Here's, How to Let go of pain in Life when you feel stuck? Chris Educator's Short guide to help you feel Free and Better

October 17, 2021
Short Guide: Letting go of pain when you feel stuck in a Situation

Hey! I missed you guys this week. My son was down with high fever. Thank goodness he is better now.

This week has been crazy, life can get you stuck sometimes. It was an opportunity to use what I preach and write about. 

I practiced a lot of stuff (Self help related, of course). I got back to researching theology and philosophy. I can spend hours studying these topics (Whilst spending time baby sitting etc.)

At some point of time we all feel let down by life or ourselves and it may not even be these things it could be a terrible situation that gets us stuck. 

For me it was my child' s health for others it may be a relationship or something else. How do we deal with these situations?

(Maybe)You can pray these away, but I will share with some powerful ideas I found out.

Here are some points I tried:

Accepting the present situation

Could this situation be an opportunity?


Accepting a situation comes when we are present and aware of what is going on. We don't need to decide the outcome mentally. It can be stressful and we may not make the best of the moment we find ourselves in.

You have options

You choose and don't let the situation dictate your choice


Do you think you are cornered or you have hit a wall? That can be a difficult situation. I have been there, I can share with you how I dealt with the problem.

I try looking at the situation objectively. Taking a note of the possible outcomes. Speaking with a friend or counsellor has personally helped.

Journaling the journey

Journaling is awesome...Write your own story!


I journal using my mobile phone. I have my phone with me all the time. Why not use it to write a note or two. It has really been useful. 

When I want to review or check how I felt at a particular situation I just browse through my notes on phone. It is that simple. If you are concerned about privacy just use an app locker.

Meditate or pray your tensions away

Lol... Ignore the Brand Mantra part


I am not trying to evangelize or anything. I think it is practical and it works. Personally, I just tune my thoughts out and close my eyes, I just lose myself in the moment, just focusing on my breath. 

It is s a relaxing experience. It refreshes me and feel energized. I pray too, it connects me with my higher purpose and puts things into perspective. 

Conclusion 

I believe life happens to all of us and we all face situations that can cripple us. 

But being there for others and yourself is important. Self care is also important to you and it can help others. 

I would like to leave you with this quote from my Twitter Feed.

I wish you an awesome week ahead and the very best. Do consider subscribe to our Newsletter... See you guys in the next blog post.

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Understanding yourself: A Quick and Practical guide to Self Introspection for building a Personal Brand

October 04, 2021

 

Self Introspection key as a tool to build Authenticity in a Personal Brand


Let me start with a Prediction, Most of you have a Facebook Account. I love Facebook and I am a fan of it.

The Best thing about it is you are connected or can connect with people who are your friends but due to a busy life or a different location you cannot connect.

Connections and Networks can be really powerful. Ask a successful Network Marketer or Business person the power and value of a Network.

People make a living of it (literally). You can leverage your Network to build a Successful business or brand.

My view of Brand or Business is not that of a person that uses his/her/zir network to suck the life of it. But rather to be a useful and reliable part of it (without being a doormat).

I believe building a Brand is like that, it is making a Promise and letting people know you can deliver on it.

Please check my Previous post on Personal Brand, where I share 6 Steps to Building a Powerful Personal Brand.

Lets look at Step 1, You are building a Personal Brand. You will have to start with you and an image or an idea of you.

A lot of us will accept that we mask our emotions at times and it is good.

But while building a brand you need to understand yourself so that you can showcase the 'Real You' you want people to understand and engage with.

The one who makes the promise to deliver a Service or Product that adds value to People.

So how does one Introspect? Do we have to prepare some kind of Questionnaire?

There are whole list of Questions. Let me break it down for you.

Experts recommend to use the following strategy while trying get a better picture of yourself.

Busting Some Myths about Personal Branding

Craft your own Brand Mantra


# Everyone is not your audience

This is one of the mistakes people make. I think we kind of assume everyone would find your content important or interesting.

It is like a movie or a song that you love and everyone else is like, 'Nah! that is crepes'.

Find your audience by focusing on niches that can be monetized.

Everyone does not like philosophy or self help, Some people do so why not focus on them.

