100 Decibels

Tag: growth

  • Forget figuring out what scales, focus on sales and services.

    When you’re in your earlier phases or just starting out your online business with a small team, the focus should be figuring what you already know is “right” or “working” 1000 times.

    There’s nothing to scale just yet when you are running your business with only 1 or 2 of you.

  • Doing Deeply Interested Work

    This resonates with me.

    The work I’m doing is something I can easily do deep work and lose track of the time.

    It’s about pushing the boundaries in how Deaf people communicate, learn, and thrive.

    It’s about challenging the status quo. There’s technology, AI, interpreting services industry and online coaching.

    It’s about empowering Deaf people to take ownership of the narrative that can and will transform lives.

    Like a bamboo plant, I won’t see the changes immediately with the deep work I’m doing, but when the time comes, it’ll be ready.

    What work are you deeply interested in?

  • What is a creative outlet? (And how do I leverage it to make an impact?)

    I asked Chat GPT this question and this is the response I received:

    A creative outlet is a means of expressing oneself and channeling creativity. It can be any activity or medium that allows individuals to explore their imagination, emotions, and ideas. Examples of creative outlets include painting, writing, playing an instrument, dancing, crafting, and photography. Engaging in a creative outlet can bring joy, fulfillment, and a sense of personal expression. It can also serve as a way to relieve stress and explore new possibilities.

    It’s pretty accurate in what I do. I love what I do because it is an outlet where I can manifest my creativity. With the ability to connect and converse with people sparks my creativity whether they’re roadblocks, barriers, or conflicts. Like diamonds, they are a result of being under pressure. Creativity is like that under some kind of restriction and results into something beautiful out of it.

    As a Deaf person, the problem isn’t me being Deaf or even Deafness itself. It’s the systemic barriers being imposed. In my case, I’m referring to audism. It’s always been there long before it even had a name. Like death, it’s inevitable. So, we just need to learn to manage it with tools and resources with a community. It’s a team effort and requires a community to make it through.

    However, it’s deeper than that. It’s all from within. Our drive, perseverance and more importantly, our mindset. What drives our mindset though is finding and understanding our why. By focusing on audism, we’re just simply banging ourselves against a wall. Like I mentioned, death is inevitable. So, what do families do in preparation for death? They get life insurance, critical illness, wills, estates and a funeral plan.

    With audism, we create inclusion and access by raising awareness about Deaf Culture, teach ASL, provide ASL interpreting services, and so on. There are many ways Deaf people and allies with entrepreneurial spirits pushing through to create solutions getting over the hurdle.

    This goes back to what I love I’m doing. Creating stories, creating solutions that matter and creating impact. My creative outlet is an opportunity to transform Deaf lives and the community through meaningful conversations.

  • Building strong relationships with others

    Building your network starts with relationships. Building strong relationships with others is an important aspect of personal and professional growth. Here are some tips to help build strong relationships:

    1. Communication:

    Effective communication is key to building strong relationships. Be open, honest, and transparent when communicating with others.

    2. Active listening:

    Listen actively when communicating with others. Show interest in what they are saying, and ask questions to show that you are engaged in the conversation.

    3. Empathy:

    Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Showing empathy can help build trust and strengthen relationships.

    4. Respect:

    Show respect for others by being punctual, keeping your promises, and being courteous and professional.

    5. Collaboration:

    Work collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals. Collaboration can help build trust and strengthen relationships.

    6. Positive attitude:

    Maintain a positive attitude when interacting with others. This can help create a positive environment and foster strong relationships.

    7. Give and take:

    Be willing to give as well as take in relationships. This means being willing to offer support, help, and resources when needed, as well as being willing to receive them when offered.

    8. Maintain boundaries:

    Set clear boundaries and expectations in relationships. This can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.

    9. Appreciation:

    Show appreciation for others by thanking them and recognizing their contributions. This can help build a sense of mutual respect and strengthen relationships.

