Jodene is the co-founder of:
and founder of:
Published January 31st, 2012
Admittedly I didn’t wake up feeling much better than I had gone to sleep. Feeling sorry for myself and wanting some magic want to rush through time and get me to the point where there aren’t financial stresses and I’m done breaking into the industry, with a flush bank account.
There’s something very special about the person in your life telling you to get over yourself, get your ass out of bed and dragging you off to your business partner’s house even if your bottom lip is dragging behind the car.
In all my frustrations, I still had a business brainwave last night and told that to Greggie first before being a total drama queen and telling him I didn’t want to carry on anymore. Of course I do … we all know that by now.
I did have a mission today. I had to catch up on a whole lot of work that I didn’t get through because of my lower than low day yesterday. It had to do with a lot of emails for ‘your project me story’ that is seriously going live on air this Sunday. We also have the first Cape Town #FollowSA event on the 17th and I haven’t even begun to get through the list of South African peeps in the Mother City that I need to invite. Greggie and I were talking today and we know that in the end I won’t have to send out dozens of invites to the #FollowSA events because everyone will be keeping their eye out for them.
I’ve tried to do the to do list in outlook and I’ve also tried to keep on on my phone. There was even a Google option and the bouncing between pages or not being able to scribble off a list when the task is complete, well there is something so unsatisfying about that. So at the beginning of the year I went back to the good old fashioned black book that would be the home to all my tasks and chores for the year. It goes with me everywhere and I make notes and scribble them out as soon as they are done.
The more I scratched off, the greater I started to feel about me, Lifeology, life and everything in between. The paper list isn’t the only old fashioned thing about me. I know everyone sees me Tweeting and finding my days filled with the social media space, but boy do I still love making that phone call. My day was filled with to do’s that started with, “Call …” and I got to them all today. It was most exciting connecting with everyone in Cape Town who are making the Tweetup come to life. It’s great to be carrying the vibe that Joburg had last week onto the sister hotel, Fire and Ice Cape Town in two weeks time. Calls, calls, calls and long chats stepped up the mood and confidence yet another notch.
It’s very seldom that there are days when Greggie and I don’t have meetings and today was an absolute treat. It was so great to do the #FollowSA press release and not have to stop to go anywhere or do anything in between. We need more days like these. Actually, I think that we need to take a day a week where we don’t make any appointments and it’s all about admin and more admin. I’m not guaranteeing that Greggie had as much fun as me, but seeing as though my first job ever was a PA, I’m assuming that some part of my soul will always find comfort in a healthy to do list and a whole pile of admin to sift through!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published January 28th, 2012
It’s Saturday morning, 3 days after the #FollowSA Tweetup, and I’m still reeling with Tweets, emails and call to catch up. I’m so tired that I’ve decided to beg Pat to take me somewhere into nature and just breathe in air that doesn’t have the sound of Tweets at all. Not because I’m sick of it, but rather because I need to absorb how very much I love it all that it’s bringing to me.
Last night I was at a friends birthday party and spent the whole night chatting to another dear friend. With friends all around … and everyone I was with tonight began as a Tweet.
One of those friends asked me if I realise how very blessed I am and that I check in with gratitude for the amazing man, friends and achievements that are all starting to come into full bloom.
Of course I am … and I’ve always been so conscious of being thankful every day, that’s what this blog is all about in essence. We can only be grateful when we are conscious and that’s one gift I have truly mastered in myself.
Of course, his statement still got me thinking and as I climbed into bed last night, I counted my blessings of the week that had passed, just to be sure I hadn’t missed a touch of gratitude that could still be expressed.
There was …
On the days that built up the the #FollowSA Tweetup I watched a whole lot of Youtube videos of Caitlin, the electric violinist, who so generously offered her time to entertain the crowd. I wanted to post videos and Tweet them out so that everyone knew what to expect. I was even so excited that I found performance of Cotton Eye Joe (and we all know the country music sucker that I am) and put in a special request.
