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  • Do More Things That Make You Happy

    This is my first article for this year and I thought that I should write an article that will help you stay happy for the rest of the year.

    “A man is successful if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do” ~ Bob Dylan.

    Perhaps this is the best description of success for me. The key factor is enjoying what you are doing. Sometimes the obvious escapes us.

    Have you noticed that whenever you are enjoying what you are doing, you do a better and outstanding job, you have more fun, and feel a certain sense of ease, delight and mastery.

    We become better at something because of the time we spend doing it. In other words the saying practice makes perfect is true.

    Scientists say if you spend only two hours a day doing something that you choose to do that makes you happy, within five years you can become an expert.

    That is why it is very important to have a job that you enjoy. A job that makes you happy. One that you always look forward to every morning. There is no joy in doing a job that does not make you happy. Happiness bring out the best in you.

    The Challenge

    Every day presents a new opportunity to discover something that brings you joy. If you find yourself feeling dissatisfied with your work, take a moment before considering a drastic change.

    Instead, focus on how you can enhance your current situation. Embrace this challenge as a chance to learn, grow, and transform your experience into something fulfilling. Seek out the positives, and let them inspire you!

    Life is too short to live worrying every day. Besides most of us spend a lot of our time at our work places, why not make them a happy place. Your work place must and should be a happy place.

    I have been in employment before that I dreaded going for work every day and I know what am talking about. The best solution is to make the best out of it.

    Remember it is essential that you learn to enjoy life there is much more to enjoyment than to sadness. I know for sure that happiness makes you look younger.

    You and only you alone are in charge of discovering and deciding what you want to do with your life. The more you do what makes you happy the more productive you become.

    There are certain things that have to be done.  To achieve happiness, make a commitment to making the best out of every situation.

    Work with pride do your job as if there is no tomorrow. Challenge yourself to always go the extra mile if you are in employment. This will certainly make you stand out from your fellow co-workers and earn you accolades.

    If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased and that is you.

    Happiness is Infectious

    Marcus Aurelius concluded that “very little is needed to make a happy life.” Indeed happiness is a state of mind.

    Embrace the power of positivity! A happy person radiates a positive mental attitude that can transform their life. Make it your mission to choose happiness every single day. Let this decision empower you to face challenges with a smile and inspire those around you. Remember, happiness is a choice—commit to it, and watch your life flourish!

    I know that you will come across trials and tribulations but the more you practice doing the things that make you happy the more relaxed and the more inner peace you will have.

    Happiness has a tendency of spilling over to the others around you. I have a friend who is always happy. There are very few times I have seen him sad and he is such a huge source of inspiration for me.

    Every time we meet up you feel like you just want to be with this guy more and more. I asked him what his secret to happiness was and he simply said I make a decision every morning to be happy and try to do more of the things that make me happy.

    This to me is one of the best formulas to happiness. Turn your sad moments to into learning moments and reflect on them.

    Many of the times we are sad because you’ve allowed others to do so. There are times in all of our lives when we have to focus on sad and painful situations.

    But in the bigger picture, when life is running more smoothly, we have to remember to get back in the habit of making choices that will provide opportunities for us to do more and more things that make us happy.

    Happiness In Service

    I believe that some of the happiest people are those in the service industry. If you are in this industry and are not happy please quit.

    I know that some of the people join the service industry for the sake of a pay cheque. These are the ones that should leave the industry and allow people with a natural inclination for serving humanity to do it with dignity and honor.

    I have experienced some of the worst treatment by some medical personal yet this is a noble profession with a calling to serving lives. Now, I know that there are some very very good medical practitioners that are dedicated to the cause.

    In reality it feels very nice and pleasant and you feel useful after giving a helping hand.

    I have noticed that, even with my little kids they enjoy giving a hand in whatever I am doing. When they take this opportunity they are very joyful and happy.

    I want to believe that we all have a part to play in making the world a better place and it all starts with you and I being a happy people.

    Service is honourable. When we continue to do more things that make us happy, we will become happier.

    The gift of well-being is the greatest reward of embracing a fulfilling life. Each of us holds the power to express our love for the world in our own extraordinary way.

    “I have never looked upon ease and happiness as ends in themselves…The ideals that have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth” ~ Albert Einstein.

    Conclusion

    “Laughter is the best medicine” ~ Unknown. Every day of your life make a decision to be happy. Wake up and declare happiness to be a part of your day.

