I Keep Watching, Way forward for Nigeria part 1

I can no longer keep silent, I took part in campaigning for changes but things are not going on well as expected. Professor Yemi Osibajo then the vice presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress Candidate now vice president at town hall meeting presided over by Dr. Fayemi now Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria and Fashola (former governor of Lagos State now minister of FRN), in Edo State where he solved in his speech all problems facing Nigerians within 29minutes. This is so amazing! Nigerians don't expect this government to use century's before bringing changes. An ordinary Nigerian find it difficult to avoid the outrageous price of food, transport, and etc due to nonavailability and high price of PMS, (ask from people in Ilorin to tell you what they are facing and other places). For God sake, Buhari, Tinubu and associated do not promise that only corruption will be fight leaving behind, basic amenities for citizens, Power, Road, PMS and others, we are yet to know destination of this as they are not improving. People keep die everyday on our bad roads e.g Ogbomoso-Oyo Road, Osogbo Oyo too Bad for pedestrians to talk of motorists and others.
Tinubu fight rigorously to claim this from PDP but what has been the result?
Tinubu campaign against subsidy removal, now advising to remove it, forgetting that this is only way common man, ordinary Nigerians are benefiting from government.
To be continue... Because "I KEEP WATCHING" by Adewale Ayobami

I Keep Watching, Way forward for Nigeria part 1

Adewale Sunday, 20 December 2015

Becoming a millionaire is easier than it's ever been.

Daniel Allay wrote:
Becoming a millionaire is easier than it's ever been. 

Many people have been writing me with the notion that it's an impossible task. They say, "It's pure luck. You have to be born into a rich family. You'll have to win the Lotto. Your parents have to help you out a lot."

A single mother with five children wrote the following, "Daniel, I read your article and I believe in what you're saying. However, I'm 50 years old and work long hours at two dead-end jobs. It's Christmas time and I barely have enough money to buy gifts for my children. What should I do?"

Another man wrote, "Well, if you work for the government or a non-profit, you cannot expect to become a millionaire. After all, you're on a fixed salary and there’s little time for anything else. By the time you get home, you've got to play with the kids and entertain yourself."

These queries got me thinking of the true possibilities of wealth all over the world, particularly in America. I've seen people come to America who speak little to no English, have no connections, no money, or formal education, but have still been able to create fortunes for themselves and others. 

The truth is that all of us can become as wealthy as we decide to be. None of us is excluded from wealth. If you have the desire to receive money, whatever the amount, you have all of the rights to do so. There's no limit to how much you can earn for yourself.

Money is like the sun. It does not discriminate. It doesn't say, "I will not give light and warmth to this flower, tree, or person because I don't like them." Like the sun, money is abundantly available to all of us who truly believe that it is for us. No one is excluded.

Here are 7 tips to becoming a millionaire: 

1. Change Your Thinking

You have to see the bigger picture. When most people see just trees, you need to look at the entire forest. This way, you'll be able to chart your own course and get to where you want to be. By having a vision and the goals to attain that vision, your possibilities are endless.

You'll have to go through plenty of self-discovery before you earn your first million. Knowing the truth about yourself isn't always the easiest task. Sometimes, you'll find that you're your biggest enemy and best friend -- even in the same day! Nonetheless, changing your thinking is a requirement for wealth.

2. Save Relentlessly

This will address the queries that I've recently received. For many individuals, there's too much month at the end of the money. However, you'll have to make your best effort to save as much as you can, even if it's a ridiculously low number. 

There are many techniques for saving money. You need to find your own system and start building your wealth. Even if you're on a fixed income, you need to find the discipline necessary to save. Whether you start out with saving $50 or $500 per month, do the best you can and invest this money in the best way possible.

3. Learn from Millionaires

Most people are surrounded by what I like to call "Default Friends." These friends are acquaintances that we see at the grocery store, gym, school, work, and other places. We naturally befriend these people as trust grows. However, in most cases, these people aren't millionaires and cannot help you become one either. 

If you truly desire and aspire to be a millionaire, these people may tell you that it's impossible. They'll tell you that you're living in a fantasy world and why you'll never be able to make it happen. Instead, learn from millionaires. Let go of these relationships and seek new ones that can help you get to the next level.

4. Indulge in Wealth

To become wealthy, you must first learn about wealth. This means that you'll have to put yourself in situations that you've never been before. For instance, you can test drive a new car, get a realtor to show you an expensive home, or get a brownie from the finest bakery in town.

Most of this will not break your bank. In fact, some of it is free. You'll have to go where 97 percent of people aren't willing to go if you want to make your financial dreams happen. Are there luxury golf courses, spas, or museums in your area that will allow you to indulge in wealth? If so, take advantage.

5. Believe It's Possible

If you believe that it's possible to become a millionaire, you can make it happen. However, if you've excluded yourself from this possibility and think that it's for other people, you'll never have money. Also, be sure to bless rich people when you can. Haters of money aren’t likely to receiving any of it either.

The best way to do this is to learn relentlessly about yourself and money. You can do this by reading books that have been written by millionaires themselves. By gaining a well-rounded education and staying inspired, you'll be able to get the wealth you've been looking for. 

6. Enlarge Your Service

Your material wealth is the sum of your total contribution to society. If you know my famous question, "How do I deliver more value to more people in less time?" then you'll know that you can always increase your quality and quantity of service. People are waiting to be served.

Enlarging your service is also about "going the extra mile." When it comes to helping others, you must give it everything you have. Don't think about if the people you serve will appreciate it or not. You just plant the seeds and nature will take care of the rest. 

7. Seize ALL Opportunities

In every neighborhood, no matter where you are, there are always opportunities to do good. Your community desperately needs your help. If you would only open your mind and heart to these opportunities, you'll find that they will be ready to reward you in due time.

Furthermore, you cannot say "no" to opportunities and expect to become a millionaire. You must seize every opportunity that has your name on it. Sometimes the monetary reward will not come immediately, but if you keep planting seeds, eventually you'll grow your fruitful crop.

Money is the harvest of your production. Everything that you have is in direct proportion to your actions. If you've done everything that you can do and have a purpose leading your life, you can expect to become wealthy. You must desire wealth and eventually the money will come when you are ready for it. 

Becoming a millionaire is easier than it's ever been. 

Adewale Friday, 11 December 2015

President of Uruguay! Poor or Rich?

The President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica has been dubbed by international media as 'THE POOREST PRESIDENT IN THE WORLD', to which he responded:

"I'm not a poor president. Poor people are those who want more and more. Those who never have enough of anything. Those are the poor because they live in a never ending cycle."

Jose Mujica's most valuable asset is a 1987 VW Beatle. He lives in a small farmhouse with his wife and a dog and donates 90% of his salary to charity.

President of Uruguay! Poor or Rich?

Adewale Tuesday, 8 December 2015

5 Little Things That Will Improve Your Relationship.

Happy couples know that good relationships take work. It’s a joint effort by both of you to keep a good thing going. But you don’t have to make grand gestures like sweeping them off to a second honeymoon to have a healthy relationship. Sometimes it’s the small things that make all the difference.

No matter how good things are with your partner, they can always be better. For couples who are looking to improve on their relationships, here are 5 little things that you can start doing right away.

5 LITTLE THINGS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP

1. ELIMINATE “YES BUT” FROM YOUR VOCABULARY.

When your partner wants to do something that you don’t want to do, you can easily disappoint them by saying no to their request. “Yes but” is a little phrase that really means the same as saying “No.” The “but” is usually followed by an excuse for why you don’t want to do what your partner wants.

For example, if your partner wants to go for an afternoon of golf and you’d rather go to a movie, instead of saying “Yes but I want to go to a movie,” say “Yes, AND then we can go see a movie after we golf.” With “Yes and,” you both get what you want and you have two activities that you can share in.

2. LET THE LITTLE THINGS GO.

In a relationship, it’s all about compromise. You can’t have your way all the time and neither can your partner. Accept that your partner has different preferences than you do, and that’s what makes them unique.

Avoid arguments by releasing the need to have things your way. When your partner wants something their way, let them have it. Don’t keep score either.

