I cannot believe it has been almost a month since I last spoke to you. So much has happened, and there are so many updates I want to share, but I feel like today should be about something else.
It is the first day of a new month, and you know what we do around here: we talk about our expectations, intentions and plans for the month ahead.
If I could describe my expectation for September in one word, it would be expansion.
August Gave Me Time to Reflect
August gave me time to slow down, reflect, regroup and redirect where necessary. It gave me time to celebrate, spoil myself and look back at the past year as I considered what I wanted to do differently in my new one.
As you all know, my birthday was in August. If I told you everything I was doing on my actual birthday, you would probably say, “Oh my God, Ayo!”
But I genuinely enjoyed August to the fullest.
It was tiring. I was completely exhausted, but somehow, it was also refreshing. I am incredibly thankful to God for the month, the memories and the opportunity to begin another year of my life.
Now, we are stepping into September and this is what expansion looks like for me.
Expanding in My Career
One of my goals for September is to become more intentional about tracking my progress at work.
Normally, I write down the tasks I have been assigned, complete them and move on to the next thing. But simply recording what I did does not always capture the real value or impact of my work.
So, I have created a new folder specifically for my deliverables. For every deliverable, I will document:
* What I was asked to do
* What I achieved
* How I went beyond the original requirement
* How the work contributed to my department’s wider research goals
* How it helped other departments progress with their work
* Any positive feedback or recognition I received
This is my new way of tracking my professional growth.
Sometimes, we do so much at work without stopping to document it. Then, when it is time for an appraisal, promotion or new opportunity, we struggle to remember the full extent of our contribution.
I do not want to do that anymore. I want to understand the value of my work, recognise my progress and have clear evidence of the impact I am making.
That is what career expansion looks like for me this month.
Expanding OZ Events
When it comes to business, OZ Events has never been limited to just Private events. I have always seen the potential for the business to serve corporate clients and support a much wider range of events.
This month, I am going bigger on the corporate side.
I have started speaking to companies and exploring how OZ Events can help them create thoughtful, well-planned and memorable experiences. I am being much more intentional about pursuing corporate opportunities and positioning the business for that market.
It is a big step, but expansion requires us to move beyond the spaces where we already feel comfortable.
Expanding OZ Eats
OZ Eats has also grown faster than I expected, and I believe it is time to prepare the business for its next level.
The business is now registered, and I am waiting for the kitchen inspection. This is a very important milestone for me.
I want everyone who eats an OZ Eats product to feel confident that it has been prepared safely, hygienically and in a properly inspected environment. Being registered also opens the door for me to approach more companies, pursue larger opportunities and eventually explore getting our products into retail stores.
That vision once felt very far away. Now, we are actively taking the steps required to make it possible.
Expanding Through Creativity and Friendship
For my writing and creative work, oh my God, guys! I have been working on something very special.
Friendship is such a big thing to me.
I care deeply about intentional friendships and relationships. I think about how people treat me, how I treat them, how they experience me and how I experience them. I believe the relationships in our lives should be nurtured with care, thoughtfulness and intention.
During my month away, I worked on a massive friendship project, and I cannot wait to share it with you.
The funny thing is that one of the pieces of equipment I originally purchased for OZ Events will now be used for the first production run of this new idea. I love how different parts of my life and businesses are beginning to connect.
I showed the project to my best friend, my cousin and my sister-in-law yesterday, and they really loved it. That made me even more excited to share it with the rest of you.
I genuinely believe you are going to enjoy it.
Returning to Our School Routine
Of course, September also means that school is starting again.
Unfortunately, I was not able to share everything the boys did during the summer holidays. If I am honest, we were not consistent at all.
There were days when I was simply trying to keep my head above water.
I was exhausted this summer because I made some rather ambitious and perhaps slightly silly decisions at the beginning of it. Oh boy, I was out almost every weekend working on one event or another, while still having to show up for my regular job.
It was a lot.
I am not going to pretend that we followed the perfect summer routine because we did not. However, I think there is value in sharing the lows as well as the highs. Life is not always perfectly structured, and sometimes, doing your best looks like adjusting your expectations and getting through each day as it comes.
Now that school is beginning again, we will find our rhythm and settle back into our routines.
This Is What My Beginning Looks Like
September is my month of expansion.
There is so much work to do, but there are also so many opportunities in front of me. I intend to walk fully and confidently into them.
I cannot wait to take you along on this journey and share both the highs and the lows. When something goes well, I will share it. When something does not work, I will share that too. I want to remain open about what it truly looks like to build, grow, learn and try again.
I have missed you guys so much.
There is so much I want to talk about—from the products I am currently loving and the books I have been reading to one particular chapter in a very funny book that had me laughing.
But we have time. We are officially back to our daily posts, and I will see you tomorrow.
Before I go, let me say a short prayer for you.
A Prayer for September
I pray that as you step into September, the Lord Almighty will go before you and favour you.
May God help you accomplish everything you have set your heart to achieve this month.
I pray that He surprises you in the most beautiful and unexpected places. May He send good news your way, expand your opportunities and give you the strength, wisdom and grace to make the most of them.
May September be kind to you.
Amen.
Have a lovely September, guys.
With Love,
Ayo
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If this post resonated with you, share it with one person stepping into something new this month. We have a 10k goal. Let’s make it happen.
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