What worked for me in my self-development Journey, from being an orphan, childhood trauma to a Master's Graduate;

*Creating a vision board or a folder on my computer or phone of pictures that reflect what I want
*Setting weekly and monthly small goals
*Creating a productive morning and night routine
*Having a prayer Journal
*Gratitude Journal
*Journaling my daily thoughts, emotions, or feelings
*Started listening to motivation or self-development TikTok, YouTube videos, and podcasts
*Watching content that calms and motivates me
*To-do list

📚 From Orphaned and Disadvantaged to a Master's Degree in Internal Auditing 🎓

 Growing up in a disadvantaged rural area in Bizana, Eastern Cape, I faced countless challenges on my path to education. But I never let those obstacles deter me from pursuing my dreams.

🏫 My journey started with primary school, where every step was a struggle. University was equally challenging, but I kept my eye on the prize: a brighter future through education.
🌆 Fast forward to today, and I hold a Master's degree in Internal Auditing, with research papers published in international journals. I've had the privilege to attend and present my research at various conferences, and I'm honoured to be asked to review finance research papers for prestigious journals and conferences.
🙏 My story is a testament to the power of education and perseverance. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. I'm incredibly grateful for every step of my journey, from my humble beginnings to where I stand today.
💪 I share my story not to boast but to inspire and motivate anyone facing similar challenges. Your circumstances don't define your future; your determination and dedication do. Keep pushing forward, and you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.
🌟 Remember, your journey is uniquely yours, and it's shaping you into a stronger, wiser, and more resilient person. Embrace it and believe in yourself. You have the power to overcome anything.
hashtag#EducationChangesLives hashtag#NeverGiveUp hashtag#Inspiration hashtag#Motivation hashtag#TransformingAdversity

Never quit your Master's or PhD

 Last year in 2023, I posted a video on TikTok outlining things that one should never quit their Master's degree or PhD for, and it went viral.

I hope this list also helps someone again in 2024.

Never quit your Master's or PhD because of one of the following:
Rejection; application rejection, research proposal rejection, research article publication rejection.
Confusion, lack of motivation, and procrastination.
No or slow movement in your research journey.
Negative comments from the research supervisor that tear you apart and make you feel useless.
A bad relationship with a research supervisor.
Fear of failure.
Negative comments about the Master's degree or PhD from non-academic people or people who are not interested in pursuing a Master's or PhD.
What people say about your post-grad/research journey.

Why?
You will be shocked that there are people who completed their Master's and PhD and have also encountered the same challenges but refused to give up and decided to fight for their dreams.

Older Version of myself (Me in my 20s) vs. New Version of myself (Me in my 30s).

In my early 20s, I learned that sometimes it is necessary to take a break from youth fun activities(i.e. dating) and give all your attention or focus to something that you believe is worthwhile and that will change your life for the better.

I wholeheartedly dedicated my whole life and soul to my studies and self-development in my 20s. The pressure to fit in or appear normal sometimes causes all this pressure to settle in, destroying your future, being delusional and sacrificing time to work on your best version of yourself.

Anyway, I knew that the old version of me was not the final version 😉 , I wanted to be better 👑 . I worked hard to build a better version of myself 😘 ; From being nobody to obtaining a Master's Degree in Internal Auditing 👩‍🎓 , being on Google Scholar, publishing various Accounting and Auditing research papers in international research journals, research conferences paper presentations and being a paper reviewer, academic clothing brand owner, and being the most influential research tutor on social media 😳 🙌 ❤️ # Be the change#Work on your best version of yourself#Redefine yourself # Rewrite your story# Be brave hashtag#Trust God in every season.

Re-defining academic in style

 The new era of Academias #Make education fashionable, interesting and lovable🙌🏾🎓❤️

Work in progress

 *I am a work in progress*

Start small, and create from scratch.

Do everything with grace.

Celebrate your small wins.

Pour more into yourself.

Undergraduate

* Work at the library as a student assistant

* Work at the computer lab as a student assistant

* Participated during registration-student assistant.

* Participated during  Open day

*Fasset tutor

* IIASA student member, attended discussion forums etc.

*Holiday part-time job (Laundry)

Postgraduate

*Attended Sarterdays research workshops and events

*Research proposal tutor

*Research Conference

*Research presentations

*Research paper publication

*Conference paper publication

*ERSA online discussion forums on economic development, diversity etc.

*Conference research paper reviewer

*Recently joined ABASA as a student member

*Attending IIASA events

Believe in yourself because your dreams are valid

 Masters of Internal Auditing ❤️👩🏽‍🎓#From the village to google scholar Queen 👸🏽 #Your dreams are valid.

My Thesis Book

 My Thesis book is literally becoming my best friend, It is always beside me or in my laptop bag. I never get bored when it is around. I use it sometimes to create academic content, reflect on my Master's degree journey, Thesis chapters and identify what I could do better for my PhD degree. 

Reflecting on My Masters Degree Journey

Last year (2021) I decided that I will spend the whole of 2022 celebrating my Master's degree achievement and reflecting on my Journey. My Thesis journey was a hell of a ride but I am thankful that I can look back on my journey and be proud that I fought a good fight.

I remember the first few months when I just started with my Master's degree, it was so difficult, I faced so many challenges and I felt discouraged. I was all over the place, venting to everyone close to me.

One morning, I got up and decided to write down my own affirmation based on how I felt and the challenges I was facing. They made a really big shift in my life. Research is not difficult but the challenges we face in the journey really make us question ourselves, is this even worth it? you fight people, you fight the system, fight your own thoughts, fight mental illness due to stress and challenges but I praise God that he helped me and fought for me in all those challenges.

Here is the extract of the affirmation I wrote for myself:

I can write and complete my research proposal

I can get my research proposal approved by the institution's research committee

I can get an ethical certificate

I can finish my Thesis chapters

I can gather research data and analyse it

I can pass my research thesis examination

I can graduate with my Master's degree

I will hold my Master's degree certificate with my own hands

I will hold my Thesis book with my own hold

God will fight for me, for things that are beyond my control and above my powers.

DEAR MATRICULANT: THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA (MATRIC ASSIGMENT #2)

#Connect

What did I do and still doing even today?

I use social media to connect and interact with my role models or influencers. 

Follow your role models on social media. 

You can develop a professional relationship with them, not forgetting to respect them and also to be respected, don't compromise respect.

 Learn from them. 

Study their ways of doing things, learn from them.

 Your timeline should be full of inspiration and motivation, it should be your source of inspiration, not distraction. 

Give yourself time to search for role models or positive people to follow on social media, keep in mind that your social media should be your source of inspiration and motivation. 

Be mindful of who you add to your follower's list.

Written by Lisa Nqala

FIGHT A GOOD FIGHT, FIGHT FOR YOUR DREAMS

 FIRST PICTURE AT VARSITY

I only had a matric certificate and a university acceptance letter under my name.
I was extremely shy and had low self-esteem.
I had a vision for my life.
I knew what I wanted.
I was willing to fight for it.
I was willing to be patient when I did not see progress.
I was willing to learn from my mistakes.

SECOND PICTURE, MASTERS GRADUATION(Same pose)
I have obtained:
NHC: Certificate in Accountancy,
National Diploma in Internal Auditing,
BTech in Internal Auditing,
Masters of Internal Auditing,
Two publications (research papers),
My name is on google scholar,
My name is on the university repository,
Three (3) research conference presentations and two certificates,
Accounting and auditing work experience,
Tutoring experience,
Lecturing experience.
I hope this motivates and inspire someone.
We have the power to change our situations.
#hardwork #dedication #go getta#fight for your dreams