The same goes for the need to be right all the time. If your partner and you are arguing over what time your favorite TV show comes on, one of you is probably wrong. In the big picture of your relationship over your lifetime, you won’t still be debating this ten years from now, so let it go. Otherwise the nonstop arguments over little things could be the reason that you don’t have that ten year anniversary.

3. LISTEN INTENTLY.

Think about the last time that you heard someone speak who captured your full attention. Maybe it was a famous person making a speech about a topic that was interesting to you. Now think about the last time that your partner spoke to you. Can you even remember what they said? What was the difference in your attitude and behavior toward each speaker?

We speak at a slower rate than our minds are capable of processing information. As a result, while our partners are talking, our thoughts often wander to the little things that are important to us like what we could be getting done instead of listening to them talk.

Rather than disrespecting your partner by not giving them your full attention, practice active listening. Remove distractions like your cell phone, turn your body toward your partner make eye contact, and don’t interrupt them. As they speak, try to mentally summarize their meaning in your own words. When they finish, clarify that you understood what they were trying to communicate.

4. PLAY TOGETHER.

A study in The Family Journal found that relationship satisfaction was higher for couples who played together more frequently. The shared experiences of a fun time together create a bond that improves intimacy.

Play can be anything from a physical activity like a sport to movie night at home. Finding opportunities to have fun doesn’t have to be a planned activity either. Play with your partner could be as simple as sharing a laugh.

Find humor in everyday things that you can playfully tease your partner about. For example, have a laugh with each other over the fact that you almost poured orange juice into your cereal. If you two have an inside joke that no one else could understand, you share that private connection in your relationship.

5. EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO YOUR PARTNER.

Margaret Paul, Ph.D., author of Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You? says that “Complaints create stress, while gratitude creates inner peace, so gratitude creates not only emotional and relationship health, but physical health as well.” Reducing stress is a great reason to appreciate your partner.

Focusing on positives rather than negatives also improves your attitude toward your partner. If your spouse just fixed the dishwasher but left a mess of tools and dirty parts on the counter, focus on the good and not the bad. Instead of saying “Why can’t you put your tools away where they belong?,” say “It’s wonderful to have a loving partner who can fix things when they break.” When your words express what’s going right in your relationship, your thoughts agree with them.

Marriage , Relationship

5 Little Things That Will Improve Your Relationship.

Adewale Sunday, 6 December 2015

10 Habits That will save your relationship

“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes couples unhappy.”

A partnership is complicated, and one that is successful is both complicated and an art form. Being in a successful partnership is a learned skill; t takes patience, forgiveness, determination and hard work. The key to a successful partnership is to be mindful in the relationship, stay in a positive space as much as possible and to find laughter and fun in every day despite the challenges that will inevitably arise.

There has to be a solid foundation built on trust and understanding. It should be no surprise that you must like each other as much as you love each other to succeed together. You must be willing to do the work and be patient with one another while forging your path. As you learn to be good together, you will create a shared experience that will end up making your relationship successful.

HERE ARE 10 HABITS THAT KEEP COUPLES HAPPY:

THEY HAVE A SHARED PURPOSE

A strong sense of purpose shared with your partner will empower you both to be your best selves. The purpose is more than having a successful relationship it should be significant, have deep meaning and be well-defined. It might be something like reducing your carbon footprint or a lifelong quest to see every country. Whatever your purpose it should excite you both.

THEY ENJOY BEING OF SERVICE

Strong partnerships are rooted in being of service to others. Giving, contributing, and helping others and your community provides value to both the people you are serving and to your relationship. Volunteering often provides more benefits to those who do the volunteering than those who receive help. Sharing in doing good brings that good back into your relationship.

THEY ARE QUICK TO FORGIVE

It’s practically impossible to chart a path towards success without some missteps. Holding on to grudges is one way to derail the relationship altogether. Forgiveness is something you do for yourself. It allows you and your partner both to move on and grow from the experience.

THEY’RE SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER’S INDIVIDUALITY

To be successful and happy as a couple, each person must be successful in their own right. Who you are as an individual is a big part of the bigger picture. To be successful as a couple, both partners must honor and support the things that make up the person, not just the entity of the couple.

THEY TALK ABOUT MONEY

Money is one of the major reasons why partners become unhappy, so for a relationship to succeed both partners need to get real about the money. Take the fear out of the money piece by talking about it and by being honest about the bottom line. It’s easy to handle money challenges when both of you are completely aware of the situation.

THEY FIND THE HUMOR

No one will argue that life is hard. The best way to survive the hard times is to find humor and laughter. Granted, humor isn’t found in all situations but seek out humor to lighten the mood whenever you can and when it’s appropriate.

THEY KNOW HOW TO PICK THEIR BATTLES

Somethings are worth fighting for and other things – well, not so much. Successful couples do not waste time fighting about things that don’t matter over the long term. They pick their battles around things that matter to them individually, to them as a couple and to the success of their relationship. And when they do fight they fight fair.

THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN HAPPINESS

Happier people are more successful, and a partnership is better off when both partners are happy. The thing is happy people also know that no one else can make them happy and that they must handle their own happiness.

THEY VALUE THEIR DIFFERENCES

It’s the differences in each person and what they bring to a relationship that is often the reason a relationship succeeds. Relationships are a give and take and rely on the strengths that each person brings to help it grow. Respecting and valuing the differences in each other makes it so each person is comfortable contributing to the relationship.

THEY PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Gratitude is the foundation for building a successful relationship. It keeps the focus on what is working and helps you learn from what is holding the relationship back. When a couple practices gratitude in their relationship, they make their relationship a priority, and there is no greater recipe for success.

While none of these traits will guarantee a successful, long-lasting relationship, it is safe to say they can only help make any relationship stronger. It is the combination of the best of ourselves paired with the best of our partner in a respectful space that will keep the relationship growing and evolving into a successful partnership.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” – Aristotle

Marriage , Relationship

10 Habits That will save your relationship

Adewale

6 Ways To Attract the Right People and make them love you

You might wonder how certain people seem to attract others to them so easily; maybe they have some magic spells they perform each night to make people like them, or maybe they just have a likeable personality…

Even though some people naturally have a more outgoing, friendly personality, that doesn’t mean you need to become the loudest, funniest, most transparent person in the room in order to make friends.

People gravitate toward others who they perceive as good listeners, attentive, kind, and understanding. Also, being genuine and open will make others feel as though they can trust you, because you don’t try too hard or put on a mask. In our world today, many of us still hide our face due to fear of judgment or ridicule, or because we don’t know how to really act around others, but getting people to like you doesn’t have to feel like learning a new language.

Presenting yourself to the right people in a way that will make them attracted to you may seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.

HERE ARE 6 WAYS TO ATTRACT THE RIGHT PEOPLE:

1. DON’T BE AFRAID OF VULNERABILITY.

Many people feel scared of vulnerability, because they fear what other people might think or say about them. However, you can’t really get to know someone, or let someone get to know you, without opening up a little. Present yourself proudly and confidently, and don’t try to hide certain aspects of yourself or pretend to be someone else. People actually love realness in a world full of insincerity, so put yourself out there. Honesty goes a long way in getting people to like you, so don’t put up your walls in fear of what others may think.

2. CALL THE PERSON BY THEIR NAME.

One surefire way to lose someone’s interest and trust is to forget their name. When someone tells you their name, remember it, and call them by it throughout your conversation with them. This might not seem significant, but people love hearing their name; it makes them feel important, special, and cared for. If you can make someone feel that way, you can easily gain friends, and get them to stick around.

3. SMILE!

No one likes to talk with someone who seems too serious, uncomfortable, or stressed. Smiling will quickly dispel any awkwardness or anxiety about meeting someone new, because it signals to other people that you have good energy. Smiles act as magnets, drawing people in and attracting others who (hopefully) share similar energy. Frowns do exactly the opposite; they repel people, blocking out potential friends and conversations.

People will notice your smile before they even get to hear you speak, so emitting positive vibes and good energy will make you appear more open and receptive to people. According to a survey by Delta Dental, a smile is a person’s most important physical feature, so make sure you share it with people when you meet them.

