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Inspiring Excellence, Realising Ambitions
Teachers Open Doors…But You Must Enter Yourself
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How do you live your life? At cause or at effect? It is important to be aware of this distinction. It is the rare individual who always lives his or her life at cause, however far too many of us live a large portion of our lives at effect – responding to the whims, desires or emotional states of others.
Being at cause means that you are decisive in creating what you want in life and take responsibility for what you have achieved or will achieve. You see the world as a place of opportunity and you move towards achieving what you desire. If things are not unfolding as you would like, you take action and explore other possibilities. Above all, you know you have choice in what you do and how you react to people and events.
If you are the person that always wait for things before you react, you would continue to see reasons to blame others or circumstances for your bad moods or for what you have not achieved or for your life in general. You may feel powerless or depend on others in order for you to feel good about yourself or about life. If only my spouse – my boss, my coworkers, my parents, my children – understood me and helped me achieve my dreams or did what I wanted or what is best for me, then life would be great.
If you continually wait and hope for things to be different or for others to provide, then you are at effect or a victim of circumstances. And really, how much fun is that? And how much fun do you think it is for others to be around you? Believing that someone else is responsible or making them responsible for your happiness or your different moods is very limiting and gives this person some mystical power over you, which can cause you a great deal of anguish.
Are you just starting out in business or already in business? Are things not turning out the way you planned? This is the time to seek a mentor – someone who can show you the way, someone to teach and advise you and enable you to become a wise and effective human being. Stepping on the shoulder of a mentor helps you to avoid some mistakes and achieve success earlier than you expect.
These set of people are everywhere around you. You only need to identify what you are looking for in a mentor.
I or anyone else for that matter can only do so much for you. We can give you advice and tell you what to do if you want to be successful, but you yourself have to be willing to put in the time and effort.
If you don’t have the drive to be successful, you aren’t going to succeed. So here are some things that may help light a fire under your ass:
Hang around with successful people – being around successful people will make you want to be successful as well.
Get back to reality – watching a ton of TV, movies and even playing games is a great way to escape from reality. Although it’s fun, that will pull you away from your goals. Concentrate on your long-term goals and don’t get caught up in things that take you away from reality.
Stop thinking and start acting – to some extent, thinking too much isn’t good for you. Thinking will only get you so far; you have to start acting on things.
Read success stories – there are a lot of case studies on the web of entrepreneurs who went from rags to riches. Following these entrepreneurs should help in motivating yourself.
1. Make the commitment to reach your goal: “One person with a commitment is worth a hundred who only have an interest.” Mary Crowley. Your goal is worth nothing without your commitment to follow through on it. Lack of commitment is one of the reasons why many people do not [achieve their goals. Many have great goals and even wonderful plans to achieve the goals. But without a personal commitment, nothing will be achieved. You need to constantly remind yourself that nobody can achieve your goal for you. Your employees or your boss is only working at achieving his goals. So, how committed are you to your goals?
2. Be accountable: Commit yourself to detailed accountability. Look for someone that you respect and share your goals with the person. If possible, get a mentor that you know would be interested in you. Remember that mentors are not there to help you achieve your goals. They are to ensure that you remain on the right track. But I bet you this is worth much more than you can quantify. Also, develop the habbit of recording your progress toward your goals every night, and list the six most important things you need to do the next day. This daily discipline is not only key to reaching your goals but also gives you motivation to keep going.
3. Build your life on a sold foundation of honesty: A life and / or business built on strong character, integrity, trust, love, and loyalty is definitely going to succeed. The progress may not be visible but it will pay off. This foundation will give you an honest shot at reaching any goal you have set properly.
4. Break your intermediate and long-range goals into small bits: Imagine that your goal is to have a certain amount of turnover in your business within the next one year. While this is may be a great goal, the implication is that you will have to wait till the end of the year before you know if you achieve your goal or not. But if you break it down into monthly turnover, this is easy to measure. Moreover, you will be able to know on time if you are close to your goal or not.
5. Be prepared for change: Something are definitely not within your control. The foreign exchange flunctuation, radical changes in oil prices, weather, inflation, interest rates, government policies etc. are things that you can not control. So, you have to consider this when setting your goals. Stick with your decision to move toward a goal – but be willing to change your direction to get there as conditions and circumstances demand.
6. Share your “give-up” goals: I can not over-emphasise the importance of sharing your goals with people. While this will help you stay on your toes, it will also do you much good. Assume that your goal is to give up drinking, being rude, or even procrastinating, you will surely see people that will encourage you. They can even help you track your action towards achieving your goals. So, don’t keep your goals to yourself only. Share it and get the help that you need.
