About Adeolu Akinyemi

Adeolu Akinyemi is the MD of Avenues to Wealth Nigeria. He is an Entrepreneur, a Teacher, a Life Coach, a Networker and a Writer. Adeolu's career kicked off in Human Resources Management, where he had the opportunity to lead people development functions in some leading organizations. He since then moved on to consult for a wide variety of top Nigerian brands. In recognition of Adeolu's works, he's won scholarships, awards and recognitions in the last 18 consecutive years. He's a sought after trainer, a husband of one and a father of two children.
January 21, 2011

Don’t Do It!


Many times in our lives, we face the compelling urge to follow a road contrary to our views and values. We get a subtle often sugar coated offer on a plate of gold, to exchange what we have built for years for moments of promise. In those instances, our judgements seem cluttered, even though we knew the right thing to do, our scales just don’t give the right figures. We find ourselves debating the value of a birth right over the impending loss of life for missing a delicious plate of pottage. We debate our throne, for the exciting possibilities of one hour of endless ecstasy. In our unguarded moments, we often are presented with a sweet compromise – Don’t do it! What lies around and behind you, are small things, compared with what lies behind you. Don’t do it!

I woke up very early this morning, with a strong urge to write down and publish these thoughts. I don’t know if I’m writing for me, or if someone’s life will be preserved from danger by reading this. Temptations come in different shapes and sizes – for some it tests their financial propriety, for others their marital faithfulness or sexual purity, for yet some others, their professed values. Temptations are examinations, they only come, when you are meant to proceed to your next level. All of a sudden, what you have always had a position on, becomes so cheap and so easy, all of a sudden the price of compromise falls in the market place, and holding on seems the costlier thing to do, don’t do it!

See, this is the way it works. Whatever pleasure or comfort is derived from the moment of compromise will not last for long. The feelings of excitement and ecstasy felt when desecrating your marital vows or chastity values for example, do not linger on to carry you through the day talk less of a year. The pleasure soon gives way to guilt, and guilt quickly gives way to shame, shame is followed up by an urge to cover up and that is where the real issues begin!

In the corridors where your voice once rang, you hear the boast of your detractors ringing loud – “who haven’t I conquered?”, “where haven’t I been?”, “who is incorruptible?”, “Who can boast of faithfulness?” Down in your heart, you know that just a few days ago, your answer was I, but not anymore. Yet you can’t push the words aside, they haunt you, and hang over your head like blackmail, you are willing to go further and wider, just to deface that little hole that now has it’s address on your once airtight armor. Don’t do it!

In simple summary – the compromises you make today, will haunt you tomorrow. The errors in judgement to succumb to, will make it difficult for you to stand objective tomorrow. The pleasure of the inappropriate, will give way to guilt, shame and a compelling season of compromise and cover ups. Never participate in what you will not be proud of if announced on TV in front of your family and loved ones. Don’t let the future decide itself, imagine what’s possible and take your stand long before it happens. Make up your mind today – that no matter how much the fee of financial impropriety is, you will stay faithful. Make up your mind, that no matter how desirable the moments of sexual pleasure with that certain “angel” is, you will never dabble. Make up your mind not to ever barter your values for easy street. My friend, don’t do it!

I hope these words saves someone from impending danger! It saved me, I woke up this morning feeling excited that the pressures upon me, where only a dream! But it has strengthened my resolve. I won’t do it!

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January 13, 2011

5 Things You Must Build


Excuses are monuments of fools as murmuring is the language of slaves, yet it baffles me, how people participate in any of these two activities so frequently. Comparison is the pastime of fools as fear is the passion of slaves, yet it’s amazing how the greater part of society engage in them so helplessly. If the way you are living today is totally acceptable to you, then write your will, for somewhere around the corner is Elysium. Growth must be preceded by dissatisfaction, all of life’s blessings come towards one who has a burning desire. If you have cravings, and the things you crave must come to you, then there are a few things that you must build.

