Absolutely love literary events and the 3rd Annual Jamaica Brew Festival was no exception. Patrons braved the cold weather to hear Stories, poetry, film and dancercize which were all beyond compare!
To top it off the smiles, laughter and glee seeing colleagues from far Made the event more delightful.
Thanks Consular General and team for being obedient to the call.
Stay tuned for the long awaited book, The GreenLight Factor.
See you next year.
Selfāpublishing is no longer āPlan B.ā Itās a proven path to bestseller lists, film deals, and global readershipāif you combine quality writing with smart marketing.
Your next step:
Time spent rescuing is time not spent leading.
Itās the Hard truth. Leaders who say āyesā to everything often:
šGet seen as Dependable
But not Strategic
šHelpful
But not high-level
Because time spent rescuing is time NOT spent leading.
BOUNDARIES create space for:
Without them you stay Stuck in reactive mode. Ask yourself, are you Leading or constantly rescuing?
If your leadership feels reactive instead of intentional, itās not a motivation problem. Itās a boundary problem.
Coaching helps leaders set professional boundaries without guilt or fear. Letās chat about our boundaries lab if this resonates.
Cheers!
Being a āNiceā leader without Boundaries often lead to:
ā¢Overcommitment
ā¢Emotional exhaustion
ā¢Resentment
ā¢Being the default problem-solver for everyone
Support doesnāt mean self-sacrifice.
Availability doesnāt mean 24/7
Boundaries are not unkind.
They are a leadership skill
The leaders who last long-term learn how to say:
šI can help. Hereās when
šThatās not mine to carry
šLetās find a better process
If you feel stretched thin but still āshowing upā for everyoneā¦
It may not be a workload issue
It may be a Boundary Gap.
If this resonates, letās explore.
Strength In Life’s Dark Times
My respect for Grieving loss began when I was in elementary/ primary school. I accompanied my grandmother to many funerals. Once I overheard someone asking which side of the family she belonged. She replied, āI donāt even know her.ā
Decades later I found myself doing the same thing. Attending funerals to support members of the church I did not even know.
Naturally, as years progressed, I too would lose loved ones including the closest, my mom. Consequently, I was fortunate to have the support of my coworkers and church family. I discovered the burden of grief was made lighter having others around.
Itās the same when leading others despite the type of organization or group you belong. Having others around makes the workflow an easier process. Essentially smoother. We never have to carry the load ourselves.
So today, if youāre a leader, lean on the support of your team. Delegate to those with the relevant skillsets. Doing so makes the workload lighter.
…And if youāre grieving, do the same. Initially, you may need to grieve alone. But as the days progress and arrangements need to be made, accept the support of friends, relatives and colleagues. Most have your best interest at heart.
Remember, together we rise.
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Doing it for the Gram
Sherry reached out. She had stopped posting on social media because her colleagues were commenting that they liked what she was posting. Alarmed, she ‘got into her head’ and stopped posting. During a coaching session she shared her inner dialogue as she contemplated her podcasting experience.
This happens all the time. Itās actually a sign the leader is growing and starting to get visibility. It’s not that they are doing anything wrong.
When people begin watching, liking, commenting, and sharing, the individual poster suddenly feels, āTheyāre watching me.ā
When the audience grows, the individual moves from āposting casuallyā to feeling like they are:
ā
being evaluated
ā
being monitored
ā
being compared
ā
being expected to perform
It becomes an identity shift, from private person to being a public leader. That transition can trigger fear, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome.
Why the Poster Stops Posting. Here are the most common reasons:
1) Performance Pressure. They think: āNow I have to keep delivering.ā
So they pause until they feel āready” which essentially becomes avoidance.
2) Fear of Judgment. Even positive attention can feel unsafe if theyāre not used to being visible.
3) Fear of Success. The brain says: āIf I get bigger, Iāll have more responsibility and more criticism.ā
4) Over-identifying with the audience. They start posting for approval instead of posting with purpose.
Here are some solutions to resolve it.
1) Reframe: Being watched is a leadership signal. Replace, āTheyāre watching meā with:
Remember Visibility is not danger. Itās influence.
2) Create a new rule: āI post to serve, not to impress.ā A simple mantra: āIām not auditioning. Iām contributing.ā Or: āThis is leadership, not performance.ā
3) Lower the stakes with a āminimum posting standard.ā Perfection kills consistency. A simple baseline may be:
ā
2 posts per week
ā
or 1 post + 3 comments per week
ā
or 3 short posts (no more than 5 sentences)
Make it non-negotiable and small. Consistency builds safety.
4) Use a āquiet confidenceā posting style. If you’re shy, donāt force yourself to be loud. Formats that feel professional and safe are:
5) Create boundaries around who gets access. Sometimes the fear is ātoo many people know me.ā Here are some solutions.
6) Normalize the discomfort: itās growth, not danger. āYour nervous system is not used to being seen. That doesnāt mean stop. It means youāre expanding.ā
This is what is called leadership exposure therapy:
Soon the fear fades.
7) Pre-write content so your emotion doesnāt control your action. Confidence is unreliable, systems are reliable. Try building:
In this way you’re not deciding what to post while anxious.
In essence, youāre not shy. Youāre adjusting to visibility. People watching means you are becoming influential. If you stop posting, the fear wins, and your future audience loses. So play it safe by using a simple posting schedule and low-pressure formats until visibility feels normal.
What has been your experience? Is there anything you would like to add? What worked for you? Please share. We would love to hear.
Cheers!
At a gathering, family and friends were asked to reflect. Sonia asked each to share one thing they were thankful for. Marriage, graduation, opportunities, sports achievement, divine protection, new car, life and the aged still living were among the thoughts shared.
