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!

SET YOUR MIND ON YOUR GOALS

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up, your problems or your goals?

Decide that you are going to start each day thinking about your goals, your dreams and your positive possibilities. As soon as you wake up in the morning, start throwing out those nagging doubts and worries. Concentrate, instead, on the things you have decided to accomplish in your life. Whatever you think about long enough and intently enough will become a reality for you. That is because your thoughts direct your actions from moment to moment and day to day.

If you spend a lot of time thinking about your problems, they will grow bigger and stronger. Is that what you want? Of course not. Instead, focus on your goals. Keep them in the forefront of your mind from the moment your wake up, throughout the morning, the afternoon, the evening, until you go to bed at night. Your thoughts are yours. They are completely under your control. So you might as well use them to benefit you. Because, what you think about, you bring about. You have GREATNESS within you!

Renew Your Mind and Blossom

Would you like to be happy, successful, fulfilled, rich, remembered as a hero? I bet you would and i am telling you now that it is VERY POSSIBLE for you to become and actualize all those dreams you have for yourself. You don’t have to envy anyone. You can become even better and greater than the person you envy by understanding one simple principle about who you are. I know some of you would be in doubt already, and asking, how is this possible given my circumstances? My parents are poor, I didn't have an education, I don't have money to start a business, my family is against my career, I don't have good friends I can trust and share my ideas and feelings with, am no good for anything, am blind, am deaf am dumb am this am that and the excuses keeps heaping up.

Pic by Don

The reason why people fail to actualize and achieve the dreams and goals they desire in life is because of SELF DOUBT- the one single phenomena that has led many to die horrible deaths and take to the graveyard all the great things they could have given to life and to the world. Now let me share one truth with you, and this truth is the only secret to success in life. It is the only truth to self-actualization and the secret to being happy and having all that you desire. Here it goes: Ephesians 4:23 "..and be renewed in the spirit of your mind."

Everything you are today or will be tomorrow begins and ends in your mind! Let me give you a definition of what mind is before I try to explain why and how you need to renew the spirit of your mind to become what you desire or aspire in life.

Mind: (1) the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons.

(2) The conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism.

 Following the above definition by Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it is possible to conclude that your existence and purpose as well as your achievements are all embedded in your mind. Your mind is the you in you without which you are not you. If you take a closer look to understand the first and second definition of the mind, you will come to the realization that without your mind, you cannot feel, perceive, think, will or reason. Without your mind, you are simply not living or alive. You are unconscious. So, for you to want to be rich, successful, and happy is in the first place your ability to use your mind. So if you can feel to want to be happy and think about it, you can as well through the same mind create those things you desire to make you happy and successful in life.

Now, if you are not happy with your life or who you are now, it’s simply because your mind is telling you something differently and you are not in control of it. You have only allowed it to sway as the wind without a destination or control. Maybe you have allowed someone else to control your mind for you but now is the time for you to take over your mind and steer it in the direction you want. This is the process of renewing your mind. Take charge and control your mind by feeding it those things that you want by believing in yourself that you have the power to create your circumstances and not allow anyone do it for you. By understanding that you can, through your mind control your external environment gives you unlimited powers and sets you on the path of actualizing all your dreams.

The bible was written many years ago, this secret has been there in the open but many have not been able to come to terms with it. Many people today are born and raised with a mindset. Some have been told they can never be better, they can never read, that they can never be rich because their family will always be poor since their great grandfather was poor, or think for themselves, that they are incapable to do things other people do because of   their biological makeup, but history has proven this to be wrong... some people has been told that they can never survive a particular ailment or disease, but by the renewing of their mind and believing a different report they have surmounted all challenges and have doomed those who said they cannot be better, survive or think.

You need to get away from that mindset that you have followed and allowed to control you for many years of your life and begin a new thought process that will usher in a cleansing of your mind. First, you need to know that earth, this place we all are, does not belong to any one but to all of us and that earth's resources both the visible and invisible ones are available for us to tap into, use and control to our benefit and glory of the creator. No one came to earth with anything. Those who have achieved one thing or the other are those who early enough understood the secret of the mind and were disciplined to control it and use it to pursue their dreams to a logical conclusion. 

Renew your mind and blossom. Begin another journey of your life, change your circumstances, and decide your destiny by simply being in control of your mind - what you feed it and what you allow it to feed on.

Have a wonderful journey in your new endeavour!

9 Essential Habits of Remarkably Effective People

There’s a huge biggest difference between being efficient and being effective.

