Author: ZaibaaHoosen
Empowering Parenting: Positive Tips for the New Year
As we step into a new year, it’s an excellent opportunity for parents to reflect on their parenting journey, learn from the past, and set positive intentions for the future. Parenting is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding yet challenging roles, and adopting a positive approach can make a significant impact on both parents and children. Here are some positive parenting tips to kickstart the new year on a constructive note. Reflecting on the Past Year: Before diving into the new year, take a moment to reflect on the past. Acknowledge both the achievements and the challenges your family faced. Reflecting on the past year allows you to learn from mistakes, celebrate successes, and appreciate the growth your family has experienced together. Setting Positive Intentions: Establishing realistic parenting goals for the new year can guide your efforts in creating a positive family environment. Focus on goals that are attainable and align with your family’s values. Whether it’s fostering stronger communication or spending more quality time together, setting positive intentions helps create a roadmap for the year ahead. Cultivating a Positive Environment: A positive home atmosphere is crucial for a healthy family dynamic. Create a supportive and loving environment where open communication and understanding thrive. Implement consistent routines to provide stability, as they can be reassuring for children and contribute to a positive overall atmosphere. Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash Strengthening the Parent-Child Relationship: [[Take them fishing]] Invest time in building a strong bond with your children. Quality time is invaluable. Engage in activities that your children enjoy, and use this time to connect emotionally. Effective communication strategies, such as active listening and expressing empathy, play a vital role in nurturing a positive parent-child relationship. Building trust and mutual respect creates a foundation for a positive family dynamic. Teaching and Modeling Positivity: Children learn by example. As a parent, modeling positive behavior and values is a powerful way to instill them in your children. Encourage positivity by highlighting the good in different situations and practicing gratitude. Be mindful of your reactions and responses, as children often mirror the behavior they observe. Embracing Patience and Flexibility: Parenting comes with its fair share of challenges. Embrace patience during challenging moments and recognize that it’s okay not to have all the answers. The power of adaptability is crucial in navigating the unpredictability of parenting. Being flexible allows you to respond to situations with a positive mindset and find constructive solutions. Encouraging Independence and Responsibility: Foster independence in your children by assigning age-appropriate chores and responsibilities. Encourage them to take ownership of their tasks, promoting a sense of accomplishment and self-reliance. Balancing guidance with autonomy helps children develop essential life skills while feeling a sense of contribution to the family. Nurturing Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing and validating your children’s emotions is fundamental to their emotional well-being. Teach them healthy ways to express their feelings and encourage open communication about their emotions. Nurturing emotional intelligence from a young age lays the foundation for positive mental health. Photo by Sebastián León Prado on Unsplash Conclusion: As parents, embracing the journey of positive parenting is an ongoing commitment. The new year brings exciting possibilities for growth and connection within your family. By implementing these positive parenting tips, you’re not just shaping your children’s lives but creating a nurturing and supportive environment for the entire family. We’d love to hear your positive parenting tips and goals for the new year. Share your insights in the comments below, and let’s support each other in creating a positive and thriving parenting journey. Here’s to a year filled with love, growth, and positive parenting! Watch the full podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX_XKXgfOTg&ab_channel=BilalKathrada #PositiveParenting #NewYearGoals #ParentingTips #FamilyBonding #EmotionalIntelligence #QualityTime #ParentingJourney #EmpowerFamilies #GrowingTogether Previous Chapter | Table of Contents
How to Thrive in Your Tomorrow: Why It Is Essential to Upskill Today (Professional Development)
