SETTING THE STANDARDS

The year is gradually winding up and most of us will blame ourselves for some of the mistakes that we made, some would blame society, some would blame God for not being there. But instead of blaming, hating and cursing yourself or someone else for the mistakes that were made, you can be grateful for the little successes. Yes the little successes you had. Bury the mistakes and move on. The secret to being successful is actually expressing your gratitude for the little things that we sometimes consider irrelevant. We all have reasons to be grateful.

Success has so many sides and several many faces. But failure has just one face; 'quiting'. You must have heard the story of the young man who was just a few kilometers away from the gold he had spent weeks and months trying to dig up when he eventually gave up. Apostle Paul said in Phil.4:13 "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead",make up your mind to continue pushing in 2014.

Amongst all the resolutions for the next year, the most effective one would be an attitudinal change. Change of moral values, we should look inwards and build on the values that make us more humans and less animals.

Above all, ladies and gentlemen, we cannot erase God is our quest for happiness and a peaceful co-existence. He is the supreme being that oversees the affairs of men. We must honour God above all things and make him the first in our plannings and in the execution of our plans. Prov. 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight".

Happy new year in advance and God bless us all!

BAD HABIT THAT LEADS TO FAILURE

@pinterest

By Joel

This One Bad Habit Could De-Rail Your Chances Of Success

Becoming successful in life is more about decision making than it is about effort or hard work. We’ve all been there. That moment when we have to decide between one thing and another. It could be anything. Something as small as whether to pay the electricity bill or buy gas with the rent money. Or something as big as whether to change careers in turbulent times or stay the course and face misery on a daily basis. Making a decision can be frustrating and liberating at the same time, because you know it will change your life and alter it forever.

While everyone tells you about hard work and its rewards, rarely do people come up and tell you that they are where they are in life because of a gamble worthy decision or two that they made a while ago. Even rarer are people who tell you about how speedy decision making helped them find firm footing when they were surrounded by chaos and uncertainty. This is because the most closely guarded secret to becoming successful is, you guessed it, QUICK DECISION MAKING.

Unsuccessful people aren’t wrong all the time, but they share one common trait that is obvious to those who look closely. They are very poor decision makers.

Poor decision making skills reflect badly on your life, your work, your business, your personality and multiple other things that are your essentials for growth. Becoming successful is not so much about decisions as the time you take deciding them. One can make a really good decision, like say, a decision to change careers after realizing that the current career is going nowhere. Now this person can wait for really long, grow old and make no difference with the decision. On the other hand, they can make the decision really fast in spite of the risks and turn his or her life around with remarkable results.

Either way, this habit is the No.1 cause of failure. If you hope to even have a long shot at becoming successful, you have to get rid of one thing and one thing only:

INDECISIVENESS!
It affects many more things than you realize. People drag their feet on decisions for too long before they realize that their dreams have grown stale and they are growing older by the day. Too much time has passed by and any success they could have hoped to achieve would be irrelevant anyway.

The worlds leading Peak Performance coach Tony Robbins once said:

“Studies have shown that the most successful people make decisions rapidly because they are clear on their values and what they really want for their lives. The same studies show that they are slow to change their decisions, if at all. People who fail usually make decisions slowly and change their minds quickly, always bouncing back and forth. Just decide!” - Anthony Robbins

There is magic in good decision making. Speed is one thing, and good decision making is entirely another. Becoming successful requires a delicate mix of both these traits. You can make a bad decision fast and drive yourself into the ground or you can make a good decision late and suffer the consequences mentioned above. Sometimes, there is no such thing as a good or a bad decision. There are only decisions and more decisions. Successful people are those who make a large number of good decisions, fast. No one can be perfect and you will be wrong some of the time. But if you make a decision immediately, you will tide over bad results if any, sooner than you think you will.

What prompt decision making gives you a fighting chance at survival in the big bad world of competing ideas and businesses. Anyone will agree that a fighting chance is any day better than assured failure. A decision made fast might go wrong, but a decision that’s never made will definitely go wrong. The accuracy of this logic is evident in the fact that the most successful people on earth attribute their success to fast decision making.

Life is full of decisions. That’s how we all go from one place to another while also growing in the process. If you’re not making any decisions you’re stuck in the same place while the world surges ahead. Wherever you are and whatever you do, making a decision is not only important in becoming successful, but it’s the only way you can ever hope to grow and turn your life around for the better. All that you need is already with you. So free up your mind, take a deep breath and make those decisions fast. Your success almost wholly depends on prompt and good decision making.

