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Motivational

  • Addressing the 3 Motivational Killers

    Even though motivation is a key factor when it comes to issues of personal development and self-growth it is not always easy to stay motivated.

    Most successful people, be it, sportsmen/women, movie stars, politicians, businessmen, etc. will tell you that without being motivated by something, they would not have attained greatness.

    “To succeed you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you” ~ Tony Dosset.

    There has to be a motivating factor for you to continuously pursue your life’s purpose. Motivation is one of the single most factor that distinguishes success from failure.

    But we all at some point in our life’s journey get demotivated for various reasons. There is nothing wrong with it, we are human and it’s in our nature.

    The difference is how we handle life’s challenges. How we rise up and get over it. You are not made or unmade by the things that happen to you but by the things that you do.

    Several factors can lower your motivation. Recognising these factors might be the best way to improve your motivation.

    Lack of Self-confidence

    The first one is a lack of self-confidence altogether. Why would you continue to do something if you don’t believe that you can do it?

    If you are a cyclist and have entered into a competition would you go ahead to participate in it if you think you cannot win it?

    For all, I know those who are successful participate in competitions with the aim to win and not to lose. Let’s take two soccer teams for example competing in the world cup final.

    I believe that the team that carries the day is the one with the right mentality and confidence and show that they really want it.

    When you lack self-confidence it is almost impossible to succeed. Confidence enhances your motivation.

    It is true that when you have high levels of confidence so are your motivational levels and the opposite is equally true. A low or no self-confidence generates low or no motivation.

    The greatest enemy to developing a positive high confidence is fear; it can also generate low self-confidence. It is therefore very important that you try as much as possible to avoid lacking self-confidence.

    “Have your heart in your life’s work, and be stout-hearted. Do something, act always, and do it now. Don’t be afraid. Many a man has been defeated by his doubts—lack of confidence. Take your risks —you cannot eliminate them, you cannot escape them. You can diminish them by dominating them” ~ Batten’s Wedge.

    Lack of Focus

    Do you know what it is that you want to achieve, if not, why should you take action; why should you be motivated?

    “Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives” ~ Tony Robbins.

    You cannot start a journey without a final destination in mind unless you are a tourist even tourist have an itinerary. You cannot start something without knowing exactly what you want to achieve.

    Otherwise, you will find yourself with a lot of goals that are difficult to achieve. You need to concentrate on a narrow path that is manageable to achieve.

    You need to focus on what you want to achieve in your life. Having a clearly written down life’s purpose is the beginning point for focusing.

    When I started my path on self-development I listed down quite a number of goals and began to narrow them down as time passed by.

    You will notice that at the very beginning when we set out, we have a number of goals to be achieved but, as time goes by and as the picture becomes clearer you will be forced to adjust your goals.

    The important thing, however, is to get started with at least a good understanding of what you what to achieve. It will definitely be very blurred and unclear.

    The time and thoughts wasted in aimless effort would accomplish wonders if properly directed with some special object in view.

    The Lack of a Sense of Direction

    Insight enables us to plan to advance and turn our thoughts and attention in the right direction, instead of into channels that can yield no possible return.

    You cannot have a sense of direction without understanding what you want to achieve.

    However, if you know what you want and believe that you can achieve it but have no clue how to get started, you can be very demotivated.

    Have you ever felt that whatever you are doing has no sense of direction? What was your reaction to it? Exactly, you quit and refocused.

    Though when starting out, sometimes you may find yourself in a situation where you feel you have no direction, being in there may help you create direction.

    Whatever you do in life you must always make sure that you have a sense of direction. It may not be clear to people around you but for as long as you feel it is for you, continue on the same path.

    We have outlined the 3 main motivation killers above. It is now time that we move on and focus our attention on how to address them.

    We will now proceed in the same manner as before until we reach the conclusion.

    Addressing The Lack of Self-Confidence

    “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence” ~ Helen Keller.

    Thoughts of courage, power, confidence, and hope all produce a corresponding state, but the one enemy which must be absolutely destroyed before there is any possibility of letting any light shine is fear.

    Fear is an enemy of success. Remember that fear is a very strong emotion and has the ability to derail anyone who harbours it.

    Here are some suggestions that can help address a lack of self-confidence;-

    • Focusing on what you already have achieved than what you do not have. Appreciate what you have. After all, they say “a bird in hand is better than one in the bush.”
    • Create your own positive mantra that will assist you to boost yourself up.
    • Speak positive things to yourself every day. If no one compliments you on your work why not do it yourself. Tell yourself how well you have done. Find ways of rewarding yourself for your work.
    • Also learn to accept compliments when they come along and enjoy the feedback. Compliments are good but they should not get to your head. Sometimes we have a tendency of overreacting to compliments from other people.
    • Keep reminding yourself of the good things that you have achieved and have gained. We all have done good, at some point. This will surely lift your spirits. I believe that even the worst condemned person on earth has some goodness in them. Remember that we are all created in God’s image and God is love.

    “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt.

    Personal development demands that you have confidence in whatever, you are doing for your own success.

    Addressing The Lack of Focus

    One of the best ways to defeat a lack of focus is to set goals for yourself that are reasonable and achievable.

    The very act of goal setting puts a structure around your random thoughts and keeps you focused on them, that’s why it is important to have your goals written down.

    Read them on a daily basis and make sure you can recite them. Goal setting is one of the key areas of personal
    development and self-growth.

    Instead of worrying about the future and what it will bring forth, set down and gain each day that fortune grants. Focus on how you can help change the situation.

    I recently listened to Brian Tracy’s DVD entitled “the miracle of self-discipline” Where he teaches about daily goal setting.

    This DVD is life-changing. Remember that the consciousness that focuses in your brain cells is the same consciousness that focuses in the brain cells of every other individual.

