Continue reading »]]> You can join me daily as I kick off on a 40-day Money Tonic Confession. The rules are simple; we confess the words below (standing on your two feet) three times at exactly 12am starting from Saturday 14^th, May 2011. You can join me to share your daily experience(s) like false start, dryness, sleeping off, etc. at the comment session below. After the 40-days, we expect a total change in paradigm concerning our personal finances – “as a man thinks, so is he”. Don’t think about it too much, just do it! You can click HERE to get a printable PDF copy of the Money Tonic.

1. I attract money easily

2. I have more money coming in than going out.

3. I spend money wisely and comfortable

4. I am open and receptive to new avenues of income

5. Money is my friend; I enjoy my experience with money

6. I am comfortable with large sums of money

7. I am using money to bless my life and the lives of others

8. I am rich and I am generous

9. I am a money magnet and I attract more and more every day.

10. I am worthy and I deserve large sums of money.

11. I am consciously rejoicing and I bless the good fortune of everyone.

12. I am grateful for everything I have in my life right now.

13. I am free of all debt; I am already rich.

14. I am creating large sums of money and money flows into my life easily.

15. I spend money with integrity and I am generous with it because I know there is plenty for others and for me.

16. I am attracting like-minded people to help me fulfill my desires.

17. As I ask for what I want, I allow the universe orchestrate it and bring what I ask for.

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Continue reading »]]> The Polity in Nigeria is quite heated, friends are willing to quarrel over aspirants they did not know 4 months ago. Strangers are willing to mal-handle each other over aspirants they do not truly know. Everybody want’s their person to win, nobody wants to lose.

Sometimes I play the video of my imagination past the now, into the future, I evaluate the possibilities if my candidate wins, and if others win. Will the momentum built by the opposition parties be well managed, or will it create instability? I did a survey based on these thoughts, the results I got were scary and I think it depends on many factors.

My analysis of the political terrain however shows one interesting reality. No matter who wins, Nigeria can never be the same again. The heated debates and campaigns have made all the parties promise us what we the Nigerian people truly deserve, a New Nigeria. Nobody can get there and take us for granted anymore. Rigging is no longer sufficient, the will of the people and their desires will count!

My heart silently aches over the tense arguments and discourteous use of words by old and young! Most of us are too far from where anything is being shared (when it’s being shared), hence our words and arguments are devoid of financial motivation, but by our desires for change. Our desires for a Nigeria we can be proud of, our desires to tell our children that when they sing the phrase “the labors of our hero’s past”, that our names are in there. Our desire for a Nigeria we can believe in, not one we can be leaving. That even though we were inspired by men, what we passionately strove for was a New Nigeria! And that win or lose, we actually won, because we may not get what we want, but we’ll get what we need! We are certain that when we do our best, God helps us with the rest. We are confident, that God desires that we live to our fullest expression, as individuals and as a nation and that he is more interested in a New Nigeria than all of us.

My heart is burdened, that if the leaders and candidates are at war with themselves and dedicate articles to demean each other, our fight should not be against people, but against corrupting systems, against poverty, against unemployment, against violence, insecurity and so many vices that bedevil our otherwise great country. Oh, I’m not free of blame myself and I indeed apologize. My passion for change has made me utter words not befitting a king. I have lashed out at people I hold in high esteem, demonized people with different views, castigated great yet opposing candidates and criticized pastors. Though I have my claim to truth, I am sorry indeed. The first step in our prayer for change, is that we the people that are called by God’s name, must humble ourselves, and turn from our wicked ways. Then God will hear from heaven, and heal our land.

If we focus more on counting our blessings, we’ll realize that never in our nation’s recent history have we been blessed with such a quality of aspirants. If we challenge ourselves to find the positives in every aspirant, we would indeed find, and some of what we will find would be exciting.

Brothers and Sisters, let’s quit the war. Let’s turn our swords to agricultural instruments and be ready to support the change we desire once voting is done. All those who are in the political scenes today, have 10-15yrs of Political relevance. We have 30-40 active years ahead of us, the future is ours, and it’s our responsibility to guard it. It’s time to pray for God’s will, time to pray for peace and healing. It’s time to rebuild our walls and infrastructures, it’s time for a fresh start. While we pray, it’s also time to watch. To cast our votes for our conscience, and to understand that in a democracy, the winner is the one that the majority wants, and that it is our responsibility as citizens, to accept whoever wins and provide the necessary support and checks to move our democracy forward.

I have a dream of a Nigeria that works, a Nigeria that my children can school in and stand taller than students from anywhere in the world in every way. I have a dream of a Nigeria where corruption, power failure, insecurity, poverty, ethnic or religious bias only exists as history topics. I have a dream of a Nigeria where the street cleaner has her own house, where announcing “I’m a Nigerian” makes everybody around you feel comfortable that a competent and trustworthy person is here. The future we desire is possible, from now till the elections are over, I invite you to join us as we pray! If you can even fast, you are welcome as well. Wherever you are, at Noon daily. Let’s pray! Prayer points will be seen across the facebook status pages of many of us.

North, South, East, West, Muslim, Christian or neither, under God, we are One!

BY: Deolu Akinyemi

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Continue reading »]]> Shock actually begets me when I reviewed the data from a Microfinance research on business outfits with the highest weekly turnover in my area (which I can regard as a suburb). I could see the relevant of this type of research to a Microfinance bank whose sole interest is in preventing bad loans but for someone like me; my primary focus is in the right business to invest in. the data was actually revealing with Church ranked as number one business outfit with the highest weekly turnover and Baba Ijebu was ranked number 2.

My assumptions of peoples’ need prior to reading this research was very wrong; I realize that it is these assumptions that have made me loses in some of my business undertakings. This revelation further confirmed to me that no matter how juicy a business deal may sound or appear, research is very important; no assumptions, no emotions, just plain fact! I assumed the highest ranked would revolve around the basic needs of a Nigerian like food, shelter, clothing, communication, transportation and education. Wow! I was even more shocked when I saw the 3^rd ranked – Beer parlor/prostitute joint (well, that’s the way they placed it).

Ok, let’s forget about this data for a while and concentrate on my topic today – Baba Ijebu. For most of you who do not have the faintest idea of what Baba Ijebu is, let me attempt to define it as “lay manish’ as possible, Baba Ijebu is a local lotto outfit where you can play with as little as ten naira and win from thousands to millions. Their offices are characterized with small kiosk and a red machine based on smart card technology for placing your number. Why is this local lotto business doing well when a large lotto business like the Lagos Lotto floated by the Ibru family failed? (A food for thought!).

My main concern is not actually with the business but the consumers that make the business exist in the first place. Why do people patronize this stuff a lot? I quizzed some mechanics and petit traders, who are obviously fans of Baba Ijebu and their answers were similar and boils down to the fact that they can reap a lot without going through the process of building anything. This is thus the psychology of an average Nigeria and it is safe to say the Baba Ijebu exist in human nature. Why build when you can circumvent the process and any platform that can help you circumvent the process is a winning formula.

As I thought hard and long about the two speaking engagements I was invited to this coming weekend (one in Lagos and the other in Enugu), I realize the importance of shaping the minds of youths. I realize that if we can shape people’s expectations, then it would be easy to transit the challenges of building. Building (whether relationships, business, career, family, etc) is regarded as a hard, painful (removing you from your comfort zone) and a long process so many people try as much as possible to avoid it. Anything good that is accompanied by joy and fulfillment follows the following five stages:

The Inspiration Stage:

This is the phase that you get inspired to pursue a dream; indecision becomes your best pal; should I ask her out? Is it the right time to start the business? My heart leans towards this course but I have hardly seen any successful person that followed this path. We are mostly held back because the dream seems far ahead but just when we are about to give up, miraculously we start getting confirmation from various sources. This particular stage is very important because voices are quite deceptive; you cannot tell which one is from within or which one you picked from your physical environment. This stage acts as the foundation of any building so it is important not to jump the gun. Spend time with God and you will get a confirmation that would drain all doubts.

The Honeymoon Stage

This is the stage when you finally take the plunge and you are finally excited about your decisions. You will be wondering why you spent so much time in the Inspiration Stage. For a young believer, this is when everything he petitions for works our favorably; for lady that just got married, her husband is the best thing that has ever happened to her since slice bread. This stage can last from one month to as long as five years. Everything is exciting, everything is new, and you’re running on adrenalin.  You infatuate over the idea of your new venture; if it’s business, you will be dreaming of the mountains of wealth you are going to create with it.

The Reality Stage

In this stage, you realize things are not as rosy as you envisioned; panic sets in – the business isn’t making nearly as much money as you thought it would.  In fact, it’s either losing money big time or barely breaking even. As if for the first time, you noticed the flaws of your spouse and these flaws are affecting you big time. From the point where you stood, everything looks grim and there seem to be no hope in sight. For employees who gave up their jobs to start business; they start freaking out and contemplating going back to beg for their old job back. This phase is where most people give up and quit; this is where the men are separated from the boys. This is where intimacy is lost in a marriage for most Nigerians but for guys in the developed countries, divorce is imminent.

The Judgment Stage

If you are persistent enough to get to this stage, the question that would continue to arise from your heart is “is it worth it?” The business is starting to take off, but unlike you fantasized during the honeymoon phase the business isn’t as easy to run as you thought.  You get constantly challenged, and they start to weight your options. You would realize the enormous responsible of being in a relationship and the question keeps haunting you “is it worth it?” And after a while, the question stops then acceptance. The acceptance that the fantasy you once envisioned during the honeymoon stage didn’t come to fruition, but after all the hardships and all the hard work you realizes that it has been worth it.  Every moment has been worth it. You would naturally move to the next stage.

The Comprehension Stage

You now have a good understanding of what it means to be free because you would emerge to a new playing field. If you are in business, you would start to make more profit in a week than most people make in a year. If it is a marriage relationship, you would understand the importance of a spouse and how you can leverage to create the happiness you deserve. You would be on autopilot and you would be on the “escape velocity” frame. You would boldly tell guys to join you on this exciting path (well, you did not think it was exciting in the Reality Stage). You would easily forget what you went through to get to where you are and you would have the Midas touch in this particular field.

I realized that I have stopped at the Reality Stage for some projects in my life and the successes I have in life is when I transit the Reality Stage. Transiting this stage does not mean doing nothing and expecting to jump to the Judging stage; it requires giving the same thing another shut with an innovative perspective. Most people are deceived by marriage; because people are living together does not mean they are fulfilling the marriage requirement; the marriage may have ended and they are living together due to either children or social pressure. The reality stage is what most guys cannot just get through; they quit and look for another project to keep them from facing the reality and when this other project reaches the reality stage, they also quit. The pattern becomes so eminent that Baba IJEBU seems like the way out. Which particular stage are you?

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Continue reading »]]> My first experience with the name Achilles was Brad Pitt’s character in Troy; Brad Pitt has always been one of my favorite actors of all time. His display of Achilles in Troy was more than believable but I am not writing to discuss Brad Pitt; I want to share with you what a friend of mine shared with me. I want to share with you what I have experience but never put in words or writing. I want to share with you something that may eventually change your life if you adhere to it. This may not be my story but this is a story I am much too familiar with; maybe not the same plot but the same underlying principle. I was really touched by Dr. Ihekwaba’s story that I decided to share it with forward moving individuals like you. This is the story:

 

 

I remember in high school I was pretty rubbish in Science. Let’s just say I was pretty rubbish in most things, but my physics teacher for some reason known only to him believed in me, even with my very poor grades (too ashamed to prefix.. I know ayo, you’d probably try). But he still believed in me. Told me, I was one of his finest, brightest and most inspiring students. Well let’s just say I worked even harder, exhausted my limit, and even though I never got the high grades, he never stopped believing that I could and would. I didn’t make the grade I needed to study the course of my choice at university level, but I still got into uni, and never forgetting the belief “Mr. Bancroft” had in me, I worked like there was no tomorrow. In the end I made a First class honours, but when I went back to my high school to tell Mr. Bancroft that I made it, that I made a First in Pharm. sci, majored in Organic and Medicinal chem., he was no longer working in the school or was he around to see the seed he had sown all those years ago germinate and bloom. He had retired for health reasons. I was never able to tell him, that because of the way he believed that I could soar like an eagle, that the sky was the limit that was attainable to me, that regardless of what circumstance, difficulty, ill equipped as I was, that the light at the end of tunnel was a destination I could get to. I was immediately offered two ‘joint’ scholarships (one from Pfizer and the other from BBSRC) to study for my Ph.D immediately after uni, and received my Ph.D by the age of 25. I think this is a pretty good achievement for an “F grade” student..lol..

 

 

Today’s topic is not about me or my physics teacher, but about you and your teacher known as Jesus.

 

 

The Lord did use Mr. Bancroft to spur me on, but what if there wasn’t a Mr. Bancroft, to remember there will always be God. He is forever by our side willing us to try just that bit harder. The Lord who created us, who has already gifted us, the ability and all the necessary skills to get to the finishing line. The thing is we need to have it always in our fore mind that He is always there encouraging us that we can, and we will get there. Never to forget that if no one believes in you, the fact that God believes in you is all you need. That you have been created for greatness, to be the head, to be rulers, you are royalty, to be able to tell the difference between what’s fake and what’s real. To remember that the people you surround yourself with must agree in your ability to attain greatness. That anybody who tears you down, or talks about your negative qualities, does not deserve to stand with you. If Mr. Bancroft had gone on and on about my “F” status, and how he saw no future in my “F” (Failure) being transformed to “F” (First class) then I doubt I would have believed that I could. I am here to tell you; “Never settle for less. Never settle for mediocrity, never settle for ok. Never settle for quitters. You are created in the image of God, and He is not a quitter.”

 

 

 

I was not able to thank Mr. Bancroft, but like the Ten lepers healed by Jesus, if no one comes back to thank Jesus for what He’s done for them, I would like to be that one that came back to thank Him. To always be in an attitude of thanks. I know now that the Lord used Mr. Bancroft to will me on to the finishing line of academia, and for this Lord I thank you. If I had believed in my then current situation in high school, I probably would not have become a Fellow of science, a faculty staff and an academic working for Microsoft research supervising Masters and Ph.D students within 3 yrs of my graduation. But I stress on believing that I can and will. You might have been called all manner of names, rejected, have had to overcome one hurdle or another on your way to the finishing line, but one thing I know is that you have been called: CHOSEN, HIS, BELOVED, SOUGHT AFTER, FRIEND, Great man/woman, man/woman after God’s own heart, Friend of God. That your life is not in the hands of any ordinary man, but you have been ingrained in the palm of God’s hands. I no longer believe in the FACT, I only know the Truth. And the simple truth is that I have been created for my life to bring Glory to God. And whatever point I am in my life I can only get better, the direction can only be upwards.

 

 

 

So I challenge you all, will you continue to let the shadows of your past failures, shame, unfruitfulness continue to chase you or will you make a stand for it and choose to see past, the Fact, and strive on until the Truth manifests in your life. What will your legacy be? The choice is really up to you.

 

 

 

As for me, my mind is made up. I will be a fool to settle for anything less than what God has for me. I am not about to give up now.

 

 

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Continue reading »]]> Do you know the greatest challenge we have as humans? I want you to seriously think about it and give yourself some moment away from your work station to really reflect on this. Every time I think of this challenge, I think of Jacob. Jacob is the regular guy from the bible who upon facing this basic human challenge was able to rebrand himself from Jacob to Israel. Jacob left his father’s house with nothing and returned with 2 wives, 2 concubines, 11 children and a massive wealth and economic portfolio. Though it took him 20 years to achieve this result, he achieved it nonetheless after overcoming this basic human hindrance.

In this contemporary time, we would say Jacob lived a Jewish dream just like most young men in Nigeria leave their father’s house or father’s country to seek for their Nigerian dream. Every dream has an economic imprint to it; the dream then becomes more substantiated if the person attained this economical progress through doing what he truly enjoys doing. Jay Jay Okocha is a living proof of a true Nigerian dream and was honored for it 2 days ago with a novel match. Not all dreams are accompanied with fame but you can imagine Okocha doing what some people consider as a hobby and making economic progress with it.

If we look deep to what we consider as a hobby, therein lies what we truly enjoy doing. What we truly enjoy doing is thus not necessary a sequential or regulated task we must accomplish in order to get emolument but a state of euphoria and joy when we tackle a project. This state of euphoria and joy is thus a state of being our true selves. The greatest challenge we have as human being is being our true selves. It is difficult for most people to discover their identity and align themselves to it. Some people are able to discover who they are but the difficulty lies in staying true to who they are.

Doing what you truly enjoy doing is your creative self expression; it is being who you are truly designed to be; it is where your unlimited power is tapped from; it is a life of freedom – a life where possibilities overrides limitations. It’s a state that can be intuitively recognized and guided by deep rooted desire. Pablo Picasso – a foremost painter/artist – gives us a hint into what it is like to align ourselves to our true nature:

“I don’t know in advance what I am going to put on canvass anymore than I decide before hand what color I am going to use. While I am working, I am not conscious of what I am putting on the canvass. Each time I undertake to paint a picture, I have a sensation of leaping into space; I never know whether I shall fall on my feet. It is only later that I begin to estimate more exactly the effect of my work”

Just like Pablo Picasso mentioned above; whenever he wants to do what he truly enjoys doing, he is not conscious of the outcome and he leaps into space. Pablo Picasso is not governed by time but the possibility of his accomplishments. The time space continuum seizes to exist when you are in the flow of your true nature. Have you ever been involved in a task that you lost track of the time; you were literarily dragged away from it. It is like a deep sleep where you are not conscious of the environment. If you have ever been “in love” with a lady/man; you will understand this state of being your true self.

Look at Jay Jay Okocha; you can see the smile in his face when he loses an important direct kick and we can attest to his ability to experiment on the field of play. No matter how serious the match is, Jay Jay would always align to his true self. Jay jay’s true self is not football like most people describe their true self by what they do. When I hear someone say “I am born to be a doctor or I am a diehard writer”; I can’t help but smile at such ignorance because those profession or career line are simply a platform of expression. Jay Jay is a creative personality who can express his creativity best in the profession of football.

This is the cross that we mostly don’t understand because Jay Jay expresses himself best in football does not mean he is born a footballer. If Jay Jay was born into a home filled with academia, Jay Jay may have been professional writer authoring many text books; his environment played a big role in his platform of expression. This is where the concept of providence comes to play; God places us in an environment because God believes that environment would align us to our true self expression. While most people have blamed their environment for their lack of success, others have used their environment as a fulcrum of success.

The Williams sisters are tennis champions because of their African American heritage; this should ordinarily be a hindrance to tennis championship but it is what drove them to be extraordinary. If Mandela was born in the United States, I am sure the world would not be celebrating his 90 years birthday. Mahatma Gandhi became legendary because he was an Indian citizen. Our true self and finding the best place to express our true self lies in the environment we find our self.

So many people extol my writing prowess and I tell those who care to listen that I am not such a great writer; I simply write as a platform of expression. I know my writing skill have improved a lot from when I started putting time and energy into writing; for my professor in school to recommend my paper to the Swedish Environmental Board, I definitely know I have improved my writing considerably. I was not always good in writing in fact writing was my Achilles heel; most courses I did not do well in my undergraduate days was because I could not construct words properly. I used to loathe anything that has to do with writing but now writing is a platform to express my growth passion and love for empowerment.

This is the foundation of Jacob’s cross; expressing who you are in a dedicated platform. Jacob was a blessed man; whichever platform he engaged in, he was going to do the unfathomable. His partnership with his uncle Laban will give us insight into how to succeed financially in an uphill world. Jacob was already skilled in the arts of taking care of sheep before getting to his uncles house. His uncle noticed his good works and offered to pay him for it. Jacob instead demanded to work 7 years for his uncle’s daughter Rachel. In working for any organization, working for time will never make you financially free especially if your aim is to have one position or the other like Manager, Senior Manager, etc.

Jacob’s aim was Rachel and just like any other entrepreneur; they never live up to their promises until you give them more of your time. They dangle another offer your way, keeping you from your dream offer in order to buy more of your time. Jacob worked 14 years to secure his dream position and after attaining this dream, he was still financially impoverished. I can imagine many people who have waited longer than expected for promotions, salary raise, official car, etc and they keep getting disappointed. As they keep praying and waiting for this position, time is going and they gain nothing from it.

After Jacob attained the position he was looking for, he realized he had been chasing the wind. 14 years of his life slaving for someone without knowing who he was. Jacob decided to leave the organization and see what Laban the entrepreneur said “I will pay you more money for your time.” I have seen so many people stick to an organization because the entrepreneur is paying them more money. They know they are no longer aligned to the organization and their spirit and soul is no longer in the work but they stay because of the promise of more money.

Laban said something to Jacob that woke him up and made him understand who he truly was: “for a fortune teller that I consulted told me that many blessings I have been enjoying are all because of your being here. How much of a raise do you need to get you stay? Whatever it is, I will pay it.” This was news to Jacob just like most people in this world do not know their worth. He realized he was pivotal to the success of Laban but he should ordinarily have known this since he received the power of success from his father.

Jacob understanding himself decided to work for percentage instead of time. Remember for 14 years of working, he was still in the rat race; paying house rent, paying school fees, paying mortgage, changing car, occasionally travelling but he had no real economic power. After the decision to work for percentage, he became richer than Laban in six years; the speckled and the spotted sheep coming from all black sheep was something he has always known but he just put it to work after discovering himself. Despite the fact that Laban changed the rules many times, he was able to beat Laban to the game.

Understanding who you are and aligning yourself to it is the greatest good you can do to humanity. You encourage others who are afraid to take this path to do it. You will be able to FIRE YOUR BOSS by getting the proper respect you deserve. You will be able to make right judgments in investments and other important matter. I know money is a big factor that hinders people from being who they were designed to be but listen to what a billionaire film producer said; “Anyone who thinks money will make him happy hasn’t got money; happy is harder than money.” I will end this particular message with what Steve Jobs (billionaire founder of Apple Computers) said:

“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: if today were the last day of my life, would I do what I am about to do today? And whenever the answer has been no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something”

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Continue reading »]]> Present Location: Airport, lounging and waiting for my flight to be announced. I have got so many things on my mind but the major one was the private bond I was suppose to invest in which was suppose to give me a 96% return in 12 months payable on a monthly basis and full capital liquidated on the twelfth month. I hate missing out on great opportunities especially the ones that I can grasp with both hands. The challenge is how I am going to get to the bank and transfer the money, when my flight is scheduled in the next two hours. I did not want to take the chances of getting to the bank because the bank that maintains my domiciliary account is not anywhere close to the airport so I took solace in bringing you this particular piece hoping my battery would not run out.

Whenever I feel under siege of various challenges needing my attention, I try to suspend the present realities and move to something less tasking like reading and writing. The advice given by management books is to make your choice graduating the task with the highest priority but how do I define the highest priority when everything is top notch priority. Steven Covey would say the highest priority is the one that is relational in nature (the one that when you die, you would be glad that’s the one you tackled). The truth is I get confused with all these books that I just go for time sensitive ones like my MBA assignment that I was meant to be submitted today. This particular task stole my nights for me to complete reading journals upon journals, books upon books and papers upon papers in order to complete. This Swedish people would not kill me with all these assignments where you cannot escape engaging your intellect if you want to pass. For all those guys that have been sending me mails on how to apply successfully to Swedish schools, POeTSolvers would be organizing a free seminar for all its members in April on 100% guaranteed successful application into Swedish Schools and tips on obtaining residence permit. You may read Maxim’s write-up on Studying Abroad from POeTSolvers Article Conference to get you started.

Apart from this bond investment worries, the journey I have at hand is not particularly a jolly one (no lounging in the Jacuzzi, no massage therapy, no tourism activity, etc); all the 25 days have been booked for one meeting or the other from Dubai, Hong Kong and China. Well, this is going to be my first time in China and I am looking forward to it; I would be visiting 4 different states; Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Chongqing. I have been surveying my Google map in order to accomplish these visits and learning a bit of Mandarin to get me by. Every time I do these travels especial the business ones I wonder why I even bother; okay maybe I love travelling and globetrotting or maybe I am seeing another opportunity I cannot pass by. I seriously cannot fully resolve this leaning of mine but at the heart of it, there is definitely something that makes me happy to be doing it.

Now, back to prioritizing my challenges/tasks; when I was a fully paid employee, prioritizing was not a big deal. My priority was God, family and Job; every other thing did not really matter if I could not get them done. I was not bothered if I read or socialized but now everything seem to matter; you have got to read, you have got to network, you have got to research, attend to business matters, sleep late, wake-up early, meditate all through the day on best methodology and process, spend time with wife and daughter, etc. I believe its huge work to be on your own unlike when someone is paying for your time but its better. I have come to the crossroad like Neo in the Matrix choosing between the red and blue pill but there is one particular statement that keeps coming to my mind; they were the words of Trinity; you have been on that path before Neo, you know everything about it. I sure know everything about being a loyal employee though it is not much of a work and hassle compared to self-employment, I am too sure it would not make me “the one”

In order to increase my leverage opportunities, I practically read my own write-ups on this blog sometimes and wonder the gulf between my write-ups and my doings. I wonder if I am the one that wrote them or someone else because the wisdom in them are quite revealing so I decided to practice some of them. One of the one that caught my attention was “5 LATENT INVESTMENT LEVERAGES REVEALED“; I decided to shape my life through my tongue so I wrote down some important money desires to confess everyday for the next 30 days to see the impact. I called them the MONEY TONIC; you are welcome to join me in this revealing exercise;

1. I attract money easily

2. I have more money coming in than going out.

3. I spend money wisely and comfortable

4. I am open and receptive to new avenues of income

5.Money is my friend; I enjoy my experience with money

6. I am comfortable with large sums of money

7. I am using money to bless my life and the lives of others

8.I am rich and I am generous

9.I am a money magnet and I attract more and more every day.

