As we entered the new year, one of the trends that caught my attention was the resurgence of the ten year challenge on social media. This got me thinking about who I was ten years ago and what I would tell that version of myself if I had the chance. In the absence of that kind of technology and know-how, I wrote an article on what millennial women want Gen Z to know for Black Ballad- outlining my advice to the younger generation coming up after me as well as the advice of 10 other women that I interviewed. While that article features general life advice, here’s what I would tell my younger self about getting started with PR:
3 tools for overcoming limiting beliefs holding you back from PR success
Last week I mentioned that one of the common mistakes that people make, when it comes to mindset work, is thinking that it's a one-time thing
This is because, in the same way that real gardens need maintenance to ensure that weeds don't get out of hand, so do our minds
I also promised that I would give you some of the tips and tricks that I like to use for renewing my mind on a regular basis and that you can too
So here they are:
4 common mistakes in overcoming limiting beliefs
Do you know how some people have a "green thumb"? Well my mum has a black one! Like, seriously, in my 34 years she's only succeeded at keeping one plant alive...and that was in the last 2-3! This is one of the biggest reasons that she concreted her garden just before the pandemic. She had more grass, weeds and stinging nettles than actual flowers. And she'd always lament about having to garden again whenever the grass, or anything else, grew back.
According to James Allen, the author of "As a Man Thinketh" (mentioned in my previous blog post), our minds work in a similar way. He states that:
"A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind".
In other words, like any garden, our minds will always either produce flowers (positive thoughts) or weeds (negative thoughts) but the weeds will grow out of hand if left to their own devices. With that in mind, here are 4 common mistakes that people make when it comes to preventing this, especially when it comes to PR:
How to overcome the limiting beliefs holding you back from PR success
Last week, I mentioned that one of my favourite quotes and illustrations on the importance of mindset is "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7)
You can find the others here if you missed it
"As a man thinketh" (based on the King James translation of that scripture) is also the name of one of my favourite self-help books
So if you're looking for further reading on this topic, definitely look it up, sis!
It's second chapter begins:
"A man's mind may be likened to a garden... Just as a gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, and growing the flowers and fruits which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless, and impure thoughts, and cultivating toward perfection the flowers and fruits of right, useful, and pure thoughts. By pursuing this process, a man sooner or later discovers...with ever-increasing accuracy, how the thought forces and mind elements operate in the shaping of his character, circumstances and destiny".
In other words we go in the direction of our belief system(s) and this is why mindset is so important. However, limiting belief systems can be overcome.
Here's how you can do that:
Why you need to overcome the limiting beliefs holding you back from PR success
Did you know that this year's Women's History Month theme is: "Women providing healing, promoting hope"?
Well, according to The National Women's History Alliance, it is!
In honour of that, I will be spending this month talking about healing as it relates to PR success
Because the truth is:
I can give you my whole winning formula to pitching the media so that you can get more visible, attract your ideal clients and get paid what you want, but- in the words of Lauryn Hill- "How you gone win if you ain't right within?" *In other words...
3 common networking mistakes and how to avoid them
There are many old adages attached to networking and how it can help you to thrive in life and business, including:
#1 Your network is your net worth
Because the people in your network can help seed, invest or support your business ideas. They can also refer clients to you, recommend you for business advancing opportunities and so on.
#2 You are the sum total of the 5 people that you surround yourself with
As the people in your network help expand your ideas about what is possible for you (financially and otherwise), especially if they’re doing better than you in that area.
#3 People only do business with people that they know, like and trust
Meaning: to have a profitable business you must learn how to build and leverage profitable business relationships.
In other words, networking is one of the best ways to increase your authority, your bank account and- most importantly- your impact.
You know,
That message that you want to share with the world
That legacy that you want to leave
The reason you believe God put you on the earth
That’s your impact or your “why”
However, networking is an art that not everybody gets right. Here are 3 things to avoid to ensure that you do:
How to network for PR success
Recently I wrote about what attending Tiwa King’s first in person event since the "panoramic" taught me about how to do purpose-driven PR
You can read that here if you missed it, sis
Here's the thing, though, when I first started going to networking events by myself, it used to make me so nervous and fill me with so much anxiety- mostly because I had no idea how to break the ice so that I could form connections with the other attendees.
Can you relate?
Well, although going to networking events on your own can be daunting, your network really is your net worth.
In other words, to have a profitable business you must learn how to build and leverage profitable business relationships.
Here are 5 tips to help you do this through live events:
Why relationships are key for PR success
On Wednesday 12th January my article on the 5 common toxic cultural beliefs that are holding us back in business went live on Black Ballad. 2 days later, I received the email below: