November 2, 2010

What’s Your Excuse?


“Question 3 for winning a Samsung GT-S3100 – “What is the full meaning of KB and MB” You can answer the questions now that you see question 3. Answers to be sent to seun.adelana at gmail.com”

“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” -Matthew 11:18,19

Excuses are monuments of fools, they are tools of the incompetent, he that is wise, will not live by them! Excuses are the reasons failures give for failing! Wisdom is never proven by words, it’s proven by deeds. John has a demon and Jesus is a glutton and a drunkard, hence the generation of old armed themselves with the tools of the incompetent. Their generation didn’t start giving excuses however, it started from the first time man displayed disobedience, Adam opened his mouth “The woman that you gave me, gave me and I ate”. Today however, thousands of years after, men are still forever limited by their excuses!

What is your excuse? What reason have you given yourself to condone and accommodate where you currently are? Are you living true to your potentials? Are you capable of doing more or being more than where you currently are? What is limiting you? You don’t have a choice? Or you have given yourself no other choice? Almost 2yrs ago, I saw the true light and possibilities of what Avenues to Wealth (then Holidays and Cash) could become. I came from Malaysia filled with passion for possibilities. It amazes me how almost two years later, some of the people I shared the opportunity with, have managed to either stay on the same spot or actually fall behind. The company listened objectively to every objection and limitation communicated to it, and have made moves to change everything and make things better. Today, the company is light years ahead of it’s past, yet, some have heard the flute and not danced, they even listened to the dirge and still refused to mourn. What’s your excuse? Continue reading

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August 30, 2010

From Where You Are


Nokia’s Quiz (Send the Answers today)

Which of the following is Nokia known for?

A. Finding people       B. Identifying people C. Connecting people

Where is Nokia’s global head office based?

A. Norway                  B. Finland                   C. Denmark

Which of these can you get FREE on your Ovi Store?

A. Games        B. Sweet & Sour sauce           C. Umbrella

Which of these can you get on the Nokia C3?

A. Instant Coffee        B. Instant Noodles      C. Instant Messaging

Everything you need for your Nokia is right here except?

A. Ovi Store   B. Ovi Chat   C. Ovi Mail   D. Ovi Street

(Please send the  all answers to the questions to deoluakinyemi@gmail.com today 2nd of Sept, 2010.)

As I write this post, I’m in a taxi in Nasarawa. We’ve been journeying together with a few colleagues from Jos, heading towards Abuja. It’s almost 8pm and I’m 2 days behind my normal plans. I’ve had two cancelled flights by two different airlines in two days. The pot seems black, but I have learnt from time, that the white corn jelly [eko funfun] usually proceeds from the black pot of life.

Wherever, however, whenever, great things come from small, hopeless or ugly beginnings. In the midst of it all, I’m getting cozy with my blackberry and, I have a message for you! Continue reading

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June 28, 2010

Step-change Your Life


Can your life drastically improve in the next one year? Did it, in the last one year? What are you prepared to do differently?

Let’s not fool ourselves, things are not likely to suddenly progress and transform you into success or greatness without doing something you didn’t want to, or think you can do before! Don’t read this mail, don’t take action based on what you read, and I can guarantee your life will continue the way it did before you started. Act however, and you may discover that you have untapped potentials for unique achievement and greatness.

The Foolish buy today, the Wise buy tomorrow based on trends! Continue reading

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April 7, 2010

What if I fail?


One of the strongest revelations I walk with is understanding that the fear of extremes makes us mediocre. People regularly live less than their potentials, because of a dread of the worst. What if I fail? What if I die? What if my good name is dragged in the mud? What if I make a fool of myself? Unwilling to think deeply about the worst, men and women condemn themselves to an average low impact existence.  No books are written about them, no quotes to their name, their fear of failure got them eventually the same fate with all, death, but meaningless lives.

I have learnt to always confront my worst possibilities? I resigned from paid employment 4yrs ago with clarity about the question, what if I fail? My answer was that should I fail, I would send my family to my parents or theirs, I will stay around in Lagos for a little longer and work my butts off, if all still fails, I will go back to the village and get involved in farming!  I grew up learning to farm, and I know that on the farm you are not likely to die of hunger, and once there is life, there is hope :) . I have a colleague that told me his own worst case scenario was that he’ll become a driver – since he loves to drive. What I have learnt is that except you are willing to ask yourself mind boggling questions, you will not make mind boggling progress.  Those who go very high in life, are those who have dealt with the fear of falling. What if you fail? Continue reading

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September 12, 2009

How to Make Decisions


We are where we are today, because of decisions that we made. Life is a journey, it’s a long road with many junctions, it’s a giant maze. The junction you and I chose to follow determine our destination, and determine our experience. Take it from me, decision making the most important activity we’ll ever engage in. Everything else stems from our decisions. He who leads, excels or succeeds does so based on decisions. The only measurable output of your thinking is your decision. Once again  however, our curriculum does not arm us at any level with how to make decisions.

“Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” – Peter Drucker (Management Guru)

This reminds me of the story of an economic adviser to a great king. This king always relied on his adviser to help him with his economically oriented decisions, but typical of all economists, the adviser will offer him a detailed analysis of why to do things in a certain way on one hand, and reasons why he can do it the other way on the other hand. The king would need to make a decision, and at the end of the day will hear two possibilities, one version on one hand, and the other on the other hand. This got the king really frustrated, and anxious to end his persistent confusion. The king thought long and hard, and finally came up with a decision that is indeed the mother of all decisions. The decision that will help him simplify his decision making process. After he did that, his life became simple, and he became successful. Continue reading

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September 2, 2009

Change your LIFE


Very early this morning I woke up with a startle. There seemed to be a strong message on my heart, for me, and for all that care to listen. I had known for a long time that the determining factor of anyones success or failure is his/her thoughts, but very early this morning it got reinforced. Our minds are the battle grounds in which our battles are won or lost, it is the last frontier before our victories. You and I can get to anywhere from where we are, we can become anything we dream or chose to become. It’s totally up to us, we’ve been given the power. Great things however do not happen to us by coincidence, to become and arrive at the right destination, we must become the right people.
If you desire the financial prosperity of Bill Gates, what you need is not his company or a financial leverage. What you need is to think the thoughts of Bill Gates. If you want to play golf like Tiger Woods, then you need to think like Tiger woods. Change your thoughts and your life will change. Think poverty and you will become poor, think wealth and it will be. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Your life will move in the direction of your most predominant thought. I hold firmly the opinion that you can change your life. That you and I have a choice in the way our tomorrow will be. I believe that inside everyman and woman, lies the keys to a better life, that no matter how bad, we can change, not matter how low, we can still rise. Do you feel the need for more, for better, for greater, for more impact? Then this is your time, and this post was written to guide you.
Right there from where you are, you can begin to live a brand new changed life, from right now. The greatest change that can happen to any human is a change of paradigm. A foundational change in philosophy or perspective. We are who we are, until we challenge who we are, empty our cups and open up ourselves for greater possibilities. Let me be frank with you, the reason you are where you are currently is because that’s how far the way you think can take you. If you are broke, angry, frustrated or unhappy, you were led there by your thoughts. If you want more, better, or greater, then you need to think differently. Einstein said it correctly, when he said that the level of thinking that solves a problem must be different from the level of thinking that created it. Here are a few things you can do
1. Challenge your current paradigm. One of the greatest limitations that man faces, is that we get used to what we have always done. We get so used to this that we get stuck into a philosophy of way of thinking we neither questioned nor challenged. We live our lives with stereotypes, more often than not, we stick with our vocations at the age of 40, because 22yrs ago, and 18yr old boy made the mistake of studying that course. Ask yourself, must I continue like this?
One of the greatest ways to challenge your paradigm is to switch on your imagination, to allow yourself to dream big. Many of us grow up get jobs, struggle with our work, cower to our bosses and bury our dreams. Challenge your status quo. Imagine yourself as the president of a global organization, imagine yourself owning a big business, heading a franchise, being a blessing, influencing millions of people. Imagine yourself going on vacation when you want, driving the type of car you like, living in the side of town that suites and satisfies you. Imagine yourself investing time in your childrens development, attending their competitions and special sport outings rather than sending a coach. Does your current life contain your big dream or are you clearly in the wrong box? Challenge your choices, challenge your options, ask how human beings have achieved greatness, ask why not you?
2. Think Positive thoughts with positive emotions. The average person is so negative, perhaps that’s why he is average, or is it merely average to think negative? You can make wonders happen for your life, by deliberately thinking positive thoughts and having positive emotions. Take a loan from your future, place and advance request on your goals. Don’t wait for perfect things to begin to happen to you before you exhibit perfect behaviour. Tell yourself where do I want to get to, and begin to exhibit the traits for that place, NOW! Start living your dream now, don’t think successful, feel successful. Don’t think royalty, feel royalty. Let your bounce, your carriage and posture align with your aspirations.
Expect the best, be positively paranoid – expect that all things, good and bad are working together with the entire universe to make something good happen for you. See the cup as half full, see the future as bright. This possibilities, enjoy the best of today. Don’t prospone your life, have no regrets. Think I an become, think, I will become!
3. Engage in Positive-Self Talk. Words are spiritual, they have the capacity to create, or to destroy. Words are the programing language of our mind, with our words we can influence our minds, we can scribble on our minds and stirr ourselves into action.
We all engage in negative self talk unconciously. It’s the reason we think we are shy, the reason we hide, the reason we stay within our comfort zone. Our propensity to want to impress others, to do everything for the sake of who sees, and who gets to hear, puts pressure on us, and we put ourselves down. Tell yourself, you can! If it is to be, it is up to me! Tell yourself, I will be great! I can’t be small! I will be big – (As in, I must be Bigs, as in, you know, ouush). I am beautifully and wonderfully made, gentiles come to my light and kings to the brightness of my rising. I am exceptional! I am a king! e.t.c.
4. Just do it! Rather than regularly analyze it, frequently condemn it, or often give excuses. Just do it! Move into the action lane and face your fears. Do the things you know have the capacity to change your life. Like start your day well – pray and confess the right things, form the right habits, exercise, prioritize, practice deliberate kindness.
Don’t go slowly through life wondering what could have been, make things happen. Leave the spectators, join the actors. Embrace change. Make mistakes, unmake them, learn, improve, grow. Dare big things, have a life of adventure, live the good life, be happy, help someone else, live life, don’t watch it. Own your life!

