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It's so important. Dance in that hallway. Smile, be merry, remain hopeful and optimistic as possible.

What I mean by 'dancing in the hallway' is the scenario of when that door closes, and you're waiting for the next door to open. How are you waiting? Are you repetitively tapping your feet? Are you occupying yourself with things of substance? Are you dreading the wait? Or are you h o p e f u l ?

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Some people say it's fake if you don't openly expose your fears and failures. And I think that's super wrong! FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. So why would there be a need to openly speak about things that could mentally have the power to break you? Overcome it! Speak good things, but also be honest about the journey.

"Yes I was scared, no I didn't know where my next pay cheque would come from, but I was doing what I love, and knew the reward would come soon, for all of my drive"

⁃ Me.

They say your faith is truly tested when things are taken away from you. I was only a freelancer for a month, and societal pressure tried to place so much nonsense into my brain telling me who I am.

I listened to my heart, focused on my strengths and abilities, and persevered. Application, rejection, interview, meeting after meeting. It paid off, and I'm so grateful.

I danced in the hallway, and loved every minute, I loved how much BBC Africa welcomed me in as a family and appreciated my help video producing and reporting for them, I loved working for Claudia Winkle even if that included walking up and down on her show grabbing guests up to 20 times a day.

It was all for a small sum of income but the biggest sum of the most warm experiences that I'll keep forever.

Even if you have 2 left feet like I do, please dance in the hallway. Your opportunity WILL arrive, and it'll be beautiful.

Giving you an insight of what it's like to work in News at the BBC...click in this post to watch!! :)

To be free - from a full time contract. It's been 3 weeks since becoming a freelancer, yet I haven't yet felt the "completely free" feeling yet. I'm thankful for to be spending most of my days at BBC Africa, and the other days at Radio 2.

When I was a trainee with Radio 2, I met and worked with loads of freelancers, all of who are so lovely! It was enlightening and almost frightening hearing about their experiences and the struggles of freelancing, all over the Beeb:

The anxiety of trying to bag as many shifts as possible
Having to sacrifice going out for dinner with friends to save money
Having to drop sudden plans as a shift has opened up at work
Working insanely crazy and unusual hours with little notice, but still thinking of the bigger picture as it'll pay the bills.

The list goes on. Again, everyone's journey is different, but there are similarities within the experiences freelancers face.

I'm trying to do this thing where I'm thinking more of the outcome, rather than the income. The experience I'm gaining, and roles that I've been given working with BBC Africa, have been invaluable! It's hard work, it can be stressful, but it's worth it.

"Freelancers are like dancers going to auditions each week and impatiently waiting for their big break"

"Freelancers are like jugglers; whilst earning a small living, they're working on other projects and things that they're passionate about - so they're always busy"

"The term freelancer doesn't really phase me. I'm doing my thing, I'm happy, I'm good at what I do. Full stop."

If this post is relatable, what kind of freelancer are you? I definitely associate myself with the "juggler" kind of freelancer. I'm happy to be doing several things I love at once - although working at the Beeb takes up most of my time, and I'm so pleased with the progression of my mag ic3mag. We have such exciting things happening and coming up!

And of course my mentoring scheme Pursue Your Passion. Currently in the process of preparing for our workshop tomorrow for aspiring bankers, lawyers, consultants, solicitors, and city workers! The preparation for this has been insane, but oh so worth it.

So that's me, the life of a current freelancer. It's a beautiful struggle, and I'm counting my blessings, not my burdens.

They're actually normal.

You'll randomly bump into them in the toilets. A lot.

They have so. much. tea.

Their work ethic is unreal.

Their production team are like oxygen to them.

They swear a lot.

The more they see and work with you, the more they're (too) open with you.

They don't know how much anything is e.g. they'd give you a £20 note to buy a pack of chewing gum.

They tell you to keep the change (but don't, out of courtesy)

They know your face, won't remember your name.

Behaving starstruck around them is like slow dancing to techno music - makes no sense.

They'll ask for your opinion on the most random things.

You will never, ever see them dressed up in the work environment.

You'll hardly recognise them glammed up at all the awards and events you go to.

They'll call you the most interesting nicknames; "poppet" "baby" "angel"

You will never be able to tell if they feel awkward or not.

They're always on time.

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So, as I mentioned in an earlier blog post a few months ago, I began presenting on a local community radio station at East London radio, which I'm growing to genuinely really enjoy. We speak about a range of different topics. I like to occasionally listen over to our shows ensuring that my quality of presenting is getting better and improving.

I think what I should definitely start practising more is preparing more for my chosen topic on the show, which I can confidently speak about, but to ensure that I can distribute this topic into an open discussion and therefore a talk show.

