#MondayMotivation Learning to beat Procrastination

Hi all.
It is another Monday and while i had something else to feature on Monday Motivation before, i stumbled on a tweet that made me change direction.

Basically someone on twitter was asking for tips on how to deal with procrastination. Oddly enough, one of the articles that popped up while i was checking news stories this morning was one on one thing ALL billionaires don't do. According to the writer, after talking to a number of billionaires, he found out that they DON't procrastinate.

So there we go.

While making billions is not the only thing there is to strive for, there is no doubt that whether you want success in personal life, financial freedom or success in your career, you have to conquer the vice of procrastination. A vice i am well acquainted with and while i have not fully conquered my tendency to procrastinate, i have found out how to deal with it.

1. Find out why you procrastinate.
We procrastinate because we are easily distracted, afraid, a little lazy or just prefer to take the scenic route for everything. Next time you put doing something off, find out why. Tackling the root cause will help you.

2. Create reminders
Set reminders for practical times and then when it comes up on your phone, DO IT!
Say for example, you have set 'call mechanic' for 2pm and it goes off, DO IT, even if you are eating. If you snooze or reschedule, you may never get to it!

3. Let Proverbs be a guide.
Things like, "a little sleep, a little slumber, so shall poverty come upon you" are like that cane parents held... anti-foolishness reminder.

4. Be practical.
Sometimes we really do try to do too much. If you fill your day with too many tasks, it is like filling your plate with too much food at a buffet- nothing gets fully enjoyed. Be wise!

These four tips help me be better at doing things when i am supposed to. I hope it helps you too.

Throwback post... "The Bone of the Matter"

(This post was first written in 2014)

I am here in the hospital waiting for my turn to see the doctor and just watching as different people walk in. Well, more like, limp, hop and roll in.

My hospital takes care of people like me who have hurt their bones one way or the other. I hurt mine by falling and cracking a bone in the hip and as I sit, I wonder how all these other people hurt theirs.

Who here was in a car accident? Who was pushed? Who got into a fight?
We don't talk other than to nod and say hello as we do the shuffle.
The shuffle is get in, get your card, see the nurse, do an x-ray, see the doctor, get your drugs, go home.

The shuffle is slow as each person either has crutches, or a wheel chair.

It's crazy how hurting yourself can change your perspective and indeed, your life.
I was away from the radio for seven weeks and even lost a gig. That gig pained me sha. I was supposed to have hosted an event and the client saw me and thought, nah, don't want her again.
Chei.

BUT, the support has been great. My boss said take the time you need. My partner became a rock. My sister, mother, cousin and family took turns taking care of me. Fans of the show kept missing me and wishing me well via every social media platform known to man and my friends like Lamide Akintobi have just put smiles on my face.

I'm blessed and thankful.

I cried a lot during the first few weeks because if you know me, you know I love to move and work and walk and jump and dance.
I felt cut off from so much and panicked. The Nigerian society pities more than it supports. I also understand a bit of what life is like for people with disabilities. Most places don't have facilities for them to use and it is expensive.

But I am grateful and thankful and more in love today than ever before.

So I write this while waiting to see the doctor.
Blessed
And highly favoured!!!

#TipThursday: Practical Financial Tips for Young People by Omilola Oshikoya

My guest on #TipThursday was Omilola Oshikoya, Africa's premier wealth coach who has had over ten years experience speaking and teaching on financial intelligence.

She gave ten solid tips for young people when she came by Top of the Morning on Thursday September 10th and i took a lot of notes!

Omilola's tips

 1. Start now/start small.

Omilola suggests that young people and indeed, anyone, start NOW. She says a common misconception is, "Ill start when i make it" but most people don't realise that as your income grows, so will your expenses so the habits must be cultivated from the start.

2. Pay yourself first.

According to her, once you get paid, you should take some out for savings, and investments, but first, 'pay' yourself based on your budget and expenses.

3. Set Financial Goals.

Omilola suggests targets that are Specific, Measurable, Time-Bound, and Achievable.

4. Spend less than you earn.

5. Know the difference between good debt and bad debt.

6. Create an emergency fund.
An emergency fund should be six or eight months worth of your current salary.

7. Invest in yourself.

8. Pay now and play later.

9. Give.

10. Seek professional advice.

#BrunchThots Lunch with Ramsey Nouah

He is a prolific actor, one who many consider to be a front runner of 'Nollywood' as we know it. While he may not have the notoriety a lot of the newer actors are famous for, Ramsey Nouah has had that staying power, Peter Panning his way to our screens once in a worth-it while.

Just fresh off a movie- '30 Days in Atlanta', and with new one, 'Gbomo Gbomo Express' out soon, Ramsey is both busy but quiet, and somehow still manages to captivate us and make us star struck.

So what can we learn from someone like Ramsey who has stayed relevant in a tough industry?

•  The first thing you need is PASSION. What has kept him going in the industry for this long is passion and the love he has for it
• Keep Paying your Dues. There is no such thing as you are done paying your dues because that means you have put a ceiling on your growth.