    Yes, you shall encounter sad moments but treat them as stepping stones. Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a happy world where everyone is playing there part and are happily doing it?

    I believe it can be done if we all played our part honestly and happily.

  • The Value of Self-Discipline in Our Lives

    What is self-discipline? Self-discipline is “the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.”

    Behind every great achievement in anyone’s life lies self-discipline. We see this in every human endeavour. Be it in the field of sports, business, academics, and any other human venture.

    In the field of sports, for example, we see that many great sportsmen and women spend an awful lot of time practising.

    They adhere to strict programs that many ordinary people easily give up. They make a lot of sacrifices that many of us are not willing to make.

    These sportsmen and women are so disciplined that even when the body is not willing they go for practice anyway.

    This is also true for people in the business world and the music industry. We only see what they have achieved but when we go behind the scenes only then, do we get to appreciate how disciplined and the many sacrifices they have made to achieve their success.

    Whatever, your definition for success is, perhaps the single most important principle is self-discipline without which you cannot achieve your success.

    You can have all the best plans and might even be the most talented in your field of expertise, but without the discipline to do what you have to do when you have to do it, you will not be successful.

    The single most reason why we fail is a lack of self-discipline. If you look carefully at the periods of failure in your life, you will see that on almost every occasion when you failed it was due to a lack of self-discipline.

    Hence, both in the areas of success through self-discipline and the lack of success through lack of self-discipline.

    We lack the self-discipline to work up early in the morning to exercise or prepare ourselves for the day. Most of us want to do things when we feel like, and not when it has to be done.

    We fail because we postpone doing the things that have to be done now, to a later time. We want to do the easier things and not the difficult things that matter the most.

    It Brings Out the Best in You

    Self-discipline allows you to be the best version of yourself. It brings sanity into your life. You are more focused on achieving your goals.

    Self-discipline is like a muscle, the more you practice, the better and stronger you become. Lack of self-discipline can also cause low self-esteem.

    You will agree with me that those who, are considered more disciplined are better individuals than those who are not. They live a much more focused life than individuals who are not. In other words, they are go-getters.

    When you know what you want to do with your life, and are armed with self-discipline, nothing can stop you from achieving your goals, you will fly high like an eagle.

    You will be more focused on doing the right things that will give you long-lasting results. You will concentrate on getting things done correctly and not cutting corners because you know that lasting success cannot be achieved with shortcuts. Those who achieve success cutting corners enjoy short-lived success.

    Have you ever wondered why many people who win the lottery go broke after a few months or years? Winning a lottery is cutting corners to financial freedom.

    Most of the time they have no idea what to do with the winnings, hence they just spend it on lavish materials. Before they realise it the money is all gone and they are back to square one. As the saying goes easy comes easy goes.

    Self Discipline Helps Create Habits

    “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” – Frank Outlaw.

    “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act but a habit.” – ARISTOTLE.

    Your character is a summation of your habits. If you are of good character it simply means you have good habits, consequently, if your character is bad then you have bad habits.

    Our character is basically judged by the habits that we form. We must then be conscious of our thoughts and control our actions.

    Continuous practice or application of self-discipline helps to build habits that translate into character.

    Usually, those who are considered to be of good character are synonymous with self-discipline.

    Successful people are disciplined to work hard and stay consistent, and hard work becomes a habit that attracts success in their lives.

    It Boosts Your Self Esteem

    Success comes to those who believe in themselves. Those who are willing to pay the full price for success and it takes self-discipline to achieve.

    Self-discipline helps to boost your self-esteem and work habits.  When you feel good about yourself because you are achieving or meeting your goals your self-esteem goes up. The more you feel good about yourself the more productive you are.

    Through self-discipline, you nurture your path and navigate through life with much ease, and in this way, your self-esteem is increased.

    Having higher self-esteem can go a long way in helping to achieve your goals. I find it very important that I keep a higher self-esteem by celebrating the small goals I achieve on a daily basis. This motivates me to even work harder for greater accomplishments.

    Having positive self-esteem helps to get your priorities and needs in balance. It also just feels good to have positive self-esteem. It means you appreciate your being.

    If you feel that you have low self-esteem find ways of improving it.

    It Enhances Your Personality

    Self-discipline enhances your personality. When you are disciplined you do things in a systematic and orderly manner. You plan your tasks and align them with your overall objectives. This means that you will be more productive with your time and effectively achieve a lot.

