Why Did I cross The Road?

Why did I cross the road?

I wonder at the choices I have made over the last 5 years. Some people think I have been self-sabotaging, others think I have been daring and still some think I have no idea.

I feel like these 3 things at different times and I know they may all have played out somewhat but I still believe I have followed God step by step and even when I missed it He turned it around for my good.

The Scratch Board is an enterprise development consultancy I have carried in my heart for 5 years and finally let it come to life in 2015. It’s been the most life threatening thing I did in 2015 and I am absolutely speechless on how well we have been. We have a long way to go and character and culture to build but we are going strong.

As a result of this, I am committed to answering one question from anyone who is in business as an entrepreneur or intrepreneur as a New Year gift. If you would like to enjoy this please send your questions to ihotu@thescratchboard.com and I promise to give you my best. And if you want to book a coaching session please include that in your mail.

As for our trainings; THE ART OF THE START for aspiring entrepreneurs and startups in Lagos for the 14th/15th or 30th/31st January, we would give a discount to groups of 3. They can collectively pay N40,000 instead of N60,000 but must commit to be a support group for each other throughout the 1month free coaching succeeding the event. To register send an sms to 08036009082 or a mail to training@thescratchboard.com to get full course details and the account number for payment.

I wish you an amazing enterprising year and happiness that will put challenges to shame.

My final commitment for 2016 is to publish my written books, speak on more platforms, host more trainings, support more startups and be a better mentee, mentor, friend, sister and daughter. And most of all to do my best to be my best at all times and give my best no matter what and make my environment the best to be in.

And yes. . .I crossed the road to see what was on the other side and yes I’m loving my life from this vantage point.

Do you need to cross? Buzz me I may just have the right stance to dare you on

Have an amazingly phenomenal year and BE SIGNIFICANT.

1. 

151215

As the clock reads 12.03am my heart skips a bit

It’s yet another year, another journey, another experience

For the first time in years I feel a little different

Maybe it’s the geles I’ve been tying in the previous year

Or the business I started that has gained such traction

Or the relationships I lost or gained

I feel more aware of time’s passing

My heart feels fuller and emptier at the same time

My mind racing unsuccessfully to meet times expectations

All I can see is what I hadn’t gotten from my ’15 bucket list

My lips form prayers of gratitude my heart can’t disguise

Then Kari Jobe’s “Forever” floats to me from my phone

And instantly I realize what I have always known

He is alive and so I am!

I have overcome the grave and live free ‘cos He did

I’m more complete and secure today than yesterday because of Hallelujah

As the tear slips out so does the smile of gratitude

Then the overwhelming assurance of love and hope despite my list

Its time again to sing “Good Good Father” by Kally Heiligenthal

And go crazy in celebration to “Joy” by Planetshakers

And get on my stilettos to dance ’16 to an awesome finish

***12 faces of 2015

THE SCRATCH BOARD

The first edition of The Scratch Board held in Lagos on the 27th of June, 2015. 

The idea of #TheScratchBoardLagos was born out of years of study and work as a business developer and enterprise educator. In 2007, I discovered I had an insatiable desire to build things and improve on every idea I heard.  

We took modules from enterprise programs across academic platforms and practical application.

Let's do one-liners for each module;

Enterprise Education (start-up information for sustained enterprises -projects,programs,organisations,events,ideas). 

Cultural Entrepreneurship (environmental influences on entrepreneurial activities-policies, customer buy-in, timing). 

Innovation & Creativity (finding the "zing" in/for your idea). 

Exploring Opportunities (ways to maximise chances - networking/negotiation).  

Viability, Availability & Desirability (3 keys steps before leaping).

U-niche™ (self-awareness to self-application for unique performance).

Ubuntu Model™ (understanding the place of “people”).

Values (lifestyle statements for positive living). 

Other topics we discuss are; legal implications for start-ups, basic accounting & digital marketing. 

#TheScratchBoardLagos has evolved to a 2day program "THE ART OF THE START" in Abuja hence #TheScratchBoardAbj 24/25 November 

Our facilitators are Coach Sam Obafemi a sought after life coach & transformation guru. Also we have Femi Oni, a brand consultant/strategist and Ihotu Amuta, an enterprise educator.

Our panel has Mima Angulu, CEO   Krump Studios, Ikechi Ugwoeje CEO Frontline Media and Dimeji Obimakinde CEO DreamHive.