In today’s fast-paced career circus, “upskill” is not just a buzzword; it’s a survival tactic. Forget the stale routines and corporate monotony; we’re talking about shaking things up, doing things differently, and making a real impact. Career well-being isn’t about sipping chai and clocking in; it’s about finding that sweet spot where work meets life, growing professionally, and feeling a sense of purpose. Why It is Important to Upskill For Overall Career Well-Being Now, let’s talk about why upskilling is the name of the game. Meet ChatGPT, the game-changer shaking the foundations of the job market. Take Sarah, a marketing manager who navigated the digital revolution by integrating ChatGPT into her strategies. It wasn’t just about adding a new tool; it was a strategic move to stay relevant in the grand plan of her organization. Those who hesitated? Well, they risked becoming relics in the ever-evolving professional landscape. The Role of Upskilling in Career Wellbeing Upskilling is not about collecting skills like Pokémon cards; it’s about building a solid foundation for your career well-being. Look at John, an IT specialist who recognized the importance of staying sharp in the digital wild west, especially cybersecurity. By honing his expertise and deciding to upskill, John didn’t just stay afloat; he became the go-to guy as threats evolved. Upskilling is about becoming an indispensable part of your workplace, thriving in your current role, and positioning yourself for future success. The IT varsity Approach to Career Well-being Enter IT varsity, the renegades of education. This isn’t your typical school; it’s a rebellion against the ordinary. Maria, a recent graduate turned app developer, is a testament to the IT varsity’s commitment to career well-being. It goes beyond traditional education, providing a diverse range of programs that empower individuals to upskill and seize control of their professional growth. IT varsity’s approach isn’t just about imparting skills; it’s about cultivating a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability – crucial elements for sustained career well-being. IT varsity’s commitment to career well-being isn’t just a lofty promise; it’s etched into the fabric of Maria’s journey. Witness the seamless transition from a fresh graduate to a powerhouse in app development. This isn’t your typical success story; it’s a testament to IT varsity’s approach – not just imparting skills but fostering a mindset of growth and adaptability. Maria isn’t a lone warrior in this rebellion; she’s a beacon illuminating the transformative power of IT varsity. The commitment isn’t just about theoretical knowledge; it’s about arming individuals with the practical proficiency needed to navigate the complexities of the industry. IT varsity isn’t merely an educator; it’s a catalyst for carving out careers where passion meets proficiency and success becomes a lived reality. Practical Steps to Upskill Your Career Wellbeing Let’s get practical with Tom, the seasoned project manager who recognized the importance of staying current. Armed with a clear understanding of his shortcomings, Tom proactively set personalized learning goals. IT varsity’s tailored courses became his toolkit for refining his project management skills. It’s not about a one-size-fits-all model; it’s about choosing a pathway that aligns precisely with your career goals. Tom’s story illustrates the significance of a strategic and personalized approach to learning. Instead of a one-size-fits-all model, he chose a pathway that aligned precisely with his career goals. By doing so, he addressed his skill gap and positioned himself at the forefront of industry standards. Tom’s journey showcases how targeted education, combined with a proactive mindset, can lead to tangible improvements in skill sets, creating a pathway for career advancement in an ever-evolving professional landscape. The Impact of Career Wellbeing on Your Tomorrow The impact of upskilling goes beyond personal development; it transforms job satisfaction and overall fulfillment. Emily, a graphic designer, upskilled in multimedia design, leading to more engaging and satisfying creative projects. In a parallel narrative, Alex, a data analyst, undertook a deliberate upskilling journey in data science, fortifying his analytical capabilities. When individuals like Emily and Alex prioritize upskilling, the collective impact reverberates beyond individual career satisfaction. It forms the foundation for a resilient and thriving future. The adaptability gained through continuous learning becomes a crucial asset in navigating uncertainties and challenges. In essence, the marriage of upskilling and prioritizing career well-being lays the groundwork for a professional journey characterized by growth, satisfaction, and the ability to flourish in an ever-evolving professional landscape. When trailblazers like Emily and Alex put upskilling at the forefront, their influence ripples far beyond personal career contentment. It’s not just a personal triumph; it’s the cornerstone for a future that’s robust and teeming with possibilities. The adaptability they gain through relentless learning becomes a secret weapon, a crucial asset in navigating the murky waters of uncertainties and challenges. In essence, the marriage of upskilling and prioritizing career well-being isn’t just a union of concepts; it’s a blueprint for a professional journey marked by continuous growth, unwavering satisfaction, and the innate ability to thrive in the ever-evolving professional wilderness. This isn’t a mere philosophy; it’s the practical guide to carving a path that doesn’t just weather storms but surfs the waves of change, setting the stage for a career that’s not just about surviving but flourishing. Change Your Future Today So, here’s the deal – the future isn’t waiting; it’s happening now. IT varsity isn’t just a guide; it’s the compass pointing to a thriving tomorrow. Commit to continuous learning, shape a future where your career and well-being harmonize, and change your future today by upskilling. Previous Chapter | Table of Contents
