Choose a chair that supports your back to avoid back pain. Make sure your laptop is at the right height for you. Open windows to get fresh air. 

7. Avoid Distracting People

Every member of your family is probably also at home during this lockdown period. As much as you are a full time employee, at home you are still a spouse and parent. Children might often come in asking you to be their playing partner. Your partner might want to engage you in a conversation. It is important to agree with your loved ones that they must not disturb you during certain periods of the day and you will often check up on them during the day. Ensure you inform them of your scheduled meetings with Colleagues. You need to find a better approach in balancing your work and engaging your loved ones without neglecting your family. More than anything your home is still a sacred space for you and your family, don’t make your family feel like they come second to your job.

Keys to working smarter & increase productivity

Sometimes we ask ourselves why some of our colleagues are successful and super productive at work than us, even though the employer equally allocated the same amount of working hours to all employees. Becoming more productive at work requires planning, scheduling, and paying close attention to the impact of the actions we take. After all, productivity is not about being busy, it’s about getting things done and completed. These are some of the keys that will help you to increase your productivity and elevate your success.

Track Your Time – Before you set up a new schedule for increased productivity, it’s essential that you identify both your creative zone and waste zone. Figure out where your energy is fueled and also take note of things that are wasting your time. Start keeping track of the activities you do, including the time it takes, and the effect of the action.

Systemize & Automate – I have learned this from my Coach, Elaine Jacob who is a fan of systems and believes in automating the system that has worked for you. When you have more to do with little time it is important to create an efficient system and automated workflows that will yield great results with little effort. 

Create Routines and Develop Habits –There’s a famous quote by Aristotle that says “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Our daily actions are empowered by our habits. For many things you do, you’ll do more of it if you make it part of your daily routine so that it becomes a habit. Whether it’s setting your daily agenda, going to bed early, taking a break every 90 minutes or working on your priorities first thing in the morning, sticking to a daily routines and habits bring order and build a solid structure for your activities.

Learn to say No – You don’t have to do everything for everyone. You have a choice to say no. Before saying yes, always look at your schedule and your goals. 

Stop Multitasking – If you think multitasking makes you more productive, think again. Multitasking might lead to overstimulation of the brain function, which might lead to anxiety and stress. This might cause you to be sick and missing days of work. No one can do two things at once that require conscious thought. 

Prioritise based on Impact – As you set your to-do list, look at the impact the action provides toward your goals. Focus on the effects so that what you do the most yield great returns. 

Include Rest & breaks in your schedule – Don’t over-schedule yourself, your calendar does not have to be a battle zone of tasks.  Schedule breaks in between the tasks as decisions that are made with a tired mind will cause you to make mistakes and decrease your productivity. 

Celebrate Success – When you achieve a goal that you’ve set, always celebrate your achievements. Success begets succession. The more you experience the feeling of success the more you gain confidence tackle more tasks.

If you want to get more done by working smarter, not harder, while increasing your productivity, it all starts with setting clear goals tied to actions that create the most impact toward reaching that goal.

Are you struggling and need help to increase your work productivity? Please send an email to fructifiedcreations@gmail.com

You are in control of your life

Most people live life with some level of awareness that something is less than ideal.  Perhaps they are discontent with where they are in life, or maybe with their physical health or their relationships status.  A sense that something is not right haunts people but it seems they are not haunted enough to work on changing the situation and expose the source of this feeling.  The cause of this feeling, no matter what you determine the source may be, can be controlled.  We can choose how we respond to situations and stimuli.

I’m sure you’ve heard people blame their upbringing, their finances, or million other things that may have influenced the journey they are in right now. Yes, these factors can be very influential indeed but, even so, they are often given greater power than they are rightfully due. The self limiting beliefs that attach to these stimuli often take control of the mind and your will becomes bound by something other than you.  You become a prisoner to circumstances and outside sources when, in fact, your mind and will are absolutely yours to do with as you choose. 

Various TV reality shows are an example of how people are sold a dream, as if it could and SHOULD be their destiny. The sad result is that viewers compare their own lives to that of rich celebrities and it sow discontent and envy becomes part of people’s subconscious responses.

In similar fashion, the news (local and international media) is a useful tool if you allow information to come to you for reasonable usage.  We also know for certain that the news has been sensationalized and distorted in many cases.  Taking in the news without mastery of your own mind can create anxiety and fear.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could take control?  You can. Take control of your inputs.  You have a choice. Choose better inputs or choose to be conscious of the influence that the inputs attempts to wield upon you. Daily there are external influences that can sow seeds in you. In other words,you are the field for other farmers to sow. The question is, what are you farming on your own ground? What crops do you want to grow? Do you want love?  Real love? Relationships that last?  What seeds do you sow to grow love? Do you want financial stability, even financial means and power? What seeds do you sow? Do you want influence, the type that changes a culture?  The type where you get to sow good into others? 

The choice is yours, you really have control.  Each and every day you are allowing a farmer to work YOUR fields.  Will you allow another farmer to tend to the fields of your life? Will you grow from envy, fear, and anger because others placed those seeds in you with your implicit permission?  What if you plant your own seed into the soil of your life? What if you chose the fruit of your life’s labor?  Control your outcomes, choose to sow seed for yourself.

The war is on, it’s everyone against you in a fight for the most valuable real estate in the universe: The Mind.  Who will win?  Is it someone else or maybe, just maybe… you can take ownership of your own attention and thoughts. 

It may take a friend to make sure that you can win and take back your ground.  I am your friend and willing to coach you with tools that will help you to gain back control of your life.  

No Opportunity Waits (NOW)

We are slowly closing 2019 and excitedly waiting to enter a new year and a decade of the twenties. It is that time of the year when we reflect on our gains and pains. What are the reasons for your pain ? Is missed opportunity one of those reasons? Did you miss an opportunity and regretted it? At the beginning of each year we have beautiful intentions and set goals. We say I want to raise my income, I want to lose weight, I want to travel the world, etc.… Goal setting is easy but goal achieving is another story.

NOW is a time flanked by what was and what could be. Every NOW has a potential to be a punctuating moment in time. A kinetic explosion of what could be only comes when we take actions in the NOW. It is good that we make decisions but decision is just step zero. There is a difference between deciding and doing, things only shift and change when we take action.

We delay our NOW in the name of good timing or convenience. Fear makes us say ‘I don’t think I can, I am not good enough‘. What follows after this, we stall and make excuses like ‘I will do it later, I will be ready next month.’ Yet we only get one NOW, which we sacrifice for later. The Law of diminishing intent says “The longer you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds that you will never actually do it.”

Over the years I learned about two Ancient Greek words that describe time. The Greeks identified time as Chronos, which is chronological time. The word chronos points to how one hour comes before the next and today comes before tomorrow and so on.
The other word is Kairos. This unique understanding of time can be described as, ‘The Appointed Time’. Some have described it as ‘the divinely appointed time’. The English acronym is NOW, No Opportunity Waits.

There will come times where the appointed time, or opportunity arises. We must be ready for opportunity and prepare to act in the NOW. Fear, doubt, self-limiting beliefs, and finances may stand between you and your seizing the NOW moment… or, perhaps, it’s just the perception that these things stand in the way that keeps you from your NOW… either way, your NOW will be faced with a challenger that suggests you reconsider. It is on each of us to be cognisant of the fact that NOW is coming and will not linger.

Act NOW don’t pause your dreams waiting for the right conditions. Success meets you where you step not where you stand. Take that first step NOW and lead your life. Leap into your NOW because No Opportunity Waits.

Be fruitful & Multiply