Fee: N20k only! To participate go to www.thescratchboard.com or send "yes" and your name & email to 08036009082. 

We have limited seats and will be able to take only the early birds. For more info call 08036009082 or 08038257139. 

  

THE ART OF THE START is a 2day program inclusive of materials, meals and panel sessions with successful entrepreneurs. SIGN UP NOW!!!

Our next stop is a masterclass in Lagos on December 8th & 9th, Makurdi 16th & 17th of February and PH in March. 

You can also send enquiries to training@thescratchboard.com

See you soon Abuja.

ON MY TERMS

I waited.

Fell asleep while waiting, woke up intermittently and checked my phone. All I wanted was a reply. It took me a long time to realise that he doesn’t reply messages within the first 4 hours of reading them in fact it may be 24hours before a response comes in and it just made my eye twitch.

I am sure some of you will say “it’s not such a big deal” but I have come to realise that I may have a mild case of OCD and therefore things have to be done a certain way. I arrange cups according to types and sizes (and the colour may influence it too) in my cupboard. I shut my wardrobe every night before I sleep because the tiny creaking noise irritates me and keeps me awake. It costs me a lot to walk away from my car if the tires are not straight. So I love some order like getting a reply to a text especially if “you” started the conversation.

Life is on your terms!

I said that to the audience at a seminar and they looked a little unconvinced and I explained about my OCD(ness) and told them that they make choices every day to be who they are even if influenced by someone else ultimately the choice is theirs.

This is seen clearly in the kind of friends we keep. Most of the friends we have allow us be ourselves even when they don’t like it. But that is the prerequisite for good friendships. If I know I can be myself with you then it will be easy for me to be around you and to want to spend time with you. So when I walk into a room I unconsciously study facial expressions and body language to pick a seat because I don’t want to sit beside someone who makes me uncomfortable. And if they smell, I change seat. I don’t say “oh maybe they are broke and can’t afford cologne or a bath” I just take off because there are other seats in the room.

Above all else be accommodating but do not change who you are for someone else because you will become a fraud and loose sense of what’s important to you. When your personality is not clear to people it confuses them and they stay away from you.

Be yourself.


While you’re at it BECOME A BETTER YOU.



photo credit: simple pleasures gallery 

My Many Faces

                        

A few days ago my sister asked how many faces they were in this picture and we all got it right and it got me thinking about how many "talents" I had that would be called my many faces.

To some I'm daughter, sister others friend, buddy, colleague, consultant, teacher and still others see me as writer, speaker, strategist and trainer. 

Someone asked me once if I would compromise on any one of my faces at anytime maybe for a guy, someone else said maybe I should slow down not to frighten them away. 

I say, what would I say to my Abba Father if I bury my talents in the ground and do not get 10 more? What would happen to those who need me to be the face they can relate with to live life a little better? Shouldn't the people in your life enhance you rather than make you hide?


I choose my 10 talents and I wear my many faces with pride.
To all the multi talented people, we make the world the eclectic place of colour it should be. #Talented #Faces #Life #Love #Give #Purpose #JustBe #StrongWoman #Passion

Photo credit: anonymous

The Scratch Board... starting your idea from scratch

Exactly 10years ago my life changed.

In 2005 I got a clear understanding of why I was here and in 2010 "JEWELS NETWORK" a non profit platform for women to express themselves was started.
Along with it came clear pictures of the future and one of them is "THE SCRATCH BOARD" an enterprise education class for ladies who aspire to own their businesses or already have start-ups.


This class will feature modules on cultural entrepreneurship, idea viability, discovering your personal niche and 7 others.
This is the first of its kind and it will be setting the stage for global brands from Nigeria.

Date: 27/06/2015
Location: Lagos

Are you a lady entrepreneur or do you want to be? Get your business plans or ideas written down and lets take you on a journey to building enterprises and institutions.

To sign up for the class and for more info? send a mail to: jewelsnetwork10@gmail.com

"THE SCRATCH BOARD...starting your ideas from scratch" is brought to you by Jewels Network!
Sponsored by; BizImpact Limited & Steve Harris II
Supported by; Paragon Efx, Steph B School, Paul & Lois Legal Practitioners, Wise Planner Consults and others.

