IS THE SOCAL MEDIA KILLING YOUR DREAMS AND FUTURE?

Many young people spend countless number of hours, money and energy on social media to the detriment of their dreams and career. If you keep an account of the amount of time and money you spend daily on social media in the past one year- it will be enough to change your circumstances and life for the better. Social media just like every other tool can either advance your course in life or mar your potentials of being great or achieving your life desires. While you spend your fortune and life away on social media, some people are making money out of you on the same platform. Recently i learnt that Linda Ikeji is worth 4 Billion Naira (over 20 million USD) for the time she spends on her blog. Ask yourself, how much are you worth for all the time and money you spend on social media? Are you being smart or dumb?

Oh! I guess you don't know that every minute you spend using the internet is money. Well, you can ask MTN and Glo how much an MB (MegaByte) is worth, that's N10 per MB and that could take you only a page or two for say, a minute or less. Now calculate how much time you spend online and multiply it by N10. Voila! That's how much you waste (well, depending) on social media.

You could turn your passion and love for the social media into an entrepreneurial activity- something that could fetch you money and fame like Linda Ikeji. Find a way of impacting on people's life just as am doing by posting this article here for you to read. Whatever you do, whatever time you spend on social media or else where, ask yourself, what am I getting in return for the time am using now? That way you could be on your way to having and living a fulfilled life.

You can be better!

~Don Nwokedi

IS RELIGION ROBBING YOU YOUR SUCCESS

I know for many out there, this is a very sensitive subject to touch on. A lot of us black Africans and Nigerians especially are very religious people and are easily triggered to argument and hate when religious issues arise.

Well, I am not going to be discussing what religion you practice or belong to. I am only interested in ensuring you succeed in life and that you live your dreams, acquire the things you desire in life, be happy and prosper in good health. So, I ask, could religion be the reason for your poverty?

Courtesy: NaijaEntrepreneur.com

I want to state clearly that I strongly believe and have faith in God. I believe firmly that He is the author and finisher of all things and the creator of heaven and earth. But I also believe strongly that religion has made a lot of our young people lazy, worthless and has kept them in a state of inertia.

I was a victim of religion in the early days of my life. When I finished NYSC (Youth Service Corp) I believed that my next meal has to come from God. I didn't have any plan, I didn't set any goals, i had no vision what so ever. I just lived in the days waiting for God to send me a job, someone to give me money for food, some one to ask me what my problems were. I practically waited for God to do everything for me. I went to church consistently, paid tithes even when i wasn't working, gave offerings, and looked up to God for everything. At some point I located a church were many of the big politicians and government officials worshiped with the hope that one day any of them will notice me and ask me, "young man how can i help you?" That chance never came.

I was being blinded by religion. I forgot God has given me the power to set goals, to make plans, and have visions and the strength to pursue them and realize them. I forgot that i have to be the one to make a move and then let God guide my moves. I was waiting for God to make a move for me.

My story above is the story of many young people today. A lot of young people don't have visions- of what they desire or want to be in the near future, yet they want to succeed. They just let life toss them around like a ship in the ocean without a rudder or compass. A master once asked, who wants to build a house without first drawing a plan and estimating what it will cost to build the house?

Look around you. I mean it, just take a good look around you. What can you see? A chair? Computer? The phone you are using to read this message? A wall? Television? clock? cup? whatever you can see was first envisioned, imagined, planned, and then created by someone. How can you succeed if you don't have a plan, goals, or vision and you go to church, mosque every day praying for a change of life and status?

Don't let religion and religious leaders deceive you. Even they are living their own dreams and making a fortune out of you while you are empty, goalless, and directionless without plan or future. It is good to serve God. But God wants you to serve Him with a purpose and with a dream. You are built for something, and God has given you the power to create. So stop asking God to create for you what you can great for yourself. George Benard Shaw once said that successful people are people who look for favourable situations or circumstances and if they can't find any, they create one. Create the situation you want for your life and stop waiting on God or religion to do that for you. Some of the poorest people are the ones who leave in religious houses, yet year to year their situations never changes. Ever ask yourself why?

Don't let religion cripple you and steal you God-given power to create and live a full life of potential and impact. You can read the bible or the Quran and seek interpretations from God and his holy spirit and believe me, He will guide you.

Don't let religion render you lazy. You have the power to receive all you desired and envisioned. It's in you.

You can be better!!

CHANGE YOUR THINKING

BASED ON A TRUE LIFE STORY

For over 2 days i suddenly had this crave to eat akara (bean cake). My wife used to make it most Saturdays for the kids and i seldom eat it. Now that i have cravings for it, she wasn't around to make it for me. She and the kids have gone on holidays and i am all alone for the time being (Back to bachelor's life).

