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  • 3 Ways to Develop the Habit of Taking Action Daily

    Every action moves you closer to your destiny. Every small action you take adds to your personal development and self-growth.

    “Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny.” Tyron Edwards

    Develop a habit of taking regular actions on your personal plan that help you move closer to your destiny. Do not underestimate the power of your actions.

    The small things we do when added together, count. It is the very little things that make up the bigger picture when added.

    A million is made up of small pieces of components that add up to a million. Take away one component and it is no longer one million.

    Developing a habit of regularly taking action on your goals will help you achieve tremendous growth. It will increase the chances for you to achieve your life’s intended purpose.

    It is action, that makes the difference. Without which you cannot achieve anything. You can have the best written down plans but without action, they amount to nothing. They will never be actualised. The Bible says “faith without works is dead.”

    Most of us have beautifully written down plans for our lives. However, they have remained on paper for a long time, because no action has been taken to actualise them.

    We are too scared and have literally no confidence and faith to act on them.

    You see, all these man-made creations were first on someone’s mind and that, someone had the courage and dared to take action, that is why we can see them.

    Without the habit of taking regular and positive action, you will be doomed with your beautiful plans. You will never know whether your plans were worthwhile or not. You will be denying the world from benefiting from your creation.

    Create an Environment for Your Actions

    There is no perfect time to start acting on your plans than now. If you wait, you might just miss the opportunity train. I believe that opportunities find those who are ready and are actively looking for them.

    If no opportunity comes your way, create the opportunity yourself by taking action. Sometimes we miss the train of opportunity because we are not ready.

    You don’t want to miss an opportunity because you are not ready for it. Always be prepared so that when chance presents itself, take it with both hands and make the most of it. Do not let an opportunity go begging.

    During my working days with an Agro Chemicals company, we created demo gardens. These gardens were used to create demand for our products and hence drive sales.

    We would showcase how effective the products were and teach the farmers how to handle them. The farmers would be flocking to buy the products after seeing the results in the demo gardens. By doing this we created our own opportunity to sell more of the products.

    In my life this far I have noticed that opportunities present themselves more often when you are busy working than just waiting.

    It could be that you want to start a business and do not have enough financial capital. Why not approach someone with more finances and let them buy into your ideas and they become your business partner.

    Well, I know that in this part of the world partnerships are not popular because of a lack of trust but I believe that to everything there are exceptions. I believe that it is worth trying.

    If it doesn’t work, well at least you will have gained valuable experience of what not to do. You will have the knowledge of what to avoid in the future. They say experience is a good teacher.

    Have Faith and Trust God

    Faith is key. Have Faith and Trust God to see you through. Nothing is impossible with God by your side. If God is on your side, who can be against you?

    If you put your faith and trust God with your life, he surely does come through. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish with your life.

    If you are a Christian like me, you know what I am talking about. God is bigger than you can imagine. For he is the creator of the heavens and earth.

    One way to improve your faith is by starting your day with a prayer and reading a verse or two from the Bible. Stand firm on the verse and recite it every now and again.

    My favourite is the verse that says “I can do all things possible through Christ who gives me strength.”

    I have pinned some scriptures on the desktop of my laptop. I see them every time I open my laptop’s desktop. They are a reminder of my faith in God.

    Even when I am working on something and feel it’s not going accordingly I recite them. The motivation I get is just out of this world.

    Fear Not

    Courage is not the absence of fear. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” – the Bible.

    Perhaps fear is the single most emotion responsible for people’s stagnation. We give all sorts of excuses just to hide our fears.

    The fear of failing, the fear of being laughed at when things go wrong. All these emotions that we do not want to be associated with.

    Yes, we all have fears. But we should not let fear stand in our way. I like people in the marketing world. They seem to be fearless.

    They are not embarrassed or afraid of being rejected in the course of duty. Every day they knock on people’s doors selling insurance or whatever product they are promoting and every day they are rejected but still they do it the next day.

    I can imagine the feeling of being rejected when prospecting to a would-be client. I personally have never tried it. But I guess it makes you grow out of the fear of rejection.

    Develop the courage to overcome your fears. As I said, courage is not the absence of fear. It is facing your fears head-on and refusing to be defeated. The more you confront your fears the more fearless you become.

    Conclusion

    “Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” Benjamin Disraeli.

    To every action, there is an equal reaction. Action is what produces results. Without it, we cannot move forward with our lives. You are where you are because of the actions you have previously undertaken.

  • My Thoughts on the Virus that has Ravaged the World – COVID 19

    Today the world is fighting an invisible enemy. An enemy that has the capacity to inflict serious scars on the population of the world within a short period of time, a virus called COVID 19.

    This virus is almost bringing the world to a halt. There is very little human traffic across the globe, especially in hard-hit areas like the USA and Europe.

    As most countries have implemented stringent measures to help mitigate the spread of the deadly COVID 19 virus,  some countries around the world are in lockdown.

    The challenge being faced by most governments is enforcing the lockdown measures. We are not used to lockdowns because of diseases.

    My thoughts, however, go out to the families that have been directly infected and affected by the pandemic.

    It is my prayer and hope, that God will strengthen you and give you comfort at this very trying moment.

    I know it’s not an easy period and I never thought I would live to see and experience such uncertainty in the future of the world.

    I have been reading on social media about the many conspiracy theories about the virus and its origins.

    My take, for now, is that the current conspiracy theories being thrown around are not helping matters.

    Pointing accusing fingers on who caused it and how it came to be in existence is a waste of time and is actually giving more ammunition to the enemy.

    Our common goal, for now, should be coming together and fight this invisible but deadly enemy that is capable of wiping out the entire population.