Convener/ Facilitator,
Ihotu Joy Amuta
Twitter: @aihot

Leadership By Bullets

On my way to church I noticed that the street to church was blocked off by the police and all the streets down the road as well and I had to turn back and park by the road side to get to church on foot. I asked why there were so many angry-trigger-happy-men-in-black blocking of 4 major streets in Lekki1 and I was told someone with a political office was in one of the houses. My informant noticed my perplexed expression and added that the politician was of the wrong party and on the wrong side of the opposition’s godfather. I laughed out loud before I could control myself and walked off smiling.

How is it possible that a politician who is not the president can block off 4 major streets in a famous neighbourhood and all we can do it stand around and watch to see if other “goons” were coming for a fight. I could see the expectation in the eyes of those standing around and it made me sad.

True leadership is service to the people anything else is terrorism.

You don’t need to bear a certain crest and blow people up to be a terrorist. The fact that those who put you in office now have to cower at your presence and suffer because you came into town is cruel and makes you undeserving of that position.

I was smiling because he was more afraid of his opponents than the man of the street. But the man on the street was his worst enemy. As someone has said, "when the poor have nothing left to eat they will eat the rich".

Leadership entails direction. If you are pointing us to decadence and disruptive behaviour you are an anarchist not a leader

I am one of the millions of Nigerians waiting for the new administration to work a miracle and praying for divine help for right decisions and protection. I didn't write about missing money, election drama, peoples opinion or fuel scarcity because I am holding out for “change” and it has to be a complete “transformation” if not we are only ‘mice on a wheel’.

God help us.



image curtsey nairaland.com

Lady In A Little White Dress

She sat with her legs slightly open. Her dress was a pretty little white piece open to the waist at the back and ending at the knee. She was a black beauty with only red lipstick for makeup and an Afro that said "I'm African and proud" daring the rest of us who had paid good money to own Caucasian hair.

I sat a few paces away from her to the left and wondered if the slight open of her legs was exposing more than just her thighs to those sitting opposite her. She seemed oblivious to the way she sat so I decided to get my answers from the expressions of those opposite her.

Lady with long braids sat with her face set as a flint as if a rod had been placed inside her spine preventing her from moving. As I stared at her waiting for the affirmation that a scene was playing before her I caught her eyes dart at the slightly open legs and knew that was the reason for the ramrod back.

Guy with the jacket had a small smile on his face as he stared unflinchingly at the slightly open legs. He looked up at that point and our eyes met and he eyed me as if to say "do something about it" and I gave a small smile. Now I was sure a major distraction was playing with the concentration of the panellists at my conference.

I began to get uneasy for my new found obsession of the slightly open legs and decided to end it with a note of warning to the lady. My note read, "you may want to shut your legs I think you're feeding the eyes of an unwanted audience". I knew it wasn't the friendliest note to a stranger but since she wouldn't know the origin what did it matter.

As I folded the note to send to her someone walked towards her and whispered something into her ears and she immediately jumped up and walked out. I smiled to myself as I slipped the note into my handbag and as I looked up I again caught the eyes of the guy in the jacket and he heaved a sign of relief and I had to laugh out loud to the chagrin of those beside me.

I had become the distraction.

Voices That Live

I have questioned many things in my life mainly because other people questioned them and this threatens to awaken my slumbering worry-nature.

The concern or sometimes outright pity in their eyes makes me wonder if something went wrong or if I went wrong and I begin to doubt myself and then God.

But then I remember that just His voice brings life into every seemingly dead situation and yet again I lay it all down at the altar, acknowledge my weakness and helplessness and let God rule!!! So when my heart gets heavy by a careless comment made in concern or spite I remember that I listen to His voice and it gives life to my seeming handicap, dead situation or lack and I #rest because HE HAS SPOKEN!!! John 5:24-26

The question is: who's voice speaks to your situations?

Who's voice do you listen to?

#voiceofGod #Jesusbaby #churchgirl #biblestudent #life #peace #love

Saved By Sacrifice

He thought he heard a tremor in the ground

And because he was expecting it Corban knew it had to be it
He had waited 3 days to hear it.
It was what he had read about and what his mother believed but his father was a sceptic being a man of the robes and all. He agreed to the rising but not of a nobody whose activities were questionable or were they?
Corban had always followed his mother to the chagrin of his father but she was always right.
As he trembled from hair tips to toe nails, he wished he was standing right in front of the great stone when it happen.

He wasn't an ordinary spectator like many others.
They had had a conversation once even though he spoke and all he got was a wide smile and a slight nod. But ever since then anytime their eyes met there was recognition in his and of course that smile.

