Back and better than ever

Hey Guys,

I haven't blogged for a while and this hasn't been a good look at all, so I decided to

GET SERIOUS AND BACK ON IT!!!!

I will resume my usual blog rota from this week onwards with a view of launching a new blog site in April, so please stay tuned!!!

So much has happened since I left you, therefore, I will be updating you with material that has been produced during this time period.

Thank you for your support and love.

R.O.C.K

How far will you go???

First and foremost, I'd like to thank and congratulate everyone for coming to Thursday's event, Young, Black & Successful. It was a massive step of achievement for Student-led events in South Bank University and also for the education and engagement of black students also.

In brief summary the feedback was that the event was excellent, on average 9/10 and many had not been to this type of event before.

I was absolutely chuffed with this and extremely happy that the event delivered in all area's. I write this blog however to deliver a message that surpasses the success of the first Young, Black & Successful Forum.

Each speaker delivered hard-hitting messages of wisdom, humour and inspiration which I felt should not be taken lightly. Although the times we live in isn't as bad as those of old, when Martin Luther King was alive, we are still to salute black men and women (especially young people) who break all stereotypes to achieve the unthinkable. Take Samuel Kasumu for example, launching his company at around 21 years of age in Barclay's HQ. Your ordinary 21 year old isn't thinking along those lines and it may not be everyone's calling to start a business, or even to be found in Barclay's but whatever your calling is HOW FAR WILL YOU TAKE IT???

If you are aiming to go into Bio-chemical Science, how far are you looking to push yourself. A lot of people want to be comfortable which is cool. There's nothing wrong with being comfortable in a job. But, if we are comfortable and not pushing ourselves to the maximum, I strongly object!!! Take your profession, passion or even your hobby to the next level...be extra. Push yourself in order to explore who you are. Don't take the easy road out, because you limit your knowledge of yourself and life. Be radical and work hard for everything....Go as far and wide as you can to find out who you are, what you enjoy/ don't enjoy and where you want to be.

Our next YBS Forum will be in March, I look forward to seeing you all there!!

R.O.C.K

Turning 22 - One year ago!!

Turning 21 was a defining moment in my life, and I know that when I look back on 2009, I can see that I changed my whole perspective towards my studies, my career and my life in total.

To be one year down the line and still see that change is great. Although I have left some things behind, and it has not been easy, I owe the credit to

1. Change of Environment: I need to keep a surrounding (physical, emotional & spiritual) that enables me to complete all my goals. My dad alway's used to scream at me ( and sometime still does) about keeping my room tidy EVERYDAY!!! I used to always get worked up about it, because I never saw why he had to do that. Let me tell you something. If your possessions and otems are in disorder, whats the chance of you being able to find them, do work in that environment or even think. It's near impossible to operate in a messy/ unhygienic or disorderly environment. It's not tolerated in the workplace, and should not be tolerated by yourself in your room. (Look out for my blog "The Boardroom" that will expand further on this)
2. Change of Attitude: I forced myself to change my attitude towards alot of key factors of my life. People, Work, My career, Leisure etc. You name it, I tried my best to adapt a new approach to it. My previous attitude was non-chalant, very lastminute.com and I picked and choosed what I'd dedicate my time to. That has had to change and I've understand
   
3. Change of Mindset: I changed the way I thought about things. Don't get me wrong. It didn't just happen like POOF!! Everything changed...It's a process and I still have habitual thinking the hinder's me from achieving what I want to achieve.
   


4. Change in the way I spent my time: I've noticed a lot of my friends have not liked me or had minor problems with this point, because, I've spent more time ON my future than ever before and that means time OFF phone calls, socials and jamming. I'd made a concious decision to dedicate the majority of my time to being productive. I wanted to be able to have something to show for my time. Mainly I wanted to be able build things that lasted as opposed to things that would not. E.G I can always build a conversation, however building a business can sometimes be seasonal and sometimes depend on opportunities...

There are more contributing factors but I'll save that for later. I want to express my gratitude and also my perspective on what has started me on this journey, and the jon is half done, because I'M STILL ON MY WAY.....

Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and contributed comments, encouragement and time into helping me believe in myself...I'm 22 and I know that more is expected of me this year...I pray God gives me the grace to deliver...


R.O.C.K

South London Presss!!!!

Hey People,

As you all know, I've got a massive event on 26/11/09 coming up called, 'Young, Black & Successful'. Preparing for this event,has been an event itself!! Myself and the Team have faced a lot and it just keeps getting better ;).

Anywhooo, I am writing this blog to inform you of the latest achievement of the team. We've been inserted in last Friday's edition of the South London Press!!! Although a small 100 word article, we are very proud to have seen our hard work pay off and be on display in the local media. It just goes to show, hard work will pay off. To those that believed in the initiative..KEEP BELIEVING!!! This is just the beginning...I know more is on it's way....

Again, I will continue to update you all on the progress of YBS as the weeks go by and the initiative grows.


Thanks 4 da Support!!!

R.O.C.K....

Guard your surroundings....

I once stated in one of my blogs that "you need to have people around you that are committed to your success even when you aren't". In the same way that there are people who are committed to you succeeding when your not (i.e. even when your having an off day etc..), there are also people who are committed to dragging you down without realizing it.

Whether you like it or not, your going to get people who come in the form of friends, but may not necessarily be of any use to you and waste your time. I don't say this to be cynical, and this is by no means my thoughts towards having friends, however, what I am stating is that we must be careful of who we call friends and we keep around us. In order to be productive, you need to be in an environment that pushes you to that desired level of productivity. Likewise with being creative or anything else.

There may be cases where your stuck in a rut, where the environment stinks and there are no like-minded people around you, what do you do then. CREATE YOUR OWN ENVIRONMENT!!! Dictate your own rules and make no excuses for what obstacles there are in life. You are in charge of your destiny at the end of the day.


Think of what I'm saying like this. Your progress is a garden that is producing lovely fruit. However, there are weeds that are present which kill the fruit you produce. The way forward is to uproot those weeds and continue to press forward. In the same way, uproot any friendship/ association that will slow you down, or prevent you from progressing to your final destination, because that is worth more.

It is so important to surround yourself with people who will help you as opposed to people who take all your resources till theres none left. I'm not saying that you shouldn't trust people, but relationships are give and take. So if you find that someone is constantly taking, time, energy, money, emotions and other resources from you and not adding anything to your life, that person has to go. Time is something you cannot buy back, so don't let anyone waste yours for nothing. It's not worth it!!!

Some people can get angry with the way you spend your time, however, thats the cost of protecting yourself sometimes. People don't understand that in order to move forward, they have to go, because as humans, I guess we naturally don't take well to rejection, but that's the price we have to pay in order to suceed.

GUARD YOU SURRONDINGS!!!!

R.O.C.K....

Young, Black & Successful....

Sup People,

I wanted to inform you of an event that I've got coming up called "Young, Black and Successful". I've received alot of feedback from this event of excitement, anticipation and curiousity of what the event will hold. This is an event that I'm extremely passionate about and that I recommend all come come to.

I've posted the flyer below and will be sending updates and blogging on the progress of the event. Again, I strongly recommend all attend!!!

10 signs of a leader......

Ladies and gentlemen, below are what I feel are ten signs of a leader, key for growth and important to know for all people who are in positions of influence:

1. Hard worker and diligent in achieving goals and tasks.
2. Shows loyalty and integrity to all team members, a man of his word.
3. Tries hard to relate and empathize with all.
4. Doesn't negotiate or compromise his influence for familiarity, and demands respect.
5. Leads by example and sets the standard for his team.
6. An excellent communicator.
   
7. Reliant on the results he/she produces in people and in their role not mere opinion
8. Self-monitoring and always asking 'How can I do better'?
9. Never says Never, only says How?
10. Determined beyond belief and determines his team's outcome without letting circumstances prevail or come in the way, because he has a mighty vision
    

If theres any other signs or qualities that you feel should be there, please a comment or leave your thoughts.

Thank you,

R.O.C.K