personal development – Success Strategies

6 Thinking Traps Holding You Back

You can’t grow without letting go. ~Unknown

Gaps in your thinking traps your personal, business, or career Growth. Here are 6 reasons.

6 Reasons Your Thinking Traps Your Growth

The Knowledge Gap: I don’t know how to grow
The timing Gap: It’s not the Right time
The Mistake Gap: I’m afraid of making mistakes
The Perfectionist Gap: I have to find the best way before I start
The lack of Inspiration Gap: I don’t feel like doing it
The Comparison Gap: Others are better than me

Which one, two or more do you identify with? Think about it and share. We can’t wait to hear.

Cheers!

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The Pain of Not Embracing Coaching

Innovation Distinguishes. A group of cross-cultural leaders gathered together to discuss the Cultural Undervaluing of Professional Coaching. Education is a crucial pillar of development, but it is not the full structure. Professional coaching, especially in career planning, mindset growth, and personal branding, is often seen as optional, extravagant, or even unnecessary.

Chris, Maxine, and I, focused on The Pain of Not Embracing Coaching. It has many effects. Here are a few:

Underdeveloped Potential

Talented individuals stay stuck in survival mode. They fail to unlock their genius because no one helps them think strategically about their growth.

Career Plateau

Professionals with great resumes stall out due to poor networking, weak positioning, or self-limiting beliefs.

Global Irrelevance

In our rapidly changing world where soft skills, emotional intelligence, and AI adaptability are premium assets, people fall behind.

Silent Suffering

Many carry silent frustrations; “I’m better than this, but I don’t know how to rise.” Coaching could be the very bridge out of that quiet despair.

Join the conversation. Let’s hear your thoughts.
Rather a private chat? Chat me now.

The Story Behind Success Strategies (And What’s Coming Next …

I love to write! It’s a passion that began during my primary education years. I reflect on those early years. Back then, my uncle (an educator and school principal), would gift me with a book on birthdays and Christmas holidays. This was his custom instead of the usual and more preferential ‘toys’. Though disappointed then, I would dive into the books reading for hours.

As life progressed and blogging became a thing, I created my first blog A Moment With Shells in 2010. Later, on completion on my postgraduate education, I formalized this blog titled Successful Leaders to share my passion. It focused on empowering developing leaders through personal growth, leadership development, and success strategies.

That was a over a decade ago. Funny how time flies when you’re having fun!

Here’s an overview of my efforts to create articles, writings, or gleanings. The idea was to uplift, encourage subscribers and visitors under the headings listed.

Goal Setting & Achievement

The blog emphasizes the importance of setting clear, actionable goals. It encourages readers to commit to their objectives, keep them visible, and seek accountability to stay on track. Inspirational quotes from figures like Jim Rohn and Tony Robbins are used to motivate readers to design their own life plans and persist in their pursuits.

Discovering Purpose & Passion

Articles guide readers in uncovering their life purpose by reflecting on personal experiences, childhood interests, and unique talents. Techniques such as visualization, journaling, and seeking feedback from friends are recommended to help individuals find fulfillment and direction.

Stress Management & Work Life Balance

The website offers strategies for managing stress and achieving a healthy work-life balance. It highlights the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, seeking professional support, and engaging in activities that promote mental well-being.

Embracing Change & Personal Growth

Recognizing when it’s time for change is a recurring theme. Writings discuss signs that indicate the need for a new direction and encourages readers to take proactive steps toward personal development. It also emphasizes the courage required to make significant life changes.

Writing, Publishing & Legacy Building

For aspiring authors, the site provides insights into the publishing process, including self-publishing and audiobook production. It also encourages writers to reflect on their life experiences and consider the legacy they wish to leave through their work.

Overall, Successful Leaders serves as a resource for individuals seeking inspiration and practical advice on personal development, leadership, career change and achieving success in various aspects of life.

Subscribe Now! Get on Board

Subscribe to keep updated on upcoming new and exciting developments. Have you been a follower? If so, how long and how have you benefited? Do share, we would love to hear!

Cheers!

Top 12 Places to Donate Your Books

With so many books to choose from, you’ll have the hard part of deciding which one to donate.

On Instagram I shared the hard task of purging my books. I have a million with little or no storage space. But what happened was…. During my purge, I ended up reading and re-claiming books.

I decided to share my work (purge in process), and an interested person asked, “where can you donate books?” I responded briefly but decided to post more here on the blog.