Courtesy: NaijaEntrepreneur.Com

Well, I had to look for a decent place where akara is sold so that I can put my cravings to rest. For 2 days I searched, I couldn't find any. Luckily, one morning I got a guard who worked in Julius Berger Yard around my office point me to a place where I could get my akara.

It wasn't long, I located the place. When I got there, it was 7:48am, the young lady who makes the akara was yet to set the fire let alone fry it. I was disappointed. I thought I was going to end this craving today, this morning, now it has to linger. I asked her when it will be ready, she said I could return by 8:30 that she had to make "ogi, akamu" (pap) first. Well, I obliged, cos i was determined to end this craving.

8:35 am I was back at the akara joint, i was amazed to see the huge number of people (customers) waiting on queue to buy akara. With my mouth wide open and eyes looking like a rat slammed with a broom, I wondered, all these people (Civil servants, business men, police officers, Road Safety officers, passers-by) on queue to buy just akara? Surprisingly she had just moulded the first sets of akara balls into the big frying pan. Most unfortuntely, the akaras would never go round to serve the people already on queue waiting for it. In fact, some people had to leave to make it early to their offices ( i know they will come back).

To cut it short, I was so lucky to get my akara since I was amongst the first people to be on queue. Did I enjoy my akara, yes I did with a bowl of quaker oats and 4 slices of bread- a perfect breakfast.

LESSONS:

Now, what does this have to do with changing how you think? Because i have been there. Many people select the kind of business and jobs they would like to go into. Growing up I saw certain business as low and unfit for me- one of the mistakes I made early in life, and mistakes lots of people make today. I know there are many of you who would rather stay at home wasting precious time than frying and selling akara. I know ladies that will prefer to sell and damage their bodies to men, rather than doing something worthwhile. Every successful business started from the ground- somewhere . Why don't you get rid of that stinky thought of yours and start something no matter how small and then watch how you would grow into a millionaire. Don't ever think you're starting small. It's better you start small so you can learn and have less risks to deal with while you grow.

Do you know how many people around your area who crave to eat akara but have know where to buy it? That's a business opportunity. Weeks ago, I was thinking of going into corn roasting business with a difference. Do you know that the society's big men/women likes snacking on roasted corn? (Now don't tamper with my idea, it already has a patent.. lol) then what are you waiting for to start a business? Look around you, there must be something people need that you can provide. Stop thinking, it's too shameful, it too small, it's not the kind of business I want, it won't give me the kind of returns (money) I need. Start first!

There is no shame in any business, it is self-deception to think so. Champions have scars on their body to show for their victories and success. What do you have to show for yours? Nothing! Because you dont want to be shamed, laughed at, ridiculed by friends etc. Dear, you have been thinking the wrong thoughts- and thinking like that will never get your anywhere near riches and success only near poverty and failure. Change today and live your dream no matter how lowly you may have to start.

I have planned out an interview with the Akara Bussiness lady, and when I do, I promise to publish it here so you will see how she started and the progress she has made.

Change your thinking, change your life

You can be better!

YOUR PROBLEM(s)- AN OPPORTUNITY

YOUR PROBLEM(s)- AN OPPORTUNITY

A lot of people  today see every challenge and problem in their life as a hindrance to actualizing their dreams and to becoming what they would love to be.  As soon as a they see a problem they give up and begin to wallow in self-pity and often blame their problems on other people and cite them as a reason for not succeeding in life. A lazy man's excuse.

The good news is, the bigger your problem the bigger opportunity you have to turn things around for yourself and destiny.

"The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity".

The richest and most successful people on earth today are people who solve problems. They see problems not as an obstacle but a stepping stone to success and they embraced the opportunity it provides.

What problems do you currently face? What are the challenges that you think are bedeviling your success? If you can be able to identify these problems, face it squarely with confidence. Winners in life are willing to do things losers refuse to do. Each problem you solve in your life and in the pursuit of your goal brings you closer to your success. Anticipate problems and challenges and never give up on solving them- they are the gateway to your destiny.

Be responsible. You can do better!

WHY YOU SHOULD BE YOUR OWN BOSS

I just read an article with the title. “Hire yourself; work is no longer a place we go to. It’s what we do”. And I thought I should share my opinion on this thought provoking subject.  May I begin with telling you the truth?  Well, whatever your answer is, I am obliged to be frank and truthful to you. In this 21^st Century and in the next century, the ones who will be successful, live their dreams, have anything they want, get out of the rat race are the ones who hire themselves’ (Who work for themselves).

In Nigeria alone, unemployment rate has risen by more than 10%. Around the world, jobs are shrinking, massive unemployment crisis is looming. Terrorism is bringing world economy to its knees coupled with the effects of massive corruption that is bedeviling infrastructural development particularly in third world countries. The numbers of refugees migrating from one country to another is on the high. World population is gaining figures geometrically.

