Excellence In Public Service Award …

This award for Excellence in Public Service took me by complete surprise! It’s such an honor to be recognized for the work done in our communities at home and abroad.

Hmmm… 🤔 as I wondered why, it caused deep reflect…

As an author of several books, the topic of leadership, success and its impact on America and the contribution of successful Caribbean American immigrants (eg Colin Powell) in media, politics, education, aviation, entertainment, intrigued me. As such I invested years interviewing top leaders in organizations. That research has been a valuable Coaching resource that helped inspire, motivate and empower aspiring leaders.

I reflect on my work within pharmaceuticals, healthcare and the hospitality industry with HR Leaders where I spent a decade contributing to bold initiatives that made a positive impact on organizational leaders through identifying speakers making vast change to society.

I also pondered my work with the Institute of CAribbean Studies in Washington, DC through the platform of White House champion of change Dr Claire and Dr Nsombi, I invested time to lead a team to find talented individuals under 30 years old, making outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship… essentially rising stars who at a young age have impacted our wider society in their communities. Over the years since the 30 Under 30 program’s inception, many have gone on to do great things.

Let me not forget my involvement in ministry, where I have also written books on encouragement, worked on health fairs, Coached career development, traveled globally to speak on personal development and its impact on leaders afar. 

Yes, as I look back, I am pleased and humbly accept this distinguished award from the Writers of Color, South Florida. A Group led by Dr. Ralph Hogges, Dr. Benjamin Cowins and Dr. Delores Smiley. 

Cheers to fellow colleagues Dr Susan Davis and Dr Thea White for your partnership. 

Service is in my DNA. I will continue.

One love 

Achieve In Months What Might Take Years On Your Own …

Don’t let mental blocks control you. Set yourself free. Confront your fear and turn the mental blocks into building blocks.

Dr. Roopleen

Whether you feel stuck in your career, overwhelmed as a supervisor or simply want to maximize your performance, coaching could be the key to achieving in months what might take years alone. The top signs you will benefit from working with a coach are discussed in the video.

  • You feel stuck and unable to move forward.
  • You are struggling to Balance work, life and personal commitments.
  • You are in a Leadership role but feel out of your depth.
  • You are going through significant life or career transition.

Invest less than 10 minutes to watch this video and discover the power of coaching for yourself! The returns could change the trajectory of your personal and professional life.

9 Investment Strategies For New Entrepreneurs On A Tight Budget

Don’t get distracted. Never tell yourself that you need to be the biggest brand in the whole world. Start by working on what you need at the present moment and then what you need to do tomorrow. So, set yourself manageable targets.

Jas Bagniewski

20% of new startups fail within the first year of business. This can be scary for first time entrepreneurs. So, the more prepared small businesses are, the more they can survive especially as it concerns making bold marketing steps which require some upfront investment. That said, here are some ideas to counteract those costs for a new business owner on a tight budget:

  1. Leverage free platforms – For example, start a free blog, post on LinkedIn, use free webinar services, publish a podcast using free hosting.

2. Barter services – Exchange things like hosting an event or providing content in return for exposure from partnerships.

3.Get sponsorships – Seek sponsorships from vendors/partners to help fund events, ads, giveaways. Offer sponsor visibility.

4. Use DIY options – Design your own simple website, create your own flyers, give free talks at local libraries versus paid venues.

5. Offer packages – Offer bundles and multi-session discounts to incentive larger purchases to increase revenue.

6.Be guest instead of host – Guest blog, speak at other events instead of funding your own. Reduces costs.

7. Tap into your network – Ask connections to share content, provide referrals, submit testimonials, write guest posts.

8. Focus locally first – Start by promoting heavily just within your local community to establish proof of concept.

9. Only invest where needed – Don’t overspend on unnecessary items. Prioritize money only where it will derive direct value.