    I believe that we should be channeling our energies, efforts, and ideas on how best we can help stop and prevent the further spread of the COVID 19 virus.

    What Are Some of the Symptoms

    According to the World Health Organisation, the COVID 19 virus has more devastating effects on people who have an underlying medical condition and those who are over the age of 60 years.

    • fever; tiredness; dry cough.
    • shortness of breath; aches and pains; sore throat and very few people will report diarrhea, nausea, or a runny nose.

    Do not hesitate to self isolate and seek medical help if you present yourself with the above-mentioned symptoms. Seeking early treatment is key to saving your life.

    How to Stay Safe

    In addition to the following recommended preventive measures:

    • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub.
    • Maintain at least a 2-metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
    • Avoid touching your face.
    • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
    • Stay home if you feel unwell.
    • Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
    • Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

    He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

    I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

    For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

    You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

    A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.

    Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

    For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

    You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.

    When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

    Conclusion

    We have been told that the best way to stop the virus from spreading further is to stay at home and maintain high levels of personal hygiene.

    The virus does not move on its own. If you move you increase the risk of contracting it and passing it on to other people.

    This calls for concerted efforts across  the whole world. Its time for countries to unite with a purpose and that begins with you and I.

    It’s time for those charged with leadership positions to show leadership. Let’s put aside our ethnic, cultural, economic, racial, tribal, and political differences and unite with one common go.

    That go is to eradicate the deadly COVID 19 virus. Lets all standout and be counted in this fight.

  • How to Change the Narrative for Your Life

    Life is a continuous growth process. From the moment we are born the growth process begins. It is a never ending process. It is a process that we learn on the go. 

    To change your life’s narrative you need to do things differently. Sometimes you need a radical change. You cannot change your narrative if you keep doing the same things. 

    If you are pursuing personal growth, your narrative will definitely change. You cannot expect to remain the same if you are actively pursuing your goals. 

    You cannot expect to get different results with the same habits. Change your habits and you will experience a changed life. Changing your habits does not necessarily guarantee you success. But it gives you a better chance.

    Change does not just happen. It takes effort and sacrifice. It takes time to see tangible and meaningful results. Some change is slow and some change is rapid.

    If you want to experience and enjoy a successful life you need to forgo certain pleasures and get cracking. Get down and start doing something that will help improve your general welfare. Do something every day that helps your advancement.

    The good news is that we all have the capacity to change and do great things with our lives. The choice lies within your grasp. You are the driver of your life.

    No one but you are responsible for your life. You have the sole responsibility to do whatever it takes for your life to succeed.

    Maintain Discipline

    Discipline is perhaps the cardinal factor in changing habits and lives. Without it there can never be any meaningful change. Those who suçeed are those who are very disciplined and consistent.

    Without discipline one is bound to be living and moving with the wind. It takes discipline to focus and maintain good progress. Without which there can be no meaningful progress.

    Being disciplined means doing that which should be done even when the conditions are adverse. It means working extra hard when you should be relaxing. It means waking up early when you should be enjoying your bed.

    I know that we all have some semblance of discipline. The level of your discipline will determine the quality of your life. The more disciplined you are, the better the quality of your life.

    It takes discipline and consistent hard smart work to improve your life. If you are not disciplined you will not make good progress.

    In everything that we intend to achieve there should be some level of discipline. Without it nothing much can be achieved. The more success you want, the more you should give yourself in terms of hard work.

    Learn from Your Past

    We all have a past. Some good, some not so good. You are the sum total of the decisions and experiences of your past.

    Whatever your past is, it should not bog you down because you cannot change it. It is done and dusted. It is but a memory.

    No matter how bad your past has been you have the chance to change what your future will look like. The ball is in your court. 

    Look at your past with a view to learn from it. Take as many lessons as you can from the wrongs you have done previously. There is no better teacher than experience. They say once beaten twice shy. Do not make the same mistakes twice.

    Life is a continuous learning process and there is never a time when one graduates from it. If you have graduated then you are dead. We are all students of our own lives. You must try to be a better student of your life as this is the only way to know what works and does not work for you.

    The lessons you take from your past will always be valuable going forward. They may just be what you need to succeed. You are here because of your past decisions and choices. So what you do now has a bearing on your future.

    If you make wrong decisions and choices you will leave to endure the consequences in the future.

    Take One Day at a Time

    Everyday is unique and packed with different challenges that need to be overcome. Embrace the chaĺlenges and take joy in overcoming them. Life is such that you cannot skip a day.

    Everyday has to be lived and lived to the fullest. In as much as we look to the future we never get there by skipping days. We live one day at a time. One hour, one minute and one breadth at a time.

    Every minute lived takes you closer to your destiny. It is the small things you achieve on a daily basis that lead to future success. The small things are what makes up the big things.

    If you let today pass you by, you will have lost valuable time. Time lost is never recovered. Time waits for no one. Time is one of the most valuable resource. How you use it determines how successful you wìll be. 

    Living one day at a time means making sure that you accomplish that which the day has to offer. Don’t go to bed without making sure that you have fully utilised the day weĺl. 

    Make sure you plan your day in such a way that it helps you to advance towards your goals. Take hold of the opportunities that it brings forth.

    Do not Leave Things to Chance

    Be in control of your life. Do not leave things to chance. Do not leave things hanging. Do everything to the end. Do not start something and stop in the middle.

    Learn to close deals if you are in business. Always make sure you conclude your tasks on a daily basis. This is the only way you can be sure that you are in control of your life.

    Finishing your tasks is the only way you can be sure that you have done your part and the rest is up to the powers that be. It also gives you a peace of mind knowing that you haven’t left anything hanging.