Thus, these and many other factors and evidences goes to suggest that, there can never be enough jobs – NEVER. Check the numbers of graduates that rolls out of the many Nigerian universities alone- who has jobs prepared for them? No one!  Not even the government which is overwhelmed by many troubles.  So the truth I tell you now is to do all you can to be your own boss- hire yourself and while doing so, hire others.

Do you know that even those who have jobs are seeking to quit their jobs to be their own boss?  Well, you now know. You may wonder why. The reason is, not many employees are satisfied with their jobs or working their dream jobs. Ask those in the Nigerian banking sector. More than 75% of banking employees are disgruntled and wish to change jobs.

10 years from now, no matter what venture you dive into, you will be glad you took the decision to be your own boss as long as you remained consistent, focused and patient.  If you are contemplating or wondering where to start from, why don’t you start by looking around your environment. I mean where you are now.  There must be something to offer- a service to your community. Opportunities abound everywhere, but they are opened to only those who have the eyes for it, who in the first place look closely to see them. Nigeria has an untapped economy- in agriculture, arts, technology, mining, the list goes on. Put on your thinking cap. Make your researches and commit yourself to doing something every day that will get you closer to being your own boss until you fulfill that dream.

Work is no longer a place we go to. It’s what we do. What are you going to do?

You can be better!  

WHY PEOPLE FAIL OR SUCCEED

 “Character is the real foundation of all worthwhile success.”

~John Hays Hammond

Why do people fail in business and in life?

The answer is simply the lack of good characters- what Myles Munroe of blessed memory referred to as the quality of moral force.  Character is doing the right thing even when nobody is looking.

Attitude is everything in life. There is an attitude for failure, so also there is an attitude for success in life.  The attitudes of failure are gossip, lying, pride, laziness, gluttony, over indulgence. The list continues. While the attitudes of success are humility, integrity, hard work, forbearing, self control, respect, honesty, responsibility, fairness and so does the list goes on.

In essence, if you desire success in life or in business, you must choose your attitudes correctly. Your character defines you and how far you can go in 

TIME!

How important is time to you? What do you spend your time on?   There is a general axiom that says "Time waits for no man".  Successful entrepreneurs and businesses men invest their time wisely in things and activities that enhance their ventures and businesses. More importantly, they account for every time they spend each day to ensure they have judiciously used their most priceless possession - TIME. Successful people have not time to waste. Every second of the day is priceless.

To be a successful entrepreneur, watch what you spend your time on. Make sure to use your time, invest and focus on the goals and targets you have set for yourself. The time people waste on watching tv, playing video games, chatting with friends and playing around with their mobile phones etc can be properly channelled to more meaningful gains. To determine whether you will be successful in life, observe what you spend your 24 hours on. That way, if your are truthful enough to yourself, you will know where your life is heading to.

To begin a new leaf in managing your time to successful ends, start by at least spending 2 hours of your day on your goals and then gradually increase the time from 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 to 5 hours a day. By the time you know it, you are close to achieving your goals and would be happy knowing how you use and spend your time.

Invest your time in your future. You can be better!

~Don Nwokedi

ATTITUDE

ATTITUDE

Everything depends on attitude!

Napoleon Hill, one of the richest man of his days in wealth and wisdom- a great entrepreneur made this beautiful remark, "Our attitude shapes our future". After decades of this assertions, research has proven that everything including one's success, achievement as well as failures depends greatly on ATTITUDE- behaviour and opinion towards people and things. To make it simple,  attitude is good or bad and good attitude beget good life while bad attitude beget bad life and leads to suffering.

 Right/good attitude is important to any entrepreneur and anyone who seeks  success in life and business. To be able to have your own business and manage it successfully, for instance, you must have the attitude of saving. Ability to save money or resources and channel it to greater purpose requires much discipline- an attitude lacking in many young people today and the reason a lot of people are poor. 

An entrepreneur's attitude to his staff, customers and clients determines  how successful his ventures will be. Clients will always seek out business that care about their needs and feelings and patronize them so also your staff will take their jobs and roles seriously when they are given a sense of belonging and ownership of the venture.

Your attitude they say determines your altitude in life. keep the right attitudes. Jettison any attitude that does not go well with eople and your business. Learn discipline and apply them in your life and the sky will be your starting point.

SIMPLE STEPS ON HOW TO BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR (START & OWN YOUR BUSINESS)

Many people have wondered if they can ever make it in the business world. Some even think they can never be able to do or own a business- they simply don't know how to. Some think they can never own a business since they can never get the capital (money) to start up one. Well, anything is POSSIBLE if you believe.

 Here are a few steps on how to start and own a business.

