"I CAN DO" ISN'T ENOUGH

To succeed in life, one has to develop this kind of mindset and mentality. This is the winner's philosophy and it's relevance cannot be over emphasized in our daily lives. You can never attain the height you have set out for yourself except you have the 'I CAN DO' mentality. Those of you who read the bible, you'll find out that in several verses of the bible, God talks about having faith to be able to receive answers to our prayers and the apostle Paul also said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me".

But the 'I can do' isn't enough to get the work done. It isn't enough to actualize the vision, it isn't enough to keep the team together, it isn't enough to keep our relationships and ultimately achieve happiness. Often times we pray for a miracle not realizing that we are actually the miracle waiting to manifest. The action word for success is 'DO'. Get past the phrase 'I can do' to actually doing what you believe in.

There is no success without the application of certain behaviours and attributes. Having the I can do mentality is one thing, actually doing what it takes to get it done is another.
To achieve success, certain attributes and characteristics must be applied.

1. SET THE ATMOSPHERE; this is the 1st step to achieving success in your life. Some say 'LUCK' means preparation meets opportunity. Well that is true. You can't keep saying 'I CAN DO' this, I can do that and not prepare for it. You've got to set the atmosphere for success around you. It could be redecorating your apartment or changing the way you dress. It could be wearing a smile every once in a while, it could be learning a new skill. But you've got to set an atmosphere for success to come your way. Change the negative atmosphere around you and make it a habitable place for success to dwell in.

2. SUSTAIN THE ATMOSPHERE; "seest thou a man diligent in his work, he will stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men". Continuity in a particular skill, habit/way of life makes you perfect in it. Consistency makes perfect. At first, its difficult and very hard. You tend to spend more than you profit from it. But if you continue in it, it becomes your reality. Mind you, this is applicable to all areas of life. If you create a negetive atmosphere and sustain it, it becomes your reality too. So we must be careful not to enslave ourselves in some old negetive habit or practice that makes us sad.

3. IMPROVE THE ATMOSPHERE; You can't do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. Never lose sight of the big picture when setting your atmosphere for success. Having a dream, a vision, a destination causes you to set the atmosphere to succeed. Find out what you are not doing right, make a few changes and add to what you already have in place.

 
Do not dwell on your past, it has a way of limiting you from getting to your destination. The past is merely a reference point that contain elements that would either motivate you to achieve set goals or demotivate you from forging ahead. Make peace with the past, live in the present and work towards your future. Do not let the challenges/circumstances of the present destroy the WILL to pursue the future.

EFFECTIVE TEAM PLAYERS

A team is a group of people with a common goal irrespective of their sex, colour, background, religious creed etc. Teams are created particularly to provide solution to an existing problem and create countermeasures to prevent future occurrences of that problem which may arise in the same form or a similar form. In a team, there is no personal goal, there is only a collective goal. To work effectively in a team, one has to adopt certain behaviours and attitudes. .

The key word to being an effective team member is 'ADAPTABILITY'; one most be ready and able to adapt to the team's philosophy, objectives and rules. The team doesn't bend to the individual, the individual bends to the team, "If you won't change for the team, the team may change you".
TEAM is defined as
Together
Everyone
Achieves
Maximum result

Here is a few tips on how to be an effective team player;

1. RESPECT AND VALUE EVERYONE ON THE TEAM; Everyone on the team has something to offer. Do not ignore people's opinion just so your own opinion can sail through in the team. Sometimes, you have to let others win and even support their own opinions in as much as it is for the good of the entire team. There is no 'I' in team.

2. LISTEN MORE AND COMMUNICATE CONSTRUCTIVELY; Good listeners are essential for teams to function effectively. Teams need team players who can absorb, understand, and consider ideas and points of view from other people without debating and arguing every point. Such a team member does not shy away from making a point but makes it in the best way possible — in a positive, confident, and respectful manner. He/she avoids derogatory terms on other team members when criticising other people's opinions and point of views.

3. ADD VALUE AND IMPROVE THE TEAM; "People will always move towards anyone who increases them and away from others who devalue them" JOHN MAXWELL. Teams need people who will help other team members become better in their roles. No one feels more cheated than a selfish man. To add value to team members; point out their strengths, help them focus on improvement, help them build their confidence in the team. By doing that, you become more valuable to the team.

4. BE A PROBLEM SOLVER; Teams are created to deal with a problem and so every member of the team must be solution oriented to work effectively with the team. "Someone who thinks in terms of solutions instead of just problems can be a difference maker. A team filled with people who possess that mindset can really get things done" John Maxwell. Good team players are willing to deal with all kinds of problems in a solution-oriented manner. "Obstacle will look large or small to you according to whether you are large or small" Orison Swett Marden.

5. IMPROVE YOURSELF TO REMAIN VALUABLE; As we have established already, teams are created to solve problems. To remain valuable to the team, you must constantly improve yourself to help the team achieve its goals and aims. "Success is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you are tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired" Robert Strauss. To remain valuable, you have to work smarter, work harder, stand for something. Don't quit, no matter what, never quit! "To see far is one thing, getting there is another". Constantine Brancusi

Be an effective team player today!