Popular and Unique Places to Donate Books

Local Donation Options

Public Libraries
- Many libraries accept gently used books for their collections or book sales.
- Call ahead—they often have specific donation days or guidelines.
Schools & Colleges
- Especially helpful for children’s books, young adult novels, and textbooks.
- Contact local principals, librarians, or teachers to ask if they need donations.
Community Centers / YMCA / Local Clubs
- Often accept books for literacy programs, tutoring, or community libraries.
Hospitals & Nursing Homes
- They may accept clean, gently used books for waiting rooms or patient use.
Churches / Faith-Based Organizations
- Great place to donate devotionals, spiritual books, or children’s materials.

Charitable Organizations

Goodwill or Salvation Army
- Accepts a wide range of books. Proceeds support their employment programs.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores
- Some locations take books to sell in support of housing projects.
Books for Africa / Books Through Bars / Better World Books
- Organizations that distribute books to under-served communities locally or globally.
Little Free Library
- Find a nearby box via littlefreelibrary.org and drop books off for community sharing.

Online / Specialized Options

Freecycle.org / Buy Nothing Groups (Facebook)
- Offer books locally for free and connect with those who want them.
Local Prison Programs
- Many prisons accept paperback books only. Check with local chaplains or nonprofits.
Book Drives / Literacy Nonprofits
- Check with local literacy organizations or Rotary Clubs—they may be running book drives.

Give Her the Gift of Growth This Mother’s Day

From Fear to Freedom: Conquering Career Transition Doubts

Fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the process is its own reward. —Amelia Earhart

Fear is real. Sometimes it retards us. Most times it’s just in our mind yet causes us to feel stuck, unable to make the move that we desire. Common is the fear to leave a career, change jobs, or reach for that promotion as we question ourselves. So, we stay where we are and before long months turn into years, years into decades and we remain in the same place.

So what can you do about it? Here is a concise breakdown of career change fears and year-end motivation.

Why Year-end Triggers Career Reflection

Common Career Change Fears

1.Financial Uncertainty

Potential income reduction
Financial stability risks
Fear of economic instability
Concerns about supporting family

2.Identity Loss

Defined by current professional role
Fear of starting over
Loss of established professional status
Questioning self-worth

3. Skill Gap Anxiety

Feeling underqualified
Learning curve intimidation
Self-doubt about adaptability
Imposter syndrome

4.Comfort Zone Resistance

Familiar routine feels safe
Fear of unknown
Risk aversion
Psychological safety in current job

Are you experiencing any of these signs? If so, it’s time to do something about it. Talk with a trusted friend or coach who can help. Better yet, purchase a gift certificate for a friend experiencing these signs and help him/her kick off the new year with a different start. Conquer those transition doubts.

Cheers!

Develop Your Brand: A Blueprint For New Authors

Your personal brand is a promise to your clients… a promise of quality, consistency, competency, and reliability.
Tim Ferriss

Many are the desires of the first-time author. Writing is the biggest. Often new authors find it overwhelming to write and see the manuscript to the end. When they do, the next step is often forgotten. Suddenly an author becomes and an entrepreneur – one in which they didn’t anticipate. Developing the book’s brand… yikes!

It’s important to the book’s success and target audience awareness. Essentially, building an author brand is very important because a strong brand helps you stand out, attract readers, and build a loyal fanbase. Here are six (6) steps to get you started:

Build Your New Author Brand

Understand your Brand
- How do you distinguish yourself in the literary world?
Discover your Brand’s Identity
- Reflect: Who are you as an author?
- Who is your ideal Reader?
- USP: What sets you apart?
Create your author persona
- Define your writing style, tone tc
- Design consistent visual identity
- Create author Bio to showcase achievements, background, writing journey
Build your online Presence
- Create author website to showcase books and engage with Readers
- Choose social media platform where target audience hangout
Engage your Audience
- Develop content calendar
- Engage with Readers
- Connect with fellow authors
Launch Book and Grow Brand
- Create buzz and Lunch or Re-Launch your book
- Collaborate to expand
- Keep learning. Keep writing.
- Be flexible and adaptable

There you have it. What has been your experience with the writing process? Do share. We would love to hear.

If you feel overwhelmed, let’s connect.

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.

