I bet many would jump at the chance to live in yesterday again, to get a chance to undo some things and change the sequence of events and the roles they played. What we forget is that when the day is over and the clock hits 12; that's life telling us to try again. Life gives us chances, countless opportunities to do things differently; to show that we have actually learned and are willing to make the change

Each Day Is A Blank Sheet

You may find it hard to believe but each day is life's way of saying, there's got to be more to you; show up and let the world see. You're probably tired of 'missing your timing' but then again, is there really a time set for anyone to shine? Some just chance on life's stage and shine right through every doubt and uncertainty, not because it was their time but because they knew they were made for something more and were prepared for it The person you know you are is not waiting to be discovered, you already are that person; you only need to step into that role. It's all in you

Write That Story

So when you feel like today could have gone better, just know tomorrow will come and you would have to try again. If you know there's more to you, then shine your way through the doubts of yesterday and the uncertainties of tomorrow. Make Today count and even when the day ends and you almost feel like giving up, remember, there's always tomorrow to show up, another time to try again.Show up and shine bright like the star you are; prepare the world for who you know you are.

Step out And shine

We're all getting there, some closer than others but we will get there eventually.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

This topic might interest you, well I hope it does, maybe, just maybe you might find a reason for reading this article. It is impossible to make it through anything, a job, studies, relationships if you do not have the ear to listen and to listen twice. I will share an experience I recently had at my workplace, hopefully, that might make you see the absolute importance of listening to understand. It’s funny how teachers used to say understanding the problem is part of the solution and that a greater part of the work is done when we understand what the question is demanding from us.

GETTING THE JOB DONE: THE IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING


I hit a terrible curve this week at work and it was brought to my attention the reason I struggle so much with doing the actual work is that I am quick to write and that has always been my problem. I may be the only one (I really hope I am not) but I used to think taking actual notes helped, no matter where you are. So from notes taking to minutes writing, the important thing for me was having actual notes to take but if I am being completely honest, referring to the notes after the lesson was over, especially if I rushed to write everything down, just made me realize

How It Happened

I understood very little of what was taught. The interesting thing is, it followed me everywhere I went; I would miss important information because I was always writing and never really listened to understand. I guess in my mind, I thought having notes helped because then, it was easy to refer but boy, was I wrong. I struggle now because I have this mindset, a fixed one, which believes taking notes down is the better route than actually listening to what is being said.

What I Realized

There was an instruction given at work, a very simple do A, get B as the result and I thought I understood it. It was only after I got into doing A, that I realized I did not fully understand how that would get me closer to the result. My mistake was not listening attentively to the instruction that was given, to not paying full attention which affected me in the long run because I was called out and my work was ‘’rubbished’ for the rubbish it was. The work showed two things; No Real understanding of the task and no attention to detail. I struggled to make up for it.

The Real Problem

The truth is, what matters when we work is that when the work is done, it must reflect an understanding of what was expected and delivery on the goal.If you find yourself struggling with delivering actual results at work, maybe these 5 steps will help you figure things out.

What I Am Learning

First and most importantly, understand the task. Understanding the task will not come to you if you struggle with listening. Here’s a simple test for you: after you listen to an instruction, ask yourself what the core of the instruction was and see if you are able to remember, if you aren’t, you probably didn’t understand a word of what was said.

5 Tips To Help

Second, ask questions. It is not wrong to not know everything or fully understand and no one will fault you when you ask questions. One thing very important about the work we do is that, if it is not up to standard, if it falls below the belt, then we haven’t truly worked. If you struggle with anything, maybe after you received the instruction, you found yourself wondering what exactly you were asked to do, then ask questions, be clear on what that means.

Tips #2

Third point, stop writing everything down. I’ll say that again, stop writing everything down. It is not the length of words you write but how much you have been able to consume. Think of it this way; you are better off being able to explain to someone what was said when you have a better understanding of it yourself. Writing just takes the place of listening, writing is good but not when someone is saying something directed to you. You must learn, train yourself to listen first and then write, that way you help you.

