Immigrant Life Podcast

ILP-0047: What Career Should I Pursue As An Immigrant?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 08:01:48 GMT

It's normal; once you receive your permanent residency visa or you are so close to receiving it, you start worrying about a lot of details regarding your immigration journey especially the career that you could pursue in Canada. In fact, it gets worse when you get here and you are unable to secure the kind of job that you are used to or when you seem to have reached the peak in your current place of employment. For this reason, it is fundamental for you to know how to address the question of the right career to pursue in Canada. A listener sent me the question and even though I responded via email, I thought it makes sense for my detailed response to go out via my podcast. Enjoy and share!

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ILP-0048: My Journey Into Debt Part 1

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Confession time. How did I go from being debt-free to almost $300,000 in debt within 5 years? I shared my romance with debt in this episode. Please listen and laugh at my stupidity :). Enjoy!

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ILP-0049: My Journey Into Debt Part 2

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 15:14:59 GMT

In the last episode, I shared how I got into debt. In this episode, I continued that story sharing about what happened to me in 2017. I also talked about what I did to get out of a significant debt of mine, the lessons I learned and the life that I now live. I encourage you to spend time listening to this and then make your decisions about how you want to live your life. It's a very insightful episode, I must say. Enjoy!

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ILP-0050: A Newcomers Guide To Credit In Canada

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Today's episode is a sequel to episode 49 where I concluded the story about my journey into a lifestyle of debt. In this episode, Simon Wyse, the VP of Revenue at Borrowell gave remarkable insights about how to correctly use and maintain credit in Canada. Whether you are new in Canada or you are already settled in the country, this is one episode you CANNOT afford to miss. Bonus discussions in the episode - an interesting love story and how to use LinkedIn to access the hidden job market.

PS: Don't merely listen, click here to access the credit coach and check your credit score for FREE. Act on what you heard!

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ILP-0051: Connecting To A Community Is Key

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

As an immigrant, having a community around you and connecting to one is key says Krispin Ontong. Kris is the immediate past President of the Filipino association in South Eastern Manitoba and currently the VP of Eastern Manitoba Broad Alliance for Cultural Enrichment (EMBRACE). As an immigrant from the Philippines, Kris moved to Canada in 2010. Within 3 months, he was done. He and his wife were ready to return to the Philippines. Fortunately, they were part of a caring and well-connected community that encouraged them to stay back in Steinbach, Manitoba. Nine years after, they still live there even though it took them about 5 years to get back into their preferred profession. Krispin also emphasized that being personally committed to the immigration journey is fundamental and today, he is on a crusade to evangelize the importance of personal commitment and community to other immigrants especially the Filipino community. Enjoy this episode and share it with your network!

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ILP-0052: How To Start A Profitable Side Business

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

According to the survey on immigrantlife.ca, the number one topic that visitors want to listen to is how to start a profitable side business. Therefore, I went hunting for a fellow immigrant that has done what people want to do. In this episode, Emmanuel Oluwatosin originally from Nigeria shares how he started a side business with $1,000 USD and along with two other partners took the business to a monthly revenue of $10,000 USD within two years! I am sure you will gain a lot of insights from this much-awaited episode. Please listen and share it with your network.

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ILP-0053: Life After An Investor's Fund

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:42:19 GMT

In the last episode (episode 52), Emmanuel briefly mentioned that an investor injected $60,000 into his side hustle 24 months after starting out. In this episode, he went into a lot more details on how they ended up with an investor, why they made that decision, what life looked like after the investment and some things he would do differently today if the situation were to repeat itself. Gold! Listen, enjoy and share!

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ILP-0054: Canadian Immigration - Q and A Time with Ugochi Agbo

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Want to immigrate to Canada? Got challenges with your immigration efforts? Licensed Immigrant Life community members can help! Submit your details here: immigrantlife.ca/canada

When I started the Immigrant Life Podcast, my intention was to focus strictly on Canadian permanent residents at home or abroad who are passionate about sourcing credible information that will help them thrive in Canada. However, over time several people have continued to contact me requesting information about HOW they can move over to Canada successfully. Some even ask me questions about WHAT to do about their current immigration challenges. Unfortunately, I have often turned these passionate members of my community away insisting that I am not an immigration consultant. Well, that has not worked because I still face the same questions. In order to cater to this segment of the community, in this episode I interviewed a licensed immigration consultant, Ugochi Agbo who is also a member of the community. She answered some crucial questions that people ask and I enjoyed myself listening to her! I am sure you will also enjoy the same!

Get help here: immigrantlife.ca/canada

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ILP-0055: Investment in Canada - How We Got Scammed And Lessons Learned

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

A few years ago, I got to know about an investment scheme here in Canada. I talked to a friend about it and he invested some funds into it. Years after, the investment turned out to be a well-orchestrated grand scam that led to lots of people losing millions of dollars. Unfortunately. It just confirms that scam is not a native of any nation, color or race. It is a human problem. In this episode, two people who lost their funds in the scheme joined me in the studio to talk about what happened and the lessons they learned. Please listen and share with people that you care about.

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ILP-0056: The Power And Reward Of Resilience

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 06:10:28 GMT

Samuel Akuma got an offer of admission for his undergraduate program but couldn’t afford the fees so he skipped a year to raise money for it. He finally got in and had to depend on friends for food and accommodation until his second year when he got a scholarship from Chevron.

A little into his penultimate year his mum, dad, and oldest sister had already died so he had to teach part-time and hawk shirts in School and neighboring cities in order to take care of himself and his younger siblings. Yet he still managed to finish top of both his class and the Engineering faculty with a first-class degree in Computer Engineering. He then secured a sponsorship offer to the University of Waterloo and today, he has a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MEng) and a Graduate Diploma (GDip) in Computer Networking and Security. He is a legal Canadian resident.

How did he maintain focus when hell went loose on his case? He shared a lot of insights in this episode but amongst all, He maintains that his faith in God and resilient spirit saw him to where he is today.

You might be facing a rough time too but in the end, you won't have an excuse. Samuel didn't. Listen to this episode and uncover a lot of secrets that will help you on your unique journey!

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ILP-0057: Immigration, Integration And Domestic Violence

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 07:36:43 GMT

When people migrate permanently to other places, needless to say, they face a lot of challenges. One area that takes the heat a lot even though it is not often discussed publicly is the family and/or family relationship. In this intro, I uncovered the impact that the Canadian system has on family dynamics, what to expect and how to manage it successfully. Very importantly, I stated that any relationship that is facing challenges should ask for help and if a spouse is being physically abused then the person should walk away temporarily or permanently. You may love your spouse and your children but if you are being abused, DO NOT STAY. Walk away AND ask for help! Enjoy this 15min episode!

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ILP-0058: Five Fun Facts About Canada

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 07:47:29 GMT

Over the last seven years, I have discovered so many fun facts about Canada! Too numerous to even talk about. However, I thought I'd make an episode out of my top 5 from the lots? that I know of today. That's what this episode is all about. What are your own top 5 fun facts about our beloved country? Enjoy this episode and share yours in the comments! Thank you!

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ILP-0059: My Only Regret About Making Canada Home

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 17:36:36 GMT

Life presents us all with many opportunities to regret a thought, an action or a missed opportunity. I have had lots and also learned how to leverage those times to achieve better results. If there is anything I regret regarding our decision to make Canada a home, it is just ONE. I shared that in this episode.

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ILP-0060: Tipping in Canada

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 16:27:37 GMT

Finally, I did justice to this topic! At least, until someone else says I didn't! Lol. Well, I have been confused about the subject of giving tips for services rendered. I started having a change of heart when I observed it was not as bad as I thought it was more so, it is also a big deal in the USA. Anyway, I took to town to find someone who can clear some of my confusion - and probably yours too. So today, we are discussing the subject of tipping in Canada. Enjoy AND share!

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ILP-0061: What My Dad Did Not Tell Me

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 16:45:47 GMT

There are many things that our parents teach us and there are many that my dad definitely taught me. However, when life brought me to my knees in 2015 after I lost my job, I realized there was a lot more than my dad talked about. In this episode, I talked about a few of them and how being aware of those things can lead you to more success in life. In some upcoming episodes, you will be hearing about the conclusion to this discussion and a two-part series from an expert on how you can make 2020 your best year ever! Enjoy it and share it!

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ILP0062: How To Mentally Prepare For A Rewarding 2020

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 15:59:05 GMT

We are immigrants and we have dreams. A lot of it. No matter who we have become in the past and what we have achieved, we definitely want a better and more rewarding 2020. In this episode, Ehi Mabo, a mindset coach lays out hacks for removing mental blocks in readiness for 2020. Enjoy it and share!

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ILP0063: International Migrants Day 2019

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 17:52:17 GMT

December 18 of every year is International Migrants Day. This annual day celebration was started in 2006 by the United Nations as a day to recognize and acknowledge the resilient spirit and contributions of migrants worldwide. It is against this backdrop that Aisha Jamal and I met in the Immigrant Life studio to discuss what today means for Canadian immigrants and Canada at large. Aisha Jamal moved to Canada as a refugee in 1991 and holds a Ph.D. in contemporary drama and cinema with a focus on ethnicity, race, and nation.

Obviously migration is important and a topic of international interest for example; latest statistics from the United Nations say that "In 2019, the number of migrants globally reached an estimated 272 million, 51 million more than in 2010." The 272 million equals 3.5% of the world population. It sounds small but the rate of growth has been faster than anticipated which is probably why it is a major topic of discussion world over particularly in the US. In my opinion, international migration needs to be embraced rather than fought. It needs to be an integral part of the development strategies and agenda of any nation. It is tomorrow's reality that we live in today.

What can western nations do differently to help this group of people and what can Canada do better? Although focused on Canada, Aisha's desire to reduce the wait time in Canadian immigration and make the process much more transparent is applicable to any nation.

And as we stop to think and celebrate the contributions made by millions of Canadian immigrants to the Canadian economy, Aisha also enjoins everyone to celebrate, promote and respect the human rights of migrants.

This year's theme is focused on social cohesion and that underscores why I started Immigrant Life. Immigrant Life is Canada's leading online resource for immigrants to discover, thrive and make a difference together in their chosen spheres of influence. It is immigrants helping immigrants to thrive within a safe and cohesive community. If you haven't joined the community yet, go here: https://immigrantlife.ca/join-us/registration/

Again, we acknowledge and celebrate immigrants for our resiliency, our courage and the amazing contributions that we make to our host countries. Thank you, Canada for the opportunity.

