You are that cover girl!
As I looked at all these trailblazers, getting crowned on the cover page of Forbes magazine, I was led to share a deep moment of reflection.
For many years, I use to watch famous women from afar, admiring them and getting inspired by their deeds, more wishing I will one day be given a seat at their tables.
A few years ago, I decided to change this admiration into a driving force. I've made a choice to shift my approach. Rather than simply admiring them from afar as if they were beyond reach, I started asking myself questions that guided me towards the qualities I found inspiring in them.
I asked myself: “How different are they from me? What challenges did they overcome to get invited to the prestigious table where they sit? How do they view and tackle both their personal and career goals?”
With a bit of digging, I've come to realize that there are far more similarities than differences between us.
Firstly, these are women who are integral members of families and communities they cherish and support. Secondly, being a part of such communities brings both opportunities and challenges. I also experience these dynamics within my own family or community and must strive to maximize the opportunities and surmount the challenges to the best of my abilities.
Some are married like me, and while they are trying to advance their careers or grow their businesses, they also must ensure they maintain a stable and loving marriage, which can be a great source of strength.
Some may have to wake up 3 to 4 times in the middle of the night, to lovingly nurse their infants, while others may have to be up late to attend to their teenagers who need their attention, then get in their suits early in the morning to chair a yearly board meeting.
Others had to cancel on an important international business trip while on the way to the airport, because the school just called to inform Mommy that their child has a fever and is vomiting, and Mommy’s protective instinct instantly kicked in.
Even though they may occasionally need to discreetly wipe away tears from their carefully applied makeup, torn between the heartache of their crying toddler who resists parting in the morning, or maintain poise after losing a significant client in a meeting they had to prioritize over a lunch date. They might still be struggling with the grief of losing a cherished loved one or the end of a meaningful relationship, yet somehow summon the inner strength to refocus and move forward. These are all challenges that I've either encountered or navigated on my own life path.
Seeing other women get vulnerable in front of my eyes makes me feel more human than I thought I was, in spite of all the challenges I face. It gives me the strength and courage to look more at my vulnerability as a strength. It makes me realise that we’re all just the same kind of humans. Made with flesh, made with bones and having blood running through our veins. The only main difference between us is the way in which we tackle our challenges and bounce back from our falls.
I am now more appreciative of the importance of learning from both my own journey and that of the trail Blazers that have gone ahead of me, and I try to extract from their journeys tools and techniques that would work in my own.
I am eternally grateful to all the women who are showing us their scars and make us feel more human. As I share my own scars with you, I hope it helps on this unending ladder climbing journey we’re on.
As I watch them getting crowned on the cover of the prestigious Forbes magazine, I remember one important lesson I have learnt: the glory is not earned on the cover page, the glory is earned in the day-to-day grinding, and in the falling and rising that you go through to become the cover girl. By the time you are on the cover page, you have already become the cover girl through the process that you took. Being on the cover page is only the crowning moment of what you have become through the journey.
To every cover girl out there, yes, I am referring to you. keep shining wherever you are. In your house with your toddlers running around, because you chose the greatest profession, “looking after them”. At the market or in the streets, with your vegetable basket on your head. In your shared office, in the boardroom or in your businesses. We see you and feel you. You deserve all the best that the world has to offer. Bells and whistles, flowers and chocolate, and more than anything else, you deserve a tap on the shoulder. Thank you for sharing with us the best version of yourself, you are contributing to making us better people and making this world a better place to live in.
To all our trailblazers and ceiling brakers out there, thank you for sharing with us what is possible. Because of you, we have the courage to say: “If they did it, I can do it too, and I can do even more”.
To all the spotlight shiners out there, like Forbes magazine and all others, thank you for shining the light on our trail blazers and letting us all glow under it, you are making all of us shine from our corners.
From me to you, let’s keep learning, keep applying our knowledge and keep growing together.
Harnessing the Power of Systems: A Blueprint for Business Success
In the fast-paced world of business, success often hinges on efficiency, consistency, and scalability. Amidst the chaos of daily operations, one crucial factor stands out: the implementation of robust systems. Drawing inspiration from the foundational insights of "Systemology," a pioneering book by David Jenyns, we delve into the transformative potential of creating processes in business and offer a practical guide to crafting an effective workflow management system.
The Power of Systems
At the heart of every thriving organization lies a well-oiled machine of interconnected processes and procedures. Systems provide the framework upon which businesses operate, streamlining operations, minimizing errors, and fostering continuous improvement. Here are some key reasons why creating systems is paramount in today's business landscape:
Consistency and Quality Assurance: Systems ensure that tasks are performed consistently to a high standard, reducing variability and enhancing the quality of outputs. Whether it's delivering a product or providing a service, customers value reliability, and consistency builds trust and loyalty.
Efficiency and Productivity: By defining clear processes and workflows, businesses can eliminate inefficiencies and bottlenecks, enabling teams to accomplish more in less time. Time-consuming manual tasks can be automated, freeing up valuable resources for strategic initiatives.
Scalability and Growth: Scalability is essential for businesses aiming to expand their operations. Systems facilitate growth by enabling organizations to replicate successful processes across different departments, locations, or markets. This scalability lays the foundation for sustainable expansion without compromising quality.
Risk Management and Compliance: Well-designed systems help mitigate risks by ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards. By embedding checks and balances within processes, businesses can identify and address potential risks before they escalate, safeguarding their reputation and assets.
