Keys To Running A Successful Project

By Eric Holtzclaw 
@echoltzclaw

Here are steps to running a great project :

1. Consider a Sailboat.

A good way to get clear on the vision for a new product is to conduct a "sailboat exercise."
First, visualize the goal for the product, which is represented in this exercise as an island. The island is where the team wants to direct the boat.
Next, determine what wind is in the boat's sails. The wind represents the resources at the team's disposal to make the journey towards the island successful. Knowing what resources are available is a confidence builder for the team.
Then, identify any anchors that will slow down the boat on its voyage. Anchors represent internal roadblocks, like office politics, procedures, or policies, which get in the way of the boat reaching its destination.
Finally, identify the icebergs that exist between port and the island that will sink the ship. Icebergs represent external roadblocks that will hurt the project.

2. Tell an Epic Story.

In the world of software development, an epic is defined as "a large user story that awaits decomposition into smaller stories prior to implementation."
An example of epics: if the team is developing a website for a trade conference, they identify the musts – a session list, resources on travel and location, and a sign up feature, for example. These features are an epic for the project.
To ensure success, the stakeholder must list out all the epics required for the project so the team has a high level summary of the features or functions. This list of epics is then prioritized, so they are tackled in order of importance.

3. Pick the Right Team and Let Them Focus.

Dedicate a team to take the project from inception to completion.
The team needs to be cross functional in nature, with team members encompassing all of the key skill sets necessary to build out the project or campaign.
Ideally, the team will be 100% focused solely on this project. In Geoff's experience, a focused team produces the best outcomes, and singular focus gives them the ability to respond to feedback more effectively than if team members have additional responsibilities outside the project.

4. Ready, Set, Sprint.

The team understands the ultimate destination for the project, but what can it get done now? What can it get done in the next two weeks?
The duration of the sprint is variable, but two-week increments have proven to be a good sweet spot for moving projects forward. This limited time period allows the team to see incremental success towards their goal while providing opportunity to pivot if they run into problems or determine a new course.

5. Ensure Constant Accountability.

Team members sign-up for what they believe they can get done during the sprint period and they are required to report their progress to the client or internal stakeholder every day.
This is best done through a consistent daily standup meeting, which lasts 15 minutes. At the meeting, each team member stands up and says what they accomplished in last 24 hours, what they'll do in next 24 hours, and what roadblocks are inhibiting their progress.
This continuous feedback loops creates total transparency and self-accountability.

6. Include User Feedback.

Geoff's final recommendation about running successful projects is to be diligent about getting user feedback . Iterations will only be as good as the feedback received from users and running user tests to improve the product is paramount.
Teams should continue iterations and improvement as long as the iterations move the needle in a positive direction. 

Credit: www.inc.com

Why Write or Blog? ( Lessons From #BlogCamp16)

                                  Photo credit: #BlogCamp16/ USEmbassyGhana 

Blogging is growing and becoming a part of the newest trends in today's Ghana. More and more people, especially the youth, are getting to understand the need to blog or share their experiences with a larger audience. Blog Camp by Blogging Ghana has been a great platform where bloggers and social media enthusiasts converge to learn and share ideas. I'm excited to share with you some exciting lessons from the event.

A blog can in simple terms be explained as a platform where an individual or a group share information for the benefit of a larger audience. If you are interested in having a blog, the first step is to sign on to either Blogger or WordPress. That will be your first launch into the writing world. Incase you have any difficulties, you can seek help from anyone or even on Google. Now, back to our lessons from #BlogCamp16. 


Create Your Space

Oftentimes, a lot of us feel the need to let our voice be heard yet find no place to pour it out. Blogging, creating a post, writing, are all best ways to let your voice be heard. Unlike traditional ways where we write and post letters and wait for months before we get a reply, blogging presents us with a better feedback. There are people who may want to be heard or related to in the way that we feel. When we write, we  are likely to get to these people, and in a way we provide them a sense of belonging. Writers and bloggers are able to share relevant messages with people who may need such content for various purposes. Your own blog or website becomes your own diary, notebook, workplace, anything, you name it, where you can channel across any message you have with the rest of the world. 

Be the Source

One blogger shared how her post on Environmental Activism became a resource for some media houses to fall upon at some point of their discussions. I thought that was might have felt good for this Blogger. The point is,  most information that writers share are factual and resonates a particular situation. Writing about experiences, history, politics, science, economics, and the many other topical issues can be a reference point for discussions and learning. Start writing about what you want the world to know which seem out of reach to them. You will be amazed at how your work may be useful to someone out there. I am a living proof of that. Time and time again, people email me and tell me how an article by me has really been of help to them. 

Brands and Content

A lot more brands in the world are in search of people who are creating relevant content on their websites and blogs. These brands are willing to pay huge sums monies in order to be associated with great content creators. A Typical example in Ghana is AmeyawDebra.com, which is making good money out of their blog because they have the content that brands want to associate with. A good content has more readership, is authentic, informative, and consistent in its publishing. It also has great layout and a catchy appeal to the eyes.

Connect with the world

One sure thing every Writer will tell you is that they love to get feedback. Most writers enjoy both the positive and negative criticisms that come from their readers. It is one way we learn to sharpen ourselves and be better writers. Blogging gives you the chance to build some connections that can last for a lifetime. It links people who share the same vision and dreams together. It also allows you to tell another person's story in a whole new twist, or even similar manner. Writers, Bloggers, Social media enthusiasts, are all connecting to the world in one way or the other. There is no better way to stay connected with people in the global village in which we find ourselves. 

That brings us to the end of yet another wonderful learning experience. I'm glad to have shared some of my experiences with you on the need to join the Writing Community. Do send me a feedback and I will be glad to reply.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com 

LOVE STORY: Out Of The World Romance

Nakie and Kwaku had been together since High School. Theirs was an inseparable tie which caused controversy all over campus. Anywhere there was Nakie, Kwaku was there and anywhere there was Kwaku, Nakie was visible. Infact, the two had grown so fond of eachother that they were almost looking like identical twins. Nakie would come and wait for Kwaku in front of his class during every break period, and the two will walk to the canteen together. She never allowed any girl to stare at her boyfriend without giving them a stern look as if to warn, "Don't even try to come near my man".

Lying in bed, Kwaku began reminiscing, it all began from somewhere. He loved Nakie so much that he never stopped to think of what might happen when faced with the void of her. They were always together and she... She did all that will please a man.  She cooked well, cleaned perfectly, pampered him, and was great at romance too; what more could a man ask for? Their University days were so full of undying memories. She would skip classes to be with him. They could travel for days to some of the most serene locations in town, just to have time of their own. No one came between them, not even a fly. It was as if Nakie was the only woman on earth that Kwaku could think about. They even shared some of the most craziest memories like making out in a car pack, and french kissing in the middle of the road(ofcourse not a busy road).

It all started when Nakie introduced her cousin, Lola, to him. The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Lola was a fine looking dark-skinned lady with pink lips to die for. She had long, silky black hair and a nice slender body to match her features. She was not strikingly beautiful yet had a thing about her that won her many male suitors... her backside. She was additionally a good communicator with white teeth to compliment her frequent smiles. Nakie decided to leave the two to have a chat together while she rushed to the market to pick up a few stuff for lunch.

