insakanet

Spirituality

  • Learn How to Appreciate One Another

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Be Thankful and Gracious

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Be Available When Needed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Lend a Helping Hand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Be More Sociable

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

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

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

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

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

    Keep in Touch

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

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

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

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

    Pray for Each Other

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

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

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

    Conclusion

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

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

  • The Benefits of Living in the Now

    Living in the now can be a powerful tool for reducing stress and increasing happiness. 

    This can only be achieved if you are living in the present moment and not in the past. We all have a past and believe me, some of our past is dented. 

    There is no one on this earth that has a perfect past. We all have skeletons in our closets. Even the seemingly holy people are not excluded.

    Regardless of what your past is, living in the now can also have numerous benefits for your mental health and overall well-being. 

    By focusing on the here and now, you can let go of regrets about the past and anxieties about the future. Look, living in the past is bondage. 

    Here are some 2 tips for living in the now and enjoying a more fulfilling life.

    The Benefits of Living in the Now

    “Cease to ask what the morrow will bring forth and set down and gain each day that fortune grants.” 

    Living in the present moment has numerous benefits for our mental and emotional well-being. As mentioned above it can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve our relationships, increase our creativity and productivity, and enhance our overall sense of happiness and fulfilment. 

    When you are fully present and alert, you are able to appreciate the beauty and wonder of life, and you are better equipped to handle whatever challenges that, may come your way.

    I know it’s not easy to live in the now, what with the challenges of life and what it brings forth. There is so much that needs our attention and as a result, we tend to overthink and are overburdened with life’s issues.

    However, life was not meant to be stressful but to be enjoyed. The more you worry, the more energy you spend that could be used more productively.

    The Bible says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians. 

    Here are some benefits of living in the present moment:-

    • Reduced Stress and Anxiety – When you focus on the present moment, you are not worrying about the past or the future. This helps to reduce stress and anxiety, as you are not constantly dwelling on things that are out of your control. Remember that you have control over your mind and in turn, control over your thoughts, so watch what you think because they become your habits. As explained above anxiety often involves worrying about future events or dwelling on past mistakes. By focusing on the present, you can interrupt this cycle of worrying and reduce the amount of time spent ruminating on negative thoughts.
    • Increased Happiness – When you are fully present, you are more likely to enjoy and appreciate the little things in life which can lead to increased happiness and a greater sense of contentment. Look, happiness is what you decide. No one on this earth owes it to you. But instead, you owe it to yourself. You are solely responsible for your happiness. Stop looking for someone or something to make you happy. Decide for yourself that you shall be happy regardless of the situation you find yourself in. The only true happiness is found in Christ Jesus. 
    • Improved Relationships – When you are fully present with others, you are able to connect with them better, on a deeper level and this leads to stronger and more meaningful relationships. Imagine how it feels to be in a relationship with someone whose mind is not present. You are talking and they seem far away from you. That kind of relationship will definitely not last long if there is no drastic change. A good relationship is one with mutual understanding and constant communication.
    • Increased Productivity – When you are fully engaged in the present moment, you are more focused and productive. You can focus better on the task at hand and be more resilient in the face of challenges. This helps to increase your confidence in your ability to cope with difficult situations. The more alert you are the more productive you tend to be and the more engaged your mind becomes in tackling the task at hand.

    How to Make Living in the Now a Habit

    Making living in the now a habit takes practice and patience. One way to start is by setting aside a few minutes each day to focus on the present moment. 

    This can be done through meditation, mindfulness exercises, or simply taking a few deep breaths and tuning into your surroundings. 

    It’s also important to let go of distractions and negative thoughts that may pull you out of the present moment. 

    With time and consistency, living in the now can become a natural and rewarding habit.

    So how can you achieve living in the present moment? Here are some tips:

    • Practice Mindfulness – Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This will help you to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and to focus on the present. In other words, mindfulness is being conscious of your current surroundings; being aware of, or noticing the things around you. It takes being deliberate to practice mindfulness. You need to tune your mind to be alert and consciously take in what is before you. Mindfulness entails having total control of your mind and body. 
    • Focus on Your Senses – Paying attention to your senses can help you to stay grounded in the present. Take a few deep breaths and focus on what you can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Be sensitive to what your body is telling you. Our bodies are constantly communicating with us based on our surroundings. 
    • Reduce or Avoid Multitasking – If you are struggling with concentration multitasking can make it difficult to stay present. Instead, focus on one task at a time and give it your full attention. 
    • Let go of the Past and Future – You cannot change the past or control the future, so it is important to let go of these things and focus on the present moment. Do whatever needs to be done today so that you may increase your chances of having a better life going forward. Even then,  you are not guaranteed that things will go your way. But doing the right thing gives you a better chance at success. 
    • Practice Gratitude – Gratitude can help you appreciate the present moment and focus on the positive aspects of your life. Take some time each day to reflect on what you are grateful for.  There are so many things to be grateful for. Take a piece of paper and write down every good thing that has happened to you, you will be amazed. I can give you a few things to start with. You are lucky if you are reading this article as not many people have access to the internet. Actually, before anything else you are alive, which is the most important thing that has happened to you the more reason you should give gratitude. The list is endless, include, your family and you will begin to see the bigger picture.

    Conclusion

    There are lots of benefits to living in the present. These are but a drop in the ocean. You must tune your life to start living consciously so you may enjoy the many benefits of life.

  • Self-Belief is Key to Personal Development and Success

    “Believe in yourself” – Unknown. “First say to yourself what you want to be; then do what you have to do” – Epictetus.