Everybody knew the smile even the men of robes, he smiled at everyone especially the children. Some said his affinity to children was because they had hearts unsoiled by life and his mother said, children were his until they began to make their own choices
He never really understood that but he his mother always read the writings of Moses and they had the ability to make you sound crazy

As he ran to the great stone he saw his mother’s friends leaving in a big hurry and he stopped. They walked past him consumed by their haste and didn't see him. All it seemed Mary kept saying was "alive alive alive" as they broke into a run. He also ran to the great stone that now lay on the ground slightly leaning on the side of the rock but no longer blocking the doorway and he looked in and it was empty. Mary's voice came back to him "alive alive alive" and he laughed out loud for so long he was sure he would wake up the sleeping guards. His mother was right after all. Oh the look on the faces of the men of robes, hehehehehe....now his father would take an early retirement and listen to his wife.

As Corban ran after His mother’s friends, he knew she will be with them at the shelter. They had been therefore the 3 days waiting to prove everyone else wrong.
He entered the room and saw his mother’s eyes awash with tears and she looked up at him and smiled and in the loudest whisper she said YESHUA IS RISEN

As they began to dance and rejoice, 1 of the 70 (you knew them by their wristbands) said,
Lift Him up oh lands and peoples
YESHUA is alive
Just like it was told to us
And now we have experienced
YESHUA is the saviour
He has led us straight to God
We are now made whole by His gift
Free to live free
No more blood sacrifices
YESHUA's blood has done it once for all

Corban was so lost in the frenzy he didn't see his father sneak into the room and hug his mother mouthing a "thank you". His robe was gone now he was just a man saved by sacrifice.

I DID IT…excelling in a male dominated environment

10 years ago I decided that I wanted to be famous. I didn't know how I will become that person I saw in the mirror every morning but I was determined. Seven years later, I just wanted to be the best at what I did and I worked very hard and tried to always go the extra mile. Three years afterwards and all I think about is the impact my work is making on individuals, organisations and the nation.

I started with curiosity!

I wanted to know more about everything and I was competitive. I desperately needed to be the best but I found out as I grew older that it was impossible to always top every interest I had and so I decided to choose a few things I knew how to do very well and excel in them. I didn’t want to try what I wasn’t good at so I don’t flunk it or come out at average and this made my options limited. I was good with English, Literature and History and I focused on this subjects in secondary school more than I did for other subjects and I topped the class all the time.

Don’t be a jack of all trades,

your name will get lost in the long list of experts.

You will be seen as a side dish and not the main meal

Be the only option for that one thing that is needed.

During my teens, I discovered I could dance and act but singing wasn't my forte so I danced and acted and only sang in groups. I also noticed I had a flare for writing and I poured myself into that.

Overtime, I noticed my curiosity had pushed me into learning business principles and development and I read every book and article I could find on the subject. I attended meetings and tried to get opportunities to share my ideas and with time I became known to have opinions.

Let your voice be heard for what you know about

 and you will become the go-to person on that issue.

Don’t just think it, say it;

you won’t be paid for your private thoughts.

Fast forward 10 years and I have worked my mind into a constant state of curiosity which is needed for strategy, creative thinking and business development which are the 3 main areas of my current expertise.

A few weeks ago I heard Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa say, “It’s not a man’s world, it’s our world” and I agree with her.

It is how you choose to play the game of chess that determines how you win

Do you want to win? Learn the tricks of your business

Men natural tend to be go-getters and hustlers. Women are more nurturers and receivers. But with our natural disposition as nurturers and inert intuition it is easy to build keen expertise in an area of interest. That’s all I did! I pushed my energies into my natural abilities, turned them into skills and was not afraid to be assertive.

It is important that what you say should count for something and your presence should be added value to everyone around you. This implies diligence and consistency in acquiring and retaining knowledge for whatever industry you find yourself and life in general.

Yes I failed a few times but I learnt my lessons and tried again. You may fail but know there is always a way to success, and the fastest route there is adding value and being a solution provider to a recognisable need.

Go the extra mile.

Do more than you think you can.

Push yourself to be the best in your own unique way.

It is quite common now to find intimidation a constant in business but those who try to intimidate are those who are threatened by your knowledge.

If you can learn right and act right then you can do right and you will be alright

from: "Young Voices" featured on Olatunji.com.