Self Improvement

  • Stop Being the Victim and Become the Victor

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

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

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

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

    Change Your Mindset

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Take Responsibility

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Learn From Your Failures

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Practice Self-care

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

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

    Conclusion

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

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

  • Don’t Let the Mistakes of Yesterday Hold You Back From Your Destiny

    We all make mistakes and we all have made mistakes, but you should not allow the negative consequences of your past mistakes or failures, prevent you from moving forward in your life. 

    It is natural to make mistakes and experience failures, but dwelling on them too much can hinder your progress and limit your potential for success. We are all candidates for success or failure. 

    Instead of letting the mistakes of the past define you, learn from them and use those lessons to make better choices and decisions in the present and future.

    This is the only way I know, that can help you avoid repeating the same mistakes and move closer to achieving your goals and aspirations.

    In essence, this quote “don’t let the mistakes of yesterday hold you back from your destiny” encourages you to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead and to focus on what you can do today to create a better future, rather than dwelling on what you could have done differently in the past.

    However, letting go of the past can sometimes be easier said than done. There are things that have happened to us that can be very difficult to let go of.

    Moving on from previous mistakes can be challenging, but there are some steps you can take to help you move forward.

    Acknowledge Your Faults

    The first step to moving forward is to recognise that you made a mistake. It is essential to acknowledge and take responsibility for your error. 

    This means admitting that you made a mistake and accepting the consequences of your actions no matter how hard or difficult the situation is. 

    When you admit your failures you release yourself from being captive. You take responsibility for the next course of action. 

    Acknowledging your mistake is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of maturity. It is not a sign of self-blame either, it is a sign of taking responsibility for the mess you created.

    You are simply challenging yourself to make sure that what you did wrong will be dealt with precisely and accordingly. 

    Learn From Your Mistake 

    Learn from your errors. Do not just accept them and shut the door. Try to understand why you made the mistake and what you can do differently next time. 

    Reflect on what you could have done differently, and what you can do in the future to avoid similar occurrences. 

    Sometimes it may take a little bit of time to understand, but it is necessary that you take the time. You will appreciate that as you try to understand what really transpired you will be adding more knowledge to your skill set.

    Forgive Yourself

    It’s important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s okay to forgive yourself. Forgiveness releases you from captivity it frees your soul. 

    Avoid dwelling on your mistakes and beating yourself up about them. Instead, focus on what you can do to improve and move forward.

    If what you did has an effect on other people, it is also very important to ask them for forgiveness. Or if indeed you are holding a grudge against someone forgive them.

    Look, holding a grudge will not take you anywhere. Actually most of the time the person we have a grudge against doesn’t even know about it.

    They go about their life with a peaceful mind where as you have no peace because you are carrying the burden. 

    Take Action

    Take steps to make amends for your mistake if necessary, and work to improve yourself and your situation. Take action to prevent similar mistakes from happening again in the future.

    Your actions speak louder than your words. What you do after the negative situation will determine the progress you make.

    Be sincere with your life as you take action to remedy the situation. Don’t just sit and say things will sort themselves out, no. 

    Learn to take action. Remember if you do nothing, nothing will be done to resolve the situation. And life the way it is, has a way of catching up with you.

    If it’s a disagreement with a spouse take time to talk about it and reach a mutual agreement. In these situations, I always say it’s a give-and-take situation.

    Ultimately without action, there can be no progress. there is nothing to talk about if you do not act.

    Stay Positive

    Focus on the present and the future, rather than dwelling on the past. Stay positive and motivated, and continue to work towards your goals and aspirations.

    Staying positive can help you lead a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.

    Try out the following few tricks to help you stay positive: 

    Practice Gratitude – Take some time each day to reflect on the things that you are grateful for in your life. This will help you to focus on the positive aspects of your life and appreciate the good things that you have.

    If you think you have nothing to be grateful for at least be grateful for the gift of life, thank God that you are still alive. Better still list them down and you will be amazed at the list generated. 