    Conclusion

    You have the opportunity to change your narrative now by doing what is right and making the right decisions and choices.

    You do not have to continue on your current trajectory. Make the decision to do that which your heart desires. It may seem impossible to change now but everything is made possible through Christ Jesus.

  • Why Consistency is Important to Maintain in Your Life

    One of the many things that differentiate people who are successful and the average person is consistency.

    Those who are focused are very consistent with what they do. They do not relent but they keep pushing. Even when things are not going their way, they just soldier on.

    They keep doing what gives them better results on a regular basis as compared to the non-achievers. The non-achievers easily give

    If you want to achieve exceptional results you have to consistently put in the hard work and be smart with what you are doing.

    Hard work only will not achieve your goals, but working smart will surely make a big difference. Consistency gives you a better chance of achieving your goals.

    The more consistent you are, the more likely you are to succeed at what you are doing. It’s more like practice makes room for improvement.

    Simply put, consistency is key in achieving your lives objectives. Without which, it is very difficult to do more and achieve great results.

    However, developing a habit of consistency is not easy. It takes a lot of time, patience, persistence, perseverance and practice.

    Like with many habits, the start is always challenging but once you have gotten over the first hurdles, the going gets easier and the benefits are numerous.

    It Sets You Apart

    Consistency sets you apart. It distinguishes you from the rest. It draws a line that separates you and puts you where you belong.

    The more consistent you are, the more distinguished you become. You see, God rewards those who work hard and are consistent with his word.

    You can compare this with the many big successful corporations like Apple and Microsoft.

    These are big corporations that have been consistently producing high-quality end-user products that meet their customer’s expectations.

    I think that what has really made them more popular is the consistency that has helped them build a good reputation.

    Of course, there are many other factors to success but I think that consistency plays a very huge role.

    Equally, we as human beings are judged based on our character, which is formed primarily by the things we constantly exhibit.

    It Helps Build Your Character

    Your character defines the person you are. Everything you do or say is more or less connected to your character.

    Like I said previously your character is the summation of the small little things that you do consistently every day.

    “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” – Lao Tzu.

    If you want to be of good character you have to consistently make sure you are building upon the good things that you do.

    Sooner rather than later you will have built a reasonably good character that will enable you to achieve what your goals are in life.

    Consistency Helps Build Momentum

    You can see vividly how important consistency is in the world of sports. The more you get positive results the more willing you are to put in the work to get the results.

    This in the long run helps to build the much-needed momentum to push you through the finishing line.

    Sports trophies are won by teams that have a consistently good momentum of a winning streak. Without consistency, you will be running around with up-down results and end up missing your goals.

    Even in life generally, you need good momentum to see you through the hurdles and bustles of life.

    It Helps Develop Discipline

    Consistency helps you develop self-discipline and self-control. The more you get yourself to do something on a regular basis the more discipline you develop.

    Look, the things that make us successful are not the easiest to do and many of the times we are tempted to deviate from them but you still do them anyway because you have a goal to achieve.

    You will know that it takes a lot of discipline and self-control to be on a diet of you have to lose weight.

    The temptation to want to eat junk food is just too high. But, you have to make sure you resist it and just eat the right food because your target is to lose weight and live a healthy life.

    The same with exercising, there are times when I just feel like not waking up for my morning run and yes, sometimes I miss.

    As you may know, discipline is key to achieving your goals, without being disciplined you are guaranteed to fail.

    It takes a lot of self-control and discipline to maintain consistency.

    You Create Accountability

    If you are struggling with self-accountability develop a habit of consistency. The level of your results will determine the levels of your consistency.

    When you are consistent you become accountable and more reliable. When you are accountable you become more productive and mindful with your time.

    As you may be aware time is the only commodity that is irreplaceable once lost it cannot be replaced.

    Accountability is one of the requisites needed to achieve greater success and greater personal development.

    If you are not accountable to someone or indeed yourself, most likely you are not seriously pursuing your dreams, you are just flowing with the wind.

    Helps to Build Trust

    When you are true to your words and deeds you create a sense of trust with the people around you.

    In life, you are more comfortable working or dealing with people who are trustworthy. It is very difficult to be trusted if you do not exhibit signs of it.

    People will judge you by the actions that you exude constantly. The more consistent you are with the good habits the more trustworthy you become.

    I believe that trust is an important factor in life. You must strive to be trustworthy at whatever you are doing.

    Conclusion

    When you are consistently working towards your goals, you feel more motivated to push even harder to overcome your limitations. Clearly, consistency is a necessary tool for achieving your goals.

  • Writing Blog Posts Using a Mobile Phone

    This is day number five of straight writing. I have been writing atleast an article for the last four days. I have never posted five consecutive articles in five days. This is my very first time WOW.

    A few days ago as I was doing my usual reading ritual I came across an article on medium, that has changed my productivity in terms of frequency of writing. It has taken my productivity to another level.

    I have been writing for some time now and to be honest, have struggled to write consistently. I have been looking for a formula that would help improve the translation of my thoughts to paper.

    I have never doubted my ability to read and write. It is the ability to write regularly that I have struggled with. I have so many ideas that need to be transmuted to paper.

    I have read many suggestions, some of which are very good and have helped me. But not everything has been beneficial. I have tried and tried many methods to improve the speed at which I produce articles but with no success.

    Am very sure that some of you are struggling like me. Well, I hope my discovery will be of help to you as well. It is only the beginning but I can strongly sense a feeling that this is the right one for me.

    Over the years I have come to appreciate the principle of writing every day. It helps you develop the muscle of writing. The more you practice the better your writing becomes. I have struggled to write creatively daily.