Dapo Bankole

#WeTogether. #WeDiscoverTogether #WeThriveTogether #WeMakeADifferenceTogether

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ILP0064: Practical Goal Settings Tips For 2020

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 07:00:00 GMT

In episode 62, Ehi Mabo the firebrand mindset coach led us through some invaluable hacks for removing mind blocks that could stand in the way of our success in 2020. In this episode, she shared practical goal setting tips that you can apply right away and begin to see measurable results in your life. Grab your paper and pen as you listen to this and thank me later!

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ILP0065: And it’s a Wrap!

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 16:01:56 GMT

In this final episode of 2019, I highlighted the key milestones that we have crossed as a community (e.g. we now have listeners in 108 countries and downloads grew by 234% in 2020!) and the changes that are planned for 2020. Big changes are coming.

We are categorizing our content and discussions into spiritual, family, social, financial, work/business/career, physical well being, mental wellness, and first nation discussions.
We will release a new episode 5 times a week: Mon - Fri
We are launching an online community for two groups of members - Landed immigrants (FREE membership) and to-be immigrants (PAID membership).
We will have an online conference in 2020
We will be launching our new website in 2020
I am finally releasing my new book!!!
Immigrant Life will be partnering with a lot of local, national and international organizations in 2020

All in all, I appreciate everyone for being a part of this community and helping us to transform into who we are today and also deciding where we are headed tomorrow.

Please note that no new episodes will be released until Jan 6, 2020.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you, depending on what you believe!

I love you all.

Dapo Bankole

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ILP-0066: Flight 752 And The Rest of Us

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 23:00:44 GMT

The world will never remain the same again. Jan 8, 2020, will continue to remain in the hearts of many of us as the whole world was thrown into mourning over the death of 176 people from seven different countries. It was avoidable. Let us not use the very lives that we are meant to protect to pay for our personal and national egos. To the families of all the victims of that plane crash, please accept my heartfelt condolence. May we all emerge out of this stronger than ever.

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ILP-0067: BE

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 05:30:51 GMT

BE. For the next 10 years, my team and I are focused on BEING who we were designed to be. We will DISCOVER who we are as individuals and as a team, THRIVE on being that person and hence be able to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our world. I talked a little bit about this in this episode as well as about our new online platform which is NOW OPEN to everyone. A lot is happening there already. Please join us at https://community.immigrantlife.ca/signup. Join us on this journey of BEING who we are meant to be!

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ILP-0068: Spiritual

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 02:52:17 GMT

When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable. In most cases, man's search for meaning and hunger for something and someone greater than oneself can generally be traced to our spirituality and until we connect with our spirituality and maker, we continue to struggle to fill that aching void with all sort of other things. This is why it is important to understand our purpose and true identity. When we derive our meaning from our source, our creator and not on the things that we hold dear including assets, relationships, achievements, being Canadian, our roots, our beauty, our royalty, our health, etc, then if those things were to be taken from us, our true identity stays and we can bounce back or if that is not our interest, at least be at peace. The episodes under this spiritual category will be exploring how to connect to our spirituality and we will, therefore, be sharing stories of people who live life to the fullest because they embrace their spirituality.

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ILP-0069: Why Family?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 05:42:45 GMT

The family is the basic unit of society and largely a nation. When the family unit is in trouble, the nation is certainly at risk. Typically, the success of an immigrant family depends a lot on how well they are able to adjust their family dynamics to their new Canadian society. No matter where you come from, there are subtle and major differences in family definition, constitution, roles and responsibilities, parenting styles, culture, etc. To be largely successful, we need to discuss the challenges that immigrant families face, how to even understand the challenges, what to do, etc. These and stories of success and even failed integration because of unstable family dynamics are some of the things that we will be discussing in this category.

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ILP-0070: Put Yourself Out There!

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 07:00:04 GMT

Originally from Nigeria, Ajibola (Jibs) Abitoye was elected as Councillor for the City of Fort Saskatchewan in October 2017 despite arriving in Canada just five years prior (2012)! This is one interview you don't want to miss. Jibs was shy as a kid but is now a confident public speaker and public figure. This great woman with a servant's heart is a woman of diverse passions and background - an entrepreneur with a cloth line, a trained economist, a project management professional, a power engineer, a blogger, a soccer enthusiast, a wife and a mother to three beautiful children! How did she become who she is today and what can you learn from that? Grab a cup of coffee or your favorite wine, snuggle close to your loved one, listen attentively and thank me later. You are welcome! ;)

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ILP-0071: Social - How To Nurture Personal And Professional Relationships

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 05:27:25 GMT

Man by nature is a social being. Our fulfillment in life and career often depends on a thriving social life. Therefore we need to learn how to nurture personal and professional relationships. In this episode, I provided a little more detail about the content that you can expect in this category and I also shared personal examples of how positive relationships have helped me in my journey here. Enjoy and share with that friend of yours that means so much to you!

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ILP-0072: How To Improve And Take Control Of Your Finances

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 04:49:25 GMT

According to Bloomberg, one in five Canadians says that their debt situation today is worse than it was five years ago. Referencing the same source, the latest MNP Consumer Debt Index published recently shows 50 percent of respondents said they're within $200 of not being able to cover their monthly bills, and nearly an equal proportion of participants in the survey (49 percent) said they aren't confident in their ability to cover expenses without going deeper into debt. Even the latest data from Statistics Canada says that Canadians, on average, owed almost $1.72 for every dollar of disposable income.

This underscores why for episodes filed under Financials we will be revealing how to make money, how to multiply it, how to keep it, how to give it and how to teach your kids to do the same if you have kids. That's it. But not quite. How to pay off your debts and stay out of debt as well.

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ILP-0073: How To Advance Your Work, Career And Business Goals

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 03:51:41 GMT

It doesn't matter what you do for work, business or what you consider as a career, that thing - whatever it is, is NOT your job title, designation, what you studied in school or a static endeavor. It changes. And is a sum of more parts than you've realized. In the work/business/career category, we will be discussing how to advance your work, career and business goals. This sounds like an advanced class but we will deal with the fundamentals as well - what is a career, should you change it, how do you access your preferred career in Canada, how do you grow, how do you know what business to start, how do you do the mind work transitioning from an employee to an entrepreneur? We will answer and discuss these as well as a lot more directly with the aid of experts and indirectly by sharing stories of other people in the studio. Enjoy the full episode!

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ILP-0074: How To Improve Your Health And Physical Well Being

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 06:02:15 GMT

The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Undoubtedly, we can all agree that health is wealth. I love the way the Government of Canada summarizes a write up on health, "Each person's experiences of health can differ widely and vary across their lifetime. When faced with challenges – problems on the job, relationship troubles, the loss of a loved one – good health provides us with the physical and emotional resilience we need to cope with difficult times, regain our balance and live life fully." This emphasizes why we need to uncover every useful information that can help us thrive health-wise so that we can be able to make a difference in our sphere of influence. You will enjoy this content category. I am sure.

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ILP-0075: How to Improve Your Mental Health And Well Being

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 06:35:04 GMT

Immigrants, we have a problem. It's called Depression. It's Dapo again today and I'm here to talk about what we don't want to acknowledge or talk about. Mental health issues amongst immigrants. In this episode, I shared my story about this very discussion-worthy challenge among Canadian immigrants, actually, any immigrant at all.

Marc Schenker, the Director of the Migration and Health Research Center at the University of California Davis calls it "the perform storm for migrants." and I agree. We can no longer afford to treat mental health issues and depression with a hand of levity.

Therefore in this content category, I will be having experts on mental wellness and other immigrants share their stories on how they positively manage the transition in a way that the attendant stress of immigration and integration doesn't rob them of their mental health.

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ILP-0076: Canadian Heritage

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 07:08:24 GMT

Every culture has an identity and certain values that make it unique. It could be as simple as the way you greet and as complex as a lot more things. In this content category, we will be discussing Canadian heritage, cultural values, identity and more! Enjoy!

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ILP-0077: Serve. Don't Lead.

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 05:07:40 GMT

Kobe lived well. He made a difference in his chosen sphere of influence. And he left when his time was up. We all have an expiry date - we just don't know what that date is. But as Kobe Bryant said, we should serve the world with our authenticity while we are here because, "in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years."

As a Canadian immigrant, what difference are you going to make in your world? Even if it's just your family, it is worth it!

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ILP-0078: Who Is A Business Analyst?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 05:15:45 GMT

Who is a Business Analyst (BA)? A joke answer that expresses some reality: "A Business Analyst is someone who does precision guesswork based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge. See also, wizard, magician." This is an actual definition that I have on one of my hoodies. But seriously, according to the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), "A business analyst is any person who performs business analysis activities, regardless of what their job title or role is in the organization."

The BA role is one that a lot of landed immigrants typically consider as they embark on their career journey here in Canada. This is why I think it is important to shed light on this popular but quite confusing career path. This is first in a series of three episodes so, in the next two episodes, I will be answering two more questions - Is the Business Analysis Career For Me? and How Can I Become A Business Analyst?

If you have someone that is struggling to answer these questions or is even remotely interested in the BA career, please share this episode with them and ask them to follow Immigrant Life on Facebook and Twitter and also join the community here: https://community.immigrantlife.ca/signup

Enjoy!

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ILP-0079: Is The Business Analysis Career For Me?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 05:45:41 GMT

Can I really be an organizational magician? Yes and No. It depends. I mean, that implies you can be a great Business Analyst (BA) if you want. We all have different likes and dislikes regarding our preferred career and typical working environment. In this episode, I laid out some questions you need to ask yourself as you try to make the decision regarding whether the BA career is for you. They are by no means exhaustive but they are great pointers to the typical life of a great BA. You will really find this informative!

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ILP-0080: How Can I Become A Business Analyst?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 06:19:49 GMT

If it is to be, it is up to you. The future of a confident and great business analyst is exciting. No one can stop that person whose mind is made up for success. In this episode, I shed light on the possible career paths that a BA can pursue, what the future of a BA looks like and I also provided some useful insights and seven key steps that you need to take in order to become a confident business analyst. In summary, if you want a great career that you can be proud of and which can take care of you and your family in Canada, the BA career is a great one to consider. And can you do it? Absolutely! Listen to this episode and thank me later!