Amazingly, no matter how many videos I watched and how excited and humbled I was to have this incredible entertainer perform at one of Lifeology‘s events, neither myself nor the crowd got what they expected.
Is the greatest word to describe something beyond words, phenomenal? Is it amazing, incredible, spectacular or breathtaking?
It was all of those. I had people asking me “How did you get Caitlin to perform at your event?” and “Will she be at another one?” and “Will she perform at my event?”
Caitlin, I know I’ve Tweeted and thanked you in person, but here it is again my dear friend. Thank you for your blessed talent and for so generously sharing it with the world. Mostly, thank you for believing enough in #FollowSA to have so graciously entertained us all at Howzit2012.
On Wednesday you had your feet on the ground … but I would love to share with you one of Caitlin’s Aerial performances. It’s wow!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published January 26th, 2012
A huge thank you to the biggest #FollowSA crowd to date ... 130 people, for making #howzite2012 such a memorable event!
I don’t know whether yesterday, the day of the event, or today was more of a whirlwind. What an incredible event #FollowSA #Howzit2012 turned out to be. My very rough estimate is that #followsa was Tweeted over 1000 times for the event.
The Fire and Ice Melrose Arch team headed by Anton Gillis who just happens to be an amazing DJ on the side. What a bonus
Twitter was an absolute frenzy of Tweets with the hashtag #fireandicema thanks to the generous hospitality of Anton Gillis and his Protea Hotels Fire and Ice team. I don’t have words to express the pride and emotion that filled my night as I took in the venue that made #FollowSA #Howzit2012 the most spectacular event to date.
A special thanks to Karen Battaliou who doubled as an employee and a very dear friend. #FollowSA was born because of my wish that people connected to amazing individuals in the way that I have and K, you are a shining example. Thank you!
The food just never stopped ... wow!
It’s the first time that a venue has catered for a #FollowSA event as part of the sponsorship and the combination of mindbogglingly delicious and the endless supply of it was just spectacular.
I mean, have you EVA?
Yes, that was desert. An unbelievably delicious tower of heavenly pastry, cream, chocolate and strawberry. I’m sure there’s a pic of me walking around with an entire plate full at some point.
Lovoka Milkshakes .... mmmmm
Thanks to Franco D’ Onofrio of Twiga Communications for organising the Lovoka sponsorship so that #followsa could welcome each guest with an adult milkshake that Fire and Ice Melrose Arch hotel is famous for.
Greggie talking the crowd through a very interesting prize from Hustler Girl's store, Hustler Extreme!
A huge thank you to the prize givers, @lovokaSA, @hustlergirl, @daisydeblonde of @lamb_media, @jdhairbeauty and @proteahotels #fireandicema … it’s always such a fun time at the events and with you guys there would surely be something amiss at #followsa
A host of amazing celebs graced the stage
I’m always so humbled by the amazing entertainers who have found their way to the #FollowSA events and found such joy in being a part of the excitement.
Thank you to my dear Sibu Radebe, who I happened to meet through my blogging journey, for stepping in to be emergency MC for the night. You are such a great presence and we were honoured to share the stage with you.
Crushanda Forbes came 3rd in the Idols finals last year and it was so great to have her join us on stage to hand out prizes. Thanks for being such a great sport and for you enthusiasm to be a part of a future #followsa event.
Then there’s Caitlin the electric violinist …
Caitlin, you are an entertainer beyond words and you took the crowd’s breath away by your incredible talent with the violin. Thank you for giving so generously of your time to make #FollowSA #Howzit2012 what it was … and thanks most of all for honouring my special request and playing Cotton Eye Joe for me! I love you kid!!!
I will be posting a video of Caitlin in action for her project me interview on the blog in the near future.
To the new faces and the old, you are #followsa and these events are for you and because of you and on behalf of Greg, Lifeology and me I thank you for every Tweet and every questions that asks: “when is the next #FollowSA event?”