Noticing the absence of Nakie, Lola would stand up to go and check outside to see if there was a sign of anyone approaching the house. All this while, she would walk in a seductive manner, shaking her backside in order to get Kwaku's attention. On her last round of checking, Lola came to meet Kwaku's absence. She called and called but he was gone. She sat down to watch television, biting at her fingers for losing her prey. In her mind, she figured how good Kwaku would be in bed with the kind of body he had. The doors finally opened, and there was the couple coming through it. Lola asked stunned, "Where have you been Kwaku? How could you leave me alone to myself?". Nakie laughed a long laugh and responded, "He has been with his wife my dear, do you have a problem with that?".

Weeks later, Nakie was at the salon when her phone rang. It was Lola. She wanted to come visit her cousin. "Kwaku is in the house so you can come, my hair should be done in an hour", Nakie told Lola. The line went dead. At the other end, Lola quickly found something revealing to wear and rushed to Nakie's. The door bell rang. Kwaku hurriedly went to fetch the door, thinking it was his lover. As soon as he opened the door, he hugged and kissed the woman, as a gesture of surprise, only to surprise himself. It was Lola instead. He was so ashamed and tried to apologize. Lola held his lips and asked him not to. In a flash, she pushed him unto the sofa closest to the door and started kissing and caressing him. Kwaku reached for his phone amidst the smooching and and typed: GET HERE SOON. Before he could say a word, Lola unzipped his trousers and got on top of him. He did not resist for she looked yummy without her top on. Soon, they were devouring eachother and gasping for breath.

The door flanged open. Everything came to a standstill. There stood Nakie at the door with anger written all over her face. She screamed, "Lola get out of my house and never show your face again! And for your information, I am two months pregnant and we are getting married next month". Lola picked her top and run out of the house to escape the wrath of her angry cousin.

Nakie beckoned Kwaku in a seductive manner, "Come here bad boy, let's finish what you just started".

THE END.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

If Nkrumah Were My Father: A Dedication to All Fathers

On the wake of father's day celebrations, it struck me whose child I was. My name? Hold on. I am a daughter of a great man. You may want to define greatness in your own terms, that is not my problem. I only hope that your definition falls within the criteria in which my dad represents. His name was Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah. And yes, I bear the Nkrumah name too. In a flash, I will tell you how growing up as an Nkrumah felt like. Let me first of all tell you a bit about my father before I set the ball rolling.

He was a brave man, an intellectual by all standards, talented and sacrificial. His love for the family and our mother was inexplicable. He lived on the notion of love and believed in a strong support system called family. I did not spend so much time with my dad but the least time we spent together were not boring at all. He was such a disciplinarian who will teach you that an applaud is better than a whip. It was exciting to learn from such a learned father. He taught us to love our skin and to be proud of our rich culture as Africans. He inspired every good idea in his children and encouraged learning outside the box. He carried the very sense of charisma which he infused into his leadership style as a father. You could never disobey his orders even though he never forced anyone to obey. He motivated us to be more for ourselves and for our country.

If Nkrumah were my father, all the white men at the time of the colonies would have been my frenemies. They would have been friends at the same time enemies. They would have visited my home a couple of times to negotiate deals with my father. They would have brought me candies and touched my cheeks to ask, "How are you little girl?". I would have given them the don't-patronize-me look and then walked away. Fathia Nkrumah would have been my mom. I would have listened to her talk about how sweet a husband my father was to her. Nkrumah, my dad, would have sent me on many travels and I would have gotten to know about diverse cultures and people. The many journeys would have been my learning grounds. I would have made many friends too. Growing up as a little Nkrumah would have been very interesting. I would have gotten to read great books written by him such as Africa must unite, I Speak of Freedom, Neo-colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism, Class struggle in Africa.

My teacher and politician dad would have taught me my assignments, told me stories about leadership, and shared with me his adventures while studying and living abroad before returning to lead affairs in Ghana. I would have been the daughter of a great leader. Leadership genes would have been injected in me so much that I would have had no option than to lead the pack. I would be visionary and full of determination just like my father. I would have been courageous, not afraid to effect change around me. His inventive and innovative ideas would have been born in me. I know he would have been a traditional father: strict, unfriendly at times, demanding of respect rather than showing love, stiff, and everything in between. I would have woken up each day to meet his absence since work and nation building was always his sole priority.

My father would have always been away from home, from school functions, and from family gatherings. Yet outsiders would have had a feel of him more often than I would have had. Besides, he stood for God and country so I would have no cause to complain. Dad would be my admirer and confidant, I could have never lacked a day in my life because he would provide adequately for me. As the 'first daughter' of Ghana, folksmen would have treated me with love and respect. I would be fed even when I was not hungry, clothed when orphans needed it more than I did, and sheltered in the most luxurious bedroom fit for a princess. I would have attended schools that the rich kids attended. Under no circumstance would my father allow me to attend the normal public school that the ordinary Ghanaian child attended.

Every father's day, I would be preparing long speeches just to say all the good things I knew about my father while ignoring the bad ones. I would have painted portraits of my legend dad in every corner of my room so that anyone who came to visit will know about my affiliation to him. I cannot tell for now what I will genuinely feel for my dad; a mixture of love and dislike I guess. Love, because he raised my family name so high that it makes me walk around town shoulder-high. Dislike, because he was mostly not there when I needed him most and never brought me closer to my countrymen for reasons that he was betrayed by them. All the same, I would still bear the name Nkrumah. That would have been a legacy that I'd cherish all my life.

I take this time to pay homage to the first father of Ghana. I wish him and all fathers a Happy Father's Day. And to all fathers, may this season help you transform into great friends to your families. Anyway, I am not an Nkrumah. My biological father is nowhere near all his accolades and achievements. However, he too is a great personality and a traditional father just like Nkrumah would have been. We need more modern men in our society, one I define as available, understanding, supportive, protective, friendly and engaging. Modern men who will learn to cook for their families and bathe their children; who will mostly be there for the family. Modern men who will not only open doors for their wives and children but also, open up opportunities for them in many areas of life. Till I marry such a man, I still remain the imaginary Anima Nkrumah.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Dear Ex, I Wish You Knew This...

The phone went dead in my ears as I dropped unto the floor in total regret and tears. All efforts to make this work proved futile. Days turned to weeks which turned into months. How I wish you reasoned the same with me, then things could have been easier for both of us. Cry as much as I did, nothing could change your mind about coming back to us. To you, we were a dead piece of wood that could never be revived by barrels of water. Total disregard for what we once shared was what we decided to embark on. Such a long goodbye we bid for a journey to an uncertain world. My darling. Sorry, I wish I could call you that but it's no longer a valid title. I miss you and yet I am scared to let you know lest you consider me weak and lonely.

For so long I have remained in the silence that you left behind. No more  early morning and late night calls from you. No more dates and long walks in the cold night. No more giggles and tickles from you. It's a shame that two grown ups could only resolve to letting go when we could have stayed through to the end. And as if letting go was not enough, we chose to punish each other with the silence at the end of the line. Reliving the memories we shared only causes the heart to ache. Sharing what we had with others only remains as an experience worth telling. No amount of Justin Bieber's "Sorry" will work the magic of having you back,  or maybe it would. Ours is a broken bridge now; where neither of us can walk to eachother's side without falling into the deep.