    Have faith in yourself. Without reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy. But with sound confidence, you can succeed.

    Self-belief is a very important and key is in achieving personal development and success. Most of us fail because of the disbelief we have in ourselves.

    The biggest difference between failure and success is the level of self-belief and confidence exude.

    Here are a few tips that can help enhance your self-belief.

    Positive Affirmations

    “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – the Bible. This is one of my favourite quotes. For me, this is the magic sentence.

    Every time I feel down and out; when everything else has failed and I need to get on. I always remember that “I can do all things through Christ…” Believe me, it works for me.

    I know that we all fall down sometimes in our lives but the most important thing is how you get up. One best way to help you improve your self-belief is to use positive affirmations.

    Keep telling yourself, you can do it, you can do it, you can do it. This will build some form of self-belief and the results can be amazing.

    To get more benefits from positive affirmation you need to change your mindset from being negative to positive. Look at the positive side of everything.

    Encourage yourself to believe more in yourself. Positive affirmation requires that you change your way of thinking from “I can’t,” to “I can,” remember the magic sentence?

    Many of the time we let great opportunities pass by because of our negative and mediocre thinking. We lack the courage and are ill-prepared when opportunities come around.

    There is power in positive thinking and affirmations. The bible says “as a man thinketh so is he in his heart.” “You shall know them by their fruits” – the Bible.

    This goes to show how important our thoughts can influence our well being. Change your thoughts with positive affirmations.

    “Carefully watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Manage and watch your words, for they will become your actions. Consider and judge your actions, for they have become your habits. Acknowledge and watch your habits, for they shall become your values. Understand and embrace your values, for they become your destiny” – Mahatma Gandhi.

    Know Yourself

    The starting point for your journey of self-development is you the person you see in the mirror. Yes, know yourself, your likes and dislikes, preferences and skills; it is the very basic need for your self-development.

    Here I have listed a few tips that can help you know yourself better:-

    • Journalise and diarise your daily activities. This will help you analyse the events and how you reacted to them.
    • Look in the mirror and notice what you see. Yes seems funny but most of us have never noticed what is in the mirror. That’s you a “millionaire” in the waiting. A champion in the making.
    • Get feedback on your work and behaviour from the people around you especially your colleagues at work. In order that you have a balanced view, ask your critics as well. I have a belief that in order to make a good leader you need both sets of people, that is those you can easily influence and those that can stand up to your face and tell you no when you go wrong. Often times this is lacking in our leaders.
    • Study your relationships and how they make you feel. You may realise that no man is an island. We all have some sort of relationship be it at work or home. Relationships play a very significant role in a person’s life. Those in more strong healthy relationships exhibit some level of stability than those in unhealthy ones.

    Have Positive Expectations

    Numerous experiments have confirmed that when you expect the best oftentimes, you get it and when you expect the worst the same will come to pass.

    So at the start of any enterprise or at the start of a day or start of the year or season, look forward with the expectation of the very best. Here is a quote from Kalidasa (Indian dramatist).

    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 splendour 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! Such is the salutation to the dawn.

    This is a life-changing poem. In a nutshell, we must look forward to today and enjoy it in a positive and constructive way, because tomorrow we will reflect on it and have happy memories.

    Like the man who had too many lemons and turned them into lemonade, or the man who bought a snake-infested land and learned how to make snakeskin into shoe leather, every seemingly negative situation can be turned around into something positive. You must learn to turn negative situations into positive ones.

    Mix With Positive People

    One of the biggest drains on our enthusiasm is mixing with negatively-minded people. I am sure we all have come across or have such people in our lives. Try this out and see what the results will be for you. Identify someone who has a positive attitude towards life and one who has a negative attitude, spend some time with both of them at separate intervals, and note what you will be feeling after spending some time with either of them.

    According to my results, I feel more at peace and relaxed with the positive person than the negative one. Positivity is actually infectious. The more time you spend positively the more confident and happy you feel.

    You have two choices though if you want to survive being positive; avoid them, this though I would not encourage or better still train them and they will appreciate you when then get over it and you will have made the world happier by one person.

    Conclusion

    Perhaps the greatest gift in human history is the discovery of the power of your mind to create almost every aspect of your life. You see, everything you can visibly see was conceived in the mind of someone as a thought or an idea before being translated into being. Your thoughts are creative; your thoughts form and shape everything around you. Think about your goals and have belief in yourself.

  • Give It All You Have to Succeed in Life

    “To be a winner, you have to give it all you have.” Today is a beautiful day. Another day that the Lord has given us to conquer. 

    Do not worry about what you did not achieve yesterday, for yesterday is but history and today is a present. Start afresh and give it all you have to achieve success.

    Concentrate on what lies ahead forget yesterday’s disappoints and look forward to what lies ahead. There is more that is ahead than what lies behind. There is more to be done than what has been done.

    Today God has gifted you with another opportunity to make things right and reset your life for a better future. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

    Things will not be easy but with God, on your side, you can do all things possible through Christ who gives your strength. God is the source of our strength.

    What you need to do is to set your sight on the task ahead and allow God to be God. He knows what lies ahead of you and what is best for you. You must develop the tenacity to trust in him who is greater than you.  

    The fact that you cannot see him does not necessarily mean that he does not exist. He lives in you. The bible says that “you are the temple of the holy spirit.”

    He is alive and has given you this day as an assurance of his existence. Therefore, today your commitment is to go out there and conquer the day.

    It may not be easy but it should be done with pride and joy. If you fail today don’t give up try again tomorrow.