Tip #3

Don’t be afraid to seek advice, it is important to getting the work done. So you listened alright, you believe you had an understanding of what the work demanded but you are still struggling. It helps no one if you stay in your corner, beating yourself up, just sulking; get up and get help. Ask someone, ‘’So I was doing this but it seems I am stuck and I need help”, these simple words can help you more than you know. Next time you hit a wall in your work, don’t talk to the wall or sit there, retrace your steps and find someone to help you break through that wall of confusion.

Tip #4

Lastly, train yourself to listen twice as much as you write. It is not easy, it is an art that can be learned but it begins with having a growth mindset and learning that, sticking to your guns won’t help much; it actually doesn’t. Listening is twice as hard because you have to be able to follow the train of thoughts of the person speaking and still be able to express those ideas in your own voice. Tell me how this isn’t hard? You are better off doing the hard thing first and then moving on to the less difficult things.If this resonates with you, then save this content and share with others.

Final Tip

I learned the hard way to listen rather than write. 

career

Career

Why we struggle with listening 

John S. Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, at his Pemberton Chemical Company, first cooked up Coca-Cola as a tonic, for common ailments. He based it on cocaine from the coca leaf and caffeine-rich extracts of the kola nut. It is said that Dr. Pemberton carried a jar of his tonic to Jacob's bar where it was sampled and pronounced excellent; a delicious and refreshing taste. The drink was sampled for five cents a glass as a soda fountain drink and averaged nine drinks per day.

Coca Leaf and Kola Nut;  The Story of Coca-Cola

Who can tell what Dr. Pemberton was thinking, but one thing he could not have predicted was the potential of the beverage he created. He sold the rights of his business gradually till there was not one bit left, just prior to his death, he made his last sale: to an Atlanta businessman. The trademark first appeared in the Atlanta Journal, inviting thirsty citizens to try the new fountain drink. Mr. Asa G. Candler then proceeded to acquire each piece of the pie until he had the whole pie.

Where It Began

He acquired complete control of Coca-Cola, a name coined by Dr. Pemberton's partner who felt the fusion of the two words Coke and Cola would look well in advertising. Under the leadership of Mr. Candler, the trademark was registered with the name 'Coca-Cola in the year 1893, at the US Patent Office. Sales quickly increased in a period of 100 years, from 9,000 gallons to about 370,887 gallons. An additional blessing in that century was the establishment of syrup-making trees in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.

A New Era

Coca-Cola diversified its packaging and distribution after World War II and acquired some new products. Its first packaging, the contoured bottle was introduced in 1916 and later registered in 1960. Coca-Cola introduced its first lemon-lime drink, Sprite in 1961. It entered the citrus juice market with the purchase of Minute Maid Corporation in 1960. One thing is clear, Coca-Cola was not playing a fast-and-lose game in these waters, Coca-Cola was all about domination. It is not surprising that Coca-Cola's biggest competitor is water and not another fruit juice or beverage corporation.

Change is Here

The company began selling in China, East Germany, and India; it is even reported that in China, Coca-Cola was the only company allowed to sell cold-packed beverages in the year 1978. A major innovation for Coca-Cola came with the invention of plastic bottle packaging; made from recycled plastic (well, partially). Coca-Cola has long since added to its list of beverages and cool fruit juices and remains at the top of every occasion list; from events to parties, to get-togethers, even friendly hangouts.

Growth & Increase

Coca-Cola introduced Coke Zero, its zero-calorie soft drink but with the same regular taste as Coca-Cola in 2005 and acquired Energy brands in 2007. The big announcement came in 2007 when after acquiring Energy brands, Coca-Cola joined the Business Leaders Initiative on Human rights, a group of companies collaborating to develop and implement corporate responses to human rights affecting the business world. Today, the Corporation gives back, understands, and projects social responsibility.

Here To Stay

The Coca-Cola Foundation is the Corporation's philanthropic arm and has since its inception awarded more than $ 1 billion in grants to support community initiatives around the world. Coca-Cola set up a Covid Relief fund to support communities and organizations and has so far raised over $50 million. Coca-Cola also makes a commitment each year to give 1% of its previous year's earnings to support organizations across countries and territories across the globe.

Giving Back

Coca-Cola also supports applications for grants and sponsorships and accepts all forms via an online application system <a href="https://coca-cola.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp">https://coca-cola.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp</a>. Coca-Cola is committed to empowering women and children, protecting the environment, giving back to communities, and educating scholars.

Did You Know?

Although we all must start somewhere, the road ahead is for us to journey on and make our own path. 

health

Health

product

Product & Design

Coca Leaf and Kola Nut

So, the New Year is here and we're all pretty pumped up for it; making resolutions and setting goals. We all probably think it's going to be the same this year; set goals, try to achieve some of them and well, whatever the case, we tried but should that be what we look forward to?

What's New This Year?

Funny story, so I had a chat with someone and realized maybe, this year, I need to do something different for a change. It wasn't about setting new goals or trying to do something else. The truth is, we are building our lives, writing our stories and the character doesn't change but the circumstances do. It isn't about setting new goals or making new year resolutions, instead, it has to be about building on what has already been started.

Try Something Else For A Change

You are not different, you cannot suddenly become a New person because the number of the year changed from 1 to 2; you are still the same person you were and you are still working on the same things you started. What did you start last year? What did you commit to in 2021? 2022 is not for starting new things, it is for building on what has already started, afterall, isn't that the evidence of change? The proof of growth?

Keep Working On What Has Already Started

Whatever you decide, remember; you cannot look forward to a new year and keep leaving things undone. The New Year is actually just a number change, every other thing remains the same: you are still you, still in the same place, living the same life with the same old people. Search your life, what needs pulling together? What ideas started out as thoughts but need to grow into full blown projects? What dots need connecting? We are a sum total of the things we repeatedly do, the change that comes with being consistent. Here's to wishing you a very Happy New Year!! Cheers 🥂🥂.

Connect The Dots; Pull The Pieces Together

I think we need to think differently this year and every other year, going forward. 

Why we set new goals 

Did you know your habits are a series of automatic solutions that solve the problems and stresses you face regularly?What happens when we form habits is that our brain has reasoned out a way to solve an issue or resolve a problem it encountered. When our brain picks up new activity or senses a new and unusual situation, it tries to understand how to work around it to get the desired results.

Good Habits Are Solutions

What registers in our minds are cues that keep us away from repeatedly thinking up new solutions for recurring issues/problems.We save our brains the work of going through that process; a neurological pathway has been created that safely moves us through the process till the desired state of peace and stability is attained. Our brains create a rule; if this, then that...

Habits Create Pathways

A habit is a memory of steps you took to solve a problem, this memory replays everytime a similar problem arises. Habits actually help build freedom, because our brains know how to handle a situation. Keep brain space free to handle other tasks and activities...lol

Habits Give Us Freedom

I learned to measure growth based on my daily habits.

James Clear presents strategies to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that help lead to an improved life.

productivity

Productivity

books

Books

The #1 New York Times bestseller. Over 10 million copies sold! Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights. Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field. Learn how to: <ul><li>make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);</li></ul><ul><li>overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;</li></ul><ul><li>design your environment to make success easier;</li></ul><ul><li>get back on track when you fall off course;</li></ul>...and much more. Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits--whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

James Clear is the author of "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" He writes about habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement at jamesclear.com. His website receives millions of visitors each month and hundreds of thousands subscribe to his popular email newsletter.His work has appeared in the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Time, and on CBS This Morning. He is a regular speaker at Fortune 500 companies and his work is used by teams in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Learn more at jamesclear.com

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Why we struggle with listening

Coca Leaf and Kola Nut

Why we set new goals

Atomic Habits

Esther Ami