If tomorrow ever comes, I want you to know that I have deep remorse for losing a good friend as you. I always have you in a chamber of my heart. Forgetting you will be like forgetting my birthday. I hope that you are happy where you are. If you are not, remember that neither am I. We can only not make the mistake twice by letting eachother go again and again so let's stick to this pattern. Whatever it may be, let us keep hope alive knowing that we shall meet again. Face to face we shall meet again. We shall meet but no more as lovers but as friends. And when we do, I hope we smile and say, "I'm glad I met you".

Before I let you go, I must tell you that moving on has given me room to accept who I am. I have chosen to be strong and confident. Learning to be alone has taught me many things including loving myself first. I have grown into believing in myself so much that I release the energy of being myself wherever I go. I have learnt not to try to fit into someone else's space. Losing is now winning to me because now I know that to lose is to gain something more greater. I hope you get to know that too.

Always remember that I bear you no grudge. I think of you the same way as I always have. I still believe in you and how beautiful you made my world feel like. Get to meet more people and forget about me since you already know how to do that so well. I will also try to do same. I hope that when you think about me it makes you smile; I do that all the time. Do not think of me as a devil because I'm no such person. Let love remain. We will outgrow it all oneday.

From an ex-lover to the one I once loved and wish I still did, I hope you get to know that I have not forgotten about everything yet. I would really be inhuman if I should admit I have. Cherishing every moment and memories of my life is what I do best. I wish this dream never ends. Don't wake me up.

Justica Anima  
adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Simple Steps to Attracting Rewards Into Your Life.

"If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life." - Micheal Jordan

If you are an achiever, being the rule rather than the exception is always your goal. Nobody wants to be on the bench without getting noticed. You do not want to be stuck at one place without getting all the benefits and promotions that are being offered at your workplace. In an era where there is competition for the job market, you and I cannot afford to be pushed out. Employers are also on the lookout for exceptional result oriented people to work with.  Whether you are an employee or individual seeking rewards and results, reading this article is a great start for you to reach the level you aim at.

Engage in high Performance

Getting rewards for jobs done are very fulfilling and it takes a great deal of effort to get there. You need to be effective, proactive, and an over-achiever to get to pull a lot of customers. The customers are those who bring income into the organisation and therefore targeting them is the best approach. You do not want to seem pushy; trying to impose your product or services on them. The goal is to engage customers and try to know and understand their needs. A lot of employers have gotten a raise or promotion in their companies because the customers enjoy their services. Personally, I know of a waitress who gets all the customers' attention at her place of work because they claim she renders better services. Do you know what that means for her? She gets to receive more tip offs from customers and better treatment from her boss. On top of it, she may get a better job offer from another employer.

Share your company or brand

Proactively promoting your company is another way to get results at the workplace. Share your company's mission and vision with people whose needs are channeled in your direction. This move will ensure that more people get hooked on to your brand or market. Making your company your business fetches you enough credibility both with your employer and prospective customers. Sharing  also helps people know your capabilities and are able to trust you with their problems for your solutions. In turn, you get additional rewards in terms of monetary gain and endorsements. It is sad to hear most employees complaining about rewards when they have done little to help increase productivity at the workplace. Note that; the more you put in, the more you will get out of whatever venture you are into.

Include your ideas

When it comes to attracting rewards, many factors come into play and any smart employee will device all means to get to the top. Adding your inclusion by bringing on board real solutions to some problems is also a plus to your skills. Wherever there are loop holes, you must be able to fix your ideas. Rewards come to those who are up for the challenge. Active people are always in check for results. They are aware of the need to be on top of their game. They therefore learn and gather information and relevant skills needed for their success. They are not mediocre and so having unique features are their focus.

Learn from a team

Teaming up is another sure way of reaching higher performance. Smart people utilize the power of team work to their own advantage. It allows you to learn on the field, and helps you to brainstorm ideas with other equally talented people. Asking and answering questions while on the team is how you quickly tap into other people's knowledge and expertise. You get an added advantage by deliberately decided to learn from other team members. At the end of it all, you must be sure that you have added value to yourself which will help you to achieve greater and more results. Be observant and reorient yourself by engaging and learning from others.

Deliberately attract rewards

Expect to attract rewards and draw your focus on just that. Nothing is more fulfilling than achieving great results and applause for work done. Never half do anything. Give everything your maximum attention while deciding to reach the top of your game. Take advantage of all the tools and skills and people available. Focus on the end rather than the beginning. Anyone who has accomplished things in life understands that 90 percent of the rewards in life come on the back end, not the front end. Meaning, a great sense of personal satisfaction comes from completing a job and doing it well. And of course the monetary rewards also come from finishing. People who never finish anything never experience these rewards. By doing so, you prepare yourself for bigger opportunities than  anyone else around you. Remember, it's a win-win situation. Always.

I hope this boosts your energy to strive for more rewards. Share your thoughts on the topic. How have you achieved results in your life? What challenges have you faced while pursuing for results? Which level of achiever are you? Let's get interactive.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Floods in Accra: Talk Talk, No Show.

Growing up in Accra was fun. I recall the days when children were excited about rainfall because we would get the chance to bath in the rains. After the rains, I was part of the squad who went out on a snail  hunting spree in search of some snails for the household. It was during this stage of my life that I discovered that some snails are edible while others are poisonous; same with mushrooms. Games like "ampe", "tumatu" and clay moulding were also much interesting when played after the rains. For instance,  "tumatu" involved,  first of all,  drawing lines on the ground. You then use sand-in-rubber to jump into each stage till you reach the final level of the game. In all of these processes, the wet ground facilitated clearer lines and proper landing of the sand-in-rubber (the material that determines which level you get into in the game). These days I don't really see children playing these games as much as we did in those days; not on sunny days and neither on rainy days. Perhaps, floods are posing a bigger threat with regards to rainfall in Accra unlike before. 

Rainfall seem to have become a scare for the people of Accra,  especially following the June 3 floods that took away many lives. Nobody dares to play in the rains any longer. My Alajo(a suburb of Accra) days cannot be forgotten when it comes to talking about floods. If you live in the part of Accra where it does not easily get flooded thank Heavens. Those were sad times because rains entered our rooms and most of our belongings would be seen swimming in the water. For days, we had to hang our mattress and wet items in the sun which really did not show up during such moments. It was always a pitiful sight to behold. Sometimes we had to just make fun of the situation and laugh at neighbors whose shoes and "Ghana must go" bags were being carried away. Seeing them chasing after these things could really crack a person up with laughter, despite all that was going on around us. 

Tuning in to my radio set this morning really brought back memories. Can you believe that somewhere last year, the floods carried away a listener's kiosk which she found three days after? What could be the solution to this worrying issue which render people sleepless whenever there are rains? The feeling of loosing a property or a loved one to the floods is what terrifies people these days. One can only ask him or herself if the rains are a blessing or a curse. To me, the focus should be shifted from the rains and be brought to real human activities that pose this challenge in society. Some of these activities may include dumping of refuse into gutters(which I have observed on several occasions), littering around, and not regularly distilling our gutters. 