10. I am worthy and I deserve large sums of money.

11. I am consciously rejoicing and I bless the good fortune of everyone.

12. I am grateful for everything I have in my life right now.

13. I am free of all debt; I am already rich.

14. I am creating large sums of money and money flows into my life easily.

15. I spend money with integrity and I am generous with it because I know there is plenty for others and for me.

16. I am attracting like-minded people to help me fulfill my desires.

17. As I ask for what I want, I allow the universe orchestrate it and bring what I ask for.

I have to board the plane now; see those that registered for the “Invest in Gold” Training in April though there have been a lot of reservation but the seats are not filled yet (payment secures your seat). Before the training, I would definitely have a lot of things to share with you. Thank you for reading….

This was written in 2008 …….

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Continue reading »]]> “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable” - Helen Keller

It was just few days after I wrote my first JAMB (a prerequisite exam to enter any Government-maintained university in Nigeria), my elder brother brought in an old dingy snooker board to the house which he apparently collected from his debtor who was unwilling to pay him. He dumped the snooker board in one of the garages and went to university every morning for his undergraduate program hoping to sell the snooker board during the holidays to offset his debt. Immediately I saw the board, I saw the opportunity to create a business out of the board to pass away time till my JAMB results surfaces. Prior to this time, I had never done business so I was anxious at the attempt (what would people say? Would my friends not laugh at me? What would my parents say? What if I failed? Would my brother agree to such thing?). Despite my fear, I asked my brother who immediately agreed (anything to bring back his money).

Remember, my motivation was to have something doing while waiting for JAMB result and apparently going to the university so I entered an unchartered region in my life with no-money motivation except to create something I could be proud of. Let me spare you my merchandizing tactics; the business was an instant hit in my neighborhood and all the teenagers and youths in the environment came from far and near to play snooker in my compound for a unique price of ten naira. In two weeks, my brother had recovered his money and immediately recognized the business opportunity so he cut a deal to give me 20% of the profit (what can I say? He is human). I took it knowing what my motivations were and I maintained the momentum of the business with competitions, promotions and strong interpersonal relationship. All the strategy for running this business was inside of me; neither did I read a book nor did I train under any business man to execute this apparent successful strategy.

When I look back and think of all the expensive training I have done in business (customer service, pricing, competitive advantage, supply chain management, etc) from my former companies; I can’t help but laugh at the share waste of money. If I had known all these knowledge intuitively in a passion to create a successful business, then I must explore the inner workings of myself today. This leads to the topic at hand; the topic at hand is guaranteed returns. Everybody wants guaranteed returns on anything they invest in but from experience I realize that you can never get a guaranteed return. Let me expatiate: I started this write-up with the snooker business where it became an instant success but I failed to tell you how the business was faring before I finally took off to the university. After 2 months into the snooker business, there was a huge drought; people stop coming for what I could not place my fingers on. Every attempt I made to revive the business did not bring the usual traffic and I saw myself selling myself short in order to maintain the business; reduce prices, beg people to play, etc.

After sometime, I decided not to sell myself short anymore and stuck to my guns. 3 weeks into this decision, the business started booming again. It boomed 3 times the initial success that my brother brought in a second snooker board to accommodate the crowd. This was a huge lesson for me and after undergoing other businesses and entering the cooperate world; I learnt there was no constant returns in any business even if it booms like the wild fire. This was the major reason the NOSPETCO idea was a hard sell for me; a very hard-sell though I was tempted emotionally, my rational experience did not buy the Oil Business idea. As long as a business exists, there would be unforeseen and unpredictable cost, smart competitors, “force majures” and micro-economic hindrances. Even the Low return interest rate given by Banks always fluctuate not to talk of a company with no hedging function. The idea that it rather collects money from individuals rather than Banks was simply a hog wash as the cost on the borrowing funds from individuals was far higher than the Banks.

Okay, it’s not that I have not opened my eyes wide open to invest in investment vehicles that guarantee returns even when I know it was not feasible. The fact is that all “my investment go bad” last year promised guaranteed returns but this should not be oversimplified because there are actually some guaranteed returns which I would reveal shortly. This is why in order to understand the true nature of investment and the controlling indexes that can give leverage to investment; one must follow the thinking pattern of great investors that walked on this planet earth and understand their personalities and characteristics that guarantees returns. God said as long as the earth exists; seed time and harvest shall not seize. This simply means it takes time to sow but harvest has no time limit; it simply a function of the time you sow that determines your harvest. It is imperative to know that if you constantly sow into an investment vehicle (with a consciousness to really learn from early failures), there would be a guaranteed return.

Last week, I got a call from one of my readers that wanted to interview me for a newsletter to be circulated to youths. One of the questions that hit me was “who has been your role model as an entrepreneur?” Then I immediately answered without much thought “Steven Covey, Mohammed Yunnus, Robert Kiyosaki, Sheik Zayed and Steve Pavlina”. After a while, I started rationalizing my choice of role models; “why did I not call Bill Gates and Warren Buffet?” I knew I rationally wanted to be wealthier than Bill Gates and Warren Buffet put together but I knew in my heart of hearts that being like these wealthy investors was not me; I would rather empower people with knowledge than ultimately seek wealth. It gives me the kick to teach and empower people through various communicative platforms but of course, one must also be financially independent. This was why I totally connect with my choice of role models without much ado. The interview question really made an impact on me because I have really never answered those questions myself though I have asked people on various occasions.

This interview question led me to think of guaranteed returns and why some people are sure of making returns from their investment even when the odds are not favorable. God has placed seasons (fruitful and unfruitful) in our lives so we may constantly know we are humans. Every investment/business platform does not guarantee returns but the investor who understands that every variable return can be controlled to guarantee returns. It is the investor that guarantees return and not the investment vehicle; this is why a deep knowledge of investment is vital to every individual and not relying on anyone (broker, investment guru, etc) to chart his/her courses in life. I remember my first lesson on guaranty vs. warranty; I was importing some electronic goods so I asked for guaranty from the producer and he corrected me by saying; “what we give is warranty not guaranty; guaranty means we are sure the product would not fail so you can sue us or collect your money back but warranty means we would replace or repair anything that goes wrong”. Nobody or investment vehicle can guarantee returns but in taking a peek at the lives of some great investors, we can see the characteristics and attribute they use in guaranteeing their investors.