    You need to develop a sense of focus and fine-tune it. It may not be easy for some to develop it in the beginning but with practice, you will improve on it.

    “One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular” ~ Tony Robbins.

    Address The Lack of Sense of Direction

    “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined” ~ Henry David Thoreau.

    Addressing this one is tricky especially if you are just starting on your road to success.

    As the Chinese proverb goes “a journey of 3000 miles begins with one step.” It does not say whether it’s a step in the right or wrong direction the most important thing is to take the first step.

    Daunting as it may seem the direction will become clearer as you break down your goals into smaller manageable ones.

    Remember you cannot skip from 1 to 3000 miles. You need to plan on how to reach the next mile and make adjustments as you get to know the terrain better.

    This way you will have a sense of direction and appreciate your journey.

    As they say, Rome was not built in one day. When you have built the right sense of direction you tend to be motivated and feel comfortable with what you are trying to achieve.

    One of the best ways to creating a good sense of direction is writing down what you want to achieve and breaking it down into small achievable goals.

    You may also consider goal setting Technics, click here to learn more on this topic.

    Conclusion

    Motivation plays a key role in personal development and success. We must try by all means to overcome the 3 motivational killers mentioned in this article as they can derail our progress. Remember you can do all things possible in Christ Jesus who strengthens you.

  • How to Live from the Inside Out

    “Things may happen to you, but the only things that matter are the things that happen in you” ~ Eric Butterworth.

    I am not made or unmade by the things that happen to me but by the things that I do, this means that I have learned to live from the inside out.

    The bible says we shall know them by their fruits, very true indeed. What we manifest outside is a result of the fullness of the inside.

    Have you ever wondered how many people care about what other people think of them as compared to the number of people who care for them; what they look like; what school they went to; how society has accepted them and where they work?

    Most of us have actually forgotten or do not even know that we are what we are as a result of what has been planted inside of us. Our own life is like a fruit.

    Do you expect that when you plant say a mango seed you will get an apple tree? Of course not, you can only get the exact type of fruit tree you planted.

    They say all growth comes from within. Human beings, just like plants, grow from the inside out. Our personal growth begins with a seed that is planted and nurtured within us.

    All things being equal, we would all grow and reach the same heights. However, this is not to be so. Even, though all other parameters remain unchanged.

    I have below a few things that you may consider to help you live from the inside out.

    What Do You Feed Your Mind On?

    Before we go and discuss what we feed our minds on, you must know and realize that you have a world within. This world within although, invisible its forces are mighty.

    This inside world of thought and feeling and power; of light and life and beauty is waiting to be discovered and unleashed.

    You are made or unmade by the things you do and not the things that happen to you. In order to better understand and know how to live from the inside out, you need to know that every thought is a cause and every condition is an effect; for this reason, you need to control your thoughts so as to bring forth desirable conditions.

    Yes, there will be challenges along the way, but what world would it be without challenges? The world within is the cause, the world without the effect; to change the effect ,you must change the cause. Change your world within and you will change your world without.

    This brings us to a very important daily act and this is the act of reading and feeding your mind with the right stuff. If you are like me and want to succeed in the area of personal development and self-growth.

    You need to feed your mind with the right material. The mind can only be feed through reading, listening, and watching the right material.

    To help you get started with feeding your mind start reading, say 1 book per month. Just ensure that you have drawn up a reading program and stick to it.

    Studies have shown that nonfictional books are rarely read beyond the first chapter. Please improve on this statistic.

    There are plenty of materials to be read out there. Just look for what suits you and what will help you grow in the area of your interest.

    My personal target is to read 1 book per month on top of reading my daily bible verses and magazines of interest, so far so good. I have also greatly reduced my reading of current affairs as most of it is usually on the negative side.

    I know that this is one of the best ways to keep my mind focused and fed on the right material. The best time for me to read is at night and early in the morning.

    You may also consider reducing the time you spend watching TV. I have noticed that TV is a major source of a lot of negativity. If you are a parent you will agree with me that most of the things your kids do or say are a result of what they see on Television.

    Your Mind Creates Your Reality

    Reality starts in your mind “by thought, the thing you want is brought to you, by action you receive it.” As a man thinketh so is he in his heart. As you think, so your life becomes.

    Changing your attitude and expectations, will sooner or later, change your life accordingly. The biggest player in our daily lives is the mind.

    We live our lives according to what we think. Studies have shown that what we think comes to pass as reality. To live from the inside out, your mind has to be creative.

    Remember that everything that we see that is man-made, was first conceived and created in the mind. I would be right then to say that your mind creates your reality.

    If your mind is full of negative thoughts chances are 9/10 you are living in negativity. If you want to succeed at whatever you are planning to do, you must first change your mind and see yourself as successful.

    Let your mind create your reality. If there is one organ in our bodies that is underutilized it is the brain. To positively live from the inside out you must allow your mind to create the reality for you.

    If you believe in your mind that you will be successful at what you are doing then prepare yourself to receive it.

    All things have their origin in the mind, and appearances are the result of thought. Since they are produced by thought, they can be erased by thought.

    This is how important your mind is. What you think has a direct influence on what surrounds you. It is believed that the mind is capable of attracting that which you harbour in your thoughts.

    Human beings can form things in their thoughts, and by impressing these thoughts upon formless substance, can cause the things being thought-about to be created.

    If you are a Christian you will agree with me that God “thought” before every creation.

    Be Creative and Think Positively

    “To live a creative life we must lose our fear of being wrong” ~ Joseph Chilton Pearce. “The best way to predict the future is to create it” ~ Peter F. Drucker.

    Being creative and positive will surely enhance the quality of life you lead. If you are to successfully live from the inside out, then your mind must be both creative and positive.

    If we take it in the spiritual context man is made in the image and likeness of God. Man is therefore a spiritual being and the spirit possesses the power to think.

    Thinking is, therefore, creative and all form is, the result of the thinking process.