Recently, I got stuck at Nkrumah Circle because of the rains. I was at the bus stop near Vodafone when the rains suddenly came down, and so I went to seek cover at a Filling station close by. After about ten minutes I decided to move from there and find the next available car to my house because the ground was gradually filling up with rains. On crossing to the other side of the road where I could get a car home, I realised the place was already flooded. There and then, I asked myself if the N1 Interchange constructors had considered building drains or not? The answer to this question is quite obvious. The radio station I tuned in to also had a Public Relations personnel from Zoomlion Waste Management Company, promising Ghanaians, and those in Accra precisely, that the Odaw river dredging exercise was underway. This really got me pissed. What  will 'underway' in this context mean to listeners who need clear answers to this problem? I must admit that so much talk with nothing to show for it is killing us as a nation. It is rather funny how the Odaw river too has been blamed for almost every flood in Accra and yet little or nothing at all is being done about it. 

Let's be frank to ourselves, when last did you drop rubbish on the ground? Was it your fault that you dropped it off since you did not get any wastebin to drop them into? After every sanitation day program, do we collect the rubbish we remove from the gutters or we just leave them there? What is the permanent solution to flooding in Accra? As for me and my family, the little we can do is not to litter around and clean our gutters regularly. Can we guarantee same solution for people in our neighborhood and expect that they will willingly comply? As more and more people are migrating into Accra, are there measures to control waste management or should we just totally forget about finding solutions? I must also make mention that there are fewer drainage systems in most neighborhoods in Accra that could allow easily flow of water into the sea. Assembly men and Community leaders should quickly help check that more drainage systems are built. 

My last statement should be read with meaning... Dear Accra Mayor and policy makers in the Accra Metropolis, save us the plenty talk and less work to show for it. Accra is our 'city' and we need to maintain that status without fear or favor. The last time I checked, a city is a central business district. This is where most of our investors and business  partners come to deliberate on important National agenda and international market relations discussions. Do your possible best to save it. We are truly tired of all the promises and talks. The earlier you put your pens to paper, the better Accra it will be for all of us. You cannot expect us to pay taxes and not demand for solutions from you. Then we might as well keep our monies and use them to solve our own issues in the most efficient ways we can.

What is your take on the Floods in Accra? How have you been a victim to this flood situation? Is it the individual or government responsibility to solve this menace? I will love to hear from you. Let's all help to build a better Accra together. Stop littering. Do the right thing. Also, don't forget to spread the word. 

Justica Anima 

Adjeianima@gmail.com 

Switstica.blogspot.com 

A People of Varied "Class"

Note; this is dedicated to all University students across Ghana. Picture yourself in it. Let's try to make the mind find its way through this maze. This is supposed to be a journal which will remain in the archives of our minds as members of a strong society and institution. If your admission into a university(GIJ to be precise) got you very excited, brace yourself for what is coming... You are not alone. The feeling was like winning a lottery or a visa to the USA.

An uncomfortable state of being however set in when I, for one,  discovered that my name was on the last class list labelled "E". In my head, I was thinking why the administration had to by pass all the letters A, B, C... and decide to place me in E. I heaved a sigh though, after all I'm still going to be in GIJ. Nothing is going to change about that.

 We started the journey and I must confess that Class E has not been boring at all. It is really sad to think about the fact that so soon the journey of first year has ended. The indelible mark and memories shared will stay with us for a long time. There are amazing stories of people to share; and oh! I like to talk about people and events, especially when they are overwhelmingly incredible. My class was a mixture of talent, craze, brainies, entrepreneurs, gangsters, beauties, and everything put together. Just imagine any character in the world and you are sure to find one there(especially when we even had an ex shoemaker for a lecturer). Let's quickly get to the Hall of Fame for the 2015/2016 Class E year group.

Remember, this is for the fun and memories of the moment. You can also call this list provisional since it is subject to scrutiny and changes. Also, pardon wrong name spellings. Nicknames will also be replaced with real names in cases where real names are not popularly known. List is also based on class observance only. (Non-GIJ and non-Class E students should feel free to fix their names)

CLASS 'E' HALL OF FAME  

Most Talkers: Front Row Girls

Most Outspoken: Suhini, Raphael, Italiano, Chantelle, Fayiza, Abraham, Debby, Taliban, Nicholyn, Kabu Nartey, Monica, Millicent Edudzi, Ella(in glasses).

Most Quite: Marsha, Evans Mawuli, Richmond, Millicent Tamakloe, Babara Donkor, Timer

Most Fashionable Ladies: Annabella, Grandma, Jennifer(AJ) 

Most Fashionable Gentlemen: Frank, Bismark, Nat(Anas) 

Most Sociable: Alex, Khadija, Fayiza, Alima, Raphael, Lady

Most Behaved: Murphy, Lorenzo, Ams Writer, Timer, Mark Ofosu, Becca, Vanessa, Bismark Oduro, Mina, Aisha Ibrahim, Gina

Most Industrious: Mark, Kabu Nartey, Millicent Edudzi, Tracy, Alex

Most Loud in Class/Group page: Alima, Kwesi, Helena, Mercy, Tracy

Most Creative: Bismark, Taliban, Kabu Nartey, Ams Writer, Kwesi, Tracy, Mina

Class Elders: Mrs. Cynthia, Jesus, Italiano, Suhini, Grandma, Bismark 

Late Comers: Back row

I have observed with keen interest through my lenses how the class members have turned out to be a great family. I must also confess that there are a little hitches among some members. Hey! Let us try and shake off all the grudges. We must be ready to face the rest of the trip without any baggages. To those group members, friends, colleagues, who split for various reasons, I pray that you have a change of mind. We are going on a long vacation and who knows what might happen. That person you are not on good terms with might be no more. Hurry! Go give them a long hug or a handshake(no time for gay-tags), try and settle your differences.

On behalf of all the bullies and no-nonsense people in any class, I apologize to every person who have been offended knowingly or unknowingly by some actions and inactions exhibited in times past. And to all the great people who caused us enormous joy through their great friendships and experiences shared, we say 'Ayekoo'. Your jokes, smiles, company, and funny comments, made the journey an unforgettable one.

Dear good Samaritans, you in one way or the other saved our ass by paying for our transport fares, sharing your food and drinks, lending us extra pens(which we forgot to return), bought us handouts, and did us many more favors which we are grateful for. We say, "God bless you!". But for you, life on campus would have been quite a hell.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

A Typical Wet Day In Ghana's Capital City.

You know you are in Accra when clouds begin forming and winds start blowing with people running helter skelter, depicting signs of rainfall; unannounced rainfall mostly show up when everybody is busily going about their business. When last did you see the rains in Accra? It only happens consistently when the Wet season is due. The zone is a hot region and the heat on sunny days is harsh, I tell you. So when the rains finally come, it's inhabitants are very glad and wish it lasted for long. The cold breeze from the wet ground alone is enough to tame wild minds in the region. I mean the mind is mostly at rest when it rains because every activity slows down. Accra is a no joke place of settlement. Living here comes with its own hustle and struggles. You have to face traffic, beat time and deadlines, work hard to the bone and endure the "kpakpakpa" tactics; if you must survive. In a way, rainfall is our coolant. It reliefs us from many burdens ranging from work load to relationship issues, not forgetting harsh weather conditions.