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ILP-0081: Coronavirus In Canada - Know The Facts!

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:30:36 GMT

Understandably, the coronavirus has become a worldwide health concern. It's a hot topic everywhere today. However, there is a lot of misinformation about it especially in the online world which has extended and is influencing our habits, interactions with people and even economics. As a result of this, this episode serves to highlight salient truths about it, what we can do to protect ourselves and others as well as how to get access to authentic information about coronavirus in Canada.

It is not caused by the Chinese or your Chinese colleague, friend, classmate or neighbor of Chinese heritage that you never really liked. This is a viral infection so the way to take care of yourself is typical with most other viral infections:

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or if you prefer, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer2. Sneeze into your inner arm/elbow3. If possible, don't touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.4. Avoid (don't stigmatize) anyone with flu-like symptoms - cough, cold, fever, etc. And if you are in a public place, respectfully maintain a distance of at least 1 meter according to the World Health Organization's advice.5. That said, stay home if you feel ill. Just talk to your employer.

Authentic up to date information about #coronavirus in Canada:

Contact the Public Health Agency of Canada's coronavirus information line: 1-833-784-4397 or visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html

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ILP-0082: Trust Your Sixth Sense

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 06:25:12 GMT

I am sure many people are no stranger to that "strong knowing" on their inside that tells them when something is right or wrong. A strong sense of calmness, warmth, and openness in the presence of someone when in a certain place affirms they are on the right path. Or that eerie feeling that leads to a tightening of your stomach, a sudden palpitation of your heart and sometimes very cold hands that you can't explain. There are many words for it - the sixth sense, gut feeling, inner voice, intuition or whatever name you prefer.

In this journey of integration and in life in general, there are many things that won't make sense. In those moments, your sixth sense will make way for you. It will be your guiding light to the path you are meant to walk on. Learn to trust your intuition. Even neuroscience has proven that the majority of the decisions we make are not logical. Some we end up understanding them but a number of them, we don't yet that does not make them wrong. We just need to learn to trust and develop that sense like a muscle. That's what this episode is all about. Enjoy!

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ILP-0083: Reflections From A Job Loss Experience In Canada Part 1

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 06:52:06 GMT

As an immigrant, one of our greatest fears is that despite taking the risk to abandon all and come to Canada in faith that we did the right thing for ourselves and our family, we will eventually discover that we made a mistake.

When it seems like you are finally settling down in your career and you lose your job, naturally you are threatened and you could start to question why you left your home country in the first place. That happened to me. In this episode, I shared what led to my job loss and a few lessons I learned from the shocking exit itself. Enjoy!

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ILP-0084: Reflections From A Job Loss Experience In Canada Part 2

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 07:04:55 GMT

Pay VERY CLOSE attention to this episode. This is a continuation of the story I started in episode 83. Someday, sometime, you will be thankful that you listened to this. And if you think it makes sense then share with someone else.

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ILP-0085: Reflections From A Job Loss Experience In Canada Part 3

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 06:59:46 GMT

In this episode, I talked about the 27 lessons that I learned from my job loss experience. This wraps up the series on job loss and lessons learned. It is my first time sharing these lessons the way I shared them and I am sure you will find them invaluable. Although you may not need them today, you are going to appreciate the wisdom they bring with them. Enjoy and share with someone you love!

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ILP-0086: Seeking Counsel

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 05:32:44 GMT

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety. Seeking counsel is good. Very good. If sought from the right person or group of people. Those are basic qualities to look for in people who counsel you. Seeking counsel is seeking perspectives, not instructions and the more perspectives you have the better for you since you are able to stack all that together to make the decision you need to make. While it is important to be careful with the kind of people you listen to, it is also VERY important to pay attention to HOW you seek counsel. Your attitude and what you do with it. Uncover great actionable insights from this episode and share it with someone out there!

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ILP-0087: How To Let Go Of Your Employer

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 06:46:16 GMT

A lot of times organizations rarely know why people leave their employment despite exit interviews. Why is that? Well, there could be many reasons but whatever the reason, don't burn bridges. How you leave is just as important as how you engage. In this episode, I provided ten ways you could professionally execute your exit plan from an employer without burning bridges, even if you've not been treated well.

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ILP-0088: Should I Separate Work From Friendship At My Workplace?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 06:55:17 GMT

The average person spends eight hours at work daily. This is a significant one-third of our daily 24hrs. And if we realize that we typically leave work to go home or to friends and families it implies that what happens at work determines a lot regarding what happens at home. But then like Hugh Mackay, a Canadian politician from Nova Scotia said, “Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational.”.

This implies that when we mix professional relationships with personal relationships, it adds a significant layer of complexity to our lives and we need to be aware of it. So should you, therefore, be friends with your colleagues?

My answer? Yes. I believe we should develop meaningful friendships with some of our colleagues at work. We cannot be friends with everyone but we can have a few really great friends. And how should you go about it? Go. Slow. Great relationships are not forced. They are cultured and it takes time. But when done right, it lasts and you will look forward to going to work and be fulfilled in other areas of your life.

Enjoy and share with someone you care about!

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ILP-0089: Are You A Secret Agent Or A Service Provider?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 04:03:58 GMT

If you want a change in your circumstances, then you've got to move.

I'm here to talk to you! Yes, you - the very person listening to me right now. All I want to do is to remind you that unless you change, nothing's gonna change.

You can meditate, do yoga or go on marathon prayer and fasting for as long as you like unless you tell people about that service that you offer and they buy from you, nothing's gonna change. Unless you tell enough people that need the service and they buy from you, nothing is gonna change!

Why would you develop that product or service and tell no one about it? You've gathered so much market intelligence, snooped on your so-called competitors for years on end now and yet you are yet to make a move! You've bought every single online course, gone for a myriad of training with your savings and even line of credit yet you have not told anyone about your product or service beyond your family and a few friends!

You are in a job that is killing you! Yet you are smiling. Sunday seems to be the worst day of the week for you simply because you dread going to that place of work - for whatever reason. And your day has barely begun on Monday when you've started dreaming of Friday - just because you are looking forward to the weekend.

You are afraid. And you know. Yet you have blamed everyone who ever coached you or sold a service to you because they did not provide the help that you think you need.

Do you know the truth? You are a great person. Your future is bright but you are scared of your own future. You are so used to thriving on other people's affirmations that you are now addicted and it is now holding you back. You cannot seem to move because people have not said good things about YOUR DREAM. They are afraid of the dream you have and because you have always believed them and looked up to them, their own personal unbelief has become your death sentence.

Your side hustle has a lot of potentials but because you have continued to sit on it because of fear, you have ended up being a secret agent - gathering information and talking to no one about it. Stop it.

I need you to go back to your WHY. Why exactly did you start this journey in the first instance? What led you to where you are today? What led to the dream that you once had?

You need to go back to your roots - that is your why!

At this point, the only person who can unblock you and get you moving again, working on your dream is you.

Because you blocked yourself.

Nobody did.

If you really want something, if you really want to offer that service, if you really want to make that side hustle work, if you really want to quit that energy-draining work and invest your time in something or relationships that fill your heart with joy and fulfillment then,

GO. FOR. YOUR. DREAM.

STOP being a secret agent.

Offer that Service!

Happy Saint Valentine's day!

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ILP-0090: Jobs and Promotions - Where Is The Place Of Certifications?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 06:57:47 GMT

“Don't let your boy's schooling interfere with his education.” ~ Grant Allen, the novelist and science writer

It's Dapo Bankole here again from the Immigrant Life Podcast, the Canadian narrative. I thought to make my answer to the question of certification an episode because very similar to the question about going to school in order to secure a job or get a promotion in Canada, this is another very popular one. In fact, this question came up again very recently in my discussion with a prospective student of my BA training where I made it clear that my training does not focus on helping people to secure BA certifications rather, on getting the job done when they secure the BA job. Know that whatever decision you make, certifications require time and often significant resources and you need to be sure that it is what really counts when you are talking about getting hired or promoted in Canada.

Let's dive right into it.

In my opinion, I like to compare certification with Schooling versus education. Education is a broader means of gaining knowledge which could be formal or informal. Schooling, on the other hand, is the more formal way of getting educated. Using this lens, certification is like Schooling.

So which ones do employers prefer?

I'll make a bold statement - employers prefer anyone who can get the job done, never mind the long acronyms after their names! However, this comes with a caveat. Sometimes it depends and could be more complex than my response here.

1. Is the role you are targeting a controlled profession that requires the certification? If yes, then you really don't have a choice. Typical ones are real estate, engineering, financial services, etc

2. Does the role that you are targeting change so frequently that the changes impact your service quality or better put how well you deliver the service and in fact, in some situations the safety of lives? If yes, please go ahead with the certification. Good examples would be the Amazon Web Services space, ServiceNow certifications, Security professionals, etc

3. How experienced are you in the field? If you are very experienced and the quality of your delivery is not so much as dependent on critically changing information then you can easily get away with deprioritizing certification versus you getting skilled in actually getting the job done. e.g. Business Analysis, Project Management, Software testing, etc.

4. If you can get the job done as a junior to intermediate professional without the certification the by all means ditch the certification! When you get the job and have enough time, experience and financial cycles, then go ahead and get certified. It never hurts at this point. In fact it becomes a bow on your experience or the icing on your cake...figuratively speaking.

5. Finally, go to coffee with senior leaders/hiring managers in the industry that you are targeting and ask them what matters to them and how they perceive certifications vs skills in their hiring matrix.

That said, I will be having with me a senior leader in the consulting industry who I have had the pleasure of working with for a few years. He will be joining us in the studio to talk about this and other interesting topics related to hiring for new and established immigrants and promotion for established immigrants in the workplace!

Looking forward to it!

Dapo

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ILP-0091: The Biggest Mistake Most Immigrant Business Owners And Executives Make

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 06:49:30 GMT

According to Martin Luther King Jr., "If a man is called to be a street sweeper. He should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all hosts of heaven and earth pause to say; Here lives a great sweeper who did his job well"

My name is Dapo Bankole and today, I am talking about how to start right in Canada. Pretty much.