    Surround Yourself With Positivity – Spend time with people who lift you up and support you, and avoid those who bring you down. Fill your life with positive influences, such as uplifting music, inspiring books, or motivational quotes. Make the Bible your number one spiritual and motivational book.

    Focus on Finding Solutions – When faced with a problem or challenge, try to focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of the situation. It has happened, its history, and look for future solutions. 

    Practice Positive Self-talk – Be kind and compassionate towards yourself and avoid negative self-talk. Use positive affirmations to reinforce a positive mindset. This will help change and refocus your mindset.

    Remember, staying positive is a mindset that takes practice and effort. By adding these tips to your daily routine, you can cultivate a positive outlook. 

    Let Go and Move On

    Finally, let go of the past and focus on moving forward. Remember yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift that is why they call it present. Enjoy the present while it lasts. 

    Use the lessons you have learned to make better choices in the future and work towards your goals with confidence and determination.

    Conclusion

    Remember, it’s important to be patient and kind to yourself as you move on from your mistakes. It may take time, but with effort and persistence, you can move forward and create a better future for yourself. You owe it to yourself to move and push through with the agenda of achieving your destiny. 

  • 5 Ways to Incorporate Personal Development into Your Daily Routine

    Personal development and self-improvement are essential for achieving your goals and living a fulfilling life. 

    One of the mistakes we make is thinking that when you overcome a few challenges, you have arrived at the destination called personal development. 

    You relax and think you have made it, NO, personal development is an ongoing process that involves improving yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

    It is a continuous and never-ending journey. Your achievements only propel you to aim for greater heights. You should never be satisfied with yesterday’s achievements.

    There is always room for expansion and growth. By making small changes to your daily routine, you can enhance your personal growth and become the best version of yourself.

    Even when you have achieved this there is still more room to advance even further. You should never reach a point when you think that you have made it. You should always think that there is room for doing even better.  

    Learn Something New Every Day

    One of the best ways to incorporate personal development into your daily routine is to commit to learning something new every day. 

    This could be as simple as reading an article on a topic you’re interested in, listening to a podcast, or watching a TED talk. Look there is always something new to learn every day you just have to be on the lookout.

    By expanding your knowledge and skills, you’ll not only improve your personal growth but also increase your confidence and ability to tackle new challenges. The more knowledgeable you are, the more skilled you become.

    Whether it’s a new skill, language, or hobby, challenging yourself to learn something new can enhance your personal development.

    Make it a habit to deliberately set aside sometime each day for learning, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Over time, these small daily efforts will add up to significant personal development.

    Bear in mind that it is the small things that make the big things. Do not aim for the big ones, but your focus must be to complete the small daily tasks. 

    Keep your mind focused on achieving your everyday routines and make sure that you do them well. The more you meet the targets the more you grow your knowledge and ultimately improve your skill set. 

    Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

    Another way to incorporate personal development into your daily routine is to practice mindfulness and gratitude. 

    Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and fully engaged in what you’re doing, without judgment or distraction. 

    This can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and increase overall well-being. 

    Gratitude involves focusing on the positive aspects of your life and expressing appreciation for them. This can help shift your mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance and improve your overall outlook on life. 

    Try incorporating mindfulness and gratitude practices into your daily routine, such as taking a few minutes each morning to meditate or write in a gratitude journal.

    Practising meditation can help you reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and enhance your emotional well-being.

    Even just a few minutes of daily meditation can have significant benefits.

    Morning Reflection and Planning

    Take a few minutes each morning to reflect on the previous day and plan your goals for the day. This will help you focus on your priorities and keep track of your progress.

    Making plans for the day makes you prepare and concentrate on what you want to achieve for the day. Yes, distractions may come but your mind will be focused on what you have planned.

    The best time to plan for your day is usually in the morning. I usually do it the night before and review it the next morning. 

    In the night before sleeping, I have some time to myself and review the day’s activities before going on to plan for the next day.

    Daily Exercise

    Exercise not only benefits your physical health but also boosts your mood, reduces stress, and helps enhances your cognitive abilities. 

