My Q1 in the rearview mirror 

Q1 is now behind us, and before I go any further, I would like to thank you for being part of this community.  I appreciate the time you take to engage with my content. I see all the replies and feedback that you share, and I deeply appreciate it.

If you have been following the news, it’s easy to feel discouraged because economies are shifting, markets are fluctuating, and the headlines don’t seem to be bringing a lot of good news. The truth is that all those things are beyond our control. Whilst we can not dictate global events, we can focus on those things that are within our control, such as our mindsets, our choices, and our actions. The end of Q1 is a great opportunity to reflect on what we can influence.

As I look back at the last three months, I am focusing on wins and lessons and some  key things that are within your control that you can focus on as we continue with the year.

Wins: I have already ticked two goals on my 2025 deliverables! Yippee yeah! 💃🏾💃🏾. I am at different stages on the other goals, and I am happy with the progress I am making.

Lessons: The traffic nightmares and the continuous rain experienced in early February had me in a reflective mood, and I wrote two articles on this.

1) Be willing to try something new and different that is outside your comfort zone. I wrote a whole article on this lesson, which you can read here

2) Some things are just outside of our control. The rains in February caused so much traffic and power outages and forced the children to remain indoors. There wasn’t anything I could do about this. I carried an umbrella, I checked the weather forecast and dressed appropriately, and yet the rain still did want rain does. I learnt to accept things that are outside my control without losing my mind. You can read this article right here

So, what are some of the things that are within your control that you can focus on? I have here a list of 7.

• Your mindset: You might not be able to change your circumstances, but you can surely change the way you see them. Start with empowering thoughts. Your brain will believe what you tell it. Let it be positive and empowering
• Your skills: No one can take away knowledge from you. Invest in yourself. Read  something that sharpens your expertise.
• Your personal brand: Take control of the narrative others have of you. Position yourself as the go-to within your industry.
• Your friends: The company you keep matters. Connect with people who challenge you and uplift you.
• Your boundaries: Protecting your time and energy isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. You don’t have to say yes to everything.
• How you handle setbacks: Things don’t always go your way. How you handle such seasons makes a huge difference. Look for the silver lining.
• How you advocate for yourself: Learn to speak for yourself. It’s great when you have others who can do this for you, but it’s equally important for you to articulate your own contributions clearly.

As Q1 ends, let’s commit to focusing on what is within our control. Every small step in the right direction compounds. Here’s to consistency, one day, and one decision at a time.

Gratitude: This week, I am grateful for the gift of life, for God’s unending love and His new mercies every single day.

Yours gratefully