These are times when market women cover their wares with large polythene materials to prevent water from destroying them. You dare not walk to any trader to buy from them. The look you will receive is enough to send the message across; "It is raining, Shop closed till further notice!". Drivers begin showing off. They refuse to pick anyone into their cars. Most of them carry the excuse that driving in the rains can cause them to visit the mechanic who may take an exorbitant amount of money for servicing their vehicles. Others (especially taxi drivers) complain about getting their seats wet from carrying rain-soaked passengers. However, it is the best time for some traders like the umbrella and rain coat sellers. Also, hot kenkey sellers and "chop bar" operators become a point of reach for some hot meals in such a cold weather. Polythene bag or shower cap sellers also serve a lot of women with protection for their hair, while some business minded drivers also convey people to their various destinations. I forgot to mention "people carriers" who carry people in flooded areas to safe grounds and make as much as GHC1 per head.

It appears that tensions become a bit relaxed in the city anytime it rains. People find shelter. Cars park. Criminals like fraudsters and pick-pockets lay low. Businesses come to a halt. Marriages become sweet if there was a misunderstanding. Never underestimate the power of rainfall. It makes sleep enjoyable too. There is nothing more painful as when you are at work or school before it begins raining. You start to wish that you were in the comfort of your home. These are times that you will find yourself daydreaming about being at home, eating a hot meal accompanied by hot chocolate drink after which you will tune in to some cool music and coil yourself in bed.

Another wonderful trait of Accra people in relation to the rain is water storage. A lot of places in the region are faced with the challenge of acquiring portable water making rainfall a savior in that regard. When it rains, I love the sight of pans, buckets, barrels and bowls in front of most houses. You will also realize  that there are channels on roof tops from which the water passes through into the storage materials. The rain water serves as a source of water for domestic households in most places in the urban centres. After any downpour, households are capable of retrieving about ten to fifteen big-sized buckets of water, and even more depending on the heaviness and time-length of the downpour. This water is used mainly for washing, bathing and cleaning purposes. On certain occasions it may also be used for cooking, after it has been treated.

Woe unto you if you get stuck in town while it is raining. You would have to give yourself an hour or more to be out of town. This is usually due to fewer vehicles on the streets to transport passengers. You are also not assured of any better shelter to hide under since most places are occupied by people. Your only lucky bet may be an umbrella which may serve you half purpose because you will eventually get wet. In some instances, the umbrella may even be destroyed by the heavy winds. What is even more saddening to imagine is that homeless people like, street children, head porters(kayayei), and some street hawkers become stranded because their places of sleep(mostly tables tops and in front of shops), and their sleeping materials are beaten by the rains. 

At night, the city turns quite and dull on a typical rainy day as compared to a sunny day. When it rains, most people prefer staying indoors. On the contrary, sunny days make the ground dryer and the rooms warmer. This gives people the urge to go out to receive fresh air and to hang out with friends due to the conducive weather. On the other hand, after work you will see people rushing to their places of abode whenever it rains. Criminals sometimes use this periods to operate since there are less people in town and so it is advisable to stay out of town. There have often being reports of armed robbery and snatching of cars during such periods. Other people however  choose to stay indoors for fear of catching a cold. Jackets and sweaters are pulled out from hideouts(especially for the sake of younger ones) due to the cold. Frankly, room temperature becomes cold by the night forcing one to cover himself with a sleeping cloth. Happy moments these are because sleep is more comfortable and cozy.

The flood situation in Accra can be likened to terrorism across the world. No one can really predict how it began and how it will end. Some folks even wish for more rains in order to have their drainage systems washed of its filth. Is it not funny how some people can think? They forget that the gutters will still be choked at another end which will in the end generate a bigger problem such as flood. Flooding is mostly as a result of the many filth we see in the region. There are too many people walking the grounds of Accra who make a lot of rubbish in a day yet a few of them keep to good sanitation conditions. Is it their fault? Is it the responsibility of a bigger organization or institution? A lot of information and reports have been circulated on the need to keep a clean environment to reduce flooding. The problem however is how this education will be implemented and inculcated among the masses. With less provision and subsequent collection of waste bins at vantage points for instance, things may remain the same when it comes to waste management with flooding as its related problem.

Personally I love when the rains come down. I only hate to think about the related problems that come with it. For instance, I do not understand why the lights are turned off by the Electricity Company of Ghana when it begins to rain. Spare me the excuse that it is for safety sake. Tomatoes and other farm products also come in short supply because of less rainfall. Market women will use any least chance to raise prices of commodities, and so may more rains come. You've got to love rainfall too. It is the only times that we learn to let our hair down in Accra. Who else agrees with me? And to the little children who cry out, "Rain, rain, go away...", wait until old age catches up with you. Rainwater is life in Accra.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Advice from Women In Their 30's to Women In Their 20's

For all the fun and excitement that it holds, life in your twenties can also be exhausting, confusing, and pretty terrifying.
Careers, relationships, money, what you really want out of life: it's all yet to be figured out, and that can feel overwhelming at times.
So we asked thirty 30-something women to tell us one thing they wish they’d known at the age of 20.
This is what they said…

“No situation is ever improved by drinking vodka and Red Bull.” Ruth, 38

“A small number of great friends is what you need; not a vast number of mediocre ones.” Caroline, 33

“I wish I’d known to stretch my quads properly after running – I didn’t and now one of my legs is a mess.” Erin, 39

“The people that really matter you never lose touch with, and those that you do lose touch with never mattered in the first place. I spent a lot of time crying about friends moving on – and those ones mostly turned out to be knobs anyway.” Anna, 37

“Be as promiscuous as you want to be. There is nothing wrong with women being liberated enough to do what gives them pleasure when it’s not harming others.” Caroline, 38

“I wish I’d known to ask questions when I didn’t understand something, rather than pretending to and being scared of looking stupid. Asking questions makes you look confident and engaged, and people appreciate that honesty.” Alex, 36

“Don’t be so critical of your body, nor worry about what men think of it; I now know men basically love women no matter what shape they are.” Helen, 38

“There is NOTHING wrong with my vagina, and I don’t take ages to have an orgasm. THEY were doing it wrong.” Julia, 37

“I wish I’d worn more sunscreen on my face.” Rachel, 37

“You don’t have to stay in that nightclub until the lights go up if you’re having a crap time.” Gayle, 39

“You have as much right to exist, join in, and contribute to society or just a conversation, as the next person.” Helen, 39
“No matter how epic the heartbreak, you will love again.” Sarah, 37

“I wish I’d known I did not need to stress so much at work – in fact they needed me, and I should have asked for more money.” Kirsten, 36

“Velvet trousers are not a good look.” Becky, 39

“If I'd known that working in a bar in my early 20s would have been some of the best years of my life, I wouldn't have pulled such a moody pint.” Kathryn, 39

“Speak up for yourself more at work.” Emma, 38

“Take that job abroad before the kids come along and complicate it.” Polly, 38

“At 20, I spent way too much time worrying that I was never going to meet ‘Mr Right’ and I’d get upset thinking I was ‘on the shelf’ - completely ridiculous. (And then I met my now-husband when I was 23.)” Rachael, 37