    No sane person can disassociate themselves from thinking. Thinking is the core activity for every living being. It is therefore very important that you harbour and entertain positive thoughts that will manifest into a positive form.

    Remember that creativity is embedded in all humanity. It is entirely up to an individual to tap in and use it constructively. Studies have shown that the mind is always active no matter what you are doing even in sleep.

    I believe that the quality of your creativeness coupled with your reaction and action will determine the level of your achievement.

    Conclusion

    All growth is from within. All living creatures grow from the inside out. I, therefore, challenge you to feed the inner you for perfect growth.

    Yes, you will come across challenges and these will only be a test of what you are made of. Success will not come without growth.

    Prepare yourself to overcome the storm, as after every storm there is calmness.

    The bible says we shall know them by their fruits. Ask yourself what fruit you carry.

  • The Importance of Having a Defined Written Down Intended Life’s Purpose

    “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time” – Marion Wright Edelman.

    I cannot emphasise how important it is to know and write down your Intended Life’s Purpose.

    We all have a purpose in life that is why we are here. Our creator designed us to fulfil a certain purpose therefore, it is very important that we get to know what our God-given intended life’s purpose is. To know what your intended life’s purpose is, you need to go back to your manufacturer. You need to seek God’s face and guidance.

    “A person with a clear purpose will make progress on even the roughest road. A person with no purpose will make no progress even on the smoothest road” – Thomas Carlyle.

    There is no way you can know what an appliance was made for before reading the manufacturer’s manual for instructions on how to use the item. God has given us our blueprint through the Bible.

    If you do not have a written down Intended Life’s Purpose you are most likely travelling the road of confusion where many people are right now.

    “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails” – Proverbs.

    You were created to add value and to be a solution to the world, regardless of how small or big you may think it is. Alas many of us are robbing the world of the solutions we were created to offer be. It does not matter what your age is, you can still contribute to the world by finding your intended life’s purpose.

    There are many benefits when we are living or pursuing our intended life’s purpose some of which are:-

    You, Will, Be More Effective and Efficient

    “There is one quality that one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it” – Napoleon Hill.

    When you have discovered your intended life’s purpose you will be more effective and efficient at doing it and work will flow naturally from within you. As an illustration, let’s use a guitar as example. Now, we all know that a guitar is a musical instrument, instead of using it for playing music say it is used to paddle a canoe.

    Yes, it may work as a paddle, but not as effective. The effort and energy used will be much more, than if it is used for the intended purpose as per the manufacturer’s manual. Equally, the same with us human beings, if you are living a purposeless life you will you are less effective at your work or whatever, endeavour you are engaged in.

    One contributing factor to negativity is not being efficient with what you are doing. Personal development and growth demands that you are more effective and efficient at what you are doing. Effectiveness and efficiency are motivating factors in achieving your intended life’s purpose.

    The Quality of Your Service is Noticeable

    When you are doing what you love and are designed for, most of the time the end product is of very high quality. When you do what you love, you do it with passion and patience.

    I like to give an example of some of the medical personnel in our hospitals. Those that do it as a vocation are usually not the best. They tend to be in a hurry and do it for the money. Where, as those that are called to be medical practitioners are more patient and caring for their patients. They do a better job as caregivers.

    Another example is a time when I was tasked to buy a small table for an exhibition. I approached a carpenter and asked him to make one for me. Of course, I explained to him all the details and measurements. When he brought the table I asked what the price was.

    When he mentioned the price, I was shocked. I politely asked him how much he would be willing to pay for it if he was the buyer. He shocked me again by giving a ridiculously low price because the quality of his product was substandard. He proved to me that he was interested in the end product but the money.

    This experience brought out one thing for me, the carpenter was in the wrong business. When you have your intended life’s purpose correct, the quality and standard of your service or products will be very high and hence will attract good value for money.

    One way to check if you are moving towards your intended life’s purpose especially if you are in the service industry is to put yourself in the shoes of your customers or clients. Believe me, if your work is of high quality and standard it will show.

    People are willing to pay a high price for a quality service or product. You will agree with me that when you walk into an electronics shop and you compare the prices for stereos with established brand names such as Sony, Sharp, and Kenwood with other less established brands.

    The difference will actually tell you the story. Surely you will be much more willing to pay a higher price for the known brands. This is because they have built a good reputation for themselves.

    Joy and Happiness

    “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful” – Herman Cain.

    There is great satisfaction and happiness when you have accomplished what you have set out to achieve. The happiest of people are those that are pursuing their intended life’s purpose. Every small goal that you accomplish moves you towards your greater goal and is the motivation for the next assignment.

    When you are doing what you enjoy and love doing, life is more bearable and enjoyable. Yes, there will be challenges and obstacles that will come your way, but you will overcome them much easier.

    There is no written formula for happiness. For me, the only formula I have found for happiness and joy is in doing that which I love most.

    “Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution will ever experience life’s deepest joy; true fulfillment” – Anthony Robbins.

    Conclusion

    “Take up one idea and act on it. Make that one idea your life. Think of it, dream of it, and live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, and every part of your body be full of that idea and leave all other ideas alone. This is the way to success” – Unknown.

    There are more benefits to having a written down intended life’s purpose I have just scratched the surface of it. I would encourage each and every one of us to find what God created us to do. The only way to know your intended life’s purpose is to seek the face of God in prayer.

  • Your Confidence is Key to Success

    “It’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves”~ Edmund Hillary.

    “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without confidence” ~ Hellen Keller.

    Success cannot be achieved without confidence. The most successful people are the ones with confidence. You cannot set out to do something and succeed without the backing of confidence.

    If you lack confidence there is a very high likelihood that whatever, endeavours you have embarked on, will not be a success.

    It’s absolutely vital that you develop the confidence and self-belief that you will achieve your goals. Self-belief is very crucial to succeed.