Efficient people are well organized and competent. They check things off their to-do list. They complete projects. They get stuff done.

Effective people do all that … but they check the right things off their to-do list. They complete the right projects. They get the right stuff done.

They execute and produce what makes the biggest difference for their business … and for themselves.

Here are some of the traits of remarkably effective people, and why they’re so successful:

1. They always start with goals.

Effort without a genuine purpose is just effort. Effective people don’t just know what to do–they know why. They have a long-term goal. They have short-term goals that support their long-term goals.

In short, they have purpose–and that purpose informs everything they do. That’s why remarkable people appear so dedicated and organized and consistently on-task. They’re not slaves to a routine; they’re simply driven to reach their goals and quick to eliminate roadblocks and put aside distractions that stand in their way.

Remarkably effective people set their goals first. So decide what success means to you. (Your definition of success is and should be different from everyone else’s.) Success has been defined as the continuous realization of a worthy objective.

You’ll find it’s easy to stay focused and be effective when you truly care about what you hope to achieve.

Even so, once they establish a goal, remarkably effective people don’t focus solely on that goal; instead …

2. Then they create systems.

If you’re an entrepreneur, your goal is to build a successful business. Your system consists of your processes for sales, marketing, fulfillment, operations, etc.

A goal is great for planning and mapping out what success looks like; a system is great for actually making progress toward that goal.

Remarkably effective people know a goal can provide direction and even push them forward in the short term, but eventually a well-designed system will always win.

Everyone has goals; committing to a system makes all the difference in achieving that goal.

3. They believe in themselves.

Diligence isn’t easy. Hard work is hard. Pushing forward when successes are few and far between takes optimism and self-belief.

That’s why busy people quickly give up and effective people keep going.

Remarkably effective people embrace the fact (and it is a fact) that the only way to get to where they want to go is to try … and keep on trying. They know that eventually they will succeed, because …

4. They believe they are in control of their lives.

Many people feel luck–or outside forces–has a lot to do with success or failure. If they succeed, luck favored them; if they fail, luck was against them.

Luck certainly does play a part, but effective people don’t hope for good luck or worry about bad luck. They assume success is totally within their control. If they succeed, they caused it; if they fail, they caused that, too.

Remarkably effective people waste zero mental energy worrying about what might happen to them–they put all their effort into making things happen.

They know they can never control luck … but they can always control themselves.

5. And yet they also embrace “random.”

When your nose is to the grindstone, all you can see is the grindstone. And that means you miss opportunities to spot something new, try something different, or go off on a fruitful tangent.

Effective people stay almost totally on-task. Remarkably effective people build in time and opportunity to experience new things, try new methods, and benefit from happy accidents.

They’re not always trying to reinvent the wheel. But they’re more than happy to adopt someone else’s perfectly functioning wheel.

6. They find happiness in the success of others.

Great teams win because their most talented members are willing to sacrifice to help others succeed.

That’s why great companies are made up of employees who help each other, know their roles, set aside their personal goals, and value team success over everything else.

Where does that attitude come from? You!

Focus only on yourself and ultimately you’ll be by yourself. To be remarkably effective, find fulfillment in helping other people succeed. In the process you will succeed, too–in more ways than one.

7. They use their goals to make decisions automatic.

In a podcast, Tim Ferriss described how Herb Kelleher, the CEO of Southwest Airlines, makes so many decisions every day. Kelleher applies a simple framework to every issue: Will this help Southwest be the low-cost provider? If so, the answer is yes. If not, no.

Remarkably effective people apply the same framework to the decisions they make. “Will this help me reach my goal? If not, I won’t do it.”

If you feel like you’re constantly struggling to make decisions, take a step back. Think about your goals; your goals will help you make decisions.

That’s why remarkably effective people are so decisive. Indecision is born of a lack of purpose: When you know what you truly want, most of your decisions can–and should–be almost automatic.

8. They don’t multitask.

Plenty of research says multitasking doesn’t work. (Some research says multitasking actually makes you stupid.)

Maybe you don’t agree.

Maybe you’re wrong. Try to do two things at once and you’ll do both half-assed.

Remarkably effective people focus on one thing at a time. They do that one thing incredibly well … and then they move on to whatever is next. And they do that incredibly well.

9. They freely ask for help.

Busy people ask for help getting something done. Remarkably effective people ask for help not just because they need help but also because by asking they show respect for the other person and trust his or her experience, skill, or insight.

Mutual respect is the foundation of every solid relationship–and the best way to create mutual respect is to first show respect.

