Happy new week! Today we are all about investing in ourselves. We are constantly evolving and learning new things, acquiring new skill sets and habits. Pouring into ourselves makes us better people and improves our quality of life. Here are some ways you can invest in yourself:

1. Set some goals: Goal setting keeps you focused as goals give you direction ensuring you make the most of your time. What are some personal and career goals you want to achieve? They should be SMART; Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound.
2. Take time to build your confidence: It is important to understand your value. Your confidence grows by loving and accepting who you are and learning to speak your truth.
3.  Trust your gut: Listen to your intuition. How do you feel about a particular thing, project or person? Valuing your intuition, by not allowing the thoughts, feelings or statements of others to take away from what you know to be true is very empowering. Paying attention to what you feel helps you make better, smarter and quicker decisions and helps you avoid regret.
4. Choose joy: Joy is a choice. Throughout the day, we experience both good and bad things. Joy can come from us choosing to highlight or focus on the good things that have happened, instead of the bad experiences we have had.
5. Take good care of your health: When you feel good, you look good. Eating well, exercising, resting and getting a good night’s sleep are all very important for a healthy body. You are able to be your most productive when you feel good.

Happy new month and happy new week! It’s August already! We are grateful for this new month. Today we are all about side hustles. You may have started one, are planning to start one, or have been doing one for a while. Side hustles are important as they boost your income, bringing more financial freedom and flexibility into your life. You are no longer entirely reliant on the income from your day job. Examples of side hustles include: offering delivery services, printing on demand, reselling property eg cars, social media managing, freelance writing, etc. Here are some tips to ensure you thrive in your venture:

1. Figure out when and where you want to start your side hustle: It is very important to think through what you want to do; consider your passions and the nature of your existing day job. Will you be able to comfortably squeeze in more hours without compromising on your day job? Is it something you enjoy doing? Where will you work from? Online, at home or even rent out a space? It is essential to be able to answer these questions before starting out even as you expand.
2. Have a budget and financial plan: As much as this is a side hustle, it is serious business. You are spending hours of your precious time investing in it and who knows, it may end up being your main hustle. Calculate how much you need to get started and what equipment you will need if any. It’s also important to have your financial goals written down and strategies you have set to achieve them.
3. Market your business: Marketing is a continuous process; it never stops. You are your own best marketer, so tell your friends and networks about it. They already know you, you have built rapport, so it’s easier for them to trust you, therefore buying from you. Social media is major right now, so invest wisely in it. Also traditional ways of marketing; offline strategies i.e. business cards, flyers and posters are essential.
4. Keep learning: Attending short courses, seminars and general research on your areas of interest help you grow. It is important to be aware of market trends, new ways of doing things and overall, sharpen your skills as you go.
5. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy: This proverb has never been more true. It is very important rest and also take time to do other things you enjoy doing. Scrolling a little on social media never hurt anyone, if you can immerse yourself in your hobbies every so often, do so. Indulging in these fun activities and resting, rejuvenate you and even increase your creativity and productivity.

Happy Monday! We hope your week is off to a great start. It is important for young people to equip themselves with skills that will help them get the job they want, start their own businesses and thrive. Besides getting trained in your area of interest, these essential skills will set you up for success.

1. Self-awareness: This is the ability to know yourself honestly; your strengths and weaknesses. When you know yourself, you are able to solve problems easier and relate with people well. Emotional intelligence is very important as one is able to control and express one’s emotions and also be able to handle interpersonal relationships with good judgment and empathetically. Having a good rapport with your co-workers, superiors, clients and anyone associated with your company is essential for career success.
2. Digital literacy: This goes without saying, nearly every career involves using technology of some kind. As a young person, it is very important to be conversant with different programs and software that are essential in your field.
3. A love for learning: In today’s changing world, it is very important to keep on learning. Being curious is very necessary; finding out what’s new in your field. Someone who loves to learn is always an asset to a company. In business, you need to keep on learning about your customer’s needs and what is in the market.
4. Communication skills: Communicating one’s ideas and intentions effectively is very important. As a young person, it is important to be good at written as well as verbal communication. Tips on communication skills for success, here.
5. Adaptability: With the changing workforce, it is very important for a young person to be adaptable. Ways of doing things also change and new problems and situations arise. One should be able to look at a situation from many angles and create the best plan of action.