Lastly … to the man in my life who doubles as #FollowSA’s resident photographer, Pat Sloane (and I don’t have a pic because he’s always hiding behind the camera) I thank you for capturing every event as a perfect moment in time, for loving and supporting me and putting up with speed wobble before, during and after every event!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published January 23rd, 2012
If you don’t know my incredible love for dragons, then let me take a moment to introduce you to my world that has my cats named after all the characters from the dragon movie, Eragon. The there are the dragon ornaments that adorn my bathroom and bedroom and of course my very own portal crystal that dragons are believed to travel through. I have books and dragon friends and … well, enough said, I think.
That’s why there is a special excitement for this year’s Chinese New Year that starts today.
I have to admit that if today’s anything to go by then this Dragon energy is going to be pretty interesting for me (and I’m sure so many of you). I remember when I first got introduced to the energy of the dragon, my first warning was of a playful, mischievous energy that tests the boundaries of people and in so, pushes them to the limits. That’s so much of what we can expect of this year. A good old kick in the pants and our choice of what we are going to do with it. It’s one of those years where things are going to either soar or tumble down, but either way, the passion of the dragon shows us the limitless potential to make anything happen.
That’s what I want from this year and it’s certainly what I got from the day. Not that it went without its complete downers that has me literally feeling that every nerve is frazzled with both excitement and frustration.
Greggie and I are having such amazing business meetings, with plans that are beyond exciting. Wednesday is the first of many #FollowSA tweetups and on that night I also announced our first trip to Cape Town for the start of national events. Prizes are pouring in and so are business opportunities, but on the other end of the stick I’m finally feeling like a working woman who can’t believe I have to get home (way after 5pm) and still blog, cook dinner, prepare lunch for Pat for work for tomorrow … with a load of Tweets and emails still to follow.
I’m far from complaining. Actually I think I just feel as though I’ve started a new gym routine and my body and mind have to settle in. We all know what that feels like and I certainly need to adjust to the new pace that my brain needs to operate, my words need to express my creativity and my heart needs to ensure I maintain the balance of the beautiful home I’ve created.
Just on a side, if you read my blog entitled What I learned from Trump and O’Donnell, that was written a few weeks back, you will see that I’m already dealing with so much of what the dragon years bring to someone born in the Chinese zodiac of the Ox. Yes, I’m the Ox and very proudly so … well except for the part where I’m supposed to love to work in the garden. You see … I saw an earthworm once …
Here is how you find your Chinese zodiac and this is how you see what the year of the dragon has in store for you.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published January 18th, 2012
I can’t remember when last I felt totally exhausted from excitement but at least I know that I’m not having a heart attack or going to pass out, even though that’s the message my heart keeps sending my very noisy mind after today’s events.
Actually, it’s not just today’s events but a build up that literally began the day Greggie and I got back to work. One exciting meeting after another. One person, with compatible ideas to accompany Lifeology, after another. One amazing opportunity after another.
No wonder my body is so tired that even typing is a blur and all my mind is churning in a dull begging voice is “sleep! sleep” sleep!” I think to night is going to make history for the earliest I’ve gone to be since I was in primary school, but then again I remember how excited I was in school and why the end of the day couldn’t come soon enough to go to sleep.
That’s today … one of those days where life was a fun-filled playground that I tired myself running from one activity to the next. There’s always the last swing ride, where you almost touch the sky or the last spin on the merry-go-round where you feel as though you are going to fall off the world … and then you know your day is complete.
That moment for me was a meeting Greggie and I had with Angela Ludek from Radio 2000. I am already honoured to have a regular 5 week slot on her show where I talk about social media, but today’s proposal from Angela left me so excited that I had to run to the bathroom and do air punches, jump up and down and scream silently into my hands.
I am so grateful to every celeb, entertainer, business person and blogger who has taken the time to do the ‘your project me story’ on my blog. It’s one thing to hear my story, but to have people that we admire take the time to share how they have made themselves their own project has taken my blog to a new level. Here is the link to the people I have interviewed so far: Your project me story interviews.
Trying to contain my excitement and extending the greatest thanks to Angela for believing in project me so much, I’m thrilled to announced that ‘project me’ now has a weekly radio 2000 slot with Angela Ludek starting from Sunday 5th February. Angela will interview the individuals I have interviewed as an extension of the blog and ask them to tell their project me story based on the blog’s interview questions.