    Conclusion

    The value of self-discipline cannot be over-emphasised. Discipline is the key to your success. Without discipline, it is very difficult to achieve your ultimate goals.

  • There is Satisfaction in Doing the Right Thing

    “Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.” ~ Aristotle.

    “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion.” ~ Abraham Lincoln.

    There is a natural rebound of contentment and a profound sense of accomplishment when you consistently choose to do the right thing in each and every situation you encounter.

    You have the power to make the right choices. It might not always be the easiest path, but when we confront reality and take the right action, we build our character.

    Take whatever pains necessary to do what ought to be done because this is the way to living a good, decent and honorable life. With free will, each and every one of us must be responsible for our clear conscience.

    When you accept the challenge to do the morally correct thing, to show compassion, and to stay the course, oftentimes you are rewarded just by having done the right thing.

    Every day we have a fresh opportunity to make good choices that will reward us in the act of doing what is appropriate. You many not be rewarded immediately but be rest assured that you will be.

    Always aim to make good choices in both big and small aspects of your life. Keep in mind that you are shaping your character every day, and your choices play a significant role in that.

    When you consistently strive to do good, you create a life filled with purpose and fulfillment. Embrace this journey, for it leads to a truly satisfying existence. I believe that in this pursuit, you can find genuine happiness and joy.

    I am not writing to condemn anyone but to encourage you to make a choice of doing the right thing even when it does not suit your current situation.

    This does not mean that I am perfect but I try as much as possible to make the right choices. I have realized that every time I think that I have made the correct choice there is a great sense of satisfaction and general happiness.

    Maybe you are like me who was always in the habit of making wrong decisions and choices, some of them deliberate just to suit me or get me out in a difficult situation.

    Well, there is always a beginning to turn things around. You see, the choices and decisions we make have a direct bearing on your character.

    “We are weaving character every day, and the way to weave the best character is to be kind and to be useful. Think right, act right; it is what we think and do that makes us what we are.” ~ Elbert Hubbard.

    Every one of us holds immense value, and the rewards life offers are indeed something we must strive for. Embracing the journey towards these rewards fosters a profound sense of integrity within us. Let’s harness that drive and pursue our goals with determination!

    You feel humbled, blessed, and glad when you choose right and did such a good job. We feel stronger, more self-reliant, and more dignified when we bravely face what we must do.

    We should take great satisfaction in doing the right things for our family and friends. But the most important thing to keep in mind is to be sure we make wise and wonderful choices for ourselves.

    Life is meant to be enjoyed and sometimes this comes with a little sacrifice. As the saying goes there is no gain without sweat. No gain without pain.

    Your choices and decisions must not only suit your family and friends but must be the correct ones. They must be decisions that have been made in good faith and based on love.

    Together, you and I can help change the world for the better by the choices we make and the decisions we make and follow. Change starts with your mind and is transformed into reality.

    Conclusion

    Be the change you want the world to see and strive to make the right choices and decisions for your life. Making the right and correct decisions can be a source of happiness and refreshing to your mind and soul.

    We should choose to never bend the truth. The choices we make through rigorous discipline expand us, elevate us, and confirm all the good that is our essence.

    “I will follow the right even to the fire but avoiding the fire if possible” ~ Montaigne.  

    When you follow the right to the end, you’ll always feel satisfied and you’ll be in good company.

  • How to Maintain Self-Discipline

    Self-discipline is the ability to control one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to achieve specific goals or to maintain a particular standard of behaviour. 

    It involves making choices and taking actions that support one’s goals, even when it may be easier or more tempting to do something else.

    Self-discipline is often associated with willpower, but it’s more than just the ability to resist temptation. It also involves taking consistent action towards your goals, even when you don’t feel motivated or inspired.

    The benefits of being Self-disciplined are immeasurable and can help you develop good habits, overcome procrastination, and improve your productivity.

    It can also help you stay focused on your goals and make progress towards achieving them, even when faced with challenges or obstacles.

    I believe that self-discipline is key to all aspects of our lives. Without it, there can be no meaningful success in personal development. Overall, self-discipline is an essential skill for achieving long-term success and personal growth.

    However, just as with every good thing, developing and maintaining self-discipline can be a very challenging task. There is never a time when one can safely say that they have mastered self-discipline.

    We keep trying and pushing ourselves every single day for the betterment of our lives, here are some tips that may help:

    Set Clear Goals

    Goals are what differentiate successful people from those that are struggling to make it. Without goals, one just wonders through life. With goals, you shoot through life like an arrow.

