insakanet

Productivity

  • 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.

  • 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 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.

  • Writing Blog Posts Using a Mobile Phone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Conclusion

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

  • Six Free Tools That Can Help Improve Your Writing Skills

    Writing or content creation is always a challenge, especially if you are just starting. It can be a daunting task. However, there are a few ground rules and tools that can be followed and used to alleviate the pressure and give you a head start. 

    It is always nice to prepare yourself before you start writing. Make sure you have your plan laid out before you delve into the writing process. It’s very interesting how you just get carried away once you start writing.  

    To get started just dump your thoughts on paper and forget about the spelling, punctuation and grammar. You will have time for that. 

    You will come back to do the editing after you have finished dumping your thoughts on paper. Don’t interrupt your writing to correct the errors, because this will make you will break the flow of thinking.

    There is always time for everything. Aim to write a minimum of about 500 words per article or per shot. I usually aim for 1000 as a minimum. This way I am able to explain myself more logically and it also gives the article more meat to feed on.

    Remember the more words the better for the search engines as well. It’s not an easy fit but with practice, it is achievable. They say practice makes room for improvement. 

    You improve your writing muscle by practising every day. Just write on anything even if you are not going to publish the article. Write for the sake of it. 

    There is so much to write about and you will be amazed at what can flow from within you. But this can only be known if you set down and gave it a try. 

    There are many writing tools that can help you with content creation and sometimes, choosing the right tools can be very overwhelming. 

    I find that getting ideas from people who are already in the writing business can cut down on the learning process of finding good tools. 

    The use of the following tools could greatly increase and improve your writing skills and hence your production of content. 

    Google Docs

    This is perhaps the most important tool for me. The good thing is that it is free and comes as part of the Google package. 

    To know that I can write from anywhere without worrying about translating my document or retyping it is a wonderful thing.

    All you need to have is a Google account and you are good to go. Better still Google Docs is a word processor. Some corrections will be done on the fly as you are typing. Again don’t worry about them just transfer your thoughts on paper. 

    Using google docs I can type my articles on my mobile phone and continue the editing process on my desktop or laptop. All I need is to sync gadgets online. 

    If you do not have a google account and you are a content creator I highly recommend that you register for one. It could just be a game changer for you. Besides, it’s free for goodness sake. 

    Headline Studio

    Now, I have not been using this for long but hey, how I wished I had known about it sometime. This is one tool that helps you create smashing headlines that will stand out. 

    Headline Studio will analyse your heading and make suggestions for improvement. It will score your heading on a scale of  1 – 100. One being the lowest and a hundred being the highest score. 

    You see, there is no use in creating content that cannot be found or read by people. What you want is content that will be found by both human beings and search engines. Not only being found but being read.

    The tool will help you create catchy headlines that will compel people to read your articles when they come across them. This then will grow your readership and following.  

    Again am very comfortable with the free version though you can upgrade to the full version and enjoy more options. You are given full access rights to the full version for a limited time when you first subscribe.  

    Writing Dot Com

    I use this tool to improve my typing skills. I feel it is very important to keep improving your typing skills, especially your typing speed. Look, the quicker you type the more productive you are. 

    I use both my laptop and mobile phone to write articles. I used to find it easier to use my mobile phone because it is less destructive and I can type using two fingers yet faster than when typing on the laptop.

    However, over the last few weeks, I have also discovered that I can improve my typing speed on the keyboard by practising on the writing dot com platform.

    My speed has seen an increase from 20 wpm to about 40 wpm over the last one month of daily practising. I know, that I can do better than this and I am pretty sure that by the end of the next month or so if I put my mind to it, I will achieve my target speed of 75wpm and 95% accuracy.

    Typing Practice

    This is more like the writing dot com platform. As the name suggests it is a typing improvement tool. I have been using it in conjunction with writing dot com. 

    With typing practice, you have the advantage of setting your own daily targets. The system will keep your daily practice and aggregate your results as appropriate. 

    Again I use the free version and so far so good, it gives me what I want. The goal, for now, is to keep improving my typing skills at the lowest of costs. 

    Grammarly

    This is basically a Gramma tool. I currently use the free module and it’s enough for me.