“No one is worth changing yourself for.” Linda, 38

“Yoga, yoga, yoga. It is a complete life transformer - in terms of clarity and calm, making good decisions and (crucially) being able to co-exist with discomfort.” Sophie, 39

“Spend less on alcohol and more on travel.” Abi, 39

“I think I should have placed as much value on a vocational qualification as I did an academic one. I would probably have been better off financially.” Steph, 39

“Think about how you’re going to balance having children with your career dreams. Don't believe the hype of your ovaries, who may try to convince you that breeding is an absolute priority.” Skye, 38

“If you keep biting your nails they will be soft and crap by the time you’re in your 30s.” Tessa, 39

“I wish I had listened to my mum about saving money. If I’d saved consistently in my 20s like I have since turning 30 that would be pretty nice right now.” Kate, 35

“Appreciate sleep! Having had two kids in my 30s I could slap my former self at being ‘tired’ - I mean, honestly, I had no idea.” Kathryn, 35

“Be prepared for The Wedding Year – everyone has one, when suddenly it feels like ALL your friends are getting married. There will be wonderful hen parties and weddings, all of which will require trains, hotels, gifts, and a multitude of outfits and accessories. Start saving now, or it will bankrupt you.” Jemma, 31

“Experiment with fashion and hair more. Even if it looks terrible, no one will remember it in a year.” Marsha, 39

“Not everyone is going to like you. Not everyone has to. This is okay. It is not an indicator that there is something wrong with you.” Nicola, 38

“If you regret it the next day, it probably isn’t for you.” Lucy, 34

Credit: stylist.co.uk

How to Answer the Big Interview Question: "Where Do You See Yourself in the Next 5 Years?"

Most interviewers ask this question to be able to cut off interviewees whom they deem unqualified. It is the most asked interview question that many have not mastered how to answer and hence, fail to take up roles in the job market. Here are some bad and food responses that will help you make the slot for that dream job position you have been yearning for. Note that responses must be in line with specific roles that a person may be vying for.

SOME BAD RESPONSES

1.  “Well, that’s a very hard question. I don’t know what I’ll be doing in 5 years….hmmmm….that’s tough.”

Don’t overthink it. This is the mistake most people make. It’s great that you take the question seriously, but you are not being evaluated based on accuracy of answer. Use your answer to reassure the interviewer that you’re invested in this career path.

2.  “I plan to be a VP at a major firm with at least 7 direct reports, a company car, and a salary of 150K (plus options of course).”

Don't be too specific. Ambition is good. Goals are good. However, if you are too specific, you run the risk of stating goals that are not realistically achievable in the job available. From the interviewer’s perspective, that means you’re not a good fit.

3. “I’d love to be CEO in five years. Then again, I’d also love to be touring with my band if that takes off.”

Don't be flaky. You can come across as flaky if you seem to have a million different ideas about what you want to do — or if you have zero clear ideas about your future. In reality, many good candidates are exploring different options or are still trying to figure it out. However, a job interview is not a session with your career coach. You want to give the impression that you’re focused and have a plan (even if it’s not the only plan you’re considering).

4. “Well, I’m not sure. I’m thinking about law school or business school or clown college.”

Don't raise red flags. Many job seekers have long-term visions of going back to school or starting their own business. These are admirable goals, but there’s no need to share them with your interviewer, especially if you’re still weighing your possibilities.
Of course, if you’ve already committed to full-time grad school or another path that will conflict with your ability to perform in the job, it’s only fair to be open about that.
Also, there are some career paths that require advanced degrees and/or other additional training. For example, many finance and
management consulting career paths require an MBA. In these cases, it will be expected that your five-year plan will include more schooling.

THE RIGHT RESPONSES

1. “My goal right now is to find a position at a company where I can grow and take on new challenges over time. Ultimately, I’d like to assume more management responsibilities and get involved in product strategy. But most importantly, I want to work for an organization where I can build a career.”

This answer offers some insight into the candidate’s goals and interests (becoming a manager, being involved in product strategy) so it’s not too generic. This response also strongly expresses a desire for a long-term career with the company.

2. “I am driven to be the best at what I do and I want to work somewhere where I’ll have opportunities to develop my skills, take on interesting projects, and work with people I can really learn from. Some of the most innovative thinkers in the industry work here and that’s a big reason why I would love to build a career here.”

With this answer, the candidate is emphasizing her focus on learning, performance, and achievement. She is also complimenting the company and its reputation for hiring quality people (including the interviewer, perhaps?). The reference to “building a career here” indicates an interest in sticking around and contributing.

Credit: thebiginterview.com

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Here's What Your Sleeping Pattern Reveals About You

Sleep is very necessary for the body to regain energy. It also relaxing the nerves reducing the chances of stress and other nervous breakdown symptoms of the body. The more or the less time a person spends to sleep says a lot about their personality.

Here are 12 facts about sleep by @engrossingfacts on Twitter, that every person must know about. These are compiled facts drawn from the twitter handle that offers daily tweets of jaw dropping well researched facts you did not know about. Find out more about some sleeping tips you need to keep in mind, below.

1. Around 2% of the world's population are considered "sleepless elites", which means they are night owls and early birds simultaneously.

2. The happier you are, the less sleep you require to function in everyday life. Sadness increases the urge to sleep more.

3. Sleeping is an effective cure to forget about pain, problems, stress and everything for a while.

4. Sleeping next to someone you love not only reduces depression, but it also helps you to live longer and makes you fall asleep faster.

5. Feeling sleepy? Hold your breath until you can't anymore and then breath out slowly. This will increase your heart rate.

6. People who sleep less tend to eat more the following day.

7. Sleeping for less than 6 hours any night will impact your ability to think deeply the following day.

8. Before going to bed, 93% of people count how many hours of sleep they're about to get.

9. Lack of sleep causes the brain to remember events incorrectly.

10. People who sleep less tend to crave junk food. People who over sleep tend to crave more sleep.

11. "Beauty sleep" is real- Scientists found that faces of well-rested people looked younger and more attractive than sleep-deprived people.

12. People who sleep late have more mental stamina and can outperform early risers.

These tips have well summarized everything you need to know about sleep, it's benefits and disadvantages. Kindly share with us more tips you know about sleep.

Adjeianima@gmail.com

Switstica.blogspot.com

10 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know About Music

Music has many benefits and many music lovers will agree that it sparks a lot of energy and emotions within. Music addicts, musicians, and music producers around the world have certain amazing features in common. Their taste in various genres of music partly or wholely define their personality one way or the other. A person's choice of music can tell a lot about who they are.

Below are some jaw-dropping facts about music that has never crossed your mind. It is a compilation of well researched facts by @engrossingfacts on Twitter. They offer daily tweets on 'Did you Know?' facts you will be awed to know about. Follow them for more tips.

1. 85% of people use music to escape from daily emotional stress.

A lot more people these days, tend to plug in their sound system or earphones just to suck in some music whenever they feel stressed up and depressed.

2. Listening to music at high volumes makes a person calmer, happier and more relaxed.

Dancing and grooving to loud music wherever you find yourself tends to release happiness hormones that helps us feel more relaxed and happier. Tuning in to music at parties, events or even  the home, at higher volumes, indeed does magic to the body.

