Trust God to Lead the Way

We certainly feel on top of our games when we make plans, work on them and see them come to pass. Sometimes it takes longer than we expect. Other times it just takes another course needing inputs we never expected. On some occasions it does not just work. And when such plans are big plans, we feel like big failures when they fail.

Well, in every failure there is another success hanging around the corner. This is a fact considering the stories that many successful people have told. It is most difficult to see the bright side of life at challenging moments like that but we could get it right with practice. When we concentrate on what we know (That in every failure there is another success lurking around the corner; that 'this too shall pass'; that when there is a will there is a way; that when there is life there is hope) instead of dwelling on what we feel(that we have bungled it up and so we are failures; that we are wrecks; that life has fallen apart; that opportunity comes but once)-it will drive us to commit our time and minds on efforts that put us on a path of success.

God who made us knows it all and this is a great assurance. When things are moving right, we ought to give him thanks. When things are not moving our way, we still have to thank Him asking him to direct us. These words by Overton summarizes it.

My cherished plans may go astray,
My hopes may fade away;
But still trust my Lord to lead.
For He doth know the way.

God knows the game better than any of us.

What Inspires You?

First and foremost, I humbly express my appreciation for your kind words. Such feedback inspires me. This would take us to the issue for the moment.

People who have made it to the top usually strive time after time. They do not allow setbacks shut down their dreams; neither do they allow people talk them out of their pursuits. They do not just stop and wallow on past accomplishments. They see each day as a gift and an opportunity to step up their games.

Just like we take our baths each day to refresh, we also need a dose of inspiration. So, how does yours come to you?

Please share it. This is an opportunity for us to learn from ourselves.

In the near future, we would talk more on this....

Hold Your Cool

It is certain that there are times we find ourselves in the midst of strong disagreements, verbal attacks or other kinds of conflicts. Well, the feeling of 'I have given him a piece of my mind' does not work all the time especially if a debate gets so heated up.

Anger generated from such verbal exchanges could linger on affecting our psyche, thinking and work. Therefore constantly indulging in quarrels, fights and similar conflicts, where things just get out of hand could hold us from getting on top of our games.

Sometimes it may seem beyond our control where the other fellow just refuses to understand.

I came across these piece by David J. Schwartz, he related his experience where he talked about developing an understanding attitude;

A few months ago at the reservation desk of a Memphis hotel, I saw an excellent demonstration of the right way to handle folks like this.

It was shortly after 5PM and the hotel was busy registering new guests. The fellow ahead of me gave his name to the clerk in a commanding way. The clerk said, "Yes Sir, Mr R.., we have a fine single for you."
'"Single?" shouted the fellow. "I ordered a double."
The clerk said very politely, "Let me check, sir."

He pulled the guest's reservation from the file and said, "I am sorry, sir. Your telegram specified a single. I'd be happy to put you in a double room, sir, if we had any available. But we simply do not."

Then the irate customer said, "I don't care what the h*** that piece of paper says, I want a double."

Then he started in with that "do-you-know-who-I-am" bit, followed with ''I'll have you fired. You'll see, I'll have you fired.''

As best he could, under the verbal tornado, the young clerk injected, "Sir, we're terribly sorry, but we acted on your instructions. "

Finally the customer, really furious now, said, "I wouldn't stay in the best suite in this ********hotel now that I know how badly managed it is," and stormed out.

I stepped up to the desk, thinking the clerk who had taken one of the worse public tongue lashings I'd seen in some time, would be upset. Instead he greeted me with one of the finest "Good evening, sirs" I'd ever heard. As he went through the routine of processing my room, I said to him, "I certainly admire the way you handled yourself just a moment ago. You have tremendous temper control"

"Well, sir," he said, "I really can't get mad at a fellow like that. You see, he really isn't mad at me. I was just the scapegoat. The poor fellow may be in bad trouble with his wife, or his business may be off, or maybe he feels inferior and this was his golden chance to feel like a wheel. I'm just the guy who gave him a chance to get something out of his system."

The clerk added, "Underneath he's probably a very nice guy. Most guys are "

Remember those two short sentences next time someone declares war on you. Hold your fire. The way to win in situations like this is to let the other fellow blow his stack, and then forget it.

