“The empowered woman is powerful beyond measure and beautiful beyond description.”
~ Steve Maraboli

Empowerment. To be empowered. Women empowerment.

These terms are all ones that we are no doubt familiar with, but what do they mean exactly? What message are they trying to get across and what does it mean to be ’empowered’?

In this article, we are going to explore all of this, explaining in detail what it means to be empowered and who an empowered woman actually is.

What is Empowerment?

Empowerment, simply put, is the process of enabling one to act. To explain further, according to this article by Lisa M. Haddad on statpearls.com, empowerment is a process enabling individuals to understand the relationship between their actions and outcomes, allowing people the power to achieve the results they desire.

Therefore, to be empowered is to be enabled with the ability to understand and control the circumstances and challenges around them, and actively work towards solving them for their well-being or the well-being of their environment.

It is a truly powerful state of mind and being, and it deserves to be embraced by everyone, irrespective of race, culture, gender, or any other factor that may have been a hindrance to them.

It is important for us to understand what it means to be empowered because only then can we begin to understand who the empowered woman is.

But before we go into the empowered woman, let us first define what it means to be a woman.

Empowerment and the Woman

Who is a woman?

A woman, according to openthebible.org, is one who is created, redeemed, blessed and gifted to be a blessing to those around her. Yes, she was described as a biblical woman, but I believe that this applies to all women as well, but this can only be true when they have realised their true worth, purpose and identity.

Sadly, there are many factors that limit this realisation in society, making it difficult for women to truly blossom into who they were made to be.

That’s where empowerment comes in because, with this, women now have the chance to become their true selves, the people they were created and born to be.

So, with this understanding, let us now look at how all these are made manifest in today’s empowered woman.

The Empowered Woman

The empowered woman is one who has authority and control over their own lives, decisions and ultimate happiness, who uses this authority to enrich the lives of those around her and her community as a whole.

She is a strong, capable and motivated woman and, above all, she is a gift to both society and to herself.

She is not held back by the limitations of the world and pushes through all barriers, both material and immaterial, to drive a positive change in her world.

Qualities of an Empowered Woman

Now, how do we identify this precious woman? What makes her stand out despite all the things that try to pull her down?

Let’s take a look at some of the qualities of the empowered woman.

1. She knows who she is

The empowered woman is confident, strong, and priceless—and she knows it.

She is fully aware of her worth and her identity and she doesn’t let anything or anyone make her change her belief about herself.

2. She is not afraid to change the status quo

Despite what kind of evil is going on and no matter how long it has gone on for, the empowered woman will never let it get in her way of doing what is right, even if it means that she has to change the existing norms of society.

3. She is an embodiment of love

The empowered woman is kind, compassionate and shows love to all those around her, making sure that they get what they deserve and are given the opportunities they ought to have.

4. She respects others and herself

Just as the empowered woman does not undervalue others, she also doesn’t undervalue herself. She knows her worth and carries herself with courage, integrity and elegance, and makes sure that she teaches this quality to others as well.

5.  She is dedicated to empowering others

The empowered woman knows what it means to not be in control, to have your life dictated by another person or the society itself, and she tries all she can to make sure that those who are still in that bondage rise to be the wonderful people they were born to be.

Now, you may be wondering, Who is this empowered woman? Where can I find her? How can I become her?

Well, the answer is that far, because she is right here, living in me, and you, and in every woman out there.

We all have the capacity to be empowered, strong, and beautiful women. All we have to do is unlock that person inside of us, and I know just the thing that will help us achieve this.

The Emotionally Empowered Woman by Dr. Evelyn Okpanachi is the book every woman needs to read. It explores who the empowered woman is in detail and gives valuable guidance on how to become this woman and begin the transformation the world desperately needs and only you can give to it.

Grab this book today so you can achieve your full and true self. With this knowledge, we hope that one day, every woman in the world will reach their full potential and become a blessing to all those around them.

We hope that they will become empowered.

What does it take to succeed in life — is it a hard-working attitude, prayers, active involvement in religious activities, or a little bit of luck and fortune? These are some questions most people often ask as they desire to know the perfect way to success?

As much as hard work, luck, and prayers play a massive role in helping us attain a successful height, they are not the most remarkable factor determining your level of success and achievements in life.

The first thing you must achieve to be successful is a sound and positive mindset because it serves as the foundation for every laudable achievement. A positive mindset for success helps you go the extra mile towards achieving your vision as it provides you with all the required belief, energy, and willpower. So, the question is: “how can you change your mindset for success?”

1. Embrace Positive Self-talk Strategy

The first way to build a healthy and positive mindset for success is by saying positive things to yourself.

