The Weekend Bite™ Part 1, February 2017

Hello friends,

Welcome to the month of February. It's all about love and companionship this month but it's also good for us to improve the nature of our relationships and value we add to one another. This edition of The Weekend Bite™ is called #Sharing.

Sharing here signifies disclosing and revealing an experience, knowledge or information to others with the aim of giving or receiving help. Traditionally, sharing only occurred through one on one conversations, telephone calls or letters. However, with the advancement of technology, sharing has become much easier and faster through social media and networking applications. These days, people share anything online and invite the public into their private lives. However, the purpose may differ with each person. Some may share to build up an image while others may share pertinent knowledge related to a specific field, or things that can inspire others and be of help to them. Before you share, it is important to consider why you share. Likewise, if you don't share through any medium, including face to face communication,  it is also good to consider why you don't and the great power sharing has.

We have all gone through different challenges. We may be able to identify one inspiring word, song, article, book, message, poem or other information that helped us get through such times. When we come out, we learn truths that help us at different stages of our lives. That new truth may not be for us alone. There may be people out there going through something similar with no one that gets their peculiar experience. Sharing our message or truth can be the catalyst that will inspire a positive change in them.

That's why it's important not to isolate yourself. On the one hand, you will be cutting yourself off from what can be shared with you and on the other hand you will be depriving others from what you can share with them. There is something in each of us, a unique experience or knowledge that will be of immense benefit to someone else. Therefore,  develop relationships through which you can be positively influenced as you influence others; sharing knowledge, truths, experiences and secrets that can bless, inspire, encourage and help others. It's the perfect symbiotic relationship!

When sharing a difficulty, one may be hesitant for fear of judgment, condemnation or misunderstanding by others.  It is thus imperative to build a good support network of those who you know will tell you the truth and and give you help without judgment. Though humans may err sometimes, there is one who has promised to never judge us or condemn us- God. He will listen and reassure us through His Word and Holy Spirit. We too becoming like Him, should learn not to judge or condemn those who are brave enough to share with us. What is paramount is helping them, irrespective of what they have done. Your sharing may be the support they need to get back on track.

Therefore, as we work on our relationships this month, let us also work on our sharing. Remember your tools of communication are vehicles through which you can do something positive and help others. Choose to be positive, choose to help, and choose to share!

Cheers!

© LAW Afolabi, February 2017.

Excerpts From The Weekend Bite™ is available bi-weekly on Twitter via @lolawilliams02

The Weekend Bite™ Part 2, January 2017

 

Hello Friends, it's been a great January so far. So we've gotten some clarity on what we want to achieve and we've started pursuing our goals. However, what do we do when we experience doubts about our plans or dreams or just don't believe in ourselves anymore? This one's called #selfdoubt

Self-doubt entails uncertainties or disbelief in one's self, abilities or dreams. It can also involve a lack of self-confidence. We've all experienced this at one time or the other and it's even more difficult when you are about to take a big step. The beginning of the year is a bad time to feel self-doubt because you'll have no enthusiasm or drive to push yourself throughout the year, if you are unable to overcome it. 

So how do you deal with this?

First, identify the source of your doubts. Is it because you don't get positive feedback from others? Is it because you've had a few failures in that area or just because you don't think you are strong enough to follow through? Are your doubts about your appearance, the way people see you or what they say about you? Are there internal or external  factors that contribute to these doubts?

 
The problem with doubts is that if they are not tackled, they keep growing and eventually knock you down. So the next step is dealing with your doubts. Don't let your failures or issues make you lose faith in your capabilities. The fact that you failed yesterday doesn't mean you can't excel today. Instead of doubting yourself, turn that energy around and encourage yourself to improve. Separate the unfavourable event from your person, deduce any relevant lessons, and see yourself as able to succeed. Likewise, don't be discouraged by lack of positive feedback or by what people say. Even if no one believes in you, you should believe in yourself. Even if no one commends you, keep going, keep doing what you're meant to, and keep pursuing your dreams. Many people may be influenced by you and may not say it. Don't let the negative message of haters or the absence of likes or comments on a message you put out there discourage or derail you from your purpose journey. Keep encouraging yourself and keep going!

Lastly, have a positive confession system and environment. If your doubts say you are not strong, smart, beautiful or good enough; you need to tell yourself that you are. Keep your mind positive and your body will follow suit. I still remember some words from a movie called 'The Help'. The maid constantly told a little girl who was abused by her mother these words "You is kind, You is smart, You is important". Those words definitely helped her build her confidence despite what her mother did to tear it apart. Not everyone has a good support system. If your environment is filled with negative people who constantly speak ill-words over you, you may need to reposition yourself. Listen to positive messages and confessions. Write them down and paste them by your mirror. Look at yourself and say with all your heart that you are great, beautiful and capable; you can do anything you set your mind to. 