Mastering The Art Of Goal Setting In 10 Steps …

Want to succeed in the new year? Set goals! It’s a big deal because setting goals can help you get where you want to be. The 10 steps that follow make it super simple for you. Whether you’re a leader, professional or just someone who wants to grow, these steps will guide you through the strategies to set goals that really work. The aim is to help you stay motivated and focused on your path to success.

So, watch Aim High and Master the Art of Goal Setting and let’s get started on this journey to make your dreams come true!

Step 1: Clarify the Purpose

Define the Objective: What is the specific area or aspect of life where you want to set a goal? What is the purpose of this goal?

Step 2: SMART Goals

Specific: Make the goal specific, avoiding vague language. What exactly do you want to accomplish?
Measurable: Ensure the goal can be quantified in some way. How will you measure your progress and know when you’ve achieved it?
Achievable: Assess whether the goal is realistic and attainable. Is it within your reach, given your current resources and constraints?
Relevant: Does the goal align with your values, long-term objectives, and the bigger picture of your life. Is it meaningful?
Time-Bound: Set a clear timeframe or deadline for achieving the goal. When will you complete it?

Step 3: Break It Down

Break It Into Smaller Steps: Divide the larger goal into smaller, manageable tasks or milestones. What steps need to be taken to reach the goal?

Step 4: Prioritize

Prioritize Tasks: Determine the order of importance for each task. Which steps should be tackled first, and which can follow?

Step 5: Visualize Success

Create a Mental Image: Ask the individual to visualize themselves successfully achieving the goal. How will it feel? What will it look like?

Step 6: Identify Obstacles

Recognize Challenges: Reflect on potential obstacles, difficulties, or setbacks you may encounter on your journey to the goal. How can you prepare to overcome these challenges?

Step 7: Develop a Plan

Create an Action Plan: Outline the tasks, deadlines, and resources required to achieve the goal. What specific actions will you take?

Step 8: Monitor and Adjust

Regular Review: Emphasize the importance of monitoring progress regularly. How are you doing in relation to the goal? Are you on track?

Adjust and Adapt: Be flexible in adapting the plan as needed. If you encounter unexpected obstacles or need to change your approach, how will you do so?

Step 9: Accountability

Accountability Partners: Have an accountability partner, such as a coach, mentor, or friend, who can provide support and hold you responsible for your commitments.

Step 10: Celebrate Success

Acknowledge Achievements: When you reach your goal, celebrate the achievement. Do some self-reflection and recognition of your progress.

By following this step-by-step process, you can set and achieve goals that align with your values and aspirations.

Need an accountability partner to help you set your goals and stay on track? Let’s connect

Cheers!

7 Ways To Make Change Stick…

The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.
Oprah Winfrey

Change is hard. Changing a habit especially one that has been a habit for a lifetime is no small feat. Recently, the question was asked “how does one make change stick?” Great question especially with the holidays on the horizon when many are swamped with resolutions. Here are 7 easy to do strategies to help you progress.

Focus on your Why
Set Deadlines and Stick to it
Make Changes manageable
Celebrate Small Wins
Take small steps. Increase as you Progress
Get an Accountability Partner
Track your Progress

What has worked for you? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

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What Does Success Mean To You?

Success Strategies

Get an education. Become a lawyer, doctor, get a cool career! Marry Prince/Princess Charming. Buy that nice big house. Have the perfect kids. These are some of the wishes that moms and dads often want for their children to Jolt them to success or to Restart. But I have always stressed that you should not let anyone define what success means to you. It’s entirely your decision.

Brian Tracy asked the question “What Does Success Mean to You?” Responses came in Opaque forms including:

Doing what I want when I want and helping others so that they can to help themselves
The highest level of success is happiness
Do the right thing and be a great person or human being
Not caring if it is Monday or Friday. Loving every day of the week the same. Having a good relationship with people. Making a difference. Continuously learning and…

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Out There Without Fear: Culture And Dance Anthropology …

Out there without fear
Joelle Powe

Culture. Dance. Dancehall Music

Culture. Dance. Dancehall music. The Study? How does that connect? Curious, I reached out to young 23-year-old filmmaker, Joelle Powe. She shared the intriguing story of her own curiosity that led to her Anthropological Journey through Culture and Dance. A journey of success which exposed her globally to becoming a documentarian. Even before then, she was recognized in Washington DC for her work done in the Caribbean and globally.

Listen to the interesting and delightful conversation. No doubt it will motivate and inspire you.