If you don’t lift as you rise, you will sink.

“If you don’t lift as you rise, you will sink.” - Wendy Lewis

“If you don’t lift as you rise, you will sink.” - Wendy Lewis

During the 2019 Ajilla Conference, Wendy Lewis, VP, Global Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement Officer at McDonald’s, shared a little bit about both her personal and professional journey and how paying it forward has made an impact. Here are 5 key takeaways from the keynote presentation:

  1.  “When you learn teach, when you get give” - Maya Angelou. The true nature of how much power you have is how you use it to pay it forward. Giving back and helping others is the only way to sustain the power that you have.

  2. Appreciate where you are in your life journey and remember that you get to your next before you get to your finish. Every season serves a purpose and the goal should be that you don’t move to your “next” by yourself.  If you don’t lift as you rise, you will sink.

  3. Paying it forward doesn’t always have to be monetary. Money cannot replace trust, time, hospitality, support, wisdom, prayer or a simple smile.  Use what you have to pay it forward.

  4. Sometimes there are things that you don’t want to do, but you will need to do it because its uniquely yours to do. Paying it Forward requires you to be unselfish and honest about what you know needs to happen vs what you want to happen. It means letting go when you really want to hold on.

  5. Passion, Purpose, Potential, Paying it Forward and PERSISTENCE are essential to any individual's success. Wendy shared the values of Ray Krok, founder of McDonald’s: "Nothing in the world can take place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” Identify your passion. That could lead to your purpose. Once you’re walking in your purpose, pay it forward. In all that you do, be persistent.

Paying it forward is one of your powers. Use your power to empower. There is no day or time that you don’t pay it forward. You live to pay it forward. 

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You Live to Pay it Forward

The annual Ajilla conference was created to bring individuals together to inspire and be inspired! In 2018, we discussed how are PASSION can lead us to our PURPOSE. And when we identify our purpose, and walk in it, the POTENTIAL to make in impact in this world is unlimited! Once you’re walking in your purpose, make sure you PAY IT FORWARD.

What does Pay it Forward mean?

Below are some of the ways we defined Pay it Forward at #Ajilla2019.

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Book mark this page and come back periodically because we will be digging deeper into each of the points below by sharing videos and content of each of the sessions that took place at #Ajilla2019!

  1. Paying it Forward can come from passion and purpose

  2. Paying it Forward means adding value to someone’s life.

  3. Paying it Forward is a mindset.

  4. Paying it Forward is proactively taking interest in others.

  5. Paying it Forward is mentorship and sponsorship.

  6. Paying it Forward is helping the younger generation move forward.

  7. Paying it Forward is being there for someone else.

  8. Paying it Forward is not a contest.

  9. Paying it Forward sometimes means doing things that you don’t want to do.

  10. Paying it Forward is helping other rise.

  11. Paying it Forward is intentional.

  12. You cant Pay it Forward if you are living on empty.

  13. Paying it Forward is being financially free so that you can invest in others and yourself.

  14. Paying it Forward can mean giving your time and being someone that people can trust.

  15. Paying it Forward is good for you.

  16. Paying it Forward is pouring into someone, what someone has poured into you.

  17. Paying it Forward is sowing seeds.

  18. Paying it Forward is building relationships and community.

  19. Paying it Forward can include finding creative solutions to help others.

  20. Paying it Forward can be collaborative - we can all win!

There are no shortage of ways to Pay it Forward. What do you commit to doing to Pay it Forward? Leave a message in the comment section and enjoy the pictures below from the event!

Here’s what some of our 2019 attendees had to say about #Ajilla2019

“The event was amazing, well- organized , and provided a lot of eye opening conversations. The keynote speaker had a powerful speech that paired so nicely with the "Pay It Forward" theme for this year. I gained a lot from attending this event and would highly recommend it for new and returning attendees.”

“Such a wonderful day... loved the energy, speakers and the thoughtfulness that was put into the event :)”

“There was so much love and dedication that was put into this event and it was awesome to see it come to fruition. I expected it to be amazing but honestly it blew my mind away. Great line up of speakers, amazing audience, great location, great ideas overall. Very well done. If I could give this more than 10 I would.”

“Great event, the vision and mission were laser focused.”

“It was an inspiring event, jammed packed with golden nuggets. Very well executed and managed. Ayo has started something grand that will inspire many generations to come. I am proud to be part of it, and already looking forward to next year!”

#ThisIsAjilla