    Identify what you want to achieve and why. Write down your goals and create a plan of action to achieve them. Having a clear direction can help you stay focused and motivated.

    Make sure you set goals that are clear, measurable and achievable. There is no point in setting targets that you will not achieve. It is a waste of time and resources.

    Your targets should be in line with your life’s purpose and objectives. They should not depart from your strengths otherwise you may find it difficult to pursue them especially when things become challenging.

    Create a Routine

    Establish daily, weekly and monthly routines that include time for work, exercise, relaxation, and other activities that are important to you. Stick to your routine as much as possible to develop habits that support your goals.

    Having a routine in place will save you lots of time and help improve your daily habits. I know that sometimes routines can be monotonous. Make them interesting to keep you motivated.

    Draw a list of things that you want to accomplish on a daily basis if possible dedicate time to each so that you know exactly at what time you will be doing something.

    At first, of course, you will struggle with your routines, but with time and persistence, you will be able to undertake them with relative ease. Believe me, sometimes it may feel like they are an inconvenience but do them anyway.

    Eliminate Distractions

    Life has many distractions, identify and eliminate the things that distract you from your goals. For example, if social media is a distraction and it can be a big one for sure, limit your time on it or delete the app from your phone.

    Or if indeed the phone is your distraction limit the time you have access to it. Switch it off or put it on silent, only attend to it at specific times.

    There is a rule that if you miss a call the person will call again or they will send you a message if it’s important. Believe me, the amount of time people spend on phones, especially on social media is way too much.

    Practice Good Self-care

    Self-care involves taking deliberate actions to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Self-care is basically your overall health.

    Take care of your physical and emotional health. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and practice stress management techniques such as meditation or deep breathing.

    The following may help with practising good self-care:-

    Physical Well-being – Take care of your body by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and engaging in regular exercise.

    Emotional Needs – Pay attention to your emotions and take steps to manage stress, anxiety, or other difficult emotions. This might include practising mindfulness, journaling, or seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional.

    Social Connections – Connect with others and build supportive relationships. This might involve spending time with friends or family, joining a community group or club, or volunteering.

    Mental Activities – Engage in activities that stimulate your mind and promote personal growth, such as reading, learning a new skill, or pursuing a hobby.

    The world today is full of educational materials that you can find online. Today there should be no excuse for lacking knowledge. 

    Spirituality – Take time to reflect on your values, beliefs, and sense of purpose. This might include practising meditation, attending religious or spiritual services, or spending time in nature.

    Self-care is individual, so what works for me may not necessarily work for you. It is, therefore, important to experiment with different activities and find what works best for you. 

    You must practice self-care, regularly rather than something done only occasionally or in response to a crisis. Remember your health is your wealth. 

    Hold Yourself Accountable

    You need to be accountable for your actions. Set up a system of accountability that works for you. Find ways that will help you to keep tracking your progress, such as sharing your goals with a trusted friend, or working with a coach or mentor.

    This way you will know that at any given time you will have to be answerable to someone. Always give an honest opinion about your progress when doing a review.

    There is a tendency to be economical with the truth when we are doing a personal review. Be as truthful as you can with your self assessment.

    Celebrate Your Successes

    Recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This will help you stay motivated and build momentum towards your goals.

    It’s the small things that make up the big things. You will not just jump from nowhere to succeed. If it was that simple every one of us would be successful.

    If you succeed in a small way then you can succeed in a double way. You keep building on your previous success to achieve your goals. 

    Conclusion

    Remember that self-discipline is a skill that can be developed over time. Start small and be patient with yourself as you work towards your goals. Develop a never give up mentality if you have to achieve your goals.

  • How to Recognise Opportunities for Growth When they Come Through

    Most people are always crying that there are no opportunities for self-improvement. Real opportunities that will help us excel or express ourselves in a specific endeavour. 

    We are always complaining about the lack of opportunities to do something, that will help advance our cause. Something that we can use to express our desires.

    The reality is that there is no lack of opportunities. There are opportunities all over the place. There are opportunities begging to be unlocked.

    One of the biggest problems we have is that we are not ready to take them on when they present themselves and sometimes we are not able to see them. 

    Simply because we are busy looking in the wrong places and most of the time opportunities come laced with challenges. 

    In fact, I have found that the best opportunities are those that present themselves with challenges.