    As they say, practice makes perfect but I say practice creates room for improvement. There is always room for improvement.

    My biggest discovery was the use of my mobile phone. This I believe is a game-changer for me. I needed a medium that is not destructive one that would keep me focused and can be accessed all the time.

    I was looking in the wrong places yet I had the gadget and did not know how else to use it apart from making phone calls. Look, explore the gadgets you have. They could just be what you have been looking for to improve your productivity.

    Being from the old school I tried the old conventional way of using a writing pad and then typing the document on my computer but this is very tedious and time-consuming.

    You may ask why not type straight on your computer? I tried this and for a long time, this has been my preferred method. Most of the articles on this website were produced like this.

    The problem I have is that every time I sit on my computer I have so many distractions. I want to do so many things and unfortunately for me by the time I open my word processor the idea of writing has evaporated.

    The other disadvantage is that sometimes the urge to write will come when I do not have immediate access to my computer. The only thing I can do is probably just write the idea in a notebook.

    By the time I get to sit down to put it to paper, the mind is switched off. But with the phone, I am always with it. All I do is just find a secluded place and am good to go.

    Writing needs some level of concentration and yes even though I can type faster on my computer’s keyboard I would rather be slow and be more productive than do nothing at all.

    I have discovered that I am more productive using my android phone to produce the meat and later transfer it to my computer for final editing and proofreading. With the use of Google Docs, I can access my documents from anywhere in the world.

    I can sit down and produce a 1000 words article within one to one and half hours on my phone without interruption. Previously it would take me much longer and would struggle to concentrate.

    With this method, I now take my time with editing and proofreading. It has freed up my time to concentrate on other aspects of my productivity.

    The proof is in the 4 previous articles that I wrote whilst on a bus commuting to work. The beauty of a phone is that it is pocket size yet big enough for typing.

    At first, when I tried for the first article I thought it would not work but I tried again, and alas here I am now writing the fifth article using my android phone. I hope not to break the streak and see how it goes.

    Previously I have attempted a one-month writing challenge and failed terribly. I hope with my newfound method I can revisit the challenge and conquer it.

    Just like with every other skill you need to find what works best for you. I like to think on paper and let the fingers do the talking. Don’t bother about your spelling and concentrate on what is flowing from within.

    If you are locked in you will be surprised at how words can flow from you. It will of course be not perfect but you have the meat of your story and what remains is putting it together to make it more sensible.

    The moment you start concentrating on your spellings, you interrupt the flow of your writing. Just write until the end, you will have time to do your spell check and corrections once you have emptied your ideas.

    The other thing about using Google Docs is that it has auto-correction and some words will be corrected on the go. This reduces the correction process.

    Conclusion

    Writing is an expression of our being. I write to tell my story and hope that someone out there can be inspired to even achieve more with their own lives. We share our stories through writing. Find a method that works for you and continue telling your story.

  • 4 Reasons Why You Should Get Busy Living and not Busy Dying

    If you are not busy with your life, then you are not making progress. Those who are engaged in pursuing their dreams are always busy and focused.

    But also being busy does not necessarily mean you are being progressive. What you want in life is being busy for the right reasons and doing, the right things.

    Getting busy living means being focused on achieving your goals. Doing everything in your power to ensure that you achieve your life’s purpose.

    Taking action and putting things in place that will help you achieve your goals to the fullest is what it means to get busy living.

    Getting busy living is a personal decision. No one will make the decision for you. It is entirely up to you to make the choice either to get busy living or get busy dying.

    Why do I say get busy dying, well if you are not busy living then off course you are busy dying.

    Don’t dwell so much on the negatives, otherwise, you will be discouraged. Instead, concentrate on the positive things on matter how small they are, to help you stay focused and motivated.

    There are many things you do every day that are positive and worth dwelling on. If your current conditions do not allow you to express yourself create a more conducive environment for yourself, to thrive in and succeed. 

    Here are some reasons why getting busy living is preferable to getting busy dying.

    Life is too Short

    Time is a limited and scarce resource, and none of us knows how much we have. Getting busy living entails making the most of the time we have, pursuing our passions, and creating meaningful experiences.

    Remember life is all about experiences. The better the experiences the better the life we lead.

    The best we can do is to try and utilise and make good of the time we have on our hands. Life is too short, so savour every moment you have.

    Do the things that need to be done in the time that you have. Otherwise, you may live to regret not having done them. Make every effort and do not let chance pass you by.

    Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way to do the right thing—knowing that humanity is all about service.

    Always go the extra mile and not just what is required of you. Doing extra will also improve your reliability and in business increases your value.

    People always want to be associated with people who are reliable. They want to work with someone they can rely on. They want to be associated with some they can trust.

    Make the decision to live a happy life and remind yourself every day about it. This will help you stay focused on being happy.

    Yes, negative things will come your way, but your mind will be more focused on the positives. There is something about making decisions. It makes you feel responsible for the outcome.

    Personal Growth

    When we get busy living, we challenge ourselves to learn and grow. We push ourselves out of our comfort zones and develop new skills and habits, that lead to personal growth and self-improvement.

    The main benefit of pursuing your goals is personal growth. You will experience personal growth when you are focused on achieving your life’s purpose and not when you are busy dying.

    This personal growth can be incredibly rewarding. It opens up many facets of your life. Personal growth is what you as a human being should aim for. It should be your deliberate personal policy.

    However, personal development does not come easy. It needs your full attention and endurance for it to be achieved and even then it is a continuous process.

    There is never a stop to personal development and self-improvement. Every achievement propels you to pursue even more and greater goals. The more you achieve the more you want to achieve.