# You don't need to meet everyone's standard

It is good to be on par with others, but sometimes we need to be clear about what we are into.

We must understand our purpose for a project or activity.  We must follow appropriate standards for the task at hand. Standards should also be implemented in a context or in  situation.

If you niche demands blog posts, see if you are following the right practices needed for a successful blog post.

# Modelling Successful influencers guarantees success

I think this is quite a fallacious thought to think that we can blindly model some Successful people and its surely going to work for everyone. 

Being successful is not following a recipe, Of Course there are established practices and techniques that do help people.

But I think these are more like guides or starting points rather than Laws of Success that cannot be broken.

# You have nothing to offer

I think this is an excuse we tell ourselves. Things or situations can be difficult to get around, but that should not stop you from achieving our goals.

Challenges make a journey more interesting. So you can focus on your positives and create a product or service that helps people.

May be you need to change the audience or the people you are selling to (some cases).

# Personal branding is one-upmanship

I think Personal Brands is about showcasing your Uniqueness and how you standout from your competition.

I don't think it is about putting people or brands down, competition doesn't need to be nasty.

Introspection and its Relation to PB

Change your world !


Where do we start is sometimes the question we all ask. Should we just blindly post pictures on Instagram or just write blogs or may be even a Book?

I don't think so, I think it is much more than that. What if all your efforts don't bear fruit? Should you just scrap it and leave it behind?

I think your purpose and goal will be a good guide to answer these questions besides an expert or consultant.

Introspection is key to authenticity, Authenticity adds value to your Personal brand.

Faking it till you make it does not mean being another person or portraying a false persona. I believe it is about portraying your potential to people. More like a symbol of what you could potentially become.

Introspection for building Authenticity

Introspection is preparing your mind for showcasing You


Introspection is key to understanding Authenticity.

We need to be clear about Who we are  and what we are offering people.

Story telling is key but authenticity builds a Strong Brand that promises Trust and Reliance to its audience.

Now before you check my other posts on Personal Branding, Let me leave you with a key to Introspection.

I would say take sometime out of your busy schedule and reflect on your dream. Try understand how it connects with your passion and how you can monetize it.

You could perform a SWOT analysis to help you understand yourself. You can see how your goals reflect you.

I would journal your thoughts and ideas regularly. On the weekends just skim through your own writings and evaluate them.

I believe this is a good starting point to be Authentic. Sometimes we  need sometime to just disconnect and connect with ourselves.

Concluding Thoughts

I believe Branding and Marketing is not about building a fake image or putting up a façade. I think it is more about serving people by being yourself.

When I speak about being yourself I believe it is about doing in a productive and smart manner.

I hope these thoughts and ideas are productive to you in understanding or building a Personal brand.

See you in the next post, Thank you for your time. Please do join the discussion on our Facebook Page!

Reference:

https://plantae.org/self-reflection-personal-branding/

https://medium.com/digital-reflections/be-the-brand-personal-branding-101-ab0f80576a00

https://cocoandcowe.com/2018/02/13/personal-branding/

https://influencermarketinghub.com/what-is-personal-branding/

https://www.capitalonecareers.com/how-to-create-your-personal-brand-divi-cdev

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/self-awareness-personal-branding-slava-noor/


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You're Not Alone – A Guide to Outsourcing

October 02, 2021

Source: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1526948128573-703ee1aeb6fa


 Outsourcing is the practice of handing control over certain processes to someone who is outside the company. According to a report from research firm Clutch, around 80% of small businesses plan to outsource in 2021. Outsourcing is becoming more popular because it not only allows many companies to save time and money but also gives them a chance to work with industry experts. It enables them to focus on the parts of the business they love, and leave other parts to more capable professionals.


Business owners who outsource work understand that trying to do everything themselves can only slow down the growth of their business. Based on the principles from The Effective Executive, however, to be truly effective as a person includes knowing how to manage your time, setting your priorities, and understanding where and how to mobilize strength. According to author Peter Drucker, becoming a more effective person hinges on our ability to “get the right things done.” And one of the best things a business owner can do at an individual level is to delegate tasks. Going things alone can be damaging to your brand.

