Silence isn’t always golden. This is a phrase I shared in 2011 on my Facebook page.
Silence- complete absence of sound (noun) google definition.
I was never one who always spoke up for myself for failure to get on someone’s bad side. All this changed after I’ve realized Silence isn’t always golden. Speaking up allows the other person to know how you’re feeling, whether you’re in agreement or not. It’s important to share your feelings without fear of the outcome.
I’ve been reading books, listening to podcasts talking to people who are very unapologetic about who they are and what they bring to the table. If you’re at a job and you have all the ideas that would make a process work and you don’t say anything, that is to your detriment. How many times have you missed an opportunity to share ideas and even get ahead in life? What has your silence done for you?
After reading the book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F$@k – Mark Manson it has further cemented me to speak up or focus more directly on what makes me happy. Putting yourself first allows you to strive, to grow and achieve things that you’ve always wanted to achieve.
Whatever you do or say always focus on the bottom line YOU. Ensure that all your encounters leaves you satisfied with your response to any situation. It doesn’t happen over night it takes practice and drive. Never miss another opportunity to shine because you remained silent.
I’ve always thought if I played it safe, followed the rules I’d get ahead in life. I wouldn’t be stuck, I wouldn’t feel trapped. I was wrong, I’ve been wrong. That’s not how the real world works.
Yes rules are there for a reason and like everything else if you break the rules you have to face the consequences. To me it feels that I’ve been following the rules and watching the rule breakers soar ahead.
Have you ever had that thought? I have, I’m having it now as I pour my self into this piece. This is not something I’m hearing from a girlfriend whose venting. This is me feeling all these emotions. I’ve worked proved myself and gotten sidelined over and over again. We have this saying ” A Cat and A Dog doesn’t have the same luck” . Ever since I’ve heard that saying I’ve been playing it safe with everything in my life.
I’m not saying that I’m about to go rob a bank. No, I’m thinking that it’s time to take a stand ,whose to say things will end badly? I mean this feeling and these words have been holding me back and like the butterfly it’s time I break out of that cocoon and soar.
It’s scary, it’s nerve-wracking but I will be better off. Safe feels good, being cautious is ok but nothing fun happens there. The people who makes it big didn’t play it safe. Can you imagine Oprah Winfrey playing it safe after being fired? Or Michelle Obama?
As I write , they’re two things I have to do before I close out 2021 and I know once I’ve unlocked that part of my life, nothing I mean nothing is going to hold me back. I have been holding me back. I’m the one who needs to get out of my head. Stop being an overthinker and think positive , I am and I can. Break free from my cocoon.
I’ve made the first step to recovery admitting fault, it’s invigorating and I feel like now I can take on everything. My mind, I’ve been holding me back, thinking I would fail or I will get in trouble.
Greatness is in me and greatness is in you. A friend of mine have been putting off going back to school because like me they’ve convinced themselves that they’re not good enough, I won’t make the qualifying exams to matriculation. Last night, she called me to view her results , she did the exams ,studied applied herself and in the hour of truth couldn’t bring herself to view the results. She called me ,very anxious, nerves all over the place- Dee ,girl what if I failed, it’s been 20 years, I don’t have anymore time, all the excuses you could think of.
I entered her details and when I saw the results ,I paused for a minute. She was still going on and on about how she doesn’t know what she’d do if she’d fail.
Telling her how smart and amazing she was and how proud I was of her calmed her down a bit. Congratulations 👏you’re going to University. Tears of joy, immediately she started speaking positively believing that after 20years she had fulfilled a childhood dream, go to University. Achieving all this especially in a pandemic with a chaotic family life. My friend has broken her cocoon and now she flies ….
Join us and breakfree from your cocoon. Let’s do this thing together.
It’s been a minute. Working from home paired with other demands has me very busy. I decided to check the many notifications that I’ve missed since my last post.
The blog is growing and people are engaging with the posts I’ve made and that is good. Thank you really, it’s much appreciated.
Today wasn’t a good day for me, I was so overwhelmed I locked myself in my room, I guess I cried 😭 for maybe a few hours. Now I don’t know what came over me but I felt so much better after. I was thinking unkind thoughts ,between work home the current pandemic the news. It was just too much.