First of all however, what is your dream? Close your eyes if you must, but what is that one thing you will try to do, if success was guaranteed? What will you try your hands on if you knew you could not fail? What goal will you pursue, if you are assured of getting it? Dreams are the beacons of hope that guide us to new beaches far from the shores of our current realities. Do you have a dream? Or are you living your dream already?

If you want to reach beyond where you are today, if you desire more and want better, then these are a few things you need to build.

1. Build yourself

If you want more, you need to be more! Whatever you get that is more than who you are is a gift, don’t expect it next month. Quit comparing yourself with others, or murmuring about what you don’t have. If you don’t have it, ask yourself, “do I deserve it?” What value are you adding, and what will you pay for the value you are adding? To build yourself, you need to expand your mind – Read books, travel out, go on an adventure, try something new, make new friends. Look closely at your life, “what has changed in the last 1yr?” Have you made new friends? How many books have you read? Have you given yourself an attitude makeover? Are you brighter, sharper, more informed and a better person than you were before? If you don’t want to be a fool or a slave, build yourself. Don’t build just your mind, build your body, and exercise your spirit – Meditate, Pray, Sing, give expressions to your inner self. Build yourself.

2. Build Character

In this show-biz crazed world, where the virtues of modesty and conservativeness are gradually being positioned as a vice rather than a strength, you may wonder of what use is character. Interestingly, research still shows, that even crooked people like to work with people they can trust won’t con them out. The reality is that character is key. Character is the inner consistent you, it is who you are, and the sum total of all your qualities, values and ethics. In a world loaded with pressures from peers, advertising, channel O and so many influences, having an internal developed core that provides you with basic rules to guide you conduct is key. Charisma will not take you beyond where character cannot sustain you. Make up your mind to always do the right thing no matter who is watching. Guide yourself by true North principles and don’t destroy your character.

3. Build your home

Investing in your home, is characteristic of wisdom. Invest in your wife, your children, your family – nuclear and extended. Invest time, love and resources. Your home is not the house you are living in, it’s the people you are living with. Consciously build your home.

4. Build your Business

He that does not work, should not eat! There is dignity in labour, and working to earn a living, minding a business – your own, is noble and deserves credit. Don’t build a house at the detriment of your business, grow your business to build your house. Don’t focus your attention on deals and contracts, build a business. There is a world of difference between a deal and a business. Between a one-off and a system. Learn what to do to build your business and do it. Different businesses require different things, but have some generic things in common. Look for someone around you that is successful in business and if you can get, in your line of business. Learn from them.

5. Build your Brand

The Coca-Cola drink costs less than 10cents to make, but the Coca-Cola brand is worth billions of dollars. Reputation is useless if character is missing, but with character in place, build your brand. Let your name ring a bell around a theme. Be consistent. Start a Blog, sign-up on facebook, join groups relevant to you, join linked in, be visible and be consistent.

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January 5, 2011

Video – How Power Works


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December 31, 2010

It’s Your Time!


I’m usually amazed by how I try so hard to do some things, and they never seem to work! Have you had those experiences? You believe something should work, it feels good to the ears and looks good on paper, but it just doesn’t fly. As a speaker, I often tell people about Thomas Alva Edison, and how he never gave up on the light bulb until it was done, but really really don’t we all just try and try and eventually just pack it up and give up? Haven’t we advised people before, with information such as, I have tried that before, it doesn’t work? Have you? I have discovered that I have been guilty of not practicing what I preach. I have many stories of things I tried, that failed, and somehow whenever I see what looks like them again, I run!

Something amazing happened for me this year however, and in looking back at this year, I have learnt a vital life lesson that I think would benefit you big time. It’s a small piece of wisdom, but it’s wisdom that we all need to succeed.

Most times, things fail, not because it cannot succeed, but because it’s not yet time!

If you understand that statement, it will set you free. This year, I have attempted and succeeded at things that I had tried before and failed at. I actually didn’t even want to try them again, because I thought, “what’s the use, I’ve done that before”. They have however gone on to succeed beyond my wildest dreams. Why? Because every idea, every opportunity, every achievement has tied to it, a set time! All labour must be until that set time, if work stops before the time, then there will be no worthwhile experience.

I particularly like the way Shakespeare renders it

“There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.”

