Stop using this Word!!

So i've been on this PR Series online learning about ''Pro'' ship and becoming a better communications person and this particular article got me. Michael, the PR pundit in this series,  attended one of PRSA's (public relations society of america) events and was talking about people feeling inadequate about themselves and never wanting to appreciate who they are in their business cycles. Came across two typical examples of most of us out here who don't want to come off as braggarts and would rather lay low.

So Michael(the PR Guru) meets up with these young energetic professionals in the inner circle program whom he's immediately prompted to have convos with.

The article starts by saying we need to ban some words from our vocabulary. Some which are prevalent in the PR field lol. I don't think its in that field only, every other space whether in the creative industry or not.

Michael is like , That's great you're presenting! Tell me about it!"
He said ; I'm just the third person on the panel. My mentor invited me to join her''

The second convo came at a reception when a young woman introduced herself as a reader of Michael's posts. As they chatted he asks where she works and she said, “I’m just an account coordinator at a small agency in . . .”

What’s the offending word again ?

Yes, you saw it: just.

I read that and said bummer bummer, Never say “I’m just . . .” There are enough people out there who will diminish your standing in the world, you don’t need to help them by doing it to yourself. 

Michael goes on to say that guy on the panel is one of THE sharpest young PR pros he knows. He'd actually recommend him anywhere. He called him out for saying “just on a panel” and he explained that he thought he should be humble about it. That’s true. But when someone asks you about your presentation, it’s not bragging to answer it straight-up. And he killed it on the panel.

And beginning your career as an account coordinator is a noble start. Me and my aggressive self is here speaking my lungs out saying whether an entrepreneur hiring out sound for events big or small or just starting out an online shop for selling veggies, starting that company that offers cleaning services to these gated communities....my dearest young proffesional, all of us have been there. As i'm also trying to preach this to myself, so many times we feel inadequate and for you to even get to where you are today it took so many sleepless nights trying to reassure yourself of the future and if you're gonna make it, going through mocking to be someone. And look at you today. You did it! Or you're still in the running towards becoming that figure you've always wanted to be!

Getting to understand how does one talk about themselves without selling themselves short? Say the same thing you would normally say without any modifiers. Michael uses an example of a young lady called Alyssa.

She showed up at a small gathering he organized one evening. She introduced herself to him and the others there by explaining, “I’m attending with my CEO (name) at a boutique public affairs agency in (city). She is on her way to join us.”

And then she actively participated in the conversation. She listened, offered her opinion, and answered questions directly. If one would have thought about it, you would have put her at about 10 years’ experience, the way she held her own with the experienced PR pros at the gathering.

She didn’t say, “I’m just filling in for my CEO, who is running late” or “I’m just a junior member at a small agency . . .”

Later he asked her when she finished school, and she said with a smile, “Two years ago.” He told her she carries herself the same as someone much older, and that’s a good thing. Her CEO is lucky to have her.

What is this teaching you. So much is expected of us in the business world, whether starting or not and don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should brag. Don’t even humblebrag. Simply avoid saying, “I’m just . . .”

You’re better than that.

Thanks for reading XX

That Extra Mile

Yesterday i had the privilege of attending one of Agriculture's best exhibitions and conferences held annually at the KICC and it was such an amazing experience.
I think one thing we lack as young people is the opportunity to venture into different opportunities and diversify some of the talents we have. Agriculture for instance, is a driver and a spear header of Kenya's economy and if the young, the future of this great nation learn to embrace it. Kick the name 'third world' into our history books.

I think we shouldn't be afraid to go an extra mile, or want to get our hands dirty, let alone want to eat and never really know the effort it took to plant whatever we're putting into our mouths. Its like giving a one year old a remote and expecting them to find the next channel. Sounds silly right?
With the conversations i made with some of the CEO's and the founders of those big companies from all over the world it was evident that through Agribusiness, they not only carved out successful careers of their own but also helped local farmers from their end reach global markets, and create jobs for other young people - especially women 😄.

