Category: Personal Branding (page 3 of 3)

My thoughts and advice on building a strong personal brands.

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.

August 14, 2020 / 0 Comments

Invest in Relationships the Right Way: Read this Now!!!

I previously published an article: The Best Investments To Do Right Now In Your 20s and 30s. The post highlighted relationships as one of the most valuable investments you can do right now. (Please read it now and continue this post when you’re done)

To understand this better, here is a little backstory. I used to believe individual strength was the most important virtue to succeed. I had this warped mentality. As long as I constantly honed my talent, nothing else mattered.

My dear, I was wrong. Extremely wrong. Relationships are very important. Building healthy, positive and beneficial relationships is key in climbing the ladder of success as a modern millennial.

People own companies and build businesses. Technologies are developed by people. People share knowledge and teach skills.
The closer you get the right people, the faster and better your chances of building a wealthy future.
Zamai Banje – the best investments to do right now in your Twenties and thirties

After reading this article, you will learn tips on building beneficial and influential relationships. Investing in people always brings exponential returns in the long term. Here are the tips:

1. BE SINCERE AND GENUINE

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love
ROMANS 12:9-10 NKJV

When it comes to building relationships, don’t fake it. Be honest. Love from your inner being. Show care from the innermost parts of your heart. This is true sincerity.

2. BE LOYAL

Loyalty is a valuable currency when investing in people. Be a good friend. Treat the most important people in your life as family. Be devoted to them.

3. PUT THEM FIRST

…in honour giving preference to one another
romans 12:10b NKJV

If you want someone to be a significant part of your life, put their priorities first. Make them feel honoured always. Give them more respect than you give yourself.

Laugh with them on their joyous moments. Weep with them on terrible days. Don’t get jealous of another person’s victories. Celebrate with them. Learn to recognize people’s needs as your own.

4. BE HOSPITABLE

…distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Romans 12:13 NKJV

Always look for ways to meet the needs of others. Be a person of value. Be kind. Always feel free to share your energy, expertise and experience with people who need your help. This creates an abundant mindset for you. A person with abundance never lacks.

5. DON’T RETURN EVIL WITH EVIL

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
ROMANS 12: 17-18 NKJV

Yeah. This sounds difficult especially in this era that glorifies paybacks and clap backs, but it’s best to never return evil for evil. Two wrongs don’t make a right. In contrast, return evil with good.

There is beauty in everyone. Seek this beauty and complement their strengths rather than downplaying their weaknesses.

Don’t insist on getting even. Be the odd one. Be kind and friendly.

6. BE OPEN-MINDED

Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
ROMANS 12: 16 NKJV

Be fair and open-minded when communicating with people. This allows you make good judgement of people’s character and competence. Do not ever feel superior to others either because of your rank, race or gender.

This also feels counterintuitive but be willing to be friends with people who don’t look important to others. This world is a small place and you never know what could happen in the days to come.

Yeah. That’s it. These tips look simple. However, they are very powerful. I am already utilizing most of the tips (especially number two) and they have worked wonders.

What about you? Which tip will you work on today?

July 1, 2020 / 1 Comment

FOR THE LOVE OF JON BELLION: 7 Things To Emulate From His Creative Style

In 2017, I first got introduced to Jon Bellion through his hit single, “All time low” and since then, I have become a loyal fan (a.k.a Bellionaire) till date.

Jonathan ‘Jon’ Bellion has been able to bring a unique and thoughtful style of music through his lyrics, energy and how his mind works. As a song writer, producer, singer and child of God, Jon successfully built a loyal fan base, coupled with hundreds of million streams on his music albums.

Personally, his 2016 album, “The Human Condition” is still the best album in terms of composition, and meaning. Even the outro on the album, “Hand of God” has to be the grandest finale in music history.

Indeed, Jon Bellion is worthy of emulation and a creative force to reckon with. That’s why I coined out seven tips we can learn from how this beautiful mind (wordplay intended) approaches music.

Here we go…

1. HAVE AN EXTREME LOVE FOR WHAT YOU DO

Jon Bellion is crazily passionate about music and clearly showcases it in his workflow and songs produced. In his interviews and documentaries, he is dubbed as the artist who uses ‘the human voice as an instrument’.

Facial Expressions and Artwork for Jon Bellion

In his early days, Jon was responsible for the vocals, instrumentals, lyrics and even minor ad-libs of his songs. This speaks highly of his drive for excellence and unique sound synonymous with his music.

FYI: it’s important to find that one thing you are good at and love to do at the same time. The Japanese call it “Ikigai”. This is your true calling.

If you have not found it yet, cultivate a welcoming love for what you currently do. You can do this by gathering knowledge, and developing a curious nature in that particular field.

Keep the huge boundless energy for the work you love to do.

2. FIND CIRCLES OF FRIENDS WHO SHARE THE SAME PASSION IN YOUR DESIRED FIELD

After listening to Jon Bellion’s songs a dozen times, I noticed some familiar voices throughout the course of his musical journey.

Cover art for ‘He is the Same’ Music Single

This includes other talented artists like Blaque Keyz, Vice and some others. While they play only small roles (e.g ad-libs and short rap verses) in his songs, it’s obvious Jon spends a lot of time on and off his studio sessions with these guys.