    What you do now echoes in eternity. You are not only going out to create a better future for you, and your family but to help change someone else’s life. To be relevant to someone. 

    Whatever you go out to do must be in line with the principle of “do unto others what you would like them do unto you” for that is what God has commanded us to do.

    Take Joy in What You Do

    There is goodness in everything. Even in the things that seem bad, God is always telling us something. Things do not just happen by accident they happen for a reason.

    I believe that he allows certain things to happen so that we may learn from them. Our duty, therefore, as human beings is to look out for what he is trying to tell us.

    Sometimes good opportunities are presented to us when we least expect them. They are disguised in our adversities.

    Today ask that God opens your eyes and your spirit so that you are alert to what he is trying to tell you. If only you can follow his lead, life would be so much different and better.

    Many of the time we cry when calamity befalls us. We cry questioning God why me. Yes I know it hurts when calamity falls on you. But if not you then who?

    I think rather than question God, negatively, we must try to learn from what is happening to us. We must ask God to reveal to us what he is telling us to do rather than concentrate on the negatives.

    After the storm the sea is calm. If we do not learn from our experiences it is impossible to handle what is coming ahead. If you focus your mind and concentrate on the task at hand you will achieve your goals.

    Always Do the Right Thing

    “To me, a winner is someone who recognizes their God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses those skills to accomplish his goals. Even when I lost, I learned what my weaknesses were and I went out the next day to turn those weaknesses into strengths” ~ Larry Bird.

    In the quest of making it to success, always try to do the right thing. Cutting corners does not pay. Cutting corners only gives you temporary success. You just get short relief when you jump the gun.

    Soon rather than later you will spend more time correcting your lies at the expense of moving forward. You will be going backwards instead of improving on your achievements.

    I like to advise my clients especially when it comes to paying taxes. You are better off filing your tax returns and making sure you pay your taxes on time.

    Otherwise, you will spend more time correcting the situation and end up spending more money on penalties than what you would have paid if you had done the correct thing.

    Besides, doing the right thing gives you peace of mind. You can walk the streets knowing very well that you have nothing to hide. It’s only greedy politicians who do not want to leave office when their time is up.

    Those who are in business will agree with me that they do not want to mess around with the tax authorities. Many businesses have gone under due to finding themselves on the wrong side of the law. 

    Sometimes it may not look cool to do the right thing, but that’s just the correct thing to do. It may not be cool with your peers but it’s cool with God.

    Your rewards may not necessarily be visible now but in due course, you will be rewarded.

    Be Proud of What You Do

    If you are not proud of what you do for a living, I suggest you quit and find something else that you enjoy doing. Your work must be a source of happiness and you must learn to be proud of it.

    It does not matter what kind of job or work it is. If that is what you are called to do then do it with pride. We cannot all be Presidents at the same time. One has to lead the other at a particular time.

    History has taught me that those who start with humility go on to be very successful in life. 

    It is not where you are right now that determines your future. It is what you do with your current situation that propels you to your destiny.

    Success does not just come on a silver platter. If it did then we would all be successful. Realise that your current situation could be your get way to greatness. Do not despise the days of your humble beginnings.

    Be Grateful For Life

    You are alive today for a good reason. If God Almighty did not have use for you, you would not have been alive you would be dead.

    The fact that you are alive you must be grateful for it. Some people have died especially in this error of the COVID 19 pandemic we have lost many lives.

    Every day I wake up is a chance to pursue my dreams. The only way I know is to first be grateful for my life and my health and work hard towards achieving my goals.

    Look, don’t take life for granted. Someone out there is looking out for you. Show some gratitude also, by looking out for someone.

    There are many reasons for showing gratitude. Even if you are going through the roughest of times it is important to show gratitude.

    Make it a habit to show gratitude even for the smallest of things. It is just polite to say thank you when someone is serving you. Gratitude is a sign of appreciation.

    Conclusion

    Giving it all you have does not guarantee that you will succeed, however, it is the only chance you have.

  • 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.

  • The 6 Qualities for Self-Development and Improvement

    “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude towards what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you” ~ Brian Tracy.

    We all have qualities for self-development and improvement. Everybody has it in them to develop themselves to their fullest potential, whatever they set their mind on.

    The last few months have seen me delve a little more into the subject of personal development and self-improvement. 

    This is a very wide and interesting topic that I recommend everyone to be interested in.

    If you want to achieve anything worthwhile you should be a student of personal development and self-improvement, you can never go wrong.

    During the study, I have noted that the following were the common qualities or attributes needed for self-improvement or be it personal development. 

    Yes, there are many more qualities that I came across but the most common ones are the ones that will be covered in this article. 

    Attitude

    The first quality is attitude. Let’s start by defining the word attitude, “the way a person views something or tends to behave towards it, often in an evaluative way” ~ the free dictionary. “Attitude is everything” ~ Unknown.

    The starting and ending point of all self-development is attitude. Without the right mental attitude in life, you will not achieve anything of great significance. Your attitude will largely determine the level of your achievements.

    The mind is creative, and conditions, environment and all experiences in life are the results of your habitual or predominant mental attitude. 

    Personal development and growth starts with the mind. If you have a negative perception of something most likely the negative result will be attained and vice versa. 

    This means that the attitude of the mind depends mainly on what thoughts we harbour. The thoughts we harbour have a great influence on our self-development journey.

    Man has the mental power to determine his future. They say all growth is from within. This means that all self-development comes from within. This theory is very true because you become what you think about most of the time. 

    Personal growth does not happen by chance or accident. You attract it to yourself. If you want to attain your personal development goals you must first change your thoughts and attitude towards life. 

