Category Archives: Failure

Adeolu Akinyemi
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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Adeolu Akinyemi
September 15, 2010

Success Factors


A few years ago, I had the awe inspiring responsibility of being the Talent Supply Manager for one of the best companies to work for in the world. Shortly before I finished from university, I had stumbled on the name of the company in a book titled the best 100 companies to work for in America, so it was a desirable place for me. Unknown to me, I would go on, to be responsible for determining who gets in, and who does not in just a few years from reading the book. There were many things great about the company – It had at that time been in existence for over 165yrs, it had 110,000 employees worldwide, it invented quite a number of amazing products and concepts and more, but these are not the greatest things about the company. The greatest accolades that the company won were in 1. Quality of Talents that worked in the company and 2. Quality of Management, as evidenced by the fact that many of the other top companies ranking as companies to work for had their CEOs as alumni of this company. Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
May 9, 2010

My Testimony – FGBMF


The narrative below was produced by Ewulotan Ayodeji Peter a participant in the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship of 17th March, 2010, the Aqua Chapter. I had the privilege of sharing my testimony and perspectives with them. I believe some people were blessed, here is hoping that this narrative would be valuable to you as well.
He is a distinguished engineering graduate from OAU who opted to pursue his passion (human development) rather than the course he studied. He was fortunate to have given his life to Christ very early in life, a decision that turned him to a young billionaire (He was a Youth Corper 10years ago). His major turning point in life started when he went for a retreat out of passion for God…….before the commencement of the meeting he prayed that God should distinguish him in life (he wanted to be different, ….God set me apart)
He was surprised at God’s response …….God told him it is not my job to make you different ….that he would not need Him (God) to be different…. that the decision and effort must come from him (Deolu) to be a different person i.e. you have to first draw near to God for God to draw near to you …..like the saying ‘Heaven only helps those who help themselves’. ‘When I see you make a move then I God will back you up. Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
April 11, 2010

Failing Successfully!


“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career, I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over in my life. And that’s why I succeed!” – Michael Jordan

One of the sharpest contrasts of paradigms between the super successful and the near do wells or outright failures is their perspective about failing. The contrast is so alarming, yet many don’t know. In my little sojourn and study, I have discovered quite amazingly that the rich and the poor, the great and the average, the skilled and he amateur,  have different philosophies about failing. If your philosophy can change, then you have indeed begun your journey into the school of success. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. You are not more than your way of thinking. Read these words, and let them transform your thinking, changing the way you see failing and rejection has the capacity to transform your life in 3 months.

Failing is one of the best things that can happen to a human being! Rejection is be most powerful motivation tool on earth! Getting a “No!” from your prospects or friends is the best self development training in the world! Failing is golden! The act of falling short, or missing expectations, of not meeting up with the desired results or getting woeful results is precious. You need to motivate yourself to fail, get yourself the opportunity of being rejected, go into places you’ll hear no’s more often, for success is elusive to those who have no history of failing! Failure must never be a place that defines you, but you must be conversant with failing. Like Thomas Watson one time MD of IBM said, “I have discovered, that in order to double my success rate, I simply double my failure rate!”.  You are not ready to succeed, until you are prepared to fail :) Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
March 24, 2010

Opportunities that will make you Enemies


I have been involved in a lot of opportunities in my life, I’ve always been entrepreneurial (mum’s blood), and people are usually puzzled when I talk about the things I have been involved with. I have sold bread and egg (when I was in secondary school), barbed hair, made greeting/love cards and bookmarks, co-owned and managed a dry-cleaning (wash, starch, iron and packaging) company. I have done transport business, bought and resold far produce and written certificates for a University. I have been involved in Mining, done network marketing ( and a few companies masquerading as such) and have even been involved in a few investment related businesses.

If there is anything that I have learnt, I have learnt that even though it’s good to pursue opportunities, there are opportunities that have the capacity to mess you up and destroy your integrity. These businesses are things one must do due diligence on, and get involved with clarity about what their future holds. I have held myself back from publicly sharing my thoughts on a number of companies, but please spare me today, as I share them with you from my perspective! I’m going to be like an economist in my analysis, offering you the facts and not necessarily taking sides. I confess that I am biased, I am heavily biased by experience, I am biased based on the people I have seen and the woes that they share. Please get my verdict here once and for all on TVI,  Travel Access Club, Holidays and Cash, High Street Market.Forever Living Products, Tianshi, VIPexpress, RVI, Questnet, 5linx, e.t.c. Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
November 2, 2009

Spectators are less than losers


I’m consistently irritated and angered by how many people are so comfortable with the lukewarm position of being spectators. The myriads of purposeless souls who would rather watch and analyze than engage and participate. I’m puzzled at how people can become professors at subjects their only interface with is theoretical. People earn a reputation for being critical of things they are obviously shallow about, the fear of failure robs people of the will to try, the fear of death numbs people and even though they don’t die, neither do they live.