Sheik Zayed was a man of history; he was the first president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and one of the rulers of Abu Dhabi (Capital of UAE). His impact in UAE gained him the name the father of the Emirates Nation and he truly deserves it by turning a country filled with tents, camel and desert into a metropolitan city filled with modern houses, computers and cars. It is noteworthy to understand the history and culture of the United Arab Emirates and to fully appreciate the efforts he took to turn the country around. For all those seeking to be financial independence; it is very vital to study this great mind that change the destiny of his people and made them a model nation to emulate. UAE comprises 7 independent states namely; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ajman, Fujairah and Ras al Khaimah. Each state has its own laws and rulers but in 1971, Sheik Zayed who was the ruler of Abu Dhabi at that time convinced the 6 other states to form a federation to enhance security.

Before the federation was formed, Abu Dhabi and Emirate States known as the Trucial States was a country filled with desert, tents and camel before the discovery of Oil. You and I know (using our country Nigeria) that it is not the Oil that turned the country around but the ruler that guides his country wisely and peacefully until a model nation is born. Sheik Zayed used the following elements and characteristics to turn the country around to guarantee returns:

1. Uniqueness

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” E.E. Cummings

It is your uniqueness that would give you leverages to guarantee your returns. I have learnt this from personal experience but Sheik Zayed confirmed this through his art of keeping the tradition of the states despite variety of influences. UAE never adopted Democracy, Monarchy or any style of political maneuvers but it maintained its ruler ship style to guide his country to glory. His first exposure from the desert was his trip to Europe in 1953 where he learned what to adopt and what not to; he was the first to build a school in Abu Dhabi after arriving from Europe using his own finances not the finances of the state because his brother Sheik Shakhbut was the ruler at that time. He knew that he needed education for power but kept his tradition.

The ability to maintain your uniqueness gives you a leverage to guarantee your return. It prevents dilution of characteristic like integrity, discipline, resilience, etc which was needed to sustain Abu Dhabi during the desert years and would keep his people from greed and unnecessary corruption of funds when the Oil Money came through. All the characteristics that kept you through your wilderness life must be maintained if you want to continuously guarantee your wealth.

2. Networking

“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion but woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him up. Again if two lie together, they will keep warm but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not easily broken” – Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 (NKJV)

When the British Force began leaving the Trucial States in 1968, Sheik Zayed who had been chosen as the leader of Abu Dhabi over his brother, knew his state that just discovered Oil in 1962, would be attacked soon by greedy neighboring Arabs. He decided to go one on one to the other Emirate states and convinced them to form a federation and register under the United Nations as a country. This finally came through in 1971 and they shared resources in order to sustain the rest of the country.

You need to understand the powers of networking if you are keen on guaranteeing your returns. When you join any investment vehicle, it important you network with people who are on the same investment journey in order to help each other through the journey. There would be information sharing, resource control and loss absorption.An experiment was carried out in UK and it was found that you are 6 people from everything you need in life. The more you network, the more your returns are guaranteed.

3. Marketing

Although Marketing is the pricing, promotion and distribution of products/services, it is so subtle that most people miss the strategic intent that is inherent in marketing that simply giving part of your resources to aid your fellow neighbor is marketing –  Dipo Tepede

Sheik Zayed understood what would preserve his nation from collapsing and being under siege from his neighboring country, he simply gave 28% of Abu Dhabi’s income for the assistance of Arab Islamic and developing countries to keep them in good relationship with his country. It is only the wise that understands the subtlety that Sheik Zayed employed in order to guarantee his investment.

This is a crucial lesson to all ardent investor who place their investment in states where their neighbors are impoverished. Giving some part of your returns to elevate those around you is a marketing strategy with the intent to guaranteeing your investment. But given off your returns is not the only marketing strategy there is, the ability to devise a plan to sustain your return is marketing like hedging which is a means of guarding against financial loss.

4. Sales

“Nothing happens in any project, except a sale is made”

Sheik Zayed has the ability of convincing other nations to buy into his ideas by condemning all use of violence in the name of religion. He was also able to openly reject all links to terrorism and publicly ask the leaders of Iraq to step down and go into exile to avoid war. He was able to project UAE as a country of peace which was good grounds for economic activities. His power to convince his fellow independent states were expressed when the governing council comprising the 7 independent Emirates State leaders elected him 5 times to rule them (voting by the 7 State leaders takes place every 5 years).

Can you imagine that a man was asked to lead for 38 years when the other 6 state leaders had the chance to be at the helms of affair? This is the power of sales and it is very useful especially in investment even if the investment does not involve sales. Convincing people to join your investment vehicle sustain that investment. All investment vehicles are premised on people, if people do not patronize them the investment would fail. Imagine the share price of a company shoots so high and you have nobody to sell it to, it’s a waste of time. In fact the rise and fall of share price depends on demand and supply. Is it property? You need to sell it well to make maximum returns.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPECIALLY APPRECIATE THOSE THAT MAKE COMMENTS ON THIS SITE (WHETHER POSITIVE CRITICISM OR ENCOURAGEMENT) AND PRAY THAT THEY WOULD NEVER LACK ENCOURAGEMENT IN THEIR QUEST TO FUFILL THEIR GOD GIVEN ASSIGNEMENT. AMEN. THANK YOU!

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Continue reading »]]> Giving yourself some credit?

I had some pretty good news recently- I wrote an exam and I did ok.

Quickly I rushed off the emails and texts, sharing my joy with my friends. The message wasn’t quite the archetypal Nigerian text/Email a la- “Come rejoice with me and my family’ etc but close. It went something like-‘Results are out. I’m grateful to God’ etc.

Almost every one I sent it to simply said, ‘oh, thank God’ or something as ‘seeming’- a fellow man/woman’s recognition of the favoured ‘hand’ of Supreme Being in this little woman’s business. I was calm, pleased, grateful that ‘He deemed me fit to have done well’ etc.

Soon I felt a bit mischievous so I sent a similar but more elaborately crafted text to an agnostic friend of mine.

I tried to keep my face straight and waited.