An interesting story. 'Not an easy thing to do,' you may say but the fact that watching people(two) make a spectacle of themselves in shouts puts them in a bad light; even the one considered to be understanding.

Hold your cool. It will help you think better and even farther. Your game deserves to get to the next level.

Talk Yourself Up

How do you enjoy hanging out with a friend of yours who always complains? Some people spend all their time in self pity thinking about past disappointments and regretting the mistakes they made. Obviously, complainers are always boring. Complaining has such a power that could just condition one to always be on the level of regrets, pity parties, and have a mindset of a litany of woes.

Omalara, was so disturbed after failing a second time to pass the relevant subjects in the West African Examination Council''s Senior School Certificate Examinations. She had always wanted to proceed to a higher institution. Her failure depressed her and she could not even consider trying out the examinations again. She locked herself up in her room. She felt so lowly and downcast and lacked the courage to face her relatives and friends. To her, she was a failure.

Omolara's parents and friends came advising her. Some scolded her, some prayed for her. She was touched by their care (or hostility as the case may be). She knew that being engrossed in her self was not the way out.

She told me her situation only changed after her big cousin visited. Bode left her with an audio cassette of R. Kelly's tracks and told her to listen to World's Greatest over and over again. She found a new hope and started believing herself when she kept hearing the lyrics:

I am a mountain

I am a tall treeooooh,

I am a swift wind,

Sweepin' the countryI am a river,

Down in the valleyooooh,

I am a vision

And I can see clearly

If anybody asks you who I am

Just stand up tall

Look 'em in the face and say

Chorus

I'm that star up in the sky

I'm that mountain peak up high

Hey I made it, mmmmmm

I'm the world's greatest

And I'm that little bit of hope

When my back's against the ropes

I can feel it, mmmmmm

I'm the world's greatest(the worlds greatest, worlds greatest , for ever )

I am a giantI am an eagleooh,

I am a lion

Down in the jungle

I am a marchin' band

I am the peopleooh,

I am a helping hand

I am a hero

If anybody asks you who I am

Just stand up tall

Look 'em in the face and say

Chorus

In the ring of life i'll rain love (i will rain)

and the world will notice a king (oooohhhhh yahhhhh)

when there is darkness i'll shine a light (shine a light)

and views of success reflect in me

As she kept hearing these words, she kept telling herself that she was a star, a hero and capable of reaching her dreams. Like an eagle she flew above the clouds of self doubt, self pity and discouragement. With this new mindset; she gave her very best and succeeded tremendously in her next examinations.

Omolara learned to talk herself up and it led her to success. When we encourage ourselves instead of complaining we take ourselves to a higher level. Just as complainers are boring, so are enthusiastic and optimistic people exciting and fun to be with. Talking yourself up will also inspires others. It is refreshing to the body. It gives you a good sales value!

Consider these words: You need to encourage yourself. You need to pump yourself up. You need to be your own cheerleader. Why? Because you can’t wait and hope that someone else will come along and cheer you up… make you feel better… tell you that you’ll do better next time. You have to rely on yourself. You have to have faith in yourself and... your ability to figure out what works and what doesn’t. You have to have the inner belief that everything you’re doing, you’re doing for a positive outcome in the future. You have to encourage yourself with future successes.-JIM ROHN

Believe it; Say it- confess it; Do it! Like a cycle, it will change your life for good and serve as a compass that will take you and keep you at the top of your game.

It's 2010 and we surely need a wining attitude-talk yourself up!

2010 can be your Big year..Happy New Year!

It is another new year. Here comes 2010.May this new year be one that will favour us all.

Set your dreams high. Think Big. Believe Big. Give Big. Pray Big.

It is time to set/ work on the goals you have set for 2010.

You are unique and there is a giant within you. The biggest obstacle you might have is you.

Let us keep doing those things that will take us and keep us on top of our games.

Reflect on these words from Dennis Waitley:"The mind is the most magnificent bio-computer ever created. But remember, like a computer, it only responds to specific instructions, not to vague ideas. So come alive in 2010!

Get laser-focused on goals that are just out of reach, but not out of sight.Get specific and achieve great things in 2010!"