    That is why it is important to look for the positives in every situation. God created us to be problem solvers. The challenges of life are there to be resolved.

    When the world is faced with a challenge it is an opportunity for you and me to provide solutions. No matter how small you think your contribution is, it matters. 

    Stop Complaining and Be the Solution

    Complaining will not provide any solution. It will probably make it worse. Complaining will close the open opportunities. When you complain you are sending negative vibrations. You are simply attracting negative results.

    Sometimes we want things to be perfect before we launch. But life does not work like that. There is no such thing as a “perfect opportunity.” Every opportunity that comes your way brings forth another one. Therefore, the only way to access the next opportunity is to make sure you work on the current one. 

    You take the opportunity to make out what it has to give to you. If you do not work it out it will pass on to the next person. Meanwhile, you will have remained and not progressed with your life. 

    You may be waiting for something to present itself right, yet you are doing nothing about it yourself. If you want things to happen you need to make them happen, be prepared for them.

    Opportunities are presented to those who are ready. If you are not ready you will miss it. Or it will pass you by. The worst is seeing an opportunity pass you by because you are not prepared for it. 

    Make a habit of preparing yourself for even the slightest of opportunities that come your way. Do not resent what looks like a small window, it could just be what you need to get you started.

    Don’t just stare and wait for the so-called right time. Start with what you have and more opportunities will come your way. Appreciate the small things you are doing and make sure you do them right.

    To every challenge that is presented, there is a begging opportunity to provide solutions. If only you can look deep into the challenge you will find the opportunity waiting to be explored.

    Open Your Eyes

    Like I said before, most of the time opportunities come with challenges. It is important to have an open mind.

    When faced with challenges just know that you have an opportunity to provide a solution. Personal growth is measured by the obstacles that you overcome. The more you overcome the more growth you experience. 

    Don’t miss out on such opportunities as the more you provide solutions the more opportunities come your way.

    Stop being in the habit of always looking for the negatives in every situation but rather look for the solutions you can provide. Believe me, you have more to give than you can imagine.

    Having an open mind allows you to think beyond the problem at hand. Look at the current COVID situation. In as much as it is a challenge for humanity. Other people have excelled and made a fortune out of it.

    Where we are seeing a problem, the pharmaceutical companies have made a fortune by the manufacturing and provision of drugs to help fight the pandemic. 

    Thinking beyond the current problem does not necessarily mean ignoring it but rather helps to focus on finding a solution. 

    Don’t get distracted by the problem at hand but rather accept it and find a way out. God always makes a way where there seems to be no way. Look at challenge as a get way to provide solutions.

    Embrace Change

    Sometimes change comes at a huge cost. But when you have to change, just change otherwise you will never move forward.

    Change is what makes us move from one point to another.  The lack of change is stagnation and it makes you stay in the same place. 

    It is important to make changes that will have a positive impact on your life. You owe yourself a better life. Believe me, no one owes you a living, yes you heard me right no one owes you a living.

    I know that change can be a little bit uncomfortable sometimes. However, positive change can have a lot of benefits. Without change, there can never be meaningful personal development. 

    Do not fear to make the changes that will help propel you in the right direction. Life has taught me that it is never too late to make the right adjustments in life.

    Embracing change can see you move a step forward and it also gives you an opportunity to learn new things. Remember that we live in an ever-changing world.

    If you look at where you are right now you will agree with me that you had to make some changes in your life and that is why you are here. 

    The question of whether the changes you made were positive or not is for another day. That remains your challenge. The fact is change took place. 

    To remain relevant you need to move with the time. You cannot keep doing the same things and expect to produce different results.

    Whatever worked 5, or 10 years ago may not be as efficient as it was back then. So if you keep obsolete equipment or ideas you may just be left behind.

    Conclusion

    In life, you can only make it if you are able to recognise the presence of opportunities for growth and take full advantage of them. Every problem that you face gives you a chance to express yourself.

  • How to Face the Giants in Your Life and Remain Focused

    Life, as it is, presents us with many challenges. These are the giants that have to be overcome every day.

    From the time of your birth to the time of your death you are always overcoming challenges. You are continuously facing the giants of life.

    These giants come in many forms and at different stages of life. Some small and yet some present themselves as big ones.

    The ability to handle and overcome challenges is the difference between success and failure. It is what differentiates and transforms people’s lives.

    People who are more successful have learned how to face and overcome their giants more effectively than those who are less successful.