    Grammarly can easily be integrated with Google docs and Microsoft word. It could be the difference between writing a well-punctuated article and one that is not well punctuated and structured.  

    However, don’t be a slave to rules and tools. They are just here to help and guide you. Always keep in mind that you are the final decision maker. 

    If you have to have your own style you need to be in control of your final product and so do not let machines or tools do it for you. 

    Power Thesaurus

    This is basically an online dictionary to use for your spell check and looking up the meaning of words. 

    Power Thesaurus has both free and paid subscriptions, again am more than happy with the free subscription it does meet my requirements. 

    Conclusion 

    With the use of the above free tools I hope you get to write some awesome articles and share your stories with the rest of the world. 

    Writing is fun it is an expression of yourself. There are many people out there waiting to hear your stories. You never know who you may touch and inspire with what you write.

  • How to Improve Your Focus and Concentration

    Do you often struggle with staying focused on what you are doing? Does your mind stray when executing a task? Well, I can guarantee that you are not alone. 

    Whether it’s due to distractions or a wandering mind, a lack of focus and concentration can hinder productivity and slow down your momentum. 

    It can be very frustrating when your mind wanders about when you are supposed to be focused and concentrating on finishing a task.  

    Your productivity will definitely be affected when you cannot fully concentrate on the task at hand.

    Focus is an essential skill that can improve every aspect of your live, from productivity to mental health. 

    However, in today’s world, distractions are everywhere, making it harder to maintain focus and optimal concentration.

    Fortunately, there are several effective ways and strategies you can use to improve your focus and concentration that can enhance your overall productivity and boost your ability to stay on your task. 

    Minimise Distractions

    This world we live in today is full of distractions. Some of these are self-made and some are natural and unexpected distractions.

    Whatever they are and coupled with our natural tendencies of not wanting to do what is important, we may end up lagging behind in our tasks because of a lack of serious focus and concentration. 

    One of the best ways to eliminate distractions is to look for the things that you can control and deal with them. 

    Things like mobile phones can either be switched off or put on silent.

    One thing I have learnt about phones is that when you miss a call if it’s important they will call back if not I let it be. You will agree with me that most of the calls we receive are just chit-chat.

    Close all unnecessary tabs on your computer, and find a quiet environment to work in. If you use your computer for studying or doing work turn off those notifications they can be a distraction. 

    All in all, make sure you deal with the things that are within your power and have the potential to cause distraction.

    Break Tasks into Smaller Chunks

    Sometimes you can lose focus and concentration because your task is seemingly too big to handle at once. There is a sense of discouragement if the task at hand seems too huge.

    Trying to focus on a large task for an extended period of time can be overwhelming for some people. However, breaking it down into smaller, manageable chunks can make it easier to focus on.

    It also gives you motivation when you tackle and overcome smaller tasks as this encourages you to move on to the next one.

    The smaller the tasks the easier it is to overcome and move over to the next task. Before you know it you would have achieved more.

    There is a feel-good factor when you achieve and overcome tasks and it also reduces the risk of feeling burned out. 

    Prioritise Tasks

    Not all tasks are as important or as urgent as all of them. Yes, the long-term objective is to achieve the overall target but the process has to be managed in such a way that you have control over it.

    Learn to prioritise your tasks. Prioritising your tasks can help you stay focused on the most important ones and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

    List your tasks and rank them from 1 to 10 in terms of importance. 10 being the most important. Then sort them and start working on them in that order.

    If it can be delegated please do not waste time on it, delegate and concentrate on the tasks that really need your attention.

    A good way to keep track of your progress is to create lists and tick off the tasks that have been dealt with accordingly.

    Take Breaks

    While it may seem counterintuitive actually, taking breaks can help improve your focus.

    Studies have shown that taking short breaks throughout the day can help prevent burnout and increase productivity. 

    Take breaks of about 5 – 10 minutes to keep your mind refreshed.

    Take a walk around, or do something totally different from what you are currently doing. This will keep you focused and improve your productivity.

    Exercise Regularly

    Regular exercise is not only good for your physical health, but it can also improve your focus and concentration. 

    Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which can help improve cognitive function.

    If you are not in the habit of regular exercise you are depriving your body from this development.

    It also releases endorphins, which can boost your mood and energy levels. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day.