The biggest mistake we make as immigrant business owners and executives is that we build our business before deciding what lifestyle you really want. Now think about that for a moment.

The problem is that when a street sweeper does his job so well that figuratively, even the hosts of heaven say "Here lives a great sweeper who did his job well", many would wonder why a street sweeper would do such a great job when he is not the property owner. Reflect on that for a bit. Have your colleagues ever asked you why you work so hard? Have they jokingly said you work like you own the organization or that you work so hard as if you are being paid much more than you earn? Did you hear that before? Good.

That brings me to my next point - If you are working for someone else, you are still a business owner, you are still an executive. That’s called YOU incorporated. Everything that I am about to talk about applies to you as well. So business owners, executives, and individuals, building your business before deciding what lifestyle you want is your biggest mistake. The solution is to design your lifestyle first, then build your business to get you there. See, the business is the vehicle. The employment that you have is the vehicle. That’s what we need to do.

The challenge is that a lot of times we build our businesses first and it boxes us into a corner as far as our lifestyle, and sometimes we create a successful business and then we start thinking about, “Well, I’d really like to have this business to provide me some lifestyle,” but then you have to possibly make some changes to the business and sometimes those tweaks don't do well for the business and therefore the business suffers and therefore your lifestyle will suffer too. My main point is therefore that you design your lifestyle first, then build your business to get you there.

When you move to Canada as permanent residents, you are not here on a vacation so take it easy. I know economics is important but, relax. Let's do it right.

Now you’ve heard that time equals money. Well, let’s analyze that just a little bit. You can spend time. You can spend money. Can you waste time and waste money? Sure. Can you leverage time and leverage money? Absolutely. Can you manage your time? Can you manage your money? Yes. Can you use other people's time? Yes. Can you use other people's money? Yes. Can you save it for future use? Money yes but time no. You see, time does not equal money. And the real issue is time plus money equals lifestyle, and that's what we're really after.

It's part of why we left our countries of origin and embraced Canada as our new home.

Depending on your experience level, you've probably figured out that going after all the money won't afford you the time to do the things you really want to do. Have you been on a job that pays your bill and gives you a lot of things yet you feel trapped and unfulfilled? Yeah. I have been there. If it was just the time, sometimes I didn’t make the money. You've probably figured out it wasn’t one or the other. I want a combination of both. Now when you put those two together it gives us what we’re really after which is the lifestyle.

For you, what is lifestyle?

Well, I found out that lifestyle really means something different to everyone, and that's the good news. For me, I believe that lifestyle is being able to do what you want, when you want, where you want, with who you want, and how you want, without worrying about time or money. I'll say it again. It is being able to do what you want, when you want, where you want, with who you want, and how you want, without worrying about time or money.

So, before you rush into building that vehicle that will take you to your desired lifestyle, you need to decide - it's not about making it happen but discovering your own north pole which will determine the type of vehicle that will take you there.

So what are the things to consider when you are designing the preferred lifestyle that you want?

Join me in the next episode!

Dapo Bankole.

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ILP-0092: Defining Your Lifestyle As An Immigrant

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 06:52:29 GMT

Lifestyle is being able to do what you want, when you want, where you want, with who you want, and how you want, without worrying about time or money.

In order to embark on that journey of lifestyle design, it's important to answer this question: Is what I'm doing right now the best use of my time in living and creating the lifestyle I want for myself and my family?

I think a good way to start is to understand how you currently spend/invest time. And I have a fun exercise that I have done. I kid you not, you will amaze yourself when you do it! I was shocked at where my time was going! Ouch! It's simple. I call it the time matrix.

Besides sleeping, eating, and commuting here’s 15 areas of your life to consider which you would put into your time matrix, and they are, once again, besides sleeping, eating, and commuting, they are attitude, business/work, charitable, civic involvement, educational, emotional, family, financial, lifestyle, physical, reflection, romance, social, spiritual, and wisdom.

Fill in your current scheduleFill in your dream scheduleFill in your next step schedule

Let's talk about money. You probably already have an idea how much you currently earn so we won't go there.

The next question is how much do you want to earn a year?

Simple. If you want to make 100k a year working 40hrs a week, 50 weeks a year which is typical then you would be earning $50/hr. That means you will be taking 2 weeks of vacation as well. But if you prefer to work 40weeks a year and only 20hrs a week then you would need to earn $125/hr for 20hrs and 40 weeks every year. Working less but with higher per hour income, you will still end up with 100k a year and have 3 months of vacation if you wish!

Play around with the numbers and time that you want for yourself or for things you hold dear.

But there are obvious questions or fundamentals. How much are you earning today? What do you need to do in order to earn the kind of hourly rate that will give you the lifestyle that you desire?

This is what helps you in deciding the kind of vehicle - employment or business that you need to engage in so you can have the lifestyle that you want!

This is a very short introduction to an upcoming method that I am working on which will help you live a colorful immigrant life!

I wish you well.

Dapo!

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ILP-0093: Planning For Retirement As An Immigrant - 1

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 06:04:04 GMT

“Retirement, a time to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, where you want to do it and how you want to do it,” – Catherine Pulsifer

First things first - define what retirement means for you. It means different things to different people:-->Do nothing, seat in front of the house and become the street security camera, the crazy old man harassing younger folks about how they are being rude or mannerless? Or the pleasant old woman always greeting every passerby and asking how their day went?-->Or a time when you are free of financial worry and stopped working?-->Time when you finally decided to do what's fun and important for you?-->Time to spend time with grandkids?-->Time to travel?-->Time to gossip?

It doesn't matter what you decide, you need to think about it and plan for it.

Why?

Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday!

Like a lot of other things, I believe that retirement is a journey.

I came across an organization in the United States called the TIAA Institute (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America). They are a research institute that provides actionable information that anyone can make use of in the areas of financial security and higher education. In 2017, they conducted a Transition to Retirement study which showed that Americans look for 3 major things in retirement -

1. Freedom from financial worries. (money?)2. Flexibility to do whatever they want. (time?)3. Relaxation time with family and travel.

I know this is not a Canadian survey but isn't that what most of us really want?

So as first-generation Canadian immigrants, how should you then approach retirement planning?

1. Consider your age - how old are you and when do you want to retire?2. Consider the lifestyle plan you designed or want. What will retirement look like for you financially and time-wise? People do all sorts in retirement - they volunteer, go back to School/pick up new skills, become teachers/mentors, travel, rekindle an old hobby, work - because they want to (not because they need to), spend more time with friends and families, get more active in politics, etc.3. Consider your health - how healthy are you?4. Consider the life expectancy for an averagely healthy person in Canada.5. Consider your responsibility towards your kids if you have them.

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ILP-0094: Planning For Retirement As An Immigrant - 2

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 04:33:16 GMT

My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there. ~ Charles Kettering

Where do you start?

1. Get rid of your debt - first and foremost - consumer - credit card, car, student loan, etc and even housing loan (I know most experts don't like to group mortgage loans as consumer debt but top each his own. It just makes sense. Here's why.

Most interest loans range from 13 - 21% p.a. (APR - annual percentage rate) or even more, depending on your situation. I read somewhere that between 1950 and 2009, the stock market grew by as much as 7% p.a. which is a great return. However, it never makes sense to be investing for retirement when you are paying between 13 and 21% on interest for loans you took. Kill the debt first.

2. Create an emergency fund. Usually, people say 3 - 6 months, I'd say 6 - 12months of expenses.

3. Put away 10-20% away from your regular earnings towards retirement.

4. Have proper life insurance. Not those ones tied to your home. The specific type? Talk to your adviser.

5. Create a will. I came across https://www.givingdocs.com/ which I find very helpful in my own personal journey.

6. Decide exactly when you want to retire. It sounds simple but it's true. Remember the lifestyle design we talked about in episode 92 and 93?

7. How much should you have in retirement? Varies with everyone.

Since life expectancy in Canada is quite high, I'd just use a flat number as an example to estimate what you need to prepare for in retirement. Simply; prepare for whatever life expectancy you expect to live to. e.g. 90? And if you want to retire at 50? Prepare for 40 years' expenses.

According to a CNBC article (https://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/11/whats-the-magic-number-for-your-retirement-savings.html)

In your 20s, put enough away so that by the time you turn 30, you’ll have the equivalent of your salary saved.By 40, aim to have three times your salary saved up.By age 50, you should have enough saved to equal six times your salary.By age 60, your savings should be eight times your salary.And 10 times your salary by the full retirement age of 67.

Tools to help: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/retirement-planning.htmlhttps://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/related/investment-calculator/

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ILP-0095: I don't Feel Qualified For The Job. Should I apply?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 05:39:29 GMT

Champions are ordinary people who acknowledged the greatness in themselves. Period. ~ Dapo Bankole

In this episode, I recounted an encounter that I had with a fellow first-generation Canadian immigrant back in 2015. The fellow had contacted me regarding a particular job that he was interested in. The deadline was fast approaching and he sought my opinion. A while after the deadline, I emailed him to find out if he eventually applied for the role and he told me no, he did not because, even though he had the years of experience, he did not have the certification that the role required. I was shocked.

Well, I shared my email response to him in this episode and explained my reasoning.

In summary, if you feel you can demonstrate that you meet 70-75% of what a hiring manager is asking for, please go ahead and apply. Bet on yourself!

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ILP-0096: When Is The Best Time To Buy A House?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 05:58:09 GMT

There's a popular Chinese proverb that says: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

When is the best time to buy a house?

According to a blog called "Money We Have" accessible via https://www.moneywehave.com/the-best-time-to-buy-a-home/, the best time to buy a house is in January. According to the writer, houses are cheaper then than because it's wintertime and buyers are in shorter supply. In fact, the blog says that in the Greater Toronto Area, the average sold price is $43,000 less when compared to the rest of the calendar year. In summary, the writer says even if you don't buy in January, the most important thing is for you to determine your purchase budget and stick to it.

Now to my own response.

There is none. And this is arguable - I am hopeful other community members can weigh in on this one. Not everyone needs to OWN a house or home. I know that generally speaking, people from my heritage count that as a societal definition of worth or success but that's subjective. My wife and I certainly 'own' our home (there is a reason for putting 'own' in quotes) and we got it one year after we arrived in Calgary. However, if I had my way and we had the chance to do it all over again, I would wait until we can afford a very large chunk of the cost then target to pay off the balance within a maximum of 10 years. And if I were speaking to my 21-year-old self today based on what I now understand about life, I would suggest not to even bother owning a home. A lot of my perspective on life right now is very different than what it was years ago. Even compared with one year ago. This is really a personal life choice and a very debatable topic.

