My 2024 writing and speaking in review and an exciting blog recommendation
- Likeleli Monyamane
- Feb 26
- 5 min read
Introduction
Hey everyone, welcome to my website. It's been a while since I posted anything here or on my LinkedIn - which is where I enjoy posting content about personal, professional and leadership development. While I haven't posted much, I haven't stopped writing and have discovered the STOIC app which has become a journalling companion in my pocket. While I'm traditionally a lover of pen and paper, I have come to enjoy the Stoic app because of its intuitive AI features that give a user writing prompts - ensuring that you never run out of ideas of what to write about. The app also has ten different AI assistants which help you reflect on your writing and asks you probing questions to encourage you to dig deeper in your creativity. As you can tell - I love it! and I've written quite a lot in the app in the past three months.
We are barely into 2025 and so much has already happened locally and globally - some of which I have strong views and reflections on - especially as far as it pertains to our personal, professional and leadership development. However, while I cook new content for the year #letmecook, I decided to just open my writing year by resharing some of my most loved posts on this blog as well as sharing some writing from some of my friends and favourite writers/bloggers.
Highlights of 2024 and My Top Performing Posts
Since I started this website, I've managed to build a community of 337 members who are subscribed to the site. In a world where there's a risk that we could wake up to social media platforms such as TikTok, instagram or X switched off because of political reasons, it is advisable for content creators (or mere bloggers like myself) to "house" their audience outside of these platforms. So while I'm happy to engage with my now 7k supporters on LinkedIn, I am much more honoured to continue to engage with and endeavour to create value for each and every one of the 300+ members of this website.
Reflecting on some of my most popular posts in 2024, I'm convinced that the areas to create this value remains in sharing opportunities across the continent for entrepreneurs and young professionals and in sharing my insights on topics aimed to encourage readers to pursue their highest calling, to achieve professional excellence and to be problem-solvers in their spheres of influence, and therefore, this will continue to be of focus for me this year. Here are the top three posts from 2024
Post 1: Why focusing on purpose over job titles can lead to a more fulfilling career
In this blog post, I critique the traditional career mindset that equates success with climbing the corporate ladder, particularly aiming for titles like CEO. I emphasize the limitations of job titles in truly reflecting one’s value, as they don’t capture the impact that we as individuals make within an organization. Instead, I advocate for a purpose-driven career approach, where success is defined by how one serves others and contributes meaningfully, rather than focusing on advancement for prestige. By shifting from title-driven goals to impact and purpose, we as individuals can achieve greater job satisfaction and make more holistic, fulfilling career choices.
In addition to the content, what readers said they enjoyed about this post were the questions provided at the end of the post for them to reflect on in applying the principles of the post.
Post 2: How to Embrace and Intentionally Navigate the Seasons of Your Career as a Woman
In this post I discuss the challenges we women face in balancing motherhood with career ambitions, drawing from research as well as my personal experiences on the "child penalty". In it, I highlight the importance of accepting that women's careers are often nonlinear and that different seasons, such as motherhood, require different approaches. I emphasize that women can have it all, but not all at once (quoting Oprah Winfrey), and encourage us to embrace the idea of pursuing different goals at different stages of life. At the end of the post, I share book recommendations for women looking to navigate the various seasons of their lives.
Post 3: Unleashing Your Full Potential: The Importance of Pushing Limits in Your Professional Journey
In this blog post I share the inspiring story of Louzanne Coetzee, a visually impaired South African Paralympian who discovered her passion for running by stepping out of her comfort zone and volunteering for a race she initially had no interest in. The post highlights key lessons for personal and career growth: the importance of not limiting oneself through self-definitions, being curious and open to gaining new knowledge and skills, and pushing beyond one's comfort zone. It emphasizes how breaking through these boundaries can unlock untapped potential, using Louzanne's journey as a powerful example of personal transformation and achievement
My Speaking in Review
Reflecting on my speaking engagements in 2024, the main themes remain women empowerment, education, professional leadership and an emerging theme of technology - which is also relevant to the former themes. I aim to share deeper in upcoming posts of how these experiences have shaped me and to share empowering reflections for your consideration as you continue to build your careers and in particular hone your talents.
Favorite Blog Pick of the Month
I thought it'd be cool to share my favorite blog picks of the month from some of the authors, bloggers, and writers I love. This is a feature I'll be retaining on this blog, and not only that - but I'm exploring general ideas of featuring amazing people in my network and sharing stories of their personal, professional and leadership journeys and the lessons they've learned along the way that we can learn from.
The Hidden Cost of the Trad Wife Trend: A Wake-Up Call for Women - Mapalo Makhu (Founder of Woman and Finance and published author)
Mapalo's blog is Personal Finance heaven, where she shares articles to empower women to make sound financial decisions and leave a legacy for their families. In her latest blog, she shares her passionate views on the growing trend of the "trad wife" lifestyle, which romanticizes traditional gender roles where women prioritize homemaking and submission to their husbands. Based on her experience of providing women with financial coaching, Mapalo highlights the prevalence of financial abuse, where women are left financially vulnerable, and contrasts this with the reality in South Africa, where over 40% of households are led by women, often due to divorce or widowhood. She advocates for financial independence, urging women to prioritize their financial well-being and security, regardless of their relationship status, to safeguard themselves from the potential instability and dependency that the trad wife trend can encourage. This is definitely a must-read.
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