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