The reaction came as quick and as precise as I thought it would – “You should take some of the credit yourself”.

The drama-queen eyes in me went on the overdrive, willing them to unread the words in front of me. The coordinate inner-voice (which is a nice way of saying I talk to myself, too) screamed “Blasphemy! Irreverence! Sacrilege! (Insert other suitable synonyms!!!)

If you are a member of the Nigerian religious society (automatic membership for Nigerians and most people who live in Nigeria), you’ll know that ‘God’ is the omnibus reason for almost everything that happens- Corruption-induced riches are due to the Glory of God, rigged-in politicians give God the glory, and ‘God is good’ heralds all ‘testimonies’, that could have been averted by better planning. The disadvantage of the office is that ‘God’ also takes the blame for chaos caused by careless driving, legal punishment for wrong done and every riot, flood, or disaster we experience.

I guess it’s easy to feign modesty and ascribe what my friend will consider hard work to an unseen Entity. In fact, it seems win-win: you get off as being humble in a ‘gifted’ way. Like ‘Oh, I really didn’t deserve it but you know We (speaker and God), go way back… then again, I’ve always had his unlisted number’.

Sometimes, understanding God’s ‘intrusion’ in Man’s affairs can be a bit of a trick. For one, unlike the plant that must grow where it’s planted, or the animal that is perceived to be led by its instincts, humans have a choice issue. I use ‘issue’ carefully because choice on its own is a lot of responsibility. Decisions are always harder when you can choose- any woman will agree- the pink-chequered shirt with the white belt or the baby blue one on the deep blue jeans etc. Worse still, choices are based on what we think is right, that is eventually based on what we know or think we know and things around us. Yet, we are stuck with having to decide on our own- when Someone who knows all things can simply make the decision.

Do we always earn our accomplishments? How do we explain cases where doing the right stuff ends up with awful consequences? How do we explain when some people get results so easily while others have to strive for theirs.

I’m not done with understanding a lot of these. There are a few things ‘m sure of- one of them is that all the diligent studying, burning at candles at both ends do pay off, just like in life when you strive in your own way to make a mark. But there times when they don’t matter that you did- when you lit the candle while others were asleep, that you were diligent, that you did all the right things, that you did right by others…

Accidents happen, people will mess up, and sometimes we make it worse with choices to concentrate on the un-needful.

What I know is that my God makes up for those accidents and all, because I asked him to.

Or maybe I’m all just too Nigerian.

P.S:

How did I really feel when I received my friend’s message?

I smiled. I was amused for two reasons-

One, I was right about him.

Two, the credit was barely mine and I am actually very grateful.

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Continue reading »]]> Miss Rachel came to my office the other day. One of those wet

late or found other ways across to the Mainland.

Miss Rachel looked seriously worried. It was not the rain or that she did not know her way home. She has a car like most up and coming

Lagos girls and the car was working.

She has a problem.

You see, Miss Rachel is at the prime of her life. You know, that age when every woman thinks she should be married with children as that female Big Ben was constantly chiming away. Making loud rumbling grumbles about inactivity and lack of optimization.

Along with this, there is the family matter. Pressures and reminders that the Big Ben is there and the younger ones need a leader in this population contribution business. Pressures from friends whose weddings, naming ceremonies and engagements make up Miss Rachel’s weekends in

Lagos.

Miss Rachel wants a lot in her life. In fact, she has a lot in her life. A steady boyfriend she has been hoping to marry for a long time. A good job. A car. Many friends. The sadness in Miss Rachel is from being trapped between a rock and a hard place.

She depends on this good job. She caters for herself and her needs and contributes her fair share to the family upkeep budget. Life could not be better settled.

But my colleague A.S. is the problem.

You see, he is an internationally acclaimed banker. He has worked all over the world. When he arrived as one of those janded boys in our company, every young lady, as most do in

Lagos, was eyeing him. The prospects of getting ‘close’ to him so that ‘favor’ can be granted sometimes because of his position. After getting tired of counting money, A.S. came to our company to count people. He is our top man in H.R. Good Salary. Good Benefits. Close to the Boss. Wife and Children.

But he wants Miss Rachel.

The tactic is to pressure a lady to submission. The pressure starts with extending the hand of friendship. A ‘friend’ to talk to on work matters. A shoulder to cry on if you need one. A little financial help here and there. ‘Appointment’ as the “my eyes and ears”.

To a growing professional, this is the ‘ideal’ position to have in a company. So when A.S. calls a late evening ‘meeting’ at the other quiet building Miss Rachel is invited. There are other people there. Outside clients. Contractors. Guests of the company. It is a business review session. The first one goes well. Everyone is happy. This has to become a regular fixture in the business calendar. And the next one. And the next one.

But A.S. has his eyes and other things on Miss Rachel.

Miss Rachel has her eyes on her future. Husband. Children. Good House. Good Car. Good Job. Her ally in the company is A.S. A top executive who can ‘assist’ her progress. A ‘friend’. A good man with honor and integrity. The type she hopes she will marry soon. Yes, soon as her boyfriend has the same qualities.

She has been with our company for 4 years. She has worked hard. She has been available when others have not. She will stay late to impress and will do her work diligently. So much so that some of the other HoDs will ask for her to do work for them as they do not have capable and committed staff. Everyone knows her here as Miss I Too Do. She likes this job.

Gifts from trips abroad for dedication to work. Financial Assistance from time to time. A little allowance for the weekend. Her ‘new’

Mont Blanc pen. The Catwoman sunglasses. A bag to match her dress for her friend’s wedding. This is not a problem as A.S. is a ‘friend’.

Then the ‘requests’.
“Lets have a drink”,
“No need to rush home”,
“Have you eaten at that Chinese restaurant near Eko Hotel?”,
“Why don’t you come in earlier so we can go over this reports?”.

It all seemed so innocent.

Miss Rachel was happy to be useful to a boss. Afterall, he is the H.R. oga. Can move her progress faster. Better position. Better salary. She can afford more and do the things she wants. To help her family. Her friends. Even her relationship. She enjoys her work. It is her life. It is her future.

Not anymore.

A.S. has come again. Promises of promotion. Promises of taking her on trips abroad. Promises of leaving his wife. Promises of giving anything she wants. She just has to be his ‘Baby’.

“Baby? “
“At this age? “
“Ah! She cant be anybody’s baby o! “

“Wait! What king of baby?”
“That kind?”
“With the prospects of a good future with her boyfriend? “
“Oh God!”
“But the other day you said…”

Miss Rachel has dignity. She cannot be anybody’s baby at her age. She has worked hard and knows what she deserves. She has earned it!

