Click below to check out the vid!
Such a great experience! Click below to watch
So recently, I stepped out of radio focused comfort zone world and joined a new department of the Beeb that I didn't even know existed!
The team consists of video journalists and editors that report the hottest topics discussed by social media. Social media is at the heart of what they do, otherwise news can't be produced!
The team is quite small, but full of so many fresh, innovative and quick-thinking ideas.
There is also so much diversity; literally! From Arabic speakers to French speakers to Hindi and Spanish speakers. Different cultures, accents, and walks of life; how refreshing.
Most days included looking at the content of what the team creates and how they go about doing it, learning how to speak in their language and understanding what makes rich, easy-to-understand, and quick news.
I dangerously kept overthinking again; "what could I possibly add to this team?" "Is the competition fierce?" "What would it even take to become a part of this team?"
Slow down Hannah! Learn about the programme, what it entails, what it means, and how it works. I was with this team for a week and learnt things quickly, which is a skill that I'll forever cherish.
By Thursday, I knew this could potentially be me. That's why it's hard to decisively say where I want to eventually end up as I am now on the 8th month of my traineeship - I'm still discovering new places! Imagine where else could also hold a lot of potential for me.
Everyday is a great day, even the ones that you wish you could make more out of. Because later on, you eventually learn from it! Too many people dwell on yesterday and forget that we ALL have tomorrow to change that. Don't dwell, live!
The more time I am spending and meeting people from several parts of this industry, the more I realise how HUGE it is. As in, woah! From researching, to producing, to editing, to presenting, to film makers, to directors; the amount of work put into creating media is just astonishing.
I want it all. I know what you're thinking; 'take it slow, Hannah!' I'll never stop being an opportunist. I believe in grabbing every opportunity that comes my way; so the fact that I am collaborating and meeting people from several parts of this huge industry shows me what exciting journeys are ahead.
However, I believe in purpose. There may be many things flying your way but pick the opportunities that you see lasting value in. How will this benefit me in 5 years time? What will I have to show for it?
Many people have an end goal and focus on nothing else - not me. I've learnt to embrace the journey towards where I'm heading, I've learnt to cherish the highs and lows, as they become a part of the success story as I achieve bigger and greater things. I have several dreams and aspirations and all I really care about is the direction of this awesome journey. I have no fears as I believe my creator has plans of purpose for me.
I want it all. I know what you're thinking; 'take it slow, Hannah!' I'll never stop being an opportunist. I believe in grabbing every opportunity that comes my way; so the fact that I am collaborating and meeting people from several parts of this huge industry shows me what exciting journeys are ahead.
However, I believe in purpose. There may be many things flying your way but pick the opportunities that you see lasting value in. How will this benefit me in 5 years time? What will I have to show for it?
Many people have an end goal and focus on nothing else - not me. I've learnt to embrace the journey towards where I'm heading, I've learnt to cherish the highs and lows, as they become a part of the success story as I achieve bigger and greater things. I have several dreams and aspirations and all I really care about is the direction of this awesome journey. I have no fears as I believe my creator has plans of purpose for me.
"I'm enjoying my 20s. Battling confusion whilst basking in the possibilities of life...it is a terrifyying exciting process. Lovin' it."
This industry is big, daunting, scary, terrifying yet so so brilliant. I'm a teeny weeny person in this huge place and know that I will add to this industry in so many ways. Just wait. :)
5:30am; my (body) alarm clock for the past couple of weeks and for a few more of the weeks ahead of me.
I notice that as I'm doing this consecutively, it becomes an adjusted mental and physical schedule. I know what I want to eat and drink in the early hours that I'm up and out of my bed, with my helpful iPhone alarm clock repetitively beeping away at me to arise.
After a short mindful prayer with "thank you Jesus" for another day of life; I'm ready to start my day. With clothes laid out for me the night before and packed lunch waiting for me in the fridge, though I may not look it until I approach the BBC building, I'm intrigued at what further exciting and new things I'll learn on this day.
I blink and then it's the afternoon! I'd spend a day at work then probably wouldn't end up at home until about 9pm, meaning I am out of the household for a total of 15 hours. Some ask how I do it, I say look at these examples of these successful people and their alarms!..:
Whilst reading an Evening Standard Magazine article, I learnt that actor Mark Wahlberg rises each day at 2.30am. Yes, 2.30am. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and Robert Iger, head of the Walt Disney Company, are both said to wake at 4.30am. Robert Iger spends the pre-dawn hours reading the newspapers, surfing the web and working out; Schultz puts in calls to other time zones.