7. Become a team player: Nobody is created an island. If God could create Eve and bring her to Adam, then you definitely need people. I have not seen any person who became successful alone. Just take a look around you. The people they are working with may not be visible but I bet you there is little they can achieve without the support they get from their team. One thing you need to consider when in working in team is what you are going to add to others. Focus on how you can help others achieve their dreams. The people you may be working with may even be your employees. Just have it in mind that they have their goals that they are trying to achieve. And if they can’t get to achieve their personal goals working with you, they will leave you and you might have to start over again. Always remember: “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want. Zig Ziglar”
8. See yourself reaching your goal: The main reason why you set your goals is because you want to achieve them. It is, therefore, important that believe in yourself. Constantly put the goal before you. In your imagination, see yourself achieving whatsoever goal you have set for yourself. Can you see yourself receiving that diploma, getting that job or promotion, making that speech, moving into the home of your dreams, achieving that weight-loss goal, hitting that turnover target? This is necessary if you will achieve your goals.
9. Document your achievement: One reason why you have to do this is the effect it has on you. Every time that you reach a goal, your confidence will grow. See your achievement motivates you to work towards achieving bigger and better things. After accomplishing any goal, make it a habit of recording it in your Journal, Weekly Planner or Palm Pilot.
10. Give yourself no other option: Challenges will come on the way. They are there to refine you. But whether you will achieve your goals depends on how you respond to tough circumstances. Most people give up when all that they need is just to try one more time. They give up when they would have hit their target in the next attempt. Join the league of the few that succeed because they did not give in. Give yourself no other option.
Above all, remember, what you get by reaching your destination is not nearly as important as what you become by reaching your goals – what you will become is the winner you were born to be! The first step is to know where you are going. If you do not know where you are going, you will undoubtedly end up somewhere else. You can do better, you can achieve more, you can be the best God has created you to be. So, start now to make your dreams happen!
What is it that you are trying to achieve? Start a business, go back to school, get that job or even get that promotion at work? It is within your reach. The world presents us with so many opportunities every day to achieve our dreams. Do we take advantage of these opportunities or we just allow them to pass us by? I believe you know the answer in your heart. Your answer is the exact reason why you are where you are today. If things are not unfolding as you would like, it means you have to take action and explore other possibilities.
Exploring possibilities is a personal task. No one can do it for you. While your parents (family, spouses, mentors etc) may be able to provide you with the platform you need, the main responsibility is on you. No one can help you to achieve your dreams. You know what you want and must be ready to pay the price to achieve it. People around you (mentors, boss, parents, friends etc) can only show you the way.They may be able to teach and advise you and enable you to become a wise and effective human being. But taking the actual steps is your responsibility.
“I do hope I have a mentor, but you still have to go through many things by yourself. The only person who can help you is yourself.” - Fann Wong
If you continually wait and hope for things to be different or for others to provide, then you will remain a victim of circumstances. And really, how much fun is that? And how much fun do you think it is for to be at the mercies of others? Believing that someone else is responsible, or making them responsible, for your happiness limits how far you will go. People can only do so much for you. Always remember that irrespective of what people tell you about being successful, you have to be willing to put in the time and effort. If you don’t have the drive to be successful, you are not going to succeed. So, here are some things that may help you move in the direction of your dreams:
- Make the commitment to reach your goal: “One person with a commitment is worth a hundred who only have an interest” – Mary Crowley. Your goal is worth nothing without your commitment to follow through on it. You need to constantly remind yourself that nobody can achieve your goal for you. How committed are you to your goals?
- Be prepared for change: Something are definitely not within your control. The foreign exchange flunctuation, radical changes in oil prices, inflation, interest rates, government policies etc. are things that you can not control. Stick with your decision to move toward a goal – but be willing to change your direction to get there as conditions and circumstances demand.
- Be accountable: Commit yourself to detailed accountability. Get a mentor that you know would be interested in you. Remember that the mentors are not there to help you achieve your goals. They are to ensure that you remain on the right track.
- Give yourself no other option: Whether you will achieve your goals depends on how you respond to tough circumstances. Most people give up when all that they need is just to try one more time. Join the league of the few that succeed because they did not give in. Give yourself no other option.
