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7 GRATITUDE QUOTES TO RECOGNIZE THE GOOD ALL AROUND YOU

It’s so easy to be overwhelmed by all that is going on around you and this can affect the outlook we have about ourselves and life.

It’s important to actually surround ourselves with positive words and people. This does not mean we ignore the bad things but we are grateful for every other thing. We live a life of gratitude.

Here are 7 gratitude quotes to show us that we have every reason to be grateful and have a positive outlook:

“I lie in bed at night, after ending my prayers with the words ‘Ich danke dir für all das Gute und Liebe und Schöne.’ (Thank you, God, for all that is good and dear and beautiful.)

ANNE FRANK

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

CYNTHIA OZICK

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

MELODY BEATTIE

“No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”

ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”

ALPHONSE KARR

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”

HENRY WARD BEECHER

HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM’S SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES STICKER.

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There are different ways to support small businesses during this COVID-19 period. One of which is, using the new Support Small Business sticker for Instagram Stories.

HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS STICKER:

To use Instagram’s new sticker, open the stories camera, snap a photo or record a video. An image or video from the gallery can be used. Also, an image from the Instagram page of the business can be posted to the story.


Once an image is selected, open the stickers tray and select the Support Small Business sticker.

Next, type the name of the small business you want to support on the sticker.

To change the style of the sticker, simply tap it to view the style options. Then hit post it and it reflects on the support small businesses story, your story and the business page receives the notification and can share it on their story. Other individuals can tap on the sticker to learn more about the business and gain easy access to the page.

In case, the sticker does not reflect on your sticker options, simply update the application. The sticker should be present after the update.

This is a cheap and effective way to get one’s business out there and get the support needed to grow it.

Now head over to Instagram and support your friend’s business or your business.

DEVELOP NEW SKILLS FOR FREE.

Due to the pandemic, the lockdown has been extended for another period of time. After this lockdown, there’ll be a shift in how businesses are ran and bigger skills especially in the IT sector would be required. We all have to be at the top of our game.

How then can we be more equipped to be skilled without having to spend so much?

Learn, gain knowledge and practice. Luckily for us, some academic organizations are hosting free classes which will be of great benefit to us.

Below is a list of online classes to be a part of and gain new skills for free.

  1. Oxford home study
  2. Alison
  3. Future learn
  4. Open learning
  5. YouTube
  6. Codecademy
  7. EDX by Harvard
  8. Harvard Online Learning
  9. Duolingo
  10. Coursera

Going on these websites can be a little overwhelming with the number of courses, however don’t try to enrol in as many as you can, enrol in what is of priority to you and in line with your goals. Think ahead and don’t enrol because many are enrolling.

Most importantly, build on computer skills; be skilled in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. It is of utmost importance to know how to operate these softwares well.

We hope these tools are helpful. Stay tuned for more and stay safe.

INSPIRE MONDAY: 5 KEY LESSONS TO LEARN FROM SEUN TAYO-BALOGUN’S JOURNEY AS AN ENTREPRENEUR

Seun Tayo-Balogun is the CEO of Brief Essentials, Nigeria’s largest online store for lingerie, active wear, shapewear, swimwear and underwear solutions. Tips and solutions are also provided on the various social media platforms. She also runs BEactive (Brief Essentials Active) which is a social media platform that provides information on fitness, wellness and health. It’s no doubt that she has built a successful business and we are here to share 5 lessons we can learn from her.

Seun Tayo-Balogun
  • Consistency: To attain the level of success you desire or to achieve that goal, you have to be consistent. It’s not just about hard work but are you cultivating a daily habit/consistency to keep it going? “Want to be a better enterpreneur? Be consistent, it’s that simple” – Seun Tayo-Balogun
  • Believe in yourself: You have to believe that you can do great things and not worry about what others will say. Doubting yourself is worse than people doubting you. “Stop doubting yourself, a lot of people are intimidated by your potential.” – Seun Tayo-Balogun
  • Think about your customers: Your business is not about you but the people that’ll buy from you. Think about changes you’ll make that will make it easier for your customers to buy from you. Know what they want. “Have the ability to create convenient options for your customers. you should also be versatile.” – Seun Tayo-Balogun
  • Start Strong: Start well and if you hit a wall, find another way and keep going. “Hard work, perseverance, dedication and faith are essential in the initial stage for success in business.” – Seun Tayo-Balogun
  • Don’t Underestimate your Ideas: Have an idea? Don’t push it aside, do the research, count your cost and if it doesn’t work, get another idea and go again but don’t push it aside. You just never know if it’ll lead you to your success. “If you are so convinced about your ideas, do not underestimate them; just try even when you know you could fail. That idea might be the access path to your future.” – Seun Tayo-Balogun

KYLIE JENNER’S BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS LESSONS.