3. Music with strong beat can stimulate brain waves which improve concentration.

Need I say more? The beat of a music is that powerful.

4. We are subconsciously attracted to people who have the same taste of music as we do.

Truth be told, we tend to like people the more when we realise that they like and listen to the same kinds of music that we love to listen to. Who else can relate?

5. Memorizing song(music) lyrics is found to be one of the best exercises for the brain.

Apart from reading, learning and memorizing song lyrics, and even, singing along, is one of the best exercises that stimulate the brain. This helps to improve the memory and helps one to recollect and memorize things faster.

6. Listening to music while working creates a positive mood and makes you more productive.

Ever tried listening to music while washing or cleaning the house? You will relate easily with this point if you ever tried listening to music while working on strenuous tasks.

7. Music is so influential on the brain that the type you listen to actually has the ability to change the way you think and look at the world.

Just like words are powerful, the lyrics of music teaches us a lot about life, love and culture that we tend to see the world and to perceive things differently.

8. Listening to your favorite song before bed can help you sleep better, wake up easier, and enhance your mood for the upcoming day.

Oh yes! This fact though. Do I have any partners-in-crime when it comes to sleeping to some favorite Playlist?

9. The chills you sometimes feel when listening to music is called "musical frisson"

I mostly get these chills from listening to John Legend, Rihanna, Olly Murs, Asa, and Adele. Walaba you? (what about you?)

10. Music can repair brain damage and return lost memories.

I guess we can try this on the inmates of the Psychiatric hospital. Haha. This last point raises the greatest and key benefit of music. The higher one's consumption, the lower the chances of brain related problems, and vice versa.

I hope these facts taught you a lot about music that you did not know about. Share with me on more facts that you know about music, and which of the above that you do relate to the most. Which are your favorite Playlist and their artiste?

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Five Steps To Remain Relevant And Employed

By George Lorenzo

We are in a world where machines are taking the place of employees because they are complacent. These steps should guide you and help you avoid loosing your job to a robot.
The information below will help spur you up for greater achievements at the work place. It will keep you relevant and indispensable wherever you find yourself working at.

Individuals who take on these strategies must be willing "to burn the midnight oil to improve their own skills, and either make friends with smart machines or find a way to do things they cannot do. Complacency is not an option. But despondency isn’t required either."

1. Stepping up

People who step up make high-level decisions. They are senior executives who decide where cognitive technologies need to be utilized, and how new systems fit into the business organization overall. They are the few at the top of the augmentation pyramid, the authors write. "They are deciding what smart people do, what smart machines do, and how they work together."

2. Stepping aside

Those who step aside understand how to let machines do the work that machines are best at, such as computational tasks, while "simultaneously choosing to base your own livelihood on forms of value that machines just cannot deliver." Stepping aside means focusing on how to enhance our so-called "multiple intelligences." This is the space where "logical computation cannot provide optimized answers," such as practicing emotional intelligence or even utilizing our ability to solve problems through irrational means.

3. Stepping in

Stepping in means knowing how to make machines productive. These are the people who know how to connect technical and business environments. "Their role involves both identifying situations for which the machine isn’t well suited, and helping it to deliver even greater productivity advances over time," the authors note.

4. Stepping narrowly

Those who step narrowly are the ones who "hyperspecialize." They take the time to follow their passions into work that cannot be automated. They have a clear sense of direction and take the necessary steps to become experts in their field. It means "pushing ever deeper into a subject, with all the force of past achievement helping you, and learning the next thing about it through the kind of focused consideration and experimentation that machines can’t manage," Davenport and Kirby explain.

5. Stepping forward

People who step forward are technically proficient and entrepreneurial individuals who actually build the smart machines. People who step forward may have the brightest future in the age of automation. They are programmers, data scientists, researchers, product managers, marketers, consultants, and more. They are "particularly adept at learning new skills and updating their resumes to reflect their new skills," Davenport and Kirby suggest. "Their reward will be a valuable one: Working in an exciting industry, and drawing a good paycheck from it over many years."

Credit:  fastcompany.com

Wrong Moves People Make In their Relationship With Others

I have had the chance to listen to a few people and taken cue from some of their mistakes in their relationship with people. I have also had my own share on experiences in life which I think would  be worth sharing. Not everyone is supposed to be treated anyhow. You come across good people everyday but you may keep or scare them away by your actions. Here are some wrong moves we make in our everyday relationships with people which need to be checked.

Asking for money

A lot of times,  we genuinely need money from people. However,  the extent of your relationship with someone should determine whether to ask for money from them or not. In other cases, you may ask but asking too often makes you a bore. People now wonder whether you are for real or not. You become a bit of a liability instead of an asset when you begin asking for financial assistance from people you just got acquainted with.

Telling lies

Dishonest people are one group of people that nobody wants to draw close to. Trust, when broken becomes so difficult to replenish. There are lies that we tell to save the situation which are pardonable. However, if you are sure that the lie will bring future problems, it is best to tell the truth as it is. Bottom line, you will be respected for being honest than giving yourself away with a lie.

Feeling Superior

I am mostly attracted to wealthy, smart and intelligent people who are really down to earth. You know that feeling when you figure out that someone is affluent so you expect them to be distant and boastful only for them to be easy to approach. That is what genuine people who understand the art of relationship are like. Instead of making people feel less of themselves, it is humbling to always come down to every persons level irrespective of your position in life. You do not need to make others less of themselves in order to feel good about yourself.

Intolerance

We all have in one way or the other offended and being offended by people. This is something that is bound to happen at every point in life. Often times, not being able to tolerate and understand people leads to disagreements. It is only wise that we are able to tolerate people inasmuch as they hurt us. A lot of people including myself will easily walk away from a relationship that we feel offended and disrespected in. The true art of long lasting relationships is those that have the parties involved tolerate and understand each other's differences.

Selfish ambitions

We are in the world where people are self centered, seeking after their own interests. Few people genuinely have the interest of others at heart. If we can be good friends, spouses, family members, it is best that we have others first in mind. A lot of people who are successful in life first thought about bettering themselves in order to improve the lives of others. It is not bad to concentrate on being a better person. The goal should therefore be to be better so that we can add value to other people's lives.

I believe these will trigger answers which can help us become better people while relating to others. Believe me, everybody needs somebody in life. It is how well you relate with people that pushes you on the map to greatness and fulfillment in life.Which other wrong moves that people make to ruin their relationships can you think of? Do share.

Justica Anima 

Adjeianima@gmail.com

Switstica.blogspot.com

Why Today's Youth Are More Confused

With the increase in technology and Internet usage, one may presume that today's young people will be smarter than their predecessors. It is rather saddening that they are doing less with the more opportunities at their disposal. Young people today are missing key elements of learning and growth because they refuse to tap into knowledge. The average young person today is more likely to be surfing the Internet most of their time and yet achieving less in life. This may be a good thing if they were making good use of the Internet by; learning relevant skills on YouTube, and building sellable apps and brands. However, the reverse is  happening which calls for alarm.