When the doubts come calling, send them on a one-way journey to the abyss. Never let them define you or keep you from being who you are meant to be. You are able and I believe in you! You've gotta believe in yourself too!

Cheers!

© LAW Afolabi, January 2017.

Excerpts From The Weekend Bite™ is available bi-weekly on Twitter via @lolawilliams02

The Weekend Bite™ Part 1, January 2017

Hello and welcome to your year of greater honour, open doors, upliftment and harvest. We're set to inspire you with words of wisdom this year and with encouragement to get you through life and to come out triumphant. This is the Weekend Bite™ and this one is called #clarity.

#Clarity signifies being coherent, intelligible and certain. It is a state of being significantly aware of yourself, a situation or thing. 

The start of a new year is a great time to establish clarity and certainty about what you want to achieve that year. Without a clear vision in mind, you won't be able to set accurate goals or measure your progress over time. 

So how do you get clarity? 

First, clear up your mind and space. It's hard to get any clarity if your life is filled with  distractions or chaos. If you're involved in too many activities that aren't adding value or you don't have any time to yourself to reflect, then you're likely to burn out or lose your sense of direction and self awareness. You may have to withdraw from your usual activities to go on a retreat or vacation. The important thing is having that space and time to do some undisturbed thinking.

Once you've cleared up your space, do some meditation and collect your thoughts. Think about the past, what you were able to achieve and where or why you failed. Think about your desired future. Visualise where you want to be at a certain point in time or what you would like to achieve by the end of the year.

Now it's time to draw up your goals. Ascertain the best route to get you to your desired destination. It may be easier to write down short term goals and execution strategies now that you have a clear defined vision of where you want to be. Remember, keep it short, simple and measurable. Create a system of regular checks to ensure you're on track at different points in the year. You can have short-term goals which you can measure daily, weekly or monthly. These goals will create a path that will lead you to your long-term goal or vision and guide you throughout the year.

Write those goals down and paste them somewhere you can see every time you wake up in the morning. This will ensure that you keep your eyes fixed on them. If you're more of a technology person, you can set reminders on your phone and set up daily tasks which will help prompt you on what you need to do.  Remember to keep yourself positive and focused, no matter the distractions or challenges you are faced with during the year. That's the only way to ensure that you do not lose site of your vision and that you come out victorious.

You can fulfill your dreams and become all that you want to be this year. It's important to get it right from the beginning to give you the best shot at succeeding. Go get your clarity today!

All the best this year!

Cheers!

© LAW Afolabi, January 2017.

Excerpts From The Weekend Bite™ is available bi-weekly on Twitter via @lolawilliams02

The Christmas Spirit Poetry Series

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance!

 

 

The Christmas Spirit Poetry Series run by @thep3company on Instagram. Contact thep3company@gmail.com for your customised poems for all occasions.

The Weekend Bite™ Online November/December 2016

Hello Friends. As we approach the end of 2016, it's important to look over our goals to measure our progress over time and make plans to improve in the near future. This one is called #makingamends.

It is often said that No Man is an Island. This is quite true because even though many of us have tried it in the past, we cannot exist in a vacuum and we were created to interact with our environment and others. Therefore, it is good practice to regularly measure where we are in this respect.

What goals did you set for yourself this year? How many of these goals were directed at others or had a purpose that surpassed yourself? How many of these goals were you able to execute? It's not about beating yourself up or feeling like a failure. It's about seeing where you got it wrong and making amends.

There are several common problems that limit our effectiveness in achieving our goals. First, we set up too many things for ourselves to do in such little time and there is no common thread that binds it all together. If you have a major goal, all your efforts can be geared towards achieving it and each project that you undertake should find its place under this. Secondly, we get tired. We may hear that little voice in our minds telling us to get up to do what we need to do but find it hard; perhaps because we are yet to experience any immediate gratification. If that project is connected to your main purpose, it will be easier to find encouragement within yourself even though you do not get it immediately from others. As you remain committed, you will find that there is a greater fulfillment you will experience. Lastly, we fail to do timely appraisals and checks. It's not best to wait till the end of the year to measure your progress. Have timely checks every week, month, or quarter, so you have the chance to make amends and improve where necessary.

Find out your areas of weakness. Do some research online or speak with a mentor on what you can do to master your weakness and to ensure you get it right. You can also find out new or better ways of doing what you do. You can't possibly plan to do the same things in the same way over and over again; that's a waste of your time. What works best for you? What attracts the best results? Find it out and Do it!

Remember diligence is key in whatever you do! Find out what areas you need to improve and draw up strategic plans to ensure you make amends. Wishing you the best in the coming year!

Cheers!

© LAW Afolabi, December 2016