    You cannot achieve success without facing and overcoming the giants that lie ahead, that’s just the way life is.

    The road to success is not an easy one. It is full of challenges that need to be overcome. However, do not be afraid of challenges, they are the things that help bring out the best in you.

    Even when you are successful you will still be facing giants. You will still be required to overcome them. It does mean that those who are successful are excluded from facing their giants.

    Make no mistake thinking that when you are successful you will rest, no no. It’s actually even harder to stay successful. No one is excluded from being faced with challenges.

    Have the Courage to Do

    “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – the Bible.

    Challenges are there to be overcome. Having courage is not the absence of fear. Successful people are not cowards. They have developed the courage to face their giants head-on.

    Our paths are marred with a lot of thorny issues that are holding us back from our destinies.

    There is no easy way or path to accomplishing your destiny. If you want to achieve more you need a serious dose of courage.

    Hiding or postponing to face and confront a thorny issue only delays and prolongs the pain. It is better to gather the courage to face the issue head-on and move forward than to delay it.

    The more you delay the more pain you experience and the worse the situation becomes. The worse the situation the more difficult it becomes to resolve.

    Courage is what fuels and pushes you. It is what makes you take action. Without courage, there is very little or no action.

    Without action, there can never be any meaningful progress to be registered. Without action, you are stagnated. Life does not move without taking meaningful action.

    Develop the courage and willpower to take action on your plans. Remember the bible commands us to be strong and courageous.

    Be Open-Minded

    To navigate through life you need to have an open mind. An open mind allows you to look at challenges differently.

    It allows you to be critical and not just look at the current situation but also look at the future.

    An open mind allows you to look through the current challenge. Some people see opportunities in the challenges they face and some will dwell on the problem.

    The truth of the matter is that with every problem that comes there is an opportunity to be explored if not many.

    Some opportunities are disguised with challenges. The problem is that some of us are more focused on the problem at hand and don’t look beyond.

    If you take time to analyse and look beyond your current challenges you will clearly see the opportunities with it.

    Look currently, we are still faced with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is obviously a challenge to all but some people have seen an opportunity to make money.

    In the midst of losing people for various reasons, others are benefiting from the open opportunities being presented.

    Don’t take me wrong, just like everyone else, I am equally affected by the pandemic and I sympathise especially with those that have lost loved ones.

    But the truth of the matter is that the pandemic itself has brought or opened up opportunities that would not have been there before.

    Who would have thought that a face mask would be an essential commodity?

    Am very sure that the people who sell face masks have seen a sharp increase in revenues than say, people who sell lipsticks.

    I want to believe that the whole pharmaceutical industry has really seen an unprecedented increase in medical supplies than before.

    Improve Your Skills

    Having a good set of skills will definitely give you an added advantage to easily overcome the adversities that lie ahead.

    It is, therefore, important that one keeps improving their skills to meet the ever-changing environment.

    The world we live in today requires that we are constantly keeping up to date with what is going on. There is so much information that needs to be gathered and processed.

    If you do not take responsibility to improve yourself chances are that you will remain stagnant and you will find it difficult to face and navigate through life.

    Search yourself, and take stock of your skills. Where do you need to make improvements? What do you need to change?

    If you are in business you need to expand your knowledge and management skills to advance to the next level.

    The level of your skills could be the key to advancing you to the next level. Whatever area of your life that you think is lagging behind, makes room for improvement.

    Take action, don’t just live your life on autopilot. Always be in control of your life. If you are not in control of your life I can guarantee you that someone else is in control of it.

    Don’t allow people to be in charge of your life. What you want is to be the one driving your life. Be the one to drive and make decisions for yourself.

    Take control of the things that are within your grasp and leave the rest to God Almighty.

    Appreciate What You Have

    Being thankful is showing humility and it is what makes us human. Before you look elsewhere, look within yourself and appreciate what you have.

    If you want to know what you have, take a piece of paper and list them down. Include all the things you think are less important, you will be amazed.

    Most of the time we are quick to seek outside help without making an effort to search within. Appreciating what you have gives you a better understanding of what you need to improve on.

    Besides, it is always good practice to just appreciate what you can see and control before venturing out.

    Develop the habit of being appreciative. It will help motivate you to face your giants. Above all have faith in what you are doing.

    When all things have failed faith is what keeps you going. The level of faith you have will determine the level of your success.

    Conclusion

    Life will always present us with giants. How we navigate through these is what determines how successful we become.