    I am not talking about being arrogant and ignoring feedback from other people and thinking you are infallible or invisible. Am talking about having a balanced view of yourself that does not indulge in false modesty and self-pity, and an inner view that is not strong enough to be crushed and defeated when someone challenges you.

    The thing is; to succeed you must develop the mindset and confidence to achieve your goals.

    If you’re really serious about succeeding you cannot afford to wallow in negative thoughts of “I am not good enough.” Here are a few tips to help with the development of your confidence.

    Positive Self-Talk

    Self-talk is perhaps the most important step towards developing self-confidence. What you tell yourself has more bearing and effect than what other people talk about you.

    Remember you are what you think. The bible says “as a man thinketh so is he in his heart.”

    Develop the attitude of talking positively to yourself. It helps to keep telling yourself that you can do it, you can do it. The Bible says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If God is for you, who can be against you?

    Usually, when am working on a task I keep reminding myself of the benefits that accrue when a task is achieved.

    I usually remind myself early in the morning that I can achieve all the tasks that I have laid down. Yes, I will come across obstacles but my mind is prepared for the tasks ahead.

    Sometimes I fail and sometimes I win, but I always learn from my failures and move on. I do not let them take the best out of me.

    You should try having a to-do list every morning and see, how that helps you towards achieving your intended goals.

    “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” ~ the bible.

    This is my prayer every morning. Try personalising the above quote and see how your confidence levels will improve.

    Your Behaviour Matters

    What you think about and what you say to yourself has a profound bearing on your behaviour and on what happens to you.

    Your thoughts, attitudes, and behaviours towards your ability to achieve your goals, have an impact on your expectation of the situation.

    In turn, your expectation will impact the way you behave in a given situation.

    People will always respond to your behaviours.

    “The most powerful forces of nature are the invisible forces, so we find that the most powerful forces of man are his invisible forces, his spiritual force, and the only way in which the spiritual force can manifest is through the process of thinking” ~ the Master Key.

    Am sure we’ve all known someone if not ourselves, who has been worrying about something they have to do and have constantly spoken how badly it’s going to go. 

    When it does go badly they jump and exclaim “I knew” that would happen.

    You see all along they did not realise that they created their own self-fulfilling prophecy. There is power in your thoughts and in your words. Always be mindful of what you say. It is better to keep quiet than say anything.

    Focus on the Things You Do Well

    Take stock of your skills set and attributes that you already possess. In other words, know your weaknesses and strengths and focus on improving your strengths even further.

    This is not to say that you should neglect to improve on your weakness. But focusing on doing the things you do better can highly improve your motivation and confidence levels.

    The idea is when you set out to do a task and accomplish it very well there is a sense of well-being and satisfaction.

    I have listed down some personal questions to help identify your skillset and attributes if you are not sure of them. Write down the answers and keep on reviewing them.

    Please make sure you answer the questions honestly there is no right or wrong answer.

    • What am I good at?
    • What have I received compliments and positive feedback for in the past?
    • What do people value me for? (Compare this with what you value yourself for).
    • What challenges have I overcome in the past?
    • What skills do I possess that have helped me to overcome the challenges?
    • What have I achieved in the past that I perhaps thought I couldn’t?

    “We see things not as they are but as we are” ~ H. M. Tomlinson.

    As human beings, I have noticed that we judge other people by our own standards.

    Believe me, if you have set yourself a high standard that is what you expect to get from other people and nothing less.

    Be Inspired by Other People

    One of the things that have always inspired and given me the confidence to succeed is by looking at and reading about other people who have made it.

    Find yourself some role models whom you admire and whose story of success inspires you.

    A role model does not necessarily have to be alive or known personally. It could be someone you have read about or someone who does not even know you.

    Most successful people have written books about their lives. Find some literature about them and read it.

    A good role model will show you the following attributes

    • Their attitude and approach
    • Where and how they started
    • How they made the most of their abilities
    • How they handle their success
    • How they overcome challenges

    Always remind yourself that these too were or are human beings just like you and I. If they can make it, why shouldn’t you make it?

    Conclusion

    Let me end by emphasising that you cannot succeed without having self-belief and the confidence to carry you on.

    I have not come across a successful person without self-belief and no confidence. I challenge you set out your intended purpose in life and start pursuing it with confidence.

  • At the Heart of Every Obstacle Lies an Opportunity

    “There is no shortcut. Victory lies in overcoming obstacles every day.”

    When life takes a turn and brings about unexpected obstacles, we react with our emotions. One may face fear, resentment, anger, and doubt. It is absolutely humane to react in this manner.

    Sometimes the obstacles may seem impossible to overcome. They may seem bigger than we can handle. They seem as if it’s the end of the world.

    The bigger the problem the more the rewards. I read a story that changed my perspective on the way I view challenges. This story illustrates the opportunities that lie at the heart of every obstacle.

    In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.

    Some of the King’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. This sounds like most of us, we like to blame the authorities for not providing proper social amenities.  

    We blame them for not providing and enabling opportunity or environment.

    Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.

    After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying on the road where the boulder had been.

    The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.

    The peasant learned what many of us never understand! That every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition. He could have acted like anyone else before him but he chose to make a difference and was rewarded for his efforts. 

    Change Your Attitude

    “On the path to success always lies big O’s. Some read them as Obstacles, and others read them as Opportunities.”

    Of course, the peasant in the story had to remove the boulder to clear his way, but in doing so he got rewarded.

    Going around it was the easy way out. But, then this would not have solved anything and he would have missed out on the unseen reward.

    He decided to confront the obstacle head-on and got his reward. You, see apart from just the gold that he received he also demonstrated responsibility. Just the act of him removing the boulder benefited more people than just him.

    Now, we all know that responsibility is a big part of personal development. It is one of the key areas of personal growth and self-improvement.