*faints*
I’m sure the happy bathroom dance won’t be the first but there’s work to be done, guest blogger’s stories to share and a new chapter of project me to embark upon … and it all starts with a good night’s sleep and a prayer that if starts with thanks and gratitude, and end with a self hug.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published January 9th, 2012
Image courtesy of Sodahead.com
We all have to get back to reality at some point and it was my day today.
It started off with a refreshing and positive attitude considering I have set out so much to achieve this year and am trying very hard not to look back with any doubt or worry.
My first meeting cancelled, which isn’t all that bad seeing as though I haven’t sat behind my desk in three weeks.
#FollowSA is one of my priorities this year. Does it make me money as yet? That answer would be no. Is it giving me the greatest joy and satisfaction? That answer would be yes.
I’ve never denied that I’m ambitious and that everything I do is to forward my career and make my highly successful in the social media arena of South Africa. I’ve also never denied that #FollowSA is now part of my very big career plans and with that in mind I set out to define the concept of a hashtag that is truly making a difference in people’s lives in South Africa. I’m not having the best day so my esteem needs to say that I didn’t make that statement. Instead, the timeline is filled with comments about the impact #FollowSA is having out there.
Sadly, I know all too well that there is always a shadow to everything and the same shadow seems to be lingering even though I thought I had left it way behind last year. There was the online spat with someone I haven’t met and then there were a few people in the industry who said they didn’t want to be associated with me. I found that odd considering we really had few words and I admitted to my foolish actions. But it all became clearer today when another group of people said they needed to distance themselves from #FollowSA.
Thanks to my openness and working hard at being genuine, I gained enough respect for this individual to tell me why the distance needs to be kept. Apparently there are rumours going around about how I’m handling the prizes given to #FollowSA. Once again, I considered how to handle this in the blogging space and opted for my open policy of truth … otherwise why am I blogging?
My fears immediately headed in the direction of no one ever supporting #FollowSA again and no one ever wanting to hire Lifeology, but then a very famous dispute came to mind. It’s so fresh in my memory because I’m currently watching The Celebrity Apprentice and Donald Trump takes any opportunity to be disgusting about Rosey O’Donnell.
To this day, despite all the shocking publicity and negative press and despite all that has been said to each other, in malice … they are both successes in their own right. No one crashed and burned from the incident and no rumours tarnished anyone’s reputation so much that we don’t hear their names in all the right places.
We all need something to comfort our ego and despite comfortably standing in my truth, I still needed an outrageous ‘Hollywood’ story to calm me down and settle my mind on the first day back at work.
This is what project me is all about! This is why I blog and why I share truths about what is happening in the raw and real moment! Because on the very day when we are bravest and boldest and head out into the world with the most determination, that is the day that someone comes along and slaps you with hair piece.
I have decided that project me entail me knowing their are always two choice and throughout this year I want to share those two choices in the moment.
Today I could have either lashed out and told a few people to get stuffed and I would work around them but instead I took some sound advice and bravely took the first step to sort out these misunderstandings.
The toughest part about today was realising that no matter how hard I work at my reputation, I can never change how anyone feels about me or what they say about me. Therefore, I tell my truth, keep my eye on my dreams, have faith that everyone will take the time to see me for who I am and not what they hear and focus on the path I am on so that I don’t trip over anything along the way.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published November 14th, 2011The last hours of the day are beginning to feel frustrating and I’m finally learning to put myself in a position of turning that around a whole lot faster than I used to.
The shadow of the day wasn’t much at all. There was some gross food and horrid chai tea, with a realisation that some relationships aren’t meant to be. The rest of it was filled with positive and moments that money just can’t buy. That’s important right now, because it’s coming to the time of the year that business owners dread … the long months ahead where our services won’t be needed. That’s why I’m grateful that there are a few burst of opportunities that are coming from all directions before Santa arrives. Thanks to the combination of supportive people, I’m remembering that money is created when you focus on all the things that money can’t buy … I love how smart the universe (remembering we are the universe) was when they thought up the concept of irony.