4. ASK MORE QUESTIONS.

People like to feel important, like they’re being heard. Clarifying what they’ve said to make sure you understand properly will make the speaker feel valued, so asking some questions makes a conversation go much more smoothly. This will show that you’re interested and engaged in the conversation, and your exceptional listening skills will not go unnoticed by others. Too many people today check their phones in the middle of a conversation, or think so much about what they will say next that they totally miss the meaning behind the other person’s words.

Active listening involves asking questions for greater understanding, and doing so will instantly make you more likeable.

5. LAUGH AT YOURSELF.

People relate more with those who have a sense of humor, who can laugh at themselves despite any shortcomings or mistakes they’ve made. Laughter takes the heaviness out of life temporarily, and allows people to forget about the problems at work or argument they just had, or anything else that weighs them down. If you can make someone laugh, then you’ve made a friend for life. People gravitate towards those who don’t take themselves too seriously, because laughing at yourself means you know how to take things in stride and not allow them to control you or your emotions.

6. GIVE PEOPLE YOUR FULL ATTENTION.

Most importantly, treat people as if they matter more than anything else in the world while you speak to them. Turn toward them, nod to show them that you’re listening, and put your phone away. Attracting the right people just comes down to treating people like human beings, not like objects with no feelings. People want to feel like their voice is being heard, and if you can give them undivided attention, it will go a long way in increasing your likeability.

Marriage , Relationship

6 Ways To Attract the Right People and make them love you

Adewale

10 Major Differences Between Rich and Poor People

Wealth is a choice that we must all make. Bill Gates once said, "It's not your fault if you were born poor, but it’s your fault if you die poor." There's no reason why you should live in poverty. Wealth is waiting for you, but you have to make up your mind if you want it in your life.

Here are 10 major differences between rich and poor people:

1a. Poor people are skeptical

I distinctly remember a former coworker of mine saying, "Those mechanics are a rip-off! They're always looking for the weak people. They'll charge you when you're not looking!!" He thought that everyone unjustly wanted his money and that everyone is out there to get him. 

1b. Rich people are trusting

Surprisingly, a great deal of rich people leave their car and house doors open. Conversely, in areas of poverty, you'll find that this behavior is highly unlikely to happen. Rich people have the tendency to trust those they meet (within reason) and give others the opportunity to be themselves.

2a. Poor people find fault

People who are poor are always looking for the problems instead of the solutions. They end up blaming their environment, circumstances, jobs, weather, government, and will make an extensive list of excuses as to why they cannot be successful. 

2b. Rich people find success

Rich people understand that everything happens for a reason. Rather than letting life happen to them, they take direct action and make big things happen. They put aside all the excuses and eradicate their blame lists because they have to do what must be done. 
3a. Poor people make assumptions

When it comes to knowing the truth, poor people often make assumptions. If they want to reach out to a celebrity, they might say, "They probably don't have time to talk to me." Instead of checking the facts or asking questions, they never make a true attempt when it comes to getting what they want.

3b. Rich people ask questions

Many rich people ask the question, "What if?" For instance, "What if I wrote an email to the president and he or she answers?" If you begin to ask questions, you will save yourself a lot of hassle. The power is in the hands of those who ask the right questions. They don't answer your questions, question your answers.

4a. Poor people say, "They" and "Them" 

In the grocery store, the woman at the register said, "They never have enough cashiers. I don't know what's wrong with them." Obviously, this woman did not take any ownership and responsibility over her job. She certainly did separate herself from the job that was paying her. 

4b. Rich people say, "We"

At one of my favorite restaurants, the server said, "We take great delight in cooking our steaks in real fire." His sense of pride and ownership stimulated me, which allowed me to give him an honorable tip. Surely, you will be rich when you invest more into what you believe in.  

5a. Poor people want the cheapest way

I was once shopping with a friend who only wanted to buy if they could find the cheapest clothing. They would rush to the clearance rack and pick up clothes that they didn't even want, but ended up buying because of a "deal." Unfortunately, they ended up never wearing it since they only bought the price.

5b. Rich people want the best way

Rich people will go the extra mile to find quality material. They don't limit themselves to price and often seek service while they shop. Rich people want organized services and will never settle with items that are worthless and unusable.

6a. Poor people think money is more important than time

Millions of people all over the world are trading their precious time for money. You can always get $500 back, but you can't get 50 hours again. Nonetheless, the majority of people trade time for money and never realize their true potential because of it.

6b. Rich people know that time is more important than money

Rich people never trade time for money. Moreover, they seek fulfilling experiences that dramatically alter their lives. Their careers are more focused on doing what they love and helping others, instead of merely clocking in for a meager paycheck.
7a. Poor people compete

When a poor person sees an opportunity, they find out how others are doing it and emulates them. Most often, they never consider another way of doing it. Instead, they settle in the belief that doing what others are doing is the best thing they can do for themselves.

7b. Rich people create

My rich neighbors were disgruntled when they found that their Porsche did not come in a specific shade of green, which they deeply wanted. Because of this, they decided to custom build their green Porsche with unprecedented specifications. I've never seen such a thing! 

8a. Poor people complain, condemn, and criticize

Most poor people have learned how to be poor from their predecessors. Their family members have conditioned them to believe that everything is "wrong" instead of right. If you're ever heard someone ask, "What's wrong?" you'll know what I mean.

8b. Rich people praise and enjoy their blessings

Rich people know that they have many privileges and they don't take it for granted. Because of their appreciation of gifts, love, and circumstances, they are able to generate more. Many times, what gets praised gets prospered.

9a. Poor people seek amateur advice

They often listen to the opinions of others and seek approval from acquaintances. They believe almost everything they hear without questioning authority. They accept opinions as facts and prohibit themselves from doing research once satisfied with an answer.

9b. Rich people seek expert advice

Those who are rich have learned to think for themselves. If they cannot figure out something, they seek expert advice. Usually, they pay for the advice and are given a wide variety of options. They learn the experts only make suggestions, which means that they aren't particularly confined to a specific action.

10a. Poor people have big television sets

Poor people take a lot of time to drift off to sporadic images of which they often have little to no control over. They use their free time to avoid the art of thinking (which is the most challenging task) and zone out to what many have conformed to believe is "entertainment." 

10b. Rich people have big libraries

Wealthy people are educated and read a lot of books. They use their knowledge in a way that benefits them. Instead of drifting off in random activities, they seek to get within their minds to understand themselves, others, and the world in which they live. In fact, as your personal library increase over the years, so will your home. I can attest to this!

To get a true perspective on how to become rich, you must study rich people. After all, you become what you study. If you're currently surrounded by people who aren't yet rich, just do the opposite of what they do. Soon enough, you'll be able to reach your financial dreams!

10 Major Differences Between Rich and Poor People

Adewale Saturday, 5 December 2015

Fake people.

Fake people are only nice when it’s convenient for them or they usually have a hidden agenda. Genuinely nice people go out of their way to help others and they have an honest heart. Stick with the ones who never let you down and keep their promises. You can’t fake that.

Fake people.

Adewale Friday, 4 December 2015

I hope you fall in love with someone just like this.

I hope you fall in love with someone who always calls you back and never lets you fall asleep making you feel unwanted. I hope you fall in love with someone who holds your hand during the scary parts of horror movies and burns cookies with you while you’re both busy dancing around the kitchen. I hope you fall in love with someone who tickles you and makes you smile on hard days and on easy ones. But beyond all that I hope you fall in love with someone who will never leave you behind and who will never take you for granted. Someone who will stand by you when you’re right and stand by you when you’re wrong. Someone who has seen you at your worst and loves you still. I hope you fall in love with someone who kisses you in the rain and hugs you when you’re cold and wouldn’t have it any other way.
To crown it all, some that fear God, he/she will never cheat or disappointed you, such marriage is build on solid and good foundation, it last forever.

Marriage , Relationship

I hope you fall in love with someone just like this.

Adewale

The person to marry.