Very early this morning I woke up with a startle. There seemed to be a strong message on my heart, for me, and for all that care to listen. I had known for a long time that the determining factor of anyones success or failure is his/her thoughts, but very early this morning it got reinforced. Our minds are the battle grounds in which our battles are won or lost, it is the last frontier before our victories. You and I can get to anywhere from where we are, we can become anything we dream or chose to become. It’s totally up to us, we’ve been given the power. Great things however do not happen to us by coincidence, to become and arrive at the right destination, we must become the right people.

If you desire the financial prosperity of Bill Gates, what you need is not his company or a financial leverage. What you need is to think the thoughts of Bill Gates. If you want to play golf like Tiger Woods, then you need to think like Tiger woods. Change your thoughts and your life will change. Think poverty and you will become poor, think wealth and it will be. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Your life will move in the direction of your most predominant thought. I hold firmly the opinion that you can change your life. That you and I have a choice in the way our tomorrow will be. I believe that inside everyman and woman, lies the keys to a better life, that no matter how bad, we can change, not matter how low, we can still rise. Do you feel the need for more, for better, for greater, for more impact? Then this is your time, and this post was written to guide you. Continue reading

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May 30, 2009

I Wept – 2


tears1

Some of you were not reading this site back when I wrote “I wept”, and some of you were. If you are curious enough you can go over and read it. It makes an interesting read everytime I go back memory lane. Today’s article is however not a mere recap of why I wept back then. Today’s article is about why I wept today!

Just incase you don’t know, let me remind you once again, that I percieve my tears as precious. So precious that you are likely to find gold before you see tears in my eyes. I have discovered however, that while it might be difficult to share tears out of pain, I find myself getting moved and touched by care, concern and certain fundamental life issues.  Today I held back the tears without success, with a handkerchief in my pocket and ladies from different nations around me, I tried to play the man with a heart of steel, to watch and nod rather than allow my lacrimal glands take the day, but it happened again. Like Shakepsear said – “To weep is to make less the dept of grief”, I felt better after.

It wasn’t out of sorrow, thankfully, it was out of concern and compassion for people like you and I.  People like you and I who have the capacity to do a lot more than we are doing. People like you and I who have accepted the stereotyping of society. People like you and I who are bound for the grave with virtually all our talents and resources untouched and still loaded. People like you and I who are so quick and sharp with excuses, that we have become incapable of venturing into anything. While I listened, my heart melted, my siliva dried, my ears openned and I heard Gods’ voice in my ears, and my eyes gave way to warm tears. What happened? Follow me. Continue reading

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April 23, 2009

Adventures of Deolu Akinyemi 1-1


 

If we indeed are a sum total of our experiences and the vital impressions they have left on us, then no individual is fully introduced until you have a glimpse at where they are coming from, and the experiences that have shaped them. It is interesting however, that we get to know people and learn from their experiences after they die in their biographies, of if they do it themselves in their later years. 

Somehow the world makes us feel it’s self aggrandizement  to begin to write an autobiography at a young age, but it’s interesting however that when we read about the great, our attentions are not focused on how they died, or how they spent their old age, our eyes are riveted rather on their making, their early years. We look around for traces in them of similarities with us, as if somehow to convince ourselves that greatness has not completely eluded us. Greatness hasn’t eluded you, it’s never too late to start to do things right. When all is said and done, and your history is written, there will be no reference to the kind of car you drove, no reference to how many houses you have, no reference to how loaded your bank account was. Think about it, do you know what car Bill Gates drives? Do you know how many houses he has or where he has them? Remember, this man is still alive now, and 99% of us don’t even know those things. When your coffin is lowered and your grave sealed, what lives on after you, are the lives you have blessed, the people your coming made a difference to, what you gave, the sacrifices you made and the things you did, that made others say thank you. Continue reading

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