5 Simple Tools To Boost Your Year In 2021 That Helped Me Stay SUPERCHARGED in 2020

By Kwanza Jones

How Kwanza Stayed SUPERCHARGED in 2020

Hey love, Kwanza here. And today, as I look back on the past year, I'm taking some time to rewind and reflect.

It would have been so easy to slack off and crawl under the covers through most of 2020. It feels like a good choice to make with a global health crisis and recurring civil unrest, am I right?

But there's one reason I DIDN'T do just that...and that's YOU! So thank YOU for giving me a reason to live out my motto “Own your power, live your purpose, be of service” each and every day.

See below for a visual recap of 2020 👇🏽

Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? The real question is: how did I stay on track during a sh*t show like 2020? Simple, I used the tools in my toolbox to stay motivated. And because I went into 2020 knowing what my unbreakable values are, I was able to use them as guiding principles for success. This checklist is exactly what made 2020 one of my most productive years yet.

Here are the tools that I used to get me through 2020:

1. My Voice

One of the biggest personal journeys I went on in 2020 was recognizing that my voice has power in EVERY room at EVERY table. Not just the ones surrounded by women, not just the ones surrounded by POC, but every last one of them.

When I saw injustice, I took the SUPERCHARGED approach. I didn't stay on the sidelines. I didn't listen to excuses. I held people accountable, and it worked. And when I say "people," I don't just mean any people. I mean powerful people. I mean the President of Princeton University and even the soon-to-be-former President of the United States.

I addressed the issues that plagued Princeton University, my beloved alma mater in my Open Love Letter to Princeton, and also kicked off my Get Out campaign to boost voters in Georgia to flip the Senate and push Trump and his ideals OUT.

My words spoke for so many who didn’t think that they had a voice or a place at the table. Thanks to the combined effort and the support of so many others, we are moving closer towards an era of equality, equity, and access for generations to come.

👉 TIP: If you’re looking for ways to own your voice, start by writing a list of causes you care about–try not to make the list too long and narrow it down to 3 causes. From there, do some research on how you can amplify the message. What can you do to make a change? Is it writing a letter? Is it making a PSA video? Or is it simply sharing information on social media?

2. My Resources

Money isn’t everything, but it helps increase access. I always say, “I’d rather be rich in resources,” and if I can use my assets to increase resources for others...then I WILL. In 2020, my partner in business and life, José E. Feliciano, and I gifted $20 million to Princeton to further expand opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds at Princeton University. We chose to empower future generations and help close the representation gap.

Our $20 million pledge–the largest gift by POC in Princeton's history–serves as a reminder that Princeton IS a place for EVERYONE.

👉 TIP: Your voice helped you amplify the message and now you’re looking to take more action towards change. All you need are the right resources. Money is great, but resources can apply to anything. It can be the people you know or even the skills & services you can offer.

3. My Motivation

Everything I do is for a reason. There is ALWAYS intention in my words and actions whether it's to empower, inspire, or to boost others. My motivation is my lifeline behind it all.

How did my motivation to make the world a more equitable place inspire the action I took in 2020? Well, once I saw the headlines that the education of POC students was disproportionately affected by the pandemic, I didn't idly stand by or merely throw money at the problem.

I took inspired action.

Along with Brett Brewer (Crosscut Ventures) and Brian Lee (BAM Ventures), I co-founded the LA Tech Cares Initiative providing Internet access to 20,000 students so that they could continue their education once Covid made online learning a necessity.

The last thing we need is an even bigger gap in access to education.

👉 TIP: If you’re having trouble staying inspired, try mapping out your plan. This helps me figure out my next power move and stay ready so that I never have to get ready. Typically, at the end of every year, José and I use our Boost Blueprint for deep goal setting and strategizing. It can be used anytime you need to get clear on your goals. Feel free to try it out!

4) My Music

Some people know me as a businesswoman, some an investor, and others a Billboard music artist. Truth is, I wear many hats, literally and figuratively. Having multiple passions has allowed me to expand my reach in boosting others in many different ways. That’s the beauty of boosting people. There’s no one way to do it. It could be through motivation, money, or my personal favorite...music.

Music is universal. Music is powerful. Music has the power to boost your mindset, your mood, and your energy. We may come from different backgrounds, speak many different languages, and have different interests...but music can be the bridge that helps us see how alike we actually are. And THAT is the reason why I am so passionate about it.

So for me, 2020 came with a brand new EP and four new, SUPERCHARGED holiday singles. The best part of it all is that my #BoostFriends were able to join me in my efforts in boosting others through music. Exhibit A...the official Christmas With Friends music video.

👉 TIP: Is the music in your playlist keeping you motivated? I intentionally make and listen to music that keeps me in a positive, confident, and boosted mindset. If your current tunes don’t do the same for you, then it may be time for you to curate your list so that you can stay boosted in more ways than one!

5) Most importantly, My Mindset

What consumes your mind controls your life.

That’s right. If you spend your time focused on negativity, then your life will surely be filled with it. I stay boosted by keeping a positive mindset and surrounding myself with a strong network of motivated and encouraging people. Can you say the same?

Everyone needs a network that can boost them up and keep them inspired, and my goal is to be just that for as many people as possible. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to boost A BILLION lives. To help me do this, I launched the SUPERCHARGED Boost Friends™ community. We network, we build, we exchange resources, and most of all, we boost each other to be better.

👉 TIP: Your network is your net-worth. Looking to expand and elevate your inner circle? Click here and say “Hello”!

Thank you again for being a part of an amazing year. I'm excited to continue building and growing with you.

Who loves you?
I do.

Bye for now,

Kwanza Jones Signature

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Kwanza Jones

Kwanza Jones is on a mission to boost a billion lives through culture, community, and capital. She is a sought-after speaker, accomplished artist, impact investor, and philanthropist. With a multifaceted background spanning music, media, production, law and business, Jones is an energetic and visionary leader. She is CEO and founder of SUPERCHARGED® by Kwanza Jones, a motivational media company. Jones has served on numerous boards including the Apollo Theater, Bennett College, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Through her Jones + Feliciano Initiative, she has committed over $165 million to education, entrepreneurship, equity and empowerment organizations. Connect with me on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Kwanza Jones Boost Friends™ Community.