    10. Be present:

    Be present and engaged when interacting with others. Put away distractions and focus on the conversation and the person you are interacting with.

    In summary, building strong relationships with others involves effective communication, active listening, empathy, respect, collaboration, a positive attitude, give and take, maintaining boundaries, appreciation, and being present. By incorporating these practices into your daily interactions, you can build strong and meaningful relationships with others.

  • 7 Ways to Build Resilience or Grit

    When you want to thrive in tough times, here are some ways to build resilience or grit:

    1. Practice self-care:Examples of these are:
      • Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep
      • eating healthy, and engaging in regular exercise. 
      • Practicing self-care helps improve your physical and mental well-being. It is essential for building resilience.
    2. Maintain perspective:
      • Try to maintain perspective and focus on the bigger picture. Remember that tough times are often temporary. You have overcome difficult situations in the past.
    3. Practice mindfulness:
      • Practice mindfulness to help you stay present at the moment. Also, avoid getting overwhelmed by negative thoughts or emotions.
    4. Build a support network:
      • Build a strong support network of family, friends, or professionals. They can offer emotional support and practical help.
    5. Reframe negative thoughts:
      • Work on reframing negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive and realistic ones. This can help you build a more positive mindset and reduce stress.
    6. Focus on your strengths:
      • Instead of your weaknesses or the things you cannot change, focus on your strengths and what you can control
    7. Set goals:
      • Set achievable goals for yourself and work towards them, even if they are small ones. This can help you feel a sense of accomplishment and progress, even in difficult times.

    In summary, building resilience in tough times involves practicing self-care, maintaining perspective, practicing mindfulness, building a support network, reframing negative thoughts, focusing on strengths, and setting achievable goals.

    What other skills that were not listed above that helped you build resilience or grit in tough times?

  • 4 reasons to be honest with yourself (and how)

    Being honest with yourself means being truthful about your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult. It involves acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses. As well as being aware of your limitations. Also, taking responsibility for your choices and decisions.

    Here are some reasons why being honest with yourself is important:

    1. Self-awareness: Being honest with yourself helps you become more self-aware. By acknowledging your thoughts and feelings, you can better understand what motivates you and what holds you back.
    2. Personal growth: Honesty with yourself is essential for personal growth and development. By acknowledging your weaknesses and limitations, you can identify areas for improvement and work towards self-improvement.
    3. Better decision-making: Honesty with yourself helps you make better decisions. When you’re honest about your goals, desires, and limitations, you can make choices that align with your values and lead you toward your desired outcomes.
    4. Authenticity: Being honest with yourself helps you live authentically. When you’re truthful about your thoughts and feelings, you can better express yourself and connect with others in a genuine way.

    Here are some ways to be honest with yourself:

    1. Face your fears: Be honest with yourself about your fears and insecurities. Acknowledge them, and work towards overcoming them.
    2. Accept your weaknesses: Be honest with yourself about your weaknesses and limitations. Accept them, and work towards improving them.
    3. Acknowledge your mistakes: Be honest with yourself about your mistakes and take responsibility for them. Use them as opportunities for learning and growth.
    4. Listen to your intuition: Be honest with yourself about your gut feelings and intuition. Trust your instincts, even if they go against conventional wisdom.
    5. Be true to yourself: Be honest with yourself about your values and beliefs. Live in alignment with them, even if it’s not the popular or easy choice.

    In summary, being honest with yourself is important for self-awareness, personal growth, better decision-making, and authenticity. To be honest with yourself, face your fears, accept your weaknesses, acknowledge your mistakes, listen to your intuition, and be true to yourself. By being honest with yourself, you can live a more fulfilling and authentic life.

    What are the other reasons you should be honest with yourself for and how? Comment below.

    P.S. If you find yourself struggling in this area, click on the button below to be a part of the community to grow and learn more about yourself. You’ll be surrounded by people in the community who will help you learn more about yourself and unlock your true potential.

    Click here to join the level-up with the community!

  • Steps you’re missing out on growth mindset.