But wait a minute.

“What if A.S. arranges for her to lose her job?”
“What if she has no job?”
“How can she cope without this lifesaver?”
“Her boyfriend. Loyal, loving boyfriend.”

What is a girl to do?

“If nobody knows”
“Just once”
“Let him have this and he promises to deliver”
“I will cleanse myself in church after this one time”
“Pastor said to fast and pray for forgiveness when we do wrong”
“I think he can keep it quiet”
“I will get the promotion and move to a new job for better pay”
“It will pass and I will forget, boyfriend will not know”

Then the first time.

“Oh God!”
“What is this?”
“What have I done?”

Then the second time.

“Oh God!”
“I am dirty!”
“I hate myself”
“Please, nobody should know”

The next time?

Miss Rachel was scared! Everybody at work is looking at her somehow. Those ones were whispering. Her colleagues begin to seem quiet. They don’t talk anymore? No sister gossip?

That look.
That up and down look.
“Did that one just look at me like that?”
“Does anybody know?”

That Trip.
That late ‘working’ night.
That Party.

And A.S.?

He comes to our building often. Always stops by to say hello. A big smile on his face. Happy to be here. Even his fellow ogas say hello. He talks too much.

Then suddenly it all stops.

No Smiles.
No Gifts.
No late ‘review’ meetings.

“Maybe it is the problem with the authorities. “
“Maybe it is the pressure as oga kpata kpata is ‘away’”.
“Maybe.”

Miss Rachel broke down in my office.

“Please. Please Miss Rachel don’t cry so loud before they think something is wrong”
“What is the problem now?”
“What do you want to do?”

She feels trapped.

No Promotion.
No Salary increase.
She can’t resign as she needs this job.
Her boyfriend is there.
She can’t face him.
One day he will know.
But she loves him.
What about her future?
What about Big Ben?
Where can she run?
How can she hide?
Who can she tell?

What kind of life is this?
Living a lie.
Just when everything is looking well.

“She must run.”
“She must hide.”
“She can start again”
“Again?”
“At middle age?”
“Husband?”
“Children?”
“Yepa!”

And our company marketing line?
What Pride?

She can’t.
Can’t.
Can’t.
Can’t.
Can’t.

“Help!”

Help Miss Rachel 2:40 AM

 

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Continue reading »]]> If you feel the weight of circumstance pulling you down from achieving all your dreams, I believe you are at the right place because today, I am going to show you a practical way of CHANGING LEVELS; is it from being single to becoming married, from being unemployed to employed or for whatever level you want to attain. You need to follow an exact principle which has nothing to do with New Year resolution or stronger will. Have you tried very hard to get out of that condition you are in but it seems as if the gravity of circumstances keeps holding you down? You need to wipe your tears because the answer to your issue is around you.

I started in Part 1 by telling you how my baby girl taught me to visualize where I wanted to be and then follow it but I did not tell you the process, you had to go through in order to get there. It is very easy for you to assume in order to move from one level to another, you needed the circumstances to change but that’s not the way it works because for you to change levels in life, you have to evolve while the circumstance remains constant. This is the way it works; if you are interested in moving from single hood to being married (assuming you want a Godly married- marriage that would last and you would find fulfillment), you would not change levels by finding a man to propose to you because you can be married and yet not enjoy the fruits of being married. You would get to that stead of fulfilled marriage if you constantly evolve because you would then attract a partner who also wants a fulfilled marriage.

This is the principle that precedes every substantial change whether the actors involved are aware of it or not. The law of gravity does not change, if you need to render the law of gravity inefficient, you need to acquire a different law like the law of aerodynamics. This is the way levels are changed; you change while the circumstances remain constant. But how do you change and render your circumstances ineffective? This is a very good question and deserves your full attention. You need to metamorphose, you need to change to a totally new creature and this can only be achieved by renewing your mind because the mind is the seat that makes who we are. The difference between two people is the way their mind functions not the way they look. The mind which I would also refer to as the soul needs to prosper for you to prosper. This is the key to every change.

Let me tell you a story about the wild dog latched to a door, every time he tries run away, it experiences pain because of the latch. It tries its best to get away but only ends up sustaining lessons and pains around its neck. Over time, it learnt never to run away but just stay within the perimeter that would prevent the pains it experience whenever it tried to run away. If the latch is taken away from its neck, the wild dog would find it difficult to run away. This story perfectly defines conditioning and its effect on every living creature. If I want to change my level from unemployed to being employed and I am required to write an aptitude test. If I fail the aptitude test in a successive recruitment process like say 7 times, I would be condition to believe I am not good with aptitude test even if I am giving an aptitude test that I am enabled to pass very easily. This is the dilemma that faces every human- the barrier that hinders human from getting to their preferred level.

In order to understand this phenomenon and create a bypass, one needs to study the metamorphosis of the caterpillar to a butterfly because the caterpillar is hindered by gravity while the butterfly is not though they are the same specie. This is what God meant in the bible when it said when any man is in Christ, he is a new creature not physical but in the way his mind works. This new creature, just like the butterfly, is not hindered by the gravity of circumstance; the creature has a different law within him that makes these circumstances ineffective. In transforming to this new creature, there is a total overhauling of the mind based on your preferred need. Let’s look deeply at the caterpillar-butterfly metamorphosis.

There are five stages that the caterpillar must go through before entering it’s pupate stage (the stage that transits the butterfly stage). These stages are referred to as Instar but before the butterfly changes from one stage to another, it sheds its skin (this is called molting). How the caterpillar molts is the same way a man changes from one level to another. The butterfly molts by growing a new skin within the one that it already possesses, when the new skin has been fully formed, the old skin automatically sheds away. If a man wants change his level, he has to renew his mind not enhance his physical appearance. He enhances his mind by focusing on where he desires to be in (check part 1 for more details). If the mind has been fully formed in that direction, it automatically shed its old ideas and he is on its way to the new level though like the butterfly it has not yet grown wings. You develop your mind towards the place you are going to and you would find yourself there.

This principle has been repeated by great minds all over the world and the true litmus test comes when there is a law that hinders your desire just the way Paul in the bible complained that there was a law that is hindering what he desired. When the law hinders your desire, you know you have not fully developed that mind. So my dear, keep improving your mind by feeding it with where you want to get to in life. Let me take this opportunity to wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS in advance.

Ciao…………………….

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