Corinne Woo from Matchaqb, who writes about project management and personal growth talks to me about how to motivate an introvert.

What is Matchaqb all about?

I know everyone is capable of removing their mental roadblocks to create. Matchaqb intertwines personal growth with creativity.  I share tips and tricks that I have embraced through my active journey in experimenting with self-development. I have a lot of fun writing, talking to people about their own personal growth, and that is what drives me to write about how to motivate an introvert.

What is the “Create with Authenticity” video series about?

As creators, ideas come to us, newly born and full of hope. It is crazy, but our minds are wired to criticize and doubt our ability to create. We have the choice to either battle the mental barriers or let the newly born ideas go. In other words, I created this series in hopes of inspiring others to take control over burnout, time management, fear of failure, and authenticity to create their ideas. In this series, I invited a passionate jewelry designer and artist, Giovanna Ngai, to discuss her ability to create with confidence and authenticity. I enjoyed interviewing her and it helped me as an introvert.

How did you start your blog?

It all started with a supportive team of open minds, ready to try out my ideas which helped me build enough confidence to begin this blog. While I volunteered at Mon Sheong, a non-profit organization, I was given the chance to share my ideas in marketing and logistics for a trip to China. When these ideas took flight and made an impact, it dawned on me that my ideas are valuable, that I could create a blog to help others realize their potential as well through sharing personal growth ideas. I like to say that blogging is a team sport because of the endless support I receive from collaborators, coworkers, family, and friends.

What motivates you to keep up with blogging and creating videos?

My first video was a complete flop. I knew it when I received an influx of negative feedback. As a result, it hit me hard as I was making corrections and I was not sure if I wanted to continue down that route.

When my energy hit an all-time low, my sister shared a post. Clobbering me over the head with tough love: Your first video will be awful, but you can’t make your 50^th without making your first. I then realized I learned so much as an active blogger and video editor and that there will be many firsts laced with failures. And that It will only get better with practice. I am more than excited to see how far Matchaqb will grow from here if I continue putting in the work, trying new things, and rolling with the punches (lessons).

New mindset:

I am constantly parallel parking throughout my life. As a result, I am perpetually embarrassed but inching closer to my dreams. In addition, I embrace all feedback.

Your blog is filled with wellness tips, what are your top self-care habits?

Alone Time | Meditation | Dragon Boat

Alone Time (JOMO) – Not many people know this about me because I come off bubbly and full of energy at work, with friends and family, and at networking events… I enjoy spending copious amounts of time on my own. It helps me slow down and listen to myself as I reflect. In these moments, I learn more about myself, laugh at my own dad jokes and spawn new ideas.

Meditation – Before the morning rush begins, I prepare with a moment of stillness. Dedicating this sliver of time to consciously clear my mind, remove distractions, and repeat self-affirmations. Meditation helps me to remain focused and calm. Now I find that whenever I hit a metaphorical speed bump after meditation, I can muster up calmness and continue cruising through the day. It definitely has become a trend and I have seen people shy away from it because of that. However, I have also witnessed my friends benefit from this practice and they tout how they are gaining control over their stress levels.

Dragon Boat (@holyshipdb) – I like combining my social and physical activities through Dragon Boat just to be efficient. Joining the Holyship team meant surrounding myself with highly motivated and supportive people. After experimenting with volleyball, ultimate frisbee, rock climbing, dance, and tennis, dragon boat stuck! I was lucky to find a sport that feeds both my competitive nature and an inner social butterfly and we will be competing starting in May.

Who is your inspiration?

Marie Forleo. She approaches work and life with an authentic and entrepreneurial flair on Marie TV which inspires so many to do the same.

Instead of fitting ourselves into a box, she reminds us that we don’t need to restrict our personalities to what we believe we should be. Her main message encourages all creators to grow and cultivate their multiple passions. I love that at the end of each video, she declares “The World Needs that Special Gift that Only You Have!”

What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Writing! I was not sure if this was my passion at first but I had ideas to share. Through my fascination with words as an avid reader, writing became my number one creative outlet. I am able to move into the “state of flow” when expressing myself through writing. Everything seizes to matter at that moment. At that moment, I lose track of time, and suddenly the urge to check social media and other distractions disappear.

