Don’t we just love our comfort zone? In our comfort zone we are assured of things working the way we want it. We can predict it. There are no surprizes. But…
Comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing ever grows there.
Comfort zones…, don’t you just love ’em? I have always taken pride in the care of my skin, especially my face. I just hate it when it looks neglected. When I was 18 years old, I discovered a skincare product that worked. Many years after i moved away, I would import the product because…it worked. When it became increasingly difficult for me to access the product, I embarked on a research to find a replacement product that would work as well.
In so doing I found one. Yea! Me happy! Then years later, I discovered that I couldn’t find that product!!! What the heck?! I searched Amazon (they have everything right)? Sure enough, I still couldn’t find it. Now what am I going to do? Implement the same ritual? Research to find a replacement? Just hate that!
Sometimes you will just have to show up without an invitation where doors were never opened for you. Just Go. Don’t let anyone deny you the Opportunity. ~Henry Fernandez
Encouraged by this. Hope you are too.
As the sun rises daily without an invitation, we should rise in pursuit of our Goals. Let no one stop you. Go. Reach for the opportunity and if it doesn’t exist, create one. For only you can accomplish what you will.
The Royal couple’s resignation and their desire to make a huge change, has turned the world upside down. So many questions. What will happen next?
Knowing when it’s time.
It’s no secret that resignation from anything is hard. Be it resignations from public office, volunteer roles, relationships (yikes) or other.
A few years ago I wrote about the process of resignation. It’s a serious thing and one that has been thrown into the spotlight again with that Royal Resignation.
The Way To Turn It In
But is there a right way to resign? Having managed the Human Resource role for over 25 years, I have seen many. Besides the common letter, I have seen post-it notes from recent grads to their supervisor, text messages, and a call to say “I’m out”.
Reflecting on the Royal couple’s resignation or their desire to make a huge change, its as though the world has been turned upside down. So many questions. What will happen next? How will they function? Where will they live? How will they perform their various roles? So many questions.
But there are correct ways to resign. Most companies have formal procedures to be followed including putting the resignation in writing (not on post it …smile). Companies often advise employees of the pertinent notice to be given to the employer if and when they intend to leave. This varies from company to company and may be anywhere from a day’s notice for new hires still on probation, two weeks or a month depending on state laws. Again this all depends on the capacity that the incumbent holds.
A Sigh Of Relief?
When it’s finally done employers may decide to have the employee leave the company immediately or stay until they hire a replacement for training and handover should they do desire. It might very well be a time to shake things up a bit, negating handover to replacement.
Reports are that the royal couple announced their resignation on social media…more specifically, Instagram. This has alarmed the Queen as well as members of the royal family.
The Divide
There’s now a divide about whether it should have been done and how. Oprah’s name has been called and she has denied providing advice or her opinion on this very royal matter.
I’ll only conclude with encouraging you to do it the ‘proper’ way. That means, give the required notice to the powers that be. But then again Millennials consider the decision to be the couple’s because of the bureaucracy involved, while older generations support to follow the traditional route.
It’s your decision. But whatever route you take, be prepared for the next steps as the receivers of the resignation respond.
Good luck to you as you make your own changes this year. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask me how either through my newest book Your Career: Ditch It or Switch It or simply contacting me here.
Wow what a decade! Amazing Achievements! Births, marriages, deaths, regrets. But that’s called life…right?
I’m a firm believer in looking back to forge ahead. In business we look back to assess our performance. Often it’s even mandated. Eons ago, I adopted the custom to apply the same principles to my own personal life. For that reason, as we approach the end of 2019, here are a few of my major points gleaned from the past decade.
Writings. Publishings.
Beyond beating the books I experienced a new phenomenon. A dream I never knew I had, but a dream that poof! became real! I published six books including an article in the JAABC Business Journal. My research on leadership and success paved the way to my journey. Success is a Phenomenon that has defied many. As I delved into the opportunity I had to explore a topic for my dissertation, I reflected on what I could research that would satisfy my desire to help others. And oops there it was!
I decided on leadership and success. Whether we like it or not, we all lead…if not others, we lead ourselves. I thought it fitting to use my research to publish books on Personal Development including Motivational Quotes for New Entrepreneurs; Success Strategies which tell how to gain success in your Career, from preparing your own public profiles through acing those nerve-racking interviews, as well as what to do when you land that new job. All are points of focus.
Suffice it to say, it’s not enough to focus only on the tangibles. Our inner prowess is essential to our spiritual well-being. I concretized my thoughts in book GreenLight comprised of inspirational short stories and exhortations to drive your inner self-talk.
Over the years, I also chose to satisfy followers’ passion and post daily motivational Quotes on Instagram. Documentary video created on the campus of Nova Southeastern University is available on Facebook for engagement. It depicts the discussion on immigrant leaders sharing their views on Success and how they achieved it.
Accomplishments
I was almost floored when I learnt from an alumni (who I had never met), about the recognition I had received on Nova Southeastern’s website. The journey became real. A selfless person as I have been told, imagine my surprise when I clicked the link and saw my face. Wow! Satisfaction indeed.
Since then, I have coached many and helped doctoral candidates on their journey. Sharing how to publish their own research has been my joy. It’s also been a delight to have contributed to other authors realizing their own writing dream. Among them two famed figures including Reggae Music’s iconic founder, Pat Chin. Her book The Reggae Music Journey is set to be launched in 2020 memorializing her 40-year sojourn to the industry. Among labels she built are famed artists the likes of Sean Paul, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, and many others.