On a serious note, whether woman or not, Agribusiness is the way to go, Gloria Muliro, Former Tanzanian President and the likes of Gladys Shollei who is an awesome example of a young woman who ditched politics to enter into farming,now runs a successful dairy farm at her home in Uasin Gishu. As if you need any more inspiration!

I think it can start by leasing land? or owning? Either of the two. Join a sacco, or have some sort of savings plan. It will go a long way. That aside, develop some interest..and the next time you come across Cathy Matete's all natural hair line made with natures finest herbs in your local store, think about how you can start up a business in Agric to help both yourself and the rural poor. Trust me its fun!

XX

Smell the Roses!

Cathy, 99% of everything you want is first owned in your mind. So stop complaining you don’t have this, you don’t have that when you can own it within and eventually have it. Oh and don’t forget,working towards it.

Thank you for making me think Mr. Anonymous 😊 . When we all grow up we think of doing so much,our goals are usually in place,our minds ready to execute them and then something just happens along the way,could be love,or silly ventures or just getting caught up with the hustles of life, the small moneys we get that can only sustain us for a couple of weeks along the month and then we’re back to square one...

The sadness that comes with breaking those precious glasses you’ve always set aside for your visitors or that special someone hehe…When all you ever think of is when you’re getting your next bus fare from, depressed in the house without gas or oil (this is real life )..When you're always moody towards everyone as if its them who put you in that slack, when you're friends leave the office to go have lunch and leave you on your computer pretending to be busy working yet deep inside you know its nothing like that,just that life is happening. Oh crap! Lets get real here for a second. When did your life stop? When did you call yourself for a meeting and thought about you for once?  For how long will you sit down in despair and whine about how terrible your boss is or how ‘peanuty’ your salary is..when you suddenly change to that person who’s always wondering what is happening with other people’s lives? Why are they succeeding and you're not?  

When you wake up so early, rejuvenated to only do the same things you were doing yesterday, same paraphernalia,different day.. and it in turn becomes a cycle that never seems to end! Meeting the same boss, getting the same threats and endless pressures...when Mondays are a nightmare and Fridays your solace Gosh! Smell the coffee! Wake up! Not until your intuition and the rational you come knocking and you decide enough is enough,hunnie we’ll bury you alive..dying of depression,regret and gloom.

Sit up,shake all that sadness and dust off,man up and be your own boss. "I’m not working for anyone, I’m no longer making this fat man rich! I’m going to be my own boss"..period! We are the shapers of  our own destinies and the sooner we get that the better.The challenge is worth the road they say,plus the prettiest and the well-dressed seldom change the world *wink......  so Woman, Man. Its about that time. The future awaits, get that crazy and proactive side of yours up and running! The future’s bright, wear em’ sunglasses and get on with it. You'll thank me later.

 xx 😊

Just Right

Did you see these scars,trying to eat through this flesh making their way to my heart and wanting to destroy what's left?
Did you see how my heart lost its melt when you went away? when we were slowly deteriorating to smaller and smaller sparks? Did you feel my heartbeat slowly fade to the night..my glam and fire slowly diminish? 
Out to the ocean,swept away by the wind and straight to the sun..burnt! To the edge and straight to History..



What you saw was at the start of destruction at its best. Is that why you appeared?
Cause I can feel your endearment slowly pulling me back.Brick by brick, your benevolence is building me up.
Your strength so perfect. Your embrace so tight,
From my heart to my knees. To my mind to my reverie,
Wait till you see my smile,Wait till you see what's next,
Wait till you see this light that's burning through my chest,
Watch how high I fly,how fast this feeling spreads..

Never would i have thought this would all be available to me again,
Oh, but then I felt your heart!
It's pulling me back brick by brick, your fortitude has built me up,
Your strength so perfect,Your allure so right,
You let me in like never before,and took away all the pieces that I didn’t need and now I’m free.
My beaming truth,You are everything i've ever looked for.
You are just Right.


XX