"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!

The 3 Decisions That Made Mandela a Truly Great Leader

Nelson Mandela's life story has long since become a legend, one that transcends borders, race, language, or culture. His leadership truly belongs to the world.

It would be absurd--let alone disrespectful to Mandela's achievements--to suggest that the issues you face as a business leader are as grave as apartheid, or that the stresses you encounter compare with his decades of imprisonment. Still, Mandela's decisions at key points in his career do hold lessons for everyone who aspires to be a great leader.  In my opinion, these three decisions especially stand out.

1985: Turning down Botha's offer of conditional amnesty

In a 1985 speech to the nation, pro-apartheid President F. W. Botha offered Mandela freedom if he renounced violence and other illegal activity. The President tried to shift the blame for imprisonment to Mandela himself: after all, he was now free to go, provided he would be law abiding. Mandela did not fall for this transparent ploy. Yes, he very much desired freedom after decades of hard labor and confinement in a small cell. But he also felt it would betray his principles, his leadership and the ANC’s long struggle. Here is how Mandela replied, in part, to President Botha’s disingenuous offer:

“What freedom am I being offered while the organization of the people remains banned?.... What freedom am I being offered if I must ask permission to live in an urban area?....  Only free men can negotiate. Prisoners cannot enter into contracts.”

Mandela turned down Botha and opted to stay in his cold, dark prison cell --  about 8 feet by 8 feet in size -- and was prepared to serve out the remainder of his life sentence.  This strategic decision was enormously powerful, since it greatly elevated his position as the face of the ANC’s opposition, while also drawing attention to his enormous personal sacrifice.

1993: Finding a way to make peace in the wake of Chris Hani's assasination

The second strategic decision occurred shortly after Mandela became a free man but before he was elected President in 1994. The trigger was the 1993 assassination of Chris Hani, a popular black leader fighting for equal rights. Hani was shot in cold blood by a right-wing white extremist  when stepping out of his car. The killer was identified by a white woman, who turned him in. The assasination ignited widespread fury and triggered huge demonstrations. Many blacks wanted revenge, and the atmosphere was ripe for looting, violence and mayhem. Recently out of prison, Mandela rose to the occasion and appealed for calm. Here is part of what he said:

"Tonight, I am reaching out to every single South African, black and white, from the very depths of my being. A white man, full of prejudice and hate, came to our country and committed a deed so foul that our whole nation now teeters on the brink of disaster. A white woman, of Afrikaner origin, risked her life so that we may know and bring to justice, this assassin. The cold-blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shock waves throughout the country and the world….. Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for - the freedom of all of us."

1994: Refusing to stand for a second term as president

His third strategic decision occurred after his election as president: He decided early in his first term not to stand for a second, although two were possible under the constitution. This was a remarkable gesture in a continent where leaders tend to seek maximum power (such as Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe). Mandela knew that his speech would be watched by about a billion people on television around the world, and he wanted to signal clearly that he was pledged to democracy and that he represented all the people of his country, regardless of color. The most famous lines of this landmark speech are inscribed in stone on Robben Island.  Here is part of what he said:

“We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discriminations. Never, never and never again shall this beautiful land experience the oppression of one by another….

Mandela’s extraordinary achievement was to encourage racial harmony, forgiveness without forgetting, power sharing, and a strong focus on the future, not the past. As a master of symbolism, Mandela supported his strategy by being magnanimous towards his former enemies. For example, in 1995, he visited the widow of the very man who was the main architect of the apartheid regime and in effect put him in prison (Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd). He rejoiced when the national rugby team Springboks won the world championship even though this team had been a symbol of racism and Afrikaner power for decades. He proudly wore the team’s shirt during the championship match, waved his hands in support and signaled to the world at large that he truly supported a rainbow nation. Such leadership is as precious as it is rare.

Source; INC.

The Value of Time

A Nigerian song writer sang a song titled "Time na Money"

The most precious gift given to man by God is time. Everything in life revolves around time and is bound by time. The success of every man is dependent on how you utilise your time. Why are some people very rich and some very poor? The rich have learnt the secret of time management and consumption.

Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. In the book titled 'The Value of Time', the author Shaykh ‘Abd al-Fattah Abu defines time as ‘the loftiest and most precious of all primary blessings......'

Time management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals complying with a due date. This set encompasses a wide scope of activities, and these include planning, allocating, setting goals, delegation, analysis of time spent, monitoring, organising, scheduling, and prioritising. Initially, time management referred to just business or work activities, but eventually the term broadened to include personal activities as well. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools, techniques, and methods. Usually time management is a necessity in any project development as it determines the project completion time and scope.