Practice makes perfect! Enjoy listening and don't hesitate to pop any feedback in the comments below. :)

A couple of the podcasts here, I'll post more here as I go along >>>

Speaking about outrageous television programmes, Sandra Bland, and more!
https://www.mixcloud.com/EastLondonRadio/talk-25-july-2015/

We spoke about getting a level results, is money always on our minds?, do's and don'ts of wedding proposals, my experience of hosting a wedding, and more!
https://www.mixcloud.com/EastLondonRadio/talk-15-august-2015/

We spoke about what 'relationship ghosting' is, #IStandWithAhmed, Labour's new leader Jeremy Corbyn, and the 'Why the F You Lying' vine
https://www.mixcloud.com/EastLondonRadio/talk-19-september-2015/

We spoke about how secure our details are, racial and sexual profiling at dstrkt club, how would you help a refugee? and crazy rent prices in London!
https://www.mixcloud.com/EastLondonRadio/talk-03-october-2015/

My fave so far! Well balanced and informative topics; from consumerism, etiquette, tampon tax, and Sir David Attenborough's voiceover of Adele's Hello!
https://www.mixcloud.com/widget/iframe/?feed=%2F%2Fwww.mixcloud.com%2FEastLondonRadio%2Ftalk-7-november-2015%2F&hide_cover=1&hide_tracklist=1

2 weeks before my traineeship at Radio 2 ended, I decided to relocate to BBC Africa, a platform I'd always been fascinated with and wanted to explore further.

Over the last 5 months, I've been branching out and exploring other parts of the BBC; Trending, Outside Source, World Have Your Say, Newsday, and now BBC Africa. It's been incredible having this additional experience and exploring areas of journalism that I can genuinely see myself doing.

My first day with BBC Africa was quite intense - in a good way - inspirational. Surrounded by hard-hitting journalists who are very passionate about African stories, and articulate it in a way that connects and engages so many listeners, viewers and readers. "That's the kind of journalist I want to be!" I thought.

After having a very pleasant catch up and talk with an editor at BBC Africa explaining my passions about m journalism and being the face of the youth wanting to connect more audiences with the use of digital, I was then pointed in the direction of an editor who looks after content that is right up my street!

After having a lovely welcome and chat with this other editor, I was then invited to spend a further few weeks with her and the digital team. I was ecstatic and had a good feeling about this.

Being a digital journalist is quite freeing, very creative, expressive, and an independent duty. You should be able to get things done quickly, efficiently, and have an eye for telling a story in a way that will make the viewer stop what they're doing, and watch.

At first it felt more refreshing than daunting being trusted to be free with how I chose to edit and tell stories through video form.

I'm very blessed and happy to be in this position, people would kill to be in this position! Even though at times I feel like I need new eyeballs due to the hours of editing I spend doing. Long live BBC Africa!

Oh and yes you read it, I'm no longer a trainee! The year spent from doing intensive bits of radio training, to live events, to the master classes, to being free to go to other parts of the BBC, have been the best months of my life as of yet. I held onto one of many things I said to myself when I started my traineeship on 29th September 2014; "the opportunities are out there, it's time to go and grab them!"

I'm still currently working at BBC Africa and at my dear radio 2 at the same time, still a full schedule, but a lot less crazy, and a lot more manageable.

So thankful!

HI GUYS! Trying to keep these posts as regular as possible. I'll be discussing the following..

R2 in Hyde Park/Live Events madness/ A year with Radio 2!

Trainers at the ready! But wait. Just before the whole glitz glam and fun of celebrity-filled live concerts, comes PLANNING. And it’s a lengthy one. From providing guests notes that presenters will be briefed on the day of the event, to cue cards, music track lists, props, costumes, and more!

Prep as you can imagine can be quite stressful as there is SO much content to get through, which again has made me respect the world of production 10x more. I’m so grateful to experience and view the world of radio from this lense. The day of Radio 2 in Hyde Park was such a success throughout, I had my walk talky on the go speaking to several other people, and honestly can’t remember the last time I walked up and down so much! I’m forever thankful to have worked with such an awesome team, and again although I can’t go too in depth with all the behind-the-stage scenes, hopefully the photos below will explain better! :-)

ALSO, HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO THE BBC AND I! Funny celebratory message right?! But honestly, this day means so much to me! A year ago today I had one of the best interviews of my life. A year ago today I was told YES, a year ago today was the beginning of something very special and incredible. And it’s honestly been one of the best years of my life. Where next you might ask? Progression, closer direction, and full of purpose (within the lovely beeb of course; stay tuned!)

I mentioned a few months ago on the blog about the exciting new projects and ventures I'm working on (http://hannahajala.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/i-busy-but-busy-with-purpose.html)

One of them being the PYP (Pursue Your Passion) - a mentoring scheme created by a friend Rachel and I, with the aim to empower, inspire and support people towards chasing their career paths. We both believe this is an important part of our purposes; Rachel coming from a Law background, and Media for me.