Fun Fact: I was so terrible at writing in high school that I was given a tutor for a crash course on grammar. So, for anyone who thinks they are not good enough to start, trust me, you are. It took many years of practice but I am able to enjoy expressing myself through writing and sharing through blog posts now. It helps me as an introvert to put myself out there.

The post How to Motivate an Introvert appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Don’t give up before the miracle happens – Fannie Flagg

Never, never, never, give up – Winston Churchill

2020 has punched us. We are feeling the side effects.

I have one question for you. Are you about to throw in the towel? Are you ready to quit? Are you ready to give up hope? You only see roadblocks, stopping you from achieving. You are out of breath and facing a concussion from the punch.

2020 has made us feel redundant. However, the challenges in our life exist to make us stronger. Not to become cynical and bitter. Never let circumstances limit your dream. You need to positive, robust, ready to take over the world.

Do not let 2020 and COVID make you negative. The negative tunes start playing in the head. The ambition, faith, and enthusiasm go down the drain. We start leading a mediocre life and forget about our dreams.

December is my favorite month. My birthday falls in the first week and then it is Christmas. December is also the month when I catch up with all my family and friends. As I email, text, phone, and message with friends on social media, I realize some common themes. Disappointment, anger, resentment, bitterness, lack of forgiveness, blaming, health issues, death, and many other issues take place in our lives.

A common theme among my cousins is ‘Jerry you have had it easy’.

I lived with my grandparents, aunts, and female cousins from the age of 1 to 12.5 years old. At the age of 2, I was dropped by mistake from the changing table. My lips were cut open, fingers slashed, the front head was gashed.

I became sick because of that and had to be fed through a hole in my armpit.

Tell that to my mother who had three miscarriages before and four after me.

At St. Andrews, as I spend three years there, I get a little sense of belonging. I was one of the few Catholic boys.

At BCS, there were many times, I questioned myself what I was doing in this venerable institution. Once again, I found myself to be one of the only Catholic boys among 300 students.

The three years at Les Roches were fascinating. However, you are in a new country, a new language, and every six months you are moving to different cities to complete your internship.

As I backpacked across Europe, I realize I am different in many ways. I am brown in a sea of white.

After graduation, as I hit the job market, I realize for the last couple of years, I have moved through three different countries, through 10 cities.

I applied for a management training position in a Middle East country. I am told clearly that I have to hold an EU or a local passport. I apply for a driver’s license and for Asians, the exam is in a standard car. Everyone else can do the exam in an automatic car.

I really look at my dad and ask him how can he put up living as a second-class citizen? No way am I going to be treated this way, just because of my skin color.

Canada welcomed me with open arms.

I moved to Toronto, not knowing anyone. I had to get a job, pay rent, and start living in a new city. It was the new normal for me.

The tech boom had started. No one had heard of Les Roches.

After a stint at a few hotels, I made the switch into banking. I went back to night school, got a degree.

After I came first in sales at Scotia and won a cruise, I decided to leave while I was at the top. I always wanted to be a trader and work in wealth management.

After doing a whole bunch of courses, I started working with a few advisors.

I learned a lot and it took me a while to get used to the Bay Street culture.

After working with an advisor for a long time and no chance of buying the book, I made the move to a US firm.

Did I mention that the advisor that I worked with for 16 years never bought me a meal, never said thank you, and never gave me a thank you card?

I just had to accept that is the Bay Street style of doing business. It was always just about business.

2016 not only turned out to be one of the best years in my life but the beginning of the worst 18 months of my life. I lost three very close friends during that period.

As I say goodbye to financial services and move on to the next stage of my life, there are always challenges, questions. Am I scared of risks? Am I scared of failure?

Am I discounting grief? By no means. Grief is a process. Sometimes a very long process. Emotional pain can be gut-wrenching.

As I start a blog and work my way focusing on my passion, there is a long, road ahead. I could fall on my face and be unemployed.

I refuse to give up. I refuse to quit. I want to be a game-changer. I want to make a difference in the lives of people. I want to share the stories of countless people. I want to tell stories. I want to connect with people.

I am who I am because of hurt, rejection, pain, suffering, and failure.

Here is my call to action for you. Be human. But do not quit. Your best years are ahead of you.

The post Never Give Up on Your Dreams appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.