So my day starting with waking up next to the man that I love. Something shifted this weekend and I am grateful for the amount we communicate with each other, in complete honesty. I keeps bringing us closer and money can’t buy the love or the special messages I’m receiving from my friends who can see how our relationship has grown.
I got a Direct Message from Miss Earth SA on Twitter today. I get messages from a whole lot of people, but there was something so humbling and honoured about her praise for my work when she is doing such incredible work herself. Money can’t buy a moment of genuine acknowledgement when the journey has been a long road … I’m so sure Miss Earth SA can relate.
Greggie and I went for our business coaching with @Jax_Inspires and that moment when she said, “something’s different … something’s shifted!” … wow! Something has shifted and I can so feel it, but for someone so dear to me to notice, well money can’t buy the realisation that self reflection and self introspection can have such outward results.
There was some yada yada along the way but money can’t buy the moments when business partners are so insync and don’t need to verbalise much to make sure their business is safe and in good hands … our own!
I had a whopper of a week on Twitter last week and this Tweet goes out without me even know it. I’m in the process of being very conscious that I’m building an online image and persona and money just can’t buy that Tweet that I received at that unexpected moment going … “wow girl … you are an inspiration to us all!”
My plate is full, between the final #FollowSA event of the year, some exciting work for an entrepreneurial school, dashing between last minutes year end meetings and planning the social media strategies with my existing clients (okay so I’m getting money from clients but money still can’t buy the feeling that I’m getting money from clients). Then, through it all, Lifeology is having a charity event in honour of Nkosi Johnson, the little boy who changed the way that our country view and handles aids and orphans. 10 years after his passing, his legacy lives on and when my friends gather around a table and Greggie asks them, “What are you getting out of it?” and the response is … “we are supporting our friend, Jodene!”
Wow!!!
Money can’t but that and I’m so blessed and grateful to the amazing friends, Michele, Jacque and Kim who have opened their heart and given of their time to make this event, where charity and social media collide, a part of their agendas over the next few weeks!
And now I’m taking myself off to a bath with candles, incense, bubbles and the gift I promised myself once a week … time for me … something else that can never have a price tag.
What happened in your day that money just couldn’t buy?
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published November 3rd, 2011I’ve decided to focus my attention on the social media success that I have become known for and start to leverage it as the way Lifeology is going to make money. Yesterday Greggie and I had a meeting with two businessmen, Mike Said and Erik Vermeulen who had some great advice for us. I love how there are certain people who are so willing to give of their time and experience and I’m blessed to have them in my life. On the other hand, they also scared the living daylights out of me and made me realise that my business model needs a whole lot of work to be sustainable.
And then something comes along to make me laugh …
So I’m taking a breather from the seriousness of the day and all the planning and strategising that is going on in my head.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 10th, 2011Well isn’t this going to be a snappy blog!!!
There are new jelly tots out that are coated in chocolate and Mr Unexpected and myself have planned the whole day around climbing into bed, talking about our exciting plans for our beautiful home and imagining our magical futures. Okay, so Mr Unexpected just wants the jelly tots and I want to do all the mushy talking stuff.
Today has been a mixture of overwhelming excitement and crazy frustration. Greggie is back and it was eggs and soldiers and setting the wheels in motion for making things happen in Lifeology. On the other hand, Blackberry has been on the blink all day and I couldn’t plan for my social media Tuesday, so another Tuesday has passed without attendees … boy, have I been daydreaming about a waiting list and a breakfast every Tuesday.
Am I on track with ‘project me’? That’s what I’ve been asking myself all day. It’s simple … ‘project me’ is about being conscious of our existence and taking responsibility for who we are, where we are and why we are. It’s kinda like gravity … we are own projects whether we are aware of it or not.
I am …
Today, when I was strolling through our new home and Mr Unexpected was imagining where future would go, what the walls would look like with a fresh coat of paint and describing his workshop that’s going to be his own space, I watched my project in action.