What you say and think continually is a way of defining who you are and what you and would eventually become in life. Hence, it would be best if you said positive words to yourself every day. As soon as you wake up in the morning, say to yourself, “I can make it,” “nothing is stopping me from reaching my target for today,” “I am successfully created to make great exploit.”

You can equally choose from any of these positive affirmations and say them continually until your belief and mind are built around them. It might sound a little bit cliché; it is real and has worked out for many successful individuals out there.

2. Set Obtainable Short-term Goals And Develop New Habits to Achieve Them

The second method to create a mindset for success mindset includes setting achievable short-term goals. It is one thing to set goals; it is another thing to achieve them.

We tend to get discouraged and disappointed when we fail to accomplish specific goals. You must set goals that are obtainable without much stress.

Your first three — out of five — goals must be simple and easy because accomplishing them will help you develop the right mindset in your mission to achieving the ʼrelatively hard ones’

Meanwhile, there is a need to develop new habits to enhance your hopes of achieving all your goals — either short-term, long-term, easy, or challenging.

3. Avoid Leveraging on your Weaknesses

You are not 100% perfect —just like every human on earth. We all have our weaknesses, but the difference is how we react to our respective weaknesses.

Your weak points shouldn’t serve as an excuse for your failure. Stop saying, “I can’t speak in public because I am introvert or shy.” Instead, leverage on your strong point and attributes while you keep working on your weaknesses.

4. Learn From Previous Mistakes

Your chances of being successful are very slim if you haven’t encountered series of failures. Likewise, you can’t be successful in life if you chose not to learn from previous failures. As much as we hate to encounter setbacks, they are inevitable for someone desiring to succeed in life. Instead of seeing setbacks and failures as discouraging hurdles, see them as perfect opportunities to discover hidden factors that will propel to greatness.

5. Draw Inspiration From Books, Friends, and Role Models

Another way to build a healthy mindset for success includes drawing inspiration from available sources. Get closer to people who have what it takes to motivate and inspire others. Share your burdens with them and listen attentively to any of their recommendations.

You can also read some captivating and spirit-lifting books — such as “A Journey into Inner Fitness,” “The Science of getting rich”; “Screw It, Let’s Do It,”; “Think And Grow Rich,” and “The lazy way to success” — and apply the lessons learned.
Alternatively, choose good role models and closely monitor their day-to-day actions and dealings to learn from them.

Conclusion

As we proceed to the end of the write-up, here are other ways to change your mindset for success include:

• Being flexible: You should know that all goals can’t achieve at a stipulated time. So, don’t feel bad if things aren’t working out as planned. Reaching 80% of your goals is a laudable achievement.
• Believing in your SuperHuman abilities to make things happen.
• Leaving your comfort zone

The best way to start a year is to have excellent and comprehensive plans for yourself. Pay quality attention to your family, be a bit more punctual in your workplace, create a to-do list, live happily, and don’t…

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Can you believe it is 2020? It is a whole new decade!

Indeed time flies. We can agree that 2019 literally went by the twinkle of an eye.

As expected, 2020 is everyone’s best year yet! Some of us have, while some are still trying to come up with a master plan that will change their lives for better in 2020. Some of us are still wondering how 2019 went by without achieving any of our set goals.

What category do you fall under?

Were you able to accomplish most of your goals for last year, or you didn’t even get close to achieving any of your goals for the year? Your answer to the questions doesn’t matter anymore because there’s nothing you can do about the past.

Newsflash!

It’s the 7^th of January 2020 already! And I bet this year will go by faster than previous years. So, don’t feel too bad if you failed to accomplish your goals in 2019 because this year is offering you another opportunity to become the person of your dream.

Kudos if all your goals in 2019 were achieved. However, we can’t say what 2020 has in store for you and I. We are only certain that it will take more than just writing your goals on a piece of paper or designing a vision board. You need commitment, consistency, hard work, patience, and determination.

“It takes determination to achieve a new and greater height, it takes much more determination to remain at your newfound height”

Hence, if you worked for four hours to be successful in 2019, you need eight hours in 2020 to maintain or increase your wealthy status.

What Are Your Visions For 2020?

What are your goals for the New Year? Have you mapped out a strategy that will enhance your chances of achieving your goals for the year? Start by setting SMART goals for this year while you apply a better strategy to achieve them. Detect the roadblocks that prevented you from reaching your full potentials in 2019 and learn from the mistakes.