Chapter 36: Tell me a Story
I’ve decided to leave this part of the book blank for now, because I have a special purpose for it. You see, this part of the book is going to tell a special story. A story about success, wealth, happiness and fame. A story about overcoming challenges and obstacles, of applying the 6Power Skills, and finding that ever-elusive pot of gold. What makes that story more special than the others in this book, is that it hasn’t happened yet. It is going to happen in the future. It is your story. It is the story how you read this book, applied its lessons, added a sparkling of your own passion and flair, and ultimately found what you were looking for. That story begins now, and you control the narrative. Make sure it’s a good one! And tell me about it. Tell me how you took your skills, your hopes, your ambitions, and placed them into the framework of the 6 skills, and how it all began to glow light a light bulb. All the best in your life and your endeavours. May you live a rewarding and enlightened life. Bk* Previous Chapter | Table of Contents
Chapter 35: That Flying Car Never Took Off
Did you know that we could have had flying cars as early as the late1980’s? Yup!. Back in the 1980s, Boeing did something that seemed straight out of science fiction: they built a flying car, the Boeing Sky Commuter. It was an amazing concept that promised to redefine personal transportation. Boeing’s vision was to create a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) vehicle, the Boeing Model 727-269, known colloquially as the “flying car.” The concept was impressive: a car-sized aircraft that could lift off vertically, eliminating the need for runways, and carry passengers across cities with ease. But, as history shows, this great innovation failed to take off (pun intended), robbing the world of a truly amazing product. There were a couple of reasons for the failure, the most obvious being the cost of manufacturing and running it. The prototype cost $6 million to build, and used a special type of jet fuel that was extremely expensive. Further, the car only accommodated one person with a small briefcase. That was a high price to pay for such a small vehicle! In the end, the Boeing flying car project was a pioneer in thinking beyond traditional boundaries but crashed due to a combination of high costs, usability and technical constraints. Could the visionary Sky Commuter concept have realized its full potential and transformed into a thriving business? We will never know. But we do know that, like many other technologies, there was a chance some changes could have been made, that would have made a major difference. Maybe adding some of the 6 Power Skills like creativity and problem solving, things could have been vastly different. Instead, they quit. Previous Chapter | Table of Contents
Chapter 34: Segwayed into Oblivion
One of the most unfortunate technologies ever, was the Segway. The Segway was unveiled in December 2001 with a lot of anticipation and excitement. It promised to revolutionize personal transportation with its unique self-balancing technology. It was designed to be a two-wheeled, battery-powered personal transporter that could be controlled by simply leaning forward or backward. It was intended to be a greener and more efficient alternative to cars for short-distance urban commuting. Before its official launch, the Segway generated enormous buzz and speculation. Media outlets and tech enthusiasts predicted that it could transform the way people traveled in cities, reduce traffic congestion, and have a significant impact on urban planning. Many believed it could be as transformative as the invention of the automobile. Personally, I don’t think that was an exageration. I think the Segway was a great technology, was well ahead of its time, and delivered on all its promises. I believe it could have made a positive global impact. Sadly, this was not to be. The Segway was a commercial flop, and was completely discontinued by 2020. There were a couple of major factors that led to the failure of the Segway. The first was the high cost: The Segway was priced at around $5,000 to $7,000, which made it unaffordable for the average consumer. This inevitably limited its market appeal, and led to it being seen as a novelty or a toy for the rich rather than a practical mode of transportation The second factor was technology-related: the Segway had a very limited range per charge, making it less suitable for longer commutes. Some people state that another major contributing factor was competition from electric motorbike and scooters. Did the Segway have to fail? I am not convinced. I believe that it could have been a success, but not enough was put into exploring the problems and finding innovative ways to fix it. The Segway was not unique in the fact that it had initial issues; in that sense, it joins the ranks of some of the greatest inventions. Some of those were already mentioned in this book, like the light bulb and the MRI scanner from GE Healthcare. In fact, some of the biggest companies in the world, like Airbnb, Apple, FedEx and Evernote, all faced major challenges that almost led to them going out of business. They all had initial problems, and they all experienced hurdles along the way. But the difference was that there was somebody behind the scenes who applied the 6 Power skills to solve those problems and turn them into golden opportunities. Sadly, the Segway did not. Previous Chapter | Table of Contents