Essentially, the goal is to maximize existing free resources and opportunities where you can exchange services. The aim is to become creative in order to access cost-effective resources until you gain proof of return on investment, then you can increase spending.

Which of the methods have you used? Can you add another method that has proven helpful? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

15 Steps To The Ideal Career For The New Ambitious Professional …

Natalie, a frustrated high school graduate, had been in and out of jobs for four years after graduating high school. She was referred for coaching because she was annoyed at the way employers treated her and she refused to accept it. The lack of income did not help as she needed to meet her needs.

This situation is common among young adults who are in the early stages of their career and ‘waiting’ for their ideal job (and yessss among others with years of experience too). The 15 Strategies listed can be adapted to secure employment, gain valuable experience and bring you closer to your ideal career.

Career Goals: 15 Steps To Success

1. Apply For Entry-Level Positions
  • Target entry-level positions in your field of interest.
  • Look for internships, apprenticeships, or part-time positions to gain hands-on experience.
2. Enhance Your Resume
  • Highlight relevant skills, coursework, and any extracurricular activities.
  • Tailor your resume for each application to match the specific job requirements.
3. Networking
  • Attend industry events, workshops, and networking mixers.
  • Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and engage in conversations.
4. Online Job Platforms
  • Explore job search platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and company websites.
  • Set up job alerts to receive notifications for relevant positions.
5. Temporary Work or Freelancing
  • Consider taking temporary positions or freelancing opportunities to build your skills and network.
  • Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can be good for freelancing gigs.
6. Professional Development
  • Take online courses or certifications to enhance your skills.
  • Mention ongoing learning initiatives on your resume to showcase your commitment to personal and professional development.
7. Volunteer Work
  • Offer your time to non-profit organizations or community projects.
  • Volunteering can provide valuable experience and demonstrate your dedication.
8. Informational Interviews
  • Reach out to professionals in your field for informational interviews.
  • Gather insights, seek advice, and express your eagerness to learn from their experiences.
9. Create Online Portfolio
  • Build an online portfolio showcasing your projects, coursework, or any freelance work.
  • Include a link to your portfolio on your resume and LinkedIn profile
10. Skill Development
  • Identify skills in demand within your industry and work on acquiring them.
  • Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Skillshare offer a variety of courses.
11. Professional Social Media Presence
  • Ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete and professional.
  • Share relevant content and engage with professionals in your field.
12. Industry Research
  • Stay informed about trends and changes in your desired industry.
  • Use this knowledge to tailor your applications and interviews.
13. Career Counseling Services
  • Seek guidance from career counseling services offered by educational institutions or career centers.
  • They can provide insights into job opportunities and help you refine your career goals.
14. Participate in Job Fairs

Attend job fairs, both virtual and in-person, to connect with employers and explore potential opportunities.

15. Soft Skills Development
  • Work on developing essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability.
  • These skills are often highly valued by employers.

Remember, the job search process can take time, and being open to various opportunities can lead to unexpected but valuable experiences. Stay persistent, connect with a coach, maintain a positive attitude, and continuously refine your approach based on feedback and experiences.

Cheers to a revealing journey of learning!

Waiting For The Next

Some sit in silence

Waiting for death 

Then a day passes. 

Then a week, month, a year

And before we know it, 

A decade has passed by

In a flash

Young, old, sick, depressed

Sit silently, waiting

Time passes while we wait on life for the perfect life

Don’t wait I say. 

Get out there

 Do something 

No matter your age, status or health

Just do something 

Don’t wait

The perfect life doesn’t exist

FWA Freedom To Read Books

As an author of several books in business, leadership, success and inspiration, I jump at author learning event opportunities.

As a member of the Florida writers association, this was no exception.

This year’s festival was filled with tons of learnings as Readers and Writers came together at FWA’s annual Sunshine State Book Festival held at #UF Gainesville, Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville

Met many new authors doing Big things! Discussions included Pulitzer Prize winner – Jack Davis on writing and publishing. Engaging panel discussion on Freedom to Read vs banned books, children’s book live presentations and more.