According to Forbes, Kylie Jenner is the world’s youngest self-made billionaire. She is the creator of the Kylie lip kit, nail polish and skin care.
Kylie is 22 years old and she started her business at a much younger age. As adults, we all know the struggles that are attached to business. She had her fair share of struggle one of which is people not taking her seriously because of her age.


She shared a few lessons in an interview on the famous Keeping up with the Kardashians.
These lessons apply to every entrepreneur, CEO and business owner, most especially of an individual who is just starting up.

  • Advertising: Kylie didn’t pay advertising companies because she already had her audience on social media, hence, she made use of that platform to get her products out there. Use what you can. Advertising is very important in drawing customers. If you think you have customers, you can have more than that.
  • Getting started: The business started out as an idea which was to meet a need. It didn’t stay as an idea, it was actualized. That idea you have, conduct more researches, know how it meets the need of the community and know your niche.
  • Balance lifestyle: There should be a balance. We need to have wholesome relationships, family, vacations (periods of rest). There is life outside work and if the other parts are not balanced, it can have effects in the long run. Balance is key.
  • Creating Boundaries: Know who you surround yourself with, know what you can take and deal with anything that could affect your business in the long run. Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.
  • Friends, Family and business: We love them but sometimes we have to treat them like every other customer or employee. Like we mentioned in boundaries, they need to know that this is your business and to respect that, they act accordingly.

These lessons are very important in our business, though not the ultimate and complete factors to a great business. To learn much more for your business, follow us @thebriefnetwork on Instagram.

Also, subscribe to thebriefnetwork.com

STAYING PRODUCTIVE WHILE WORKING FROM HOME

Social distancing has made a lot of us have to take work from the office to the home, to ensure safety for ourselves and our loved ones.
However, working from home has its challenges and we might not achieve as much as we should because of the comfort.
How then can we be productive while working from home?
The best way is to act like you’re going to work and at work.
The steps you can take are:


1) Pick out your work clothes from the day before or in the morning. Doesn’t have to be extravagant but not in your PJs or lounge wear.

2) Have a morning routine and a to-do list laid out for the next day. .

3) Shower and dress for “work”. .

4) Follow your to-do list

5) Have a work spot at home, it’ll help with the focus.

6) Have periods of rest, eat well, you’re at home and you deserve to just chill.

7) Control your phone usage time, try as much as possible to focus on the needful if your phone is needed for work. .

8) Take a break for the night and repeat.
This is all dependent on the workload one has and other factors that could influence the productivity of the individual. Also, know what works for you to ensure this period is maximized.

Have a productive and equally restful isolation period.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION

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The confirmation of corona virus outbreak yesterday in Nigeria has thrown Lagosians and other Nigerians in frenzy about the next step of action to be taken. As the virus continues to be contained amidst its spread, here are things you should know about it, symptoms, preparation and preventive measures to take.


What you need to know

  1. The virus may be contagious but is less deadly compared to other outbreaks. However, people with underlying medical problems and smokers seem to be at a higher risk.
    Symptoms
  2. The symptoms include low grade fever, fatigue, headaches, cough and less frequently diarrhea.
    Prevention
  3. To prevent this, wash your hands as viruses can spread via respiratory droplets.
  4. Do not touch surfaces such as door knobs, elevator buttons and surfaces. If you do, do not touch your nose, eyes or mouth or become infected.
  5. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer with 60% – 95% alcohol especially after going to the bathroom; before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  6. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose properly
  7. Use face masks rightly and dispose properly after use

Preparation

  1. Don’t panic, stock up your house with foodstuffs and cleaning supplies. Think about having enough on ground to last a few months.
  2. Get basic medications in the house like pain killers, cough medicine or other medications you take.
  3. Have a contingency plan if schools were to close during an outbreak and if you are unable to go to work.
  4. Travel smart, research countries where the outbreak has not occurred before travelling. Think about possible travel disruptions in the event of an outbreak.