“Marry your best friend. I do not say that lightly. Really, truly find the strongest, happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with. Someone who speaks highly of you. Someone you can laugh with. The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort. The embarrassing, earnest, healing kind of laughs. This is important. Life is too short not to love someone who lets you be a fool with them. Make sure they are somebody who lets you cry, too. Despair will come. Find someone that you want to be there with you through those times. Most importantly, marry the one that makes passion, love, and madness combine and course through you. A love that will never dilute – even when the waters get deep, and dark.”

Leadership , Marriage

The person to marry.

Adewale

100 of the Wisest Sayings.

1. Never take things personally.

2. Never end a relationship by text message

3. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.

4. Show up.

5. Always use “we” when referring to your home team or  your government.

6. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.

7. Never cancel dinner plans by text message.

8. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

9. Don’t dumb it down.

10. You only get one chance to notice a new haircut.

11. If you’re staying more than one night, unpack.

12. Never park in front of a bar.

13. Expect the seat in front of you to recline. Prepare accordingly.

14. Keep a picture of your first fish, first car and first girl/boyfriend.

15. Hold your heroes to a high standard.

16. Don’t text and drive.

17. Never lie to your doctor.

18. All guns are loaded.

19. Don’t mention sunburns. Believe me they know.

20. The best way to show thanks is to wear it. Even if it’s only once.

21. Take a vacation off of  your cell phone, internet and TV once a year.

22. Don’t fill up on bread, no matter how good.

23. A handshake beats an autograph.

24. Don’t linger in the doorway. In or out.

25. If you do something, do it with passion or not at all.

26. If you want to know what makes you unique, sit for a caricature.

27. Never get your hair cut the day of a special event.

28. Be mindful of what comes between you and the Earth. Always buy good shoes, tires.

29. Never eat lunch at your desk if you can avoid it.

30. When you’re with new friends, don’t just talk about old friends.

31. Eat lunch with new kids.

32. When traveling, keep your wits about you.

33. It’s never too late for an apology.

34. Don’t pose with booze.

35. If you have the right of way. Take it.

36. You don’t get to choose your own nickname.

37. When you marry someone, remember you marry their entire family.

38. Never push someone off a dock.

39. Under no circumstances should you ask  a woman if she is pregnant.

40. It’s not enough to be proud of your ancestry, live up to it.

41. Don’t make a scene.

42. When giving a thank you speech, short and sweet is the best.

43. Know when to ignore the camera.

44. Never gloat.

45. Invest in great luggage.

46. Make time for your mom on your birthday. It’s her special day too.

47. When opening presents, no one likes a good guesser.

48. Sympathy is a crutch, never fake a limp.

49. Give credit. Take blame.

50. Suck it up every now and again.

51. Give your seat up to the elderly.

52. Don’t stare.

53. Address everyone that carries a firearm professionally.

54. Stand up to bullies.You’ll only have to do it once.

55. If you’ve made your point, stop talking.

56. Admit it when you’re wrong.

57. If you offer to help don’t quit until the job is done.

58. Look people in the eye when you thank them.

59. Thank the bus driver.

60. Never answer the phone at the dinner table.

61. Forgive yourself for your mistakes.

62. Know at least one good joke.

63. Don’t boo. Even the ref is somebody’s son.

64. Know how to cook one good meal.

65. Learn to swim.

66. Be cool to younger kids. Reputations are built over a lifetime.

67. It’s ok to go to the movies by yourself.

68. Dance with your mother/father.

69. Don’t lose your cool. Especially at work.

70. Always thank the host.

71. If you don’t understand, ask before it’s too late.

72. Know the size of your husband’s/wife’s clothes.

73. There is nothing wrong with plain t-shirt.

74. Be a good listener. Don’t just take your turn to talk.

75. Keep your word.

76. Fight for what matters.

77. Carry your mother’s bags. She carried you for nine months.

78. Be patient with airport security. They are just doing their job.

79. Don’t be the talker in the movie.

80. The opposite sex like people who shower.

81. You are what you do. Not what you say.

82. Learn to change a tire.

83. Be kind. Everyone has a hard fight ahead of them.

84. An hour with grandparents is time well spent.

85. Don’t litter

86. If you have a sister, get to know her boyfriend. Your opinion is important.

87. You won’t always be the strongest or the fastest but you can be the toughest.

88. Never call someone before 9 AM or after 9PM.

89. Stay in shape.

90. Make the little things count.

91. Always wear a bra at work.

92. There is a fine line between looking sultry and slutty. Find it.

93. You’re never too old to need your mom.

94. Count your blessings.

95. Know the words to your national anthem.

96. Your dance moves might not be the best, but I promise making a fool of yourself is more fun than sitting on the bench alone.

97. Smile at strangers.

98. Make goals.

99. Being old is not dictated by your bedtime.

100. Pray always

100 of the Wisest Sayings.

Adewale Thursday, 3 December 2015

Using this criteria to marry a lady is wrong

1: Curve: they ask, is she figure 8?If you marry her for her figure 8,
will she maintain that when she become pregnant? Never, it may
even turn to figure 96

2:Size: they often ask; is she “Lepa” (slim).They are crazy about’ Lepa’. After giving birth to the first baby, what will happen to the size? It will be as if you took her to a vulcanizer to pump her up.
Stop fooling yourself, that ‘Lepa ‘girl will later look like her ‘orobo’ (fat) mummy. If you don’t like the present look of her mum, you better don’t marry her.

3: Big Butt: Very wrong! How will you choose a girl because she has a big buttocks, this is even an heavy load to her, big but its just a big sewage disposal unit, a magnificent septic tank. Is that what you want to marry? Wise up guys.

4: Pointed breasts: Will her breast remain pointed after raising three
children? Never! Don’t go for breast, go for the best.

5: Tooth gap: “Eji Jo rice”.Quite funny, you want to marry a lady
without character just because she has a gap in her teeth, she may
end up creating gap in your life and destiny.

6. She dress sexy: A great woman will dress to look beautiful not to
look sexy. If you see a “gala” whose nylon has been removed, will
you buy it? if she is exposing her breast, cleavage, pants, thigh etc
for the world to see and you want to marry her, you will not marry a
“PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY” but a “PUBLIC LIABILITY COMPANY”
Be wise guy.

7: Cat walking: you want to marry her because she is cat-walking,
sorry you won’t. She that is in marriage will not cat-walk in
Pregnancy, she will only tummy walk.

8: Rich parents: So, you are a gold digger! If you marry her because
of her rich parents and her parents begin to feed you and your
family in marriage, you are not a Man. Just stop wearing trousers,
go and start wearing Skirt and blouse and don’t forget “Iro and
buba”.

9: Brazilian Hair: Do you want her because her hair is long or
because she is wearing a Brazilian hair? That shows shallowness,
wearing Brazilian hair does not equate beauty or brain. Any dunce
can have long hair and do one million braid.

10: British and USA Passport: Many guys are looking for these; any lady that carries British or U.S Passport is a hot cake to Men who are generation of Esau, those who are ready to sell their future and destiny for a morsel of bread.

11.Beauty:A whole lots of beautiful ladies are without discretion.
Don’t ever marry a lady just for her beauty, beauty will fade, character will last. If she dress well but do not act well, don’t marry her.If you do, she will make your life miserable.

12: Bed expertise: “She is very good in bed, very hot,very acrobatic” that was what a guy told his mentor who ask him why he wanted to marry a lady who kept on cheating on him ,embarrassing and abusing his mother.

Marriage , Relationship

Using this criteria to marry a lady is wrong

Adewale

Why You must not marry Him

Ladies, do not make excuses and say you didn’t know when enough was enough.

Here are 4 red flags that should give you the key to exit the relationship, as soon as you can.

1. He cheats

Many people will say this point is debatable because lots of couples who have fidelity issues repair their relationship and end up better than where they were pre-cheating. But it’s not the act of cheating that’s the deal-breaker here;
it’s the disrespect, broken trust and significant risk to your health. (Hello, STDS!) With all the risks that hang in the balance for just a tiny bit of pleasure, it’s entirely inconsiderate and selfish when a man cheats on you. Do you want someone who puts his wants before your needs, like security and trust? You should not, which is why you have to say BYE to cheating men.