Chapter 33: A sad, sad, tale
There are two levels of sad.. Speak about the people who never start, and those who start but don’t succeed the first time and quit. Let me tell you a sad story from the days of the gold rush in the American mid-West. There was a who got caught up in the gold fever of those times and headed west with dreams of striking it rich by prospecting and hopefully finding gold. He laid claim to a plot and got down to work with his pick and shovel. The going was tough, but he was his determined. After weeks of hard work, he finally struck gold! He now needed to mine the gold, for which he required specialized machinery. So, he discreetly covered the mine’s entrance, returned home, and shared the exciting news with his family and a handful of neighbors. Together, they pooled their resources for the much-needed machinery, and it was promptly shipped. Once everything was in place, he returned to the mine. The first load of ore was extracted and sent off to a smelter. The gold yielded from the ore, indicated that they were sitting on one of the richest mines in Colorado! A few more shipments of this valuable ore, and the prospector could pay of his debts, followed by incredible wealth. The drills went down, and their hopes went up. Down, down down, they went. But then, suddenly the vein of gold ore vanished into thin air. It was as if they had reached the end of the rainbow, and the pot of gold had mysteriously disappeared. They persisted, drilling frantically in an attempt to rediscover the vein, but their efforts were in vain. In the end, they made a heart-wrenching decision—they chose to QUIT. They sold the machinery to a scrap dealer for a meager sum, and returned home crestfallen. The scrap man who they sold the machinery to, know the story and had the foresight to take the advice of a mining engineer. The engineer took one look at the mine and did some calculations. His conclusion was clear—the project had failed because the owners were unfamiliar with “fault lines.” According to his calculations, the gold vein would be just three feet from where the original prospector had stopped. The scrap man immediately began digging on the spot, and guess what? They found gold just three feet down. The “Junk” man, armed with this knowledge, extracted millions of dollars’ worth of ore from the mine. He knew better than to give up. Now I find it very sad when people fail to get started, but I think it is even sadder when they do start, but quit at the first obstacle, just the the gold prospector in our story. Previous Chapter | Table of Contents
Chapter 32: You Are An Action
I sincerely hope by this point that you are feeling charged up, that you are feeling energetic, that you’ve looked at the six Cs, you’ve read about them, you understand them, and you’ve seen the success stories, and you’ve seen step by step how they applied it. And now I hope that you are in a position where you are saying to yourself, “I can do this, I can do this.” And I hope that that thought spurs you to action now. It inspires you to become more aware of what is going on in your world, what you like, and what you’d like to change. What are the things about your life that you don’t like? And I hope that this now inspires you to action. And over the next few months, you’re going to become one of those action people who uses this formula, who uses this playbook, to become a massive success in your life. And it doesn’t have to be business, even though pretty much all the examples I gave you are from the business world because I’m an entrepreneur. But it could be anything. It could be about getting into your dream career, finding your dream job, learning a new skill, or dealing with a personal problem like a relationship problem because the six Cs will help you get through those also. See, these are not just for income. These are not just for career and business. These are skills for life. I should have called it “six skills for life to succeed in life.” But you know, I had to make a choice on the title. But really, no matter what your problem is, no matter what the challenge and difficulty is, these six Cs will help you to succeed. Now in the next chapter, I’m going to give you examples of companies that failed because they didn’t apply the six Cs, or they applied it once and then they failed to iterate through it over and over again. Let’s head to the next chapter. Previous Chapter | Table of Contents
Chapter 31: Aunty K