    The other lesson learned from the story is that nature is neutral and it pays you for your efforts. Am very sure that if the king had mentioned the reward, the peasant would not have been the one to receive it as they were other people before him.

    I guess the peasant’s positive attitude towards problem-solving was more at play than anything.

    Most of the time we miss out on opportunities that could be life-changing, all because of our negative attitude.

    Usually, the hindrances, presented, are telling us something. If only we can pay attention and focus on providing solutions to the problems at hand.

    If you take time and analyse the problem, if you look at it with a positive mindset, it could be pointing you in the right direction for your much-needed breakthrough. 

    Change your attitude, and start looking at challenges with a more positive mental attitude. Overcoming challenges in life is what constitutes personal development. It is what you were designed to do.

    Whatever problems you are facing right now, there is a lesson that life is trying to teach you and they will not get fixed until you learn that lesson. If you turn a blind eye the problem will grow even bigger.

    Learn from Your Current Obstacle(s)

    To reach full potential one must continuously be learning from life. Every day is an opportunity to improve your life.

    The small things that you do are adding up to your lives. You must make a deliberate habit of learning from your daily challenges. It is the small things that make up the big things.

    You may not be where you want to be in life right now. Life may have turned out to be what you did not expect. Well, know that you are not alone, there are people in much more difficult situations than you.

    However, the good news is that you have built up a wealth of knowledge and skills from your current situation. Armed with it you can change the course of your life, it is never too late.

    You have gained valuable experiences that have shown you the results of the choices and decisions you have previously made.

    If you want to make a positive change, you now know what not to do based on your life’s understanding.

    I believe you are more and better equipped than before. The hurdles we face in life merely give us a chance to look at things differently.

    Sometimes, we are so fixed on one thing and do not look at the other side, and then bang, we are faced with an obstacle and realise that there is another way of looking at things.

    The most important thing is not to lose focus and never give up when faced with adversities. But, rather use them as a learning base.

    Conclusion

    “Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage” – Victor Kiam.

    The classic story in this article is really an eye-opener. It is worth learning from. The story tells many stories and I know that if analysed even further, you will be able to deduce much more from it than I have.

    You must always try to solve problems than going around them. This is the only way we can help make the world a better place. Standout and always see the opportunity in the obstacles that lie ahead.

  • The Most Important Change Begins With You

    The fact that you are still alive and still on this earth, going through what you are going through, I want you to know that God has a plan for you.

    Look around and dig deep inside yourself and begin to work on the inner you. If you have to succeed you have to know that the most important change begins with you. You possess all that you need to achieve your goals.

    Stop complaining about how overweight you are, when you are eating anything that comes around and not going to the gym.

    Don’t complain about the quality of your life if you are not doing anything to improve it. You have no right to complain about your pay when you are not doing a thing to improve your skills.

    Change your mind and begin living a life of happiness.

    Living happily is not just an opportunity or a privilege. You have a responsibility to enjoy happiness. Decide and determine your own happiness.

    You hold the key to change your life. Why are you complaining about how bad things are around you If you are surrounding yourself with them?

    Begin by changing your mind and the way you look at things. Why are you complaining about the quality of friends you have when all along you entertain them?

    Just because you have been invited doesn’t mean you have to attend. Just because someone has called you doesn’t mean you have to call them back.

    If you are in a pub and someone is offering you alcohol doesn’t mean you have to consume it. You have the power to say yes or no. Quit giving those lame excuses, you have the willpower to do the right things.

    Just because your homey’s are partying doesn’t mean you have to party. You have a responsibility to your own life. Just because you are down doesn’t mean you cannot get up. You will fall many times before you succeed.

    Just like a baby falls many times when learning how to walk. Just because you have made mistakes in life doesn’t mean that’s the end of the world. Who does not make mistakes?

    Change Your Mind and Change Your Life

    If you are down, get up. It’s time to make that important change and move your life to another level. Stop feeling pity for yourself.

    Yes, you are the reason why you are not employed. You are the one in that unhealthy relationship. But, what are you doing about it? You can change the way you feel by changing the way you think.

    Self-pity will only make you more miserable and sad. Self-pity will not change anything; complaining will even compound your situation.

    Get a grip on your life by changing the way you think. Look, if you are not in control of your life someone else is. Someone else is making decisions for you; someone else is determining how much you should be paid.

    When you change your mindset new doors begin to open up. You begin to write a whole new better chapter of your life. You begin to possess the very things that you long for in your life.

    The talents, ideas, gifts and imaginations you have all begin to come to life. Do not let your poverty mentality determine your destiny.

    You begin to attract the very things that have eluded you before.  Look, God created you to succeed.

    Even before he created this world he had you in mind. Don’t allow your mind to be a stumbling block to your destiny. Do not be afraid of the unknown.

    If you can see the invisible you can do the impossible. Venture out into the unknown and stop being afraid of the unfamiliar.

    Your mind is the biggest asset and tool for improving your well-being. It is in your mind that change is cultivated, nurtured, and birthed.

    “Everything changes when you change” – Jim Rohn.

    Why Important Change is Valuable

    Change makes you break your cycle. It motivates you to look beyond your comfort zone. Change makes you venture into new dimensions of your life.

    It exposes you to things that you would never have experienced. With change, you begin to look at life from a different perspective. Positive change makes you feel in control of your life.

    I believe that positive transformation is a huge sign of one’s personal growth. Not many people embrace change easily.

    It, therefore, means that we must all strive to make positive transformations if we have to have an impact in our lives.

    If you do not take the right steps to adapt, the world will leave you behind. After all, we live in an ever changing environment.

    Those who succeed are those who embrace and harness change. Do not be shy from making positive changes in your life.

    The only way to keep improving your life is to keep on making positive changes. Those who succeed are those who are not scared to make and take bold decisions.