    Every attempt you make to pursue your goals is a contribution to your personal growth. Every achievement is a motivation for the next challenge.

    So it doesn’t matter if you fail on your first attempt. At least you will have learnt what not to do or what needs improvement.

    The thing is to never give up but to continue to rise and keep trying until you succeed. Remember there is no success without failure and it does not come on a silver platter.

    Connections or Relationships

    When we get busy living, we have more opportunities to connect with others who share our interests and passions. 

    Building meaningful relationships can bring joy, support, and fulfilment to your life. Relationships are key to the survival of humanity as a whole.

    We are a social species. Humanity thrives better on good relationships. The more meaningful connections you create the easier it becomes to pursue your dreams.

    You will realise that most of the things you do come down to enhancing or creating new connections. The more connections you have the better the chances of success.

    We thrive more especially when we have a good support system or network looking after our back. 

    If you have good strong relationships your mind is more at peace. A peaceful mind allows you to explore your talents to the max.

    It allows you to show the world what you are made of, more freely without holding back. Look, when you know that people have your best interests at heart, believe me, not even the sky is the limit. You will soar like an eagle.

    Fulfilment

    “The chief condition on which, life, health and vigor depend on, is action. It is by action that an organism develops its faculties, increases its energy, and attains the fulfilment of its destiny.” –  Colin Powell

    Pursuing your goals and passions can bring a sense of purpose and fulfilment to your life. When we are engaged in activities that we enjoy and are passionate about, we feel more alive and fulfilled.

    When we are fulfilled we contribute more to humankind. We become the solution to the world. The feeling of fulfilment cannot be replaced with anything. It is just on another level.

    Conclusion

    Overall, getting busy living means taking action and pursuing a life that is meaningful and fulfilling. It can help us make the most of our time, grow as individuals, connect with others, and find purpose and fulfilment in our lives.

    It’s a reminder to live our lives to the fullest and not let fear, regret, or complacency hold us back. 

  • Stop Being the Victim and Become the Victor

    We all have been victims at some point in our lives be it willingly or unwillingly. When you are a victim the results could be devastating and could have a long-lasting effect on your life.  

    To stop being a victim and become a victor, you need to take responsibility for your life and make conscious choices to take control of your situation. 

    Granted, some situations may not be easy to overcome. But if you have to move forward you need to change your mental attitude and let go of that situation bad as it may be. 

    Here are some steps that can help you shift from a victim mindset to a victor mindset:

    Change Your Mindset

    Start by recognizing that you have the power to change your circumstances. Reframe your thoughts and language from victim language to empowering language. Instead of saying “I can’t do anything about it,” say “I choose to take action.”

    Your mind is the window and door to your subconscious. The state of your mind will largely determine the state of your well-being. If you have a negative mind you will most likely be living a life that is not pleasing.

    Changing your mindset requires you to identify your current beliefs and thought patterns and deliberately shift them to more positive and empowering ones. Here are some strategies you can use to change your mindset:

    Identify Limiting Beliefs – Start by becoming aware of the beliefs that hold you back. These can be beliefs about yourself, your abilities, your circumstances, or your future. 

    Write them down and ask yourself if they are true. Challenge these beliefs by finding evidence that contradicts them.

    Reframe Negative Thoughts – When you catch yourself thinking negatively, try to reframe those thoughts in a more positive light. For example, instead of saying “I can’t do it,” say “I can learn how to do it.”

    Watch your thoughts and what you say. Remember they say you are what you think about most of the time. The Bible says “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

    Practice Gratitude – Focus on the positive things in your life and be grateful for them. This can help shift your focus away from negative thoughts and toward more positive ones.

    There are many things that we can be grateful for. It does not matter whether you have been battered by life. There is still something you can be grateful for if not for the fact that you are still alive. 

    Stay Focused on Your Goals – Imagine yourself achieving your goals and visualize the steps you need to take to get there. This can help you stay motivated and focused.

    Focusing on achieving your goals directs all your energy and thoughts to find ways and solutions to be implemented along your success journey. It keeps your mind busy and motivated. 

    Seek Out Positive Influences – Surround yourself with positive influences, whether it’s people, books, or other media. Seek inspiration and encouragement from these sources.

    The more time you spend with positive influences the more like your mind will be. You will begin to speak positively towards yourself. 

    Use Positive Affirmations – Repeat positive affirmations to yourself throughout the day. These can be statements like “I am capable and strong,” or “I am worthy of success” and “I can do all things possible through Christ who gives me strength.”

    Take Responsibility

    Stop blaming others for your problems and take ownership of your life. Recognize that you have the power to make choices that can lead to positive outcomes.

    In other words, take responsibility for your actions. I believe that no one can do something to influence your actions without your consent. 

    Stop doing things to please other people. Just because your friends have invited you to a party does not mean you have to attend. Do what you think is right for you and not for them. 

    By taking responsibility for your life, you can create a sense of control and empowerment that can help you achieve your goals and overcome many challenges in life.

    Remember that taking ownership is a process that takes time and effort, but with practice, you can become more resilient, confident, and successful.

    Here are some ways to help you take responsibility for your life:-

    Accept Your Mistakes – We all make mistakes, and it’s essential to accept them and learn from them. Instead of blaming others or making excuses, take responsibility for your mistakes and work to correct them.

    Be Proactive Instead of being Reactive – Instead of waiting for things to happen to you, take proactive steps to create the life you want. Identify what you want to achieve and take action towards those goals.

    There is a time for everything. When it’s time to work it’s serious business. Focus on the task at hand and ensure you do your best. 

    Make Decisions – Don’t wait for others to make decisions for you. Take the time to weigh your options and make decisions that align with your values and aspirations.