- Hang around with successful people: Being around successful people will make you want to be successful as well. Look for people that you know are going somewhere and engage them. You might need to go extra miles to build relationship with this set of people but it is worth the effort. Just remember that “iron sharpens iron”
- Get back to reality: Spending hours in front of TV, watching movies and even playing games is a great way to escape from reality. This may be fun but it will pull you away from your goals. While you may have immediate satisfaction, you may be sacrificing your future at the same time. Concentrate on your long-term goals and don’t get caught up in things that take you away from reality.
- Stop thinking and start acting: There is a limit to how far thinking can take you. The best laid plans, the most comprehensive preparation, can still lead to nothing unless you endeavour to take the necessary action. No matter how strong and promising your thought, plans and preparation are, once you fail to act, you would still be heading no where. The action step does not have to be perfect but ensure you start acting on things.
- Read success stories: There are a lot of biographies of successful people and case studies successful entrepreneurs (business start-ups) who went from rags to riches. Lay your hand on these materials and learn from their mistakes and secrets. Following these people would help in motivating yourself.
Above all, remember, the first step is to know where you are going. If you do not know where you are going, you will undoubtedly end up somewhere else. You can do better, you can achieve more, you can be the best God has created you to be. Start now to make your dreams happen! It is never late to achive your dreams… Go for it!
a
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| September 2, 2009 | 7:09 AM |
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…And Two Shall Chase Ten Thousand
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I am going to be shifting focus today from my normal post trends. This is not because I am loosing focus but rather because it gives me an opportunity to celebrate “the love of my life” – the one that has added colour to my world. Today makes it exactly THREE GREAT YEARS that I renounced my membership of the Bachelor’s club. I moved to the realm of chasing ten thousand. Yeah, it has been three (3) solid years that I have been on this great journey and there has been no reason to regret that decision 
The journey actually started some years before 29 July 2006 but I will leave that story for another day. It is definitely part of the story and 29 July 2006 would not have come to past without the phase before it. As I type this now, everything looks like yesterday. Has the journey been totally smooth? No…but have I been better off by taking this journey? Definitely YES. Indeed, the experience has been mind-blowing 
Are you still wondering what I am talking about? Hmm..It is exactly 3 years today that I invoked the power given to us as men to change names. Yeah… it was a priviledge to have the opportunity to fulfil God’s instruction to man.
“For this reason shall a man leaves his family and cleave to his wife“
I got married to the one that I love. And the result? I found a “good thing”. Indeed, I have obtained favour from God. Olayemi, knowing you is great but having the priviledge to join forces with you on this journey is greater. I have achieved more these past 3 years than I had achieved the years before put together. This is the effect of GRACE and I am not going to take you or this grace for granted for a second.
Baby, I can’t say it enough…I LOVE YOU and I am glad you are part of my world. I just want to let you know that the journey has just started. We have not seen anything yet. Everyday that I wake up with you by my side comes with new strength to fulfil destiny. And I know that with God as the “third person” of our relationship, we will continue to experience HIS hand. I love you so much.
And to my “men in black” on the day – Idowu Opaleye, Dimeji Aboderin, Ayo Oladejo, Seun Olajide, Wale Akinbola, Yemi Adenaike, Toyin Daniel” – you are part of the story. I can’t thank you enough. Your presence and committment added colour to the foundation. My driver of the day, Mr. Gbolade Shoyemi, what else can I say? God will reward your labour of love. I am waiting for the good news from you oooo. So, don’t keep boiz waiting for too long. My brother from another mother – Hammed Shittu – you have showed on several occassions that, indeed, there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Thanks for the support pre & post-foundation laying ceremony
The Shittus, the Akinyemis (God understand why He brought us together as family), Uncle Toks, Big bros (Ghese), Ayoboye “Mr. Ogundiya”, Destiny Partners, Glo Colleagues (Bukenzo, Chief Lolu, Mr. Nasamu…), friends, My fellowship – Student Christian Movement “Generation of Lion”, Daystar Christian Centre and the name continues. Thanks so much. The seed of love you have sown has germinated and is growing fast. Our families (brother, sisters, uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews, cousins etc), thanks for the prayer and the support. God has definitely answered your prayers. The results abound. Our parents, on both side, this journey would not have started without your approval. Thanks for showing us the way to go. We are foreover grateful to God for giving us parents like you. God bless you and give you long life.
And to the one who agrees to go together with me on this journey, Olayemi, thanks for the support. You are trully a virtuous woman and our children will call you blessed. I will forever love you. How could I forget my little princess – ‘Mikun. You are God’s gift to us. We appreciate your presence and we constantly thank God for making you a source of joy to us. Finally to God who has given us strength, we join our voice together to say a big THANK YOU. Thank you for your mercy and leading. You are indeed our shepherd…
a
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Are Your Prepared For Your Winter?