    The world is not what it used to be 15 years ago. For example, technology has tremendously evolved over the last decades. Take mobile phones, they have rapidly moved from analogue to digital. Now we have smartphones.

    Gone are the days when a phone was just used for voice calls only. Imagine how difficult it is for people who have resisted change.

    Conclusion

    “The truth is that we can learn to condition our minds, bodies, and emotions to link pain or pleasure to whatever we choose. By changing what we link pain and pleasure to, we will instantly change our behaviours” – Tony Robbins.

    Be the change you would like to see in the world. Fear, not your inadequacies. Learn from your past experiences above all take steps to make the change when necessary.

    I know that sudden change can make you lose your focus, always put your trust and faith in God Almighty he is a great shepherd.

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” – Proverbs.

  • How to Do More With Your Life Than Just Give Up

    This story was inspired by Mandy Harvey. I watched Mandy on America’s Got Talent a television program that searches and gives an opportunity to people to showcase their talent.

    She was a contestant in the music category and got a golden buzzer for her outstanding performance during the auditions. Although Mandy did not go on to win the competition she is a successful songwriter, singer, and motivational speaker.

    I find her life’s journey very inspiring and motivating. She lost her sense of hearing due to illness at the age of eighteen and, she almost gave up on her life.

    I can only imagine what she went through at the news of losing her hearing and that science and doctors cannot help recover her lost sense of hearing.

    But after some time and with hard work she discovered that she could actually continue singing, by using muscle memory and trusting her pitch and feeling the vibrations of the beat and temple through her feet. This is amazing.

    Today Mandy is a success in the music industry and inspires people not only with her music but also with her life’s story to never give up.

    Life can be tough and it is not easy to live especially when such “calamity” as Mandy’s be fore’s on you. Imagine the pain and the disillusionment the whole family went through when they learned that their daughter had become deaf.

    The thought that she will never hear their voices again is not nice at all. That the mode of communication with her would be changed forever.

    To me, Mandy’s life story is one of faith and courage. Look, to go up on stage and sing in front of so many people, without hearing your own voice but just trusting your pitch, takes a lot of faith and courage.

    There are very few people who can do that. Most of us are scared to even just stand in front of a small group of people and speak.

    It is a lesson to all of us who take life for granted and just want to give up when we encounter a few setbacks.

    Stop giving excuses and start making something worthwhile with your life. Yes, life will always throw things at you. But, I believe that everything that happens to us happens for a reason. There is always good that comes out of what is seeming a bad thing.

    Have a Never Give Up Mentality

    One would have understood if Mandy had given up on her life. At least she would have had an excuse for it, and a good one for that matter.

    But she did not, she decided to make use of her life and be a blessing to the world. Now instead of just singing and writing songs she also inspires and motivates people with her story.

    Who knows, she probably would not have been successful without going through what she went through.

    She realised that in order for her to be happy in life she must continue doing more of what makes her happy and that is singing.  Hence her doing everything in her power to achieve her dream.

    Do you realise that if she had not done anything about it, she might probably have been complaining all her life about her situation.

    She would have been another statistic, but instead, she is not, she is flying high like an eagle with what she is doing. Thank God for her life. She is such a blessing.

    You see to be more you need to have more and never give up on your dreams. To achieve greatness you need to do things differently. You need to change the way you do things and adopt methods that will bring out the best in you.

    If you sleep at 8:00 pm and wake up at 07:00 am you may need to adjust. Successful people spend most of their time working hard and not sleeping.

    When you are faced with adversity, look for the good in it. There is always something that you can get from your troubles.

    Most of the time when we are faced with challenges it means that God wants to move us to the next level. He is preparing us to handle what is coming our way. But it will never come until you are ready for it and usually it is something much more than our current situation.

    If you keep your trust in God, he always makes a way where there seems to be no way. When one door is shut God opens up many more doors. Mandy’s hearing door was shut but God opened up other doors to help her continue with her music.

    Be Prepared For What is Coming

    Like I said before when adversity comes it is usually a sign that good things are yet to follow. Because after the storm there is calmness. You must always be prepared to take on the next challenge. Be ready when the heavens have opened up for you.

    Look, don’t just sit and give excuses that you cannot do anything because you have no opportunities. Do not live life by chance or by luck. Luck finds those who are prepared and are ready. In our country, we have a tendency of complaining about how successful foreigners are than the local majority.

    We must actually be ashamed of ourselves. We have people who came in as refugees and now they are doing well in business yet we complain that there are no opportunities.

    This is a person who came with nothing and now he has a successful business in your own back yard and you say there are no opportunities, come on guys, we can do better than that.

    If you have dreams and do not take action they will always be but dreams. Those who succeed are those who put their dreams into action.

    Preparation can take many forms and it is usually not easy. Take sportsmen and women, for example, the time and sacrifice they take in preparation is something I really admire.

    How can you attract opportunities if you are not prepared for them? You attract opportunities by the things that you do every day.

    Sometimes opportunities come in disguise. They come in the most unexpected manner. But you need to be prepared when they come around otherwise you will miss them and call yourself cursed or something like “I have bad luck.” No, man you were just not ready.

    If it’s a job you are looking for get the necessary qualifications, and go out there and knock on every door for the opportunities. Don’t just sit at home expecting that a job will come on a silver platter, do something about it, anything that will keep you busy.

    In everything that we do, preparation is key to success. If you want to achieve anything meaningful with your life, you need to continuously upgrade your skills set. Believe me, opportunities are always there to be pursued. I have personally missed out on many good opportunities because of not being fully prepared for them.

    And equally I have embraced many opportunities when am prepared for them.

    Conclusion

    You have more to offer and give than what you are currently doing. If you are going through a rough period in your life fight until you make things right simply do not give up.

    The fact that you have seen the break of dawn means you still have a chance to fight and win. Trust God in everything you do and he will surely come through for you.