Check on your strong friends we are not okay. I was a part of a meeting this week where a team member shared how people are not coping in this pandemic our realities have changed we’ve lost loved ones, jobs, the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next is just too much. When I heard this person speak I didn’t know or think that for a minute I was going through the motions. No one checked on me but a notification from this blog post that I wrote last year prompted me to reflect and refocus my bearings.
I just want you to reach out to someone if you need to talk clear your head. Ask for help, too often we allow pride from giving us that break that is so badly needed.
I had just finished my first virtual meeting. I was the host and if I had done these tips beforehand the meeting would’ve been more successful. Thankfully I got a hang of my bearings and completed what was almost a disaster. Covid 19 is still around. Online meetings are still happening. Read my tips so you’re more prepared for your next meetings in 2021.
Do a test run – Dont take it for granted that things will run smoothly. Several factors can influence how your meeting proceeds. Is your internet steady? Is your device that you’re going to connect with compatible with the platform the organizer chooses? A test run with someone using the link provided can make things a 100% better.
Have your material ready: It’s important that you have the information that you’ll be presenting on in one area. Create a folder with the material also have a backup copy of your presentation just in case.
On weekends I’d rather stay in bed as long as I want to. That’s not realistic especially when you have a toddler. I’ve figured out a way to get things done so that I can have the rest of my day to myself.
I get up before everyone. Getting up earlier (5:00am) allows me the solitide I need to get things done.
I take care of the laundry, clean, and make breakfast just in time when they’re up (8:00AM)
Those 3 hours sometimes more if I’m up before 5 helps me to get through the day.
Im able to get my ME time and who doesn’t like well needed ME Time.
Work From Home started for most persons around March of this year. People have to get accustomed to this new norm of doing things Online. While I like somethings that are done online, I’m still trying to maneuver my way around online meetings. I’m not a very techy person I can help myself and I believe that there’s no problem that a Google search can’t fix.
Today, I had a very important meeting online and while most of my meetings have been via this medium I’m still trying to understand my way around things. It’s no longer sending a calendar invite to meet at a conference room or restaurant but it’s now let’s meet via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. It all boils down to preference and the platform that the organizer chooses.
business2community.com
This is not my first stint with virtual meetings but today I had several glitches I believe going forward can be alleviated.
Here are some lessons that I learnt:
Do a test run – Dont take it for granted that things will run smoothly. Several factors can influence how your meeting proceeds. Is your internet steady? Is your device that you’re going to connect with compatible with the platform the organizer chooses? A test run with someone using the link provided can make things a 100% better.
Have your material ready: It’s important that you have the information that you’ll be presenting on in one area. Create a folder with the material also have a backup copy of your presentation just in case.
Housekeeping: Face to Face they’re certain things that you’re not keen on doing but its sadly being done on a virtual platform. Before the start of your meeting ensure that its communicated across the board how the meeting will proceed – using the raise hand feature, muting their mics when they’re not on speaking to the group, utilizing the chat room instead of interrupting the speaker.
Get Help: You’re not a robot. Its ok to ask for help. Make contact with It ahead of your meeting to go through any cliches that you may experience. You can also have someone monitor the chat while the meeting is going on, as well as, admiting persons into the meeting. Trust me, things will be ran more smoothly.
Meeting Location: Most people have been home from early March. Working from home does have its perks as well as challenges. For a busy mom with child/ren , this could be a challenge. Your location for your meeting while you figure out your home situation is very important. If you’re not fortunate to have a home office I’d suggest your bedroom or living area. All you’ll need is a desk /iron board to rest your laptop, or tablet on facing a blank wall or curtains for backdrop. Sending your kids , pets outside or their rooms while your meeting is going on can make a world of a difference. Not everyone is as understanding as some when they hear your needy toddler asking for something.
Record your meetings – All protocols observed. Do record your meetings just for reviewing and information purposes only. There are always lessons to be learnt from these proceedings.
How do you manage your virtual sessions? Which platform is your favourite? Do you have any other tips for conducting online meetings?
DeeTheory 
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