Hear this and let it ring loud in your heart, “when all you do is watch, you are less than those who lost!” Someone once said, it’s better to change, discover that change was wrong and change back, than not to have changed at all. There is always merit in action, if a process doesn’t leave you with wealth, it’s certain to leave you with a wealth of experience. It’s better to fight and lose, than give in from the beginning, it’s better to try and fail, than to analyze fromt he sidelines. Bad players win commentaries, there is no commentary for spectators. My charge to you today is simple, don’t be a mere observer. Don’t venture only into speculation, venture into engaging and participating. Rather than join the crowd of spectators airing their opininon on plenty of reasons why failure is imminent, why not enter into the arena and win or lose and forever seal your reputation as one who is involved! Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
September 16, 2009

Response to a Sincere Letter


Everyday, I get letters from people, recieve calls and generally interact with people accross different class divides and age ranges.  These letters are usually in 2 categories, there are letters that involve a request and letters that are simply saying thank you and showing appreciation. I also get questions, comments, enquiries, e.tc. Yesterday, I got a letter from someone that I have his permission to share and respond for him and all who occupy a similar circumstance to read.

Here is the letter, read carefully and find my response below.

Chairman,
How you dey? How’s business and family?
Sorry, i’ve been out of touch. Its not just because of time constraints, but as a result of the fact that i didn’t know how to ask the questions i’ve been wanting to ask. Its been an issue of the right questions create the right answers. That kind of thing.
By the way, my e-zine resumed yesterday, thanks for your suggestion. I sent it from my domain mail. God bless you so much for ur wealth of knowledge and depth of experience. God bless.
In this mail, i’ll be asking the right questions. Kindly take time to answer me- don’t rush. Thanks.
I’m in a fix- financially. Pareto’s principle has caught up with my income and my financial goals for the year have been elusive. I planned to increase my flow of income thru the haulage biz and forex but the loan i wanted to get for the former was not approved and the guy i invested in his forex biz has messed up by not giving me my returns. I invested $1400 in March, to be receiving a repayment of $280/month starting June but the guy trading the biz has been giving me stomach-upsetting excuses.
I know that i desperately need new income streams, moreso that our baby is coming pretty soon. A lot of needs are still outstanding and there seems to be nothing remaining to cater for any other thing. I usually get a loan from my wife before the end of the month. What do u suggest? What do i do to generate money?????????
Second, i know i’ve got stuff- intellectually. My pastor’s current series on Real Money has been thought-provoking. I know i have value but i’m yet to realise how to trade them for money. So how do i convert this to real money and, what do i need to do to keep adding value to myself?
As per working in XXXXXXXXX, i know its time to still stay here and learn. I have my eyes on enterprenurship ultimately but God told me a few months ago that i should still be here for now. But i want to make some passive income by the side cos i cant depend on my earnings here.
Questions, questions, so many questions. I need your counsel, brother.
Warm Regards,

“Chairman,

How you dey? How’s business and family?

Sorry, i’ve been out of touch. Its not just because of time constraints, but as a result of the fact that i didn’t know how to ask the questions i’ve been wanting to ask. Its been an issue of the right questions create the right answers. That kind of thing.

By the way, what we talked about resumed yesterday, thanks for your suggestion. I used what you recommended and it worked. God bless you so much for ur wealth of knowledge and depth of experience. God bless.

In this mail, i’ll be asking the right questions. Kindly take time to answer me- don’t rush. Thanks.

I’m in a fix- financially. Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
June 1, 2009

Unbelievable!


“After a keen competition between Omozele and Ikotun Adebisi, I’m glad to announce that the winner is…. to be announced on the next post, and the gift too”

upside-down-house41

 

In the last 4 days, I have learnt a lot of things, seen a lot of things and heard tons, but interestingly it’s amazing me that the things that left an impression on me where not the things that talked to my head, but the things that ministered to my heart. Never in such a concentrated period of time have I seen myself cry and weep in succession. Yesterday was worse, I couldn’t keep the tears back for 30 mins, and my handkerchief had been left behind in the room where I slept. It was so bad, that I couldn’t even respond properly to the lady beside me who was trying to let out her emotions by talking to me. We were perfect strangers, but I was no where around, I was too far away and too long gone to interact in words,  what I heard touched my heart and lit the fires in my soul. Ife, get ready for me on the 13th of June, you’ll be seeing a reloaded version of me!

The words I heard were not the words of gifted orators, there was nothing spectuacular or polished about their phonetics or their use of English. In fact, they couldn’t even speak in English, both of them. They spoke in the languages they could communicate with while someone was kind enough to interprete. They kept me in one cycle of emotion after the other for over 30 straight minutes. I’ll try and share with you the message with hopefully close to the intensity with which it hit me, I hope this makes you search your soul, review your life, and weep deeply as well. I hope it changes you like it has changed me. It was simply unbelievable!! Continue reading →

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