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ILP-0097: How important Is It For My Children To Attend A Private School?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 06:47:57 GMT

Legacy is what you live in your kids, not what you leave for them ~ Dapo Bankole

Short answer: I am not sure I can tell a parent how important that decision is but I would suggest considering the objective of thinking about that option, the required financial investments and if taking such a step is critical to the parents' and child's ultimate happiness and well being. If everything looks great after weighing all these and probably more, just do it. Don't waste time. And if it turns out to be a wrong decision, just change it.

Long answer? Listen to the full episode.

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ILP0098: When Does Creating A Targeted Resume Become A Lie?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 07:13:57 GMT

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want something.”—Randy Pausch

It's okay to use flattery words to describe what you did, what you do or your achievements. It's also okay to sprinkle or embed keywords and keyword ideas that you lifted from the job description. That is expected and that is the standard if you want to gain entry to most Canadian establishments. Because certain roles have way more applicants than the number of available spots to be filled, employers now use what is called ATS - Applicant tracking system to filter out those whose resumes do not match.

So when do targeted resumes become a lie? When you are unable to demonstrate your ability to do what you indicated on your resume. Then you lied. If you didn't do it, it should not be on your resume. It's that simple but I know that when you are under pressure for a good-paying job, it can become complex. Regardless, stay on the side of the truth! Every time.

A little about ATS systems

Some people think the function of the ATS is to highlight the matching candidates. Yes, in theory. In reality, a significant part of its function is to weed out candidates who do not qualify. Once that is out of the way, the hiring manager and team now have a good opportunity to spend time looking through what is left of the lots. So it saves them time and makes the hiring team look good but not you...especially if the ATS gets on your case by filtering you out! Yes, this happens more time than you'll care to know! But that is just a test of your commitment to getting a job!

What do you need to do in order to beat ATS systems? I found the answers on a blog post by a company called Jobscan. Actually, you can use the company's software to optimize your resume for a specific job description. Head to https://www.jobscan.co/

Here are 9 ways to beat the ATS*.

Carefully tailor your resume to the job description every single time you apply.
Optimize for ATS search and ranking algorithms by matching your resume keywords to the job description
Use both the long-form and acronym version of keywords (e.g. “Master of Business Administration (MBA)” or “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”) for maximum searchability
Use a chronological or hybrid resume format (avoid the functional resume format)
Don’t use tables or columns as they often cause major parsing errors
Use a traditional resume font like Helvetica, Garamond, or Georgia
Don’t use headers or footers as the information might get lost or cause a parsing error
Use standard resume section headings like “Work Experience” rather than being cute or clever (“Where I’ve Been”)
Save your file as a .docx if possible

Source*: https://www.jobscan.co/blog/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-applicant-tracking-systems/

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ILP-0099: Can I Tell My Interviewer That I Don't Know The Answer To A Question?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 06:51:38 GMT

I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there. ~ Richard P. Feynman

Can I tell my interviewer that I don't know the answer to a question? Yes, you can. And you should. Here's why.

You can find my reasoning and true-life stories in the full episode.

Episode duration: 21:35

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ILP-0100: Entrepreneurial Mindset Series - What's This All About?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 03:18:25 GMT

Entrepreneurship is attractive. Everyone dreams of living in the Maldives while money just flows into our bank accountS without us doing nothing. Well, how real that thought is will be discussed another day. But at least we know a lot of us immigrants dream of having our own businesses. We dream of that day when we will finally be "FREE" - have no more care about nothing but our own business. And truth be told, we try. We play it safe and start a side hustle. Some jump off from the proverbial plane without a parachute and grow their wings coming down. Others like me get pushed out and are forced to swim or sink or crawl back into the familiar.

Regardless, we all start the adventure only to realize that becoming an entrepreneur is a journey, a process and the transition is even more painful in the mind than we ever thought. Moving from an employee to a self-employed person or even an employer is no joke. It requires a TON of work, acceptance that A LOT of things that don't work are a normal part of the journey. Worse still, our biggest battles as entrepreneurs are INTERNAL. War of the mind. An unending battle between the mental conditioning that we grew up with and what the life of an entrepreneur really entails. This is the real deal. If truth be told, the lives that we change and the money that we make through the products and services that we offer as entrepreneurs are not what makes us entrepreneurs. It is the daily journey itself that is our reward as entrepreneurs. The new us who emerges through the daily battles is our most valuable reward!

Jess Huffman and I have therefore partnered to bring to first-generation Canadians, the “Entrepreneurial Mindset Series” where we aim to help everyone (even if you are working for someone or an establishment) overcome the loneliness, fear, indecision, and self-doubt of the entrepreneurial journey thus easing the stress of striking out on your own as a business owner. It will be insightful, practical and fun!

Watch out for a new episode every Monday!

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ILP-0101: The Dangers Of Autocorrect

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 03:27:23 GMT

A lot of truths have been communicated in the name of autocorrect and a lot more havoc will be wrecked because of the same but no matter what happens, you are responsible for what you say. ~ Dapo Bankole

Autocorrect is one of the modern-day automation functionalities meant to make our life easier and make us more efficient. However, we've all become victims of the very things we created to serve us. The bottom line; you are responsible for what you say via any medium - email, SMS, social media private chats, public posts, WhatsApp, etc. If it has your name on it or your account name on it, you said it. Therefore, spend time to check, recheck and double-check!

Enjoy this episode!

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ILP-0102: How To Treat A-Players

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 05:22:49 GMT

“A Players are self-motivated, work for passion, and find purpose in the process itself.” - Rick Crossland

Who is an A-player?

My parents raised myself and siblings up focused on two cardinal points - character and competence. The character first - then competence. Those two things are the cardinal points for being successful in life and becoming responsible citizens in the community. For me, if you have those two, you are an A-player. You are a person of integrity (who you are when no one is looking), you have empathy and are great at what you do. You don't make excuses. You miss it, you own up and don't blame others for your own errors. They motivate and inspire others, are open-minded and would even go beyond the normal tenets of their jobs to ensure the team or organization gets the results it desires.

In his book, "The A-player", Rick Crossland defines an A-Player in six different ways:

1. An employee who is in the top 10 percent of their profession on an industry-wide basis for the salary paid.2. A person on your team whom you would enthusiastically rehire.3. The employees at an enterprise who drive all the profitability and growth.4. A person of high integrity who delivers on commitments.5. The employee every organization covets.6. The employee who fits your company culture and models your core values and behaviors.

So how should organizations treat them? Like demigods? No. Appreciate them, reward them, praise them, pay them right, acknowledge them.

According to David Wayne Handley (a Facebook user having a common friend with me), "'A-Players' know their worth and are always working on themselves to improve. You must have enough discernment to reward and promote them before they ask for it. They would rather seek their desserts elsewhere, a risk, for certain, but they wouldn't be A-players if they didn't take risks. The moment you take their contribution for granted, they're gone."

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ILP-0103: Do You Need A Doctor's Note In Order To Take A Sick Leave?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 05:45:49 GMT

Do you need a doctor's note in order to take sick leave?

Let's find out.

Before I answer that question, let's lay a few facts on the table.

1. Subject to applicable government labor/health laws, any organization can make any policy as it deems fit.

2. Provincial laws differ in their approach to this question or policy so you need to be familiar with yours.

3. You need to be familiar with your employment contract.

Any concerns with asking for a medical note for missed time from work or days when an employee calls in sick? Yes, I have a few:

1. It speaks of distrust. If you don't believe that your employee knows when he or she needs to take a rest and heal except a doctor confirms it, then you probably need to check your policy.

2. It costs money. Medical notes are not always free. Some can be free (only because the patient is not personally paying for it but somebody is) and some are charged. In addition, to get the note, an employee will need to drive or take public transport to the clinic. If the employee earns minimum wage, this becomes a big deal.

3. Some employees may choose to not go through the hassles of getting the medical note and rather continue to work. These folks pose more risk to the establishment by being infectious if the illness is such or by having workplace injuries. This becomes a bigger problem in the workplace.

4. It creates an avoidable burden on the healthcare system. When a sick and infected person who can heal by staying home stays in the waiting room in order to see a physician for a medical note, anyone else in the same waiting room with a weak immune system is put at greater risk of contracting another infection or getting worse. In addition, it takes a longer time for patients who really need to see a physician to access the life-saving service that they deserve.

5. It might take the sick employee a longer time to heal since the person likely spends healing time in the clinic instead of at home. This also directly impacts the organization.

What's the answer?

You SHOULD NOT need a medical note in order to take a sick leave subject to provincial and labor laws. Personally, my position is that unless your manager or HR is concerned with your pattern of absence (in which case I expect them to approach things differently), you need not be asked to provide a sick note. And if your organization has this archaic law, enforces it and doesn't see a reason to change it, you probably need to look for a different employer because there is no trust.

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ILP-0104: Working Remotely: 5 Key Things To Consider

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 05:58:03 GMT

Working Remotely: 5 Key Things To Consider

1. Your employer (if you work for others) policy must support this or at least your employer/manager needs to approve it.

2. Your type of work needs to support working remotely e.g. you cannot be a car mechanic or a surgeon and dream of working from home. It just does not work.

3. Do you have appropriate hardware and software tools that support remote work? It goes without saying that at a minimum, you need a suitable laptop, reliable and hi-speed internet access, phone, comfortable desk, and chair in order to work remotely.

4. Self-discipline: Working remotely is largely a trust arrangement. For sure, some organizations try to track their employee's minute by minute work when remote - but it is counterproductive and needless. As an employee or contractor who works remotely, the normal perks of the lifestyle mean you have flexible working hours but you must be disciplined enough to get your deliverables out the door! If you are trusted then deliver on that trust! Having a schedule has worked for me a lot.

5. Your personality type: Are you the type that must-see or touch someone else in order to get into the work mood and stay productive? If this is an absolute must, then don't bother.

