Personal Branding Archives

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My thoughts and advice on building a strong personal brands.

August 30, 2020 / 9 Comments

Chadwick Boseman: How to Have a Black Excellent Life

In 2018, Black Panther became the highest-grossing solo superhero film. The movie also became the second-highest-grossing film the same year. The lead character, T’Challa was beautifully portrayed by American actor, Chadwick Boseman.

As we anticipated the sequel to the blockbuster movie, we got the shocking news of the death of Chadwick Boseman. He died of colon cancer on August 28, 2020. His family pronounced that Chadwick battled this disease for four years till his death.

Despite dying at an early age, Chadwick Boseman truly lived a life of grace and black excellence. He constantly poured out his heart, soul and life into the characters he played. These movies include Marshall, 42, 21 Bridges, Get On Up and many more. Greatly loved and admired by all, the final tweet on his account just became the most liked post in Twitter history.

As we continue to celebrate this king and legend, here are 5 things you can learn from his life too:

1. Live with a sense of purpose

Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson. You could tell right away that he was blessed.
To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain – what a use of his years.
Barack Obama on CHADWICK BOSEMAN

Unknown to the public eye, Chadwick visited and encouraged kids with cancer while facing his own battle with same cancer. In his movies, he also had this grace, presence, beauty and elegance when playing a character.

This is a constant reminder for you to be a hero too. Live each day with kindness and purpose. Be intentional. Live a life full of positivity and laughter.

Mr Boseman levelled the playing field while fighting for his life… That’s heroism. I’ll remember the good times, the laughter, and the way he changed the game…
Robert Downey Jr ON Chadwick boseman

2. Live a Quiet Life

Chadwick was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, per reports. During that time, he gave us Civil War, Marshall, Black Panther, Infinity War, Endgame, 21 Bridges and Da 5 Bloods. Lord only knows what he was going through on a daily basis.
Jemele hill on Chadwick boseman

Chadwick gives an exemplary example of balancing personal life and work. He never allowed his inner battles to affect his work ethic or creative approach to acting. Chadwick’s family said he had filmed many of his recent movies while undergoing “countless surgeries”. He thoroughly played his movie roles to the very end.

This act is a reminder to do and say only what matters most. Not everyone needs to hear about your troubles or struggles. Never let your darkness or inner demons prevent you from becoming the light you are. Always shine and showcase your talents till the very end.

What a gentle gifted SOUL. Showing us all that Greatness in between surgeries and chemo. The courage, the strength, the Power it takes to do that. This is what Dignity looks like.
Oprah Winfrey on Chadwick Boseman

3. Live with true friends who support you

Chadwick had the chance to act life-changing roles because he had people to support him during his last years on Earth. His family. The group of close friends. His fellow co-actors. They were always there to appreciate his work and give him the chance to laugh till the end.

This is a reminder to choose your friends carefully. Have a select few who can guard your secrets and still build a healthy relationship with you. Maintain friendships that empower you on a positive level.

Chadwick was special. A true original. He was a deeply committed and constantly curious artist. He had so much amazing work still left to create. I’m endlessly grateful for our friendship. Rest in power, King.
Chris Evans on Chadwick boseman

4. Live Life to the Fullest

This is clearly evident from the eulogies received on the internet and by his family. Chadwick Boseman gave his all while living a life of grace, elegance and heroism.

This is a reminder for you to live to the fullest too. Constantly develop your talents. Share your story in whatever you can. Most importantly, don’t die empty.

Yes this was our king. Not because we served him or because he ruled. But because of how he served us in everything he did. He played a hero on screen and lived like one in real life. He made so many of us proud of who we are. Hamba kahle Chadwick…Sizoku bona phambili.
Trevor Noah on Chadwick Boseman

5. Live in accordance with God’s will

“I noticed then that Chad was an anomaly,” Coogler wrote. “He was calm. Assured. Constantly studying. But also kind, comforting, had the warmest laugh in the world, and eyes that see much beyond his years, but could still sparkle like a child seeing something for the first time.”
Ryan Coogler on Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman once said he prayed for the role of BLACK panther before he got it. He always looked different. Sounded different. I guess this can be linked to his Christian faith. Because Chadwick has also given a speech at a Christian gathering. This is also supported by his pastor who says Chadwick Boseman sustained his faith till the very end.

