Are you an achiever or a competitor?

May 9, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Marjon Meyer

The slow and sometimes passive lifestyle of Lockdown in 2020 encouraged me to spend more time running as our escape and entertainment options were extremely limited. Teams and Zoom also have their limitations for human interaction and stimulation. I have always been a lover of the Great Outdoors, so it felt good to apply my tekkies to tar with the added bonus of becoming fitter and staying healthy. An unexpected bonus was that I was introduced to a group of running enthusiasts who I now consider my tribe, my running family and dear friends. Hours on the road invariably lead to beautiful and interesting conversations, especially for those who can run and breathe simultaneously (just for the record, due to the latter, my listening skills have improved rapidly).

Five tips to reframe 2021

April 17, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Charmel Flemming

As I moved gently into 2021, I was extremely aware of the negativity surrounding the impact 2020 would have on us. It was, by all accounts an unprecedented year! My husband and I each run our own businesses from home. We have two daughters aged four and seven. 2020 encouraged us to work smarter and brought us closer as our family shared the same space 24/7, for months at a time. I am by nature, a life-loving entrepreneur, with a positive outlook on life and all the possibilities open to us, just waiting to be grasped and explored.

Use the gift of hindsight to let go of the past and reframe your future

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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By Lori Milner

“If a problem can't be solved within the frame it was conceived, the solution lies in reframing the problem.” — Brian McGreevy

I started my career at an advertising agency at the age of 21 as an account executive. I was privileged to work on a luxury car brand as part of my first portfolio. A few months into my role, an international client was visiting from Germany and the agency needed to present some work rather urgently one Friday afternoon. My boss was unavailable so I took it upon myself to go through to the client’s office and present to this executive. The following day I get called into my MD’s office and asked me to explain why this client is so furious.

Levelling the playing field

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Usha Maharaj

Unemployment rates are on the rise, retrenchments are commonplace, the job market is transforming, and hope turns to despair everyday as graduates face the reality of a saturated job market. Levelling the playing field matters more today than it ever has before.

A New Year, A New You

March 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Jess Mostert

Boy! It really doesn’t take much thought or consideration to identify 2020 as a STINKER of a year. In fact, at first thought and at a glance, it is probably the WORST year most of us have ever experienced. There is no denying that it has been filled with loss, devastation, and broken moments (maybe even days, weeks or months). The hardest loss faced by far too many people would be that of loved ones: friends and family gone far too soon. It is difficult to see the beauty in anything with that amount of pain. Overcoming loss of that magnitude takes great courage, but the grieving process often offers us the beauty of reflection; reflecting on a life lived, a person loved, memories shared and lessons learned.

How to become the chief architect of your life

March 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” - Jim Rohn

If you had to design your ideal day from the moment you wake up to when you go to sleep - what does that look like? Some things to consider...

1 choice + 2 simple words is all it takes to be successful

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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By Lori Milner

“All overnight success takes about 10 years.” — Jeff Bezos

When you think about success, often it feels like it will come from one game changing decision or one significant event. Someone is finally going discover your talents or give you your big break. The problem with this way of thinking is that you are putting your happiness in the control of someone else’s hands, you are leaving your life up to external factors. When you keep waiting for things outside your influence to drive your sense of accomplishment, it tends to leave you despondent and feeling out of control. You are always future focused and this is where anxiety breeds so it’s definitely not a good strategy.

Challenge…

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Mircea Neto

Challenge - it is a word that everyone knows, that has about 39 synonyms and that carries immense meaning, because without realizing it every new day there is a challenge to be faced.

The Power Of Habit

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

For a long time now I have had a healthy appreciation for the power of habit in my life, in the lives of others as well as in the lifespan of businesses. I can’t say that I absolutely believe that what you put into something determines what you get out, but for the most part I am in agreement that what you get out of any endeavour strongly correlates with what you put in. The only challenge is that we are quite often completely oblivious to what exactly we put in.

Alice…a celebration

August 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Alice da Silva

Every year, the first week in August is a time of reflective celebration for me. I celebrate the choices I made and the mistakes I didn’t. I take this time to exhale and be proud of my story.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tiguidanke Mounir Camara / Spend time learning

August 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of TIGUI MINING GROUP TMG (Guinea)

Spend time learning!…

“Learn on the ground, and spend as much time as possible in the field.”

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of TIGUI MINING GROUP TMG (Guinea)

Why is criticism bad for a relationship?

August 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

You might’ve heard of Maslow’s hierarchy and having to meet our basic needs of food and shelter being key for our survival. Well, as human beings one of our other basic needs is to be loved and accepted for who we are – especially when it comes to our relationships.

Quote of the Day by Josie van Aswegen

July 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Having one’s own business is an opportunity to learn and grow and to re-invent oneself as the trends change and unexpected events happen.”

Josie van Aswegen, owner, Fabulous Flowers (South Africa)

Are you making movies?

July 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

June was a very full and busy time in my coaching practice. Online programs, interviews and workshops, plus many hours of coaching, and one dominant theme has emerged: most people make Oscar-winning movies in their heads and then get themselves into a whole heap of trouble when they live as if these made-up movies are real!

Quote of the Day by Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera

July 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Never underestimate your gift or talent - develop it and make use of it to the fullest.”

Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera, Founder, Glo Creations (Rwanda)

Hearing is a sense. Listening is a skill

July 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Ashika Pillay

My training as a medical doctor initially unearthed in me, the great desire to solve mysteries and problems - and make puzzles fit. I would listen to patients for clinical signs and symptoms and be quick on the button with solving the “issue”. As I trained though, I started to really sense into “why is this person really here?” What is the unsaid, unseen, and unheard symptom that they are wishing to reveal - given the right time and attention. I suppose this is where my “coaching” started early on. In a GP practice that I worked; I was known for taking an incredibly long time with patients. Patient’s moved from “needing weight loss medication” to revealing deep insecurities about themselves, their marriages, and lives.

3 Tips for Getting Confident on Video

May 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Abigail Klopper

As everyone is adjusting to their new normal, many solopreneurs are looking to introduce an online business income stream. For many entrepreneurs, this is not a new idea, but rather the urgency to actually get it done is new.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tiguidanke Camara: Find your path

January 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Find your path…

“Do not let anyone discourage you. Take time to learn. Spend as much time as possible in the field. You may face discrimination sometimes, but always remain professional and persevere. Know that you represent yourself and those women who will follow your path. Find your path, work hard and let the universe do the rest.”

Tiguidanke Camara, founder of Tigui Mining Group (TMG) (Guinea)

Entrepreneur Advice from Hanita Muthray: Educate yourself!

January 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Nish & Hanita Muthray, founder of Nt Shonalanga Valley Resort (South Africa) — **Nish & Hanita Muthray**, founder of Nt Shonalanga Valley Resort (South Africa)

Educate yourself....

"Educate yourself! Do your homework and don't be afraid to ask for help. But most importantly have faith in yourself and don't give up. You can do it!"

Hanita Muthray, founder of Nt Shonalanga Valley Resort (South Africa)

It's too late, the Robots are here!

July 30, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

There is a lot of talk going on about the 4th Industrial Revolution and Robots taking over the World...ok not really the world but our jobs and leaving us redundant. Whilst there may be some truth in this, it is not entirely true. Yes, the Robots are here, and work streams are being automated, so we need to constantly up-skill ourselves to remain relevant in the job landscape of the future. This doesn't only apply to individuals but also to organizations.