T
ypical first meeting question: where did you grow up? I have always been curious about how other people live. How others uproot ties to move across the country, and those who leave families travelling 6,604 miles to immigrate to America like today’s podcast guest.
What kind of internal drive and determination does it take to immerse yourself in a new country, the United States? If you arrive here through a DV Lottery program where 50,000 people are chosen, annually, from random selection among all entries to individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States, how long is the process? How do you plan for it?
How does one find their way once here? How does one provide for oneself without knowing anyone and not fluent in English? And, if that isn’t enough pressure, how does one make enough money to send to loved ones in your home country? Challenges build character.You will hear from Giscard Ayissi and his surprising journey to the United States from Cameroon, Africa. He arrived in Minnesota during a cold November 10th, 2010 day. Reading about the cold weather and feeling the cold on your skin and the chill of the wind to your bones makes it real. You can get frostbite if not dressed properly.
How long did it take for Giscard to get his first job? How did he prepare? Six years later where is he at? What has he learned?
Mike Kabeya of Kabeya Media, and my sound engineer and photographer, also joins in on the conversation. He left the Republic of Congo in 2006. His life was threatened for being truthful as a journalist; and he needed to get out of the country. You can hear his journey in a prior podcast at Mike Kabeya Podcast Episode. Kabeya Media
Learn how Giscard found friends to live with and where he got his first job before founding Humane Humanity, a non-profit organization for new immigrants. The passion, the drive, the courage. He has dreams that keep him going.
Giscard openly divulges his past launch failures never being distracted from applying what he has learned and trying again. He never asks the three questions millions of us ask that Deepak Chopra says we shouldn’t ask when things go wrong, such as: (1) What’s wrong with me? (2) Whom can I blame? (3) What’s the worst-case scenario?
Giscard’s six learned lessons from failure:
- Do not let others trash your dreams. Believe in your dreams and yourself.
- Always have ideas. Hurdles are inevitable. Adversity accompanies every worthwhile project.
- A positive mindset and belief in God is critical. Every day you live, Giscard says, is a new day.
- With a lot of pressure, you can discover your potential.
- Persistence, perseverance, keep pushing and moving ahead.
- Always be happy to help people.
Mentoring Tips:
3 Questions to Ask When Things Go Wrong (according to Deepak Chopra)
- Is this a problem I should fix, put up with or walk away from?
- Who can I consult who has solved the same problem successfully?
- How can I reach deeper into myself for solutions?
“Challenges are part of everyone’s life, but there are dark moments when a challenge turns into a crisis. The outcome of our lives depends on the choices we make at those moments. Will they be breakthroughs or setbacks? What we call wisdom is a crucial tool here. Without it, people usually make their most important decisions based on impulse or its opposite, habit.
It might seem impossible that any three questions can-and should-be asked anytime things go wrong, but the sad truth is that millions of us dwell on the three questions we shouldn’t ask, questions such as: (1) What’s wrong with me? (2) Whom can I blame? (3) What’s the worst-case scenario?”
- In Canada immigrants are called New Canadians. A welcoming phrase. Invite a New U.S. Citizen to your house and hear their story. What do you know about the immigration process in the United States?
My Home Town is 6,604 Miles Away, Episode 58 www.humanehumanity.org http://usafricabiz.com
Next Monday’s Mentoring Conversation:
Dean Hyers of SagePresence.com will join us for a second mentoring conversation.
Resources
- FEBRUARY MENTORING GROUPS are starting. Connect with me today, to set up an appointment; nancy@wementor.com. WeMentor Entrepreneurial Leadership and Mentoring LABS combining yoga, mindfulness meditation, and leadership development. Now is the time to take your leadership to a holistic new level!
- F.Y.I. I am now a certified yoga teacher, mindfulness meditation instructor, and online certified in Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly and Rising Strong leadership process. This has given me new insights for getting new learning into our bones. If you are in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, join a leadership and mentoring group, or mentor with me, one-to-one! I can’t wait to pass along 10% theory and have you join in for 90% practice, which is what it will take to revolutionize how you lead and how you live!
- Green Card Through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
- The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The DV Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS).
- Most lottery winners reside outside the United States and immigrate through consular processing and issuance of an immigrant visa.
- https://www.uscis.gov/i-485 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/naturalization-spouses-us-citizens Naturalization for Spouses of United States Citizens.
Podcast Guest Mentor
Giscard Ayissi. Giscard is the founder and Executive Director of Humane Humanity, a nonprofit organization, which assists immigrants in the United States by delivering immigrant integration services, such as immigrant documentation, English as a Second Language classes, job search and skill development, and assists African seniors. Giscard’s nonprofit works to also assist hospitals and clinics in rural areas of developing countries to tackle their lack of insufficient medical supplies. He has a background in communication and marketing with a flair for journalism. www.humanehumanity.org.
He is also the founder of US Africa Biz, a marketing firm promoting U.S. African businesses. U.S. Africa Biz is a multidimensional platform, which offers business resources, information, and events aimed at not only fostering African business growth in the U.S., but also supporting the visibility of U.S business in Africa. Its mission is to give these two diverse markets a substantial room for expansion in a challenging world of business, where marketing became an important aggregate for success. http://usafricabiz.com
Episode 58: My Home Town is 6,604 Miles Away
Author: Nancy A. Meyer, M.A.
Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything). Nancy’s compassionate and collaborative approach reinforces resilience while maintaining accountable conversations supporting how you redefine your lead while redesigning your business. Nancy calls this “Dual Innovation Leadership.” Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring in Dual Innovation Leadership. She has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today! Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are while inspiring them to breakthrough into new dimensions: As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator), As a Competent Business Owner (Practitioner) As a Mentor (Role Model) As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master! Start by subscribing to WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and...
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