The end-product of a well utilized time is a fulfilled lifetime. Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. God created every man equal and gave us equal task and equal time. One big difference between the rich and the poor is that the rich know how to maximize his time very well.

Recently, a new word found its way into my vocabulary, its 'Value system' and as I meditate and reflex on life, I've discovered that everything in life, is hinged on our value system. What does this have to do with our subject matter 'Time', everything! The most valuable thing in a rich man's life is his time. God almighty in His sovereignty said, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens"(Eccl. 3:1)

TIME MANAGEMENT FACTORS

Managing one’s time isn’t rocket science, but it doesn’t come all that easy; if it were, then you won’t be needing these tips. To be a master of time management, there are certain things you must ensure are in place;

• Discipline; Right. We think we’re disciplined if we work all the time, but we’re not. Actually, that shows we lack discipline—we have no recovery discipline. But discipline is really nothing more than habit. We need to create the habit of oscillating between periods of stress and recovery. Once those habits become ingrained, you can act in a responsible way—being disciplined both in your work habits and in recovering from that stress—without even thinking about it.
• Finding your work energy; Don't spend all of your time working and Finding your work energy; It means creating the right atmosphere and environment; one that is free from tension and fatigue. Your energy is your driving force and moves you into action.
• Always find a balance; Creating a balance between work, family, friends and fun is a huge step towards becoming an effective time manager.
• Develop a ritual for yourself; Develop a success habit that becomes a ritual that you must observe on a daily basis. Some people's rituals involve tennis every afternoon in the court at the Human Performance Institute. People may think I’m goofing off but I’m not. It’s my way of being disciplined—and responsible

PRINCIPLES OF TIME

TIME IS A GIFT; Gifts are given only by people who care about you. So God loves us and He gave us the gift of time. But how you use it is your decision and it determines what your get in life.

TIME IS PRECIOUS; What is the most valuable thing on earth? Time, because everything is acquired in time and all of man's business is conducted by time. You could have food, clothing, fabulous homes, wisdom - have all you want, but if you do not have time, it means - you have nothing. This brings me back to the issue of 'Value system'. If you value this precious gift of time that has been given to us, you stand a chance of gaining a whole lot of fortune out of life.

TIME IS AN ASSET; A good investment of your time makes you an efficient time manager. Time is a valuable asset that determines the acquisition of every other thing; relationships, material wealth, etc. 'Time is money' always remember that and you waste it on something worthless. To fully enjoy this precious asset, one must learn to set priorities and learn to do what's most important.

For more information on time management, check my other articles on 'Effective Time Management'

• To understand the value of a year, talk to a student who has failed an important exam.
• To understand the value of a month, talk to a mother who has given birth to a baby a month before her due date.
• To understand the value of a week, talk to the publisher of a weekly newspaper.
• To understand the value of an hour, talk to a couple in love, who are separated and want only to be together again.
• To understand the value of a minute, talk to someone who has just missed a train or a plane.
• To understand the value of a second, talk to someone who has lost a loved one in an accident.
• To understand the value of a millisecond, talk to someone who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games. 

The success of Every man depends on his understanding of time and effective use of it.

FRIENDSHIP

by Theresa Otu

Frienship is what keeps our humanity and strengthens our relationships in this world. Even the creator calls us friends. It is priceless and precious to those who understand its worth.

Here is an extract from a friend of mine on true friendship. Enjoy this short article and apply it in your daily relationship with those around you.

"WHO IS YOUR TRUE FRIEND?

1. A true friend is always near, he/she loves and respects you.
2. A true friend rejoices in your fortunes and is not jealous of your success in life.
3. He/she adds to your happiness, shares your disappointments and helps you cope with your sorrows.
4. He/she is faithful to your aspirations ans is a trustworthy confidente.
5. A true friend enables your lives, brings out the best in you, inspires you to achieve greater intellectual and spiritual height. A true friend has an instiable thirst for knowledge and an ambition to improve.
6. A true friend always stand by you, in good and in bad times.
7. He/she appreciates you, without him, you are not what you are; one is never poor, even though his or her clothes maybe worn out and his purse is empty, if he still has the love and understanding of loyal friends.

"Indeed, true friendship lies in the affection and the comradeship between one human being and another" (Mahatma Gandhi).
Your true friend should tell better of you than you do".

The ship that should never sink is friendship.