Want to be remarkably effective? Surround yourself with people who trust and motivate and inspire you–and in turn are inspired by you.

Even if you don’t achieve all your goals, your life will be infinitely richer.

Have a great week ahead!

Culled from the Time Blogs: www.time.com

YOU CAN BE BIGGER

You have the power to live a bigger life. Challenge yourself. Take the risk! Become daring. There are things in your life that are no longer you and you know it in your heart. There is no law that says you have to carry the whole world on your shoulders. And the emptiness and lack of fulfillment inside is getting too much to bear.

It’s time to take care of you. Live your dream. Take off the cape. Do what you know and not what you feel. You deserve to live too! You have needs too! Give yourself a mental break and take time to get centered, grounded and reconnected with your spirit. Allowing your time to be wasted with people who are not serious is not fruitful and it’s stressful. Staying in a job where you are not appreciated or valued or validated is draining and toxic. Hanging on to a relationship that has been dead a long time ago takes a toll. Take a deep breath and tap into the courage to make the tough decision. Things might be difficult for a while, but don’t underestimate yourself.

You will survive. You always have! Life is on your side. You’re more powerful and stronger than you give yourself credit for being. No guts, no glory. You have one life to live, live the life you love and love the life you live. Family and friends may attempt to discourage you. Tell them thank you, I got that, and move on. At the end of the day, it’s your life. Keep in mind, it’s lonely at the top, but you eat better! You deserve to be happy. You deserve to make your life a daring adventure and to manifest your GREATNESS!

....Excerpts from Les Brown

5 WAYS TO GO FROM UNEMPLOYED TO BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR

Entrepreneurs have been variously defined to mean several things that sometimes it becomes hard for some people to really understand in a layman's term what entrepreneur is really all about. Well am about to make it easy for you and give you few steps on how to become one yourself.

The reason why most people suffer effects of unemployment today and dwell in poverty could be found in simple answers such as lack of information, knowledge and inability to take action.

You can get out of your situation today, now just by doing some of the things you will learn here today.

First, let me define entrepreneur in the simplest way any one could understand it. Entrepreneurs or an entrepreneur is someone who is able to identify a problem, provide a solution to the problem and make money doing so. Yes, it’s that simple! For instance, the guy who started the sachet water business saw the problem (need) that people get tasty and needed water outside their homes and he thought of a good way to package water and sell to the public, and that’s how sachet water –“pure water” birthed. Today sachet water business is one of the thriving businesses in the country.

So, here are a few tips on how you can become a problem solver and earn money doing it – becoming an entrepreneur:

1.  Task yourself: Task yourself on a daily bases to be a problem solver, by so doing look out for problems or services that are needed in your community, village or area and think of how to provide solutions on them. You can begin by taking daily walks around your vicinity, listen to what people complain most about and once you have identified this need, you are sure on your way of becoming an entrepreneur as soon as you can solve those needs by providing services to it.

2.  Solve a problem: Just as the first nugget suggests, everyone on earth is created to solve a problem. However, some are also busy creating problems. In the end you are either solving or creating a problem, either way. So talk yourself into knowing what part you really want to play and begin to play that part, either as a problem solver or a problem creator, whichever way ensure to make money out of it.

3.  Take Action: The good book said “faith without work is dead” so also an idea without action is useless. You could have an idea that can save the world from so much chaos and trouble, but if you do not take steps to work on those ideas and bring it to fruition, then they are as good as useless. Your ideas should inspire you to act on them and have the courage to push through the challenges that comes along the way to success.

4.  Never Quit: Always have it at the back of your mind that nothing good comes or works easily. You are bound to face rejections and challenges including though times, but have it at the back of your mind that those situations are actually what paves way for success to follow. No pain no glory!

5.  Believe: The truth is nothing has ever worked in life without one first believing either in one’s self, ability or imaginations. God created the universe and all there-in believing. So also you can if you believe. The Wright Brothers believed. The men who went to the moon believed and ad infinitum. You must believe in something for it to work for you. So, believe you can succeed, believe you can make it, and believe nothing can stop you and that way you will fly higher than you ever thought. You may not have the money to start the business you are currently incubating the idea, but your simple believe in that idea and having the courage to share it to the right people might provide what you need to have it established. Keep believing!

Nwokedi Don Emeka is an entrepreneurial consultant, seasoned motivational speaker and advocate for youth leadership. He is the CEO of Swing Consult Ltd and the founder of Agape Leadership Centre for The Children and Youth- ALCCY