If we miss the tide, it’s shallow and miseries.

I like the way the wise king also renders it

“I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time” – Ecc 9:11

What actions do these statements lay on us?

1. Whatever you are doing, there is a right time at which it can work, keep at it until that time shows up. Don’t give up.

2. Be sensitive to right timing, don’t throw ideas away because of your past.

3. Don’t pride yourself on your speed, your strength, your wisdom or your skill. Nothing is as valuable as timing, and that is a God factor!

4. Look out for the floods in the tide, understand the trends, be like the sons of Issachar (understand the times and be ready to work)

5. Be involved in honest diligence, work through the shadows and miseries, and be willing to take the current when it serves.

6. We are always surrounded by opportunities, we only need to be sensitive to when to put in our buckets!

7. Develop an intimate relationship with the author of time, the one who lives beyond the boundaries of time in a timeless eternity. Say with the Psalmist, “our times are in your hand oh Lord”.ИДЕЯ ЗА ПОДАРЪК

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December 30, 2010

If Only You Knew!


image credits – www.accknox.org

I thought I knew what I’m about to share. I had read about it, seemed to understand it, but somehow, what I practiced was different from it. 2 days ago however, I made a call to my mentor on the brink of making a decision, he challenged me, and all of a sudden it dawned on me that I did not understand this principle. Please pay attention, read slowly, re-read if you must, but make sure you don’t enter into 2011 without this timeless principle. Don’t use it alone, share it with your friends. Greatness beacons, and it’s available for all those who will plug in into this way of life.

“Sing, O barren,
You who have not borne!
Break forth into singing, and cry aloud,
You who have not labored with child!
For more are the children of the desolate
Than the children of the married woman,” says the LORD.

“Enlarge the place of your tent,
And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings;
Do not spare;
Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.
For you shall expand to the right and to the left,
And your descendants will inherit the nations,
And make the desolate cities inhabited.” – Isaiah 54:1-3 Continue reading

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December 19, 2010

So Much to be Grateful For


It’s 12:54am, 20th December, 2010. The year is coming close to an end, and it feels like just a few days ago that we said happy new year! The year has been quite eventful, we’ve made new friends, learnt new things, ventured into new opportunities and journeyed through varied experiences. There have been tough times, challenging seasons and great moments! There have been thoughts that crossed my mind, that I deliberately shut out, and there have been experiences I have savored way beyond the moment. He that thinks, thanks! I don’t know about you, but as I think about the last one week, and I think about the last 11 months, my heart wells up with gratitude, my face is flushed and my eyes teary. I’ve not had it all smooth, but there is so so much to be grateful for!

Can you think back and consciously find reasons to be grateful? Has it been worth it? You have a choice how you see the cup of your life. Half empty or half full is simply a game of perspectives. A failed attempt can be seen as one more way not to do it, or it can be seen as the basis for defining the time as wasted. Thinking back daily, weekly, monthly and yearly, there is so much to be grateful for.

Please count your blessings with me. Permit me to start from the base of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

1. Biological and Physiological Needs

For the basic needs of life – air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex and sleep, I am truly grateful. Those who have been denied of many of these are not worse in character or less than human. Some are on constant oxygen supply, many find it difficult to feed, many thirst and many do not have places to stay. To refuse to think that we are privileged is to take things for granted. I am grateful. Can you remember anything to grateful for?

2. Safety Needs

For the Safety needs of life -security, protection, order, law, limits, stability, e.t.c. I am truly grateful. My family and loved ones have been kept from harm. Financially, health-wise and physically, we have enjoyed security, we have traveled far and wide and have been kept safe and sound. Some are unsafe and insecure, we are not better than them. For these and other blessings, I am truly grateful. Can you remember safety needs met, to be grateful for?

3. Love and Belonging Needs

For my love needs in  life – family, affection, work group and relationships brought into my life, I am grateful! Nothing beats the chorus of “daddy”, “daddy”, “daddy”, when I get home, as my children compete for their hugs. Nothing beats hanging out with my wife for more than 14hrs everyday. Nothing compares with the A2W team, that surround me, and the relationships that this year has brought my way. In the area of love and a sense of belonging, I have a lot to be grateful for. What about you?