So we spoke and I decided that through the several links I had gathered, PYP ought to have a media meet up! Basically meaning anyone with an interest in pursuing a career in media gather together for a discussion and workshop!

Step to step of the day:

1) A brief intro into PYP, what it's about, and how in our very little spare time, we are more than happy and willing to help others! As long as they have a rough idea of the career path they hope to pursue. Even though we are from Law and Media backgrounds, we also have contacts with people from other industries that we will also partner up with.

2) Get each person to introduce themselves, what they’re doing, what they’re interested in, and what they hope to get out of PYP

3) Talk about myself and story/general experiences getting into my career/why I love the media/facts about the BBC. Then Radio Online and TV

4) My longest running mentee so far, Rosetta, speaks about her interning experiences and how she’s finding it/interviews/creatingher own media to show future employers.

5) Icebreakers; Get people (match accordingly) to speak with one another:

A bit about yourself and what you’d like to develop a passion for
What are you going to work on to help you reach closer to your goal?
What advice you would give the other person

6) Give motivational talk letting each of them know I'm there for them - and personal advice also. Then to hand out feedback questionnaires!

Overall, it was a great day! I was so grateful for the feedback given to me. It's about empowering others and giving them a confidence boost in knowing that hard work and drive can get them to where they want to be!

We're bombarded on social networking sites like Instagram and Twitter as hey contain a gazillion reasons as to why success is simply the icing on the cake. I screenshot each and every one I see, partially because they enlighten me and somehow play a constant self reminder of where my passions of broadcasting and journalism will take me.

"Do something today that your future self will thank you for"

"Mistakes are proof that you're trying"

"If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you"

"When you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe, that's when you will be successful"

"Work until your idols become your rivals"

"Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed"

Had enough of the images and quotes already? I have, well kinda! But I can't deny that these quotes hold importance to me. Because they are true. They don't have to be lived by like the Bible for example, but they support the scenarios and circumstances life tends to throw at us on a daily basis.

Connecting with INCREDIBLE people and establishing myself in one of the world's largest organisations has added to my definition of success; accomplishment, growth, fulfilment, and excelling.

Why's it scary though?

Because it's within such close reach, it's insane. Being in the same place that I'd love to present TV/ radio shows on a regular basis. And of course I hear about people and their stories, and how many years they've been grinding to get where they are. Will I have to work 100x as hard to reach that position? How long will it take me? What if there are huge gaps in between? Will I give up?

I don't call this paranoia or over-thinking (even though I occasionally tend to), I call this more character strengthening - it's good to question and test your strengths and weaknesses along the way, to see how you can improve to reach your first goal directly.

I say first goal as the journey of life is so beautiful that it should be celebrated every step of the way.

T.D. Jakes stresses the importance of enjoying and embracing the journey whilst getting to where you hope to be.

Direction is also important. Who cares about speed?! I'd rather know I'm on the right track rather than going nowhere fast.

Success is still scary. Because it's not an end point or last hurdle; it's a relay - you don't know what each baton will hold, but you know it'll be awesome as it pushes you further towards future successes. You just have to keep pushing and pursuing your passion, knowing that it's part of your God-given purpose, it makes you happy, and you're surrounded by the right people to constantly remind you of the strengths you hold with this passion. I'm blessed to be surrounded by people that only want me to do better. Count your blessings, not your worries.

"If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough" - honestly!

Stay blessed people x

So I'm currently sat in the BBC office with a gazillion things to do. I notice I haven't blogged since June, haven't posted on my aspiring journalist page on Facebook in 10 days, and have pending projects that haven't been edited yet. Then I think back to wishing there were two of me again!

But I also remind myself of the fact that there is purpose in every single thing that I'm working on. I can't pursue it unless I see lasting value in it.

It's also crucial to remember that direction is a whole lot better than speed. Some people are going nowhere fast, beware! As long as you will benefit from the things that are keeping you busy, then that's all that matters!

So, you may wonder, what exactly is it that's keeping me so busy?!...

1) the BBC. Almost in my 10th month and crossing over to other areas as well as radio 2, and loving it! So much more in store.

2) ic3 magazine - a new platform that is fuelled with energy and interesting people. The journey and support from readers is really appreciative!

3) pursue your passion - a friend and I have decided to create a platform empowering and inspiring young people to chase their dreams and career paths within several sectors

4) ladies who fellowship in the city - a community of young women gathering together twice a month to discuss curiosities about Jesus and the Bible.

Very proud and blessed to have these ventures going on in my life.

You can be busy without a purpose, but what's the point?

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