TAKE THAT DETOUR (Motivation for Monday)

The response I got on Facebook about the blog “What Do You Want” from last week was incredibly amazing and fulfilling to me. So, I must thank you so much for reading. Today, I will be encouraging you on another important topic that would challenge your “growth faculty” and this one is called “Take that Detour” ….

I am going to share my own personal story for this blog, so, please allow me. As you all know, I finished my post grad (Masters) in January of 2018 and I was more than confident that once I finished, I would land my dream job, possibly with the company where I did my internship (work placement).  Unfortunately, it didn’t happen like I thought. I took the assessment twice and both times, I was successful, but the “position was being kept on hold” ……..this was the HR Specialist told me when I relentlessly followed up.

I must say thought that anyone who knows me would know that I am a “workaholic”. I am not one of those ones who would be praying not to have so much to do when they get to work.  When I did my internship, I gave it a 150% out of 100% so I could proof myself. When I finished, I got good reports which was part of my results.

As time went on (about 5 months later after my post grad), and nothing seem to be happening, I hired a Career Coach, we sat down and created a new career path for me based on my previous very diverse work experience which spanned over 10 years in Banking, Human Resources, Administration and Customer Relations in that order, plus by self-employment knowledge and experience in the digital space etc. Then I started researching businesses whose value matches mine and I would apply to those companies based on my previous experience.

Immediately I finished my Coaching session, I found this “Multinational company” that caught my interest and I became so keen on joining them.  After researching them, I discovered that their values, culture and mission matches my personal value system, the drive to work distance was perfect for me and so, I decided to apply for a position that matches my previous diverse experience with them. When I first applied, I got a response but it was not a successful one. Remember, I said the company has a value system that matches mine, so I applied again, this time, I was offered the position after one written screening, two phone interviews and one onsite interview….

As soon as I started, I noticed that right beside my floor there is a huge Buying department beside my very huge office.  At the orientation, I made my interest known and was told that once I finished my probation, I could switch over to any department I wanted. Isn’t that amazing? You see, if I hadn’t find my way into this company in the first place, I wouldn’t find the possibility of switching to another area of their business which was what I wanted. I tell you, taking a detour is not a bad idea at all, it is indeed an opportunity to learn something new, humbling and one that could change the course of one’s life. I am confident this detour is going to change everything for me. I want to encourage you never to be afraid to take a detour. Although I am truly happy with my current position, the choice is now mine to switch in the future or not to switch? The choice is mine!

Why did I share this today, I shared because I love to use my own personal experience to help other people? I know for sure that the challenges we go through in life are not peculiar to us and so when we experience victory, we can as well share to help others.

This is it, on my way to get what I wanted, I did not only invest in myself by hiring a career coach, but I made a quick detour from my Masters degree to be able to get my feet into an organisation I wanted with the hope of finding my way to a position where I could use my Master’s degree….

Here are a few TIPS that helped me take that decision:

1. Good Counsel

I remember sitting down with a couple – both Doctors. The husband encouraged me to get my feet into an organisation I wanted and then maneuver my way to any area I wanted. He said, it is always easier when you are in already.

The typical me wouldn’t have done that. I would have been looking to find the perfect match. Unfortunately, in the work force, these days, it doesn’t always happen like that. Amazingly, the position I hold now is not a trainee  role, it is a role that I have to have specific skills for and one that caters to a lot of responsibility for my team.

See, the counsel of the people we seek can change the course of our lives. So, choose your counsel very wisely.

2. Coaching

A lot of us don’t like to invest monetarily to very important things that would change the course of our lives– career, marriage, finance etc.

Before I hired this incredibly experienced career coach, I must admit, I was confused and was getting frustrated with my emotions toying on me too. However, once I sat down with my coach and followed everything she showed, taught and preached, what I was trying to do myself in 6 months happened quicker than I thought after I applied to this company.

For you to get ahead in life and in any area, you must be willing to invest in yourself – monetarily.

