Wise Wednesdays

Many of my clients are going through a big career transformation and it’s a struggle to let go of the titles, the perks, the job security, etc. There’s a sense of stepping into a void and losing everything you know. It feels like your identity is yanked from you and you fear nothing will be left if you uproot that identity. That’s a lie. What you’re truly capable of is on the other side of that fear. Facing that fear when I took a big leap in 2016 helped me understand who I really am and what I’m here to do. But I had to become nobody first. Here are 3 things I learned about becoming nobody: 1) Contrast contains wisdom The brain learns fast through contrast. Contrast helps us refine our discernment and distinctions pretty quickly. By taking a big leap, you get to experience enormous contrast and therefore get a wealth of data on your own psychology. By comparing my “somebody” and “nobody” I was able to distil out what my contribution really was - not what I was rewarded for by con...

I occasionally get asked: “Amina, I don’t feel like a leader (or high achiever), do the ideas you talk about still apply to me and can I use them?” The context of the question tells me the person is usually underestimating themselves. Henry Ford summed up a response like this: “whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re probably right.” Or two thousand years earlier in the bible: “as a (hu)man thinketh, so (s)he is”. Essentially, every wisdom tradition and modern personal development philosophy tells you the same thing: mind your thinking. Language shapes your possibilities. I remember getting media trained and learning, admittedly with some horror, that whoever owns the story, owns the outcome. Legally, just asking a loaded question can destroy or make a case. So be mindful of the question itself. Own your context and use empowering language. Leadership isn’t a title or identity or even a feeling. It’s a choice, an attitude that guides your actions and a commitment to go f...

If someone offered you the opportunity to turn any wish into reality what would you choose? A wish without action is just an idea. Your wish has a much better chance of turning into reality if you make it your priority. Being clear on your priorities (and why they’re your priorities) is the most effective way to manage your time. It’s so easy to put too much on your plate and then not know where to start and get stuck in a procrastination! But you’re only ever an instant away from laser like focus and clarity. I put a question out to my online community asking: If you could spend a whole day working with me (virtually) on one aspect of your career or life, what would you like to focus on? 1) Planning and preparing for a career leap 2) Developing your leadership skills and mindset 3) Experiencing inner-peace regardless of circumstances While many people answered with their preference, a few people treated it like a little riddle (which it wasn’t intended to be, b...

Have you ever been told you’re too aggressive? Or worried that you were? Or perhaps you’ve been told you’re not aggressive enough! You’re too “timid” or “shy” in meetings.. The subject came up in PPP (Presence Power Possibility: Advance Your Leadership) - the 3 month group coaching programme we started in June. Toxic environments can be highly critical and leave you feeling like there’s something wrong with you. It can leave you feeling like you don’t belong or don’t have something to contribute. You’re either too much or not enough… But what if it weren’t true? What if you reframed it? For example: “You’re too aggressive” becomes I’m passionate and have something important to say (in the style of Michelle Obama). “You’re not aggressive enough” becomes: Empathy is not weakness. I can be compassionate and strong (in the style of Jacinda Ardern). Of course, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check in and develop self-awareness. But self-awareness do...