To prioritize what we need to do, we have to tap into outsourcing — both in the business and personal space. This means hiring someone to manage day-to-day tasks like taxes, marketing, or even chores, so we can make the most out of the 24 hours we’re given each day.


Why Should You Outsource?


Time is the only thing we cannot buy, but outsourcing specific tasks comes pretty close. In her book called Time Smart, Harvard professor Ashley Whillans makes the case that valuing time over money can automatically improve your quality of life and make you happier. Based on her research, people who prioritize time are happier because they feel more in control of their lives. Although it may seem like a waste of money to hire someone to do your laundry or clean your house, outsourcing these chores can make you as happy as you'd be if you got an $18,000 raise. By letting someone else do the tasks you don't prioritize, you can have more time for meals, active leisure, vacation, or socialization. You also have more time to reinvest in your brand. Moreover, you are also less overwhelmed and stressed in the long run.

How Do You Outsource?

When thinking about which tasks you should outsource, focus on the time-consuming and repetitive stuff you don’t enjoy. It helps to ask whether or not someone can do a better job than you on certain tasks as well. At a personal level, these tasks can include laundry, grocery shopping, gardening, and cleaning. When it comes to building your brand, you could also find someone to run errands for you, like lining up at the post office, answering phone calls, or booking appointments.

Once you’ve narrowed it down, hire a service provider like you would an office employee. You want to hear feedback on their previous performance and check on past experiences as well. Be sure to define and communicate your expectations. Let them know what you want them to accomplish, and if you’re following a tight schedule.


Best Practices for Outsourcing


As a general rule of thumb with outsourcing, you get what you pay for. This means you shouldn’t choose a service provider who has a cheap hourly rate but cannot assure quality. Ideally, you should hire someone who can achieve good results. If it’s your first time to engage their services, start with small tasks so you can see how strong their skills are. Outsourcing experts even recommend having a trial run so you can gauge their competence.

In our blog post on ‘5 Things to Do When Things Get Difficult’, we discussed how each of us has strengths and weaknesses — so the desire to be perfect will only bog you or your outsourced talent down. By acknowledging you need a helping hand sometimes, you can make your life much easier and more manageable.





Article was specially written for www.chriseducator.com by Annie Conner


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Conducting an Online Class Without a Computer; How Mobile Apps Helped Me Save My Work?

September 22, 2021

How to take an online class without a Computer?


 I didn't choose to write this article, The situation I was in actually was instrumental in making this happen.

Past Few days, There has been something amazingly crazy going on. My Laptop just stopped working, Then my wife's laptop had a problem.

Since then I have been working from a Phone and my wife from a Tablet. Working from a computer has been a luxury, lol!

But I must say thanks to a few products and apps it was possible.

I used some Resourcefulness and my Android powered phone did the rest.

As an Educator, We need to work with different materials and present to students.

With classes going online, it has also become about technology.

Taking classes on a Computer, gets a lot of details organized.

While in an online Classroom, We use whiteboard software, video conferencing application and whole host of apps to make the Lecture possible.

I thought of sharing a few tips and recommending a few apps to make things easier.


5 Apps that help take an amazing class on my phone:

1. Video Conferencing application:

I personally prefer Google Meet over Zoom. I believe both have their benefits.

But I prefer Google Meet because it makes it easy to send out emailers for classes.

It integrates with Gmail and Jamboard easily this makes it a comfortable experience.

User experience is good and there are less distractions. Zoom also has its benefits.

Both work well from the phone. The user interface is easy to use and works seamlessly in my estimation.

2. Graphic Design tools:

There are a lot of photo editing and Graphic designing tools.

I just prefer Canva. It is not a photo editing tool, but its mobile application is really powerful.

It has features and templates that can help you create a beautiful presentation for class.

I used Canva for my presentations and for creating posts for Social media.

The Pro version has many great features.

3. Time Management Tools:

I use Remember the Milk and Trello along with other Google applications.

The mobile apps are really convenient and simple to use. As an Educator, it is important to keep track of various activities.

Time management mobile apps can really make working without a Computer manageable.

4. Quizzing Software:

Online Classes require engagement. Students have to be present online for longer durations than previously required.

I use Quizizz for creating Quizizz for my Students along with Jamboard. I didn't use the mobile application but the website adapts easily to the phone.

