May 2018

I watched a video clip of a Google employee talking about Visual Positioning System (VPS) being the next step up from Global Positioning System (GPS). I’m delighted about that as too many times, I have wondered what direction 10 yards SW is. Having a visual positioning system, that will use my location and identified landmarks to direct me is exciting. This got me thinking about where we are going in life – career, relationship and business. Where do we need to get to from our current location? Do we have the right infrastructures to help us get there with minimal mistakes along the way? Are we using a GPS which sometimes doesn’t work or gives unclear direction that requires us to initially go the wrong way just to figure out what the right way is? Here are some of my thoughts on this Figure out your starting point and final destination The two things every gadget needs to direct us are our starting and end locations. For any goals or life journey, we need to map out the road. If our starting point is unclear, chances are we will waste resources and if our end point is unclear, we will miss our destination. So do an honest assessment of where you are, which might mean facing some denials that you’re currently living in. Maybe you blame everyone, but you, for your current position, you believe the odds are stacked against you, you don’t have what it takes or perhaps it’s just not your luck. If so, it’s time to bin these thoughts and take a risk on yourself. Doing nothing produces nothing but taking a risk could result in something. Determine the best route to get to your destination. Through my career, I had short, medium and long-term plans to help achieve my goals. I found that when I meticulously followed them, I achieved most of my goals in the set timescales. How are you going to get to your destination? Do you have a plan and are you committed to it? Every step you take should move you closer to your end goal if you have created the right plan. A plan is just a bunch of ideas until you follow through. Keep your plans in plain sight so you and others can hold you to account. Find a mentor Mentors have made a difference in my personal and professional lives. Some have stretched and challenged me, giving me the confidence to put myself forward for opportunities sooner that I would have wanted to. This has resulted in fantastic outcomes and proving to myself that I am more capable than I sometimes give myself credit for. Mentors can help get you to your destination, saving you time and effort as you learn from their expertise and experience. This is similar to Google app giving you directions that improves your chances of getting to your destination quicker.

No one does royal weddings like the British and the latest one was not an exception. Millions of people from around the world watched the bride marry her prince to much pomp and pageantry. It was an opportunity for hope, faith and love to be restored to the hearts of many. For others it was about the celebration, pride in the royal institution, fashion and the cake. Many careers were made over the weekend. Millions now know the British wedding gown designer and future designs of clothes, cakes and event planning will be shaped by this weekend. As I write this week’s post, I thought it was only fitting that I share my life and career lessons from the royal wedding weekend.  Invest in and nurture a dream Most little girls dream of marrying a prince some day. Others dream of becoming a pilot, doctor, astronaut, nurse, teacher, engineer or a mom. It’s not about the career choice, rather it’s that they have a dream. Question is, ‘did Meghan’s parent know they were raising a daughter who would become a future duchess in England?’ If they knew that, would they have done any thing different in how they raised her? Would her acquaintances, co-workers, friends and family members have acted differently if they had caught a glimpse of her future? What can you do differently today as a parent or carer, a co-worker, friend or family member that will make sure you can be a beautiful part of someone’s dream and future story. Prepare for your future Did Meghan know she would be married to her prince some day and how did she prepare for this? We can learn from her determination to become a successful actress, overcoming the challenges and odds of a tough industry, the grace with which she carried herself and the causes she lent her voice and time to. She didn’t start to show these qualities after she met her prince. She was already a person that was worth taking another look at, one that would confirm she’s the one. So how are you preparing for your future? Dreams don’t just become a reality. They take time, effort, determination and you have to keep working at it till your Master, prince or moment comes.  Wait for your moment to come While you are waiting for your moment, make sure you don’t give up or check out of the race called life. Keep going, stay busy doing the right things and start building a resume, dossier or legacy that will be ready when your moment comes. It wasn’t just Meghan and Harry waiting for their moments, many of the invited guests were too. Some guests were there because of their accomplishments or service to others and many were shocked to get an invitation. What led to their invitation to a royal event had been years in the making. They, like you, might have wondered, ‘who sees me and what I am doing in this little corner?’. Someone sees. Royalty sees you and all you need to do is stay faithful until you are called out for public recognition.