    Incorporate daily exercise into your routine to stay energised and focused throughout the day. Exercising gives your body that extra energy you need to see you through the day.

    There is no best suggested time for doing exercise. My personal preference is in the morning. Some people prefer the afternoon and still, others prefer the evening.

    Whatever, time you think is right and convenient for you, make sure you exercise regularly. If you are not in the habit already start now and just know that the start is usually the difficult part.

    It is also advisable to consult your physician before getting into the habit of exercising especially if you have any underlying medical condition.

    There are many benefits to exercising and I strongly recommend that you develop the habit of working out frequently. 

    Reading

    Reading is an excellent way to broaden your knowledge and improve your vocabulary. Reading books, articles, or even just a few paragraphs each day can help you expand your perspective and enhance your knowledge.

    How does it improve your vocabulary? It introduces you to new words and phrases, which helps to enrich your choice of words. This will enhance your communication skills and help you express yourself more efficiently and effectively.

    Apart from improving your vocabulary and expanding your perspective reading strengthens your memory as it requires you to remember characters, plot lines, and other details, which strengthens your memory and improves your cognitive abilities.

    Reading also exposes you to a variety of ideas, opinions, and perspectives that you may not encounter otherwise. 

    The more reading you do, the more enhanced your critical thinking skills get as reading requires you to analyse and interpret information, which enhances them. 

    And as you may know, critical thinking helps you make better decisions and solve problems more effectively.

    Reading is a big part of learning and learning is a huge component of personal development, you cannot achieve meaningful growth without learning.

    Reading about different experiences and perspectives can help you develop empathy and understanding for others which can help you build stronger relationships. 

    Conclusion

    Ultimately personal development is a personal choice. It is not a destination but a journey and way of life. There is never a period when you will rest and say you have arrived, it is a continuous and never-ending process. 

  • How to Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

    In a world full of distractions and chaos, it’s easy to lose touch with your inner self and forget the simple joys of life. 

    The practice of mindfulness and gratitude can help us reconnect with ourselves, our surroundings, and appreciate the small things in life. 

    Let us explore what mindfulness and gratitude are, their benefits, and how to incorporate these practices into our daily lives, but before that let’s define “Mindfulness and Gratitude.”

    “Mindfulness” is the act of being present in the moment, paying attention to our thoughts and feelings without judgment. 

    It’s about focusing on the present and being fully engaged in whatever we are doing, whether it’s walking, eating, or even just breathing. It’s a way to quiet the constant chatter in our minds and bring a sense of calmness and clarity. 

    “Mindfulness – the fact of remembering something/somebody and considering it/them when you do something” – Oxford Dictionary. 

    When we practice mindfulness, we become more aware of our thoughts and emotions, which helps us better manage stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions.

    Gratitude, on the other hand, is the practice of acknowledging and appreciating the good things in our lives, no matter how small they may be. 

    It’s about recognising and expressing thanks for the people, experiences, and things that bring us joy and happiness. 

    Gratitude helps us focus on the positive aspects of our lives and cultivates feelings of happiness, contentment, and overall well-being.

    “Gratitude – the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express your thanks” – Oxford Dictionary.

    Both mindfulness and gratitude are practices that can be incorporated into our daily lives. 

    Start Your Day With Gratitude

    Begin your day by acknowledging the things you’re grateful for. It can be something as simple as having a roof over your head, a warm cup of coffee, or the love of your family. 

    Take a moment to reflect on these things and express your gratitude for them. These are things we take for granted that many other people do not have.

    For me, the most important of them all is the gift of life. The fact that am alive today gives me an opportunity and chance to do the right thing the more reason why I am grateful for it.

    How you start your day will largely determine how you go through it. If you start on a grumpy note the whole day will be a grumpy one.

    If you start your day with peace it will most likely turn out to be a much more peaceful day. So mind what you say and watch what you do. 

    Practice Mindful Breathing

    Breathing is one of the most fundamental and automatic things we do. However, by practising mindful breathing, we can use it to calm our minds and be more present in the moment. 