Stay safe everyone, no need to panic, there’s a low chance of being infected if these guidelines are followed. Follow the precautions and educate others too.

FEATURE FRIDAY: NGOZI ATTA (JAGA BEAUTY)

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Welcome to #featurefriday and today we have @jagabeauty who tells us about her business and shares her experience as an entrepreneur with us.


Jagabeauty provides natural skincare solutions and beauty essentials for the everyday woman’s total transformation and confidence restoration. .
We do this via trainings (online and off line), Consultation, sales and recommendation of safe skincare, beauty and personal care products .

I’m glad to say that our brand can be rated dependable and has over 12 years received an admirable recognition in the beauty industry even in the face of challenges.

The most recent being last year. We got unpleasant feedback concerning one of our products ‘Brushlove’, a makeup brush cleaner. Apparently a certain batch sold gave off an offensive smell when used and this caused a major drop in demand and sales.

My first reaction and emotions were that of disappointment and fear. I felt terrible, especially not knowing how many people would have experienced this and made their conclusions.
I asked the Holy Spirit for wisdom and then reached out to 2 of my team members and we immediately decided to put out a public apology online and then recalled as many of the bottles as we could and sent replacements without further charges. It wasn’t an easy feat but we were determined to learn and grow from that experience. .

My advise to Entrepreneurs would be, “Don’t be afraid of failure… It wouldn’t even exist the moment you begin to consider your set backs as opportunities to evolve and expand”.

INSPIRE MONDAY: GENEVIEVE NNAJI’S ROADMAP TO HAVING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER.

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If you’re Nigerian and you don’t know Genevieve Nnaji, are you really Nigerian?

Genevieve has made a mark in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood and beyond the shores of Nigeria. However, her success made a huge impact and this is because of the way she worked her way to it. Her latest movie, Lion Heart aired on Netflix which is a big achievement.

Today, we’ll be sharing 5 value systems and activities she lived by to bring her to this point of success.

  1. Strong belief in showing love to others: She believes in karma, that what you do to others, it comes back to you. In any sector, organization or gathering you find yourself, always do good. Show love, help when you need to and respond in goodness to others.
  2. Whatever you do, do it well: “I feel that anything worth doing is worth doing well and what I start, I need to finish – I believe in seizing every moment and opportunity.” – Genevieve Nnaji. Let your work speak forth excellence. Give your very best.
  3. Be Prepared: Be prepared at all times because of opportunities that could come your way at any point. Get certified, take online courses, watch YouTube videos and research. Don’t be caught unawares so you don’t miss out on great opportunities that you are actually supposed to take.
  4. Creativity is more important than what you’ll earn: She is loved and admired because of her creativity. Your creativity gets more attraction, if you’re focused on what you’ll earn compared to what you bring to the table, it can’t take you far.
  5. Have the right kind of people around you: Genevieve would not have gotten featured in some of the movies that got a big hit without having the right people around her. Network with the right people, have a mentor and have good friends. This is very important in ensuring you attain greater positions and heights in your business.

We hope you have been inspired by these 5 tips to having a successful career, stay tuned for more #inspiremonday.

7 Amazing Quotes By Toni Morrison That Impacted Us.

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Love is never any better than the lover.”  This is one of the many quotes that Toni Morrison has impacted our lives with.

Toni Morrison was one of the greatest icons in history. She was an American novelist and a great one at that with a noble prize award. She gave herself to her books and gave us a part of her through her writings.

She was 88 years when she passed but those years where indeed filled with novels that make our hearts joyful and quotes that inspire us to live well and fulfilled.

Here are 7 quotes, that have impacted and challenged us to live well:

  1. You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.

2. If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.

3. Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.

4. Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined.

5. You are your best thing.

6. The function of freedom is to free.

7. As you enter positions of trust and power, dream a little before you think.