What is my GROW Model?

Credit: Coaching Journey

Yesterday, Barcamp CapeCoast had a discussion on the theme, “Equipping the Youth to plan their Future Today”.

It was a successful, insightful programme – as ALL Barcamps in Ghana are.

The main speaker at the event, adviced barcampers to find out who they are, and what they want to be while in school. I suggested further, that attendees do a stakeholder mapping, by asking family and friends to tell them the qualities they see in attendees. This will help attendees understand how they are wired, thus pursing stuff they are passionate about.

"I will advise that you find who you are and what you want to be while in school" - @niiobodaisquire #bcCapecoast pic.twitter.com/McL9IQGgEA

— #Ghana #NVDay15 (@Barcampghana) September 12, 2015

Stakeholder mapping is KEY. Helps u understand how u r wired. Ask family/friends 2 tell u ur abilities #bccapecoast https://t.co/MxooL2DALV

— Kafui (@Qaphui) September 12, 2015

In this post I share how we can apply the GROW model to achieving our visions/plans.

So, let’s say I want to be a Data Scientist, what do I do?

Goal - How SMART is my goal? How would I know I’ve succeeded in achieving my goal?

I want to be a Data Scientist by December, 2015. I would know I’ve succeeded when I’m able to perform data analysis, and create visualisations that contribute to development (in health, education, and other sectors of interest).

Also, being useful to organisations, either as a freelance data scientist, or in-house data analyst will indicate my achievement of my goal.

Reality – What is currently happening in my life (work/school/home)? Have I already taken any step towards my goal? Does this conflict any other goal that I have?

My job gives me enough time to pursue this goal if I want to. As a student, you’d have enough time too. This goal fits perfectly into my career development plans, so no conflicts there. I’ve got basic statistics, mathematics, and programming skills. Currently, there are a number of books and online courses I could use to help me achieve my goal. However, I’m not doing that because I spend a LOT of time on social media, instant messaging, and watching TV Series. I am yet to take any step to achieve my goal.

Options - What else can I do, differently? Any constraints with this option(s)?

Based on my current reality, I can reduce the time I spend watching TV Series and movies. I will take online Data Science courses available on Udacity, edx, and Coursera, while reading books and blogs on the subject.

I will find datasets, or create my own, and use them in personal projects, thus creating a portfolio.

I will also join Data Science groups, forums online, and contribute to them.

A constraint would be the availability of reliable internet connectivity, and constantly motivating myself when progress is slow.

Will – What do I need to do now, and when? How can I keep myself motivated? When do I review my progress?

I look forward to dedicating 4-6 hours a week, to study Data Science (including the R and Python programming languages). While studying, I will also use the Pomodoro Technique to help me be focused on my studies.(This app switches off internet data while you use it).

I will do well to contribute to Data Science groups I will join, frequently. I will review my success weekly. I am sure my plan of action will yield 90-100% success rate.

It is my hope this helps someone out there as it has helped me – and still does.

Do share your thoughts via the comment section. Thanks

Harnessing (available) resources for development

Last year, the very first barcamp was held in Sunyani. It was an event that saw stakeholders in the region, meet to network and discuss issues related to its development.
This year, another barcamp beckons. As an agricultural hub of Ghana, there is the need to find out the resources available to us, to improve the sector.

• What information is available to farmers and those in agriculture?

• What role does (or can) ICT play in agriculture?

• What organisations are doing a lot to better the agricultural sector in Ghana as a whole?

• What can I do as an individual to help in the development of my community?

For answers to these and other questions, join us at Barcamp Sunyani on the 9th of November, 2013 at the University of Energy and Renewable Resources, at 9am prompt.

Do follow discussions on twitter via the hashtag #bcsyi. You can also register for the event online.

See you when I see you...

Misplaced priority?

Yesterday, I missed Barcamp Kumasi because I had been invited by AIESEC-CUCG to talk to SHS students about my career. This was a major programme of the group for the academic year; I felt glad to be a mentor for my younger brothers and sisters.

I got to the venue and was hugely disappointed -- after a while. The picture below explains why.

The empty auditorium

I found out the heads of the invited schools had not prioritised the event -- after accepting the invitation in person!

"Oh, is it today? I have forgotten o", was a reply from one of the heads.

Here I was, saddened by the fact that, these young leaders are replicating GhanaThink Foundation's barcamps, which are empowering the youth to shape their future -- for free, and such heads of schools are failing to see their impact and appreciate them.

Misplaced priorities?

The foreign AIESEC interns were hugely surprised and disappointed. And rightly so.
I refuse to support the 'excuse' that this is Ghana, and so such actions should be tolerated. If they are, then where comes the change we are working for?

Real Estate Development in Sunyani

About six years ago, accommodation in Sunyani -- Ghana's bread basket -- and recently christened 'Suncity', was not a problem people gave enough thought to. It. Was. Cheap.
Now, the story is different. Accommodation is now expensive. This is as a result of the growth the town has been enjoying in the past couple of years.

Snapshot of the hall

Newmont started operations in Kenyasi (a town 45min drive away from Sunyani). Most of their workers where housed in Sunyani. The company paid more than the average tenant.
Landlord's and landlady's saw the light!
Then the banks also found their way into.Sunyani: Zenith, Stanbic, Fidelity.
The Catholic University and the Sunyani polytechnic also contribute to the rent hike as they do not have adequate accommodation for their students.
But real estate development seems to be the latest 'craze' in Sunyani now. A lot of buildings are being put up.
I'd advise all interested in Real Estate development to grab the opportunity and get in on the action!
Some rent figures in Sunyani:
A single room with inbuilt toilet and bath costs ¢800/yr (on average)
A two-bedroom apartment goes for ¢200/month (on average)
A chamber and a hall costs ¢130/month (on average)

A snapshot of the bedroom

Sunyani is really growing, not just in population increase, but also with resources. I however fear if the growth is not controlled, it would not be a clean, hospitable, lovely town it is. Another blog post will talk on this.
Do watch out for Barcamp Sunyani in April, and make it a point to attend. See you there!

PS: The pictures in this post are of a chamber and Hall I nearly rented a month ago. Rent was  ¢150/month.