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ILP-0105: EMS - Reprogramming Your Mind For Business Success

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 04:49:47 GMT

In order to succeed as a business owner, you need to (re)program your mind for success. The challenge comes with our default programming which flows from our families, friends, communities and the likes. It's so subtle, we hardly notice they are there as well as their limiting impacts. There are a lot of ways to get ourselves reprogrammed for success but a few things stand out from today's discussion with Jess Huffman:

1. Change the questions you ask yourself at any point in time.

2. Change your immediate relationships. Stick with those who have already done what you are trying to do and those who are currently on the same journey with you. This is not necessarily in the same industry or line of business.

3. Challenge your beliefs by asking yourself: What if everything I ever believed was wrong?

4. Document everything you ever dismissed as impossible and decide to do that thing. This exercise opens up your mind to the freedom and power in your mind.

5. Intentionally change your mindset to ensure it aligns with who you are meant to be - your future and not who you are now.

6. And lots more...listen to the full episode.

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ILP-0106: Stop Stockpiling Retail Items!

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 05:25:22 GMT

In this episode, I shared three stories – One. A completely drunk guy in a London train sang very beautiful and moving Christian worship songs despite his state of mind. Two. A popular very religious Christian brother that everyone knows so well falls ill was taken to the hospital and in an attempt to poke him and get him ready for drips, he shouts "Shopona (Sopona) o!". In Yoruba land, that is the god of smallpox. Yet this is a firebrand well-respected brother in a local church who does not believe in a lesser god. Three. I was in surgery at a time and had to be put to sleep and when the nurse woke me up in recovery, the first thing I said was "Oh, you are wearing a uniform and you don't even have wings! That means we are not in heaven”. She burst out laughing and said, "No we are in Calgary then called on a colleague to come and hear something funny."

Why did I go into all these? Crisis reveals your core values and beliefs. You can preach and sermonize people all you like but what you do or how you respond during a crisis reflects your true self. You can explain it away and say I am being unreasonable, thank you for that. It's my opinion anyway.

I have read online and listened to many people in western nations speak very derogatorily of refugees who flee war-torn countries for developed nations such as Canada, the US, France, etc. They respond to those people and speak to them like they did not know how to get their acts together like it is their lot and fault for being born in those countries as if they moved to their new countries because they are lazy or to simply exploit an economy that they never contributed to. These are people who ran away from war and pain and hunger and yet are calm and civil to others in their new home. I hope those people have a little feel of what war and instability feel like.

We are not even at war although facing a global threat and you are stockpiling, hoarding what is not scarce. Please stop it. And I know why you do it - you feel insecure. You feel out of control. Your heart is searching for safety, looking for a haven.

Hoarding is not the way forward. It only reveals your insecurity, selfishness, and insensitivity despite your best intentions. When we do this, we create systemic shortages which potentially lead to other problems. We create panic and uncertainty for others. I even heard that some people in the United States have started buying guns. Stop it! Trying to shore up for their insecurity. Stop it!!!

Buy just what you need. Retail stores will remain open. Manufacturing companies will continue to run. And even if such expectations change, we will be fine. We will live by new rules necessary for the times and seasons we are in. And we will all be fine. Buy just what you need.

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ILP-0107: Spacious Solidarity

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 06:52:37 GMT

Spacious Solidarity is reframing for the new buzz word, "Social distancing".

I'll like to give credit to Prof. Catherine Etmanski and Rae Abileah for bringing this beautiful mental work of Zahava Griss to my attention. It is what led me to dedicate an entire episode to this. I thought to emphasize the essence of social distancing in an episode because it is beginning to get to people. Staying home without an end date can be more disturbing than even the virus.

So why do we need to exercise spacious solidarity? When we maintain spacious solidarity, we save lives - Ours and that of others. I explained this more in the episode. However, when we come together as one, we will defeat this virus called Coronavirus. Everyday events continue to show me that covid-19 is a threat to humanity in humans. When we ill-treat and fight one another, the virus thrives. Evil thrives. Let's come together by giving one another space. This is why doctors and nurses are like the military men and women that we put in the line of fire of the enemy. This is our neighbor and fellow humans showing solidarity by going to work every day despite the risks.

Our social culture is changing. Hi fives have become elbow bumps and foot fives. People can no longer give hugs, handshakes and french kisses. Metaphorically, covid-19 is a natural forest fire. It appears nature is self-cleansing but then new life will spring from the ashes. Painful for sure but in the end, that is what happens. We will arise with new mindset changes, new babies (coronials), new lives, new careers, etc. While fire rages, let's keep hope alive.

If you are a person of faith like me - trust God and let go of your panic. Protect your mind. Negative mental programming is subtle. Shut down social media, the news station and whatever is the source of the negative news that comes your way.

As we maintain spacious solidarity, lets remember T.J. Blackman, a wonderful lady. She said, "Maybe it's not as bad as it appears. It has been said there is a time for everything, and that everything has its season. It is always difficult to witness the seeming destruction of leafy green forests but it may ease our minds a little if we can remember that there are many cycles to the ecology of a forest, just as there are many cycles to life. It goes on, adapting, striving, and re-establishing itself on its own new terms. Even in the embers, there is a spark of new life."

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ILP-0108: EMS - Covid-19 - How To Use Your Mind To Pivot Your Business

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 05:57:20 GMT

Everything changes and your business is one of them. At this time, you may need to pivot your business into something else to serve the available needs in the community. How do you do that? It all starts in the mind. Check out the following tips:

1. Take a deep breath. Acknowledge the pain but do not panic because if you do, you will drown.

2. Start by working for the things you can control and create a schedule around them.

3. Don't worry about everything, do just the NEXT right thing.

4. Troubling finances? Talk to your creditors. It is not your inability to pay that is often the problem but your lack of communication (silence). Face the elephant in the room.

5. Accept that there is no normal. What you call normal changes always. Reframe your thinking to accept that you create your normal every day.

6. Ask yourself, how else can I do my business?

7. Take an inventory of your intellectual and physical assets and ask yourself what else you can do with the assets that you have.

8. What if everything else fails? Life can never leave you stranded. You will always have an option - believe it because it is real.

9. 80% of life is how you respond to what happens to you. Handle that well.

10. Listen to the full episode in order to get the practical details.

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ILP-0109: March 28 Online Event - FAQ

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 05:52:58 GMT

March 28 FREE Online Event: Thrive Even When Life Feels Chaotic And Uncertain

Get your free ticket here: https://hopin.to/events/thrive-even-when-life-feels-chaotic-and-uncertain

In this episode, I answered some frequently asked questions from the community regarding the upcoming online event. Please listen to it for answers.

FAQ

1. What is Immigrant Life?2. Is this event for immigrants only?3. Is this really a completely online event?4. What type of things are the speakers going to talk about? 5. Is this free? And if true, what is the catch?6. You talked about online networking, what's that really about?7. Can I invite my friends? Even if they are not in Calgary or Canada? 8. Do I have to attend all the sessions?

Get your free ticket to the event here: https://hopin.to/events/thrive-even-when-life-feels-chaotic-and-uncertain

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ILP-0110: March 28 Online Event - The Speakers And Their Topics

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 05:53:50 GMT

In today's episode, I talked very briefly about the speakers of the March 28 online event as well as their topics and why you definitely do not want to miss any of the sessions! Enjoy!

Speakers:1. Dapo Bankole 2. Ehi Ade-Mabo 3. John Pagulayan 4. Jess Huffman5. Hiroko Nakao6. Krispin Ontong 7. Dollie Freeman 8. Robert McKenzie9. Norman Poon, CPHR, SHRM-SCP

Topics:

1. Thrive in Chaos2. Experts Roundtable - How To Thrive In The Chaos Caused By COVID-193. How To CREATE An Online Career Using Your Talents, Training, Life and Work Experiences4. How To Ace Virtual (phone and video) Interviews5. Working Parents: The Secrets To Making This Stay-At-Home Season Work6. How To Laugh In The Face Of Danger (so you don't soil your pants)7. Riding The Waves Of Lock Downs As An Entrepreneur8. Finances – What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do9. Protecting Your Mental Health and Developing Resiliency

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ILP-0111: Don't Worry, Be Happy

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 05:54:33 GMT

At times like this, we all need a reminder to stay positive and look on the brighter side of life. That is what I hope to achieve with this episode. I hope this helps to acknowledge your feelings and give you a reason to smile or at least look forward to tomorrow. Don't worry, be happy. Enjoy!

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ILP-0112: Look Up!

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 04:39:22 GMT

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

We are at that point in life that it has become evident that the arm of flesh has failed us and will continue to fail. In this episode, I call on you to look up to a higher power or more appropriately as I like to say, to look up to God for strength, for wisdom and direction through all the troubles and ongoing chaos. Start with God before looking elsewhere. Enjoy this short episode.

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ILP-0113: EMS - The Questions We Ask Ourselves

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 05:26:14 GMT

The questions we ask ourselves are a reflection of our belief about life and this directly impacts the results we get in life! Jess and I discussed this and many more in this episode. I have enjoyed all the episodes in the entrepreneurial mindset series but I really had a great time recording this one. When you listen to this episode, you will discover the following:

1. Why you only get the answers to the questions you ask

2. The relationship between the questions we ask and people's motives

3. The relationship between the questions we ask and our direction in business and life

4. What to do when your results don't match your expectations

5. How to approach an ever-changing business world

6. Why you can make $1,000,000 as a business owner

7. Your business outcome is always a probability

8. The foundation of your resilience as an entrepreneur

9. Why the frequency of your questions does not automatically improve the quality of your life

10. The three most important questions every business owner needs to ask

11. Why finding out that you made a wrong decision is your secret success weapon as an entrepreneur.

12. And many more.

You really don't want to miss it!

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ILP-0014: Look In

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 05:51:15 GMT

LOOK IN!

You'll be surprised that the answer to that nagging question on your mind lies within you. Not outside. This seems so basic but it is critical especially in times of chaos. Enjoy this episode.

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ILP-0115: Reach Out

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 05:58:29 GMT

Ask for help. Not because you are weak, but because you want to remain strong. ~ Les Brown

In today's episode, I ask that you reach out to others for two broad reasons - to check up on your loved ones regularly especially during this difficult time and also to ask for help when you need it.

I know that in our North American culture, asking for help might not be as comfortable as you would like but it is worth it. You are worth it. In this episode, I gave suggestions on how to actually ask for the help that you need. It works.