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One summer day, a lazy grasshopper was chirping and sitting and playing games, just as he did every day. A hard-working ant passed by, carrying a huge leaf that he was taking back to the ant’s nest. The grassshopper said to the ant, “All you ants do is to work all day. You should be more like me and play, play, play.”
The ant replied, ” I’m storing food for the winter season. You should be working, for just the same reason. What will you eat when the weather gets cold? How will you feed your hungry household?” The grasshopper laughed, “All you ants do is work and worry. Slow down, don’t be in a such a hurry. Just look around, there’s plenty of food; don’t give me advice, that’s just plain rude.”
The ant kept working, the grasshopper kept playing, and winter soon came. The ant had prepared for the winter and had enough food stored in the nest to last through the cold, harsh winter weather. Now that winter had arrived, the grasshopper couldn’t find any food and soon became very hungry. He soon remembered the hard-working ant he had made fun of in the summer. The grasshopper went to the ant’s nest and asked for food.
The ant, who was still busy working at keeping the food clean and dry, said, “I toiled to save food for the winter freeze, while you spent the summer playing in ease. I stored just enough food for the winter, it’s true, but I can’t feed you all winter, or I’ll starve too.”
The ant gave the grasshoper a few crumbs, but the grasshopper was cold, miserable, and hungry all winter. The next summer, the grasshopper worked hard to store food for the upcoming winter. That next winter, the grasshopper was well fed and happy! He learned to think ahead and plan for the future.
Dream – What is it that you want to do? Every major achievement in life starts with a dream. The whole world started with a dream by God. There is nothing in existence today that has not passed through the dream stage. Bill Clinton was asked what he would like to become when he was about age 3. His reply? Your guess is as correct as mine. He did not mince word in his response. He replied that he would like to become the president of United States of America. No wonder, he becomes one of the most celebrated presidents United States has ever produced.
I am sure someone will be saying that can only happen in America. What about the likes of our own Pat Utomi (Leap Frog, Lagos Business School and Platinum Bank), Bishop Oyedepo (Living Faith Church), Bose Ayeni (Tantalisers), Bunmi Oni (Cadbury Nigeria), Sunny Ojeagbase (SuccessDigest), Ayo Arowolo (Moniwise Club and Financial Standard Newspaper), Larry Izamoje (Brila FM)? These are people who have achieved so much in their fields. Their dreams have come true. There is nothing you can achieve in life without starting with a dream. DREAMS can then be said to be an important foundation upon which all achievements are built. Through dreams, we determine indirectly what our future becomes. PICTURES mean Pick-Your-Future. So, what pictures are in your mind? You can start today to determine the course of your life by dictating the pictures you allow to stay in your mind.
Plan – The old saying is still true, “if you do not know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.” The saying that no one plans to fail is not really true. Once you fail to plan, you are definitely planning to fail. No one can effectively achieve an objective that he or she does not have clearly defined. We have got to think things through, decide what we want, and write out our plan.
Rev’d Sam Adeyemi says, “the depth of your plan determines the length of your success” So, if we really need to succeed, we need to embrace planning as part of our life. We need to plan very well so that we can sweat less. Only then can we do as Dr. Stephen R. Covey suggests, “begin with the end in mind.”
Prepare – We all know things that we could be doing right now to prepare ourselves to reach our objectives. God so much believes in preparation. No wonder Jesus Christ had to spend 30 years in the carpenter’s workshop preparing for a 3 1/2 ministry. The Bible is full of so many examples of what preparation can do in the life of man.
“Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it. I Chronicles 28:2”
David did not only have it in mind to build house for the ark of the LORD, he actually made preparation for it. This explains the reason why Solomon had more than enough to execute the building project. God appreciates preparation and it shows in everything HE does. To make the matter more interesting, we are created in the image of God. What can we then say is our excuse? Who do we say we want to patter our lives after if not GOD who has created us in HIS image?
There is no easy way out. There are basically two types of pain available – pain of discipline and pain of regret. So choose the one you want. Commit to study, practice, take that lecture, attend that seminar and go for that course. Exercise, listen to those tapes, nurture a relationship, read that book (especially those written by people who have gone ahead in your chosen field). Bishop Oyedepo appreciated the need for preparation and that is why he always urges people to study. Someone somewhere has passed through this same situation you are currently going through now. He packaged his experience in a book and is within your reach. Instead of you charting the course all over, grab the book, digest the content therein and apply it to the situation at hand. You will be surprised at easy things will turn out to be. The important thing is to do something today that will make the path smoother tomorrow.