    Here are some steps you might have been missing out on building a growth mindset:

    1. Embrace challenges: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and development. Instead of avoiding challenges, view them as a chance to learn and improve.
    2. Learn from failures: Instead of seeing failure as a negative, embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. View mistakes and setbacks as part of the learning process.
    3. Emphasize effort: Focus on the effort you put into a task, rather than the outcome. Recognize that hard work and persistence are key to achieving success.
    4. Adopt a positive attitude: Cultivate a positive attitude by focusing on the positive aspects of a situation. Instead of dwelling on the negative, look for opportunities and possibilities.
    5. Seek out feedback: Seek out feedback from others as a way to learn and grow. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity to improve.
    6. Be open to learning: Cultivate a love of learning and be open to new experiences and ideas. Seek out challenges that will push you outside of your comfort zone and help you develop new skills.
    7. Practice self-reflection: Take time to reflect on your thoughts and behaviours. Then identify areas for improvement. Use self-reflection as a way to learn from your experiences and grow.
    8. Celebrate success: Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Recognize the progress you have made and use it as motivation to continue on your growth journey.

    In summary, building a growth mindset involves embracing challenges, learning from failures, emphasizing effort, adopting a positive attitude, seeking out feedback, being open to learning, practicing self-reflection, and celebrating success.

    Which one resonated the most with you? What else would you add here to building a growth mindset?

  • Benefits and Tips of Having an Attitude of Gratitude

    Practicing gratitude involves focusing on the good things in your life. As well as being thankful for them. It is about shifting your mindset from what you don’t have to what you do have. Also, acknowledging the blessings and positive experiences that surround you.

    Gratitude has numerous benefits for your mental and emotional well-being. It can help reduce stress and anxiety. Further, it helps increase feelings of happiness and contentment. More so, it also helps improve your overall outlook on life. When you practice gratitude, you develop a greater sense of perspective. You gain appreciation for the people and experiences. They contribute to opportunities that make your life meaningful.

    There are many ways to practice gratitude. Some of these include keeping a gratitude journal, expressing gratitude to others, or taking a moment to reflect on the good things in your life. It is important to make gratitude a regular practice and incorporate it into your daily routine.

    Some tips for cultivating a habit of gratitude include:

    1. Start your day by listing three things you are grateful for.
    2. Express gratitude to someone who has had a positive impact on your life.
    3. Practice mindfulness and focus on the present moment.
    4. Use visual reminders, such as a gratitude jar or sticky notes, to prompt yourself to think about what you are grateful for.
    5. Take time to appreciate the simple pleasures in life, such as a beautiful sunset or a warm cup of coffee.

    In summary, practicing gratitude is about acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of your life. By doing so, you can experience a greater sense of happiness, contentment, and fulfillment.

  • Why is setting goals important?

    Setting goals is important for several reasons:

    1. Provides direction and focus: Goals provide direction and focus by helping you identify what you want to achieve. Also, it helps to know what actions to take to reach your desired outcome.
    2. Increases motivation: Goals provide a source of motivation by creating a clear target to aim for. When you have a clear goal in mind, you are more likely to work harder and stay committed to achieving it.
    3. Helps measure progress: Goals provide a way to measure progress by creating a benchmark. This is helpful to track your achievements.
    4. Builds confidence and self-esteem:  When you see you are capable of achieving what you set out to do, this builds confidence and self-esteem.
    5. Encourages growth and learning: You develop new skills and knowledge by pushing yourself outside of your comfort. Setting these goals encourages growth and learning.
    6. Provides a sense of purpose: Goals give you something to strive for. It creates a sense of accomplishment when you reach your target.
    7. Enhances decision-making: Goals provide a clear framework to evaluate your options and choices aligned with your desired outcome.

    In summary, setting goals is important because it provides direction, increases motivation, measures progress, builds confidence and self-esteem, encourages growth and learning, provides a sense of purpose, and enhances decision-making.

    What else would you add to the above and why?