    The choices and decisions you make are what will define your character and help chart the path for your success.

    Manage Your Emotions – Take responsibility for your emotions and how you respond to situations. Practice mindfulness and emotional regulation to stay calm and focused during difficult times.

    Do not make important decisions when your emotions are charged up. But settle down and make decisions with your head. 

    Emotional decisions are usually not the best ones. You will end up regrating after some time. 

    Learn and Grow – Take ownership of your personal and professional growth by seeking out opportunities to learn and improve. This can include taking courses, attending workshops, or seeking out mentors.

    Learn From Your Failures

    Instead of dwelling on failures or setbacks, use them as opportunities to learn and grow. Reflect on what went wrong, and identify what you can do differently next time. 

    Learning from failure is an important part of personal growth and self-development. Here are some ways you can learn from failure:

    Reflect on What Happened – Take the time to reflect on what happened and why the failure occurred. Ask yourself what you could have done differently and what you can learn from the experience.

    Analyze the Situation –  Break down the situation into smaller parts and analyze each part to identify where things went wrong. This can help you understand the cause of the failure and what you can do differently in the future.

    Seek Feedback – Ask others for feedback on what happened and how you can improve. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

    Take Action – Most importantly use what you have learned to make changes and take action towards improving. This can include developing new skills, changing your approach, or seeking out new opportunities.

    Remember that failure is a natural part of the learning process. By learning from your failures, you can gain valuable insights and improve your chances of success in the future.

    Practice Self-care

    Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising, and practising mindfulness.

    Remember that your overall well-being is important to your overall personal development and self-improvement. 

    Conclusion

    Remember that becoming a victor is a process that takes time and effort. It requires a shift in mindset, taking responsibility for your life, learning from failures, surrounding yourself with positivity, and practising self-care.

    With determination and perseverance, you can overcome the victim mindset and become the victor in your life. Free your mind.

  • Why it is Important to Have a Sense of Purpose

    Having a sense of purpose is incredibly important for several reasons. Before we go into the importance of having a sense of purpose, let’s start by understanding what exactly it means to have a sense of purpose.

    A sense of purpose refers to the feeling that one’s life has meaning, direction, and significance. It involves having a clear understanding of what one wants to achieve or contribute to the world and a commitment to working towards those goals. 

    Sense of purpose can be driven by personal values, passions, or a desire to make a positive impact on the world.

    When you have a clear purpose, you know what you want to achieve and can focus your energies and efforts towards those goals.

    You have a much clearer path to follow, than when you do not have a life’s purpose.

    I encourage you to find your purpose early in your life as this gives you a heads start. It makes you align the rest of your long life with what you want to achieve. 

    However, if you are advanced in age it does not matter you can still find your purpose and enjoy the rest of your life doing the things you love.

    Having a sense of purpose can help you stay motivated and committed, even in the face of obstacles and challenges.

    It Gives Meaning, Direction and Fulfilment

    It provides a sense of direction and focus in one’s life and can serve as a source of motivation and fulfilment. Having a sense of purpose can also add meaning to your life.

    When you have a purpose, you feel like you are working towards something that matters to you and to the world. You have a sense of direction for your life.

    This can give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that can improve your overall well-being.

    You will live a more meaningful and fulfilled life when you have a sense of purpose. You will know exactly what you want to achieve with your life and be in more control of it.

    You tend to do things that have a general inclination towards helping you achieve your life’s purpose and objectives.

    Having a sense of purpose often involves goals that are aligned with your values. When you are working towards something that is important to you on a personal level, it can provide a sense of fulfilment that comes from living in alignment with your values and goals.

    Creating a sense of purpose often involves working towards something that has a positive impact on the world or on others. 

    When you feel like you are making a difference, it can provide a sense of fulfilment that comes from contributing to something larger than yourself.

    It Helps You Make Better Decisions

    Having a sense of purpose can help you make better decisions by providing a framework for evaluating different options and choices. When you know what your purpose is, you can ask yourself whether a particular decision or action is in alignment with that purpose. 

    This can help you prioritize your time and resources, and make decisions that are more likely to lead you towards your goals.

    For example, if your purpose is to make a positive impact on the environment, you may be more likely to choose a career in environmental advocacy or to volunteer for an organization that works to protect natural resources. 

    Similarly, if your purpose is to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, you may be more likely to prioritize exercise and healthy eating when making decisions about how to spend your time and resources.

    Having a sense of purpose can also help you make decisions by providing a sense of clarity and focus. With knowledge of your purpose, you can evaluate different options based on how well they align with your goals and values. 

    This can help you make better choices more quickly and confidently, without getting bogged down in indecision or second-guessing.

    It is a Source of Motivation

    When you know what you want, you are naturally motivated to do everything you can to achieve your goals. You will be more motivated even when things are not going the way you want them to.

    Because of your intent on achieving your targets, temporal setbacks will not stand in the way of your success. You will have that extra motivation and energy to pursue your goals.

    You will be motivated because you have meaningful goals to pursue. These goals are often aligned with your values and are important to you on a personal level. 

    This can make them more motivating than goals that are imposed by external sources. That is why your life’s purpose should be your own and not something imposed.

    Working towards a purpose can provide a sense of progress and accomplishment. As you make progress towards your goals, you can see the impact you are making and the progress you are achieving. 

    This can be highly motivating, especially when the goals are challenging or long-term. When you are challenged, you tend to bring out the best in you. 

    A sense of purpose often involves an emotional connection to the goal or cause. When you feel emotionally invested in what you are doing, it can provide a powerful motivation to keep going.