1. IDENTIFY A NEED. Think of a need. Any good business must first and all solve a need. Ask yourself, what need do people feel around your environment? What is that thing people stress so much to have access to in your area that you can make it easy for them to reach. The person who started tying ice water in simple nylon bags saw the need for people to have access to chilled water especially during hot season and make it readily available anywhere. That's how pure (sachet) water business was born. Today sachet water business has generated employment for countless number of people.

2. PLAN. Start a plan on paper on how you can solve the need you have identified. Your plans should include more research on the need you have identified. You can begin by asking questions to get more insight. Never be afraid to ask questions.  Get information on what it will take you to provide the services or goods that will solve the identified need(s), what it will cost, and what strategy you will employ to make your business a reality. Be elaborate on your research and make sure to write them down for reference to assist you in finally making decisions.

3. TAKE ACTION (decide). When you have your plans laid out after a thorough research on the need you intend to solve (the business), make a decision to act on your plans and discipline yourself to follow them through. You may meet challenges on the way but never quite. Quitters never win and winners never quit. Do not be in a haste to see progress. Progress should be slow but steady. Start with small wins. For instance, if you need to start your business with N5000 but you don’t have the money. Don’t be quick to throw the idea away, rather think of how you can raise the N5000 over a period of time. You can give yourself say, one month, a year or more to raise such funds by committing yourself to doing something that will earn you the money gradually till you reach your target.

4. SEEK HELP. As longs as you show yourself a responsible, determined and honest person (traits you need to succeed in the business world), do not be afraid to ask for help. It can be from friends, family members or organisations. Seek avenues that will aid you in reaching your goals. Use the internet where it’s possible to get information on people or organisation that might be willing to offer any kind of help in the areas of business you seek to venture. Use every legitimate avenue to actualize your dreams. Never be shy and never give up!

5. THINK BIG. START SMALL. Earlier I stated you should focus on small wins. It is important not to think that you must start big, rather think big and start small. Your idea may be a multi-million naira earner, but you can start with a few hundred nairas to get to your target. Many businesses today started small and then went on to expand. You must not start in a big way (mistakes many entrepreneur wanna-be make) learn to start from the scratch, one step at a time while focusing on other growth strategies.

6. NEVER QUIT. Don’t give up in the face of challenges or mistakes that may cost your goals a great deal. Many small businesses never survive beyond five years, research has shown. Those that survive are those that refused to give in to challenges and circumstances. Thomas Edison was asked why it took him 10,000 trials to invent a lightbulb, he said he only found 10,000 ways of making it happen. So, no matter how many times your new business is faced with challenges, learn to be strong and not give up. Challenges are part of the ingredients to the success of any business. They give you the required experience to survive the unknown.

Have a wonderful time in your journey to becoming your own boss.

You can be better!

10 SIMPLE STEPS TO FINANCIAL BREAK THROUGH AND FREEDOM

1.   Begin with taking the decision to succeed and break free from poverty and joblessness. You must decide. If it has to be, it's up to you.

2. Set goals. Determine what you can do to break free from poverty. It must be legal and must serve people's needs. Make it a goal then to satisfy that need people feel around you.

3. Plan. Have a plan. Write it down. Don't be afraid if you don't know where or how to start. Just keep a pen and paper around. Continue to think and believe in your goals...surely your instinct will pull through.

4. Be Confident. Trust your gut instincts. Be proud. Be bold. Even the most successful people were once naive. But be strong and keep your head high. Believe in yourself by believing in your goals.

5. Believe. If you don't believe in what you want to do, how then can you convince anyone of your idea, goals, or intentions? Your success begins with you BELIEVING!

6. Be Fearless! Fear is the greatest killer of destiny. Never be afraid, even to fail. Failure itself its part of the plan to your greatness and success. Every successful person today once had failure knocking at their doors. Expect failure but NEVER embrace it.  Keep standing...just as you would stand up whenever you trip and fall. Never give in to failure when mistakes hits you. Move on!

7. Learn to trust. When you meet the right people, you will know. Learn to trust people in your life. Make good friends, abandon the one's who poison your mind with negative energy and words. Learn to also trust yourself first. Do a SWOT (Strenght. Weakness. Opportunity. Threats) analysis of yourself and always be sincere. Never lie to yourself no matter the situation. Be real!

8. Ask. Never be afraid to ask for help as long as you are sincere about your needs. Every successful person today was once helped by someone and many still get help today. Never be shy to ask for help when you need it, but don't ever abuse the privilege.

9. Give up? No way! Your age doesn't count. It is immaterial how old you are. You can be and achieve whatever you focus your mind on. Your mind will always be younger than your body. Age should never be a barrier to your dreams. Don't give up!

10. Act! If you don't act on your dreams, plans and goals you are like a lion without a heart. Acting on your plans is all that makes the difference. If you want change, you must act for it to come. Take action today and all will be well.!


Thanks and have a fulfilled week!