3. Journaling & Vision Board

I can’t over emphasise the importance of journaling. All the time I was waiting, I wrote down my thoughts, prayers, wishes, plans and everything that came to mind. I must tell you, although my career coach and the good counsel I received helped me loads, journaling helped me get clarity.

And my vision board helped me create the life I wanted in pictures just like my mind sees those things. Now, I have everything but just one thing on my vision board come to pass, the way I wanted them.  The most amazing one to me is the view of my office, it is just like I envisioned on my vision board. It is incredible. Call me vain if you like, the fact that I get to dress up fancy every day to work makes it very interesting for me to get up, dress up and show up. What a feeling?

4. Meditating, Praying & Listening

I took time to meditate, pray and I also listened to a lot of life changing messages by powerful motivational speakers and preachers. I ensured to keep my mindset positive and in a growth mode.

I also took the time to attend seminars. One of the ones I attended was that of Dr. Carol Dweck, the Author of Mindset at RSCI. That helped me to be focused and determined to go after what I wanted. Now, I do have it.

We eventually become what we think or feed our minds with. Read Proverbs 23 vs 7. So, ensure to feed your mind and soul with good thoughts. You can also read Philippians 4 vs 8.

5. Exercise

May I respectfully say that one of the reasons why a lot of people fall into depression when they do not get what they want is that they stay indoors. Any time I didn’t feel so happy about not getting the job yet, I took long walks, I went for a run and when I return, I feel light, my head becomes clearer and focused and I slept better.

Don’t stay indoors. Go for a walk or run. Exercise is being proven time and time again to help you emotionally, physically and mentally.

Bonus: No matter what journey you are on, you MUST always trust your instincts.

See, from the very moment I walked into the “ginormous” building of my current employer, I could tell this is an organisation to be a part of and I am indeed grateful to be a part of a company where I am confident, I can achieve anything I want to achieve if I let myself. In week one of joining my team, I exceeded their target with very minimal training. Not only was my effort noticed, my Manager rewarded with a bonus for the great job I did…I hope to get more of those monetary rewards aside my pay.  Wish me luck

Like I said before, the reasons I wanted to join this business is their values, culture and what they stand for. I can see it now clearly; the future truly is very bright for me. It’s amazing that this later line I said here was the same thing I said in the video I did to encourage you as soon as I finished my Masters. What we say to ourselves is what we eventually become. Be sure to say good things to yourself.

My plan has always been to have a business and to have a career that would help fund my ministry to encourage. Now, I have both. I can share my gift of writing to help others, I can speak motivation to help as many people from different parts of the world through the videos I create, and I can share my impeccable styling TIPS on the fashion blogs I write. And most importantly, I am a mum to 2 amazing sons and a wife to the most incredible man I know. I am counting my blessings. Did all these things come easy? No, they didn’t, with the help of God, hard work, resilience and ruggedness, I have done so much since I was made redundant 4 years ago and there is much more I would do and achieve……

My Final Words for Today!

A lot of times, we look in the wrong places for opportunities. Eventually, when we find those opportunities, we struggle to be seen, heard and we may just be one of many who turn up to work because we must make a living somehow…. However, if we truly stick to our own values and find jobs / opportunities that matches our competencies, we thrive in our strengths and abilities and then we fulfil our potential to the fullest.

So, on your way to get what you want, you may have to make a detour but stay true to what you stand for, believe, seek good counsel and all good things that could help you and you will be surprised that you would eventually be who you want to be……

Thanks so much for reading and I do hope you were inspired by my own story. Don’t settle for less, create the life you want. If you are confused, stuck in a rut or just need to speak to someone, I can help. Book a Clarity Call HERE

Other Blogs That Would help You

The Importance to Journaling

The Power of Vision Boards

What Do You Want?

Get My Books

Use What You Have & Create the Life You Want

The Video I Mentioned in this Blog