But one thing stood out. As Stephan ended giving thanks collectively in prayer, shouts rang out at her thoughts that hit home. Many rushed with hugs and adoration, but one stood out. George turned to her mom and pointed at her. Without saying a word, his action said it all. Mom had passed the baton to Stephan and stood watching as the group embraced. Indeed mom felt pride that her labor was not in vain.
As the year comes to a close, leaders are already thinking about goals, plans, and next moves. But before we rush into the next chapter planning our dreams and aspirations, thereās value in pausing to reflect.
Personal growth doesnāt always show up as promotions, metrics, or public wins. Often, the most meaningful growth happens quietly.
This year, growth may have looked like:
Understand that Leadership begins within. Before we lead teams, organizations, families or communities forward, we must first acknowledge our own evolution.
As you prepare for the new year, consider these questions:
Clarity comes after commitment
You donāt need every answer before January 1st. Clarity often comes after commitment.
As the calendar turns, may the next year be marked by your:
What is one lesson this year taught you about your leadership or personal growth? Think about it. Acknowledge it and Do share. We would love to hear.
Cheers!
The Writing Space
Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know no shortcuts. ~Larry L. King
Where do I write? In a quiet place. A place where I can hear my thoughts, the stirrings of my heart, my soul. I write whenever it hits. I must stop, record, write. If I do not do so immediately; in a flash, itās gone. So I have learnt to capture the words as they come. Anywhere, anytime, anyhow.
Here are some thoughtful ways to create that mental space without spending money:
2. Create a personal retreat schedule at home. Pick a day where you treat your home like a retreat center; no work, no obligations, phone on airplane mode. Wake early.
The structure and intentionality matter more than the location.
3. Explore your area like a tourist. Walk or bike to neighborhoods you’ve never been to, even if they’re just a few miles away. Bring a journal and find a park bench, a library reading room or quiet corner in a coffee shop (you don’t have to buy anything). Simply find a place where you can sit and think. The act of physically moving through new spaces often helps mental clarity.
4. Do an overnight “camping” experience somewhere free. Your backyard, a friend’s yard, a balcony, or even just sleeping in a different room with the windows open (yikes)! The change in where you sleep and wake can genuinely shift your perspective.
5. Visit a place of worship or quiet public space. Many churches, temples, or meditation centers welcome people to sit quietly even if you’re not a member. Libraries, botanical gardens, or even certain hospital chapels can offer peaceful refuge for reflection.
The key is breaking your normal patterns (different sights, sounds, routines, even in the sky). This helps your brain step out of autopilot mode and think more expansively about your future.
Here’s hoping these tips will help you as they did me. Where’s your favorite space to write? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.
Cheers!
Making money is easy. It is. The difficult thing in life is not making it. It’s keeping it. ~Jim Rohn
Sophie reflected on the plans she desired to achieve. The challenge? Achieving them required money beyond her regular earnings to cover monthly expenses (mortgage, childcare, general living). But what about things like student loan debt, a special birthday getaway trip? Things that are not the norm but the exception? Things that your regular budget will not allow? Not to mention income diversification and financial independence. These are so important these days yet it seems out of reach for many. Here are 10 side hustles for the brave goal hustler:
Income Range: $75ā$250/hour
Why it works: People need guidance but don’t always need a financial advisor.
Income Range: $300ā$2,500 per client monthly
Easy entry: QuickBooks and Xero both offer certifications.
Income Range: $30 – $150/hour
Why it works: High-demand specialized skillset.
Income Range: $150ā$1,500 per client
Bonus: High repeat business.
Income Range: $500ā$5,000/month (once consistent)
Your finance background makes your insight more credible.
Sell on Etsy, Gumroad, or your website.
Income Range: $500ā$7,000/month (passive once created)
Income Range: $1,500ā$10,000/month per client
Very strong for someone with corporate finance or HR background.
Income Range: $750ā$5,000 per workshop
Perfect for in-person or online seminars.
Income Range: $150ā$1,000+ per project.
Income Range: $300ā$3,000 per grant
Very high need in small nonprofits.
There you have it. Ideas to start earning dollars on the side. Go ahead choose one or two if you dare. But remember, balance is key and maintaining your regular job obligations is important.
Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear!
Cheers!
I am struggling to get inspiration to continue writing a story I started. What do I do? ~New writer
Writers often face that daunting moment when the initial excitement fades and the blank page becomes a fighting nightmare. You may be many chapters in, or just past the opening scene, losing momentum is one of the most common challenges in the creative process. But the good news is that writer’s block and motivational slumps are not permanent. They are signals that you need to shift your approach. Reconnect with your story’s core or simply give yourself permission to write imperfectly.
Here are 23 strategies offered by seasoned authors. These are designed to help you rediscover your pulse and move ahead with renewed energy. Yep, sometimes inspiration can feel frustrating and out of reach. That’s when you dig deep. Adopt a strategy or two to use whenever the writing drought hits.
Are you a writer? Is a tip or two missing? Do share. We would love to hear.
Cheers!
Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. ~Maya Angelou
Here are 5 habits that will not serve you in 2026. View them carefully and thoughtfully.
1. Overthinking
2. Hard Conversations
3. Playing Small
4. Waiting for permission
5. Carrying emotional baggage into leadership
Personally, Overthinking hits hard especially when youāre a perfectionist. It sometimes set unrealistic expectations, high standards, fearing mistakes and tying ourselves to flawless performance. This often leads to stress.
Procrastination due to a fear of failure, anxiety and harsh self-criticism, creates a cycle where nothing feels good enough. Overthinking is something to seriously about.
So which habit do you plan to leave behind? Do share. We would love to hear.
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