It is a great resource for online classes

5. Connectivity Tools:

WhatsApp, Gmail app etc. are some apps we take for granted, but believe me they are really awesome.

It makes sharing files and other resources easy with students and parents.

I thank these companies for creating and maintaining such amazing services.

Conclusion

I would like end by thanking all these amazing companies for such simple and powerful products they create.

I think more than money it also about serving and helping a lot of people.

The mobile phone we use everyday is a very powerful instrument and can be used to create amazing experiences.

Though some of these points may seem obvious, But I wanted to bring out the potential everyday objects and applications we use have.

If you like this article, Do join my subscriber list and get my Newsletter, it will update you with interesting articles and ideas you could use...Join Now!

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How I overcame my Fear of Public Speaking? 101 Lessons I learnt from the School of Hard knocks, Numerous Trials and Errors

September 18, 2021

Public Speaking is about your Audience

Hey Chris!, You must be born a great speaker. You just speak your mind, Gosh! How do you do that? I have heard many comments and candid confessions from near and dear ones.

But as most of them know, It was not easy for me. In my College days, I was good Catholic boy (Now I am good catholic man with a small 'c')

I was a volunteer  at the local prayer group. We use to participate in cultural activities and interact with families.

When our prayer group shifted to another part of the city, our Prayer leader decided to connect with local schools and the local church community.

We gave presentations and I would just volunteer (mostly ushering people and smiling when needed). One day my Prayer Leader asked me to give a 45 minutes talk on the importance of the Holy Rosary.

I started collecting all the books available on Public Speaking. I was not prepared for it.

So I started reading up books on Public Speaking and books on the Rosary. I thought that I would be able to speak when the time was right.

I practiced in front of the mirror and I thought I was going to be okay. When the day had arrived I just couldn't open my mouth.

I picked up some courage and I spoke. I spoke all the information I knew and guess what I managed to speak for only 10 minutes.

What was going to happen for the next 35 minutes? What was I going to say? I just excused myself and moved away.

At that moment I thought 'flight' was a better response than other alternatives. I thought it didn't make sense to deal with a situation I never knew how to manage.

A decade later I was ready to lecture and speak with confidence. I was able to share my ideas and opinions.

Public Speaking can be difficult for the unprepared


This confidence and transition was not some kind of miracle. It was the result of an effort.

An Effort to achieve a Goal to change. Did I attend a course or read a book?

I did both and they helped me tremendously. But it was also the constant push and desire to make something happen.

A lot of times we think that things will miraculously change if you read a book or join a course?

Things will change, but it might only mean having more information about the strategies and techniques.

By themselves Strategies and techniques are not enough. One needs to also practice and be open to making mistakes.

One thing I learnt from the Bad Experiences I had with Public Speaking. They teach you a lot about yourself and people.

After the bad experience I had as a young College Student. I remember friends and people coming up to me and encouraging me.

Thinking about it I realized that your audience wants you to do a good job and are most willing to support you. Though sometimes it may not seem like that.

There are different kinds of people and we need to accept that reality. 

So Here are some Pointers I think beginners need to know about Public Speaking that I learnt.


#Number 1: Respect your audience



I remember people telling me to treat your Audience is like Pumpkins. Besides being a  horribly bad advice I think it is not true.

The audience might have people who are masters on the topic you are covering. When you respect your audience you mentally treat them as partners or participants rather than just a spectator.

Your Audience is giving you their attention; ask a marketer or salesman and they will tell you the value of attention.

It is a wonderful opportunity to share what you know and learn. When we share we explore ideas as a community.

I believe Public Speaking is a two way street. The Speaker uses primarily words to communicate and the audience uses body language, reactions etc.


#Number 2: Prepare well

It is an amazing experience Researching, it is like an adventure.


We live in an information age. There is an abundance of good information.

Preparing well would mean to me; Researching well.

Sifting through information you judge relevant to your audience or Topic at hand.

It is an amazing experience Researching, it is like an adventure.

One question opens up like a proverbial can of worms. You begin to see how an idea can be applied or is applied in various contexts and situations.

So Preparing well will also include writing your ideas and presenting them in a way that is coherent.

