These Words of Advice from 10 of Our Cover Stars Will Help You Win This Week!

Over the past couple of years, we’ve been privileged to speak with some amazing people. We’ve gotten the chance to ask them about love, career, bad patches and what keeps them going. From Mo Abudu who gave us insight into how she’s come so far, to Richard Mofe-Damijo who’s advice is simple but essential, we honestly have too much inspiration to share.

Today, being Monday and all, we’re sharing some of those golden nuggets with you. We want to give you access to some of the most inspiring words you will ever hear. Why? To get you on the right path. These men & women have sincerely been through the fire, and through it all, have made names for themselves. We want that for you too.

So here are some of the best words of advice you can ever get.

Mo Abudu

“…you have to take action – nothing will come your way if you don’t work hard and try every conceivable avenue to make your dreams come true.”

While discussing Castle & Castle Season 2, we had a very insightful chat with Mo Abudu, where she shared this gem. You can sit there and dream about your work making sense, your dreams coming true or achieving your success. But that will not bring them to you. What you need is action. No one is going to help you achieve your dreams. It comes down to you. If you don’t do the work, you will not get there. So get up!

Shaffy Bello

“For the younger women, be patient with yourself. It is going to get so much better. Just be patient with yourself. Forgive yourself and take each day one day at a time. Don’t rush through the process.”

Shaffy Bello is older and wiser and has learned a lot along the way. In our interview with her, she helped us see that today it almost seems like we don’t have enough hours in the day. And to make it worse, you might feel like you lost out in life thanks to social media. People seem to have achieved 10 times more than you have. But remember, 80% of the time, social media is not real life. So give yourself a breather. Take each day at a time and on your way to greatness be kind to yourself – you deserve it.

Arese Ugwu

“That stressing is pointless! I tend to worry about everything. I worry myself to the finish line [laughs] and it’s a habit that I’m consciously trying to break. So I now have to constantly tell myself, “Listen, it is going to be fine”. Once it’s going to happen, it will happen, but being a victim of your thinking and constantly worrying about it is not going to change anything externally. It will only change the way that you experience the journey”

Stress is never good. It doesn’t make things easier, it just worsens the journey. While discussing The Smart Money Woman Series, Arese shared how she no longer hangs with stress.  You need to believe that things are going to work out for you and no matter what, learn from the experience.

Idia Aisien

“I always try to stay grounded by remembering that everyone is running a different race, and if I stay on my own lane then things will happen for me in their due time, according to God’s plan.”

As Idia secured her role in the remake of Nollywood classic Nneka the Pretty Serpent we sat with her to discuss her role. One piece of advice that stuck with us is how she watches her own lane. In this race to be great, you have to watch your own lane. The moment you start staring at someone else’s lane, you’ll get distracted and lose focus on what you really need to be focused on. Run your race and things will happen for you in time.

Nicole Chikwe

“I always focused on my essence, not just my looks…You need to understand that you are way
more than your looks.”

For our wellness issue Nicole really helped us see beyond the outer appearance. A lot of times women are made to feel like their looks are their only playing card, but that’s not true. You are more than a great or not-so-great body and a pretty or unconventional face. Your essence, your ideas, your dreams are important and should take centre stage. Once you believe it and show it, the world will see it too!

Zainab Balogun Nwachukwu

“We have similar values. Some of them are hard work, being positive, and consistent, kindness…affecting the right kind of change.”

Speaking on her business with bestie Bolanle Olukanni, Zainab shares how women can work together – one of those ways is by having the same values. Ensuring you enter business with a strong value system is very important. It helps you navigate decisions together and sets you on a great course where you won’t lose yourself.

Bolanle Olukanni

“Sometimes you have to lose part of yourself to gain something that’s better and bigger…”

As Zainab & Bolanle speak some more on their business, Bolanle shares that sometimes, you have to give to get. Entrepreneurship is not about looking glamorous and basically looking the part. The work needs to be done. You might have to miss some events and give up time, but in the end, it will be worth it.

Lala Akindoju

“There’s a sharp distinction between fame and success. If you’re just looking to be famous, it can be quite ephemeral and a little bit scary because no one is famous forever, so if you center your self worth on fame and the limelight – what happens when it’s no longer there? You have to define success for yourself.”

Lala is definitely worth listening to here. You can be famous and be broke. You can be famous and be dispensable. You can be famous and be empty. However, when you aim for success, you then have true roots that can centre you. Fame is fleeting, but when you work for and achieve true success, you’ll have fame and longevity.

Richard Mofe Damijo

“Life is not as complicated as we think it is.”

Simple and to the point. As we discussed Castle & Castle Season 2, R.M.D dropped some gems we can’t ‘unhear’. What makes life seem so complex is usually our imaginations. We imagine the stress that comes with decisions and the work that tags along. But really, when you look back on life, you really get to see that, well, it’s not that complicated.

Deyemi Okanlawon

“Well, I think everything works together to bring out the best in you.”

You don’t get to play a Lawyer in Castle & Castle without knowing a thing or 2. You’ve heard this in church, and from the lips of some of your favourites – and it’s true. Your bad and good experiences both work together for your greatness. You’re here, you’re alive and you’re better. Believe it or not, you are! Granted, it can be hard to see how those terrible things are good, but it’ll be clear soon enough…if it isn’t already.

Have these helped you today? Share which one resonates with you the most.