Random

I attended a Woman Excel conference, which by the way, I was a bit reluctant to do, as I thought it would be just another gathering for rich women to make us budding entrepreneurs feel inadequate. This conference has actually changed the way I think and the way I do things. So I had to blog about it to share some of the random thoughts that I jotted down throughout the conference. Please note these are random things that I jotted down. The first speaker was Shereen Shereni (Zimbabwean) from Coca Cola, Kenya. She emphasised that when people come into your space, they have to adhere to your rules, so that you don’t bend over backwards too much and you remain on top of the situation. We all encounter problems but some problems will never be solved, but you have to just make a decision about them. Instead of focussing on problem solving, build on strengths and talents to initiate growth. Any gifting is an area of joy and joy is a weapon of warfare. Christianity is not an excuse for lack of performance. Perform well in whatever area of giftedness you have. She ended with profound words from Aristotle, “ We are what we repeatedly do, therefore excellence is not an act but a habit. The next speaker was Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Capernaunn Trust and wife to Strive Masiyiwa. What stuck in my head was the fact that the key to drive change is through the spirit because we are spirit beings in a body. We change things in the realm of the spirit. Business is a means to an end. God creates opportunity for us to get into business so that we use whatever platform that we can to share His goodness. Businesses are established so that the church of God is empowered. Success is planned, it doesn’t just happen. Our own Minister Dr. Olivia Muchena also had a few words to share. She urged women to seek, know and understand the Zimbabwean economy so that we can identify and exploit gaps. She emphasised how unique Zimbabweans are and urged us to seek what our comparative advantage is. She also emphasised the need to have masses of women in decision making positions. Her presentation left a question in my mind; what can we do about our resources locally and how can they empower us? The last and most anticipated speaker, but certainly not the least was Dr. Cindy Trimm from the USA, an anointed woman of God. Without wasting time, she hammered on the importance of discovering your purpose. Why live as a copy of someone else when you can be your original? The only one qualified to be me is me! She also echoed Tsitsi’s sentiments that once you understand the spirit realm, then you can revolutionise the nation. Walk away from the common to be uncommon. Aloneness is different from loneliness. Aloneness is the absence of a person and loneliness is the absence of a purpose. Your thoughts are the primary conduit. Your thoughts are the primary conduit to manifestation so change the condition of your thoughts because you are one thought away from living your destiny. What you speak, you give permission to exist. Your history does not have to be your destiny and destiny is connected to decision making. Do not lie about your capabilities. That is why some are stuck in the situations that they are in. Ask the right questions to get the right answers. Poverty is not lack of money but lack of access to information...did you hear that? Poverty is not lack of money but lack of access to information. Money does not rule the world, information does. Financial wealth is about access. The soul prospers by information from the word. My definition of success has changed as she defined success as fulfilment of your purpose! If God is going to prosper you he has to introduce you to a problem. A problem is a divine announcement that bigger things are coming. Your life will resemble those you assemble. Change your relationships to change your life. Faith is heaven’s currency and can be exchanged for anything you want. On mentorship she said people can never take you where they have never been themselves. Identify people who are where you want to go, and follow suit. Are we ready to be self sufficient? Are you self sufficient? Many women are not ready to leave an abusive relationship because they are not self sufficient. Whether you have a man or not, just be self sufficient. The bottom line is, whatever God has provided for you, it is enough. This is the first conference I have attended in a long time (if ever) that has targeted the issues I have been longing to be addressed. From the panel itself, this was very appropriate. They wove issues of God and applied them to practical business settings and it hit home because these were women’s experiences. So instead of me being jealous of these rich, successful women, i now understand why they are where they are and what it took to get there. What was more profound for me was that earlier that week, before my I got the invitation to go the conference, I had prayed to God asking how best to restructure my business for maximum profitability, and bamm! This conference was the answer. I hope you have learnt a thing or two as I obviously couldn’t write all that I learnt, and please note, this was only day one!!!