The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, rises at 3.45am to hit the gym before starting his day. Hans Ulrich Obrist, co-director of the Serpentine Galleries, rises at 5am to spend 50 minutes reading and another 40 exercising
The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, rises at 3.45am to hit the gym before starting his day. Hans Ulrich Obrist, co-director of the Serpentine Galleries, rises at 5am to spend 50 minutes reading and another 40 exercising
Using time wisely and effectively, incorporating your leisurable activities with your day-today is always a big plus! A good quality of life should include doing as much of what we can that genuinely makes us happy. There is no excuse in complaining about things that you can't do - you're simply not making enough time for it.
Time goes so ridiculously quick and I'd much rather exhaust myself spending crazy hours doing what I love than what I don't.
Time goes so ridiculously quick and I'd much rather exhaust myself spending crazy hours doing what I love than what I don't.
The truth is...I see myself everywhere.
It's refreshing knowing that I'm constantly growing and learning new things in such an established environment that I never would have imagined.
I was ready to become a part of a renown organisation but didn't know this blessing would come so soon.
It has been 6 life-changing months. I'm establishing myself in this industry and gaining interest in several roles; hence why I say I see myself everywhere!
It's great to plan, but when you get to know a multidimensional person kinda like me, you'll realise that I can never be put in a box; I reach out to things that interest me and continuously pursue them.
I'm being introduced to roles at the BBC that I never even knew existed, and I like the sound of them. I understand the role requirement and general characteristics that is needed in an individual to make a good team player.
My future excites me, because I'm living it. My interests lie in the future because I'm going to spend the rest of my life there. :)
But just to give you a broad sphere of what I could potentially be doing in 5 years;
Producing, researching, presenting, writing, and empowering.
Plans change, ideas grow, things happen. I'm open and ready for change and will fully accept wherever God plans to place me in 5 years. Until then, I'll never stop chasing x
It's beyond a profound feeling, but then you stop pinching yourself and realise that it's life. It's my day-to-day, it's what I love to do, and it's something that will forever push me to work harder, so even bigger dreams and aspirations shall manifest.
The first dream that comes to mind is work-related - at Comic Relief this week for example; supporting one of my favourite presenters in the world as he runs 24 hours straight all in the name of charity. It hardly ever feels like work as I'm constantly connecting and meeting the most refreshing, hard-working, and loveliest souls.
One opportunity leads to another, and then another. It is incredibly warming and then reminds me of the fact that I am where I am due to the drive and consistency to reach my goals - and there are still more goals to come! I'm not lucky - I'm blessed!
The second dream that comes to mind is Ladies who Fellowship in the City. Lots of faith talk ahead! ;) God had genuinely placed this idea in heart to connect with other young women who have curiosities about Jesus and the Bible. Of course, when launching something, you already think 10 steps ahead of where you want it to go. But we have to remind ourselves of the fact that it's a process - we have to go through a journey in order to see how we've grown, what needs room for improvement, and what even better things there are to come! We had a meeting this week which was so beautiful and reminds me of the great plans God has ahead of this growing ministry! Check out the blog here :) > www.ladieswhofellowship.blogspot.com
Aaaand the third dream is being brave. As cliché as it sounds, you have to be brave. Things will spring up out of nowhere so you have to put your boss hat on and OWN IT. Today, I did something very brave that has still shook me up a little, but it's important to remember that it's good to go with your heart no matter how much the experience may change your perspective.
“A lifetime isn't forever, so take the first chance, don't wait for the second one! Because sometimes, there aren't second chances! And if it turns out to be a mistake? So what! This is life! A whole bunch of mistakes! But if you never get a second chance at something you didn't take a first chance at? That's true failure.”
The first dream that comes to mind is work-related - at Comic Relief this week for example; supporting one of my favourite presenters in the world as he runs 24 hours straight all in the name of charity. It hardly ever feels like work as I'm constantly connecting and meeting the most refreshing, hard-working, and loveliest souls.
One opportunity leads to another, and then another. It is incredibly warming and then reminds me of the fact that I am where I am due to the drive and consistency to reach my goals - and there are still more goals to come! I'm not lucky - I'm blessed!