And what's his secret to his youthfulness? He says Be Happy, Don't Keep Things In and Learn to Let Things Go!!!

It was a great session with Ramsey and we are thankful that he left us with some good thoughts!

#EventWednesday All the pretty dresses and highlights from AMVCA 2016

All the pretty dresses, all the emotional speeches; the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice awards had all the makings of a great awards show and I was there with my popcorn to observe.

First of, whaaaaa? We saw so many awesome dresses on that carpet that had me beaming like a proud sister. My personal favourites were Rita Dominic, Adesua Etomi, Mercy Aigbe, and Osas Ighodaro

P.s, re: Rita..; Asking "Will Rita Dominic slay", is same as asking, "Will the sun shine?"

For skin and beauty, I give it to Kate Henshaw and Beverly Naya. Kate is one of the most beautiful women I know and her make up artistes must love her skin! Beverley Naya was also a vision in green with that power up do!

The guys were guys. They either play safe or rock colours and patterns.

Rita 'slay' Dominic

Adesua Etomi

Mercy Aigbe Gentry

'Osas Ighodaro

RMD

Uti Nwachukwu

The award show itself ran smoothly and I'm hoping other event organisers look at events like 'Love Like A Movie' and 'AMVCA' to see that it CAN be done. We can keep to time, run smoothly and (try to) have fun.

IK is one of the best show hosts out there and he did a good job with a quip or two at the right times during the show. Funniest on the night was of course Salvado with his boisterous personality, wit and spot on jokes. I waited all night for him to come on and I wasn't disappointed.

Salvado with Thomas Gumede 

Yemi Alade was a vision both on the red carpet and during her performance. I didn't know what song she performed though so couldn't 'karaoke' along as I would have wanted to.

The winners were either truly shocked, a little prepared, all over the place or very composed. Adesua Etomi gave one of the best speeches on the night, ending with the quote " ". Stephanie Linus whose movie 'Dry' had one of the highest number of nominations and won *, was so elegant that she had us spell bound. Buki Ajai had me in tears with the now infamous, "are you all standing for me?" question as she picked up her Lifetime Achievement award, and special shout out to Lala Akindoju and Folarin Falz Falana (Best Male in a Comedy).

All in all, a decent show which left me feeling inspired!

Kudos to the organisers, the guests and all the nominees and winners.

#TipThursday TheNicoleCode's Tips on Beauty on a Budget

Nicole Chikwe was our Expert on today's #TipThursday and she gave ten great tips on how to look great on a budget.

From skincare to make up to style, we can spend so much and sometimes it is cool to just spend a little less. So here are beautypreneur, model and blogger www.thenicolecode.com 's top ten ways to do this!

- Add BAKING SODA to your regular cleanser to make it more exfoliating. That way, you won't need to spend money on an extra scrub. You should ideally exfoliate twice a week to get rid of dead skincells and to leave your complexion glowing. Baking soda is also great for teeth whitening.

- If you run out of shaving cream, HAIR CONDITIONER is a great substitute! It gives you a nice smooth shave.

- HONEY is perfect for healing acne-prone or dry skin. Just spread on clean skin and let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Honey is a powerful antioxidant and also has antibacterial properties, making it good for breakouts. 

Honey is also a humectant which means it draws and retains water so it is also great as a hair conditioner. Just apply one teaspoon into damp hair and rinse with warm water

- Can’t afford to get a manicure? SOAK your nails in hot water, then use a warm wash cloth to push cuticles back

- LEMON is an excellent skin brightener and can be used to fade hyperpigmentation and acne scarring without breaking the bank. Half a teaspoon with a tablespoon of honey as a mask, or dilute half a teaspoon in some water, leave on skin for 15 mins and rinse off. Doing this consistently will leave your complexion glowing and even

- Make your MAKEUP versatile.
For examples, use your neutral eyeshadow as a highlighter, or mix your pink eyeshadow with some Vaseline to create a longlasting lip Stain/gloss.

Lipstick can also be used as a blusher if you run out.

- Buy Coconut or olive OIL.
It can be used in your hair, on your skin and on your lips and as an eye makeup remover. These oils are very versatile and should be a staple in every woman's cabinet.

- NAPKINS or toilet roll are a good substitute for blotting paper, so when you start getting a bit oily during the day, pop down to the bathroom, get some toilet roll, open it up and it soaks up all the excess oil leaving your makeup intact

- Drink at least two litres of WATER a day
Staying properly hydrated everyday is relatively inexpensive and Does more than a lot of beauty products. It helps with acne, with bloating, flushing out toxins and it keeps your skin wrinkle free

And finally, the cheapest AND best thing you can do for your body is to

- Get more SLEEP.
Beauty sleep is not a myth. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep a day helps you get fewer wrinkles, a glowing complexion, brighter and less puffy eyes and helps your products work better as your skin has more time to heal and repair itself.

(Follow @TheNicoleCode on twitter, snapchat and instagram for more beauty tips. Check out www.thenicolecode.com)