2. He gets violent, even if he doesn’t hit you

You may think this is a no-brainer but honestly it isn’t. Most women I know who’ve been in abusive relationships have immense strength, only to shut down in the presence of her partner’s anger and violence. No healthy relationship can be built off a foundation of fear because you never know when his actions may escalate.

3. He doesn’t claim or proclaim you

Many women will spend time in limbo-like relationships with guys who won’t give them the girlfriend title. Here’s the truth: If you’ve been dating a man for longer than six to nine months and he hasn’t made you an official part of his life, it’s time to MOVE ON. Stop making excuses for why things aren’t progressing to the next level; you’ll only waste time and your time is worth more than that. Don’t settle for less because you don’t want a man who makes you a bargain-bin find. If he knows your worth, he’ll claim and proclaim you and there will be few conversations about how ‘he isn’t ready.’

4. He suffers from addiction

There are plenty of honor badges to be earned by standing by your man when he’s fallen on hard times. But CAUTION if you stick with a man fighting demons, namely addiction. Addiction can range from less-severe, like cigarettes, to major issues such as drug, alcohol, pornography and s*x. Someone who suffers from an addiction will do anything – and I mean anything – to get their fix, even at the expense of those they love. So unless you’d like to be second to whatever vices he has, it may be time to ‘leave smoke.’

Marriage , Relationship

Why You must not marry Him

Adewale

Which kind wahala be this, Advise me

Na so i received this msg early morning 'dial *797*amount# to top ur account' i tink say na dat mtn code dat gav free credit na so i cum enter *797*40,000# and 40k was credited immediately, na so I quickly subscribe mtn data 10gb 4 10k, transfered 2k to my boo, and 3k to my best friend, and also share 5k among my surest pals sha.... I cum check my balance and it remain 20k... I smiled and tink I dn hit jackpot. immediately i received a msg sayin 40,000 has been deducted from ur GTB acct no:******3513 and ur account main bal: 1,058naira.....see me c  wahala oo. Abeg wetin I go do o?😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 comment below please.

Which kind wahala be this, Advise me

Adewale Wednesday, 2 December 2015

5 Things You Can Do to Avoid 'Fake Work'

A lot of people spend their days in the office passing the time and not really achieving much. Often, that's not their fault. The culture of working "9-to-5" runs deep in the world of business. So, it's easy to do a lot of fake work that yields few results. Instead, people should focus only on those tasks that actually achieve something.

According to the Pareto Principle, 80 percent of the effects come from 20 percent of our work. So, the question becomes, how do we determine what that 20 percent is that we actually have to do?

To answer that question, let's first identify a definition for fake work: According to Rodger Dean Duncan: Fake work is work "not explicitly aligned with the strategies and goals of the organization.“ So, to do profitable work, you have to understand how the things you do align with your company's goals. Here are five criteria toward that understanding.

1. Align your tasks.

Make sure that everything you do fits into your workplace quarterly or yearly goals. One of the best ways for goal alignment is using the concept of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). First introduced by Intel, OKRs have gained a lot of popularity (for instance, Google uses them).

You must first have clear goals outlined at the company level; then, personal goals that directly related to them, can be set.

2. Prioritize.

Once your goals are aligned, it's easier to decide what's important and what's not. Spending most of your time and energy on doing the important things (tasks that give you meaningful results), lets you maximize the effects of the Pareto Principle.

3. Ask for and give feedback.

The only way to actually distinguish what's real work and what's fake is to understand what goes on in your particular workplace. That requires exchanging ideas with both your manager and co-workers.

In this regard, it's helpful to have a good internal communication system in place. Whether that means a system of regular meetings, the use of status reporting software or some other enterprise network service and talking and sharing ideas to make sure the work you do matters is a must.
4. Divide your days into blocks of meaningful work.

In the office environment, we're too often distracted by coworkers, emails and random outside factors. A friend of mine use to go to work every Saturday, because, "It's quiet and I can focus on my work." Some of these distractions are things we can't avoid, but we must still try to have some level of control.

To get things done, try dividing your day into uninterrupted blocks of work. During these blocks, ignore your email, messengers and, if possible, even your phone. Some distractions can't be avoided, but minimizing their amount still helps, as multitasking decreases productivity by 40 percent.

5. Take breaks.

When you experience -- as we all do -- energy levels dropping throughout the day and week, you may find it easy to take the easy way out: Sit at your desk, answer emails and daydream about the weekend.

In that context, it's important to pace yourself so you don't expend all your energy on Monday morning. Taking regular breaks from mental tasks improves productivity and creativity; skipping breaks, however, can lead to stress and exhaustion.

Avoiding fake work requires a companywide commitment. One person can do only so much. If you believe your company is not doing enough to be productive, make that clear to your supervisors, as they likely want to be more successful as well.

What ideas do you have for achieving that productivity goal?

5 Things You Can Do to Avoid 'Fake Work'

Adewale Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Two important management lessons I learnt from a 500 Naira note

Two important management lessons I learnt from a 500 Naira note by E. Ifeoma.

1. It happened some time ago but . I was in an audience listening to a motivational speaker. The speaker got out his wallet & pulled out a 500 Naira note. Holding it up, he asked, "Who wants this 500 naira note?"
Lots of hands went up. Including mine. A slow chorus began to build as people began to shout "Me!" "Me!" I began to wonder who the lucky one would be who the speaker would choose. And I also secretly wondered (and I am sure others did too ) why he would simply give away 500 naira. Even as the shouts of "I want it" grew louder, I noticed a young woman running down the aisle. She ran up onto the stage, went up to the speaker, and grabbed the five 500 naira note from his hand. "Well done, young lady," said the speaker into the microphone. The speaker simply say "Most of us just sit and wait for good things to happen. That's of no use. You've got to make things happen. Make a move" 'Simply thinking about doing something is of no use and not gud enough'. Our lives are like that. We all see opportunities around us. We all want the good things. But the problem is we don't take action. We all want the 500 naira notes on offer. But we don't make the move. We look at it longingly. Get up, and do something about it. Don't worry about what other people might think.
Take action.

2. later, the speaker got another 500 naira note and held it up for all to see, I thought I knew what's up. But he just asked a simple question. "How much is this worth?" "Five Hundred naira!" the crowd yelled in unison. "Right," said the speaker. He then took the note and crumpled it into a ball and asked "How much is it worth now?" "Five Hundred naira!" screamed the audience. He then threw the note on the ground, stamped all over it and picked up the note and asked one more time: "And how much is it worth now?" "Five Hundred naira!" was the response. "I want you to remember this," said the speaker. "Just because someone crumples it, or stamps on it, the value of the note does not diminish. We should all be like the 500 naira note. In our lives, there will be times when we feel crushed, stamped over, beaten. But never let your self-worth diminish. Just because someone chooses to crush you, that doesn't change your worth one bit!

Don't allow your self-worth to diminish because someone says something nasty or does something dirty to you."

Never let your self-worth diminish.

Two important management lessons I learnt from a 500 Naira note

Adewale Monday, 30 November 2015

PRECAUTION is more powerful than EXPERTISE!

At the interview to fill the vacancy of a Field Engineer in a multinational oil company, two competent and qualified Engineers were shortlisted and the company was to decide on who to retain and who to show the red card.
They asked them If they could drive and they both answered in the affirmative even though only one of them could drive.
The Head of the Human Resources spearheading the interview
cum pruning session then handed his car keys to them to prove their driving skills within the premises.
The over-confident applicant collected the car key, opened the car, switched on the ignition, lighted it up, sped off, swirled, swerved and made some stunts on wheels before parking the car on the same spot to the seeming rousing applause and mischievously knowing smile of the interviewers.
The other applicant who could not drive collected the key all the
same, opened the car, opened the bonnet, checked the engine oil level, the brake fluid level, the gear oil level and the water in the radiator level.
As he closed the bonnet, the chief interviewer walked towards him and said: "Don't bother driving, you've just been hired!"
PRECAUTION is more powerful than EXPERTISE!
The race is not for the swiftest, but to the wise!
Don't be brash and over-confident.
Learn the ropes and never back off from giving your best even If you don't possess what it takes. That someone is doing it fast doesn't mean he is doing it right!
Direction is more important than speed! Exercise caution and take
precaution in the journey of life - that's how to be recruited into the employment of success.