Disregard For Leaders

Most young people don't hold great people in high esteem. Now everyone believes that they are 'superstars' of some sort. Instead of regarding people in higher positions and drawing close to them,we rather tend to withdraw. Young people call leaders names instead of tapping into their expertise. They would be admiring them in their hearts but outwardly you find them lambasting celebrities, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, professionals and great people in general. I cannot tell whether they do this out of jealousy, yet these are the same people we look up to and wish to be like in future. This is how the confusion starts, bringing us to our next point.

Not Confiding In the Right People

You know what? I recommend John C. Maxwell's 'Good Leaders Ask Great Questions'  to you. It teaches practical questions and ways one can deal with Leaders to become a leader. Another challenge for most young people is asking questions. Now, imagine you do not have any role models who fall in the Leadership category mentioned in the first point, how will you ever ask questions. You will hear a lot of young people discussing the answers they sought from friends or the Internet. The scare is whether these information are right or wrong. Most of the information on the Internet are not from experienced people. Also, there is nothing concrete your friend, except they have also acquired it from a good source or are doing well in those areas. You see, the thing about asking the right questions from the right people is that you gain expert advise. The reason most people are confused is that they do not have the right people in their contacts that they can seek the right answers from. Even with those who have the right people, they refuse to ask for fear of rejection or due to pride. The rule is simple, ask good questions when you get the chance to be with the right network of people.

Not Getting the Right Answers

A lot of people are confused in life because there are too many selfish people around us. You may ask the questions but not get the right answers. Some people fear to share their experience for fear of someone stealing their ideas. For instance, a student asks a teacher a question and they get the response, "Go and do your own research." A participant at a seminar may also ask a question from a resource person but they tend to give shallow feedback and expect you to find out the real details by yourself. This causes people to adopt the 'try and error' method which leads to huge mistakes that could have been avoided in the first place. My appeal to parents and leaders is that they should try and be transparent enough in their bid to mentor young people.

Poor Teaching and Learning Methods

We are in the dispensation where young people are unable to think for themselves because they are used to been 'spoon fed'. Most teachers do not adopt the discussion and assignment methods frequently. This makes the children dull and expectant of the teacher's tutorials. The result of this is that young people end up failing in life, beginning with their examinations. I believe we can do better especially at the lower levels of education and parenting. When well taught, young people become smart in their thinking and are not always dependent on someone for help. In the end, there will be less confused people in the world.

Using Social Media Platforms Wrongly

I believe another thing young people are doing wrongly is the abuse of social media. The thing about social media is that it can be misleading and addictive. However, using the various mediums such as Facebook and Instagram wisely can be life changing. There is more to social media than meets the eye. Facebook is a good channel to sell products and ideas to people. Not every person is wired to be an entrepreneur. Finding typical issues and areas to discuss and talk about on Internet can help shape someone's life directly and indirectly. So instead of taking pictures of yourself everyday, which is boring and sometimes annoying, what can you offer that can change someone's life? There are a lot of opportunities that one can attract when social media is used wisely. Build contacts there by following and adding friends who are success minded. Exposure to good ideas and products shared on social media helps make an impact on young people.

I hope I have been able to unravel some secrets that can help you ease up some confusion. Please remember to read, read, and read. Also, never underestimate the power of networking with the right people. These things make life  much easier to live. I would like to know how you have overcome some of life's uncertainties as an individual. Kindly do share with me by commenting and keeping in touch.

Justica Anima 

Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica@gmail.com

9 Traits of Highly Desirable Women

The dictionaries define “Desirable” as “worth having or wanting; pleasant, excellent or fine.”

Any man or woman who has dreamed of a future has probably created an image of what he or she would desire most in their partner. And most women have probably wished to be more desirable at some point. While the world keeps hankering over what exactly are the characteristics of highly desirable women, the truth is that we can only speculate. The definition will keep evolving.

However, we can safely say that highly desirable women will likely have the following nine characteristics.

1. They don’t chase people

Highly desirable women would rather chase their own awesomeness, because they know running after people is just a waste of time. They also know that it is a much better idea to become better versions of their own selves. The world will take notice when they progress in their own lives.

They don’t have time for such chases because they are just too busy creating a better life for themselves. That’s what makes a woman more desirable — that carefree, confident attitude. They are complete in themselves.

2. They are in control of their emotions

You won’t find desirable women moping about every bad relationship or failure in their lives. Instead, they are always in control of their emotions. They don’t waste their time and energy in harboring useless emotions that won’t bring them progress.

Simply put, desirable women would much rather be a shoulder when needed than be a constant cry baby.

3. They avoid gossip

Desirable women would rather use their time productively than for indulging in petty gossip. Gossip and too much talking creates drama. Desirable women know this. Petty gossip, useless talking, and drama is for school girls — not the desirable women that we look up to.

4. They are not attention seekers

You will not see desirable women posting selfies constantly or changing their relationship statuses on social media with every crush. They don’t like to spam people with such trivialities. They would much rather be known and talked about for their real and meaningful achievements.

They believe in earning attention from like-minded people, not snatching it with constant updates on the happenings in their lives. They earn respect instead of asking for it. They believe in maintaining a mystery about their lives which only selected people can have access to.

5. They don’t lose themselves in their relationships

It’s not that they hold back. Desirable women don’t lose themselves to create happiness for someone else. They have a life of their own that goes beyond the relationship. They don’t cling to their boyfriends or girlfriends constantly.

They don’t lose sight of their goals and dreams for love. They don’t lose their identity. Desirable women make smart decisions about how much time they are willing to devote to their relationships and to their goals. They set their priorities. They let their relationships add to their lives — not become their whole lives.

6. They have hobbies and passions

Desirable women make massive efforts to become better at their hobbies and passions. You won’t find these women constantly procrastinating. They find out what they love doing and do it with finesse.

Desirable women don’t waste their lives with mindless addictions, like staring at their mobile phones all day. They use their time to take up hobbies and work on improving. Some of the most desirable women are the ones who care deeply about their hobbies. It defines them and makes them more interesting people.

7. They are fiercely intelligent

Intelligence does not always refer to IQ. Desirable women are fiercely intelligent in terms of their understanding of the world and its people. They have a certain kind of wisdom that comes from experience, from a plethora of mistakes and a life full of lessons.

They have impeccable understanding of life and themselves — something that really adds to their desirability. They are no strangers to deep conversation.

8. They are always graceful

Women who understand and take pride in their womenhood are the ones that know that grace and elegance are not qualities you compromise with. It’s not about their appearance but their aura. What makes them highly desirable is that they don’t worry about their physical shortcomings. They fix what they can and carry themselves with elegance and charm that only a lady can possess.

They dress well and know how to exude confidence. What makes this all the more easier is that desirable women know that grace does not come with expensive fashion choices. It comes with self confidence.

9. They are brilliant communicators

They have clarity of thought and it shows in the words they choose, no matter which language those words are in. The confidence that they exude can easily win over hearts. They are logical with the right mix of rationality and emotion. Desirable women don’t overdo it.

They will let you talk, make you feel wanted, hear you with compassion, and show genuineness in their interactions. They know how important it is to be a good communicator and they also know what it takes to be one.

These are some of the characteristics of highly desirable women. Of course, there are many other traits that can be deemed “desirable.” Nevertheless, these are a few characteristics that will always draw us in.

Source. Life hack.org