    Having the right mentality coupled with the right attitude will surely guarantee you better results. Yes, setbacks will be encountered; the most important thing is how you react when faced with challenges.

    For all I know is that there is no success without challenges. To every successful person, there are more challenges than success. I believe that our environment reflects the conditions corresponding to the predominant mental attitude which we entertain. 

    It is the attitude of the mind toward life that determines the experiences with which we are to meet; if we expect nothing, we shall have nothing; if we demand much, we shall receive the greater portion. 

    Attitude has everything to do with the mind. We must endeavour to have the right mental attitude as an ingredient to achieving our life’s objectives.

    Faith

    What is faith? The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen is faith.

    “Faith is like a bird that feels dawn breaking while it is still dark” ~ Scandinavian.

    The one thing that distinguishes success from failure is self-belief. In fact, the strength of your faith is the one thing that determines whether you conquer mountains or foothills. 

    It means believing in something that you cannot prove or be certain of; something that you have not seen physically. It means believing in life’s magic. 

    If you are a Christian like me the emphasis on faith in the bible is very well taught. Christianity is a faith-based religion. In this regard, religion plays a major role in helping to increase your faith. 

    One of the best ways to increase your faith is by the recognition of your spiritual nature. 

    The other best way to acquire faith is to have positive affirmations. The bible says “faith comes by hearing.” True to this statement is that you must formulate positive affirmations to encourage you achieve your intended purpose in life. 

    Replace all negative thoughts with positive ones and keep reminding yourself about them. I have some magic words that work for me. Every morning I remind myself that “I can do all things possible through Christ who strengths me.” 

    This is my magic sentence, it has done wonders for me even in the darkest of situations, I have managed to pull through. This is because I have faith that I can do all things through Christ.

    Courage

    “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged” ~ the Bible.

    It is very easy to start the process of personal development, but it is much more difficult to keep it going especially when faced with tough decisions to make. 

    The make or break of your journey to success could end if you lack enough courage to see yourself through trying times. Believe me, you will be tested and tried to your limits before you move to the next level.

    Courage is the main distinction between being successful and being a failure. The people who succeed are those that exhibit enough courage in times of difficulties and are willing to go the extra mile. 

    Those that fail have very little courage. Wisdom, strength, courage and all harmonious conditions are the results of power and we have seen that all power is from within; likewise, every lack, limitation or adverse circumstance is the result of weakness, and weakness is simply the absence of power; it comes from nowhere, it is nothing.

    The following sentence underlines the link between courage and faith.

    “You must first have the knowledge of your power; second, the courage to dare; third, the faith to do” ~ The Master Key.

    Courage can help you eliminate one of the greatest enemies to success and that is fear. If you want to eliminate fear, then concentrate on courage. 

    To achieve greater success always concentrate on the ideal as an already existing fact; this is the germ cell, the life principle which goes forth and sets in motion those causes which guide, direct and bring about the necessary relation, which eventually manifests. 

    Courage is best illustrated by the story of David and Goliath in the bible.

    “It’s not the mountain we conquer but, ourselves” ~ Sir Edmund Hilary.

    Ability

    You will have a tough time achieving your life’s intended purpose by doing something you are not gifted for. 

    Before you set out on your personal development journey, it is very important to recognise what your natural talents and gifts are. 

    Having the ability and skills to pursue your life’s intended purpose using your natural gifts is much easier and more enjoyable. 

    It is of no use running a pig farm badly and only to realise that you should have been a footballer after thirty years. By that time pigs would have been your style.

    The ability to produce is found to be the real source of wealth for the individual. It is for this reason that he who has his heart in his work is certain to meet with unbounded success. 

    He will give and continually give; and the more he gives, the more he will receive. We as human beings are related to the creative principle by our ability to think. It is this ability we must acquire in order that we pursue our self-development goals.

    Action

    Action is perhaps the most important of all qualities. We can acquire all the knowledge and have all the best plans but without putting them into action nothing would have been achieved. 

    They say the richest place on earth is the graveyard. This is a place where you find plans that have never been put to the test, songs that have never been sung, discoveries that have never been unveiled and many more things that would have benefited the human race.

    Do not deny the human race of what GOD has put in you. It is not for you alone but to be shared and enjoyed by us all. Remember we are all part of one big family and if we all play our part, surely the world would be a better place. 

    Whatever plans that you have for your life please ensure that you start acting on them now even before you are very sure of what they are. The picture will become clearer as you go ahead and continuously act on your plans. 

    Imagine how the world have been if the discoverer of the internet had not acted on his plans. We would have been denied the pleasure of communication and possibly you would not have read this article through this medium. But alas they acted and today the internet is a big medium for communication.

    Action is the soul of any business and the cornerstone for prosperity. Action is the only process that brings about results. 

    Opportunity follows perception, action follows inspiration, growth follows knowledge, and eminence follows progress. Necessities are demands, and demands create action, and actions bring about results.

    If you want to see results begin to take action and you will see them. Without action faith is dead. 

    Perseverance

    “All endeavour calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. In the fight to the finish, spirit is the one characteristic we must possess if we are to face the future as finishers” ~ Henry David Thoreau.

    There is no success without perseverance. All successful people will attest to the fact that they persevered before reaching their life’s purposes. 

    Let us take the example of education. If you set out to have good grades or good results at school you will agree with me that you may need to put in extra for the results to show.

    Perseverance and endurance cannot be avoided in your quest for personal development.

    Whatever you set out to achieve if you are not prepared to persevere you are most likely to fail measurably. Perseverance is the ability to continue moving on even when the odds are against you.