    Find a quiet space, where you can sit comfortably, and focus on your breadth. Pay attention to the sensation of the air entering and leaving your nostrils. Whenever your mind wanders, refocus and bring it back to your breath.

    Mindful breathing can help reduce stress and increases the feeling of calmness and relaxation. 

    Practice Mindful Eating

    We often eat on autopilot, without really paying attention to what we’re eating or how it tastes. Mindful eating involves slowing down, savouring each bite, and paying attention to the flavours, textures, and sensations of the food. 

    This practice not only helps us appreciate our food but can also helps us develop a healthier relationship with food. 

    Rather than eating on autopilot, mindful eating involves intentionally focusing on the eating experience. It encourages us to slow down and savour each bite, allowing us to fully enjoy and appreciate the food we are consuming.

    Keep a Gratitude Journal

    A gratitude journal is a simple yet effective tool to cultivate feelings of gratitude. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for. 

    These can be big or small things, and they don’t have to be unique every day. The act of writing them down can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and develop a more positive outlook.

    To help enhance this practice carry with you a small notepad everywhere you go. Write down as much as you can. Remember this is for your consumption so you can write, however, you want for as long as you can make sense of it.

    I personally carry one where I write all sorts of things including my writing ideas. It has helped me remember a lot of things that I may have forgotten under normal circumstances.

    Practice Mindfulness in Everyday Activities

    Mindfulness can be practiced in any activity, from washing the dishes to taking a shower. Focus on the sensations and movements of your body, the sounds around you, and the experience of the activity. 

    By bringing mindfulness to our daily activities, we can transform even the most mundane tasks into meaningful experiences.

    Some examples of mindfulness activities include yoga, meditation and tai chi. These practices can help you connect with your body and breath, and can also help you cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm.

    Whatever activity you choose to undertake make sure you approach it with an open mind and a sense of curiosity to allow yourself to be fully immersed in the experience.

    Show Gratitude Towards Others

    Expressing gratitude towards others is a powerful way to cultivate positive relationships and foster a sense of connection. 

    Take the time to thank someone who has helped you, whether it’s a friend, family member, or colleague. It can be as simple as sending a text or a handwritten note, letting them know how much you appreciate them.

    People always want to help someone who appreciates the effort they make. It is much easier to help someone who is thankful than one who is not.

    If you sow gratitude you reap gratitude. You do not expect people to show you gratitude if you do not show it yourself.

    Practice Self-compassion

    Self-compassion is the practice of treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance, especially in moments of difficulty, failure, or suffering. 

    It involves extending the same level of care and concern towards oneself as one would, towards a good friend or loved one.

    You may not realise it but sometimes we are hard on ourselves especially when we are faced with challenges. We are continuously blaming ourselves and this only puts more pressure on our well-being.

    Practising self-compassion can relieve the pressure off yourself and give you a much-needed reset. 

    Conclusion

    Mindfulness and gratitude are two practices that can have a positive impact on our mental and emotional well-being.

    I encourage you to develop an attitude of practising the two as they can greatly improve your overall well-being as you pursue your personal development agenda.

  • 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    You, Will, Be More Effective and Efficient

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

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

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

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

    The Quality of Your Service is Noticeable

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Joy and Happiness

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

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

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

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

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

    Conclusion

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

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

  • Living Consciously

    “Would you bring into your life more power? Get the power consciousness; more health? Get the health consciousness; more happiness? Get the happiness consciousness.”

    Live the spirit of these things until they become yours by right. It will then become impossible to keep them away from you.

    Our consciousness has a direct bearing on our moods and the kind of life we are leading.

    When you become conscious of a situation it does usually come to pass. Living consciously is one of the powerful ways to achieve your life’s purposes.

    The Power of Consciousness

    Consciousness is a powerful tool and this powerful tool lies within each one of us. The power of consciousness cannot be measured.

    It is immense. It all starts with the mind. When the creative power of thought is fully understood, its effect will be seen to be marvellous.

    But such results cannot be secured without proper application, diligence, and concentration.