    Something at the back of your mind keeps urging you to keep going and not to give up. Believe me, at the end of it all you will have something to show for your hard work.

    Having a sense of purpose can tap into intrinsic motivation, which is motivation that comes from within. 

    When you are working towards something that is important to you, you may be more motivated to do it because it feels satisfying and fulfilling in itself.

    Conclusion

    Overall, having a sense of purpose can give meaning and fulfilment by providing a sense of direction, connecting you to your values, giving you a sense of accomplishment, and allowing you to make a positive impact on the world. 

    These few factors can contribute immensely to a greater sense of well-being and happiness. What you want in life is to live a happy and fulfilling life.

  • Take More Responsibility as You Grow and Embrace the Challenge

    As a person grows and develops in their personal and professional life, they usually gain new skills, knowledge, and experience. 

    With this growth comes an increased ability to handle greater responsibility and more complex tasks. It is just human nature.

    For example, in the workplace, an employee who has been with a company for a longer period of time may be given more responsibility and leadership roles as they gain experience and expertise. 

    Similarly, in personal relationships, as individuals mature and develop stronger emotional intelligence and communication skills, they may take on greater responsibility for maintaining healthy and productive relationships.

    Taking on more responsibility should not scare you. It should actually challenge you to show maturity and it also offers you an opportunity to grow and enhance your personal development endeavours. 

    It is, therefore, important that as you grow you prepare yourself for the next challenge that may come your way. When you over a challenge you naturally create an opportunity for a new one.

    Do not let opportunities that offer you the chance to grow, pass you by. Be expectant and always on the lookout for the next opportunity.

    Increase Your Skills and Knowledge

    As you grow and develop, you will gain new skills and knowledge that will make you better equipped to handle more responsibility. 

    Yes, some skills are gained naturally but have a deliberate personal policy to keep learning to gain new skills, on a regular basis.

    Increased knowledge is a good recipe for taking on more responsibility. For example, learning how to manage time effectively or how to communicate more clearly can lead to being given greater responsibilities in the workplace.

    In this world of computers and information technology, acquiring knowledge has become much easier than ever before. You do not have to attend formal education to improve your knowledge.

    You can attend seminars, watch relevant videos and read materials that will help you. That does not mean formal education is not important. Actually it is very important that you acquire atleast basic formation education.

    The more knowledgeable you are the more improved your skillset is primed. It is, therefore, important that as a human being, you continue on the trajectory of improving your knowledge.

    Improve Your Decision-Making Abilities

    Improved decision-making abilities, can make individuals more capable of handling complex tasks and situations. This increased capability can result in being given more responsibility.

    There are a number of ways which can help you improve your decision-making abilities. This is a skill that needs to be developed as you poise yourself for taking on more responsibilities. Here are a few strategies that can be implored:-

    Define Your Goals and Priorities – Clarify your goals and priorities so that you know what you’re trying to achieve. Goals are a very important aspect of life and it is very important that you know what you want to achieve with your life.

    Your goals must be set in such a way that they are achievable and measurable. This way it will be easier to keep track of your progress and you will know when you have drifted away from them.

    Goals must also be in tandem with your life’s purpose and objectives. Without having a defined life’s purpose you live an aimless life.

    Gather Information & Evaluate the Pros and Cons – Learn how to seek out information relevant to the decision you need to make. Information is power this can include data collection, expert opinions, or the experiences of others who have faced similar challenges.

    Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option. This will help you identify potential risks and benefits associated with each choice. 

    Whatever the case or situation you are facing right now, decisions have to be made, wrong or right, good or bad the choice is yours. But you need to make decisions.

    Consider Different Options – Explore different options for how to proceed. This can involve brainstorming, mind mapping, or other techniques to generate new ideas and perspectives.

    This may not be the case with all decisions. But implore the above method, especially when making decisions that will have a long-term effect on your life.

    Consider how each option will impact you and others in the long term. This will help you make decisions that are sustainable and aligned with your values.

    Overall, improving your decision-making abilities involves being intentional and thoughtful about how you approach decisions, seeking out relevant information, and reflecting on your experiences to identify areas for improvement.

    Build Trust

    Personal growth and development can also lead to building trust with others, such as colleagues or family members. This trust can result in being given more responsibility because others have confidence in your abilities and judgement.

    Trust is the cornerstone of relationships. People want to be associated with people they can trust or people who trust them.

    If you are in a relationship and there is no trust, believe me, that relationship is bound to fail. It is weak and worse still if it’s an intimate one do something to build trust otherwise it’s a dead relationship.

    Building trust among your peers can easily help you achieve more responsible roles than those who are not trustworthy.

    But trust takes time to build and nurture. What you do today will count towards your character so be extra careful with what you say or do.

    Besides being trustworthy is just the right thing to do. Having the best intentions for other people will earn you lots of kudos, even when you make mistakes people will genuinely support you.

    Demonstrate Leadership Qualities

    Personal growth and development often involve developing qualities such as self-awareness, empathy, and strong communication skills.

    These qualities can be essential for effective leadership, which can lead to being given more responsibility in a leadership role.

    When you demonstrate leadership you open the doors for more leadership responsibilities. Many people who are in leadership positions today do not actually demonstrate leadership they are there for personal gain, especially those in the political world.

    To me, leadership is about people. It is about putting the interest of the people first. In other words, leadership is about service and not personal gain or glory.

    Leadership is not a position. If you want to take responsibility because of a position you are not a leader. You will be respected only whilst you hold the position and that is the truth. 

    We have seen how people who once yielded political power are treated once they leave office. Especially those that abused there power when they were in office.

    Generally, demonstrating leadership qualities involves being intentional and proactive in your actions, and consistently striving to set a positive example for others to follow. 