“Failure shouldn’t discourage you from trying again because every successful human had tasted failure before becoming a well-known individual in the world”

If James Dyson could finally succeed after 15 years of trials, who said you can’t invent that tire-less bike. If Wole Soyinka could become the first African to win a Nobel Prize in Literature award after failing the English language in nine SSCE exams, who said you can’t get admission into the university of your choice in 2020?

Thomas Edison failed 999 times before inventing his electric light bulb. Walt Disney of the Disney cartoon network is another man whose story should inspire you. All you need to do is staying true to yourself and find a way (action) to achieve your goals for the year. Achieving your goals and visions for this year requires a few things from you. They are:

1. New Year Resolutions That Are backed Up By Swift Action

New year resolutions are believed to be one of the greatest strategies deployed by everyone who wants to have a successful year, as it will bring the best out of them.

Unfortunately, 80% of people who made New Year’s resolutions failed to keep them because they lack the willpower to change for the better. They also fail to keep their resolutions because they didn’t take swift action towards becoming better.

“A failure to take precise and deliberate action is the reason why so many New Year’s resolutions and other goals fail.”

What are your resolutions for 2020? Are you willing to right all your wrong actions that made 2019 a forgettable year? If yes, take a step today and stop thinking about the unchangeable past!

Quick Advice: Your New Year resolutions must propel you towards achieving your targets for the year. Your resolutions must be vision-bound, as that will make 2020 a fruitful year for you.

For instance, if your goal is to have £20m in your account by December, your resolution for the year must include spending less and working hard(er) because they will improve your possibility of reaching your goal.

Do you want to gain admission? You must study more than ever. Yours is to become a well-known online affiliate marketer? Then, you have to spend more on the internet and learn from experts.

2. Spiritual and Mental Alertness

The year 2020 will be an ordinary year for you if you fail to acknowledge the fact that there’s a need to be spiritually and mentally strong.

I have come to realise that the spiritual controls the physical. Until you’re spiritually strong, you can’t have a successful 2020 — there’s no magic to that.

Stay glued to whatever you believe is working for you in the spiritual world as that will help build your mental strength to overcome many challenges and unavoidable setbacks.

3. Determination and Discipline

You need to be determined to achieve your goals for the year. Determination is the strong willpower that keeps you going when everything is saying otherwise. You need it to enhance your chances of breaking your limit this year.

However, mere willpower won’t be enough to see you through the year’s challenges if it’s not backed up by discipline.

Discipline simply means having a high regard for your reputation. Whatever you don’t want, don’t do it to others. Don’t strive to get what you don’t need. Discipline helps you to contend with what you have.

4. Commitment and Consistency

Until you commit yourself towards achieving your goals, you can’t become a better person in life. You must give all your power to realise the 2020 goals.

Just like commitment, consistency is also important because the more you continue to engage in one activity, the higher your chances of breaking new ground.

What are you planning to start in 2020? I must let you know that it’s better not to begin a project than ending it halfway. Consistency is a trademark of a successful individual, learn to develop it as part of your all-time attributes.

As you already know, your destiny is in your hand, and 2020 is what you make of it. Whatever you sow into the year, is what you will reap at the end of it… Be good to everyone, stay focused and have a fruitful year ahead.

 

 

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2019 is almost over; how much have you saved? Invested? Spent on a vacation? Emergencies? What new thing have you gotten for yourself?

Finances can be tricky: it always feels like the money is never enough or these responsibilities keep springing up from all over. It is important not to leave things to neither chance nor luck nor fully depend on others. Financial goal setting is akin to planning which indicates a sense of direction for the individual. While things may not always go as intended, at least you won’t be caught unprepared.

Here are 10 financial realistic goals to set for yourself, some are long term, some short but they all provide sustainability;

1. Don’t add any more debt

Hello! We are trying to pay off existing debts already, please don’t get into more. Fact is, if you cannot pay for something on the spot without a grumble, you cannot afford it. Loans seem pretty but they are financial chains, do your very best not to get bound. Don’t make financial promises either, they are debts. The general idea is to either do it immediately or not at all, thinking about what you owe is enough to cause health issues.

2. Set up an emergency fund account

Sometimes hospital bills come calling, an unplanned event that is unavoidable manifests, a vacation well-deserved has to be taken; all these are real things that require money. An ideal rule is to set aside 10% of monthly earnings for emergencies strictly. This is to avoid dipping into your savings when the time comes.

3. Always budget your expenses

To avoid overspending, budget what you need to spend on. Know those that are fixed like rent, utility or gas and know those you can easily do away with or work towards. Try to make all expenses minimal.

4. Learn to live below what you can afford

This is related to the above but in no means is its frugality. Life is unpredictable and this shows you don’t consume all in one sitting. There is a lot to save; you only need to set aside certain percentages for them. Living below what you can afford will help you have financial fresh air as you are not living from paycheck to paycheck.