    Abundance, therefore, depends upon recognition of the laws of Abundance, and the fact that Mind is not only the creator, but the only creator of all there is.

    The whole world is on the eve of a new consciousness, a new power, and a new realization of the resources within itself.

    Day by day as you go on and on with your life, as you gain momentum, as your inspiration deepens, as your plans crystallise, as you gain understanding, you will come to realize that this world is no dead pile of stones and timber, but that it is a living thing!

    It is made up of the beating hearts of humanity. It is a thing of life and beauty.

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

    If your mind is predominantly saying you are sick the body will succumb and sickness will creep in.

    If your mind is on the positive side, be rest assured that you will attract positive results. Having a positive mindset is a sure way of achieving your desired purpose in life.

    The attitude of your mind depends on what you predominantly harbour as thoughts.

    All possession is based on consciousness. All gain is the result of an accumulative consciousness. All loss is the result of a Scattering consciousness.

    The Benefits of Living Consciously

    Look, there are many benefits of living consciously and I would recommend and encourage you to start living consciously of what you want to become in your life.

    Start today and see what results you will yield in the next few months.

    I believe that all great achievers have been living consciously of their achievements long before they even achieved much.

    When you live consciously you attract that which you are conscious of.

    To effectively benefit from living consciously you need to have devised a life’s purpose and plan. Without which you will have no direction.

    You need to ask yourself what is it that you want to be changed in this world. How can you help change it?

    These are tough questions and there is no correct or wrong answer but they have to be answered by you and me.

    Surely there is something within you that can help change the world for the better.

    There is something that you dislike, something that you see is wrong, well stop complaining and do something about it.

    To this effect, we must be wary and alive to what we feed our conscious mind.

    Remember the Bible tells us “that out of the abundance of the heart the month speaks.”

    When you live consciously you are generally a happy, fulfilled, and confident person.

    Yes, you will come across negative things, learn to brush them aside.

    Do you realize that even in a heated conversation there are positive things that come out? I have found and realized that you can actually pick up encouraging words even from an argument.

    Forget all the negative things that happen to you and concentrate on the positive ones. It is these that keep you motivated and focused to achieve more.

    There is a story of a man who was carrying luggage a very big one in front and a very small one at the back.

    When asked what was in the luggage he answered that the one in front contains all the good words and things that have happened to him and the one behind is where he puts all the bad things and words that are said to him.

    He went on to say that the bag behind is actually torn at the bottom so that every time he throws the bad things, they are thrown to the ground.

    Now, imagine having to carry all the good things that have happened to you, and better still carrying them in front of keeps you reminded of them.

    I know that some of you reading this article have gone through trying moments, take heart my friend there is always someone with more problems than you.

    Just thank your creator that at least you are still alive. I believe that every living person has a chance to achieve more with their life.

    Conclusion

    There are many benefits to living consciously. The only encouragement I can give you is, try to be conscious of the things you want to become.

    When you are conscious of them you attract them to you and you are alive to them.

    Imagine yourself being that leader you want to become and start living like a leader, imagine yourself being that preacher and live like one in other words your consciousness determines your destiny and your daily life.

  • Relationships are a Source of Personal Stability

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

    Relationships of all kinds are often perceived as very delicate things, that require extra effort to maintain.

    However, a relationship can also be something that can provide security and personal stability; and can also be long lasting despite many trials.

    There are very few people if any that can claim not to have been or be in a relationship of some sort.

    Being in a healthy relationship can be a great source of personal stability and can provide security. We derive comfort and security in relationships.

    Human nature demands that we create relationships. No man is an island. We succeed based mainly on how successful or rather how healthy our relationships are, be it in a business or intimate relationship.

    Being in an unhealthy relationship has a very negative effect on your personal development journey.

    Creating Effective and Efficient Relationships

    We all strive for security and personal stability, therefore; building effective and long lasting relationships is a necessity. As human beings, we feel more comfortable and secure if we know that we come from a loving and caring environment.