PRECAUTION is more powerful than EXPERTISE!

Adewale

21 Ways to Achieve Wealth and Success

It got me to think, How many people operate on autopilot and don’t stop to monitor their everyday patterns? Below I've summarized 19 of his habits for success (nine culled from his book and the next 10 from his recent article in Success) plus two of my own. If you're not actively engaged in these 21 things, you are, in effect, leaving money on the table.

1. Setting good daily habits.
Good habits are the foundation of wealth building. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people lies in their daily habits. Simply put, successful people have many good habits and few bad ones. If you understand that your bad habits may be preventing you from becoming wealthy, that realization will be the first step in your improving your circumstances.

In his book, Corley invites you to take out a sheet of paper and list your bad habits in one column and then invert each one to place under a new column for good habits. It should look like this:

Bad Habit/Good Habit

I watch too much TV.             I limit myself to one hour of TV per day.

I don’t remember names.     I write down names and remember them.

Then for 30 days, follow the guidance of your new good habits list. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish.

2. Regularly creating goals.
Successful people are goal driven. They create goals all the time. They plan their day the night before with to-do lists.

People who are headed for success think for the long term. They have daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. But what’s a goal without a plan to reach them? So not only do successful people have goals, they also come up with ways to achieve them and hold themselves accountable.

3. Engaging in self-improvement daily.
Successful people are always looking for ways to improve themselves. They read every day and are students of their profession. They don’t spend their time on activities that don't bring them closer to their goals.

I recently attended an event hosted by author Brendon Burchard, who said he consistently blocks out time to create. Successful people like Burchard know that time is too valuable a commodity to waste. They spend their time on the things that will move the needle for them in their business: Being committed to self-improvement means you engage in activities every day that will stretch you.

Seek ways to expand your knowledge. This won’t always be easy, but people grow from things that pose a challenge. Once your knowledge grows, opportunities appear.

4. Regularly taking care of personal health.
Each and every day successful people make an effort to eat right and exercise. Eating right is of utmost importance. Exercising daily can become a regular habit, just like taking a bath. People who exercise routinely have more energy to get things done. How are you doing in this area?

5. Often making time for relationship building.
People who are successful are other-people focused. They take time out of their day to strengthen the bonds of friendship and form long-lasting relationships with others. Networking is something they do all the time. They reach out to their contacts and look for ways to help them with no expectation of in return.

The most beautiful sound on Earth, I once heard someone say, is your name. So make it a goal to learn the names of every contact you meet. Aren’t you impressed when someone remembers your name? I know I am. So stand out as different and start remembering names.

6. Doing things in moderation.
You live in a balanced way if you do activities in moderation. This means having a balanced approach to work, eating, exercise, consuming alcohol, watching television, surfing the Internet and so forth. As a result, people will enjoy your company. If people like being around you, then you will be more apt to collaborate or find the new business partner that you need to take your business to the next level.

7. Getting things done.
Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today: Accomplish things. All people have fears, but successful people push past them. They don't procrastinate. They get the important things done, no matter the cost.

In Rich Habits, Corley explains that when the thought of putting off something enters the mind, immediately shed notion by saying, “Do it now.” He says repeat these words 100 times if necessary. Just don’t stop till the task is done.

8. Keeping a positive outlook.
Consider the most successful person you know. Is that person positive or negative? Most likely this individual is positive, enthusiastic, energetic and happy. This person chooses to see the good in others and in himself or herself. To this person, problems are just opportunities waiting to be uncovered.

Every day people are bombarded by news of bad deeds and doings. Successful people minimize their exposure to this type of thing and instead opt to fill their minds with positive ideas from books and magazines.

9. Regularly saving money.
According to Corley, successful individuals put away about 10 percent to 20 percent of their gross earnings in a savings, investment or retirement plan. Not everyone can afford to do so, but what percent are you putting away?

Related: 8 Money Mistakes to Avoid on Your Way to Being Wealthy

10. Rejecting self-limiting thoughts.
Successful people command their thoughts and emotions. As soon as bad thoughts intrude, they cast out anything that challenges their ability to succeed at the task at hand. They do not dwell on negative notions. Their self-talk is positive and not overly critical. They replace bad thoughts with good ones.

Because successful people engage in self-improvement daily and are constantly involved in positive things, they don’t allow themselves time to indulge in negative emotions.

11. Living within means.
Wealthy people avoid overspending. Among many of those struggling financially, some are living above their means. They spend more than they earn, live from paycheck to paycheck and are drowning in credit-card debt. If this is you, resolve today to turn things around for you and your family.

12. Reading daily.
Many successful people read 30 minutes or more every day. Reading can increase your knowledge and know-how. When you read, often  you are seeking to improve yourself. This automatically sets you apart from your counterparts. You will stand out from the competition.

13. Limiting TV watching.
Did you know that many successful  people limit the amount their TV time to one hour or less a day? How much time do you lose in front of the television that you could be spending doing something more productive?

14. Doing more than what’s required.
Successful people regularly go above and beyond the call of duty at work. Even if something is not in their job description, they will volunteer to do it. Wealthy people make themselves invaluable. As an entrepreneur, you may not have a boss. But in what ways do you go above and beyond for your clients? How do you wow them?

15. Talking less and listening more.
When you listen, you learn. And as the adage goes, that’s why people have two ears and one mouth. When you take the time to really pay attention to what another person is saying, it can truly help not only you but your bottom line as well. When you listen, you are in a better position to help others.

16. Not giving up.
Don't give up when the going gets tough. Successful people hang in there. They pivot. They try something new. They persist. They may have to change their direction, but they keep moving forward.

17. Spending time with like-minded ones.
There's a saying that goes, “Show me who your friends are and I’ll show you who you are.” I believe that. People are only as successful as those they choose to surround themselves with. Good associations can help you more quickly achieve your goals.

18. Finding a mentor.
Many people who have had a mentor have attributed their success to that person. Mentors can help you achieve your goals faster and keep you accountable. They can share valuable experience that can cut your learning time in half.

19. Knowing your why.
When you know why you're doing something, you will get what you want quicker than if you don’t. Having a purpose is essential to being successful in business and in life. Why do you want to be successful? Why do you really want to be wealthy?

20. Not giving fear the upper hand.
Everyone has fears. Successful people don’t allow their fears to limit or define them. Fear inevitably keeps you in the same position and stunts your growth. Recognize your fears and seek ways to overcome them. Interview someone you admire and ask that person how he or she overcame a fear or pick up an autobiography and take notes.

21. Upgrading skills.
If you want to get ahead, there’s only one way to do it: Become better at something than you are today. What's the one thing you can focus on for the next 30 days that will catapult you to rock-star status in your industry? Focus your attention on that. I heard John Lee Dumas from Entrepreneur on Fire define "FOCUS" like this: Follow one course until success. Will you?

What I know for sure is that what gets tracked, gets done

21 Ways to Achieve Wealth and Success

Adewale Sunday, 29 November 2015

Running out of patient, where is the Petroleum Minister?

The current spate of fuel scarcity, which started like a joke about three weeks ago, is about to hit the one month target with no apparent end in sight. If anything, petrol is getting scarcer by the day all over the country, with prices ranging from N150 to N500 per litre depending on the location around Nigeria.

Official sources blamed this on the activities of speculators, hoarders and saboteurs; a story we have always been told since fuel scarcity became a normal part of our lives from the early 1990’s.

Petrol dealers apparently sensed that the continued lowering of crude oil prices in the international market could lead to a drastic cut in the official price of petrol and thus decided to hoard the stock at hand. Things were not helped by the federal government’s delay in paying the N413 billion owed importers of the product.