    Conclusion

    Overall, personal growth and development can lead to increased responsibility because it equips individuals with the skills, knowledge, and qualities needed to take on more complex tasks and leadership roles.

    We must not shy away from taking responsibility but rather rise to the challenge and fill the void. 

  • Learn How to Appreciate One Another

    One of the most detrimental aspects of life today is that we do not appreciate one another that much.

    We seem to concentrate so much on our own achievements. We have become more self-centered than ever before. The Ubuntu way of life has disappeared.

    People do not just set time to appreciate one another’s achievements and accomplishments. They are more focused on themselves.

    There is so much negativity around that we have forgotten the core value of co-existence. This however should not be the case.

    No man is an island. We were created to co-exist. Created to live side by side to complement each other.

    We were created to appreciate and accept each other’s uniqueness. We should, therefore, look out for one another.

    Our uniqueness and diversity are our greatest strengths. It is what has made the world to be what it is today.

    What brings us together is greater than what divides or separates us. All the man-made developments and creations you see around, are a result of our diversity and ingenuity.

    It is a result of our ability to create. This ability to create is endowed in each and every human being.

    Black, white, yellow, or whichever skin colour, you have the ability to create. We are all equal before the creator of the universe because we are all created in his likeness.

    It doesn’t matter which part of the world you come from, you have a place and space to flourish.

    Be Thankful and Gracious

    Being thankful is expressing gratitude to one another. It is recognising and appreciating the other person.

    It does not hurt to just say thank you when you are served or compliment someone when they have done something worthwhile.

    It will not take away any part of your being. You will still remain yourself. In fact, it only helps increase your respectability.

    Being thankful also increases the chance of being served even better. After all, we are all looking for better service aren’t we? It encourages the person serving as this simply shows that they are being appreciated.

    You will agree with me that it is much easier to serve a grateful person than one who does not show gratitude. You would rather deal with a thankful soul than a grumpy one.

    We all come from different backgrounds with different situations. So if we have to live in harmony we need to put our differences aside for the sake of harmony and the betterment of our lives.

    Because if the next person’s life is improved chances are that they will try and help improve someone else’s life as well.

    Creating a habit of being thankful could actually go a long way in uplifting one another. It improves people’s moods.

    You just may never know that you could hold the key to motivating someone and encouraging someone by the words and actions that come out of you.

    Be Available When Needed

    I know that we are all busy getting our lives on track. I also know that sometimes it is very difficult to attend to other people’s needs.

    But life demands that we make ourselves available to other people when the need arises.

    Remember that for you to achieve what you have, someone sacrificed their time for you. Your parents or guardians sacrificed their time and resources so you could be where you are right now.

    Someone was available for you to learn the ropes. Someone had to put whatever they were doing on hold just so that they could be available for you.

    They say one good deed deserves another. If someone showed you kindness, why not take the time to show someone kindness

    Besides, we succeed better when the people around us are successful. If you are in a leadership position, your success as a leader will be measured by how successful the people you lead are.

    When you are climbing the ladder of success be it financial or personal success, it is not for you alone.

    It is meant for you to distribute wealth by way of empowering those around you and those you come into contact with. Remember you are only a medium that God is using to reach many others.

    The world would be a much better place if only we could spare a little of our time to help lift someone up.

    Look if someone was available for you it shows that they cared. It may have been very little time they shared but at least they showed some love. It is your turn to show some love to someone who is in need of it.

    Lend a Helping Hand

    There is always someone out there that needs your help. I don’t think there will ever be a time when no one needs help. We all need help most of the time.

    Being available is not enough if you cannot be helpful. If you make yourself available make sure you are also making a difference in someone’s life.

    Like I always say, helping does not necessarily have to be in monetary terms. There are many ways you can help someone. We all have no excuse not to help.

    My former employers who are very prominent lawyers in our country used to help in cleaning the ablution block at their church.

    Now, who would think a wealthy lawyer with all the money at his disposal, could clean an ablution block?

    If you think you cannot find anyone you can help please join the many charitable organisations in your locality.

    The world is in desperate need of people who can find time to help out. Try and always be the first to offer help. Sometimes, people might not have the courage to ask for help.

    Be More Sociable

    Human beings are usually identified by the social groupings they belong to. Social groupings are an integral part of society. Find one that suits you.

    It is from our social interactions that friendships are built and solidified. Most of our business networks stem from our social networks.

    The more sociable you are the more dependable and reliable you become. What you want for your life is to be relevant and dependable in a group setting.

    Look, what’s the use of having all the success and not being relevant to society? We accumulate wealth so that we can sure.

    One of the reasons why we pursue success, apart from having a decent life, is to be relevant and contribute positively to society and humankind.

    Keep in Touch

    Communication is key in every relationship. One of the ways to show appreciation is by communicating frequently.

    In this world of the COVID-19 pandemic, things can change very quickly. Today you see someone, tomorrow they are gone.

    It has become very cardinal to check on each other frequently. This is an area of my life that needs a lot of improvement.

    With the coming of the new season, I hope to do more than before in this area of my life.

    Pray for Each Other

    Prayer can move mountains. Those of us who are Christians know that our Christian faith is anchored on prayer.

    Believe me prayer yields results. Prayer is very important to a Christian. The Bible encourages us to pray for one another and also to pray as a group.

    Make it a point to include one or two people in your daily prayers. They don’t have to know that you are praying for them. Just go out there and appreciate them before God Almighty.

    Conclusion

    Appreciating one another is key to achieving human harmony and peace amongst ourselves.

    You can help change the narrative by showing appreciation and gratitude for the different divergent voices out there.