Recognition was also received from the South Florida Writers of Color for contribution to the community and organization.
Community Service
It’s always a pleasure to lead the panel of judges at the annual 30 Under 30 Millennial leaders who are making distinct impact on leadership ventures across the United States and the Caribbean. Millennials are engaged in initiatives in film, engineering, educational development, farming, and more. The event is held annually by the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington DC. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Washington DC, hosts the event.
Serving on the board of the Hospitality and Human Resource Association of Broward County, over the past few years has been meaningful. As I sought to identify talented keynote speakers for developmental offerings to HR industry leaders, it has fostered my own 20+ year growth in the profession.
Giving thanks for partnership with Writers of Color, that paved the way to various community centers and library presentations throughout South Florida. Stay tuned for continued signings and community presentations in 2020, especially through new book “Ditch it. Switch it“, to be launched early 2020. Other signings were held in New York and Washington DC. Listen out for book tour in the coming year.
On A Personal Note
As we all know, life happens. I lost my mom (one of society’s first female automobile mechanics) and my brother, a-day-apart. Then later I lost my sister due to the ravages of cancer. Nonetheless, I use their life’s journey as my motivation to climb to higher heights.
On a brighter note, I’ve experienced the delights of my daughter’s two lil ones during this decade. They’re now pushing me beyond my comfort zone with their quest for me to drive my YouTube presence (eyes rolled). One to never back down, I have accepted the challenge (though not for the reasons they assume ha ha).
As always the decade was filled with travels. My greatest personal memory was that shared with my girls when we visited New Orleans. Just leave it to my oldest who is a travel enthusiast with a thirst for new experiences. Tons of smiles as we went live at Essencefest with Queen Latifah and the cast of ‘Girl’s Trip‘, which made the visit all the more fun. Oh and let me not forget my quick getaway weekend in Paris! Short but amazing time. Thanks girls!
Paris
This proud mom also watched her younger daughter accept double degrees in Forensic Science and Criminal Justice, while the older one continues to climb the corporate ladder. Yes my girls are growing …though I wish they’d stay my lil girls forever (smile).
Finally, looking back on the past decade, the memories made, the difficulties and the goals tackled, I am truly thankful. I now look forward to the future and the Great expectations ahead. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds. Here’s to you and your family as we wish you health, peace, and the hope that all will be well in 2020, and beyond.
Steve Harvey was teaching his little grandson to ride a bike for the first time. He kept repeating the words “keep pushing“. As I watched the short clip that his wife Marjorie posted, I reflected on the lesson in that clip.
Life’s Challenging Quests
In life we need to keep pushing. Sometimes we don’t push hard enough and want to give up when the going gets tough or rough (whatever word you want to add to those grueling times). But then it’s at those very times that we need to keep pushing.
There’s nothing like the magic of Christmas! The songs bring cheer ushering the spirit of the season. Reflecting on 11 Songs that remind me of why I love this time of the year.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas! The Holidays! Whatever you call it… to me its the most wonderful time of the year! People are kind, joyful, generous, smiling, pretty-all dressed up for those office parties, and family gatherings! There’s sumptuous food, Folly jolly chocolate delights, gifts and so much more! Yes, I know there’s always the Grinch but they’re just a few, so let’s not let them spoil it for us too.
Music of the Season
The season kicks off with holiday music… and today I would love to share them all! Hey, I’m just kidding! I will just share 11 of my favs!
All I want want for Christmas is you (Mariah Carey)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year (Andy Williams)
If I had planned my life, it never would have ended up like this. So maybe it’s kind of fun not to plan. Maybe it’s more fun just to see where life takes you. ~Joanna Gaines
In a relationship, dreams may differ. In a striving organization, dreams may differ. On a professional team, siblings growing up together…in all these scenarios, dreams may differ. Each person has his/her own goals and objectives which contributes positively to the end result. Negatively? Not so.
Let’s consider Marie and Alex, both managers who are working on a marketing project to achieve their department’s goal. Marie wants the project to succeed because she has her eyes on that coveted promotion. Alex wants to succeed because his family is growing and he’s hoping to get that mega increase to move into a bigger space to suit his family’s needs.
Goals Should Align
Goals should align though. How we get there may differ but they should align.
But as Joanna said … be open. Plan it but let it flow in whichever direction it chooses. You’ll get there if you don’t give up
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” ― Søren Kierkegaard
A sprint. A jog. A run. A walk. I sat on a bench in the park stretching. I watched health and fitness enthusiasts do what they love. I stretched more, then reflected on life. Where are we now? The tethered years fly by …up close slowly; looking back, it’s a flash. I then began scrolling, and there popped the question from a social media forum:
Describe Your Life in ONE Word
Curious, I scrolled through the list of responses. Some were positive, some nonchalant, while others were filled with a bask of the negatives. Here I share a few of the comments:
Surprising
Destined
Stuck
Perfect
Open Book
Confused
Determined
Focused
Blessed
Challenging
Change
Sucks
Fortunate
Tears
Observant
Progressive
Persistence
Purposeful
Growth
Making
Incredible
Awesome
Evolutionary
Adventurous
Waiting
Meaningful
Beautiful
Does any of the above responses resonate with your life right now? Can you add any that’s missing? Do share. We would love to hear!
The hustle and bustle of the season. Families come together. The air is different. Nature speaks. Music and lights sounds in sweet accord. Travel soars. Food Galore. Delightful Gifts drolls stress for those in retail yet brings smiles as currencies are exchanged for sales. The beauty of the season can be seen through eyes of purpose.