Perform – David Schwartz made this simple but profound statement, “the only way to start, is to start.” The simple fact is that the best laid plans, the most comprehensive preparation, can still lead to nothing unless we endeavour to take the necessary action. No matter how strong and promising our plans and preparation are, once we fail to act, we would still be heading no where. The action step does not have to be perfect.
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale observed, “If you put off everything until you’re sure of it, you’ll get nothing done.” The Bible even confirmed this in Ecclesiastes 11:4 “He that observeth the wind shall not show; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap”. The Lord said to Abraham in Genesis 12:1 to get out of his country, from his family and from his father’s house, to a land that HE will show HIM. And in Genesis 13, Abraham launched out immediately. He did not wait to consider all the options he had. He just acted on that God’s given instruction.
God has really been telling us some things HE wants us to do but we have not acted on them. We are still very much occupied with our plans that have lead us to no where. We are still weighing all the options before us and looking for favourable conditions to launch out. The truth is that nothing would be achieved until we set out to act. We would only continue to make matter worse. The need to act the plans does not only become necessary but important. Nike – one of the top kit manufacturing company in the world – has the right idea in her simple slogan, “Do it!” Let us change our motto to DO IT now.
Persist – Will the road ahead be smooth? Will there be any adversity on the way? The truth that you have not achieved anything till now confirms the fact that challenges are meant to come. The difference between the successful person and the one stalked by failure is not the adversity — everybody has that. Then, what is the difference? The difference is your response – your attitude to the challenges you meet on your way. Do we regroup and hit it hard again, or do we just lay it down and quit? Many times we have made a u-turn when our success is actually around the corner.
Calvin Coolidge said,
“Nothing in the world can take the 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.”
Failure is never an end. It should be seen as a bend towards another destination. Setbacks should be seen as the foundations upon which we build future success or the final excuse for failure — the decision is yours. Nearly everyone who develops an idea works it until it looks impossible and then gets discouraged. That is not the place to become discouraged. It is often at this point that many only see the obstacle and no longer sees their idea. They give in to discouragement, opposition and obstacles not knowing breakthrough is on the horizon. If only they were persistent.
The dictionary defines persistent as: to continue firmly or obstinately. Persistence is a state of mind. In the words of Thomas Edison,
“Just because something does not do what you planned it to do does not mean it is useless…. Reverses should be an incentive to great accomplishment. Results? Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is just one more step forward…. There are no rules here; we are just trying to accomplish something.”
It is therefore normal for someone to have obstacles before success. Even the dictionary puts the word obstacle before success. Obstacles are there to strengthen us and offer progressive measurement of our growing strength. Discouragement sets in when we misunderstand the purpose of obstacles. Persistence is a conscious decision. So, let us train ourselves to be persistent persons.
Are you ready for your winter? Can you say that you are better equipped to face your winter? It is not a question of “if” winter will come but rather a question of “when”. What you do today will determine the kind of experience you will have in winter. I will like to share a story I read some years ago. The story may be old but I keep seeing new applications each time I re-read it. So, join me on this storylane…
One summer day, a lazy grasshopper was chirping and sitting and playing games, just as he did every day. A hard-working ant passed by, carrying a huge leaf that he was taking back to the ant’s nest. The grassshopper said to the ant, “All you ants do is to work all day. You should be more like me and play, play, play.”
The ant replied, ” I’m storing food for the winter season. You should be working, for just the same reason. What will you eat when the weather gets cold? How will you feed your hungry household?” The grasshopper laughed, “All you ants do is work and worry. Slow down, don’t be in a such a hurry. Just look around, there’s plenty of food; don’t give me advice, that’s just plain rude.”
The ant kept working, the grasshopper kept playing, and winter soon came. The ant had prepared for the winter and had enough food stored in the nest to last through the cold, harsh winter weather. Now that winter had arrived, the grasshopper couldn’t find any food and soon became very hungry. He soon remembered the hard-working ant he had made fun of in the summer. The grasshopper went to the ant’s nest and asked for food.
The ant, who was still busy working at keeping the food clean and dry, said, “I toiled to save food for the winter freeze, while you spent the summer playing in ease. I stored just enough food for the winter, it’s true, but I can’t feed you all winter, or I’ll starve too.”
The ant, however, gave the grasshoper a few crumbs, but the grasshopper was cold, miserable, and hungry all winter. The next summer, the grasshopper worked hard to store food for the upcoming winter. That next winter, the grasshopper was well fed and happy! He learned to think ahead and plan for the future.