    “Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance” ~ Samuel Johnson.

    Napoleon Hill in his famous book “Think and Grow Rich” says “perseverance and persistence are essential factors in the procedure of transmuting desire into its monetary equivalent.”

    Conclusion

    There is a close connection between perseverance and faith. As you have seen we achieve our self-development through faith and perseverance. In the same way, you can only develop faith through perseverance. 

    I have also noticed that faith can be induced into our minds. The more you believe in something the more faith you develop. Remember faith is a very critical ingredient to personal development so please have faith in what you are doing.

  • Nothing is Perfect the First Time

    There is nothing that was created or invented by man that was perfected the first time. Everything that we do or have done is never perfect the first time.

    All the nice buildings and all the beautiful things that are man-made were not perfect at the first attempt. A lot of planning, research, rebuilding, and hard work had to be undertaken.

    That is why there is a constant quest for improvement of the gadgets that we use daily. The gadgets that were more valuable and efficient in the last 5 or 10 years may now be obsolete.

    This is the same as in the journey of life and in the pursuit of personal development and self-improvement, one must always strive to continuously seek to improve themselves.

    They say practice makes perfect. Nature requires and usually compels us to move on. However, we decide the direction of that movement.

    If you look back at your life five years ago, you will agree that there is a change and the direction of that change was mostly influenced by you. You are the driver of that change.

    Nothing is perfect, if things were perfect there would be no need for continuous improvement. There would be no need for research and development.

    However, nature is perfect and nature is neutral. We get from nature what we give it. If you are optimistic nature gives you back optimism; when you are positive you get exactly that; if you are expectant you will meet with expectation.

    In other words, you get your heart’s desires. The Bible says “ask and you shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened.”

     I don’t know about you, but I know that am still very much a work in progress. Am far from being a perfect role model and forgive me if at all, I present myself as perfect, it is not my intention.

    Every day comes with its challenges and I am continuously learning new things. I keep an open mind and have learned to focus on the positive things in life.

    I am always grateful to God Almighty for allowing me to serve him daily. Every day that we are alive is a gift and an opportunity to make a difference.

    Yes, life will give you what you do not anticipate, but you have the right to make a choice. You may not know it but some people are worse off than you are right now. There are people you can help even in your current situation.

    Continue to Doing Something to Change Your Current Situation

    “A successful individual typically sets his next goal somewhat, but not too much above his last achievement. In this way, he steadily raises his level of aspiration” – Kurt Lewin.

    Success does not come to those who wait for it; neither does it come to those who are lazy. If you want to achieve your life’s intended purpose you must work towards achieving them.

    The important thing is to get started and work daily. Do something every day that helps you move closer to achieving your desired life’s purpose.

    Slowly but surely you will meet with success as you continue to improve on your daily activities.

    The trouble is many of us want to be financially independent yet are not willing to work hard and smart to achieve our dreams.

    Instead, we complain about how hard life is and how things are not going well for us. We expect life to be easy and yet are not willing to pay the price now for a better future.

    Remember that nature is neutral and it gives you back what you give it. If you want to achieve financial freedom, you should be willing to pay the price for it.

    Everything that you want to achieve has a price tag. Nature will pay you back the exact price that you are willing to pay.

    Over the years I have learned that the key to achieving your desired life’s goals is to firstly realise, that no one is responsible for your current situation but yourself.

    In other words, you must take responsibility for your current situation. Acknowledge that you are mostly responsible for being in the current situation and secondly do something to change it, because if you don’t, no one is going to change it for you.

    Yes, it may be tough but it can be done. The Bible says “do not despise the days of your humble beginnings.”

    To succeed you need to start small and be persistent. Be prepared to fail the first time and learn from your mistakes. Keep on improving.

    Refuse to accept failure. They say “Rome was not built in one day” but neither was it built in two days.

    The small things that you do every day, count towards achieving your goals.

    Yes, life will throw things at you, but do not be discouraged, there is always something to be learned from the difficult situations.

    Remember that God always provides a way where there seems to be no way. There is nothing too big or too small for God. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. 

    I know that sometimes we may feel that things are not going accordingly. That is the time to double your efforts because after every storm the sea is calm.

    The Bible says “weeping may stay for the night but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Life is full of ups and downs.

    If you have been following my blog for some time you will notice that my earlier articles were not as refined as the current ones.

    I would confidently say that there is a great improvement in both the content and quality of the articles. The improvement did not come without a cost.

    I had to put in the time. This, however, does not mean that my articles are perfect, but they have improved over time. Though I know that there is always room for improvement.

    As such am always seeking to make the necessary changes. My dream is for this website to be the number one destination for personal development and self-development materials and articles, and will be distributed for free. 

    We are Responsible for the State of Our Communities

    If you believe that you are responsible for being in your current situation then it is also true that you are directly or indirectly responsible for the current state of your society or country at large.

    I know this may sound ridiculous but I think it is the truth. Whether we like it or not we have a part to play in developing and shaping the direction of our societies and countries at large.

    We may be complaining about the poor service delivery of the various government departments. But if we wait for help from the government it may never come and it surely takes a very long time before it comes.

    Why can we not do something about it ourselves? After all, we are the ones that are greatly affected.

    We can contribute to society in so many ways. There are many avenues out there that can be used to help improve society.

    If we are to see meaningful change, we must be the change carriers. Change begins with you and me, changing our ways and influencing other people.

    For example, we could start by restoring our families. I know that many of us, our families are hurting and broken.