Please listen to it and enjoy it!

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ILP-0116: EMS - Perception And The Psychology Of Free

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 05:17:05 GMT

EMS - Perception And The Psychology Of Free

It is often said that perception is reality. While there is a strong sense of truth in that statement, it is also arguable. Regardless, our perception and response to the concept of FREE are very related. The intersection dictates a lot in our business reality. In this episode Jess and I discussed the following:

~Our perception and the concept of FREE

~The importance of using FREE as a tool in business

~Why humans are generally attracted to FREE things

~When to give things for FREE as a business

~When FREE hurts you as a person

~When FREE hurts a business

~Why some entrepreneurs give their services and products for FREE

Enjoy this awesome episode

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ILP-0117: Guard Your Heart With All Diligence

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 06:12:26 GMT

Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life.

It has been established that there is a strong relationship between our brain and the strength of our immune system. When we are sad and unhappy, our immune system becomes more susceptible to infection and vice versa. Therefore, we need to protect our minds. In this episode, I shared four tips on how we can do that successfully. Enjoy it and share with others.

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ILP-0005: How I Passed My Values To My Kids Successfully

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:04:11 GMT

In today's show, Gurjit Lali talks about how she has been able to pass on her chosen values to her children successfully. That probably sounds easy but let me explain. Gurjit is a second-generation Canadian of Indian origin. She was born and raised in Canada yet she speaks her tribal language fluently and not only that, she has been able to pass the same language and values to her children. Why did she do that and how did she get that done? Go ahead, hit play and find out!

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ILP-0006: How I Survived 5Yrs of Professional Instability

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:20:39 GMT

On today’s show, I have with me Emmanuel Olusuyi. Emmanuel is an internationally trained engineer and project manager. He arrived in Calgary with his family in 2013 but after a few years, he had to leave this great city for family reasons. He relocated to Toronto and is doing great. He shares his experience in Calgary, why he left and how things turned out in Toronto. You will hear tips about the right networking mindset, interview and resume tips, starting right as an immigrant, workplace relationships, patience, financial common sense, belief system, family influence and lots more! His is a very interesting story of sweats, blood, and triumphs. Indeed, Emmanuel is a remarkable immigrant!

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ILP-0007: How I Had A Smooth Canadian Narrative

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:31:58 GMT

Discover how an immigrant had a smooth integration experience in Canada and how you can too! Will Zhang arrived in Canada from France with his family in 2009. Will is a first-generation Canadian immigrant of Chinese origin who was able to leverage his experience in France and China to his advantage while settling down in Canada. What was his beginning like? How did he adjust to his new home, integrate into his community and restart his career? How did he eventually start his own business and what exactly does he do today? He will be sharing these and more with us today.

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ILP-0008: It Has Been A Struggle But It's Worth It

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:35:11 GMT

Ayesha Qureshi was born and raised in Pakistan and moved to Canada in 2012 as a permanent resident. Ayesha is an Engineer by training, works a professional job and even though she seemed to have it easier than many immigrants, she described her experience so far as a struggle that is worth it. Why does she think so? Ayesha also intends on going into politics. What's driving that perspective? We will unravel this energetic personality in today's episode. Come along with me.

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ILP-0009: Why I Filed For Bankruptcy & How You Can Avoid It

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:38:10 GMT

'John Smith' is a first-generation immigrant who got into debt and eventually filed for bankruptcy. It was a difficult time but he learned his lessons. In this episode, he provides great insights into how he got into that rabbit hole, how he dug himself out after filing for bankruptcy and very importantly, how you can avoid making the same mistake. This is a memorable one!

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ILP-0010: Are You Prepared For What's Coming?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:44:19 GMT

This week’s episode is a little bit different and I’ll tell you why. Over the last six weeks, I’ve caught myself talking a lot more about a certain topic when with clients, friends and even in public speaking engagements. I, therefore, think it is my responsibility to share my thoughts with you all. It’s a topic that I personally find very interesting as an immigrant, a husband, a father, and an entrepreneur. Let me know what you think at the end of this episode. Please visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/immigrantlifeCA to share your thoughts about this topic!

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ILP-0011: Why My Show of Respect Was Misunderstood

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:53:08 GMT

In 2013, I sent an official email to a senior lady at an establishment. Without thinking about it, I thought that I did an excellent job by according her respect in the way I would accord anyone older than me some respect. But I was wrong. Why was this? What led me to behave this way? And what have I learned? Uncover this little but important nugget in this episode.

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ILP-0012: I got A Professional Job Without An Interview

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:55:01 GMT

At a point in my Canadian integration journey when I was psychologically and financially empty, a leading organization offered me a job without an interview. Surprised? I was too! Reflectively, I know what happened and there are a few lessons that you or someone close to you can leverage today or at any time in the future. Happy listening and visit https://immigrantlife.ca to join our growing community.

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ILP 0013: Ask For Help

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 01:59:08 GMT

In this episode, I shared about the great benefit of ASKING for help and how it can be easily ignored - perhaps because of the simplicity, the negative conditioning created by penalties suffered when we asked for help in the wrong places such as from a fellow student in an examination hall or even the societal expectation triggered by the individualistic North American society. I illustrated the power of asking for help with five personal stories where I reaped the benefit of asking for help - one of which even landed me an unadvertised job. As an immigrant or anybody at that, there is help waiting for you everywhere if only you can be confident enough to ASK. And that may be the bridge between your current state and the future you desire.

Join the Immigrant Life community for FREE here: https://community.immigrantlife.ca/signup/ and you will have access to the show notes and accompanying worksheets as well as other resources as they become available.

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ILP-0014: Will Your Anchor Hold In The Storms Of Life?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 05:54:48 GMT

Life is fun until it is not. When life hits you in the face with an unpleasant surprise, what do you do? For most of us, we have a default that we turn to in times of joy and grief. I have a few things that I turn to but a key one is listening to music and singing. In this episode, I relive my High School days and how a weekly activity of community singing night has served as one of my anchors when life throws me a curveball. What is your anchor in troubling times? Visit https://facebook.com/immigrantlifeCA to share yours.

Have you joined our growing community yet? You'll love it there! Join the Immigrant Life community at https://community.immigrantlife.ca/signup and you will have access to the show notes and accompanying worksheets as well as other resources as they become available.

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ILP-0015:How Will You Respond When Your Values Are Violated?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 05:57:42 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I am truly thankful for the opportunity that I have to serve this growing community! Thank you for the continued support. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we all live and breathe our values. We filter the world through our value system and make decisions based on them - sometimes without realizing it. What happens when those values are challenged or violated? How are we going to respond? Using a recent incident that sparked a worldwide debate as a case study, I discussed this point. Happy listening.

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ILP 0016: Omah, A Courageous Story of Persistence

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 05:59:14 GMT

This week, I am letting you in on a discussion that I had with a new immigrant that I’ll like to call “Omah”. Of course, that implies it’s not his real name – I am just using that screen name to protect his privacy. He reached out to me because he needs help with finding a job in his area of professional strength. We talked about a couple of things – including how he is coping with the emotional challenge of being without a job. We also talked about his family, his professional experience and even opportunities for starting a home-based business. I am sure you will enjoy this episode.

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ILP 0017: How New Immigrants Can Succeed In The Workplace

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 06:00:27 GMT

Kristine Malmqvist is a 7th generation Scottish immigrant. Coming from decades of experience schooling and working with new immigrants, she joined me live in the studio to discuss the challenges and opportunities available to new immigrants. With a strong feeling of empathy, she shares why she sometimes struggles with the thought of helping a newcomer, how the Canadian culture can be frustrating to new Canadians, what to do about workplace culture and expectations, how to handle conflict in the workplace and a few tips on how to avoid getting stuck in a junior role. You gotta love this episode!

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ILP-0118: EMS - Perception And Business Reality

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 05:45:12 GMT

This episode answers the following questions and more:

What does perception mean in business?
Why is perception important in business?
Is perception reality?
How does the perception of the business owner or leaders influence the realities of the business?
When does branding cross the line into insecurity?
How can you know when your perception is holding you back in business?
How can you know on a daily basis if your perception is holding you back?

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ILP-0119: Tips and Tricks For Working Remotely

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 06:19:51 GMT

"We like to give people the freedom to work where they want, safe in the knowledge that they have the drive and expertise to perform excellently, whether they at their desks or in their kitchen. Yours truly has never worked out of an office, and never will." — Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group

Working from home is no longer a luxury, rather it has become an essential part of our life and we need to know how to be successful at it. This second episode on this topic goes a little more in-depth on this important subject. The following tips are invaluable.

1. Communicate actively - Go beyond email. Use your voice AND camera where possible.

2. Be friendly - You can even go for lunch with a colleague. Schedule a lunch together and use your camera. Eat and chat on camera. It works. The idea is to minimize feelings of isolation You really cannot avoid it so you need to manage this well.

3. Good diet - Be aware that you might not be as active as a typical person who commutes to work so watch your carbs. Take more protein and food containing appropriate vitamins and minerals. Take lots of fluid.

4. Stretch. Take very frequent walks around your house. Stand up, Stretch, dance, move! Staying in one place pretty much all day has its risks so move a lot. Use ergonomic everything - mouse, chair, table...if you can afford it.

5. Spouses and roommates - Support your spouse or roommate by being respectful of their time. Respect their schedule and realize that being home does not imply time for personal chats and the likes. This is not to say no communication but be supportive - minimize noise, be less demanding during work hours so as not distract each other, etc. If both are working from home, some have reported better productivity by working from separate locations in the home. Do what works for you.

6. Brightly lit space works wonders. It energizes your brain and helps condition your mind for work. The other nice thing is to take your calls or meetings out in the sun if you can. As long as there is minimal or no noise you are good. It helps to keep you healthy.

7. Use an appropriate noise cancelation headphone or better still, like I do - software. It works wonders.

8. Its okay to blend your work with your daily life. You wanna get those clothes washed during work hours? Go ahead. Get up and get the machine working. You need to have a quick run during work hours? Go for it. As long as you are not being unavailable to your colleagues or slacking on your deliverables, it's all good. You will find yourself being happier and more productive. Don't sweat it.

9. Feel free to rest more especially during your typical commute hours. Its fine. Typically working from home takes more time and you deliver more so rest more. You deserve it.