Empowerment and Innovation: Systems empower employees by providing clear guidelines and structures for decision-making. With the burden of routine tasks lifted, teams can focus on innovation and creativity, driving continuous improvement and adaptation to changing market dynamics.
Get yourself ready
Now that you've transformed your vision into a tangible possibility, you reach a crucial juncture: action. This can be a stumbling block, so preparing for some serious mental, physical, and emotional work is vital.
Take each life category you identified earlier and categorize them into three buckets: Be, Do, Have.
For example, if your vision includes owning an island mansion, "have" is the appropriate category.
Next, ask yourself, "To have that island mansion, what must I do?" Your answer might involve getting a job, working for a bank, becoming a CEO – whatever seems feasible. Remember, this isn't necessarily the only path, but it's a potential route.
Now, ask yourself, "What kind of people work at banks or are CEOs?" You might envision them as educated, disciplined, spiritually grounded, hard-working individuals. This leads you to the crucial realization: to achieve your desired "haves," you must become a certain kind of "be." Inner transformation paves the way for external rewards.
After this introspective exercise, comes goal setting.
If you had only one year to complete your BCOM degree, your goal would be "Finish my BCOM degree by December 2024." Achieving this goal involves performing specific tasks within defined timeframes: registering at the university, attending classes, daily studying, extra tutor sessions, securing and attending an internship. Some goals, like financial or weight loss ones, can be accomplished within 12 weeks.
Focus, discipline, and diligence in performing these tasks will inevitably lead to desired results, or at least bring you closer. Transformation doesn't occur through mere wishes; it manifests in the act of executing necessary tasks.
Commit to relentlessly tackling these tasks with everything you have. The results will astound you, and you'll find yourself in a much better place by the end of this disciplined journey.
To ensure progress and adherence, implement weekly self-assessments based on daily and weekly activities. Aim for 80% or higher completion rates. This consistent evaluation will drive you towards a different, better space.
Try this method and build a community around you. Find an accountability partner with whom you can share your vision and honestly acknowledge missed activities. Remember, while solo progress is possible, an accountability partner can propel you much further.
I trust you possess the potential to achieve your goals this year. Lean into your strengths, apply yourself, and flourish!
Thank you for being part of this incredible community. Let's embrace a bright and successful 2024, filled with learning, growth, and reaching new frontiers together.
Regards,
Gaëlle Munayi
Artificial intelligence
Welcome to the revolution!
"Artificial Intelligence refers to computer systems that simulate human intelligence to perform a wide range of tasks autonomously."
SETTING UP A COMPELLING VISSION
The beginning of each year sparks a surge of energy, a sense of readiness to tackle the world. Yet, it's also a time for mental stock-taking, reflecting on the past year and identifying areas for improvement.
We dream of a bright future, setting goals both explicit and subconscious, specific and vague. But, as I've observed from personal experience, we sometimes abandon these goals long before the year ends. This often stems from a lack of clear vision and structured plans.
Last year, I embarked on a journey of intentionality. I defined my vision, set goals, and crafted a plan with tactics to achieve them. During this time, I discovered Brian P. Moran and Peter Lennington's insightful book, "The 12-Week Year." I made the fascinating realization that annualized planning can be the culprit behind our failures. We convince ourselves, "There's plenty of time!" February's December feels distant, until November's urgency kicks in, sometimes too late. In contrast, planning in 12-week cycles creates a manageable timeframe, fostering both a sense of urgency and the space to achieve realistic goals.
Naturally, I implemented some of the book's lessons, adapting them to my personal life. It wasn't always clockwork-precise or easy, but I persevered. The results were outstanding, to say the least. I'm in awe of what I accomplished, all thanks to intentionality and putting ideas into action.
Knowing me, the last thing I want to do with something this valuable is keep it to myself. Growth thrives on sharing information and knowledge. So, here are some tips to help you achieve a different kind of success in your life:
Tip #1: Define and Review Your Personal Values.
Identify the set of virtues and principles that define you and guide your interactions with the world. A strong sense of personal values helps you determine who and what you align yourself with. My values are deeply connected to my family. What do I stand for? What do I want my children to learn? These questions lead you to the core of your values. One value I'm committed to working on this year is discipline, which I define as "doing what you know you must, even when you don't feel like it."
Tip #2: Write Down Your Vision.
As "The 12-Week Year" emphasizes, your vision should be big enough to scare you a little, and evoke strong emotions to sustain you through challenges. To craft a compelling vision, dedicate some quiet time to unleash your wildest thinking. Don't worry about feasibility at this point. Instead, ask yourself these questions and write down the answers:
Who would be at my funeral and what would they say?
If money and time were limitless, what would I be doing right now?
With unlimited "yes" answers, what kind of life would I lead?
What do I truly want to achieve in this life?
What do I truly want to do with my time on Earth?
What legacy do I want to leave behind?
Once you have these beautiful answers, you'll see the full potential unconstrained by limitations. Now, categorize your answers into these distinct areas:
Spiritual
Health and Wellness
Relationships
Finance
Career, Personal and Intellectual Growth
Experiences and Lifestyle
With each category, ask yourself: "What would my life, my family's life, or my community look like if I achieved all my dreams?" Write down the answers. This question shifts your perspective from seeing your vision as a dream to opening the door to its possibility.
These are just a few insights to get you started on your journey of intentional living and goal achievement. I hope they spark your unique path to a fulfilling and impactful year.
Remember, intentionality and action are the keys to unlocking your potential. Embrace the opportunities this year presents and take the first step towards crafting the life you truly desire.
Regards,
Written By Gaelle Munayi