Can you pick any lesson(s) from this story? If not, I would suggest that you go back and read it again until the message sinks. However, I will like to share some of the lessons I have been able to pick from the story.
Lesson 1:
Winter is inevitable. Every human being and business will go through a winter period. The only difference is the timing. You might be going through your winter time while your friend’s winter is much later. So, PLAN. Once you fail to plan, you are definitely planning to fail. No one can effectively achieve an objective that he or she does not have clearly defined. The ant’s main objective was to ensure that he had enough food in winter. This he planned to achieve. Likewise, you and I have to think things through, decide on the kind of lifestyle we want irrespective of circumstance, and write out our plan to achieve it.
“the depth of your plan determines the length of your success,” Rev’d Sam Adeyemi
So, if you really need to succeed, you need to embrace planning as part of your life. You need to plan very well so that you can sweat less. Only then can we do as Dr. Stephen R. Covey suggests, “begin with the end in mind.”
Lesson 2:
The next important lesson is that the Ant prepared for the winter. There is no easy way out. There are basically two types of pain available – pain of discipline and pain of regret. So choose the one you want. You can either choose to be the ant or the grasshopper. The ball is in your court. Commit to learn new trade, study, practice, take that lecture, attend that seminar and go for that course.
Exercise, listen to those tapes, nurture a relationship, read that book (especially those written by people who have gone ahead in your chosen field). Someone somewhere has passed through your current path in your business or career. His/her experience has been packaged in a book / CD and is within your reach. Instead of you charting the course all over, grab the book/CD, digest the content therein and apply it to the situation at hand. You will be surprised at easy things will turn out to be. The important thing is to do something today that will make the path smoother tomorrow.
Lesson 3:
The ant did not stop at preparation. The ant performed. He worked every day during summer to gather his food. David Schwartz made this simple but profound statement,
“the only way to start, is to start.“
The simple fact is that the best laid plans, the most comprehensive preparation, can still lead to nothing unless you endeavour to take the necessary action. No matter how strong and promising your plans and preparation are, once ye fail to act, you would still be heading no where. The action step does not have to be perfect. They just have to be taking you towards achieving your plan.
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale observed,
“If you put off everything until you’re sure of it, you’ll get nothing done.”
One of my favourite passage in the Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:4 - even confirms this,
“He that observeth the wind shall not show; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap”.
The truth is that nothing would be achieved until you set out to act. We would only continue to make matter worse. The need to act the plans does not only become necessary but important. Nike – one of the top kit manufacturing company in the world – has the right idea in her simple slogan, “Do it!” So, I advice that you change your motto to “DO IT” now.
Lesson 4:
The ant was persistent. Discouragement came from grasshopper painting picture of a better way to live. But the ant did not let go of his goal / plan. Will the road ahead be smooth? Will there be any adversity on the way? Yes… The difference between the successful person and the one stalked by failure is not the adversity – everybody has that. What do you do when you are faced with obstacle on the way? Do you regroup and hit it hard again, or do you just lay it down and quit? Many people have made a u-turn when success is actually around the corner.
It is therefore normal for you to have obstacles before success. Even the dictionary puts the word obstacle before success. Obstacles are there to strengthen you and offer progressive measurement of your growing strength. Discouragement sets in when you misunderstand the purpose of obstacles. Persistence is a conscious decision. So, you and I need to train ourselves to be persistent persons.
I have highlighted out 4 lessons here. Can you identify others? Kindly use the comment form to share other lessons we can apply to our lives from the story. So, I am asking the question again, are you prepared for your winter?
a
Are Your Prepared For Your Winter?
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Review.Plan.Do
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1st half of year 2009 will soon come to an end and whether we like it or not, year 2009 will come to an end like a breeze. Reviewing my activities versus my plan for 1st half of the year shows that there are still many things I wish I had done these past months. I didn’t fully match my actions with my words. One thing that became more obvious is that most of the people around me are still in the planning mood. They are still talking about what they would do in the course of the year. Are you ONLY a talker?
Talkers are those people that have great ideas or great intentions, but just never follow through. Anyone can be a talker, but to make a change in your life, you need to take solid action and follow through 100%. If you don’t, you will never see the results that are ultimately in your grasp. As this first half comes to an end, revisit your plan. Dust off your plans from where you have kept them and review everything you have written down. And if you don’t have any plan for this year, it is not too late to get down to work.