You can share a handout or some notes from what you have spoken to your audience in a digital format.

We live in a digital age, connecting and sharing good content is highly valuable.


#Number 3: Believe in yourself

Leaders are made


This is a line that is overused. I think but we all (at times) don't grasp the meaning of it in our hearts or we just take ourselves for granted.

We have tremendous potential to create something amazing. Look around and see all the great services and products you use.

They have been made possible by someone who believes in their own abilities to share something valuable to the world.

When you are engaging in Public Speaking you are sharing a part of you with others.


#Number 4: Practice well

Your audience wants you to succeed

You don't need to just practice in front of a mirror. I will throw a wild guess here, You have at least more than 10 friends on Facebook.

Request them to be your audience and review your talk. You could use those pointers in your presentation.

Go on Twitter and share your ideas. This will help you prepare better material.

There is no Rules here, You can be creative here. Practicing means more than memorizing lines.

It also can mean delivering better content.


#Number 5: Research on the topic

Public Speaking can be more than sharing information


You consider this as a Point connected to Preparing well.

But I include it as a separate pointer to emphasize this important aspect of Research.

It focuses on dealing with a problem or issues.

You must decide clearly what you want to share with the audience. Do you want your Presentation to be informative, entertaining or anything else?

This will set the tone for the way you collect material and deliver it.


#Number 6: Speak on what interests your Audience



Chris, How would you know that? If you have prepared well ask them directly. Then craft your presentation to what you and your audience have decided.

You can also interview the organizer or speak to some members of the audience before you  deliver your presentation.

You could also check online forums and groups for the topics that interests people.
You will get a lot of insights into topics that interests people.

Google search, Quora, Reddit or even Facebook groups are a great place to get great insights.

What is stopping you from getting insights about your audience? If you are wrong about it. 

Not an issue, as you have list of topics you can focus on (for your presentation).


#Number 7: It is not about you

The purpose is to express


I remember learning this from an Urdu Theater Guru, Iqbal Niyazi. He always says that Theater ( you could add Blogging, Public Speaking etc. here) is about expressing and not impressing.

We sometimes make it about numbers and impressing people. I think even if there is just one person who gives their time and attention, You are obliged to give your best.

Numbers are important and not important too. There is no wasted effort, It is only our Perception that makes use feel that way.

In Conclusion

We engage in Public Speaking everyday. We just don't realize it. In our offices when we speak to our teams, in Parties and other social situations.

We think that Public Speaking is limited to the Podium or Stage. In a way it is and it is not, What matters here is what you want to share.

I hope this post finds you good health and do share your thoughts on our FB Page.

You can subscribe to our Newsletter, I send you updates on the blogs I share and other ideas. You can click here to join.

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Motivational Quote: Is it okay to wait and do nothing? Does it help?

September 13, 2021

 

Doing nothing can be something (Something fruitful)

G.K Chesterton is a very insightful and well respected Thinker. He would put forward the most complex ideas into simple and insightful thoughts.

I must confess I have not read everything he has written. I usually read because I learn something from it and It spurs my thinking and imagination to help me grow better.

I used to never believe in Destiny or Luck, After a lot of horrible experiences (Which everybody goes through) it helped me realize the importance of doing nothing.

I don't believe in Luck still, But it made me think about situations that are difficult to deal with and with no possible solutions.

We can feel crippled by this and even have life ending situations. I think if you are feeling suicidal, Please seek help from a licensed Mental Health professional.

Personally, I have learnt that it is important to accept certain things the way it is. Some things can't change, but we change the way we deal with it.



Waiting and giving time to certain plans may cause you to lose certain opportunities but it can also open up your thinking to new potential ideas and realities.

When we choose to do nothing, we are actually choosing to pay attention to other things. We give a certain amount of control to Destiny or Luck.

We allow ourselves to focus on choosing our struggles and dealing with what is important. Even no action is a choice and a Strategy.

If this thought resonated with you, Do join the discussion on my Facebook Page.

Thank you for your time. I have a Free Newsletter I would you to subscribe to it, Click here☝🏼

Further Recommended Reads

Quotes for Success

May your day to awesome

Importance of Self Image

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