FYI: So dear, there will always be time when the creative juice is not flowing. That’s what this circle of friends is for. These guys will always be there to pull you through. They will be there to cheer you during your success. These set of friends will also be there to laugh and correct your mistakes.

Always be on the lookout for such people. You can find them in related communities or random events related to your chosen field. And when you find them, don’t let them go. Also prepare to offer value to them too.

This brings us to the third advice:

3. DEVELOP YOURSELF BEFORE FORMING OR JOINING A TEAM

Yeah, this is an advice most young people like you and I fail to understand. Guys have rushed into sour partnerships because they failed to assess their strength and that of their teammates.

Cover art for ‘Weight of the World’ music single

I am a huge believer in collaboration and I strongly believe everyone has to bring something to the table. Collaboration is truly achieved when all parties benefit from each other. Hence, a group is only as strong as its weakest link.

So develop yourself first before forming that dream team. Acquire the necessary skills. Build the portfolio. Achieve something independently before seeking interdependence.

In this context, your vision becomes clearer to others once they see what you are already building.

In the case of Jon Bellion, there is a huge difference between his previous albums and his most recent – Glory Sound Prep (GSP). The latest album was more organised, sophisticated and mature as a result of his collaboration with other artistes. Same goes for his acoustic songs done with groups of instrumentalists.

The reason is simple. Collaboration works best when each member of the team is good. Your enthusiasm and objective is also shared and achieved when there’s clear proof of what you’ve done.

I always want to approach records from where it feels very graspable. You know what the song’s about, but it’s presented to you in a way that’s like, ‘I never heard something like this before,’ but it doesn’t push you away.
Jon Bellion in an interview.

4. LEARN TO DRAW INSPIRATION FROM OTHER INTERESTS

Jon Bellion once said, he gets inspired by watching a Pixar movie on silent and listening to Nas. He clearly expresses his other interests and influences to produce the music he wants to do.

Album art for ‘New York Soul’ music single

Besides, I first got drawn to the well-illustrated and visually appealing cover of the Human Condition album. (And I am a lover of animations too.)

FYI: I hope this shows that you can combine your interests into your current work. After all, originality is simply the refinement of old ideas in a new and creative way.

5. SHARE YOUR VULNERABILITY IN YOUR WORK

Another beautiful trait of Jon Bellion’s music is how honest and relatable his lyrics are.

Honesty. Empathy. Relatability. These values are essential.

So when sharing your work, always remember to add a personal touch of vulnerability and openness. People love to relate with who they understand. They want to understand how you make them feel. Trigger those emotions by being open to them.

We are all attracted to success stories because of the struggles they faced before triumphing.

So learn to share yours. Because it is one of the ways your audience can connect with you on a deeper level.

“Although I guess if I knew tomorrow-I guess I wouldn’t need faith,
I guess if I never fell, I guess I wouldn’t need grace,
I guess if I knew His plans, I guess He wouldn’t be God”
Jon Bellion, Maybe IDK

6. SEE YOUR WORK AS A JOURNEY

I guess this is why I am still stuck to the melody of Jon Bellion. For instance, the hook of ‘Want to be Loved’ (2011) goes like this:

See we just want to be loved, is that so much to ask?
See we just want to be loved, is that so much to ask?
See I just want to be loved, is that so much to ask?
See I just want to be, see I just want to be loved

Then, in 2018, the chorus of “Stupid Deep” goes like this:

What if who I hoped to be was always me?
And the love I fought to feel was always free?
What if all the things I’ve done
Were just attempts at earning love? Yeah
‘Cause the hole inside my heart is stupid deep, oh, stupid deep.

This alone signifies improvement in his music and outlook towards life. Coincidentally, Jon Bellion has an album titled ‘Growth’, a collection of previous songs before the GSP album.

FYI: In life, there are several phases. When you’re young, you are currently in a phase too. It’s important to enjoy the moments in each phase. Acknowledge the fact that Excellence is an act. It’s a process. Learn to document it as you go on.

Conversations with my Father and he’s telling me
There’s a point in making memories
‘Cause they’ll be even better when we’re heavenly
Jon Bellion, Mah’s Joint

You are now at the best part. Here is my most important tip from Jon Bellion.

7. HAVE FAITH, BELIEVE IN GOD AND HAVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE

I came to the realization that I’m a child of God, and that’s my identity. If this all goes tomorrow, I don’t have the proverbial rug under me that can be pulled out. I’m taken care of, and there’s someone who loves me.

– Jon Bellion.

Yeah, I was glad to know Jon self-identifies as a child of God. This makes his songs more memorable and appealing. He preaches a message bigger than himself through his music.

So in sum,

When you’re lost in the universe, lost in the universe
Don’t lose faith
My mother says, “Your whole life’s in the hand of God”…
Jon Bellion, Hand of God

Have Faith.
Believe in God.
Have a sense of purpose.

With this mindset, you will approach your life and work with long-term thinking and wider perspective.

Life becomes more satisfying and eternity becomes inevitable.

Jon Bellion illustration – Glory Sound Prep Album

(All pictures used in this post is the creative work of David Ardinaryas Lojaya, a character designer and amazing illustrator)