    It gives you peace of mind when you know that you come from a caring and loving home. It is therefore very important in life that we cultivate and nurture our current relationships.

    For me the number one killer of relationships; be it personal or business, is a lack of satisfactory communication channels and a lack of trust.

    If you are in an intimate relationship make communication number one on the agenda of your to-do list. Proper communication leads to trust.

    An effective relationship will have such attributes as; Respect and trust; understanding; taking responsibility for our actions; effective communication and confidence; in intimate relationships patience is also important.

    When these attributes are correctly applied you are guaranteed of having an effective and efficient relationship. It takes all parties involved in the relationship to make it work.

    Even in a group or organization, the well-being of the people depends on how efficient and effective that group or organization works.

    The group or organization is also dependent on how the members work well especially with the management.

    Sometimes there is a tendency by management not to listen to complaints and suggestions from the junior members, forgetting that without the junior members there would be no organisation to run. People seek employment that offers personal stability and security.

    An ineffective group or organization can really be very frustrating.

    An ineffective group or organization can also ask so much of their members, that sometimes the members would be having no life outside the walls of the area where they work or sacrifice the other aspects of their lives just to meet deadlines.

    For an organization or group, with this kind of scenario, relationships can be stressed or suffer from breakdown.

    Relationships and Society

    Society is defined as a web of relationships, which requires all parties to work and contribute their share in order to achieve a common goal.

    In simple terms, society is made up of you and me. I would like to emphasise that at the very core of society is the family. A society with deep rooted family values is more successful than one that does not value family ties.

    Having a relationship that is good, where cooperation and respect are manifested, can make society work better. We all look forward to a society that offers security and personal stability for all.

    In this way, each member works for the good of the whole and towards achieving a common goal. This can only be attained with effective and efficient relationships.

    We are part of one big family. Each and every one of us was created to contribute positively to the growth of every society.

    Understanding the other parties’ feelings and positions creates an effective and efficient relationship.

    The easiest method to understand what is important to another party is to ask them what they want and listen to what they have to say.

    When the other party realizes this, they would feel the importance given to them. This is one way of showing respect and exercising your communication skills.

    Effective and efficient relationships require parties to openly express their feelings and positions on all matters pertaining to the relationship.

    Assuming that the other party understands our needs and gives us when we need it without asking for it is not good practice. This often creates a breakdown in communication.

    It is not wise to assume or rather think on behalf of someone. Relationships play a very important part in molding society.

    Respect and Trust in Relationships

    Perhaps one of the key factors in determining the healthiness of a relationship is respect and trust. A relationship without both will definitely fail.

    I have not come across a successful business partnership without respect and trust amongst the members.

    In order to create a more effective relationship, parties should treat each other with respect. Respect and trust also apply very much in intimate relationships.

    We can show respect just by listening to the other party and by trying sincerely to understand how they function.

    You can also show respect to other parties by confirming that they are doing everything they can.

    You see in any relationship it takes both parties’ efforts to make a healthy relationship, this is one way you can achieve personal stability.

    If you are in an intimate relationship it is very important that you respect and trust your partner. The bible says “do onto others what you would want them do unto you.”

    If you want to be loved first show love before you can receive it.

    We definitely do not take pleasure in being hurt unless you are not normal. It takes a long time to build trust yet it is very easy to break it.

    Most of the broken relationships I have come across are a result of mistrust and lack of respect for one another.

    Your character is a reflection of what you think. Feed your mind with the right stuff and you will think and act rightly.

    There is no way you will respect others if you do not learn to respect and trust yourself. Change begins with you.

    You cannot go into a relationship expecting to receive what you cannot give. One must learn to please the other before they can receive.

    Service is very cardinal in any relationship. You must be the first one to be of service and remember you are doing it without expecting any reward.

    Conclusion

    Relationships are important to anyone, and addressing issues and problems right away is a must to further improve the relationship.

    As they say “No man is an Island.” Being in a healthy relationship can be a source of personal stability and security as it releases your mind to focus on achieving your life’s intended purpose.

  • 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.