10. Disengage from your work environment for some time on a daily basis. You need it. I like mine in the evenings and I either go for a 1hr walk and return to sleep for a few hours before reconnecting or I just sleep for about 4hrs after the typical work day is over.

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ILP-0120: Your Identity As An Immigrant

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 05:11:23 GMT

"When I discover who I am, I will be free." Ralph Ellison, The Invisible Man

Your sense of worth or identity as an immigrant is not tied and should not be tied to what you have or don't have, where you were born or lived or where you did not live. It should not be tied to anything that anyone can take from you including your Canadian permanent residency or citizenship. Your sense of value or worth should be anchored on the purpose that your creator had for you - whether you know what it is or not. The fact that you were born or alive means you are worthy. You are a creation of a masterpiece and that is why you have value. Until we understand this basic truth and embrace them, we won't be free to unleash our brilliance and it will affect or might even truncate our journey of integration into the Canadian society. Enjoy this masterpiece ;)

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ILP-0121: EMS - The Realities Of An Entrepreneur's Daily Life

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 06:14:31 GMT

The results of a successful entrepreneur's life often look rosy. However, most new or upcoming entrepreneurs are often unaware of what the daily realities of such people's lives look like. In this episode, Jess Huffman and I explore the different perspectives that uncover the facts and myths.

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ILP-0122: EMS - Is Perception Reality?

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 05 May 2020 05:35:48 GMT

We all think that perception is reality but is it? Jess Huffman and I examine this question in this episode. We discussed the different facets of the perception-human reality experience that you will discover to be rich in insights for you as an individual and an entrepreneur.

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ILP-0123: Immigrant Life Podcast Is Moving

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Thu, 07 May 2020 05:20:00 GMT

There comes a time when we all leave home. Immigrant Life is moving. Click here to see our new home.

When I started the Immigrant Life Podcast in 2018, all I wanted was to provide actionable insights to Ist generation Canadians and do that while fostering a community culture where immigrants help immigrants. For the most part, providing actionable insights via the podcast has always been fulfilled as an objective so much so we currently have thousands of listeners in over 135 countries. When I think about it, I always smile knowing I never even advertised the podcast. The growth that we have seen has been largely organic - word of mouth.

However, from the community perspective, we have fallen behind. I desire a closely-knit community where we are visible. We want to know who listens to us and be able to cater to their unique needs in a community setting. Unfortunately, our current technology platform does not enable that desire. To this end, effective May 14, 2020, our current platform will be disabled hence no new episode will be released to all the popular channels like Apple, Alexa, Tune In, Spotify, Google Podcast, Stitcher, etc.

In fact, we are already live at our new home: https: //mysoundwise.com/soundcasts/1587324647240s

In order to continue listening to the Immigrant Life Podcast, you will need to register at the above URL. Registration is FREE.

It's a lovely new home as we have been testing it for the last couple of weeks and right now, we feel confident that we have made the right decision and that our future as a community is bright.

Welcome to the future.

Click here to listen to Immigrant Life Podcast

Dapo Bankole

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ILP-0124: Say Yes Ask Questions Later With Mariana Konsolos Part 1

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 23 May 2020 04:20:39 GMT

I had a fun time recording this episode with Mariana Konsolos. Mariana is a first-generation Canadian of Uruguayan heritage. In Uruguay, Marian was pretty much a princess! She had the best things in life and thrived as a real estate entrepreneur. She had wealthy individual and corporate international customers yet, she opted to leave her comfort zone and move to Canada. Why?

Typically, she faced initial challenges in adjusting to life in Canada. However, she said yes to herself and moved beyond the acceptable excuses to start a business that thrived nationwide. Surprisingly, she got rid of the business - the goose that laid the golden eggs. Why did she do that?

She went further and started yet another business that again thrived - this time beyond her wildest imagination. A few years ago, she retired and has been traveling the world to wherever she is needed. When destiny calls, she shows up.

How is she doing this?

She has now provided answers in a book that she titled "Say Yes Ask Questions Later" which shortly after launching on May 1 became a bestseller on Amazon! I'll cut to the chase - buy her book!

Mariana is an amazing positive influence in her tribe and is now on a mission to invest her retirement period in you and I. And if you want to go above average and be committed to your own growth and success, join her FREE VIP book club!

If you want to know what drives this energetic lady and access her experience and wisdom, listen to this podcast and tell your friends, families and colleagues about it.

You're welcome ;)

Dapo

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ILP-0125: Say Yes Ask Questions Later With Mariana Konsolos Part 2

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 23 May 2020 04:28:52 GMT

This is part 2 - the concluding part of my fun interview with Mariana.

Enjoy and take advantage of the lessons in this interview.

Say YES to yourself!

Dapo

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ILP-0126: EMS - Beliefs: How They Are Formed

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 23 May 2020 06:29:17 GMT

Today, Jess and I continue the discussion on mindset with the goal of unearthing how we form our beliefs. You will certainly enjoy this one!

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ILP-0127: EMS - Beliefs - How To Create The Life You Want

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sat, 23 May 2020 07:24:50 GMT

As entrepreneurs, we all have dreams. We want to make progress in life but now we are learning that our beliefs are instrumental to the kind of life that we live. So how then do we create the kind of life that we want? Jess and I explore that question in today's episode. Enjoy!

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ILP-0128: EMS - Self-Sabotage

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 26 May 2020 05:00:56 GMT

When we consciously or unconsciously take actions that prevent us from achieving our goals, it is generally known as self-sabotaging behaviors. Like everything else, it starts with our thoughts and beliefs. In this episode, Jess and I went on an exploratory dive into why these things happen, how we can spot them on time, and what we can do about them.

Listen along, reflect on how this affects you personally and decide what you will do about it.

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ILP-0129: EMS - Help My Past Is Showing Up In My Business

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 05:54:24 GMT

In this episode, Jess and I discussed what to do when you realize that you are finding it difficult moving beyond some negative and possibly self-sabotaging beliefs and outcomes. There are a few things you can do although one of them is very key - and we discussed it in this episode.

Enjoy and leave your comments in the community for me.

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ILP-0130: EMS - Motivation: What It Is And How It Works In Business

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 04:14:00 GMT

Motivation is one word that is freely thrown around at almost everything. From motivational speeches, to motivational videos, motivational speakers and even motivational books. There are loads and loads of places where the word motivation shows up.

But what exactly is motivation? What is the relationship between motivation and your business? Does your belief have anything to do with it? What is the difference between pivoting, giving up and losing motivation? There are tons of questions that I got jess Huffman to address in this introduction to Motivation and the Entreprenuer.

Enjoy it and leave comments in the app after listening to it!

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ILP-0131: EMS - Common Misconceptions About Motivation

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 06:33:55 GMT

As great and as vital as motivation is to our lives and businesses, there are misconceptions that could muddle things up and alter the outcomes in our lives negatively. In this episode, Jess and I explored a few of the common ones - and they are surprising! Enjoy.

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ILP-0132: Herding Chickens - An Immigrants Guide To Chaos Management

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 06:44:31 GMT

There is Chaos in the land. The randomness and frequency at which unpredictability shows its face can be disturbing. This is why I thought to share my insight about how to handle this and ride the very waves of the chaos to a place of growth. Listen to this and apply your discoveries. A lot of times, what we hear appear so simple we miss the essence of what can move us forward in the right direction. Please pay attention.

Dapo

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ILP-0133: Coffee With Marigold And Lily

Mopheth Systems Corp. — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 00:55:08 GMT

In today's episode, we have two special guests - a mother and her child, Lily and Marigold respectively. I had a fun coffee chat with both Lily and Marigold. An abridged version of their bios is below. Please get inspired by reading about them and listening to the podcast!

Lily Ahonen is a Nurse and Foster Parent in the Specialized Foster Care Program, caring for medically fragile children. She loves to travel and has been to over 40 countries. Lily enjoys activities like running with bulls, car racing, rappelling down buildings for charity, and skydiving. She hopes to finish her Private Pilots License one day. Lily is Ms. Galaxy Calgary 2020/2021 and was the 2019 National Canadian Ms. Calgary Titleholder. She is a living organ donor, having donated her kidney to a childhood friend in August 2019. She is a divorced mom to 11 year old Marigold. Her next goal id to learn how to breakdance.

Marigold Mioc is 11 years old and in the 5th grade. She was the National Canadian Young Calgary titleholder for 2019. She was Little Miss Calgary in 2016. She attended many events in the city during her reign where she volunteered her time, fundraised, and gave speeches as a representative of Calgary.

She has had a business, called Marigold’s Heart Garden, since the age of 5, making and selling headbands.

She is interested in human rights, modelling, gymnastics, reading, travel and has a strong love for animals.

She regularly attends human rights rallies, community events and motivational workshops. She enjoys attending policy planning meetings and has worked on writing her own policy for continuing education. She is a speaker at various events and facilitates leadership classes for youth.

She has used her own money to help sponsor a family from Syria as a Group of 5 sponsorship in 2015, and for buying food, Christmas gifts and toys for the homeless. She has helped with securing donations of baby items and cash donations for Made by Momma, a local charity. She has helped to secure donations of toys, furniture and clothing for newcomer families and is active with many other charity groups. She is currently sponsoring a girl in Kenya to attend secondary school for 4 years, through the WE Organization. She has finished 1.5 years of the sponsorship so far. She uses the money from her headband business to fund charitable works.

She is a Youth Ambassador for hundrED, a global educational organization based in Helsinki, Finland and the youngest member of the Calgary City Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. She is a Youth Ambassador for 1Girl, an organization which empowers girls and teaches leadership skills.

She is an international speaker, having spoken in Europe, Africa and Canada. She is an international runway model and walked in New York, Paris, Milan, Toronto and Vancouver Fashion Weeks in 2019 and 2020. She is represented by Patti Falconer International.

Marigold's role models are Marc & Craig Kielburger, Malala, Oprah Winfrey, Martin Luther King Jr, Tony Robbins, Sharla Brown many more.

She has received awards for community service, including the 2019 Diana Award, 2018 Rising Star Influencer Award from True Beauty Foundation, 2018 Top Twenty Under 25 Entrepreneur Award from Think for Actions, 2018 Great Kids Award from the Alberta Government, 2017 Volunteer Award from the Federal Government and more.

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