    I believe that at the foundation of every prosperous society is a strong family bond. If you are a parent and have neglected your family it is high time you started taking responsibility for your family.

    Your children need you more than ever before. Do not be an absentee parent. You may be going through a bad patch in your life but that is no reason to abandon or forsake them.

    It is time to show them how responsible you are. It is the time to reassure them and let them stand with you.

    There is nothing more satisfying than spending time with your loved ones. 

    There are many broken homes out there and this has resulted in broken societies.

    Be Patient With Yourself 

    To grow we must learn to be patient with ourselves. Growth is not instant but gradual.

    I always say that all growth is from within. That is why we are all born babies and grow to adulthood with time.

    There is a time for everything. A time to play, a time to study, and a time to grow. We start crawling before we stand and start to walk.

    We learn or acquire skills before we start using them. God has given us time to learn and prepare ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead.

    God has also equipped us with the necessary requisites to cope with life’s challenges.

    Be patient and allow yourself to enjoy what you are doing. Remember that not everything you are doing now will have instant results.

    You do certain tasks for future results. You acquire certain skills and knowledge that will come in handy in the future. 

    Conclusion

    “Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose your ability to learn new things and move forward in your life” – Dr. David M. Burns.

    With time and effort, you will achieve your desired results. Remember always that perfection is not achieved at the first go.

    It takes time, patience, persistence, and dedication to achieve it. 

     

  • Nothing Feels As Good As When You Give Willingly

    “It is more blessed to give than to receive” – The Bible. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” – Winston Churchill.

    Giving just like receiving generally makes you feel happy. There are many studies and researches that have been conducted to prove that giving is a happiness antidote. So if you want to be happy there you go just start giving.

    There is even more joy when you give, not because you have to, but because you want to. I believe that giving should not be done under duress or under any external pressure.

    Giving is also Biblical. The Bible says “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” – NLT.

    This is powerful. We are told that when you give you will receive it back in full. I love this, on top of the happiness and joy you feel, your gift is given back to you in full, not half or quarter but in full measure and in fact pressed down to make room for more, WOW.

    The Bible also says that “God loves a cheerful giver.”  To me, a cheerful giver is one that is giving out of his own free will and volition; one that has not been coerced. I know that some people will not like what am about to say. Especially some Pentecostal preachers.

    There is so much preaching about financial prosperity to the extent that you begin to feel as if the preacher is talking about you.

    I have heard stories of people who have given their pension to churches, yes you read right PENSION, all in the name of prosperity.

    Look this is crazy, I mean who does that? I have been to churches and have felt like demanding back my money after being coerced into giving. Thank God I belong to a very good church Miracle Life Family Church.  If you happen to be in Lusaka, Zambia please pay us a visit. I can guarantee you will feel at home.

    Provide For Your Family

    If you are a parent like me, it is your responsibility to provide for your family. Not only financial support but also in many aspects of your children’s lives.

    One of the biggest mistakes we make as parents especially us fathers is to think that we only need to provide financial support.

    We have a tendency of leaving the mothers to do rest. Yes, financial provision is important but your children need you in every aspect of their lives. Get involved in knowing them better not just by name. Create time off your busy schedule and spend some quality time with them.

    The relationship I had with my father was more or less strictly Dad, Son relationship. At no time did my Dad get involved with helping me with my school work. He only got involved when it was time to get my report card.

    Well, I don’t blame him and am not complaining. Maybe that is the way he was brought up. However, am trying to change the narrative for my kids. I try as much as possible to know how they are doing at school and help them where I can. Am not perfect and there is still a lot of room for improvement in this area.

    It’s also time-consuming but it’s worthwhile. The benefits of spending more time with my family outweighs the benefits of chasing after that extra income. Not that I do not need the extra finances, I need it, neither am saying you should not work hard, but you need to strike a balance between family and work.

    Remember parenting is a one-time shot. You either get it right or wrong and before you know it the kids would have grown and you would have missed out in influencing their development at the right time.

    I believe that family is more important than money. Look, how many people do you know that have a lot of money and are divorced? This goes to show you that money is not everything. I do not subscribe to the notion that money is the answer to all your problems.

    Money should be regarded as a tool just like any other that you use to help alleviate your life. Do not love money. I believe that it is good to have a healthy bank account “but the love for money is the root of all evil.” – the Bible.

    Giving Is An Expression of Gratitude

    When you give you are expressing gratitude. You are blessing someone with your earthly possessions. I have also learned that when you give, you create more room for receiving.

    Giving does not necessarily have to be material items. You will be shocked that even just emotional support is very much appreciated. You could give your time as well.

    I was elated by some of my church members from our cell group when they visited me during my young brother’s funeral. Their visit just made me feel that I belong to a supportive family because I never expected them to visit.

    If you look around your home you will realise that you have so many things that you no longer need or have use for, that can be useful to some people. It could be old books, old toys, old clothes and anything else. Give them away.

    There is always someone who is in need. It could just be someone in your neighbourhood or even a close friend or relative. Where I come from there is always someone in need. There is always an opportunity to give back.

    It is just natural that if you have to be more you need to be more. You cannot experience extraordinary personal growth by doing ordinary things. Leave the ordinary to ordinary people. Do the extraordinary and see if you will not be an achiever.

    If you have to wake up at 04:00 am in the morning do it. If you have to stay late at the office go ahead and give it your best shot.

    Just like at school, you cannot get good results if you are not putting in extra hours of study. Look school is hard work. Those who achieve more are those who have developed an attitude of going the extra mile.