Aunty K is in financial difficulties. She is a single mum of two, works a 9 to 5 job that pays a pittance, and she’s struggling to keep her head above water. She is justifiably unhappy and angry with her situation, and one day, she said, “Enough! I’m going to do something about this.” So she gets a hold of a copy of this book, which she reads thoroughly, and decides to put the 6 skills into action. Here is what she does: Step 1: Critical Thinking She starts by critically analysing her strengths, interests and skills. Hand in hand with that, she looks at the opportunities presented by the market, and tries and find a match. For example, she had done a web design course a few years before, and had enjoyed it and excelled at it. Perhaps she could start a freelance web design business. But were there any opportunities? An analysis of the market would have shown that there are huge opportunities for web designers. Or perhaps she could leverage her cooking skills, since makes some of the most delicious pickles and jams, or so she had been told by others. Perhaps she could bottle those and sell them via social media. A market analysis would have shown that there is an upsurge in home industry sales online, and that she could take advantage of that trend. Step 2: Change Mindset: Starting a business is a big move, and quite scary. There are all sorts of fears and apprehensions. There is a scary amount of work to be done, and a tonne of new skills to learn before starting and running a business. It can be daunting. That is why most people quit before they even start. But Aunty K is different. She embraces the idea of change and adaptability. She understands that starting a business is scary and fraught with risks. She acknowledges that there are gaps in her knowledge, and that may require learning new skills and taking calculated risks. But she is ready for it. She is determined to change her life, and is willing to do whatever it takes. She’s done being stuck in a hopeless position. She’s done not being able to buy herself and her kids nice things. She hates not being able to put them through the best schools and give them the best opportunities. “I’m done,” she says with gritted teeth. “I’m going to change it.” Bye, bye comfort zone! Step 3 – Complex problem solving: Starting a business, even a small, home-based one, is a complex task that takes a lot of careful planning. Aunty K is ready for that because she has taught herself problem-solving skills and puts them to good use, developing a detailed business plan. Step 4 – Creativity: Aunty K realizes that she will need an effective marketing plan, one that would get the word out about her products and services, and also differentiate her business from competitors. She will need to get those creative juices flowing, and explore unique ways to market her products or services and provide value to her customers. Step 5 – Collaboration: Aunty K is super-excited about her business, but she is well- aware that this is her first business and she would definitely need whatever help and advice she could get to give herself a better chance of success. She understand that collaborating with others can provide valuable insights and resources. She starts by seeking support and guidance from local business networks, mentors, and online communities. Everyone is eager and willing to help her. Next she finds people who can help her with other aspects of her business. She finds a web designer, graphic designer,M and a social media person, whom she brings together and gets their support. Step 6 – Communication: When everything is ready and all her ducks are lined up in a row, she hits the market. It’s an exciting time for her! She puts her entire focus on marketing and sales, which entail effectively communicating her business’s value proposition to potential customers. She will have to find ways to clearly and persuasively communicate her products to the market – that’s the only way she can attract and retain clients. Eventually, Aunty K’s business starts to grow, but she finds that the growth stops at a certain point. She hasn’t reached her targets yet. So what does she do? She goes through the six C’s again. Critical thinking, not enough money. How do I boost growth? And when she goes through the 6 C’s again, she notices that growth starts to increase again. And she keeps going through that cycle until her business becomes a massive success beyond her own initial expectations. Now this is how anybody – you – can apply these 6 skills to find success in anything you endeavor to accomplish. No matter what “technical” skills you have; you could be a web designer, chef, plumber, video editor, writer – pretty much any skill in the world – it is possible to turn into a source of income by plugging it into the 6 Power Skills. Or maybe you don’t have any “technical” skills, but you are passionate about something: health and fitness, arts and crafts, skateboarding, chess – you can also turn those into an income. It doesn’t seem difficult now, does it? So go for it! Just remember that it takes courage. Maybe there should have been a 7th C that encompasses all of the others, which says “Courage”. Previous Chapter | Table of Contents