    The thing with exercise is that there is no designated time as to when you should do it. Just go with what suits you.

    Get Enough Sleep

    I know there is a lot of debate on how much sleep you should get and that the more you sleep the less time you have to work.

    Yes, granted they may be valid reasons, but scientists also say that sleep is the time when our bodies are recharged and that the lack of it can impair cognitive function, making it harder to focus.

    A lack of sleep can also lead to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty in concentration. That is why when you are sick or ill the doctors always prescribe bed rest.

    It is also important to strike a balance between having enough sleep and not oversleeping. Bear in mind also that you need to work to put food on your table.

    I personally have a specific time when to sleep and when to wake up but to be honest sometimes this does not go according to schedule.

    Avoid Multitasking if You Can

    I know that multitasking can help speed up your work. But it can also reduce productivity and make it harder to focus on any one task.

    I feel it is better to focus on one or atleast two tasks and do a good job than to have many going on without giving them the best of your attention.

    You are mainly judged by the quality of work you produce and multi-tasking has a tendency to derail you from doing your best because of the many tasks being handled simultaneously.

    Use Tools to Help You Focus

    With the advent of technology, there are many tools and apps available that can help you stay focused and keep your concentration. 

    Experiment with as many tools as you can, find and stick with the ones that work well for you. Otherwise, too many tools can also slow you down. 

    Instead of concentrating on the task at hand, you may find yourself struggling to understand how a certain tool works.

    Conclusion

    Improving your focus is essential for productivity, mental health, and overall well-being. The above list is not exhaustive but rather a good starting point you can add on more as you learn what works for you and what does not.

  • 8 Ways to Help Maximise Your Potential Part 2

    This is the second article of a two-part series on 8 ways to help maximise your potential.

    A quick reminder of the definition of the word ‘potential’ according to the oxford dictionary “potential is having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.” 

    Personal development and growth is a vehicle that you can use to help maximise your potential.

    We are all built with potential, that is waiting to be unleashed and maximised.

    “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential. .these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence” – Eddie Robinson.

    Let us get straight into it and see what the remaining 4 ways are:-

    Know Yourself

    You will be amazed to learn that many of us do not know ourselves very well. It may sound absurd that am talking about knowing yourself, but it is very important that you know yourself and have total control of your being.

    I believe that self-knowledge is the starting point for realising and maximising your potential. It gives us an insight into understanding our capabilities.

    Knowing yourself will help you understand where your natural strengths lie and how well you can combine them to take advantage of the prevailing opportunities.

    Donald O. Clifton and Paula Nelson in “play to your strengths” outline five different ways in which we can discover our strengths as shown below:-

    • Listen for Yearnings – normally our yearnings are often triggered when we hear or see someone doing something we would like to do or feel we can do better. You will agree with me that there is something you are yearning to do but do not realise it because you have not paid attention to yourself.
    • Watch Out for Satisfactions – what really satisfies you? When you get a glow of satisfaction from doing something (work-related off course) even though we may not understand why this is most likely one of your strengths.
    • Watch Out for Rapid Learning – a strength is usually characterised by rapid learning. Am very sure that you do have things that you learn more easily and quicker than others. This will usually continue for a long time if not a lifetime.
    • Be Aware of Moments of Excellence – position your mind to be alert to your moments of excellence. I believe that each and every one of us has had a moment of excellence in our lives.
    • Watch out for the Total Performance of Excellence – Over the years I have learned to be a student of myself. Learning is a continuous process and so from time to time, I do a personal re-evaluation. This process has so far proved to be very important and of great use to my personal development and growth.

    Make the Change for New Things

    Don’t get stuck in the survival or maintenance modes of personal development and growth. You need to make the change for new things in order to maximise your potential. 

    We live in an ever-changing world and the only way to keep moving forward is to embrace change. Most of us have a reputation for resisting change.

    I know that change comes with a price but it must be embraced as it usually comes with different opportunities. “Your current conditions do not reflect your ultimate potential” – Anthony Robbins.

    Life demands that we move with time and every day is a new day. It is also important to always be reading and improving your skillset.

    Knowledge is key to success and you should always be willing to learn on a daily basis. There will always be instances when you cannot change some situations due to various factors but you can change your mindset and behaviour.