5. Learn skills that can increase your income

Take up career improvement courses, attend leadership seminars, masterclasses, do a masters degree if you can afford it, professional courses and be more relevant in your field.

6. Create multiple income streams

Even if it is just two. Realize not everyone can do what you have ability to. Find a way to meet needs and monetize it. There is talent and there are skills, use both wisely to your financial advantage.

7. Plan to do work that you love

This way it would not feel like a chore. While circumstances do not always allow us to chase our dreams wholeheartedly, doing something you love as a side job brings you fulfillment which can be transferred unto your regular job. Really try to figure out how your gift can meet needs and solve problems.

8. Invest/save wisely

Asides from saving for rainy days, do your best to invest too. Don’t leave cash lying fallow in your account for too long. Find an investment opportunity (long term advisably) with a reasonable ROI and put some money into it. This is another income stream once you start earning returns. Buy shares if you can afford it. A good savings rule is 20% of monthly earnings into a designated account.

9. Save up wisely for retirement

It is never too early to start. While most companies pay some of your salaries to your pension account, you could add about 5% more monthly or yearly, from any of your accounts, it’s your choice. You are planning for the far future, a long term plan.

10. Set financial milestones

Have realistic yearly set savings, emergency, investment and retirement money goals, so that by the end of the year you have something to measure your progress with. Also, aim to record your monthly income flow including expenses; this would help you know what seems to be boring holes into your finances. A simple knowledge of record-keeping is very useful.

It can be very frustrating knowing that you have a ton of work to do but very minimal motivation to get you started. Even after commencing, how do you complete your tasks? Feeling stuck in a rut usually has us in the downside. This demotivation, however, shouldn’t spell doom for the individual.

Below is a list of eight tips and tricks that can boost your productivity in no time

Find out what is blocking you

The heart is willing but the mind is weak. Demotivation starts with a block. Most times this block is as a result of burn out/mental fatigue. A long cycle of continuous work and stress without well-deserved breaks can leave the mind feeling like mush. Other times it could be a fear of the task ahead. You probably are estimating the stress and energy required to expend, so you keep avoiding it. You may need to take your time with this point as sorting emotions/feelings is quite needed.

Do what makes you happy/relaxed

Have you heard of the happy hormones? They are Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Endorphins. They contribute to an overall feel of exciting boost. We usually feel our best when excited about something. Doing something that relaxes or make us happy can help transfer the elevated mood to the task at hand. Happiness stimulates motivation; having an hour of happy hormone boost is quite effective in tackling a lack of motivation.

Ensure your basic needs are met

Some of us are unable to concentrate on a task when plagued with hunger pangs. Feeling sleepy and working is sure to cause sloppy results if care is not taken. So do eat before commencing that task, get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep daily. Do not neglect your body alarms; so you can be on your best.

Make to-do lists your friend

Arrange tasks in order of priority. This is very useful for when you are dreading a task. The one that stresses you out the most is what you should try to complete first. If you have smaller tasks that build up to it, conquer them by setting a timer for the completion of each, you’ll see they are not as tedious as you thought, do ensure to take short breaks in-between tasks. Make your daily to-do lists realistic.

Unplug from social media

Turn off your data, and if possible, your phone. End all social sites on your computer too. This is to avoid distractions when aiming to do your tasks. Getting caught up in social media is a slippery slope; one which you could be on for an hour and be oblivious.

Organize your space

Sometimes we do not feel like working because our workspace is cluttered. Here’s a tip, attempt to clear up at the end of your daily tasks, that way by the following day, seeing an organized space would be refreshing to your sight.

Reward yourself

This is a mind trick. Usually, we feel more eager to perform when there is something to be gained at the end. Little rewards go a long way to keeping us productive. It could be anything from your favorite drink to watching an episode of your favorite series. Try not to binge.

Take a huge break

Some days are tough and all the points don’t work. At this point, it is advised you stay off work completely at least for a whole day. Have a staycation and unplug from the world. Burnouts can leave us high and dry.
If you find yourself in a constant state of demotivation, and after about 3 days of vacation/staycation you still do not feel the desire to get some work done, it’s suggested you seek help. One may be suffering from mild depression.

 

Happy Productivity!

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Worse than what society tells us is what we tell ourselves; that inner critic that consistently tugs at our self-confidence until we become like shaft swaying in the direction of the wind.

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Staying motivated is key. It gets us going and keeps us going, even when we can’t see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Life has a way of separating you from your goals, but there…

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