    The more giants you overcome the more successful you are. Do not let other people’s opinions deter you from achieving your destiny.

  • Your Attitude and Self Application Determines Your Success

    We all want to be successful. Don’t we? If you are an ambitious person, am confident that you are determined to achieve your success; that you are working round the clock to achieving your success.

    But being successful is not an easy fit. Because if it was, everyone one of us would have achieved our success.

    The world would have been a totally different place than it is today. It would have been teeming with successful people. I can only imagine what it would have been like.

    There are so many theories and formulas on how to become successful. Well,  I have not found an answer that is a one-size-fits-all.

    However, reading and researching on the subject has helped me realise that there is no short cut and substitute for hard work and self-application.

    Yes, you may have the desire; and that is very important; you may have the best tools at your disposal, but without the correct mental attitude and without taking action.

    Believe me, you will not achieve your success. Why? Because you will not have taken action. It is taking action that is very important.

    To achieve your success, you need to have the right mental attitude; you need to apply yourself because along the way you will be met with temporal setbacks.

    Things will not always go according to your expectations or plans. You will fall down and your attitude towards these temporal failures will largely determine how well you will achieve your success.

    Your tenacity and willingness to learn from your mistakes; to know when to make adjustments; to take corrective measures where necessary will surely give you an advantage as you pursue your success. You will learn that to achieve success you will need to be a good leader of yourself. One who knows when to make drastic changes.

    If you don’t apply your self you are certainly headed for failure. Sometimes, when we are faced with challenges, we always look for the easy way out.

    There are times I have felt like am dreaming and hope that when I wake up, boom the problems would have disappeared.

    But guess what, if you do not attend to the challenges you encounter they are surely doing more damage and will surface back to haunt you.

    I know for sure, that some challenges we face can be difficult to handle, but that does not mean you should turn a blind eye to them. Wake up from your slumber and face them head-on.

    Keep Your Faith and Hopes Alive

    The bible says “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When feeling frustrated because of your inability to achieve your goals, there is no need to lose faith and hope. Never lose your faith and hope when faced with frustrations.

    Frustrations are a part of life. They are part of the learning process. It is very important to continue persisting and keep your faith and hopes alive. Focus on the bigger picture.

    Develop a mental attitude that will motivate you to achieve your goals.

    The frustrations and challenges we go through are merely a way of building us up.

    They help prepare us to handle even bigger responsibilities. You should know that being successful comes with responsibilities.

    The more successful you are, the more responsibilities you carry on your shoulders.

    Keep in mind the joy, feeling and benefits that accrue with accomplishing your success.

    I know that it is not easy to keep focused when things are not going your way. But this is the time when we should exercise our faith and hope in God Almighty.

    The Bible encourages us to put our plans in God’s hands. Believe me, he is faithful to those who are faithful to him.

    One of the biggest mistakes people make is having faith without works. Yes, it is good to have faith, but the bible says that “faith without works is dead.” Faith alone cannot save you.

    You need to take action on your faith to produce results. To achieve your success you need to take action on your faith.

    How then do you develop this faith? Well, the bible says “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” The preceding statement is very loud and clear. You cannot develop faith without hearing about it.

    Now, with so many tools at our disposal, we have no excuse to not have heard about the word of God.

    The Bible is a source of inspiration for me. I encourage you to develop a habit of spending time reading and practicing the word of God.

    Do Not be Afraid of Your Failures

    “Failure is blindness to the strategic element in events; success is readiness for instant action when the opportune moment arrives” so says Newell D. Hillis. “Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go” – William Feather.

    If you want to be successful you should not be afraid of failing. Failure is synonymous with success.

    Those who have succeeded have failed before. The more you fail the greater the chance of success. Well, you may not agree with all these statements.

    But the truth of the matter is you will never succeed without failure. So you might as well get used to the fact that being afraid will only prolong or indeed deter you from your success. Get over with being afraid of the unknown.

    It is time for you to put your plans to action; to begin to realise those dreams. The more you act on your plans the more fearless you become.

    Sometimes I feel fear is just a state of mind or rather laziness. Yes, laziness. I believe that it is better to die trying than not to try at all. “I failed my way to success” – Thomas Edison.

    Conclusion

    How far you go in life is largely determined by how far you are willing to go. In other words, you determine the level of your success by the actions you take.

    I found this article on how to increase your success chances very helpful check it out. Unit next time remember that “your action and self-application determines your success.”

  • 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.

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