President Muhammadu Buhari leaving Nigeria for Malta, on Thursday, November 26, 2015, to participate in the 2015 Common-wealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

Though the federal government sent officials of the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to indentify the hoarders and dispense their products free of charge to the public, this has proved incapable of easing off the scarcity because DPR can hardly do much in terms of coverage.

The effort of the federal government to get the National Assembly to approve the N465.5 billion supplementary to enable it pay the importers was a step taken only when the scarcity had started biting, a fallout of the generally slow and non-proactive attitude of this regime to governance in general.

We call on the National Assembly to jettison partisan nit-picking and approve the fund to enable Nigerians have a smooth Christmas and New Year season devoid of fuel scarcity and its attendant mass suffering and over-the roof personal spending on energy.

With the onset of the dry season and the sudden drop of electricity supply below 3,000 megawatts, Nigerians need easily available and affordable fuel to cope with the heat and conduct their businesses this end of year season.

Even as the subsidy fund is eagerly awaited, we call, once again, on the federal government to come forward with its holistic economic blueprint, especially as it affects efforts to ensure stability in the petroleum energy sector.

With President Muhammadu Buhari as the substantive Petroleum Resources Minister and Dr Ibe Kachikwu, a respected technocrat in the sector as the Minister of State, Nigerians are full of hopes that the perennial problems bedeviling the sector will be brought under control. We expect the so-called “cabals” in the sector be smashed and Nigerians freed from their stranglehold. We do not want this banality of business as usual.

The ongoing fuel scarcity is a personal burden for President Buhari. Nigerians are eagerly waiting for him to come forward with permanent solutions.

Running out of patient, where is the Petroleum Minister?

Adewale Friday, 27 November 2015

Why you are not successful despite your intelligence

When it comes to success, it’s easy to think that people blessed with brains are inevitably going to leave the rest of us in the dust. But new research from Stanford University will change your mind (and your attitude).

Psychologist Carol Dweck has spent her entire career studying attitude and performance, and her latest study shows that your attitude is a better predictor of your success than your IQ.

Dweck found that people’s core attitudes fall into one of two categories: a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.

With a fixed mindset, you believe you are who you are and you cannot change. This creates problems when you’re challenged because anything that appears to be more than you can handle is bound to make you feel hopeless and overwhelmed.

People with a growth mindset believe that they can improve with effort. They outperform those with a fixed mindset, even when they have a lower IQ, because they embrace challenges, treating them as opportunities to learn something new.  

Common sense would suggest that having ability, like being smart, inspires confidence. It does, but only while the going is easy. The deciding factor in life is how you handle setbacks and challenges. People with a growth mindset welcome setbacks with open arms.  

According to Dweck, success in life is all about how you deal with failure. She describes the approach to failure of people with the growth mindset this way,

“Failure is information—we label it failure, but it’s more like, ‘This didn’t work, and I’m a problem solver, so I’ll try something else.’”

Regardless of which side of the chart you fall on, you can make changes and develop a growth mindset. What follows are some strategies that will fine-tune your mindset and help you make certain it’s as growth oriented as possible.

Don’t stay helpless. 

We all hit moments when we feel helpless. The test is how we react to that feeling. We can either learn from it and move forward or let it drag us down. There are countless successful people who would have never made it if they had succumbed to feelings of helplessness: Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas,” Oprah Winfrey was fired from her job as a TV anchor in Baltimore for being “too emotionally invested in her stories,” Henry Ford had two failed car companies prior to succeeding with Ford, and Steven Spielberg was rejected by USC’s Cinematic Arts School multiple times. Imagine what would have happened if any of these people had a fixed mindset. They would have succumbed to the rejection and given up hope. People with a growth mindset don’t feel helpless because they know that in order to be successful, you need to be willing to fail hard and then bounce right back.

Be passionate.

 Empowered people pursue their passions relentlessly. There’s always going to be someone who’s more naturally talented than you are, but what you lack in talent, you can make up for in passion. Empowered people’s passion is what drives their unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Warren Buffet recommends finding your truest passions using, what he calls, the 5/25 technique: Write down the 25 things that you care about the most. Then, cross out the bottom 20. The remaining 5 are your true passions. Everything else is merely a distraction.

Take action. 

It’s not that people with a growth mindset are able to overcome their fears because they are braver than the rest of us; it’s just that they know fear and anxiety are paralyzing emotions and that the best way to overcome this paralysis is to take action. People with a growth mindset are empowered, and empowered people know that there’s no such thing as a truly perfect moment to move forward. So why wait for one? Taking action turns all your worry and concern about failure into positive, focused energy.

Then go the extra mile (or two). 

Empowered people give it their all, even on their worst days. They’re always pushing themselves to go the extra mile. One of Bruce Lee’s pupils ran three miles every day with him. One day, they were about to hit the three-mile mark when Bruce said, “Let’s do two more.” His pupil was tired and said, “I’ll die if I run two more.” Bruce’s response? “Then do it.” His pupil became so angry that he finished the full five miles. Exhausted and furious, he confronted Bruce about his comment, and Bruce explained it this way: “Quit and you might as well be dead. If you always put limits on what you can do, physical or anything else, it’ll spread over into the rest of your life. It’ll spread into your work, into your morality, into your entire being. There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there; you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level.”

If you aren’t getting a little bit better each day, then you’re most likely getting a little worse—and what kind of life is that?

Expect results. 

People with a growth mindset know that they’re going to fail from time to time, but they never let that keep them from expecting results. Expecting results keeps you motivated and feeds the cycle of empowerment. After all, if you don’t think you’re going to succeed, then why bother?

Be flexible. 

Everyone encounters unanticipated adversity. People with an empowered, growth-oriented mindset embrace adversity as a means for improvement, as opposed to something that holds them back. When an unexpected situation challenges an empowered person, they flex until they get results.

Don't complain when things don't go your way. 

Complaining is an obvious sign of a fixed mindset. A growth mindset looks for opportunity in everything, so there’s no room for complaints.

Bringing it all together

By keeping track of how you respond to the little things, you can work every day to keep yourself on the right side of the chart above.

Why you are not successful despite your intelligence

Adewale

How to Boost Traffic to Your Small-Business Website

What is better than one view on your website? More views! Have a website but the traffic numbers are lacking? Looking to drive traffic to your relevant and exciting content? Follow the tips below to gain a larger audience and leave a lasting impression while doing so.

Content is king. 

With the search engine algorithm updates and the need for good content, it is no surprise how imperative great content is. Write for your audience, not robots. This will help build your brand AND improve your online visibility. Link for relevant content and keep the links to a minimum (3-5 links). Don’t forget linking to your own website and other pages – this is data-rich food for search engine crawlers. The added bonus is your users will have the content they need in a sensible way. This builds trust and credibility.
 

Social integration.

Social Media is the current landscape to connect with your audience. Chances are, your business is utilizing a multitude of social channels and engaging with your audience. Be sure to add a call-to-action on these social channels to get more information on your website. 140 characters to inspire and have your audience seek for more information. Use your social efforts to drive traffic to your site. Looking to gain more traffic on social media channels? Use it regularly and use #hashtags appropriately. Unfamiliar with #hashtag*?  The hashtag connects your message with the #topic or #cause so those seeking information can easily find it.

*Too many #hashtags can have the reverse outcome and users will see this as spam instead. Opt for 1-3 hashtags per message.

Multimedia = attention grabbing

Images and video capture the attention of your users and search engines alike. Multimedia increase visibility because all are inherently intrigued by visuals. Including an image/video on your press releases, blog posts, social media channels and website puts a bull's eye target for your users' line of vision. Simply put: multimedia gets noticed and being noticed is the first step in driving traffic to your website and brand. Take the next step and use the multimedia efforts within your social media strategy.

How to Boost Traffic to Your Small-Business Website

Adewale

8 Money Mistakes to Avoid on Your Way to Being Wealthy

There is a difference between being rich and having wealth.

Wealth is the abundance of something in such surplus that no conditions can destroy it. Making a lot of money is one thing, getting rich another. Creating wealth, well, that’s what very few people ever learn. You have heard the expression "get rich quick," but you will never hear "get wealthy quick."