    The only factor that you have control over is yourself. Many of us fail because we do not want to change our habits and behaviours to accommodate the ever-changing environment.

    Set Your Goals and Stick with Them

    Perhaps the starting point to maximise your potential is goal setting. The importance of goal setting cannot be over-emphasised.

    This is one of the cardinal principles in personal development and growth.

    When you have set your goals it is important that you stick with them and do not be distracted from achieving them.

    Persistence and perseverance will be key in achieving your goals. Stay focused and motivated as you pursue your goals.

    You should set goals that are realistic and achievable. However, you should not limit yourself to set goals that will not challenge your ability.

    You are capable of achieving more than you can imagine. God made you to be a solution to the world and the way I see it now the world needs more solutions than ever before. For more details on goal setting please read click here.

    Take Action

    “Continuous effort! not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking your potential” – Winston Churchill.

    Maximising your potential requires that you take action. A journey of a thousand miles requires that you make the first step in the right direction.

    Regardless of what your plans are for your life just get started. It’s only when you take action that you begin to realise your potential.

    Without taking action you will never realise your full potential and a later on maximise it. Taking action is the fuel to living your dream. It is the catalyst to your success.

    Once you get started on your journey there will be obstacles that you will encounter. These obstacles should not stop you from re-focusing.

    You should make a commitment to achieving your intended life’s purpose. Your success will only be achieved by taking action.

    Do not let procrastination still your success. Do not let failure stop you from achieving your goals.

    Instead, make a commitment to pursuing your goals and live to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

    I know for a fact that everything worthwhile does not come on a silver platter. There is much joy in living your dream without shortcuts.

    I always try to do things right and straight it makes my life much easier and leaves me with a piece of mind. So far so good. I go to sleep with a peaceful mind.

    Yes, I know that am not perfect but I try as much as I can to do things right.

    I have made a commitment to ensure that this blog becomes one of the preferred sites in the areas I have fashioned it to be. This commitment is for life.

    I will continue to write and post articles on this site for as long as I possibly can. I know for a fact that it is helping someone out there and that is the biggest motivation for me.

    This site is one of my biggest contributions to help change the world for the better. The advantage is that I can fully express myself on many subjects via this website.

    Conclusion

    “Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you have tried and failed in, but for what is still possible for you to do” – Pope John XXIII.

    There are many ways that you can use to help maximise your potential, the 8 ways mentioned in both articles are just some of them. I recommend that you develop the habit of reading and have an open mind to learning.

    Remember that personal development and growth is not a competition but a personal journey to be walked by you alone. Bye for now and  as usual “standout tall and be counted.”

  • 8 Ways to Help Maximise Your Potential Part 1

    “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around” ~ Leo Buscaglia.

    We are all blessed and possess skills and abilities that nobody else has quite as we do.

    God made each one of us unique and we all have different roles to play in the world. Just like the body has different parts that make it whole, the world has different components that make it complete. Those components represent you and me.

    We are all gifted with unique talents and gifts, whether this is a talent to show on the world stage, or on a small stage as someone who makes a difference, does not necessarily matter. What is important is for one to play their part and not deprive the world of their talents.

    All these talents and abilities if not expressed are just potential. Since we are all blessed with these unique talents the question is how do we then make the most of our personal potential?

    Let’s start by defining or rather establishing the meaning of the word “potential.” According to the oxford dictionary “potential is having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.” If you have something then you have something to show.

    There is no point in showing something that you do not have because it is not possible. You may not currently know what your talents are until you fully understand and explore your personality.

    If you have to fulfill your dreams it is imperative that you learn how to maximise your potential. The following methods might just be the answer if you have been on the quest to fulfilling your potential.

    Happiness and Goals

    “Look to this day for it is life, the very life of life. In Its brief course lie all the verities and realities of your existence; The bliss of growth; The glory of action; The splendor of beauty; For yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a Vision: But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day!” ~ From the Sanskrit.

    One of the greatest hindrances for failing to maximise our potential is living an unhappy life. You see, happiness is a choice. You choose either to be happy or otherwise.

    I have learned that happiness is an antidote for success. From the time of great philosophers such as Aristotle, happiness has been linked to the achievement of goals.