“if you do not know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.“
Once you fail to plan, you are definitely planning to fail. No one can effectively achieve an objective that he or she does not have clearly defined. We have got to think things through, decide what we want, and write out our plan. Then make a personal commitment to follow through.
If you want to succeed, you need to embrace planning and commitment to action as part of your life. It is one thing to determine the things that you have to do in order for you to achieve your objectives, it is another thing to commit to work on everything. Forget about what you have not done in the past months but choose now to act on what you have written down. If you don’t know where to start from, seek counsel. Attend a “How To” seminar. Pick up a book and listen to that message.
Someone somewhere has done something similar to what you plan to do. Some people have passed through similar situation as yours and have packaged their experience in books and CDs. These are within your reach. Instead of you charting the course all over, grab the book, digest the content therein and apply it to the situation at hand. It is time to to do something today that will make the path smoother tomorrow. So, make a commitment to follow through on your plan(s).
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Review.Plan.Do
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Manage Your Future
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Is life unfair? Do you think you deserve more than you are getting? While many are loosing their jobs, others are getting fat cheque as bonus; while many are finding it hard to pay for their basic needs, others have the resources to buy exactly what they want without considering the price. So, is life really unfair? I read a story recently that set me thinking. One of the leading banks in the world announced plans to cut costs and this implies laying off about 15,000 of its workforce worldwide. Yet this same bank announced a ridiculously high bonus for it remaining staff.
Why would a bank that is laying off some staff announce payment of bonus to the remaining staff if indeed the focus is on cutting cost? The response of the CEO was shocking. He said, “the only way to keep their best staff is to pay them high bonus“. What is the difference between the ones laid off and those that received bonus? The difference? The people who are seemed to be successful - those living their dreams - are those that have learnt to manage their future. They live not at the mercies of others. They are in charge of their destiny.
How do you take charge of your destiny? Manage your future and mind your business. I am not not saying that you should resign from your job or rather that you should start your own business now. Very few people are cut out for business. So, I will definitely not advise you to take that route if business is not passion. The challenge is for you to really be in charge. You don’t have to keep worrying that your job security depends on the whims or moods of your current boss. The kind of live you have always wanted to live is within your reach. You can even transform your current job into that dream job.
The starting point is to control what happens in your career. You must take charge of your work life. You will have to fire your boss mentally. You will have to determine your own value. You will be setting your own goals. You have to be in charge of selecting the skills you wish to attain. You will also have your own personal work plan.You may need to do the following:
- Write your own job description: Write a brief description of your job. However, do not align yourself with a certain company, profession or specialization. Reflect on what you do each day and each week.
- Give yourself a performance review: Find out what other people with the same job description earn. Also find out the skills that are valued in this certain field.
- Define alternate courses: After you have done the two steps above, you will realize that there are alternate courses available to you. Brainstorm about all the other fields and occupations that would suit the job description that you created.
- Put your plan into writing: Develop your own plan for your work life. Remember that your future plans should not hinder the alternate courses you have defined. Note down the new skills you need to acquire.
Where you are today is a direct reflection of the words, thoughts and actions you took days, months and years ago. No matter how much you continue to blame your parents, teachers, where you grew up, television, the government or anything else, the truth is that nobody got you where you are today but yourself. The longer you choose not to take responsibility for your live, the longer you will be living uninspired lives that you do not love.
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Manage Your Future
Technorati Tags: start your own business, job security, dream job
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Breathtaking Business Opportunity
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 Are you ready to take charge of your life? Then you need to read this. It does not matter if you have received a copy of this in the email before. But if you are yet to take any concrete step towards setting yourself free, now is the time to act. There are a number of things happening around the world, countries are getting bankrupt, solid companies declaring losses, and pillars of hope expressing despair. The world is definitely in crisis mode, the nobel laureates have no answer again and the models for wealth are being redefined. Capitalism 2.0 is proping up as famine hits below economic belts.
These are however interesting times, in fact, the best times to be alive! While many are already getting half salaries, while some are losing their jobs, and while some are yet to find, many unknown of and unheard of will keep prospering. Everybody wishes to be successful. Many want to be successful but few people really desire to be successful. The proof that you desire something is that you pursue it! The test of pursuit is commitment to paying the price. Are you ready to pay the price? The choice is yours.
If you are ready to take the next step and you live in Nigeria, I will invite you to join us at our weekly business opportunity meeting. All you have to do is to fill this form and enter my name (Emmanuel Oluwatosin) in the”Referred By” space. if you don’t live in Nigeria and want to take part in this business opportunity, we have you in mind. Do click here and you will have access to the same information. You will be able to attend the meeting online. If you need further clarification, you can send me an email and I will reply with further information that will enhance your understanding.