Ever hear the saying, “money never sleeps?” The wealthy take this literally and believe that money must work around the clock to grow. The wealthy respect and pay attention to their money knowing that nothing multiplies without attention. They also know money wants to be loved and acknowledged.

Sound crazy? Show me someone that doesn’t pay attention to their money or is disrespectful of it and I will show you someone lacking money.

The wealthy also avoid mistakes that big income earners and the rich make. Here are some common money mistakes you must avoid to create wealth:

1. Seeking comfort, not freedom. Comfort is the enemy of abundance and the most dangerous element of finances. The entire middle class is built on seeking comfort. The wealthy seek freedom and so much abundance that money is no longer dependent on their efforts. More is the mantra, abundance is the affirmation, comfort isn’t on their menu and freedom is the focus.

2. Diversification. You can never get truly wealthy by diversifying your investments. Wall Street has done a great job of selling the public on this idea of diversifying because it benefits Wall Street.

Mark Cuban says “Diversification is for idiots.” Andrew Carnegie said “put all your eggs in one basket and then watch that basket.” 

If you want to create real wealth learn everything you can about a space and go all in.

3. Depending on one income flow. No matter how big your income is, never depend on one flow. I knew an executive who was earning $350,000 a year, the top 1 percent of all incomes. Suddenly the industry she worked in came to halt and her one income flow was shut down. This has happened to many Americans, destroying trillions of dollars of "pretended" wealth.

To create wealth, you must make investments that will create dependable streams of income flows, independent of your main source of income. I use rental income from apartments and partnerships in other companies to throw off passive flows of income. I continue to pay attention to each of these flows to make them stronger. This is not diversification -- it’s fortification of wealth.

4. Comparing to others. Seventy-six percent of working Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Comparing your finances to others will ensure you never create wealth. People often compare their situation to some starving nation in a remote part of the world to justify being "better off." Another person’s finances, good or bad, will not pay your bills, won’t fund your retirement and will not provide you peace of mind. Don’t compare your finances to someone else’s.

5. Investing in trends. Avoid investing in the latest and greatest technologies that can be displaced by new technological developments.

Warren Buffett invests in electricity, railroads, banks, insurance, soft drinks, food companies and candy.

Don't get on the roller coaster. Take the longer, slower ride that guarantees arrival.

6. Trusting without proof. The single biggest mistake of my financial life was naïvely trusting a group of people because I liked them and it felt right. I neglected to get proof that they were actually as they presented. Instead I went with my feelings and was deceived. By the time I figured out something was wrong, I was out millions. 

Disregard your feelings when it comes to people and always look for solid evidence. If you are so close to people that you are not willing to ask them to provide evidence, make it a policy not to do business with them.

7. Saving to save. It is impossible to create real wealth just by saving money. The banks only pays .25 percent, so it will take you 40 years to grow your money 10 percent if rates stay where they are. More importantly, money that sits around idle always seems to find an emergency to fund.

Dave Ramsey suggests you not carry cash or credit cards because when either is available -- you’ll create a reason to use it.

To guarantee my wealth, since the age of 25, I moved surplus money into future investments accounts that I could not easily access, so that money was available for investments when I finally had the knowledge and courage to do so. This kept me broke and having to hustle constantly.

8. Pretender spender. On the other end of the spectrum is the pretender spender. They try to impress others with how they spend money. It’s not their money, it is always someone else’s. Sports cars, expensive clothes, designer bags, shoes, V.I.P. tables -- the list is endless.

The wealthy are not trying to impress anyone, they are seeking freedom.

When the wealthy hit affluence and abundance, they start throwing money around on ridiculous things -- cars, boats, planes, vacation homes. By then, it no longer matters that the things are poor investments. The very wealthy may appear to be flaunting their money with extravagances, but in reality they are not. The money they are spending is miniscule compared to the abundance they’ve created.

Sounds good doesn’t it? So what will it be for you: middle class, rich or wealthy?

You know money won’t make you happy and just getting by won’t either. There is a price to be paid for whatever choice you make. Wealth provides you with options and the person that has options has freedom.

8 Money Mistakes to Avoid on Your Way to Being Wealthy

Adewale Tuesday, 24 November 2015

How to Overcome 6 Obstacles Facing Every Online Marketer

The frenetic pace of change in the media landscape today is confronting marketers with challenges and setbacks they never faced before. With all of the moving parts associated with developing and implementing a solid market strategy, marketers are tasked with taming and managing a fierce, multi-headed beast.

Feeling lost and overwhelmed? Not to worry. Here are six common obstacles marketers face and tips on how to overcome them.

1. Advertising nobody sees.

According to programmatic advertising company Infectious Media, 54 percent of digital advertising goes unseen. Reasons why range from lack of plug-in support to ad-blocking browser extensions to miscellaneous loading problems. That means that more than half of the budget allocated to digital advertising is used ineffectively.

To combat this tough issue, buy advertising from companies that assure your ads will be seen. Millennial Mediaboasts a 100 percent viewability guarantee on its mobile ads, where your creatives are perfectly visible to audiences or else you do not pay for them. By prioritizing viewability, you can easily boost the effectiveness of your campaign.

2. Google’s changing SEO algorithm.

In May, Google quietly and unexpectedly changed its SEO algorithm and caused quite a stir in the marketing community. The move was made to favor mobile-friendly sites in search results to enhance the user experience. However, it also caused reduced traffic and revenue for most sites and required creative and timely solutions by companies to adapt to the change.

The fundamental way to make Google’s new SEO algorithm work for your company is to prioritize responsive web design with a mobile-friendly site. That  will  bump your site up to the top of the search results for all users, regardless of what device they are using. Always practice "white hat" SEO tactics focused on original, relevant and in-depth content to keep your audience delighted and coming back for more.

3. Ineffective consumer targeting.

Targeting is absolutely required for garnering a following and making sales. However, if performed incorrectly, your content won’t match up with the interests or needs of your audience, and there will be a disconnect between your brand and your prospective customers.

Before creating any content or nailing down your message, devote the time and effort to researching and constructing a detailed picture of your ideal buyer. One simple way to understand and flesh out what your best client would look like is to create buyer personas, which are fictional, generalized representations of your target customers. Each persona should fit distinct demographic categories, have unique needs and have fully-realized behavioral profiles. Knowing your audience will help you promote your content more effectively to those who will most likely be your loyal fans and evangelists.

4. Outdated technology and irrelevance.

If you don’t have your finger on the pulse of the newest developments in technology and social media, you have a high likelihood of driving your brand into irrelevance. The good news is, it is easier than ever to keep track of what is new and effective. Resources likeHubSpot and Moz provide in-depth, digestible articles and guides that will help you understand the ins and outs of marketing as well as how to incorporate the best value-adding techniques into your marketing strategy.

5. Poor email growth.

Growing your email list growth should be your top priority. According toLitmus, email marketing drives 20x more ROI than banner ads. The ability  to contact your customers directly is a hugely underestimated asset, especially since email has a higher conversion rate than Facebook and Twitter. Poor or stunted email growth is detrimental to your marketing efforts.

Thankfully, there are several tactics you can use to quickly expand your email list. First, only offer quality content. If you pique your readers’ interest with unique articles, blog posts and white papers, they will be eager to sign up for your newsletter. Services such as SumoMe’s List Builder also help seamlessly convert website visitors into loyal email subscribers. For more tips on how to grow your email list, readBuffer’s first-hand account of how it doubled its email signups in just one month.

6. Lack of video and visual skills.

When we think of marketers, we tend to imagine folks who are great at writing and communication and who also have a knack for networking and strategy-building. But the truth is, visual consumption is not just a fad, and marketers need to gain the skills necessary to thrive in this new world of infographics, gifs and Vines.

Brush up on your favorite image and video editing software, or take classes for the first time on Lynda.com. Then, observe how other brands are utilizing high-quality images and videos on their websites and social media. Later, incorporate lessons learned into your marketing materials.

How to Overcome 6 Obstacles Facing Every Online Marketer

Adewale Monday, 23 November 2015