    That is the more reason why we find so much happiness and pleasure in the work that makes us achieve our goals. Happiness and goal setting cannot be substituted for anything if you have to maximise your potential.

    Living a happy life will surely motivate you to maximise your personal potential. Click here to read more on happiness. There is no success without happiness.

    I think that what drives most of us to succeed is happiness. The joy we get when a goal has been attained. Happiness is, therefore, a very important driver to maximizing one’s potential.

    “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to my fellow-creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again” ~ William Penn.

    Personal development and self-improvement are do-it-yourself activities. However, you look at them, if you have to maximize your potential; you have to learn how to do it yourself.

    I have noticed that most of us would rather not do even the easiest of tasks for fear of failure. Yet, we would rather be credited with someone else’s success. From my working experience, most of us do not want to take responsibility for our actions especially if they are negative ones.

    I believe that to maximize your potential you need to learn and know how to get the basics done. I do not know about you but I enjoy doing most of the things on my own.

    It actually gives me great satisfaction and pleasure when I have accomplished something on my own. I am basically a do-it-yourself person. This does not mean that I do everything, no no, no. I am very much aware of my skillset and know my limitations.

    If you are in a leading position you must learn how to delegate and supervise your subordinates. One of the greatest skills you need to possess as a leader is the skill of delegation and supervision. As a leader, you must learn to give direction and motivation to your followers.

    Create Your Destiny

    “That a man can change himself, improve himself, re-create himself, control his environment, and master his own destiny is the conclusion of every mind who is wide-awake to the power of right thought in constructive action” ~ Larsen. “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not something to be waited for, but rather something to be achieved” ~ William Jennings Bryan.

    Maximising your potential entails creating your own destiny. We live our destiny by the little things that we do every day. Always remember that your destiny is not a destination but rather the journey that you live.

    Philosophers and great thinkers have in the last centuries pondered and puzzled over the extent to which our lives are in our own hands and the extent to which they are pre-ordained.

    There are many thoughts and arguments but the main thought that comes out very clearly and distinct is that we can all set ourselves on the path we want. This has been proven that even in the most limiting societies we still have a free will to try.

    For if you are trying to achieve something then that is your first step to creating your destiny. If you are like me and are learning to maximise your potential then you are living your destiny.

    Improve Yourself

    “Rely on your own strength of body and soul. Take for your star self-reliance, faith, honesty and industry. Don’t take too much advice — keep at the helm and steer your own ship, and remember that the great art of commanding is to take a fair share of the work. Fire above the mark you intend to hit. Energy, invincible determination with the right motive, are the levers that move the world” ~ Noah Porter.

    Even though nature compels us to improve, there are two opposing forces at play; to stay where we are and consolidated what we have gained or to explore what is still possible to achieve and know how far we can go.

    The majority of us would rather not venture with the second force. We would rather take the safe and secure one, yet continue wondering what we might have missed out on.

    We sit on our potential and die with it. Those who take the second risky path go on adventures seeking to maximise what they possess. This though comes at a cost and it is worth paying for.

    Have you ever noticed that the good things in life are not free? If you are not exploring your talents then I can assure you that you have taken the comfort zone. Get out there and explore your talents.

    You might just be the answer the world has been waiting for. I know the most common excuse that most of us have is; I have no money or resources. If you think your idea is good enough, go for it and start living your dream.

    Conclusion

    I will end here for now. Look out for part two in which I conclude with the remaining four ways to maximise your potential.

  • 5 Tools for a Successful Business

    We all want to have a successful business, don’t we? But, what tools do you need to have for a successful business?

    Many of us focus too much on the money part and neglect other important ingredients of a successful business.

    Yes, I know and understand that money is important so are the tools you use to generate it. There is no business that can generate enough revenue without tools.

    Lets discuss a list of key tools for a business to succeed. These are proven and I think they will be helpful to you, especially if you are just starting out in business.

    Time

    You must understand that time is money and it is of the essence. Time is an important tool in anything we do. In business, your main objective is to make money.

    How do you make money? You utilize time accordingly. But the question is how do you productively convert your time into money?

    Are you making full use of your time or do you just let the time pass you by? Time is a commodity that once lost it cannot be recovered.