This is a constant reminder to always communicate with God in whatever you do. Sustain and stay strong in your faith with Him. Always remember Him in your youth. Let Him guide and lead you all the days of your life.

Yeah. So those are the five tips on living a black excellent life like Chadwick Boseman.

Rest in Power, King.

Chadwick was such an elegant man with great integrity and tremendous talent. He inspired an entire generation to stand up and be king. Honor him by emulating him-show kindness and love to others. Share your talents in ways that impact. Always strive to be a light in the darkness.
Russo Brothers on Chadwick Boseman

August 30, 2020 / 1 Comment

Seven Golden Rules of Creativity: How to Stay in Touch with your Creative Self

Does creativity work best with rules? Creativity is always seen as an unstoppable force unhinged by principles. Yet, most creatives acknowledge they only produce astonishing works through discipline and a set of guidelines. And I am here to share some of these guidelines.

In this article, I am sharing seven rules you can apply in your creative thinking. By the end of this post, you will learn these techniques of creativity often applied by other people. These rules are extremely important for a modern and ambitious millennial like you.

7 Golden Rules of Creativity by Zamai Banje — Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

1. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU CREATE

You have probably heard of the philosophy to create as freely and wildly as you can. In most cases, this is counterintuitive. Some creatives fall into an abyss of mediocrity after dabbling into negative creativity. This negative innovation includes creating information that harms others or influence users into negative habits.

Using these products eventually affect the creator. Be careful what you create. Creativity must always come from a source of positivity and the drive to help others.

2. TRUST IN YOUR WORK

Be a firm believer in what you do and create. You are your biggest fan. People will only trust you if they see the passion and drive you put in your creative process.

Trust that your work is good for someone out there to see. Learn to trust in the process. Constantly hone your craft with a strong belief in yourself and your talents.

3. ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS

Creativity comes from a source of tranquillity and serenity. A disorganized mind leaves no room for genuine creativity. When your thoughts are messy and cluttered, you tend to create mediocre stuff. Search yourself; the facts don’t lie.

Learn to organize your thoughts. Get a notebook or dedicated app to start jotting down your thoughts. Your thoughts often range from ideas, strategies, conversations to ramblings. Learn to segment them using journals.

To learn more about journaling, read this article: Journaling: How To Constantly Channel and Control Your Thoughts

4. OBSERVE WITH CHILDLIKE CURIOSITY

Don’t just be curious. Be curious like a child. Begin every day with the urge to learn something new. View each interaction as an opportunity to get inspired. Be happy no matter the circumstances. This kind of lifestyle will positively increase your creativity.

Curiosity keeps you focused on trends and new improvements in your chosen craft and purpose. Curiosity allows you stay on the path where passion falters.

5. STAY BORED

Boredom is first allowed before creativity comes in. We often create to break out of a rut or to experience something new. This invariably means boredom always precedes creativity. Learn to acknowledge that boredom is necessary for originality and innovation to exist.

Remember to stay bored once in a while. Then use this phase to experience a fresh bout of creativity in your craft.

6. SHARE YOUR WORK

Sharing your work is an integral part when applying these golden rules of creativity. After building trust in yourself and your talents; showcase your work shamelessly. If you are a bit shy, start small by showing your work to a close group of friends and family. This is how I started too.

Learn to appreciate the good feedback. Pick out points to improve from negative and constructive feedback too. You can only do this when you share your work.

7. BELIEVE IN SOMETHING BIGGER

This is the last golden rule of creativity but it is arguably the most important. Constantly remind yourself that you are part of something bigger. Your talents, abilities and work impact more lives than you can imagine. You are a vessel, not the source. Learn to view your creative style from a source of endless inspiration and innovation. This is the only way to keep creating excellent work.

Most importantly, believe in the Creator, have faith and have a sense of purpose.

Cheers to your creative self.

August 23, 2020 / 1 Comment

Journaling: How To Constantly Channel and Control Your Thoughts

Hello, beautiful one! Have you heard of the power of written words? I mean not just the words you read, but the words written (or typed) by your hand. Words are very powerful and have always transformed lives. So is it possible you are not controlling yours? There is a hidden power you and I can use. It is the power of Journaling.