    If you spend most of your time fooling around and expect to get good results you are in for a rude shock. The bible says “you reap what you sow.” If you think that by sleeping 10hrs a day you will achieve your goals, well good luck.

    The joy of giving is multiplied because we know the joy of receiving. Put yourself on the receiving end every time you give something out. Am always happy when I see the expression of happiness on my children’s faces when I give them something. Also, learn to give without expecting anything back.

    Give because you are happy to do it.

    Giving Encourages Social Connection

    Being generous promotes and encourages social connections. When you give you are more likely to get back. If you belong to any social group you will agree with me that you are more likely to help those that are more generous.

    Nature requires us to create social connections in order to have a better life. I have observed that even in family circles there is always one who receives more attention when they are in need. This is usually because of their giving stature.

    The more you give the more connected you become. This exchange of gifts usually promotes a sense of trust and cooperation that strengthens our ties to other people it takes away loneliness.

    The most important thing is that when we give to others we make them feel closer or rather we draw them closer to us and this usually opens up other avenues for mutual understanding and cooperation.

    Social connections are very important in our lives.

    Conclusion

    Perhaps giving is one of the most important acts of expressing gratitude. It is also a source of joy and happiness. When you give always make sure you do not give under any pressure but out of your own free will.

    Lastly “give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give the world your best anyway” – Mother Theresa. Let us continue to give freely and willingly to help one another and make the world a better place for all.

  • Do Not Underestimate the Power of Your Actions

    There is power in your actions just as there is power in your tongue. The two are synonymous. You should always be mindful of what you say or do.

    Most people underestimate the power that God has deposited in each and every one of us. Within you, there is more than sufficient energy and willpower to achieve anything that you set your mind on.

    “Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year – and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!” – Tony Robbins.

    It is, therefore, important that you realise it and stop underrating yourself. One of the reasons why we do not progress and achieve our goals is because we underestimate ourselves.

    People think they cannot achieve certain things because they do not have such and such. If you are thinking like that, it is a sign of inferiority complex. Please get rid of it.

    God created us equal and it does not matter whether you are black or white; rich or poor. Remove the colour of your skin and we all have the same blood running through our veins.

    I have never seen anyone with white or black blood. We all have red blood in our veins.

    We all breathe the same air. The sun shines on all humanity regardless of the locality and colour of your skin.

    Darkness falls on both the rich and the poor. Everyone enjoys the same seasons depending on your locality. There are 24hrs in a day for all. Someday each and every one of us will die. Why then do you underestimate the power of your actions?

    Every great man or woman knows that every action they take leads to something. That is why it is important that you learn to take decisive actions with your life.

    Yes, I know that sometimes our actions may seem not to be right with everyone at the time. But nature requires us to do the right things.

    Some of the things I learned from my late Dad seemed very harsh then. But fast forward I realise that they are now very useful for my survival.

    I learned at an early age in life to be independent. My Dad taught me to be more independent. Well, back then it looked like punishment.

    Of course, as a young man, I would have loved to be a little bit more spoiled.

    But equipped with more knowledge now, I think It would have been a challenge for me to be a more responsible person if I was spoiled.

    Your Every Action Builds Your Character

    Society will always judge you by your actions, simply because this is what they see. They are not preview of your thoughts and feelings.

    Most of the time they will misunderstand your actions. But always remember that for every action you make there is an equal reaction.

    Some will be positive and others will be negative reactions. Stay your course and do what you think is right. I always tell my children that when they do the right things no one is going to bother them. They will be at peace with everyone.

    No matter how small your deeds may be, do not underestimate the power they carry. It may just be saying thank you to a stranger for helping you.

    That one small deed can go a long way to making someone happy and feel appreciated.

    I remember one time at church as I was on duty, I offered one of my team members a cup of coffee. For me, it was just extending a good gesture to a teammate.

    I was very touched to find out a few weeks later that it was the only meal he had for that particular day.

    You are a sum total of the small things that you do. Your character is built and formed by the little things you do on a daily basis. So matter how small or insignificant you think your actions are, do not underestimate them. You never know who is watching.

    Life is Work In Progress

    My life is a continuous work in progress. I don’t think there will ever be a time when things will just happen on auto pilot. I have to constantly keep pushing myself and find ways of improving.

    Everyday of my life, it dawns on me that am aging and I have to learn how to do certain things as am aging. When I look at people who are really advanced in age and cannot do the very things they used to do when they were much younger. I realise that actually life is a work in progress.

    At every stage you have to learn, just when you think you have mastered one thing another challenge comes along.

    That is why you must quickly learn to become a student of yourself. You may not have the same energy to achieve your goals in the next few years.

    They say make hay when its summer because you cannot make it when winter comes. In order to move in tandem with this world you must learn to evolve.

    Develop ideas on how you can change your way of life and remain relevant to the core. The more relevant you are the more you can contribute positively to humanity.

    For as long as am able to, it is my intention to continue contributing in my own small way to the cause of personal development and self growth.

    I will try and write on topics that are relevant and will continue learning and finding more ways of delivering my messages. I will simply not give up. Not just yet.

    Confidence Comes From Experience

    You can overcome your fears and flaws by gaining experience. Experience is gained through practice.

    Take the example of driving a car. The first time you do it, you are gripped with fear and are nervous. You are lacking in confidence and make a lot of mistakes on the road.

    The more you practice the more confident you get. After a number of times driving, you are so much confident that you do not even think about it. Even when you make mistakes you are not bothered that much.

    Before you gain confidence you will fall and sometimes bruise your self. But if you persist you will soon get the hang of it and your confidence will soon be more than your fear.