  • You Have the Potential to Achieve Your Goals

    We all have the potential to achieve our goals. Those who become successful are those who try. Those who dare to try have the most chance to succeed.

    The potential to succeed is naturally inbuilt in all human beings.

    But unless you unlock it, it will always remain potential. God gave us the ability and the necessary tools to achieve our dreams. If only we can learn to use them positively.

    If you can think it then you can be it. Success begins with your mind and a change in your attitude. If you can change the way you think, the way you perceive things, and the way you look at things, then you can achieve your goals.

    Personal development and self-improvement demand that you do the things consistently, that help you grow. They say all growth is from the inside. You have the seed of growth in you.

    If only you can nurture the seed, it will blossom and bear good fruit in due course. If you do not try you will never know what you can achieve, you will never know what good fruit is in you. The bible says “we shall know them by their fruit.”

    Yes, there will be challenges that will need to be overcome, that is just part of the process. It is part of the growth process.

    Do not fear being challenged. Challenges make you grow even stronger. They prepare you for what’s coming ahead.

    Challenges are a stepping stone to success. When you are faced with challenges don’t take the easy route out but face them head-on.

    If you take shortcuts you may live to regret it. You do not start climbing a tree from the top, you start from the bottom going up.

    Those who jump the process have short-lived success and within a few years or even months, they are back at the bottom. You see, nature allows us to experience failure so that we can learn from it.

    “The key to unlocking my potential is within me. It is the power of my thought, my vision, and my commitment!”

    Appreciate and Understand the Process

    Nature has a way of providing checks and balances. Nature also rewards you according to what you give it. If you give it negativity it gives you back negativity.

    If your goal is to make money you need to pay the price for that money and this does not come easy. Let me just say for you to achieve great things you need to pay a great price.

    If someone is telling you that success comes easy they are cheating. If it was easy we would all have been successful. But that’s not the case.

    Just like a student, if you want to graduate with good grades you need to work and study hard. That is what nature gives you. You are fairly rewarded for your input.

    It is the process that has to be followed. You cannot just have good grades without putting in the time and effort to study. You have to go through the mill.

    Those who skip or temper with the process will always pay heavily after some time. They may appear to be successful but this is only temporal. What goes around always comes around. Easy gain easy goes.

    Develop the Discipline

    It takes dedication and discipline to achieve your goals. Perhaps this is the single most important principle for success.

    If you look around those that have achieved above average, they are all very disciplined with what they do. Their work ethics are way above many of us.

    If you are focused and disciplined, nothing can stop you from achieving your goals. It takes a lot of discipline to succeed and this is what lacks in many of us. The discipline to stay the course.

    However, the good news is that discipline is a habit and all habits can be learned and unlearned. To achieve your goals you need to develop good habits.

    Those that will help propel you towards your destiny. Habits that add value to your well-being and personal growth.

    One of the ways I use to develop a habit is to do the same thing for a number of days, continuously, say 21 days.

    The beginning is always hard but after a few attempts, it flows naturally. Note that you will not always get over it as your body will always be fighting you most of the time.

    Yes sometimes, the body will not want to do certain things but if it’s important you just have to do it and get it out of your way. If it has to be done, do it regardless of how you are feeling.

    Discipline should be sought at all costs. It is perhaps your passport to achieving whatever you set your mind on. There can never be success without discipline and there is no substitute for it.

    Take Decisive Action

    How far you go in life is largely determined by how far you are willing to go. There is no limit to reaching your destiny.

    The more you push yourself the more chances you have of achieving more.

    The kind of action you decide to take on will surely have a bearing on the final results that will follow.

    If you decide to take a laissez-faire attitude you will definitely get laissez-faire results. If you take positive decisive action you will get results that reflect your actions.

    Like I said before, nature is neutral. You get what you give it. The decision lies entirely and squarely in your hands.

    If you want to do something, start taking action now, don’t wait for the perfect time because it will not come. Don’t wait any longer otherwise, you will miss the opportunity train.

    They say God helps those who help themselves. True or not, opportunities find those who are actively looking for them. If you are looking for a job, do something about it.

    You cannot just sit down and expect a job to find you, NO. You need to go out there and find it. Even in a depressed economy like ours jobs are available if only you can persist with your search.

    Definitely, a breakthrough will come your way. The more you look the greater the chances of you landing one.

    Here is an idea, if you cannot find your desired job that goes with your qualifications: look for something lower than what you are looking for as an entry point. Continue searching for your desired job.

    I have found that it is much easier to switch jobs when you already have one. People are always looking for someone experienced.

    Conclusion

    Never underestimate the potential and power of the human spirit. We all have the gift of unlimited Potential. It is our duty to ensure that we unlock this gift for the benefit of the human species.

  • Inspiring and Empowering Others to Help You

    “For changes to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent.” ~Tony Robins.

    “Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that disempowers them or one that can literally save their lives” ~ Tony Robins.

    No man is an island. Personal success and development cannot be achieved in isolation. God has abundantly blessed us with people in our lives that we can rightly use to achieve our life’s purpose and goals.

    Each and every person you have come across in your life has a part to play and it is entirely up to you to recognise that and help them to help you move closer to your life’s purpose.

    In this article I discuss three important ways to empower our associates.

    Firstly let me make mention that there are 3 groups of people in our lives;

    • Close relationships – these will include your family, your friends, your spouse, and your children.
    • Your work relationships – these will include your colleagues, workmates including your boss.
    • Others – included in this category are people you come across every day.

    You need to know how to interact with these people in order for them to help you achieve your desired life’s purpose and goals. The key areas I have identified are listed below.

    Appreciation

    There is no single person I have come across in my entire life that does not like or rather feels bad when they are appreciated. Appreciation is perhaps one of the most important aspects of getting people to like you and to inspire them to support and help your cause.