4. Esteem Needs

For the sense of worth and achievement bestowed on me in the course of this year, I am grateful. I am grateful for the awards, grateful for the achievements, the responsibility, the reputation and even the status bestowed on me. In the area of esteem needs, there is a lot to be grateful for. I am grateful, how about you? Mind you though, we are each motivated by the level we don’t yet have, so in case you have no esteem needs, be grateful that you have little or nothing to worry about.

5. Cognitive Needs

I am grateful for the hunger for knowledge that has driven me to read, to seek to know and to have a sense of meaning and of purpose. We talk so boldly and take it for granted, we have a sense of purpose, are driven to read and don’t see it as a big deal. There is so much to be grateful for, are you grateful?

6. Aesthetic Needs

For my personal growth and an increased appreciation of beauty, of balance and of form, I am truly grateful. I have been blessed with awesome sights, been thrilled by adrenalin pumping exercises. I have vacationed in different parts of the world, and enjoyed so many views, for these and more I am grateful. Do you now have reasons to be grateful?

7. Self Actualization Needs

For giving me the opportunities and the privileges to push myself towards achieving my God given potentials, I am grateful. I look at myself a year back, and I have learnt so much, and grown so fast it amazes me. “God, I am thankful”

8. Transcendence Needs

Nothing beats the feeling of hearing a “thank you” from someone you have labored to add value to and ensure turns out better than you. There is no greater joy than the joy that comes from pouring out yourself for others. Nothing equates with that feeling of rising to the height of ones personal potential and helping another person take the same journey. For the opportunities you have given me to help others become fulfilled, I am truly grateful. Are you grateful?

Make up your mind to enter into the new year with gratitude. If we think deeply enough, we can always find 5 things everyday to be grateful for. Once you can retain the attitude of gratitude, there is nothing big heading your way that will miss you. You will suddenly discover that you have become like a magnet for the things you desire.

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December 6, 2010

Why Me?


Have you asked that question lately? This is a question we can ask in thanksgiven, but it’s a question we ask more as a complain and out of finding ourselves in places we think we do not deserve. We ask, “why me?”, “why not someone else?”, “why am I going through this mess?”, “Why?”. It may be frustration at work, an exam you prepared for but failed, the loss of a loved one, financial mishap, struggle with an addiction, loss of any type, health issues, acute fear, marital issues, frustrated dreams or an endless list of possibilities. You look at your life, stare at your situation and muse over your circumstances. You know it’s not a fair question to ask, but it slips out of your mouth anyway. You lift up your head to the skies, you desire to see and meet with God, and the question on your heart is, “Why me?”. I have an answer for you today!

From my personal experience and from keen observation of the stories shared by many others, I have come to one empowering perspective – “The message you were sent to deliver to this world, will be formed in the midst of your mess”. The reason why you are going through what you are going through, is because that area of challenge has a key that a large population of the world is struggling to open. The reason you are in that mess, is because someone needs to get the key, and use the key to set others free. The reason why you are experiencing what you are experiencing, is because before you can help others become free, you need to understand what they are going through and be able to show them the way. Continue reading

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November 25, 2010

Prepare or Perish


And the Winner of the Samsung Phone from MTN for this season is: Adesoji Adegbulu. Congratulations. Question 7: What year did MTN start in Nigeria? (Please read the previous articles for the rules)

I am not a great fan of motivating by fear, but research if you must, the worst of the global depression, recession or economic downturn is yet to happen. All we have witnessed so far, is a foretaste and merely a dress rehearsal of what is impending. If you think that the banks have laid off it’s employees, then wait for what is coming. If you think the stock market has crashed and there is a downturn, you hang on and hold on tight. The worst is not over yet! Ireland is currently experiencing food shortage, Greece is broke and world economies are not exactly facing their greatest days. People that cry peace, when the future is bleak and far from at ease are called false prophets. It is important to warn you, that the times are not evenly set, and there is change in the seasons sufficient to cause panic. Continue reading

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