    To apply the principle of improving your confidence the following could be of great use. Identify the areas of your life that are outside your comfort zone.

    Take a step by ensuring that you venture into your un comfortable zone. The first time will feel very awkward.

    It will not be easy the first time and believe me it will not be perfect either. Go on and continue doing it and you will eventually get the hang of it.

    Remember that it is not practice that makes perfect but, imperfect practice that results in perfectness.

    Conclusion

    “Never underestimate the potential and power of the human spirit”.

    Your actions are responsible for shaping your character. If you want to build a good reputation you need to guard your heart jealously as this is the source of your actions.

    The bible says “as a man thinketh so is he in his heart”.  It is also says “you shall know them by their fruits”. We do not just act from without. We react with what we have. Remember to “never underestimate the power of your actions”.

  • The 7 Principles for Successful Self-Improvement

    Life is full of challenges, many of which are beyond our control. But, when it comes to personal behaviour, and how we react to situations we have no excuses and this is where self-improvement and personal growth come into play.

    I know that Self-improvement is one of the most important of all human virtues. If there is something that should be undertaken by everyone it is “personal development.” Self-improvement is the “advancement of one’s knowledge, status, or character by one’s own efforts.”

    It takes one’s willingness and one’s own efforts to reach self-actualisation. No one can be successful or reach greater heights, without first improving themselves. That’s how important the subject of self-improvement is to our lives.

    If you keep doing the same things you will continue getting the same results. If you want to improve and grow, you must change what you do and do it differently, the choice is entirely yours.

    “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily agenda.”  – John C. Maxwell.

    Very true, if you want to change your life and start living a better life you need to change the way you do things. You need to make self-improvement and personal growth the primary focus for your life.

    Learning how to make self-improvement a priority and primary focus for your life, will help you move forward with confidence and strength toward your goals.

    It will ease the pressures of life. You will enjoy your life’s journey even more.

    In my many years of consciously practising self-improvement, I have summed up the many principles into 7 that have been very beneficial to me.

    Know Your Purpose

    The number one principle is knowing your purpose. What is your God-given purpose on earth? What is it that you were designed to give the world?

    Look, you like it or not, you have a purpose why you are on earth. It is, therefore, your responsibility to know and discover what your purpose is in life.

    Are you wandering through life with little or no direction, hoping that you’ll find happiness, health and prosperity? Find your life’s purpose and write down your mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your success every time.

    Knowing your purpose in life makes you live your life with integrity. It helps you make the right choices and decisions knowing that they will help you achieve your goals.

    When you know your purpose you will stick to your lane. Yes, you will be faced with challenges, but they will only serve to make you a better person.

    “There’s no greater gift than to honour your life’s calling. It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.”  – Oprah Winfrey.

    Knowing your life’s purpose helps you find your true passion and this becomes an important factor for you to achieve something extraordinary.

    Whether it is a dream you have had from childhood or a newly found way of life, the passion will drive you to reach your goals.

    Your life’s purpose is the compass for your life. There is no wrong purpose if it’s what you were created for it is the right one. God created each one of us to contribute positively to the improvement of the world.

    Know Your Values

    What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development and learning.

    As you set your goals, check your goals against your values. If the goal doesn’t align with any of your top five values, you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

    Look we all have values. Values “are the principles that give our lives meaning and allow us to persevere through adversity.”

    We live our lives according to our values. The values you hold determines the quality of life you lead.

    Know Your Needs

    My number 3 principle is knowing your needs. What are your needs? Needs are the things that are necessary for making your life easy, without which life would be impossible for you.

    Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? Make sure you address these needs before anything else.

    There are so many people who live their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it’s too late!

    Knowing and meeting your needs is a fundamental human right. It is your responsibility to ensure that you know your basic needs.

    Life is much easier to navigate through when you know your needs. Generally, your lives revolve around your needs.

    Once your basic needs are identified and are met with satisfaction, life opens up more opportunities for self-improvement; opportunities to grow beyond just your needs.

    You focus on how best you can contribute to humanity without worrying about yourself.

    Know Your Passions

    You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you ought to be.

    Express yourself and honour the people who have inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.

    Embracing your passions brings back some simplicity in your life that can lead to new freedoms in your everyday life.

    There are many benefits that come with knowing your passions. When you are fully aware of your passions you live an authentic life free from the pressures of other people.

    You follow what your soul is telling you. You become the original you, that you were designed to be. Knowing your passions brings greater self-awareness and confidence which in turn improves your productivity levels.

    Often times when we follow our passions we make a career of out of them. We get paid doing what we love.

    There is a difference between an artist whose main driver is making money and one whose main purpose is appreciating and enjoying their work.

    Live From the Inside Out

    Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind.

    For most of us city slickers, it’s hard to even find the peace and quiet we want even in our own homes. In my case, I often just sit and play some classical music. There’s sound, yes, but music does soothe the soul.

    They say all growth comes from within. What we are outside is a reflection of what we are inside. When we live from the inside out, we live from a sense of our own worthiness.

    Honour Your Strengths

    What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List five, if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify them.

    Are you imaginative, witty, and good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you share what you know with others.

    “Make the best use of what is in your power and take the rest as it happens.” – Epictetus.

    When you work from your strengths you work with confidence and with less effort.

    Being of Service to Others

    When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others; your spirit; your essence.

    The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you is indeed worthwhile, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.

    Being of service is really a joy because that is what humanity was designed for.

    Conclusion

    Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth it. It shouldn’t always be within the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room.

    The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better. Self-improvement is a personal choice and decision.

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