    Develop the habit of expressing gratitude, even for the smallest acts of kindness. A genuinely simple smile and a heartfelt “thank you” goes a long way in lifting the other person’s spirit. The more thankful you are the more people are inclined to support you.

    Always acknowledge the effort, even if what you received isn’t exactly what you requested. Make the other person feel appreciated for their service and assure them that their effort was valued and not wasted.

    Appreciation lifts the self-esteem of human beings. The feeling of appreciation is an intense one and can make or break someone’s self-esteem. Imagine yourself working for a boss who does not seem to appreciate whatever effort you put into your work.

    Imagine the frustration of dedicating countless hours to an assignment, only to feel completely unappreciated.

    Now, contrast this with the feeling of being appreciated, even for your smallest efforts. You’ll find yourself willing to invest extra time because you know your work and presence truly matter.

    Approval

    Remember, everyone is primarily emotional.  Everything that people do, or choose not to do, is largely driven by their deeper emotions.

    Your job is to connect with their higher and more positive emotions so they feel so good about you that they want to help and please you in some way.

    If you are in a supervisory position it will really help you to spend more time with your subordinates inviting their feedback and comments on their work. To achieve this, you must create a trust worthy environment.

    This I believe is one of the best methods to get their work approved as they will understand what is expected of them.

    There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of having your work approved by your manager. It makes you feel a true sense of ownership and pride in what you have accomplished.

    Believe me, having a highly motivated worker can yield results beyond your imagination. The quality of your subordinates can make or break your success.

    If your personal goal is very dependent on other people’s input you need to devise methods that are consistent and gain respect from other people.

    You need to be nice, friendly, and courteous. I encourage you to read more on people management.

    In life, you always have a choice. You can either do everything yourself or you can get others to help you do some of the work. Delegating work is surely key to helping you achieve more with your time.

    Attention

    The third and final aspect of empowering others is attention. Just like every one of us loves attention in one way or the other. Learn to listen with keen interest.

    Pay attention to the details that keep people motivated and work to improve them.

    If you have a difference with say a work colleague. Do not argue with them but reason with them. Listen to their explanation and make sure you understand the reasoning behind it. If you do not agree with them be polite in letting them know that you have a different viewpoint.

    I have experienced this, especially with women. Even when they know that you cannot help them, they just want you to listen to them. All they are looking for is someone who can at least give them an audience.

    The fact that you will give them the attention they need, will greatly improve their self-esteem. If you are married that is lesson number one for you. Give your wife all the attention she needs. Listen to her.

    Conclusion

    Your ability to delegate effectively, which requires that you inspire and empower others to help you willingly, will determine how fast you move ahead. 

    It will determine how much you earn in your job; this will also determine the quality and quantity of your productivity; it will determine your ultimate financial success in life.

    The key to all of this is your ability to empower others. Life was meant to be lived with people.

  • You Have Something to Give

    “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice” ~ Indian Proverb.

    “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give” ~ Sir Winston Churchill.

    Each of us is uniquely created with a distinct design. We are all meant to thrive through interdependence.

    No one in this world can truly claim to be completely independent and not in need of others.

    I want to remind and encourage you of how important and relevant you are to humanity. I want you to realize that you have something to contribute to the well-being of the world.

    No matter what your situation or background is, you possess something that is uniquely yours.

    I am deeply concerned about some of the negative questions being raised on a prominent website.

    To make matters worse they are coming from kids as young as 15 years of age. Most of the questions are to do with giving up on life.

    Imagine a 15-year-old who feels overwhelmed by life, ready to give up before truly beginning to live. How sad indeed.

    I often ask myself this question: What if Albert Einstein, Henry Ford, Thomas A. Edison, and many other great inventors and discoverers had given up before making their breakthroughs? How different would the world be today?

    Your gifts and talents may not amount or match the great discoverers and inventors of the past, but it plays a very significant role in the advancement of humanity.

    You have a very significant and important role to play on earth. Myles Monroe says the richest place on earth is the graveyard.

    This is where you discover inventions that never came to be; dreams that were never fulfilled; songs that were never sung; buildings that were never constructed and many other things that the world has been deprived of.

    I pray and hope that you will not be a graveyard statistic but will leave a meaningful and positive legacy that endures.

    Ask not what the world will do for you but, what you will do for the world. Stop thinking from within the box and in fact, remove the box altogether.

    The human race is like a body. The body cannot function properly with a missing part, it may function but with a lot of difficulties.

    Do not be those missing parts. Do not rob the world of your talents and gifts. Do not deprive us of your contribution to humanity. We greatly need them. You are not living by accident or by chance but for a reason and for a greater purpose.

    If you are almost giving up on your life sit down and thank God that you are still alive. Many are struggling to hang on to life yet you have it for free. The fact that you are still alive means that you have something to give.

    There are so many things to thank your creator for and let alone obey his guiding words by dedicating your life to contributing to the wellbeing of humanity.

    No contribution is too small; everything adds up to make a difference. It’s high time you started using your mind constructively.

    You see everything is conceived in the mind. Our minds are the workshops for all that we see.

    Our minds are power engines of our lives. The real secret of power is the consciousness of power.

    The more conscious we become of our unity with this mind, the less conscious we shall become of conditions and limitations, and as we become emancipated or freed from conditions we come into a realization of the unconditional.

    We have become free! We have removed the box. We have evolved.

    The ability to eliminate imperfect conditions depends upon mental action, and mental action depends upon consciousness of power; therefore, the more conscious we become of our unity with the source of all power, the greater will be our power to control and master every condition.

    Conclusion

    Every human being including is as important as the next one and the one before. I want to encourage you not to look down upon yourself.

    You were created to contribute to humanity and your contribution is valuable.

    This all starts with you realizing and appreciating how important you are to the whole world. DO NOT rob us of your gifts and talents.

    Just like you have benefited from the inventors of computers we also want to benefit from you.

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