    How much money you make depends on how good you are at converting time to money. The less time you spend the more money you can generate.

    If you are already productive, then you may want to ask; what are the things you can do to improve further. Remember time is the most valuable asset and once it’s gone, it cannot be recovered.

    Time is the most equal resource we all have in life. It’s something that God has graciously given every person in the same amount, regardless of their circumstances.

    Everybody on earth experiences the same hours of day and night; The same seasons in a particular area. I have never heard of anyone saying that they enjoy more time than 24 hrs per day.

    Human Resource or Human Capital

    The second tool for me is human resources or human capital. To be successful in business, you must have people connections.

    I mean you must have the right people working with you. People consist of customers, suppliers, partners, staff, and associates.

    I cannot imagine a business that is successful without people. If there are no people connected to your business I can guarantee you that you are wasting your time.

    One thing that you must not leave out is your mentor or coach. Having genuine mentors or coaches is very important and it can make a very big difference in your business.

    What a mentor does is that they will help you grow through your business. You will gain valuable knowledge if you have a good mentor.

    You should also have a mentor not just for your business but for your personal growth as well.

    A mentor does not necessarily have to be a person you know. You may not even be in a position to meet them physically. A mentor is someone you look up to.

    To make sure that you have more profit, you must serve people well. Organize your database of people connections. By simply knowing who does what, who supplies what, who needs what, where to get what takes you miles ahead of your competition.

    Even if you are doing affiliate marketing you need to know the needs of your affiliates.

    Knowledge and Skills

    The third tool you need is a combination of a set of knowledge and skills.

    When I talk about knowledge and skills, I am not referring to academic knowledge that you find in schools or colleges including universities.

    What’s more important to you is knowledge and skills that can bring you the kind of results you want and usually these are not found in schools.

    How many MBA holders, do you know of, that have become business owners and have made tons of money or are running successful businesses?

    That shows you that getting the right knowledge and skills is important. Don’t blindly go after the knowledge that will not add value to your skillset.

    Go for knowledge and skills that are universally tested and proven. Get knowledge that is relevant to your business. Study what other related businesses are doing and do it better.

    Examples of the right knowledge and skills are where to get what from who, money-making trends, marketing strategies, the art of dealing with people, negotiating skills, selling skills, skills of managing and growing money, investment skills, universal laws of success, and more.

    Don’t waste time on unnecessary knowledge. There’s only so much that you need to know and learn. Be sharp and focused when you acquire knowledge and skills.

    Don’t follow what normal people do. Above all put your knowledge and skillset to practice. Knowledge without action is equal to zero results.

    Personal Health

    You cannot make money when you are in bad health. My number 4 tool is good personal health. In fact, this is the most important tool of all.

    How can you run a business without a healthy body? In order to maintain optimum health, you have to provide your body with proper nutrition and sufficient exercise.

    And also don’t forget about your emotional well-being don’t let anger and other negative emotions control you.

    This is where positive and empowering attitudes come into play. Maintaining your body is just like maintaining your car. If you send your car to a workshop for regular service and pump petrol regularly, why don’t you do the same for your body?

    Go for medical check ups atleast once a year. Have a deliberate healthy living habit.

    It’s something for you to think about. Don’t be stingy over spending money for your own health because physical and mental health can cost you a lot of money in the long run if your body is not taken care of properly.

    Financial Resources

    Let’s face it. It takes money to make money even if all you need is a little. But you might not need a lot of money to start a business because there are many ways to start one with low capital, I recommend affiliate marketing programs.

    I meet a lot of people who want to be rich but are not willing to invest time and money. You must invest in something in order for you to get something out.

    The law of sowing and reaping is at work. Don’t expect something without investing anything. Money is one of the investments you need to make.

    Even though you don’t need to have a huge capital for your business, but at least you must be able to cover your expenses while building your business, and this costs money.

    You also need resources to buy products to stock up and other stuff. So, you must at least come up with whatever amount that you have to start a business.

    Conclusion

    These are the five basic tools you need for business success. I call them tools because you need to use them in order for your business to succeed.

    Do your best to acquire or grow or invest in these personal tools. These tools have worked for me even in the area of personal development.

    But the good thing is you don’t need to have a perfect combination of tools to get started. You can still perfect the tools along the way.

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