We are in an information age, and what you know can make a difference in your life. At these business opportunity meetings, you get information that can radically change your paradigm and your life. You are the same person you were 10yrs ago, but for two things
- The New People you have met
- The New Information that you have got
At these business opportunity meetings, you get to meet new people and get new information. These meetings are currently free, but you must book your seat ahead. Please complete this form (and remember to enter my name - Emmanuel Oluwatosin - as the referral) if you are interested in booking a seat in any of the Saturday meetings. You can also send me an email as soon as you book a seat so that I can confirm that you are booked. Take the first step now…
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Breathtaking Business Opportunity
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Key To Personal And Business Success
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 I read a story some years back and I received it in another form in the mail this week. Reading it again this week reminds me of the lessons. The story is long but it is worth your time. Put on your reading glass (if you have got one) and make a commitment to read it through. Just ensure that the lessons stick. A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together. He said, ‘It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you’.
The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. ‘I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.’
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.
Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure. Six months went by — still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however. He kept watering and fertilizing the soil. He really wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach. It was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful — in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim tried to hide in the back. ‘My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,’ said the CEO. ‘Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!’ All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, ‘The CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!’
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, ‘Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!’ Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed.
‘How could he be the new CEO?’ the others said. Then the CEO said, ‘One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!’
Lessons: Can you identify some lessons from this story? If your answer is NO, you may need to re-read the story again. I have identified some lessons and I will list them below:
- Honesty Pays:
- Be accountable to someone
- The fact that everyone is doing something does not make it the right thing
- Before every promion comes a test
Can you identify ANY other lesson(s) from the story? Share them below using the comment section.
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Key To Personal And Business Success
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It’s Time To Live Your Life
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‘Parties who want milk should not seat themselves on a stool in the middle of the field and hope that the cow will back up to them‘. Albert Hubert
Are you going after what you want? Or you are just complaining about your present situation without making any effort to change? Do you still think it is the responsibility of your employer to make you happy? Then, you need to have a rethink. What you become today is your responsibility and the outcome of the choices you made yesterday. You owe yourself a living. So, now is the time to take charge of your life.
You can live your life the way you want it. Believe it or not, it is now very easy to rule your world. Waiting for something just around the corner is merely reacting to life. If you are going to be a difference-maker, a maximizer, you need to be assertive and proactive in your thoughts and actions. You need to make things happen and not just wait for them to engulf you! You need to take responsibility for your life and future.
Your decision to take charge of your life is the starting point. Don’t just sit there! Do something! You need to focus instead on those items you can control: right attitude, right beliefs, and right commitments to action. By so doing, you will use your emotional energy in a positive way and actually move forward more quickly. Reactive people focus on the result. Proactive people focus on the principles.
Do you think you want that thing bad enough? But why do you still place your life at the mercy of others? I bet you will not henceforth… Make a commitment to living your the way you want it. Get started today. This is YOUR season if ONLY you will decide to face your challenge and go for your goal. Remember, excuses will take you no where. Take ACTION NOW.
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It’s Time To Live Your Life
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Adroyte Introduces PMP/CAPM Exam Boot Camp
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 The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is the world’s leading project management certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Getting PMP does not only boost your career, it also positions you for growth. There is no better time to be equipped than now.
The present economic situation has ensured that organizations run their projects in a more efficient and cost effective manner rather than the haphazard ways they used to do it. PMI provides a well structured method of running projects according to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
Adroyte Global Solutions Limited is proud to present a PMP/CAPM Boot Camp for the PMBOK 4 based exam. Adroyte is proud to be one of the first institutions to provide PMP training based on the newly introduced PMBOK 4. The CAPM exam is meant for new graduates or those who cannot satisfy the PMP requirements. Adroyte PMP Exam Boot Camp provides the requisite knowledge needed to develop your career as a successful Project Management Professional.
The training comes with the following advantages:
- It delivers more than the 35-hour PMI contact hour requirement to qualify for the PMP exam;
- Provides real help with exam accreditation; giving helpful insights and a real template to complete the experience required to qualify for the exam;
- Introduction to Microsoft Project software;
- Practical Project Management tips including practical pointers on how to develop project management documents;
- Post training support in the form of a PMP community to help develop your project management skills.
For further details, visit adroyte’s website.
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Adroyte Introduces PMP/CAPM Exam Boot Camp
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