Journaling is the activity of keeping a diary or journal for personal and productive purposes. Journaling can take different forms. This ranges from writing daily tasks on a diary to writing concise applicable reviews of a book you just read. This largely depends on your personal style.

Journaling: How to constantly channel and control your thoughts — Photo by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash

Before you learn more about this power, please check the following scenarios and see if you have ever experienced any of them?

Have you ever lost track of time and don’t know what to do at a particular time? Or do you have such overwhelming work that it paralyses you to do something?
Have ideas run through your beautiful mind, yet at the opportune time, you forget the exact steps to execute these same ideas? Or sometimes do you forget the entire idea itself?
Are you an avid reader, yet lack the capacity to what you apply what you have read? Have you listened to so many videos and podcasts, yet the information got has little or no lasting effects in aspects of your life?

Well, if any of this has happened, you are not alone. I have experienced most of them and recording my actions on journals really helped me a lot. Don’t take my word for it. Here are a couple of reasons you need to start journaling today:

WHY YOU NEED TO START JOURNALING NOW

Journaling helps you to stay productive and organized. Yes, dear, it’s true. Recording your daily thoughts and tasks helps you prioritize and keeps you focused on specific tasks throughout the day.
Journaling allows you to filter ideas. When you jot down major ideas after reading a book or watching a video; you tend to write down only the major ideas that matter to you. This is really helpful in this world of overwhelming information.
When your journal, you learn the subtle art of connecting the dots. This sounds surreal but writing or recording your thoughts helps you evaluate certain situations with a fresher and wiser outlook. You have had the chance to rethink and now pour these ‘second chances’ in your journal.

I hope these reasons are good enough to start recording those ideas. However, before you start writing, there is a mistake you must avoid. When journaling, most people tend to record their entire activities in a single journal. They record work, daily musings, eureka moments and knowledge nuggets in the same journal. This is counterproductive because it eventually leads to messy and cluttered information. This defeats the major purpose of journaling.

Here is what you need to do. Have different journals for different purposes. Here are the major journals you must have to stay on the right track to channelling and controlling your thoughts.

JOURNALS NEEDED FOR THE ROAD

Spiritual Journal: Needed to record your conversations with God, including scriptures, revelations and insights. This keeps you constantly connected with the Creator.
Goal Journal: Needed to record your goals and track progress as you go along. This keeps you accountable and focused.
Day-to-Day Journal: Needed to record the good, bad and the activities you need to improve every day. This keeps you energized and monitor your thoughts.
Gratitude Journal: Needed to record things you are grateful for on a daily basis. This keeps you in a positive and happy state.
Knowledge Journal: Needed to record insights, strategies and quotes you pick from your book studies, videos and podcasts. This should include actionable steps to later on.
Ideation Journal: Needed to record ideas and eureka moments you want to work on or connect later. This keeps you creative.
Work Journal: Needed to record your work-related activities. This keeps your head and workspace minimal with maximum efficiency.

Here is the best part of this article.

HOW TO START JOURNALING TODAY

So far so good, there are two major ways you can start journaling today.

Get a notebook and a pen. Start recording your activities. Just as we have mentioned earlier, get different notebooks for each interest.
The second method is to download a dedicated journaling app. Examples of these apps are Evernote, WriterP and Google Keep. WPS Office and Google Docs can also help your journaling journey. However, the key is to be minimal and to avoid distractions.

QUICK TIP: Create different notebooks (in place of notebooks) in your dedicated app to separate each journal.

Personally, I would recommend the first method – keeping physical journals. There is this sense of serenity and sincerity within yourself when you take a pen and write on a physical journal. Nonetheless, I still use my phone (I currently use WriterP) to record ideas especially in public places (I don’t want to be known as the weird guy who brings out a notebook immediately an idea pops in his head)

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

FINAL WORDS

This might sound like hard work to you. Especially if you have associated writing with schoolwork in times past. The easiest way to break this fear is to break the rules.

Write whatever you feel like. You can write just two words daily. Draw or doodle by the margins if you feel like. Open your dedicated journaling app and edit a post you copied.

But by all means, journal. I want you to write something today. Cheers.