I know that a few people don’t see the compatibility between Mr Unexpected and myself and I’m sure there are a few that don’t see us lasting forever. Not so long ago I wouldn’t have trusted my heart or my instincts. I would have looked at the silly things I get frustrated with my man about and then I would have combined it with anything I could be an excuse to not just go with the flow but today I got lost in my daydream and it lasts forever.
‘Project me’ has given me the joy of watching my life, my choices and my fears and the culmination of it all is the happiest girl in the world, climbing into bed with the love of my life, eating chocolate coated jelly tots and planning our new home … and where the dragon is going to go!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published September 20th, 2011
Tazz Nginda wearing True Religion clothing for the Curvy SA hunk of the month shoot. Photograper: Pat Sloane
The irony of going with the flow usually happens when hindsight hits you between the eyes. I had more than one of those moments today and I can’t but wonder why Lifeology is secretly registered as Lifeology Media and I had the most incredible day surrounded by the magazine world.
I have to admit … I totally loved it!!!
Firstly, I get to pause and honour a huge moment in my writing career because after months of blogging, guest writing and submitting article, I am officially getting paid for the first time. I’m one of those people who claps my hands, does a happy dance and then thanks myself with a big self hug when I have these incredible milestone moments. This day was one of the biggest squeezes I have given myself in a long time. There is something about being paid for living your dream that can’t beat a ‘project me’ moment and I have say the biggest thank you ever to Michele Smith of Curvy SA for seeing me, believing in me and paying me 
The whole day’s energy hovered around my exciting involvement with the Curvy SA hunk of the month shoot seeing as I called on my new friend, Tazz Nginda to be a good sport and be the model. Tazz is one of SA’s actors, models and downright inspiration men and it was thrilling for me to realise that my blogging career has introduced me to so many amazing people. I loved the thrill of collaborating with Pat Sloane, who we all know is THAT photographer closest to my heart, on the idea of taking the Curvy SA hunk of the month shoot to the stables. I loved dashing off to True Religion Jeans to pick of Tazz’s outfits.
But before my first day on a magazine photo shoot, I had another magazine moment that has pulled at my South African heart strings and has my head ticking over about the possibility of how ‘project me’ and Lifeology can help spread the word about a mag that I discovered through #FollowSA.
ZA Difference magazine‘s slogan is “bridging the difference” and that has been my vision for as long as I can remember. I have always wanted to show South African’s that we are not the different from the rest of the world and especially from each other and I am so excited about the energy of this magazine. I intend to do a feature on the mag because there is so much more to understand about the philosophy behind it but I was swept away by Ndaba Msalili’s passion of people telling their true life South African stories that span between ‘Alternative to giving money to beggars‘ and ‘poverty knows no colour’.
Tazz Nginda, Michele Smith and myself tucking into SA's famous extra hot chicken wings from Chicken Licken
I’ve always prided myself in the down to earth way that I conduct my life, (although the ones closest to me will say I’m highly strung) so it’s no surprise that I took the model shopping for what we would eat on set. It’s also no surprise that Tazz had Michele and myself tucking into one of SA’s most renowned chicken dishes … extra hot chicken wings from Chicken Licken. The extra hot and the fact that it’s fried, greasy fast food would shout the reason why neither Michele nor myself were familiar with the food that Tazz couldn’t seem to start his shoot without.
The idea of horses, stables, a stetson and True Religion jeans was a magical day that sparked my realisation that there is a part of me that loves the creativity and the fun that goes along with a photo shoot. It’s on thing to be fully inline with what I dreamed of for Lifeology and writing an article, but there is another part of my personality that thrived today and now I have to work my magic into working it into my Lifeology life … because now that I’ve had a taste …
A few more pics taken by Pat Sloane with Tazz Nginda wearing True Religion clothing for Curvy SA Magazine’s hunk of the month (well, I had to say it AGAIN because I’m that proud of everyone involved!!)
And we can't forget the stunning model, Whiskey ... the horse!
Nothing like a cowboy in a hammock
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