The second dream that comes to mind is Ladies who Fellowship in the City. Lots of faith talk ahead! ;) God had genuinely placed this idea in heart to connect with other young women who have curiosities about Jesus and the Bible. Of course, when launching something, you already think 10 steps ahead of where you want it to go. But we have to remind ourselves of the fact that it's a process - we have to go through a journey in order to see how we've grown, what needs room for improvement, and what even better things there are to come! We had a meeting this week which was so beautiful and reminds me of the great plans God has ahead of this growing ministry! Check out the blog here :) > www.ladieswhofellowship.blogspot.com
Aaaand the third dream is being brave. As cliché as it sounds, you have to be brave. Things will spring up out of nowhere so you have to put your boss hat on and OWN IT. Today, I did something very brave that has still shook me up a little, but it's important to remember that it's good to go with your heart no matter how much the experience may change your perspective.
“A lifetime isn't forever, so take the first chance, don't wait for the second one! Because sometimes, there aren't second chances! And if it turns out to be a mistake? So what! This is life! A whole bunch of mistakes! But if you never get a second chance at something you didn't take a first chance at? That's true failure.”
As in I wish there were two Hannah's. One Hannah will do her day-to-day, with the help from the other Hannah to take on other extra desirable tasks and go on holiday as much as she wants.
Life is beautiful, sweet, and I'm so thankful for everything that is going on, so much so that I genuinely have this growing hunger to do EVERYTHING my heart desires. I wouldn't say there's anything wrong with that, as I do everything within moderation. Which is crucial if you want to function properly.
Work. Rest. Play. Pray.
As well as working Monday to Friday, there are bits and bobs of other things I am doing, things that I don't like to rush through. But I feel as though I should be more strict with timing. Even though I haven't been set a strict deadline, I should at least set myself a deadline so I can have time to do other newer ventures.
Timing is so so crucial and I take it very seriously. I hate wasting time, being late, running behind a schedule; cringe!
Anything I invest my time in has to be of lasting value. And there are many things I am doing that need time. How am I able to weigh out so many things at once?! So many friends ask me this exact question. From spending most of my time at Radio 2, to networking, to organised meetings, to freelancing, to writing, to blogging, to reading, to filming, to even taking time out to actively help others, and finding time to socialise. It's a lot! But God pushes me through reminding me that the strength He has given me is my gift.
I guess it's something I thrive off and what makes me, me. Maybe there doesn't need to be another Hannah after all?! Especially as I haven't struggled during this crazy process! I don't like sharing my bed all the time anyway. So I guess we'll just stick to there being one Hannah Ajala!
There's a bit more that I want to stay but let me keep hush about it. No worries, all shall be revealed soon.
Work hard in silence, let success make the noise.
February brings more signs of hope that Spring is coming, February is presumably the month where love is overtly shared amongst others, and February has been excellent to me so far!!
It semi began with training at the BBC Academy in White City [gorgeous stunning building, annoying location!]
Being trained by our excellent coordinators became a comfortable and motivating hub where I'm free to ask up to a gazillion questions a day, where I can easily make mistakes, do workshops, learn more and take notes, and to exercise my brain. It's all a part of the process!
We began by doing a few of the things that I absolutely love doing; talking! To people, VOXPOPS, interviews, good conversation, and practice.
Editing audio!
Where I work, I constantly went on this particular database learning about how to edit audio, but it was never as perfect as I wanted it to be. And trust me, when it's going live on air, it NEEDS to be perfect!
After constantly editing audio during training I felt very confident with handling audio, especially as my lovely trainer also showed me how to use the ENTIRE database, which was great!
My colleagues at work were always helpful with showing me the ropes with audio editing which I appreciated, but of course they are busy doing their job roles too. It had only been a few hours into training at this point and it seriously helped so much!
White City
Serious concentration faces as I prepare for my very own 15 minute radio show in less than 24 hours!!
I then went to an awesome networking event at MTV courtesy of Creative Access, which I am a proud member of! At every single networking event organised for us we meet several people from all areas of broadcasting which is so refreshing every time as I believe networking and meeting new people will constantly push you in your desired direction.
Great quote!
Back at White City for training and it's always great to see my station logo in the lift!
Evening meetings with my ic3 crew, A new creative online publication. Watch out for us! B)
AND FINALLY, the link to my RADIO SHOW! Which was one of the most liberating things I've done this month! Absolutely loved it. Listen to it HERE !!! Enjoy my Jupiter Ascending interview with a famous Hollywood actor ;)