As my favorite quote says, writers write, readers read, together they are one.

Seek them out. Buy their books. Write reviews. Get consumed in reading no matter the genre.

Cheers!

Unlocking Potential: 5 Signs It’s Time for Supervisor Training

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

John F. Kennedy

New supervisors are hesitant yet eager to dive into the job. Without training, mistakes happen. Behaviors indicating the need for supervisory training are shown here. Take a look and based on your observation, identify any that may need to be corrected.

1. Poor Communication

Poor communication skills exhibited when supervisor fails to set clear expectations, give direct feedback, listen actively.

2. Lack Leadership Presence

I’m not gonna lie, leadership ain’t easy. Managers who lack leadership presence are unable to command respect, build relationships, or influence others.

3. Ineffective Delegation

Ineffective at delegating – micromanages employees instead of empowering and trusting

4. Unable to Develop Team

Supervisors are unable to develop team – little coaching or support for the team’s professional growth

5. Poor at Managing Conflict

Poor at managing conflict shown through avoiding difficult conversations. Often, they let issues fester.

6. Fails to Align and Motivate

Failing to align and motivate employees. No vision, inspiration or strategic direction provided.

Recognize any of these behaviors in yourself, co-worker, family member or friend? It’s not a tradition. There is always hope. Training, one on one or group coaching can improve the behaviors those supervising leaders can received.

Need help? Lets connect.

Lazy Days By The Seashore Meanders Among 5 Of My Favorite Things …

Lazy Days by the Seashore

The beach is my happy place

A ‘former workaholic’ I now realize the importance of work/ life balance.

Selfcare is the process of establishing behaviors to ensure holistic well-being of oneself, to promote health, and actively manage illness when it occurs. Individuals engage in some form of self-care daily with food choices, exercise, sleep, and hygiene (wiki).

As I reflect, I realize my favorite things work wonders for my relaxation and wellbeing. Here I share five things that I totally enjoy!

  1. Writing is fun!
  2. Coaching and helping others achieve success gives thrill
  3. Lazy Days by the seashore is Fun
  4. Family time is magic
  5. Peace, Quiet and times of solitude is blissful
  6. BONUS … all things spiritual is my safe place

These are a few of my favorite things. What’s yours?

Shelly. Meaning, Significance, Etymology

The beginning is always today

Mary Shelley

The question was asked… what is the meaning, significance etymology of your first name. Intrigued I search up the meaning of my first name – Shelly. Other spelling includes Shelley. Here’s what I found.

Shelley as a girl’s name is of Old English origin meaning “sloped meadow“.

It derived from the Gaelic word ‘sealbhach,’ which means ‘wealthy’ or ‘having possessions.

Origin:Hebrew. Meaning:ewe, female sheep; little rock; rest; sloped meadow. Shelly is a cute gender-neutral name with Hebrew, German, and English origins.

Some people believe Shelly is derived from Hebrew and means ‘like God. ‘ Another possible meaning from Hebrew could be ‘little lamb,’ ‘ewe,’ or ‘one with purity.

It also Means clearing on a bank.

When I was a young elementary student at a Girl Scout camp, one leader exclaimed “what a beautiful name for such an ugly girl”. She said it with a hug and a smile so I know she meant well.

My own mom (now deceased) told me that she had named me after an actress called Ellie Mae. At the time I didn’t dig any deeper but what she had mentioned was her quest for success for her daughter.

As I matured I researched the topics of success and leadership. I have published several books on both. So my mom was right.

What’s your take on your own name? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers.

Book Festival And Writers

Book Festival and Writers Conference February 17-18, 2024. Plan to attend. Hosted by the Urban League of Greater Miami.

I’ll be there presenting my new GreenLight book series. Writers and Readers Come join the fun, listen and hear literary artists and creatives.

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